An Interview with ANTIAGE (2/2)

In our two-part interview with ANTIAGE, we talk about their latest single, “Zenith of Decay,” and that certain visual flair. Did you miss Part 1? No problem— you can read it here.

Orkus: How would you answer the question about the height of decay, which the lyrical “I” can hardly wait for?
ANTIAGE: That’s actually a question we’re reluctant to answer definitively. Of course, our lyrics never come about by chance, and there’s always a specific intention behind them. At the same time, though, we feel that the moment a song is released, it no longer belongs solely to us. For us, a big part of the fascination of music lies in the fact that different people hear the same lyrics and discover completely different things in them. Sometimes this leads to interpretations that we ourselves never intended, and that’s exactly what we find exciting. That’s why we’d be reluctant to specify exactly what “the height of decay” means in this song. We believe that music loses some of its magic when every line is explained in detail. We prefer the idea that each listener answers this question for themselves.

O: The video was shot in “cell phone format,” which, of course, really stands out. What was the idea behind that?
ANTIAGE: Of course, there’s also a pragmatic consideration at play here. Today, the digital world largely operates in the 9:16 format, and as a band, it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid it. But what we found particularly intriguing was the contradiction behind it. “Zenith of Decay” deals, among other things, with themes like sensory overload, escalation, and the constant search for the next, stronger stimulus. At the same time, the vertical format is now the format of Reels, Shorts, and TikToks—in other words, the very digital world that constantly fuels such mechanisms. We found this contradiction intriguing. That’s why we didn’t want to shoot a classic, glossy music video, but rather something raw, direct, and immediate. Filmed with a cell phone, featuring shaky footage and a slightly nostalgic look—yet still fully in keeping with the visual zeitgeist of the year 2026.

O: The filming location was a bathroom? Please tell us about it.
ANTIAGE: There were actually several reasons. For one thing, we deliberately wanted to shoot a no-budget video. No expensive equipment, no spectacular location, and no glossy look. We wanted the video to come across as raw, direct, and a little weird. For another, we thought it was funny to take a concept to the extreme. Back in the day, bathroom selfies at parties were kind of the norm. So we thought: Why stop there? If you can take bathroom selfies, why not just shoot an entire music video in the bathroom? Somewhere between a club restroom, a tiled room, and sensory overload, an aesthetic emerged that fit “Zenith of Decay” surprisingly well.

O: You’ve also continued to evolve in your live performances, with a visual style all your own. Have you created your own fictional characters?
ANTIAGE: The concept has been part of the band from the very beginning. Even when we first formed, it was clear to us that ANTIAGE wouldn’t just be about the music—it would always have a visual dimension as well. That’s why stage outfits, performance elements, and various fictional characters were part of the overall picture from the start. Of course, this continues to evolve over time. New ideas are added, existing concepts are refined, and some things we could only vaguely imagine at the start can now be brought to life. We see ANTIAGE as a total work of art. A concert shouldn’t just work musically, but also visually and atmospherically. In a way, every show is therefore also a little piece of theater. This idea has been with us since day one and continues to evolve with every release and every show.

O: Is “Zenith of Decay” also a preview of the upcoming studio album? What can and are you allowed to reveal about it so far?
ANTIAGE: Anyone familiar with our debut album, “Aphrodisiac Odyssey,” knows that we’ve never set ourselves overly narrow stylistic boundaries. It features a wide variety of influences and moods, and it’s precisely this openness that will also shape our second album. “Zenith of Decay” is therefore definitely a preview, but just one of several. The next single will likely have a completely different character. We find it exciting when a new ANTIAGE song doesn’t just repeat what people already know. That’s why it’s always worth staying curious—because you never know exactly what to expect next. Otherwise, we’ll be releasing more songs step by step over the coming months, gradually paving the way for the second album.

O: What are ANTIAGE’s plans for the near future?
ANTIAGE: Right now, the focus is clearly on new songs and, of course, the upcoming album. Over the next few months, we’ll gradually release more tracks, paving the way for our second album. Beyond that, we’re naturally hoping to bring the new songs back to the stage as soon as possible. Otherwise, we’re excited to see what doors will open along the way. The last few years have shown us that the most interesting developments are often the ones you didn’t even expect.

Claudia Zinn-Zinnenburg

Lineup:
Kaa Soleil – vocals, lyrics
Finton Connedy – guitar, piano, backing vocals
VetoLestard – keyboard, backing vocals
Jodian Danage – drums

Watch the video for “Zenith of Decay”: