METALLICA - LUX AETERNA

ORIGINS & LEGACY

Metallica is one of the most successful rock groups ever, selling over 125 million albums worldwide. Fans connect with Metallica for their ferocious riffs, uncompromising energy, and the camaraderie the band projects on stage. They are revered for combining old-school aggression with boundary-pushing production.

LUX ÆTERNA

Released in 2022 as the lead single from 72 Seasons, “Lux Æterna” is a short, fast thrash track echoing their early 1980s style. Directed by Tim Saccenti, the video shows the band performing on a stark soundstage in silhouette under searing lights and aggressive lasers.

laser design

We created powerful overhead Laser Banding effects—parallel beams slicing through haze that caged the band in light. Kirk Hammett exclaimed it looked like “playing inside a friggin’ volcano,” while James Hetfield joked about the blinding intensity. We also created a horizontal laser tunnel which performers and camera were both positioned within while filming.

live execution

The shoot was run like a live show, with laser and lighting effects performed in real time to mirror the raw energy of Metallica’s performances rather than relying on post-production. The song and video were praised as a return to form, topping rock charts and earning Grammy and MTV nominations.

AESTHETIC FIT

The aggressive laser visuals we created matched Metallica’s aesthetic perfectly—high-contrast, visceral, and aligned with the song’s theme of eternal light.

BEHIND THE SCENES

SEE IT LIVE

Book a studio visit to explore ideas in person, or request a quote today. We look forward to delivering signature laser moments for your next project.