The video is pretty much as close to perfect as you can get. They look awesome (and it can be real easy to look cheesy or as if trying way too hard in metal) - perfect scenery/colors/camera work for the song. The setting conveys the attitude of the song AND album perfectly. I loved the above looking down angle they got on MJR - captures the man AND the instrument without being a bland straight on shot.
Not so sure about the Russell/snake interaction idea. Snakes have been the ultimate phallic symbol for years... guy/snake interaction just doesn't work. Up until that whole thing, I think Russ is pretty much kicking ass and looking like he is in command.
I feel bad for Michael Pinnella - first off he's playing keyboard parts that are essentially inaudible in the mix, and then there is just no comfortable way to seamlessly work a keyboard into that setting. 'and after creating Eden, God said - let their be grainwave synthesis with multiple oscillators and waveform customization capabilities'. I'd say for what they had to do with that, they did it about as well as they could have, but still, that's just a tough concept to pull off.
I wish they had done something a little more epic and huge with the orchestral/groove riff break - that lick begs for something monumental to be going on.
I think the comment of similarity to a Tool video was quite astute, I got that same vibe on the first viewing... which is good, cause tool has always made good videos. (Of course I'm glad X didn't go to their extreme, which would obviously not be appropriate with their music).
Bravo guys, I think that video will do you publicity wonders!
