The Violent Hour, the new project from Carla Harvey, released its latest music video for the track “Hell Or Hollywood” today via Megaforce Records. The song features guitarist Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, and Pantera.
The video was filmed at the iconic Rainbow Bar and Grill in West Hollywood, a location that held personal significance for Harvey since her move from Detroit to Los Angeles. Vincent Cordero of Industralism Films, known for his work with Black Veil Brides and Kat Von D, directed the video. It visually explores Harvey‘s early experiences and emotions following her relocation to Los Angeles. The track is described as a “swampy metal induced rocker” that captures the chaotic, gritty, and euphoric aspects of her journey.
Carla Harvey commented on the video’s production and themes: “Shooting the ‘Hell Or Hollywood’ video at the Rainbow was a full-circle moment for me. As a kid growing up in the Midwest, I saw the Rainbow in rock mags and iconic Guns N’ Roses videos… it exuded that gritty, dangerous, rock ’n’ roll lifestyle I craved. When I moved to LA, I practically lived there. I made my first friends at the Rainbow, found my first bandmates there, and got into plenty of trouble. The Rainbow is more than a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing piece of rock history. This video tells the story of chasing a dream to LA (both the pleasures and the pitfalls) and toys with the question: do you have to sell your soul for rock ’n’ roll? Is this Hell or Hollywood? The answer reveals itself at the end of the video. It was important for me to have Lemmy (played by Luke Edwards of Killed By Death) in the video as one of my “tempters” because of his iconic presence at the Rainbow. You’ll spot a Janis Joplin too (actress Shannon Corbett) and I had to throw in a little tongue in cheek humor as well as with a Kurt Cobain lookalike (Gabe Maska) because let’s be real, if Kurt showed up at the Rainbow, you’d definitely be in hell.”
Charlie Benante of Anthrax composed the music for The Violent Hour project and performed all instruments on the EP. He described the song’s musical foundation: “Carla grew up loving Guns N’ Roses, and since they were so heavily influenced by Aerosmith, I wanted to write something that paid tribute to both. The riff on ‘Hell Or Hollywood’ is the kind that stands on its own — even without vocals, it’s got a swagger to it. And having Zakk Wylde on the solo? He brought this raw, six string grit that rips through the track. You hear it and instantly know—it’s him.”
“Hell Or Hollywood” follows Harvey‘s initial solo track, “Sick Ones.” The new song features Wylde‘s guitar work, Harvey‘s vocals, and direct lyricism, creating a portrayal of ambition and resilience within Los Angeles. Thematically, the track serves as a direct commentary on the challenges of pursuing dreams in the entertainment industry.
Harvey, originally from Detroit, Michigan, brings a diverse background to her music, having worked as an actress, mortuary science graduate, and grief specialist.
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