Mastodon Drops Dystopian Animated Music Video for ‘In the Ruins’

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Metal heavyweights Mastodon have officially unveiled a brand-new animated music video for their latest single, “In the Ruins.”

Directly drawing inspiration from classic 1970s and ’80s dark fantasy, pulp sci-fi illustrations, and heavy metal animation classics like Heavy Metal (1981), the visual accompaniment delivers a bleak, apocalyptic narrative set across a ruined futuristic landscape.

Animated Concept & Visual Style

Directed by acclaimed animator and visual artist Skinner alongside animation director Will Hyde, the video employs a hand-drawn, cell-shaded aesthetic rendered in vibrant, neon-drenched jewel tones and high-contrast ink line-work.

The narrative follows a solitary cybernetic warrior wandering through the overgrown, skeletal remains of a fallen metropolis. Surrounded by biomechanical leviathans, mutated fauna, and ancient alien obelisks, the protagonist embarks on a surreal quest to ignite a forgotten cosmic energy core—matching the song’s pounding double-kick rhythms, crushing riffs, and soaring progressive metal vocal hooks.

Merging Heavy Metal & Dark Fantasy Animation

Mastodon has long integrated rich visual storytelling into their album art, concept records, and live projections. By partnering with Skinner—known for his psychedelic, monster-heavy pop-surrealist art—the band continues a long-standing tradition of blending progressive heavy music with intricate, adult-oriented animated visuals.

About John Schwarz

John is the Chief Editor and Founder of Bubbleblabber.com. While at first a part-time project, Bubbleblabber quickly grew into a full-fledged operation and officially became a company in 2014. When John isn't running a business full-time, he likes to go to concerts with your mother.