Horror Drag Inspires Showing Teeth’s ‘Hellraiser’ Video
The Nashville artist’s new song addresses her upbringing.
Showing Teeth has released her new single, “Hellraiser,” alongside an official music video. The Nashville-based artist says the song confronts the anger she feels about her upbringing and the suffering she experienced at the hands of people who claimed religious authority.
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In a statement, Showing Teeth says the song addresses people who invoke religion while protecting abusers and targeting members of her community. Its refrain pairs a lyric about “digging out both my eyes with a razor” with a refusal to overlook betrayal. The track moves through heavy riffs, jagged rhythms and screamed vocals before ending in a final outburst that fades into darkness.
The video draws on horror drag, placing beauty and gore side by side. Showing Teeth says drag artists were important to include because they have influenced her writing, and she wanted to challenge the criticism drag receives from Christian conservative media. She recalls that seeing a horror drag performer for the first time changed her understanding of art. “Horror drag has inspired so much in my music and my life, and it belongs in the metal space as well,” she says.
“Hellraiser” follows Showing Teeth’s debut EP, A Fate Worse Than Loneliness, which includes the singles “Rip” and “Make It Out.” She recently supported President on a North American tour, where she debuted “Hellraiser” live. Her announced festival dates for next year include Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach on May 6, Sonic Temple in Columbus on May 14, and Boardwalk Rock in Ocean City on May 15. In June, she is scheduled to perform at Rock for People in Královec, Rock Im Park in Nuremberg, Rock Am Ring in Nürburg, Novarock in Nickelsdorf, Southside Festival in Neuhausen ob Eck, and Hurricane Festival in Scheeßel.
