Top 10 Lyric Videos for Inspiration
I take a lot of inspiration from my favourite lyric videos. I have worked with several different genres of music, but my inspiration tends to come from metal, as that’s what I love to listen to. I like to dream, and these are all bands I would love to work with someday. Here are my top 10 videos:
1. Epica - Unchain Utopia
Epica has been one of my favourite bands for years and Unchain Utopia has been an inspiration since it was released 10 years ago. What makes this lyric video exceptional is the seamless blend of live performance footage with stunning animation. The way the lyrics are animated and positioned adds an extra layer of emotion to the song, making the words feel even more powerful. Every transition, every effect, and every moment of synchronisation between visuals and music contributes to the overall impact.
2. Delain - Sing to Me
Sing to Me by Delain is a video that has stayed with me for years. Just like Epica’s Unchain Utopia, this video has remained one of my favourites, not just because of the song itself but because of the way the lyrics are presented. What stands out the most to me is the handwriting-style animation used for the lyrics. There’s something so personal and intimate about seeing words appear as if they were being written in real time, and it adds a beautiful touch to the video. This effect enhances the song’s emotional weight, making the words feel even more connected to the music. In fact, I’ve been so inspired by this approach that I’ve incorporated similar effects into my own work.
3. Sirenia - Love Like Cyanide
Another video that has always stood out to me is Love Like Cyanide by Sirenia. In 2019, I actually worked with them as their merch person on a tour. This video caught my attention before then; it was already an inspiration to me. The way the lyrics are integrated into the visuals creates a dark, captivating aesthetic that perfectly matches the mood of the song. The animation and effects used in this lyric video have influenced my own creative work, and I love how they balance elegance with an edge of intensity. It’s a great example of how a lyric video can be just as immersive as a full music video when done right.
4. Epica - The Essence of Silence
Another Epica video which I absolutely love is The Essence of Silence. What makes this video stand out to me is how intense and dynamic it feels. The lyrics don’t just appear on the screen; they hit fast and in-your-face, matching the heaviness and energy of the song. The way they flash and move keeps the momentum going, never letting the intensity drop.
5. Brothers of Metal - Berserkir
From start to finish Berserkir by Brothers of Metal is an adrenaline rush. The way the camera moves through the action, combined with the quick cuts between different animation sequences, makes Berserkir one of the most impactful lyric videos I’ve seen. It doesn’t just tell a story—it makes you feel like you’re part of the battle.
6. Ad Infinitum - Live Before You Die
Some songs go beyond just being great music—they become personal anthems that help you through tough times. For me, Live Before You Die by Ad Infinitum is one of those songs. The lyric video itself is just as powerful. The combination of live footage and animation creates an immersive and emotional experience, adding even more weight to the song’s message.
Beyond its personal significance, this video has also been a source of creative inspiration for me. Whenever I’m working on my own lyric video projects, I’ve turned to Live Before You Die as an example of how to blend live-action and animation seamlessly.
7. Xandria - Voyage Of The Fallen
Some lyric videos go all out, packing every frame with movement, energy, and visual storytelling—and Voyage of the Fallen by Xandria is a perfect example of that. It’s a busy video, but that’s exactly why I love it. From the moment it starts, the visuals come at you full force, with fast-paced animations, intricate details, and dramatic transitions that match the song’s epic atmosphere.
8. Metalite - Aurora
One of the things I love most about Metalite’s videos is their futuristic, high-tech style. While I haven’t had the chance to use it in my professional lyric video work yet, I’ve definitely drawn inspiration from it in other projects.
What makes Aurora stand out in particular is how seamlessly everything flows. The lyrics don’t just appear on screen; they interact with the background, shifting and adjusting as if they’re part of the world the video creates. It’s a style I’d love to explore more in my own work because it adds an extra layer of depth to the experience.
9. Amaranthe - Inferno
One of my favourite things to animate in my own work is fire—it just looks so cool. There’s something about the movement, the intensity, and the way it interacts with other elements that makes it visually striking. That’s exactly why I love Inferno by Amaranthe — the way fire is incorporated into this lyric video is done perfectly. I also really love how the lyrics are animated, they feel so epic, with movement and effects that give them weight.
10. Alterium - Hear My Voice
This is another video that uses lots of fire. It’s also intense, visually striking, and packed with energy—everything I love in a great lyric video.
One of the standout elements for me is the fast camera movements. The way the video sweeps through the visuals, never staying still for too long, gives it a sense of motion that keeps up with the song’s power. It makes the lyrics feel even more dynamic as if they’re part of the flames rather than just sitting on top of the animation.
