Today’s video of the day is Hilt – “Stoneman” released in 1990.
The video for “Stoneman” by Hilt offers a gritty visual companion to their raw, experimental sound. Released in 1990, this song is from their debut album, Call the Ambulance (Before I Hurt Myself). The album’s lo-fi production and edgy rock style showcase Hilt’s unique identity, standing apart from the industrial roots of Skinny Puppy. Hilt was a side project born from the creativity of Skinny Puppy members cEvin Key and D.R. Goettel, along with Vancouver musician Alan Nelson. The group emerged from Key and Nelson’s earlier experiments under the name “The Flu.” Hilt became more structured when Key and Goettel moved to Toronto, where Nelson resided. Their sessions introduced a playful, irreverent approach, blending rock and punk elements.
Nettwerk, their label, challenged Hilt to create an album on a tight budget. The result, Call the Ambulance (Before I Hurt Myself), featured stripped-down, lo-fi tracks that Trouser Press described as a “rocked out” Skinny Puppy. “Stoneman” epitomizes the album’s unpolished charm, with its driving rhythm and gritty vocals. Hilt’s work didn’t stop there. They followed up with the Orange Pony EP in 1991 and Journey to the Center of the Bowl later that year. While these releases expanded their sound, they retained the raw, experimental core that defined their debut.
After 1992, Hilt paused as Key and Goettel focused on Skinny Puppy. Following Goettel’s untimely death in 1995, Hilt’s recordings resurfaced sporadically. Key continued to release archival material, including The Worst of the Flu in 2003 and Minoot Bowl Dropped the Ball in 2007. These compilations highlighted Hilt’s vast, eclectic back catalog. The video for “Stoneman” mirrors the chaotic creativity of Call the Ambulance (Before I Hurt Myself). Its visuals reflect the band’s DIY ethos, capturing their rebellious energy. For fans of Skinny Puppy and lo-fi rock, this video and song remain a testament to Hilt’s unique place in music history.
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