The Collector (Weeping Silence)

Drums

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥 (from Weeping Silence’s album Isles of Lore) is inspired by the Maltese Folklore character “Ċensa l-Mewt” – a female entity that collects souls at the end of one’s life. This personification of mortality takes the form of a deaf and blind, old lady wearing an “għonnella” (a Maltese, traditional, women’s head dress) and is only visible to those close to dying.

The name “Ċensa” is derived from the noun “ċens” (meaning ground rent) – implying a collection of debt due. Although the song is one of the more accessible and catchy tracks from the album “Isles of Lore”, it actually explores the weighty theme of existential dread and the paradoxical fear of death. In the chorus lyrics Ċensa l-Mewt muses about how, despite all the complaining, humanity still latches onto life and attempts to postpone death at all costs.

The music video was directed, conceptualised and storyboarded by the band’s drummer Julian ‘Julinu’ Mallia who is also an established visual artist. Using the music as a point of departure, Julian joined forces with seasoned video creator Cedric Vella who handled the filming, editing and vfx in this laborious collaborative project. The music video also features veteran Maltese actors Mikhail Basmadjian as the male protagonist as well as Sandra Davis as Death (Ċensa l-Mewt).