Gothtober- Dead Posey : "Are You in a Cult'

 

This band might be deceptive, as Goth is a sound, not a look. They are a fun hard rock band. They write catchy choruses and sing about creepy things, but do they sound creepy?  How dark are they vs how much arena rock is in their sound Ozzy's "No More Tears' uses darker chord progressions than the bulk of this album. That is not to say this is not fun.  can see given the imagery of their videos, if you were listening to it with the sound off how it would be easy to assume if you are dressed up for Halloween then you must also sound like it. The same thing could be said for Motionless in White, who look more goth than they sound as well.  The song that sounds dark is "Darkside' which given the name how could it not be?

Sonically they tend to hold more in common with the Pretty Reckless, though lyrically they are darker than what Taylor Momson sings about. There is a touch of Marilyn Manson in a song like "Welcome to the Nightmare". The song itself is about politics. "Can't Take Me Down". The infectious anthemic nature of the choruses works really well, and these kids are good at what they do. The darkest part of the song is when things are allowed to break down to the bass line. Danyell Souza's voice is strong and dynamically nuanced. The album is produced in a manner to make the most of it. It gives the right space for her to place the sensual moan that gives this more emotional color. 

"Russian Roulette" finds a more upbeat groove moving things along. It sounds very 90s but in a way that works for what they do. Her singing in this one is what keeps it from going in a goth direction as she is approaching it more like a rock song whereas if  Manson was singing it he would use his voice to darken it. The electronic pulse to "Sorry I'm not dead" leans slightly in the direction of goth though the chorus is almost too happy for that. If we are keeping count I think two songs might fit in a DJ set of goth rock.  If we are comparing it against Type O Negative or Switchblade Symphony then not even close. 

It's hard not to be goth covering New Order, though, I think picking a song that is not 'Blue Monday" is a wiser choice as both Manson and Orgy have covered it. I think "Scar" does the best job of blending who they are with the band they want to be and creates something fully realized. They are not the darkest band I have covered this month, but damn good at what they do and make ghoulish rock music that is fun and sexy.  

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