The first song blew me away as it's what I want from post-punk, taking inspiration from my favorite bands like Killing Joke and Fields of the Nephilim, but without sounding like a blatant tribute to any of them, as they have their own thing going on. From the darker rock vibe of the opener, they shift into a more hypnotic pulse for 'Dancing in the Fire,' although there is more of a dance beat to the song after that."Meet Me After Midnight,' which adopts a new wave touch.
Part of the magic at work here is thanks to the ever-prolific Jeff Wilson from Chrome Waves, who is no stranger to this sort of thing and keeps re-inventing this sound. 'Sky' displays this as it works off a more atmospheric sound, the synths have echoes of a Cure-like feel, and the song carries a similar melancholic feel, though you could also cite Clan of Xymox as a reference point. It builds over a more rock dynamic at the chorus. The guitar carries a similar sullen drone, and its metal roots haunt it.
Another thing I love about this album is how dark it is. A good example of this can be heard on "The Watchers". They go a more Killing Joke route here as it carries both brooding darkness and tension. The synths are really well used, and the dynamics kill it. They crafted this album with some really cool sound and are not just trying to capture the retro Bat Cave sound. Hooky vocals and anthemic chords wrap in a grim little package. There are some gothy sounds to the title track. The bass line is a big one.
One cool thing is they never really use the old Ian Curtis baritone or the Andrew Eldritch vampire voice; they convey the feeling in their own way. Goth is a genre with many vocal stylings, so it's a shame other bands just pick from those two choices. A synth ambiance opens the last song. The bass leads the way in a very Cure-tinged manner.The vocals are soft and reflective.It all comes together gracefully. I will give this album a 10 it's incredible.
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