Two years after the release of their debut album ‘Legend Of The Bleeding Heart’, Golem Dance Cult are back with 13 new songs colliding a rich Gothic undertone with heavy guitar riffs a groovy bass and dark glam vocals.

This time the Franco-Australian got some guitar help from Dick Dens (The Irradiates) on ‘Caveat Emptor’ and ‘God Is Holding His Breath’, Haydn Walker on ‘Ned Kelly’s Arms’ and Michael Gonthier (‘Soul Searcher’.) Organic drums were also added by Peter Micallef (‘Ned Kelly’s Arms’.) Australian singer Inga Liljestrom brings some shiny vocals and presence in songs like ‘Pretty At Dawn’ or ‘Shamanic Faultlines’ while old comrade of the duo Alex Zillon Jean adds some darker vocal vibes in ‘Escher Drawings’. Sure, there are obvious influences like Peter Murphy on the vocal style and maybe more of Daniel Ash on the production and delivery and use of some of the guitars. Let’s also throw some Newlydeads into the melting pot as well, but it’s not all dark, smoky goth at all ‘Beach Stroll’ has a Stooges vibe in its DNA, no question.

Instruments like cello (by Jean-Philippe Feiss), theremin (by Peter Miller), synth (by Locki Lockwood) or organ and Moog (by Boris Boubil) can also be heard on this new albu,m locking in some complex weaving soundscapes that are both charming and interesting as different things jump out of the speakers on each listen.

‘Pretty At Dawn’ works particularly well with the shuffle beat and strings, its haunting and alluring. Whilst the Banshees would love to have a go on ‘Personal Black Hole’, saying that, the middle portion of the album soars with ‘Ned Kelly’s Arms’ being a highlight. ‘When In Rome’ is like latter-day Japan.

If you want something left of centre and a bit dark with goth at its core, then Golem Dance Cult are your band, and this excellent album will spin you round and take you to the dark recesses of your mind and be the soundtrack. Get it!

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Author: Dom Daley