Photo by Travis Shinn
Emerging from the relentless churn of Los Angeles’ dark underground music scene, Cold Cave—stalwarts of stark minimalism and shadow-draped synth-pop and darkwave—have once again laid down a gauntlet of icy anthems. Since March, they’ve been dropping a new track each month, each one a missive from the darker recesses of the post-punk and new-wave spectrum, all building towards their forthcoming album, Passion Depression, set for release on October 15, 2024.
Their latest is Siren Song, a sharp, synth-soaked slice of sinister seduction. It’s a tune that slithers into your mind, driven by dark desires and pulsating rhythms. Drawing heavily from the Depeche Mode/New Order playbook with its infectious hook, thundering baritone, and four-on-the-floor dark disco backbeat, it’s tailor-made for a fog-filled fête. The song captures a glittering darkness that dances like distant stars over a restless sea, with their light shimmering across the waves at twilight.
Listen to “Siren Song” below:
Cold Cave’s forthcoming album, Passion Depression, is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a manifesto, a rejection of the polished sheen of the mainstream, and a testament to the power of DIY. Wesley Eisold and Amy Lee, the duo at the heart of this Cold Cave, have channeled their creative energies into a body of work that pulses with raw emotion and a resolute defiance of the manufactured world around them. The album promises to be a direct confrontation with the wars—both internal and external—that define our existence, and an invitation to engage with their unfiltered vision of reality.
Passion Depression will be released on October 15, 2024, on Rainbow Ice vinyl with a hologram sleeve or glitter vinyl. Pre-order the album here.
Cold Cave’s journey from the grimy corners of LA’s underground in 2007 to the international stages they now command has been nothing short of an evolution. Wesley Eisold, who once channeled his rage into hardcore punk, has masterfully transformed that intensity into the glacial landscapes of Cold Cave, a sound that has only grown more refined and resolute with time. Now, with Amy Lee by his side, Cold Cave has become a fixture in the annals of synth-driven post-punk, their music a dark reflection on love, loss, and the existential dread that lurks in the corners of modern life.
The band has spent the past year igniting stages across the globe, sharing the limelight with legends like Depeche Mode and The Cult and headlining some of the most revered festivals in the dark music circuit. From Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival in the UK to Wave Gotik Treffen in Germany, Cold Cave has left a trail of captivated audiences in its wake, a testament to its enduring appeal and the raw power of its live performances.
But the road doesn’t end here. Following three Latin American tour dates, Cold Cave is set to embark on a North American tour with Buzz Kull. This journey will see them traverse the continent, leaving behind a wake of darkened dancefloors and enraptured crowds. Below are the dates for the impending tour, each one a chance to witness the icy brilliance of Cold Cave in the flesh.
Cold Cave Tour Dates:
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