Night Sins, the Philadelphia-based brainchild of the ever-charismatic musician Kyle Kimball, is a delightful concoction of classic EBM’s pulsating energy, post-punk’s brooding introspection, and synth-pop’s catchy melodies in their new EP, A Silver Blade In The Shadow (out now via Born Losers Records). Imagine early Nine Inch Nails meeting Depeche Mode at a retro-futuristic party, where everyone’s dressed in black, and the mood lighting is permanently set to brooding and mysterious.
Kimball’s vocals slice through this textured backdrop with sharp clarity and strong presence. Night Sins also tips its hat to the electronic enthusiasm of the ’80s, echoing the vibes of Front 242 and A Split-Second, with a cheeky nod to the funky, pioneering sounds of Wax Trax’s late ’80s roster. It’s a dance floor invitation you can’t refuse unless you need a moment to lace up your docs.
The album kicks off with The Lowest Places You’ll Go, a track that nudges you gently and says, “Hey, you’re not defined by your worst moments. Everyone’s got their own unique charm and is deserving of love.” It’s a reassuring pat on the back, telling you that fear should never be your co-pilot. In true fashion, it’s a reminder that we all stumble into life’s potholes, but it’s how we bounce back that counts.
Silver Blade launches the band on a true macabre trad goth side quest. It sounds more like a lost Sisters of Mercy track than their usual industrial EBM oeuvre. The track delves into the messiness of fractured relationships, delivering a heartfelt message about accepting the end and moving on. It’s a tear-jerker, not just for the drama but for the full emotional plunge. It is a perfect anthem for when you’re feeling like a waterlogged goth in a rain-soaked trench coat who waits beneath a scaffold for a storm to pass.
The vibes pick up with Burn Away, an industrial-flavoured number that feels like an homage to the early Mute Records roster. Picture a relentless bassline driving a terrific dance beat, making you want to don your finest black attire and stomp your way through the night. It’s a rhythmic reminder that sometimes, the best way to deal with life’s nonsense is to dance it off with a heavy dose of industrial grit.
Next up is Like A Stranger, which cranks up the gothic rock dial with another forceful beat straight out of the Sisters of Mercy playbook. The soaring guitar work sweeps you into an anthemic chorus that’s perfect for belting out your existential angst in the shower or at a dimly lit club where everyone’s sporting eyeliner and a thousand-yard stare.
The album wraps up with Hollow, a hi-NRG banger that blasts through your speakers with frenzied drumming and an infectious hook. It’s the kind of track that makes you feel like you’ve just mainlined pure energy, leaving you with no choice but to surrender to its manic tempo. It’s a fittingly explosive end to an album that’s all about finding the light in the darkest corners, even if you have to kick up some dust to get there.
Listen below or order here (and pick up some cool merch along the way).
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