I always worry when I’m heading into a review where the first image appears to be of someone who used to knock about with Aleister Crowley or perhaps runs a stall at Whitby Goth Weekender. Immediately I expect music made by ex-metallers with an unhealthy fascination with Clive Barker novels and lyrics written by people who watch too many re-runs of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But that’s what an over active and slightly pessimistic mind will do to you. Dispel’s debut single, the interestingly named Modal Consequence, is actually none of those things.
What it actually is, is a shadowy and shimmering blend of Darkwave and gothic electro-rock. You can make obvious links to bands such as Clan of Xymox musically and Incubus Succubus lyrically but this is no mere style stealing and it certainly stands on its own two feet. The vocals are the real stand out, Ravensea’s classical tones the perfect contrast to the brooding music that carries it along. Certainly one for the goths old and new, fans of dark electronic music and any other creatures of the night…or indeed the nightclub!
The video follows a questing knight on his journey from being tasked, overcoming a guardian and finally achieving his goal. It’s difficult to do such things on a budget but it looks great. Being a history nerd I would say that although the knight wears the cross of the Knights Templar, he wouldn’t get away with having hair that long. But then again, I would say that wouldn’t I?
[…] and dance, it seems only fitting that those influences and inspirations are very apparent in Dispel’s music all these years later. Goth was never a very united scene even at it’s most cohesive, for […]