Nox Novacula, Sacred Skin, Gallowmaker

Nox NovaculaFormed in 2017, Nox Novacula deliver a no frills, traditionalist take on deathrock that distills the form’s strongest elements into a potent and timeless formula. Their most recent effort, 2021’s Ascension, could easily be mistaken for a long lost companion piece to Christian Death’s magnum opus, Only Theatre of Pain. Ice cold, reverberating guitars, tastefully theatrical vocals, a precise, energetic rhythm section, and occasional injections of atmospheric synth evoke the best components of goth rock’s most compelling progenitors. From the triumphant apocalypse anthems of Sisters of Mercy to the chorus-drenched post-hardcore goth of Burning Image, Nox Novacula assemble their influences into a recognizable but fresh sound that both pays homage to the genre’s roots and strives to grow beyond them.Whether you rushed out to buy black lipstick after seeing Return of the Living Dead in 1985 or you’re a relatively new convert ensnared by goth’s recent, long overdue resurgence, Nox Novacula’s masterfully crafted brand of urgent deathrock will satisfy.Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | BandcampSacred SkinLos Angeles-based duo Brian DaMert and Brian Tarney explore the vastness of heart-wrenching, anthemic pop music under the name Sacred Skin. Their first single, “Colder,” was released in March of 2021 and stole the hearts of dark souls everywhere with their melancholic undertones and perfectly produced songwriting. Subsequent singles released in 2021—”Eyes Closed” and “Far Away”—landed them live shows at LA’s Substance Festival and at famed venues the Hollywood Palladium and Saint Vitus in Brooklyn. The succession of singles and live dates have led to the announcement of their first LP, The Decline of Pleasure. With its dreamy new wave structures and DaMert’s vocals induced with lust and longing, the album is unlike any other released so far in 2022. Their use of classic digital outboard gear, namely the Sequential Prophet VS and the EMU Emulator II, retains a vintage, yet timeless studio feel that is totally unique to their sound. The Decline of Pleasure brims with love and hope, transporting the listener to a more innocent and carefree experience, as we boldly move forward from the era of isolation.Facebook | Instagram | Links