Light Asylum - Light Asylum

For some reason the old scene disregards these new and young bands. Totally undeserved, because acts like Light Asylum sound remarkably fresh compared to the stale and boring imitation of a past long gone the oldies produce. Well, i might be from that generation, but i like what these gal and guy are doing.

Light Asylum already had an EP out since 2010 which brought us the little hit "Dark Allies". Here they present their very first untitled album. Musically Light Asylum is somewhere between Kraftwerk, Joy Division, Depeche Mode and....Grace Jones. The latest because of the soulful voice of Shannon Funchess who used to do backup vocals for !!! on their tours. It looks like we might be in for a surge of black singers in good goth and wave bands since we also got O.Children from the UK in this new dark scene.

The combination of black soul vocals with music which would be very fitting on Joy Divisions "Closer" or Depeche Mode's "Speak and Spell"albums is very interesting and works very well. Light Asylum stays closer to its goth roots then comparable acts like The XX and The Weeknd which makes them very interesting for goth and darkwave fans looking for new directions and sounds.

What i really like about this album is the sound which does remind me of Kraftwerk and the first Depeche Mode albums. Lots of synths and reverbs, good sharp beats, and a lush production which isn't overcompressed. The entire atmosphere is that of one of the great 80's classics we all know, but with a freshly new polished vibe to it.

Unfortunately this album lacks a catchy tune for the clubs and radios, though "End of days" comes close. But all in all people into good darkwave and goth will find a good and original addition to their collection. The album is also out on vinyl, so there is a lot to like if you like it really oldskool!

I certainly do hope this band, and similar bands like Trust, Cold Cave and O.Children get the upper hand in the dark scene so we can finaly send old stuff like Bauhaus or The Sisters of Mercy to a well deserved nursing home. It's starting to look up for goth music, that's for sure! Jun 08 2012