Golem Dance Cult is a two-piece band based in Australia and France, comprised of Charles Why and Laur. Their most recent album, “Legend of the Bleeding Heart,” is an 11-track project that takes listeners on a thrilling musical journey through a collection of exquisite melodies. It was released on May 23rd, 2023, and is a follow-up to the band’s first EP “Grotesque Radio” in 2021, which received tremendous admiration. Charles Why and Laur wrote and performed all of the songs on the album, and although the album’s sounds are heavily influenced by rock and industrial dance rock, it exhibits a diversity of musical styles spanning from the formal structure of rock to electronic styles and provides a mechanistic groove with soul and grit that values feel and precision. Let’s talk about the album below.
“Prologue- Kill the Radio Brat” kicks off the album with a mysterious and eerie opening that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Golem Dance Cult calms the listener and prepares them for what is to come on the album with this tune. The song’s revolved dark components, along with electric guitar sounds and strong percussion performance, shine brilliantly throughout and provide listeners with a lovely feeling of appeal.
The second track, “Dalek Rhetoric,” begins with strong intensity and is full of life, energizing the entire album. This song tells the story of an unidentified character that travels across time. In the song, the persona beseeches the higher entity of power to rescue his life. The attractive chorus and repeated repetition of the line “Dalek rhetoric,” as well as the charming electric guitar solo, make this song incredibly appealing and outstanding while delighting you with how elegantly the deep vocal performance and instruments merge to produce a fantastic melody that is too enthralling to explain.
“Schadenfreude Addict” starts with a steady percussion beat and electronic guitar sounds that envelop you right away. This song portrays the story of a person who is addicted to the pain and misery of others. The character understands it’s wrong to take pleasure from other people’s suffering, yet he can’t stop himself. The song’s transitions from low to high notes create a deep and moving mood that captures the spirit of this dark audible experience.
The musical prowess of Golem Dance Cult is on show in the fourth tune, “Carpe Noctem.” This song is extremely enjoyable and intriguing, with the combination of synthesizers and electric guitar chords. Its lyrics are focused on the theme of grasping the night, which is the direct translation of the Latin phrase “Carpe Noctem.” With vivid and powerful lyrics delivered with calming and lovely vocals, the song urges listeners to appreciate the simple pleasures of the night, resulting in a compelling auditory experience.
The next song is “Ghost of Las Vegas.” This song is unique and refreshing, with an addicting rock-infused sound. It tells a dark and frightening narrative about spirits that the protagonist in the song has met, particularly in Las Vegas. The poetic writing lends it an eerie air, and the vocal delivery, mixed with layers of electric guitar riffs, transports listeners on a haunting but exhilarating journey.
“21st Century Dogs” stands out as a serious and thought-provoking song on the album. It asks the audience about human treatment in general. The band’s figuring lyrics compare how humans are frequently treated like dogs, imprisoned in a cage or on a tight leash, and how, in the end, we all crave freedom. This song’s composition alternates between electronic and enticing melodic textures, attracting the attention of the listener. The instrumentation is polished and blends beautifully together to create a pleasing musical impression.
The album’s seventh track “Dead Breakers (sky burials)” brings a touch of elegance and refinement to the album with its deliberate synth and rock-infused sound. It’s a song about saying farewell and progressing to the greatness that lies ahead. With its remarkable melody and appealing lyrics, this song is a standout on the album, thanks to its strong throaty vocals and outstanding musical arrangement.
“Going Warpath” is the eighth tune and talks about going in for the kill regardless of the outcome. It’s a terrific empowerment song as well as an outstanding rock song. This song’s gritty guitar work and drum aptitudes, along with the band’s inherent talent, show through as they create an ensemble of an excellent rock tune with an intriguing contour that will have you rocking along.
“She/He’s my kryptonite” is another pleasant shift in the album’s paradigm. The song opens with a fanciful and dreamy electric guitar baseline, followed by lyrics that make listeners uncertain about the concept of love and happiness. It discusses how a person’s relationship may also be one’s weakness, making this song extremely meaningful. The subject will undoubtedly have an impression on listeners and leave space for thought. And that’s how beautiful it is. This piece’s outstanding craftsmanship and ability, along with the amazing musical arrangement, give a fantastic and captivating musical experience.
The album’s final but one song, “Feels Like Tuesday (Deja Vu),” begins with a lovely electric guitar riff that instantly attracts the listener’s attention and envelops them in the song. Lyrically, this song is about reliving the same day over and over. And the inclusion of the cello is the song’s star and distinguishes it from songs in the genre. The instrumentation is clean, and the arrangement is pretty simple, resulting in a clear and precise sound with a rich and full tone.
Finally, the “Legend of the Bleeding Heart” album is completed by the gorgeous “Demi-Monde“. This contemplative song, with an ambiance that looks to be alluring enough to secure your engagement, talks about how one longs to be a member of a society, a place that feels like home. As an outcome, the theme of belonging pervades this song. The singer’s calming vocals do an excellent job of capturing the listener, while the intriguing electric guitar riffs take the song to new heights.
Overall, Golem Dance Cult’s “Legend of The Bleeding Heart” is a fantastic album that demonstrates their versatility, from electric guitar to drums to cello, as well as its amazing lyrical content. Each song is unique, with its own narrative and subject matter. The band’s introspective lyrics and exquisite musicianship take listeners on a lovely musical trip. “Legend of the Bleeding Heart” is a respect to Golem Dance Cult’s abilities and blazing star, predicting a greater and more fulfilling future for them with their variety of styles and cohesive genres.
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