THE WRAITH

Gloom Ballet SOUTHERN LORD

Glorious deathrock anthems from an unexpected source

Given the old heads involved (members of Lost Tribe, Monikers and, umm, Blink-182…) it should come as no surprise that LA punx The Wraith have hit the ground running, releasing their first LP within a few years of forming. The shock, however, comes in the level of vibrant individuality they’ve brought to a fairly offthe-peg style. The band’s punked-up brand of deathrock admittedly gets an edge thanks to superior songwriting and husky, brink-of-breaking vocals, but it’s the many subtle embellishments – plush synths, sinuous backing vocals and tasteful acoustic instrumentation – that help take Gloom Ballet to the next level. Imagine latter-day Neurosis colliding with The Cure or Sisters Of Mercy channelling vintage anarcho punk and you’re part-way there, but whichever way you cut it this collection of dour, woebegone anthems is a dead cert for soundtracking the glummest mosh of your life. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: The Wipers, Blitz, Killing Joke

ALEX DELLER