GOSPELHEIM

Manchester’s morose misfits court blasphemy by fusing BM and goth

THEY SAY HINDSIGHT is 20/20 and, in hindsight, 2020 was probably not the best year to start a band, as dark rockers Gospelheim learned. But after an eight-year break from playing in extreme metal bands, Portuguese singer/songwriter Ricardo made his return to music, taking cues from the likes of Tribulation and Unto Others with debut album, Ritual & Repetition.

“My friends were like, ‘So it’s black metal with clean vocals?’” says Ricardo. “It was something I’d fantasised about for years. I love what Gaahl is doing nowadays; he gave me the courage to pursue things in that manner.”

The unmistakeable goth influence in their music can be attributed to a love of Depeche Mode, Bauhaus and The Cure. That explains the eclectic sound of tracks like the catchy Satan Blues.

So, are they Satanists then?

“There is a lot of occult symbolism and mythology that I find interesting,” muses bassist and singer Coco, “but I wouldn’t put my head on a slab for it.”

“I’m fascinated by the relationship between humanity and religion throughout the centuries”, adds Ricardo. “Google has taken over as God now.”

Touring hasn’t been on the cards so far, but the pair are keen to get out and hope to support some of their favourite artists, namechecking Moonspell and Ville Valo (“I’d cry, I think,” laughs Coco) alongside labelmates Dool. Fingers crossed that Manchester’s self-proclaimed ‘dingiest misfits’ will hit the road with their delightfully blasphemous tunes soon.

RITUAL & REPETITION IS OUT NOW VIA PROPHECY PRODUCTIONS