We’re are big fans of Dark Bells here at BackseatMafia, and I was gutted that I missed their recent support stint for Temples. The band has now released an impressive string of singles, the latest one, ‘Head On’ being no exception, in fact after a few listens I think it’s their best track so far.
Dark Bells mix psychedelic elements with post-punk attitude, in other words bags of reverb and a free yet focussed spirit which is proving to be a winning combination. Here Teneil Throssell’s guitar and voice soar and swirl around the track, while the rhythm section of Ash Moss (bass) and Geno Carrapetta (drums) provide excellent backing in a way that really drives the track along.
Were that not enough I also love Dark Bell’s graphics, they are distinctive and really appeal to my love of all things Bauhaus (I also quite like Pete Murphy’s band). The use of simple repetitive collages really fits their music well, and the video released to go along with ‘Head On’ is no exception. It is a very effective synesthetic showcase for the music reflecting its abstraction and its dynamism.
So while I’ve still not seen Dark Bells live (I’ll maybe have to wait until the Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia in September), their recorded output is doing a good job at keeping me keen in the meantime – really looking forward to an album’s worth.
You can find more Psych Insights by Simon Delic here.
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