
Deathbringer starts with an intro, narrating the atmosphere of old horror movies. A mysterious organ sends us back into the seventies. Footsteps in the dark and deadly female screams start a soundtrack of Gothic and other terrifying stories. The NightStalker shows how a mix of metal guitars and synths can work perfectly in harmony. The tension on this album is high and surprising. The samples of conversations and whispering during the mostly instrumental tracks create a strange feeling.
Bram Van Cauter was the guitar player and songwriter of the extreme Belgian metal band Herfst. He worked together on some of their recordings with super producer Dan Swanö. His metal inheritance on the guitar sound and riffs played on Deadbringer is obvious. But no, this isn’t metal. The album has a very high electronic body music level mixed with soundtrack-like parts. Repulsive Compulsion is the best example. This pumping track takes you deeper into the thoughts of a serial killer. The electro beats and guitar riffs bring a Gothic mood of threatening darkness.
The guitars on the tracks are tightly played while the synths and orchestrations create a cinematic vibe. This music gives you the feeling of a long night ride on an endless and abandoned motorway. The audio of this old school horror movie soundtrack is obscure but still recognizable. On Grave Pleasures the saxophone parts sound even deadly sexy.
The NightStalker presents with Deadbringer a world of fear and swarthiness with a large variation of music styles melted into a beautiful attainment. Tape and vinyl of this surprising and wonderful album are available through the artist’s Bandcamp page.
Patsker