New Music Reviews – August 2025

Whilst I prefer to leave reviews of new music, written effectively and enjoyably, to outlets like Post-Punk.com, I did feel I should back up my words about new music being fresh blood to the goth scene. So read on for three releases I enjoyed recently that are keeping goth moving ever forward … with caveats!

Peter Murphy – “Silver Shade”
Released May 9 via Metropolis Records

I couldn’t miss the opportunity to investigate the latest release from the former Bauhaus frontman, his latest since 2014’s ‘Lion’. I expect the unpredictable, innovative Murphy to tread new ground rather than ride any coattails from his previous work, let alone his legacy as a gothic rock titan.

No fear of disappointment! Silver Shade is a gleaming obsidian slice of dark electro dance, shot through here and there with occasional jagged rock riffs or massive epic setpieces of sound. From the Bowiesque pop kickoff of “Swoon” to the high-energy bop of “Sherpa”, Murphy paints Ibiza black with that trademark lingering vocal snarl. The title track turns it down a new avenue, more classic rock and roll, and when the chorus crescendos, it feels like more than a knowing nod to “Go Away White” from 2008.

Not content with revisiting some old friends, Murphy makes his best ever bid for a Bond theme with the soaring and complex way he’s going to tell you that this is “The Meaning of My Life” – definitely came in out of left field. It’s complimented by “The Sailmaker’s Charm” much later, which is definitively the credits music, allowing the man to croon to his heart’s content. I found myself wavering between being nonplussed, and quite liking it.

Which has been my opinion towards the album throughout, not entirely certain if I did really enjoy what I was hearing. “Silver Shade” concludes with the much-touted duet between Murphy and another Bowie-inspired eighties pioneer, Boy George, on “Let The Flowers Grow” – another soaring anthem of a power ballad that surprises as much as it feels utterly out of place amongst the dark-tinged electro-pop of the other songs. Yet it typifies this album, an odd artefact polished to a shine and swelling with emotion but defying easy categorisation – even from track to track!

Lebanon Hanover – “Asylum Lullabies”
Released 9 July by Fabrika Records

If Lebanon Hanover write a stellar hit, it seems almost by chance. I honestly believe this band finds wider success and appreciation for their music something of a hurdle. That isn’t a criticism, more admiration for an outfit committed to 100% authentically their own creation, no matter how unsettling or confusing.

The opening track “Pagan Ways” is trademark abrasive, sparse and intriguing noise that gives the listener ample warning to proceed no further. “Sleep” is slightly more conventional, by their standards anyway, with an infectious beat, hypnotic synths, and some solid advice – “let’s go back to bed” murmurs Larissa Iceglass, sounding herself on the edge of slumber. It’s solid advice.

“Frosty Life” is also slower-paced, and William Maybelline leads here with that deep, sonorous dirge of a voice as this track trickles slowly like a stream of melting ice in a grim deep winter. Then, some harsh reality checks as Iceglass reflects grimly that she seems to need therapy but is still on the “Waiting List” over an angular uptempo electro beat that’s over way too fast. I suspect “My Love” will be the breakout hit, a phenomenally catchy, dark 80s pop ballad.

“Parrots” is a top tier slice of vivid and disturbing imagery that degenerates into crazed obsessive ranting. It perfectly bookends this album with “Pagan Ways”, as Lebanon Hanover emerge in a cacophony of noise, deposit eight tracks of baffling variety, and disappear with another boggling outburst of sounds back to whatever dimensional plane they inhabit. Outstanding.

Black Rain – “Black Rain”
Released July 14 by self.

As much as I enjoy exploring the latest releases from legendary and legacy acts, I know as well as you do the future of the goth scene is in the hands of every hungry new band coming up. They don’t get much hungrier than Black Rain from right here in the UK’s North East, who are rapidly becoming a reliable mainstay at gig nights and festivals.

Neither punk nor goth they proudly proclaim, Black Rain have an immediately recognizable postpunk heritage that’ll have fans of The Chameleons and Killing Joke happy to sign up.

They also know their audience, and opening track “Inside” will be a delight for fans of bands like The Last Cry with its intricate guitarwork and heartfelt emotional singing over a catchy beat. Throughout the tracks – a mix of studio and outstandingly crisp live performances – you pick up the clear theme of complex music and intense, direct lyrics carefully tailored with, for example, just the right amount of echo on the vocals.

The band pull no punches on tracks like “Satanists” with a bitter, brutal takedown of embittered and polarised British society – ‘people turn a blind eye / as long as it’s not them’, sadly well said. I particularly enjoyed “Shotgun”, a painful breakdown of a relationship with reverberating riffs of sweet sad agony. “Shadows Cry” might have a slightly corny name, but is an infectious anthem for outsiders everywhere, catchy lyrics that’ll stick with every listener and go over damn well with a crowd of dark-minded fans.

In a short time, Black Rain have come far and its thanks to a mix of great tunes and unceasing commitment to getting recognition and scoring gigs left and right. I fully expect them to continue moving up, converting more fans and doing the region proud. Congratulations!

I’ll conclude my review with a sincere apology to every artist and PR who has enquired about getting a review on The Blogging Goth. An update of at least monthly doesn’t make a dent in my inbox, nor do I feel the blog should be competing with more dedicated music magazines, when our primary focus has been on the wider subcultural scene. Still, it has been a pleasure to put my official listening ears on for a change and share some thoughts on music that stirs up the blood.

If you’d like to see more music commentary, let me know in the comments and consider subscribing to the Patreon – every little helps support the website and could provide me more time for listening! Many thanks to the dedicated team below who each help keep The Blogging Goth in action!