Darkswoon – Antivenom (Digital/CD Album – Viasonde)

After releasing their previous two albums on Icy Cold Records, the American band Darkswoon returns with their latest full-length release, a ten-track album that further explores their signature sound.
The band remains faithful to its established influences, balancing between Dark-Wave and Shoegaze while occasionally incorporating elements of Ballads and Dream-Pop. At times, these different styles merge within a single track, beginning with fragile, atmospheric passages before gradually building towards heavier climaxes where the guitars take center stage. Vocalist Jana Cushman’s voice combines sweetness with intensity, delivering performances that are both passionate and emotionally charged. With “Antivenom”, Darkswoon finally manages to fully convince me. The production feels richer and more dynamic, while the album carries a sense of urgency and drive that I had not always detected in their previous work.
“Antivenom” is an enjoyable and diverse release that should appeal to listeners with a taste for dark, atmospheric music. (Rating:7½).
Listen to “Thread”:
About Darkswoon
Darkswoon is a band from Portland, Oregon, described on Discogs as playing elektrohaze, a self-styled blend that mixes Dark-Wave and Shoegaze with Ballads and Dream-Pop. The lineup includes Jana Cushman on vocals and guitar, Rachel Ellis on synths and drum machines, Norah Lynn on bass, and Andrew Michael Potter. The band released the album “BIND” on February 9, 2019, followed by “Bloom Decay” on September 14, 2022. Additional Bandcamp releases include the “Eaten By Wolves” EP, the remix collection “Human Faults Remixed”, and the earlier titles “Silhouettes” and “Year One”. Side-Line first covered the band on April 3, 2026, when Darkswoon shared “Antivenom” as the second single from the new album. “Antivenom” was released April 3, 2026 through Viasonde, with the album recorded and produced by Jana Cushman and Jeremy Wilkins and mixed by Jeremy Wilkins.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

