Lovelorn Dolls – Deadtime Stories (Album – Digital/CD – Spleen+)

It took nearly six years for Brussels-based Lovelorn Dolls to release their latest album, “Deadtime Stories.” Similar to their previous work, “Darker Ages,” the production was entrusted to Maxx Maryan (HELALYN FLOWERS, IMJUDAS). The duo’s style remains rooted in Gothic elements, now infused with a heavier, more Metal-like sound. Comparisons with The Birthday Massacre are still relevant, but the overall production has significantly matured. The guitar riffs are sharper, providing a well-balanced contrast to the melodic Electro arrangements. Kristell Lowagie’s vocals, both fragile and passionate, imbue the album with a distinctive sensibility. Noteworthy are her duets with Dero Goi (former Oomph! singer) and American rapper Vvitchboy. “Deadtime Stories” marks a successful evolution for Lovelorn Dolls. (Rate:8).
Listen to “A Heart Cries”:
Read the news on ‘Deadtime Stories’.
About Lovelorn Dolls
Lovelorn Dolls is a gothic and electro-metal duo from Brussels, Belgium, fronted by vocalist Kristell Lowagie and co-founded with the late Bernard Daubresse. The band released “Darker Ages,” produced by Maxx Maryan of Helalyn Flowers and Imjudas, before returning with “Deadtime Stories” in 2024, again produced by Maryan and featuring duets with Dero Goi and rapper Vvitchboy. Bernard Daubresse died in November 2025; the following EP, “True Crimes,” released in October 2025, was the last Lovelorn Dolls material shaped by him, and the band went on to welcome new bassist Fabien for the 2026 single “Call Me Your Ghost.”

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.
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.

