Lovelorn Dolls – True Crimes (Digital EP – Spleen+)
Following their album “Deadtime Stories”, released last year, Brussels-based Lovelorn Dolls return with a new four-song EP, “True Crimes”. The release draws inspiration from famous murder cases and even a serial killer.
Their fourth album marked the resurrection of a Belgian band that has remained faithful to its signature sound and style, while enhancing it with heavier guitar sections. The same applies to “True Crime”, which hits harder than ever before. Lovelorn Dolls walk a fine line but emerge as skilled artists who masterfully balance Gothic and Metal elements. Guitars and synths intertwine seamlessly, creating an impressive whole where nearly every track could stand as an A-side. The sound is raw and powerful, yet at times polished and delicate. Kristell Lowagie’s angelic vocals add a dreamy, ethereal layer, while still radiating passion and intensity.
With “Deadtime Stories” and now “True Crime”, Lovelorn Dolls position themselves as the perfect European counterpart to The Birthday Massacre — a testament to the band’s remarkable growth and creative potential. (Rating:8).
Read the news on “True Crimes”.
Listen to “Dahlia Bleeds”:
About Lovelorn Dolls
Lovelorn Dolls formed in Brussels, Belgium, in 2010, initially as Lovelorn, built around Kristell Lowagie (vocals, arrangements, lyrics) and Bernard Daubresse (guitars, programming, production). The duo signed to Alfa Matrix in 2012 and released the debut album “The House of Wonders” in 2013, followed by “Japanese Robot Invasion” in 2014.
After a 2016 hiatus, during which Lowagie ran her electro-pop project SIN.SIN, the band returned with the EP “Lament” and the third album “Darker Ages” in 2018. The fourth album “Deadtime Stories” arrived in 2024 on Alfa Matrix/Spleen+, with Eric Renwart joining on live guitar and sound engineering.
“True Crimes” is the band’s four-song follow-up EP, drawing its themes from real criminal cases.
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.
