The album “Pleasure Of Sin” by the British band Athamay was released exactly thirty years ago and became a highly acclaimed work within the underground Electro scene. The band later continued under the name TortureTekk, but this was followed by a silence of roughly twenty years. TortureTekk eventually returned with a different vocalist, and Athamay followed a similar path, unexpectedly releasing a second album last year.

Original singer Jess Highmoor has been replaced by Marlen Moysidou, while Sean Athamay remains responsible for the music. This year sees the arrival of yet another new album, featuring eleven tracks. Musically, the melodic Electro-Wave style that characterized the band’s early years has remained largely intact, although the production now sounds more contemporary and polished. Marlen Moysidou’s vocal approach—often hovering between singing and spoken word—occasionally recalls the style of Jess Highmoor. The songs still possess that minimalist Electro-Wave character, enriched with a subtle Gothic atmosphere. At times, the arrangements become more symphonic, but overall the album maintains a sweet, dark-toned mood throughout. Two noteworthy covers also appear on the album: Depeche Mode’s “Master And Servant” and Death In June’s “The Calling”. Athamay has not entirely abandoned its fondness for provocation, although it feels considerably more restrained today. What may have seemed controversial thirty years ago comes across as rather commonplace in 2026.

I remain particularly attached to the band’s debut album, “Pleasure Of Sin”, and while this new release certainly contains several cool songs, it ultimately lacks a real climax. Some of the original magic that once made Athamay so compelling appears to have faded over the years, which is somewhat disappointing. (Rating:7).

Listen to “Ritual Fire”:

About Athamay

Athamay is a British electro-wave project, with Sean Athamay responsible for the music. The debut album “Pleasure Of Sin” appeared in the mid-1990s and circulated within the underground electro scene, with original vocals by Jess Highmoor. The project later continued under the name TortureTekk before a long pause. Athamay returned in 2025 with the album “The Crucifixion and the Resurrection”, introducing Marlen Moysidou on vocals in place of Highmoor. “Necropolis”, issued in 2026 through Midian Studios, is the eleven-track album reviewed here.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

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