The EBM / darkwave act Poison the Vicar will release the “Diet of Worms” single featuring Ruin the Mind on April 4th. The single is the first new material from the project since last year’s singles “Violence”, “Occupy”, “BATHHUS” and “The Wolf (Textbeak Remix)”.

Poison the Vicar is a music project by Brandon Gordon now based in Philadelphia, PA, after originating in Shanghai, China. The band’s most recent album was “No More Silence” from November 2023.

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Poison the Vicar single ‘Diet of Worms’ is not about worms…

The track isn’t inspired by worms, despite what the cover might imply, instead it’s based on Martin Luther’s historic 1521 trial and tackles power, corruption, and defiance. Brandon adds: “There is something about Luther’s trial that feels relevant to our times today. This song is a reflection on the weight of judgment and the resilience of conviction. I wanted to create something that felt ancient yet urgent—something that echoes today’s unrest.”

Indeed, the ‘Diet of Worms’ in 1521 refers to an assembly of the Holy Roman Empire in Worms, Germany, where Martin Luther was called to account for his writings. Those works questioned the doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

Luther arrived under the promise of safe passage secured by his patron, Frederick III, Elector of Saxony. Standing before Emperor Charles V and influential church officials like Johann Eck, Luther admitted the authorship of his controversial texts, yet he refused to recant unless he was persuaded by clear scriptural evidence or reason. From that event also comes his famous declaration – “Here I stand. I can do no other” – which set the authority of the Bible over the decrees of the Church.

By refusing to renounce his teachings, Luther not only put himself at personal risk but also set the stage for a profound religious transformation. The Diet’s outcome led to the ‘Edict of Worms’, which declared him an outlaw and banned his writings. Thanks to his protector’s intervention, Luther escaped arrest, and his ideas spread rapidly through the new medium of the printing press, fueling what would become the Protestant Reformation.

For further historical background, check this video.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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The Shanghai, China based EBM – industrial act Poison the Vicar will present their newest single “Graveyard Dance” in June offering a blend of EBM and Industrial.

“Graveyard Dance” draws inspiration from the concept of a zombie Faust seeking redemption by repeating his ghoulish mistakes so the band says: “The song explores the depths of human desires and the consequences that follow. This time, it’s the flesh of others that our protagonist craves as payment, weaving a chilling tale that will leave you mesmerized.”

The single will be available for streaming and download on all major digital platforms starting June 1st, 2023.

To get an idea how the band sounds, do check out the project’s most recent release, last year’s “Safe To Hide” single.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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