Whispers In The Shadow – Rapture (Digital/CD/Vinyl – Icy Cold records)
The Austrian band Whispers In The Shadow has been active for almost 30 years and now presents its twelfth full-length album. Over the years, they’ve collaborated with labels such as M.O.S. Records, Trisol, Alice In…, Echozone, and Solar Lodge Records — but this marks their debut on the ever-growing French label Icy Cold Records.
Icy Cold has become a true standard in today’s Post-Punk scene, and this collaboration fits perfectly with the band’s current musical direction. Dark-Wave influences are clearly present, blending seamlessly with elements of Rock, Post-Punk, and even touches of Psychedelia. At times, one might think of The Virgin Prunes fronted by Johnny Rotten — but any further comparison quickly falls short, as Whispers In The Shadow have developed a sound entirely their own. The way the songs are constructed — often enriched by evocative guitar solos that lift the listener to higher realms — has become their unmistakable trademark. The two longest tracks on the album are perfect examples of this.
Whispers In The Shadow remain a band with a distinct Dark-Wave identity. It’s a slight pity that the album contains only eight songs, yet each one stands on its own and offers its share of surprises. (Rating:7½).
Listen to “Endure”:
https://icycoldrecords.bandcamp.com/track/endure
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