William Bleak releases debut album ‘Neon Goth’ on Breathing Records
Berlin’s William Bleak releases debut album “Neon Goth” via Breathing Records in June 2026, an industrial, EBM and gothic LP closing with “Black and Blue.”
William Bleak
William Bleak releases the debut album “Neon Goth” in June 2026 through Breathing Records, the label’s first full-length from the Berlin-based solo project. The record mixes industrial, EBM and gothic and is out now on streaming platforms and Bandcamp. William Bleak “Neon Goth” follows the singles “Ghost Waltz” and “Black and Blue,” and the latter closes the album.
“Neon Goth” began as a planned compilation of William Bleak’s 2024 singles before it became a standalone album. Bleak said the project changed after the death of a friend: “the death of a friend inspired me to create a complete piece of work – something uniquely personal.” He names Nine Inch Nails, Killing Joke and 2000s industrial metal among the album’s influences.
About Breathing Records
Breathing Records is an independent label based in San Diego, founded in 2025 and focused on industrial and dark electronic music. The label launched in late 2025 with the compilation “Inhale Vol. I” and also works with Matte Blvck and Unter Strøm.
About William Bleak
William Bleak is the solo project of a Berlin-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter. He began recording under the William Bleak name in 2016, after the end of his earlier band I Am the SVN. His early releases were rooted in surf-influenced garage rock, before the debut album “Songs of Death” moved the project toward a darker sound. After relocating to Berlin, he recorded the second album “Viva Lost Love” with a trio line-up.
Bleak’s musical background combines classical music, post-punk and hardcore. His mother was an opera singer, while his father introduced him to post-punk and hardcore. He started playing guitar at age 12 after several years of piano lessons, and began producing electronic music at 15. He later DJed at different venues and parties. He plays guitar, bass, synthesizer and drums, and produces and mixes his own material.
Before and alongside William Bleak, he released music under several names, including Saint Ark, Dear Envy, Weekend Dad, I am the svn and STereochan. His influences include the Japanese Visual Kei scene, with bands such as D’espairsRay, Dir en grey and MUCC, as well as experimental electronic acts including Crystal Castles, Death Grips and HEALTH. He also cites rock bands such as Death from Above 1979, The Garden and Type O Negative.
His connection to gothic music dates back to childhood exposure to Killing Joke, The Cure and Siouxsie. At the same time, he has criticised parts of the gothic scene, including what he has described as “Schlager with eyeliner” when referring to certain German gothic acts. He has also questioned how gatekeepers decide what is and is not considered “goth”.
In 2023, following line-up changes, Bleak rebuilt the project around a drum machine and a more electronic, aggressive sound. This phase included the singles “Crows and Ravens”, “Blood Red”, “Beat and Bleed”, “Delirium” and “Never Feel“. His lyrics draw on his frustrations with modern society, mental illness, including depression and ADHD, and a turbulent personal life.
As a live act, William Bleak has shared stages with She Past Away, Clan of Xymox and Traitrs. He has also supported Ductape and Rosegarden Funeral Party, and appeared at Infest Festival in Manchester and NCN Festival in Germany. In January 2026, he signed to Breathing Records. The William Bleak project released “Neon Goth” as its debut album for the label in June 2026.
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