SUBTERFUGE

“...on the rain prayers travel far.”

Emerging from the twilight of Australia's underground music scene in the early 1990s, Subterfuge carved out a niche in the local Goth Rock movement with their distinct blend of dark atmospheres and post-punk intensity. Drawing influence from seminal acts like Bauhaus and The Sisters of Mercy, the band developed a reputation for haunting performances and emotionally charged songwriting. Though their output was limited, Subterfuge gained a loyal following both domestically and internationally. Over time, silence fell as the band members drifted apart—particularly co-founders Clifford and Rick, whose creative partnership went dormant for years.

Now, after more than five years of quiet, Subterfuge resurfaces with ‘Dividing Times’—a striking return that captures both the weight of their absence and the promise of what’s to come. The song marks the first collaboration between Clifford and Rick since rekindling their connection, and it resonates with a matured sense of purpose.

Loosely inspired by the tragic story of Amy Denny, one of the so-called Lowestoft Witches executed in 1662, ‘Dividing Times’ weaves history and melancholy into a dense sonic tapestry. Gothic textures and brooding rhythms dominate the track, evoking the persecution and hysteria that defined that grim chapter of English history. Yet, there’s also a sense of catharsis—perhaps reflecting the band’s own reconciliation after years apart.

Released on Friday, June 13, 2025, the EP doesn’t just mark a return; it announces a new creative chapter, with a full-length album planned for 2026. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, ‘Dividing Times’ is a compelling reminder of Subterfuge’s enduring power to haunt, stir, and endure.

Dark, deliberate, and drenched in atmosphere, ‘Dividing Times’ is both a resurrection and a reckoning.

• Dividing Times | Bandcamp
• Subterfuge | Official Website

Hayley CLX
22/06/2025