Some births take time. The countdown; hopeful waiting for a first cry as a sign of new life. But then when a a little one sees the light of day... well, that's the story of... Ground Nero's new album, 'Blood Never Sleeps'. The album had been around for a while digitally, and is now coming out physically. After 'Divergence', it took a while to endure, until British vocalist Mark Sayle joined the troops following previous vocalist Guy who regretfully left the band.
The basic ingredients remain the same: solidly rocking Gothic Rock, with a solid flurry of Darkwave.
The opening track is immediately a lingering Goth Rock song of the kind they may continue to make for me, An economical melody, stealthy and harmless, and yet there is menace emanating from it. Sayle's voice is made for the genre. So in that regard, a more than worthy vocalist following Gwijde.
As an appetizer we already got, at the good three years the full album was in the making, 'Promise'. A danceable piece of jet-black-granite Goth Rock.
On yet another outstanding album, it is difficult (and perhaps dangerous) to highlight standouts. 'A Void' is a lot wittier in its guitar and drum work and pounds solidly.
But equally modest sounding and rather Darkwave-like tunes like 'Vendetta' slide in smoothly. I myself am briefly tempted to take a dance step, shuffling along in the late summer sun as I write this. 'Dead World' follows on seamlessly. As does 'At Dawn'. Which seems to escape from underground and deep dungeons as a penetrating, intoxicating scent.
Album after album, Ground Nero remains true to their typical sound, but without the problem that other bands sometimes get into: that it becomes boring. That is not the case with Ground Nero. The songs stand without a doubt.
The album closes with 'Stars'. A song dedicated to Sofie Taeymans, who as a result of cancer had to exchange the temporary earth for the eternal on January 11, 2023. Sofie, a psychologist, but also a creative, humorous, committed and always smiling appearance was not to be missed at any party and performance or festival from the Goth scene. It is a great tribute, and immediately one of the catchiest, darkest and most loaded songs Ground Nero ever made.
Sofie has not been forgotten, and this song will be one that will echo endlessly from many speakers.
That Belgian Goth Rock deserves its place is something Ground Nero adds to with this album. A more than worthy, deeply dark successor to 'Divergence'.
CritiquesDark Wave