The fusion of metal music and electronic music has been experimented with for decades now. While it is not always a smooth marriage of sounds, the genres have potential to complement each other very well. Some bands will add a synth here, a dubstep breakdown there; others go the extra mile and mesh the two genres as a cohesive unit gracefully.
Dance With the Dead have done just that, combining synthwave and metal for the better part of the 2010s. They rose to fame over the years, and have garnered millions upon millions of plays on Spotify with their unique blend. With an already-deep discography, they are starting 2020 strong with the three-track EP Blackout.
The EP fades in with the electric “Ravens in the Sky”. Throughout the verses, there is a good trade-off between guitar riffs and synth runs. Neither genre takes precedence over the other; this is a solid 50/50 split, so fans of either/both genres can be sated. This song should catch the ear of new listeners enough for them to enjoy the rest of the EP.
“Scar” kicks in next, hooking the listener in immediately with a catchy synth riff. This is where these two genres can work with each other magnificently; a guitar riff can be just as exciting as one on a synth. For DWTD’s benefit, they have both in spades. This particular riff is stuck in my head as I write this, it’s the highlight of the EP for me.
Last comes “The Dawn”, with the heaviest guitar riff yet accomapnying the verses. A bit heavier than the other tracks, this is optimal for the metal listeners. The guitar solo feels right at home, The snare hitting every beat in the opening proceedings pumped me up. The final outro keeps the listener enthused, as “The Dawn” wraps the bow on the gift of Blackout.
While not as lengthy as Dance With the Dead’s other releases, Blackout makes for more great material for the band’s eclectic live performances. DWTD has had the pleasure of playing significant venues all around the world, an impressive feat for an independent band. They’re due for Chicago in April, so I will likely make my way to see them; for now, I’ll be checking out the rest of their expansive discography, as Blackout was a fantastic entry point.
New Fury Media would like to thank Tony Kim of Dance With the Dead for sending us a copy of Blackout early!
