Ov Pain – Reliquary Of Dusk LP

Ov Pain are a band that explore, each new album sees them treading a new path. From the cold wave, post-punk of their debut self-titled album (2017), through heavier territory in the gothic drone on The Churning of Blue Noon (2021). This new album expands on the minimal rhythmic soundscapes of Kauri Island (2022), to weave and fold new colours into the Ov Pain tapestry.

Reliquary of Dusk is a fully electronic production. Layered synth drones bleed across minimal beats while interlocking, slow-building melodies slither, simmer and percolate around each other. Barrances vocals float above ethereal and deceptively beautiful, a false lullaby describing terrible truths and existential dread.

Ov Pain wonder if we are living now, through a “Dusk”, sun sinking with a long darkness fast approaching. Something to ponder as you listen to this wonderful album.