After a long creative hiatus, Peter Endall, former keyboardist of the 1980s Melbourne synthpop outfit Schizo Scherzo, returns to the electronic music scene with renewed vision and vigor. His project Suburban Spell has gradually built a distinct identity, weaving together retro synth nostalgia with a contemporary edge. With the release of the new EP “Ceremony”, Endall pushes his sonic palette into darker, more intense territory, producing what might be his most compelling work yet. At the core of “Ceremony” are two brand-new tracks—”Ceremony” and “Fingers of Sin”—which clearly showcase Endall’s deep-rooted influences while carving out a modern and individualistic sound. The title track, “Ceremony,” is a driving techno anthem, pulsing with urgent energy and mechanical precision. Inspired by New Order’s 1989 classic Technique, the track balances club-ready momentum with melancholic undertones, creating a piece that feels coldly futuristic and emotionally human. “Fingers of Sin”, on the other hand, delves into the murkier waters of darkwave, echoing the minimalist textures and moody atmospheres of early Depeche Mode. With brooding synth lines and an undercurrent of unease, it stands as one of Suburban Spell’s most emotionally charged compositions to date. The EP is rounded out by three remixes of the title track—crafted by Leæther Strip, Ontic and Ant Trance—each reinterpreting “Ceremony” with fresh textures and rhythmic reconfigurations. The highlight among them, however, is a special remix of Suburban Spell’s earlier track “Bright Gold Cross” by goth/electronic legends Suspiria, who infuse the track with a haunting, cinematic atmosphere. “Ceremony” is a thoughtful, multi-faceted exploration of electronic music’s golden eras. Endall’s vision is clear: to bridge the past and the present, drawing from the ghosts of Kraftwerk, New Order and early EBM, while shaping a sound that resonates with today’s darker electronic landscape. Suburban Spell has emerged from the shadows with an EP that is sonically rich and atmospherically immersive, but also brimming with creative ambition.
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
