Stockholm-based post-punk/gothic rock/dark wave trio Then Comes Silence return with “Judgement Day”, the first single from their upcoming album “Requiem Ballroom”. The song immediately shows that the band is not afraid to explore new songwriting ideas, while keeping their dark and powerful identity intact. “Judgement Day” begins with a catchy Euro techno melody that gives the track an interesting and unexpected character. Soon, the guitars, bass and drums enter, creating a strong combination of post-punk, gothic rock and darkwave. The influence of Killing Joke is clear, especially in the guitar work, but Then Comes Silence manage to give the song their own personality. The track is dark, energetic and surprisingly danceable. Its subject is much less cheerful, focusing on failure, bad decisions and people who continue to enjoy life even when the end is getting closer. This contrast between the darker lyrics and the more upbeat musical elements works very well. The result is a song that feels both gloomy and fun at the same time. Alex Svenson delivers strong vocals, while the guitar work of Hugo Zombie adds plenty of atmosphere and power. Jonas Fransson keeps everything moving with energetic drumming, giving the song a steady and driving rhythm. The production is also clean and powerful, allowing every element to stand out… “Judgement Day” is a very promising first taste of “Requiem Ballroom”. It shows Then Comes Silence continuing to develop their sound without losing what makes them special. Fans of gothic rock, post-punk and dark wave should definitely give this one a listen. Catchy, atmospheric and full of attitude, “Judgement Day” is an excellent return from a band that clearly still has plenty to say.
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
