A cyberpunk adventure: a deep insight into Priest's latest album "Dark Pulse"
Album facts
Release Date: May 31th, 2024
Label: Blue Nine Records
Tags: Dark Wave, Gothic, Industrial, Priest, Synth Pop
Discogs: Priest – Dark Pulse
Partially sounds like: Depeche Mode, And One, Camouflage, The Cure, Was (Not Was)
Final score: 4.2 stars
The band Priest's fourth studio album, "Dark Pulse", takes us deep into a cyberpunk universe that is not only inspired by the rave scene of the early 90s, but also reveals a darker, more danceable side of the band. With a beat-heavy and bass-driven foundation, this album sets new standards in their musical career. In this review, we dive into the individual tracks and explore how "Dark Pulse" presents itself as possibly the band's best work.
Enthralling opener sets the tone
The opener "Burning Love" from the new album "Dark Pulse" immediately captivates me. Synths that peck at the ears and alien-like sounds create a captivating atmosphere even in the intro. The vocals start in an almost angelic pitch, which forms a fascinating contrast to the cool, industrial electronic arrangement. The complex soundscapes are masterfully arranged and the powerful bassline propels the track relentlessly forward – perfect for the dance floors of the scene clubs. The single, which was released in October 2023, is a great choice to introduce the album to fans. "Burning Love" is a must-have for lovers of electronic music and the gothic scene.
"Black Venom" is the second track on the album and has also been released as a single. The beat is more relaxed, but still fast enough to keep the tension. The vibe of the song is more catchy than the opener and immediately stays in your head. The melodies are slightly playful, which gives the track a slightly poppy touch that is convincing. The song has a certain lightness that makes it accessible without losing depth. All in all, a successful mix of a relaxed atmosphere and catchy melodies. A track that is perfect for fans of both synth pop and electro pop.
Black venom, black venom
Can you suck this poison out of me?
Lyrics from "Black Venom" performed by "Priest"
Nostalgic flair meets modern beats
The single "Demon's Call" moves in a relaxed way towards 80s synth pop and impresses me with its nostalgic charm. The music video is absolutely worth seeing and appeals to me much more than the usual glitchy video art. You can tell immediately that the band knows exactly which tracks work well as singles. "Demon's Call" is an outstanding song from the album "Dark Pulse", which is easily accessible and immediately captivated me. The track manages to combine the essence of the 80s with a modern touch and leaves a lasting impression.
When I listened to the fourth track "Dungeon Dance" on the album "Dark Pulse", I was impressed by the diversity of the album. The mixture of electronic synth pop sounds and the dark, pulsating atmosphere immediately captivates you. However, I found the rapped lyrics less appealing. The lyric line "let's do the dungeon dance" reminded me strongly of the fun songs of the 80s like "Walk the Dinosaur" by "Was (Not Was)" or "Walk Like An Egyptian" by "The Bangles". A bit of a strange comparison, I know, but it shows how varied and unexpected this album is.
Diverse influences craft unique vibes
When I first heard "Golden Gate" by "Priest", I immediately felt transported back to the cool, industrial sounds of the 80s. The song reminds me a lot of albums like "Some Great Reward" or "Construction Time Again" by Depeche Mode, but in a modern interpretation. This is mainly due to the cool metallic sounds in the intro. The originality of "Golden Gate" is remarkable. Although the track seems a bit bulky, it shows a fascinating variety. The acid-like bridge is particularly surprising, and it fits perfectly into the overall picture, although you wouldn't expect it. Priest have really managed to create an impressive mix here.
The sixth track on the album, "Just A Game", is a real hit. The song is bursting with energy and combines powerful passages with harmonious choruses, creating an impressive dynamic. The bridges in particular are a homage to 90s techno, with almost trance-like elements reminiscent of weird Eurodance at a 90s fair. This wild mix takes you on an exciting journey through different soundscapes. The song may not be immediately catchy, but it brings a unique dynamic to the album and proves to be a refreshing addition. A fascinating listening experience for fans of synth and electro pop!
Dynamic energies and calming rhythms
As a big fan of 80s-inspired synth pop, I was immediately taken with the song "Your Devil". With its clear lines and crisp beats, it offers a balanced and harmonious soundscape that is the perfect invitation to relax after the energetic "Just A Game". The groovy rhythms and catchy sound make it one of the highlights of the album "Dark Pulse" for me. I particularly like the clear structure and the flowing build-up of the track. Although it ends after just 3 minutes 36 seconds, which is why I feel a little sad, "Your Devil" leaves a lasting impression and raises hopes of a single release, including a music video.
Will I always be your devil
Carrying your lies?
Will I always be your devil?
The scapegoat in your eyes
Lyrics from "Your Devil" performed by "Priest"
The first sounds of "Enter Your Body" have a slight oriental touch that immediately reminds me of "Love Is A Shield" by "Camouflage". It's not the sound itself, but more the vibe and atmosphere that evoke this association. But then the drums kick in and the 80s industrial samples and synthesizer sounds take over more space, so the first association quickly fades away. The song takes a similar direction to "Golden Gate". The chorus, on the other hand, is strongly reminiscent of a lost song by "And One" from the "Spot" or "I.S.T." era. A really great track that will delight both old and new fans!
Dark tones and emotional echoes
The intro of "A Demonic Game" finally blows the shit out of my brain and fucks me hard. The influences from the 80s, especially the dark wave tones in the bassline and the drums, are strongly reminiscent of "The Cure" and "Sisters Of Mercy", but with a unique twist that I wouldn't have expected on a Priest album. The song cleverly combines various influences to create a completely new sound experience. Priest have created something truly great here and show that they have the ability to expand their music in unexpected and impressive ways.
You’re just a pawn in a demonic game
The rules have never been to explain
Your confusion, chaos and pain
Lyrics from "A Demonic Game" performed by "Priest"
I have to say that "Chaos Reigns" by Priest is an epic and melancholic conclusion to the album "Dark Pulse". The song has an impressive depth and touches emotionally in a way that is rarely experienced. It sounds light and floating, like a feather, and exudes a fascinating 70s space age atmosphere. This unique mood makes the track special and captivating. Although the song is a little too short for my taste, I understand the decision to keep it at radio edit length. This keeps it fresh and prevents it from becoming monotonous. A really successful conclusion to a great album.
Priest's musical evolution reaches new heights with "Dark Pulse"
With their fourth long-player, "Priest" can seamlessly follow up on the last success of "Body Machine". They still know, or rather know even better, how to combine classic elements with modern sounds and create something new. Personally, I would have liked some of the songs to be more catchy, as is the case with Blackbook's "Radio Strange", for example, but that's just whining on a very high level. The album "Dark Pulse" is an absolute must-buy for anyone who can deal with a somewhat unwieldy synthesiser sound.
Track by track rating for: Priest – Dark Pulse
