Band's List Gothic Rock Noctivagus Transmission

This is unusual – a big romping Goth cover of ‘Transmission’ by Joy Division, with a crosscut Metal guitar interface squiggling away. Normally you find bands all nervously respectful and so caught up in the hesitant emoting of Ian Curtis that their covers fall down like soiled pants, and make you wonder why they’ve bothered.

This bunch have gone in a different direction. The guitar juts out so firmly you can’t ignore it, and the vocals may try to ape the Curtis wobble, but are treated in such a way they also become somewhat alien, like a resentful dalek, with a curious rapid echo or delay. The guitar sound of Tempestade remains huge throughout and the rhythm also pulses weirdly, while the singer does the dance, dance, dance part as if in pain. This all makes it a song which comes alive, even if it actually sounds rather funny, and I said a Goth cover, remember ?

Joy Div were never Goth, but this sounds right, with raucous backing vocals and waves of energy. A strangely workable creation, and congratulations to them for doing something different with it, especially as they’re clearly fans. The one track CD (with gargoyles on its label) also includes a modern moody video of their ‘Bad Dream’ songs from the ‘After the Curse’ CD which I wouldn’t mind reviewing, because these boys have the power!

MICK MERCER.