Austrian ritual wave ensemble The Devil & The Universe is returning on 19 September with their seventh album, Occult Pleasures. Your favourite goats unveil their brand new video single “Shadow Projection”, which features Çağla Güleray of the Turkish darkwave duo Ductape. The video was directed by Edie Calie.
The upbeat, danceable track features the distinctive voice of Çağla, weaving Turkish and English lyrics into a hypnotic sonic ritual. Driving rhythms, shimmering electronics and the band’s signature use of the dulcimer merge to create a piece that is both haunting and club-ready.
Blending dark wave, cinematic electronics and occult aesthetics, the band expands their sonic ritual with vocal performances from key figures in the dark alternative scene. This time, the focus on spiritualistic and occult practices is the common thread of the new record.
Occult Pleasures, which will be out via Swiss Dark Nights, features an array of compelling guest vocalists from across the dark music spectrum. “Beelzebub Unchained” features Aux Animaux, her spectral vocals gliding through driving beats and burning tension. The title track, “Occult Pleasures”, enlists Alex Svenson of Then Comes Silence, infusing the track with mournful grandeur and melodic intensity. Other highlights include the witchy “Something Wicked” and the sinister and guitar-heavy “Hadal Ritual”, both featuring Hungarian dark electronic artist Zsüd on vocals. The video single “Shadow Projection” features Çağla from Ductape where she delivers a strikingly emotional performance sung partly in Turkish.
Joining the ranks of The Devil & The Universe is Ezechiel, the band’s newest member from Prague, whose percussive force on drums and ritual instruments lends primal weight and presence. Known for their pagan aesthetics and genre-defying fusion of darkwave, industrial, and ceremonial music, Ashley Dayour, David Pfister, and Ezechiel continue to evolve both sonically and spiritually.
Sound becomes spell. Rhythm becomes rite. One album. Many voices. Infinite shadows. Link
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