Golem Dance Cult – Pretty At Dawn (2026)
The ethereal, sombre sound of Golem Dance Cult is not something I come across very often. With their new single, ‘Pretty At Dawn’, this self-proclaimed industrial dance duo deliver a unique sound that I’ve honestly not heard before. Feeling like a melting pot of different genres and, much like the myth of the “Golem” – a man-made creature that protects the oppressed, and at the end goes out of control, pulling inspiration from everywhere but with no obvious connection – this track had my head spinning (in a good way). I didn’t know where it was going or what to expect.
The opening bars were instantly reminiscent of the dark, ominous intro to ‘Something in the Way’ by Nirvana and would not be out of place soundtracking the entrance of the lead detective in any great film noir. Then come the vocals, eerily complementing each other with Ingal Liljestrom’s softer tones playing as the ying to Charles Why’s yang. The steady, simple beat makes getting lost in the track easy; it’s almost hypnotic how Golem Dance Cult captivate their listeners.
With such a simple musical composition, Golem Dance Cult show their skills in storytelling as they explore how, in relationships, things are not what they appear. Their influences from Beck and Bauhaus, crossed with Killing Joke, are clear to hear throughout the track and only aid in communicating their poignant narrative.
When asked to share a memorable quote about this release, GDC cited a review from Emily Victor, and it is so apt I’m annoyed I didn’t come up with it, but I feel like I had to share it: “Part Ritual, part Rave, part Requiem.”
The best part of this release is that it comes with a full album to explore. Shamanic Faultlines is much more of the same, all brought together by the mysterious modern-day shaman, Klaus Karloff. So if you enjoyed getting lost in the ethereal tones of ‘Pretty At Dawn’, jump headfirst into the sonic seance that is Golem Dance Cult.
In addition to the single, Golem Dance Cult released an official music video for ‘Pretty At Dawn’. You can view the video below and/or on their YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about Golem Dance Cult on their official website, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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