Portland Darkwave Project Arkham Sunset Debuts New Single “Blood In Four Colors”
“Purity is not your style
Crucify me now and hang me upside down”
From the moody corridors of Portland, Arkham Sunset, spearheaded by electronic aficionado Gerry Hathaway, offers their latest goth rock pièce de résistance, “Blood In Four Colors.” This track is a harbinger for their anticipated third album, ‘Failure Analysis‘, slated for an early 2024 release.
Drawing inspiration from the evocative and suspense-laden Italian ‘Giallo‘ films of the 1970s, the song navigates a provocative S&M nuance: whispers of leather, soft bindings, and longing glances—that hint at the intoxicating, yet perilous allure of a romance destined to combust. The song exemplifies the relentless push and pull of these hopeless situations…always hinting at an elusive intimacy that remains agonizingly out of grasp; a delicate ballet of power and vulnerability. A relationship that resembles a cage, rather than communion.
Echoing the haunting elegance of “Phantasmagoria” by The Damned, the song also offers audible undertones of Type O Negative, Tiamat, and ACTORS subtly lace the composition, adding layers of depth and richness to its darky sensuous narrative.
Infused with the ethereal reverberations of the Roland D-50, the track crafts an immersive atmosphere, layering synths that pull you into its depths before effortlessly pivoting into a dark rock chorus bursting with melody. The sonic palette is further elevated by the distinct textures of the Moog Minitaur, Sequential Prophet 6, and the ethereal Waldorf Streichfett. Guitar riffs, dense and profound, are the handiwork of Farzin Ajorlou—Arkham Sunset’s frequent Iranian collaborator known for his doom metal expertise. And as for the evocative cover art? Credit goes to Hathaway’s wife, the visionary visual artist Lee Ann.
Listen below:
