Shoegaze

ALBUM REVIEW: BLACKWATER HOLYLIGHT- NOT HERE NOT GONE

2026 has already been a strange year. The world may be falling apart but, the music keeps playing! So much so that the first great album of 2026 was released at the end of January. Blackwater Holylight’s new album, Not Here Not Gone, expands upon their already dark yet light contrasts and pushes the doomgaze genre into new worlds.

Throughout the ten tracks on the album, there is no shortage of great moments and new things to discover with each listen. Not Here Not Gone is as haunting as it is seductive and sonically bombastic. The way the band can weave an intricate web of shoegaze, doom metal and indie/folk is breathtaking. There is a calm to the heaviness on this album that keeps you coming back. The way the album glistens as it begins with “How Will You Feel” opens the window to what’s to come. From there “Involuntary Haze” ups the volume and shows off the heavy nature of the band. “Bodies” riffs out with a stellar explosion that captivates from the moment it starts. “Heavy, Why?” is quite the contemplative song that is filled with crisp sonics and soaring vocals. “Giraffe” is a bit of a departure but, it’s one of those interesting ones that acts as a bridge between parts of the album. TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek guests on this track. “Spades” returns to the heavy/gaze with more of a pulsating undertone. “Void To Be” feels like a sort of shoegazy prog rock track but with a dark pop sense. “Fade” is a delicate song that goes more cinematic as it builds. “Mourning After” is another soulful song that has a ton of ear candy to explore. Closing out the album is the epic “Poppyfields.” This is one of those songs that will stay with you long after you are done listening. In fact, it’s one of those that will make you want to put the album on again.

What Blackwater Holylight have made with Not Here Not Gone is triumphant. Sunny Faris, Eliese Dorsey and Mikayla Mayhew have cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Albums like this take quite a bit of time to make and when the end result is this powerful, it’s a statement record. Personally, I’m enthralled with what I heard on this album. I can only imagine the magnitude of volume that is their live show and these songs will definitely push the decibel levels of wherever they play. Seriously, put Not Here Not Gone on and just let it take you on it’s journey.

Overall Rating: A

By: Brian Lacy

Blackwater Holylight- Not Here Not Gone:

DEBUT ALBUMS: SPLIT CHAIN- MOTIONBLUR

It’s happened to all of us I’m sure at one point or another. You hear a song/band in passing and you really dig it but don’t know who it is. Then on a random whim you hear it and then all is right for that moment. That happened recently for myself a couple months back, I had heard a band and I completely forgot the name as well as the song and then when I found out who it was, the volume sure went up. The band I’m talking about is Split Chain. If this is your introduction to them, you are in for a treat!

Split Chain is an English rock band that formed in 2023. This explosive five piece band, while still in it’s infancy is already packing quite the punch. Their first release, the single “Get Inside” came out in 2023 and it was a siren call for what was to come. A few more singles would be released as would a really fun cover of Type O Negative’s “I Don’t Wanna Be Me.” Then in later 2024 it was announced the band had signed with Epitaph Records and would begin work on their very anticipated debut album. Motionblur, would be released in July of 2025. Split Chain’s musical style incorporates bits of shoegaze, grunge, post-hardcore, and a dash of nu-metal. The combination sounds absolutely as you’d expect it to sound. It’s lush and full of space and dreaminess and on the other side there’s the heaviness and crunch.

Motionblur is one hell of a debut album. It’s one of those records you can just put on start to finish and just get lost in it. Across the eleven songs, you’ll find a very raw and dense album that is fused with soaring yet gut wrenching vocals, layered guitars that sway into the heavy and dreamy side of things, a rhythm section that thumps and kicks while also delicately ripping limbs away. The honesty found throughout is quite stunning too. You can hear it in the delivery of performances on the songs. The sonic aspect of the album is very direct in the way the album is produced. There are in your face moments of each instrument. The vocals are very up front but it doesn’t take away what the music is doing. The push and pull of both, makes these songs more haunting and personal. Each song has its own charm but, the sum of all the parts is what makes this album standout.

I love debut albums like this. You get to see and hear what the band is about but, you know there is way more to explore. Which means the what’s to come from Split Chain is going to be intense. Motionblur is authentic as it is a visceral album. Currently, Split Chain is out in Australia with Better Lovers. Their US tour with Soul Blind (another band you should know about) will be one hell of a great tour and chock full of high decibels!

By: Brian Lacy

Overall Rating: 9/10

Split Chain- Motionblur:

Split Chain Online:

▶ Store: https://splitchain.ffm.to/store ▶ Website: https://www.splitchain.uk ▶ Facebook:   / splitchainband   ▶ Instagram:   / splitchainband   ▶ YouTube:    / @splitchainband  


NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: 01/16/26

I keep saying this because it’s true, 2026 is off to the races in terms of new album announcements, new music, new tours and who knows what else is to come in the next eleven months! That being said, this past week has seen a barrage of new singles from some of your favorites as well as some you might not know yet! In this batch for New Music Friday, I present new music from Lamb Of God, Filth Is Eternal, Nothing, Fotocrime, Gaerea, Metal Allegiance, clubdrugs . Give these a spin and let me know what you are into! Listening eclectically is much more fun than you’ve ever thought!

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BAND OF THE WEEK: COUNTERWAVES

As a rabid music fan, I’m always intrigued by bands that mix genres. Sometimes the end result makes for quite the musical fusion. One band that I’ve had my ears and eyes on for a minute is, Counterwaves. Counterwaves is a two piece rock band from Southern California that mixes 90’s alternative/grunge with shoegaze. So in a way I suppose you could call them alternagaze or grungegaze? I do like alternagaze so I’m gonna go with that. Counterwaves music has a sense of optimism and positivity throughout which makes the more cinematic moments really shine through. I’m quite looking forward to what else Counterwaves is working on as I’ve been really enjoying the 4 songs released so far. Be sure to catch Counterwaves when they play The Cobalt Presents/Audioeclectica show on Saturday February 07, 2026 at Bar10 At Corbin Bowl!

Counterwaves Online: https://www.instagram.com/counterwavesla/

Top Of The World:

Blurry Faces:

If Only:

Second Skin:

ANTICIPATED ALBUMS: BLACKWATER HOLYLIGHT- NOT HERE NOT GONE

There’s something about the feeling that comes over you when you hear a band that strikes at the right time. It’s not that I haven’t listened to this band before but, the way their new music sparked a sense of “Yes! This is what I’m looking for and I wasn’t even looking.” With that in mind, Blackwater Holylight is the band I’m talking about and if you haven’t heard this fantastic band, you’ve been missing out. In 2026, January 30th to be exact, Blackwater Holylight will be releasing their new album, Not Here Not Gone (via Suicide Squeeze Records). Packed with a sound that is as much intoxicating as it is hypnotic is quite the treat. The elements of shoegaze, doom and metal mixed with the atmospheric/cinematic synths, underlying pulsing rhythms that feel like waves and vocals that soar and swoon, are exactly what I hear in Blackwater Holylight. The two songs released so far, “Heavy, Why?” and “Involuntary Haze” are whimsical and the perfect way to introduce what’s to come. A full US tour will be happening next year with two bands that have been featured on Audioeclectica, Glassing and SOM. The idea of SOM and Blackwater Holylight on the same bill is actually blowing my mind as I think and write this. Truly, I can’t wait for this new album to hit right out of 2026. Now, go check out Blackwater Holylight!

Heavy, Why?:

Involuntary Haze:


Pre-Order NOT HERE NOT GONE:

TOUR DATES:

Glassing supports 2/13-2/27. SOM supports 2/27-3/14.

Fri 2/13 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Sat 2/14 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit
Sun 2/15 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister
Tue 2/17 – Austin, TX – Radio/East
Wed 2/18 – Houston, TX – White Oak
Thu 2/19 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia
Fri 2/20 – Pensacola, FL – Handlebar
Sat 2/21 – Atlanta, GA – Drunken Unicorn
Sun 2/22 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy
Tue 2/24 – Charlottesville, VA – Southern Cafe
Wed 2/25 – Baltimore, MD – Metro
Thu 2/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
Fri 2/27 – Brooklyn, NY – Meadows
Sat 2/28 – Braintree, MA – Widowmaker Brewing
Mon 3/02 – Youngstown, OH – Westside Bowl
Tue 3/03 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle
Wed 3/04 – Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village
Fri 3/06 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive
Sat 3/07 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive
Sun 3/08 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High
Tue 3/10 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Wed 3/11 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
Thu 3/12 – Sacramento, CA – Starlet
Fri 3/13 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
Sat 3/14 – Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley
Sat 3/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Pacific Electric

New Release: Osnova- Climbing Dues

The very awesome and cinematic LA shoegaze band, Osnova, have released a dreamy new single with “Climbing Dues.” Musically on this song Osnova weaves delicate textures and accents those with interesting melodies which then are balanced out by the sweeping vocals that accentuate the dreaminess of the song and feeling. Osnova are one of the LA bands that I’ve been watching for sometime now and I’m enjoying each and every song they put out. Their live shows are captivating in the way the music draws you in and it leaves you with a feather light feeling after. 2025 is shaping up to be a great year for Osnova, so do stay tuned to what they have coming up!

Osnova- Climbing Dues:

New Release: Osnova- Octavian

A couple months back, I ventured out to an old familiar spot I used to frequent in Hollywood, Boardners, to go see my friends in The Baby Goats during their residency for Club Decades. If you haven’t seen The Baby Goats live, I suggest you do, they are “Fun As Fuck.” No joke, they are seriously one of the most fun, entertaining live bands in Los Angeles. It was on this night that I saw a band before them that caught my attention. As they played, I kept getting more and more drawn into their dreamy soundscapes and shoegaze vibes. With that in mind, allow me to introduce you to Osnova.

The origins of Osonovo began in 2018 as former music journalist and DJ at KXLU FM in Los Angeles, Jean- Claude Vorgeack (aka JC) went looking for a drummer and Sam Ribeyro answered the call. The two would spend time bringing life to JC’s home recording demos throughout the pandemic. It wasn’t until July of 2022 that the final piece was found in vocalist Caroline McLaughlin. With the final puzzle piece in place, Osnova could now begin to hone their sound. Their sound is dreamy and cinematic with bits of shoegaze and alternative rock that all together create an atmospheric yet edgy style that stands out amongst the other shoegaze bands of their ilk. The band released its self-titled debut EP in fall of 2022, and finally made their live debut in November of the same year to a rapturous audience. Osnova has continued to find favor in the Los Angeles dark and dreamy music scene and has now partnered with LA record label Dune Altar (one of the best Indie Labels around) for the release of their latest single “OCTAVIAN,” which is otherworldly!

Osnova- Octavian:

Find Osnova Online:

Bandcamp

Instagram

Youtube

Live Review: Iress at The Resident

It’s taken me a few days to truly process what I witnessed last Thursday night at The Resident in Los Angeles and I’m still a bit at a loss of words to properly describe it. The other night, I ventured out to finally go see Iress live and it was everything I’d hoped for and more. As the lights dimmed, the sold out crowd roared as Iress took the stage. From the first note till the last of their set, I was completely hypnotized. Musically, the band moves from shoegaze, doom, slowcore and rock in such a seamless way that it all feels cinematic in how it plays out. Bassist Michael Maldonado has a menacing tone that as the songs play, you become connected to them even more as each note hits your heartbeat. Drummer Glenn Chu propels the beat even more with his precision drumming and guitarist Graham Walker adds a delicate/brightness to the songs. Then you add in the vocals of Michelle Malley, which are quite powerful and absolutely beautiful. When you put all of these elements together you truly get one hell of a tour de force. Iress’s set covered songs from their debut Prey, to their latest EP, Solace. Songs like “Blush,” “Ricochet,” “Shamed” and “Wolves” were beyond stunning live. I’m not kidding when I say that I was hypnotized watching and listening. The raw and gut wrenching power being delivered song after song was seductive and astounding. The chills I got from listening and watching, I haven’t felt that at a show in quite some time. When you listen to and or see Iress, not only do you get a band that is truly passionate about what they do but, you can truly believe it all through the journey of love, loss, pain, anguish and more. Being able to weave intricate webs of heaviness with ambience is no easy feat but, when you see Iress live it all comes to life in a hypnotic way that will leave you breathless. I can’t wait for the next time I can see Iress live. They are without a doubt one of the top 5 bands in all of the greater Los Angeles area. Do yourself a favor, go listen to Iress and see them live!

Review and Photos* By: Brian Lacy

*Photo’s aren’t the best, I was too into the show to really focus on taking pictures.

IRESS LIVE AT THE RESIDENT- 08.11.23:

IRESS ONLINE:

https://www.weareiress.com

https://weareiress.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/weareiress

https://www.facebook.com/weareiress

Anticipated Albums: Powder Pink & Sweet- Little Stories

I remember the first time I heard the term shoegaze. It was around the time that The Smashing Pumpkins released Siamese Dream and all these reviews I read and interviews kept referring to this new sub-genre called “shoegaze.” I thought what a strange term for a genre of music. Then it was explained to me (keep in mind I was only 7 or 8 when Siamese came out) and it made sense. Then later on I was exposed to the great My Bloody Valentine album, Loveless, and that’s when I truly found my deep fondness for shoegaze. Over the years the sub-genre has grown to include other elements from different genre’s making it quite a trip to listen to. There is one band that has combined shoegaze with dream pop, indie rock and a tinge of 90’s alternative rock that has captivated me. Allow me to introduce you to Powder Pink and Sweet. The band was formed in 2016 by the eclectic Cris Verso. And through the years since, Powder Pink and Sweet have carefully crafted a batch of hypnotic, dreamy and lush songs. Their upcoming EP, Little Stories, captures all the above and then some. The first single “Slightly Hopefull” is a dreamy and contemplative tune that provides quite the escape from the harsh realities of the COVID lockdown. Little Stories will be released Friday November 4th.

Powder Pink & Sweet- Slightly Hopeful:

PRE-ORDER THE EP Via BANDCAMP:

Band Of The Week: Bloody Knives

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Remember the days when you’d be out shopping for music and an album cover and or a bands name would grab your attention compelling you to check it out? Then when you put it on you are completely blown away. I recently came across this weeks band of the week Bloody Knives, after seeing a poster for their upcoming tour, and it totally had the “I must check this band out” effect. Bloody Knives hail from Austin and mix parts electronic, post punk, shoegaze, rock, industrial and psychedelia. Think Death From Above 1979 slowed down just a tad and My Bloody Valentine. Their newest single “Reflection Lies” from their upcoming release is awe inspiring. Their use of psychedelia takes you on a journey while listening. The moody vibes they put out through their music are euphoric and have a power to put you in a musical trance. Their previous work, especially their releases Death and Disappear are raw and unrelenting. Bloody Knives are one hell of a band and deserve to be on your radar!

 

Bloody Knives- Reflection Lies:

 

Bloody Knives- Death:

 

Bloody Knives- Disappear:

 

https://www.facebook.com/thebloodyknives