THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #107

With two singles that practically scream “IT’S SUMMER!”, a weird hybrid track that pushes a psychedelic angle into new territory, a slice of atmospheric Scandinavian melody, and something with a dance core, this selection of singles is certainly varied. Regular visitors to the Singles Bar will, of course, find something of interest as they uncover tunes that highlight some of the musical underground’s more vivid talents, and in the case of one of the singles, possibly even discover an instant hit! Sit back with a cuppa – it’s quite a ride…

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WITCHCRAFT – IDAG

Five years on from their lockdown release, ‘Black Metal’, which saw Witchcraft trading in their trademark stoner riffs for a bleak, stripped down occult folk sound, and almost a decade after the release of the brilliant ‘Nucleus’, the Swedes play things fairly safely on their 2025 long player ‘IDAG’. In this case, though, the feeling of safety has its own strength: founding member Magnus Pelande sounds more comfortable than ever working within a classic doomy metal format, and for the band’s fans, this return to a more “classic” Witchcraft sound will certainly present a welcome move, even if in some ways it feels like a step backwards.

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VOFA – Vofa

When it comes to extreme metal, the Scandinavians have a long and rich history. Quite often, their extremes are rooted in the black metal sphere, but sometimes a more gothic approach will rear its head with interesting results. In the hands of Iceland’s Vofa, the latter definitely applies since their debut album comprises of three very lengthy, title-less pieces that explore the heaviest end of the funeral doom subgenre. In many ways, it sounds almost exactly how its sleeve art looks.

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Listen: Norway’s Mayflower Madame stream new single

Ahead of their second album’s release, Norwegian indie/goth band Mayflower Madame are streaming their new single, ‘Vultures’.

Taking a pinch of Jesus & Mary Chain and a huge influence from Bauhaus and ‘First, Last & Always’ era Sisters of Mercy, the track really delivers in terms of mechanical rhythms, cold riffs and a brilliant alt-pop darkness.  Everything has been recycled with so much love, it could even pass as authentic find from a vault of rare 80s alternative music.

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