Secret Shame‘s music is borne from a deep-rooted motivation. “If I couldn’t sing or play music, I would tear my skin off,” is how singer Lena puts it. Fronting the Asheville, NC death-rock outfit is something she simply has to do. First coming together in 2016 and releasing a self-titled EP in 2017, Secret Shame is set to release their full-length debut, Dark Synthetics, this Friday, September 6.
“Dark Synthetics is made up of intrusive thoughts,” Lena explains. “Even though this was never meant to be a concept album, the songs share conceptual feelings of masochistic fear and love through tumultuous relationships and mental dysfunction. The general tone is that of experiencing total anguish, by being severely affected by how severe people can be. Dark Synthetics was recorded in two and a half days in Richmond, Virginia, in the middle of winter.”
Sounds of winter can clearly be heard (and felt) in the icy, minor-key guitar-driven angst and energy that permeates the record. Lena’s authoritative vocals explode from the dense mix, providing the beating heart at the center of the swirling post-punk maelstrom. Don’t be surprised if they end up on the bill next time The Cure curate a music festival.
Listen to Dark Synthetics exclusively below.
Secret Shame are set to support the new album with tour dates that kick off September 7 at the Hopscotch Festival in Raleigh, NC. See the full itinerary below.
Secret Shame Tour Dates:
9/07 – Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Music Festival
9/08 – Richmond, VA @ Hypercube
9/09 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
9/10 – Montclair, NJ @ The Meat Locker
9/11 – York, PA @ Skid Row Garage
9/13 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Broadway
9/14 – Fredericksburg, VA – Rec Center FXBG
9/15 – Greensboro, NC @ New York Pizza
9/16 – Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight
