“A bleak, synthy good time.” — Metal Injection
“Synth rock and doom metal aren’t often two things that go together, but damn if the peanut butter and chocolate don’t mix perfectly here… Hypnotically engaging.” – Loudwire
"A doomed dreamscape... The synth-driven doom-pop songs on PM226 are heavy and wistful, featuring vintage drum machines, thumping basslines and distorted synthesizer soundscapes." -- Metal Sucks
Portland, OR synth-doom duo WHIMZ are streaming their debut album PM226 today via New Noise Magazine. Hear and share PM226 HERE. (Direct Bandcamp.)
Sunny Faris (vocalist/bassist and founder of Blackwater Holylight) and Cam Spies (Night Heron) have been friends for years. Cam recorded the first BWHL record several years ago and they hadn’t had a chance to collaborate again, until 2021 when they decided to spend a day in the studio to see what emerged. The result was a seamless blending of their two projects: dark, synth heavy, austere doom-pop, with hauntingly beautiful vocal harmonies, and sexy bass lines.
Sunny’s characteristic voice is immediately recognizable from opening track “AM1”. Although it may at first seem confusing to hear her singing over low-end rich, heavy synthesizer and vintage drum machines, it quickly becomes apparent how perfectly suited her voice is for these songs. While the music evokes the icy, consumer excess bliss of mid- to late-80s synth pop, Sunny’s melancholic voice permeates like the angelic harmonies of Julie Cruise and Cocteau Twins.
The emotionally intense, melodically lush shoegazey doom of Blackwater Holylight’s widely hailed 2021 album Silence/Motion provides a good touchstone for WHIMZ, but Night Heron’s pawn shop deep collection of carefully curated retro synth instrumentation and Cam’s tasteful production also gives the album both its skeleton and a wealth of subtle and clever tones tucked neatly into each song.
Upon completing the 5-song, 26-minute album they decided to release it on Portland label Literal Gold Records, and assembled a live band which includes members of YOB and Spoon Benders joining Faris and Spies.
PM226 is available on LP, CD and download, released on October 28th, 2022 via Literal Gold Records. Pre-orders are available HERE.
WHIMZ LIVE 2022:
Nov 10 - Portland - Doug Fir Lounge
Nov 12 - Seattle - Freakout Fest - Sunset Tavern
Artist: WHIMZ
Album: PM226
Label: Literal Gold
Release Date: October 28th, 2022
01. AM1
02. AM2
03. I WANNA
04. PM1
05. PM2
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