When it comes to goth, I’m something of a traditionalist, meaning I was wary of the nu-goth tag that accompanied the material for this new single from Shaam Larein. Shaam Larein is the six-piece Swedish band’s titular lead singer, and her Middle Eastern origins inform the music, which drawn on elements of doom and heavy rock to forge a bold and dramatic sound.
Sweeping, choral vocals and snaking guitars are the defining features of ‘Traveller’, taken from forthcoming debut album ‘Sculpture’, set for release on January 31st. It’s theatrical, mystical, image-rich and ambitious. And with its rich atmosphere, it’s more gothic than nu-goth – and it’s pretty damn good.