A four track dreamy gothic sound, a torch-carrying art form in Boston’s post-punk scene. Mirrored Hell’s self-titled EP sounds old only through its inspirations, while contributing to where the genre is now in the present day. This work is a practiced trade that adds to where and when it was created, with a firm foothold in where it has been.
With tight drums and strings that sound as if they’re all crowded together in the middle of the room, yet are covered in a large, glittery reverb, each track manages to sound gigantic and tiny at the same time. Mirrored Hell could easily find itself in a playlist following someone like The Jesus and Mary Chain, while also doing the heavy lifting for some college kid’s washy indie mix. The sound of space compacted into the confines of a small room. Like strobe lights in a bedroom.
These four songs are dreamy and danceable. A fast, anthemic drum carries each song forward at the pace of rock, with many gentle layers wrapping around it. Each drum hit is softened by skillful guitar playing and shimmering synth chords. Sam’s voice is sharp, cutting through everything else to make it clear to us that these songs are not smooth jams.
Mirrored Hell excels in all the styles it recombines that were spawned from the early days of post-punk. Guitar and synth reminiscent of the beginnings of dream rock; a witchy voice cut clear from goth’s beginnings.
On the band’s Youtube channel, the songs Dollhouse and Letters from Space are given accompanying videos to the music. Scenes from Fantastic Planet and The Blood of a Poet and visuals inspired by Pete Shelley’s XL1 are mixed together with raw lyrics like “Such relentless trauma, a haunting memory, If I leave now, How long will I stay free?”.
The band’s artsy aesthetic combined with its emotional lyrics gives it different layers to listen to and interact with. Casual references to the avant-garde films of the 1930’s combined with lyrics on persisting pain and autonomy. This is a set of songs you can build a close connection to while driving down a small road at nighttime. Streetlights accentuating the world this band creates. Oh, and it’s also an EP to dance to in faux leather at O’Brien’s.
Mirrored Hell performing. Photo take by @jeanskunk on Insta
From Jesse’s dreamy guitar to Sam’s vocals, the looming influence of Siouxsie is everywhere on this EP. And it’s no surprise either. What stands out even more in this set of songs is the expertise in its inspirations. Sam’s voice is standing on a comfortable ground that allows them to build their own style while creating beautiful lyrics and catchy songs. Despite the references from the 80’s, nostalgia isn’t the right word for this sound. Mirrored Hell feels timeless. Refined in their inspirations, this band creates their own atmosphere in the sound.
As connected as everything is in this EP, I am excited to hear what comes next as this group grows. The few seconds of dirty bass that come in clearly in the first track and show up again only at the end of the EP. The big drums that are mixed so close together. From an outsider’s perspective, Mirrored Hell knows who they are and I am excited to see them continue building the world they are living in.
Mirrored Hell is performing with Aurat and Penitence on Monday, April 4 at O’Brien’s Pub. I’ll definitely be there. Check out their bandcamp page here.
