Vampire Valenting – Scared & Sacred

Scarred & Sacred is the third EP by Newcastle upon Tyne-based dark-wave band Vampire Valentine, comprising vocalist Mike Longstaff, bassist Kieron Wright, guitarist Hannah Pellegrino, lead guitarist/backing vocals Layton Bergerud, producer Tony Gunk, and additional producer Ricky Conover. This EP shows off the post-punk act at their best, crafting a story about sins repenting and facing your fate in the afterlife at the gate. The 6-track EP showcases the band at what they do best: an atmospheric intro leading straight into two hard-hitting dark-wave tracks (Broken Sins & Talisman) taking the band back to the sound they stepped into with tracks like Tears and Olivia, with production that sets them at a high level. Taking a turn into heavy darksynth with GORE! & Lover Not A Biter, it showcases the band's ability to flip a switch to a darker side. The 6-track EP ends with a chilling modern post-punk track, Sacred. This track is a perfect ender to the band's new direction and cements their sound into their character as they gear up to hit the stage late this year.