China’s Goth and Dark music scene has experienced a growth spurt of sorts in recent years with Poison the Vicar enrapturing Shanghai crowds as a member of the elite vanguard of today’s EBM artists in the country. Taking influence from Cabaret Voltaire, Front Line Assembly, and sleek grooves of bands on the Italians do it Better label, Poison the Vicar's debut single “Vision”, which evoked dark Italo disco vibes cut with a post-punk edge wielded by Corrosive Candy who lent vocals to the track. The single was then given an EBM rehab in the form of a wicked remix by Qual (William Maybelline of Lebanon Hanover). Next up was the politically charged New Beat song “Scourge of the Earth” followed by the industrial infused “Wedding Wings,” which was featured on the Darkness Calling Compilation “You Are Not Alone 2”. Poison the Vicar has also appeared on Vox Sinistra’s weekly dark synth club night on Twitch, “Strict Tempo.”
With the new single “Affront”, Poison the Vicar is bringing back the stabbing basslines and metallic drums of early industrial and EBM. This throwback is highlighted by the vocals of Leæther Strip, one of the forefathers of the genre. “Affront is about the brutality of nonconsensual domination of another’s body. It’s not just an attack it’s an affront to the soul.” Says Gordon about his new single.
“Affront” is out on all major streaming services, April 8th.