M4 Alice - Shiloh

Review by STELLA MARIS GIUSTETTI

Shiloh by M4 Alice: A Dark, Gritty Gem from 1988 That Still Haunts Let’s get one thing straight—M4 Alice wasn’t trying to fit in when they dropped Shiloh back in ’88. This UK-born post-punk/goth rock hybrid is like that moody kid at the party who sits in the corner but somehow steals all the attention anyway. Released under Plastic Head Records Limited and managed by Cool Assassin Management (cool name, right?), this album doesn’t just sit there; it crawls into your brain and sets up camp. The tracks? Oh man, where do I even start? You’ve got “Fetch,” which hits you with these jagged guitar riffs that feel like shards of glass wrapped in velvet. It’s relentless but oddly hypnotic—the kind of song that makes you wanna drive too fast on an empty road late at night. Then there’s “Shiloh,” the title track, which feels like stepping into a black-and-white movie about heartbreak and existential dread. The bassline alone could carry its own weight—it’s so thick, it practically oozes out of your speakers. These two tracks stick with me because they’re not afraid to be ugly and beautiful at the same time. They don’t beg for your love; they demand your respect. Now let’s talk vibe for a sec. If Post-Punk had a dark little sibling, it’d be Goth Rock, and M4 Alice straddles both worlds perfectly here. Tracks like “Upal Zenc” and “The Sleeper” keep things unpredictable, throwing curveballs with eerie synths and vocals that sound like they were recorded in some haunted cathedral. It’s messy in the best way possible—like someone spilled ink on paper and turned it into art. What really gets me though is how raw this album feels. There’s no overproduction or shiny polish—just grit, sweat, and maybe a few tears. It’s as if M4 Alice said, “Screw perfection, let’s make something real.” And damn, did they ever succeed. So yeah, Shiloh might not have been everyone’s cuppa tea back in the day, but now? It’s a cult classic waiting to happen. Listening to it feels like finding an old mixtape in the attic—you press play, half-expecting disappointment, and instead, you’re blown away. And honestly? I think M4 Alice would’ve loved knowing their music still lingers like cigarette smoke long after the party’s over.

Artist: M4 Alice
Album: Shiloh

Rock

1988

Rating: 3.38

Review
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Catalog Numbers
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Listen online
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Credits
Notes
About Artist
Interesting fact
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Related albums

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Filename: m4-alice-shiloh.zip

MP3 size: 24 mb
FLAC size: 152.4 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Shiloh
Upal Zenc
The Sleeper
Fetch

Video

M4 Alice - Sleeper 1988

M4 Alice - Fetch 1988

M4 Alice Upal Zenc

M4 Alice- Shiloh

Images

Catalog Numbers

PLASS 007

Labels

Plastic Head Records Limited

Listen online

lyssna på nätet
ouvir online
online luisteren
écouter en ligne
lytte på nettet
kuunnella verkossa
online anhören
ascolta in linea
escuchar en línea

Formats

Vinyl
12"

Companies

Role	Company
Copyright (c)	Plastic Head Records Limited
Published By	Plastic Head Publishing
Distributed By	Backs
Recorded At	Alaska Studios

Credits

Role	Credit
Composed By	M4 Alice
Management	Cool Assassin Managment

Notes

Recorded at Alaska Studios on the 25 & 26.8.88.

About M4 Alice

Post-punk gothic noise Line-up for Halfway Archwway 7" and Shiloh 12" David Bennett - vocals, keyboards, words Wayne - bass Paul-Francois Tremlett - guitars Paul Blaber - drums Line-up for Thrones and Bones and Death to All (track on 1 in 12 12") David Bennett - vocals, keyboards, words Chris Rowsell - bass Paul-Francois Tremlett - guitars Paul Blaber - drums Dave and Paul-F went on to form several bands including the entirely unknown Weird Spit and the marginally less familiar Granola. No idea what happened to Wayne. Chris sculpts. Paul went on to play drums for Sick on the Bus. He passed away suddenly and we still miss him. M4Alice were reviewed in numerous fanzines and magazines though sadly these, along with the posters, t-shirts and stickers, are mostly lost. I've added this because the line-up given here is incorrect

Members

Wayne
Paul Blaber
David Bennett
Paul-Francois Tremlett

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool fact: The album *Shiloh* by M4 Alice, released in 1988, blends Post-Punk and Goth Rock in a way that feels haunting yet catchy. It came out on Plastic Head Records Limited in the UK. Fun detail—M4 Alice not only composed the tracks but also worked with a management team called Cool Assassin Management. Tracks like "Fetch" and "The Sleeper" still stand out as unique pieces of moody, atmospheric rock.