Candles And Intrigue Vol Two: The Next Wave Of Australian Music – A Goth Rock Gem You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, let’s talk about Candles And Intrigue Vol Two: The Next Wave Of Australian Music. Released in 2000 by Left As In Sinister, this compilation album is a deep dive into the darker side of Aussie rock. It’s goth rock with a capital G, and while it might not be everyone’s cuppa tea, for those who dig moody vibes and haunting melodies, this one hits different.
First off, props to Tony Mantz for mastering this beast. The sound quality? On point. It’s like he took all these tracks from various artists and glued them together into something cohesive. That doesn’t always happen with compilations, but here we are—13 tracks that feel like they belong on the same playlist even though they’re wildly unique.
Now, I gotta shout out two tracks that stuck with me because holy smokes, they’re good. First up is “Like I’m Somewhere Else.” This song just grabs you by the feels right away. It starts slow, almost dreamy, then BAM—it slams into this wall of guitars and vocals that make you wanna close your eyes and zone out. There’s something about how raw it sounds without being messy. Like yeah, it’s polished enough to listen to, but rough around the edges in the best way possible. Feels personal, ya know?
Then there’s “Finding The Sun In The Forest,” which honestly has one of the coolest titles ever. But beyond that, the track itself feels like a journey. It builds up slowly, layering synths and guitar riffs until it becomes this big, atmospheric thing. By the end, I was legit picturing myself wandering through some misty woods at midnight. Spooky but beautiful, kinda like Australia itself if you think about it.
The rest of the album isn’t bad either. Tracks like “All My Sins Remembered” and “Dirge” bring the heavy, while stuff like “Lifeless” leans more introspective. Honestly, it’s hard to pick favorites because every track brings something new to the table. Whether you’re into pounding drums or melancholic lyrics, this album’s got a bit of everything.
But here’s the kicker—what makes this album stand out isn’t just the music; it’s the vibe. Listening to it feels like stepping into another world. One where shadows stretch longer, emotions run deeper, and every note carries weight. Maybe it’s the whole goth rock thing, or maybe it’s just really damn well done.
Anyway, wrapping this up—I don’t usually reflect much on music, but this album made me pause. Like, why haven’t more people talked about it? Sure, it came out over two decades ago, but great music doesn’t have an expiration date. If anything, it feels kinda timeless. So do yourself a favor and give it a spin. Who knows? You might find yourself lost in its eerie charm too.
Oh, and fun fact: apparently, Left As In Sinister isn’t around anymore. Which sucks, ‘cause they clearly knew what they were doing. Guess that just adds to the mystique, huh?
