The Holy Circle's 'Hearts Called' Is A Gothic Prayer

The Holy Circle makes dark synth-pop that's velvet to the touch — and a sonic sawblade to the core. After last year's EP, Terence Hannum of the experimental metal band Locrian and his wife Erica Burgner-Hannum of Unlucky Atlas were joined by drummer Nathan Jurgenson (Screen Vinyl Image). The Baltimore trio's self-titled debut album finds that space between Ultravox's synthetic melodrama, Jesu's heavy shoegaze and The Knife's cold, yet sensual, vocal melodies.

Recorded by J. Robbins, "Hearts Called" begins as a gothic prayer out of The Cure hymnal and builds with rolling, pounding drums. It is at once heavy and delicate, working out inner turmoil through deep synth bass and Burgner-Hannum's singing with quiet devotion, "Communion with paper fans, paper cups, airplanes / Singing songs so familiar they're strange."

"It started out as a beautiful, music-box-like riff that Terence recorded on my parents' baby grand piano," Erica Burgner-Hannum tells NPR. "I wanted to write lyrics about the difficulties I have experienced as an adult, maintaining a good relationship with my Christian evangelical family while being at odds with their belief system and worldview."

The Holy Circle comes out June 6 via Annihilvs (physical, digital).

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