This is a stunner from the get-go, and the best Goth album I have heard for a very long time. Most people consider Goth to be the ’80s sounds of Sisters Of Mercy, Bauhaus, Fields Of The Nephilim et al, but what Bat Nouveau do is take it all in, distill and disseminate further, incorporating other largely unrecognised greats such as The March Violets, Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry, Wellington’s own Disjecta Membra and many more. The bottom line is that they make it all sound fresh, unforced, powerful and dynamic. All this from just two musicians – Todd Manion on voice and bass, and his partner Alex Palmer on guitar and drums. There have been other releases since October 2010 (the band began in ’08), but this is their first full release, and it’s a proper gem with plenty of appeal beyond the Goth label and should not be overlooked by any lover of quality underground/ indie/ alternative sounds. Personal details are scarce, but the duo have been based in Brisbane for at least the last while. They have distribution in the US with Mass Media Records and Hands And Moment in Japan which might be why my Sample Only CD copy is in Japanese on the disc – with the only English word recognisable besides the band and title is Bauhaus! I can’t praise this album high enough, the best ‘darkwave’ release since Disjecta Membra’s ‘Achromaticia’, and that was a while ago.