Dark Companion Records

This is a genuinely ‘lost’ album — recorded years ago, then shelved because I couldn’t find the right lyrical theme. The music evoked a fantasy world, but I’d already explored that on Duel and Grimm, and didn’t want to repeat myself. I kept hoping inspiration would strike, but after four years, I realised I needed to finish what I’d started.

I was certain that a suitable alternative theme would present itself at some point and so it did: one older song, Lair of the White Worm, sparked a new direction — sparser, psych-tinged rock—which Mick and Violet helped develop. Suddenly, I was writing again — 21 new ideas in three days! One became Leper’s Bell, inspired by the 1644 London Plague. As the pandemic unfolded, I revised lyrics and re-recorded vocals to bring the album together under a darker, more coherent theme.

So here it is — a new ‘old’ album that bridges past and future. Thanks for your patience.
Paul Roland

Credits
Mick Crossley: lead/rhythm guitars plus bass on track 12
Joshua Roland: bass
Violet the Cannibal: drums
Joran Elane: lead and ethereal vocals
Annie Barbazza: additional backing vocals
Max Marchini: bass an electric guitar on track 10