William Bleak released their latest single, ‘Phantom Pain’, on 18 July, continuing a prolific run of output from the Berlin-based industrial goth project. The track follows a banner year in 2024, during which the band released six well-received singles, four music videos, and their acclaimed EP Traumazone. They also completed a successful DIY tour across the US, played dozens of shows throughout Europe, and shared stages with acts such as Traits and Clan of Xymox.
Hailing from Berlin, Germany, William Bleak blends Post-Punk, Cold Wave, EBM, and Industrial into a sound described as “grotesque” yet “celebratory” by post-punk.com. Built around pulsing electronics, manic guitars, and guttural basslines, their music blends gothic melancholy with raw energy and intensity. As alt77 noted, “William Bleak write songs as if recalling the most traumatic night of their lives and all of the bad decisions that got them there.” Their sonic palette, marked by frosty synths and angular aggression, continues to evolve while staying rooted in a cold, unflinching emotional core.
Their latest outing is a dark reverie of clashing drum machines, soaring sawtooths and a gritty bassline that buoys the caterwauling, anthemic vocals. ‘Phantom Pain’ hearkens to the most gothic sounds of the eighties, with a serrated modern edge that is bewitching and bold.
Take a listen to the track now:
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