The Sweet Kill Unveil Anthemic Post-Punk LP “NOWHERE”

The Sweet Kill is a one-man post-punk project which focuses on the more dark and gothic side of the genre. Perpetually recording and producing at his own studio SHADOW ZONE SOUND in Los Angeles, Pete Mills wrote The Sweet Kill’s sonic cinematic debut Darkness with the intent to inspire those lost in the shadows of life. The velvety crooning baritone Mills conducts a darkwave masterpiece of romantic sorrow echoing the laments of The Cure and Joy Division.

The eerie video for “Forbidden”, directed by Ellen Hawk, delves into this mystery realm with gusto, taking us on a strange sojourn into the moonlight. The haunting voice of Pete Mills serves as a guiding light through this shadowy adventure, cutting through the darkness with the intensity and warmth of a candle’s flame. His earnest croon adds a layer of depth and sincerity. Pete Mills delves into the depths of the human psyche, using an arsenal of cold synths, atmospheric guitar, and a melodic bass to sculpt an anthemic hook with bleeding-heart emotions. The protagonists, outcasts by nature, grapple with their desires in the shadows. Amidst secrets and whispers, their passion is intense yet prohibited, leading them to a paradise where they are exiled, consumed by a love both dark and irresistible.

Whether it’s the seductive world of vampires in the song “Queen”, fearlessly facing inner demons in “Evil”, experiencing the desperation of night terrors and subconscious suppression in the song “Creeper”, or a tribute to Mills’ lost bandmates in “Nowhere”, “Alive”, “Divide”, and “Goodbye”, The Sweet Kill once again proves their mastery of the dark and enigmatic through poignant lyrics and haunting melodies. You can hear elements of The Cure and Bauhaus reverberate through Mills’ taut, brooding vocal performances, while the pounding bass lines and brisk percussion are reminiscent of artists like The Killers or Franz Ferdinand. The personal lyrics and accessible melody and production fall somewhere between Editors and Fontaines D.C., lending the songs an openness that will appeal to fans of pop and rock, not just post-punk.

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