Ashnymph Debuts with an Electrifying Dance Goth EP, “Childhood.”

I’ve got to give a shoutout to my longtime friend and concert companion, Tim, for introducing me to this gem. Ashnymph is a London-based band that fuses post-punk melodies with Krautrock rhythms and a gritty industrial edge. Their debut EP, *Childhood*, oscillates between ethereal vocals wrapped in layers of reverb and driving dancefloor beats. It’s an exhilarating start from a band poised for a significant breakthrough.

*Childhood* kicks off with an ambient soundscape that feels like someone walking down a hallway, accompanied by swirling synths, before launching into the first track, “Island in the Sky.” This song features a motorik beat and a pulsating bass line. The airy, digitally altered vocals combined with a robotic groove are punctuated by bursts of noise, while the powerful chords in the chorus evoke memories of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s “Whatever Happened to My Rock and Roll.”

Next up is “Saltspreader,” the band’s debut single. It begins with a deep metallic grind, layered with clanking percussion and drum hits, before a gentle synth arpeggio introduces some melody. The latter half showcases heavily chorused vocals that ooze ‘80s goth vibes, alongside driving guitar and a disco-infused rhythm. Despite its gradual build, it’s easy to see why this was chosen as their first single—it’s dark, danceable, and undeniably catchy.

“After Glow” dives even deeper into ‘80s nostalgia, reminiscent of Depeche Mode and early Ministry, before they embraced guitars. “47” combines industrial beats with chipmunk-like vocals and off-kilter guitars, channeling the spirit of No Wave acts like Swans. The track takes a surprising turn into a half-time groove, stripping away some of the harsher elements to let the beauty of the guitar melody shine, complemented by ethereal vocals floating above.

The final track, “Mr. Invisible,” stands out as the most experimental piece. It leans heavily into electronic territory, featuring manipulated samples, indecipherable vocals, and a relentless bass thump in its opening section. As it progresses, clearer vocal melodies and circular guitar lines intertwine with the polyrhythmic synths. The experience is disorienting, dizzying, and exhilarating, concluding abruptly with a lopsided guitar groove and echoed vocals, leaving me craving more.

Ashnymph’s *Childhood* EP is now available on Bandcamp and most major streaming platforms, including Deezer, Apple Music, Qobuz, YouTube Music, and Spotify.