DAMIEN puts the metallic strain in the indie industrial rock resurgence. There are plenty of artists who attempt it, but the sardonic lyricism, brilliant composition and retaining the original magic of the movement is brought back by this artist. A wolfish performer to watch live, his recordings bring the aggression and muscular push this kind of music needs. This is his latest single, Empty.

Though I am reminded of NIN’s The Downward Spiral in many ways, this artist pushes the envelope with regard to the time he is in. Becoming more relevant, these lyrics fall like shards of glass, through a world that envelopes itself in a desensitized bubble. From the catchy, rhythmic tempo to the elevated sense of nothing that is well put out in the song, DAMIEN creates dread in a way only he can. The synth flows are the bubbling energy a song like this needs, with the tones whittled to perfection specifically for this. Even when it’s just the percussions and his vocals, you can feel the honesty in the execution of the words. Any more layers, and it would have been overkill, but DAMIEN understands the dynamic of the genre better than anyone I’ve heard. 

I could definitely place this in Natural Born Killers, a great movie with a Trent Reznor created soundtrack. The hollow, but complete nature of the lyrics makes it a dynamic unlike any other. You can check out more of his music with Nowhere and Power, along with his unique 2021 album, Girl. Explore his music and follow him to get more of DAMIEN’s energy!