Leeds goth rock band, Zeitgeist Zero, released their debut self titled album back in 2005, and since then have dropped albums very regularly. 2023 brought forth the current offering of Meddling With The Forces for this trio on the label Bat-Core. Mixing was conducted by Corin Zero and Steven Whitfield (The Cure), while the mastering is by Tim Hay at Autumn Giant Mastering and the whole shebang recorded at Inner Sanctum Studios.
Initial track, “Go To Hell” sets up the mystical stage, and what you are in for with Zeitgeist Zero. It is a mixture of swirling darkwave electronics, with powerful female vocals and a heavy dose of dance rhythms. With hints of Inkubus Sukkubus, it is time to “Set The Monster Free” with dashes of grinding guitar and sparkling synths, before we are faced with the far more rock heavy “Satanic Sex Witch,” that echoes and reverberates as she stalks you with a very pleasant ending. If a sex witch is your undoing, then at least you can stay in touch with a “Séance,” which might be more fun than using a mobile phone and is a spooky cute proposition from the band. None of this is possible however, without tapping into one’s “Psyche.” This is a much slower track, revelling between the sheets of ether world, floating through.
There is something quite delightful in the slightly chaotic disjointedness of “Night People,” as it is almost teeters on industrial ground both musically and for repressed aggression. Those children of the night is what we are all about. Continuing on the harsher side of electronics, the beginning of “Scream” greets your ears with grating noise, before rocking you with the outbursts of guitar and lulls of anticipation. The single “Toxic Twist” is designed to whip you up with its punk attitude and play between synths and guitar, about a relationship with a less than desirable toxic human. “Plastic Diamonds” look flashy but are worth nothing and the same can be said for people who act like fake jewels, where not everything that glitters is worthy, unlike this song. Final track is the lower, slower and heavier “The Unwanted One,” that smacks slightly of Concrete Blonde.
Zeitgeist Zero might be Meddling With The Forces, but you know this is not the first time they have travelled this gothic road. They are accomplished musicians with a back catalogue that I would highly suggest you check out. The album is full of ghoulish delights, whether they be musical textures or supernatural subjects. Witches, monsters and goths…oh my.
Meddling With The Forces | ZEITGEIST ZERO (bandcamp.com)
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