Based in California is the project Pieti, a collaboration between musicians The Vandalorum (all instruments) and Krauhl (vocals and lyrics), where they create darkwave, influenced by dungeon synth. Their latest release is called Wedding Photos, comprised of eight tracks.
The guitar work in “Martyr,” sparkles and flows in a gorgeous way, leaving you mesmerised by the simplistic joy it brings. The vocals definitely remind me of Interpol’s Paul Banks both in tone and pace, which are propelled by the lovely deep bass. The synths break through and there is something about this track that grabs your attention completely. Love can cause a person to do many things in order to gain for themselves “Eternal Bliss.” Again there is that great post-punk styled bass and the earnest vocals of Krauhl, as the song keeps the foot tapping along.
Another stand out track is “Reservation,” and it is a myriad of ideas and emotions. The lyrics, ‘Red leather, black tie‘ give the illusion of sexual temptation or tension, and within it, a lamentation that tugs at your heart. The luscious “Clever Disarray” is far more laid back and sinuous affair, that starts off with a recording of a woman, which is apparently how the females in a jail were communicating with each other, that belonged to The Vandal’s grandmother. The vocals and synths convey a defiance and sadness, plus that guitar has an almost Mediterranean feel.
The album was recorded between 2023 and 2025, and seems to draw from life and family, whether this is blood relations or the families we create, hence the title Wedding Photos. The music itself is heavily rooted in post-punk and darkwave, with the rhythm held together by the bass and drums, while the guitar is just what makes it all perfect, equally important as the vocals in creating the atmosphere. The judicious use of synth just lends to the texture of each track. Pieti have dropped us a gem in Wedding Photos.
Luke | Mastering Engineer (@vandalmastering) • Instagram photos and videos
Onyx Music Reviews 