From the rainy shores of Seattle, Washington, comes an intriguing folk group reviving the old Gothic sounds of maritime sea shanties known as Headstone Brigade. Supported by accordions, fiddles, cellos, guitars, and trumpets, this ensemble captures vivid imagery through well-crafted lyrics, blending it all with a punk-like attitude to keep their sound fresh and modern. Their latest release, Victory & Death, takes the listener on a musical journey through love and loss, interwoven with hope and despair, all wrapped in an antique aesthetic.
The album starts with a haunting piano melody that is accompanied by Egan Budd’s monotone vocals. His approach stays consistent through out the album, where his droning voice is sometimes accented by emotions of triumph or despair. The full band kicks in on the second track, Victory & Defeat, which is my personal favorite off the album. With deep and vivid lyrics of the horrors of war, the band is able to turn into a militant waltz dancing the dance of death through the smokey fields. Imagery like this is used all through out the album, with each instrument taking turns being the forefront of the sound and really showing off their skills. Like the track We Set Sail, a truly classic sea shanty where the accordion takes main stage and where I feel like the bands strengths and uniqueness are best shown.
The Headstone Brigade is incredibly fascinating, sounding both new and quirky yet ripped out of time. There’s something very punk with how they approach their sound, being unconventional and filled with genuine emotions, this isn’t your conventional Renaissance faire pirate band. Headstone Brigade feels like something more, something more akin to Sol Invictus, Death In June, or even the more mysterious The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath a Cloud, where the two unlikely genres of goth and folk intermix in a beautiful display of artistry and pure emotion. Headstone Brigade I feel should shit along side those legendary acts as a modern equivalent and a unique addition to the already strange and underground genre of Neofolk as its been come to be called.
Headstone Brigade have created a special place in my heart, hitting a nostalgic spot for me as the band captures the same dark and twisted atmosphere as some of my favorite Grimm fairy tales. The band is able to conjure beautifully dark and morbid tales and make them so enjoyable to I believe a wider audience than I feel like some would give the band credit for. To me, this is a must listen album that I believe almost everyone should at least give a try.