I am always stoked when we get news that DEAD REGISTER‘s got something cooked up. They occupy a beautifully creepy intersection between the 90s alternative rock and grunge I grew up on, the 80s deathrock I grew to love, and the expansive creativity that is everything I love about the underground in 2022. Today we’re lucky to be sharing their new single “Let Me In” off their forthcoming record Alive coming out via Seeing Red Records on Friday, May 13th — pre-order it here and here. “Let Me In” has a major gothic rock vibe to it that has me really excited to hear the rest of the album! Plus, they riffed off a Super Castlevania IV theme song — read all about that below and check out the original (which is dope, but I prefer Dead Register’s take, I’d happily get stuck on that level for hours). Right now, watch the video for “Let Me In” and get excited for what else this band has in store for you in the near future…
We’re all video game nerds here at Camp Dead Register. Super Castlevania IV (Super Nintendo 1991) is a nearly perfect game and my favorite of all Castlevania titles. From the graphics, to the gameplay, to the varied level design and the lightly aliased menacing soundtrack… nothing else holds a candle to it.
Chvasta
“Let Me In” was directly inspired by the solemn aural atmosphere of Super Castlevania IV’s Waterfall level. Avril and I learned the original score as a fun challenge on bizarre timing. We then went about making our own heavy, airy, and slightly oppressively crushing song with a more serious vibe. I also took a little bit of lyrical inspiration from our friend of darkness, Goddess Cheyenne… I’ve seen her pick up a dude, nonchalantly toss him over her shoulder, and walk off like she was carrying a light purse.
This hungry tune has been sleeping in a coffin for about four years now. Though the stakes are high, we’re pleased that it gets to see the light of day. Hopefully, it goes up in smoke.
Listen to the drums, between each beat, each beat of the drum.
Cover art by the late Stephen Kasner
