Review
Dark/Light
Dark Slash Light

Dirt Cult (2018) Loren

Dark/Light – Dark Slash Light cover artwork
Dark/Light – Dark Slash Light — Dirt Cult, 2018

Portland’s Dark/Light pronounces their name phonetically, including the punctuation. They’re doubling down on that element by naming this 7”, released this past June, Dark Slash Light. SPB had the pleasure of hosting their earlier LP, Kill Some Time.

As for this 4-song, 9-minute release, it keeps going in that tradition of gritty and to-the-point punk that pulls from ‘80s punk roots but has a restrained, pull-it-back and look inward vibe. It’s short and fast with fuzzy DIY-minded production, muddy bass, and that restrained energy. Candy’s vocals often establish the direction of the songs as the percussion delivers an anxious core. To me, “Rotting” is the best example of what they do. It’s only a minute and nine seconds, but it builds at the start, hits with a potent energy, and offers moving progressions that ebb, flow, and pummel quickly. Backing and subtle call-and-response vocals flesh it out even more and fuel that sense of urgency that’s behind the whole short-playing record.

While I’m summarizing the band’s sound a bit, this 7-inch shows range, mixing it up nicely within that fundamental style. “We Conjure Ghosts” has a darker vibe to it that’s less melodic and more atmospheric. In the next song, “Night Driving,” it continues to let the atmospheric tones leads the song while simultaneously keeping the same energy going. This is music that wears its emotions on its sleeve. Instead of vitriolic rage, it’s a more conflicted sense of frustration.

7.3 / 10Loren • February 4, 2019

Dark/Light – Dark Slash Light cover artwork
Dark/Light – Dark Slash Light — Dirt Cult, 2018

Related news

SPB exclusive: Dark/Light - Kill Some Time

Posted in Records on September 5, 2017

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more