We welcome back Erotic Secrets Of Pompeii with their own unique take on the soon to be popular 'Lovecraftian alt-rock futuristic chamber music' genre.

Mixing ancient imagery with modern technology, ESOP inhabit a parallel universe where Charlie Manson joined the Beach Boys and convinced them to become The Clockwork Orange Nightmare band, an act that go on to fill stadiums playing surf punk versions of Tangerine Dream soundtracks.

Their new song, the accusatory The Hand That Did The Deed, is a perfect slice of 'vulcanised alien trash grunge'. Starting like a B Movie sci-fi version of the The Red Hot Chili Peppers, it degenerates gloriously into a Sparks / Faust chimaera of delicious silliness.

Never knowingly understated - from the electronic noodles, to the alcoholic embellishments - it’s a track that defies (or requires new) classification. It's druids playing pop, it's 2500 year old Mayan space visitors with guitars, its Julian Cope for Gen Z.

Find it, listen to it, join the cult of ESOP.

Words by Rich Dunn

UPCOMING SHOWS

28 Sep - Gathering Sounds, Stockton-on-Tees

11 Oct - Paris, France (yet to be announced)

15 Oct - Hanover, Germany  (yet to be announced)

22 Oct - Rome, Italy  (yet to be announced)

16 Nov - West End Centre (all-dayer), Aldershot

30 Nov - Signature Brew Haggerston, London

SELECTED PRESS QUOTES FOR MONDO MALEFICUM

"Album of the week, album of the year and possibly the decade and indisputably, Mondo Maleficum is monumental, magnificent and a masterpiece." - Louder Than War

"Through encouraging others to accept their weird and wonderful uniqueness with Mondo Maleficum, the album and Erotic Secrets of Pompeii are a paragon of artistic and creative excellence and musical perfection." - Amplify The Noise

"I can confidently predict that this will be one of the most unusual and unique albums I’ll hear in 2024." - The Punk Site