REVIEW

The fourth album from California-based solo shoegaze artist blood pact.

Brenton Fergeson, formerly the frontman of Conk Creet, left the band to pursue a heavier shoegaze sound and launched his solo project under the name blood pact, inspired by a track from Holy Fawn. Weaving psychedelic noise with lush melodies, he has collaborated with emerging artists such as Jovan Macias—drummer for Slide, Scarlet House, and Wisp—drawing attention within the scene.

Featuring the rising band Velvet, this release pushes toward an even darker, noisier direction, marking what may be blood pact’s most intense work to date. Tracks alternate between slow, immersive passages and bursts of energetic, almost untamed momentum, layering clean vocals with occasional harsh screams—all delivered with a striking contrast that keeps listeners fully engaged. Fans of dark shoegaze will likely find this record compelling, and those moved by Holy Fawn’s debut may find particular resonance here.

Listeners are encouraged to experience the album at full volume to capture its immersive impact. Notably, blood pact’s early 2025 EP hinted at evolving musical directions, perhaps influenced by ongoing collaborations with Jovan Macias of Wisp, suggesting further developments to watch in future releases.