All These Winding Roads

Released in 2020, All These Winding Roads represents a mature distillation of the Mephisto Walz sound, a project led by Bari-Bari (formerly of Christian Death). While the band is historically rooted in the Los Angeles deathrock scene, this album leans heavily into the 'ethereal' side of the gothic spectrum. The tracklist is notable for its inclusion of several high-concept covers, including a haunting version of The Supremes' 'Stop in the Name of Love' and an atmospheric take on the instrumental classic 'Apache.' These covers serve as anchors for the band's original compositions, which maintain a consistent mood of mysterious, brooding art rock. The production is characterized by a massive sense of space, utilizing heavy reverb and layered guitar tracks to create a 'wall of sound' effect that aligns more with shoegaze and dream pop than traditional punk. Critically, it is seen as a successful continuation of the band's legacy, maintaining their status as architects of the more atmospheric and occult-leaning corners of the post-punk genre.