13th Chime

13th Chime is a seminal yet long-overlooked fixture of the early 1980s UK deathrock and post-punk scene. Formed in Haverhill, Suffolk, in 1980, the band emerged from the remnants of local punk acts like The Antix and The Wynd-ups.

Their sound is characterized by a stark, minimalist production style that emphasizes a heavy, melodic bass presence and sharp, chorus-heavy guitar work. Unlike their London contemporaries who moved toward New Romanticism, 13th Chime leaned into a macabre, existential aesthetic that aligned them with the burgeoning 'positive punk' and deathrock movements. Their career was brief, yielding only three singles between 1981 and 1983 before they disbanded. However, their legacy was significantly revitalized in 2008 when Sacred Bones Records released their collected works, bringing their gritty, atmospheric sound to a new generation of listeners. Critically, they are viewed as a bridge between the raw aggression of UK82 punk and the atmospheric gloom of Gothic rock, prized by collectors for their authentic, unpolished representation of early 80s subcultural tension.