Dance With the Dead

Dance With the Dead is a California-based duo consisting of Justin Pointer and Tony Kim, formed in 2012. They are widely considered architects of the 'darksynth' subgenre, a pivot away from the brighter, nostalgic 'outrun' style of synthwave toward a more aggressive, horror-influenced aesthetic.

Their sound identity is defined by the seamless integration of heavy metal guitar techniques, such as palm-muted chugging and melodic soloing, with 1980s-style analog synthesis. Both members have backgrounds in metal bands, which informs their composition style, favoring verse-chorus structures and high-energy crescendos over the repetitive loops common in electronic dance music. Culturally, they occupy a unique bridge between the electronic and metal scenes, frequently touring with metal acts and appearing at both synth and rock festivals. Their visual branding heavily references 80s B-movie horror tropes, particularly Frankenstein and slasher films, which has earned them a dedicated following among horror fans and gamers. Critical consensus highlights their ability to maintain high production values while preserving a raw, 'live' energy that is often absent in purely programmed electronic music.