The Dark Party, eh? "Who the fuck are The Dark Party" you ask? Well, Acey Slade is the driving force and main music creator but don't think for one minute that this is going to be another Dope or Murderdolls record because it most definitely isn't. What it is is crisp, precise and dark with possibly equal amounts of pop (in a dark way) and rock.

'Darklexia' kicks things off with a very dark sequenced intro before the music kicks off for real. Question everything, we're urged. 'Here Today', with its trippy understated loop, is going to fuck with the minds of some and put a big fat smile on the chops of others. It's more Dead Or Alive, Sisters Of Mercy or Tubeway Army running with a 2000AD gang of punk rock samplers than it is a big rock record....but that's cool by me. 

Acey Slade is the ringmaster of this Dark Party and dark it is in a very Bauhaus, PiL or Banshees way, in fact there is a feel of 'Low' or 'Station To Station' era Bowie here as well, but let's not pigeon hole this record - my previous comparisons should only be reference points if you're going to check out The Dark Party. 

'Sugarcum' shuffles in on a catchy melody with some Numanoid keyboard runs and a nicely understated guitar riff with a catchy chorus more pop, for sure. Mr Slade is pushing the boundaries here and fans will have to open their minds and take the trip because it sure ain't Trashlight Vision. 'Nothings Gonna Change' is up next and it bursts in on an open sore scratching guitar riff and some nifty keyboard ticks and fills. 'She Brings Down The Moon' is the lead track that has a video on the net that you should all check out. It paints a picture of being very grand with a vocal that sneers and reminds me of a vintage Billy Idol. I find myself asking if I should be liking this and, you know what, I think I damn well should....no, I do. I buy into what's going on here. The Dark Party have a swagger and class about it that demands one's attention and every now and then it's great to take a side step out of your comfort zone yet not that far removed from that zone, if you know what I mean....

 
Of the eleven tracks on offer, there is a version of The Cult's classic 'She Sells Sanctuary' which is a fairly straight cover and a bit of a hat doff to such a superb track with a riff that surely every guitarist has tried to play and wishes they wrote. There is a sheen of class to the songwriting and not a 'I Love To Say Fuck' in sight. Highlights for me would be the brooding 'Baby The Stars Shine Brightly', 'She Brings Down The Moon' and 'Coming Down' with its Hendrix axe work over some very weird beats and tweeks before a great chorus. 

Not for everyone but an album that might just find you reaching for it time and time again. Clever, dark, brooding, mischievous, focussed, sharp and cutting, The Dark Party rocks in a very futuristic yet retro mix match way....if that makes any sense?! What Acey Slade's next step will be only he knows; after taking this side step, the World must surely be his oyster. Pop out and buy a copy, open your mind, relax and float downstream with Acey Slade & The Dark Party. What a great way to get stuck into 2010.

www.myspace.com/aceyslademusic

If you fancy checking out 'The Dark Party' then look no further than your favourite rock music website!!! Über Röck, in conjunction with the cool people at TrashPit Records, have a copy of the album waiting here at ÜRHQ for one lucky person! If you wanna be in with a chance of winning it then email your name, address and shoe size to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All entries must be in by the close of business on January 31st. One winner will be chosen at random and the lucky rotter's name announced in the News Updates section of the site and on the Über Röck Söldiers forum. Good luck!!!!!