If you visit the Deranged Records website and read their blurb on deathrock band Safewords‘ recent self-titled album, you’ll notice that the label draws comparisons to not only Christian Death but they also go so far as to bill the band as “Ian Curtis singing for the Wipers.” That’s some mighty high praise and I know that hubris is not unheard of when dealing with labels talking up their artists, but in this case instead of rolling my eyes, I smiled so wide that I cracked my lip.

Now before you dig in, do yourself a favor and forget all of the RIYL and just listen to album cut “Escape from the Modern World” to get an honest feel for this album. With its caustic guitar lines, chugging bass, and monotone vocals Safewords is an album that somehow manages to be as catchy as it is morose. Now go light a few candles, hit the wall switch, and think about death and stuff.

Safewords is available now via Deranged Records.