Fresh on the scene and already packing punches, LA duo Death Valley Dream Cult have unleashed their latest genre-melding project ‘Carpe Diem’, the follow up to their debut single ‘Death of Creation’ and a hint of what’s to come on their upcoming debut EP (details still to be announced) and string of shows for 2026. Inspired by a multitude of genres they grew up with, from hip-hop to post-metal, Death Valley Dream Cult precisely carved out the musical pieces that spoke to them and mixed together an enticing sound that’s a bridge between genres.
Hip-hop infused beats open ‘Carpe Diem’ as singer Nate Ascending raps in a low, dangerous voice before suddenly pitching up into a punk-rock scream about people not taking chances when they’re handed them, the beat transforming as lead vocalist Greta Janssen breaks through with a wall of nu-metal noise, guitar riffs rocketing around her cutting words, synths and hip-hop drum beats piercing through thanks to producer/synth-maker Tom Saint and drummer Owen Michael Guercio. With a mix of WREX meets Graphic Nature, the track plays the curated pauses, the silent beats at times feeling weightier than the live drums. Janssen’s clear vocals ring out over a distorted fusion of bass, synth, and guitar that interestingly sounds like keys.
Janssen sings hard truths over a breakdown of trance synths, dropping to an angry hiss while Ascending’s muffled yells echo under her vocals, the pair essentially giving the message to stop being all talk and get your shit together before life passes you by, a message they’ve been preaching since deciding to pursue music and hitting the scene running. ‘Carpe Diem’ isn’t just a showcase of their production and performance abilities, and it’s not just a warning to all listeners that time waits for no-one so step your game up – it’s a promise of big things to come from Death Valley Dream Cult and how nothing will stop them living their dream.
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