CD Reviews

She Pleasures Herself - XXX

Manic Depression Records

June 2019

Post-Punk and Gothic tunes in "XXX" from Portugal and She Pleasures Herself.

She Pleasures Herself released their new full length album "XXX", on June 9th, from Manic Depression Records.

She Pleasures Herself are a trio, coming from Portugal and currently the band consists of David Wolf (from Uni_form/ When The Angels Breathe and Sweet Nico), Producer, Bass, synths and guitars, Nuno Francisco (from Uni_form/Alma Mater Society), on drums and programming and with Nuno Varudo (from Persona Project/The Paper Road) as the lead singer.During their live sets, a fourth members joins the band, on synths and this is Leticia Contreiras.

To be honest I had listened to this band earlier this year and I was really happy that found them. And I was even happier when their new album was received. She pleasures herself is a band absolutely in dark wave but with its own characteristics. Some may say that they have taken all the elements of She Wants Revenge's music. I will agree, but that is not bad at all. She Pleasures Herself seems to be highly influenced by She Wants Revenge but they don't stay there. Their sound includes several other "ingredients" which makes them unique and with their own identity.

She Pleasures Herself have already a full length album released back in 2017, "Fetisch". "XXX" is their second full length work, released from Manic Depression Records, on June 9th.

"XXX" includes 11 new songs, all in a dark, gothic mood, with deep vocals from Nuro Varudo, clearly influenced by the deep gothic vocals of bands like The Sisters Of Mercy. The sound of the album includes several electronic parts but is based on post-punk rhythms and cold, dark wave tempo and essence. SPHS 's new album features appearance of Ash Code, Crying Vessel and Bestial Mouths with a really good results!

"XXX" has a powerful start with "Ich Bin Dead". A gothic cold, post-punk song with a strong drum rhythm and sharp guitar. It could, very easily, became a dark dancefloor hit. "Obscure" keeps the tempo high while retains a quite monotonic rhythm with a little anxiety feeling coming out. 

"Private Hell" is the song where we find the first guest appearance on SPHS's new album. Ash Code is featuring "Private Hell" and their sound characteristics are obvious. Second guest is Crying Vessels and is featured in "Ghost Wave". A cold wave track with deep emotions. Final guest is Bestial Mouths in "The Weeping". Perhaps one of my favourites out of "XXX", since the music and the dark ambience of SPHS is completed with the unique voice of Lynette Cerezo.

In "Darkroom" the sadness in the bass and drums reminds some moments of Joy Division. "Extreme" is almost an electro-punk song with the synth melody and the modulators coming in front. "25 Whores" is going into gothic sounds with some vocals taken from the gothic bands of early 90's. "Abuse" is a dark wave track while "Visions" is another cold, post-punk, potential clubhit. "Disposable" is the closing song, another one of the best moments in "XXX" with a solid guitar riff.

"XXX" is the second full length album for the trio from Portugal. She Pleasures Herself have kept all these elements that distinguished their sound in "Fetish" and made steps forward. There is quite more coldness in "XXX" along with a little more strength in the electronic and synth parts in several moments. A really great sequel of a debut album, staying in the dark and gothic side but even more cold.

She Pleasures Herself - Ich Bin Dead

Info:

https://www.facebook.com/SPHSband/

https://manicdepressionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/md114-she-pleasures-herself-xxx

https://shepleasuresherself.bandcamp.com