John B x SKULLS Sleep in the AshesWatch at the source

Darkwave Goth Rock meets Drum & Bass. "Sleep in the Ashes" is an original track by John B x SKULLS - channeling the driving basslines, dark guitars, and haunting vocals of classic & contemporary goth & darkwave (The Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, She Past Away) into high-energy modern DNB. Blending post-punk, coldwave, and underground gothic rock influences with powerful electronic production, this crossover combines atmospheric synthesizers, cinematic soundscapes, Drum & Bass energy, and an epic choral introduction.

As the lead single from the forthcoming DARKRAVE album, "Sleep in the Ashes" introduces SKULLS - a darker, post-punk-infused musical identity from established Drum & Bass pioneer John B. Exploring the raw intersection of darkwave, EBM, industrial, synthwave, and high-tempo club electronics, the project brings the cinematic atmosphere and aesthetic of classic 80s goth into contemporary Drum & Bass. Dark music for dark rooms.

🎧 LISTEN / STREAM / DOWNLOAD "SLEEP IN THE ASHES":

🖤 ABOUT JOHN B x SKULLS / DARKRAVE

After decades producing and DJing Drum & Bass, John B is exploring yet another side of his musical identity with SKULLS.

DARKRAVE is a new album project inspired by a lifelong love of darkwave, gothic rock, post-punk, coldwave, EBM and alternative electronic music. Drawing on the atmosphere of classic goth & darkwave records and combining it with the energy and production techniques of modern Drum & Bass, the result is something that doesn't fit neatly into either scene.

Sleep in the Ashes is the first release from the project, opening with an epic, atmospheric choral introduction before launching into driving gothic rock guitars, dark synthesizers, powerful drums and John B's own vocals.

The accompanying music video embraces the visual world of gothic cinema, vintage horror, 1980s post-punk and experimental underground music videos. With added crows & fire.

"I've basically decided to make the music that *I* really want to make for a bit. Screw the algorithms, playlists, current DNB trends and cheesy mainstream social media production line! I'm doing my own thing for a bit... I've had an amazing time making this album. It's reminded me how much fun it is to experiment, follow your instincts and make something without worrying about where it fits or if anyone else is going to like it.

I realise this won't be everyone's cup of tea, especially if you know me from my more traditional Drum & Bass stuff. Think of JOHN B x SKULLS as a darker side project. Don't worry, I've still got plenty of the 'normal' stuff coming too & you'll know from my club DJ sets I still bring it as hard as anyone in the game when required. :-)

There's a whole album's worth of this stuff nearly finished, with new singles planned every month or so leading up to the full DARKRAVE album, hopefully in early 2027. Almost all DNB speed, everything influenced by this darker world and aesthetic, some tracks more synth leaning, some more darkwave, EBM, industrial, a bit punk. No jump up though lol.

Hope you enjoy this first taste of what's coming!"