In a musical landscape where legions of bands are trying to marry metal’s crushing heaviness with more melodic and atmospheric elements (see also: Alcest, Deafheaven, Astronoid, Lantlos, Holy Fawn, Som, and so, so, so many others), Spotlights has been one of the most reliable acts in the scene—and also one of the most underappreciated. But while they might not have much to show in mainstream breakthrough, there is a cult of dedicated fans eager to spread the gospel of Spotlights.

And that gospel is true good news for fans of inventive, heavy music, because after three albums and a few EPs, Spotlights has yet to miss. And Alchemy For the Dead, their upcoming fourth full-length finds them as stunning and surefooted as ever.

All the trademarks of Spotlights sound are here: crushing riffs, atmospheric guitars, crystalline synths, martial drums, and the paired vocals of husband-and-wife duo Mario and Sarah Quintero. It’s the sort of heavy music that owes as much to Hum and Smashing Pumpkins as Crowbar and Black Sabbath.

But on Alchemy for the Dead, they expand their sonic palette a bit, borrowing tones from trip hop and industrial—at least more explicitly than earlier records. The verses of “The Alchemist” could almost pass for Massive Attack track if you muted the guitar channels. The treated drums and mangled bass of “Algorithmic” nod to Godflesh and Nine Inch Nails. There are also moments of more straightforward rock than ever before, such as “False Gods” and “Crawling Toward the light, both of which pushes a decent clip quicker than the rest of their catalog. “False Gods” even features an absolutely wicked sax solo.

Spotlights isn’t reinventing the wheel here though. Despite these added shades in their sonic palette, they still sound like themselves—and not quite like anyone else. The heavy, crushing moments are even heavier and more crushing. Mario adds a few more discordant thrash solos where they’re needed and utilizes more screamed vocals than before. “Repeat the Silence” features some of their best composition, pairing an ominous, crunching riff with an almost delicate major key melody, letting the tension between the two draw the listener through the song’s journey.

The closing track is one of the finest songs the group has done. The first few minutes are hushed and delicate, voices accompanied by an acoustic guitar, Mellotron-esque synths, and a gentle drum machine. But at the four-and-a-half-minute mark, drums and guitars crash with full power, atmospheric layers growing more chaotic as the song marches toward its conclusion.

What’s clear though is that Spotlights sounds more sure of themselves than ever. Mario’s production is in top form, presenting their skillful composition in an atmosphere that is overwhelmingly heavy without losing its articulate clarity. Spotlights seemed absolutely sure of their identity from their debut, Tidals, but Alchemy for the Dead finds them as comfortable in that identity as ever, expanding their sonic palette without worrying about losing their signature voice.

Alchemy For the Dead is out April 28th through Ipecac Recordings.

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