Brit Gothers Naut have built up a bIt of a reputation in the darker corners of their homeland, and, on the evidence of some time spent with their debut full-length, Hunt, over the last few weeks that notoriety could be set to spread like wildfire across the globe…

It’s well-deserved, too, as Hunt is a rather fine piece of stygian malarkey. Post-punk (or gothic rock if you’d prefer) is a well-worn path in 2023, with the rituals of observance of it’s many tropes almost as important as the actual music being purveyed. Naut score heavily on both counts; from the robotic familiarity of the drum machine cracking out it’s tattoo at the back to frontman Gavin Laubscher‘s perfectly mannered vocals – equal parts Eldritch and McCoy, I’m pleased to report – the band have ‘the feel’ down to a tee. But most importantly, on thunderous soon-to-be-fave tracks like Gold Death and the coruscating 8 in 3, they’ve got some pretty dangerous tunes, too.

8 in 3 in particular is pretty spectacular; Jack Welch doesn’t wield his axe with the menace, say, of a Geordie Walker; But when he lets go it’s a pretty devastating assault on the senses nevertheless, especially when heard in concert with the psych-whoops and dervish swirls of keyswoman Laura Taylor. These two work well together and, mid song when they are complemented by some spritely work from four stringer Andi Effe whilst Laubscher intones demonically over the top, everything comes together to make a truly righteous noise.

Unity of Opposites is a raging tour de force of Brit goth, effortlessly transporting you – if you’re the right age, natch – back to absinthe-fuelled nights at the Slimelight, with Laubscher giving a spine-tingling performance that will surely get the blood pumping wherever it’s heard…

Great stuff then, and I can’t recommend this too highly to anyone drawn to the shadows and dark pleasures…

Hunt Releases on February 24th.