Luminol

Avant-indie sextet Luminol experiment with contrasting sounds and scenes on their most recent release, Locked In The Woods, which first saw light back in August. Building off of 2009’s Organ Grinder EP, the band doesn’t shy away from the mysterious and the macabre on their latest offering. Unsettling wails, hisses and plucked strings set the tone on sophomore track “Right Hand Man”, and the fretwork of guitarists Andy Ayers and Chris Winter is as delicate and prickling as the chills it sends down your spine. The track is the stuff of Grimm’s darkest fairy tales, but is contrasted by the melodic violin, and Barbara Burgio’s plaintive vocals, on “Squeaking Soul”. The track is the lullaby leading up to the host of dreamlike, and sometimes haunting, tunes that follow – Luminol still definitely gravitate towards the creepy, with bass lines that border on menacing and lyrical delivery that recalls the films of Tim Burton. For listeners up for an evening of boundary-pushing, atmospheric compositions. - The Deli Magazine

Luminol is a chemical used by forensic investigators to detect trace amounts of human fluid left behind at crime scenes. It emits an eerie glow. Luminol is also a band of jarring creativity - a band that has a particular sense for the eerie itself. While largely creating soothing atmospheres, Luminol takes a certain delight in disrupting the gentle flow of songs with delicately unnerving melodies. When, as happens sometimes in the band's music, the lead singer should take a moment to sing a cappella, a feeling of dread begins to mount. When, as sometimes happens, that serene dread is interrupted by instruments, the effect is never a relief, but rather a further descent into murky unease. Luminol coldly offers no release, just more beautiful, relentlessly mounting fear. - Volcano Weekly

The sound of Luminol is very heterogeneous. Their EP Organ Grinder includes prog, swing,rock, folk (both American and Italian), Morricone and the Spaghetti Western. You can clearly hear the constant experimentation and the moving-forward feeling in their songs. - Miusika

If the resurgence of psychedelia (whether pop or otherwise) led by strong female vocals is more your speed, head over to Chop Suey where Luminol is set to headline an evening of like-minded performers. The self described "theater rock" band from Seattle are hard to pin down stylistically speaking, though one could hear elements of Beirut, Portishead and Morricone in their music. - Seattlest

"Luminol wants to tell you a story. An epic journey of love, passion, deceit, treachery, and murder. When the first word is uttered, there is no turning back. Their members are from opposite corners of the US, Argentina, Bolivia, and Italy. Such a diverse group of people, yet all perfectly synced in a way that inspires an undeniable lust for passion and truth. Vocalist Barbara Burgio has the kind of voice that can lull you like a sirens song, or blow you away with the raw vocal power of the blues greats. Inter-playing layers of guitar and violin float and tease the listener while the bass and drums sing along. The whole set is tied together by a recited story that connects the entire show through a wider spectrum of arts and will always leave you wanting more. Going to a Luminol show is an experience like none other.True Theater Rock at It's best. " - Mojo Radio

"Locked In The Woods sounds great. "Too Late" has a haunting Lynchian feel at times like a 50's pop ballad of longing but it takes a darker spin into almost Sister's of Mercy territory at the end. "Water on Water" is such a cool and diverse tune; it's a sad finality to the EP like the closing credIt's, it is my favorite. I love the longing in Barbara's voice, it blends with all the layers and I sank into it slow and comfortable. The tracks had a nice fluidity to them and the transition to the next track never seemed abrupt or unwelcome." - DJ Venus