Tombstones In Their Eyes – Under Dark Skies
Tombstones In Their Eyes’ current lineup includes John Treanor (vocals and guitar), Stephen Striegel (drums), Courtney Davies (vocals), Phil Cobb (guitar), Nic Nifoussi (bass), and Clea Cullen (vocals). Guitarist Paul Boutin remains a member of the band in soul, having died in mid-October 2025, an absence that leaves a quiet but visible shade over this album. “In many ways, Under Dark Skies is both a snapshot and a refutation of the period between mid-2023 and 2024,” according to Treanor. “Drowning in self-created, self-centered, self-destructive guilt, unhappiness, and chaos, the songs acted as an outlet for seeking strength, clarity, and kindness. The songs on this album were inspired by the desire to recover from a full mental collapse.” The record has an overwhelming sensation of sorrow and catharsis. Musically, the album builds on Tombstones In Their Eyes’ exploration of space and psychedelic rock, but this time a gentler melancholy arises. The change can be observed in the increased use of semi-acoustic elements found throughout the tracks, which softens the cosmic flow and introduces a more personal psychological core. “I See You Looking Out My Door” is a standout track, beginning with a nostalgic garage-rock intro before moving into ethereal, spaced-out vocals that create a soft, deep sense of desire. The title tune, “Under Dark Skies,” flows at a groovy tempo, driven by guitar lines typical of the early Stone Roses, while the chorus is slower, darker, and more steady, comparable of Hawkwind. The production leans toward alternative rock, emphasizing the song’s harsher elements over its more expansive, space-driven sections. However, the track’s personal impact is strengthened by the lyrical content, which emphasizes the fundamental subject of looking for light in a place of inner darkness. Tombstones In Their Eyes’ Under Dark Skies is a very special and psychologically powerful album that mixes psychedelic atmospheres with raw alternative rock sounds, turning personal collapse into a peaceful, strong form of expression.
photo by Karin Johansson
https://tombstonesintheireyes.bandcamp.com
