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L.A. Unheard: Chelsea Wolfe’s revelatory dirges

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The band: Chelsea Wolfe, the scariest goth rocker in Los Angeles.

The sound: On sophomore album “Ἀποκάλυψις” (pronounced “apokalypsis,” the Greek word for “revelation”), Wolfe crafts music for the end of the world, or at least the next “Saw” movie. Hypnotic single “Mer” plays like a darker take on Warpaint’s ethereal guitar rock, while the amplifier tones of “Friedrichshain” make a gritty argument for the cassette revival. Throughout, Wolfe’s spooked vocals are turned ghostlier by layers of reverb and distortion, but the curve of her melodies is as sensual as it is fearsome.

The random: Wolfe’s sludgy “Moses” recently soundtracked artist-turned-director Richard Phillips’ “Sasha Grey,” a wordless short film starring the titular porn star-turned-“Entourage” actress.

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The details: Wolfe will join indie-metal crossover act and tour partners Liturgy at the Echo on Saturday, with another date at the Detroit Bar on Sunday. “Ἀποκάλυψις” is due Aug. 23 on New York label Pendu Sound Recordings, also the home of Grey’s band, aTelecine.

The music: Download ‘Mer’ below.

MP3: Chelsea Wolfe -- ‘Mer’

-- David Greenwald

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