W: Peter James May I: Thibaut Chalut
"A masterclass in atmospheric rock that cements Dead Chic’s reputation for crafting music that is dense, visceral, and uncompromising."
he Deluxe Edition of Dead Chic’s debut album, Serenades & Damnation, released on February 27, 2026, serves as a significant expansion of the "dark cinema" world Andy Balcon and Damien Félix first introduced in 2024. This version extends the original 11-track record into a massive 17-song journey, clocking in at over an hour. It successfully bridges the gap between their polished studio production and the raw, "primitive" energy that has made them a staple of the heavy soul scene. By adding three previously unreleased tracks from the original Black Box Studio sessions—"Fire", "The Bells and the Fists", and the atmospheric epic "It Takes a Long Road"—the band provides a fuller picture of their creative process during the album's inception.
The heart of this new edition lies in the "Slight Return" sessions, a trio of reimagined live recordings featuring "Pain Love Joy", "Hedonista", and "Paris". Unlike standard live tracks, these versions are stripped-back and intimate, recorded in a near-acoustic setting that highlights the "serenade" aspect of the album's title. The lack of a sonic "safety net" brings out the grit in Balcon’s gravelly, gospel-inflected vocals and allows Félix’s Ennio Morricone-inspired guitar work to breathe in the silence. These recordings capture the delicate tension between restraint and abandon, making the songs feel less like studio products and more like a visceral, shared experience with the listener.
Ultimately, this Deluxe Edition cements Dead Chic’s reputation for crafting music that is dense, visceral, and uncompromising. The interplay between the haunting Farfisa organ and the jagged, garage-rock riffs creates a "heavy soul" atmosphere that feels both timeless and modern. If the original album was a masterclass in atmospheric rock, this expanded version is the "Director's Cut" that reveals the deeper, darker layers of their narrative. It is a definitive statement from a band that continues to prioritise emotional depth and raw honesty over industry polish, ensuring that their "garage-rock sermon" resonates long after the final note.
Dead Chic is hitting the road this June to bring these new recordings to life. for their shows in London (June 17), Bristol (June 19), Nottingham (June 20), or Chester (June 22)