Midnight Passage (the second word pronounced in French as “passage” /paˈsɑʒ/) was formed in 2020 by Nikita Theodorov (@st_theodore) and Yegor Melnikov (@melnigore). The duo combined their backgrounds in electronic and guitar-driven music to create a sound blending post-punk, coldwave, industrial, darkwave, and minimal wave. Inspired by Europe’s early ’80s aesthetics and bands such as Asylum Party, Little Nemo, Deafear, Grauzone, and Fad Gadget, they refined a minimalist musical identity. Their sound’s foundation features icy synths, vintage drum machines, and bass guitar — often treated as a lead instrument.
In 2020, the track Vision was featured on a cassette compilation by Spanish label Soil Records. In 2022, the band released their mini-album Sleepwalker, mastered by Alexander Moralez (The Bleak Engineers). The project garnered acclaim, including a dedicated review on Post-Punk.com, and was shortlisted among the publication’s Best of 2022 releases.
‘’Midnight Passage’s debut album, Sleepwalker retains the timeless post-punk melancholy tension — that sound of bleakness awash in desire – within the six track mini LP that was released in May of this year. Written on vintage drum machines, FM synths and guitars, there’s a serenity to the album’s minimalism that is best exemplified in the opening track, “Desire.” Melnigore’s vocals are impactful as he sings, If you can’t help but cry, just call my name in the night / I can show you the light.’’ – Post-Punk.com, 2022
‘’The duo plays a fascinating, atmospheric, and glacial classic post-punk infused with noir melancholy that delves deeper into the heart of darkness of the human psyche to envelope the listener in a sensual black velvet glove of intimate and painful gloomy introspection.
The title track, “Sleepwalker”, off of the just-released debut 7-song EP, deals with obsessive lyrics that muse in a vicious circle of denial and pain, driven by a groovy, sleek and emotionally crushing brooding bassline, punctuated by a steady sharp drum machine, and somberly ethereal, sparkling guitar melodies, layered with subtly droning synth veils, whilst impassioned breathy baritone exudes frustration and angst through a whimsical, aching fantasy of fear, love, and helplessness.’’ – WL//WH, 2022
Contact: midnightpassageband@gmail.com
Midnight Passage’s tracks
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