Sean Hanratty tipped me off on a hot band the other night that I'm totally into: SALEM.

I scoured the net for info on the band, but came up with nothing in terms of who what where when why or how. So I have to beg and borrow from the folks at RCRDLBL, who must have emailed the band or their manager, both of which I thought of, but wanted to do the post now so really can't wait for an answer.

SALEM are made up of three members - John, Jack and Heather. The three of them have been making music independently for several years, but ... (more) have recently come together to form SALEM, a band who's ambition and influences stretch way beyond the normal confines; by way of Juke, footwork, chopped and screwed rap, black metal, classical music and fallen pop stars, SALEM create a dark, new, ghostly world, and a music all of their own.

On December 8th, 2008 they released a new EP, Water on Merok Records. Made up of two incredible parts, it shows two very different sides to an intriguing new band.

With Redlights and Whenusleep, the band show My Bloody Valentine are influences, and you get the sense of Cocteau Twins floating around within. Add the Knife and the dark shadows of dubstep that lurk beneath, and you can hear something with echoes of the past, but who's vision and scope are firmly part of the future.

With Water and Skullcrush however, the band bring about a different dimension, and an altogether darker one. Inspired by the horror all around them; the decline of industry, the rising unemployment, the grim, slow death of the Rust Belt in America, their sound gives way to an insular, claustrophobia that reflects both their own environment and experiences.

SALEM are no ordinary band. Their songs draw you in, amaze and yet frighten you. This is a band that have created their own universe, one that is so new and seems to far away that it will frighten you how close it really is. In the uncertain times we live in, SALEM could just be the new soundtrack to our lives.

Check out their official site, which has an mp3 and a video, and their MySpace, which has more songs and more videos. TRAPDOOR is insanity. You're going to love it.