Darkest clouds have sealed the sky, Powerplant is back and has brewed it's strongest yet. Bridge of Sacrifice emerges from the cauldron - a fun, black metal infused journey through all that is heavy and gothic. Powerplant, the solitary project of Ukraine-born, London-based Theo Zhykharyev, is distinguished by it's giddy bass, sizzling synth lines and melancholic vocal hooks. From the lo-fi synth-punk of 2019's breakout debut album, People in the Sun to the instrumental 2022 dungeon-synth , Stump Soup and the kaleidoscoping Grass EP (2023), to last year's 80's rock explorations on the moody InchCrashing Cars' 7Inch and the Michael Mann-inspired Heat EP. On Bridge of Sacrifice, Powerplant's second full-length album, Zhykharyev once again rebrands and reinvents Powerplant as a gothic beast. Zhykharyev's voice takes center stage with resolute and dramatic singing, dialed in after years of touring. The familiar Gary Numan-esque synth or early Powerplant works is elaborated with orchestral strings, grand piano and heavenly choirs. Heavy and full drum sound replaces the vintage digital drum machine samples. The musical pallet is further expanded with moving cello performances by Hani Hooper, adding a grotesque cherry on top of this musical cake. Although the new is styled in an eerie, extreme metal fashion, Bridge of Sacrifice is Powerplant to it's core. The tracks on which it runs are founded from approachable pop songwriting, and melodic vocal hooks. The album's quest for avid genre exploration keeps the musical journey fresh, as it carries you through the depths and extremities of metal-punk, blackgaze, industrial and acoustic campfire folk. New-found malevolence is neutralized by the familiar playfulness and humor of Powerplant, which, mixed like paint, absorb the first time listener in intriguing dichotomy of confronting elements. The production has received a majo