Modern mysticism collides with primordial death rock on CLIFF & IVY's new album, ‘Angels Eyes’

The prolific Alaskan goth duo, Cliff and Ivy, meld sounds inspired by the rugged textures of the Alaskan wilderness they call home, balancing rock-fueled grit with theatrical flair and mystical lyricism. Their new ten- track album, Angels Eyes, revisits classic goth rock while embracing deathrock, post-punk, and metal elements, delivering vintage-leaning songs that still push forward with visceral energy. Angels Eyes is out August 7, 2026 on the band’s own imprint, House of Extreme Darkness.

The album’s ten tracks traverse dark moods and influences while keeping relentless forward motion. Steeped in vintage goth spirit, several songs could have emerged during the genre’s golden era. “The Raven and the Wolf” and “Tidalwaves” feel like lost cult-film soundtrack gems from the late ’80s, while the political surge of “Propaganda” and the piano-led grief of “The Healer” add real emotional depth. “Of Love and The Rain” lifts guitars into soaring, otherworldly spaces, and “Kiss Of Death” delivers a deathrock anthem that swallows the listener in its dark pageantry: “Everything born begins to decay.” Chugging guitars, Ivy Silence’s commanding vocals, and lyrics steeped in shadow make Angels Eyes one of 2026’s standout goth- and death-rock releases.

The duo brought in an impressive roster of collaborators for the sessions, including guest drummer Tom Coyne (45 Grave, Kommunity FK), multi-instrumentalist Paul Roessler (Nina Hagen Band, The Screamers), and mastering by Grammy nominee Maor Appelbaum.

Cliff and Ivy: Alaska’s Goth Duo

Cliff and Ivy are Alaska’s only goth band — a fiercely independent duo blending dark punk, deathrock, and industrial textures with theatrical flair and mystical lyricism. Originally from New Jersey, Cliff Livingston and Ivy Silence have been making music together since the 1980s, evolving through hardcore, post-punk, and experimental projects before settling in Anchorage in 1993. Since forming Cliff and Ivy in 2011, they’ve built a global cult following with their DIY ethos, raw sonic energy, and haunting visuals.

Their music draws on synesthesia, ritual magic, and the stark beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, creating a soundscape that’s both primal and sacred. With releases on their label House of Extreme Darkness and collaborations with legends like Martin Atkins (Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Killing Joke), producer Paul Roessler (45 Grave, The Screamers) of Kitten Robot Studio Los Angeles, and Tom Coyne (45 Grave), Cliff and Ivy continue to push the boundaries of gothic music from the edge of the world.

ARTIST QUOTES :

“‘Lockdown’ confronts the suffocating grip of psychological confinement and the yearning for creative liberation. Written to address global isolation and personal reckoning, the song channels emotion through Cliff’s distorted guitars, pounding rhythms, and Ivy’s commanding vocals — each element echoing the internal struggle to break free from fear, trauma, and imposed silence.

‘Lockdown’ is a sonic ritual of resistance — an anthem for anyone confronting barriers and clawing their way towards self-sovereignty and light. Freedom begins within.” “‘The Healer’ is a beautifully heavy song which honors the life and legacy of a beloved friend, fan and mentor. Known for their emotionally charged sonic compositions and symbolic lyrical storytelling, Cliff and Ivy channel raw vulnerability and poetic strength into a sonic elegy for a man whose life was defined by service, solitude, and soul.

‘The Healer’ tells the story of an elder nurse who dedicated decades of his life to caring for children and families, traveling to Alaska’s most remote and unforgiving landscapes. With lyrics steeped in imagery of raw nature contrasted with places of warmth and the quiet rituals of care, the song evokes the sacredness of his work and the weight of his passing. Gothic metal guitar swells, ethereal melodic piano, and mournful vocals conjure a soundscape that is both intimate and cinematic. ‘The Healer’ is not just a song; it’s a ritual of remembrance, honoring those who walk the lonely path of compassion.”

On The Raven and the Wolf: “This haunting love song fuses Arctic mysticism with raw emotional power, weaving a tale of devotion, longing, and transformation beneath the northern lights. Set against the stark beauty of Alaska’s wilderness, The Raven and The Wolf is a sonic ritual — where spellbound piano, steady rock drums, and primal guitar riffs converge.

The track explores the magnetic pull between two archetypal lovers: the raven, a symbol of mystery and foresight, and the wolf, fierce and loyal. Their union is both mythic and deeply human. ‘We wanted to capture the feeling of love that’s wild, eternal, and a little dangerous,’ says Ivy. ‘It’s about finding someone who sees your shadow and still chooses to stay.’ At the heart of the song lies a whispered incantation — a magic spell that binds the raven and the wolf in flight through the night sky. It’s a gothic invocation of freedom and connection, where love defies gravity and time.”

Track listing:

1. Lockdown

2. The Healer

3. The Raven and The Wolf

4. Tidalwaves

5. Of Love and The Rain

6. Kiss of Death

7. Black Pyramid

8. The Collapse

9. Stone and Mind

10. Propaganda

11. (digital/cd only) The Healer Alt Mix