Well, this came to me recently and certainly got my attention- an LP and CD of the same album when you usually just get one or the other. The stark but colorful album artwork by Portuguese artist "Hello The Mushroom" (Sarah Lucas) portended something that could not be ignored- a rainbow-veiled nun with tears of blood streaming from here eyes. Unborn Ghost is the studio project of Denver music artist Brian M. Clark, best known for having overseen the now-defunct Unpop Art Movement with Boyd Rice and Shaun Partridge from 2004-2010. 'Airs of Contempt and Derision' is 13 tracks in a little over 43 minutes, although the CD is a good deal longer. (More on that later.) The album was co-produced by Howard Karp, whose production/engineering credits include work with Stone Temple Pilots, Sum 41, Royal Crown Review, Elegantly Wasted, etc. The album was recorded during the early 2020s Covid lockdown, but is based on a series of songs Brian wrote more than two decades earlier. While the music shifts from post punk to to stoner doom to electronic/experimental, I think it fits very well in the Gothic/Goth Metal category.

The doominess begins with the brief instrumental "Sketch One," a track reminiscent of about a dozen '90s goth projects. While the title of "A Lamentable Series of Poor Life Decisions" rings true on many levels, it most of all reminds me of bands like Toronto's Masochistic Religion. "You're such a fucking mess...." Sounds like high school all over again. LOL! Still, the music is dead on. Speaking of high school, "Acute Adverse Psychological Reaction to Lyseric Acide Diethylamide" could be a demented psychotropic overture to a darkwave musical. (I don't think they'll let you stage that one at the School of Performing Arts.) "White Guilt Parade" spoofs exactly what you think it does. 'Nuf said. "The Worm at The Demon Core" has a lot of atmosphere and grinding guitar, but is a bit scattershot and light on substance. "Federal Government Functionary" is what you might get if you combined Wall of Voodoo with Butthole Surfers and/or Revolting Cocks.

The second part of the album, separated by "Sketch Two" begins with "Histrionic Personality Disorder," a driving track that is all sonic fury and thunder 'til it reaches dead center, then slows to a half-tempo stoner reverie. There is a "Sketch Three" (and "Sketch Four") but I found it to be unnecessarily ephemeral. Not so with UG's sped-up cover of Paul Simon's "Richard Cory." A slam bang action video of this little ditty would make a guaranteed YouTube hit. "Go Fuck Yourself" really needs no commentary, but the kids will love it. The regular album ends with"The Black Pill" and once again we've got more style over substance, but fuck it, still sounds pretty great.

Now while those of you who bought the vinyl version of 'Airs of Contempt and Derision' have reached the conclusion in the runout grooves, the CD puts an old-school empty 10 minute track before the (hidden) nearly 21 minute "Desengano," featuring a female AI voice reading Schopenhauer over a sinister sounding instrumental. Long as it is, it's better than you might think. Not your typical Gothic/Goth Metal album, but it certainly has its plusses. Official release date was 9/11/23, and I would have gotten the review posted by then if I didn't encounter some unanticipated prohibitive technical issues.