# Brooklyn Post-Punk Duo A CLOUD OF RAVENS Reveal The ‘Nature of Artifice’ - Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/ - Published: 2023-01-16T16:15:00-06:00 - Author: Eugene Tierney **Brooklyn post-punk duo A CLOUD OF RAVENS reveal the ‘Nature of Artifice’, second taste of new LP** _“Their sound, though inspired by bands of their youth, is not rooted stubbornly in the past – their music feels of this time, with their messages transversing the cosmos”_ ~ **Post-Punk.com** _“A Cloud of Ravens impress not only for the dark poetry, which forms and develops in the band’s lyrics and expands in their alluring titles, but the duo also rivet through their gritty and immediate sonic scheme, which feels pitch dark and hard as nails”_ – **Destroy // Exist** _“A perfect blend of an homage to the past and the modern construction of the future. A heroic journey through a desolate land” _~ **Sounds and Shadows** _“They play cold wave, they play post-punk, they are Gothics, and they set to music some of the most striking lyrics you can find out there”_ ~ **White Light // White Heat** NYC-based post-punk / alternative rock duo [**A Cloud of Ravens**](https://www.facebook.com/acloudofravens) have released their new single [**‘Nature of Artifice’**](https://youtu.be/xei5X9el_Sw), the second taste of their third full-length album** **[**‘Lost Hymns’**](https://music.apple.com/ca/album/lost-hymns/1634832936), following lead track [**‘The Blackest Mantra’**](https://youtu.be/nGYKTtmZdqY). A Cloud of Ravens | Nature of Artifice (Official Video) [⌊A Cloud of Ravens | Nature of Artifice (Official Video)⌉⌊A Cloud of Ravens | Nature of Artifice (Official Video)⌉ Watch this video on YouTube A Cloud of Ravens emerged in Brooklyn, formed in 2018 by **Matthew McIntosh** (guitar and vocals) and **Beth Narducci** (bass guitar). Growing up in a family of avid music lovers and her mother being a professional opera single, McIntosh arrived at this genre of music after ample explorations in the punk, death rock and hardcore scenes, finally forging the duo’s trademark sound with Narducci, whose background is more connected with alternative rock and industrial music. ![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/oDXJvRZ0uGBay20dw7N2ynfcrk3qjTY7BpELs9- f4mM%3D/PromoAccessory_128282.jpg?resize=327%2C327&ssl=1) **Photo by Kevin W Condon** Recorded from spring to autumn 2021 and mastered by **ACTORS’ [Jason Corbett](https://linktr.ee/JasonCorbett)** at [**Jacknife Sound**](http://www.jacknifesound.com/) studio in Vancouver, the ‘ Lost Hymns’ LP will be released in early 2023 via Berlin-based [**Nexilis Records**](https://www.facebook.com/nexilis.music), a a division of  [**Schubert Music Europe**](https://schubertmusic.com/)**.** “The song ‘Nature of Artifice’ is about choosing to bury your head in the sand, rather than confronting glaring societal ills and moral injustices. It’s easier to get lost in the minutia of our click and swipe modern world than watch its blessings crumble around us. To some extent, none of us are blameless,” says **Matthew McIntosh.** At the outset, A Cloud of Ravens hit the ground running with a string of self-released offerings, making their mark in the burgeoning contemporary dark music scene and garnering attention that would result in a one-off release date for their 2021 album**** [**‘Another Kind of Midnight’**](https://acloudofravens.bandcamp.com/album/another-kind-of-midnight-the-remixes), a mournful yet triumphant collection exploring the heart of a world amidst a devastating pandemic and torn by moral tribalism. Effectively merging classic and contemporary post-punk and darkwave sensibilities, their somewhat poetic use of prose and metaphor expressed the trials and joys of the world in which we now find ourselves. A Cloud of Ravens’ subsequent [**remix-based EP**](https://acloudofravens.bandcamp.com/album/another-kind-of-midnight-the-remixes) featured contributions by legendary producer **John Fryer** and such prominent artists as **Clan of Xymox, ****ACTORS, ****Chris Vrenna** and** Ritual Howls.** ‘Nature of Artifice’ is out now, available across digital outlets, including** ** [**Apple Music**](https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/a-cloud-of-ravens/1523314323)**,** [**Spotify**](https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BDEwFicaRyO3bzDfjWkBm)**, [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?i=popular&rh=p_32%3AA+Cloud+of+Ravens&ref=dp_byline_sr_music_1)** and [**Bandcamp**](https://acloudofravens.bandcamp.com/). The full ‘Lost Hymns’ album will be released in April 2023. Fans can also look forward to North American tour dates with **Clan of Xymox** and** Curse Mackey** in mid-2023. ![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/gfALykOCam_xrUIpTBeLKIYR_rYDTSO4H8Iz17tMr9c% 3D/PromoAccessory_423543.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1) **CREDITS** Lyrics and music by Matthew McIntoshMatthew McIntosh – guitar, vocals, synths, drum programmingBeth Narducci – bass guitarRecorded by Matthew McIntoshProduced and mixed by Matthew McIntosh and Beth NarducciMastered by Jason Corbett at Jacknife SoundArtist photos by [**Kevin W Condon**](https://www.instagram.com/weirdhours/?hl=en) **[TOUR DATES](https://www.songkick.com/artists/10164634-a-cloud-of-ravens/calendar)( with Clan of Xymox & Curse Mackey)** Wed, May 31 – San Antonio TXThu, June 1 – Houston TXFri, June 2 – Austin TXSat, June 3 – Dallas TXMon, June 5 – Albuquerque NMTue, June 6 – Denver COWed, June 7 – Salt Lake City UTFri, June 9 – Seattle WASat, June 10 – Vancouver BCSun, June 11 – Portland ORTue, June 13 – San Francisco CAWed, June 14 – Costa Mesa CAThu, June 15 – San Diego CAFri, June 16 – Los Angeles CA **FOR FANS OF: ** Killing Joke, TRAITRS, Soft Kill, Bauhaus, Cold Cave, White Lies, ACTORS, Drab Majesty, Holygram, Creux Lies **Keep up with A Cloud of Ravens** [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/acloudofravens) | [Bandcamp](https://acloudofravens.bandcamp.com/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/acloudofravens) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/acloudofravens) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy5Fzhp85IAqvGSPHadxdWA) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/a-cloud-of-ravens/1523314323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BDEwFicaRyO3bzDfjWkBm) | [Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/s?i=popular&rh=p_32%3AA+Cloud+of+Ravens&ref=dp_byline_sr_music_1) | [SongKick](https://www.songkick.com/artists/10164634-a-cloud-of-ravens/calendar) **Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR** [Website](http://www.shamelesspromotionpr.com/) | [Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/shamelesspromotionpr)| [Twitter](http://twitter.com/shamelesspr_) | [Soundcloud](http://www.soundcloud.com/shameless-promotion) | [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/shamelesspromotionpr) | [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/company/shamelesspromotionpr) ### Share this: * [ Facebook ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?share=facebook) * [ X ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?share=x) * [ Email ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Brooklyn%20Post-Punk%20Duo%20A%20CLOUD%20OF%20RAVENS%20Reveal%20The%20%27Nature%20of%20Artifice%27&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyrdcast.com%2Fbrooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice%2F&share=email) * [ LinkedIn ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?share=linkedin) * [ Mastodon ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?share=mastodon) * [ Nextdoor ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?share=nextdoor) * [ Pinterest ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?share=pinterest) * [ Reddit ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?share=reddit) * [ Tumblr ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/brooklyn-post-punk-duo-a-cloud-of-ravens-reveal-the-nature-of-artifice/?share=tumblr) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_