Love Ghost x SKOLD - Nightshade and Cocaine

Following the 2023 debut single 'Payback' by alt-rock maverick Love Ghost and industrial legend Tim Skold (SKOLD, Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM, Marilyn Manson, Motionless in White), they are back with ‘Nightshade and Cocaine’. With heavy guitars and pianos, this song is inspired by altered states of mind and witchcraft, setting the tone for the dark rock n’ roll soundscape of this album.

Now signed to iconic US label Metropolis Records, their debut 'Love Ghost x SKOLD' album from this creative partnership is scheduled for release on November 22. This creative partnership meshes the raw energy of grunge with the driving rhythms of industrial rock, embellished with pop and gothic sensibilities. 

"We are very excited to share this first single 'Nightshade and Cocaine' from our forthcoming album 'Loveghost x SKOLD'. It’s not easy picking singles from this album but this one is a favorite of mine because the dynamics, it’s like a musical roller coaster, the highs and lows take you for a ride. This is also something that is reflected in the lyrics with almost lightheartedly dealing with some very heavy subjects,” says Tim Skold.

Finnegan Bell adds, “This is a sonic journey that touches on many topics such as personal introspection, losing and finding your soul, witchcraft, death, the afterlife, and even politics and war. Nightshade (also known as Belladona) is a flower that is intrinsically linked to witchcraft, particularly for flying, astral projection and as a symbol for death. This song is about altered states of mind and one’s psychology unraveling at the seams. This song is dynamic, unconventional and imaginative and is one of my favorites on the entire album”.

Apart from releasing music under the SKOLD moniker and as half of the duo Not My God (with Nero Bellum), Swedish musician and record producer Tim Skold is perhaps best known for his work with KMFDM, Shotgun Messiah, Marilyn Manson, and Motionless in White.  In addition to being a full-fledged band member of Marilyn Manson for several world tours, Skold produced their #1 Billboard US charting album 'The Golden Age of Grotesque', cover versions of 'Tainted Love', 'Personal Jesus' and the controversial album 'Eat Me, Drink Me'. He later co-produced two Motionless in White albums. As SKOLD, he has released several albums and toured extensively with Front Line Assembly and Motionless in White, among others.

Love Ghost is an enigmatic Los Angeles-based indie rock band, known for their distinctive blend of grunge, alternative rock and post-punk, informed by the Seattle tradition as much as Soundcloud-era fearlessness. Founded by vocalist-guitarist Finnegan Bell, the band quickly garnered attention for their mature lyrics, a multitude of collaborations and raw, energetic sound. They have toured extensively all over the world and have earned plaudits from such publications as Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, American Songwriter and New Noise.

"I still remember meeting Finn the first time because of his almost electric energy but it was my wife Erin’s idea that he and I should make music together. I have worked with many different artists by now but this one is still a unique and refreshing experience," says Tim Skold. "We came together with a special chemistry and I really feel that it is well represented in the music. The first single 'Nightshade and Cocaine' shows off an almost schizophrenic diversity that is a thread for the entire album."

Earlier, Nina Heckman of Metropolis Records shared, "The Love Ghost x SKOLD collaboration mixes both of their distinct sounds to make a new and unique album, which we are excited to bring to the public."

As of August 28, the 'Nightshade and Cocaine' single will be available everywhere digitally, including Bandcamp, where it can already be pre-ordered. The full 'Love Ghost and SKOLD' album will be released on November 22.