“Frontwoman Charmaine Freemonk’s phrases resonate with an honesty and urgency that’s uncommon in contemporary music, her otherworldly inflections at times evoking the ethereal tones of Diva Plavalaguna from The Fifth Element.” – Metal Temple Magazine
Darkwave band, DICHRO has just unveiled their innovative and eclectic new release, Stained Glass via Distortion Productions.
Four years in the making, Stained Glass is far from a casual listen. Much like their live performances, the album is often described as “a ride”—one that takes the listener through the annals of recent and distant history, right into a potentially dystopian future. The band masterfully blends heavy synth riffs with unexpected instruments such as the resonator guitar and even the banjo, crafting a distinctive sound that remains fresh and never repetitive.
The tracks on Stained Glass explore a spectrum of moods and themes—from unbridled rage against the machine to thoughtful meditations on the future, past mistakes, and the ideals we strive for in the days ahead. Yet, the album is not without moments of reprieve from the anger and intense examinations of reality versus fear-driven conspiracy theories. Tracks like “Dinner Du Jour,” “Scratch,” and “Mercy” envelop listeners in moody, melodic daydreams and down-to-earth visions of hope.
Stained Glass is available on CD via Distortion Productions and on all major digital platforms everywhere!
In April 2020, amidst the chaos of a world in flux, Peter Guellard, renowned bassist of Pittsburgh’s industrial rock legends Venus in Furs and former member of Mace and The Electric Hellfire Club, embarked on a unique musical experiment. Bringing together a cadre of local musicians, Guellard orchestrated an online cover of the iconic but “industrialized” folk classic “Man of Constant Sorrow,” infusing it with an electronic edge that left listeners electrified and from this virtual collaboration emerged DICHRO, a dynamic quartet poised to redefine the boundaries of darker types of music.
August 2020 marked their official debut with a mesmerizing cover and accompanying music video of Dead Can Dance‘s “The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove,” a bewitching rendition that captivated audiences with its exotic allure. Guellard is joined by guitarist Dirk Miller (Rusted Root, Uprooted), drummer and an established percussionist Tracey Whorton (Venus In Furs, Jenn Wertz Band),and singer/songwriter, Charmaine Evonne, back in the Pittsburgh area after several years spent touring with the Amazing Acro Cats and moving from Austin to New Orleans to Atlanta. She most often performs outside the band as a solo artist or as a professional stilt-walker and fire/LED flow artist and who appeared in the Netflix series “Cat People”.
Fueled by the symbiotic creativity of Charmaine and Peter, DICHRO embarked on a journey of sonic exploration, crafting a debut album titled “Stained Glass” at The Church Recording Studio and later in Psychotribe Studio in Pittsburgh. From remote demos to studio sessions, their collaborative spirit breathed life into each track, resulting in a collection of songs that push the boundaries of anthemic darkwave.
The band’s debut single, “One Lane Bridge,” accompanied by a haunting music video reminiscent of “The Blair Witch Project,” serves as a stark reflection of the anxiety and fear wrought by the Covid virus. With a message urging vigilance in the face of uncertainty, DICHRO captures the frustrations of a world in turmoil. Following the success of their debut, DICHRO unveiled “Strangled,” a poignant exploration of “taxation without representation” from Charmaine’s perspective. With each release, DICHRO delves deeper into the complexities of the human experience, weaving a tapestry of sound that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Signed to Distortion Productions label in March 2024, DICHRO is poised to unleash their debut album “Stained Glass” in August 2024, promising a sonic journey unlike any other. Blurring the lines between music and visual art, their live performances feature bespoke video backdrops and customized light shows, transforming each show into a transcendent experience.
In May of 2024, DICHRO released the single & video for the song, “Mercy”. On August 9th, the band unleashed their debut, full-length album, Stained Glass.