We’ve been covering Bleached Cross and their blend of darkwave, shoegaze, and atmospheric post-punk on No Echo since 2022. The Chicago-based outfit has consistently found ways to stand out from other post-punk bands, emphasizing all the right elements.
Bleached Cross’ latest album, Wrath, sees the band leaning into a more structured, linear narrative while also embracing pop sensibilities and catchy hooks.
We sat down with ZM and AC from Bleached Cross to talk about Wrath and its first single, "Crucible," which is now available on streaming platforms.
Tell us about Wrath and your first single, "Crucible," which you just released today.
ZM (vocals, guitar): This album was an exercise in a very prolonged and structured writing process in a way that we hadn’t really approached on a release previously, I don’t think. The first single, “Crucible,” does a nice job of conveying how our sound has evolved on this release while also functioning as a window into what you can expect to hear on the album—all present in one track. We once again worked with Andy Nelson to record and mix the record, with Brad Boatright mastering it.
What was different about this album compared to the True Faith split or your 2022 self-titled full-length?
ZM: On my end, I focused intensely on vocal melodies and making each song as catchy as possible—much more so than on previous releases. I wanted to approach the vocals as a dark pop record, making sure every chorus had an earworm without losing our overall edge.
Lyrically, I approached this as a loose concept album with a narrative running throughout. Each song is a snapshot within a larger story with a clear beginning and end. Due to other people’s touring schedules in 2024–2025, we didn’t write or rehearse any of this album together in a room. All demos were completed by AC and me, with some help from our bassist, Nic. When it came time to record, we just had to trust it would all work out. It was stressful at times, but because we fleshed everything out in pre-production, the process went smoothly.
How much time went into this new album? You hinted at it in our previous interview.
ZM: A lot. We technically started writing with the demo for “Lingering Souls” in April or May of 2024. AC and I wrote consistently until July 2025, usually weekly in his basement, with Nic joining for some sessions. By the time we hit the studio, we had a full pre-production version of the album mapped out.
AC (guitar, synth, vocals, programming): About half the songs existed in demo form alongside the tracks that ended up on the split with True Faith. In some ways, all of that material was originally intended to be part of the same album. After recording the split, we kept developing the remaining ideas into what became Wrath.
How did you come to work with New Morality Zine? What’s that relationship been like?
ZM: I knew they were local and had seen them interact with us online. When we started looking at labels, they were one of the first I reached out to. They were putting out cool stuff—not exactly what we sound like, but close enough that it made sense. I also figured working locally might be easier than coordinating with people across the country.
I met Nick for coffee while we were still working on demos, and that was pretty much it. It’s been a great experience so far. This is the first time we’ve worked with a label that has a structured rollout plan, so there’s been a lot more behind-the-scenes work compared to our earlier releases.
What’s been inspiring you lately? You previously mentioned bands like Choir Boy and Drab Majesty.
ZM: Those are still influences, but this time I was thinking more about albums that feel cinematic or tell a cohesive story. Bands like Murder By Death, Crippling Alcoholism, Ethel Cain, Cursive, and AFI come to mind. I wanted the lyrics to work individually but also come together as a larger narrative by the end.
AC: Musically, I leaned more into EBM and synth-driven influences rather than guitar-based bands. If LP1 was Joy Division, this one is more New Order. I was also watching a lot of movies—’80s action and sci-fi, Cronenberg, stuff like Manhunter. The soundtracks and atmosphere influenced how I approached sound design, samples, and overall mood.
What’s next for the band? Any plans to tour in support of Wrath?
ZM: We have two local shows in June, including Distress Fest, and we’re planning a short seven-day run in August. We’re not a full-time touring band, but I’m hoping we’ll get out more this year and next now that we’re not deep in the writing process.
What’s the Chicago scene like right now? Who should we be checking out?
ZM: There’s a lot going on—it’s honestly hard to keep up. Any given night, you can find great local bands playing smaller venues or DIY spots.
Some newer bands worth checking out: Left of Heaven—they rip, and we’re playing their first show in June. Hell Is Real is great if you’re into aggressive riffs and vocals. Home Invasion plays fast, no-frills hardcore that makes you want to run headfirst into a wall.
What about outside your area—what else are you into?
ZM: Angel-Maker from Indianapolis and World I Hate from Milwaukee have been in heavy rotation. The new Final Gasp record too. Pissgrave put out my favorite album of 2025.
AC: Lamb by Public Circuit was one of my favorite releases of 2024. Corpse Dust and Black Magnet are also really sick.
Last word is yours.
ZM: Plugging an album in this timeline feels a little strange, but we worked really hard on this, so I hope people find something to connect with. Also: no war but class war.
AC: Make sure to listen to the album loud.
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Wrath will be out July 24th via New Morality Zine (pre-order).
Tagged: bleached-cross
