Tony Reed is undoubtedly one of those artists that heavy music fans have come across, knowingly or not, on stage or on their turntables. Bands such as Pentagram, Mos Generator, Hot Spring Water and the supergroup Big Scenic Nowhere are only a tiny part of his discography, which he continues to expand as a producer and sound engineer. CONSTANCE TOMB was Tony Reed’s first band; founded when he was 19, it was heavily influenced by the gothic movement of the early 80s. There are period recordings — made on cassette recorders or, later, in homemade “high fidelity” in his garage with a simple microphone — preserving these creations on cassette for posterity. There are also several solo covers released under the band’s name. This project was especially close to his heart, but it never became a real band capable of touring or releasing an album... until today! Tony has breathed new life into CONSTANCE TOMB, his youthful passion, by blending his love for dark 80s bands with his heavy metal past. Bands like Southern Cult, Bauhaus, The Cure or Bowie, alongside Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy, shaped his musical tastes. Today, a mix of old and new tracks is driven by renewed energy, revitalizing a solo project that had ended up taking on a somewhat artificial turn. With Bo McConaghie on bass and Christian Roney on drums, the band has already played its first shows in the northwestern United States in order to find its own sonic identity. Rehearsals and studio sessions have given birth to a real band, now ready to tackle its first album and future tours. Punchy post-punk? Proto-goth driven by riffs? Dark punk? Whatever label you choose, the atmosphere is dark and the styles intertwine in a twilight mood. The chemistry and spontaneity within the band are obvious, to the point that one might even wonder about the release date. CONSTANCE TOMB is an exciting newcomer, backed by nearly four decades of history and an album that sounds both fresh and mature. A rarity well worth checking out.