In anticipation of Christmas, something darker, different, and magical takes flight. The Exceptional Mr Hyde and Soho Jackal, a goth/post‑punk collaboration from Yorkshire, have reunited to release "The Christmas Crow" — a hauntingly beautiful festive single with an animated video, inspired by the gothic imagination of Tim Burton and the northern charm of L.S. Lowry.
At its heart lies a poignant tale: a father returns from beyond the grave, in the form of a crow, to visit his daughter at Christmas. It is a dark poem of love, loss, and the spirit that never truly leaves us. Yet this release is about more than music. Every penny raised from "The Christmas Crow" will go directly to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation — a charity born from tragedy, dedicated to promoting tolerance, understanding, and acceptance for alternative subcultures. Following the horrific murder of Sophie Lancaster, her family founded the charity to ensure a lasting legacy for their beautiful, creative daughter — by educating others and challenging prejudice wherever it is found.
The Foundation shared these words about the release:"We're deeply moved that The Exceptional Mr Hyde has chosen to support The Sophie Lancaster Foundation with their beautiful and haunting Christmas single, "The Christmas Crow". Its message of empathy, loss and hope captures the very heart of what we stand for — a world where difference is embraced and kindness always wins. This song reminds us that even in the darkest moments, compassion can still shine through".
Through this project, we honour that mission — showing that being different is something to be celebrated, not feared.
Join us in making this a Gothic Christmas for a Cause. Support the fundraiser (HERE), share the song, and help us keep Sophie's light shining in the darkness. Link

Lithuanian modern avant‑garde metal force Black Spikes continue their descent into humanity’s darkest impulses with “ZELVAR,” the latest single from their upcoming album Ydos, set for...
Mortemia, the gothic metal project led by Norwegian multi-instrumentalist Morten Veland (Sirenia, ex-Tristania), has released the thirteenth instalment of The Cover Collab Sessions, an...
London‑based synth‑pop and dark‑disco force KN/GHTS return with a brand‑new single and video, “Light The Fuse”—a vibrant, emotionally charged track that captures the turbulent cycle...
Following the triumphant arrival of their debut single "Ashen World", symphonic metal ensemble Kamelot now issue the second chapter from their upcoming record, Dark Asylum, slated to...
"All of us want to bring back analogue methods—doing everything by hand. AI is completely outside our creative universe. It's a system designed to make things easier and faster." - Andy Julia
"The whole thing for us with the lore we have created is inspired by Greek Mythology and the stories of Atlantis." - Phil Primmer
"I'm sort of asking questions - where are the heroes? Where's the defiance? Where are the people who oppose this?" - Alan "Nemtheanga" Averill
"Art isn't meant to always be pretty and make us feel comfortable and good about ourselves. I'm not afraid to broach difficult emotions and to express the beautiful ones too." - Martin Saint
