Occams Laser – Gothic horror-infused darksynth
There's something deliciously spine-tingling about the way Occams Laser pulls you into his dark, twisted world of retro-futuristic synth. It's like Dracula got hold of a keytar, watched Blade Runner on loop, and decided it was time to throw a neon-drenched rave in the underworld.
Occams Laser isn’t just a name. It's a mood. A whole vibe, really. And if you’ve ever wandered the shadowy alleys of darksynth, you’ve likely already brushed against the ominous glow of his work. Based in the UK, this artist has carved out a unique space in the synthwave scene—one filled with gothic undertones, horror aesthetics, and beats that bite.
But wait—what is darksynth again?
If synthwave is the friendly, nostalgic embrace of an '80s sci-fi movie, then darksynth is its edgier, leather-jacket-wearing, vampire-hunting cousin. It’s darker, heavier, and more atmospheric. Think:
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Growling basslines
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Sinister melodies
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Pulsing retro beats
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Occasional possession (just kidding... kind of)
Darksynth pulls from horror soundtracks, cyberpunk culture, and classic gothic tropes to create something that feels both ancient and futuristic at the same time. And this is where Occams Laser thrives.
The birth of a synth-sorcerer
Occams Laser (real name unknown – he keeps it spooky like that) started producing around the mid-2010s, and he didn’t waste time with half-measures. From the jump, he infused his work with storytelling. His releases aren’t just albums—they’re concept-driven experiences.
Take his early Occult trilogy, for example. It’s like listening to a VHS tape possessed by a demon that also happens to have great taste in music. Each volume builds a narrative, pulling listeners deeper into a universe of arcane rituals, supernatural forces, and pixelated damnation.
His ability to blend themes of gothic horror with the synthetic sheen of retro-futurism sets him apart. You can almost see the fog rolling across a neon-lit graveyard while his tracks pump through your speakers.
Style, sound, and skulls
Musically, Occams Laser tends to favor:
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Fat, distorted basslines that hit like a stake through the heart
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Melodic leads that teeter between haunting and heroic
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Relentless beats that could power a chase scene through a haunted cyberpunk alley
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Sound design that sometimes feels like it's whispering ancient curses directly into your ear
There's a cinematic quality to his work. It’s easy to imagine each track as a scene from a lost ‘80s horror-action film—preferably one where the hero wears sunglasses at night and fights demons with a synth-powered katana.
Speaking of sunglasses...
If you’re vibing to this music, you need the look to match.
That’s where Newretro.Net comes in. We’re not saying you have to wear a distressed leather jacket while listening to Death Cult... but we’re also not not saying that. Our line of retro-inspired men's clothing is tailor-made for darksynth nights:
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Denim jackets that look like they’ve time-traveled from a 1986 biker bar
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Sleek, angular sunglasses perfect for hiding your soul from vampires (and the sun)
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Watches that would make a time-traveling bounty hunter do a double take
Basically, we’ve got the look to match your soundtrack.
A horror soundtrack without the movie
One of the things fans love most about Occams Laser is how transportive his music is. You don’t need a movie when the music is the movie. He’s the type of artist that gets your imagination firing on all cylinders. Suddenly you're:
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Walking through a foggy city under a blood-red moon
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Being chased by a cyber-demon in a mall from hell
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Escaping an ancient cult using only your synth blade and smoldering stare
Okay, maybe not the last one. But you get it.
His albums have titles like Occult 86, The Cult of the Witch Queen, and Night City, and each one feels like a chapter in a horror/sci-fi epic that’s never been made but should absolutely exist.
Why it works (and why you keep listening)
There’s something oddly comforting about the doom and gloom of darksynth—especially when it’s wrapped in neon and dripping with atmosphere. Occams Laser has mastered that delicate balance. He knows how to go dark without going dull. His music is full of tension and release, gloom and grandeur.
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He knows when to hold back and when to unleash
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He lets melodies breathe, then buries them under layers of sound
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He makes music that’s not just heard—it’s felt
It’s like he’s building gothic cathedrals out of synths and then inviting you to dance inside them.
And somehow, even with all that darkness, it never gets oppressive. There’s always a sense of motion—of story—pushing forward. You’re not just trapped in a nightmare. You’re living it. And maybe even enjoying the ride.
Into the abyss: Occams Laser’s evolving narrative
One thing you quickly realize as you fall deeper into the Occams Laser discography is that he doesn't just rest on one spooky idea. The man is prolific, and with each new release, the mythology grows. His sound morphs, but the spirit remains the same—dark, cinematic, and endlessly addictive.
He’s built multiple worlds across his albums:
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"Occult" series – Think ancient rituals, smoke-filled tombs, VHS static, and synth-driven blood magic.
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"New Blood" – More aggressive, pushing into almost industrial terror-territory. Like being chased through a digital hellscape with a soundtrack that wants to eat you.
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"Night City" – A futuristic noir drenched in neon. Equal parts cyberpunk and haunted dreams.
And through all of it, there's an unmistakable signature. You know when you’re listening to Occams Laser, whether it’s the unsettling ambience, the layered synths, or that deep, booming bass that feels like it crawled out of a crypt.
Darkness, but make it stylish
It’s probably no coincidence that a lot of Occams Laser fans have seriously good taste in aesthetics. When your music sounds like a synthwave Dracula wearing a trench coat and mirrored shades, you start to care about the look too.
Cue a totally natural plug for Newretro.Net. We’ve seen our jackets, watches, and shades end up in more than a few synth-influenced photoshoots. There’s just something about that intersection of retro cool and apocalyptic edge that matches darksynth energy perfectly.
Some fan-favorite combos:
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Black leather jacket + mirror sunglasses = looking like you walked off the cover of a lost VHS thriller.
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Washed denim jacket over a black tee = ready to DJ the end of the world.
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Chunky retro sneakers = comfy enough to escape the digital demon that's currently haunting your playlist.
Okay, okay, back to the music.
Fans of the dark arts
Occams Laser’s fanbase is devoted—and rightly so. His music has an addictive quality. It's not background noise; it's foreground fuel. Once you start, it's hard to stop. You're pulled in by the mystery, held by the rhythm, and eventually find yourself scrolling Bandcamp at 2 a.m., deciding whether or not you need another vinyl copy.
Spoiler: You do.
People connect with this stuff on a deeper level. It scratches an itch for atmosphere, storytelling, and danger that most modern music doesn't even try to reach. Plus, there’s a sense of community—people who wear the same black jackets, love the same obscure horror flicks, and obsess over the right synth tone like it’s a matter of survival.
And if you’re not already one of them? It’s okay. There’s still time to join the cult. We hear the initiation ceremony just involves listening to Occult 89 under a full moon.
Perfect for... just about anything (except maybe yoga)
Occams Laser’s music has this incredible ability to make everything feel more epic.
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Working late at night? Boom—you’re now a hacker trying to prevent a techno-apocalypse.
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Driving through the city? Suddenly, you're in a cyber-thriller being tailed by a cursed DeLorean.
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Cleaning your apartment? You’re now an exorcist preparing for battle in a neon church.
Is it a little dramatic? Sure. But that’s the point. Occams Laser doesn’t do chill. He does cinematic.
Looking ahead into the darkness
With each new release, you get the sense that Occams Laser is building toward something. Maybe it’s just more music. Maybe it’s a full-blown synthwave horror film he’s manifesting through sound alone. Either way, we’re here for it.
In a genre that thrives on nostalgia, he’s constantly evolving. Pushing boundaries. Blending genres. And all while keeping one foot firmly planted in the haunted shadows of the past.
If you’ve never taken the plunge, now’s the time. Start with Occult 86. Or Night City. Or whatever your spooky little heart desires. Just maybe don’t listen with the lights off… unless you're wearing a really cool retro jacket. (Which, incidentally, we can help with.)
One last thing...
In a world full of cookie-cutter playlists and safe sounds, artists like Occams Laser are rare. He’s carved a lane, built a cult following, and created music that feels like a fever dream wrapped in synths and blood-red LEDs.
So the next time you want something more than just a vibe—something that punches through your chest and drags your soul through the fog—queue up Occams Laser. You won’t regret it.
Just… maybe keep some holy water nearby. Y’know, just in case.
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