Post Death Soundtrack – ‘In All My Nightmares I Am Alone’ [Album Review]

Post Death Soundtrack, the brainchild of the now solo Stephen Moore, releases his fifth long player, In All My Nightmares I Am Alone, an album that is simultaneously at times impulsive, at times brutal, sometimes serene, sometimes severe, yet always visceral and committed.

Previous albums from Post Death Soundtrack include Music As Weaponry, The Unlearning Curve, It Will Come out of Nowhere, and last year’s Veil Lifter, which abandoned all electronics for guitar-driven doom grunge.

With In All My Nightmares I Am Alone, a collection of both unreleased songs and new material, Moore put together a dozen initial tracks, often totally reimagined, along with numerous completely new songs. The result is a sprawling album of 30 tracks.

Moore explains, “This album is in some ways a complete breakdown in audio format. I find it beautiful and powerful to express what often is not acknowledged or communicated. I learned that from Kurt Cobain and I’m very proud of this work.” 

At the present juncture, Moore is putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album, HEL’S MOUTH, a collaboration with Portland artist Casey Braunger. The project is called HE IS ME.

Entry points on In All My Nightmares I Am Alone include “TREMENS,” which opens on eerie, disconcerting tones topped by spell-like, murmuring vocals, infusing the lyrics with dark, uncanny Gregorian savors.

“GOOD TIME SLOW JAM (IN ALL MY NIGHTMARES I AM ALONE)” rides a measured rhythm as whispery vocals accented by tolling, dramatic tones give the lyrics intense, exigent emotional urgency.

“A MONOLITH OF ALARMS” summons suggestions of Frontline Assembly with its echoing, almost hollow textures atop tight, thudding percussion. Moore’s resounding vocals imbue the lyrics with portentous significance.

The Gothic, post-punk, low-slung thrum of “WHEN THE WORLD IS BURNING BRIGHT” offers a mysteriously swaying flow, as if suppressing emotions that refuse to remain sequestered.

Reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, “HYPNOTIZER” features acoustic guitars and a syncopated rhythmic pulse. While “RIVER MAN,” a cover of Nick Drake’s song, travels on a dreamy, drifting melody. Recorded in Moore’s apartment, the song displays a sublime tenderness.

Post Death Soundtrack (Stephen Moore), photo by Monika Deviat

“FINAL DAYS” shifts the soundscape to punk rock tinted with manic rockabilly flavors, narrating the end of the world with resonant ferocity. “CRAWLING KING SNAKE” provides a dreamy, almost jazzy take on The Doors’ rendering of John Lee Hooker’s song. Layered textures imbue the harmonics with a quasi-psychedelic feel.

Moore’s reinterpretation of Tom Waits’ “GOD’S AWAY ON BUSINESS” moves on a country-lite melody vaguely similar to early Johnny Cash. A personal favorite because of its supple motion and Moore’s oily vocals, the song is surprisingly contagious.

An instrumental piece, “SONG FOR BONZAI” is a tribute to Moore’s black cat, Bonzai, who recently passed away. Touches of Latin flavors give the track a bright, animated essence.

Another favorite because of its Leonard Cohen crossed with Chris Isaak sensation, “START THIS OVER” conveys both wistful longing and traces of sad regret.

Stylistically diverse and at times somber, In All My Nightmares I Am Alone is fueled by heart, pathos, and profound expressions.

In All My Nightmares I Am Alone Track Listing:

1. TREMENS
2. GOOD TIME SLOW JAM (IN ALL MY NIGHTMARES I AM ALONE)
3. A MONOLITH OF ALARMS
4. VENUS IN FURS
5. WHEN THE WORLD IS BURNING BRIGHT
6. FAST APPROACHING RADIANT LIGHT
7. SOMETHING STIRS
8. WE FALL
9. HYPNOTIZER
10. RIVER MAN
11. FINAL DAYS
12. RECKLESS FEVER
13. CRAWLING KING SNAKE
14. GOD’S AWAY ON BUSINESS
15. MARROW
16. SURRENDER
17. OVERSOUL
18. WHAT’S HE BUILDING IN THERE?
19. CONTROL
20. SONG FOR BONZAI
21. WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?
22. START THIS OVER
23. AN ANYTHING
24. DESERT WIND
25. I WOULD SURMISE 0
26. TRIGGER FINGER
27. WHITE MARE
28. GET YOUR TICKETS READY
29. NOTHING
30. IN ALL MY NIGHTMARES I AM ALONE

Run Time: 87:56
Release Date: May 30, 2025
Record Label: Independent