The Dahmers - In the Dark (single)

This review holds two firsts: 1) it’s my first time reviewing for NMR in a long time and 2) it’s my first time hearing of The Dahmers. “In the Dark” is the band’s third and final single from new album “Creature Feature” which was released yesterday.

Initially listening to “In The Dark" and checking out their socials, I can already pick up what the whole appeal of the band is. They (probably) love horror, the occult, and they make good music. Although one thing I do struggle to grasp is the band’s name, if my understanding is right and it’s reference to the notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, which I don’t think is worth honouring.

However “In the Dark” leans hard into The Dahmers’ strength: turning angst into something anthemic, melodic, and oddly comforting. Lyrically, it’s a rallying cry for the misfits: “the creeps out of touch,” “the freaks in the light of day”...but it never feels self-pitying. Instead, the repeated assurance of “still we’re not alone” acts like a hand on the shoulder in a crowded room.

There’s a classic horror-punk heartbeat here, but the song feels broader than that label. The imagery moves between alienation, occult flirtations, and emotional survival, with lines about solitude, demons, and standing firm until dawn. The Aleister Crowley reference is a sharp, deliberate spike—not for shock value, but to underline the song’s theme of self-definition in a world that doesn’t quite fit.

Musically, “In the Dark” is built for late-night drives with half-drunk friends and dimly lit venues: propulsive, darkly melodic, and designed to be shouted back at the band during the chorus. It balances gloom with unity, darkness with defiance. I have a vivid imagination of this song being used in a children’s horror film (think R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It with Emily Osment) or better yet, the more popular Stranger Things.

Special thanks to Andy for letting me write for NMR again! This project holds a really special place in my heart and I’m super excited to write about all the good new music coming our way.