LA based multi-instrumentalist Julian Sharwako, aka Harsh Symmetry, has been catching post-punk/goth inclined ears for three years now, ever since his Display Model debut album set listeners dropping well-deserved comparisons to everyone from the Cure to the 4AD family.

Now his vivid blend of startling vision and 80s tech previews Cleopatra’s Gothic Valentines collection with possibly the most unexpected cover that Heart have ever received – 1987’s “Alone,” reinvented as a bleak cross between Morrissey and Depeche Mode, but intersected still by a dynamite guitar solo.

Sharwako explains, “I picked ‘Alone’ because Heart has always been a big influence and one of my favorite bands. I thought I could do something interesting with it. I love the structure, melody and overall sensibility of the song and figured it would take well to my sound. “

HEAR “ALONE” – https://orcd.co/ harshsymmetry_alone

Neither is “Alone” the sole surprise awaiting as Gothic Valentines draws closer. Closer to 40 tracks include both exclusive new recordings and much-loved classics from Switchblade Symphony, Iggy Pop, Ministry, Cinderella, Leæther Strip, Soft Cell, Joy Division and a fabulous reworking of Melanie’s “Beautiful People,” featuring Bauhaus/Love and Rockets mainstay David J as the Lee Hazelwood to Melanie’s Nancy Sinatra.

Elsewhere across the two CDs, goth legends Rosetta Stone, Sex Beat, the Skeletal Family, Christian Death and Gene Loves Jezebel join upcoming favorites  Lebanon Hangover, Sonsombre and The KVB in redrafting February 14 in the blackest of hearts and the finest of fishnets.

And don’t forget the eye liner!

Gothic Valentines CD/VINYL pre-order: https://cleorecs.com/search?q=gothic+valentines
Gothic Valentines digital pre-order: https://orcd.co/gothicvalentines