LONDON – Following the atmospheric success of their fourth studio album Sky’s Gone Out, Bauhaus has returned today, January 14, 1983, with their latest 7-inch and 12-inch offering, “Lagartija Nick.” Released via Beggars Banquet, the single arrives as the band continues to solidify its reputation as the premiere architects of the “Gothic” sound, though this latest track suggests a band increasingly interested in raw, driving intensity over ethereal gloom.
A High-Octane Evolution
“Lagartija Nick” is a frantic, bass-driven departure from the more experimental textures found on their previous records. Named after a legendary Spanish bullfighter (a nickname for Nicanor Villalta), the track carries a lethal, rhythmic precision.
The song is anchored by David J’s relentless, distorted bassline and Kevin Haskins’ tribal, metronomic drumming. Daniel Ash provides a jagged, serrated guitar performance that feels less like a melody and more like a physical assault, while frontman Peter Murphy delivers a vocal performance that oscillates between a menacing whisper and a theatrical, commanding bark.
The B-Sides and Production
The 12-inch release offers fans a generous helping of the band’s versatility:
- “Lagartija Nick”: The blistering A-side.
- “Casere Report”: A haunting, experimental track that leans back into the band’s penchant for dread.
- “Rock n Roll”: A spirited cover of the Velvet Underground classic, recorded during a BBC session, showcasing the band’s glam-rock roots.
The production is crisp and aggressive, stripping away the reverb-heavy layers of their earlier work in favor of a “dry” sound that places the listener right in the middle of the rehearsal room.
The Verdict
With rumors of internal friction swirling around the group, “Lagartija Nick” serves as a defiant statement of unity and power. It is a track designed for the strobe-lit dance floors of the Batcave, yet it possesses a punk-rock snarl that keeps it from feeling derivative.
Whether this marks a new direction for a fifth album or a final burst of energy remains to be seen, but for now, Bauhaus has delivered one of the most compelling singles of the young new year.
Transmission with Derek Nester 