Whyte Diamond to Pøltergeist: A Journey Through Underground Sounds

Some artists stick to a single sound, while others embrace evolution—and Kalen Baker is firmly in the latter camp. From the raw NWOBHM energy of Whyte Diamond to the atmospheric gothic post-punk of Pøltergeist, his journey has been one of reinvention, exploration, and a relentless commitment to underground music. With NACHTMUSIK, Pøltergeist pushes their sound even further, weaving NWOBHM-inspired guitar work into haunting deathrock textures. If you crave music that defies easy categorization while staying true to its underground roots, this is a story worth following.

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Mörtel

12/13/20244 min read

After exploring the blistering heavy metal energy of Templar’s Treacherous Beast last week, we’re switching gears entirely. This time, we’re diving into the creative journey of Kalen Baker—a musician who’s ventured through vastly different soundscapes with two distinct projects: Whyte Diamond and Pøltergeist. What starts as a deep dive into a NWOTHM act from Calgary quickly becomes a fascinating story about reinvention, experimentation, and staying true to underground roots.

From Whyte Diamond to Pøltergeist: The Evolution of Kalen Baker

Whyte Diamond began in 2016 as a solo project by Kalen Baker during his final year of high school. The band, inspired by late ’70s and early ’80s NWOBHM greats like Angel Witch, Judas Priest, and Girlschool, eventually grew into a full lineup with Ben Whitham (bass) and Jake Soltys (guitar). However, their journey was short-lived, with only a demo and an EP released before the band seemingly went on indefinite hiatus in 2018 following the departure of drummer Cam Reiger.

Despite their limited output, Whyte Diamond delivered on Kalen’s vision of raw, old-school metal. Tracks like Wild and Free showcased galloping riffs and dual harmonies, while Sorceress brought Angel Witch-inspired speed and structure. Kalen’s vocals, unpolished and charmingly DIY, added a punk-inspired edge to the sound, proving that authenticity often trumps perfection in underground metal: “The vocals fulfill their purpose and that’s what makes it so charming. They’re not good because they don’t have to be. They take influence from the punk aesthetic in the sense that not everything has to be polished out.”

The Birth of Pøltergeist

Fast forward to 2019: Kalen moves to a small town in Northern Alberta, leaving Whyte Diamond behind as he embarks on a career in radio. Unable to let go of his passion for music, he begins writing and recording demos in solitude, eventually forming Pøltergeist. Interestingly, Whyte Diamond bassist Ben Whitham joins him in this new venture, alongside guitarist Jacob Ponton and drummer Amy Moore (with Al Lester of Spell stepping in on drums for recording sessions).

Pøltergeist’s EP, Yesterday Fades (released in February 2020), marked a significant shift in sound. While Whyte Diamond embraced traditional heavy metal, Pøltergeist leaned heavily into gothic rock, post-punk, and shoegaze influences, drawing inspiration from bands like Sisters of Mercy, Cocteau Twins, and Bathory. The pandemic era saw Kalen refine his recording and mixing skills, culminating in Hallucinations in the Catacombs—a haunting, meticulously crafted release that pushed Pøltergeist’s sound to new heights.

From Gothic Atmospheres to NWOBHM-Infused Deathrock

With their latest release, NACHTMUSIK, Pøltergeist takes another bold step forward. While the band still identifies as post-punk, the album blends gothic rock, deathrock, and NWOBHM influences into a mesmerizing hybrid sound. Drawing inspiration from literary giants like Edgar Allan Poe, Michael Moorcock, and H.P. Lovecraft, the album exudes a dark, poetic atmosphere that feels both timeless and fresh.

The band themselves have cited: “As Edgar Allan Poe once noted in the Masque of the Red Death, there are chords in the heart of the most reckless which cannot be touched without emotion,” and Kalen reached for this exact sentiment on their most recent album.

I couldn't find any full album upload on YouTube for the album yet, so please click here for a full album playlist.

Kalen describes NACHTMUSIK as “a kaleidoscope of emotions, sounds, and ideas,” aiming to create something that feels beguilingly ethereal but with steadfast intent. The album appeals to “those whose hearts may yearn for the spiritual realm of the 1980s but with a modern twist.” Take Burning Sword and Ethereal Nightmare as prime examples—tracks that fuse the melodic riffing of NWOBHM with the haunting essence of deathrock. Meanwhile, Children of the Dark is an anthemic call to arms for underground music lovers, wrapped in a stokerist critique of modern capitalism: “It’s a call to arms for people who share a passion for underground music. But also by arriving via a morbid angel to assault the iniquities of the modern labour market; a stokerist critique of late-stage capitalism.” On the more atmospheric side, songs like Cold in September channel the ethereal textures of Cocteau Twins, Sisters of Mercy, and even Joy Division, all while maintaining a distinct Pøltergeist identity.

A Journey Worth Following

Looking back at Kalen Baker’s journey from Whyte Diamond to Pøltergeist, it’s incredible to see how his passion for music has evolved. What began as a love letter to NWOBHM has blossomed into a multifaceted exploration of gothic and post-punk soundscapes, all while staying rooted in the underground ethos. NACHTMUSIK is a testament to the power of reinvention, and I can’t wait to see where Pøltergeist goes from here.

NACHTMUSIK is one of the standout albums of 2024, scratching an itch that few other bands can—save perhaps Unto Others. Its infectious sound, literary inspiration, and replay value have cemented it as a personal AOTY contender for me.

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