Editorial Notice: This page represents the official historical and technical restoration of the original Future City Records review published in late 2013. As part of our 2026 cultural archive initiative under Editor-in-Chief Sahil Chopra, this asset has been recovered from our legacy database. To honor the massive cultural footprint of this album, we have expanded our original broadcast into a complete retrospective on its legacy, the gear used, and its vinyl history.
When you discuss the foundation of modern synthwave, the conversation inevitably loops back to a few core pillars. While Kavinsky gave us the neon-drenched drive and Mitch Murder gave us the sunny, 80s mall-cop aesthetic, it was Lazerhawk (Garrett Hays) who dragged the genre kicking and screaming into the shadows.
Released on October 24, 2013 via Rosso Corsa Records, Skull and Shark wasn’t just a stylistic departure from Lazerhawk’s earlier outrun-heavy work; it was the birth of a darker, heavier sub-genre that we now universally recognize as “Darksynth.”
If his 2010 debut Redline was the ultimate 1980s car chase, Skull and Shark is the horror sequel. It is a 15-track descent into a gritty, dystopian underworld heavily inspired by John Carpenter, old-school Castlevania runs, and VHS slasher films.
As I sat down recently to relisten to the album on my studio monitors, I was struck by how incredibly well it has aged. The pounding, relentless bassline on “King of the Streets” doesn’t just sound like an homage to the 80s it sounds like a genuine, lost artifact from a dystopian future that never happened.
The Sound of the Underworld: A Track-by-Track Evolution
What separates Skull and Shark from the aggressive modern darksynth of artists like Perturbator or Carpenter Brut is restraint. Lazerhawk relies heavily on eerie, memorable melodies and driving analog rhythms rather than blowing out the mix with heavy metal distortion.
Interestingly, Lazerhawk achieved this massive, cinematic sound without a wall of expensive vintage hardware. He is known for utilizing a highly efficient digital workflow, leaning heavily on VSTs like Sylenth1 and software emulations of classics like the Korg Polysix and Oberheim OB-X. This “in-the-box” approach proves that the crushing atmosphere of Skull and Shark comes from brilliant composition, not just analog circuitry.
“Skull and Shark” Official Tracklist
| Track # | Song Title | Duration | Primary Musical Theme & Style |
| 01 | Skull and Shark | 4:50 | Ambient horror intro building into driving mid-tempo darksynth |
| 02 | Chaos | 4:50 | Aggressive basslines, detuned lead synths, relentless 4/4 rhythm |
| 03 | Lawless | 4:25 | High-speed outrun rhythm fused with sinister, brooding arpeggios |
| 04 | King of the Streets | 4:57 | 130 BPM dystopian anthem featuring iconic punchy synth brass |
| 05 | Massacre | 4:47 | Heavy, industrial-influenced percussion and ominous pad textures |
| 06 | A Promise | 7:33 | Epic, slow-burning synth ballad with soaring emotional melodies |
| 07 | Dangerous After Dark | 4:34 | Classic slasher-film tension; heavy focus on Oberheim-style chords |
| 08 | The Looks That Kill | 4:08 | Upbeat, rhythmically complex synthwave with dark undertones |
| 09 | China Town | 5:16 | Minimalist, arpeggiated tribute to John Carpenter’s film scoring |
| 10 | Built to Kill | 5:30 | Industrial bass rhythms paired with razor-sharp lead synth lines |
| 11 | Children of the Night | 5:20 | Gothic, retro-gaming aesthetic heavily inspired by Castlevania |
| 12 | These Streets | 5:15 | Melancholic urban soundscape driven by atmospheric synth pads |
| 13 | Fight to the Top | 4:09 | High-energy action sequence scoring with punchy 80s snare hits |
| 14 | Brothers | 4:45 | Melodic, story-driven track with subtle retro-futuristic harmonies |
| 15 | Another Chance | 6:11 | Cinematic, reflective closing track resolving the album’s tension |
The Standout Cuts
- “Skull and Shark” (Title Track): The album opens with an ominous, slow-building atmosphere that perfectly sets the tone before dropping into a relentless, driving beat.
- “King of the Streets”: At 130 BPM, this is arguably the album’s most recognizable anthem. It is a masterclass in tension and release, dripping with “dangerous alleyway” energy.
- “China Town”: A distinct nod to John Carpenter’s cinematic scoring. It relies on minimalist, arpeggiated synths that create a thick atmosphere of paranoia and isolation.
- “Children of the Night”: Fans have frequently pointed out the strong Castlevania vibes on this track. It embraces the gothic, retro-gaming aesthetic with precision.
The Architecture of Lazerhawk’s Catalog
To understand the weight of Skull and Shark, you have to look at the timeline of Garrett Hays’ output. He has built a reputation for shifting aesthetics with every single release, proving he is a master of mood rather than just a one-trick pony.
Lazerhawk Discography Timeline
| Release Year | Album / EP | The Aesthetic & Vibe | Label |
| 2010 | Redline | Fast-paced, neon-lit Outrun | Rosso Corsa |
| 2012 | Visitors | Funky, space-age, and exploratory | Rosso Corsa |
| 2013 | Skull and Shark | Heavy, brooding, retro-horror Darksynth | Rosso Corsa |
| 2017 | Dreamrider | Introspective, emotional, and chillwave-adjacent | Rosso Corsa |
The Vinyl Legacy: A Collector’s Dream
For years, Skull and Shark existed purely in the digital realm (released initially as FLAC and MP3 files). It wasn’t until June 2022—nearly a decade later—that the album finally received the premium vinyl treatment it deserved.
Teaming up with Electric Dream Records, Rosso Corsa finally pressed Skull and Shark onto wax. The release was highly anticipated, with the deluxe edition featuring stunning “Black & Gray Swirl” and “Gold Translucent with Black Smoke” variants.
For modern collectors in 2026, these 2xLP pressings have become highly sought-after. Finding a mint condition copy of the 2022 run can easily fetch between $55 and $130 on the secondary market.
Vinyl Variants & Collector Valuation
| Pressing Year | Label | Color Variant | Units Pressed | Secondary Market Value (2026) |
| 2022 | Electric Dream Records | Standard Black Wax (180g) | 500 | $45 – $70 USD |
| 2022 | Electric Dream Records | Gold Translucent w/ Black Smoke | 300 | $75 – $110 USD |
| 2022 | Electric Dream Records | Black & Gray Swirl (Deluxe Edition) | 200 |
Because these pressings sold out within minutes of dropping on the official Rosso Corsa Bandcamp Page, bootleg copies have occasionally surfaced on auction sites.
The Lasting Impact on the Retro-Electronic Scene
Skull and Shark remains a foundational text for the darksynth movement. It proved to a rapidly expanding scene that synthwave didn’t always have to be about palm trees, fast cars, and sunsets. It could be terrifying. It could be brooding. It could sound like the end of the world.
Lazerhawk’s ability to pivot from the sheer adrenaline of Redline to the sinister alleyways of Skull and Shark cemented his status not just as a producer, but as an architect of the global retro-electronic landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was Lazerhawk’s Skull and Shark released?
The album was originally released digitally on October 24, 2013, by Rosso Corsa Records. It was later pressed to vinyl in June 2022 by Electric Dream Records in partnership with Rosso Corsa.
What genre of music is Skull and Shark?
While it falls under the broader umbrella of Synthwave and Retro-Electronic music, Skull and Shark is widely considered one of the pioneering albums of the “Darksynth” sub-genre.
Who did the artwork for the Skull and Shark album?
The iconic and terrifying front cover artwork was created by illustrator David Rapoza. The back cover artwork and overall design were handled by Cameron McPhee.
Is Lazerhawk touring in 2026?
Lazerhawk (Garrett Hays) has historically been an incredibly elusive artist, preferring the studio to the stage. While his music is a staple in darksynth DJ sets worldwide, he rarely performs live.
Check out this track from the album: Lazerhawk – Skull and Shark (Official Audio).