Drawing inspiration from the dystopian and chilling worlds of cult classic horror and science-fiction films, duo Justin Pointer and Tony Kim have spent over a decade crafting a signature fusion of dark electronic music and metal-fueled synth anthems. Hailing from Irvine, California (USA), DANCE WITH THE DEAD continue to push the boundaries of retro-futuristic soundscapes and cinematic storytelling.
The project first emerged on Halloween night in 2013 with their debut release, setting the tone for a career defined by innovation and an ever-evolving sonic identity. Their early work—spanning atmospheric orchestral-leaning pieces and aggressive synth metal—solidified their presence with fan-favorite releases such as Into the Abyss (EP), Near Dark, and crossover hits like “Andromeda” and “Invader.” Their influence within the synthwave world earned them a featured appearance in the acclaimed documentary The Rise of the Synths, narrated by filmmaker John Carpenter.
In 2015, the duo debuted their live performance, quickly escalating to headlining their first European tour by the end of that year. Over the years, DANCE WITH THE DEAD have toured extensively and served as direct support for notable acts including Avatar, Dragonforce, and Beast in Black. In 2019, drummer John Terry (formerly of STARKILL) joined the live lineup, bringing an amplified intensity to their shows.
DANCE WITH THE DEAD’s distinctive sound merges analog synth textures with the raw grit of early heavy metal guitars—a combination shaped by influences such as Hans Zimmer, Justice, Daft Punk, The Misfits, White Zombie, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Kavinsky, Metallica, and John Carpenter. Their catalog has featured notable collaborations as well, including guest contributions from John Carpenter and Cody Carpenter (Driven to Madness), as well as Nick Hipa and professional skateboarder Elliot Sloan (Loved to Death).
In 2024, the duo released their long-awaited EP Dark Matter—their first release featuring vocals—crafted remotely between Justin in Washington State and Tony in Orange County, California. The EP was mixed and mastered by drummer John Terry and features collaborations with Alex Westaway (GUNSHIP), Brandon Saller (ATREYU), Kat Von D, Cole Rolland, Shaun Phillips (LEBROCK), and Anton Kabanen (BEAST IN BLACK). Following the EP’s release, the band completed their North American headline tour with Korine.
On November 7, DANCE WITH THE DEAD released their newest single, “Psycho Disco,” marking the beginning of their next creative era. With new material slated for 2026, the duo will return to the road once again to support the forthcoming release.
Join DANCE WITH THE DEAD as they continue their sonic odyssey—bridging past and future through electrifying performances and haunting synth-driven soundscapes that transport listeners into neon-lit alternate realities.
Magic Sword
Magic Sword is an ageless tale of good and evil told through an ever expanding graphic novel with each volume accompanied by an original, synth-heavy soundtrack as well as immersive live performances. With the three mediums intertwined from conception, together they create an epic experience for those bold enough to bear witness and come away with a deeper understanding of the ultimate hero’s journey. Armed with a musical and visual aesthetic that has its roots unabashedly buried deep in the golden era of ‘70s and ‘80s fantasy and sci-fi, Magic Sword’s followers are called to another plane of existence where the struggle between light and shadow becomes all too real. In this newest installment, The Keeper embarks on a righteous quest to navigate a corrupt world where the sword has been abducted by an evil most foul. Amid the conflict, he seeks to find himself and reclaim what is rightfully his ‘Badlands.’ Originally composed as a soundtrack to a feature film, ‘Badlands’ tells the story of loss and rediscovery of one’s self.
Megan McDuffee
Megan McDuffee is a Seattle-based award-winning music producer, composer, and recording artist. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, and always had something musical going on, from taking private lessons to 11 years of participating in world-traveling choirs. Megan graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Scoring and a minor in Electronic Music. With a desire to further her education, she went on to the Berklee College of Music, earning a Master’s Certificate in Orchestration for Film and TV.
By day Megan scores video games, TV shows, and movie trailers, and by night she produces dark, moody, edgy electronica and rock that rides the line between dreams and nightmares. Her melodies are infectious, her vocals haunting, and her production punchy and crisp. IGN recently lauded her work as “killer” and Roland featured her in an article about her production.
Megan’s music is a unique velvety and edgy cocktail of Massive Attack, IAMX, Depeche Mode, and Kidneythieves. She is a true powerhouse composing, producing, writing, singing, and engineering all of her own work.
Megan has collaborated with more than 50 other artists such as Scandroid (Celldweller), Emmy-winning James Dooley, DEMONDICE, ALEX, and Mitch Murder to name a few. Megan won two awards from the Annual Game Music Awards, for her
lauded synthpop score to WayForward’s River City Girls in the categories of ‘Best Independent Composer’ and ‘Best Retro Soundtrack’ (2019). She has been featured on the front page of Bandcamp, received a nomination for a Music+Sound Award for her trailer work, and amassed over 3.5 million streams in 2024 alone.
