With their latest single “Bird of Time,” Brussels-based darkwave/post-punk outfit Factheory deliver one of their most emotionally charged and artistically significant releases to date. Featuring Michel Sordinia — the iconic voice of Belgian post-punk pioneers The Names — the track feels like a bridge between generations, carrying the weight of memory, history, and time on its back.
At its core, “Bird of Time” is a reflection on childhood and the unsettling speed at which time slips away. Bruno Uyttersprot’s lyrics are poetic yet unflinchingly clear, touching on innocence, loss, and the fleeting nature of memory. But what makes the song even more powerful is the story behind its composition: Dominique Nuydt, a history teacher by profession, wrote the music during a school trip to Buchenwald in the spring of 2025. After witnessing footage of the horrors of the Nazi era and walking through the camp grounds, he picked up a guitar to steady his mind. Out of that moment — heavy, quiet, and deeply human — the first form of “Bird of Time” emerged.
The track carries this emotional weight without ever becoming overwrought. Factheory’s signature blend of darkwave textures and post-punk energy gives the song a haunting momentum. Nuydt’s bass, synths, and programmed drums create a pulsing undercurrent, while Stefan Weidemann’s guitar lines offer both grit and melancholy. Uyttersprot’s vocals — already known for their expressive intensity — intertwine seamlessly with Sordinia’s unmistakable post-punk timbre. The collaboration feels organic, almost fated, especially given The Names’ longstanding influence on Belgium’s underground scene.
For Factheory, having Michel Sordinia involved is more than a feature — it’s a symbolic meeting of eras. The Names emerged in the late 1970s, eventually connecting with Factory Records at a Joy Division gig in Brussels, and later recording Nightshift in Manchester with Martin Hannett. To have Sordinia return here, lending not only his voice but also his presence to the accompanying video, is a full-circle moment for a band built from the ashes of multiple Belgian alternative acts from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s.
The music video, directed by Stéphane Manzone, adds another layer of resonance. Shot in Brussels — notably in the Bois de la Cambre park and the New Rocky Pompadour bar — the imagery balances nostalgia with a sense of drifting through time. Manzone, whose background spans writing for TV and directing films and music videos, captures the song’s emotional stillness through intimate framing and muted tonal choices.
Production-wise, the track is mixed with clarity and depth by Thomas Neidhardt at Ivy Room Studio and Jack Gallows at Canal 10 Studio. The mix helps retain the rawness of the song’s origin while giving it the polished shadowy sheen that defines Factheory’s sound.
As they prepare to open for The Names on December 6th in Meschede, and approach their tenth anniversary celebration in March 2026, “Bird of Time” feels like both a milestone and a promise. Factheory have crafted a track that honours memory, history, and the relentless passage of time — while proving that the Belgian post-punk flame continues to burn strong.
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