On their new EP, Mercenary Notes Pt. 1, industrial metal band Derision Cult continues to explore themes relating to the negative effects of media over-stimulation. But this time around, leader Dave McAnally strives to go beyond criticizing the state of the media and to offer solutions and ideas for the future. McAnally also goes for … Read more
Last year, the instrumental band The Royal Arctic Institute returned with a revamped lineup and a new EP, “From Catnap To Coma.” They’ve now followed that up with another EP, “From Coma To Catharsis.” All the members of The Royal Arctic Institute have extensive musical backgrounds with their own projects and backing/session work. The group … Read more
Having previously branched out into composing music for film and television, Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has now released his first solo album. Titled Radio Songs, the electronic-based album revolves around the concept of turning a radio dial and landing each time on a song with its own unique identity. While there are creative soundscapes throughout, … Read more
Continuum of Time is a new collection compiling the music of seminal Texas darkwave group Lesson Seven. It brings together their best-known tracks, covers, demos and new songs, and features guest vocals from Psyche. The bulk of the material spans 1988-1992, an era when Lesson Seven toured with Nine Inch Nails (Hate 1990) and Skinny … Read more
Florida-based industrial/aggrotech group MissFit Toys have returned with a new album, “The Nine” (Distortion Productions). Formed in 2007, the project was initially the solo project of Richie V. Suriv before being fleshed out into a band. “The Nine” is full of dark electronic tracks with distorted vocals, bringing to mind classic industrial/electronic music but taking … Read more
“The Emerald Age” is the latest album from Madison, Wisconsin-based dark electronic pop band Null Device. The tightly-arranged music balances a cold synthetic edge with infectious melodic elements and emotive vocals. There isn’t a weak track on “The Emerald Age,” and the splitting of vocal duties between members Eric Oehler and Jill Sheridan brings additional … Read more
Taking place from March 31- April 2, 2023, Dark Force Fest is a new music festival featuring some of the best established and up-and-coming Gothic, Industrial, Darkwave and Post-Punk artists. Put on by VampireFreaks, it builds upon their previous events, but with an increased focus on live music. The festival features such acts as HEALTH, … Read more
With her newly released fourth album, I Hate Memory!, Eszter Balint has taken on something she had been previously hesitant to do – telling stories about her past. Born in Hungary, her parents were founding members of the experimental theater company Squat Theatre. The group relocated to New York City, placing Balint into the city’s … Read more
Chris Connelly initially set out to create an album of Nico covers, but after reading Jennifer Otter Bickerdicke’s You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone, he decided to expand the project with original compositions about Nico’s life. The result is Eulogy to Christa: A Tribute to the Music & Mystique of Nico, a fantastic double … Read more
Featuring bassist Andy Rourke (The Smiths) and frontman/guitarist KAV (formerly of Happy Mondays), Blitz Vega creates heavy yet danceable music with driving guitar hooks and powerful vocals. The two musicians had discussed working together for years but only recently found their schedules aligned. So far, Blitz Vega has put out a single, “Hey Christo,” and they will be following it up with an EP recorded live in-studio (no overdubs) at the legendary Abbey Road Studio.