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Chiasm’s Emileigh Rohn is based in the US, and Jean-Marc Lederman of The Weathermen/Ghost and Writer, is from Belgium, and together they form the electronic duo Rohn-Lederman. The latest EP, Steal The Light, is made up of four remixes of the title track “Steal The Light,” as well as two bonus tracks.

There is the Stefan Netschio (Beborn Beton) mix which is languid and warm in tone, He always seems be bring a delicate simplicity to his remixes. The next version is by Noemi Aurora (Helalyn Flowers) which starts slow and full of longing, echoing and poignant, but underlying an electronic strength. The looping and bleeping Aiboforcen remix has been given a space like feel with the synths creating a veritable soundscape for Rohn’s singing.

“Hear Me From Space” is off the March slated new full length album Forbidden Planet, but only on the vinyl. It is a magical piece combining breathy vocals with eclectic noises and rhythms, which conveys the emotions of wanting to come home. The fourth version of “Steal The Light” is from Sarmen Almond (Man In Motion), and they have introduced an air of seduction. This could be the combination of the funky nature of the electronic mixed with the whispered lyrics. So, we come to the last track which is the unreleased “Boing Schlepa Schlepa Boing Boing,” and yeah, I’m thinking it doesn’t really mean anything, but rather it is fun to say, and this is a spoken word piece with the synths low in the mix. Would not suggest listening to this track when high, as it might cause a brain aneurysm, otherwise this is a nonsensical fun track.

Rohn-Lederman have gathered a wonderful talent pool to give their take on one track, and as always, it is amazing to hear all the different takes people have when it comes to a remix. Not one sounds the same and each exudes a different atmosphere. This is cool electronic music in Steal The Light.

Steal The Light EP | Rohn – Lederman

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Danish project M73, said ‘em sieben drei‘, have released a bootlegged remix of Marvin Gaye’s 70s track “What’s Going On.” It is a song that is now half a century old, but for John Mirland (M73), the lyrics speak volumes, especially now as the world feels as if it teeters on the edge of an abyss.

Mirland is a master of rhythmic noise but his tastes in music are vast. He has taken Gaye’s famous Motown track and given it a far more electronic feel, though the original funk shines through, and Gaye’s iconic tones are the lynch pin.

Historically, “What’s Going On” was written by Marvin Gaye after the Vietnam war had come to an end, and veterans had come home to find they no longer fit in, traumatised, criticised and unwanted. Those lyrics are pertinent today, as they say open your eyes, so you can see what is happening, and that in the end love is strong when we don’t give into hate. It is perfect and M73 have lovingly modernised the Prince of Motown. It is name your price on Bandcamp.

What’s Going On (M73 Bootleg Remix) | M73

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Dark alternative music doesn’t seem to have any borders as to where it originates in the world and even the language used. Good music transcends all it feels, when everything is conveyed through sheer talent. Label Musica Tenebris are based in Warsaw, and they have released the four way split album Warsaw After Midnight, that features Polish gothic/deathrock bands Marie Laveau, Natures Mortes, Eat My Teeth and Nameless Creations.

The set list is arranged in blocks for each act, and first off the benches is Natures Mortes with four tracks, “Liar’s Web” is the most recent release for this group, and indicative of their goth rocking style. You will be swept up from the beginning with the swift paced rhythm and ghoulish signature guitars, all the while being serenaded by the tortured sweet vocals that give no quarter and full of conviction.

Screaming fuzzed out guitar is utterly and instantly attention grabbing for the track “Salt In My Eyes,” by Eat My Teeth. The lead singer’s vibrato style is unforgettable, especially when he hits the high notes. as she almost seamlessly melds into the shrieking guitar. Discordant and rousing, all at the same time and a shout out to the drummer massacring the skins.

Natures Mortes (Facebook)
Eat My Teeth (photo Sophie Louise)
Nameless Creation (photo Lukasz Larakczyk)
Marie Laveau (Facebook)

I get a really interesting vibe from Nameless Creations, and their use of electronics gives the track “Pain-Powered Machine” an early 80s feel, almost Alien Sex Fiend like, and strengthened by vocals. The music is relentless, swamping your senses like a kaleidoscope with the pulsating psychedelic assault, and this is just one of three tracks.

From the crypt comes Marie Laveau with four treats, and they are going to cast a spell on you with “Are You Blind?“. These guys ooze European gothic cool and this latest single harkens back to stylings of France’s Corpus Delicti. The lead has a lovely dark quality to her voice and everything about this song is alluring from the classic goth rock guitars through to tight rhythm section.

Personally, I have always had a soft spot for sampler albums, and I have put that down to getting a taste of different styles and band, which opens up new musicians to further investigate. This is a great compilation from a scene that is obviously burgeoning with talent. Yes, I have picked one track from each band, but these are just the ones that first off caught my attention and in all honesty, the whole album is chock full of deathrock goodness. It is a delight to listen to these brilliant gothic aficionados from Poland and now, after falling deathly in love with Natures Mortes, Eat My Teeth, Nameless Creations and Marie Laveau, I want to visit Warsaw After Midnight.

Warsaw after midnight | Various artists | Musica Tenebris

Facebook – Musica Tenebris

Bruises | Natures Mortes | Bat-Cave Productions

Facebook – Natures Mortes

Music | EAT MY TEETH

Facebook – Eat My Teeth

Liar’s Web | Natures Mortes | Bat-Cave Productions

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Inga Habiba and Peter Guellard are Death By Love. Signed to label Distortion Productions, these Polish veterans of the gothic-industrial scene, released their debut single on January the 31st, called “Strong Inside.” Habiba has been involved in music since she was sixteen, with her long term project being Lorien, while Guellard has been involved with bands such as The Electric Hellfire Club, Venus In Furs, Mace, and Dichro, as well as a producer and lead in his own band Blitzkrieg.

The Middle Eastern influence is undeniable, exotic and alluring, a nod to Habiba’s ethnic roots, their tendrils wrapping themselves around the electronics. They are not a constant companion, rather gently tantalising you and more so, it is Habiba’s vocals that will hold your attention. From breathy spoken word, to brash and throaty singing, she is the focal point with synths her supporting undercurrent.

The lyrics are extremely relatable, because it is about how leaving yourself open to others can lead to trauma, yet if you close yourself away, you will possibly miss out and suffer loneliness. So, in the end, finding the strength within, often means you are growing as a human. The music traverses cultures, and delves into inner working of the human psyche, mixing trip hop with industrial, tinged with darkwave. Death By Love are going to make waves with the highly danceable “Strong Inside,” and the added bonus is two extra remixes included.

Strong Inside | Death by Love

Facebook – Death By Love

Facebook – Distortion Productions

Distortion Productions

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Metropolis Records dropped the single “Sharing Skin,” by Night Ritualz on January 31st. Vincent Guerrero IV is Texas based Night Ritualz and in March, his self titled debut album will be released. Interestingly he has coined the term ‘fuck wave‘ to describe his cauldron of mixed styles such as goth, electronic and EBM.

‘Fuck Wave’ is anything horny, erotic and sensual that just makes people feel good,” he explains. “I feel like my music puts people in that mood and allows them to just be themselves without judgement of any kind. Another reason is because, at the end of the day, ‘Fuck’ what everyone thinks. We only have one life, so spend it doing stuff you like and that makes you happy. I see it as an empowering term.‘ – Vincent Guerrero IV

A simple guitar and echoing fuzzed vocals greet you, haunting with the slow drawl, telling of a longing of the heart for another. Like a call to arms, the rhythm kicks in, speeding up the world around this track, and you can hear the delicate synths in the background twinkling. ‘Sharing skin and secrets‘ is cherishing those intimate moments whether that is sex or telling secrets they would never share with anyone else. Night Ritualz understands that most people long for that attachment but also the fact that humans motivation comes from that which brings joy. I think the description fuck wave is very apt, for it is a dark and sexy serenade in the form of “Sharing Skin.”

Sharing Skin | Night Ritualz

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And so there was a convergence of two talents. Jemaur Tayle (Shelleyan Orphan) and Boris Williams (The Cure) are friends who were brought together by their love of music, which spawned the project Vamberator. Originally, Tayle had been working on a solo album, but had to endure the passing of long time Shelleyan Orphan bandmate Caroline Crawely, then found he had lost focus. Over the years, Tayle had toured with The Cure, and developed camaraderie with Williams. He helped fan the flame of the muse called music, and together brough to fruition, the debut album called “Age of Loneliness.”

The intro track is also a previous single, called “I used to be Lou Reed,” and like the namesake, it has a huge personality, with a complimentary brass section heralding in your immersive baptism for the slightly off the wall Vamberator. Tayle’s vocals are far more smooth than anything Reed ever laid done, but the elements of funk and experimentation are all there, with the idea that we have to find our own place in the universe and our own groove.

Title track, “Age of Loneliness,” is a wonderful mixture of soul sister groove and 60s Haight-Ashbury flower power, tinged with childish wonder. An amalgamation of classical and counter-culture rock, and it just works. At the other end of the scale is “I Need Contact,” and it is a slow piece, crisp and clear, that drags you to your knees with the sheer weight of the bleak sentiment. Another single is the delightful “Creature in my House,” that see-saws with that guitar riff, and lurches with the rolling drums from Williams. So one has to ask, is the creature a real creature, or is it staring out through the eyes of Tayle?

“Imps” is the latest single, and, oddly enough, the last track on the album. It reminds me of the 90s, when bands like Primal Scream and The Stone Roses were hitting their straps, but also paying homage to 60s/70s soul, and artists like The Rolling Stones and Kinks. Maybe this is the true meaning of the album. The loneliness we feel stems from a yearning for something more.. something tangible that is comfortable, which could be places, objects, sounds and people. We delve into our library of memories to find that comfort and Vamberator have set “Age of Loneliness” as a touchstone of influences and what drives them to embark forth, adding their own spin on what they love. It is an album that can be enjoyed by the musician’s musician, and, yet, it is full of soul, brilliant chorus’ and a quirkiness that can capture the average music lover’s imagination. A beautiful friendship between Tayle and Williams has borne a bounty in the form of “Age of Loneliness.”

Age of loneliness | Vamberator

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