Proud goth, ex DJ and music reviewer

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Few things are guaranteed… death and taxes seem to be universal, just ask the dynamic Melbourne duo of Louise Love and Luis Gutierrez, of the electronic indie pop band Roles as they bring you the single “Taxes.”

There is something very old school about the sound of the electronics, and maybe it is the way it reminds me very much of early New Order when they were more in their experimental phase, along with the chiming in guitar. All the while you can delight in Love’s always beautifully executed vocals.

Oh my oh my Roles, “Taxes” musically is a charming track, though there is that underlying sadness when it comes to the content of the lyrics, about a friend who is battling their inner demons, talking about the things they need to do but knowing that they might choose to leave this mortal plane. The sweet, the sour and the brevity of this gift called life encapsulated in this brilliant song called “Taxes.”

Taxes | Roles (bandcamp.com)

http://www.rolesband.com/

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Charmaine Evonne (vocals), Tracey Whorton (drums), Dirk Miller (guitar) and Peter Guellard (bass, programming) make up Pittsburgh dark rock band dichro, who dropped their latest single with video, on the label Distortion Productions, called “Mercy.”

A sassy double bass in southern bayou swing, greets your ears, while the guitar wails in the blues of “Mercy.” Evonne’s vocals goes from vibrato to singing the rock from her soul into your bones. There is also the extra bonus bombastic Psycho-Brutalist remix by Psychotribe which ups the electronic factor, glitching and fritzing delightfully.

“Mercy” is a groovy number that shimmies and shakes seductively, holding you in awe, which might just mean that there be some sort of voodoo magic spell placed on you by dichro.

Mercy | dichro (bandcamp.com)

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The HOSTILE ARCHITECT might be hostile but he is also very conscious of being fit. Brisbane electronic artist Mitch Kenny dropped the single “ANYTIME FITNESS” back in March….yep I’m slack, but here it is, so let’s get physical.

Mighty rhythms for a mighty strong track. Kenny lays down some pretty dark synth lines and the powerful vocals are leap out at you with extreme vigour. The angst is palpable with the clattering beats.

‘Violent men make violent times‘ sounds like a steroid fuelled nightmare with an cyberpunk soundtrack, as the HOSTILE ARCHITECT sweeps you away, fanning the explosive dance track that is “ANYTIME FITNESS (SUPPLEMENTAL MIX).”

ANYTIME FITNESS (SUPPLEMENTAL MIX) | HOSTILE ARCHITECT (bandcamp.com)

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Late at night, when all are asleep, and yet slumber escapes you…. do you hear it? Noises from under the bed, or is it the cupboard or down the hall? Maybe, you are about to “Meet Mr Scratch,” which coincidently is the new video for the single from Sinister Fate, the shock rock five piece unit, based in Chicago.

Häxan, the Swedish silent horror movie from 1922, is the setting for the video, where the band has been grafted into the the story of medieval witchcraft and terror. Band members, David Bates (vocals), Noel Divad (guitar), Leo Garcia (guitar), The Omen (bass), and DK (drums) seem to play the roles of ghastly beings who are watching and taunting the religious protagonists, while the music heightens the paranormal tension, in that sassy theatrical way.

In the milieu of such artists as Rob Zombie and Wednesday 13, it has to be said that horror inspired rock is very appealing, especially with its tongue in cheek sense of humour, which definitely is there in spades when watching the music video. Basically it is good old fashioned fun, enhanced by a guitar fuelled track, where one must be careful or encounter the Sinister Fate and “Meet Mister Scratch.”

Meet Mister Scratch | SINISTER FATE (bandcamp.com)

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Darkwave/industrial three piece, Matte Blvck are based in San Diego, California, and on the verge of dropping the new album Vows, have released the single “Pupula Duplex.”

The cool vocals announce ‘I am nothing‘ above the electronic clacking, pulling you into the track straight away. There are huge lulls followed by intense punching rhythms and synths, inviting you to re-join the manic dance whilst facing your own inner demons.

“Pupula Duplex” most certainly is a throwback to the 90s, recalling the bass and drum filled music of iconic bands such as Prodigy and Aphex Twin, which drop you like a rollercoaster and then build up that tension again. But then, they aren’t a carbon copy, as Matte Blvck inject their own underlying darkness into this genre. Gritty and bleak.

Pupula Duplex | MATTE BLVCK (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/matteblvckus

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Does society feel like it is screwing you over and that the human scum of the world get in your way, trying to drive you insane with their general stupidity? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone! Phobos Reactor with guest TFG (Troll Finder General) are assailing your ears with the single, “Hyi, ihmisiä” which simply means ew, people, out on the Pancimachine label.

“Illanvietto” is the first track on Bandcamp, and this means social evening, though quite frankly, I do believe this requires human interaction. Anyhoo, I highly suggest watching the Youtube videos for a translated version of the Finnish lyrics. The music is a throwback to a more analogue sound, where our hero of the hour is inebriated just so he can deal with others of his species, in his own fashion and delicate ways, all to an electronic sound track that probably doesn’t care about his issues with this night.

Of course, you just kind of know that “Hyi, ihmisiä” is going to go kind of off the rails and leave the reservation, and so behold the introduction of the occasional angry guitar, space aliens and the vocals of a chap who thinks he’s a pretty neat fellow to pass time with, but we all know he needs to remove that stick from his rectum.

Like gnomes were not bad enough…..

Hyi, ihmisiä | Phobos Reactor feat. TFG (TONTTU) | PANICMACHINE (bandcamp.com)

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https://www.facebook.com/TONTTUofficial

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http://www.veilofthorns.com/

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Swedish label Progress Productions have dropped the new ABU NEIN single “Unwanted.” This is the darkwave band’s first single off their soon to be released third album.

The quick build up to the guitar and vocals, is like a release of dopamine to the system. The guitar work is darker and oppressive, especially when joined by the swirling winter soundscape synths, painting a bleak picture, with the vocals as the focal. Those vocals are beautiful and yet ooze a icy quality.

The beginning of this track became well ensconced in my head for quite a while, and in the back of your brain you can hear those sultry vocals just making your day a little more sexier. ABU NEIN have definitely make “Unwanted” a track to dance your little dark hearts out.

Unwanted | ABU NEIN (bandcamp.com)

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As a dark subculture type, I don’t take myself very seriously and tend to love groups that share that ideal. Athens based Greek band Falooda, are a new project for members Loverman (vocals, synth), Luku luku miu miu (drums), Themis Vasiliou (guitar) and Manolo (bass), with their first release on Bandcamp ironically called Demo 2024.

The four track EP is a mix of punk and experimental noise, with the first track “Orizuru” smacking your ears with the vocals that are a mix of Reverend Horton Heat and Mr Fiend (Alien Sex Fiend), with a pinch of Tom Waits. i was giggling at the end with the gurgling duck noises.

Shake your tail feathers to “Boolean Religion” as you start to wonder if you are trapped in a Japanese movie with Cheech and Chong plus a rather large consignment of weed. “Bottleneck” is a hail of screaming guitar pushed to their limit, before the final track, “Disaster Recovery” climaxes in the self imploding ecstasy of a thousand lost souls.

The guys describe their sound as ‘noise funk dessert with rose syrup, vermicelli, milk and sweet basil seed,’ and this is possibly true should you ever meet them and try a quick lick. However, a comment on Youtube said that Falooda was like ‘listening to Mr Bungle on acid‘….. and quite frankly, I completely agree. Utterly bonkers!!

Demo 2024 | Falooda (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/faloodasound

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Did you know that Geishas Of Doom (GOD) are a six piece punk band from the Netherlands? Me neither!! Punk has a happy little place in my heart, especially as it lent itself to the post-punk movement with its experimental stance and do it yourself ethos. May has the release of the album The First Four Tapes, which has a huge twenty four tracks, though in true punk form, most run under two minutes.

From the first track, ‘(Here Comes The) Snakestorm,” you get a taste for what this band is going for in sound. It is purposefully lo-fi in quality, giving it a raw edge that makes it feel like a live performance. The drums a loud and brash, getting a good workout every track, and pretty much, it is the guitars versus vocals that are the stars. However, you do occasionally catch the odd, possibly synth noise blip in the mix.

I think the track “Avoid The Fall” absolutely grabbed my attention with the classic post-punk guitar work in opposition to the screaming vocals, and it is a cracking song. Talking of cracks, there is the song “Crack” which is not about the drugs, but rather a split in the wall, which rather reminded me of the theme running through the Matt Smith era of Dr Who. Fans? “Pulse” is just another reason to really like these guys as it shows a different facet of their writing talent. So good.

You can hear a plethora of influences such as metal, prog rock, gothic rock, grunge, rockabilly and shoegaze, which makes the album a musical joy, as Geishas Of Doom fuse what makes them passionate, into a wonderful punk album with real soul. And honestly, who doesn’t like a band that sticks two fingers in the air and makes their initials GOD. Genius.

The First Four Tapes | GEISHAS OF DOOM (bandcamp.com)

Stream GOD – The First Four Tapes – Side A by Geishas of Doom | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

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Those Norwegian lads Mayflower Madame are back with a new single “A Foretold Ecstasy,” out on the label Night Cult Records. Even better is the fact that this single heralds the release of their third album. Things to look forward to from  Trond Fagernes (vocals, guitars, bass), Ola J. Kyrkjeeide (drums) and Kenneth Eknes (synth).

Bring on the post-punk goodness with those deep bass lines, while the synths sweep through like a cold breeze across a lost soul, with the warmth only found in the chiming guitar. The vocals are smoothly aloof and lost in the distress of the character portrayed.

“A Foretold Ecstasy” could be about the act of sex being the only thing that brings the main character any modicum of pleasure which seems to be very fleeting, while everything else in grey and pointless. Whatever it is about, the music is beautifully elegant and atmospheric, and ultimately, Mayflower Madame are wonderful to listen to.

A Foretold Ecstasy | Mayflower Madame (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/mayflowermadame/