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As a kid, were you enchanted by movies such as Blade Runner, Tron and John Carpenter’s The Thing, and their futuristic soundtracks? Then the music of Nikk Fail might be for you. Milan based Fail has also found inspiration in this genre, and has released his debut EP Futuro Presente.

As the title of the EP infers, the instrumental “Futuro Presente,” is the now futuristic sounds building your anticipation, as the blatting bleeps mix with the tinkling synths, giving a sense of foreboding in the current climb. You have the “Supervillain” given a voice by Fail. Like a modern day Pink Panther with only evil intent. This alter ego however does his villainy in plain sight with the acclaim of the people. Can someone say politician.

There really is something very old school industrial about “Sirens“. Possibly the anguished vocals or the stalking rhythms and swirling electronics, but this is possibly my favourite off the EP. The last track is haunting instrumental “Serial K.G.“, that winds its way uncomfortably through your subconscious.

The premise behind Futuro Presente is the fact that so much of our subculture science fiction made in the 80s, had their future timelines set in what is, now, our present day. Did some of it come true? I will that leave thought with you, but if you need a soundtrack for those inner thoughts, or just damn well enjoy retro electronic music, then you really can’t go past Nikk Fail.

Futuro Presente | Nikk Fail (bandcamp.com)

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Australian’s love claiming New Zealander’s as our own, and quite frankly, the talented Kieren Hills is no exception. His crust punk, crossed with industrial stylings with the project Schkeuditzer Kreuz, is perched to release a new full length album on the 25th of August, named No Life Left, and a packed tour of Europe, over this September and October (which is well worth every cent). For now, you are able to listen to “Second Life,” the latest single off the album.

Photo by Jeremy Belinfante

Instantaneously, the pummelling, heavy as fuck rhythm grabs your ears, with a taste of black metal gloom, as the claustrophobic pall tries to suffocate the breath out of you. Hills snarls and growls lyrics such as ‘free to kill, free to take a life away’, a protest of the constant gun related killings in America, where the victims and families seem to have no voice. The loops and synths ooze discontent at the failing system.

“I’ve always had a policy of playing anywhere and everywhere with SK. I’ve played in a lot of weird and wonderful places in the last 3 years – in sheds and video stores, in the forest and in car parks, house shows, club shows, in-stores, and pub shows – under bridges and in skate parks.  Anywhere at all. So, I wanted to do that for the video.

I found an alleyway choked with long-dead street bounty – sofas and white goods and old guitars, and pots and pans and cupboards and sheet metal, and building waste and everything that gets left behind when people move on or move up. All long left in the elements to degrade and die. So, I set up there and played to a few friends – interspersing my usual walls of sound with throwing stuff around and bashing on things in the pile, more or less rhythmically along with the music.‘  – Kieren Hills on the video for “Second Life“

The video is beautifully shot/produced by Shaye at DMWC Films, filmed in an alleyway in Sydney. This track hits hard, not only in the voluminous reams of auditory crush, but also the overwhelming disappointment in a society where guns mean more than people’s lives. The vinyl records for the album are already on pre-order from Bad Habit Records (AUS) and Sorry State Records (USA)

No Life Left | Schkeuditzer Kreuz (bandcamp.com)

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When the guys from the Swiss band, Far Away From All This, asked if I remembered them…. well, of course! The shoegaze/alt rock stylings of duo VEGA (guitars) and IX (vocals, bass, synthesizer, drums) are highly rememberable. And, too that end, we have the latest single, dropping on the 17th of July, called “To Dream The Universe.”

The bright and upbeat beginning is a front. The glorious guitar laden wall of fuzzy sound, is crowned with the vocals that want to float away to other realms, unbound from this world. Delicate at times, causing shivers down the spine, and melodious shoegaze noise that reminds me ever so much of the late 80s rise of the genre, which then proceeded to mould the alt rock sound of the 90s with grunge. With the return of Scotland’s Teenage Fanclub this year with a new album and touring, Far Away From All Of This are just adding to the mounting joy that this style of music brings, as they take you on the epic journey “To Dream The Universe“.

To Dream The Universe | Far Away From All Of This (bandcamp.com)

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Based in Mexico, Edge Of Decipher, have a new single out called “Your Real Name“. I say single, though to my surprise it looks far more like an EP with the amount of songs you are getting. Definitely bang for your buck on this one with the single out on the machina ad noctem label!

The single “Your Real Name” delicately rolls out with Thai spoken word, gradually adding electronic layers, though the lone piano keys are striking in their loneliness. There is no sense of urgency, but only floating in the now. Next is the real version of “Solaris Reborn“, as the unearthly terrestrial soundscape of synths beautifully blooms, while what could be an alien choir sweetens the starlight. Behold the Blade Runner futuristic dread of “Solitary Skies” where there is foreboding in the intense and glitching electronics, the rhythms unable to settle on a permanent beat, leaving you on edge, whilst hopes and dreams are now but a distant memory.

“The Waves” was released as a single previously, but here you get to hear the Sidekick Waves remix and it still has the cool synth ambiance with a funky kick to it. The next three tracks are the “Angel Code” with it’s erratic bleeps and neuro binding asymmetry, the ascending refinement of “Rise Code” and the foreign and exotic tempo “Waves Code“, that whispers into your ears. The last two tracks are instrumental pieces of “Your Real Name“, where that piano is so vividly at the fore, and the stunning “The Waves (Sidekick Wave remix)”, full of future pop mixed with synthwave.

There is always a delicate refinement to all of Edge Of Decipher’s music, and he seamlessly flows from futuristic star wave, into an alien world, prophetic calamity or pieces of heart felt love, all the while collaborating and bring out the best in those he works with. One does not need to speak “Your Real Name” but rather one should listen to Edge Of Decipher.

Your Real Name | Edge of Decipher | machina ad noctem (bandcamp.com)

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Glaswegian band, Hanging Freud have a new single, out on the Belgian Spleen+ label, just before the release of their seventh studio album, titled Worship. The track is called “Falling Tooth,” and the name alone made me feel all creepy. Not sure what Paula Borges and Jonathan Skinner have been up to, but I’m not sure if I’m up to hearing about falling teeth.

The rhythm sounds like a clock, ticking down, while Borges vocals gracefully wander the soundscape like a ghost searching for completion. Electronics whir and drone, building the tension, as time ignores all of it, matching on.

Beautifully avant-garde and engrossing, like a fever dream that takes you down a path of your mind, you never knew existed. Hanging Freud’s first offering off the new album leaves you wondering what is next… though I am rather relieved to say no teeth were hurt nor fell in the creation of “Falling Tooth.”

https://hangingfreud.bandcamp.com/track/falling-tooth

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PTSD and depression are subjects that are often skirted around by both government bodies and medical institutions. Philadelphia band, Die Tired, want to drag the spotlight onto the subject, and so the single “Better Off Alive” addresses what, for some, has become the elephant in the room, mental health and how people can reach out to find help.

“Better Off Alive is about raising awareness of these serious concerns in our society and highlighting the available resources in our communities to those in need,” explains bassist Jim Lee.

“The additional focus on our military service members in the video hits close to home. With one of our band members being a veteran, we found it especially important to shine a light on issues with PTSD, depression, and suicide in our military communities.” – Singer/guitarist Matt DeAngelis

Even when one comes home, sometimes the war continues in our head. It’s a big, rollicking rock track, filled with sonic guitars, thundering drums, and lyrics from the heart, to find something to hold onto when everything is falling away.

Die Tired are on the label SODEH Records and consist of members Matthew DeAngelis (vocals/guitar), Sean Boyle (guitar), Jamieson (Jim) Lee (bass) and Brandon Ballantyne (drums).

Personally, I don’t have any connection to the military, but in saying that, I have lost a fair few friends due to mental health and suicide. In Australia, we have R U OK Day, which asks Aussies to check in with each other and simply ask if ‘are you okay’? Three simple words can mean a lot to another, and you can do it all year round. Die Tired are trying to normalise the conversations we should be having.

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Today, we explore the album Lesser Gods by the Los Angeles project BARA HARI, which was released at the end of May, and the limited edition vinyl on the label Re:Mission Entertainment, The exotic BARA HARI is musician and producer Sam Franco, whom is also known for her darkwave and industrial collaborations.

Your ears are greeted by the sublime “Siren Song“. Delicate and short lived, a beautiful warning of the dire events to come. For her name is “Tempest“, she who will bring the ensuing storm to clear away the lies and deceit. Such foreboding in a pop like song, as BARA HARI casts her gaze over those that cause consternation, stalking them down. The guitar is heavy, matched by the thudding drums, for we are given the story of sexual double standards and moral gatekeeping in “Immoral Tales“.

The synths bring in “Violence Rising” and it is indeed about the abhorrent acceptance that it is alright to be brutal to one another. There are wonderful rounds of vocals joined by trumpet. Lust, love and “Looking For Oblivion” is an electronic buzzing gem, that settles in your brain. The buzzing is palpable but wait hold that thought. The next track, “House Of The Devil” is simply huge between the falling vocals and melancholic piano, as Franco gives us the modern version of “I Will Survive“.

Does going outside make you nervous or dealing with crowds bring on anxiety attacks? Maybe you are “Agoraphobic” and as this number plods along, almost unwilling to leave, while the first affirming lines, ‘Started off as a joke Now I can’t walk out my own front door’, fulfil the prophesy. The rock is fused with electronics and “Delusions Of Grandeur” is both angelic and full of angst, while “Easy Target” is a sassy and alluring track. The final track is the superbly dark and disturbing “Immortal” with the chiming keyboards and up beat rhythm, whilst the lyrics tell of the fact that as we age, what made us beautiful fades and many see our worth is only wrapped up with youth.

Fairy tales and fables were often stories to teach people wise lessons, and when I listen to BARA HARI’s Lesser Gods. this album is very much in this vein. Modern fables of not judging others, through to when good people do nothing to prevent evil. Colourful and descriptive language within the lyrics are carried by the melodious electro/indie pop, topped off with the gorgeous vocals of Franco. Lesser Gods indeed when it comes a goddess like BARA HARI.

Lesser Gods | BARA HARI | Re:Mission Entertainment (bandcamp.com)

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Kicking off July with a bang. We are talking the new industrial single “ROTATIONS” from UK artist MATT HART, with the added extra bonus of a remix by SERAPHIM SYSTEM, aka Jon Stancil, from the USA. This is the ongoing human versus machine, cyber saga of epic proportions.

“8 HOURS AWAKE. 8 HOURS ASLEEP. THIS IS THE WAY OF THE TIME MILL.” This is the mantra here, for there is not time for anything, except digging into the ground beneath, for the humans to escape their electronic assassins. The synths are ripe and juicy, while the beats are rampaging, forcing you to move that body. HART’s vocals broker no argument for this is how thing must be, as the shifts rotate through continuously, like a colony of ants, slaves to the rhythm for survival.

The SWAGGROTATIONS REMIX has the massive slamming beats and screaming electronics. It summons a feeling of utter panic, suddenly dropping into drum and bass, before whirling off, pounding your skull into a pulpy mess.

MATT HART’s original version is chock full of scintillating synths, club floor filling rhythms and rounding vocals, building the air of a will so stubborn, one shall do whatever to avoid elimination. With the SERAPHIM SYSTEM mix, we definitely find ourselves with a different beast. Harsher electronics, mixed with dub and dropping bass, combined with the crushing beats. All of this is a reflection of the desperation and even loss of humanity by the survivors…. ah well, at least they are doing it in style, while carrying out “ROTATIONS“.

Music | MATT HART (bandcamp.com)

ROTATIONS (SERAPHIM SYSTEM SWAGGROTATIONS REMIX) | MATT HART (bandcamp.com)

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Music | Seraphim System (bandcamp.com)

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June the 16th probably seemed like an ordinary day… but was it? From under your bohemian Aunt’s best velvet rug comes the debut single from Scorpion Tea out on the label GIVE/TAKE. “Scarlet Misquote” is the deathrock track in question and the band is made up of Christian Cruz (guitars), Anthony Diaz (spoken elegance, ghost whispers, haunted keys), Edley ODowd (drums, percussion, backing vocals, samples, electronic manipulations) and Fern Puma (bass).

Oh yes, that heavy bass brings the funk, and the drumming is harsh and ferocious. When the guitar kicks in…. it sounds slightly off kilter, definitely setting you at unease, before we get to hear Diaz courting your ears. There is a primal glam element, with a playfulness throughout.

Also, there is also the DEATHDANCE Drag On The Night mix, with it’s wonderfully heavier electronic feel, that borders on claustrophobic and ensuring you might not be sleeping tonight. If you are a fan of Psychic TV, you might recognise the name Edley ODowd, who was their drummer from 2003 and a close friend to Genesis P.Orridge for even longer. “Scarlet Misquote” is a gem of a deathrock track, a little quirky and completely alt rock heaven from Scorpion Tea.

Scarlet Misquote | Scorpion Tea (bandcamp.com)

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Long, slow and hot days in the Aegean, where Dionysius is still recognised as the god of wine and a good time. Speaking of a good time, Greek project Voodoo Drummer is back with the single and video called “The Afro-Dionysian“, and he is joined on cello/percussion by Stavros Parginos.

There is a mixture of African inspired percussion, with the cello sailing over the top, bringing with it the Greek influence. The Voodoo Drummer rolls with the rhythms and the video shows the depth of the players talents, with a montage of the last few singles wrapped into the mix…. and they never miss a beat. Between legendary frogs, drunken gods and journeys to the centre of the sun, the Grecian storytellers have their ancestors love of theatre, The drama of the comedy and the tragedy. Parakalo!

Music | Voodoo Drummer (bandcamp.com)

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