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When creating music, is the artist doing it for themselves to induce joy or for the audience, who may not be so receptive or critical? The latest track from Melbourne’s Velatine delves into this quagmire, delightfully called “FCK YOU ALL,” out on the Spooky Records label.

This is not some punk song, as this is doom coming to get you with death tolling bells and Lockwood is joined on vocals by Barb Dwyer. There is a more industrial tone to the electronics and indeed the chorus is a resounding ‘fuck you all.’

The commentary of the lyrics is about the toll of being an artistic type in the alternative genre, where it can be a thankless slog to gain recognition, often leading to mental health issues, then relying on substances like alcohol and drugs to get that kick. This is a much darker and harsher sound for Velatine, if that is possible for a goth project, and it is accompanied by a music video, shot in black and white by Mark Bakaitis , as the duo stalk through the night-time streets of Melbourne with no fucks given. And honestly, I think we all need to occasionally let off steam and say “FCK YOU ALL.”

FCK YOU ALL | Velatine (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/Velatine

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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

https://www.facebook.com/extremechromokidsmedia/

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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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/

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The single called “Grip Of Pain” does sound… well, painful. This is the latest drop from Teknovore, as George Klontzas takes us on an electronic nightmare into Greek mythos, with Jan Kluge of Any Second on vocal duties, with this the second single off the soon to be released album, on Infacted Records, called Caerdroia.

‘Listen to me, no way out‘ grabs you by the nuts and the brutal vocals punch you in the guts. The electronics are laced with urgency, like you are being chased by unseen forces in the darkness. The techno beats echoing around in your head, duelling along with Kluge’s rasped promise of no escape in “Grip Of Pain.” “Anamnesis” is just throw back to hard dance style techno rave music, full of electrifying energy that builds over and over again, taking you to the point where you have to move, for now your body is not your own.

If you love dance music, electronic music or just good industrial, then you really will have to have a listen to the latest Teknovore. It is really mind blowing how well Klontzas can weave together tracks that are instantaneously likeable, plus accessing talent like Jan Kluge (Any Second) to set it all on fire, speak volumes about the man. Get thee the “Grip Of Pain,” because we seem to have lived this life before………….

Grip Of Pain (feat. Any Second) | Teknovore | Infacted Recordings (bandcamp.com)

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