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Stars and the Underground are a New Zealand shoegaze/darkwave project first created by John Mason, (ex-Winterland) and John McDermott (ex-Headless Chickens), and have been joined by guest vocalist Hannah Berry (Talmar) for the new single “Echolocation.”

Angelic vocals drift up introducing us to Berry, her lilting utterances in complete contrast to the far deeper vocals of Mason. Actually, Mason sounds like he’s channelling Carl McCoy, and the lyrics speaking of second sight due to an all encompassing darkness, could just be the cherry on top. Darkness can feel like torture, yet it cannot stop these hearts from finding each other.

Imagine, if you will, that Fields of the Nephilim had incorporated early Sisters of Mercy, but had become a bit more whimsical, nor did they require the clattering Dr Avalanche (drum machine), as the live drummer (McDermott) is far more nuanced. That somewhat goes towards what “Echolocation” sounds like, but also has this joyful shoegaze sonic wall of sound, which is great if you a post-punk loving human, though possibly bad if you are a bat.

Echolocation Feat Hannah Berry (Talmar) – Single | Stars and the Underground

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Life leaving you feeling feeling a little flat or even a bit lifeless? Have no fear for Tricie and the Phantom Punks are here, bringing you an undead joie de vivre with a cover version of The Misfits “Vampira·” Tricie Texas, Phantom 1, Phantom 2 and Phantom 3 are the psycho-punks ripping up this little dittie.

The original track has that heavier Misfits‘ style and the unmistakeable growl of Danzig, however this cover lends so well both to the rolling gait of the drums, as well as the jaunty guitars of the Phantoms. Of course the creme de la creme is the joyfully bright vocals of Tricie, that lifts “Vampira” into feeling as if it fits the band like a silken mourning glove worthy of twisting the night(mare) away to.

Music | Tricie and the Phantom Punks

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𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐌 𝐏𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐒 (@tricieandthephantompunks) • Instagram photos and videos

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A debut single has emerged from Pontefract, West Yorkshire. The shoegaze trio of Adam Higgins, Calvin Hazelhurst and Dan Greaves are Void Club, and the first release ever is “Things Fall Apart.”

I hear the influences of The Jesus and Mary Chain in the wall of sonic guitar noise, that almost whimsy of The Stone Roses, especially in the echoing guitar lines, but the vocals are unmistakeably in the vein of Ride. That wonderful style of singing that just soars with the music in perfect symmetry. Lyrics only consist of ‘Things fall apart. From an end, make a start‘, however that just gives the track a more anthemic feel, because there is always the ability to pick yourself up after everything crumbles. Anyone that has Ride as an influence is alright by me and Void Club hit all the sweet spots in this irresistible first offering.

Things Fall Apart | Void Club

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Who are Walty & Malik? Some might say they come from LA, California. Others could allude that they might be tad bit gothy. What is definitely provable is the fact that this duo of Walty (vocals, midi instruments, mixing & mastering) and Malik (guitar) have released their debut single called “Restraint, Recognition.”

The track is a bubbling cauldron of musical styles. The start has a grungy feel, that instantly became heavier, with hints of Type O Negative, but that could be Walty’s deep melodious vocals that are unhurried. There is almost definitely the influence of reggae rhythmically, and for me this makes “Restraint, Recognition” a bit unique, as those beats are incorporated with droning guitar of Malik, and those synth lines that add a dark edge. Yes, it is gothy, however more importantly, it feels cultural and alive, like Walty & Malik have added their own essence to the fabric of the music. That is one pretty cool debut.

▶︎ Restraint, Recognition | Walty & Malik

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Ria Aursjoen (vocals, keyboards), Stephan Salit (guitars), Randy Gzebb (drums) and Jay Denton (bass) are US based Octavian Winters, a peak choice goth rock outfit, and their new single is “By The Stars.” Cherry on top is being recorded at ‘Studio 13‘, and produced, mixed and mastered by William Faith.

Ethereal is the first word that comes to mind from the first tantalising chords of guitar, threaded by the angelic vocals of Aursjoen. There is a gradual swelling in the music, a blooming sense of joy, that is hard to not get hooked into.

“The song has the feel of a sea voyage. The images for me were always ones of the vastness of the sky and the sea, and the feeling of the magnificent beauty of the world. The call and answer vocals are like two people calling back and forth across a valley. It’s meant to encompass that feeling of transcendence when you take a meta view of life and of the natural world, and just fall into the beautiful patterns of it all.” – Ria Aursjoen

“By The Stars” is an ode to the innocence of youth and the promise of possibilities, compared to wisdom and perspective in the later years. Floating the sea of life is not always predictable and sometimes we have to be present in the world just to experience it. Both the sentiment and the track itself are beautiful and gorgeously layered, woven delicately by Octavian Winters.

By The Stars | Octavian Winters

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Low Munroe is a post-punk/gothic project based in Naarm/Melbourne, and Mark Sergi (vocals, keys, guitar) is the man in the creative darkwave hot seat. The newest single has been released in June, called “Desire Limbs.”

Photo by Jacinta De Agrela

The rhythm section undulates and throbs, as the heartbeat becomes more rapid. The guitar strips you bare in comparison to the warmth of Sergi’s vocals, which implore to be passionately wrapped up and removed from the present.

The cadence and attitude is stark reminder of a younger Nick Cave, but the music itself hails from the British post-punk scene, with the understated drum machine and angular guitars. The tone overall is charged with eroticism and longing from the shadows, with Low Munroe sculpting a dark promise for your ears in the form of “Desire Limbs.”

Desire Limbs | Low Monroe

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How can you turn down listening to a track called ‘An Industrial Disco Revenge Hymn‘? That line of words is like catnip and connected to the new single “Dead To You” by Brisbane project ÚMBRIEL. James Halloran is ÚMBRIEL and “Dead To You” is the second single off soon to be released debut album The Signs.

PHOTO BY MORGAN ROBERTSc

Halloran and a piano, is the introduction, like a cabaret performer, breathing life into a story in a darkened club, and it sounds like a tragedy with the crooned out lyrics ‘now she’s just a headline on the news..’ Rhythmic staccato style stutters that are instantly attention catching. Layers of harmonising vocals immerse your senses, while the music builds in sound between the electronic beats and inorganic stardust of the synths.

The vocals are perfection and I suspect Halloran has had training in stage singing, and if not, throw them a bouquet of roses anyway. This is a song crafted around the memory of a female friend, gone too soon, both emotional and yet, it feels like a celebration of this life that deserves to never to be forgotten. “Dead To You” is an ode to a being who lives in treasured memories, and do you truly fade away if never forgotten? ÚMBRIEL burns bright and fabulous in the genius “Dead To You.”

Dead To You | ÚMBRIEL

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Melbourne’s Velatine are going from strength to strength, solidifying their line-up of founding member Loki Lockwood and vocalist Holly Purnell, and at the end of March, releasing the single “Whisper Park,” out on Spooky Records. This is Velatine covering Velatine, as “Whisper Park” was originally released in 2022, though now it has become a different beast.

We are going Fields of the Nephilim style, with that southern gothic guitar twang, and the track builds and builds on itself in thick waves of powering guitars and welling drums. Purnell is sultry and makes “Whisper Park” her domain, inhabiting it with her drawled vocals, like she embodies the personality of Marlene Dietrich.

‘We’re aligned on where we want to go, how we want to be seen, even our basic thoughts on humanity connect. It’s spooky.‘ – Loki Lockwood

The original version, which you should check still check out as well, is very much more electronic, whilst this latest is far heavier, imbued with a streetwise griminess, as if “Whisper Park” is the place to meet all those weird goth kids, and, of course, Velatine. It is not a whisper, but rather a call to the disenfranchised.

Whisper Park | Velatine

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@velatine | VELATINE – For our fans 🖤🌹 [gothic / | Beacons

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Italy’s Christine Plays Viola dropped their latest album F.I.V.E, also known as Fear Increases Violent Emotion back in January, and now have released the single “Desolate Moments,” out on Cleopatra Records.

There is a definite slow maudlin air to the track, slow and deliberate. The guitars trace up and down the scale building tension and the synths are the light lifeline that sparkle in between. The vocals almost feel in sync with the drums, creating a heartbeat, sown with regret and a forlornness.

Classic goth. A dirge about contemplating promises unkept and love lost, and possibly my only complaint is that I wish during the chorus, the synths could have been bulked up to sound like a church organ…. yeah, I might be asking a bit much, but I could hear it in my head! Christine Plays Viola makes beautiful music, even in the “Desolate Moments.”

F.I.V.E. Fear Increases Violent Emotions | Christine Plays Viola

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Christine Plays Viola – Official Website | The Dark Is Coming

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We love a big event and a single is big news, especially when it is a bit of a humdinger on aviation fuel. USA punkers Forsaken Profits have thrown the new track “Knives” into the bulls’ eye, out on Anything But Radio Records.

It is an attack of the berserk guitars and thrashing drums from the start. The lead vocals growl the lyrics, asserting an anger and need for release from his growing torment. The harmonising singers in the background are the punk equivalent of doowop, as the track thunders along, and we ride to the end of the line with the pain train.

A sharp blade can excise a malignant growth, but slicing away at a brain sounds like trying to forget there is a issue. Remember kids, that playing with sharp objects can be dangerous, unless it is listening to the Forsaken Profits, as they stab you in the ears with “Knives.”

Knives | Forsaken Profits

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