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The duo, Johnathan/Christian have released the single, “Talkin’ About The Wolf“. It is a track inspired by the Ukrainian resistance against a much larger foe, trying to take by force, their county. Johnathan/Christian is joined by The Legion Of Whom, a mixture of talented humans, whom appear in the order of Matt Vowles: Black Angel (guitar), Lee Meadows: The Glass House Museum (bass), Athan Maroulis: NOIR, Steven Archer: Ego Likeness/Stoneburner, Claus Larsen: Leæther Strip, Martin Bowes: Attrition, Alla Miroshichenko: Attrition/Alia Synesthesia (cello), Jeff Diehm: The Last Dance and Ania Tarnowska: I Ya Toyah

Verbose gothic melancholy, wrapped in this wonderfully rich guitar and complimented by the electroincs in a most symphonic manner. Sliding between vocalists is a truly interesting experience, it drags you in to listen to the the words and marvel at the mixture of styles, accents and timbre. They ask what we want to know, ‘how many Putin?’.

“Since the Donbas Invasion in 2014, Ukraine has been telling the world the wolf is coming, and what have we done to help?  As the battle continues, now is not the time to move on. Ukraine needs everyone’s help now more than ever” – Johnathan

The title of the track refers to a Ukrainian saying, ‘talking about the wolf‘, which basically means ‘speak of the devil‘. All proceeds, from the single will be donated to the Come Back Alive Foundation in Ukraine, which was created during the War in Donbas. In return, you get a darkwave track of immense proportions, catchy and chock full of some legends in the business.. Mmmmm, very tasty and remember, you think you are safe until they are at your door.

Talkin’ Bout the Wolf (ft. The Legion of Whom) | Johnathan Christian | JOHNATHAN|CHRISTIAN (bandcamp.com)

Johnathan|Christian | Facebook

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The UK’s gothic rockers, Sirens Of Light, released on May the 24th, the single with video, “Revolver“. The band has shortened the title somewhat from the original, being “That’s When I Reach For My Revolver“, which was originally written by Clinton J Conley and recorded by Conley’s band, Mission Of Burma, in 1981. A classic, from a band that was typifying a new post-punk sound coming from the US, like their fellow Americans, The Call.

The rich swell of guitar issues forth and the vocal’s gravely texture, grazes your ears. There is a wondrous force of conviction, sonorous and perfect in its execution. Guitar driven goodness with a dark gothic core.

“Revolver”, for me in this particular moment, is a very angry and political song. After the global pandemic and the constant bombardment of media nonsense, we get the feeling everyone feels like reaching for their revolver. That’s why it resonated with me at this moment and was chosen”. – Andy (Sirens Of Light)

You cannot compare this latest version to the original. While the Mission Of Burma version is slower and very much bleaker, Sirens Of Light have put a rocket under “Revolver“, and blown it up into a gothic rock anthem, with all the sparkles.

Revolver (Video Single) | Sirens Of Light (bandcamp.com)

Sirens Of Light | Facebook

Sirens Of Light – Sirens Of Light

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Lisa Gerrard & Marcello De Francisci are on the verge of releasing their new album EXAUDIA, on the label Atlantic Curve Records, but before that happens, there is the offering of a new single, “Until We Meet Again“, out on the 17th of June. Gerrard is the vocalist, best known as one half of Dead Can Dance, whilst De Francisci is renowned as a soundtrack composer, with both artists previously working together on soundtracks and their first album, Departum.

Photo byVaughan Stedman and M. De Francisci

Lightness. There is the overwhelming feeling of a supreme weightlessness, in a sea that is Gerrard’s vocals. Sweet and delightful, as they lead to the rush of music, which invades your senses, longingly and wistfully dreaming of days filled with sun and love. A mixture of the exotic and the innocence of a bygone era.

It is sublime when a singer can create art with their vocals, and Lisa Gerrard is no exception. Years of honing her craft, has lead to ability to evoke even the most dormant of memories and stir emotions. Marcello De Francisci has build a musical score around what Gerrard has given him, complimenting and caressing her singing style. No matter the distance, lover’s always find their way back, “Until We Meet Again“.

Home | LISA GERRARD

www.marcellodefrancisci.com

Lisa Gerrard | Facebook

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Vancouver’s Front Line Assembly, are an industrial institution in their own right. From the album, Mechanical Soul, which came out at the beginning of the year to much fanfare, comes the Black Asteroid remix of “Purge“, out on Metropolis Records.

There is the build up with these sludgy beats, which are bombastic, dragged along by the insistent electronics. Leeb’s vocals growl and echo eerily, adding to the claustrophobic ambience.

The original version is more subdued, with less emphasis on the big rhythm and more on the vocals, while the mix is something I could definitely see heating at a night club floor, with those nightmarish overtones. FLA are absolutely one of those bands that keep producing great music.

Purge (Black Asteroid Remix) | Front Line Assembly (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/frontlineassembly

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You might know of the project Krebs, but the Philadelphia based, Michael Haggerty, has shed this moniker, instead, using his own name to adorn the latest singles. “Into The Glow“, out on Machine Man Records, is the second single to be dropped from the soon to be released, Fire Behind The Paper Tree album.

There is something so utterly charming about the beginning of “Into The Glow“, with it’s low tones and smooth vocals. Though, this all changes with the introduction of a driving guitar. A myriad a of beautiful shards hits you all at once with the truly open and bleeding lyrics. The second backing track, “I Kinda Like It” is the kooky cousin, in an Addams Family weirdness, that all goths are known for and this tune plonks away in a darkly dazed happy joy way.

The single is really quite stunning and Haggerty could be the male, one man version of The Birthday Massacre, so I really could not recommend it more highly. I think it would take me a while to get tired of listening to “Into The Glow“, and that is the sign of a good track, especially when it coolly caresses your heart, instead of being a cyclone that rips it out. Plus, it is name your price on Bandcamp, so off you go….and you too can check out the very quirky photo there (I so wanted to use that instead!).

Into The Glow | Michael Haggerty (bandcamp.com)

Michael Haggerty | Facebook

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Berlin’s Vlimmer, has released the post-punk single, “Kronzeuge” (key witness) with backing track, a German lyric version of the Depeche Mode song, “It’s No Good“. Alexander Leonard Donat is Vlimmer and the man behind the BlackJack Illuminist Records label, releasing the single on June the 3rd.

There is a hint of early German post-punk, such as Die Artze, and “Kronzeuge” is melancholy with those deep bass lines and wistful electronics. Donat’s vocals play over the top and the harmonies between himself and the electronics is really breathtaking. The cover “It’s No Good“, is off kilter and has a slightly deranged air to it. Darker and more brooding than the original, though there is that fabulous synth line that has always been the underpin of this track, which you could never not have but given a new twist.

I am loving these clean vocals from Donat. It puts a whole new spin on the Vlimmer sound, I think bringing a new level of tenebrosity to the music. The cover version, though in German, I can still hear the English in my head which is an interesting thing and “Kronzeuge” is a wonderfully mournful and lugubrious track in an emotional wasteland, ready to suck you into Vlimmer’s fantastic world.

Kronzeuge b/w It’s No Good | Vlimmer | Blackjack Illuminist Records (bandcamp.com)

Vlimmer | Facebook

Blackjack Illuminist Records | Facebook

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Have you experienced High Castle Teleorkestra yet? If not then let me draw your attention to a good time. Signed to Art As Catharsis records, with members flung across the globe, who have been involved in many bands like Farmers Market, Mr Bungle and Estradasphere, and they are about to fling apon the world their new album, The Egg That Never Opened, on June the 17th. So, to whet one’s appetite for the onslaught, here is their first video single, “Mutual Hazard“.

There are classical overtones that rapidly breakdown into a cacophony of metal fused with amazing traditional folk music and drumming that only enhances this brilliant piece. And if that is not enough, there is also the wonderful satire video, as it incorporates the televisual component of the band, while the music spirals in it’s dervish whirlings. High Castle Teleorkestra, utterly bonkers and loving it.

Mutual Hazard | High Castle Teleorkestra (bandcamp.com)

High Castle Teleorkestra

High Castle Teleorkestra | Facebook

Art As Catharsis | Facebook

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British industrial artist, Matt Hart has released his latest single, “The Last Rave“, off the album, BELOW THE TERRA PT. 1., on the 3rd of June. To go along with the single, a music video was created from two live shows, recorded at the ElektroVox Music Festival and RESISTANZ Festival, showcasing the dynamic Hart wowing the audience.

It is a magnificent, pounding industrial track, about the human resistance to the alien machines that turn the planet cold and pursue the survivors deep into the ground. “The Last Rave” is a shout of defiance, that while humanity survives, there is hope and Hart growls his powerful message to those kicking beats. I invite you to “The Last Rave” and you might very well get sucked into Matt Hart’s cyber industrial world.

BELOW THE TERRA PT. 1 | MATT HART (bandcamp.com)

MATT HART | Facebook

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“Mondlicht” is German for moonlight and is also the title of the latest single from French goth/electronic act, Eleventh Fear. This is the second single, off the soon to be released album, by Ludovic Dhenry, the man behind Eleventh Fear, whose other projects have been Exponentia, Résonance magnétique and Zauber.

In true electronic style, “Mondlicht” is a mixture of insistent beats that merge with low synth tones, which stretch forth, while the vocals are whispered seductively in German. The rhythm lends itself to a near trance inducing dance beat.

I suppose this track is meant to convey a feeling of the dark, night and mystery, but for me, in the rhythms, it also speaks of strobe filled nights on the club floor, with other dancing, sweaty bodies. The lyrics tell of magic, crows and elves, as The Eleventh Fear whisper in your ear under the “Mondlicht“.

Mondlicht | Eleventh Fear (bandcamp.com)

Eleventh Fear | Facebook

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Elena Alice Fossi is best known as the fabulous lead woman for the long lasting, Italian project, KIRLIAN CAMERA. However, this talented musician is also about to release her fifth album, Mondernism, under the moniker SPECTRA*paris, but that happens in August…..so to whet your appetite, before the sumptuous feast, we have been given the single, “Devious” to get a taste.

There is a certain amount of trepidation as you first hear the first erroneous sounds before the breathy notes in the form of Fossi’s vocals and sensuously, they drape over the electronic noir that buzzes, like bees attracted to sweet nectar.  
 

I am not surprised that the video to accompany this track has a Hitchcockian flavour as the rhythm suggests mischief is afoot and that we might be involved in something that is not what it seems. There is a darkness in the music, offset by the light gracefulness of Fossi’s singing and yet there is something mesmerisingly seductive in those vocals, that once you are under her thrall, you might never leave. Elena Alice Fossi has given us a stunning single in the form of “Devious” and we await the next release from SPECTRA*paris with anticipation…. 

Modernism | SPECTRA*paris (bandcamp.com)

SPECTRA*paris (official) | Facebook