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A new industrial project has hit the scene, with the debut single, “Pews In A Panic“. They are called The Royal Ritual, a solo act featuring the talented David Lawrie. Fans of London After Midnight might recognise his name from being a live tour member, however Lawrie also works as a sound designer for films as well as being a composer/producer in his own right.

DAVID LAWRIE- THE ROYAL RITUAL

From the beginning of the single, the beats are harsh and ring clean, insistent for your attention. Commercial religion is the focus, with its constant demands for money and blind obedience, using and abusing followers until there is nothing left because in the end everything belongs to you, but you belong to me. “Pews In A Panic” is just a really great industrial song that has something to say. The b-side is a cover of fellow Brit and singer/composer Phildel’s “Glide Dog“, that originally was released in 2019, This so different musically to “Pews In A Panic” and yet there is this tone of something brutal under the seemingly smooth surface. Lawrie gives “Glide Dog” the electronic cool treatment and it slips along giving one the feeling you shouldn’t dwell on what lays beneath the surface.

It is really amazing when you listen to “Pews In A Pandemic” and every time you heard a new or unusual sound that isn’t necessarily a traditional electronic one. More than likely and due to his profession, Laurie has more than a passing interest in incorporating left of field recordings to accentuate his music. This creativity only points to the looming album being anticipated as a corker and we are looking forward to hearing more of The Royal Ritual.

https://theroyalritual.bandcamp.com/releases

https://www.facebook.com/theroyalritualmusic/

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The latest single from the Boston lads, Cristian Carver and Johnny E. Veil, aka MAN1K1N, hit us on October the first. Cryptically named “Don’t Let Me Try” is their attempt to put into words and music how the pandemic has affected them and others, both mentally and personally.

‘The heavy solitude of this past year during quarantine was a poignant influence in the moment this song exists in. Too often, suicidal ideation is regarded as a trope. But the anguish felt in those private moments is threatening and devastatingly lonely.‘

From the start, the music has a weight to it, oppressive and even a little bitter-sweet. The desperation is in the groaned and growled out lyrics, as the synths swirl and pulsate in a menacing manner. The lyrics speak to the frustration and a hollowness of the drudgery that life has become, taking a toll of one’s mental health.

Definitely a powerful piece that builds and diminishes just as waves of hope and despair do. The anguish in Veil’s voice is palpable and Carter’s rhythms mix so well with the searing electronics. Interestingly, Tom Baker was brought in to master engineer this single and for those in the know, Baker has been involved with mastering Nine Inch Nail’s Downward Spiral and Ministry’s Psalm 69. Having this craftsman onboard has lifted the number and given it extra polish, so you should have a listen to “Don’t Let Me Try” by MAN1K1N.

https://man1k1n.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MAN1K1N/

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Based in Calgary, Eva X is soon to be be dropping the newest album titled I Dream Of A Reality, but before that happens, she is giving us a taste with the single “Machine“, released in September. Added bonus is the remix done by Erik Gustafson who is best known for Grendel and Adoration Destroy.

EVA X

Would you change yourself to fit a style, become someone else to suit a trend, a part of the machine to suit the views of others through make up or even surgery? Eva X asks if this would make them happy but more to the point, would she be happy in this fantasy world that can’t last. The music has a very futuristic feel with Eva X’s vocals ringing over all, at times plaintive and at other times playful. The remix by Gustafson has these sparkling synths that highlight the track even further and guitars that push the music into a stellar realm.

It’s a good song and the Grendel remix really compliments Eva’s singing. I could definitely see this doing well on dance floors and live gigs, with people bouncing all over the place. Maybe that is the beauty of being in the alternative scene, you do as you please for yourself because not fitting in, is fitting in. Don’t become a part of the “Machine“.

https://eva-x.bandcamp.com/album/machine

https://www.facebook.com/evaxband

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SpankTheNun have definitely been blazing a trail through the industrial scene. Texan, Eric Hanes has been rather prolific not only with his own recordings but also becoming rather well known for his great remixes. His latest single, “Off Beatings“, features Claus Larsen of legendary Leæther Strip/Klutæ fame, on vocals. This is paired with remixes done by 5 very different industrial acts.

There isn’t any one original version as all five are a remix which doesn’t happen all that often. The first mix is by Mirland also known as John R. Mirland, who is involved in other projects like Mirland/Larsen, Negant and Eisenwolf but to name a few. His remix is raw and the bleak imagery just adds to the overall impact with the Danish Mirland bringing the fuzzy/crunchy beats that the Europeans do so well.

The second mix is by Florida based Batávia, It definitely has a big 90s feel, with wonderful twiddly bits all throughout, such as the computer game sounding keyboards. Ed and Terri Cripps have left their prints on this version and speaking of noticeable style, the third mix is by Brisbane act, HOSTILE ARCHITECT. You are always guaranteed huge industrial beats with Mitch Kenny, as it pounds it’s way into your head.

Calgary’s Eva X has the fourth remix which is a more somber and dark affair, claustrophobic and dense. The final remix is by Rebel Empire which has that great Mexican, high energy synth/electro sound and I’m not just talking the counting in Spanish.Throughout all these mixes, Claus Larsen snarls at us. The voice of reason against a world where patriotism overrides human feelings and body bags pile up as most turn a blind eye in the name of not rocking the boat, the false ideology. A great mix of styles to please most industrial fans and a testament to SpankTheNun’s music to be reinterpreted. This is “Off Beatings” and we annticipate the soon to be released album, Bunker Tapes Vol 2.

https://spankthenun.bandcamp.com/album/off-beatings-2

(6) spankthenun | Facebook

http://www.spankthenun.com/

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What do you get when a radio anchorman, a neurosurgeon and a philosopher create a band? ¡-PAHL-! Based in Leipzig, Germany, Peter Hardlab (vocals), Leo von Leibnitz (lyrics & production) and Olaf Parusel (composition), came together in 2016 to ruminate over the questions of life, the universe and industrial pop.

The crunchy, bleak electronics and synths build a soundscape, of what feels like a vast area of encroaching darkness, with Hardlab’s vocals breaking that vastness, accompanied by the lonely playing of a piano with one finger. That is until the music builds in emotion, swelling before the inevitable end.

!-PAHL-!

Telos is a term coined by Greek philosopher, Aristotle, in regards to the full potential or purpose of a person. With this in mind, Hardlab asks Who am I? Am I who? Why am I?. This is the thinking man’s electro/industrial. Thoughtfully written and beautifully executed with those deep, smooth vocals that suit this so well. If you are searching for Mein Telos (my Telos), then look no longer and immerse yourself in ¡-PAHL-!

https://pahl.bandcamp.com/releases

https://www.facebook.com/soundofpahl/

http://pahl.de.com/

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September the 24th saw the release of Brisbane band, Daylight Ghosts, latest single, “In The Glow“. This neo-folk group is made up of two members, Adam Dawe (vocals/lyrics) and Karl O’Shea (acoustic guitar/keyboards/arrangement) and was given life in 2019. Since then, they have brought forth two previous singles and are looking towards the release of the EP, also named In The Glow.

DAYLIGHT GHOSTS

The drum machine hold the constant beat, the acoustic guitar winds it’s way around Dawe’s vocals. A melancholy about that they cannot live with nor without. ‘Lyrically In The Glow is a song about addiction disguised as the creative process disguised as addiction. Erase. Start over. Erase‘, wrote Dawe. There is an insistent piano line in the chorus and synths that gently aid in the heightened emotions.

There is a lot passion and heart in this piece. O’Shea plays the guitar beautifully and Dawe never lets the lament break the smooth and clean vocals. Gothic tinged electro/neo-folk is probably my best description of Daylight Ghosts. They literally are like a blue flame in the dusk hours, illuminating the shadows into stories to be sung. Discover Daylight Ghosts and their eerily alluring “Into The Glow“.

https://daylightghosts.bandcamp.com/track/in-the-glow

https://www.facebook.com/daylightghostsmusic

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Brisbane’s Dirt Factory released a new single in August called “Crash Landing” and we are here to let you know it’s of the little green men kind. This is the first single from the soon to be released, third album from brothers Daniel Allen and Michael Gillman who reside in Melbourne and Brisbane respectively.

DIRT FACTORY

You will be regaled by the story of making first contact as the beat pushes you along with a sense of urgency. It is raw and metallic, grating your nerves as you know that they are out there waiting for you. Apart from the person telling his story of a conspiracy to hide that aliens are here, there are really no other vocals to accompany, just the sound of Allen screaming into the void.

There are remixes from proponents of the thriving Brisbane industrial scene. Failed Assimilation guitarist, Cameron Rees gives us a explosive, metal coated version. There is the laid back, laconic remix by Cosmos Synthetics which will take you to a different state of mind. Nyteshade is Roger Menso, a mastering genius and member of the infamous Dogmachine and he brings us an almost experimental feel to “Crash Landing“, keeping us off balance with the changing beats. Exocult is Daniel Allen’s new solo project and also signed to Viral Records. His version has an 80s feel to it with a heavy guitar creeping up from behind.

Suddenly there is a shift in momentum with the HOSTILE ARCHITECT remix heading in a far more dance oriented direction. H.A.’s Mitch Kenny is a man who can do no wrong currently and this is a really glorious remix. Next is the newest band on the block but don’t let that fool you as members are not new to the scene. This is RAZRWHIP with their dream like offering, though this dream is more like a drug induced fantasy. The synth lines from Jethro Hilliard are sublime. Last is not the least. Vargil is the talented Camilla Astrid Strand and her take on this piece is a science fiction techno myriad. It pulsates and is simply joyous.

There is literally something different on every track which means there is going to be something to tickle the tastebubs of everyone that enjoys this genre and is a showcase of local talent. So if this is the “Crash Landing“, can’t wait for the invasion.

https://dirtfactory.bandcamp.com/album/crash-landing-single

https://www.facebook.com/FactoryOfDirt/

https://dirtfactory.wixsite.com/mysite

https://www.facebook.com/viralrecordsau/

https://viralrecords.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/cosmossyntheticsofficial/

https://www.facebook.com/nyteshaydepdm/

https://www.facebook.com/ExoKult/

https://www.facebook.com/HosArchitect

https://www.facebook.com/Razrwhip/

https://www.facebook.com/vargilar

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If you are old enough to remember the gothic rock revival of the early 90s, you would most definitely remember the English band Nosferatu. The original founder, Vlad Janicek, has been fairly quiet since Nosferatu imploded on tour, though recently reformed as The Nosferatu and also a new band called Vampyrëan. A debut single was released on the 27th of August 2021 called “The Hunger” which heralds a soon to be released album of the same name on the 29th of September.

VLAD JANICEK – VAMPYRËAN

From the first guitar notes, this is definitely a flashback to the goth rock sound of yore. It is rings clear and true, a guitar sound we associate with The Mission’s Wayne Hussey. Janicek has taken on the role of lead vocalist and as the vampire protagonist. We will let the cat out of the bag and say he has the hunger… the hunger for the love of a sexy human victim and their life blood. The piano line wends through adding a delightful and winsome air.

Frilly, costume goths and those who have fond memories of 90s are going to love this. Drama, vampires, velvet, romance and a danceable beat which will more than likely also introduce Janicek to a new set of fans as well. If you have “The Hunger” then you might need some Vampyrëan.

https://vampyrean.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/vampyreanofficial/

http://vampyrean.com/

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Auger have been going from strength to strength since they hit the scene in the UK in 2017. With three albums under their belts, previously signed to the Dark Tunes label and a dedicated fan base, Kyle Wilson (vocals, keyboard, programming) and Kieran Thornton (guitar, backing vocals) have come a long way. August saw the release in a new single, “Sound Of The Machine” on The Big Chair label.

KIERAN THORNTON & KYLE WILSON – AUGER

The beginning is a little depressing in its ambience though there sparks of electronics that hint at this being a set up for the chorus. The guitar amps up and synths chime in, with the use of vocal distortion. This is the rally, the cry to arms because if it can happen to me it can happen to you. They ask for a rope to pull them out from the dire onslaught of the machine.

It’s a catchy chorus and Wilson has a great voice for it, smooth, deep and even on occasion a bit menacing. The Big Chair label is a new, independent record label created by the lads themselves and this can only be a good thing for dark music scene. This is the “Sound Of The Machine” that is Auger and it can be found on Bandcamp so make sure to have a listen.

https://augerofficial.bandcamp.com/track/sound-of-the-machine

https://www.facebook.com/AugerOfficial

Home

https://www.facebook.com/bigchairmusic/

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Toronto based, post punk duo, TRAITRS, only just released back in July the EP, The Sick, Tired And Ill, and now have a full album to unleashed on fans in November called, Horses In The Abattoir. August sees the first single, “Oh, Ballerina“, off the new album, a sample of what is to come. Sean-Patrick Nolan and Shawn Tucker are the fellows behind TRAITRS, with the former on synths, piano, programming, sequencing and the latter with vocals, lyrics, guitar, bass.

TRAITRS

The lyrics on their own are a little creepy and this may have lent itself to the grim and horror like video that accompanies it. It is all summed up in one line, I need to know you are scared. From the dirge piano at the start and lonely vocals from the void, build the atmosphere. It takes off, doesn’t look back with a life of its own, as the keyboard cries and the guitar accompanies it.

Released on the label Freakwave Records, TRAITRS can be found on platforms, such as Spotify. “Oh, Ballerina” might be spooky but that’s the appeal of darkwave/gothic that you can have high energy beats with fresh synths and it will still be macabre and enthralling. The video is slick and beautifully made just as the music is, so check it out before the album gets here.

https://traitrs.bandcamp.com/music

https://www.facebook.com/traitrs

https://www.facebook.com/freakwaverecords/

http://freak-wave.com/

https://open.spotify.com/album/6CTvfaa0I6B5VpzFNJ4Dgu