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Fancy a bit of deathrock bilge? Argh nothing like the accursed sound of those scurvy naves Sea Lungs, whom seem to flotsam and jetsam between Melbourne and Sydney. Those salty dogs, Jarrad Robertson and Andi Lennon, with a little bit of brass ball handling help from Dase Beard, are back with a new single, “Teignmouth Electron.”

Ah yes, you can feel the sea beneath you with the rolling guitars, as the drums crash against your senses. Black Sabbath want their guitar riffs back and it is possible to see in your mind’s eye, young Ozzy shaking his head in glee. Glam and rock collide, though this does not seem to deter Lennon from his demonic wittering, as he imbues the insanity of a captain who is all but lost to the watery deep with the “Teignmouth Electron.” The lads have also resurrected the track “Eel Pie,” giving the eels more teeth, filling it out with delicious ringing guitars, filling it up with the juicy waves of noise.

What is a “Teignmouth Electron,” one might ask, and the answer being, it was a trimaran sailing boat created for a race in 1968, and the one man crew that was David Crowhurst, seems to have completely lost his bottle during said race, and more than likely ended his life, for he was never seen again. The ship still exists, though now is a wreck on a beach, somewhere in the Caribbean Islands. “Teignmouth Electron” is yet again, something different from what the guys have so far presented us with, definitely heavier with that goth/glam seduction and the revamped version of “Eel Pie” is no poor cousin, easily holding its own even as a b-side. Join the crew and get yourself some Sea Lungs.

Teignmouth Electron | Sea Lungs (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/sealungs

http://linktr.ee/sealungs

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Hard to believe, but it has been five years since the release of Kill Shelter’s debut album Damage on the label Unknown Pleasures. So, December 1st will see the special limited edition of the reworked album, called Damage (V), where tracks that have the (V) have been re-recorded, whilst the others have been remastered by the man himself, Pete Burns at the Shelter Studio. Anyway, before we get to the album, the single “In Decay (V),” was dropped at the end of October, featuring Antipole and Delphine Coma. You may say, hey….. that was a single off the original Damage, and you are not wrong, however this is one of the (V) tracks and now it also has a video to go with it!

Ashe Ruppe is Delphine Coma and his deep, sonorous vocals seem to almost reverberate into the core of your being, as he brings to bear the desperation and disillusionment of those looking to escape across the waters. The delicate guitar strains are Antipole’s Karl Morten Dahl, and they fall like rivulets of drenching tears. All the while, Burns builds the dark and overbearing atmosphere with his driving bass.

You might wonder what the difference is between the original version and this one. For me, I am going to say that the vocals are more at the fore, that the guitar fills in more space, where as the original felt as if it there were voids to punctuate the music, and this new version is just going to take you for a sonic journey. But, more to the point, maybe you need to listen to both versions of “In Decay” in order to make your own mind up. “In Decay (V)” is just beautifully crafted post-punk, and I for one could not think of anyone better to perform it than Delphine Coma, Antipole and, of course, Kill Shelter.

Damage | Kill Shelter (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/killshelterofficial

Music | Antipole (bandcamp.com)

http://www.facebook.com/antipoleband

Music | Delphine Coma (bandcamp.com)

http://www.facebook.com/Delphine.Coma

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Multi-instrumentalist Rev. Billy Simmons, released back in June, his self titled debut album under the project name of Evidence Of A Struggle, and this is the premiere of the sixth and last single, “Seize.” There is a revolving list of musicians that play with Evidence Of A Struggle, creating the unique instrumental sound.

Photo by Jeremy Glickstein

Like some progressive, psychedelic lumbering monster, the track takes off. The guitars are what hit you the most, from those delivering the bass up to those that are plucked, keeping the pace and lightening the pensive mood against the ever building turgid backdrop.

Each of the singles has had a special animated video clip made by John Airo. There is a well of emotion just in one track, haunting in sound, where no words are needed. This is “Seize” by Evidence Of A Struggle.

Evidence of a Struggle | Evidence of a struggle (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/Evidence0fAStruggle

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From the late 70s, into the early 80s, KISS were at the height of their musical success, and well known for, at the time, the outrageous makeup and stage outfits. October is Halloween month, and Michigan based Coley Kennedy (voice, keyboards, electronic drums, songwriter), has released the single “Just Like Kiss (Halloween’83),” which is about dressing up as your favourite original KISS character, to go trick or treating. He is joined by Pete Javier (guitars, bass guitar), Hattie Blue Kennedy, (vocals) and Jude Kennedy (vocals).

The bass guitar is like the death nell of a church bell, while the rhythm plods along at an equally purposed pace. Coley Kennedy’s vocals utterly compliment the eerie atmosphere, like a dark memory of a nightmare that you might have had trouble waking up from. ‘Take your candy and run‘ because we can be “Just Like Kiss (Halloween ’83),”scaring old ladies with Coley Kennedy’s grave post-punk affair. Which KISS member will you be?

Just Like Kiss (Halloween ’83) | Coley Kennedy (bandcamp.com)

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Tyler Burgee, from Maryland, is a young man with a huge amount of talent, creating his own version of dark alt rock, crossed with trap. His EP, Leave The Line was an independent release in July, consisting of three tracks.

You can taste the darkwave rolling off the first track and single “Four Fools“, between the programmed drum machine and the understated guitar, that echoes in this shadow place. Burgee’s vocals then add to the swirling, almost shoegaze feel. Yearning for that which has passed or can never be, seems to be the theme of “First A wall, Then A Maze“. There is an all consuming melancholy imbuing this track, with the single finger key playing and strumming guitar. “Something I Did” has a heavy guitar dancing between vocals. The vocals almost sound garbled or distorted on purpose, giving them an eerie quality, like something is not right with the status quo.

Darkwave elements mixed with the more modern emo aesthetic, and flirting with shoegaze is how I might describe the EP. Tyler Burgee has a sound that is evolving with each track and you can hear the experimentation in Leave The Line.

Leave the Line | Tyler Burgee (bandcamp.com)

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tylerjburgee/

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They say Brisbane is a place out of time, and the Killtoys are a proud Meanjin band, back with their latest track “Another Realm,” as they serve up their concoction of heavy and dark on the rocks. This track is the second of a trilogy, where the first single, “Blind God,” introduces you to the story of a human corrupted….tainted by vampiric blood and his struggle as he falls from the world he knew.

The beginning is a simple guitar and vocals, where you start to hear the unnatural joy replacing horror, as a monster realises that he is no longer constrained by human law, which is when the track rushes forth on doom laden wings. The drums and electric guitar vie for dominance, while the vocals are unsettling in their intensity.

“Another Realm” follows the tale up with the fiend, taking up the mantel of Prince of Darkness, conceding that he has lost the vestiges of humanity. The vampire staring off into the bloody night for the cover art has been created by the talented duo of Obscure Medium, whom are also based in Brisbane, and create some really rad horror toys/dollies and art pieces for those with an eye for the grimly beautiful. The track contains unholy vampires, blood/power lust, plus guitar riffs and intense vocals that early Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath would have been proud of. What is there not to like about this track? Not a damn thing!

https://www.facebook.com/Killtoysband

https://www.instagram.com/killtoys_official/

https://m.soundcloud.com/killtoys/another-realm

https://www.facebook.com/obscuremediumart?mibextid=ZbWKwL

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I don’t think I can quite explain how much Glaswegian band, The Jesus And Mary Chain (JAMC), held me in awe, as a kid in the 80s, with drawling vocals and waves of guitar reverb filling your ears. Label, Fuzz Club Records, is poised to release the live album for JAMC, aptly named Sunset 666, on August the 4th, where all tracks were recorded at the Hollywood Palladium, in Los Angeles, in 2018. The single “Half Way To Crazy” has been dropped to give us a taste of what you can expect on the album.

Rightly so, the quality of the recording is actually beautiful and clear. William Reid’s Gibson guitar transports us away, together with his brother, Jim Reid’s distinctive vocals, reminding is of what a magical powerhouse JAMC have always been.

“Half Way To Crazy” was originally released on the 1989 album Automatic, and the new Sunset 666, has all up, a whopping seventeen tracks, including “Blues From A Gun“, “Just Like Honey“, “Teenage Lust“, “Some Candy Talking” and “Head On“. Apparently, the recording isn’t a mirror, with occasional wrong notes, and imperfect timing, but that’s the point of live music, because it is alive at that very moment of time, and it has been captured in all its raw brilliance. As far as sonic rock music goes, The Jesus And Mary Chain have been responsible for creating songs that you feel in your gut, but also hugely influenced other musicians to push the rock envelope. This is bliss.

https://thejesusandmarychain.bandcamp.com/album/sunset-666

https://www.facebook.com/JesusAndMaryChain

https://themarychain.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jesusandmarychain/?hl=en

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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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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.

https://www.facebook.com/dietiredband?mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://dietiredband.com/

https://www.instagram.com/die.tired/

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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)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087557420130&mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://www.givetake.life/

https://www.facebook.com/givetakelife?mibextid=ZbWKwL