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For some of us, certain rules seem more like a suggestion such as cuddling bears or snogging large cats. This brings us to the new maxi single “Kissing Lions,” by Massachusetts band Ghost Painted Sky, a gothic trio consisting of David Strong, Lisa Wood and Michael Boudreau. The single heralds in the soon to be released second album titled Failure Blooms.

Sinuous post-punk guitars greet your ears. “Kissing Lions” has Wood’s vocals in a deep register, casting a mournful pall across the track that has its roots firmly planted in The Cure’s Pornography era. There is a claustrophobic quality, where the lyrics pour forth the lament of an existence based in humdrum.

There is a Effervescent Remix of the single and a brilliant B-side called “My Words Are Not My Own,” that is a complete change of direction as it is very much an electronic affair, and it is a magical thing to hear them fluidly change from guitar based, into synths.

“‘Kissing Lions’ describes those mostly vain attempts to seize on anything that creates a fleeting feeling of being alive for a moment amid relentless waves of the humdrum, doldrums, and failure, which so often end up being misguided and ultimately just creating a thicker mire even more strangling than the original situation one sought to escape… bad decisions that bite back and create further downward spirals.” – David Strong

This single and the new album have been mixed and mastered by William Faith, which is kind a mark of quality. Love, love the grittiness of the subject melded with the dark 80s post-punk sound. So the question is, do you take the safer, more mundane path of existence or do pucker up with the king of the jungle for the quick thrill and find yourself the favourite treat with the gooey centre?

Kissing Lions (maxi-single) | Ghost Painted Sky

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There is something a bit odd about the Australian gothic music scene. We have a knack for having local talent, that will go on to delight the rest of the world with their often unique sound, and yet, in their home country, are relatively unspoken about. I am talking in the league of Dead Can Dance, Subterfuge and the mighty Ikon. When lead singer, Michael Aliani, left Ikon, he went on to to found another band called Chiron, with fellow ex-Ikon member Dino Molinaro (electric bass), in Melbourne, anno domini 1997. Chiron are now a trio, joined by Ivan Bullock (electric guitar, electronics), for the latest album called A Dark Beauty.

PHOTO BY PETER CASAMENTO

The first track is the title track and title tracks are always a good indication what to expect from an album. There is a wonderful electronic heaviness between the programmed drums and synths, while the guitars are the release and permission to be above the almost ancient memories. Low whittering of the electronics, combined with the drumming and languid guitar, create a discernible eeriness in “Flesh and Blood.” The vocals echo through the chorus, and the emphasis being in the line ‘the end of twilight,’ a reference to the decay of both flesh and blood.

The single release off the album is “The Hunted,” which has the driving rhythm section that is not interested in slowing down. Aliani’s singing is punchy and breathy, like he fleeing something in the darkness, while the delicate guitar could possibly be the guiding light The final original track is “Oblivion” which guests the vocals of Yvette Winkler of Vaselyne. Do not mistake this as Chiron going out on a whisper, but rather it is definitely a post-punk, bass lead dance along the road to nigh, where the synths give the impression of infinite depth.

There are also four bonus re-mixes that includes a cinematic unreleased track called “Slipping Away – Mansfield Mourning,” that could be set on the misty Moors by Chiron. “Flesh and Blood” gets the treatment by Athens (Greece) based Paradox Obscur, Australians Imbibe, from Canberra, take on “A Dark Beauty,” and Melbourne’s SIRUS put their spin on “The Hunt.” All three of these bands are electronic based and this brings a different sound to each of the tracks.

There has been a revival in the Australian gothic scene, and it has been a joy seeing new bands bring their sound to the darkwave banquet, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that it is lovely hearing from the stalwarts. Chiron have the history behind them and brought to bear their bountiful talents, creating a rich and textured album in A Dark Beauty, where the title gives away the whole theme. Finding the light in the darkness that illuminates the exquisite symmetry of life and death, through haunting lyrics and melodies matched with the brilliant vitality of post-punk music. She is A Dark Beauty indeed…

A Dark Beauty | Chiron

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Ghost Reflections are a darkwave band from Turin, Italy, a duo of musicians who call themselves Murmur and Mir. 2026 has already been a busy year for them and September was the release for the latest single “Descending.”

The guitar is the first thing to grab your attention, dominating and sinewed, growing with the voracity of the track, fed by the deep vocals as they devolve into manic screaming. This is the “Descending,” between gothic horror and the pit of no return, where delicate synths are in stark contrast with the eldritch singing, and the guitar is the harbinger of doom.

Music | Ghost Reflections

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Nicole Fior-Greant is the solo artist behind the darkwave industrial project NICO AMARA, based in Basel, Switzerland. She is about to release her second album, PUNISHMENT MACHINERY, based off the tale of Dante’s Inferno, on October the 17th, however the first single from said album, has dropped at the end of September, called “Burn.”

PHOTO BY ZAK GREANT

The rhythm is juicy, thick and electronic. There is a programmed drone that builds in urgency, and the vocals balance out that inorganic element, however NICO AMARA has become a part of the machine, with cold and unrelenting spoken words that move industriously with those same beats.

One gets the notion that “Burn” is a commentary on how people watch the world through a lens where they feel they have no responsibility or basically the attitude ‘it’s not my fault.’ Thought provoking and catchy all at the same time, we have now stepped into the first level of the inferno with NICO AMARA.

Burn | NICO AMARA

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NICO AMARA

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In 2024, Oslo based darkwave band, Mayflower Madame released their third album Insight. At the time, Insight consisted of nine songs, however the band had actually recorded fourteen tracks, and now in 2026, Mayflower Madame have dropped the Deluxe Edition that now includes the extra five tracks.

It includes the possibly Echo and the Bunnymen inspired “In Hindsight,” which has the prominent deep bass lines and the lighter dreamy vocals. Or you could fixate on the incredibly moody and apprehension filled “Leave Everything Behind,” however, my pick is the last track, “Afterglow.” There is something overwhelmingly open in the sentiment of a love that there is no defence against, while the music pulls you in.

If Mayflower Madame tickled your fancy with the original release, then you should seek out the extra tracks, that you can now get in vinyl!…. and if you are a new initiate, then you have nothing to lose and a lot of lovely post-punk music to gain.

Insight (Deluxe Version) | Mayflower Madame

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Mayflower Madame – Insight

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If you have not heard of Silver SIrcus yet, then I would implore you to have a listen. The Meanjin/Brisbane based group is headed by the vocal magnificence of Lucinda Shaw (lead/backing vocals) and the ever so talented James Lees (drums, percussion, synths), the progenitors of Silver Sircus in 2008. The band is completed by Mark Angel (guitars), Terry Dixon (bass guitar, backing vocals), Ruth Gardner (guitars, backing vocals), James Halloran (piano, backing vocals) and Wayne Jennings (cello, backing vocals), and they have dropped their new EP, The Bones Of You.

The title track speaks of the past, and people in that past that have influenced where you are now, whether for good or bad. There is an eerie seductiveness in both the vocals and strings, and the arrangement is beautifully done, where every component is heard. No singing or instruments are lost in the mix, making the track sound classic and intimate, with a haunting piano that is enough to give one goose bumps.

The beginning of “Under Your Skin” feels like it is bubbling forth from your stomach, a mixture of tribalistic rhythm and Western drawling guitar, with the mistress of dark temptation, luring into her boudoir, making demons and spiders seem positively what you need in your brain right now. The disjointed piano from Halloran is a sharpness that could warn of danger or mental collapse, however Shaw’s singing eases all, dragging you under her spell yet again.

The Bones Of You, for myself, is a moody cabaret, where the participants have exposed their inner insecurities and cracked open their chests revelling bleeding, beating hearts. It is about finite span of this human coil, yet still finding beauty in that ultimate fragility, known as the human condition. As magical as the music is, there is no denying how electrifying the vocals of Shaw are, and she creates the theatre in each track. The cover photo Silver Sircus have chosen is such a great representation of the EP. A flower that looks as if it made of a skeleton, simultaneously looking both alien and fragile and yet alive. The end comes for everything, but that just should remind us to live and love for today, and The Bones Of You is a graceful expression of mortality.

The Bones Of You | Silver Sircus

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Gothenburg, Sweden is possibly one of the best named cities if you are in a darkwave band and admittedly the quality of music from this one place is quite extraordinary. From Gothenburg is Angels In Shade and this is the premier of the single “Out of Time,” on the label BLCK_FLWRS.

A driving dancefloor electronics beat out a sense of urgency, before joined by the lo-fi vocals. The synths are like a racing heartbeat, with rivulets of higher chords highlighting the dark. The lyrics are about how we are running short on time.

As humans, we live a finite life span, just as everything in the natural world, though with global warming, and ergo, increasing natural disasters, putting the Earth on a possible deadline. “Out Of Time” is a great darkwave track from Angels In Shade. Sure, they are a bit mysterious, but man they know how to touch us through the music.

Out Of Time | Angels In Shade

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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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Stars and the Underground

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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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