The album Crystalline was released in 2023 and spawned the intensely rich single “Bleached,” via the Norwegian and British collaboration of Antipole & ParisAlexander. US based musician, Mareux has taken “Bleached” and given it a 2024 remix treatment.
MAREUX AND ANTIPOLE
The low rumble of electronics perfectly showcases Alexander’s ghost in the machine style whispered vocals. The synths and programmed rhythms, sinuous in their way above the oppressive fuzzed undertones.
There is an unease created with the mechanised mix by AryanAshtiani (Mareux), that slowly ignites and bristles with smouldering intent, building on a track that already dripped in sensual tension. “Bleached” remixed by Mareux just proves what great songsmiths Antipole&ParisAlexander are.
Label NegativeGain has dropped the newest single “NecessityMeal” from Florida’s darkwave based AstariNite, a follow up to their previous Thin White Duke inspired track, “BowieInDaydream.”
From the beginning, there is an air of tension, set by the stressed and wavering synths, matched by the keening guitar. The vocals tell a tale about not living up to expectations, having fears and even needing drugs in order to appear perfect. Those vocals lilt and melt over you with dark intent, while the drums power on.
On first listen, the track feels off kilter, a loss of control is conveyed, and yet it is this state of honest disclosure that truly brings “NecessityMeal” into focus. It is the seeing beauty in what is not perfect, because in the end, perfection will never fuel creativity. If Bowie had been a goth, I can imagine he might have sounded like AstariNite.
If you had a friend such as Irish actor and wordsmith, BenKeaton, it would be a no brainer to collaborate on a track, and this is exactly what LunarPaths have done with the latest single, “New.”
Keaton has written the spoken word poem that tells a story about a relationship where one promised change that could lead to a better life, yet they failed, falling back into bad habits and violence. The rhythm laid down by Hunter lends itself to a trap feel, while Dubois had looped and extruded shoegaze guitars and clever synths.
The track slow burns, doused in regrets of a life waiting with disappointment over and over again, just like echoes within the music, heightened by the Julie Cruize (Twin Peaks) inspired floating vocals of Dubois. This is in juxtaposition with the very matter-of-fact style of Keaton where there is no candy coating. A reflection of a tale as old as when humans formed relationships, beautifully executed while picking at your heart strings, and as they say, something olde, something “New.”
When you mention a video with floating Margret Thatcher heads in it… well, that just piques my curiosity. Bite Marcus is an independent musician from Manchester, and his single “Society! (There’s No Such Thing),” is the third, just before the release of the debut album, Amalgamation.
There is something delicate about the electronics and programmed rhythms in “Society! (There’s No Such Thing),” which leaves you focused on the smoothly executed vocals. An exercise at dissecting the current British politics, where the ruling party seem to have forgotten the people they are meant to be working for.Â
The bonus track is a demo called “G O D ! (Is A They/Them),” a clever hybrid of two other tracks, ie LadyGaGa’s “G.U.Y” and Whitey’s “G.I.R.L.” It is subtle and wonderfully dark, and for a demo it feels very complete.
This is something that is very close to my heart…. music with something to say. The commentary condemns the Tories for their seeking status and making money out of those who need the most protection. “Society! (There’s No Such Thing),” is a call to notice the injustice and recognise the treachery, served to you via a post-punk track that hits all the sweet spots. All there is left to say is BiteMarcus before Marcus bites you.Â
Maybe our existence is really in the matrix and we are an illusion in the memory banks of a computer, and just maybe those awful relationships and people could be reduced to “JUNKFILE” fodder. Italian band, HORRORFORBREAKFAST are Lily B. and Louis M., who have been creating music together under this moniker since 2023, and “JUNKFILE” is their second single.
The sounds of pouring rain and winds, brings forth the images of a bleak and grey day, compounded by the initial lone chimes. In creeps the synths, which take on the tune, building the anticipation, especially when the guitar joins in. The vocals beckon you to your doom by deletion because you don’t fit the normal programme.
It is kind of like toned down versions of LacunaCoil meets Garbage, a catchy and sexy track that could have people swaying on the dance floor. So if alt+control+delete isn’t working for you, then you can hit “JUNKFILE” by HORRORFORBREAKFAST.
It is probably fitting that the birth of a gothic track starts with a nightmare, and so this is how the LunarPaths‘ track “Halo,” came into being. Drummer KevinHunter awoke from his sleep and proceeded to record the rhythm section before handing it onto his musical partner in crime, DianeDubois, to add the extra magic.
The drum lines that the track are based on, are at the fore, with Dubois bringing to life this phantasm with the disturbing echoing synths and her breathy vocals haunting the very air, thick with disquiet. A song about those friends who are only there when they need something from you and are in the habit of asking until you bleed dry.
I have said this before, but Dubois‘ vocals are eerily reminiscent of SiouxsieSioux and the experimental quality often leave me feeling that this is what TheCreatures could have sounded like if they had pursued that creative well. Hunter’s rhythms are the foundation and beautifully move the track along. LunarPaths might just be dark angels, especially with a perfect track like “Halo.”
January 25th saw the drop of the new single, “Impetus,” by Portland, Oregon trio CeremonyShadows. Timo (synths/programming), Anastasia (vocals), and Jakub (vocals) describe their sound as ritual darkwave and the mastering engineered by AdamStilson.
The first chiming notes, instantly had my attention, as it reminded me a lot of TheDanseSociety’s “HeavenIsWaiting,” thought this is never a bad thing, and the seductive female vocals curl in, followed by the deeper tones of the second vocalist, like the duality of darkness and light.
It is a sensual slow burn that gets under your skin. You can also go check out the two remixes, a club mix by Stilson and another by vyger, for this track, and “Impetus” is a taste of the soon to be unleashed new album for those craving more dark electro goodness that is CeremonyShadows.
Just before Christmas, the single “SilentCrowd– Meeting in the Dark Variant” was released by HemlockforSocrates, who hail from Pittsburgh, USA. The band consists of members HeatherShore and KeganHeiss, who describe their sound like the ‘sci-fi / fantasy section at the used book store’.
I am not sure which is more delightful…. those elegantly entwined synth lines with guitar or the lilting, emotive vocals from Shore that ring so true. The music encompasses bleating electronic and bell like tones, creating not only that science fiction feel but underlying there is something much older, haunting the shadows.
A tale of the silent crowd, as they travel arduous and dangerous paths, to meet in those dark enclaves, because in the end, it is about finding your own kind. It is a reworked version of this song, which appeared on the last album, and the “Silent Crowd –Meeting in the Dark Variant” by Hemlock for Socrates is a lovely darkwave track with lyrics and vocals that bring forth a rich tapestry of imagery.
Leeds goth rock band, ZeitgeistZero, released their debut self titled album back in 2005, and since then have dropped albums very regularly. 2023 brought forth the current offering of Meddling With The Forces for this trio on the label Bat-Core. Mixing was conducted by CorinZero and StevenWhitfield (TheCure), while the mastering is by TimHay at AutumnGiantMastering and the whole shebang recorded at InnerSanctumStudios.
There is something quite delightful in the slightly chaotic disjointedness of “NightPeople,” as it is almost teeters on industrial ground both musically and for repressed aggression. Those children of the night is what we are all about. Continuing on the harsher side of electronics, the beginning of “Scream” greets your ears with grating noise, before rocking you with the outbursts of guitar and lulls of anticipation. The single “ToxicTwist” is designed to whip you up with its punk attitude and play between synths and guitar, about a relationship with a less than desirable toxic human. “PlasticDiamonds” look flashy but are worth nothing and the same can be said for people who act like fake jewels, where not everything that glitters is worthy, unlike this song. Final track is the lower, slower and heavier “TheUnwantedOne,” that smacks slightly of ConcreteBlonde.
ZeitgeistZero might be MeddlingWithTheForces, but you know this is not the first time they have travelled this gothic road. They are accomplished musicians with a back catalogue that I would highly suggest you check out. The album is full of ghoulish delights, whether they be musical textures or supernatural subjects. Witches, monsters and goths…oh my.
1990 was the year the iconic album, The Good Son, was released by Nick Cave andthe Bad Seeds. It spawned several singles, which included the slow burn wonder that was “The Ship Song.” 2023, and Lunar Paths has taken this classic track and given it their experimental, electronic sheen.
Walking in Cave’s deep, sonorous vocal footprints is no easy task, but female lead singer, DianeDubois, pulls it off with great aplomb. The synths in the background are a constant, swelling and dropping, voluptuous in their role and the live drums of KevinHunter are an excellent accompaniment.
“The Ship Song” has always been a rich track, which is why it has been covered by quite a few bands…. mellow and smooth with an incandescent dark beauty that has been brought to the fore in this latest version by LunarPaths.
Onyx Music Reviews 