It is always lovely to hear the guitar artistry of KarlMortenDahl, aka Antipole, and he has joined forces with German based DeusExLumina, the darkwave project of GonzaloSchwindt, for the single “Destroy.”
Dahl’s guitar is ghostly and ephemeral, a presence in the background and melding into synths which glimmer star like from the murky memories that are uttered on the lips of Schwindt. The vocals weighted, sonorously deep and smooth as liquid black velvet.
It is undeniable that there is an 80s electronic, almost coldwave electronics sound to “Destroy.” There is a gentle fragility within the music though the lyrics more than hint to some sort of violence. “Destroy” is a beautiful act of dancefloor tragedy by DeusExLumina & Antipole.
Who do you believe and what can you trust? Wars popping up around the world and now the revamped hostilities in the Gaza Strip…. you have to ask, when does the killing stop? Dystopiarch is the new project for MatthewMcIntosh, whom you might know from ACloudOfRavens, and the debut single is “LikeHell.” The proceeds of the single will be donated to civilian victims of the Middle East conflict through International Rescue Committee.
From the opening speeding rhythm, combined with the pulsating synths, are simply attention grabbing. McIntosh’s vocals are strained and at times breathy, compelling you you to listen to the lyrics, which are about modern living, where we have lost contact with the natural world, preferring so see perfection on a screen, and just let the Earth burn. A literal hell.
There is a wonderful juxtaposition between bright and dark synths, the driving rhythm that thumps along and those rather Imperative vocals, that make up “LikeHell.” The style of music invokes thoughts of cyber-industrial with post-punk leanings, due to the electronics that play against each other, creating both feelings of claustrophobia and euphoria. It is catchy, thought provoking and proceeds are for a great cause. Those alone are great reasons for people to get behind this Dystopiarch track, for life is not meant to be “LikeHell.”
Hard to believe, but it has been five years since the release of KillShelter’s debut album Damage on the label UnknownPleasures. 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, PeteBurns at the ShelterStudio. Anyway, before we get to the album, the single “InDecay(V),” was dropped at the end of October, featuring Antipole and DelphineComa. 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!
AsheRuppe is DelphineComa 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’sKarlMortenDahl, 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. “InDecay (V)” is just beautifully crafted post-punk, and I for one could not think of anyone better to perform it than DelphineComa, Antipole and, of course, KillShelter.
Drawing a spotlight onto music that might have gone under your radar is something we relish at Onyx. So, if you haven’t heard the EP Intimacy from France’s DistanceH, then we are here to tell you that you might just be missing out. ManuH is a producer and man behind the darkwave/post-punk project and he invites different female vocalists to write the lyrics that they then perform for their track. Intimacy is the debut EP release for DistanceH, that came out in January of 2023.
There are two tracks featuring BlueSaigon’s delightful vocalist, Ophelia. The sassy single “Bitch16” with it’s pealing guitar work, and the dark, dirge like wonder that is the last track “LeadenSkies.” Ophelia goes from oozing seduction, to an emotional outpouring so pure and haunting.
“Waters Of Woe” is another single that features the vocal talents of Marita Volodina. It both surges and spirals down with the guitar, powerful and evocative with Volodina stirring those pools of sadness.
LisetAlea makes up the triumvirate with the ultra smooth ode to lover’s promises “TimeToRush,” that lilts and caresses your ears. The last track is “Twilight” and it is glorious both with it’s female vocals and musically with the effusive shoegaze ephemera.
I have to say that it is rather brilliant concept to collaborate with female vocalists, because not only is there some damn fine singing, but also the lyrics are written by them and are therefor so much more pertinent and poignant, giving the listener a glimpse into fragments of fragility, passion, longing, sadness and a core iron inner strength that runs throughout. ManuH (guitar, synths), is the music mastermind creating swirling, jangly accompaniments, however the icing is the fact that he even has women leading the way on drums and bass, this being AmélieG and ZoéH respectively. There is a lot of reverence in Intimacy, and maybe this is because ManuH, and in turn DistanceH listen to the feminine heart.
You might say Witches Falls could be one of the most coolest names a place could be called and indeed it is a real locale, situated on Tamborine Mountain, in Australia. Gold Coast based ChiffonMagnifique, brain child of JedAWalters, have sprung forth a darkwave single, also named “WitchesFalls,” with an equally creepy video set in said area.
Echoing and ringing post-punk guitar on this track is really beautiful, setting the swirling tone, that sweeps you along for the ride. Walter’s vocals, deep and longing, beseech you for understanding, for one that finds the modern world, at times, so overwhelming, they need to retreat to the calm that is the quiet arms of the natural world. The video conveys the self doubt in a mind clouded in a tormented perception that they are forever alone and unwanted. The house full of curios, changes to the city (Vinnies’ Dive Bar), before a furious night drive to the Falls, and their majestic ancient rain forest, in which the “WitchesFalls” resides.
What could possibly top this great track? Maybe the knowledge that in 2024, we can expect the debut album named Anxietika, which, with all the current singles, you know is going to be punching well above its weight with all the gothic goodness Walters puts into his music. The man is seriously talented and very heavily involved in the dark alternative scene in South-East Queensland and I cannot stress enough to watch this space because ChiffonMagnifique are just starting to hit their straps, so find your way to “WitchesFalls.”
Scenius are a dark synthpop duo, hailing from Leeds in the UK. Composed of UK producer SteveWhitfield (The Cure, TheMission) and French singer FabriceNau, they released their album LifeIs A Thing, back in May but we are going to touch upon the single off the album, “ChineseRoom.”
There is a simplicity to the track that makes it entrancing, almost dream like. The sound of electronics harken back to late 70s and early 80s acts like JohnFoxx, GaryNuman and German pioneers, Kaftwerk. Nau’s vocals are seductive and unhurried, with that French accent only enhancing the cool of track.
Together with the video for the single, I do feel “ChineseRoom” is a reference to heroin. The video is a party slowed down, where those participating in the drug use are only existing in the moment and Chinese rock is a euphemism for heroin, a la the Ramones single “ChineseRock.” I do love the throwback nod to past electronica heroes, but they have a distinct modern touch all over this track. You should listen to the “ChineseRoom,” but be warned, you may become addicted to Scenius.
PeakFlow are a darkwave duo from York in the UK, and their debut single “RunningToYou” was released in June, but who are we to hold back on a great track?! Not I. James and Jools have said they draw inspiration from post-punk icons such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure, and Jesus and Mary Chain.
From the beginning keyboard notes, this track promises to become stuck in your head, especially when it comes to the chorus. The vocals are clean and light in comparison to the wonderfully heavy bass. The storyline is from the perspective of two people, where one is still in love and the other no longer feels any empathy for their lover. Honestly, this is such a catchy tune and should really be something that graces the dancefloor with other songs such as JoyDivision’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”. Just saying, if people give PeakFlow a chance, then “Running To You” might become a classic.
September was a big month for some really good electronic music and Sweden’s Hatif, most certainly delivers some quality releases, which leads us to the new single “Heredity.” Under license to the label Town&TowersRecords, the duo of MarkusMajdalani and JohanEckerström, seems to not currently have an album attached to this new track.
Photo by Daniel Kwon
The electronic clicks take up a flamenco style rhythm and Majdalani‘s singing is smooth and entrancing, then it kicks up an extra notch of cool with the harmonising. The synths move from light to dramatic keeping you on the edge of your seat, while the programming spasmodically still clicks and whirrs.
I’m going to be a bit cheeky and say Hatif could be channelling the spirit of another classic Swedish band Covenant, and that is not a bad thing with the harmonies and building electronic textures. Hatif have said their music is easy to listen to, and I have to say I completely agree with them. “Heredity” is part of the growing legacy that Hatif are putting down.
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 ColeyKennedy (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 PeteJavier (guitars, bass guitar), HattieBlueKennedy, (vocals) and JudeKennedy (vocals).
The bass guitar is like the death nell of a church bell, while the rhythm plods along at an equally purposed pace. ColeyKennedy’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 ColeyKennedy’s grave post-punk affair. Which KISS member will you be?
The latest single from RobotsInLove is here, with a video included, for the track “GossipInYourHead.” Ex-pat Aussie, ElenorRaynor, who is based in Ōtepoti (Dunedin), is the driving force behind the project, and the other current members are Alex Burchell on drums, guitarist Pierre Higbee and bassist Tony Lumsden.
“This year, friends The Sound Key played me some of their music and I was particularly enthralled by a song called ‘Gossip in Your Head’, and so it was recorded in the Robots In Love studio with Pierre Higbee on guitars and Alex Burchell on drums. Alex then produced a remix which was even more atmospheric than the original recording, emphasising the haunting vocal harmonies. The depth of emotion in the remix captivated everyone who heard it, and so it became the A-side of the single release: a masterpiece of beautiful dark pop.” – ElenorRayner
The gossamer tendrils of this song are hauntingly beautiful and are only enhanced by Rayner’s delicately phenomenal vocals. The words are weighted by melancholy, as the speaker seems to have an internal discussion, torn by the voices that feed self doubt, plucking at mental health. I love there is such a simplicity to the music that showcases the play between the vocals and guitars. Robots In Love have most definitely brought out the darkness in “Gossip In Your Head,” and it is a jewel of a track.
