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Portland based Mercury’s Antennae are back after a break with a new single,  “The Reflecting Skin,” which has been released on the Sett Records label and mixed by William Faith (Faith & the Muse/Bellwether Syndicate). Multi-instrumentalist, Erick r. Scheid of The Palace of Tears, vocalist Dru Allen and bassist Cindy Coulter, who are both from This Ascension, make up Mercury’s Antennae and an interesting tid bit you might not know is that Coulter and Faith are siblings, and Coulter was a live member of Faith & The Muse.

“This track has quite a storied history! I originally came up with the primary bass part back when I was in This Ascension with Dru in the mid 1990s! I presented it to the band, I jammed it out with our drummer Matt and Dru a number of times, but it was one of those ideas that just never took flight. It got shelved for decades, but I always felt like maybe it would find a home somewhere. Erick was very energized by the part and was like “we need to make this a song!” I didn’t have a chorus written, so we collabe’d on that, Dru added her wonderful lyrics and voice, and it all came together very nicely”. – Cindy Coulter

Allen’s voice has matured, and, to my ears become more powerful and evocative. Now that guitar, which happens to be a twelve string… it is sinuous and writhes in a glorious way, and yet it smoothly entwine with the synths, creating an echoing, dark ambience that feels timeless. This is a track that has waited until now to emerge, and maybe this was fortuitous, as it has received the sparkling Faith workover, and “The Reflecting Skin” is now a gothic gem by Mercury’s Antennae.

The Reflecting Skin (William Faith Remix) | Mercury’s Antennae

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‎Mercury’s Antennae – Apple Music

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THEODOROS is the solo project of Theodoros Dimitriou, who is also a founding member of Greek dark rock band Lefki Symphonia. With all new acts, there must be a debut single, and so we have “Every Day I Die,” which is off his first album of the same title.

The guitar is ominous from the start and Dimitriou’s vocals are laid back which feels utterly befitting, even with the rolling, danceable rhythms and occasionally wailing guitar riffs. The synths are subtle in the mix and this all highlights the dramatic lyrics and singing.

‘Every day I’m born again, Every day I die‘ and I am left wondering if this track is about when we sleep, if this is the death or if it is just fancy dark imagery. In any case, this post-punk song is easy on the ears and Dimitriou’s Greek accent adds to the mysterious allure. THEODOROS’ “Every Day I Die” will most likely lodge itself in your brain for a while and is a most worthy gothic club track.

Every Day I Die (Single) | THEODOROS

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DREAM RITUAL – Record Label and Publishing House

THEODOROS DIMITRIOU – Musician – Λευκή Συμφωνία/Lefki Symphonia

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New year and new single from the transatlantic team Lunar Paths. Diane Dubois and Kevin Hunter have dropped a technoir terror in the form of “Zero Trust Mentality.”

The clatter of looped rhythms, first started as drumming that Hunter laid down, have been fed into Dubois‘ sequencer, and it almost thunders, distorted and melding with the synths. An urgency from the electronics as they pulse frenetically, exploding around the cool vocals, that are almost spoken word, building the tension.

Apparently Meta in Facebook, at the end of last year (2024) left people wondering if they had been hacked, and honestly, in recent times, our online data has come under attack from individuals and even other countries. That is what this track is about, where we are finding new ways to protect our electronic lives. “Zero Trust Mentality” is kind of like Lunar Paths’ “Sleeper in Metropolis” and this might be an unconscious nod to Anne Clark. Not to mention the synths in the beginning have an 80s feel as it kind of reminded me of Japan’s excellent “Quiet Life.” This is Lunar Paths’ most industrial and dance floor friendly track in this era of “Zero Trust Mentality.”

Zero Trust Mentality | Lunar Paths

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Postpunk, Darkwave, Music | LUNAR PATHS

Lunar Paths (@lunarpaths.bsky.social) — Bluesky

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That’s right. We are covering two remixes by two bands who remixed each other’s last singles. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania boasts having both Hemlock For Socrates and Take Me With You, and it seems a shame to not review both these darkwave acts together.

We reviewed the Hemlock For Socrates’ original version of “You’re Not Here,” and it was a perfect song about a relationship that has gone sour. Now there is the Take Me With You mix, and it is has echoing and glitching vocals build the tension. The electronics are, for the better use of a word, prominent, with meatier rhythms. They do great justice to Shore’s singing, which is seductive and at some points, it almost sounds like a call to prayer at the house of sorrow.

“Chameleon” was released back in 2022 by Take Me With You, and the original is this cool dark electronic music with a vocalist that, at least in this track, sounds like Kate Bush. Wow, the remix by Hemlock For Socrates in a whole different creature, with bubbling programmed loops, making everything feel so light and space age. There are vocal distortions and odd bleeps that warm you further to the track.

There are no versions of these remixes on YouTube, but I figure you should still indulge in the singles before you have a listen on Bandcamp. It is wonderful to see independent musicians working with each other in the dark scene and I already knew about Hemlock For Socrates, but now I have another band to watch in the form of Take Me With You. They have reworked each other’s music and Interestingly enough, one is about losing a lover to indifference and the other about (I believe) an individual that needs medication but finds it changes everything about them, so it is never their true self. All this has brought us a whole lot more joy.

You’re Not Here – Take Me With You ‘Hands on Your Skin’ Mix | Hemlock for Socrates

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Hemlock for Socrates (@hemlockforsocrates) • Instagram photos and videos

Chameleon – Hemlock for Socrates ‘Never Be a Girl Again’ Mix | Take Me With You

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Take Me With You (@tmwyband) • Instagram photos and videos

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Summer is not ideal weather for the average gothy type, but Melbourne’s Velatine are powering on through with a new single “Granulated Sky.” I have a feeling Loki Lockwood might be part vampire, and only braves the outside when the sun has left the sky, and he is joined by the equally darkly delectable Nocturna on vocal duties.

There is a quality to Nocturna’s voice that reminds me of Johnette Napolitano, which could be the raw power, or, even more so, the raw conviction. Who is Bridget, and what has happened to her? Lockwood pulls out the slow southern gothic guitar strains, that speak of something unseen and lurking in the shadows.

The music video superimposes the dynamic duo over a snow covered forest that flips into a negative image, depending on the mood of the track. We might never know what happened to Bridget, unless Velatine decide to follow on a Hitchcockian theme, The music and especially the guitar work is immersive, and those vocals will haunt you in your sleep…. just the way we like it darlings under a “Granulated Sky.”

Granulated Sky | Velatine

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velatine – Link in Bio & Creator Tools | Beacons

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Valentine’s Day has blasted by again for another year, and for many of us, it is a bah ergh sort of irritation. Finnish dark rock group, Lilith & The Wildflowers, released the single “Tattoo” for this auspicious / suspicious day, but this is no love song.

Distant, echoing guitar beautifully set the stage for the vocals, and her singing sounds effortless tinged in what feels like grief, and hints at just below the surface anger. The drums punctuate the seriousness and everything culminates in a chorus that easily gets under your skin.

A tattoo often acts as a memory and this track is about the recollection of a past relationship, that has left an indelible mark under the skin, that stay with us. “Tattoo” loops and graces us with a story of wanting to get rid of the pain of a previous lover, but are left marked. Lilith & The Wildflowers make a damage heart bleed in the nicest way.

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Dark alternative music doesn’t seem to have any borders as to where it originates in the world and even the language used. Good music transcends all it feels, when everything is conveyed through sheer talent. Label Musica Tenebris are based in Warsaw, and they have released the four way split album Warsaw After Midnight, that features Polish gothic/deathrock bands Marie Laveau, Natures Mortes, Eat My Teeth and Nameless Creations.

The set list is arranged in blocks for each act, and first off the benches is Natures Mortes with four tracks, “Liar’s Web” is the most recent release for this group, and indicative of their goth rocking style. You will be swept up from the beginning with the swift paced rhythm and ghoulish signature guitars, all the while being serenaded by the tortured sweet vocals that give no quarter and full of conviction.

Screaming fuzzed out guitar is utterly and instantly attention grabbing for the track “Salt In My Eyes,” by Eat My Teeth. The lead singer’s vibrato style is unforgettable, especially when he hits the high notes. as she almost seamlessly melds into the shrieking guitar. Discordant and rousing, all at the same time and a shout out to the drummer massacring the skins.

Natures Mortes (Facebook)
Eat My Teeth (photo Sophie Louise)
Nameless Creation (photo Lukasz Larakczyk)
Marie Laveau (Facebook)

I get a really interesting vibe from Nameless Creations, and their use of electronics gives the track “Pain-Powered Machine” an early 80s feel, almost Alien Sex Fiend like, and strengthened by vocals. The music is relentless, swamping your senses like a kaleidoscope with the pulsating psychedelic assault, and this is just one of three tracks.

From the crypt comes Marie Laveau with four treats, and they are going to cast a spell on you with “Are You Blind?“. These guys ooze European gothic cool and this latest single harkens back to stylings of France’s Corpus Delicti. The lead has a lovely dark quality to her voice and everything about this song is alluring from the classic goth rock guitars through to tight rhythm section.

Personally, I have always had a soft spot for sampler albums, and I have put that down to getting a taste of different styles and band, which opens up new musicians to further investigate. This is a great compilation from a scene that is obviously burgeoning with talent. Yes, I have picked one track from each band, but these are just the ones that first off caught my attention and in all honesty, the whole album is chock full of deathrock goodness. It is a delight to listen to these brilliant gothic aficionados from Poland and now, after falling deathly in love with Natures Mortes, Eat My Teeth, Nameless Creations and Marie Laveau, I want to visit Warsaw After Midnight.

Warsaw after midnight | Various artists | Musica Tenebris

Facebook – Musica Tenebris

Bruises | Natures Mortes | Bat-Cave Productions

Facebook – Natures Mortes

Music | EAT MY TEETH

Facebook – Eat My Teeth

Liar’s Web | Natures Mortes | Bat-Cave Productions

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Inga Habiba and Peter Guellard are Death By Love. Signed to label Distortion Productions, these Polish veterans of the gothic-industrial scene, released their debut single on January the 31st, called “Strong Inside.” Habiba has been involved in music since she was sixteen, with her long term project being Lorien, while Guellard has been involved with bands such as The Electric Hellfire Club, Venus In Furs, Mace, and Dichro, as well as a producer and lead in his own band Blitzkrieg.

The Middle Eastern influence is undeniable, exotic and alluring, a nod to Habiba’s ethnic roots, their tendrils wrapping themselves around the electronics. They are not a constant companion, rather gently tantalising you and more so, it is Habiba’s vocals that will hold your attention. From breathy spoken word, to brash and throaty singing, she is the focal point with synths her supporting undercurrent.

The lyrics are extremely relatable, because it is about how leaving yourself open to others can lead to trauma, yet if you close yourself away, you will possibly miss out and suffer loneliness. So, in the end, finding the strength within, often means you are growing as a human. The music traverses cultures, and delves into inner working of the human psyche, mixing trip hop with industrial, tinged with darkwave. Death By Love are going to make waves with the highly danceable “Strong Inside,” and the added bonus is two extra remixes included.

Strong Inside | Death by Love

Facebook – Death By Love

Facebook – Distortion Productions

Distortion Productions

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Metropolis Records dropped the single “Sharing Skin,” by Night Ritualz on January 31st. Vincent Guerrero IV is Texas based Night Ritualz and in March, his self titled debut album will be released. Interestingly he has coined the term ‘fuck wave‘ to describe his cauldron of mixed styles such as goth, electronic and EBM.

‘Fuck Wave’ is anything horny, erotic and sensual that just makes people feel good,” he explains. “I feel like my music puts people in that mood and allows them to just be themselves without judgement of any kind. Another reason is because, at the end of the day, ‘Fuck’ what everyone thinks. We only have one life, so spend it doing stuff you like and that makes you happy. I see it as an empowering term.‘ – Vincent Guerrero IV

A simple guitar and echoing fuzzed vocals greet you, haunting with the slow drawl, telling of a longing of the heart for another. Like a call to arms, the rhythm kicks in, speeding up the world around this track, and you can hear the delicate synths in the background twinkling. ‘Sharing skin and secrets‘ is cherishing those intimate moments whether that is sex or telling secrets they would never share with anyone else. Night Ritualz understands that most people long for that attachment but also the fact that humans motivation comes from that which brings joy. I think the description fuck wave is very apt, for it is a dark and sexy serenade in the form of “Sharing Skin.”

Sharing Skin | Night Ritualz

https://www.instagram.com/nightritualz/

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Dresscode’s David Brichard (vocals) and Fred Hyat (guitars), have started off the new year with the single “Follow Me.” The Belgium duo are wooing you with their take of dark electro-rock.

The melding of electronics with guitar roll seamlessly, the synths brightness reflect the techno style, meant to encourage you towards the dancefloor. Brichard’s emotionally exhausted vocals are crooner smooth and heart felt, while the guitar in Hyat’s hands, tell part of this story going from simple trickling, and then gushing in the chorus. The theme of the track might be about disappointment and an illusionary relationship, where only one person was invested. The music video features the guys on stage, as well as their live drummer Florian Gilot, which might just encourage you to try and get to see them play in real life. The play of sadness against the sparkling rhythms and synths works so very well for “Follow Me,” so check out Dresscode.

Accueil | Dresscode

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