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.”
The return of NilsSinatsch’sNeonInsect, has arrived in the form of the latest single “THEREISBEAUTYINNOISE.” From Hanover, Germany, the cyberpunk flavoured industrial NeonInsect has a message…”Dictatorshipsmustfall…”.
Laboured electronics greet your ears, as you are plunged into the chaos that is the grating industrialised melody, tortured and extruded, seemingly screeching in metallic convulsions. Sinatsch’s vocals bleed like verbal lacerations on a world that is the noise inhabits.
It is gritty and severe, set in a time of uncertainty, where making noise is the only way to be heard in a world that is already in turmoil. Indeed “THERE IS BEAUTY IN NOISE,” so check out NeonInsect.
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.”
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.
Initial track, “Go To Hell” sets up the mystical stage, and what you are in for with ZeitgeistZero. It is a mixture of swirling darkwave electronics, with powerful female vocals and a heavy dose of dance rhythms. With hints of InkubusSukkubus, it is time to “Set The Monster Free” with dashes of grinding guitar and sparkling synths, before we are faced with the far more rock heavy “Satanic Sex Witch,” that echoes and reverberates as she stalks you with a very pleasant ending. If a sex witch is your undoing, then at least you can stay in touch with a “Séance,” which might be more fun than using a mobile phone and is a spooky cute proposition from the band. None of this is possible however, without tapping into one’s “Psyche.” This is a much slower track, revelling between the sheets of ether world, floating through.
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.
NourtierJulien (drum/sample) and EnaultAnthony (bass/sample) are TheShadow’sGoneOut, an industrial synth group from Tours, France. The single, “WhisperingGhost” came out on December the 1st, and the vocal samples are provided by Sandrine Grandjean-Samyn.
The grainy playback for the voice of Grandjean-Samyn, is the only human semblance of a human touch, in a track of wandering extremes, a tug of war between electronics and guitar, vying for dominance in order to gain your attention.
Grandjean-Samyn is the spectre within the music, seductively luring you into musical clutches of The Shadow’s Gone Out, as they envelop you with their experimental style of industrial music, pitching from delicate to heavy rock. Beware the “Whispering Ghost.”
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.
Creepy creepy, in Melbourne city, where gothic delights pervade in the form of Velatine and their new single, “Nothing To Do With You.” LokiLockwood is the man with the plan, with IngaLiljeström, the siren, and it is out on the label SpookyRecords.
The electronics have the air of unquelled domination and Liljeström launches into a story of a woman maligned by many, but, it seems, through her own volution, found herself in order to make her life better. The vocals are languid like molasses and just as rich.
Liljeström’s singing, in both tempo and sound, reminds me very much of JonetteNapolitano of ConcreteBlonde (a personal favourite), combined with the ringing guitar and synth/programming of Lockwood, framing the story and focusing us on the tale at hand. Maybe it has “Nothing To Do With You,” but everything to do with Velatine and this really strong darkwave track.
Fredrik Keith Croona, Mathias Back and Anders Ström are the electronic triumvirate that make up Swedish aggrotech group, AgainstI. This is a relatively new project, where they have married Croona’s tortured vocals with some scintillating synth work, which culminated with the debut album, CarnivalOfExcess, plus a new single, “I Am The Way,” that is not so subtly a sledge hammer preview of the next album, threatening us on the horizon. So, it seems no better time than now to speak to lead singer FredrikKeithCroona about…well…all of this!
Welcome Fredrik Keith Croona to the tea rooms of the Onyx, where cake and coffee are compulsory.
Fredrik, you hail from Sweden, so we are wondering what the industrial scene is like there and how you found your way into it?
Thank you for the warm welcome! The industrial scene is well, different here, I feel like the most clubs either focus on old school ebm and or synthpop here in Sweden, and or goth/darkwave. But in all honesty you are asking the wrong guy here, since I am mostly a metal head myself and rarely go out hahaha. But to answer your question, I think the alternative scene in Sweden is doing ok, there seems to be a lot of stuff going on.
How supportive of local artists is it there?
Now that is a hard question to answer, it all comes down to what genre you play I guess. I don’t believe Against I has a big fan base and support in Sweden, but of course there are a few. Then again I know of other Swedish local artists that have a huge fan base here. So I guess it depends on the band.
What acts or musicians influenced you in the beginning?
The first ever artist that inspired me to become a vocalist was Pantera and Philip Anselmo, I just loved the music and diversity in Phil’s voice. When I found the industrial music scene it was God Module, Grendel and Suicide Commando. I think similar to a lot of dark electro/aggrotech acts tbh.
Who floats your boat now?
Haha it all depends on my mood! Everything from “Scooter” to say “In Flames” or “Night Rage”. But my latest find was “Orbit Culture” a amazing metal band from Sweden which I had the pleasure of seeing live a few months ago.
Fredrik, you are one of the founding members of Brutal Resonance, the industrial reviewing powerhouse. Do you think that experience made you more critical or aware of the sort of music you were making?
Well, I had a small part of its start up , yes. But Patrik Lindström was the mastermind behind the zine. I don’t think so to be honest. Always been trying to do what I like and experiment from time to time, but I always feel like I end up doing the same thing kinda hahaha. I’m a one trick pony it seems.
Even you, yourself, have mentioned that you are in a lot of different projects. For those unfamiliar, how many are you involved with and which are your main ones?
If we are talking active projects as of this moment , then they are the following “Feeding Upon,” “Against I” or “Curse of Eibon” . There are quite a few more but none that are making any music at this moment . Main one is Against I which I am constantly writing for together with Mathias and Anders.
Most people are familiar with Menschdefekt and your other project, Cynical Existence. This brings us to your current project, Against I, with fellow Cynic, Anders Ström. Mathias Back is yet another member, so how did the band come together?
To answer that we have to rewind back into 2020 when I started up “Curse of Eibon” and that’s when I found Martin who plays guitar and writes most of the music for that band, and through the same forum I found Mathias who can play bass and guitar. And together with Anders the four of us founded that band. From there we found out that all of us work very well together and we have a creative drive. And the diversity was just perfect for Against I.
First was the EP, O.M.G, that stands for Obscene Morbid Gore which was on the label Insane Records and featured the single “Scum.” How important was getting this EP out there?
If I could I would release something every month, but I think ppl would be fed up with me also I doubt Adovxya would want to release my stuff every month haha. So , naturally it was important to release the EP to get something released. IR was good to us , but sadly we had to split ways after the release.
The EP was followed up by the juggernaut debut full length album “Carnival Of Excess” out on Advoxya Records. Can you tell a bit more about the premise behind album?
“Carnival of Excess” was a bit of a roller coaster, because all songs stem from my mind and experience and its kinda dark. Its all a big experiment you could say, a bit of a rider on a theme park with different styles, moods etc. For me the first album is always a experiment to see which direction to go after that, you know?
Again there are a couple of remixes by Miss Suicide and Teknovore. How important for you is it to have guest remixes and am I correct in sensing George of Teknovore and yourself kind of see each other as brothers?
It’s not super important, but more fun to see what others will do with your songs. What kind of spin they would put on it. Well, since we are both straight and married loves was already taken, so next best things would be brothers. I’m kidding of course! But in all seriousness, I’ve known George since about 2009 and I hold him in such high regards because he’s one of the nicest and most talented people I know. And every time we work together everything just work, you know?
Do you have a particular track off the album that is a favourite or really stands out for you as the core sound of Against I?
“Fleshride” is probably my favorite of the album, it has a good drive in it. And I would say it has that core sound that we have on that album.
You just dropped the latest single “I Am The Way”, so can you tell us what it all about?
“I Am The Way” is the perfect way to showcase what the new album from Against I will sound like and the direction we are moving. It’s more aggressive and in your face .
I want to touch on a compilation you were heavily involved in and very close to your heart. You lost your father to cancer (fuck cancer), and you brought together 23 musicians, each donating a track, where the money collected goes towards cancer research, with the combined help of Advoxya Records and Twisted Flesh Recordings. Can you please tell us how you orchestrated this mammoth task?
“A cure for darkness” is something I hold very close to exact the reason you wrote above. And when my father passed, I wanted to do something to help others who are battling and or know someone who is battling cancer. And an idea was to try and bring together some amazing bands and people to help out and create something amazing. All all praise should go to the artists and supporters and not me.
How much do you appreciate the musicians and labels championing your cause which touches everyone?
As cliché as it sounds, words can’t be written to say that. All people who are have helped are amazing and only earns the highest of praise from me.
Do you think you might make it a regular thing to release these compilations against cancer as well as to remember the victims and those affected by this blight?
Nah, don’t think so. If ppl wanted more then for sure, but I just want to focus on my music. It’s all I care about at the moment.
As you are constantly creating music, what is next for Fredrik Croona?
To create more music and evolve and move forward. I don’t want to release the same album every time. Then there is no point in making music. I have a job that earns me money, music is what I write for fun. The moment I get tired of making music, I will just call it quits. Simple as that.
Bats or no bats in the belfry, we wish you all the luck in everything you do.
Thank you so much, and I hope my answers has been satisfying.
Onyx Music Reviews 