What is on the slab you might ask? I may reply, well, Melbourne label, SpookyRecords, have released the single with video, from Velatine, called “All I Want“. Velatine is a darkwave duo, also based in Melbourne, Australia and this single is off the album I Won’t Be Civilised, that was released in February.
Photo by Jurgis Maleckas
From the beginning, a sense of despondency is within the electronics, before the vocals take you away, dragging you towards a world of solitude. The synths are beautifully layered with the vocals, echoing and giving an air of melancholy mystery.
The band is composed of Maggie Alley and Loki Lockwood, and the video they have created for the track, is full of shadowy Hitchcock noir, as Alley gets Lockwood to drive her around, before making him dig his own grave. “All I Want” is smooth and chic like a rich dark wine from Velatine.
Do you chose the red pill or the blue pill? It was a question put to the character Neo, in the movie TheMatrix. Now, London’s AlienCreation, also known as Chris Clark, proposes “RedPill” in the form of a single that was released in April.
The future is here so ‘wise up sucker‘ as the electronics mewl their discontent and the beats fervently follow the vocals of Clark, as he punches through your defences built up up the politicians and media.
It made me giggle a little, as the chorus of ‘wise up sucker‘ reminded me of the PopWillEatItself track of that very name (“Wise Up! Sucker“). What would you chose? Do you chose the truth or to live in a fantasy? It could be an AlienCreation, so take the “RedPill“.
Vermin, vermin everywhere, and now there is the EP Vermin by Non-Bio. Non-Bio is UK based, HowardGardener’s power/rhythmic noise project, when he is not working on DecommissionedForests or PillarsOfGoldenMisery.
As soon as I hear the first bars of “Vermin“, my lips turn up into a smirk. Yeah, this is the good stuff. It is heavy on the vibrating bass and fritzing electronics that are completing crescendos and decrescendos. It is verbose and Gardner’s voice is within. Feel yourself consumed by the wubbing loops of “TheFeast,” as it literally feels like it is trying to pull itself apart at the seams. The rhythms fighting against each other like a battlefield, as they celebrate the gourmet banquet provided for Death.
“CenterNegative” is an instrumental track and as it rolls on, it gathers more and more noise to itself, growing exponentially in terrifying voracity. It leads into the last track, “Clarity“, which is about where truths meet half truths, feeding into lies, The rhythms jackhammer with Gardner’s words and the crunchy noise threatens to overtake all.
Humans are amazing creatures but they are also the scourge of the planet. We over populate, consume resources and destroy the habitats of the other animals that we share Earth with. In fact, we will even destroy each other to gain that which is not ours. The EP is a look at this darker side/nature of the human race and Non-Bio’s disillusionment embodied in Vermin, with its beautiful, skull beating rhythms and brain addling reverberations.
I have noticed that the Germans are extremely efficient at consistently putting out great music in quick succession. AlexanderLeonardDonat is one such German. I still have to bring you the review for his new album from Assassun, but his other project Vlimmer, just brought out a new single called “Fatalidealb/wRaceForThePrize“, on the BlackjackIlluministRecords label.
There is an idealistic air of youthful golden delight in “Fatalideal“, with the ringing guitar work that is strikingly joyful. Even Donat’s vocals are light and wonderfully graceful in his native German tongue. The second track is far more electrotonic and slower than the original…yes, this is a cover. The vocals are tinged with a sense of morose as “RaceForThePrize” wends its way.
“Fatalideal” definitely holds about it, an taste of TheCure, and their more absurdly happy music. It is coated in a dreamy haze and is genuinely delightful, with the vocals absolutely in perfect form The b-side, “RaceForThePrize” was originally released in 1999, as a single by US group, TheFlamingLips and in true Vlimmer style, the lyrics have been transcribed into German. I actually had never heard the original version before, and I have to say i prefer the Vlimmer cover… so there :P. Donat is proving himself more than a capable singer and a composer of enchanting darkwave.
May the 4th was with you, and it most definitely was with AgentSideGrinder, with their brand spanking new album, JackVegas, Out on Progress Productions, the Swedish provocateurs of post-punk, doused in dark electronics, is composed of members, JohanLange (synthesizer, keyboard, programming, percussion, backing vocals) and PeterFristedt (modular synthesizer, tape loops), with EmanuelÅström (vocals).
Photo by Haris Mlivic
The not so gentle thrumming pushes into your ears, stirring your senses in the “WaitingRoom“, a sensation of anticipation and nervous energy surging forth from this first track. “NumberByNumber” ramps on the building synths and crashing guitar, while the vocals chant, and “Bloodless” definitely has the air of dark crystalline beauty, as well as show casing the singing of lead vocalist, Emanuel Ã…ström, in the spine tingling, swirling chorus.
There is most certainly an early 80’s, post-punk feel to the maudlin “Madeleine“, as the drum machine rattles and the synths drone, making key changes very noticeable. There is something so very profound in what sounds like wild winds blowing frigid into your soul. “FlawsAndFlame” wavers between grimy and angelic remorse, as the electronics screech in the background, before we get a bit funky with the title track, “JackVegas“. In Sweden, Jack Vegas refers to cheap slot machines, and the chiming keyboard riff has taken on the edge of a tune of a one arm bandit, after another loss, and the pressure builds, as the machines lull the addicted players.
It is so nice to hear the voices of Ã…ström and Lange together in “Decipher“. You could swear you can hear a harpsicord creating an elegance over the drone and supporting the heart melting vocals. We come to the final track, “TheUnravelling“, and honestly, the atmosphere could be described as oppressive and yet sensual, as the electronica caress your nerves.
JackVegas has been a very anticipated album, especially after hearing the guys last year, featuring on the KillShelter track “TheNecklace“. So, after hearing JackVegas, I am not disappointed. In fact, it is a bloody amazing darkwave album, and in many ways, AgentSideGrinder are reminiscent of JoyDivision, creating beautiful music within the shadowy sphere of human limits and emotions. Perfection.
In true 8bit fashion, the track starts out like a computer game, that crosses with far more uplifting synth lines that spin around the punchy lyrics that talk about regret at losing another. As soon as you hear the first remix, you can tell it has JamieBlacker’s touch all over it. The ESA (ElectronicSubstanceAbuse)remix is a bit funky with thumping beats and static, giving the track a much darker tone. Next is the DulceLiquido remix. OscarMayorga is DulceLiquido, as well as a member of Hocico, and with that pedigree, the rhythm slams and the industrial-techno strobes your senses, creating an amazing dance version. The fourth version is doused in the electronic splendour that is [SITD], where they use their skill to give the track a depth, using those beautiful tinkling key notes and lowers tones and this leads on perfectly to the ToxxicProject mix. ToxxicProject is another Mexican project, and their remix is this building tide of synthy injected waves, that surges around your ears.
There is also an instrumental mix which is equally as good, but honestly, you should just listen for yourself. It is a chance to immerse yourself in not only a great track, yet also bask in the talent of the guest remixers. There is not one that I could actually say is my favourite due to the fact each has their own, very distinctive, style. All killer and no filler from this single, “Split” by Super Dragon Punch!!.
May the 5th seems to have been a huge day for releases, and what could be better than a single from the British electronic wizard, SimonCarter. “EraseMyMind” features the dulcet tones of Sweden’s FredrikKeithCroona (AgainstI/Menschdefekt).
I was not joking when I said Croona’s vocals are dulcet, as he takes you down the electronic rabbit hole where one feels unfulfilled, and it leaves such a hole, it would be better to forget to ease the pain of it all.
Carter’s music as always, is simply scintillating. There is a symmetry between the techno x psytrance and Croona’s vocals, that make this not only a great dance track, but just an enjoyable song in general….. that I won’t be listening to in the car….. speeding is bad. This Simon Cater featuring Fredrik Keith Croona, and they don’t really want to “Erase My Mind” so much as raise my resting heart rate.
51 Pegasi is the designated name of a Sun that was once called Helvetios and 51Peg is an industrial rock band from Washington. They released their first album back in 2000 called StrangeAppointments and now in 2023, 51Peg unleash latest album named A/Version.
Kicking off with the mood filled “TheDistanceBetween“, which is a bit like an industrial version of StoneTemplePilots, where the synths wail more so than the guitars. “CursoryRhymes” is a swelling and emotional track with imploring vocals, which is at complete odds to “RootsIntoSand“, as the ancient mysteries of the Middle East merge with the industrial, as a beast that can not be stopped, forever invading. The modern era is the age of the “DigitalDisease“, where computers mean you can exchange information and thoughts across the globe, yet this hasn’t translated to harmony. There are big vocals and soaring guitars throughout.
The beginning of “InReturn” actually made me think of the wonderful Japan but then the rock explodes this reminiscing, searing with vehemence. “Werewolf” could simply be about the shapeshifters, but I think the deeper meaning might allude to the animal that resides inside every human, under the skin, waiting to come out if we let it. It is a slower and more thoughtful number. The last track is a cover of the BillyIdol single, “EyesWithoutAFace” where musically and especially vocally, 51Peg give a very Idol performance, without a need for the female backing singers.
For me, it was odd hearing a cover of the BillyIdol’s “EyesWithoutAFace“, which is one of his slower songs, because most bands seem to cover “RebelYell” or “WhiteWedding“, so that is a refreshing change. In a way, this is true of the whole album, as I was not sure of what it would sound like by the description but was delighted how well the different influences meld together. The band cite Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, DepecheMode and GaryNuman, yet I also hear Stone Temple Pilots, Faith No More and an undercurrent of 80s electronica. A/Version by 51 Peg is a nice slice of hot industrial rock.
Norwegian, ErlendEilertsen of EssenceOfMind, is about to release the second album under the project name LightsA.M., on the AlfaMatrix label, called StoriesWithoutWordsVol. 2, on June the 23rd. However, we get our first listen through the single “NotReadyForThis“.
An element of foreboding and lament is in the electronics, as they waver and chime through the instrumental track. Ancients drum whilst the low murmur of the droning electronics is in stark comparison to the gentle synths, that hold the lilting melody of what has passed. Subtle, beautiful and memorable is “Not Ready For This“, which you are utterly ready for by Lights A.M.
There is some really brilliant darkwave music coming out currently, and the Antipole &ParisAlexander album, Crystalline, out on Young&ColdRecords, on May 12th, is most certainly one of them. However, for now, sate your cravings with the latest single, “Bleached“, out on the 27th of April.
“Bleached is about a lost soul battling darkness and light. They still have an optimism and so strive for a more positive future. It is also set against a backdrop of Brexit and current social and economic struggles in the UK.” – Paris Alexander (Brighton, UK)
“We wanted to combine nasty-sounding moody synthesizers with ethereal guitars.”– Karl Morten (Antipole) (Trondheim, Norway)
From those first smooth synth lines, you just know who this is. The guitar strikes true and clear, and when you hear Alexander whisper,’takeme‘….well, just damn. You can hear the murkiness Morten mentions that creeps under your skin, while the rhythm carries you ever forward into the crumbling city, beneath darkening skies, hoping for something to change. “Bleached” is the darkwave dance noir, and it is a thing melancholic beauty from these bards of shadows, Antipole & Paris Alexander.
