21st of July saw the release of the single “Burial” by Milwaukee based ChokeChain, the project for MarkTrueman. Written and produced by Trueman, while the mastering is by EricOehler, at SubmersibleStudios. Excitingly, this single heralds the new album Mortality, which will be out in September the 22nd, on PhageTapes.
You can almost taste the anguish in Trueman’s vocals, raw and reproaching. The rhythms are unrelenting in their pounding, while the wailing in the background is like klaxons going off, creating an atmosphere of cloying terror that you still must find yourself moving to. Propelled by claustrophobia, each throbbing note is driving your heartbeats. They say death is cold, but the industrial aggression of “Burial” by ChokeChain is smoking hot.
Harsh Reality Music has been a purveyor of electronic music since 1982 in Memphis, Tennessee, and they have released the latest MadMasks single “Structures.” Based in the French Alps, MadMasks has been around since 2013 and is made up of duo, Â ZioVoodoo and DominiqueStela.
For one dollar US on Bandcamp, you can purchase this thirty-five minute epic. The guitar strums away as the electronic waiver and fuzz. I believe I hear a ghostly female vocal in the mix, a sighing phantasm into the computerised morass. Eerily ambient, interspersed with twinkling chimes, there is the ebb/flow of the synths and a sombreness that feels un-naturally ancient and alien. “Structures,” by MadMasks, is a perfect experimental and atmospheric electronic piece that invades your senses.
As a kid, were you enchanted by movies such as BladeRunner, Tron and JohnCarpenter’sTheThing, and their futuristic soundtracks? Then the music of NikkFail might be for you. Milan based Fail has also found inspiration in this genre, and has released his debut EP FuturoPresente.
As the title of the EP infers, the instrumental “FuturoPresente,” is the now futuristic sounds building your anticipation, as the blatting bleeps mix with the tinkling synths, giving a sense of foreboding in the current climb. You have the “Supervillain” given a voice by Fail. Like a modern day PinkPanther with only evil intent. This alter ego however does his villainy in plain sight with the acclaim of the people. Can someone say politician.
There really is something very old school industrial about “Sirens“. Possibly the anguished vocals or the stalking rhythms and swirling electronics, but this is possibly my favourite off the EP. The last track is haunting instrumental “SerialK.G.“, that winds its way uncomfortably through your subconscious.
The premise behind FuturoPresente is the fact that so much of our subculture science fiction made in the 80s, had their future timelines set in what is, now, our present day. Did some of it come true? I will that leave thought with you, but if you need a soundtrack for those inner thoughts, or just damn well enjoy retro electronic music, then you really can’t go past NikkFail.
Australian’s love claiming New Zealander’s as our own, and quite frankly, the talented KierenHills is no exception. His crust punk, crossed with industrial stylings with the project SchkeuditzerKreuz, is perched to release a new full length album on the 25th of August, named NoLifeLeft, and a packed tour of Europe, over this September and October (which is well worth every cent). For now, you are able to listen to “SecondLife,” the latest single off the album.
Photo by Jeremy Belinfante
Instantaneously, the pummelling, heavy as fuck rhythm grabs your ears, with a taste of black metal gloom, as the claustrophobic pall tries to suffocate the breath out of you. Hills snarls and growls lyrics such as ‘free to kill, free to take a life away’, a protest of the constant gun related killings in America, where the victims and families seem to have no voice. The loops and synths ooze discontent at the failing system.
“I’ve always had a policy of playing anywhere and everywhere with SK. I’ve played in a lot of weird and wonderful places in the last 3 years – in sheds and video stores, in the forest and in car parks, house shows, club shows, in-stores, and pub shows – under bridges and in skate parks. Anywhere at all. So, I wanted to do that for the video.
I found an alleyway choked with long-dead street bounty – sofas and white goods and old guitars, and pots and pans and cupboards and sheet metal, and building waste and everything that gets left behind when people move on or move up. All long left in the elements to degrade and die. So, I set up there and played to a few friends – interspersing my usual walls of sound with throwing stuff around and bashing on things in the pile, more or less rhythmically along with the music.‘ – KierenHills on the video for “SecondLife“
The video is beautifully shot/produced by Shaye at DMWCFilms, filmed in an alleyway in Sydney. This track hits hard, not only in the voluminous reams of auditory crush, but also the overwhelming disappointment in a society where guns mean more than people’s lives. The vinyl records for the album are already on pre-order from BadHabitRecords (AUS) and SorryStateRecords (USA)
Based in Mexico, EdgeOfDecipher, have a new single out called “YourRealName“. I say single, though to my surprise it looks far more like an EP with the amount of songs you are getting. Definitely bang for your buck on this one with the single out on the machinaadnoctem label!
The single “YourRealName” delicately rolls out with Thai spoken word, gradually adding electronic layers, though the lone piano keys are striking in their loneliness. There is no sense of urgency, but only floating in the now. Next is the realversion of “SolarisReborn“, as the unearthly terrestrial soundscape of synths beautifully blooms, while what could be an alien choir sweetens the starlight. Behold the BladeRunner futuristic dread of “SolitarySkies” where there is foreboding in the intense and glitching electronics, the rhythms unable to settle on a permanent beat, leaving you on edge, whilst hopes and dreams are now but a distant memory.
“TheWaves” was released as a single previously, but here you get to hear the SidekickWaves remix and it still has the cool synth ambiance with a funky kick to it. The next three tracks are the “AngelCode” with it’s erratic bleeps and neuro binding asymmetry, the ascending refinement of “RiseCode” and the foreign and exotic tempo “WavesCode“, that whispers into your ears. The last two tracks are instrumental pieces of “YourRealName“, where that piano is so vividly at the fore, and the stunning “TheWaves (SidekickWaveremix)”, full of future pop mixed with synthwave.
There is always a delicate refinement to all of EdgeOf Decipher’s music, and he seamlessly flows from futuristic star wave, into an alien world, prophetic calamity or pieces of heart felt love, all the while collaborating and bring out the best in those he works with. One does not need to speak “YourRealName” but rather one should listen to EdgeOfDecipher.
Today, we explore the album Lesser Gods by the Los Angeles project BARA HARI, which was released at the end of May, and the limited edition vinyl on the label Re:Mission Entertainment, The exotic BARAHARI is musician and producer SamFranco, whom is also known for her darkwave and industrial collaborations.
Your ears are greeted by the sublime “SirenSong“. Delicate and short lived, a beautiful warning of the dire events to come. For her name is “Tempest“, she who will bring the ensuing storm to clear away the lies and deceit. Such foreboding in a pop like song, as BARAHARI casts her gaze over those that cause consternation, stalking them down. The guitar is heavy, matched by the thudding drums, for we are given the story of sexual double standards and moral gatekeeping in “ImmoralTales“.
The synths bring in “ViolenceRising” and it is indeed about the abhorrent acceptance that it is alright to be brutal to one another. There are wonderful rounds of vocals joined by trumpet. Lust, love and “LookingForOblivion” is an electronic buzzing gem, that settles in your brain. The buzzing is palpable but wait hold that thought. The next track, “HouseOfTheDevil” is simply huge between the falling vocals and melancholic piano, as Franco gives us the modern version of “IWillSurvive“.
Does going outside make you nervous or dealing with crowds bring on anxiety attacks? Maybe you are “Agoraphobic” and as this number plods along, almost unwilling to leave, while the first affirming lines, ‘Started off as a joke Now I can’t walk out my own front door’, fulfil the prophesy. The rock is fused with electronics and “DelusionsOfGrandeur” is both angelic and full of angst, while “EasyTarget” is a sassy and alluring track. The final track is the superbly dark and disturbing “Immortal” with the chiming keyboards and up beat rhythm, whilst the lyrics tell of the fact that as we age, what made us beautiful fades and many see our worth is only wrapped up with youth.
Fairy tales and fables were often stories to teach people wise lessons, and when I listen to BARAHARI’sLesserGods. this album is very much in this vein. Modern fables of not judging others, through to when good people do nothing to prevent evil. Colourful and descriptive language within the lyrics are carried by the melodious electro/indie pop, topped off with the gorgeous vocals of Franco. LesserGods indeed when it comes a goddess like BARAHARI.
Kicking off July with a bang. We are talking the new industrial single “ROTATIONS” from UK artist MATTHART, with the added extra bonus of a remix by SERAPHIMSYSTEM, aka JonStancil, from the USA. This is the ongoing human versus machine, cyber saga of epic proportions.
“8 HOURS AWAKE. 8 HOURS ASLEEP.THIS IS THE WAY OF THE TIME MILL.” This is the mantra here, for there is not time for anything, except digging into the ground beneath, for the humans to escape their electronic assassins. The synths are ripe and juicy, while the beats are rampaging, forcing you to move that body. HART’s vocals broker no argument for this is how thing must be, as the shifts rotate through continuously, like a colony of ants, slaves to the rhythm for survival.
The SWAGGROTATIONSREMIX has the massive slamming beats and screaming electronics. It summons a feeling of utter panic, suddenly dropping into drum and bass, before whirling off, pounding your skull into a pulpy mess.
MATTHART’s original version is chock full of scintillating synths, club floor filling rhythms and rounding vocals, building the air of a will so stubborn, one shall do whatever to avoid elimination. With the SERAPHIMSYSTEM mix, we definitely find ourselves with a different beast. Harsher electronics, mixed with dub and dropping bass, combined with the crushing beats. All of this is a reflection of the desperation and even loss of humanity by the survivors…. ah well, at least they are doing it in style, while carrying out “ROTATIONS“.
MurmursinSpace is the rough translation for the new EleventhFear EP, MurmelnimRaum. Out on NerisRecords, EleventhFear is the electro-goth child of Frenchman, LudovicDhenry. We last heard from this project in 2022 with the release of the first EP, Waldhexen.
“Drachenblut” or dragonblood, hears Dhenry hissing like the very mystical creature itself, over an amazing, minimalistic electronic dance piece, with grand swirls. The bass reverberates through your chest and the keyboard playing shines through the top of your head in “HexendesMeeres“. The music is about the watery wenches, the witches of the sea, whom want to steal away sailors and bathe in their blood. There is definitely a chill down the spine with the first serpentine words whispered on a seething tongue for “Wirwerdenleben“. Low fuzzing tones and vocals are offset by the angelic lighter keys, making the track feel expansive and cavernous all at the same time.
Dhenry’s persona is EleventhFear, and he pulls on those primaeval superstitions of what lays in the shadows, awaiting the unsuspecting victims, triggering the imagination. You can almost feel the dankness of the witches, or the greedy harbingers, rubbing together their hands, watching other’s untimely deaths, as they, themselves will never die. The music of Murmeln imRaum is evocative and darkly pleasing, so go check out EleventhFear.
German industrial project NeonInsect has released another single as of May, with the title “Implant“. NilsSinatsch is NeonInsect, whose forte is delving into a cyber-punk future of apocalyptic proportions.
The flesh screams in defiance as the cybernetic additions consume the body, taking away pain and everything else that makes a human feel. Nils‘ gruff vocals are the programmes and nano bots seeking to assume control, as they pulsate through their victim,
It starts with a few changes of enhancement, until the machines decides mankind is frail and prone to breaking. The road to human race’s doom seems to be paved in the industrial dance rhythms of NeonInsect and his “Implant“.
Some music projects go on hiatus, but they never truly go away. After twenty years, DCAstro and Martha A. Hoffmann, have breathed new life into their electronic/darkwave band DeepRed, and what better way to celebrate this than with the release of a new single, “BattleLines” which features Element104.
The low tones are heavy and bass driven, giving the track a voluminous depth, and a long with the rhythm hurtle this track forward. Hoffmann’s vocals range from whispered to clear and true, just as the synths chime out and spin about a relationship gone sour, and the fight to be able to walk away from other person.
In 2002, the album Chimera was released, which has the original version of “BattleLines” on it. I can hear why they wanted to, in a way, resurrect this track and give it another run, modernising it. A note of interest is that the mastering was done by DorukÖztürkcan of ShePastAway fame. The over all feel of “BattleLines” is a big break through track bound for the dance floor, which will ensure we will be hearing more from DeepRed.
Onyx Music Reviews 