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Toronto based Jay Draper (The Scarlet Fever) has released the album, spookily titled Dollhouse, as Jay Draper & the Subterraneans. Draper has been joined by guest musicians, Cat Samuels (L’autre Dame/The Scarlet Fever), Ursule Marion (SU), Chris Jensen (Poor Violet), Sinéad Rua (Animal Party), Francesca Copelli (Attaloom) and Chris Woodacre (The Scarlet Fever).

One of the jewels of this album is the single “Self Control,” a cover of the 80s hit, best remembered being sung by the late Laura Branigan, though originally it was released by Italian Raf. Draper has slowed down the track, and due to its inherently dark undertones, this works so well, with the incorporation of electronics giving the song the feel of futility, and indeed “Self Control” was used in the 2024 horror-mystery movie MaXXXine. Try not to be caught up in the powerfully emotional swirl of “Just A Dream,” that grabs at the heart strings.

In this vein, you can enjoy the sinister, yet delightful, creeping terror that is “A Death in the Dollhouse.” The post-punk jangle of the guitar and Draper’s ringing clear tones are pure joy, evoking memories of The Mission or Play Dead. I really cannot emphasis how delightful it is to hear the charming guitar work that echoes back to the 80s, which is perfectly showcased in the track “Only Hope,” that holds your attention as Samuel’s vocals entwine with Draper’s in the chorus and sweep you away on a wave of euphoria.

Dollhouse is just this poetic balance of dark romance and stark realism, mixed with great tunes. Filled with lovingly crafted songs, there are great strains of guitar, finding perfect resonance with the synths and rhythms. Jay Draper & the Subterraneans invite you into the gothic dream of the perfect Dollhouse.

Dollhouse | Jay Draper & the Subterraneans | Jay Draper & The Subterraneans

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If you have ever wondered about how you pronounce Danish project M73? Let me enlighten you that it is said ‘EM SIEBEN DREI.’ John R. Mirland is the mind behind M73, the electronic/industrial juggernaut on the record label LÆBEL, and the latest single “Move One” heralds the soon to be released third album, All Messed Up And Nowhere To Go.

The clattering electronic beats and rising synths are offset by the vocals of Mirland, and then by his lone electric guitar crying out. The lyrics seem to speak of being unable to settle down, constantly on the move, and the music video, shot in Athens, is pure class.

“Move On” is not one of those in your face tracks, yet it is dance orientated and oozing what one could describe as European cool, which is this unexplainable and inextricably smoothness mixed with slow burn. Such a perfect song for the city at night and an excellent way to introduce us to what I suspect is going to be a cracker of an album from M73.

Move On | M73

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Spanish lords of industrial metal, HASSWUT, have just dropped the new album Sauerstoff, for the rest of the world, and being released in North America on the Negative Gain Production label as of the 25th of April.

Currently you can check out the two singles to give you an idea of what HASSWUT have for offer. Latest single is the monster masher “Koloss,” and it is high adrenaline about a giant creature chasing you, as koloss means colossus, but also are characters in Mistborn. Slamming electronics and beats with growled out vocals and guitar make it a fun headbanging track. First single “Sauerstoff” is so different, bassy and bouncing, reflecting a nu-metal feel.

You might be saying by now, hang on, they are singing in German. You would be correct and they do it well, and that is just half story. If you want to find out what Spanish industrial sounds like in German, then you need to seek out HASSWUT’s Sauerstoff.

Sauerstoff – North America Orders | HASSWUT

Sauerstoff | HASSWUT

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Twenty years ago, there was the debut industrial album called Closer To Human, from a young American musician, Daniel Graves, under his project moniker Aesthetic Perfection. Graves has come a long way since then, carving out a niche for himself, and now, he has revisited and rebuilt his debut, in conjunction with Dependent Records, releasing Closer To Human in limited quantities as a one compact disc digisleeve, a two CD digipak with bonus tracks and also in a coloured vinyl LP edition. Sounds lush. 

I was curious to hear what Graves had done, especially as I have had friends who loved this album and were upset when he moved to a more pop based sound, but in saying that, this industrial pop style has increased his fan base infinitely more. So far, three tracks have been unveiled on Bandcamp, giving us an idea of what to expect. Graves has literally pulled apart each, re-recording, arranging, and using new technology that has increased the quality of the sound, compared to the originals. One might say richer in textures.

 “After 20 years, my debut album ‘Close to Human’ is back, but not as you remember it. In 2006, a catastrophic hard drive failure led me to believe the album was lost forever. For years, I thought I’d never be able to perform these songs live again with the same energy, soul, and impact of the original 2005 release. But in 2024, everything changed. After hunting down all the original hardware and samples, I made the decision to painstakingly reconstruct the album from the ground up. This isn’t just a remaster—it’s a resurrection.” – Daniel Graves

The release date is June 20th, but if you are hoping to get your hot little hands on some of that sweet, sweet music merch, then my advice would be to order now or forever hold onto your bitter disappointment, as it is going to sell-out fast.

Closer to Human | Aesthetic Perfection

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Minnesota based Zwaremachine, are preparing to bring in the thunder with the release of their third album, however, Mach Fox and crew are teasing you with the single “Waking The Night,” that has morphed into an EP with the special guest remixers.

Hold onto your speakers. “Waking The Night” is so heavy with bass, you might just wake the dead as your speakers rumble with distortion. Fox brings his creepiest snarling whisper, stalking your slumber, so you find no rest. The mood is oppressive and cloying.

There are four remixes to mull over, as you lose yourself to the after hours. There is the grandiose StaiK SeKt version with a chorus of fallen angels, while VV303 has gone for a lower and heavier mix that could be the soundtrack to a Hellraiser movie. Planktoon with the dreamy synths and glitching 80s influenced industrial mix, or you can go with the strangely pseudo western guitar crossed with the entrancing electronics of Darker.

It has not been easy for Zwaremachine, with power rhythm maker Dein Offizier missing due to succumbing to cancer in 2023 (fuck cancer), which was like a gut punch. They are back with Mach Fox (vocals/synth/programming) and Dbot (bass/vocals), now joined by Paul K (guitar) and Marshal B (drums), and like the phoenix from the ashes, Zwaremachine are back and snarling. It is good to see them back, ripping up the industrial norms.

Waking The Night (SINGLE/REMIX EP) | Zwaremachine

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Without Tomorrow | StaTiK SeKt

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VV303 Ultimate Sample Pack vol 1 | Composed And Produced by VV303 | VV303

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We have been missing some from life. Oh yeah, we have been missing us some HOSTILE ARCHITECT, and Mitch Kenny, the hostile one, is back with his new industrial single “BODYMELT (NEW FLESH MIX).”

There is wonderful symmetry between the flowing electronics and clattering rhythms, as it draws you up and drops into pit of angst. The vocals are grimy, raw and calling for your demise because in the end, does society care in a world gone mad?

I was fortunate enough to hear “BODYMELT” before it was released, performed live, and I have to say it really kicked arse with the amount of passion Kenny poured into the performance. This is a cool industrial track and, honestly, HOSTILE ARCHITECT just seems to get better with each of these releases, but for now let your “BODYMELT“!

BODYMELT (NEW FLESH MIX) | HOSTILE ARCHITECT | Abelisk

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“HYPNOTIZED” is the latest single from female French darkwave project CODE 150, and they have curated a lush video, which should come with a warning for those who suffer from arachnophobia. Don’t say you were not warned, and back in 2023, I advised you to check out CODE 150, and this track, I think has reinforced that opinion.

The idea of a human/spider hybrid is a creepy concept brought to life and she is luring you in with her sexuality, before sucking out your soul, leaving you a husk. The lead’s voice is deep and power, just a demon’s should be, with a hint of the forbidden. The synths feel stressed with blooming darkness, waiting for the ultimate date, filled with terror and lust.

The video feels a little retro, like 70s Hammer Horror, and that is all sorts of brilliant. The use of singular words, matched by the ticking time bomb of the electronic rhythm is indeed mesmerising, while the music drives into the recesses of your mind, worming “HYPNOTIZED” into the subconscious. Quite brilliant! CODE 150 is often a CyberSource error, but there is no glitch in the machine here

HYPNOTIZED | CODE 150

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Sweden’s Hatif are on the verge of releasing their next album, Small States, with Town And Towers Records. The electronic duo have dropped the last single for this album in March called “Direction.”

PHOTO BY DANIEL KWON

Pulsating and bouncing rhythms match perfectly the smoky synths, and that recognisable voice invites you into the hypnotic dance. The lyrics for the chorus ‘What we have to wish, what we have to do, what we have to look at when the sun sets on you,’ seem to speak of dreams and a past remembered, but also the end of those days .

I really love how Hatif always manage to mix the exotic strains of Middle Eastern music with modern electronic, that gives their tracks a really wonderful timeless feel, using invisible threads, tying us to other cultures. “Direction” is catchy while conveying a certain amount of introspection and observation, and is utter Hatif perfection.

Direction | Hatif

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Holy Toledo Batman. Pawn Pawn are a band from Ohio, birthed in 2018 and on the No Focus Records label. It is no long Halloween, but this is the title of their three track EP, released at the end of January.

The title is Halloween and you cannot have it without a bit of “Trick or Treat.” The beat is like the hurried footsteps of someone being followed by the neighbourhood friendly stalker. The vocals are slightly echoing and the lines ‘All the souls you steal will never be enough, The only thing that turns you on is unrequited love’, sung so sweetly, so you know this person is a keeper.

“I Can Only Tell You With My Eyes” could be at any disco night, hanging out, surrounded by dance music, with your obsession that you can’t pick up the nerve to tell them how you feel. It is wishing they could see those hints in your eyes. and while this plan won’t probably work, the track is still a sexy ode to the unwary.

What would you do anything to hold onto someone? “Jealousy Looks Good On Me” has mean streak with spikey guitars and even more abrasive electronics. The green eyed monster minces its way, sinuous and unable to accept rejection.

Let’s face it, it is always going to be spooky season for most of us, year round Halloween is an extension of this joyous, never ending fest, with three tracks exploring the darker side of the human condition. Let’s face it, humans are pretty much the scariest monsters on this planet. Pawn Pawn have mixed their take on obsession, jealousy and unhealthy one sided relationship, with music that is equally as dark and very enjoyable. This is Halloween.

Halloween | Pawn Pawn

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Dan Söderqvist, Karl Gasleben and Jocke Söderqvist have been together under different guises, making music since 1981, though they are best known as Twice a Man.. They are on Dependent Records and Twice a Man have dropped the single “Birds eye view,” off the soon to be released album The Coloured Breeze is a New Dimension.

There is almost a gentle calm in the beginning, though the echoing is unsettling. The vocals take strength and synths are soaring above the rhythms, pure and clean. An explosion of warmth as if the sun’s rays are gracing us through music.

“Overview can light sparks in the place where your roots are waiting. If you follow the time you can destroy the eradicating wheels of commerce. Don’t drown yourself in pretended sleep! There is a common knot that must be untied. Our thoughts are the light and nature sings our lullabies.” – Twice a Man

Between the video and the lyrics, Twice a Man seem to be tied to the natural world, using electronics to delve into their connection and love of the environment versus the industrial world. The crows in the video, make their way through different art styles and they look beautiful. “Birds eye View” is an ambient lullaby and Twice a Man have proven they are as relevant as ever.

The Coloured Breeze is a New Dimension | Twice a Man

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