When you are a band who is all about horror in real life and movies, the Halloween season is very important. Who Saw Her Die? (WSHD?) get very excited around this time, gracing us with their joy of all stories gruesome. Recently they released the Mothman EP, which you should check out, but they have dropped the fresh corpse of Dead or Alive’s track “Something In My House.”
This is not the disco version. It has been pared down to its bones and rebuilt like Frankenstein’s monster. It rumbles and groans, with the slow stalking beat and slightly lisped growled vocals of a broken and murderous heart. The synths add to the ghostly atmosphere.
A curse on the houses of Stock, Aitken and Waterman for their perversion of Dead OrAlive, who originally started off as the far more gothic Nightmares In Wax, but I will concede that without them, we might never had “You Spin Me,” (which I hated for several decades after spinning it every Friday night for two years) and “Something in My House.” The WSHD? cover is so different and yet so much in the vein of tongue in cheek that it was always was meant to be taken for. Hello? Police? There is “Something in My House” and it is all the fault of Who Saw Her Die?!
US goth rock band, Sunshine Blind stopped releasing music about twenty years ago, with members going their own ways, including Caroline Blind (vox, lyrics), developing her successful solo career, and CWHK (guitars, bass, drum programming, production and mixing). The band has surprised us in unveiling two new tracks on the single release Scarred but Fearless, which was mastered by Ariel Maniki at MediaLuna Studio, San Jose, Costa Rica.
How do you move on when you were left behind? Just because someone is driven, does not mean they are coping with loss, but rather, sometimes, they are just holding on and this is the ‘GhostofYou.” A powerfully worded track that makes you feel the strain of sorrow and dogged weight of hope, set to a soundtrack that dares to be bold with rattling rhythms and thrumming bass.
“Ghost of You is basically another great driving song, the music evokes the movement and speed. Driving is often where I do all my best thinking and working out of whatever I need to think through, so you hear me relating all my processes into driving terms, making the connections, ‘driving as a metaphor’.” – CarolineBlind
The second track is the equally energetic “Unsinkable,” with its very vigorous guitar work by CWHK, that flies hard and fast, never allowing you to wallow in the aspect of what could have been. An anthem for courage in the face of adversity.
“Unsinkable is basically a song of triumph over adversity, a little peptalk to myself: my ‘I Will Survive’, if you will. It’s a rallying cry to those going through a lot of injustice (women in particular), so it feels very timely to me. It’s a pushing back against all the projection and gaslighting that people try to saddle us with, with the chorus of “We’re sick of carrying that which is not our shame”.” – Caroline Blind
CarolineBlind’s voice has matured, not dulled by age, but rather becoming bigger and bolder than when she originally started with SunshineBlind, adding a sonorous tone that reflects a life lived, which I don’t feel was there in the 90s, and has seeped into her later works. The band have always been fearless proponents of gothic rock and it is nice to hear them playing together again, a familiar partnership. One wonders if this is a one off new recording, or if it will lead to a possibility of more new material. For now though, that future has not been revealed, so for live today and enjoy Scarred but Fearless.
NØIR and SilverWalks may not have been heard from recently, but that does not mean that they have not been busy. Athan Maroulis (NØIR, SpahnRanch, Black Tape For A Blue Girl) and Daniel McCullough (Silver Walks) have collaborated again, recording a cover of “Nothing Stays” by Cyberaktif, and originally released on the Wax Trax! label.
There is a sacred reverence almost for this track. The reflective vocals bear a lament about how everything must change, an acknowledgement of time marching on. Maroulis’ unmistakeable vocals, with Veil’s delicious backing singing are in perfect sync with the electronics, that blink away, filling all the dark spaces, which leaves you nearly breathless in the utter beauty of “Nothing Stays.”
Maroulis laid down the vocals in New York, and the programming in Lancaster PA, by McCullough, also adding backing vocals from ValentinaVeil (VV & the Void) recorded in Berlin, mixed in LA by DanEvans (DieWarzau) and and mastered by EricOehler (KLACK) in Madison, WI.
The rest of the EP contains remixes from Luna of S Y Z Y G Y X, David Dutton of genCAB and Oehler of KLACK, with each surprising you with how different all three tracks truly are. NØIR vs SilverWalks’ cover version, eerily still has that SkinnyPuppy sound that remind you that Cevin Key and Dwayne Goettel were in Cyberaktif, along with Bill Leeb of Frontline Assembly. This is so close to perfection.
Montreal’s SEXSOMNIA is made up Philip Faith (vocals, keyboards, bass, drum programming), Pat Gaudette (bass) and Michael Rien (keyboards, percussion), a blend of darkwave and electronics with a generous hint of taboo. Following up the release of their single “Forbidden,” SEXSOMNIA dropped in August, the EP also called Forbidden.
“Forbidden” and “Forbidden (Shadow Mix),” are the gateway to the EP, your pass into the world of potential pleasure via the sensuous tones of guest vocalist, Marita Volodina, with her sumptuous lip-service to extasy, and Faith’s more abrasive utterances.
IsabelleYoung can be found lending her voice to “Vapor,” an utterly danceable track with rolling rhythms and post-punk bass guitar. Young’s vocals bring the exotic into excitingly charged song, which still is ethereal in quality. “Nigrum Viduam” features guest vocalist JacintheBenoit, and has been remixed by MartinBowes, best known for his project ATTRITION. The Set You Free Mix takes this track that was released previously on the album Transcendent, making it feel grittier and more subversive, adding a harsher edge.
The ladies who have given their vocal talent on each song, definitely imbue their track with an essence of prohibited indulgence, be it heavy, airy or somewhere in between, but always sensual and done beautifully in conjunction with the music. SEXOMNIA are daring you to live on the edge a little, so you might find pleasure in the art of the Forbidden.
Eirene and ParisAlexander reside in the UK, while BruceCourtney is The Stave Church, hailing from Texas, and they have combined their electronic darkwave talents in order to create the single “Inner Sanctum.”
I don’t think the electronics could sound anymore urgent and determined, the synths swelling with dark waves of growing internal power. Eirene is the angelic voice asking for release into the light, a soul stuck in the shadow of an abusive relationship and finding the voice to announce her freedom. Alexander and Courtney have built a sonically pleasing song with great depth that challenges you to not find yourself dancing along. “InnerSanctum” is something a bit different from Eirene and Alexander due to the TheStaveChurch’s influence and really I would love to hear a bit more of this.
The label Nerang Records can be found on the Gold Coast in Queensland, with the sub-label, Ronnie’s Records, all run by Christopher Mcivor, who recently debuted under the persona Moody Mcivor. This darkwave project began in 2021 for Mcivor and the end of August saw the release of his second single “Benaiah Fiu.“
The drum machine rattles out it’s constant rhythm, only broken by the wavering and light synths, twinkling just out of reach. Mcivor’s utterances are as controlled as the drum machine, with industrial precision, his vocals a cross between IanCurtis (Warsaw/JoyDivision) and FrankTovey (FadGadget).
One should ask not what is “BenaiahFiu,” but rather who? BenaiahFiu was a friend of Mcivor’s and the soon to be released EP, Shadow Frequencies, is not only an ode to the departed, but also equal parts tribute and expression of loss. And there is a profound sense a grief below the surface, for as mechanical as Mcivor can sound, it is like this is all that is keeping everything together, should the surface tension be broken. There is a none too subtle nod to the early 80s post-punk sound and in all honesty, he pulls it off so well. Fly high “BenaiahFiu.”
Incirrina are a two piece band from Athens, Greece and signed to the label ColdTransmissionMusic. The latest single is called “ΚΡΥΦΟ (Hidden)” by the darkwave duo George Katsanos (synthesizers, drum machines, octapad, bass guitar) and IriniTiniakou (synthesizers, vocals).
The synths ebb and flow with an incantation of gothic sorrow. “ΚΡΥΦΟ(Hidden)” is the embodiment of what should be and yet, still remains obfuscated and incomplete. The vocals of Tiniakou, sung in her native Greek, are so alive and are only matched by the insistent guitar. It builds, a vortex of singing and instruments.
This track just struck me as possibly influenced by 80s Xmal Deutschland, especially with those wonderful yips recalling Anja Huwe’s vocal style. However, this is a far more modern fare with a smooth electronic bearing. Incirrina have brought forth and wonderful darkwave track in “ΚΡΥΦΟ (Hidden).”
Chronotape are a relatively new project, that started in Murmansk in Russia in 2024, and since then have relocated to Batumi in neighbouring Georgia. The darkwave duo of Eve (vocals) and Dee (music) have released the new single “Pale Fire.”
There is a lush, black and white video to go with “Pale Fire” and you can hear the influence of TheCure, circa Disintegration era, with those rivulets of guitar and washing synths, from the beginning of the track by Dee. There is an initial shock when you first hear Eve, as you are expecting the lilting tones of a woodland sprite, yet instead there is a deep feminine spoken word, accentuated by her Russian accent, giving a lament of what is no more or now may never be.
Eve reminds me so much of Nico with her unhurried, mostly spoken lyrics, and you should also lend your ear to the cover of Mike Oldfield’s “Moonlight Shadow,” which is the ‘b-side’. It is really startling to listen to a gothed up version and the vocals actually make this even better, with the popping programmed rhythms. Not going to be for everyone, but if you have loved The Velvet Underground and Nico or Anne Clarke, then Chronotape is going to enthral you.
SaccharineUnderground is the label based in Washington D.C. and run by JeremyMoore, who, incidentally is the driving force behind avant garde post-punk project, Zabus. Moore (voice, guitars, 6 string bass, strings/synthesis), released the EP Genesis in June, with fellow musicians B.B. Kille (guitars +tracks 3 and 4), Johnny Wielding (drums, 4 string bass +tracks 1-4), Alex Zorn (guitars +tracks 1 and 2) and Akane Shimizu (strings/synth +tracks 1 and 2).
In Icelandic, “Grafhysi Fyrir Alla” means ‘tombstone for everyone‘ and it is also the single off the EP, lush with unsteady echoing, which is unyielding in pouring Moore’s vocals tumbling from the turgid darkness, where lurks the dissonance of synths and guitar. It envelopes you in the forever that is the grave. “Orphalese” is a fictional city, found in the poetry book, The Prophet by KhalilGibran. There is a dynamism in the music, yet intimately, is speaks of becoming complacent and giving in to whatever comes, instead of holding onto core beliefs. The drums are unrelenting, tapping out the fall into mediocrity, and all the while the the track exudes a taste of richness, especially in the vocals.
Behold the death nell brought forth in “Tearful Symmetries.” The psychedelic plays heavily in this track and this could be the equivalent to The Doors’ “The End,” as Moore is the morose and death inspired JimMorrison, singing his ode to the inevitable demise of all. A cacophony of noise and sweeping gothic rock lays waste to you in “Golden-rot,” with roiling, powerful and deep vocals, The guitars are the wailing focal point, flooding your senses, overwhelming and full of portent that you are dying inside. The last track is also the title. “Shadow Genesis” is entirely the work of Moore, just him and a guitar, southern style gothic on the way out of town for the last time, unwilling to leave, but the reaper leaves no room for desire or wants.
“Psychopathologies like body dysmorphic disorder, at the extreme, can lead to a path of ruin, if most of your life is spent chasing a ghost—what you believe the world wants you to be. Death doesn’t discriminate. The end is always the same.” – Jeremy Moore
Yes, Shadow Genesis is about the ultimate end, but for myself, it is more pointedly about life. It is about how we could cowl and meet the end whimpering, or choose to make the most of everything and be the best person you can. Gibran wrote The Prophet, and although it speaks of humanities short comings, it more so brings into focus how beautiful life is when we treasure love, life and freedom. Zabus have given us a glimpse into the new album through the EP, which is thought provoking, full of gothic lyrics and eerily wonderful in that dark way.
Last year we were introduced to the young talented guitarist called Ja’kob, from Norway. Some of this talent comes from his equally skilled father, Karl Morten Dahl, otherwise known as Antipole. July saw the new single “Echoes,” featuring the vocals and lyrics of Portuguese darkwaver, Pedro Code of IAMTHESHADOW fame.
There is a delicate dance of the guitars as they interplay, reverberating and bouncing to the electronic beats, graceful in tone. Speaking of tone, the shivers are multiplied by hearing Code’s deep baritone, almost sliding in under the guitars, and they are deliciously sonorous.
“Echoes” speaks of things that happened in the past, like spectres of past regrets and choices made, that are still felt to this day. I don’t think I have heard anything put out by Antipole that I didn’t like, and “Echoes” is no different. The care and time put into this track can be sensed in your bones. Also there is something timeless about “Echoes” which translate well onto the dancefloor for this vast track from Antipole, Ja’kob and PedroCode.
Onyx Music Reviews 