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Those busy lads from the north of England are back. I previously, for another publication, reviewed Auger‘s first album. Since last year, they have been making a name for themselves by touring the UK and Europe, whilst writing a new album named, From Now On I.

The newest single is a song called “Find My Own Way Out”, released on the label, darkTunes Music Group, ahead of the awaited album release.

This song is a great progressive piece of electronica/industrial with good vocals from Kyle Wilson and guitar work by Kieran Thornton. It is all nicely blended and a good strong number with a memorable chorus.

Lyrically you find a song about being pushed and let down even after putting your faith in others. In the end it’s about getting yourself out of dark places you end up dwelling in. Finding that light inside you to push forward and be the cataylst of change you need.

In a year, I can hear the difference in these guys. Their sound had matured and become much tighter which is a credit to them.

Auger have really started in earnest to cultivate a sound that is uniquely their own and it pleases me no end to say, check out these young fellas and cannot wait to hear the new album.

http://http://www.auger.band

https://www.facebook.com/AugerUK

https://www.instagram.com/auger.band

http://www.darktunes.com

https://www.darkmerch.com

http://tinyurl.com/darkTunesFB

https://twitter.com/darktunesgroup

https://www.instagram.com/darktunesmu…

https://open.spotify.com/user/darktun…

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This band called October Burns Black or OBB is an interesting creature. Created in 2015, the members are diverse as they are spread out around mostly Europe. This year we saw the release of their EP,  fault lines…..yes it is all in lower case if you were wondering.

This 4 track EP starts with “With You”. This is a sound of guitars that I associate with my misspent youth. Nice smooth vocals that bring up images of Wayne Hussey and guitars that hauntingly echo The Mission or The Wake’s jangly signature sound. Quite delightful.

“Shimmer” drives along nicely. A hauntingly pretty, swirling guitar piece. The words “Black shimmer” make me think Siouxsie and the Banshees would have liked this.

Next is the excellent “Arrowhead”. I don’t know if I would want to walk with an arrowhead and certainly not wanted to be hit with a real one but this song will happily puncture you with its wonderfully interesting lyrics and changing time signatures. Definitely a number I could see myself out on the dance floor doing the old gothic/new romantic two-step.

The last track is the visually, fairground inspired “Light On Light”. The swirling giddy carousel with it’s blinding and confusing light show and childish pleasures and pains. The guitar in this is perfect and resonates with the number.

This is a great EP as it is a new spin on the gothic rock genre. Great production, the guitars are superb in my opinion and each song is interesting. You can hear the influences of the past yet they are creating fine new music, keeping this style very much alive.  So please have a listen to October Burns Black as they are well worth your support.

https://octoberburnsblack.bandcamp.com/album/fault-line

 

 

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  • MIDNIGHT CREATURES

Midnight Creatures is a two man gothic/metal rock band from Australia with Jordan Von Grae on vocals and Lachlan Blackwood bringing the guitars and programming. Together they have brought their first born offering to the table on the form of an E.P. called I.

This is a 3 track E.P. and the first track is “Hope and Faith” with a strong piano and guitar sound. Waiting for love to be returned when given. Though as we all know that this never always the case.  Heavy on the symphonic gothic guitar sound on this number.

“Daylight” starts and continues with a solo piano and in some ways this reminds me of Muse and could be the whimsical way it is sung. A song of love lost and a female remembered by the way she moved in the daylight.

This could be a tribute to Valo and HIM from the Love Metal period, “Salt of My Earth”. This is in no way a bad thing as this ode to woman being his part of his existence, is very sweet and romantic in that dark and not gooey way goths do.

So a three part ode to love. Waiting for requited love, memories of love lost and bound to a great love. What more could you want? You can most definitely hear the influence of HIM and Von Grae‘s vocals do remind me a bit of Muse‘s lead singer, though Jordan‘s voice rings clearer I feel and not so nasal. Lachlan Blackwood also does a great job on guitar.  

These two lads seem to be stuck in the gothic romantic era and if Lord Byron had been a gothic rocker, he would have joined them. Do check them out on Bandcamp.

https://midnightcreaturesband.bandcamp.com/releases