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Those that are heavily into science fiction/fantasy might recognise the name “Morbus Gravis“. from the comic Druuna, which became a video game in 2001. It is now a single, out on Infacted Recordings, from Greek industrial project TeknoVore, and the guest vocalist/lyricist is Australian, Keeva Leo, whom you might know is from the equally excellent Sirus.

You know, that when any seductive female voice tells you ‘come in, the water’s fine‘, you should probably run… a lot. Big industrial base drops propel the track forward, with Leo’s vocals cajoling, wailing, and seducing your ears, as any good siren should. There is included two mixes by two musicians/producers. Adsol gives you the first remix, which you think is going to be some delicate thing, but the beginning is a ruse, as the music flows between transcendental and thumping rhythms, while the vocals are now murkier, and there is a sense of obfuscation. The remix by Draven is an instrumental headlong rush of techno beats with flourishing synths that occasionally stops to catch its breath and then continues on, overriding your senses.

There is also an instrumental version where you get to experience those great bass drops yet again. George Klontzas is the man behind TeknoVore, and he really has a knack in creating and blending techno/psytrance with industrial, that is seamless and heavily engaging, so his combining forces with Keeva Leo, is a stroke of genius, and “Morbus Gravis” is going to suck you down into its wonderful vortex.

Morbus Gravis | Teknovore | Infacted Recordings (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/TeknoVoreMusic

https://www.instagram.com/tekno_vore/

Music | SIRUS (bandcamp.com)

Sirus | Facebook

Music | Adsol (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/adsolmusic?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Music | Draven (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/DeamienRaven1980s?mibextid=ZbWKwL

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Do you chose the red pill or the blue pill? It was a question put to the character Neo, in the movie The Matrix. Now, London’s Alien Creation, also known as Chris Clark, proposes “Red Pill” 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 Pop Will Eat Itself 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 Alien Creation, so take the “Red Pill“.

RED PILL | Alien Creation (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/Aliencreation1?mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://aliencreation.hearnow.com/

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The electronic merry men of British project Decommissioned Forests (DF), have a new release, which is not a new release. How is this so, you might ask yourself?! I shall elucidate. Dream Technicians 2023 Promo is a compilation album, drawing on singles, remixes, the most played on Spotify, and favourite tracks chosen by bandmates, Max Rael, Howard Gardner and Daniel Vincent.

There are tracks from the debut album Forestry, released in 2019, such as the delightful and gauzy “Drifting Into Darkness“, the gothic overtones of “Asleep Under The Leaves” that invoke the ghost of Coil, and and you get to enjoy the stunning “Impermanence“, with the entrancing synth playing that swells, begging for your attention..

The last album, Industry, was released in 2022, and there is “Base“, full of turgid, droning insecurities. DF have added a previously unreleased version of “Triggered“, now called “These Triggers“, which is equally electronic, but this new version almost jumps out at you with a faster rhythm pulsating and increasing the nervous tension. “A Comforting Uncertainty” was also the backdrop track for a short movie of the same name, and its tendrils slowly envelope your psyche, while the creeping doom of the monstrous entity within “Drop Brick“.

You can lose yourself with the transcendental 2022, electronic remix of the instrumental “Impermanent State“, that was the band’s original single, while “Bad Dust“, paints a languid soundscape, with Rael’s voice burbling occasionally in the background, running for a gargantuan 20 minutes and 48 seconds, off the EP Fortean Amps. Dream Technicians 2023 Promo has been put on Bandcamp for free and you really can’t do better than that. One cannot deny the influence of Coil on this project and all three members all admit to being huge fans, yet you can most certainly hear their sound is developing and further becoming very much Decommissioned Forests. Just brilliant.

Dream Technicians 2023 Promo | Decommissioned Forests (decomforests.com)

https://www.facebook.com/decommissionedforests

Decommissioned Forests (@DecomForests) / Twitter

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Vermin, vermin everywhere, and now there is the EP Vermin by Non-Bio. Non-Bio is UK based, Howard Gardener’s power/rhythmic noise project, when he is not working on Decommissioned Forests or Pillars Of Golden Misery.

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 “The Feast,” 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.

“Center Negative” 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.

Vermin | Non-Bio (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/nonbiomusic?mibextid=ZbWKwL

http://www.downwithfreedom.com/non-bio

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May the 4th was with you, and it most definitely was with Agent Side Grinder, with their brand spanking new album, Jack Vegas, Out on Progress Productions, the Swedish provocateurs of post-punk, doused in dark electronics, is composed of members, Johan Lange (synthesizer, keyboard, programming, percussion, backing vocals) and Peter Fristedt (modular synthesizer, tape loops), with Emanuel Åström (vocals).

Photo by Haris Mlivic

The not so gentle thrumming pushes into your ears, stirring your senses in the “Waiting Room“, a sensation of anticipation and nervous energy surging forth from this first track. “Number By Number” 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. “Flaws And Flame” wavers between grimy and angelic remorse, as the electronics screech in the background, before we get a bit funky with the title track, “Jack Vegas“. 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, “The Unravelling“, and honestly, the atmosphere could be described as oppressive and yet sensual, as the electronica caress your nerves.

Jack Vegas has been a very anticipated album, especially after hearing the guys last year, featuring on the Kill Shelter track “The Necklace“. So, after hearing Jack Vegas, I am not disappointed. In fact, it is a bloody amazing darkwave album, and in many ways, Agent Side Grinder are reminiscent of Joy Division, creating beautiful music within the shadowy sphere of human limits and emotions. Perfection.

Jack Vegas | Agent Side Grinder (bandcamp.com)

https://facebook.com/agentsidegrinder

https://instagram.com/agentsidegrinder

https://agentsidegrinder.com/

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Is there a cooler band name out there than Super Dragon Punch!!? I think not! This 8bit/industrial project from Belgium, is the brain child of Jérémie Venganza and there is a new single called “Split“. If this wasn’t enough, he has called on several electronic musicians to help out on the remix duties.

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 Jamie Blacker’s touch all over it. The ESA (Electronic Substance Abuse)remix is a bit funky with thumping beats and static, giving the track a much darker tone. Next is the Dulce Liquido remix. Oscar Mayorga is Dulce Liquido, 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 Toxxic Project mix. Toxxic Project 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!!.

Split | Super Dragon Punch!! (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/superdragonpunch

http://www.superdragonpunch.com/

https://super-dragon-punch.creator-spring.com/

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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, Simon Carter. “Erase My Mind” features the dulcet tones of Sweden’s Fredrik Keith Croona (Against I/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.

▶︎ Erase My Mind | Simon Carter (feat. Fredrik Keith Croona) | Simon Carter (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/HumansCantReboot

https://www.instagram.com/simon.carter_official/

http://www.twitch.tv/sy_carter

Music | Twisted Flesh Recordings (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/againstIband

https://www.instagram.com/againstiband/

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51 Pegasi is the designated name of a Sun that was once called Helvetios and 51 Peg is an industrial rock band from Washington. They released their first album back in 2000 called Strange Appointments and now in 2023, 51 Peg unleash latest album named A/Version.

Kicking off with the mood filled “The Distance Between“, which is a bit like an industrial version of Stone Temple Pilots, where the synths wail more so than the guitars. “Cursory Rhymes” is a swelling and emotional track with imploring vocals, which is at complete odds to “Roots Into Sand“, 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 “Digital Disease“, 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 “In Return” 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 Billy Idol single, “Eyes Without A Face” where musically and especially vocally, 51 Peg give a very Idol performance, without a need for the female backing singers.

For me, it was odd hearing a cover of the Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without A Face“, which is one of his slower songs, because most bands seem to cover “Rebel Yell” or “White Wedding“, 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, Depeche Mode and Gary Numan, 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.

A\Version | 51 Peg (bandcamp.com)

http://51peg.com/

https://facebook.com/51peg

https://instagram.com/51_peg

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There is some really brilliant darkwave music coming out currently, and the Antipole & Paris Alexander album, Crystalline, out on Young & Cold Records, 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,’take me‘….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.

Crystalline | Antipole & Paris Alexander | Antipole (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/antipoleband?mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://www.facebook.com/parisalexandermusic?mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://www.facebook.com/youngandcoldrecords?mibextid=ZbWKwL

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The second Girls Under Glass single has been released with video, called “Dream Yourself Away“, in anticipation for the new album Backdraft, out on Dependant Records. Original singer, Tom Lücke, re-joined the band in 2016, after leaving back in 1989, which has brought back those wonderful vocals that greeted us on the first Girls Under Glass releases and this track can be found on the Deluxe Version of Backdraft.

“It is a positive outlook on life in the present and in future. The text asks to deal with the important issues now and with confidence. The song is directly linked to my time with GIRLS UNDER GLASS back in the days, but it is also connected through the 1980s vibes within me to the present. To me, it nearly appears as if the days in between have never existed. I regard this song highly as a present and it moves me very much to see it being released as a single.” – Tom Lücke

There is a thrill that goes down my spine and I can’t decide if it is from the ringing guitars, the thumping bass or the succulent keyboards, but Lücke’s vocals definitely lend themselves to creating a mesmerising track. So builds the hunger for the new album from Girls Under Glass.

Backdraft (Deluxe Edition) | Girls Under Glass (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/GirlsUnderGlassEst1986?mibextid=ZbWKwL