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Fire is a curious creature. Yes, creature, for it seems to have a life of its own. It consumes, grows and breathes in oxygen, having a mind of its own. New Zealand’s Robots In Love have released in May the hot new single “See The Fires,” just before they drop the anticipated album ACTIVATE!

We be hit with those reggae feels right from the beginning. It is a slipping electronic and bastardised skank beat, that rolls us into the undulating synths, and Rayner’s singing join the hypnotic array. The serious tone of the lyrics, soon heralds heavier tones, vocals of conviction, and a burning surge of rock, powerful and delicate all at the same time.

Rayner and co, weave their magic where you experience the dread of being trapped with the urgency of needing to escape from a perceived encroaching darkness, while the salvation is the guiding light from burning beacons. A tale of desperation, but holding onto hope as long as you can “See The Fires,” and Robots In Love are fired up with this blistering single.

See the Fires (radio edit) | Robots In Love

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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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Now more than ever, we need to highlight those in the arts that not only lead the way, but also represent often harassed minorities. US gothic industrial project, Woundlicker is a trans female project, consisting of performances from Melora Cayce, Marya Alvarado and Primrose, with their latest album being “Haunted World of Mirrors.” Cayce told me she has too many fishnet, but really, no one can ever have too many lovely fishnets. Tre sexy!

The title track holds hints to the influences of Woundlicker, such as early Nine Inch Nails and the mighty Skinny Puppy, especially with the great drumming and the ferocious way the band attack the track.mHInts of trap and gothic impending gothic doom inhabit the echo chamber of “A Strange Crow.” Heavy bass and eerie church style organ, are heightened by repeated chorus lyrics, which de-evolves into a frantic snarling vocal exorcism attempt.

“Autumn Funeral Part 1” is an unbridled release of pent up anger and pain, directed towards a parent that cannot accept who they are. It is unapologetically raw in its violence, expressing mental torment as the metal guitar and industrial electronics trip over each other in their rush, yet Part 2 of the same track is a much more trippy event in finding or creating a family. There is Part 3 of “Autumn Funeral” which, for me, signifies the disparity between wanting the acceptance of blood ties, and knowing that those people will go to the grave without sharing in the highs and lows of an adult child’s life.

The album is ten songs long, full of honesty and introspection, questioning life and love while looking for ways to heal. It is dark and heavy going at times, mixing industrial noise, succulent gothic synths and liberal helpings of grinding metal, as we experience everything through the many reflections of Woundlicker. Woundlicker is watching through the “Haunted World Of Mirrors.”

Haunted World Of Mirrors | Woundlicker

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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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HYPNOTIZED – CODE 150 – Deezer

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Fans of The Birthday Massacre have been waiting with bated breath, for the release of a new album, and it seems they don’t have much longer to hold on. Pathways will be out on the label Metropolis Records, however for now, you can immerse yourself in the new single “Sleep Tonight.”

There is a nice, harsh edge to the electronics to compliment the guitar. Chibi’s vocals are so much of what defines The Birthday Massacre’s sound, both sweet and strong… and occasionally creepy. For “Sleep Tonight” she is like an angelic dream, haunting, next to the weighty drum beats and raucous guitar, that hints at the promise of violence.

I remember first seeing The Birthday Massacre on a German music compilation video and proceeded to find the first album, and I thought it was amazing that these kids where putting out some great songs. Yeah, we won’t go into how old I feel now, but this band have never lost sight of their purpose in life and it has kept them accountable when creating music that is artistic and pleasing for themselves. “Sleep Tonight” proves that the wait was worth it, so bring on Pathways.

Sleep Tonight | The Birthday Massacre

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When the weather warms up, the clothes get skimpier, and the eyes wander, which all leads to gothic SEX… or something like that. Those Italians are hot blooded and Motel Transylvania have dropped the equally hot single “Burning Lust,” which is apparently the official track for the Burning Pants Festival 2025.

Slamming drums rock your world and from the start, Motel Transylvania are in your face with the theme. If you like Lord of the Lost, then this is going to hit you right in the sweet spot. Big guitar riffs and an even bigger rousing chorus’, pounce and pin you down.

It is all about sticky, sweaty naughty bits, and the music see-saws between seduction and high power thrusting. Oh those young sexy driven darklings. I can appreciate the sentiment and Motel Transylvania definitely rock this hard. Beware of “Burning Lust,” as it might just consume you.

Burning Lust | Motel Transylvania

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