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Karen Righeimer (low bass / vocals) and Ivan Russia (high bass / vocals / drum programming) are the Chicago based, post-punk band BELLHEAD, and April brought with it the release of the latest EP, Threats.

They say good girls go to heaven but bad girls go everywhere, and in “Threats,” the woman is most definitely a bad girl. She takes what she wants and creates trauma without a single thought of regret. The music is sassy and unyielding with Russia telling you about this she devil that is trying to break his heart. “Heart Shape Hole” is about revenge, invoking a vengeful old testament God. The vocals are grim and grimy, but then there is this line with lyrics, that just hits you and I am reminded of The Rolling Stone’s “Shine A Light.”

There is murder afoot and those bass guitars simply reinforce the intent of bringing to an end the misery and pain. Righeimer’s singing about the “Shutters + Slutters” giving the dual tone of raggedness. A modern day song about a cowboy that still is looking for his wild west, being hard riding, hard drinking and a dead shot with a death wish. The music grinds out the dust blown tale of the contemporary gunslinger for “No Dead Horses.” The track “Double Jeopardy” has this amazing stalking feel about it, like it knows it can swan around and not get caught because it is so cool. All the ways you can go and no one will ever know what happened, but it is a cool soundtrack, so what a way to go.

So, there are no love songs but what do you expect from a title like Threats, and it is about the archetypal types you might come across in Vegas…. okay, I have never been to Vegas but this peaked my imagination. The EP also has two remixes with one being the title track, mixed by the mighty Stabbing Westwards and Clubdrugs doing their thing with “Hole Shaped Heart.” BELLHEAD really do kill it with the double bass guitar, where it always gives their music an air of grunginess, being soiled or less than savoury, but then you hear those moments of the high bass that add a touch of lightness. Is it industrial, is it post-punk or gothic rock? That is up to you, but you will enjoy all of BELLHEAD’s Threats.

 Threats | BELLHEAD

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Based in California is the project Pieti, a collaboration between musicians The Vandalorum (all instruments) and Krauhl (vocals and lyrics), where they create darkwave, influenced by dungeon synth. Their latest release is called Wedding Photos, comprised of eight tracks.

The guitar work in “Martyr,” sparkles and flows in a gorgeous way, leaving you mesmerised by the simplistic joy it brings. The vocals definitely remind me of Interpol’s Paul Banks both in tone and pace, which are propelled by the lovely deep bass. The synths break through and there is something about this track that grabs your attention completely. Love can cause a person to do many things in order to gain for themselves “Eternal Bliss.” Again there is that great post-punk styled bass and the earnest vocals of Krauhl, as the song keeps the foot tapping along.

Another stand out track is “Reservation,” and it is a myriad of ideas and emotions. The lyrics, ‘Red leather, black tie‘ give the illusion of sexual temptation or tension, and within it, a lamentation that tugs at your heart. The luscious “Clever Disarray” is far more laid back and sinuous affair, that starts off with a recording of a woman, which is apparently how the females in a jail were communicating with each other, that belonged to The Vandal’s grandmother. The vocals and synths convey a defiance and sadness, plus that guitar has an almost Mediterranean feel.

The album was recorded between 2023 and 2025, and seems to draw from life and family, whether this is blood relations or the families we create, hence the title Wedding Photos. The music itself is heavily rooted in post-punk and darkwave, with the rhythm held together by the bass and drums, while the guitar is just what makes it all perfect, equally important as the vocals in creating the atmosphere. The judicious use of synth just lends to the texture of each track. Pieti have dropped us a gem in Wedding Photos.

Wedding Photos | Pieti

Music | Vandalorum

Luke | Mastering Engineer (@vandalmastering) • Instagram photos and videos

Music | Krauhl

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We have the pleasure of introducing a new gothic band from Berlin, called Sorry We Weren’t Here Before and their debut single “Vibrations Will Told,” out on the independent German label Agoge Records. Members of the band are Robert Koric (vocals), Sandy Pötzsch (bass), Gianmarco Bellumori (guitar) and Drum machine (whom I am calling Boom Boom because I can!).

There is something about this track that makes me think of different periods of goth music. The guitar has that 80s jangle and the vocals waver between the guttural sound of the 90s and melodic current style in the chorus. The verses hold a discordancy that is resolved in the chorus, highlighting the spiritual content.

With the lyrics talking about souls and vibrations, it makes me think this track is about a belief in a higher realm of conscious, where others can feel your emotions and get hints of your thoughts. This is a solid first single from Sorry We Weren’t Here Before, so find that special person and send them “Vibrations Will Told.”

Vibrations Will Told | SORRY WE WEREN’T HERE BEFORE | Agoge Records

Facebook – Sorry We Weren’t Here Before

Agoge Records – Independent Label

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There is a finality with the release of the new single “Stars At Night” for The Funeral March of the Marionettes. This is the last music video single off their last ever album, It All Falls Apart, since frontman and original member Joe Whiteaker, succumbed to cancer.

“I wasn’t much into post-punk or goth rock before I met him, but I quickly became a fan of The Funeral March. What Joe and company were doing spoke to me in a way other genre bands didn’t. That I got to join the band and participate in creating some fantastic songs is a real gift, one I’ll always cherish.” – Darius McCaskey (The Funeral March)

Whiteaker is joined by Ria Aursjoen (Octavian Winter/AURSJOEN)on vocals for this track, her singing angelic in its mirroring . You hear the influence of the early 80s gothic guitar and it is magnificent, making your chest swell with joy for this alone. Having William Faith (The Bellwether Syndicate/Faith and the Muse) on production takes the sound to another level.

The music video was created knowing Whiteaker was ill, and yet, for me, it is wonderful to have him immortalised forever with a great track like this, and anyone that had dealings with Joe will tell you that he was a truly honest and delightful human. The single is full of soul and indeed as bright as the “Stars At Night,” leading you to The Funeral of the Marionettes, and that can never fade away.

It All Falls Apart | The Funeral March of the Marionettes

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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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Laurent Audouin (bass, keyboards, programming), Julien Brevet (guitar, keyboards, vocals, programming) and Vincent Lechevallier (drums, percussion) make-up Nantes based post-punk band LOWPKIN. Their new single, released at the end of February, is called “Vacancy.”

There are electronics keeping time with the drums, but the guitar stands out as it wails in the chorus. “Vacancy” has this really silken feel to it, as if it might have been a track from the past, especially with the guitar and vocals, yet it is the programming that makes it modern. Very danceable and, more so, I just found ‘Vacancy” truly enjoyable. The French are so good at cold new wave styled music and LOWPKIN follow in this tradition.

Music | Lowpkin

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London’s test plan are back! The latest single is called “My Teeth,” and I have to say, this is not the video to watch if you are having a current altered state of mind. I will just point the finger and say, it all the fault of Max Mason (drums, vocals), Michalis Fragkiadakis (guitar, backing vocals) and Rory Dickinson (bass, backing vocals).

Frenetic is the word that hits my tongue, as the bass is tortured into booming deeply, and the drums slash and cut through all. The vocals are diabolical, screaming at point blank range that you have no choice but to listen about teeth falling out.

As someone that knows teeth, I have to say that I saw a lot of nice dentition in the video, but also the horror come real in the form of large teeth. As a dental student, it is one of those fever dreams, being chased by rogue molars down the street. What is “My Teeth” all about? I don’t plan on looking too hard into what test plan are ranting on about, but it’s bloody great!

My Teeth | test plan

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testplan | Instagram | Linktree

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Things I know. The band The Dark Wave formed in 2019, and is a new wave/post-punk from the Netherlands. Jelmer Luimstra of April Afternoon, joined them in 2023, and now they have released their second single “One of These Days.”

There are chiming guitars and the synths have a breezy, light feel. The hint that this track is not all sunshine and lollipops, is the heavy bass below everything, and of course, those lyrics about being trapped. Smooth as silk vocals are the cheery on top.

If you enjoy eating sea food, you might feel rather remorseful after watching the music video, though the lyrics are using the lobster as a metaphor for once being free and if you aren’t aware of what is happening around you, that freedom can disappear. Kind of pertinent for the current political climate. “One of These Days” is the more modern equivalent of The Manic Street Preacher’s “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next,” and The Dark Wave are poking you to open your eyes with good indie pop.

One of These Days | The Dark Wave

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THEODOROS is the solo project of Theodoros Dimitriou, who is also a founding member of Greek dark rock band Lefki Symphonia. With all new acts, there must be a debut single, and so we have “Every Day I Die,” which is off his first album of the same title.

The guitar is ominous from the start and Dimitriou’s vocals are laid back which feels utterly befitting, even with the rolling, danceable rhythms and occasionally wailing guitar riffs. The synths are subtle in the mix and this all highlights the dramatic lyrics and singing.

‘Every day I’m born again, Every day I die‘ and I am left wondering if this track is about when we sleep, if this is the death or if it is just fancy dark imagery. In any case, this post-punk song is easy on the ears and Dimitriou’s Greek accent adds to the mysterious allure. THEODOROS’ “Every Day I Die” will most likely lodge itself in your brain for a while and is a most worthy gothic club track.

Every Day I Die (Single) | THEODOROS

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DREAM RITUAL – Record Label and Publishing House

THEODOROS DIMITRIOU – Musician – Λευκή Συμφωνία/Lefki Symphonia

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New year and new single from the transatlantic team Lunar Paths. Diane Dubois and Kevin Hunter have dropped a technoir terror in the form of “Zero Trust Mentality.”

The clatter of looped rhythms, first started as drumming that Hunter laid down, have been fed into Dubois‘ sequencer, and it almost thunders, distorted and melding with the synths. An urgency from the electronics as they pulse frenetically, exploding around the cool vocals, that are almost spoken word, building the tension.

Apparently Meta in Facebook, at the end of last year (2024) left people wondering if they had been hacked, and honestly, in recent times, our online data has come under attack from individuals and even other countries. That is what this track is about, where we are finding new ways to protect our electronic lives. “Zero Trust Mentality” is kind of like Lunar Paths’ “Sleeper in Metropolis” and this might be an unconscious nod to Anne Clark. Not to mention the synths in the beginning have an 80s feel as it kind of reminded me of Japan’s excellent “Quiet Life.” This is Lunar Paths’ most industrial and dance floor friendly track in this era of “Zero Trust Mentality.”

Zero Trust Mentality | Lunar Paths

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Postpunk, Darkwave, Music | LUNAR PATHS

Lunar Paths (@lunarpaths.bsky.social) — Bluesky