Maybe our existence is really in the matrix and we are an illusion in the memory banks of a computer, and just maybe those awful relationships and people could be reduced to “JUNKFILE” fodder. Italian band, HORRORFORBREAKFAST are Lily B. and Louis M., who have been creating music together under this moniker since 2023, and “JUNKFILE” is their second single.
The sounds of pouring rain and winds, brings forth the images of a bleak and grey day, compounded by the initial lone chimes. In creeps the synths, which take on the tune, building the anticipation, especially when the guitar joins in. The vocals beckon you to your doom by deletion because you don’t fit the normal programme.
It is kind of like toned down versions of LacunaCoil meets Garbage, a catchy and sexy track that could have people swaying on the dance floor. So if alt+control+delete isn’t working for you, then you can hit “JUNKFILE” by HORRORFORBREAKFAST.
It is probably fitting that the birth of a gothic track starts with a nightmare, and so this is how the LunarPaths‘ track “Halo,” came into being. Drummer KevinHunter awoke from his sleep and proceeded to record the rhythm section before handing it onto his musical partner in crime, DianeDubois, to add the extra magic.
The drum lines that the track are based on, are at the fore, with Dubois bringing to life this phantasm with the disturbing echoing synths and her breathy vocals haunting the very air, thick with disquiet. A song about those friends who are only there when they need something from you and are in the habit of asking until you bleed dry.
I have said this before, but Dubois‘ vocals are eerily reminiscent of SiouxsieSioux and the experimental quality often leave me feeling that this is what TheCreatures could have sounded like if they had pursued that creative well. Hunter’s rhythms are the foundation and beautifully move the track along. LunarPaths might just be dark angels, especially with a perfect track like “Halo.”
Leeds goth rock band, ZeitgeistZero, released their debut self titled album back in 2005, and since then have dropped albums very regularly. 2023 brought forth the current offering of Meddling With The Forces for this trio on the label Bat-Core. Mixing was conducted by CorinZero and StevenWhitfield (TheCure), while the mastering is by TimHay at AutumnGiantMastering and the whole shebang recorded at InnerSanctumStudios.
There is something quite delightful in the slightly chaotic disjointedness of “NightPeople,” as it is almost teeters on industrial ground both musically and for repressed aggression. Those children of the night is what we are all about. Continuing on the harsher side of electronics, the beginning of “Scream” greets your ears with grating noise, before rocking you with the outbursts of guitar and lulls of anticipation. The single “ToxicTwist” is designed to whip you up with its punk attitude and play between synths and guitar, about a relationship with a less than desirable toxic human. “PlasticDiamonds” look flashy but are worth nothing and the same can be said for people who act like fake jewels, where not everything that glitters is worthy, unlike this song. Final track is the lower, slower and heavier “TheUnwantedOne,” that smacks slightly of ConcreteBlonde.
ZeitgeistZero might be MeddlingWithTheForces, but you know this is not the first time they have travelled this gothic road. They are accomplished musicians with a back catalogue that I would highly suggest you check out. The album is full of ghoulish delights, whether they be musical textures or supernatural subjects. Witches, monsters and goths…oh my.
1990 was the year the iconic album, The Good Son, was released by Nick Cave andthe Bad Seeds. It spawned several singles, which included the slow burn wonder that was “The Ship Song.” 2023, and Lunar Paths has taken this classic track and given it their experimental, electronic sheen.
Walking in Cave’s deep, sonorous vocal footprints is no easy task, but female lead singer, DianeDubois, pulls it off with great aplomb. The synths in the background are a constant, swelling and dropping, voluptuous in their role and the live drums of KevinHunter are an excellent accompaniment.
“The Ship Song” has always been a rich track, which is why it has been covered by quite a few bands…. mellow and smooth with an incandescent dark beauty that has been brought to the fore in this latest version by LunarPaths.
French industrial-darkwave project, DivineShade are ending a successful year, with the release of the single “Heaven.” This track, as well as previous single “Oublier,” will be included on the album Fragments Vol.1, which will be dropping April, 2024.
Instantly attention grabbing, within the very first bars, and when the electronic drums thunder in along with the vocals, you are not disappointed. Wavering between the sweet beseeching and writhing angst, backed up by thrumming fuzzed out tones, it all courses through your veins, infecting your senses with the sheer vehemence of conviction.
“Heaven” is indeed a glorious track, magnetic in the way it calls out to the listener and utterly enjoyable. It brings together aspects of industrial and darkwave, with a sprinkle of coldwave nuances, which the French have always been so good at, blending them into something very special. “Heaven” is waiting with Divine Shade.
Creepy creepy, in Melbourne city, where gothic delights pervade in the form of Velatine and their new single, “Nothing To Do With You.” LokiLockwood is the man with the plan, with IngaLiljeström, the siren, and it is out on the label SpookyRecords.
The electronics have the air of unquelled domination and Liljeström launches into a story of a woman maligned by many, but, it seems, through her own volution, found herself in order to make her life better. The vocals are languid like molasses and just as rich.
Liljeström’s singing, in both tempo and sound, reminds me very much of JonetteNapolitano of ConcreteBlonde (a personal favourite), combined with the ringing guitar and synth/programming of Lockwood, framing the story and focusing us on the tale at hand. Maybe it has “Nothing To Do With You,” but everything to do with Velatine and this really strong darkwave track.
2007 saw the birth of Swedish EBM group Spark!, with original members StefanBrorsson (vocals) and MattiasZiessow (synths, programming), dishing out the beats. However, in 2013, Brorsson left the band, citing personal reasons, leaving Ziessow to continue on. Fans can rejoice, as the lads are back together in 2023 with the single “66 Ton Krom,” which will be on the new album out in 2024, on the ProgressProductions label.
The direct translation is ‘66 tonnes of chrome‘, and with the frenetic pace of the rhythm, they can only be referring to a large vehicle, such as a big shiny truck. And behold there is a big shiny buff truck on the cover! Brorsson’s vocals dance between the programmed electronics that come on in rapid succession, while the synths rip down the road burning rubber with those beats.
There is something quintessentially Swedish about the EBM that comes out of that country, and it not just singing in the native tongue. A lot of joy can be felt from “66 TonKrom,” as if the break the guys have had from each other, galvanised their sound. Industrial electro-pop from Spark! that is going to get your motor running.
In the mid 80s, Tears For Fears were one of the huge names in popular music, topping the charts. One of their tracks is the still well loved “Mad World,” and MadilHardis has released a cover of this iconic number.
Echoing, delicate singing of Hardis is the absolute focal point, with the electronics simply haunting the background. The Tears for Fears version was for the disaffected, while this new cover is ethereal and not bound to this world.
Pretty sure that I have said this in the past, but honestly the vocals are simply angelic in nature, touching that place within you that causes involuntary shivers down your spine. Otherworldly and poignant, with the ability to drag out emotions of even the most coldest of hearts, this is “Mad World” by Madil Hardis.
From Louisville, Kentucky, the duo of StephenBeasey and BrianCain are the darkwave band WhoSaw Her DIe?, and have released in December, the EP, Ignoring The Serpent.
Oh dear, “Emma” it seems is a stalker, who doesn’t understand the word no, looking to control the subject of her misplaced affection. The vocals deep and foreboding, as they tell of Emma’s indiscretions and unhealthy obsession. Angels can be found in many religions and not all are the light bringers which many pray to now. Rather, they are often avenging beings and this is the premise of “Angel Of Old.” There is a beautiful mix of synths and guitar, that play and intertwine throughout the track, all set to a spritely dance rhythm.
The last track is “Ignoring The Serpent,” slower and far more introspective. The serpent is the metaphor for evil and the premise is that no matter what happens to a person, we can hold onto that which makes us a decent human. The guitar sprinkles this lament with light while the synths and vocals are the grave warning of the loss of this humanity.
Who Saw Her Die? delves into the synth based sound of the 80s and marry it to the far more modern darkwave drone with sparkling guitar work. It really works for them, as they write about the human psyche, the paranormal and how they feed into each other. Don’t be ignoring this serpent, because the bite is quite intoxicating.
The daring 80s synth inspired duo from Doncaster, PeakFlow, have released the remix for their single “RunningToYou.” And in that vein, we invite you to enjoy this new dance mix extravaganza .
