ChooseEuphoria is the latest album from UK project TheResonanceAssociation, released in 2023. The brain child of DanielVincent and DominicHemy, has been around since 2006, and according to their Bandcamp page…. ‘They seek to produce hallucinatory music to transport the listener to uncharted realms of space and time.’
The first track off the rank, “ForceMajeure,” leaps out at you, its enthusiastic rock guitar with walls of sound bursting forth joyously, adventuring like a cosmic snake. The electronics continue this journey of sound with “Invocation,” more subdued than “ForceMajeure,” but equally full of intonations throughout, as if the solar winds are gracing your ears in the background. “The State of Things” is semi angelic, though some of the effects are near paranoid inducting, especially with the slowly played guitar and it has been combined with a rather psychedelic froopy video. Cool liquid bass lines are the backbone for “No Fear of Falling,” with wailing synths crystalline and smooth, even when faced by the solo guitar reaching out the listener.
There is something very early 80s about “SomeKind” that I just cannot quite put my finger on, but it is hypnotic and all together far too enjoyable, even with the computer created sirens. I somehow doubt the track “TripHazard” is about unfortunately falling over one’s own feet, but rather, flights of fancy, and as we all know, some journeys are fraught with real dangers, such as minding the gap, which perfectly leads into “Elsewhere.” Again, we are within the winds that whip around the meandering guitar, courting you to go along for the laid back ride. We finish with prog odyssey “SpaceTimePolitics” which kind of reminded me of a scaled back version of PinkFloyd’s “Journey to the Heart of the Sun,” full of lulls that build up into Hendrix like explosions of guitar.
ChooseEuphoria is an eight track album, and indeed TheResonanceAssociation have done exactly as they said they would, using music to transcend our space and the current limitations, opening up movement and achieving wonder, as well as creating textures via experimentation and instrumentation alone. Choose life and ChooseEuphoria.
NaturalDarkness is the new album offering from German born, London based MadilHardis, with twelve original tracks and six remixes, meaning not only is there quality, but you are getting quantity too!. Hardis is known for her gloriously angelic vocals, married with very emotive musical scores that she has created.
The first cab off the rank is “Absence,” settings the tone for the album. Crystal like shards of life experience and poignant, filled with longing that is heart felt. “Crucifixus” has those deeply religious tones of devout exultation given by angels to the heavens in the form of vocals. The track “To The Heart” floats with an internal rhythm and the ever-present piano, caressed by the synths, as if trying to bring comfort, all the while Hardis‘ vocals soar above. Just one of the songs that showcase her talents.
One of the shortest numbers is also, for me, one of the most sublime. This is “Disintegration,” and it is one of those songs that can just cast you adrift on a forlorn sea. The title track, “NaturalDarkness,” has a rather preternatural echoing air, haunting and ethereal, as if yesterdays spectres are waiting at the vale.
The remixes are done by the likes of AshburyHeights, VortexFour, WanderingStars, BérècheYou, and ElectroSpectra. There is a version of “NaturalDarkness” that isn’t really a remix but rather features the cello talents of MichaelHyman, which just creates a feeling of welling beauty and haunting desperation. The others range from modern, through to experimental electronica, giving you new and intriguing ways of perceiving each track.
That is just a taste of NaturalDarkness, from a lady with an abundance of natural talent. MadilHardis carefully entwines classical tendrils with electronic ones, weaving music that is otherworldly and, at the same time, grabs your heart strings.
Mobile phones have become a staple of modern living. We constantly check them and break into a cold sweat when we cannot find them. New Zealand’s FrauKnotz, explores our dependence on social media, though the single “Cellular,” as more and more people live their lives online rather than in the real world, and where popularity is the acknowledgement of others on these platforms.
There is a delicacy about “Cellular,” and maybe it is something to do with the lack of a rhythm section, relying on the piano to carry the music, but it is also in the vocals, a blatant honesty. You can hear the British early 80s, post-punk influence in the track, where there is a purity of simplicity and passion, giving the song a core of undeniable strength.
MizaanTurner is a fourteen year old dancer from Taranaki, and it was they who choreographed the video for the single, making the video for FrauKnotz, aka LaurenNottingham, an alluring affair. Mobile phones are a marvel that have definitely changed a lot of things for the better, and yet, as “Cellular” soulfully points out, it has also caused isolation, anxiety and changed the way we see ourselves in relation to the world..
One might wonder what Fundustrial is, and the only answer can be, STAHLSCHLAG! I have been rather slack covering the new releases from SebastianSünkler, but every time I think he’s going to take a hiatus due to work commitments…. BOOM, there is another album/EP. The man is almost as much machine as the computers and synths that he uses, with the exception that he is one of the nicest guys in the industrial scene, though he does have the Terminator haircut. I’m just saying.
So, I have compiled the three Fundustrial EPs, Alpha!, Beta! and Gamma! into a bouncy castle, filled with clowns and glow sticks to give you an idea of what you need in your life. The Alpha! EP is just full of aggrotech dance with noise and it really smokes, like with the track “This Is Fundustrial,” being the prefect example of flesh pounding rhythms to make even the most tired cybergoth, want to stomp their New Rocks. “Whatever You Say” will make your blood pressure rise as a swirling dance floor filler, or the more rhythmic noise influenced “Dance Of Doom.” Honestly, who doesn’t like a bit of doom dancing?!
The second EP, Beta! does rather seem to be where Sünkler may have contemplated he needed a break, then thought ‘nah, it is all good,’ and so we have gotten something very much more off the wall. Glitching fast paced beats follow you through the EP, poking you with the feather of no mercy, so you can be cyber romanced by “My Generation,” or enjoy the wonderment of how potatoes and tomatoes are very entertaining with a huge techno helping of “Something Different.” Kill or be killed in the style of Tron, in the track “Get Ready,” or get lost in “I Have A Dream.”
‘Fundustrial is back, it’s fast, it’s hard and will make you crack,’ proclaims the female voice, about Gamma!, in the first track, “Make you Crack,” or how about being lost in the trance inducing “Anthem,” that might have been instigated the secretive lizard people. The track “Milk” could be the first industrial track I have ever heard with mooing cows and some animated voice threatening to make you drink the creamy white stuff. How can you go wrong with a titles like “Let’s Get Goth,” or a revamping of “Popular Slut Club,” which, by the way, has has the treatment Singery[Cdio], creating a echoing mind fuck, pushing you over the edge with its wonderous layers of noise.
Are these EPs fun? Yes. Are they industrial. Absolutely. So there is no doubt in my mind that this is indeed Fundustrial at its very best. It is nice to see a kooky side to STAHLSCHLAG, and it is really interesting to see the progression of this series. Party hearty with Fundustrial and for the people with clown phobias…. sorry but you’ll get over it.
Who do you believe and what can you trust? Wars popping up around the world and now the revamped hostilities in the Gaza Strip…. you have to ask, when does the killing stop? Dystopiarch is the new project for MatthewMcIntosh, whom you might know from ACloudOfRavens, and the debut single is “LikeHell.” The proceeds of the single will be donated to civilian victims of the Middle East conflict through International Rescue Committee.
From the opening speeding rhythm, combined with the pulsating synths, are simply attention grabbing. McIntosh’s vocals are strained and at times breathy, compelling you you to listen to the lyrics, which are about modern living, where we have lost contact with the natural world, preferring so see perfection on a screen, and just let the Earth burn. A literal hell.
There is a wonderful juxtaposition between bright and dark synths, the driving rhythm that thumps along and those rather Imperative vocals, that make up “LikeHell.” The style of music invokes thoughts of cyber-industrial with post-punk leanings, due to the electronics that play against each other, creating both feelings of claustrophobia and euphoria. It is catchy, thought provoking and proceeds are for a great cause. Those alone are great reasons for people to get behind this Dystopiarch track, for life is not meant to be “LikeHell.”
Out on InfactedRecordings, is the latest single “Harbour” from J:dead, where JayTaylor has enlisted AestheticPerfection and genCAB for remix duties. This is officially the last release for J:dead for the year 2023, but in 2024, we can expect the unleashing of the thematic EP ROOTS, which will contain seven original tracks, including “Harbour,” plus 8 remixes.
“Harbour” has this rolling flow whilst also laying down dance rhythms. An electronic melding of the many faces and personalities we are and show others, topped by the molten vocals of Taylor. The AestheticPerfection mix is filled with a bright jauntiness that the progenitor of industrial pop, DanielGraves is famous for, while DavidDutton of genCAB’s version is slower and darker, like you can feel the shadows enveloping you in a cocoon and only the vocals can drag you to the light.
The line ‘look hard and you will find me, lonely I will never be‘ doesn’t refer to multiple personalities but rather all the different facets that make us up as humans. We are not one thing such as a joker or the introvert, which would leave us as one dimensional aberrations, instead of the wondrously complicated creatures we are. As always, this is a polished track with two stunning mixes and if you want to know what you will be getting in the EP, then “Harbour” is an excellent place to start. I have already had the pleasure of hearing the original tracks and can promise that you are not going to be disappointed, yet that is for another day………..
Scenius are a dark synthpop duo, hailing from Leeds in the UK. Composed of UK producer SteveWhitfield (The Cure, TheMission) and French singer FabriceNau, they released their album LifeIs A Thing, back in May but we are going to touch upon the single off the album, “ChineseRoom.”
There is a simplicity to the track that makes it entrancing, almost dream like. The sound of electronics harken back to late 70s and early 80s acts like JohnFoxx, GaryNuman and German pioneers, Kaftwerk. Nau’s vocals are seductive and unhurried, with that French accent only enhancing the cool of track.
Together with the video for the single, I do feel “ChineseRoom” is a reference to heroin. The video is a party slowed down, where those participating in the drug use are only existing in the moment and Chinese rock is a euphemism for heroin, a la the Ramones single “ChineseRock.” I do love the throwback nod to past electronica heroes, but they have a distinct modern touch all over this track. You should listen to the “ChineseRoom,” but be warned, you may become addicted to Scenius.
SignalsFromTheSun is the debut album for American duo, CraigDouglas and MichaelGoldberg, collectively known as SonumUnum, a dreampop project. You know they have to be something incredible when they have been signed to the NegativeGain label on the strength of the first track, but also having the mastering done by RobRobinson of KervorkianDeathCycle fame. With that in mind, we thought it was time to speak to CraigDouglas for the low down on SonumUnum.
Welcome to Onyx Sonum Unum, where we are hungry like the wolf for music.
First of all, what does the band name, Sonum Unum mean, if anything at all?
Craig: It means “One Sound” in Latin.
The band is made up of you, Craig Douglas and Michael Goldberg, with both of you being multi-instrumentalists. Has this been a long term friendship and have you created music together previously?
Craig: Mike and I met via a Craigslist ad in 2023 so this is all very new for us.
Where are you both based and what music projects have you been involved in?
Craig: I live in western, MA and I have been in a number of projects that range in style throughout the years. I currently have a solo project where I record and play shows under the moniker “Neonach” doing experimental vocal ambient drone and improv. I also recorded two albums under that name that are sort of ethereal and progressive rock formulated.
Both of you were swapping computer files over the winter of 22/23. Did this just start out as a clear idea of a band you wanted to create or did it just seem to evolve into something that just really worked?
Craig: The original intention was to make ambient music with super ethereal vocals. We wrote one track “Holding On Forever” which is the last song on the album. We were aiming for that type of sound but things evolved and got more dynamic as we wrote more tracks.
Who does what on the album?
Craig: We both contributed heavily to the music and arrangements, whether it was Mike writing something musically and sending it to me to arrange and add things or me sending him some synth structures to write instrumentation around. I am the vocalist on the album but Mike does sing lead on two tracks, “Snow Days” & “Know It All”.
The end result is the synthpop, ten track album “Signals From The Sun,” yet there actually isn’t a track on the album with that name. Is the name a reference to the idea that there is something bigger than us out there or something else?
Craig: I sort of had a concept for the artwork before we had a title. These sort of triangular waves beaming out from the sun. Our first track “Rescue” has a lyric that goes, “The lost will follow signals from the sun” so putting the visual element of that and the art together it seemed like a fitting title.
There is a lot of harmonization on the tracks, giving them a very warm feel. Was this a conscious thing and do you think it was influenced by the cold weather?
Craig: I appreciate the perspective of associating it with cold weather…but no… it has always been ingrained in me as a singer to incorporate vocal harmonies in all of the songs I’ve written. I always found harmony makes a song more interesting and keeps listeners a bit more engaged. I don’t think you will ever hear a track I sing on without some type of harmony.
Do you have a favourite track off the album, and if so which one and why?
Craig: I like them all but if I had to choose I think I would pick “Misinteraction”. It was the quickest song we wrote together and I am quite proud of the results.
You both are producers, and in fact, both of you produced “Signals From The Sun”, so how hard was it to agree on the production values?
Craig: I found working with Mike has been incredibly easy. Like most bands there are disagreements or opinions that clash. We had a few of those probably but overall we tend to work well together. I trust Mike entirely with mixing our material because I think he is a much more proficient producer than I am in that regard. I am more into the arrangement side of producing.
The mastering was done by Rob Robinson of Kervorkian Death Cycle, which is beautifully done. How did you get Robinson involved?
Craig: Big thanks to Micah and Roger from our label Negative Gain for getting Rob connected with us. Rob is an incredibly sweet guy and was so easy to work with. I agree he did a beautiful job.
Your debut has been released on the mighty Negative Gain label. What has that been like?
Craig: It’s been incredible. Micah and Roger heard one demo we uploaded to Bandcamp and they immediately reached out telling us they wanted to hear more from us. They were there following us every step of the way through the creation of this album and I am so grateful for that because I think that motivation helped us. We are so appreciative of them and their support for us. I’ve always wanted that from a label and Negative Gain absolutely delivers.
What are the bands/acts that brought you into the music fold?
Craig: My early days bands like Voivod, Fates Warning and Vangelis. My later years The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Radiohead, Sigur Ros.
What or who do you currently listen to that you find inspiration from?
Craig: From a vocal standpoint Liz Fraser from Cocteau Twins for sure. Early Nine Inch Nails when Trent would incorporate tons of dynamics with his vocals. Peter Gabriel too. I know I sound nothing like any of them.
What is next for Somun Unum?
Craig: We want to play gigs for people. We already have some new material in the works so recording will be a thing too.
We have been following the catastrophic tale of humans versus alien machines, unfolding in the musical exploits by MATTHART. The London based industrial musician and DJ, has released his latest single “DEEPDOWNCITY.”
Imagine living 6000 levels below the surface of the planet, a new shadowy world where humans have finally settled from the reach of the machines, trying to recreate what they had above ground. The guitar is there, building the tension, but the synths are the smooth heroes of this track, however the big surprise is the vocals. Not only do we have HART’s growls, but we get to hear the man actually sing, letting us hear his dulcet tones.
“DEEPDOWNCITY” is a something a little different from MATTHART, with its mingling of harsher industrial and retro synthwave, creating a wonderfully pulsating dynamic. The track portrays a cyberpunk styled domain where life is lived in the constant gloom, that is only broken up by the need for sleep and entertainment. One wonders what the aliens are up to on the surface and I am guessing we might find out soon.
PeakFlow are a darkwave duo from York in the UK, and their debut single “RunningToYou” was released in June, but who are we to hold back on a great track?! Not I. James and Jools have said they draw inspiration from post-punk icons such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure, and Jesus and Mary Chain.
From the beginning keyboard notes, this track promises to become stuck in your head, especially when it comes to the chorus. The vocals are clean and light in comparison to the wonderfully heavy bass. The storyline is from the perspective of two people, where one is still in love and the other no longer feels any empathy for their lover. Honestly, this is such a catchy tune and should really be something that graces the dancefloor with other songs such as JoyDivision’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”. Just saying, if people give PeakFlow a chance, then “Running To You” might become a classic.
