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Minneapolis based band, autumn, have been honing their post-punk music since their three member inception back in 1994. Julie Plante (vocals), Neil McKay (guitars/programming) and Jeff Leyda (bass) released their new single “catacombs,” in May, with William Faith (Bellwether Syndicate) recording, mixing, mastering and producing at 13 Studio. This track is off the new soon to be released album, songs about dying, out on Sett Records.

There is something warm and inviting in the tone of the guitars, rich and deep. Julie Plante is quite mesmerising as their lead singer and she sings you a song of love but in the end everything dies, and it all feels so fleeting. Sometimes memory is all we have and that we live on in the memories of others..

“This song really hits on many of the big themes still circulating in our lives right now, but it really came together during the COVID lockdown time. I knew my dad was nearing the end of his life, and I was finding myself really trying to make my peace with this fragile world and my own limited time in it. I was also really dealing with solitude in a way I hadn’t ever before: recognizing that we are each born alone and will ultimately die alone, and yet we are never alone… Much of the video footage was shot up north in the woods in the coldest part of winter, and that too felt right to me. The starkness of a northern winter landscape has always spoken volumes to me of the thin line between life and death.” – Plante

The music video is beautifully shot by Faith, between a snow laden forest and the group playing together. Bones might reside in “catacombs,” but those remains hold stories of lives with great loves and this track is genuinely a lovely gothic ode to life from autumn.

catacombs | autumn-us (bandcamp.com)

http://autumn-us.com/

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We are going to talk about Swedish act Against I. The three piece has a new EP out, ironically called Destruction Lullaby, though to be quite frank, at seven tracks, this really could be called a full length album. Released on the Twisted Flesh Recordings label, my only warning is to prepare your ears to be bombarded with heavy industrial metal.

And so begins the assault with bludgeoning drum blasts, as the call to the dispossessed and rejected to take back what is theirs rings out with Croona’s vocals pile driving into the screaming guitars in “Dark divine.” The electronic angelic crowd stand testament to the apocalyptic destruction of “World in ruin,” a combination of classical meets metal, that is raised into the stratosphere by the synths.

“The sacrifice” is a walk into damnation, raw and bleeding from the shadow of a broken soul, claustrophobic and clinging like a oily film to the skin. Following this is the ode to a million ways to die, the track “Death defined,” with the slamming drums and hum of slashing guitar, all the while Croona goes full demonic.

The concept of reality can be just as cruel as your worst nightmare is explored in “A violent dream,” and this track points to a far more metal background, with soaring guitar and an inexplicable Nordic intent. There is a always a “Calm before the storm” and it is the same with this track, because when it hits, it is with righteous fury, which leaves us bared for the title track “Destruction lullaby,” with the winding synths and stomping beats while the vocals vie for dominance with the guitar.

Maybe it is time to give the monsieurs three, that being Mathias Back, Anders Ström and Fredrik Keith Croona, a little recognition and a listen if you haven’t before. There is no calm before the storm. There is only the storm, that is full of metal shards bound in shocking electronic power, driving rhythms and vocals of a madman unbound in a world where everything has gone to hell. This is Against I and they will pummel you to sleep with their Destruction Lullaby, a sonorous head beating.

Destruction Lullaby | Against I | Twisted Flesh Recordings (bandcamp.com)

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Few things are guaranteed… death and taxes seem to be universal, just ask the dynamic Melbourne duo of Louise Love and Luis Gutierrez, of the electronic indie pop band Roles as they bring you the single “Taxes.”

There is something very old school about the sound of the electronics, and maybe it is the way it reminds me very much of early New Order when they were more in their experimental phase, along with the chiming in guitar. All the while you can delight in Love’s always beautifully executed vocals.

Oh my oh my Roles, “Taxes” musically is a charming track, though there is that underlying sadness when it comes to the content of the lyrics, about a friend who is battling their inner demons, talking about the things they need to do but knowing that they might choose to leave this mortal plane. The sweet, the sour and the brevity of this gift called life encapsulated in this brilliant song called “Taxes.”

Taxes | Roles (bandcamp.com)

http://www.rolesband.com/

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The HOSTILE ARCHITECT might be hostile but he is also very conscious of being fit. Brisbane electronic artist Mitch Kenny dropped the single “ANYTIME FITNESS” back in March….yep I’m slack, but here it is, so let’s get physical.

Mighty rhythms for a mighty strong track. Kenny lays down some pretty dark synth lines and the powerful vocals are leap out at you with extreme vigour. The angst is palpable with the clattering beats.

‘Violent men make violent times‘ sounds like a steroid fuelled nightmare with an cyberpunk soundtrack, as the HOSTILE ARCHITECT sweeps you away, fanning the explosive dance track that is “ANYTIME FITNESS (SUPPLEMENTAL MIX).”

ANYTIME FITNESS (SUPPLEMENTAL MIX) | HOSTILE ARCHITECT (bandcamp.com)

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Does society feel like it is screwing you over and that the human scum of the world get in your way, trying to drive you insane with their general stupidity? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone! Phobos Reactor with guest TFG (Troll Finder General) are assailing your ears with the single, “Hyi, ihmisiä” which simply means ew, people, out on the Pancimachine label.

“Illanvietto” is the first track on Bandcamp, and this means social evening, though quite frankly, I do believe this requires human interaction. Anyhoo, I highly suggest watching the Youtube videos for a translated version of the Finnish lyrics. The music is a throwback to a more analogue sound, where our hero of the hour is inebriated just so he can deal with others of his species, in his own fashion and delicate ways, all to an electronic sound track that probably doesn’t care about his issues with this night.

Of course, you just kind of know that “Hyi, ihmisiä” is going to go kind of off the rails and leave the reservation, and so behold the introduction of the occasional angry guitar, space aliens and the vocals of a chap who thinks he’s a pretty neat fellow to pass time with, but we all know he needs to remove that stick from his rectum.

Like gnomes were not bad enough…..

Hyi, ihmisiä | Phobos Reactor feat. TFG (TONTTU) | PANICMACHINE (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/Phobosreactor

https://www.facebook.com/TONTTUofficial

https://www.facebook.com/extremechromokidsmedia/

http://www.veilofthorns.com/

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The single called “Grip Of Pain” does sound… well, painful. This is the latest drop from Teknovore, as George Klontzas takes us on an electronic nightmare into Greek mythos, with Jan Kluge of Any Second on vocal duties, with this the second single off the soon to be released album, on Infacted Records, called Caerdroia.

‘Listen to me, no way out‘ grabs you by the nuts and the brutal vocals punch you in the guts. The electronics are laced with urgency, like you are being chased by unseen forces in the darkness. The techno beats echoing around in your head, duelling along with Kluge’s rasped promise of no escape in “Grip Of Pain.” “Anamnesis” is just throw back to hard dance style techno rave music, full of electrifying energy that builds over and over again, taking you to the point where you have to move, for now your body is not your own.

If you love dance music, electronic music or just good industrial, then you really will have to have a listen to the latest Teknovore. It is really mind blowing how well Klontzas can weave together tracks that are instantaneously likeable, plus accessing talent like Jan Kluge (Any Second) to set it all on fire, speak volumes about the man. Get thee the “Grip Of Pain,” because we seem to have lived this life before………….

Grip Of Pain (feat. Any Second) | Teknovore | Infacted Recordings (bandcamp.com)

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Jelmer Luimstra is an Amsterdam based musician/producer, and in 2023, he created the post-punk project April Afternoon. The latest single is called “Modern Lovers” is their fourth release.

The electronics are light and breezy, accompanied by the drum machine and the vocals that are easy to listen to. The lyrics are testament to a romance timeless and idealised, from a bygone era…. or are they???! It reminds me a lot of The Bolshoi, who were wonderfully whimsical and dark.

New wave is alive and dancing away in “Modern Lovers.” It really harkens back to the early 80s, where you can imagine a noir style video in the style of Ultravox’s “Vienna,” draped in shadows, smoke and silk. April Afternoon will be dropping the EP I’m Coming Home in June, which will feature “Modern Lovers.”

Modern Lovers | April Afternoon (bandcamp.com)

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Shall we travel into the “BLACK ABYSS” where humanity eeks out their days? This is the latest single from Brit MATT HART, and there probably isn’t a better group of acts to remix this single than Opal Dusk, Modulate, Teknovore and SPANKTHENUN,

The original track is an interesting mixture of light synths against the bleak vocals of HART and the plunging rhythms, probing the darkest depths that the humans have had to dig themselves into for mere survival. The Opal Dusk remix is a highlight of the bright synths with MATT HART’s angst, while the Modulate version is like a slow burn, making you wait on the edge for it to climax, and just when you think it never will, the track picks you up in a swirling maelstrom. The prowess of Teknovore is going to hit you with a dance floor killer, that is constantly on the move and emphasising the desperation of the vocals, while the SPANKTHENUN BOOTLEG MIX has the vocals at the fore, echoing and malevolent, as if there has been that loss of humanity, perhaps devoid of their own souls.

The ongoing tale of flesh versus machine is MATT HART’s opus. A story against all odds and it isn’t over yet as alien machines terraform a planet into a cold wasteland, whilst attempting to exterminate the human pests who must burrow into the soil, towards the warmth and safety of the core. As always, it is so interesting to hear the different takes on “BLACK ABYSS” and what each musician takes from the track. From the original version through to the remixes, they all have that wonderful synergy and all belong in the clubs.

BLACK ABYSS EP | MATT HART (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/djmatthartuk

https://www.instagram.com/matthart3808

Music | Opal Dusk (bandcamp.com)

Music | Modulate (bandcamp.com)

Music | TeknoVore (bandcamp.com)

Music | spankthenun (bandcamp.com)

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The new album Glimmer came out in April, but right now I am going to drag your attention to Lunar Paths’ single release “A Star At Dawn.” It dropped in March for the duo of Diane Dubois and Kevin Hunter, and I think it deserves its own time in the moonlight.

A depth to the electronics, an undercurrent of something ancient in the Middle Eastern lilt of the vocals and instrumentation, while the drums pick their way on the odyssey. Like Venus at the end of night, Dubois‘ vocals light the way and are a bridge between the past and present.

Lunar Paths are masters of intertwining darkwave with world music. Entrancing and exotic, they pour themselves into these tracks because they see the beauty in how an instrument sounds or can influence the overall ambience. I love the ability to express themselves in such an alluring manner and “A Star At Dawn” might my favourite to this date while following the Lunar Paths.

A Star at Dawn | Lunar Paths (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/LunarPathsMusic

https://www.lunarpaths.com

https://www.instagram.com/lunar.paths

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Arguably, Robots In Love is one of the best dark electronic rock bands in New Zealand right now, lead by front woman Elenor Rayner (vocals, synths, programming), with Alex Burchell (drums), Tony Lumsden (bass) and Brett Lemmon (guitar). These very experienced musicians have dropped the new single “Unbreakable” with two bonus remixes.

A slow and purpose filled build up from the start, with the rumbling affirmation of the title, wrapped up in tendrils of a classical edge, enticingly liquid next to the unwavering, steeled vocals of Rayner. Of the two remixes, the first is the EBM remix by Rayner, which has adopted a faster pace, and has a really tribal ambiance with enhanced electronics, while the second, Magnetique remix, happens to be bandmate Burchell behind the desk, creating a second dance track that again exudes an indomitable spirit.

“Unbreakable is about how we feel the minute we walk on stage. It’s about being in the place where you feel at your strongest, and connecting with other people to increase that strength.” – Elenor Rayner

Oh my, for me Rayner exudes feminine power, not to mention wearing that lovely corset, made me think of that other female warrior, Xena, in the video, which makes my heart melt a little more for Robots In Love. This is a boot stomping affair, which I associate with epic anthems such as Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” with its positive declaration that doing something you love with like-minded people can make you “Unbreakable.”

Unbreakable | Robots In Love (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/robotsinlovemusic

https://www.instagram.com/robotsinlove