So here we are my friends. Another night of me spewing drunken ramblings into the interweb about what I am listening to. I have to admit I have been stepping outside the box a lot this week Stretching the boundaries of my usual genres. Which is a great feeling. Also if you read this page and feel like you know a type of music which doesn’t get good representation here, why stand for that? Reach out to me. I am always looking for new writers who know about things I am not well versed in. Lets dive in.
Masina – Awake Again With You – So I came across this criminally underrated band from London when they did a remix of our friends Loveblind. They released this EP in January full of soulful triphop with rich beautiful piano tones and slick feather floating vocals. Kayleigh and
Jo have a fencer vocal style of sharp strikes and deceptive flourishes. I really fell into the constant heartbeat of these songs. It has a light airy expansive style but the constant drive of the drums keeps the blood pumping in your finger tips while the vocals float on top like a cloud.
(Side Note) Amaranth is working on a remix for them and they are looking for more remixes. If you are an artists, reach out. These sounds are hot.
https://masina.bandcamp.com/album/awake-again-with-you
Guillotine Dream – Damaged and Dammed – July release from the Welsh traditional goth band. I love this heavy handed mudslinging spookfest right from the start. It’s urgent, sensual, and hums like a spectral generator keeping the lights on in a cemetery. Arc growls away with a rough and ready metal vocal feel. I really liked the feel of “Hidden Rooms“. It had this cool glam Scary Monsters flavor. those guitars just keep ringing out like bell chimes. This is one of those bands that is making goth claw it’s hands through the earth and rise from the grave.
https://guillotinedream.bandcamp.com/album/damaged-and-damned
Damien Done – To Night – Our fellow Michigan band has a new EP release from May. I really love the singer songwriter style of this band that has clear, clever pop hooks which have evolved and expanded into ultra dark ringing shadow soul theatrical goth. The dynamic shift of these songs are a master class in how to yank the emotions of your listener like a stallion on the bit. Thick heavy baselines that rumble and echo to drive each track forward. Damien has a rich and lovely baritone that spews poetry and clever transition. Everytime I hear this band I think to myself why am I not listening to more of this band. It’s like Voltaire with more spit and vinegar.
Big Time Kill – Burn Out – Boston MA electro grunge has a new EP out. It’s a beautiful energy full of peaks and valleys. It’s electric and full of sizzle and shriek. I love the introspective lyrics and 2000s guitar shredding emo thunder. Adam has a true laser beam belt that helps carry the message with napalm intensity.
Skull Family – SPhone – Arkansas dance weavers released a new EP in April. It’s breathy, wicked, and full of dark intent. I love the energy of the opening track Void . The slick even shadow pop is full of dynamics and explosive crescendos. I really enjoy the trilling guitar word and synth builds.
https://skullfamily.bandcamp.com/album/sphone
The Walking Icon – III for the Past – New single for the Russian dreampop duo. It is dancy, delicious and full of swirling air, and purple lightning tempo. Sasha has a voice that is striking and warm with a dash of echo effect. I look forward to future releases.
Pigs of the Roman Empire – Seasick – Ok this band from Australia first captured me with a brilliant name, but quickly I was drawn into the post punk alt dark slither. I love the harmony vocal separation offsetting the low ket drone guitars. Just a four song EP but a brilliant swirling tornado of 90’s aly rock and 80’s post punk. It spins with reckless abandon until you can’t see the lines between meshing styles.
https://pigsoftheromanempire.bandcamp.com/