Category: Review

The Squirrelly Years Revisted by Ministry

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“The Ministry album “The Squirrely Years Revisited” is called that because it compiles re-recorded versions of songs from the band’s early, synth-pop-influenced “squirrely” era in the 1980s. Al Jourgensen reportedly disliked these early works, and “The Squirrely Years Revisited” represents a revisiting and re-evaluation of that material. The title also reflects the band’s journey from their initial synth-pop sound to their later, more industrial metal sound.”

That’s how the overview reads and that pretty much nails it on the head.

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If you’re like me, you had fond memories of those days when Ministry was the catchy, synth-heavy ear worm that was always a fun four-minute ride on the radio.

Sadly, the album Twitch wasn’t on my radar for several reasons. So I was completely unprepared when MTV’s 120 Minutes debuted the then new single, Stigmata.

At first I was confused. “Did I hear the name right?” “Is this the same Ministry?” “What the hell did I just watch?!?” These, among others, were the thoughts that ran through my junior year mind. This would take some digesting.

A few short years later, I was working at my college radio station when I finally got the whole story: Jourgensen got a raw deal from his record label and made With Sympathy, an album that was well-received but if Jourgensen had his druthers, would have sounded differently.

By this point, The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste and In Case You Didn’t Feel Like Showing Up were on our shelves. This would, in my mind, forever cement their sound and lead to a decades-long love affair with aggressive guitars, pounding drums, and growled vocals.

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Those who are familiar with the early material (including myself) probably cannot help but compare these new versions to the originals. But, to be fair, Al Jorgensen and Co. didn’t try to reinvent the wheel on these songs. They just gave them a little extra “oomph!”. Beefed up guitars and a heavier-hitting drums reign prominently throughout the album. But the likes of the revised Work For Love or All Day maintain their danceable qualities. Jourgensen does, however, take some chances with the vocals, employing the distorted treatments that would prominent on later albums such as The Land of Rape and Honey.

All of the classics are represented on this record like Every Day Is Halloween and Revenge. Fans should have a very satisfying experience listening to these classics being given a fresh coat of paint.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-squirrely-years-revisited/1794406730

Esoterik – Archetypes EP

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For the last twelve years Allison Eckfeldt and partner Brady Bledsoe’s dark-pop-edged post-punk project, Esoterik, has been creeping into the alternative scenes. Their latest endeavor, Archetypes, unequivocally demonstrates their ability to go toe-to-toe against the best artists in the various genres they encompass. The duo’s mastery over undulating, groovy synthesizers is on full display at the very start as “Mentor” slinks in with a beat that begs to be cranked up. The sheer spunk and moxie emanating from not only the music but also from Eckfeldt’s commanding voice grabs listeners in this first track and refuses to let go. Lyrics chastise an ingrained lack of communication in modern society that resulted in a loss of teachings and skills, and pleads to the audience to reconnect with each other. 

Moving forward, “Trickery” cements the creative quality and sonic skill that went into making this EP—the track pushes more of a bubbly synthpop sound, its melodies hooking listeners with unrepentant catchiness. The sardonic-tinged vocals border on witch-like but don’t come off as cheesy, emulating the likes of Rosie Garland of The March Violets. “Ally” brings fresh depth to the record, providing layers of faded post-punk guitars from Bledsoe and a dancy retro vibe. With deep bass and crystal-clear mixing, every part of this composition comes across satisfying and evocative. But Eckfeldt’s Lady Gaga-esque range on the track steals the show again. Her voice gusts and reels, full of emotion, as she sings about severing ties with friends who grew toxic and unsupportive.

As the record wraps on “Hero,” the thematic puzzle pieces fall into place. The song tells a tale over 80’s drum fills and bombastic glam-goth guitars of a lethargic protagonist who waits to be called to action and struggles to hold onto the lessons taught on their fragile hero’s journey. The EP’s tongue-in-cheek title suddenly makes sense. A lazy hero, false allies, a failed mentoring of the willfully deceived and younger generations… It all leads back to atrophied communication. The archetypes presented in the EP show our interpersonal failings, not just the people we ought to be. This theme works perfectly with the strong EBM and gothic energy given by Esoterik. Even the fleeting weaker spots on the EP deliver gorgeous soundscapes and powerful singing.

Tracklist

  1. Mentor
  2. Trickster
  3. Shadow
  4. Ally
  5. Hero

Esoterik are set to tour Europe with Combichrist on the Still Making Monsters Tour.

Now After Nothing – Artificial Ambivalence

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There are a few states that are currently producing an unexpected surge in kick ass dark music. Colorado springs to mind, every time I look into the scene there I find new exciting bands. A second is Georgia. With bands like Vision Video and Tears For the Dying leading the charge the scene seems to be fertile ground for modern dark scene music. I recently did an interview with Now After Nothing which will be releasing soon. Matt Spatial is bringing a frantic urban decay sound with punk rock tinge of Warsaw and Public Image Limited. Orange molten guitar solos and cavernous bass lines ride the line between nostalgia and contemporary. No matter how complicated and dark each song gets, you can never shake the frothing punk energy.

https://nowafternothing.bandcamp.com/album/artificial-ambivalence

Matt Spatial : Vocals, Guitars, Bass Guitars, Synths and Programming
Michael Allen : Drums

Written, recorded, and produced by Matt Spatial
Mixed by Carl Glanville
Mastered by John Davis and Felix Davis

Additional Guitars by Mark Gemini Thwaite (1,5)
Additional Vocals by Simone Elise (6)

Favorite Tracks:

Fixation Fantasy – This one growls hard and mean right out of the gate. Then contrasts with this lovely chime sounds and Matt’s vocals take on a grungy Lane Staley quality. Another comparison are the poetic imagery that remind me a bit of Dirt. “You’re lost with every turn
A giving tree of indignity
Now welcome to the world anew
And take a look around
You’ll find a way unfound
Now welcome to the world anew yet again”

Dare – This is what I call a Soundtrack song. Conjures such a great image of cool people doing cool stuff that feels like perfect background music to a film or show. Matt’s vocal’s are smooth and dripping with effortless confidence. The drums here really create constant motion. Absolute banger.

Really excited to post the interview I did with Matt and see what the future holds for Now After Nothing.

Kali Dreamer – Imperfect Dark

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A sneaky early pick for top albums of the year from Ohio based artist Kali Dreamer. In October 2022 Derek Christopher of Wandering Stars put Kali on my radar and I was an immediate fan. I love watching an artist grow in vision and technique. “Imperfect Dark” is a monumental leap forward in execution for the talented artist. Hearing this album again and again fills me with hope for the future of goth music. Markise voice is enchanting and complex. Using a unique cadence and timeless beauty. Streaming pastel colors of shoegaze guitar lines make majestic sounds to lift nightmare fuel lyrics.

https://kalidreamer.bandcamp.com/album/imperfect-dark

released February 14, 2025

Markise Johnson: Music, Lyrics, Vocals
Kendall Denton: Bass Guitar
Derek Christopher: Production

Favorite Tracks:

Tiara – I am such a sucker for romantic goth and this track is forlorn and wonderous. The guitar line has a dancing Smashing Pumpkins “Gish” feel and Markise is spinning out poetry with masterful inflection. This song leaves me shook every time I play it.

New Twilight – I love the slippery back beat and higher range vocals here. It’s like a beautiful blend of The Cure and R & B. This one has a brighter hopeful tone but it makes a really nice accent when you are on your third play though of the album in it’s entirety. This whole record hits all the buttons for me.

This is a don’t skip a single track record in 2025. which isn’t something I get to say often. people need to take notice of one of the most fresh and exciting voices in modern goth.

Beborn Beton – To The Stars

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The German synth pop trio released it’s newest EP of synthpop hymns with four new remixes. BEBORN BETON were founded by vocalist Stefan Netschio, keyboard player and drummer Stefan Tillmann, and keyboard player Michael Wagner in 1989. There album “Nightfall” is widely considered one of the top albums of the genre. Stefan has a distinctive voice that silver surfs that line between husky chant and gorgeous melody. The song construction has a wonderful complexity you can get lost in like staring at a clear sky. Tiny pinpoints of light and detail that draw your attention for a moment while letting you drift in the moment. This EP hits a maturity of sound that feels so effortless in it’s precise quality. With a long gap between “Tales from another world” and “A Worthy Compensation” then several more years until “Darkness Falls Again” the world of electronic music is a much better place with Beborn Beton putting out consistent releases again.

https://bebornbeton.bandcamp.com/album/to-the-stars

Favorite Track: Progeny – At 6:36 this doesn’t seem like the dance floor single, but this track is such a captivating banger. Soulful revivalist southern synthpop gospel complete with sliding steel guitar effect. A slow grinding beat that feels thick with substance and blood. “I am the heir, of my fathers dream. I am the progeny.

Favorite Remix: Electricity (Tenderlash Remix) – Always a fan of the North Carolina solo artists on Swiss Dark Nights. I love the ringing pulse in the intro that slides into a cracking snare beat and isolation of Stefan’s vocals. The energy of this gets a little run away locomotive and the urgency translates perfectly with the vocals. This is a bop and belongs on your dancefloor.

https://tenderlash.bandcamp.com/album/hold-still

I’m so excited to hear what comes next for Beborn Beton, they have live performance dates coming up in 2025. As well as a remix on the recent Rohn-Lederman album “Steal The Light”