In 2018 Vancouver Post Punk band Actors released the groundbreaking album “It Will Come To You” as part of a next wave Darkscene revolution. After extensive touring through world stages the follow up record 2021 “Acts Of Worship” propelled Jason, Shannon, Kendell, and Adam to festival level crowds at the spearhead of the modern alt movement. Now with a third LP release and new tour on the horizon I’m excited for the chance to review the latest single “CTRL” on Artoffact Records.
For a band I have loved since the beginning when I hear a new release the first thing I think of is what is new? For me the Actors sound has always built around the core of Jason’s vocals. Thirteen seconds into CTRL you are blasted with a wall of sound driven by a run-away chariot of blasting bass. Jason is emotive and understated with Kendall and Shannon shining echo’s glowing around the edges. The guitar swirls and cracks in precise moments. The entire ride is a 3.25-minute banger with tight structure and vibrant energy. I can’t wait to hear this live with Adam booming away in 4/4. I’ve never heard Actors push the needle like this and I am here for it. The “Our Love Starts Forever tour is coming in 2026 and if you have never witnessed the Actors live, don’t wait.
Rotterdam, NL — Cameroonian-born producer and songwriter LOVETH BESAMOH opens a new chapter with “Inside”, the first single from his upcoming EP Riverbed. Out July 18 via Inner Basement, the track is a swirling, emotional entry point into a record that explores longing, emotional distance, and the desire to be seen.
Written and produced by Loveth and recorded with his live band, “Inside” blends hazy guitars, detuned synths, and submerged vocals into a dreamlike soundscape. The lyrics “Let me inside / I’ll break again in your display” cut through the fog with disarming honesty.
Really cool live video the song is an emotive blend of brooding post punk and psychedelic Velvet Underground vibes. Deep rich baritone vocals and delicate brush stroke percussion lead into a 2 minute explosion. I really like how the video leads into a live performance. The intensity level really lends well to organic live chaos.
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
Mentor
Trickster
Shadow
Ally
Hero
Esoterik are set to tour Europe with Combichrist on the Still Making Monsters Tour.
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.
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.
Over the last few years, I have had the privilege of being able to work with an amazing band. During this time, I have gotten to know them better as musicians and as people and it has truly been an honor. They are a hidden gem, in my opinion. Let me introduce you to the next BIG thing.
Kyle and Myles Mendes, Canadian-born twin brothers raised in Dallas, Texas, make up the alternative/electronic-rock duo known as NITE. The Mendes brothers, along with their drummer Phil Helms, are extremely talented musicians, but upon listening to their music for the first time, you might find yourself a bit confused.
Starting in 2013, their first album “I Am Not Afraid” features a lot of dark and moody tracks with lush synthesizers and breathy vocals. Then the following 2 albums, “Reborn” and “Sleepless” delve deep into the synth-pop and dream-pop genres with danceable tracks such as “Dreamer” and “All You’ve Ever Dreamed Of” that really encapsulate that retro 80’s new wave feel that transports you back in time! However, on their latest album “Be Destroyed,” released in September 2023, they shifted in a darker, more industrial direction with their sound, including, but not limited to, tracks like “I Just Want To Be Destroyed,” and their cover of Alice In Chains’ “Would?,” that feature heavier guitars and vocals that lend more to that industrial style of the 90’s and early 2000’s grunge era. Recently though, they have circled back to their roots incorporating more of their earlier synth and electronic elements into their music with their newest singles “Price For Heaven,” and “Our Light Will Never Die”.
Check out NITE’s newest music video for “Price For Heaven” just dropped on June 19, 2024
Their sound is eclectic and unique, but that is exactly what I love about them. Their lyrics are very beautifully and eloquently written as well. Their work is original and not one I would confuse with any other band within the same genre. Whenever I hear one of their songs, I know that is a NITE song!
What you really need to know about though, are their live performances. These guys are absolutely PHENOMENAL and put on some of the BEST live shows I have ever seen, and I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my 34 years! Their shows are extremely high-energy and once the music hits you, you can’t help but let loose and let the music move you. Not to mention their stage presence… just picture two twin brothers with incredible long curly hair coming out in matching blazers and matching orange Fender guitars. They just look cool! Their shows are honestly so captivating to watch, with their incredible laser light show, their electric energy, and headbanging with their wild curly locks.
At this point, I have seen them perform almost 50 times in the last 3 and a half years and each time they still manage to blow me away! They always put on a killer performance no matter how many people attend. They feed off the energy from the crowd and are 100% there for the show every time. Anyone can see they really enjoy performing, and any band that is passionate about what they’re doing will perform better.
There is no comparison seeing them live versus seeing a video of them online, or even just listening to their albums. These two will leave you speechless. If you ever get the opportunity to see them, DO IT. Seeing them perform live is a whole experience of its own and any words I say just won’t do it justice. It’s that powerful.
One thing people ask me all the time, aside from how I can tell them apart and what hair products they use, is if Kyle and Myles are truly as kind and genuine as they appear to be? The answer is yes, absolutely. I’ve actually known the twins since high school, and they’ve always been exceptionally nice! Many people are so surprised by their kindness that they believe it too good to be true, but I can promise you, they really are that nice.
A big thing that sets them apart, from what I’ve seen, is that they genuinely want to connect with their fans. A lot of bands will play the part and act nice, but don’t really care. NITE is different. NITE really does care. They are always putting in the effort to reply back to comments and messages on social media and stay late at shows to interact with fans and don’t hide out in the back, a noticeable attribute in my opinion. Sending special video clips to international fans, a personal happy birthday video or message to a sick fan that had to miss a show, even offering free merch occasionally to a fan who went out of their way to show support, are just a few examples of their kindness. I really can’t say enough good things about these guys and how exceptional and kind-hearted they are!
The Mendes twins definitely have something special, there is no doubt about that. Although they have seen a lot of growth in the last few years, I often find myself wondering why they are not bigger than they are. They definitely have the talent, the passion and the drive. They are some of the hardest working people I know, and they deserve to reach their highest musical aspirations. Their big break may not be tomorrow, but I know that day is coming very soon.
NITE has changed my life, and I don’t say that lightly. By knowing them and sharing their music, I have met so many incredible people and have gotten tons of awesome opportunities! Not to mention their music has gotten me through many tough times. I am more than happy to support them knowing they are honestly good people and I wish nothing more than to see them succeed. I feel incredibly lucky to know them and to be able to call them some of my closest and dearest friends.
Check out NITE and follow them on social media @wearethenite on all platforms! Also check out their website http://www.wearethenite.com for merch and upcoming show dates.
