Category: Synthwave

Bootblacks “Paradise”

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One of my favorite bands of the modern darkscene. I feel like I have been on this journey through style changes, line up changes, one things stays consistent. It’s always something fresh, always something real, and always at the top quality of any genre they dive into. Post Punk, Slick Indie, Italian Dark Disco, I never know where Panther, Barrett, and company will go next. I could not have predicted this. A complex deep cut British synth. Flavors of the criminally underrated OMD album “Crush”. Another gorgeous presence is the muted Saxaphone in a modern sound, something sure to always win my heart. with every track I am staggered by the crisp tone and razor edges. Bootblacks for me conjures images of a smokey underground club with flickering gasoline lights. Paradise is a rise to main stage neon crystal waves of Simon Le Bon.

https://bootblacks.bandcamp.com/album/paradise

All songs by Bootblacks
Lyrics by Panther Almqvist
Produced & Mixed by Xavier Paradis de Larochelle
Mastered by Hillary Johnson @ Kale Shelter Studios
Additional Arrangements by Xavier Paradis de Larochelle
Additional Engineering by Hillary Johnson
Cover Art by Carlos Pure
Additional Art by Russell Hymowitz

Additional Instrumentation:
Drums & Programming on Only You by Chris Vrenna
Saxophone on Only You by Benjamin Harrison
Saxophone on Leipzig by Oskar Carls
Saxophone on Can You Feel It? (Anymore) by Oskar Carls
Background Vox on Fade Away by Alice Gift
Percussion on Melt by Adam Amram
Bass on Melt by Russell Hymowitz

Favorite Tracks:

Forbidden Flames – “Saw you dive in the shallow end  Crack in the door, the light creeps in.  Make me clean, make me yours  Take me away my love, I’m not ready to quit ” Always open with a banger, rule number one. The verse is one of the most “Classic” sounding Bootblacks tracks. This works well to set the transition of the chorus that lets the starlight pour in. Keyboard line is such a hook here. Loving the echo vocals by Alice Gift. A shock and beautiful set up for what comes next.


Only You (feat. Chris Vrenna & Benjamin Harrison) – “What have you lost?  You don’t have to say  Is it love?  Doesn’t have to be that way” – This track is pure sex coming out the pores of your skin. Every part humming in a rise and fall unity to then be capped off with that perfect sax riff. This would be a great intro song for the next James Bond movie.

Paradise – “Heaven’s not so far  Not so far away  If you plan to stay I can show you it all ” Title track is a sleek Tron laser bike ride through a midnight city. Pather’s vocal’s have a honey dripping chorus effect. The double beat snares are crackling light. Every track is felt as much as head in the percussion.

(This interview feels like a million years ago now 🙂 but it was 4 🙂 )


Wilderness – “In this life we’re not alone  You’re the only one I’ve ever known  When the sky turns to black  It’s your call that keeps me coming  ” – Something primal and cold. A beacon we hold in our hearts that draws us to each other in times of danger. The synth line is so light on it’s feet, unpredictable. Panther’s vocals hold a bit more of that Thin Skies menace and growl.

“Paradise” represents another leap forward in evolution for a band unafraid to go wherever the spirit directs them. The precision, innovation, and passion of the songs marks them as one of the prime trend setters of modern darkscene. If you have never seen their live show, it is an experience beyond these heart pounding songs. Watching this high speed journey the last 5 years has been a privilege. Don’t waste another moment before jumping on the Bootblacks train.

Glass Apple Bonzai “Brother Bones”

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The latest album from Canadian dark synth artist Daniel Belasco releases this long coming and extremely personal album about dealing with the passing of his oldest brother in 2021 on Distortion Records. Daniel has continued to amass respect from music insiders for his song crafting expertise and beautiful compositions. Remaining largely underrated by overall mainstream audiences in spite of his infectious melodies and retro style.

Daniel has a true gift as a tunesmith. An ability to find complex hidden paths to the most infectious melodies. His voice is big. A bit golden age superhero cheese, that could easily veer into tongue and cheek. It’s the honesty in the lyrics that make it ring genuine. That makes that big blasting tone so powerful. This is a record that never hides behind walls. It has a Saturday morning cartoons with a bowl of cereal innocence, stained by the wisdom of one thousand heartbreaks.

Daniel Belasco says: “Brother Bones is, quite honestly, the most personal album Glass Apple Bonzai has ever released.”

Brother Bones | Glass Apple Bonzai (bandcamp.com)

Favorite Tracks:

Toys: – I really love the range Daniel shows here. For someone known for synthwave, this track brings a prog rock complexity and skill level on base and guitar. Dare I say it has a Rush style of instrument mastery and purity of lyrics. I’m not sure if he is doubling his voice for these harmonies or having a guest, but the effect on the chorus is beautiful.

The Changes In Your Heart: – I’m always a sucker for the track on a great record that seems to pull in a different direction. Most of this album has a sense of recalling happy memories. Thinking on a way to move forward from loss. The Changes In Your Heart has a much darker tone that plunges into murky waters. The psychedelic breakdown lends a further note of spiritual introspection. This was a perfect note of contrast that made every other track burn brighter.

RETRONOMICON on ParaLuna Records

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  I love it when this scene comes together to step up for one of it’s own. Legendary Bass player for My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult/Pigface/ect Charles Levi was diagnosed with vascular dementia. He had a stroke. Has been taking expensive medications and is in the fight of his life. A ton of great artists and ParaLuna Records stepped up to release this compilation of 80’s covers to help offset the costs of his treatment. It is a heartwarming tribute to a beloved figure in our scene that proves what we are capable of during folks darkest moments. In addition to the album I have also posted Charles’s gofund me page.

Fundraiser for Charles Levi by Wolf Dodge : Charles Levi housing support (gofundme.com)

RETRONOMICON | ParaLuna Records (bandcamp.com)

I want to thank all of these talented people that stepped up for our dear friend Charles. I will go through and call out a few tracks I thought really knocked it out of the park

  1. Apology Kink- “West End Girls” / Pet Shop Boys >> Augustus Watkins – programming/synths/vocals/mixing, Carlos Bueno – additional mixing
  2. LeviLevi vs Bangalore ft. Betty X / Hit me with your Best Shot” / Pat Benatar >> Betty X – vox, Charles Levi – bass, Tim Pethtel – guitar, Christopher Rodriguez synths/programming
  3. Precog- “Oh Father” / Madonna >> Gerald Josef, Jason Thomas, and Bret Pemelton
  4. SU – “Smothered Hope” / Skinny Puppy >> Ursa Minor and Sarah Emilie
  5. Microwaved – “So Alive” / Love & Rockets >> Gabe Wilkinson – programming, synths, vocals, mixing
  6. Betty X- “The Chauffeur” / Duran Duran >> Betty X – vox, Nathan Kaylor – Engineer/Producer
  7. Doors In The Labyrinth- “Dead Man’s Party” / Oingo Boingo >> Josh Loughrey
  8. Giant Monsters on the Horizon – “It’s a Sin” / Pet Shop Boys >> Vinnie Saletto – programming, Madison Davis – programming, Cara Ristau – vox
  9. Missing in STARS – “Hold Me Now” / Thompson Twins >> Dan Guenther
  10. Planetdamage – “Sunglasses at Night” / Corey Hart >> Mariusz Bari
  11. Stabbed By Prongs ft. Bow Ever Down 0fficial – “Heat of the Moment” / Asia >> Kimberly of Bow Ever Down – vox, Craig Drabik – guitars/synths,/programming
  12. Violet Wanda – “Discipline” / King Crimson >> Tess LaCoell
  13. Dogtablet- “Hollow Hills” / Bauhaus >> Martin King
  14. Glitch Factor – “Strangelove” / Depeche Mode >> Justin Fisher and Vinnie Saletto
  15. Hororhaus ft. Bow Ever Down 0fficial – “Take My Breath Away” / Berlin >> Scott Harris with Kimberly of Bow Ever Down
  16. Renegade Sl8ve versus Giant Monsters on the Horizon – “Desperate, but not Serious” / Adam Ant >> Nick Void, Vinnie Saletto, and Madison Davis
  17. Stoneburner – “The Crab Song” / Faith No More >> Steven Archer

Apology Kink – West End Girls (Pet Shop Boys) – Augustus Watkins the co founder of GIVE/TAKE records from Minneapolis with a glitchy synth sass take on the iconic PSB hit. I really like the sax solo synth breakdown. The vocals do a nice homage while adding a bit more whisper and smoke.

Music | GIVE/TAKE (bandcamp.com)

LeviLevi vs Bangalore ft. Betty X – Hit me with your Best Shot (Pat Benatar) – So here you had Charles playing bass, Betty X lashing vocals like a whip crack, Tim Pethtel on guitar, Christopher Rodriguez on synths turning the pop classic into an acid static club banger. Feels very true to the original while turning the chaos up to 11. Betty X in particular has done a great job of shouting out from the rooftops about this compilation. Love this energy.

THE DEVIL’S DUE | Betty X (bandcamp.com)

SU – Smothered Hope (Skinny Puppy) – I hadn’t heard a ton from Ursa Minor and Sarah Emilie out of Montreal, but I adore the fact they did a Skinny Puppy cover among a lot of synthpop so far. They absolutely crushed this too. Elegant beauty with fairy fire intensity. The cadence on the vocal delivery is spot on with such lovely contrast to the original. This cover really showed me their best.

Novelty (Single) | SU (bandcamp.com)

Microwaved – So Alive (Love and Rockets) – I was obsessed with this song when it was in heavy rotation on MTV. It lived in a non-stop rotation in my head. Des Moines Iowa artist Gabe Wilkinson did a wonderful flip of the script with this grungy wall of sound pushing forward across hot sand. The vocals have a cool gang style doubling punk flavor. Distinct but immediately recognizable. Gabe is well known for his collaboration and remix work, so this cover really highlights his talents.

The Dead Shall Walk Remixes: Volume 6 | Microwaved (bandcamp.com)

Doors in the Labyrinth – Dead Man’s Party (Oingo Boingo) – I’ve heard a few cover songs now from Pittsburgh doom folk artist Josh Loughrey. He always finds a really fresh take and makes the song his own. This was my favorite yet. Classic Danny Elfman darksynth bop was stretched into a misty translucence like a funeral dirge which matches perfectly with the title. A completely different vibe from the original but one I will always hear in this song now.

In Memoriam | Doors In The Labyrinth (bandcamp.com)

Missing in Stars – Hold me Now (Thompson Twins) – This I fell in love with less from how different it was from the original and more how different it was from the usual vocal style of  Dan Guenther. It sill holds that ethereal synth beauty but behind the smile are large sharp teeth barely holding back a menacing growl. That double bass drum breakdown is grinding with pure power. Chefs Kiss.

Hurt | Missing in STARS (bandcamp.com)

Dogtablet – Hollow Hills (Bauhaus) Living Legend Martin King and the project Dogtablet with this percussion sorrow jazz cover of the Bauhaus classic rising from the boggy depths. I’m not sure who was doing the amazing banshee backup vocals but they are a perfect compliment. Martin always captures a moment.

The Summertime EP | Dogtablet (bandcamp.com)

Hororhaus ft. Bow Ever Down – Take my Breath Away (Berlin) – This lovely shadow ballad appeared on out S & S singles chart previous. Kim’s voice rings with passion and power and Scott has taken the original down temp and seasoned it with chaos and static. Great use of his growling backup vocals to sharpen the angles. A perfect addition to your next goth prom.

next door neighbor | hororhaus (bandcamp.com)

Goodbye | Bow Ever Down (bandcamp.com)

Stoneburner – The Crab Song (Faith No More) Leave it to Steven Archer to make things weird. Instead of covering an 80s synth song, he chose chaos prog rock band Faith No More, and then converts it into worldbeat chaos apocalypse industrial. I love it, I love everything here. From the chanting, the screaming, the glitch, and the operatic explosive anger. When Steven covers a song it becomes his own.

The Great Filter | Stoneburner (bandcamp.com)

This entire album is a great way to find new talent you will love, as well as support Charles Levi who has been an important part of the scene and inspired so many.

Sounds and Shadows December 2022 Darkscene Singles Chart

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This is the final 2022 singles chart of the year, and it is chocked full of amazing songs. I want to take a moment to thank all of you for participating. This chart has really made a difference highlighting songs that don’t always make it on other charts. Chosen with no entry fee by our group of Dj’s, Artists, Promotors, Reviewers, and Super Fans. Every song here was released in December is the broad “Darkscene” genre from around the world. If you have a release next year, or know someone who does, join the group and share with our community.

  1. The Bellwether Syndicate – Beacons –
  2. GIR x TSA – Upside Down Dreamwalker Remix (The Static Architect)
  3. Black Angel – She
  4. The Joy Thieves – 6 to 3 – Armalyte Records
  5. Arden and the Wolves – Pai Nosso
  6. Komor Komando (feat. THE TRUE UNION) – One by One (Brute Opposition remix)
  7. Unwoman – Have Yourself a Gloomy Little Christmas
  8. Ashes Fallen – At The End of All Things
  9. Jason Priest – My Name Is Priest – Midnight Mannequin Records
  10. Jason Alacrity – Angels Cut –

The Bellwether Syndicate – Beacons – Chicago show stopper’s have a brilliant new single that roars like a muscle car charging down Woodward Ave. Flames spewing out the engine to chase back the darkness. William croons with an extra edge of piercing determination. The mix is clear but always feels like a toe on the line which makes it feel dangerous, on the verge of shattering the glass bubble. They just took this song on the road with Then Comes Silence from Sweeden. Of everyone I currently follow in the modern darkscene, no one has more “rockstar” energy than William with a mic in his hand. I am definitely getting an interview with them in 2023 so watch for that

Beacons | The Bellwether Syndicate (bandcamp.com)

God in Rehab, The Static Architect – Upside Down Dream – Nashville, Tennessee with a flame thrower industrial pop banger. Leslie Benson has a bit of southern swagger that belts through the wall of thick wall of sound guitars and sledge hammer percussion. I didn’t know a ton about this band going in, but the production is top notch and I will be checking the back catalog.

GIR x TSA – Upside Down Dreamwalker Remix (The Static Architect) | God in Rehab, The Static Architect | God In Rehab (bandcamp.com)

Black Angel – She – Another blistering goth rock anthem from California producer and guitar wizard Matt Vowels. This track growls like a V8 engine jutting out of a classic car with flames on the side. This bassline is always revving my foot and taking me through the turns. I am afraid to drive with this song playing for fear I will get a ticker for reckless endangerment.

She | Black Angel (bandcamp.com)

The Joy Thieves – 6 to 3 – Chicago Industrial superband back with another single in the charts. This one A timely new release while the rights of women to control medical decisions about their own bodies is called into question. Joy Thieves will be donating 100% of the money raised from the sale of the ‘6 To 3’ EP, and its accompanying line of exclusive t-shirts and hoodies to the National Network of Abortion Funds. We are always quick to point out when someone falls short, so I was happy to give credit when artists stand on the right side of history.

6 To 3 | The Joy Thieves (bandcamp.com)

Arden and the Wolves – Pai Nosso – I love that Arden had a prominent part on this chart. I know how much soul and devotion they put into this track. It is heartbreaking and gorgeous with her smokey delivery and this goosebump piano line. The swell of this track feels like an affirmation that keeps feeding you strength to move forward through the darkness.

KOMOR KOMMANDO – One by One (feat. THE TRUE UNION) (Brute Opposition remix) – Belgian based electronica body music with punk rock ferocity which I knew little about before hearing this single. I now know this, it slaps and spews forth at you with the chaotic fury of a demon hoard. The project is Sebastian Komor‘s solo project this track features from wicked fire whip vocals from Azul of The True Union. I look forward to learning more, so that Jean-Marc Lederman isn’t the only Belgian artist I know 🙂

One by One (feat. THE TRUE UNION) (Brute Opposition remix) | KOMOR KOMMANDO | Alfa Matrix (bandcamp.com)

Unwoman – Have Yourself a Gloomy Little Christmas – Not something I see much in the Darkscene community, Erica Mulkey from San Fransisco blended in string accompaniment to create this shadowy soulful version of the holiday classic. I need to add it to Kelly’s dark Christmas list.

Have Yourself a Gloomy Little Christmas | Unwoman (bandcamp.com)

Ashes Fallen – At The End Of All Things – I love to see how thirsty this group is for guitar based traditional goth. I love the crunchy blasting 90’s tone of Stabbing Westward on the sonic spray of this song. I am giving impressions on the original which was chosen by the charts, do yourself a favor and check the badass remix by G.W. Childs IV and it’s synthwave shimmer. James’s voice is dripping wet on this track. It really makes everything loom with darkness over the mix.

At The End of All Things | Ashes Fallen (bandcamp.com)

Jason Priest – My Name Is Priest – Minneapolis, Minnesota artist of Midnight Mannequin Records with this gorgeous synth texture and guitar ballet with a blend of Magnetic Fields indie pop and New order technique synthwave. It’s dialed in so tight and shimmers every time Jason raises, he vocal heat. I can’t get enough of the glorious craftsmanship of this song writing. Every decision made here is just what i wanted it to be.

My Name Is Priest | Jason Priest | Midnight Mannequin Records (bandcamp.com)

Jason Alacrity – Angels Cut – LA band I was not really familiar with before they made the chart. I am loving this sword swinging dervish EDM club banger. The vocals have a great rough edges on oil color translucence. The whole track was always spinning like a blender and bluring the world. Definitely a band i need to get to know better.

Angels Cut | Jason Alacrity (bandcamp.com)

I will continue to run this chart in 2023. I feel like it matters to give an open field to find amazing bands not making it to other charts. If you or someone you know has a release in 2023, join the Sounds and Shadows Facebook group and add it for consideration. Hopefully 2023 is another great year for music.

6/18/21 Bandcamp is donating 100% of our share of sales to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund

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I have been thrilled to watch as the Goth/Industrial community grows more diverse. Hats off again to Bandcamp for really putting their money where their mouth is to support both bands and the rights people of color. I will go through some of the things I am currently listening to so you can add to your list and support a great cause.

LEATHERS – Reckless – The long anticipated EP from Shannon of Actors. A unique departure from her other projects and really highlights her essence which is more collaborative in Actors. It’s sleek, it’s beautiful, it’s as light as an angel dancing on a pin. I love the silky billowing synths and how they flow off the shoulders of her voice. The sound is such an immersive dream which slides along the borders of reality. I spend moments dwelling on how something so beautiful manages to remain so relatable.

https://leathers.bandcamp.com/album/reckless

Favorite track: Take your pick, but I will go with Missing Scene. Something about this swooping shoegaze LUSH 4AD vibe. Her voice is reverberating like a tuning fork yet ringing so clearly. I hear this song and even on earbuds I feel like I’m in an old opera house with a towering sound system feeling wave after wave wash over.

October Noir – Cover Type O Negative: Love You To Death – Loving the sound of this band. Does it emulate the band they are covering in a lot of their sound. Yes. Type O is an amazing sound though. It’s ultra bass Steele vocals. It’s crunching power chords. It’s chest pounding bass guitar. This cover is rich with extra layers and complexity. It feels like a love letter to a band now beyond the veil. You can really feel the time and dedication placed on taking apart and reanimating every aspect.

https://octobernoir.bandcamp.com/track/love-you-to-death

Dea Decay – Magic Lantern – This is a beautiful fun romp from Florida artist Dea Decay that came out in December 2020. A spicy club crashing electronic explosion. No vocals but instead a steady stream of adorable wicked anime samples. It’s non stop energetic explosion of adorable imagery and and surreal colors.

https://deadecay.bandcamp.com/album/magic-lantern

Favorite Track: Catronica – A little secret here, when the new netflix She-Ra came out I was blown away. It’s so wonderful and pure. This song really captures that energy and highlights my favorite character Catra. It’s sharp claws bounding around with reckless abandon.

SHIV-R – Kill God Ascend – Brand new album from the Australian electronic apocalypse know as SHIV-R. I love the expansive fantasy metal destruction fed into a machine brain and turned loose on an unsuspecting populous. Pete Crane is a force of nature in the industrial scene and has a glorious gift for poetic imagery in his lyrics. If you are a fan of the violent industrial power of Front 242 and shaking your body in dangerous convulsions, this is your jam. I’m also impressed by the range shown on tracks like Spark, a truly lovely brain infecting track of pop industrial glory. Or Black Turns Blue a downtempo marching chant of a ballad. This record is a journey. Crane’s voice is one of those charismatic characters that feels at home in every setting the music places it. This is the wonder of modern industrial.

https://blindmiceproductions.bandcamp.com/album/kill-god-ascend

Black Angel – Prince of Darkness – I am LOVING this modern trend of returning to guitar driven true gothic rock. Matt Vowels has done it again. This is sizzling and sensual dark driving glory. I just don’t get to make this comparison enough but this album holds that emotive blistering power of Love and Rockets. Deep brooding rich vocals, whip snap percussion, but it always comes back to the V8 power of these guitars. Everything is foot to the floor speed and slides. It’s a non stop action flick of adrenochrome and dark intent.

Favorite Track: Serene – What a gorgeous highway 51 desert hard hitting ballad. The vocals croon and tantalize as the dust rolls by on an empty stretch. I love song for outlaws.

PALAIS IDEAL – The Art of Crashing – I’ve been waiting for the follow up to the 2019 release Pressure Points with baited breath. I was disappointed only by the fact it was three tracks and not twenty. This release is a perfectly blended sound of quality crafting, unique flavor, and infectious hooks. It’s one of those releases I can’t imagine who I could play this for and have them not enjoy it. It really has a universal appeal. It feels kinetic, like Depeche Mode “Construction Time Again”. I always enjoy John’s voice, but this EP really highlights how many different things he can do while sounding distinctly himself. It’s the true mark of a singer who has found his themselves and are owning it. The other greatest power of PI is, like all great prog genre, the two components know each other and their instruments so intimately. It really feels like two blended minds working without barrier. It makes the guitar and bass lines dart, bend, and twine together in perfect syncopation. I will be playing this…. A LOT.

https://palaisideal.bandcamp.com/album/the-art-of-crashing

Favorite Track: You can’t go wrong but Results is damn near perfection. From the opening guitar riff, the workout routine bassline, and John’s drive and grit. This song feels like an instant classic from out of time I somehow didn’t hear. It also holds the higher concept lyrics and hope PI always wins me over with. 10/10