I have been an enormous fan of this project for several years. Crying Vessel has raised the bar in terms of complexity, artistic vision, and glamourous pizazz in modern goth/darkscene. Making music that touches on the darkest concepts of human nature, while appealing to our desire for macabre beauty and human connection. In addition to the music, Slade and Basil have always been deeply influenced by cinematic narrative. Particularly facing fear and searching for beauty in the alien and unknown.
With the new single “Nevermind” we are drawn into a journey of mystical ritual and symbolism. Slade has constructed a world around his music and continued it through his novel “Truth of the Shadows”. Imagery of pushing the boundaries between this world and the next. You can feel the strength of intent that goes into each detail in both lyric and image. The Illustrator of the novel Fabio Rincones is also director for this video. I love the continuity of vision there.
Newest release from the spooktastic goth rock sound of Gloom Wizard from Mexico. I speak often of my current occasion with the Mexican “Darkscene” and this one is special as led by our Sounds and Shadows group admin Anibal.
From the opening bell I love the smooth sliding bass line mixed with the frantic feel of the video. The character is twitching like a possession victim. The suited demons are tormenting them and the piercing guitars make pin prick marks upon us. The vocals are a rhythmic chant, almost spell work to bind us and centralize the ritual. As the music builds in intensity and the distorted guitars slash away at our sanity the tormenting demons whisper promises and threats. The organic rock feel has a real Nick Cave energy in the gentle ballad full of murder and menace. A powerful narrative that leaves me hungry for this rising star.
Lineup:
Ani voice and programming and keys, Rich, guitars, programming, keys. Aurelio played bass
Interview:
Tell me where the name Gloom Wizard came from?
It would be fantastic to say that the name Gloom Wizard is a precisely crafted nomastic sigil created with precise attention to the Gematria of the words, much the way Crowley changed Alexander to Aleister because of the numerological value, but that would be a lie. In reality, my friend Jessica came up with the name during a trip down here to Guadalajara. I (Ani, vocals) tend to dwell on the more morose and dreary aspects of life as well as the more esoteric, so in conversation she described me as a “gloom wizard” and that really stuck with me. I formed the band about four months later and used the name.
When did you obsession with the Macabre begin?
In my case, it’s definitely always been there, even since I was a little child. I’ve always had a predilection for the more creepy, weird aspects of life and I was always the weirdo at school checking out books about aliens, magic, ghosts, and true strangeness. Kids would definitely look at my funny a lot. Furthermore, I’ve always been really into shows about these things like ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, and THE X-FILES. The older I got, the more I got into actually studying ritual magick and more comparative theology. Similarly, Rich has always been really into Medieval and Tolkienesque things, which usually go hand in hand with the macabre in some way. Therefore we often talk about those things during lulls in making music.
La Fiera (Famous Luchador Father)
Your father was an entertainer as well correct? Do you think this played a part in being drawn to pageantry?
My father was a rather famous and well-known Mexican wrestler from the eighties and early nineties. He’s pretty legendary in that sport; people will occasionally still ask me if I’m related to him when I give out my name. His whole thing was rocking a mullet and a rocker look with a leather jacket and the more I think about it, the more I think maybe I’m channelling him! I’m not particularly sure this aspect played a huge part in being drawn into the pageantry of rock, but I’ve certainly always been a sucker for all of the pomp and circumstance of the show, whether it be in movies or on stage or in the ring. My mom frequently took my brother and I to a lot of my dad’s events, so we were exposed to that early on and loved the rush of seeing these veritable deities playing out vast epics before our very eyes.
What was your inspiration for this video?
Well, I always knew the video would have to do with a person plagued by their secret darkside, but the video actually is quite different than the first treatment. Initially, the main character was going to be a monstrous looking man who went about his day in a really normal way, as if no one really perceived that he was a hideous abomination, only he could see that about himself and it really troubled him. The big problem with this was the variety of locations and extras and general logistics needed, which really blew up the budget. Ultimately, one late night at around 2am I got the idea to pare down the first draft and then reshape it into what it became. We filmed the video at my mom’s house in one of her spare rooms. Working within that really limited setting helped us hone the storyline to something we could record in a matter of three hours one Saturday afternoon.
What is your hope for the future with Gloom Wizard?
Just the usual hopes of a fledgling, small time goth band: Sex, drugs, rock and roll, crashing luxury cars, a couple overdoses, destroying hotel rooms, getting to make ridiculous riders, for the guy from BEHIND THE MUSIC to narrate our ordeals. Apart from this, we really just want people to listen to our music, watch our videos, and find a space for themselves in what we create. More than anything, we love playing live shows just because we get to see people get lost in the music, in the moment. We’re really looking forward to things opening up again so we can maybe plan some tours and big shows in the very near future.
The second single from Texas siren Veronica Campbell off her Cold Transmission released album “Chemical”. The video opens with shiny sinister Velvet Underground leather. Burning wire synth beats, and a bright red smile full of danger. The delivery and the distance are aggressive and enticing in a captivating duality. Veronica always brings a very personal and revealing style to her songs. I love that this is not set pieces or background. The video matches the music with it’s close up introspective feel. The shadowy ram horn character is present, but a foil not a focus. This song is tendrils of smoke always creeping around you while you fall deeper into eyes you can’t turn away from. The playfulness lends a strength. A sense of being the one in control. Red leather is the power tie that holds the authority in this room. The end is a twist I won’t spoil. This is another great example of how Death Loves Veronica is showing that strength, control, intelligence are the sexiness that captures the modern imagination.
Kandinsky Noir – Berlin’s speed metal intrustro dance band lead by Anto Rom have released a new video with the vision of Iya Poteshkina. The track is a percussive explosion of high speed organic drums which bleed a cut time metal feel into the gothy tones. The chanting melody paves way for a rough demon growl. The lyrics are full of subtle entertainment themes. I love this chorus ” Two chords to lie, To grip our mind, This bread and circuses, Cuts deep inside.” The ferocious impact probably skates closer to metal than I usually dare venture. I found myself lost in the torrent of blood and emotion. Crushing ballistic guitars and locomotive bass lines. This track comes on you quick, runs you down, and never stops speeding towards the next station.
The video was a simple but powerful expression of DIY effects. That haunting and gorgeous face pressed to cellophane . The cuts, red lighting, ferocious playfulness made it engaging and frightening. Make my pulse quicken and you have my attention.
Anto Rom
Interview:
How did this project start, tell me your history ?
This project started in January, as the new Lockdown in Berlin began and I could no longer rehearse with my just born 3-Pieces Post Punk Band. A bit of experimentation with Ableton and many hours of collective boredom and I was able to release my first track at the end of January, thanks to the mix and master work of Joshua Pfeiffer. I continued exploring different sounds (from EBM to Glam Rock to Industrial) until a determinate equilibrium was reached. My last two tracks Opfera and 2 Chords are two industrial metal songs, with some progressive and goth elements.
What is the theme or feeling of this video you wanted to capture?
Two Chords is a song about the relationship between art and power, trying to enhance the instance that the form is already part of the message. The video was created and based on a performance of the young Russian Artist Iya Poteshkina, where the performer herself immersed in a deep red Lynchian Chamber struggles between a seductive attitude of the partial body object and the unbearable of the wholeness. The continuous presence of the plastic film stands for the thin artificial “patina” splitting the duality between compromise and integrity. The on-screen writings in Cyrillic are quotes by Bertolt Brecht, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Theodor Adorno, Rainer Maria Rilke, Fabrizio De André: all of them tried to analyze the role of art within the capitalist society.
Tell me about the scene in your city?
The scene in Berlin is really various and EBM, Post Punk and Synthpop are loved by huge audiences. I love Detriti Records, Death Disco, The Brutalist, She lost Kontrol, Philipp Strobel und NNHMN
What are you excited for in the future?
The next track, that will be released in June, which is far more experimental, more melodic and will contain a wonderful saxophone solo on a black metal instrumental. The title is “Feeling Nothing (The Privilege of the Rope)
If you were giving a shot that would combine your DNA with an animal giving you it’s traits and powers what animal would it be ?
I love cats, I have a cat named Luzifer and would like to have his coolness and laziness at every moment, even if loud techno bass tones make the floor tremble. This are real scenes from my household
Lyrics:
Two Chords
And in the distance the icons calling, We serve the purpose, master’s alibi The odd and dissonant are overwhelming Obliterated like thieves in the night
One time to sink, Two times to split the circle One time to lead, Two times to mesmerise.
Two chords to die, To soothe our eyes, To solve the conflicts, Make us blind
Two chords to lie, To grip our mind, This bread and circuses Cuts deep inside.
To wish upon a star? Who needs to see these scars?
And in the slaughterhouse of our perception We lose our senses in the masterplan Another hit, another chant to march to, Another lullaby to neutralise.
One time for fame, Two times to meet the abyss One time for crave, Two times to feed the masses.
Two chords to die, To soothe our eyes, To solve the conflicts, Make us blind.
Two chords to lie, To grip our mind, This bread and circuses Cuts deep inside.
To wish upon a star? Who needs to see these scars?
Mono-Maniac Contro-versial Ecstasy and suicide Discipline and call to arms!
A di-lemma Anti-pleasant Ecstasy and suicide Discipline and call to arms!
Exciting new single from Jack Alberson and his project Blindcopy. This is a follow up to the breakout single Blacklight which received critic acclaim. The Tennessee artist brought out his sonic welding torch to fuse upbeat electronic dance, southern soul, and punk grit. The song issues forth a challenge to rise to a loftier goal and hold ourselves accountable. The grooving drive heavy bassline sets the stage. Jack’s voice rings clear but has a snarl and grit that cuts the space in between. I love the skill of electronic execution with the soul of a blues singer. Just enough steel guitar ring to build the percussion and give a place for the guitar riff to slide between. I need a modern song that makes me feel something and this hits that button. It has that grab you by the lapels and shake you factor.
We wanted to try something new for this single. Doing a premier where Sounds and Shadows listeners get first crack at downloading the track for free. So if you share the link, you can go into the comments below and grab a download code. This is available only to you for the first few days.
