Written and produced by Mark Trueman in La Crosse/Milwaukee, WI Vocals recorded at Subspace HQ in Milwaukee, WI Mastered by Eric Oehler and Grant Richardson Art by negativemeditation and VIOLENCE.PARANOIA Layout by Sam Stoxen Photography by Carlos Azuara Thanks to: My friends and family for existing, Negative Gain, Phage Tapes, Everyone at OmenMilwaukee’s Choke Chain serve up Decomposition, some unapologetic old-school style industrial noise for your earhole.
It’s aggressive, grating, abrasive and brutal. It’ll piss off your parents, your neighbors and your dog.
In short, it’s everything that makes industrial music great!
Never mind the niceties. This is raw naked aggression served up in a handy five-song EP.
Two additional remixes give DJs ammo for the dance floor as well.
Since I started this journey of goth Renaissance in 2018 with Twin Tribes/Actors/Bootblacks/Kill Shelter ect I am always on the lookout for that next big thing. A young band that hits me and has that “IT” factor. We had the absolute please of opening for Past Self in Detroit and I was immediately floored by their presence, sonic beauty, and originality of their stage performance. After several decades seeing and being in bands, I know it when I see it. This is it.
music and lyrics written by Sung mixed and mastered by Spektor
The sound is a wonderous slushy charcoal ghost story with Cure, Twin Tribes, Drab Majesty inspiration. Infused with quirky 90s Sega video game synth tones. The blending of language through the lyrics is absolutely inspired and adds a captivating beauty that makes you lean in to listen for every secret. The shadow bouncing Simon Gallup basslines create a constant motion and energy.
This new single Jemul which translates to a sacrifice or offering, often used in ritual contexts or metaphorically is another reminder these talented young artists are just beginning their journey. The tone is dark and robust but attacks at a blistering pace the crackles and swirls. The vocals resonate with baritone weight and spin a beautiful tale of leaping into the unknown without a safety net.
In an instant, 너의 불안감은 두려움이 됐다 In an instant, neoui bul-angam-eun dulyeoum-i dwaesda In an instant, your anxiety turned into fear
너의 비극들은 환각 속안에 묻었다 neoui bigeugdeul-eun hwangag sog-an-e mud-eossda Your tragedies are buried inside hallucinations
Do not miss the upcoming European tour! They are a must see live band
Overall – Past Self is a groundbreaking talent on the cusp of becoming the next hot thing in modern goth. You need them in your collection now.
Chicago Industrial Supergroup The Joy Thieves on Armalyte Industries in 2018 has a brand-new album just in time for the steady decay of the post Capitalist society. Drum Daddy Dan Milligan started this project in 2018 blending a love of live punk rock power, and industrial electronic expertise. A chance meeting through his wife with Chicago Industrial Supergroup legend Martin Atkins (Pigface) led to Milligan compiling a talent packed armada to rival any group in the genre that includes current, former, and touring members of bands such as Ministry, Stabbing Westward, Rollins Band, Killing Joke, Pigface, RevCo, PIG, David Bowie, Blue October, Machines of Loving Grace, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, Naked Raygun, Foetus, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Pegboy, Nitzer Ebb, and more. I’m proud to say the “more” even includes me.
The Joy Thieves – Apocalypse Pending – Lyrics by Chris Connelly (Yes that Chris Connelly)
Additional production by: Derek Christopher –Penfield Studios Mark Pistel -Room 5 Studios Jeff Harris -JH Studios Steven Archer -House of Wolves Dee J Nelson -DJN Music Studio Jane Jensen -Autozen Music DJ Darryl Hell -HellLab Studios
Mastered by James Scott at Populist Recording + Mastering Art direction by Destiny Justic Scott Original artwork by Charlie Athanas for Burning City
2022 Sounds and Shadows Interview with The Joy Thieves
The world has steadily progressed into a pea green soup skied nightmare of political confrontation, media overload, and wealth disparity which has us all terrified for the future. Enter the sonic baseball bat with nails driven through it to fight back against the dumpster fire that is “Apocalypse Pending“. From the funky bashing buildup of 52 second title track intro (Milligan/DJ Darryl Hell) into the first single “No Anchor” (Connelly/Milligan) we are thrust into a desperate crumbling world which the Thieves immediately start beating the piss out of until it releases the sweet juice of hope.
“Why am I desperate to have no anchor? To prowl just like a panther? I can’t remain for anyone Why is it frostbite in July? So strange the time flies I can’t remain for anyone I will not stay, I’m not wanted I’m neither living, nor haunted Beauty has no anchor, don’t forget you’re here “
Things that really stand out above the pack in 2026. 1) The drums here (As expected by Drum Daddy Dan Milligan) are absolutely electric. Every track to tight, clean, but always feels like it is rattling off the tracks. It never does but the sense of anxiety created by controlled chaos releases your adrenaline. 2) This is peak Chris Connelly, not that he ever goes wrong but I think Dan and company are huge fans that really understand the pocket to create for one of the best ever to do Industrial vocals to let him shine. He snarls, croons, spits, and breathes with perfect intuitive timing. 3) The lyrics are the self-aware directed anger that this era is screaming for given voice. I just don’t spend enough time reading along with the lyrics sheet while listening to music these days, but that’s exactly what this record had me doing. 4) The guitar tones here a DIALED in, they are crunching and cooking just beating you over the head while you stomp.
Favorite Tracks: Honestly all of them. This is a hit play and let them cook album. That is a cop out answer though so here we go.
“The Wrong End Of Your Rifle” – What a flow this track has. It is so real with 90s Industrial homage and Public Enemy political intelligence.
“Not one to clash with my investors More like cardiac arresters Menace, ignorance And heavily armed court jesters
Blamin’ it all Menace becomes investor Pay to win Corporate branding on your sin of sins You came to blame And nothing will keep you stifled Menacing At the wrong end of your rifle”
“Knife Fight Nihilism” – Jensen and Connelly do a beautiful vocal volley in a slam poetry full of razor wit and funky beats. I love the old school record scratching effect and slippery phrasing.
I’m kind of warming up to you And your consistent fight To make it true A knife fight in a garden Close to paradise A royal pardon Look what’s branding us with heavy shields! And mortal stuff we can’t reveal You spilled your guts out And the dogs prepared to feast A knife fight honors every carnivore and every beast Unlikely bloodstains make a pattern Like a jigsaw on the lam Unlikely jetties rid the sea of bodies Dead serious, or just another dead man?
This album is a must have and an early contender for my album of the year.
January 2026 Release from PALAIS IDEAL of Netherlands on DARK VINYL RECORDS. I’ve been a big fan of the band since 2018 “No Signal” and the groundbreaking 2019 “Pressure Points“. Their sound contains many of the traits of Post-Punk but with a complexity closer to progressive rock. They have taken on some heady concepts in the lyrical subject matter that always leaves me feeling like I am watching lost episodes of Black Mirror scored by Killing Joke.
John Edwards: Vocals, Guitar, Synths Richard van Kruysdijk: Bass Guitar, Synths, Drums & Programming, Backing Vocals
As a duo John and Richard create so much activity between them. Constant flitting motion with telepathic syncopation. This new record has a brightness of spirit as contrast to some of the darker themes on previous releases. This also hit hard on the attack with tracks like “All for One” which really lean into the punk rock ethos with a bit more edge on John’s vocals. For the majority of the record he rings with more clarity and beauty. I hear more Ian McCulloch warmth in the delivery and it adds a wonderful layer to the images in your mind.
Favorite Track: “HOLD ON TIGHT TO NOTHING” – This track is just gorgeous. It just keeps lifting and driving with an early Church flavor. John’s voice is so captivating here and the bassline really drives the melody. I could play this on repeat for an hour and not be sad about it.
Sometimes it’s hard to force a smile back on your face when everything is stupid. I know the most effective way to make it worse is not to stop complaining.
Hold on tight to nothing Hold on tight to nothing
Sometimes it’s hard to force a smile back on your face because everyone is ugly. Please note, be that as it may, your time is short, why not use it wisely?
Hold on tight to nothing Hold on tight to nothing never let go
Fans of the LA band Failure may have wondered where they could go next after 2021’s Wild Type Droid, and whether the band’s Space Rock stylings will continue to be an integral part of their sound. With their newest, Location Lost, the answer is yes and no. The spaceier aspects are still there, but there’s plenty more to unpack on their 7th release.
Crash Test Delayed opens the album with an electronic-tinged intro that makes one think of the short “Segues” they are known to intersperse throughout previous releases.
The Rising Skylinefeatures a guest appearance by Hayley Williams of Paramore in a heartfelt duet. Williams has stated that failure is a major influence in her musical evolution. This song pays loving appreciation to her inspiration.
Solid State smacks of Fantastic Planet-era material such as Stuck On You, while The Air’s On Fire has a vocal delivery that makes me think of Alice In Chains.
Someday Soon has an almost reggae feel to its rhythm, making the song a fun ride. I’m personally surprised that it wasn’t selected as a single.
While Location Lost isn’t as in your face as earlier releases, it’s no less energetic in its own way. If only all the alternative bands from the ’90s Aged so well.
