Two things that give me hope in these dark times are my cats and live music. One of those has been painfully taken away from me. That’s why this weekend means so much. The sheer amount of amazing bands and DJ’s here is mind boggling. I think it really goes a long way towards how much our tiny furry gods mean to us. I’m going to try and touch briefly on a lot of what will be featured, but there is just so much. So I will start with the bands preforming live. Buckle up, because the scope of this weekend will be one to remember.
Inkubus Sukkubus: British driving organic darkness that goes back to the late 80’s. They have this beautiful pagan ritual Stevie Nicks thing happening. I’ve never seen them play live so I am very excited for this one. I really love the unapologetic witchcraft vibe and expect this is a band that will lend extremely well to a live stream performance.
https://inkubus-sukkubus.bandcamp.com/
Chameleons Vox: Also from England this was a band that made me first fall in love with dark music. Their capacity to forge a perfect spiral staircase of a riff with thunderous drums and lyrics that captured my young imagination is a thing of legend. Getting a chance to witness this live performance let alone share a bill is a dream come true.
https://moochinaboutltd.bandcamp.com/album/return-of-the-roughnecks-2
The Cassandra Complex: No one has more goth street cred then Rodney Orpheus, they have played with The Sisters, Mission, you name it. I have been deep diving back into this band with some of Rodney’s solo releases lately. They really gave the goth concept it’s teeth on a science fiction themed intelligence. Lately I have really enjoyed the recent live streams and this performance will be a memorable one.
https://thecassandracomplex.bandcamp.com/album/everything-ive-always-wanted-live-in-berlin-2012
Ashes Fallen: The sinister guitar lord James Perry and lovely wife Michelle are putting the rock back into goth rock. The songs are epic in scope and full of complexity and power. Hailing from Sacramento CA, they have a lot of that Cali glam flavor with a stalking dark shadow.
https://ashesfallenmusic.bandcamp.com/track/we-belong-nowhere
Blood Bells: Texas death rock duo Blood Bells have that driving hallow abyss sound perfect for a late night drive on an empty back street below a full moon. Just enough punk edge to pour some piss and vinegar on your darkness.
https://bloodbells.bandcamp.com/releases
AngelSpit: LA Cyberpunk originally from Austrailia that is a true audio visual experience. They have been destroying stages since early 2000’s and have been doing a lot with streaming shows. It’s glitchy chaos magic Zoog has one of those voices that beckons to you through the fuzz. Pure energy through your ears down your spine.
https://angelspit-official.bandcamp.com/album/sputnik-meltdown
Amaranth: How the fuck are we on this bill with everyone I have listed so far? I’ll take it. We took everything we love, stole from in liberally and spewed it out as prog-goth. Lets hope we don’t embarrass ourselves.
https://theamaranth.bandcamp.com/
Spindly Killers: I don’t know them well, another UK band. They have a cool Johnny Cash meets Nick Cave thing happening. I look forward to learning more.
https://spindlykillers.bandcamp.com/
Stahschlag: Smooth and stabbing Industrial noise from Hamberg Germany. Mastered by the amazing Rob Early of 11 Grams. Really beautiful soundscape images with cannon fire drums. A bit of old Test Dept feel which should lend well to a live performance. Color me intrigued.
https://stahlschlag.bandcamp.com/album/annihilation
SugarPlum Suicide: Dancy Irish goth pop? I’m all in. Cerridwen Kitty has a great vocal lilt which helps carry a candy sweet beat. Gives me The Birthday Massacre vibes. I look forward to seeing how it plays out live.
https://sugarplumsuicide.bandcamp.com/
Luna Lacuna: A UK grudge alt rock band. I love the growling L7 vocals here. It’s smokey, filthy, and a great break in sound from some of the other acts. Plus bonus points for the Alester Crowley cat on the album cover.
https://lunalacuna.bandcamp.com/
Pro Patria: Belgian Industrial Disco Clash full of movement and rage. This is a steel surfboard with razor edges coming at you at full tilt. I really enjoy the unusual time breaks and ferocious growl of Peter V.
https://propatria.bandcamp.com/album/godless
Camlann: Holy shit does this band fill me with hope for the future. New signing by our friends from Cold Transmission Music these under 20 folks from Indonesia are playing at a level of depth and quality i could not have conceived of at that age. It’s a ceremonial drone of shadows on a cave wall, flickering and rich. This is the future I long for. Ony Godfrey has a voice that is haunting and elegant. Give me more.
https://camlannmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-forgotten-lost-fragments
Machines With Human Skin: Originally from Chicago our friend Adrian Halo brings their rolling 90’s industrial style grind. I’ve never witnessed it live so I am excited to see this energy brought to life. Pain and triumph rolled into a ball and flung at the wall with abandon. I love the marching tempo and raw emotion.
https://machineswithhumanskin.bandcamp.com/album/anagnorisis
40 Octaves Below: From Vancouver this EDM explosion is sure to get the party jumping. Slithering effect rich vocals and driving beats. Time to turn your computer up to 11 and stomp your boots. This is a horror film soundtrack to haunt your dreams.
https://40octavesbelow.bandcamp.com/album/digital-resurrections
Dead Blood Cells: UK based darkwave brings a slithering sweetness blended with electric glitch. I love that razor wire between post punk and Industrial feels. It’s music that comes in waves and the vocals are ethereal and penetrating. Can’t wait to see the live energy.
https://deadbloodcells.bandcamp.com/track/woman-in-white
Coor Brown Obles : SE UK artist with a dreamy organic bounce. A bit of Magnetic Fields alt vibe. I really like the vocals which fluctuate greatly within the songs to create dynamic build.
https://coorblimey.bandcamp.com/album/going-in-circles
This review has only covered the live performances. We haven’t even touched on bands doing pre recorded or DJ performances. Aside from the wonderful cause this event is shaping up to be one of the standout online events of the year. I hope to see you all there.
Thursday, September 24, 20203:00 PM – 4:00 PMVideos: Raven Said, The Quinsy, The Black Capes, Onism, Lupe4:00 PM – 5:00 PMVideos: Karluv Tyn, Doppelganger, Mechanimal, Angel of Dust5:00 PM – 6:00 PMVideos: Atomic Neon, Other-Ed, This Eternal Decay, Your Life on Hold6:00 PM – 7:00 PMVideos: Ground Nero, Enhok, Nairod Yarg, La Grazia Obliqua, Trouble Fait’, Iamnoone, Talk to Her, Love the Ghost, On the Floor7:00 PM – 8:00 PMVideos: Les Longs Adieux, Dageist, From the Mouth ov Belial8:00 PM – 9:00 PMVideos: Saigon Blue Rain, The Blind Ruffians, Ultrviolence9:00 PM – 10:00 PMVideos: Sunshine Blind / Caroline Blind, Vampires of Rome, Massive Ego – Reading10:00 PM – 10:30 PMLIVE: BLOOD BELLS10:30 PM – 12:30 AM (overnight)DJ Set: Rockin’ Robert C (US)Friday, September 25, 202012:30 AM – 1:00 AMVideos: The Long Losts1:00 AM – 4:30 AMDJ Set: Kale Shelter (US)4:30 AM – 8:00 AMDJ Set: Vox Sinistra (US)8:00 AM – 1:00 PMDJ Set: The New Order Melbourne (AU)1:00 PM – 3:00 PMDJ Set: Graveyard Death Cult (DE)3:00 PM – 5:00 PMDJ Set: nAo12xu (JP)5:00 PM – 7:00 PMDJ Set: Dmitry Flo (RU)7:00 PM – 9:00 PMDJ Set: Evangel (DE)9:00 PM – 11:00 PMDJ Set: Geisterwelt (DE/GR) (Videos: Lefki Symphonia, Giant Waves, Dead Souls Rising)11:00 PM – 2:00 AM (overnight)DJ Set: Vade Retro & Jo the Waiter (UK)Saturday, September 26, 20202:00 AM – 4:00 AMDJ Set: Dead Souls Gothic Lounge (US)4:00 AM – 6:00 AMDJ Set: The Sisters of Mondays (US)6:00 AM – 8:00 AMDJ Set: Dave Bats (US)8:00 AM – 10:00 AMDJ Set: Miz Margo (US) (Videos: Dark Door, Sombre)10:00 AM – 3:00 PMDJ Set: Spooky Shaz & Poisondwarf (AU) (Videos: Suzi Sabotage, October Burns Black, Brigitte Handley)3:00 PM – 4:15 PMLIVE: LUNA LACUNA – Videos: Grooving in Green – LIVE: DEAD BLOOD CELLS4:15 PM – 6:00 PMDJ Set: Caroline Carnivorous (NO)6:00 PM – 10:00 PMDJ Set: martin oldgoth & Mortasha Kinski (UK/AU) (Videos: Hapax, Sounds Like Winter, Gene Loves Jezebel, Black Rose Burning)10:00 PM – 11:00 PMDJ Set: Mistress McCutchan (CA)11:00 PM – 1:00 AM (overnight)DJ Set: Hi-Fi Hillary & Kale Shelter (US) (Videos: Sjöblom, Then Comes Silence, Twin Tribes)Sunday, September 27, 20201:00 AM – 3:00 AMDJ Set: Veganinblack (US) (Videos: Nite)3:00 AM – 5:00 AMDJ Set: Slavezero (US)5:00 AM – 7:00 AMDJ Set: Pirate Twins (US)7:00 AM – 9:00 AMDJ Set: Vox Sinistra (US) (Videos: Ash Code)9:00 AM – 9:30 AMLIVE: CAMLANN9:30 AM – 12:00 PMDJ Set: The New Order Melbourne (AU)12:00 PM – 3:00 PMLIVE: COOR BROW-OBLES, PRO PATRIA, STAHLSCHLAG – Video: Feather Trade – LIVE: SPINDLY KILLERS3:00 PM – 7:00 PMDJ Set: Cyberpagan (DE) (Videos: Dead Inside, Date at Midnight, 1919, NU:N, Audra)7:00 PM – 8:00 PMLIVE: INKUBUS SUKKUBUS – Videos: Mephisto Walz, Autumn Tears8:00 PM – 9:00 PMLIVE: CHAMELEONS VOX9:00 PM – 1:00 AM (overnight)DJ Set: Red Party NYC (US) (Videos: Bootblacks)Monday, September 28, 20201:00 AM – 2:00 AMLIVE: AMARANTH, MACHINES WITH HUMAN SKIN2:00 AM – 4:00 AMDJ Set: Kangal (US)4:00 AM – 5:00 AMLIVE: 40 OCTAVES BELOW, ASHES FALLEN5:00 AM – 6:00 AMVideos: L’Avenir, Shanghai Beach6:00 AM – 7:00 AMVideos: Sonsombre, Ren Flowers, Pilgrims of Yearning, El Ojo y la Navaja7:00 AM – 8:00 AMVideos: Mordelin, Blood Handsome, Synthax Xtructure, Unidad Obscura, Hallows, Lycia, NNHMN8:00 AM – 9:00 AMVideos: Vyrtual Zociety, Lore, The Dramedy, Kurt Riley, Electric Press Kit, Chiron, The Coloirs of Silence9:00 AM – 10:00 AMVideos: Spankthenun / Th3Count of DEATHLINE INT’L DJ set including Deathline Int’l and Cop Int’l label bands10:00 AM – 4:00 PM- Break -4:00 PM – 7:00 PMVideos: Mosquito, Ego Bliss, Death Party UK, Global Citizen, Chaos Bleak, Sometime the Wolf, Nature of Wires7:00 PM – 8:00 PMVideos: Iamwarface, Senex IV, Accrogeist8:00 PM – 9:00 PMLIVE: THE CASSANDRA COMPLEX – Videos: Vice Squad, Frostofdoom9:00 PM – 10:00 PMVideos: Frostofdoom – LIVE: ANGELSPIT10:00 PM – 11:00 PMVideos: Skeletal Family, The Secret French Postcards, 13th Sky, Deliverance MX, The Secret Post11:00 PM – 11:30 PMVideos: Pass / Ages, Red Vienna11:30 PM – 2:00 AM (overnight)DJ Set: Miserable Mondays (US)