First Friday of February. That Means Bandcamp Day is upon us Again!!

As 2021 begins and the world continues it’s isolation we find comfort where we can. For me that has been finishing an album, enjoying our ShadowBook Facebook group, and finding amazing new music to drop my hard earned duckets down for on Bandcamp day. The first Friday of every month Bandcamp gives all of it’s proceeds from album sales directly to the artist. So let me fire through what will be taking up residence in my ever expanding collection.

StoneburnerNo Light No SparkIt is fairly well known Steven is a friend of the page. That is why I appreciate it so much he never makes me forfeit my integrity by consistently putting out increasingly amazing albums. In this one he calls upon an army of Industrial compatriots to remix some of his recent work. (Bellhead/Assemblage 23 / Machines With Human Skin / Dogtablet/ Sister Sarin / Stabbing Westward / Joy Thieves / Bativia / Hollowboy / Pill Brigade). It’s always a joy to here material you love, reimagined by other people you love. Often they do something I always want to hear from Steven, which is giving even more clarity to his concepts and poetry.

Standout Tracks: All of them.

Amnesialand (Dogtablet – Soldier Ant Mix) Static strikes like brushes, a machine powers up, Steven’s rapping flow is clarified and direct. I love how the drums slide off the beat behind him.

Are You There The Way I’m Here (Assemblage 23 Remix) A slow and deliberate grind that isolates the lyrics. Striking hard on the front beats. Just wave after wave of giant stone wheels crushing the land before it.

No Light No Spark (Terror Management Theory version) Giant and terrifying in it’s scope. This track stomps around on iron legs with drunken fury. A stalking beast of a song.

https://stoneburnerofficial.bandcamp.com/album/no-light-no-spark-deluxe-remix-ep

You can never have too much Stoneburner in your collection.

SINEDesolate District Feat. Chris Connelly – This is an absolute burner single that came out last year. It’s starburst drums and satin vocals, weaving through a shattered landscape. Then it adds in Chris Fuking Connelly. I love this call and answer flow of the vocals. The power of the drum beats shakes your spine. This song is a dance club hit every place in America needs to be thumping through a system. When Connelly is the icing on your cake, that is one hell of a cake. Hot poetry like this “The name’s contagious, written in smoke
You force fed energy, starved and soaked
You misread crime when you look at decline
Desolate district dissolute signs”

https://sineofficial.bandcamp.com/track/desolate-district-feat-chris-connelly

Die RobotFrantic – Portland’s cybernetic punk energon cubes released this single in May last year. It’s that perfect synthesis of funky electropunk and smash your face flying robot fist. Great mixture of voices and sensual inflection. I got done stomping my feet to this single and picked up the whole discography. My advice is get this and then when your legs can’t dance anymore build better ones out of broken robot parts.

https://dierobot.bandcamp.com/track/fanatic

I Ya Toyah Out Of Order – Chicago/Poland’s favorite one women sound extravaganza has this eagerly awaited sophomore EP out 3/26/21 which is now available for preorder. So far one single is available and just like every time Ania puts out something new, my jaw hit the floor. Instead of napalm energy, this new sound is a cutting laser or focus and complexity. Like a fine wine every moment it lingers in your throat offers a new flavor and tone. This is a must order and early contender to be on albums of the year. It’s so seldom you see someone with the talents of Ania work as hard as she does at her craft to grow exponentially with each release.

Also a bundle package available Unisex T-shirt designed by Chicago artist Danesh Kothari, printed on soft and natural Bella Canvas, plus limited edition holographic sticker, and CD in 6 panel art wallet with 6 page lyric and art insert.
Photos and art by award winning European artist Krzysztof Babiracki.
15% of each physical album sale goes to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to aid mental health cause. Ania is an amazing human changing the world with everything she does.

https://iyatoyah.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-order

The Churchill GardenFade Away – Gorgeous new dreampop single with a team up of Andy Jossi and (Whimsical) singer Krissy Vanderwoude. This track is a tear rolling slowly down the cheek just as the sun strikes it to make it sparkle. I kept feeling my heart rise up towards my throat as layer after layer emerged and joined a cacophony of tender sweeping wind. Music to make your feel.

https://thechurchhillgarden.bandcamp.com/track/fade-away

Luis Vasquez A Body Of Errors – I hate to be that guy, that says I was at that one show. I’m just kidding, I love to be that guy. I got to see The Soft Moon at Berghain and it altered the course of my sonic life. This new solo album is a percussion driven instrumental masterpiece. Rising cities, cities destroyed, the screams of a dying age. Textural emotive hums infusing the body and blasting a prism of colors into the mind. I’m not usually one for instrumental works but just like anything when it is done at this level it is something that moves you. Future Sounds of London with the edgy tension of Coil. I want to be back in that bunker in Berlin riding the wave of this journey of sound.

https://thesoftmoon.bandcamp.com/album/a-body-of-errors

Doors In The LabyrinthThe Shadow Of The Monolith – I love when a band has so many present influences that their is no effective way to categorize it. New album from the Pittsburgh native Josh Loughrey has a textured coldwave isolation crashing up against sizzling guitars and wilderness crooning vocals. Full album release is 3/15 but this first single is full of promise and explosive energy. I had the opportunity to see Josh open for Adoration Destroyed/Lorelei Dreaming and this is an artist with a bubbling volcano of passion ready to explode.

https://doorsinthelabyrinth.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-shadow-of-the-monolith

Collapse of Dawnof dreams and nightmares – This is a sound that really leans into it’s album name. A sinister stalking wispy electronic sound. Both Saphirra Vee and Melodywhore contribute vocals and it is a powerful combination to give the shadow images both sensuality and dark intention. My personal favorite was “Silent Howl“, it managed to elevate the surrealism to further the dream metaphor. Just like a dream or nightmare I think the true star of the show were the tiny brushstrokes of sound you don’t remember you heard until later reflection. Everyone who listens will get their own story. I’m glad I heard mine.

https://collapseofdawn.bandcamp.com/album/of-dreams-nightmares-2

Kandinsky NoirDOM​-​J (Feat. Grabyourface) – This track immeadiately puts you back on your heels with explosive force and smashing guitars. Very old school industrial tone with a sharp high speed modern sound. The effect is made even stronger with a wonderful guest vocal by Marie of Grabyourface providing French lyrics. This one is even more special for me because the collaboration came out of our Sounds and Shadows group. A beautiful textured jam with teeth and blood.

https://kandinskynoir.bandcamp.com/track/dom-j-feat-grabyourface

DissonanceDamage 1st Assault (Feat Melodywhore) Ok I am a long time fan of Cat Hall, she has one of the most underrated voices in modern electronic. So when I say this is my favorite track I want you to appreciate the weight of that. James lays down a filthy grinding beat that really let her voice off the chain. Puts me in mind of that aggressive feminine power of Lords of Acid and My Life With The Thrill Kill Cult. All broken glass and velvet sass. I can’t wait to hear more from this powerful collaboration. The single also features some powerful remix work from Joe Haze , Machines With Human Skin, Steven Olaf, and more.

https://dissonanceband.bandcamp.com/

2020 has some amazing music festivals. Here is our guide to help you get the most musical band for your duckets.

As the scene of Goth/Industrial/Darkwave/Post Punk/Shoegaze music continues to experience an amazing renaissance, live shows are becoming a haven for the masses of fans to connect. This year boasts a boatload of amazing festivals where bands and fans can meet and share their love of this scene, so I will try and put together a guide of some of the great ones so you can plot a trip full of memories to last a lifetime.

Dark Spring Festival – (Boston) I am super excited for and will be at this one. This a brand new festival is anticipating its first year and they are already starting out strong with an amazing lineup including some of my favorite up-and-coming bands, mixed with long-term favorites. Great town with a cool scene. *Best New Festival

1. Un Hombre Solo (NYC)
2. Golden Apes (Berlin)
3. Sonsombre (VA)
4. Secret Shame (NC)
5. Shanghai Beach (NYC)
6. Pilgrims of Yearning (Boston)
7. Twin Tribes (TX)

https://www.facebook.com/events/2224829014290261

Golden Apes at Boston Dark Spring Fest
Dark Spring Festival Berlin

Dark Spring Festival Berlin – This brilliant festival inspired the aforementioned Boston one. It was started by Christian of Golden Apes and features Swiss darkwave act Hapax, Finnish Goth Rock elders Two Witches, Russian New Wave quintet Brandenburg, and French No Wave duo Dear Deer. Lots of Representation from Switzerland’s ‘Dark Nights’ label.

https://www.facebook.com/events/bi-nuu/dark-spring-festival-2020-berlin-bi-nuu/1275406542622411/

Hapax at Dark Spring Festival Berlin

Absolution Fest – (Tampa Bay, FL) Located in Tampa’s legendary club The Castle, this festival started last year and works closely with our friends at Obscura Undead. Tampa Bay has an outstanding scene, and this lineup is off the chain. I mean, fucking Drab Majesty! This one was spectacular last year and every band who played it told me how inspiring it was. Plus, you’re in Florida heat at one of the most renown goth clubs in the US. *Best Value

Pre-Party Lineup:
October 8th at Hooch and Hive
Mr.Kitty
Cold Medicine
Gulf Blvd with DJ MAUS

Day 1 Lineup:
October 9th at Crowbar
Hante.
Astari Nite
Rosegarden Funeral Party
Sonsombre
Die Robot
The Kentucky Vampires
Pass/Ages with
DJ Winters and DJ Black

Day 2 Lineup:
October 10th at The Orpheum
Drab Majesty
TRAITRS
The Bellwether Syndicate
S Y Z Y G Y X
Third Realm
The Purge
Mother Juno

https://www.facebook.com/events/2473284262889368/

Drab Majesty will be at Absolution Fest

Cold Waves – (Chicago) – So we went to this show last year and it was a life changing experience. The scene, the venue, the cause, the history, this is everything you hope for from a top-notch music fest. This one has been doing it right for a long time, and the lineup is absolutely stacked. Phenomenal mix of goth and industrial, old and new, plus the fact that Chicago, as a city, is so deeply entrenched in music history. Finally, Jim Marcus is doing a DJ set and I am here for that content! *Best Lineup

http://coldwaves.net/

Stabbing Westward will be at Cold Waves Chicago

Convergence – (Louisville KY) Interesting new venue for this long running festival. Amaranth applied for this one but sadly didn’t make it this time. Maybe next year. However when I look at this boss lineup I can’t feel mad. They packed this show with top talent in lots of genres. *Great lineup Fresh New Scene

  • The Kentucky Vampires
  • Xorcist
  • The Rope
  • Wingtips
  • Scary Black
  • S Y Z Y G Y X
  • Sonsombre
  • Twin Tribes
  • Vyva Melinkolya
  • God Module
  • The Bellwether Syndicate
Twin Tribes at Convergence KY

https://www.facebook.com/events/471361446925391/

Cold Transmission Fest – (Cologne Germany) – Our dear friends at Cold Transmission records started their first festival last year and we had the opportunity to cover it. It was amazing. The way people traveled from all over the world to come together and share a passion for great music. After the success of last year Suzy, Andy and team have expanded and have another wonderful lineup and more to be announced. My heart will be with them again. *Great Lineup, Intimate show

ASH CODE
BEDLESS BONES
IAMTHESHADOW
MARK E MOON
DILK

Ash Code will be at Cold Transmission festival

https://www.facebook.com/events/1417909858356678/

Dark Side of the Con – (Parsippany NJ) – Another long running festival I hear everyone rave about year after year but I’ve never attended. I need to get this on my list. This year it is a who’s who of 3rd wave goth and industrial. Big line up with lots of established acts. If this time period in goth was your jam you can’t beat this. Plus it has a convention feel with a lot of things beyond the music (panels, art, DIY, access to bands)

The Birthday Massacre
Cruxshadows
suicide commando
GRENDEL
DAS ICH BAND
God Module
Bella Morte
Echo Black Ego Likeness The Gothsicles
The Rain Within Astari Nite Chmcl Str8jckt
Methodical Devil-M DaGeist Ghostfeeder
00tz 00tz Die Robot Cliff and Ivy Stoneburner
Abbey Death Peter Turns Pirate Tragic Impulse
The Mary Lous Red Lokust

The Birthday Massacre will be at Dark Side of the Con
Out From the Shadows Fest

https://www.facebook.com/events/2556610007786941/?active_tab=about

Out From the Shadows Fest – (Portland) – Another festival I have heard wonderful things about from a great music city. This lineup is stellar and really runs the entire frequency of music styles. Great focus on fresh bands doing 3 stacked nights of music. Huge lineup with a lot of bigger named acts blending well with fresh faces. Plus Portland is just a great place to have a vacation if you are goth.

Thursday:

SYZYGYX (Wash. DC)
FEARING (LA)
KOMRADS (Rochester NY)
LOVE HATE AFFAIR (Austin)
THE ELECTRIC WEST (LA)
PHYSICAL WASH (PDX)
RITUAL VEIL (PDX)
– TBD –

Friday:

BODY OF LIGHT (Arizona)
AUTOMELODI (Montreal)
SSLEEPING DESIRESS (SF)
MAYFLOWER MADAME (Oslo)
PUSH BUTTON PRESS (Tampa)
V.E.X. (members of MOIRA SCAR) (Oakland)
VERSARI (Paris)
WE ARE PARASOLS (PDX)

Saturday:

RITUAL HOWLS (Detroit)
TEARFUL MOON (Austin)
KORINE (Philadelphia)
ASTARI NITE (Miami)
SICK WISH (Boise)
SEVENTEEN AT THIS TIME (Paris)
MR WRONG (PDX)
LIES WE WERE TOLD (PDX)

Ritual Howls will be at Out of the Shadows Fest
San La Muerta Festival

San La Muerta Festival – (Austin Tx) Austin is probably one of the best cities for goth industrial in the US. The list of bands currently out of this town is staggering. Great DJ support. I imagine this party is off the chain. They boast a monster lineup from all over the globe. The Vanishing doing a reunion and Shes Past Away.

https://www.facebook.com/events/573222733407494/

San La Muerte Fest 2020
Sept. 17th – 19th
Austin Texas

-This year SLM proudly presents:
from Spain
ANA CURRA
(formerly of Paralisis Permanente, Alaska y Los Pegamoides, Los Seres Vacios)
Ana Curra will perform Friday Sept. 18th, 2020 in Austin Texas
Venue: TBA
Tickets available now on SLM website

-SHE PAST AWAY
One of the best current Darkwave Post Punk bands. Only Texas Show! All the way from Turkey!
Sept. 19th with The Vanishing
Elysium Austin Texas

-THE VANISHING (San Francisco)
20 YEAR REUNION!
Only Texas Date!
The Vanishing will be playing Saturday Sept. 19th
alongside She Past Away!
Venue:Elysium
Tickets available now on SLM website

The Vanishing at San La Muerte Fest

Dark Malta Festival – (Malta) Great mixture of Euro darkness. Some big names in goth/Industrial/ and metal here. Plus it is in Malta in April which i imagine is gorgeous. If you have the means, I highly recommend checking it out, so choice 😉

https://www.facebook.com/events/428462821068850/?active_tab=discussion

Solar Fake is at Dark Malta Festival

I will continue to update this as lots of the big festivals have not announced lineups yet. Wave Gothic, Sanctuary, Machinefest.