I make this speech a fair amount but bandcamp is the only distributor of music that seems to give two shits for new bands. On Friday once again they are waiving their own fees to give all proceeds to the artist. To be clear the rates they charge are extremely fair. However if you have a band you love that you want to show support for now is the time. I ask our Sounds and Shadows family to shout out what we will be looking to buy on Friday.
Blak Sunday – Spooky fierce old school bat cave death rock from Indianapolis. Crunchy Riffs and Misfit punk edge by goth members of our community that are POC. What is not to love about all of this. It’s hard and dirty full of fangs and leather. What’s not to love? This is on my must have list.
https://blak.bandcamp.com/album/blak-sunday
Cold Transmission Music (Zeitgeist 13) – Lucky number 13 of the glorious compilations from Frankfurt Germany’s Cold Transmission. 33 songs for 4 euros that spins the whole wheel of the dark music scene. it has lots of their label bands which are always top notch. As well as several other offerings from around the world. This is by far my top value pick.
https://coldtransmissionmusic.bandcamp.com/album/zeitgeist-vol-13
Eva X – From the northern lands of Alberta comes shadow queen Eva X. This album has been on my list to pick up for a while now and Friday is the day. Loving these crashing hand drum sounds and her swirling Miranda’s Sex Garden wispy vocals. That spot on blend of beauty and sinister intention.
https://eva-x.bandcamp.com/album/electrowoman
Daddybear– These are troubling times, sometimes I need a wall shaking, butt thumping, dance party. Matt Fanale of Caustic/Klack has brought that once again. It’s driving, sexy , and guarantied to make your apocalypses shake with the sweaty masses until oblivion. Also featuring the heavingly vocal stylings of grabyourface.
https://daddybear.bandcamp.com/album/ebdsm
Dead Agent – Ed Finkler once again unleashes an assault of mechanical disaster on the unsuspecting world. 24 tracks of remasters and remixes and remixes including a straight inferno from Joy Thieves. It makes me want to build a mech and fight stuff.
https://deadagent.bandcamp.com/album/fight-like-a-robot-v2
Stoneburner – (Soundsystem) Glorious new album of covers of Industrial greats like Chemlab/Covenant/Gary Numan/Ministry/Massive Attack. Also some new versions of the last few albums. If you read this page you know of my deep admiration for the art of Steven Archer. This album gives a chance to hear some of what Steven pays homage too. It’s beautifully crafted and a bit of a love letter to what inspired him. Plus it thumps.
https://stoneburnerofficial.bandcamp.com/album/stoneburner-soundsystem-kompromat-1
Backxwash – This occult hip-hop album got me really excited. I hadn’t heard of this artist before, but I loved how the genres met. The latest album, “God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It,” is a huge, symphonic level hip-hop album that scratched the pop sound and emphasized a witchy feel.
https://backxwash.bandcamp.com/album/god-has-nothing-to-do-with-this-leave-him-out-of-it
Fearing – “Shadow” was released in early April and should get some recognition. This album is dreamy and poppy with a huge wash of reverb over top. There’s passion in each track with a familiar ’80s tone.
https://fearing.bandcamp.com/album/shadow-2
New Haunts– This UK artist is making waves and just released a full-length album today. As Ken would say, “it bops!” The new album, “Fight/Flight” will make you dance from beginning to end.
https://newhaunts.bandcamp.com/
The Wraith – (Gloom Ballet) – LA Deathrockers The Wraith released this album late 2019, November to be exact and I have not stopped listening to it ever since. I found this band through having been a fan of Lost Tribe, singer Davey Bale`s previous band. Gloom Ballet serves excellence on each track which during these goth revival times is few and far between as the revival brings a certain amount of mediocrity with it.
https://thewraithsl.bandcamp.com/releases
Jessica93 – (Guilty Species) Jessica93 is a one man band from France, this album in particular is one I listen to on a nearly daily basis, it`s filled with rhythmic, catchy songs that just gets stuck in your head and forces you to listen to it. This album in particular leans more towards post punk although Jessica93 seems to hold no regard for genre and just do what they feel which is a trait I greatly value in artists.
https://jessica93.bandcamp.com/album/guilty-species-2
The Cult Sounds – (S/T) The self titled debut album from The Cult Sounds is yet another of those gems such as Guilty Species and Gloom Ballet where you`ll find great variety in each track, ranging from classical post punk but without feeling like tired repetition to more mellow ambiance.
https://thecultsounds.bandcamp.com/album/the-cult-sounds
Hide – (Hell Is Here) Hide is to me one of the most important bands within industrial right now. Utilizing found sound, field recording and old school sampling in modern ways all wrapped with a political message they stand out amongst the crowd and yet can not be compared to anyone.
https://hide3.bandcamp.com/album/hell-is-here