Tag: Giant waves

Giant Waves/Karluv Tyn, Pilgrims of Yearning, Navigator Project, and Monoplan

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Giant Waves/Karluv Tyn

Giant Waves is a gothic post-punk/darkwave group formed in 2004. Originally formed under the name The Imaginary Stigma, they claim to be one of the “oldest groups in Russia” in the genre. Through their decade of existence, they have worked with legendary bands such as Skeletal Family and toured with Soviet Soviet. They currently are signed by Sierpen Records, which also boasts Molchat Doma.

Their newest release in 2020 was “Мерцание,” put out under their side-project Karluv Tyn (fun fact- they took this name from that of a twelfth century gothic castle). They describe the album’s music as “cold-pop” or Russian “apocalyptic-pop.” The Intro track has the sounds of church bells and choir, definitely a reference to their name inspiration. The album manages to be dark without being too overbearing or heavy. An upbeat rhythm, clear vocals, chorus-y guitar, and smooth synths all blend together to make something mid-energy and perfect for light, casual listening.

Its members are Iliya Volchansky (voice, guitar, synths, lyrics), Andy ‘Avalanche’ Fomin (synths, drums), and Michael Kirilenko (recording, engineering).

A new Giant Waves release in the works. If all goes according to plan, expect to see this upcoming single in the next two months. Additionally, they are making a video for the song “Love is a Lie”. Finally, there will even potentially be a new album put out halfway through the year.

Producer and artist Vitaly Sanych reports that they have changed their sound slightly, citing both hardships in the local music scene and a desire to continue developing their style.

Pilgrims of Yearning

Pilgrims of Yearning’s music, specifically their 2020 release Forsake Lands, has been covered once before by S&S.

In spite of live venues being canceled, this band has been prolific in attending online streaming events including Gothicat, Arg!, Goth for Sanctuaries, and some Latin American events such as Real Under Fest and Festival Under Latinamericano. In the future, expect to see them at the upcoming Leather & Lace fest on January 31st.

Originally from Chile, they moved to Boston and will soon be again moving to the sunny city of Miami. Their current lineup is Claudio Marcio (Guitar, Sequences), Juls Garat (Voice and Lyrics), and Sean Woodbury (Bass).

Pilgrims of Yearning is working on new material, both singles and videos, to release later in 2021. Vocalist Juls Garat expressed the band’s desire to retain the “exploratory and eclectic” traits of their first album, but also follow a natural flow of evolution and exploration. 

Navigator Project

Navigator Project, according to their Bandcamp, is a synthpop/darkwave band from Naples made up of Amir Sabljaković (vocals, synth), Daniel (drums), and Caroline (lyrics, melodies).

There are four releases on their page. Spellbound, a single posted August 3rd, Follow the Light, a full album posted on October 16th, In the Spiral (Klonavenus Remix), a single posted on December 13th, and In the Spiral (Lost Messages Remix), another remix single posted on December 29th. I gave them a listen. Navigator Project makes dynamic, active-sounding music with intense, almost nostalgic synth lines that I’d love to hear at the local club. Sabljaković’s vocals are clean and relaxed yet focused with, if I’m correct, a slight accent that is quite enjoyable to listen to.

I reached out to Sabljaković inquiring about any future material. He told me that, in light of the pandemic and pause in concerts, they’ve taken advantage of the situation to work on another synthpop album.

Monoplan

Monoplan is a Russian synthwave band composed soley of Dmitry Philippov. S&S briefly covered them once already last February.

So, let’s get an update! Since then, Monoplan has put out three releases: The Game (March 2020), Promzona (October 2020), and Beneath The Sky of The Sleeping Cities (November 2020).

I reached out to Philippov for more information. He describes Monoplan’s music as “a soundtrack to the bleak dystopian cityscapes where ghostly figures dance on the rooftops of abandoned houses to the beat of an old drum computer and eerily pulsating synths,” and that’s honestly perfect. What an image! Regarding genre, Monoplan is “a lo-fi mix of post-punk and cold wave, sometimes steering off to gloomy disco or punky reggae.” If the ghosts-on-rooftops didn’t catch your attention, how’s gloomy disco for you? Definitely something unique!

Do you have any future albums in the making/planned?

Yes. My most recent release, the Pod Nebom Spyaschikh Gorodov EP, was initially planned to be an album. But I had not much time to finish it properly, so it came out as a 4 track mini album. There are a few songs left, plus some new tracks in the making. I think I’ll return to them in spring.

Mother Russia Rain Down Down Down (What is the past/present of Russian Goth/Post Punk)?

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So after exploring Turkey’s underground music scene and finding a wealth of amazing artist outside my wheelhouse, I thought I would take a dive into another region I am just starting to get familiar with. Russia, the motherland. Vast and dark, unknown in my early music experience. When I started Amaranth in the 90’s I had a close friend (and additional singer in the band) who is now the singer of Detroit dark rock darlings The Ruiners, Nina Friday. She never really shared the music of her past. So I started my own journey. A special thank you to my friend ‎Vitaly Sanych‎  at Post Punk/Gothic Russia for taking me to school. I hope you enjoy the road as well.

In order to really grasp the present I first had to learn my history. Russia had a new wave scene that coincided with America and Europe in the mid 80’s. I had never heard of bands like KINO from St. Petersburg. Inspired by The Cure, Blondie, and The Smiths. Beautiful poetic lyrics, overlapping music full of distance and dark rock.

As I started looking into history I found a wealth of more avant garde sounds full of dissonance and heavy rock influence that tested the boundaries of the bizarre like Zvuki Mu. As well as gothabilly edge like Объект Насмешек. Then Synthwave deathboi disco like Kofe. The emphasis and instrumentation was often very different. It gave a unique flavor, but it was hard not to recognize so many aspect of the same music journey I traveled in America.

Kofe

In 1990 Post punk resurgence hit Russia. Not in the way it would hit New York in 2000. Instead this was that raw Factory Records feel of A Certain Ratio, Joy Division, or Happy Mondays. Uptempo dark lofi anguish spewed at velocity through the smoke and danger with  DURNOE VLIYANIE (Harmful Influence) . They are well known in Russia but I never knew what it could be if Ian Curtis has carried on making music.

Mid 90’s brought the “Silver Age” of Russian post punk. Frighting sinister goth anguish with traditional instruments and emotive goth feel like Lacrimosa.

The vocals have an almost Swans like quality

As the 90’s closed goth subculture started to gain traction. The first major Russian website about goth subculture began GOTHIC.RU. This led to a music festival in Moscow “Edge of the Night”.

As the century changed goth music in Russia began to splinter into new subgenre factions. I really enjoyed the early Purple Fog Side sounds with EDM/Industrial feelings. Or sinister traditional terror rock like Missionaries from the Outside. Children of the Gun which was a bizarre mixture of Morrisey and The Mission UK.

Purple Fog Side
Beautiful and gentle Human Tetris has all the hook and joy of New Wave with all the spirit of power of Post Punk.

So now that we have strolled down memory lane and I have dipped a toe into the rich post punk/goth history in Russia I want to talk about some of the exciting things I am seeing there today. This is a land so full of passion, cold, darkness, and perseverance. It is no wonder I found a music scene brimming over with diversity and talent. Lets share some now.

First up is dark synthwave band Monoplan. I really enjoy the feeling of moving parts here. Like a giant trap of blocks sliding in precision. Dmitry Philippov has a voice of lovely simple melodies that remind me of The Church. The more I hear it the more i enjoy.

Giant Waves was a really cool sound. All of the slick tight progression of post punk with dark synths and rising Ian McCulloch tyle vocals. It hits on a lot of familiar styles but finds it’s own ground in the striking frozen style and prog riffs.

Raven Said is a high energy shadow punk driving acid spit flavor of Misfits and Batcave. The vocals are sinister and the guitar riffs are scorching. It keeps hitting different layers and hitting them hard.

Umerechny Sad (Сумеречный Сад)(Twilight Garden) has the explosive bass drive of goth with the candy coated synth slides of new wave. The vocals are angelic floating lady croons which bewitch and flow forth into your imagination.

The Quinsy is dark post punk with soul and spirit. Bass heavy and full of transition it really captures the emotion and tradition of old school slow whiskey and stinging anguish flavor. i love these call and answer vocals.

The End of Electronics (Конец Электроники) gives high speed chorus chants for anthem emotions and sizzling post punk movement. I’m stomping my boots and flailing my arms to this burning jam.

Witch will Die Tomorrow brings that refined indie flavor and deep baritone vocals. It echos from below the canyon of life with vibrating clarity.

Облако – Корни The dreamy early New order aspect of Russian post punk. Full of tantalizing fantasia and strike pulse vocals. A fast subway to the heart of you city.

I feel like I have unearthed a whole new world that has been happening parallel to my own just as rich and full. I will keep searching and absorbing this untapped resource of glory in the Russian scene. I didn’t even touch on Witchhouse yet :). The moral of this story for me has been, step outside your comfort zone, dive in head first, and find a world of treasure from the other side of the planet.