There are a lot of things that make Industrial Music, Industrial Music. Intensity, absurd sounds, samples of movies everyone should stop sampling (I’m looking at you Full Metal Jacket). One of the others at the top of the list is authenticity. True industrial music is a gory high fidelity pulsing vein of truth that lays an artist bare spread eagle on a sun dial at high noon with a metal pole bursting through their chest for all to see. That is who Matt Fanale is. That is what this record is.
All songs by Caustic/Matt Fanale, except Thirsty Dog, lyrics by Nick Cave
No AI went into the making of this. Don’t be a hack.
Why do we love Madison Wisconsin Industropunk Caustic? The punk rock ethos? The intelligent political vinegar? Is it the fact that Matt loves bad ass beats as much as you do and dedicates his life and time to making sure your fuking bones quake when his bassline drops? Pick an answer. One truth remains, for 1.5 decades now Caustic has been giving you both barrels of fearless phosphorus dragon round industrial music and the Fiend dual albums leave it all on the floor.
Favorite tracks:
“I Love You Matt, but fuck off” – Pure Industrial bare boned self-flagellation. It’s mean, it’s fearless, it’s beats are thrashed within an inch of their life. I love the craft, I love the energy. This the sound a 16 year old me screamed at the moon for.
“Pushing Rope” Part of the amazing beauty of Caustic is to scream rusty nail anger while tearing yourself down a peg. It is real, it is relatable, it is staring at your own mortality how fuking dare you universe.
“I‘ll Throw A Mountain At You” – “When you’ve got nothing to lose I’ll throw a mountain at you” Unhinged aggression with glitchy beats relatable in the modern times. I love the classic growling cadence and exposed emotion.
Rather you are talking Caustic, DaddyBear, or Klack, Matt Fanale is a geyser of propelled emotion and boot stomping beats. There is a Part II of Feind out and I look forward to reviewing it too. Matt is one of the real ones, Caustic is a legend.
Recently I got a little clip of Crowjane releasing a cover of “Real Life” by Tones on Tail. I have been a fan of Crowjane for a couple of years now, and this one caught me by surprise, (mostly cause I didn’t know they were recording anything, having just released an EP last year). I wrote a little piece about it, and it seems to have been enjoyed by all, even getting a nod from Daniel Ash who wrote it.
Crowjane is one of the darling bands of the wonderful “Kitten Robot” record label, a darkwave experimental rock band, that really can’t fit into any one genre.
Crowjane is as of today finishing up their brief stint of live shows around the West Coast, and The Rockies. I got to see them play in Salt Lake, after their 11-hour drive from Moscow, Idaho.
The story goes like this, I was notified of their scheduled gig at “The Utah International” in downtown Salt Lake City. I was scheduled to cover the gig and was notified that they were going to be late coming into town, so if I got any interview time, it would be brief, and they were not even going to get a sound check. I was at the venue and saw 3 other bands setting up, and no one knew where Crowjane was. I ended up at another venue on the other side of the block, asking the doorman if this was where they were playing, it turns out that the gig had been moved and no one had been given the update. I was hoping that other fans got the memo and made it to the right place, that it was in a backroom at an arcade. I know this place well because I used to DJ there in the 90s.
I got in a little interview here with Heather Galipo but had to cut it short because the opening band was taking the stage.
I was talking to the drummer Shok, only to realize that we had crossed paths probably 50 times over the last 30 years, and just conveniently reconnected here. (Really, almost to the level of being at the same parties in high school).
Once Crowjane took the stage, there was no soundcheck, and the sound guy was a jerk and turned Heather’s vocals down, and there was NO lighting in the house, just a back panel (after they finished, the next band had lights, REALLY?). There were 3 people in the audience for the opening band, and Heather invited everyone from the arcade to come in and listen to them play. In short, this entire night was a complete disaster. So, with Murphy’s law kicking in and everything turning out to be a “Spinal Tap” moment, or even “The Story Of Anvil” (Both classic movies about everything going wrong for a band on the road), and everything having gone bad so far, where are you going to go from there?
Well, here is how it went, THEY ABSOLUTELY KILLED IT!!!!
They opened with “Butterflies” and I was shocked at how they just blew us out of the water. They started with a small crowd, but this video should give you an idea of what we got.
The hall suddenly had people that I knew there, guys from the SWANS gig, and other shows, and there was a “Goth pit” (everyone pogo stick dancing). But what I thought was most impressive was the other punters who showed up. There were a couple of guys that you would have thought were “Gangsta Rap”, a couple of guys you would expect to see at a mud bog event, some Metalheads, and then some guys who were obviously college football players. While the goths were up front dancing, the rest of these punters started moshing. The entire experience was surreal, all of these people were fans, there to hear Crowjane play.
They worked through their set, with Mika a professional opera singer, giving backing vocals, while Heather, still sweating from 11 hours in the car in 100-degree heat, gave us a mix of Siouxsie Sioux, Peter Gabriel horror film soundtrack.
They played “Delusion” from the album “Mater Dolorosa”, which is a great album, with a great Laurie Anderson feel to it. (This was the song that made me fall in love with their music). They got to “Ides of March” which was a mix of Siouxsie and Missing Persons, with all 4 women’s powerful voices giving the chorus. The singing is reminiscent of Jane’s Addiction, however, the vocals of Heather and crew are harmonic and very beautiful.
My fave song of the night was “Nomad”, which I have always liked, but I was surprised at how well they did it live, with the haunting vocals, and almost a choral arrangement made for a film. Heather works in film, and this was nothing short of extraordinary, a song I would have enjoyed in “The Crow” or even “Suckerpunch”. All of this while the weirdest, most diverse mosh pit was still happening.
They did “Broken Angel” to slow everything down, and the performance was no less haunting, with Mika chanting on top of the vocals that somehow would have fit perfectly in a bar scene in Twin Peaks.
They finished off with “Real Life”, tying up a short set, that they had no time to prepare for. It was incredible, they really delivered a great performance. When a band can be up against so much, seem destined for an absolute failure that night, Crowjane have a penchant for burying your expectations.
Crowjane has a few live sets planned for some more festivals this summer, their live shows are eclectic and very artistic, they have a great stage presence, and even with the sound gone bad, they will keep your attention with some wonderful performances.
Next show July 29 Long Beach, CA Supply and Demand
Year two of Small’s in Hamtramck’s Fixation Festival happened this past weekend. For the second year in a row Mike Mouyianis and Kat Paled put together an epic bill of legacy/modern darkscene talent both locally and around the country. This city has always celebrated a rich musical culture from Motown, Iggy Pop, The MC 5, techno’s holy trinity, ADULT, along with a slew of new talent in the current wave. Small’s cares about and celebrates artists, while running a tight ship that respects fan’s time. The venue is intimate with a great sound system and professional technician that knows how to communicate and bring out the best in the wide variety of acts. Having the stage and merch in one room, another with the bar for cooler temps, quick service, and a large video screen showing the stage at a volume you can talk over makes for a best of both worlds. Sometimes you want to be right in the action. Sometimes you want to share a moment with friends, making a personal connection with the bands. It has the Cold Waves “goth summer camp” vibe with a smaller more relaxed venue.
I’m going to fire off some quick impressions from of all the bands. Some that are long time favorites, some I saw for the first time. I’ll also include photos from the amazingly talented Jen Jeffery who really captured highlight moments from both nights.
Helix – Starting out Friday night strong was the married duo of Mari Shear (Day Twelve, Mari & The Ghost) and Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) firing off blistering electropop with Mari’s powerful, smokey delivery. Her stage show was captivating and serpentine. A beautiful way to set the tone for everything to come.
Rosegarden Funeral Party – Next up was Dallas TX dark rockers Rosegarden Funeral Party who I had previously reviewed for albums and singles. I had never seen them live, this became my favorite surprise of the weekend. Sometimes you really need to see the live show to get a full appreciation of a band. Leah was this glorious guitar sheading silver beam of light belting out lyrics with breath support to do Aretha Franklin proud. Thunderous live drums really his home the organic dark rock roots to give the impression of a wailing full band with only two people. I became an instant fan for life, can’t wait to dig into the new album “From The Ashes” available on bandcamp now.
ego likeness – I remember looking over to Collin right after Leah absolutely obliterated that stage and saying “I feel bad for whoever has to sing after her”. Then I saw it was Donna and went, never mind it’s Donna, she will be fine. With everything Donna and Steven have going (Poetry, Painting, Stoneburner, Audiobooks) sometimes it feels like Ego Likeness shows are a rare and glorious treat. Rick and Mike were here on stage to give the full experience of powerful percussion, wet crunching swamp riffs, and luring siren vocals. There is a reason Ego Likeness has stood the test of time between goth resurgences. Another call out from this performance, you can always tell a special band by how they react when something goes wrong. Tech issues happen, you can either let it under your skin, and lose focus. Or you can let the audience feel like they are a part of the inner circle, pop forward, and hit a higher level than you were when something went wrong. This is what the greats do.
Bootblacks – This was my second time seeing the reinvented suave dark Italian disco Bootblacks sound and they have dialed it all the way in. I’ve seen a trend of bands moving towards this sound, but I think Bootblacks were the first American’s to the peak. The new single “When You Want” highlights the power of pacing change to create constant movement. Panther’s vocals have never felt more present and sensual. This performance had the whole crowd sweating both physically and metaphorically.
Assemblage 23 – Tom Shear coming back to the stage for a second performance in one night. This marked another band I have listened to frequently but had never seen perform live. FuturePop fell in that middle place where I had given up on new music and got to re-discover recently. Hearing a top tier male vocalist delivering such crystal clarity free of effects is a powerful experience. Sometimes poetic lyrics feel a bit of an afterthought in the modern era. So hearing heartfelt emotive words delivered with a beautiful voice really stands out. I really need to see Tom play again when he is the focus of the night. Tom did promise to do an interview with me soon, so be on the lookout for that.
Night Club – I understand that some traditional goth fans don’t really want to embrace the darkpop cross over in the modern scene. I’m not one of them. Night Club was another band I had only reviewed albums of. On stage, they absolutely brought the house down. Sassy, dangerous, with pristine production, setting the stage for Emily’s undeniable star power. I know it when I see it, Night Club is dripping with it. What a way to close out an epic night one. Another of those bands I implore everyone to catch at an intimate venue like Small’s now. It’s won’t be long before main stream audiences catch on.
Adding this selfie of Amaranth/Stoneburner/Black Rose Burning who will be playing together August 17th in Lancaster PA. An incredible night 1 where we Uber’d back to our Air B & B to crush previously acquired late night food which turned out to be some of the best Thai cuisine I have ever had.
The Love Part – George Grant (Black Rose Burning) once impressed upon me the importance of festivals including some local flavor in the mix. Night two is where Fixation let some Detroit talent shine. My partner Rachel has exceptional taste in music, so when she came running and dragged me to the stage (something she never does) to hear The Love Part I knew I was in for something wonderful. Swelling psychedlicgaze pastel ectoplasm with great charisma from the singer spinning Curesque romantic energy. I spoke with them a bit after and this was an early show for them. I think this project has a high ceiling. I love that Small’s took a chance on them, I love that they delivered in a big way.
Access To Concrete – Another Detroit band that was my highlight surprise of night two. The Stringer brothers put together a full experience multimedia performance that took the best parts of Devo and Front 242 synthesized into chaotic SciFi sonic assault. They had multiple guest vocalists including Steph Strange (Schedule IV) in Nuruto/Tank Girl cosplay and Industrial Alice In Chains. It was fun, it was fury, it left me hungry for more.
LEATHERS – This was another showstopper highlight. The evolution of Shannon to ultrastar status has been a pleasure to behold. Having to do two sets in a night at this level of energy and precision is a feat within itself. This performance was a shooting star sparkling across the stage. Captivating and razor sleek Leather’s brings an otherworldly late 70’s glam energy that leaves you feeling how am I seeing this? It’s too bright, too beautiful to exist on this mortal realm. Last night they played Cruel World Fest on a stage with Duran Duran/Ministry/ect and I can’t help but feel like a dream realized for Shannon is hope for us all.
The Bellwether Syndicate – Chicago darkscene legends that always rock Detroit like they have something to prove. William Faith (Faith and the Muse, Christian Death, Mephisto Walz, Shadow Project, The March Violets) throws the best rock star looks in the biz. Sara Rose and Philly have enough musical pedigree to fill 10 bands. They really create a mythical beast with gnashing punk rock teeth, a long slender synthpop neck, and expansive sharp post punk wings. Moving together in perfect harmony. It always feels like a complete experience, a big deal, every time they play. Vestige & Vigil is such a good album, I had to buy it twice on LP.
ACTORS – How do they do it? How does a band I feel objectively plays one of the best live shows rather in a 300 person capacity club or a festival consistently raise the bar to amaze me? The sound is so sharp, crackling with spirit, engaging the crowd every night until we all leave feeling a part of something special. Some might think I sound crazy saying this, but in 6 short years since “It Will Come To You” Jason’s voice is reaching towards the discussion of all-time greats like Ian McCulloch, David Gahan level of impact. Actors might not have compiled that size of discography yet, but they are climbing towards it at a rate few others in the modern scene can keep pace with.
Also it is the love they show for their fans everywhere. After absolutely demolishing the crowd. Most of the band playing two sets that night. They must have been exhausted. I truly don’t expect folks to have the time and spoons to say hi to every reviewer. So Jason reaching out to have me come to the back for a headlight selfie and to say hello meant a lot. Actors aren’t just a band for a lot of us. They are a movement you are a part of.
Stabbing Westward – I have seen Stabbing Westward several times. 16 year old Ken alone in his bedroom, eyeliner streaking down his face because some girl broke his heart and only Chris Hall could understand. I have never seen SW play 8 feet away from me for 90 minutes spanning their entire catalog in a room of rabid fans. The fact that 1) they took a show in a smaller room to do this festival 2) They brought the energy of 20 year olds for and hour and a half while walking through the crowd and meeting everyone catching the other bands. To have a band with as much impact as they did on me be that down to earth and considerate is such a glorious icing on a face melting show of a cake.
I even managed to keep my cool when I went to introduce myself to Walter, who said “Yes Ken, I know who you are, nice to meet you”. We talked about the modern scene, how much he loved Actors, and how much he still enjoyed doing this. I feel like I maintained my pretend journalistic integrity the whole time my brain went SQUEEEEEEEEEE IM TALKING TO WALTER FLAKUS!!!. Hopefully I will have an interview with them soon and won’t sweat to much while I ask the questions. Overall it was the perfect cap to a perfect night.
Another smashing success in year two establishes that Small’s has built something here. That top talent is recognized and travel out of their way to play with like minds. My head is already spinning with the possibilities of who will be there next year. Detroit is a fun an economical alternative to some of the other big destination festivals. A beautiful diverse setting full of unique cuisine and friendly people looking out for each other. If you have heard mutterings to the contrary, my guess is you are talking to people who saw Detroit in a movie. Not folks who have spent time here. I’ll see you in 2025.
I love it when this scene comes together to step up for one of it’s own. Legendary Bass player for My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult/Pigface/ect Charles Levi was diagnosed with vascular dementia. He had a stroke. Has been taking expensive medications and is in the fight of his life. A ton of great artists and ParaLuna Records stepped up to release this compilation of 80’s covers to help offset the costs of his treatment. It is a heartwarming tribute to a beloved figure in our scene that proves what we are capable of during folks darkest moments. In addition to the album I have also posted Charles’s gofund me page.
I want to thank all of these talented people that stepped up for our dear friend Charles. I will go through and call out a few tracks I thought really knocked it out of the park
Apology Kink- “West End Girls” / Pet Shop Boys >> Augustus Watkins – programming/synths/vocals/mixing, Carlos Bueno – additional mixing
LeviLevi vs Bangalore ft. Betty X / Hit me with your Best Shot” / Pat Benatar >> Betty X – vox, Charles Levi – bass, Tim Pethtel – guitar, Christopher Rodriguez synths/programming
Precog- “Oh Father” / Madonna >> Gerald Josef, Jason Thomas, and Bret Pemelton
SU – “Smothered Hope” / Skinny Puppy >> Ursa Minor and Sarah Emilie
Microwaved – “So Alive” / Love & Rockets >> Gabe Wilkinson – programming, synths, vocals, mixing
Betty X- “The Chauffeur” / Duran Duran >> Betty X – vox, Nathan Kaylor – Engineer/Producer
Doors In The Labyrinth- “Dead Man’s Party” / Oingo Boingo >> Josh Loughrey
Giant Monsters on the Horizon – “It’s a Sin” / Pet Shop Boys >> Vinnie Saletto – programming, Madison Davis – programming, Cara Ristau – vox
Missing in STARS – “Hold Me Now” / Thompson Twins >> Dan Guenther
Planetdamage – “Sunglasses at Night” / Corey Hart >> Mariusz Bari
Stabbed By Prongs ft. Bow Ever Down 0fficial – “Heat of the Moment” / Asia >> Kimberly of Bow Ever Down – vox, Craig Drabik – guitars/synths,/programming
Violet Wanda – “Discipline” / King Crimson >> Tess LaCoell
Dogtablet- “Hollow Hills” / Bauhaus >> Martin King
Glitch Factor – “Strangelove” / Depeche Mode >> Justin Fisher and Vinnie Saletto
Hororhaus ft. Bow Ever Down 0fficial – “Take My Breath Away” / Berlin >> Scott Harris with Kimberly of Bow Ever Down
Renegade Sl8ve versus Giant Monsters on the Horizon – “Desperate, but not Serious” / Adam Ant >> Nick Void, Vinnie Saletto, and Madison Davis
Stoneburner – “The Crab Song” / Faith No More >> Steven Archer
Apology Kink – West End Girls (Pet Shop Boys) – Augustus Watkins the co founder of GIVE/TAKE records from Minneapolis with a glitchy synth sass take on the iconic PSB hit. I really like the sax solo synth breakdown. The vocals do a nice homage while adding a bit more whisper and smoke.
LeviLevi vs Bangalore ft. Betty X – Hit me with your Best Shot (Pat Benatar) – So here you had Charles playing bass, Betty X lashing vocals like a whip crack, Tim Pethtel on guitar, Christopher Rodriguez on synths turning the pop classic into an acid static club banger. Feels very true to the original while turning the chaos up to 11. Betty X in particular has done a great job of shouting out from the rooftops about this compilation. Love this energy.
SU – Smothered Hope (Skinny Puppy) – I hadn’t heard a ton from Ursa Minor and Sarah Emilie out of Montreal, but I adore the fact they did a Skinny Puppy cover among a lot of synthpop so far. They absolutely crushed this too. Elegant beauty with fairy fire intensity. The cadence on the vocal delivery is spot on with such lovely contrast to the original. This cover really showed me their best.
Microwaved – So Alive (Love and Rockets) – I was obsessed with this song when it was in heavy rotation on MTV. It lived in a non-stop rotation in my head. Des Moines Iowa artist Gabe Wilkinson did a wonderful flip of the script with this grungy wall of sound pushing forward across hot sand. The vocals have a cool gang style doubling punk flavor. Distinct but immediately recognizable. Gabe is well known for his collaboration and remix work, so this cover really highlights his talents.
Doors in the Labyrinth – Dead Man’s Party (Oingo Boingo) – I’ve heard a few cover songs now from Pittsburgh doom folk artist Josh Loughrey. He always finds a really fresh take and makes the song his own. This was my favorite yet. Classic Danny Elfman darksynth bop was stretched into a misty translucence like a funeral dirge which matches perfectly with the title. A completely different vibe from the original but one I will always hear in this song now.
Missing in Stars – Hold me Now (Thompson Twins) – This I fell in love with less from how different it was from the original and more how different it was from the usual vocal style of Dan Guenther. It sill holds that ethereal synth beauty but behind the smile are large sharp teeth barely holding back a menacing growl. That double bass drum breakdown is grinding with pure power. Chefs Kiss.
Dogtablet – Hollow Hills (Bauhaus) Living Legend Martin King and the project Dogtablet with this percussion sorrow jazz cover of the Bauhaus classic rising from the boggy depths. I’m not sure who was doing the amazing banshee backup vocals but they are a perfect compliment. Martin always captures a moment.
Hororhaus ft. Bow Ever Down – Take my Breath Away (Berlin) – This lovely shadow ballad appeared on out S & S singles chart previous. Kim’s voice rings with passion and power and Scott has taken the original down temp and seasoned it with chaos and static. Great use of his growling backup vocals to sharpen the angles. A perfect addition to your next goth prom.
Stoneburner – The Crab Song (Faith No More) Leave it to Steven Archer to make things weird. Instead of covering an 80s synth song, he chose chaos prog rock band Faith No More, and then converts it into worldbeat chaos apocalypse industrial. I love it, I love everything here. From the chanting, the screaming, the glitch, and the operatic explosive anger. When Steven covers a song it becomes his own.
This entire album is a great way to find new talent you will love, as well as support Charles Levi who has been an important part of the scene and inspired so many.
This has been a tough year for a lot of people personally. A year where we lost many friends and beloved artists in this scene. Though history strife and conflict have often been the inspiration for great art. A catalyst that helps us search for truth and test boundaries. This was a year of amazing new music that touched my heart and inspired me. As always I won’t try and rate or list every record I enjoyed. I think to cover everything and try and place it in a tidy box of genre is to lose the magic I feel getting to tell you all about something new. So I will tell you all about the Albums and Eps that touched me deepest in 2023. I hope in 2024 I discover even more and make twice as many friends like you to share it with. I’m not going to write in any particular order. If a record is on this list, I hold it in high esteem.
unitcode:machine – Critical Fault – The growth and innovation Eric Kristoffer achieved with this release is staggering. Signing with COP International to release this cold icicle dagger of EDM pop hooks and pounding industrial machinery. Eric’s vocals are captivating and unexpected. Chris Hall (Stabbing Westward) did the a masterful and modern job of the mixing and you can hear both his influence as well his belief and passion for what Eric wrote. I expect by this time next year A Lot of fans of electronic music are going to be talking about unitcode:machine.
A Cloud of Ravens – -Lost Hymns– Another story about huge achievements this year are the Brooklyn based duo infusing sharp jagged punk rock with the mystery and romantism of gothic rock. Produced by Jackknife Studio’s the heavy bass and exaltation in the vocals melt together into something spiritual that burns with passion. I love that Matt’s vocals aren’t afraid to be dramatic. His delivery adds so much to the narrative. The dedication to gothic driven rock is what ties together the record. The thing that makes it stand out in 2023. My favorite track is one of the most synth heavy electronic crooners “Old Ghosts“. A top to bottom stand out that explores the vocal range sense of exploration that makes ACOR shine brightest. This record is the perfect accompaniment for almost every activity. It longs to bring you on adventures.
BELLHEAD – Good Intentions – Chicago based double bass duo Karen and Ivan are supporters of one of the largest scenes in the US. They play eclectic dark alt horror that confronts and energizes. The May release is a roller-coaster off the tracks, chaotic, dangerous, and alluring. Image rich poetry bouncing in a dialog of vocals to bouncing bass and stabbing guitars. Ivan’s voice is a whispered menace that gnaws the back of your neck while Karen’s cadence draws you forward. Favorite track: Valentine – This sad pop bopping guitar crossing something sinister and a blissful ignorance of what stalks you is an amazing sensation.
The Bellwether Syndicate – Vestige & Vigil – This record is a modern day classic. Released in 2023 to great acclaim by darkscene insiders, this is a record I think will keep gaining momentum in 2024. William, Sara, and Phil all hold impressive pedigree in this scene. Vestige & Vigil was their chance to place their stamp on the modern conversation of post punk by drawing in the collective anxiety and rage of the modern world, pressing it into a cool thrumming gem, then hurling it with a snarling curse at an unfeeling world. It takes true expertise to hone the ethos of filthy punk rock into something this smooth and concentrated. I can’t think of higher praise than saying picture “Raw Power” recorded by Martin Hannett in Manchester with 2023 gear. William just took a break from his role in March Violets to focus on The Bellwether Syndicate and touring, so please make sure to look for them coming to play near you. This will be the band everyone is talking about.
Beborn Beton – Darkness Falls Again – We waited too long for a new release from legendary German electropop from Beborn Beton. When the wait was over, dear gods was it worth it. This record is a master class on songcraft, beauty, and emotional complexity. Stefan Netschio croons away with a leather whip delivery. All eight tracks are a spinning cyberpunk ballroom to get lost in. Dancer In The Dark is an all-time own the floor banger. One of those tracks that has longevity to break through the surface of todays vast ocean of new synth music.
Antipole & Paris Alexander – Crystalline – Antipole is a Norway based post punk band I first fell in love with in 2017 with Karl’s first release “Northern Flux“. They have collaborated with many European top darkscene talents. In my humble opinion Karl has the best guitar tone in the genre. However that is something I have come to expect from all of Karl’s albums. That is not what made this record shine so brightly. This record was a far more collaborative effort which highlighted the soul and range of Paris Alexander and Eirene. This made characters and voices of complexity to dance on the shining crystal world Karl had built. Gorgeous and impactful, below is a link to a rare interview I did with Karl about the record. This is an album that transports you.
A Covenant of Thorns – Ashes – Scott-David Allen has been making some of the best romantic goth since The Cure “Disintegration” for the last couple decades largely below the radar of the world discussion. Bringing in Gordon Young the legendary goth guitar whisperer to master and provide presence was a match made in heaven. Cascading minor tones wet with sorrow and storm cloud beauty. Some artists just know how to stab me right in the heart with emotional presence. The track “Idols” is a full on melodramatic John Hughes standing in the rain as you watch her walk away experience. Plunge headlong into the forlorn and broken beauty.
Odonis Odonis – ICON – Toronto dark spectrum artists Constantin Tzenos and Denholm Whale flipped the script again with this new EP. Bringing in a series of great contributors like Tobacco, A Place to Bury Strangers, Actors, SUUNS, and Patriarchy to turn up the heat on a sizzling 90’s alternative chaos. ICON shifts boldly between styles and texture while tying each song back to the badass black leather jacket metric. Walking around with earbuds through the world, every song makes you feel cooler. A little more invincible, a little more fearless. Brilliant Things Feat: Terror Bird was my standout track on an album full of them. Bold longing flung forward as confident vulnerability.
Black Rose Burning – Ad Astra – The September EP from NY’s George Grant. The man I refer to as the Peter Gabriel of goth. Transcendent stories in distant galaxies, a hyperdrive range and astral bardic delivery. All of these songs feel so timeless, vibrating on a frequency between the past and future. Jason Corbett did the mastering to create sleek lines for maximum warp. Folks are finally starting to take notice of George’s talent and vision. Your collection deserves “Ad Astra“
MALE TEARS – KRYPT – LA Futurewave artists that have gone through a lineup change since this album give me hope for the future. A Young vibrant addition to the scene that forged their own path. Some people dream in synth sounds, bright fractalated hyper colors. James has a soul for the dramatic and a beautiful voice to carry the message of cleverness. This record is the ideal for the 13 person rager. Lit, but exclusive.
Choke Chain – Mortality – Mark Trueman the Hardcore Industrial Punk artist from Wisconsin is one of those pure souls you love to see succeed. Taking hard industrial beats and unleashing vocal wounds with genuine intensity that never feels like a performance. Mortality is another step in the evolution in this synthesis of chaotic electronic club thunder, with piercing confrontation of depression and rage. The truest art should take us to the edge of a precipice, beholding excitement and terror. That is the place Choke Chain takes us. I think this record is something that won’t be fully appreciated until we have had a decade to reflect on it.
BRIDES – The Earth Defeats Me – I have been a major fan of Norway’s modular doom rocker Adrian Borgia for some time, through several projects. This is the record I have been waiting for. The promise of potential I have always seen brought into that perfect moment. Stirring the shadowy depths of the primordial ooze that made that first proto goth sound touch that place in the hearts of everyone on the outside of the circle. Chalices is a 10/10 eerie live in your dreams balled as familiar as it is unique. The religious dedication to modular sway pans like dark water in the underworld. Lean desperate wolf growls which have latched onto fresh meat clarity which allow the poetry to shine. For everyone waiting on the bridge between the earliest death rock and stripped down modern coldwave, it has arrived.
Ashes Fallen – Walk Through Fire – Sacramento dark rock trio Ashes Fallen had another blazing guitar forward September release from their “Chapel” recording studio. The vocal duties between Michelle and James have found a wonderful balance. The tone is a reflection of the foreboding world closing in. Sprinkled liberally with a sparkle and glam of London After Midnight. Gordan Young has yet another mastering credit on my best of list by bringing the sharpest edges to these shimmering riffs. Favorite Track: Scar , which is definitely not a single at 5:16. it is a captivating slow build emotional exposition that really highlights the range and sincerity of their collective experience. Ashes Fallen continues to be a standout example of the place where passion and execution meet in the modern era of music.
Sapphira Vee – Fortune – Sapphira from New York state is a great example of an artist I have gotten to watch the growth and development of in real time. The daring courage of her voice and the added components of her collaborators have expanded the limits or motion and image. I feel enraptured by the emergence of a woman’s experience and sensuality expressed unfiltered. This album is intimate, nuanced, unburdened by the insecurities of the past. It harkens 90’s trip hop balanced with the soul and execution of modern darkpop. Favorite Track: Those Words feat Jean Marc Lederman – The Belgian composer is well known for finding the perfect backdrop to highlight a story. The cadence that Sapphira uses in this track is the perfect exposition of her beauty and power. The music evaporates when she steps forward, and rises as she whispers a secret. I love when a story shines in a perfect moment. There is nothing more beautiful then watching an artist evolve in a heart stopping moment.
NIGHT NAIL – Fates Explained – This record was a late comer releasing in November from the Berlin Germany transplants Night Nail. Finding a third home of Metropolis Records and mastered by sonic sculptor Pete Burns (KillShelter) this abstract concept darkwave has ridden the cusp of the modern scene staying under the radar of popular post punk audiences. Brandon Robert brings an expressive Mark Sandman baritone I feared we may never witness again. I know I said I wasn’t going to rank these records as they all have a distinct brilliance, but this record really hits with an intention, an impact, the transcends enjoyable club music. A complex puzzle to patiently unravel over the next decade. Favorite Track:Narcoleptic Dream Catcher – This one has a throwback Ian McCulloch beauty and depth. Valentine’s backup vocals cast the perfect backlight against the slithering groove. A forgotten hit plucked out of time.
VNV Nation – Electric Sun – Confession time, I slept on VNV Nation for WAY too long. Ronan Harris released his first full length since 2018 and it is absolutely breathtaking. The craft, the expression, the undeniable honesty of this record gets beneath your skin. I felt things, ask questions, experienced what art is meant to mean. The art of lyrics as the primary focus in modern songcraft is a sadly lost focus in 2023. This album is everything you ask from modern production while delivering Leonard Cohen level poetry. I am a convert. A believer. I will never sleep on the power and impact of VNV Nation again. Favorite Track:The Game – I have played this song 100 times and the hair on the back of my arms stand up every single time. Some songs just hit a perfect spot, in a perfect moment. They become unforgettable. This is one of those tracks.
Bedless Bones – Mire of Mercury – Another late release November 2023 from my favorite band in Estonia. Kadri Sammel has such a unique vocal cadence and energetic world beat percussion texture. A flowing aquatic fantasy of motion and prophesy. This album is shrouded in mystery. An internal exploration of body and soul.
Gazelle Twin – Black Dog – Awesome UK band I just discovered this year. Lot’s of gorgeous textured analog synths. Powerful psychedelic Grace Slick style vocals. This band immediately capture me by being creative in a way no one else was doing. A tempo and attack outside the box of what is popular in this moment. The growling industrial version of the Doors of Perception. The lyrics are delivered with poetic intensity. From the moment I heard that first single Black Dog I was hooked. Music without boundaries and rules that captures my dreams. This will always move me.
HEALTH – RAT WARS – LA band that waited until the end of the year to put out one of the most groundbreaking and emotive offerings I heard all year. I know I said I wasn’t going to rank these albums but this was an instant classic banger. It perfectly rides the pipe of beauty and destructive power. Lightning in a bottle of honey dripping warm amber vocals and sand blasting cannon guitars. “Hateful” is an inferno club banger that builds an obsidian castle in your brain and never lets go. This album came out December 2023 so I didn’t get to spend as much time with it as others on this list. That in no way diminished that the first time I heard it I was floored with just how perfectly it balanced the range of human emotion. This record will be something people talk about for years to come.
Aurelio Voltaire – The Last Halloween Party – As a comedy goth artist the niche pool of artists to look up to is not a vast pool. It is no secret that Aurelio Voltaire is a bit of a personal hero, getting to open for him in 2023 was a highlight of my musical career. Getting a chance to drive him around while listening to this record pre-release was one of those moments that reminds me why I do this. Dark music can be fun, it can be clever, it is diverse and connects with us in all aspects of the human experience. I remember him saying to me “I am a goth who plays music, not a goth musician.” It’s jazz, folk, fusion, all prancing around the fire, stories to send a chill up your spine. There is a very good reason he has continued to entrance fans around the world for decades. An understanding that exploring the darkness and gallows humor within us all is what connects all the misfit children around the world. I can’t wait to play with him again in Detroit in May.
SOPOR AETERNUS & The Ensemble Of Shadows – The Rules – German band that continues to do some of the most impactful and unique darkscene music year after year. An intelligent and abstract experience in a completely different category than the rest of the genre. A little Dead Can Dance, a pinch of The Swans, a smattering of Legendary Pink Dots, all whirling through a Nick Cave mist so theatrically their own. As a reviewer it is so difficult to try and define an experience so unique. No matter how many times I discover a new Sopor Aeternus album I am always struck by how glorious and innovative it is in a sea of ships moving closer together.
Lana Del Rabies – STREGA BEATA – The impressive 3rd record from Arizona artist Lana Del Rabies. A sinking bog ritual of strings and vibration. A longing prayer to darker forces. This is soulful pleading music felt in the bloodstream. Something old and dangerous called forth from dark woods to transform your dancefloor into a spell of summoning. Don’t enter into this album lightly. It is a summoning. It is a crack in the doorway between dreams and reality. To create something so unnerving and captivating is an act of courage. A thing of defiance. A challenge to the other side.
genCAB – Signature Flaws – Philly electronic artist David Dutton has captured an idea which seems elementary, but has continued to illude the masses. The lilting anthem driving vocals of emo, and the complex vibrating impact of electronic dance music. It’s bouncing expression you feel in your bones, while vulnerable narrative lyrics offer up something relatable and transformative. The title track Signature Flaws I takes two complex ideas and curls them into perfect synthesis. As someone who came late to the game with emo music, this record blends the best parts of the early 2000s into something fresh and progressive. An album for the future blending ideas not fully realized.
Korine – Tear – Another incredible Philly band blending the most pastel beautiful aspects of Jesus and Mary Chain shoegaze, Synthwave, and 90s Britpop. The wispy sass of the vocals are a sonic cotton candy I can always get lost in. Pure dopamine poured into your ears. Korine have major star potential and are high on the list of bands I must see live in the near future.
SWANS – The Beggar – Return of New York electro doom folk and controversial songwriter Michael Gira with a record that both surprised me and lived up to high expectations. Winding freeform psychedelic murder ballads all clocking in over 6 minutes. Only one single Los Angeles City Of Death, mostly a hard diet of brown acid campfire tales of cosmic horror. A revealing soul exploration that left me inspired and frightened in equal measure. Don’t try and digest this in one go. You need to take many bites before settling in for the meal. It is a meal well worth the wait though. Staggering, brilliant, tortured.
Randolph & Mortimer – The Incomplete Truth – The Sheffield, UK artist released this bouncing electropunk symphony of gears and pistons in perpetual motion. It walks heavy with blue collar confidence through a warehouse district after dark. I think one of the hardest things to master in electronic dance music laden with samples is the exact moment to drop them for maximum impact. To not overuse so that the single spoken line sets the scenery without the need for poetic lyrics. The Incomplete Truth achieves an almost robotic precision in it’s efficiency and impact. Never a wasted line, never a bridge that wears out it’s welcome. A place for everything and everything in it’s place.
OMD – Bauhaus Staircase – Another big name legacy band with a return to form in this dystopian fantasywave. I really love how they found new ways to attack the same vamp. A whimsical dance through the streets of a crumbling society. Kleptocracy was my favorite single, the vocals had a slippery magma quality. Bright pop with a thoughtful political relevance. I don’t know if anyone had thought OMD had started to miss the beat, but they most certainly have not.
††† (Crosses) – Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete. – LA band that folks are always recommending to me but I never really dug into until this year. I real David Gahan sensuality in the vocals with a more modern glitchy vibe to the darkpop sound. Lot’s of club singles to choose from, an album of dance floor bangers. The occasions when things turn up to 11 quickly against the smooth poppy hooks to smash you with morning star intensity. It’s deceptive in ways that keep you on high alert. Unexpected depth, unexpected intensity, a return to mystique I have longed for.
thePicassos – Divination Scars: among the dead in symmetry – As a big fan of the Detroit band the thing that has always impressed me most about Charles and company is the intention and thought that goes into every aspect of their performance. Such an eclectic bizarre mixture of styles from 50s doo wop to 90’s Pixies dark alt. Charles has a slippery devotion to every story he sets. Another of my favorite 2023 discoveries that the wider world needs to jump on board with.
Ritual Howls – Virtue Falters – 5th record from Detroit post rock Ritual Howls. My obsession with Yee haw goth is well documented and Virtue Falters really plays up the Johnny Cash aspect of country caught in the current of Fields of the Nephelium tragic guitars. The real power comes from how much complexity the songs have while maintaining a very straight forward groove. it’s no easy feat to capture both ideals in equal measure. It feels like one of those old school records where 3 humans locked themselves in an abandoned warehouse and got weird together for two months. Something that either leads to brilliance or madness. Never in between and Virtue Falters tapped the former.
ASSASSUN – Chronic Quicksand Depression Morning – Alexander is one of those infuriating brilliant humans who puts out such a vast amount of quality work I often wonder if he is a person or a fey. Not only is it always amazing, it is always vastly different and mind jarringly weird. I’ve never followed a stranger into an abandoned train station in Berlin in 1987 where 12 people in masks were playing abstract electronic brap music as a party performance piece. I have to imagine this would have been what it felt like and it is awesome. I think the most impressive aspect of this ambient mind goo is that it never feels pretentious. It should, but it never does.
Jean-Marc Lederman– Soul Music For Zombies – Legendary Belgian composer Jean-Marc Lederman has an uncanny ability to constantly will into being something my heart had no idea it yearned for. A dark funky industrial blender on roller skates spinning under a disco ball. Frequent contributor Emileigh Rohn does another vocal contribution which soars and cascades with waterfall beauty. Diverse as the shades of human emotion. Jean-Marc spews forth brilliant concepts that need to be shown the light. Underappreciated in our scene doesn’t tell the whole tale.
Scorpion Tea – Scorpion Tea – Finally a band that is equal measure fresh on the scene, as well as brimming with OG street cred from drummer Edley ODowd (Psychic TV). Hard mean motorcycle revving skids on the floor of a condemned church. Untamed death rock with tube amp crunch and Raw Power sensuality. I expect 2024 to be a meteoric rise for the NYC band that could find a place in three different scenes.
