I haven’t done a Bandcamp Friday review in a minute. I still really appreciate that Bandcamp as a company still cares enough about supporting musicians to waive their fee one Friday a month. Already it is the best way for new up and coming artists to get their albums into the hands of fans in the modern era. So today I did a post in the Sounds and Shadows group asking for some new releases and I will fire through several and give my impressions. If you see value in learning about my favorite new Darkscene music releases, Interviews, and Updates. Please follow us on Facebook/Instragram/ SoundsandShadows.com and consider following our Patreon to support. $1 a month helps me out and I deeply appreciate the support.
Lilac Lament – Margot – Haunting old-school 90’s flavored goth from Chicago. A real throwback to Sunshine Blind/Switchblade Symphony with this eerie atmospheric crushed velvet textures. I heard about this band from Dani Ashes and they are always a voice in what to look for in goth. This single is the only one I found for them so far, but I was an instant fan. Vocalist Moth Del has a dark and haunting voice that drips with star power.
released May 1, 2026 Tary Rolfe, Trevor Slabaugh, Coit Dolhover, Moth Del, Jafet Mendoza
THE DISCUSSION – She Said (Lost Tapes Remix) – La based artist I had the absolute pleasure of seeing open for and then play with Bootblacks last year. Awesome driving dark Chrissie Hynde energy with wicked guitar chops. This remix single whips the tempo of the snare to the limit and really cooks this perfect getaway drive track for a midnight jewel heist. On Artoffact Records and heading out on tour soon. DO NOT MISS THEM LIVE
The Sad Hour – Dead Nor Alive – Detroit Death rockers fronted by Charles Urban with a new single that utilizes that pageantry and glam ethos they do so well with blue collar rock romantism. The combination blends into a poetic lyric dream with shades of Bright Eyes. The Sad hour is always showing me something new and beautiful.
released May 22, 2026 Written and Performed by The Sad Hour Luke Hodorek – Guitar/backing vocals Charles Urban – Vocals Charles Venditto – Bass/backing vocals —————————————————- Justin Dulecki – Drums/Production Jordan Compton – Synthesizer
Sorrow Stories – SoSick [with Christopher Hall] – UK based Tina Forlorn with a flickering violet new single with aid from the master of angst croon himself Christopher Hall (Stabbing Westward). Loving this recent trend of 90s gothdustrial throwback. It was a too often overlooked time in music so it is wonderful to hear an homage blended with modern beats and production. Three great Remixes by Stabbed By Prongs, Violet Wanda, Adoration Destroyed.
You said never goodbye It was just another lie In sickness, in health No heaven, only hell
So much for what we had If it means nothing to you All the time that I’ve lost Giving everything to you
I’m so sick… and you’re so sick of me I’m so sick and I’m so sick of me
released August 7, 2026
‘So Sick’ by Sorrow Stories [with Christopher Hall] Music & Production, Vox & Lyrics by Sorrow Stories Guitar, Post-Production & Mixing by Christopher Hall Remixes by artists as stated Artwork & Digital Booklet by Sorrow Stories Mastering by Sorrow Stories
It can be easy to always turn to familiar sounds in dark times. I remember being in a rut of pre 2018 always listening to the same bands from the 80s and 90s over and over. In 2018 I started opening my ears and heart to amazing new music coming out and it put my heart and soul back into this scene. Lately I have wondered if I have again hit a ceiling of coming back to the same newer bands over and over. So, I ask the Sounds and Shadows group to tell me about some of your favorites I haven’t written about. They didn’t disappoint, if this scene is to thrive, we need to stay hungry for experiencing new sounds and fresh faces. So today I will review some of the suggestions. I hope you jump into these suggestions with an open mind and find something you love.
Warm Gadget x Snowbeasts – Grooving Oklahoma City Industrial with a very Wax Trax 90’s energy. New 3 song EP that rolls like a tank tread over a littered battlefield. I really like the range here, track 2 Bodiless has a swirling trance effect over the blasting beat. The escalation at the 1:40 mark times for maximum effect. This is the music I want the Terminators to wipe out humanity to.
In a Darkened Room – “VOIX” – Cj and Svia are both active in the group. I feel like I slept on these San Antonio, Texas tradgoth badasses for too long. They have quickly become one of my heaviest rotation bands. CJ has a resonant and powerful baritone that blends proto goth depth with 2000’s NYC alt. The lyrics are soulful and real. The guitar sound is so dialed in I had to look at the production notes to see none other than Jason Corbett (Actors/Jacknife Sound) did the mastering. Track 2 Sounds and Warning has a glorious vocal harmony that has been stuck in my head for days. This is a record you can really get lost in. Expect In A Darkened Room to be a band at the front of the next movement.
Ony Godfrey – I was a HUGE fan of the fresh new talent out of Indonesia Camlan. This is the first solo single release from their singer Ony Godfrey. Love the thumpy beat and way this breathes. Ony has a cool unique cadence and shows great range here as the build in intensity happens. I love the punk rock energy here not pulling any punches with the lyrics.
LET THEM EAT WAR Power, throne, and glory Those are the things you shall never have Obedient, bloodshed, and death Those are things you shall devout your life into Submit to me, submit your soul to the emperor Oh, I Am your God, your messiah, Oh, I Am the only way to your salvation
I want to conquer those foreign lands, civilize the uncivilized If those savages ask for mercy I’ll say let them eat war Let them eat war
Traitors, rivals, and nemesis All of them shall perish into ashes Kiss my hand and do as what I say And you will have a position in my empire Submit to me, submit your soul to the emperor Oh, I Am your God, your messiah, Oh, I Am the only way to your salvation
I want to conquer those foreign lands, Civilize the uncivilized If those savages ask for mercy I’ll say, let them eat war Let them eat war
Say my name like your life depends on it, baby Say my name like your life depends on it, baby Say my name like your life depends on it, baby Say my name like your life depends on it, baby
I want to conquer those foreign lands, Civilize the uncivilized If those savages ask for mercy I’ll say let them eat war Let them eat war
Backengrillen – Backengrillen – (Recommendation from Kevin Nhell) From Sweeden this amazing death jazz, yes you heard that right. It’s slow, weird chaos against fascism. The Bari Sax has a Morphine energy and this is something everyone should get lost in over their morning coffee.
Backengrillen Dennis Lyxzén – vocal and effects Mats Gustafsson – saxophones, flutes and live electronics Magnus Flagge – bass David Sandström – drums and electronics
Grave Love – Angel_(Mi Amor) En Vivo – (Recommendation from James Perry) Brand new live track from Chicago band Grave Love, 1) I love the live energy 2) Love the Spanish/English blend of the lyrics 3) Love that blasting Gish guitar slush opening. Fantastic piercing goth vocals and crunchy death rock guitars. If i could turn into a bat and fly over the city of Chicago in the dead of night, this is what I want as my soundtrack.
Sweet sweet dreams my Angel Heaven will miss you Sweet sweet dreams my darling The night is calling I’m calling for you Sweet sweet dreams my love Sweet sweet dreams my Angel
Debajo luna llena Te encontre Debajo luna llena Me enamore Debajo luna llena Te mordi, mi amor
Sweet sweet dreams my Angel I want the light in your eyes Sweet sweet dreams my darling Slip off your lovely disguise Sweet sweet dreams my love Sweet sweet dreams my Angel
Debajo luna llena Te encontre Debajo luna llena Me enamore Debajo luna llena Te mordi, mi amor
THE DISCUSSION – All the Pretty Flowers – (shared by Sandra Spector) – The LA band isn’t brand new but somehow I have never reviewed them. They are on Artoffact Records with (Actors/Leathers) many of our favorites. Driving 80s Siouxsie and the Banshees flavor. The basslines are very out front and really carry the groove. They aren’t reinventing the wheel here, but they are definitely rocking the hell out of it. This record came out in 2025 but they have a brand new remix by the always awesome Male Tears. They are also heading out on a tour with Bootblacks which i will be seeing in Detroit.
TEMPTRIX – Dare to Try – (Submitted y the always trustworthy Sunil Khanna) Texas solo artist with a glitchy screaming electronica. Emotional lyrical pleas that feel like lamenting loss on an abandoned cliff overlooking the ocean.
I wouldn’t have invited them to try or bet on my life With all the ache it caused, all the strife. I wouldn’t have tried, to save my life. Help me God Help me Try
In this timeline I wouldn’t have cried I wouldn’t have cried I wouldn’t have cried
If I knew, I didn’t need to toss and turn every night I wouldn’t have cried – over all those lies I wouldn’t I couldn’t Say how I feel inside I wouldn’t have cried I wouldn’t I couldn’t Now if I tried. Why? Why try? I wouldn’t have cried…
In this timeline I wouldn’t have cried I wouldn’t have cried
If I knew I didn’t need to shed a tear from my eyes I wouldn’t have cried for wanting you inside
I wouldn’t. I couldn’t – say how I feel inside I wouldn’t have cried. I wouldn’t, I couldn’t now if I tried. Why? Why try?
