Macabre Shoutout: Divine Shade Debuts Neo Industrial Rock Track “Hate And Oblivion”

"Hate And Oblivion" by Divine Shade
“Hate And Oblivion” by Divine Shade

Divine Shade continues to unleash their neo industrial rock sounds into the ether with their latest single, “Hate And Oblivion.” The band is based in Lyon, France, and has already collaborated with prominent figures in the industrial music scene, from Gary Numan to former Nine Inch Nails drummer, Chris Vrenna. The new single gives a taste of a bigger forthcoming project.

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Dark Alternative Band In Isolation Releases Final EP: ‘Light in Darker Times’

'Light In Darker Times' EP by In Isolation
Light In Darker Times EP by In Isolation

After 20 years of creating music together, In Isolation has released their final EP, Light in Darker Times. The UK-based band has built a reputation for blending various alternative music genres, including new wave, darkwave, and post-punk, and has left a mark on underground music scenes. I had the pleasure of reviewing their 2022 project, Albums | Singles | Soundtracks and am here to give some insight into their latest work.

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Macabre Shoutout: Alternative Rock Artist Dolly Dagger Releases Renaissance-Inspired “Tower” Music Video

Dolly Dagger "Tower"
Dolly Dagger “Tower”

Musician Dolly Dagger emerged just a few years ago and has since been blazing across the LA music scene. Originally from Australia, she’s made the City of Angels her home base and primary place to create. If her stage name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the title of a well-known Jimi Hendrix tune, and it suits her style well. Her multifaceted alternative rock sound cuts through the BS to reveal hardcore truths about existence. She’s recently unleashed a powerful new single, “Tower,” along with an accompanying music video.

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‘The Book of Drood’ Album: A Fusion of Dark Ambient, Industrial & Trip Hop

The Book of Drood album cover
The Book of Drood album cover

The Drood has been producing music for more than a decade and has gained a reputation for their unique experimentation with sound. Based out of Denver, CO, they’re a psych-rock band consisting of members Nathan Jamiel, Daniel Watts and Hayden Peltier. They dabble in multiple genres, including industrial, post-rock and psychedelia. I must admit, I haven’t listened to a lot of psych rock, and while I’m well acquainted with industrial music, I was curious to find out how this trio implements the genre in their work. I found their fourth full-length album, The Book of Drood, to be an interesting mix of trip hop, industrial and dark ambient vibes.

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Goth & Post-Punk Sounds Collide in the Music of Chilean Band Seatemples

Seatemples members Priscila and Patricio
Seatemples members Priscila and Patricio

Since 2014, Seatemples has been hypnotizing listeners with their songs. They’re a Chilean band that’s adding to the diversity of the goth scene and helping to bring more Latin American groups within the genre to the forefront. Their music blends various sounds that fall under the wide goth genre umbrella, including shoegaze, post-punk, goth rock and darkwave. As they approach their 10-year anniversary as a group, they’re continuing to create and flourish.

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The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth Book Review

John Robb (Photo credit: John Middleham)

“Nothing exists independently; goth was a kind of fever. It just seemed to seep in on a tide of black lace and black leather.”

Nina Antonia quoted in The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth

Various books have been written attempting to unravel the mystery of the goth subculture and trace its roots. A new text has recently been added to the canon, The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth by John Robb who’s the frontman of the post-punk band The Membranes and head of the online media publication Louder Than War. His behemoth of a book takes a deep plunge into the musical origins of goth, and it’s quite an adventure.

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Absinthe Vows: ‘Sunlight Stabs’ Album Review & Interview

Absinthe Vows
Absinthe Vows

Hailing from Columbus, OH, Absinthe Vows is a band blending gothic rock, post punk and darkwave with hints of alternative rock. The variety of genres their music possesses makes it interesting and entertaining to take in. They released their second album, Sunlight Stabs, earlier this year, and I’m reviewing it, as well as interviewing the group about their music.

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Adrienne LaVey Debuts Absinthe-Inspired Single “Goddess in a Glass”

Singer and absinthe connoisseur Adrienne LaVey
Singer and absinthe connoisseur Adrienne LaVey (Photo credit: Rowan & Elle Studio)

Opera vocalist and absinthe enthusiast Adrienne LaVey is unveiling her first solo track titled “Goddess in a Glass” on National Absinthe Day, which is celebrated annually on March 5th. The song pays homage to the legendary and oft-misunderstood spirit, honoring the creative inspiration it incited in artists during the 19th century and beyond. It’s a beautiful ode that exquisitely captures the drink’s essence and true nature.

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Fuschia Phlox Embraces a Darker Sound in Her New Album ‘Aspro A.S.B.O’

Musician Emma Russell, aka Fuschia Phlox
Musician Emma Russell, aka Fuschia Phlox

If you rage against the patriarchy and champion women’s independence, then Aspro A.S.B.O. is an album you’d enjoy. It is the latest release from musician Fuschia Phlox and possesses a darker mood compared to her other works. The tracks explore themes of female suppression, objectification and empowerment, beckoning listeners to heed their message in a magical way.

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Spotlight on In Isolation: Uniting 80s New Wave & Dark Alternative Beats

Albums | Singles| Soundtracks by In Isolation
Albums | Singles| Soundtracks by In Isolation

How the band, In Isolation, has gone under my radar for so many years, is beyond me, but I’m thrilled to have been able to experience their music recently. It’s a fascinating blend of ‘80s New Wave and dark alternative sounds. They debuted their first single, “The Wrong Girl,” in 2007 and have gone on to produce a wealth of songs. This past June, the group released their latest project, Albums | Singles| Soundtracks, which delivers a retrospective of their past 15 years creating music.

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