Rotersand - Truth Is Fanatic Again

Rotersand - Truth Is Fanatic Again
(2014) Trisol

I want a new Rotersand album. This isn't it, it's just a rework of their 2003 album "Truth Is Fanatic" with a lot of guest artists/remixers. None of the versions here are better than the original songs. But there are some new songs, making this a must buy anyway. Tip, get the download version. It includes the first, and far better, attempt on reworking "Truth Is Fanatic", "Electronic World Transmission - Excursions On Truth Is Fanatic" as bonus.

Röyksopp ‎- The Inevitable End 2CD

Röyksopp ‎- The Inevitable End 2CD
(2014) Dog Triumph

The last Röyksopp release in album format. Well, we'll see about that, won't we? I don't really understand their plans for future releases. But if their plan is to just release downloadable single tracks from here on, I won't bother getting their forthcoming releases. I'll wait for a compilation of the singles (and what is that, if not an album?). I can be totally wrong about this, maybe they have a new, revolutionary idea for their releases. But I doubt it.
Anyway, this is a great album featuring really good guest vocalists.

VA - This Is Gothic Rock Vol. II

VA - This Is Gothic Rock Vol. II
(2014) Gothic Music

It's already time for the second CD in the This Is Gothic Rock series. This CD was supposed to be CD2 of the first volume, but Oscar decided to go with separate releases instead of  double CD's. I think it was a problem with printing the booklets. They're massive 20 pages each, and I don't think a 40 page booklet would fit a standard CD case, or a nice digipac, whatever was the original plan. Nevermind, here it is! Bands featured this time are Merciful Nuns, The Wake, Ikon and a whole lot more! Great music for a great price.

The Foreign Resort - New Frontiers

The Foreign Resort - New Frontiers
(2014) Blvd

This is a nice sort of electronic Post Punk album from Denmark. For some reason I don't know about/listen to a lot of danish bands. Maybe I should further investigate the danish music scene? Because this is a fantastic record! But where to start? I enjoy so many different genres... I think it's up to the danish bands/labels to better promote themselves, because I'm sure that there's a lot of great stuff out there that I'm missing.

Ikon - Stolen 7''/CDM

Ikon - Stolen 7''/CDM (2014)
Nile

Second single from Ikon's fantastic "Everyone Everything Everywhere Ends" album. Just as all Ikon singles of late, this EP is released in several different vinyl colours plus a CD with some additional tracks. "Stolen" is one of the more electronic sounding songs on "Everyone Everything Everywhere Ends". I like this song a lot! Now I'm just waiting for the next single, "Blood Of Love".

VA - 10 Years Of Progress Productions 2CD

VA - 10 Years Of Progress Productions 2CD
(2014) Progress

Finally, the compilation album I've been waiting for all year! It's a double CD packed with 28 exclusive tracks. Well, some songs may not be that exclusive... But for the most part, they are. Bands included are; Cryo, Kite, Henric De La Cour, Spark!, Wulfband - basically the whole Progress roster. I like most of the bands on Progress, so this was a must buy for me!

Iris - Radiant 2CD+2LP

Iris - Radiant 2CD+2LP (2014)
Dependent

The second Iris record I own. I don't know how they sounded before Infacted and Dependent began to release their records. This box was a bit expensive, mainly because I'm not that interested in vinyl. But it was the only way to get hold of the bonus CD. Unfortunately I soon realised that the whole album was easily bought as a download (with the bonus songs). Great melancholic syntpop with cool bass lines. This is the third synthpop album in a row on this blog. Now it's time for a change..

Emmon - Aon

Emmon - Aon (2014)
Wonderland

Hurry, hurry! Only 500 copies of this new excellent Emmon CD was made, and as a special treat to us who pre-ordered it we all got 2 copies each. I almost thought Emmon had disappeared - it was a struck of luck that I found about this CD. I really like Emmons take on synthpop. Wonderland Records are doing a great job in releasing some hidden synthpop gems (at least the records seems to be hidden gems for me - I'm normally not that keen on this stuff).

Harmjoy ‎- Silver Lining Of The Mushroom Cloud

Harmjoy ‎- Silver Lining Of The Mushroom Cloud
(2014) 73 Seconds Bismarck

After two great EP's earlier this year, it's finally time for Harmjoy's first album. The album collects most of the songs from the EP's, but there's so much more to this record than being just a sampler. Most of the songs are presented in special "Album Edits", and the new songs are really great too. Harmjoy is one of the few synthpop bands I enjoy, I guess I will feature more synthpop in the coming weeks, as some of my other favourites have new records out!

Garden Of Delight - Psychonomicon 1991-2001 2CD

Garden Of Delight - Psychonomicon 1991-2001 2CD
(2002) Sad Eyes

A compilation, boring, I know. But Garden Of Delight have released so many albums, and not many of them are good records. Sure, they all have great songs - but they're not, in my opinion, good albums. They're thematic, I get that. I just want the good songs, and that's what you get on this album. It was released in 2002, so there's no songs from the more metal-like Lutherion-albums that they released in 2005-2006. The second CD is a live album recorded at Castle Rabenstein, Germany, 28 September 2001. This is a great live recording, even though I'm no big fan of live albums.

Beauty Of Gemina, The - Diary Of A Lost

Beauty Of Gemina, The -  Diary Of A Lost (2006)
TBoG Music

First album by this Swiss goth/darkwave band. I've seen their records listed on numerous online record shops, but never really cared about them until I heared their song on the God Is Goth compilation. I instantly fell in love with their darkwave sound, a sort of mix of Deine Lakaien and And Also The Trees with a bit of post rock and goth rock. Absolutely fabulous!

Merciful Nuns ‎– Lib. I

Merciful Nuns ‎– Lib. I (2010)
Solar Lodge

The first Merciful Nuns album. When listening to this album it's easy to understand why Artaud wanted another name, different than The Garden Of delight, for this new project. It's still dark gothic rock music, but the songs are really different. Merciful Nuns are easily my favourite new goth band. Buy, buy, buy!

VA - Pagan Love Songs Vol. 3

VA - Pagan Love Songs Vol. 3 2CD
(2014) Alice In...

This is the third new and really good gothic rock compilation CD I've written about in just a couple of months. There must be a gothic rock revival going on, but I haven't heared or read anything about it.
This compilation is very similar to the other two, "God Is Goth" and "This Is Gothic Rock Vol. I", featuring a mix of both new and old bands.
I really like this album. Go get it!

Merciful Nuns ‎– Meteora VII

Merciful Nuns ‎– Meteora VII
(2014) Solar Lodge

More Merciful Nuns? Yes, and this album is even better than

"Xialba III". I like Merciful Nuns' take on gothic rock, and this album is also a really rock oriented one. I like the atmospheric side of Merciful Nuns, too, but generally I want uptempo songs. There's also a couple of cool videos made for some of the songs. Check them out on youtube!

Merciful Nuns - Xialba III

Merciful Nuns - Xialba III (2011)
Solar Lodge

I'm a bit late on discovering the greatness of Merciful Nuns. I lost interest in Artaud Seth's previous band Garden Of Delight back in the early 2000's, and I haven't really checked what he has been up since then. A big mistake it seems, Merciful Nuns are quickly becoming one of my favourite goth bands! "Xialba III" is a very good album, with a minimum of atmospheric songs, focusing on the rock in gothic rock. With excellent and unique drums and a bass-sound all doom metal bands should be aiming for, this is the gothic rock album I've been waiting for since the mid 90's!

VA - God Is Goth 2CD

VA - God Is Goth 2CD
(2014) Wave Records

Continuing with my rediscovered love for gothic rock. This Brazilian compilation album features a lot of, at least for me, new third wave of gothic rock bands. Buy this 2CD together with the This Is Gothic Rock series and you're all set and updated on what's hot in this new era of gothic rock!

And One ‎- Magnet (Trilogie-Edition)

And One ‎- Magnet (Trilogie-Edition)
3CD (2014) Deutschmaschine

A new triple CD? From And One, probably the most uneven band in the world? And it's good?
Yes, I'm as surprised as anybody. But this is actually a really good album. The first CD, "Magnet", is a cool modern And One album. It features som The Cure-ish guitars and a selection of good pop songs. The second album "Propeller" is my favourite, though. The theme of this CD is EBM, and there's EBM songs in almost every possible style! I don't care for the third CD, "Achtung 80", with it's 80's inspired songs. I do like 80's music - but not done today! I think I enjoy 17 of the 30 tracks featured on this box. And that's not bad, considering the 2-3 songs I like on a regular And One album.

Miazma - Miazma

Miazma - Miazma (2014)
Gothic Music

Hell yeah! Gothic rock just the way I like it! I'm so glad that I found the finnish Gothic Music Records label. They're quickly becoming my favourite goth record label. I haven't got this CD yet, but I've ordered it on Bandcamp, so I'm currently enjoying the sweet sweet flac downloads. The album's supposed to be some sort of best of compilation. I don't really know, Miazma are totally unknown to me. I just bought the album on a hunch. The music is the sort of goth rock that everybody will tell you sounds just like The Sisters Of Mercy, but it really doesn't. Sure, the band wouldn't probably been here if it wasn't for the Sisters, but that doesn't make them clones. Check it out. And be fast about it - currently there's just 65 copies of the CD left!

Ginger Snap5 ‎– Snapped By You (Voice|Less) DD

Ginger Snap5 ‎– Snapped By You (Voice|Less) DD
(2014) Not On Label

A couple of odd things about this post:
I've previously failed to mention Ginger Snap5, and when I finally do it I write about an instrumental album (instumentals are generally not my cup of tea), instaed of focusing on the real "Snapped By You" album. There's nothing wrong with Roman Soroka's voice, in fact I really like Ginger Snap5's regular releases. I've been enjoying this album all week, partly because the music's already familiar, but also because it sounds very much like a full album release. Like it was supposed to be released this way. Great suff!

Pride And Fall - Turn The Lights On EP

Pride And Fall - Turn The Lights On
EP (2014) Dependent

I don't know how they came up with the idea to make a single/EP of this song. It's certainly not the best song from last years "Of Lust And Desire" album. I know they did a remix contest for this song, and I guess they liked the outcome of it. But if it was up to me I would've picked another song, maybe "Hollow". By the way, the "Of Lust And Desire" has grown a ton on me. I really like that album now! Anyway, The Pride And Fall remix of "Turn The Lights On" is a keeper.

Frozen Plasma - Crazy EP

Frozen Plasma - Crazy EP
(2014) Infacted

Inside one of this years ugliest record cover hides a real hit song. Not my favourite Frozen Plasma tune, but at least it's much better than last years "Hertz". You'll get an intro plus six versions of the title song. The Chrom remix and the DJ edit are the best. I want real EP's, not just a couple of remixes of the same song! And we all know that it's just the DJ edit we'll be listening to. Frozen Plasma's DJ edit's are always good!

VA - This Is Gothic Rock Vol. I

VA - This Is Gothic Rock Vol. I
(2014) Gothic Music

This is the first sampler released by this, relatively new, goth rock label. It features a lot of the labels forthcoming artist, as well as, almost exclusively new bands, or, at least, artists still active today.
Call it the third wave of gothic rock, if you want. I'm just happy to hear new goth bands delivering high quality music. This album is a must have - and be fast about it. It's limited to 500 copies!

The Dagger - The Dagger

The Dagger - The Dagger (2014)
Century Media

Oh, heavy metal? That's not the most frequent genre on this blog. I do love metal, but I don't seem to find any new bands of interest. I find the current power metal trend really tiresome and I've lost almost all interest in death metal. Black metal and the "new" occult rock movement may still bring me some joy. But this is something different. The Dagger sounds like an updated 1978 heavy metal band, maybe like a cross between Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy (the twin guitars!) with heavy Dio influences. This album couldn't have been made in 1978, though. There's far too many inluences from the last two decades here. Certainly worth checking out if heavy metal's your thing!

The Hiram Key - Escape From Tzolk'in

The Hiram Key - Escape From Tzolk'in (2013)
Spiral Staircase

The Hiram Key continues on with their light weight goth rock sound, this time sounding even more like The Cure than on their previous 2011 album "Amerikafka". "Escape From Tzolk'in" is a much better album. The album has The Cure's guitar sound, and some of the vocal melodies too, all over. But the songs are great, and they aren't just rip offs. For starters, the bpm is much higher than your average The Cure track, and this level of  experimentation and variation has never been a part of Robert Smith's albums. Great album, great band!

Vaniish - Memory Work

Vaniish - Memory Work
(2014) Metropolis

Vaniish is what's left of the really great Veil Veil Vanish. Maybe a little less sounding like The Cure and a bit more post punk-ish.
I like this album a lot, it's varied and time-less. If someone played it to me for the first time I wouldn't guess it's a 2014 release. Check it out if you like your goth a bit varied!

Ruined Conflict - Revolutionary Mayhem

Ruined Conflict - Revolutionary Mayhem
(2014) Not On Label

Sadly, I've grown real tired of Ruined Conflict's sound. Or, rather, the sound of VNV Nation with uninspired drums and bland production. Ruined Conflict has a lot to improve. This, their second CD, should be more professional then their debut - not less.
But, futurepop's kinda dead at the moment and I happen like the genre. I really hope the next CD will be better!

Surveillance - Oceania Remixed DD

Surveillance - Oceania Remixed
DD (2014) Not On Label

The "Oceania" album, released earlier this year, was kinda cool. But I didn't think it was as good as it could be. Now it is perfected! Somehow the remixers saw the true potential in all the songs, and made the album so much better. With remixers like Aesthetic Perfection, Rotersand and Mind.In.A.Box it just can't go wrong.
Get this album now!

Seabound/Iris - Radiant Turbulence EP

Seabound/Iris - Radiant Turbulence
EP (2014) Dependent

This is an awesome and very limited tour EP containing (I think) five exclusive songs, three by Seabound and two by Iris. Two of the Seabound songs are re-recorded and, of course, remastered songs from their 1996 legendary demo (which I would love to obtain - I haven't even heared it). The Seabound songs makes this EP a must buy. The third song is, by the way, an excellent Architect (Daniel Myer) remix of "A Grown Man" from their latest album. Iris have never been favourites of mine, but I suppose the two songs are worth a listen or two!

Ikon - Everyone Everything Everywhere Ends 2CD

Ikon - Everyone Everything Everywhere Ends 2CD (2014)
Nile

After a bit of delay I finally got the new Ikon CD. Actually, it's a 2CD - but I don't know a lot about the second CD. I think it's demos and some exclusive tracks on it. The song titles are the same on the songs I think are demos (or maybe it's just alternative versions?), but the second CD is supposed to be recorded in 2011-2013 while the main album is recorded 2013-2014. Anyway, this album is a whole new chapter for Ikon. They've never been this dynamic. There's songs in all styles imaginable; some acoustic, some pop, some neofolk, some electronic, some rock plus a cool intro and a couple of instrumentals. I think this will be looked upon as Ikon's best album, but for me nothing can beat "This Quiet Earth". Buy, Buy, Buy! And don't forget to pick up the great "I Burn For You" 7"+CDEP bundle while you're at it.

Xenturion Prime - Mecha Rising 2CD

Xenturion Prime - Mecha Rising 2CD
(2014) Progress

Former Code 64 members Bjørn Marius Borg and Hans-Olof Mattsson continues making electronic music after the break up.
This is not as future-poppy as Code once 64 was - heck, there's even some harsh vocals to be found here! I enjoy the various sounds of this new album a lot more than the rather bleak Code 64 album "Trialogue". Act fast, and you might still have a chance to get one of the first 200 copies containing a limited bonus disc.

Pre/verse - Obstacles

Pre/verse - Obstacles (2014)
NYX

If I'm correct, this is supposed to be the new project by former Straftanz singer Kai. But there's no way for me to be sure. Anyway, this sounds nothing like Straftanz. The music's actually quite pop-like EBM with some guitars. I like it a lot. Buy the album at Poponaut, and if your lucky you'll get the "Truth Hurts" CD-single for free!

Röyksopp & Robyn ‎– Do It Again EP

Röyksopp And Robyn ‎– Do It Again EP
(2014) Dog Triumph

Hmm, I just searched earlier post for entries by Röyksopp and Robyn. Strangely, I didn't find anything at all. I have to do something about that, because I'm really fond of both artists.
Maybe Robyn is better (dancing) on her own, but Röyksopp always sounds best with vocals. It doesn't really matter who provides the voice, Robyn works as good as any other.
This is an EP. I love EP's! I hope this doesn't extend to an album anytime soon, but I would love it if they continued to release EP's together. Buy it now!

VA - Electostorm Vol.5

VA - Electostorm Vol.5 (2014)
Out Of Line

Sadly, the years of the great electronic/industrial compilation series seems to be over. I haven't heared anything about a new compilation in the Septic and Dependence series for quite some time. The Advanced Electronics series seems to have ended. One of the few series that's still going is Electrostorm and the massive Electronic Saviors. This fifth Electrostorm CD features all the usual Out Of Line stuff; a great Client song (remixed by Chrom), a new Ashbury Heights song, some Melotron, Combichrist, Hocico, Suicide Commando, Blutengel and Rummelsnuff. All in all, a pretty decent compilation. Especially considering it's low price.

Trust - Joyland

Trust - Joyland (2014)
Arts & Crafts

Slightly better cover art than the last one. But I really like the music. Just like their debut album, this is some sort of synth pop.
The vocals are kind of strange, and will take some time getting used to. I advise you to try it out, anyway - you might like it!

Surgyn ‎– Envy

Surgyn ‎– Envy (2014)
DWA

Surgyn's new album is a great progress on their previous work. This time they try out a lot of new things. The first single "Feed Me Fame" is among their best songs to date. This is modern EBM, not futurepop. But, of course, some of the songs are quite poppy. The music reminds me of something Combichrist could've released if they didn't went the wrong way back in 2010 (around the time of the "Making Monsters" album). Also Panzer AG comes to mind.
All in all a really good album.

Panic Lift - Awake DDEP

Panic Lift - Awake DDEP
(2014) Metropolis

Not the best band in the world, but every once in a while a really good track pops out. I first became aware of the band when I heared "Footsteps" on the must have "Electronic Saviors - Industrial Music To Cure Cancer Volume II" box, released back in 2012. That song isn't featured on this release, but it featuers two other great songs from the same 2012 album "Is This Goodbye?", in remixed and/or single versions. Well worth the $5 Metropolis charges for it on their Bandcamp site.

Blind Vision - Works

Blind Vision - Works (2014)
Infacted

Infacted Recordings has finally decided to put out some more albums in their EBM Kult Klassiker! series. This is already number 32 - and you've got to get them all! I had never heared of Blind Vision before, but this is the kind of old school EBM that I like. In fact, it's one of the better releases in this series.

Cyferdyne - Keep Your Silence

Cyferdyne - Keep Your Silence
(2014) DWA

The second release by Cyferdyne is an improvement on all parts. I sensed the talent on their 2012 debut album "Genesys", but I wasn't as pleased as with this sophomore release. Better songs, better melodies and best of all - better vocals. Almost all the screams are gone, now they only play the part of background vocals, which is totally fine by me. The CD hasn't arrived yet, so I can't say anything about the bonus remixes. But I'm looking forward to them. I don't think that anything can go wrong with remixers such as Assemblage 23 and Aesthetic Perfection.

Mental Discipline ‎– Butterfly

Mental Discipline ‎– Butterfly DDEP
(2014) skyQode

Yey! A new Mental Discipline EP. This is not Alex Mental's best best release, but it has some good songs. I recommend expanding this EP with the free download "Pain & Regrets". It's a really good track that would've made this EP much better in the first place. mind.in.a.box delivers a nice remix of the 2012 "Constellation" album track "Precious Paradise". Guess if it has vocooders? This EP is only €4 from skyQode's Bandcamp site. It's well worth it!

Loomec - Personal Drugstore

Loomec - Personal Drugstore DD
(2013) Thyx Records

This is the third Stefan Poiss project, besides Mind.In.A.Box and Thyx, that I know of (and somewhat enjoy!). It's finally been made available in decent download quality (flac), after eager persuasion attempts from Thyx and Mind.In.A.Box Facebook followers (yes, me!). I don't buy mp3's, but I have no problem paying for flac or wav files.
This is the most rock-like of all Poiss' albums. Heck, the track "Tijuana" even reminds me of Motörhead at times. But make no mistake, it's not a rock album. There's plenty of electronic sounds to fulfill all your needs!

The Hiram key - Amerikafka

The Hiram key - Amerikafka
(2011) Echozone

Somehow I had missed this very Cure-ish band. I know I've been recommended to check them out several times, but I must have forgotten. The songs that doesn't sound like The cure are the best, sadly they aren't that many. But, and that's a big but(t) (!), the Cure-sounding songs are really good, too! I've had "What Kind Of..." on my mind for two days now! It's a really great tune. Check this out if your into pop/goth.

Thyx - Super Vision

Thyx - Super Vision (2014)
Thyx Records

It's already time for a new Stefan Poiss album. This time it's Thyx, but it could might as well been a new Mind.In.A.Box album. I don't know why he has two (actually three, counting Loomec) different projects for the same kind of music? It doesn't make sense. Sure, the Mind.In.A.Box albums released on Dependent Records sounded a bit different (=better). But I think that was because Dependent works together with the artist, giving valueable tips and advise how to make the albums better.
Don't expect any surprises on this one. Same old, same old!

Advance - Deus Ex Machina

Advance - Deus Ex Machina
(2014) AnalogueTrash

Great debut album by this Scottish one man project. Tom Perrett does know how to make a catchy futurepop tune. Get this album on Bandcamp.

Espermachine - Into Bronze

Espermachine - Into Bronze
(2014) Not On Label

Much like the first Espermachine album, the 2012 "Dying Life", this is a favourite of mine. The CD has not been released yet, but the Bandcamp download is available. Apart from two shorter instrumentals/experiments this album is rock solid. Espermachine has it's own sound, with dark vocals and very special brand of rhythmic and minmalistic EBM/futurepop.

Seabound - Speak In Storms (Tempest Edition)

Seabound - Speak In Storms (Tempest Edition)
2CD (2014) Dependent

This year is starting promising, but all the releases are digging a huge hole in my wallet. I had to have this "Tempest Edition" of Seabound's new album. It's a nice book in a 7" cover, with lots of cool artwork. But it also has a download code for exclusive content.
So far, just one song has been made available - but more is promised for the future. I really like this album. The only two songs I'm not crazy about is the two opening tracks. I wonder why they put the weakest tracks as album openers?

Surveillance - Oceania

Surveillance - Oceania (2014)
Not On Label

This is a side project of Assemblage 23's mastermind Tom Shear. The songs are a bit different to what you'd find on an A23 album, but you can absolutely hear who has written them. Tom tries out all kinds of things here; different vocal styles; cool, sample-heavy instrumentals and female vocals. A really interesting album, but not as good as a real Assemblage 23 album.

Still Patient? ‎– Retrospective 88.2.99

Still Patient? ‎– Retrospective 88.2.99
(2014) Schwartzrock

And here's Still Patient's retrospective collection. In my opinion it features a bit too many songs, and some really strange choices. But, let's strat with the positive. The "Agoraphopia" demo is great! And I guess including lots of songs from the limited "Nightmare Arrival" EP is a good thing for those that wasn't fast enough to grab a copy back in 1997. If it was up to me I would've left a couple of songs out, like "Hopeless", "Pigeonhole" and "Leviathan". I don't care for these slower songs, they just seem to go on forever.

Still Patient? ‎– Selective Perception

Still Patient? ‎– Selective Perception EP
(2014) Schwartzrock

This EP is the first sign of life from Still Patient? in 15 years. They haven't changed a bit in their abscence. It's still gothic rock the way I like it. Later this week Schwartzrock are set to release a Still Patient? compilation album, which I'm also very eager to hear!

Cryo - Retropia

Cryo - Retropia 2CD
(2014) Progress

I already knew, back in November of 2013 when I placed my pre-order for the limited edition (200 copies), that I was going to like this album. The "In Your Eyes" EP was a great appetizer. Now I'm only waiting for my mailman to deliver the Russian Edition of  "Retropia" to me. It has two remixes not available on this 2CD version.

Spiritual Front ‎– Black Hearts In Black Suits

Spiritual Front ‎– Black Hearts In Black Suits
(2013) Rustblade

A new dark and theatrical album from my favourite Italian neofolk band. This is a concept album, more akin to an opera or classic music, than to the traditional Spiritual Front style of music.
If you want something mellow and beautiful to listen to, why not try this one out?
The album is also released in two different limited editions, a 2CD Box and a ridiculously expensive 3CD+LP bag.