Garmarna - 6

Garmarna - 6
(2016) BMG

Totally out of the blue someone told me that the old swedish folk rock band Garmarna was about to put out a new, electronic soundning, album. I checked out some previews and I was very inrigued by the sound. I've been a fan of some of their previous stuff, but this album is simply amazing. Maybe not that electronic sounding, after all, I think most of the sounds are coming from home made and traditional instruments with lots of effects and tweaks. Gloomy and cold melodies with cool sounds. Buy now!

VA - Messages Beyond Dark Dreams 2

VA - Messages Beyond Dark Dreams 2 2CD
(2016) Darkpage

This is a neat gothic rock compilation CD. I forgot to write about the first CD of this series, when it was released late last year. Maybe I'll mention it in a later post... Lots of good songs on here, like: Sweet Ermengarde, Long Night, Night Sins and my new favourites The Drowning Season.

Rein - Rein EP

Rein - Rein EP
(2015) Cold School

I've been looking for this EP, in decent quality, since december last year. I finally found a flac version on Klicktrack, and now I'm able to check out what all the fuss was about. There's nothing here to go bananas for, but it's certainly an enjoyable EP. Neanderthal EBM with somewhat aggressive female vocals - of course it works! In this kind of music who's singing isn't as important as the quality of the basslines. Try to remember that!

Espermachine - 3RD

Espermachine - 3RD
(2016) Not On Label

This blog is slowly turning into "Bandcamp Record Of The Week".
I pledged for a copy of this album the minute the Indiegogo campain started. I love Espermachine's quirky take on EBM + futurepop. My CD copy seems to have been lost in the mail. While waiting for a new CD to arrive I've been enjoying the Bandcamp download. The songs are generally shorter and more focused than on Espermachines earlier albums. A must buy!

Ari Mason - Creatures

Ari Mason - Creatures
(2016) Negative Gain

I'm still waiting for the actual CD to arrive. In the meantime the Bandcamp download works perfectly fine. This album is amazing! All the rough edges of the debut album are gone (it wasn't rough sounding, though, just not polished into perfection!), and the song writing is excellent! You need to have this!

Ikon - Black Noise EP

Ikon - Black Noise EP
(2016) Nile

There's a couple of different "Black Noise" EP's and singles from Ikon. This one is the 2016 version, also released as a 12". I know there were talks about a 12" version being released back in 2015. Maybe even a test pressing auctioned off on eBay? I like this EP, don't know if it's available anymore, though?

The House Of Usher - Inauguration

The House Of Usher - Inauguration
(2015) Equinoxe

Last years biggest gothic rock surprise for me was discovering this classic german band. Sure, I've heared (and heared about) The House of Usher before - but I guess I wasn't interested. This album, though, caught my attention, but only after repeated listens. An aqired taste, for sure! I immediately started collecting their older works, and so far I've found a few gems! Buy this album and don't let it leave your ears until you love it. It's worth it!

The Soft Moon - Deeper Remixed DDEP

The Soft Moon - Deeper Remixed DDEP
(2016) Captured Tracks

A fantastic EP (two EP's, if you go for the vinyl versions) of The Soft Moons quirky post punk remixed by underground electronic artists. I loved the idea when I first heared about it, and I love the result as well! Get it on Bandcamp!

Patenbrigade: Wolff - Im Eis

Patenbrigade: Wolff - Im Eis EP
(2016) Zweieck

A single off a single? Yeah, or maybe it's an offspring of the "Die Brücke" EP? All four songs on this release originated on "Die Brücke" back in 2015. I liked the songs then, and I'm liking them even more now. Get it on Bandcamp!

Sweet Ermengarde - Ex Oblivione

Sweet Ermengarde - Ex Oblivione
(2016) Equinoxe

Oh, how I wish for more records like this! The legacy of The Fields Of The Nephilim is always present, but Sweet Ermengarde has a distinct sound of their own. I don't ever feel like listening to a simple clone. The CD haven't arrived yet, so I'm listening to the Bandcamp download. My only complaint is that the album may be a little to long. 13 songs is a bit much to swallow for an EP lover as myself!

Metroland - Things Will Never Sound The Same Again

Metroland - Things Will Never Sound The Same Again
(2016) Alfa Matrix

This album is supposed to be a thank you to the bands sound engineer and very close friend Louis Zachert (Passenger L), who recently passed away. As a personal tribute, Passengers A and S created a complete new album from scratch, where every song, every note and the featured cd art is their way of saying thank you and goodbye to their close friend and fellow passenger.
As a side note, this is also my favourite Metroland CD so far.

Faderhead - FH-X

Faderhead - FH-X (2016)
Not A Robot

Yeah, I know. How low can my music taste sink, right? I've actually liked Faderhead since his first record was released, back in 2006.
This new piece of music is by far his best yet. It's possible that I like the new Kickstarter EP, "The Universe Has Spoken" (not yet on Discogs), even more. I can't really tell were the album ends and the EP starts, when putting them both on the same playlist...

Ari Mason - Neuropathy

Ari Mason - Neuropathy
(2014) Danse Macabre

I bought this album immediately after hearing the "Dim The Lights" and "Brother" singles. Buy them now! This album is a bit older, and maybe not as good. But I don't think it's fair to compare albums with singles. However, I really like her moody, synthpop-y sound - not far from a female Mr.Kitty. I want more!

Into The Mist - Dancing Into The Mist

Into The Mist - Dancing Into The Mist
(2015) Mislealia

I recieved this album today, and I haven't been able to listen to anything else. I really did like their old songs, but the remixes/re-edits found here are phenomenal! I'm sad to say I know close to nothing about the band. Maybe the Mislealia Records site can give you some information, if you're interested?
Buy now!

Kirlian Camera - Radio Music A

Kirlian Camera - Radio Music A
(2015) Norton North

What? A best of album on this blog? Yeah, it happens from time to time. Especially when an artist has made as many albums as Kirlian Camera. They've been active since the beginning of the 1980's, and I simply can't catch up with that. This compilation album does a good job at presenting a lot of different kind of sounds from this very diverse and interesting band. Maybe I'll continue to investigate Kirlian Camera's back catalogue? We'll see!

VA - A Change Of Speed A Change Of Style

VA - A Change Of Speed A Change Of Style
(2015) OVR

This is a great Joy Division tribute CD. It doesn't seem that promising when looking at the included bands. The only thing I don't like about this record is that the Mp3 download version holds three bonus tracks. Don't you want to sell CD's? Well then, don't release CD's. I want the three bonus tracks in decent quality (flac, wav or aif), but I haven't found them anywhere...

Covenant - Sequencer: Beta

Covenant - Sequencer: Beta (1997)
Off Beat

A 20 year old album to kick off the new year, you ask? Yes, the original "Sequencer" album was actually released in 1996. The "Beta" upgrade was released a year later. You want this version for the outstanding "Luminal" bonus track, one of the best electronic songs ever released! If you're a collector, you probably also know about the completely different "Luminal (Test Version)" available on the "Septic" compilation. Both versions of "Luminal" are favourites of mine. "Sequencer" is also a really good album. In fact, it's one of the best albums I own. Don't stream - Buy!

Factice Factory - The White Days

Factice Factory - The White Days
(2014) Manic Depression

I know almost nothing about this France band. They've made two albums, this one being the first - and best! The music is maybe a hint of the cold wave/post punk crossover that seems to be so popular nowadays. You can get this album for free at Bandcamp (where else?). I liked it so much after freeloading it, that  I had to buy the CD, too!