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!

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!

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...

Dead When I Found Her - All The Way Down

Dead When I Found Her - All The Way Down 2CD
(2015) Artoffact

I belive the 2CD version of this excellent album has already sold out. Fortunately there's always Bandcamp! The second CD is called "The Bottom" and is yours for just $6 (+ tax, if you live in Europe).
I've been a fan of Dead When I Found Her from the early beginning, but this time Michael A Holloway has really outdone himself. The album is well put together, it feels almost like a movie score. Buy before you try!!!

Hearts Of Black Science - Signal

Hearts Of Black Science - Signal 2CD
(2015) Progress

I generally don't like Heart Of Black Science's music, but there's something about this record. The mood, the beauty of it... I really don't know. Everything's not great, though. For starters, you don't need to hunt down the limited 2CD edition. The bonus tracks are uninspired and boring, absolutely not worth it! Try before you buy!

Aesthetic Perfection - Blood Spills Not Far From The Wound

Aesthetic Perfection - Blood Spills Not Far From The Wound
(2015) Metropolis

I thought I already had covered this album on this blog. Because I really liked it when it first came out, back in 2007! But I didn't start this blog until 2 years later. Anyway, the original album put out in the name of Necessary Response is an absolutely stunning album. This remix/re-boot/rename thingy is also good, but utterly soulless.
I really like the sound of all Aesthetic Perfection newer recordings, but they're totally hollow. Almost like music made by an algorythm(!)...

Angels Of Liberty - Telepathine

Angels Of Liberty - Telepathine
(2015) Gothic Music

Hell yeah! The goth rock band I love to hate are back again. I really like this album, and I don't have a clue why I like it. Maybe they've learned to program the drums? Nah, perhaps a little bit better... The bass, then? Is there any bass on the record? Yes, but in order to hear the ultra thin drum sound the bass has to stand back in the mix.
I think I have to go with the songwriting skills. There are some really good gothic rock songs on this album. 8 fake guitars out of 10 :)

Diary Of Dreams - Grau Im Licht

Diary Of Dreams - Grau Im Licht (2015)
Accession

It's nice to see that Diary Of Dreams are still going strong on this, their 15th, album. Sure, it's not as good as the 1997 to 2000 period, which I think produced their top three albums "Bird Without Wings", "Psychoma?" and "One Of 18 Angels". "Grau Im Licht" does, however, contain mostly good songs and a fair bit of experimenting with sounds and song structures. I like it more and more for each time I listen to it, but it will never be as good as the aforementioned albums.

Solar Fake - Another Manic Episode

Solar Fake - Another Manic Episode 3CD Box
(2015) Out Of Line

Yey, the fourth Solar Fake album is already here! It's released in a lot of different versions, including vinyl (I still don't understand why anyone would like new music, recorded with the latest equipment, on an old crappy vinyl record? But everyone seems to be ok with lossy mp3's as well...) and this overpriced box. I'd say the 2CD version is the album to go for. Then you'll get the album plus the two cover songs as well as a collection of really good remixes. The seven piano versions included on the third disc are just so-so. Great album, too many versions to choose from!

Present Moment, The - The Complete Present Moment Volume One

Present Moment, The - The Complete Present Moment Volume One
2 CD (2015) Coredark

All three The Present Moment albums presented on two CDs inside a gift box. Very nice presentation, but I would've liked a booklet with information about the songs. This CD-box is as informative as a couple of downloaded files. Actually, I already have almost all the songs downloaded from Bandcamp. There's some exclusive songs, of course, but I don't think it's worth buying this box just for the exclusives. Anyway, really good music in a kind of good, kind of bad package - depending on what you're looking for.

IAMX - Metanoia

IAMX - Metanoia (2015)
Caroline

A bit worse for every new record. But IAMX is still one of the best and most interesting electronic projects around. I just feel a bit tired of Chris Corner's music. I think it needs a change of direction. Yes, I know that this album is much more electronic than "The Unified Field". But I don't feel that's enough, going backwards seldom is. This project has the ability to go anywhere - so why stay home?

James Rays Gangwar - Destination Assassination: The Merciful Release Recordings 1989-1992

James Rays Gangwar - Destination Assassination: The Merciful Release Recordings 1989-1992 2CD
(2015) HNE

Ok, so this is the second part of the HNE Recordings James Ray re-issues. The name has changed from James Ray And The Performance to James Rays Gangwar. I don't know why, maybe due to change of personnel or possibly trying to appear more of a rock band? Anyhow, I think the music's pretty much the same. Featured on this album is the fabolous "Dios Está De Nuestro Lado" LP as well as the two non and pre-album singles "Another Million Dollars" and "Without Conscience" plus a whole CD with demos. Great stuff! Buy immediately!

James Ray And The Performance - Dust Boat: Merciful Release Recordings 1986-1989

James Ray And The Performance -
Dust Boat: Merciful Release Recordings 1986-1989
(2015) HNE

James Ray (And The Performance and Gangwar) is one artist I haven't been able to fully appreciate. I've always sensed that there were something there, somthing that I would like a lot. Almost 30 years since James Ray was presented to the world in Andrew Eldrich's ego/revenge-project The Sisterhood, HNE Recordings re-releases these early gems. Most of the songs were previously available on the "A New Kind Of Assassin" and the "Best Of James Ray's Performance & Gangwar" CDS, but I think they've been out of print for a very long time. I've been listening to this album and the "James Rays Gangwar - Dios Esta De Nuestro Lado" a lot, lately. And I'm beginning to love these albums. Nice electronic gothic rock before it even existed!

Near Earth Orbit - Trans Neptunian Objects

Near Earth Orbit - Trans Neptunian Objects
(2015) Solar Lodge

Album number two from Near Earth Orbit, already? I guess it's time for a hiatus for Artaud's main band Merciful Nuns, now that they've released their seventh album? I don't know if he plans album cycles of seven, but he sure did in his earlier band - The Garden Of Delight. I'm very pleased to report that this album is really good, especially since I didn't care much for the first Near Earth Orbit album. But there's still room for improvements. Nice!

Unitary - Unafraid EP

Unitary - Unafraid EP
(2015) Off Label Productions

The only bad thing I have to say about this excellent EP is; Why 7 versions of the same track? I feel cheated. The second track is called "Subversion 12"", but it's essentially just another remix of "Unafraid". This EP picks up on the momentum Unitary has been building up since the last EP "Torching Utopia", earlier this year.
I can't wait to hear more!

Grave Pleasures - Dreamcrash

Grave Pleasures - Dreamcrash
(2015) Sony

In the beginning of March 2015 the finnish post punk band Beastmilk changed name and some members and became Grave Pleasures. I really liked Beastmilk, and I like this album as well.
I don't know why the band had to change name, the new album is not that different in sound. Well sure, an obvious musical progression has taken place. Especially the drumming has improved a lot. But is that enough to change name?

Ghost - Meliora

Ghost - Meliora (2015)
Universal

This may be the album of the year for me. Yeah, I know, some Swedish clowns dressed up as the Pope, and God knows what? Really? Yup! Klas Åhlund, the pruducer (of  Teddybears Sthlm fame) really knows how to make a pop album. But aren't Ghost supposed to be heavy metal? Yeah, maybe, but with this kind of pruduction there's no metal left. Except for some stolen Slayer riffs and wimpy Manowar drum beats:) I love every song of this masterpiece of an album. If I wasn't allergic to the vinyl trend I'd buy the limited LP+12" (with an exclusive bonus track) in a heart beat!

Luciferian Light Orchestra - Luciferian Light Orchestra

Luciferian Light Orchestra - Luciferian Light Orchestra
(2015) Adulruna

I really like some of the older orchestrated Therion albums, like "Vovin". Oh yeah, maybe it wasn't obvious - Luciferian Light Orchestra is essentially Therion jumping on the "occult rock" bandwagon. And I'm enjoying it far more than I thought I would. This album is so good I had to import a second copy from Japan, just to get the exclusive bonus track!