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.

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!

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!

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!

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...

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!

Brotherhood - ...Turn The Gold To Chrome...

Brotherhood - ...Turn The Gold To Chrome...
(2012) Not On Label

This is an excellent gloomy gothic rock record. A bit hard to find, nowadays, but well worth it if you happen to see it somewhere. I really like the, almost doom metal-ish, atmosphere of this album. I don't know why I think of doom metal? It's certainly not a metal album. The album's full of drum machines and cheesey electronics, just as you would expect from a goth record! A great companion while reading by the fireplace. The band used to have a song or two on their Bandcamp site, I don't know if it's still the case?

God's Own Medicine - Nowhere

God's Own Medicine - Nowhere
(2010) Eden Records

Part electronic, part gothic rock this Polish band are always interesting to listen to. Check them out on Bandcamp. "Nowhere" is my current favourite album of theirs, but I'm sure this will change with time.

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 :)

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.

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!

Pretentious, Moi? - Pretentious, Moi?

Pretentious, Moi? - Pretentious, Moi?
(2010) Not On Label

I don't know how I missed this band? Anyhow, Tim Chandler, of Manuskript fame is the main man behind this project. He's sometimes joined by Rachel Speight, from Die Laughing, on background vocals. This CD is simply fabolous. It's very fast gothic rock with great melodies. I admit that both the bass and the drum programming is lacking a bit - both in punch and sound, but for once I simply can't seem to care that much. The songs are too good to be soiled by bad production! Get it directly from the band.

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!

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?

She Past Away - Narin Yalnizlik

She Past Away - Narin Yalnizlik
(2015) Dead Scarlet

Album number two from my favourite Turkish goth rockers. No real competition for that spot.... yet!? If you liked the 2012 (2013 on CD) debut album "Belirdi Gece" you will like this as well. It sounds just the same, no progression at all. Now, I don't think that's a bad thing - but I would've liked a bit stronger songs. Maybe I'll find some stand out tracks after further listening? I hope so. After all, I only recieved the CD yesterday.

Night Sins ‎- New Grave

Night Sins ‎- New Grave DD
(2012) Avant!

It's not easy finding new interesting goth/post punk bands making physical albums, other than vinyl, nowadays. If you're lucky you may manage to buy one of the, very few, limited CD's. More often than not Bandcamp has been my friend, and I have been forced to be satisfied with just a Flac download. I'm not complaining. Flac is totally fine by me, and I simply just don't have the time to stay updated on every band and genre...
Night Sins are a very cool goth/post punk band, from the US, that may very well be part of the big goth resurrection that I've been foreshadowing since, well, forever! Nice songs, nice bass - what's not to like?

The Foreign Resort - The Foreign Resort EP

The Foreign Resort - The Foreign Resort DDEP

(2011) Monolathe

I recently helped crowdfund The Foreign Resort's new EP via Musicraiser, because I liked their last album "New Frontiers" so much. How about their older songs, you ask? Not everything is good. But, boy, this their 2011 "The Foreign Resort" EP is a true classic!

I'm sad I didn't discover this great band until the end of 2014. I missed out on their earlier CD's. Thankfully, Bandcamp comes to the rescue. Flac files is a good substitute for CD's!