The March Violets reveal final track list

The March Violets have revealed the final track list for their eagerly awaited forthcoming album and follow-up to 2011's 'Love Will Kill You' EP.

Speaking on the band's pledge campaign page, Si Denbigh had this to say:

“We wanted to have a definitive list that we wouldn’t have to change for vinyl. I’m a bit old school about Albums, I like it to play as the artist intended and don’t want to jump about or listen to ‘bonus tracks’ stuck on the end of a classic Album. Luckily modern playlisting allows those of you who like to pick and mix to listen how you like. Win Win.“It gets better… as this Album has gradually mutated into what will have to be a double LP if it gets on to vinyl, I have added another track to make sense of the timing per side. We are now up to 16, Hurrah!”

The track list is a s follows:

1. Made Glorious

2. Billion3

3. A Room With No View

4. Of Roses

5. Tokyo Flow

6.Ramming Speed

7. A Little Punk Thing

8. Dandelion King

9. 2024

10. London's Drowning

11. We Are All Gods II

12. Road Of Bones

13. Discoboy Must Die

14. Dress 4 U

15. Bottle Of Poison

16. My Demons

For more information on The March Violets and to keep up-to-date with the latest on their forthcoming album, please visit their official website.

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More confirmations for Wave Gotik Treffan 2013

Leipzig's Wave Gotik Treffan has announced fifteen more acts to join this year's lineup:

Suicide Commando, Incite/, The Spiritual Bat, Readjust, She Past Away, Welle:Erdball, Digitalis Purpurea, Noisuf-X, Sex Gang Children , In Mitra Medusa Inri, Frank (Just Frank), Namnabulu (Reunion show), Wipeout, Metallspürhunde, Naughty Whisper, End Of Green.

The number of acts is now 32 strong with many more still to be announced.

The festival will take place this year from 17th May until 20th May. For more information please visit the official Wave Gotik Treffen website.

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Review: Goteki - 'Geisha' EP

GOTEKI

'Geisha'

ALPHASTARDIGITAL

After perhaps the greatest creative period in the bands history that has seen a “Best Of” compilation, a tonne of EPs and an album in the form of of the critically acclaimed 'Santa Muerte' released in the space of five years, comes the bands final EP, 'Geisha'. As with its predecessor 'Piranha', the EP is centred around a rebooted and re-recorded track from the band's earlier years. Keeping very much with the “Death Electro” style that has served them so well over the past half-decade, the classic songs 'Geisha Deconstruct' and 'Fight The Saucermen' get a modern makeover and serve as a fitting parting shot as mastermind Ross Tregenza pulls the plug on the project once more.

The band's early fun and often cheesy style is nowhere to be found as the now rechristened 'Geisha' and 'Revenge Of The Saucermen' get a more subtle and darker sound that the band used to great effect on songs such as 'Nevada Dawn' and 'Reverse Engineer My Heart' in recent years, but without loosing the dance appeal of the original recordings. Also included are two experimental but equally catchy remixes of the title track by Sniper as well as Goteki's own Tregenza. Three alternative versions in the form of an instrumental take, extended mix and the original version remastered add more variety to things as well.

It has been very hard to fault the recent Goteki output, even their reworked classic material has been been done exceedingly well, and the 'Geisha' EP is no different. The EP has crammed seven tracks in, six of which are different versions of the same song. Yet it is the strength of the Goteki style that sees no two versions sound the same, and therefore the EP saves itself from being repetitive.

It is a shame that Goteki's final output features no new material in either a finished or even a demo version. But nonetheless, the past five years have secured the band's legacy in the electronic scene, and this final EP feels like a suitable end to a great band.

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Review: KatzKab - 'Objet N°1'

KATZKAB

'Objet N°1'

PROJEKTRECORDS

Rising from the ashes of Katzenjammer Kabarett, Paris' new electro-punk cabaret quintet, KatzKab have some exciting shoes to fill. Formed around the duo of Klishee (Piano/Synths) and Mr Guillotine (Bass Guitar), the new project is just as diverse as its predecessor, but gets a whole new vibe courtesy of new members Vik B. (Vocals) and Mr. Monsterhead (Guitar). The band retains the iconoclastic genre-hopping sound and Dadaist mentality yet has a playful pop appeal in the vein of The B52s, Lena Lovich and Soft Cell.

From the get go the band set out to challenge the listener. The quirky vocal style of Vik. B, which can only rightly be compared to Katie Pierson of The B52s, underpins a sound that combines jazzy basslines with gypsy violins, danceable synths, deathrock embellishments and post-punk guitars. Songs like 'Miracle', 'Harold And The Body', 'Let's Burn The Rich', 'Voodoo Catwalk' and 'Lithopedion Boy' all show off an incredibly diverse range that has a strong dance appeal. Despite it's often complicated construction the songs all make good use of strutting beats, memorable melodies and sing-a-long lyrics which will see this play well to both club and live audiences.

The band have opted for a sharp and punchy attack that sees the songs weigh in at around three-to-four minutes in length, and with only eleven songs on the album it does feel like a “love you and leave you experience”. However the one minute 'Interlude' does feel a little superfluous as it blends itself into the intro to 'Lithopedion Boy'.

In terms of production this is a great example of how to keep a band's pop appeal without dulling their experimental edginess. There is no set template and every song feels like it has been constructed to individual merit rather than to some set overall plan, which is very refreshing to hear.

This is a very strong début from a band looking to surpass it's predecessor and forge ahead. KatzKab feel fresh and interesting and with 'Objet N°1' have easily defined themselves in an ever burgeoning scene.

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Deuxvolt to play UK shows

Italian cyber-metal trio Deuxvolt are set to play two UK shows this march. The band, consisting of Olympia (vocals), Shade (guitars) and Just (synths), will be playing the shows in support of their latest album 'Union Of Opposites', which is available to download absolutely free (along with their other albums) via their official website. The band promise that “You've never seen a Live-Show like this! Are you ready?”. So catch them while you can.

Tour Dates:
13.03.01 - Coalville
13.03.03 - Wolverhampton* (with In Dante's Eclipse)

*Tickets are available HERE
(Advance Ticket Price: £6.00 Door Price: £8.00)

For more information about Deuxvolt and to download their albums, please visit their official website.

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AlterRed announce new album and tour dates

Electro creeps AlterRed have announced the release of their forthcoming third album and follow-up to the critically acclaimed 'Dollstown'. The new album, 'The Time It Takes To Smile', will be released on 3^rd May 2013 with an official launch party on the 5^th of May at Electrowerks, London (as part of the William Control tour).

The supporting tour will kick off at Manchester's Ruby Lounges and includes the following dates with more to still be confirmed:

28th April - Manchester, Ruby Lounge
1st May - Bristol, Tunnels
2nd May - Cardiff, Bogiez
3rd May - Birmingham, Eddies
5th May - London, Electrowerks (album launch!)
8th May - Newcastle, Trillans
10th May - Glasgow, Classic Grand
25th May - TBC
28th Sept - Liverpool, Lomax (Club Macabre)
5th Oct - TBC
26th Oct - Whitby, Bram Stoker Film Festival.

For more information on AlterRed and to keep up-to-date with news on 'The Time It Takes To Smile', please visit the official website.

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Nine Inch Nails return for 2013

Never one to be content with all of the awards for his soundtrack work with Atticus Ross, nor the hotly anticipated full-length début album and tour from his How To Destroy Angels project. Trent Reznor announced via pitchfork.com yesterday that his first love, Nine Inch Nails, is set to return.

If this wasn't enough, Reznor has already revealed the new touring line-up that will see action later in 2013 and on into next year. Currently the band includes Reznor, Eric Avery [Jane's Addiction], Adrian Belew [King Crimson], and Josh Eustis [Telefon Tel Aviv], as well as previous NIN collaborators Alessandro Cortini and Ilan Rubin.

Here's what Reznor had to say:

“Nine Inch Nails are touring this year.“I was working with Adrian Belew on some musical ideas, which led to some discussion on performing, which led to some beard-scratching, which (many steps later) led to the decision to re-think the idea of what Nine Inch Nails could be, and the idea of playing a show. Calls were made to some friends, lots of new ideas were discussed, and a show was booked - which led to another, which somehow led to a lot of shows.
“The band is reinventing itself from scratch and will be comprised of Eric Avery, Adrian Belew, Alessandro Cortini, Josh Eustis, Ilan Rubin, and me. The first shows will begin this summer, followed by a full-on arena tour of the US this fall, and lots of other dates worldwide to follow through 2014.
“Lots of details and dates to come. See you soon.”

Trent's other project How To Destroy Angels which sees him collaborating with his wife Mariqueen Maandig as well as Rob Sheridan and Atticus Ross will release their début, album 'Welcome Oblivion' on March 5^th via Colombia Records, and will be playing the following live dates:

4.13 las vegas, nv
4.17 monterey, ca
4.18 san francisco, ca
4.19 indo, ca [coachella]
4.21 denver, co
4.23 chicago, il
4.25 toronto, on
4.27 boston, ma
4.28 wellmont, nj
4.29 new york, ny

For more information on Nine Inch Nails, please visit the officialwebsite.

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Interview: NUDE

Living on a plastic planet...

"We recorded all our parts while sipping cappuccino and eating pizza capricciosa"

Italian born NUDE aren't your usual rock 'n' roll band. For them it really is all about the music, not Jack Daniels and groupies, and although the last album was released ten years ago they haven't lost their drive to create something people want to listen to. Frontman Tommy Box talks to Lenore about the trials of record labels and a band's desire to play live more than anything else.

IVM: Your last album was released more than ten years ago, why did it take so long to record and release Plastic Planet?
TommyBox: We started the album A few years ago. The band was in a static condition. We had lost our record deal and we weren't all in the same band anymore. In fact me and the guys were all involved in different musical projects. In the meantime, we were waiting for a record label to help us release “Plastic Planet” because we didn't want to sell a self-produced album; and finally My Kingdom Music came along, and decided to publish it and save it from an obscure end!


IVM: How has the band changed in the time and what have you all been doing in those years?
TB: The band only stopped for 5 years, actually. We did some gigs without publishing anything. Clearly we have grown up, our tastes have changed since then. During the time that we didn't play together, we were busy with other bands, working in the studio. For example, me (TommyBox, vocals) and Marco Mauss (Keys), created an electro-dandy duo called Costume and have recorded a couple of albums. One of them with an English producer Steven Jones and a New York singer Donna Destri (Blondie, Ramones), entitled Empire State Neon. On the other side, Fabio (guitar) with Nicolas (drums) restarted their power-metal band Heimdall and Antonio (bass) has, strongly, played on various hard-core bands.


IVM: Was it difficult returning to the studio?
TB: Not really! Fabio, the guitarist, has a fantastic recording studio called Sonic Temple, with all the things a band could ever want and need! Calmly we recorded all our parts while sipping cappuccino and eating pizza capricciosa. The studio is in the country side, on a hill so you have a beautiful landscape too... just at night it is a bit scary!

IVM: Do you find the industry and scene supportive in Italy to your style of music?
TB: Unfortunately the situation is not the best! I think it's like that everywhere, with the sales crisis. Record labels produce, exclusively, commercial music that gives safe and immediate gains.
But that does not stop us, to play and realize our music.


IVM: You said that the band really wanted to tour abroad after recording the first album, do you have plans to tour following Plastic Planet?
TB: We hope our new album will reach the sales of the first one ('Cities And Faces'), a work that has given us great satisfaction, especially on the North European market. We have cancelled so many foreign gigs in the past, due to problems inside the band. In fact, we didn't go on a US-Mexican tour. It was organized by our Mexican label, that released and distributed the album in the States. It caused us so many sorrows... but we hope this time things will be different!


IVM: You have some iconic bands listed as your influences, how do you look up to big bands and still retain your own sound when writing music?
TB: The musical influences are part of a musician's cultural baggage. The Nude experiences and tastes are metal too. We are all great listeners of power-metal, brutal-core ... and more! even punk, hardcore, electro and new wave. Although we feel inspired by certain groups who have made big these styles, while composing, we don't ever try to recreate their atmospheres. Inevitably a few chords and tunes could recall our teen passions but doesn't the same thing happen to Lady Gaga that reminds us of Missing Persons and Madonna or Coldplay that remind us of U2 and Modern English?


IVM: Are you surprised at the critic's reaction to Plastic Planet or did you always know the album was as good as they are all saying?
TB: What do you think about it? Does it sound good to you? Is there a song that grabbed your attention? I think the album is really glamorous. It is quality rock, stylish, played with love, spontaneous and without frills. When you listen to the CD carefully, it sounds energetic, not-artificial, even though full of electronic sounds. This is what I want and what people have to listen to nowadays, the right mix of rock, pop with a dash of dance!

IVM: Finally have you begun the follow up album?
TB: No, not yet ... too soon! ... all we want to do now is promote "Plastic Planet", trying to play live as much as possible ... would you like to let us play in your town? Visit our Facebook profile! www.facebook.com/plasticplanet2013

'Plastic Planet' is available now from My Kingdom Music. Read the review here. For more info visit the bands website

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Android Lust release free cover of 'Cemetery Girls'

Android Lust's Shikhee D’iordna has announced her first cover song since her version of Bauhaus' 'Slice Of Life' on her 1999 remix album 'Evolution'.

The cover of 'Cemetery Girls', originally by Schoolyard Heroes, is available to download now for free from the Android Lust Soundcloud page.

Here is what Shikhee had to say about the song.

“I just recorded my first cover since doing 'Slice of Life' on 'Evolution'. It's been a while. This one was picked by a Kickstarter donor as part of a reward tier. The track is 'Cemetery Girls' by Schoolyard Heroes. I gave it a rather old school industrial treatment. It's a free download from my soundcloud.”

For more information on Android Lust and the current album 'Crater Vol. 1' please visit the official website.

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More acts announced for WGT 2013

The confirmed bands are coming in thick and fast for the forthcoming Wave Gotik Treffan festival.

Bands announced this weekend:

KMFDM , Alexander Paul Blake's Aethernaeum (world première), Lux Iinterna, Nachtgerschrei, Leaether Strip, In Strict Confidence, Formalin and Hautville. 

The artists will join a line-up that already includes Abney Park, Hecate Enthroned, Predominance, Bloody Dead & Sexy, and Sutcliff Jügened.

The festival will take place this year from 17th May until 20th May. For more information please visit the official Wave Gotik Treffen website.

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Weekly Compendium 22.02.13

While Editor Sean (aka The Birthday Boy) takes the day off to celebrate getting a year older, I, once again, am in charge of this week's compendium, and it's one of the biggest yet!

We had news of albums, festivals and even radio shows from the shadows this week. Cold In Berlin announced a new single with a video and tour and  Melotron announced the release date for their latest EP 'Stuck In The Mirror'. Homegrown talent 'Partly Faithful' released a free download of 'Underset' which was nice too!

Reviews came in the form of Three Winter's new EP, Hocico's latest, new darkwave from Dperd and musical offerings all the way from Belarus courtesy of Kaltherzig.

Videos from Bogs Of Aughiska on the website and from Joe Black via our Facebook both darkened and brightened up our week

More free releases, this time from ambient-electro artist Steve Roach, festival news from the almighty Wave Gotik Treffen and radio news from The gothic fantasy author Neil Gamain gave us all something to look forward to.

That about does it! Cup of tea in hand I'm going to stalk Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy until they give me an exclusive preview of 'Neverwhere' live, in my frontroom. Have a fabulous weekend and we'll see you Monday.

Photo by David Moss Photography

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Review: Kaltherzig - 'The First Cold'

KALTHERZIG 
'The First Cold' 
BAT'LETH RECORDS 

This is another one of those releases that has been floating around for a while, well over a year in fact, but has only just popped up in the reviews tray. The début full length album 'The First Cold' by Belarusian trio Kaltherzig is an exercise in the kind of romantic electro-darkwave akin to the likes of Blutengel. However Kaltherzig's take is more measured and sombre sound that doesn't so much dispense with the dance beats but does downplay them somewhat.

The band fundamentally have a very pleasing sound combining haunting atmospheres with deep baritone vocals and catchy melodies. However they just don't quite have that kick to them that always seems to be hinted at but never actually materialises. This coupled with a relatively slow overall pace means that this album tends to feel quite sluggish, which is a shame as there are some genuinely strong songs here. 'Nameless Tomb', 'Funeral', 'Frigid Heart', and 'Pale Guest' all feature some brilliant melodies, pop hooks and toe-tapping beats while also managing to maintain a po-faced gothic credibility. However the most the song with the most dance floor potential is 'Inversion Of The Passion' with it's more up-tempo approach and good use of female vocals (which often feel a little mismatched on other tracks).

The instrumentation does feel a little out dated and overall the album sounds like it could have been composed in the mid-90s. Though the album's mix is perhaps the biggest culprit in dulling the band's effect. Despite the overall cold atmosphere, it doesn't really give the vocals much opportunity to really soar on the choruses and the music just feels flat and crowded throughout.

There is a lot of potential bubbling away under the surface here. A lot of the songs on 'The First Cold' are very well-written only to be ultimately constrained by a less than perfect execution. Though it is early days yet and more experience in the studio may yield a more rounded follow-up.

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Cast of Gaiman's 'Neverwhere' Revealed

Everyone's favourite goth author Neil Gaiman has got together with Radio 4 to turn his fantasy story 'Neverwhere' into a radio play.

'Neverwhere' was originally commissioned as a television series by the BBC in 1996 from the British born author, who later expanded it into a novel. It tells the story of a Londoner who becomes involved in 'London Below', a more sinister side to the Underground that is not visible to everyday people.

The cast have been confirmed with James McAvoy (X-Men, Atonement) to play lead role 'Richard Mayhew'. Other big names to star include Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch, Game Of Thrones Natalie Dormer, Sophie Okonedo from Doctor Who and David Harewood of Homeland fame. Christopher Lee and Bernard Cribbins are also set to make an appearance in what will undoubtedly become a cult radio series.

Written by Dirk Maggs (the pen behind new episodes of the Hitch-hikers Guide To The Galaxy in 2003) the first instalment is due at 6pm on Saturday 16th March on Radio 4. The following five episodes will be broadcast on digital station Radio 4 Extra from Monday 18th March.

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Review: Dperd - 'Kore'

DPERD 

'Kore' 

MY KINGDOM MUSIC 

Having been around for a decade now, the duo of Valeria Buono and Carlo Disimone have worked hard to craft the ethereal darkwave of Dperd. Their third release on My Kingdom Music, 'Kore', is a somewhat more introspective follow-up to their previous album 'Io Sono Un Errore '. The band's slow and dreamy style remains intact as does their penchant for mixing Italian and English lyrics, but the band have moved into a more limited and self-referential style of composition.

The band's core sound of haunting strings and melodic guitars coupled together with some fanciful piano melodies will still play to the tastes of fans of This Mortal Coil, The Cocteau Twins and Lycia. But the arrangements this time around feel more repetitive and lacking the adventurousness of their previous recordings. Emotionally the album is very evocative and melancholic, which should give it a cathartic edge, but the songs never feel like there is enough power behind them to make any sort of connection with the listener.

There are still some genuine stand-out songs though such as 'You'll Be Watching Me', 'Tree Song', 'Sono Qui' and 'Train Song' which all embody the band's true capacity for interesting song writing. But despite various flirtations with jazz, blues and orchestral styles and the unifying strength of Buono's vocals, the album never quite feels like it picks up, and instead just drifts on by.

In terms of production the album is very solid. The mix is nice and clear and all of the various instruments have a sense of space about them that really compliments the melancholic vocals. It has a very smooth texture about it that allows each song to effectively run into one another. However this, coupled with the repetitive style of drumming means that most songs struggle to assert themselves.

'Kore' is a very safe offering from the duo. And while it does tick all the right boxes by their own standards for what a Dperd album should be, it does lack a sense of individuality that takes any edge off what are some genuinely enjoyable songs.

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First artists confirmed for Wave Gotik Treffen 2013

The world famous Wave Gotik Treffen festival has announced the first acts that will be playing the event in Leipzig, Germany this year.

Artists announced so far: 

Sleeping Dogs Wake (who will perform 'Understanding' – a worldwide exclusive one-off show), Abney Park, Hecate Enthroned, Predominance, X-Improviso, Karin Park, Bloody Dead & Sexy, and Sutcliff Jügened.

The festival will take place this year from 17th May until 20th May. For more information please visit the official Wave Gotik Treffen website.

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Review : Hocico - 'El Último Minuto'

Hocico

'El Último Minuto'

OUT OF LINE

Cousins Erik and Oscar are back again with their seventh aggro-tech opus 'El Útimo Minuto'.  Based around a loose concept of the last music you hear before you die, released in December to coincide with the end of the Mayan cycle (that some morons believed to mean they’d predicted the end of the world…).

The ingredients are pretty much all there, eleven tracks of hard pounding electro, underlying apocalyptic synths and harsh vocals.

Granted, having Hocico written on a record is a seal of approval that the contents are going to be good, but it’s all becoming a bit formulaic. Nothing new or innovative here. Granted, it’s difficult not to dance along to the likes of ‘The Watcher’ or ‘Vile Whispers’ but neither of these are going to become classics.

OK, it’s unfair to be down on an album due to not containing classics, but moreso, in a scene dominated by the dance floor, it lacks even more than short-lived club hits.

Nevertheless, ‘El Útimo Minuto’ is packed with abrasive rhythms and pounding beats, the occasional spiked groove pierces through and prods you to dance and maybe it’s not full of long-lasting anthems but is still a competent release.

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Steve Roach releases free song 'Today'

Internationally renowned ambient-electronic artist Steve Roach has released a free song named 'Today' through his bandcamp page. Here is what he had to say about it:

“Recorded live Saturday morning Feb 16, 2013. Created with my mobile live - studio. I set up for a few days in the house I grew up at in San Diego, Calif.
The house is empty now, the memories of the past meet with today.
Hope you enjoy this gift to my friends of the music.”

To get your copy or to purchase other releases by Roach, please visit his bandcamp page.

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From The Bogs Of Aughiska release video of 'Hell Complex'

Irish Dark Ambient outfit From The Bogs Of Aughiska have released a previewl video for the song ‘Hell Complex’ featuring guest vocals by Mories [Gnaw Their Tongues], taken from their forthcoming album ‘Roots Of This Earth Within My Blood' which will be released via Human Jigsaw Records on March 18th 2013.

View the video here:

The band were also recently announced as main support for Zatrokrev’s London show, have now been added to all of Zatrokrev’s UK tour dates  - the five-date run kicks off at London’s Unicorn venue on 1st March and will finish at Colchester’s The Hole In The Wall on 8th March.

Live Dates::

Mar 1 The Unicorn, London, UK
Mar 3 Sticky Mikes Frog Bar, Brighton, UK
Mar 4 The Hairy Dog, Derby, UK
Mar 7 Scruffy Murphy's, Birmingham, UK
Mar 8 The Hole In The Wall, Colchester, UK

For more information on From The Bogs Of Aughiska, please visit their official website.

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Review: Three Winters - 'The Atrocities EP'

THREE WINTERS 

'The Atrocities EP' 

BELÄTEN 

The début EP from the trio of Kim Sølve [Blitzkrieg Baby, K100], Anders B [Babyflesh, Mind & Flesh] and Lars Fredrik Frøislie [Wobbler, White Willow] collectively known as Three Winters, is an intriguing listen. A mix of catchy synthpop melodies and coldwave atmosphere, it is at the same time dark and also uplifting.

The three tracks on offer here are from the band's forthcoming full-length album. And if these are anything to go by it will be a very interesting experience. The band could be best summed up as a mix between the atmospherics of The Soft Moon and the cinematic appeal of Moroder.

The opening song, 'Atrocities' is a pure instrumental comprised of minimal beats, haunting synth melodies and dark, cavernous production that blends the clinical with the catchy. The second song, 'At The Centre Of Dystopia', is for the most part a cold and mechanical sounding instrumental that briefly features some heavily vocoded Kraftwerk-esque vocals. Again it is a brilliantly executed and memorable song. The third original song, 'Aeon Surveillance' makes good use of hanging chords for a light and uncomplicated sound that builds on itself for a short, but sweet finale.

The four remixes courtesy Pseen, Aymeric Thomas, Mister and Th. Tot provide very individual re-interpretations of the source material, but nothing that doesn't compliment the originals. Though this EP may be filed under the “Thinking man's electro” category, Aymeric Thomas and Th.Tot still give us a glimpse of some dance potential.

This is a very promising EP that hints at great things to come from Three Winters. Their minimalistic and atmospheric approach to synthpop will be an instant his for ambient-electro, coldwave, witch house and anyone who owns the Moroder Metropolis soundtrack. It will be very interesting to see how this project progresses.

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Partly Faithful release free download of 'Underset'

London-based gothic art-rockers Partly Faithful have released a free download of the song 'Underset' from their forthcoming full-length album 'Lazarus Under Glass' which will released in the UK on 29 April, 2013.

The band recently previewed ‘Underset’ at London’s famous 12 Bar and it is the first song to feature guitarist Anouska Haze, who joined the band last summer.

The band have also release a promotional video to accompany the song featuring footage collated in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei by young film maker-musician Anouska Haze, which can be viewed below:

You can catch Partly Faithful live on the following dates:

23 February - Electrowerkz, Torrens Street, LONDON

9 March - The Unicorn, Camden Road, LONDON

4 April, Rattlesnake of Angel, Upper Street, LONDON

26 April - Mother Live, Old Street, LONDON (London album launch)

3 May- Venue tbc, BLACKPOOL

4 May - The Library, Woodhouse Lane, LEEDS

18 May - The Jericho Tavern, Walton Street, OXFORD

30 May - AAA, Kensington High Street, LONDON

For more information on Partly Faithful and to keep up-to-date on their forthcoming releases, please visit their official website.

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Melotron announce 'Stuck In The Mirror' EP

German electro-pop trio Melotron have announced their forthcoming EP 'Stuck In The Mirror' will be released on 9^th March 2013, via Out Of Line. The EP will be released as a limited edition of 1000 copies in hand numbered Digipaks.

'Stuck In The Mirror' will feature three brand new tracks, one remix and instrumental as well as a remake of their classic 'Folge Mir Ins Licht' that sees the band collaborate with soprano Lauren Francis.

Track List:

1. Stuck In The Mirror

2. Folge Mir Ins Licht (Melotron feat. Lauren Francis)

3. Erase

4. Angst Oder Wahn

5. Stuck In The Mirror (AndyK Remix)

6. Ohne Worte (Instrumental)

Melotron will also be supporting Blutengel on the following dates:

09.03.2013 Hamburg, Markthalle

10.03.2013 Losheim, Eisenbahnhalle

11.03.2013 Nürnberg, Hirsch

13.03.2013 Frankfurt/M., Batschkapp

14.03.2013 Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle

15.03.2013 Erfurt, Gewerkschaftshaus

16.03.2013 Dresden, Reithalle

06.04.2013 Berlin, Huxleys

To order the 'Stuck In The Mirror' EP please visit the Out Of Line webstore. For more information on Melotron and their forthcoming full-length album ' Werkschau', please visit their official website.

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Cold In Berlin's new single, video and tour

Post-goth outfit Cold In Berlin release their new single 'Take Control' today. The song is taken from the band's critically acclaimed second album on Candlelight Records 'And Yet', and is available as a digital download as well as standard CD.

You can view the single's accompanying music video here:

The band will also be undertaking a UK tour to promote the new single starting on February 20th at The Croft in Bristol.

Live Dates 2013:

20th Feb - Bristol, The Croft

21st Feb - Nottingham, The Chameleon

22nd Feb - Bolton, The Railway Venue

23rd Feb - Leeds, The Cockpit w/The Chapman Family

1st March - Bull & Gate, London

29th March - Riffs Bar, Swindon

30th March - Cavern Club, Exeter

23rd April - Shacklewell Arms, London

'Take Control is available through the usual retail outfits as well as the Candlelight Records webstore. For more information on Cold In Berlin please visit their official website.

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The Weekly Compendium 15/02/2013

It's Friday again my dark devotees and while the boss is away (read 'at a gig last night and too hungover to write the compendium') I'm in charge today!

It's been a week packed with reviews from industrial ebm to downright creepy electro we've got it all covered. We got our Europhile on and gave rave reviews to Poland's Controlled Collapse and France's Elastik on Monday. Tuesday saw new (re)release news from Deconbrio and 9th Evolution.

Wednesday saw more reviews courtesy of our fearless leader who checked out the Merciful Nuns and Gentleman Junkie (sounds like a kinky club dresscode to me). The Best Of British Industrial line-up was also announced and Intravenous Magazine are sponsoring the event! Support your scene and get an advance ticket now! Thursday we had album release news from Meinhard, and Beauty In The Suffering announced their debut single. A jam packed week!

Coming next week are reviews for KMFDM's new album and perhaps an interview (or two), as well as all the usual news and reviews from the darker side of life. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter for updates and interesting things over the weekend and we'll see you Monday!

Photo: David Moss Photography

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Beauty In The Suffering announce début single 'The Crazies'

Beauty In The Suffering, the newly launched electro-metal studio project from producer, multi-instrumentalist, programmer, and vocalist Dietrich Thrall (Marazene), have posted a studio update confirming that Dope/Team Cybergeist drummer Angel Bartolotta will contribute drums on at least one track called 'The Crazies'.

Following is the announcement on the band's official web blog:

"Very pleased to be able to announce that Angel Bartolotta of DOPE and TEAM CYBERGEIST is on board for at least one track that I am currently calling 'THE CRAZIES'. Have wanted to work with Angel for a long time and so I am VERY excited to hear the final results! As soon as we get them in our paws I get to go in and throw down guitar, bass, and vocals.'THE CRAZIES' is one of the tracks on my shortlist to formally introduce everybody to BEAUTY IN THE SUFFERING music. We're shooting for a Spring release so fingers crossed!”

Beauty In The Suffering recently announced that Chris Emery of American Head Charge had cut seven songs in a marathon fifteen hour drum session at Bell Labs Recording in Norman, OK on December 6^th, 2012.

Dietrich (pronounced Dee-Trick) is best known for his co-founding and co-visionary role in the industrial-metal band Marazene (later called Marazene Machine) based in Chicago.

For more information on the band and to keep up-to-date with with information regarding the forthcoming single, please visit their official website.

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Meinhard announce 'Beyond Wonderland'

Meinhard has announced that the forthcoming début album 'Beyond Wonderland' will be released on 15^th March 2013 via Out Of Line.

The album, Co-produced by John Fryer (HIM, Nine Inch Nails), conceptually revolves around the Lewis Carroll children's classic Alice's Adventure In Wonderland and will be available as both digital download and standard CD formats.

“'Beyond Wonderland' is a sonic chameleon that changes colour just that very moment you think you can put your finger on it all: a histrionic dance with Medieval Rock merges into Eighties-style Synth-Pop-tunes that shape-shift into Electro-Swing-butterflies while Art Rock and Glam are flirting with Dark Wave.”

Track list:I. Beyond Wonderland
II. Mr.White Rabbit
III. Falling!
IV. Nimmerwo
V. Sea of Tears
VI. Caucus Race
VII. ontopofthemushroom
VIII. Pig&Pepper
IX. CatNip
X. MaD aS A hAtTer
XI. (Mock)Turtle
XII. The Trial

Official music video for 'Falling!' by Meinhard, taken from the album "Beyond Wonderland". 2012, Directed and camera by Patrick Plischke for "besserdrei" and StellaNuova.

For more information on Meinhard, please visit the band's official website.

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Intravenous Magazine sponsors 'The Best Of British Industrial'

Static Distortion Records brings you 'THE BEST OF BRITISH' Industrial music, in association with Intravenous Magazine, Brutal Resonance and Juggernaut Services.

The mighty Uberbyte will descend upon London's legendary Slimelight on September 28th 2012 with the incendiary support of Cease2Xist, The .invalid & Digital Deformation for a night of hell raising live music showcasing some of the finest talents the UK has to offer.

You wanted new music...You wanted a rocking live show...You wanted the best...and now you have it!

Tickets are £7 in advance from www.staticdistortionrecords.co.uk and will be £10 on the door, and all tickets will get you access to the notorious Slimelight club after.

Advance tickets go on sale from the 1st March and if you order advance tickets before the 1st August, you will get a 10% Discount code for use in the Static Distortion Webstore!

ALSO, all Advance Ticket buyers will be entered into a prize draw to win a random prize once a month, so the earlier you buy, the better your chances of winning FREE STUFF :D

So what are you waiting for?

Support your scene, and support UK Industrial!!!

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Review: Merciful Nuns - 'Goetia V'

MERCIFUL NUNS

'Goetia V'

SOLAR LODGE

Artaud Seth and his Merciful Nuns seem to be on a relentless quest to flood the world with their own brand of retro-chic gothic rock. The band's output since its inception has been nothing short of prolific with a five albums and four EPs to their name since 2010's début 'Liber 1'. Now hot on the heels of last November's 'Goetia IV' comes the follow-up 'Goetia V'. Anyone would think the band are in danger of burning out. However they still reserve the right to play a card or two from up their collective sleeves.

'Goetia V' compared to it's predecessor is a very introverted affair. Whereas the previous saw the band in full on cult-gothic rock pomp and ceremony, 'Goetia V' instead revolves around a more dark ambient axis. The atmosphere is instantly recognisable as the Nuns with it's cavernous scope. But the guitars, drums and bass take more of a back seat than usual. In their place, the baritone voice of Seth is joined by more prominent droning synthesizers, ethereal samples and haunting pianos. The album does have it's rockier moments but they are for the most part more subtle, save for 'The Maelstrom' which hangs on to it's driving beat.
Though the album tips things in favour of the band's progressively orientated side, long-time fans of the band will have no trouble digesting tracks such as the excellent three-part movement that is comprised of 'Dark Water', 'The Lake' and 'Wailing Wall' or the nine-minute finale of 'Resting Deep Under Dark Water'. What lies between though is still a very cohesive and catchy collection of songs that doesn't once betray the quick turnaround between albums.

With each album the band get more self-assured with their vision as well as their execution. Their penchant for interesting, mystical and progressive music has put them on the international map and, despite their rabid release schedule, they are still finding new ways to shake-up their sound. It will be interesting to see what other tricks the Nuns have in store.

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Review: Gentleman Junkie - 'Soul To Soul'

GENTLEMAN JUNKIE 
'Soul To Soul' 
NEGATIVE GAIN PRODUCTIONS 

The Los Angeles based duo of Ed Korn and Nabil Kaseem finally make their label début with 'Soul To Soul', a hefty collection of eclectic electronica taking in industrial, ebm, punk and ethnic tinged influences to create a rich and diverse first offering. Gentleman Junkie promise a thoughtful and yet dance-friendly formula, and it seems that they have delivered this in abundance here.

The band mix strong hooks and driving dance beats as standard, but are not afraid to shake things up. For example the variety of Korn's vocal performances which range from clean and powerful  pop to Kraftwerk-esque robotic. Songs such as 'Holy War', 'Killing Time', 'To Be The King' and 'The Knife' all ooze club  hit potential and are at the same time ideal for solitary listening with their emotive lyrics. However the album's crowning glory is the sumptuous Depeche Mode meets Kula Shakr blend of western electronics and Indian rhythms on 'Shivoham'.

It doesn't all quite go according to plan though as seen on the opening track 'No God' which, as good as each component part is, just doesn't quite seem to sync up. Some of the samples as well don't really add that much the songs and feel somewhat superfluous as a result. Yet the sheer quality of the song-writing on 'Soul To Soul' is more than enough to see them through the infrequent shakey patches.

This is a well written, well preformed and well produced début that will sure to have a lot of people talking. There are the odd few faults but they are minor, infrequent and do not detract from what is a very strong first outing for the band. Throw in some great (and very different) remixes by top names such as Assemblage 23, Kervorkian Death Cycle, Naloiv and A Brilliant Massacre for good measure and it seems assured Gentleman Junkie will be on a lot of club play lists this year.

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