We’re four days out from Halloween, and we’re guessing that if you’re the sort of person who’s reading a preamble to a shmear of goth and industrial tracks you probably have a number of plans in the works for the coming festive weekend. For us it’s a big shmozz of club nights, house parties, pumpkin carving, and possibly watching the last game or so of the World Series on our Halloween dance card. We already did a loosely Halloween themed commentary podcast this month so we’re not going to get all gimmicky with this week’s Tracks post; if you stay spooky you don’t have to get spooky.
Bustié
Bustié, “Cruel Intentions”
Are we hearing the sound of latin freestyle being paired with classic EBM while the spirit of Rozz Williams holds valence? That can only mean that we have new music from the one and only Bustié, the nomadic project of Angie Padilla. It’s been a number of years since the project’s excellent Birds Of Paradise album, but no steps have been lost here as orch hits and marshily saturated synths act as a foundation for Padilla’s classically goth traipsing through temptation and desire. This should be a lay-up in any club, and is one of those cases where the scene has likely finally caught up with an artist who was ahead of the curve.
Echoberyl, “The Nightmare Queen”
Parisian duo go campy on their Hallowe’en single “The Nightmare Queen”, a club-friendly number that speaks to their strengths and the blend of classic and contemporary sounds they trade in. To the latter point, the band have always found a happy medium between classic continental versions of darkwave, while keeping the production and vibe pleasingly modern, so it can go off in the club without crossing over into pure body music or *gasp* techno territory. And hey, the addition of some theremin really puts this one over the top, a nice little nod to the song’s remit that brought a smile to our faces.
Alen Skanner, “Dysfunction”
If you still haven’t figured out that Alen Skanner’s releases over the last couple of years have effective been a cheat code for DJs who want to work in a little bit of modern techno flavour into their sets while still keeping roots body music purists happy, well, now you know. And if you are just learning about this, the latest single from the Spanish producer should get you on board right quick with its slick programming and immediate kicks with just enough grit.
Lizard Skin, “Maniacal World”
Lizard Skin, the PNW dark punk band (think The Birthday Party’s more manic and messy moments) are calling it quits. The project’s main connection to Our Thing is via their membership, which includes Mark Arciaga of Puerta Negra and Susan Subtract of Physical Wash, although the music is a far cry from anything that might suggest to you. Final EP Heave, and its opener “Maniacal World” is a deeply appropriate send-off, razor-sharp guitars, monster-vocals and all the off-kilter swagger that they’ve put over in their brief but potent catalogue.
Blu Anxxiety, “Beef with Rock N Roll”
‘Tis the spooky season, and who better to give us music for the occasion than NYC goth freestyle lunatics Blu Anxxiety. “Beef With Rock n Roll” is the act in all their gross-glory; there’s some snatches of raunchy guitar, samples galore, half-rapped-half-shouted vocals, and more lo-fi attitude than should be able to fit into the three minute run time. If you’ve never had the pleasure, well damn, no better time than the present to get your expectations for goth means and can mean to get melted clean away.
Sophrosyne, “A Death Worse Than Fate”
Speaking of lo-fi, spooky day-glo fun, UK digital industrial metal shitposters Sophrosyne have a new EP on deck which looks to continue their genre-mashing rampage. This teaser track links trap/post-witchouse to JRPG boss fight programming, and heavily processed guitar which connotes early 3Teeth and HEALTH. RIYL Bathory and old school MUDs.
