Dead Neanderthals - Ordo Dracul Demo (2023)

Ordo Dracul Demo is not the latest Dead Neanderthals release, but my favourite among their recent stuff (but I haven't checked the new one they just released this month). With Ordo Dracul they kept on exploring the possibilities opening by using synths, and this time they tried something in a dungeon synth vein. Otto Kokke playing the synth, Marlon Welterink playing bass, and Rene aquarius on the drums, as usual. The second track is nice trippy and low-fi dungeon synth, but I think the most memorable of the two tracks is the first one with his awesome drum beat. Simple and repetitive but heavy as hell. Very special and more "catchy" than what they usually do. I recommend everything they did, but I especially enjoy this one!

 

The BC page. 

 

Four Stroke Baron - Data Diamond (2024)

Been thinking for a long time about reviewing their previous album Classics (which I recommend, as a nice "guilty pleasure"), but now they're releasing a new one, Data Diamond. So I'm reviewing their new stuff (even if maybe I prefer Classics).  Four Stroke Baron is an American duo with a daring approach to songwriting, often walking the fine line between genius and bad taste. Their music could be described as a kind of mix of Deftones and Depeche Mode, with maybe a bit of Faith No More for some added craziness. I don't like every moment of the album, but I keep going back to it (like with their previous one before). Will you dare to try it ? 

 

The Bandcamp page. 

 

 

frett - notwo (2023)

notwo is the second album from frett, still released by ant-zen records, still with a synth-wave and death industrial basis, but this time with more EBM, more melodies and tracks more structured like songs, giving it an industrial rock feel. Quality stuff in any case.

The BC page.

 

Dreadcore - Schematics (2019)

Schematics, by Norwegian producer Dreadcore is not exactly new, been released in 2019. Won't do for your "end of the year list", sorry, but if you enjoy nice and dark drum and bass music it will do fine. Six short tracks, ometimes more in an atmospheric synthwave vein, sometimes more nervous jungle. Good stuff.

The BC page.

 

Teeth of the Sea - Hive (2023)

As usual, Teeth of the Sea manage to surprise the listener with its new album Hive (inspired by a Frank Herbert story). This time their synth driven progressive rock with trumpet (yes, trumpet. Think Miles Davis or The Mars Volta, not mariachi...) goes again into Pink Floydian and krautrock territory, but also totally synth-wave moments, and even a NINesque track. Awesome stuff. Heavily recommended!

The BC page.

 

Dead Neanderthals - Click (2022)

Click is the fourth albumin a raw as a drums/synth duo for Dead Neanderthals. Seems Otto Kokke is not inspired by his sax any more these days, at least with DN. But that's OK since they keep on releasing good albums. Click is a long and hypnotic piece of kraut/noise/drone with a dark/disturbing feel (their previous album Metal with its drums/synth atmospheric black metal was interesting as well). Good stuff as usual from Dead Neanderthals. 

The BC page.

Botanist / Thief - EP0 Cicatrix / Diamond Brush (split 2021)

 

EP0 Cicatrix / Diamond Brush is a strange split with two strange musical entities, what they have in common is that both are mostly one-man projects, and also that the one doing Thief have been a live musician for Botanist. But both are really different. Botanist is floral themed black metal with only drums, vocals, and hammered dulcimer, unique and excellent, while Thief is more electronic music oriented with elements of synthwave, bits of trap metal and hip-hop, and choirs and spoken words that could remind Zeal and Ardor. For the first time with live drums and guitars in this split. A mix a bit disturbing at first but don't run, the result is actually very good.

Recommended!

The Bandcamp page

 

Nun Gun - Mondo Decay (2021)

Nun Gun is the collaboration of photograph Brad Feuerhelm and two Algiers members, Lee Tesche and Ryan Mahan, the album cassette Mondo Decay is the companion of a post-industrial decay themed photograph book of Brad Feuerhelm. The music is a mix of modified giallo soundtrack, synth-wave, dub, hip-hop, trip-hop. With featurings from a few vocalists (the track with Mark Stewart is especially awesome). Loved it from the beginning and listen to it every day (sometimes more than once). Easily one of the most interesting and best album for this year. I can't recommend it enough.

The Bandcamp page.

 

Frett - The World as a Hologram (2020)

This is a solo album from Maciek Frett (of Job Karma and 7jk and an organizer in the Polish industrial scene). The World as a Hologram could be described as an analog mix of synth wave and death industrial, with a bit of spoken / screamed vocals. It's released by ant-zen but maybe wouldn't sound out of place either in the Cold Meat Industry catalog. Excellent stuff.

The BC page.

 

Retrograde Youth - Mass Asphyxia (2020)

Mass Asphyxia is the first album (after some EP's) from Retrograde Youth. It's mostly synth based, combined with EBM / industrial tech beats, creating a dark futuristic atmosphere through and through. Good stuff.

The Bandcamp page.

Sacramence - Cremations (2017)

Sacramence is a duo from the US that evolved from black metal in their first releases to industrial music nowadays, Cremations is their second album, released in 2017, and it's an excellent mix of rythmic noise/industrial techno and synthwave, with a different dosage of nosie or synth in each tracks, some tracks more melodic or quiet, some tracks harsher, but it's good whatever direction they take. Good stuff!

The Bandcamp page.