The new album Glimmer came out in April, but right now I am going to drag your attention to Lunar Paths’ single release “A Star At Dawn.” It dropped in March for the duo of Diane Dubois and Kevin Hunter, and I think it deserves its own time in the moonlight. A depth to the electronics, an undercurrent of something ancient in the Middle Eastern lilt of the vocals and instrumentation, while the drums pick their way on the odyssey. Like Venus at the end of night, Dubois‘ vocals light the way and are a bridge between the past and present. Lunar Paths are masters of intertwining darkwave with wor ..read more

Now here is a conundrum…. Washington based project Zabus has dropped two albums within three months of each…this year. Soooo, I have decided to showcase the latest release, The Future Of Death, which is out on the non-profit label Saccharine Underground. Jeremy Moore (Thee Rise Ov Sadistic Youth, Zero Swann, Garozde) started Zabus in 2023, joined by fellow musicians Peter Hallock (Garozde), Alkane Shimizu (Zero Swann) and, for this album, Jeroen Achterburg. By the way, is it just me or is the cover channelling New Order’s Movement? From the get go, there is the jangly guitar with reflective e ..read more

Arguably, Robots In Love is one of the best dark electronic rock bands in New Zealand right now, lead by front woman Elenor Rayner (vocals, synths, programming), with Alex Burchell (drums), Tony Lumsden (bass) and Brett Lemmon (guitar). These very experienced musicians have dropped the new single “Unbreakable” with two bonus remixes. A slow and purpose filled build up from the start, with the rumbling affirmation of the title, wrapped up in tendrils of a classical edge, enticingly liquid next to the unwavering, steeled vocals of Rayner. Of the two remixes, the first is the EBM remix by Rayner ..read more

From Athens, Georgia, you can find deathrock roaming wild in the form of Tears for the Dying. The band’s current line-up consists of original member Adria (guitars, synthbass, synths, vocals) and Mick (drums, additional guitar) and we thought we would check out the single “Dancing Dead Girl” off the album In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun. The beginning is reminiscent of Switchblade Symphony, delicate feminine vocals with ringing guitar work that tinkles down, and it mirrors that classic sound throughout. Entrancing in the extreme, the music flows mystically, and it leaving me wondering if th ..read more

Brisbane based dark rock band, Killtoys, isn’t+ looking for your approval and instead is bringing you a tale of a vampire love story in the form of the new single “My Confession.” Mick Bristow, Stav Tsolakides and Bevan Bancroft are our purveyors of this murky world of the undead. There is something very 80s post-punk about this track and possibly it is the big soaring jangle guitar that is so infectious, working in conjunction with the thumping rhythm section. An immortal soul in love with a human, unsure whether to leave her be or take her into the dark embrace so she might be his forever ..read more

Paul Devine is a wordsmith, a musician, a composer, a scholar, a historian and at heart a humanitarian. The single “Leader of the Free World” (2024) has been born from the stark reality that Donald Trump might win the next North American election, even though he tried to usurp the White House in a coup in front of the whole world and equally is one of the most sexist and slimy humans in the public eye, that has absolutely no remorse for anything he does or says. The thrumming bass and Devine’s snarled punk vocals, sneer at the propaganda of making America great again through guns, extreme Chr ..read more

California’s Bestial Mouths, headed by vocalist and lyricist Lynette Cerezo, has been creating their own style of industrial/synthpop infused music with a punk edge, since 2009. 2024 has brought with it the album BACKBONE, a seventeen track remix of songs off the 2023 studio release of R.O.T.T. (In My Skin), complete with an extraordinary guest list of artists. The lovely Lynette was kind enough to chat to us about BACKBONE, music and her influences, but also, maybe more importantly is her fearlessly pushing to prove that women, and especially ladies of colour are very much spearheading great ..read more

For those that remember the 80s, or are connoisseurs of goth/post-punk music of that period might be familiar with the band Siiiii, a UK band that sprung onto the scene from 83-86, with Paul Devine as the lead singer. Devine released his debut solo album called We Are The Compass Rose, the beginning of 2023 (you can read the Michel Rowland review here —-> https://onyxmusicreviews.com/2023/02/26/paul-devine-we-are-the-compass-rose/) and in October, he dropped a second album, titled ADHD. You know when the first instrument you hear is a deep, rolling bass, that you are in for something rathe ..read more

The album Crystalline was released in 2023 and spawned the intensely rich single “Bleached,” via the Norwegian and British collaboration of Antipole & Paris Alexander. US based musician, Mareux has taken “Bleached” and given it a 2024 remix treatment. MAREUX AND ANTIPOLE The low rumble of electronics perfectly showcases Alexander’s ghost in the machine style whispered vocals. The synths and programmed rhythms, sinuous in their way above the oppressive fuzzed undertones. There is an unease created with the mechanised mix by Aryan Ashtiani (Mareux), that slowly ignites and bristles with smo ..read more

Label Negative Gain has dropped the newest single “Necessity Meal” from Florida’s darkwave based Astari Nite, a follow up to their previous Thin White Duke inspired track, “Bowie In Daydream.” From the beginning, there is an air of tension, set by the stressed and wavering synths, matched by the keening guitar. The vocals tell a tale about not living up to expectations, having fears and even needing drugs in order to appear perfect. Those vocals lilt and melt over you with dark intent, while the drums power on. On first listen, the track feels off kilter, a loss of control is conveyed, and y ..read more