Browsing Tag

dark

I Know I Shouldn’t Need You: Sensational Leeds singer Pixia is addicted to the taste on ‘Pink Sugar’

Posted on 3 December 2021

After dazzling our minds on the exceptional single ‘If I’m On Your Mind‘, Pixia stuns our tastebuds with her brand new lip-loving release all about questioning why you miss that taste you shouldn’t like on ‘Pink Sugar‘.

Anna-Rose aka Pixia is a Leeds/Manchester, UK-based indie electro/dark-pop singer-songwriter who sings with such genuine beauty which warms up your whole consciousness to believe that anything is actually possible if you believe in yourself enough.

”” I originally wrote ‘Pink Sugar’ at 16 years old on acoustic guitar. The finished product has been inspired by a variety of influences: from new wave bands such as Japan and The Cure to contemporary female artists such as Melanie Martinez and LANA DEL REY. My range of influences inspired me to experiment with the sound of ‘Pink Sugar’ to create something pleasantly familiar, yet also very unique to my listeners.” ~ Pixia

Pixia is on top form with a stunningly propelled single that is sung with her signature sweetly-tipped vocals that somehow has your heart beating faster than you can ever remember, as she takes us into her angelic world of lust. She has a world-class ability that is unconditionally spellbinding and is one of the most alluringly classy singer-songwriters around.

‘Pink Sugar‘ from the scintillating Leeds/Manchester, UK-based indie electro/dark-pop singer-songwriter Pixia, is a quite brilliant single from an artist who seems to tingle your ears like no other artist around at the moment. Her lusciously expressive vocals and intelligently-created lyrics – are quite gorgeous and she shows us into this story about feeling sick – that you are still thinking about a former lover who you know isn’t good for your ravenous soul.

Hear this highly captivating single on Spotify and see more via her growing IG music account.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

PRESSURE inspect the sands of time in their rock ballad, AM I TOO OLD.

Posted on 10 October 2021
PRESSURE

The Stockholm-based powerhouse PRESSURE is set to drop their hard-hitting rock ballad, AM I TOO OLD, which tears through the self-doubt that starts to manifest in our mortal coil when youth has been lost. In true rock opera style, PRESSURE touches on raw issues veraciously while letting the atmosphere consume you in the intensity of the emotion.

I’ve lost count of the people that have come to me with ageism-inspired anxiety in the industry; the truth of the matter is that experience will be a better friend than youth ever was. I mean, you’ve heard of the Rolling Stones, right?

AM I TOO OLD is a stellar track, in every conceivable way. The theatrics of the track will take you right back to the time when we spent far too long thinking about what Meatloaf wouldn’t do for love.

AM I TOO OLD is due for official release on October 15th, 2021. You can hear it for yourself on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Money I’m So Hungry: Simulated Youth show us into the inglorious greed of the materialistic world with ‘Money in My Tummy’ (feat. Rielle)

Posted on 17 August 2021

Feeling like this is his best song yet and with a vital message that is so strikingly true, Simulated Youth remind us that being greedy doesn’t help anyone to be truly happy inside that glowing soul on ‘Money in My Tummy‘ (feat. Rielle).

Created by Zach, Simulated Youth is a dark trance act who is based in both Detroit, Michigan, and also Phoenix, Arizona. Bringing onboard New York-based singer Rielle has proved a real masterstroke, as her gorgeous vocals swirl brilliantly on this electric new single.

”This dark dance track is about greed and wealth obsession around the world.” ~ Simulated Youth

Made with a pure dance sound and avoiding any messy extras, this is a powerfully performed effort that seems to glide quickly into your mind. This is the story of urging so many to open up their wallets and to not let greed override their consciousness, as the world needs all the help it can get.

”I plan to expand “EDM” with a darker and more visceral aesthetic than what is so common, nearly cookie-cutter these days.” ~ Simulated Youth

‘Money in My Tummy’ (feat. Rielle) from the dual Detroit and Phoenix-based dark electronic artist Simulated Youth, is a quick-fire reminder – with a thunderous beat added in just in case we were snoozing – that this blood-soaked planet needs help and that by being overly materialistic, you are a big part of the problem.

With striking vocals that sizzles real hot into your burning speakers, this is a heart-stopping track that will have your ears shaking from this important message.

Hear this new track on Spotify and see what he gets up to next on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

That Extra Hunger: The Mantra Discord dive in with catchy debut single ‘Impressions’

Posted on 1 June 2021

As they pierce your frail speakers with a performance that will leave you awe-struck with emotions, The Mantra Discord craftily flow into our thoughtful minds with their first single called ‘Impressions‘.

The Mantra Discord is a super hungry instrumental/math-rock/experimental duo from the busy streets of Southern California.

With a supremely intricate start to proceedings, this is stacked full of wonderful guitar-driven solos that revs up your engine – this unique piece has you captivated by its every turn – as you feel like you are in a melancholic state of mind, full of darkness in your room, as you find the light again.

”What separates us from other math-rock bands is that we have included strings to give our music a fuller sound and different elements just looking to explore more melancholic melodies and darker atmospheres. We take influences from modern instrumental rock bands such as Chon, Polyphia, plini, Elephant Gym, and Covet, while also listening to other bands like the Fall of Troy and Oceans Ate Alaska to give a more darker and a little heavier fill to our music.” – The Mantra Discord

‘Impressions‘ from the highly creative Southern California instrumental math-rock duo The Mantra Discord, is a debut track that will have you feeling you have just listened to something so different from the rest. The high skill level of this motivated duo is a blessing to the ears, as they bring us a dazzling display of musicianship to remember.

Stream this brand new vision on Spotify and see more news via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Jason Potter paved the way to a spiritual journey with his sophomore album, ‘The Marriage of Celestial Things’.

Posted on 14 May 2021
The Marriage of Celestial Things by Jason Potter

Experimentally spiritual London-based artist Jason Potter has followed on from his 2020 debut album with the release of ‘The Marriage of Celestial Things’. With Gregorian chants meeting gothic inclination, the dark sermonic soundscapes may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Yet, anyone with the proclivity to delve into an exploration of the duality between damnation and salvation will want to bear witness to the subversive eight-track album.

The opening single, Creation, acts as a guide into the light within the arcane orchestral album; but it isn’t long before the haunting and evocatively striking tones pierce through the ambience in the neo-classic soundscape. With ominous spoken-word offerings, The Marriage of Celestial Things purposely disturbs as a method of awakening.

When fully immersed in the album, you can practically feel your tunnel vision widening as you’re drawn away from superficiality and forced to reconcile with the vastness of the universe and yourself.

While some artists fall out of the mainstream to make a point, perceptibly, Potter’s authenticity was something that he didn’t have to orchestrate.

The Marriage of Celestial Things is available to stream and download on Bandcamp from May 14th, 2021.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cucurbitophobia has made a phantasmal return with their chillingly dark Avant-Garde release “Exordium”

Posted on 6 July 2020
https://cucurbitophobia.bandcamp.com/track/exordium

There was no forgetting Cucurbitophobia after being introduced to their 2019 single “Requiem”. How could we ever forget an Ambient Avant-Garde artist whose chosen title is also the name of pumpkin phobia?

After the release of their latest soundscape “Exordium”, we couldn’t resist delving into the Neo-Classically artful tones once more. The instrumental score sets up the most phantasmal Waltz-style piano score which has ever crept into your ears. With a significant lacing of ethereal effects, you’ll feel like you’ve just been dragged around a ballroom by a poltergeist. Given that that’s (probably) never happened to you in real life, you’ll have to hit play to know what I mean.

Exordium is the opening title from Cucurbitophobia’s release “Dies Ferialis (Awakening the Lemurs)”. It serves to set the tone for a dark tale of ancient evil spirits wreaking havoc in a modern world to be told. Rather efficaciously may I add. Bring on the apocalyptic festivals and the walking dead.

You can check out Cucurbitophobia’s single Exordium which was released on June 5th for yourselves by heading over to Bandcamp.

Keep up to date with the latest releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Echoes Of Her looks inward with latest single ‘Reflections’

Posted on 6 June 2020

Solo rock artist Echoes of Her has released new track Reflections: a sombre, haunting dark and abrasive rock track. 

The sense of loneliness and despair is apparent with ‘Reflections’, and with vocal drawls drawing comparisons to the like of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder – Echoes of Her takes listeners on a dark, loud and grinding road. Not like many other releases on our calendar, it’s perhaps that melancholic guitar dread would be a suitable sub-genre for this style of emotional and highly affective rock.

If you’re into experimental rock with lots of howls, guitars and drama – Echoes of Her are well worth looking into with this latest release. Just don’t stand in the mirror too long. 

You can listen to ‘Reflections’ on Echoes of Her’s Spotify page here.

8udDha bl0od – L3<3lV:iVWh0m7h383ll70ll5;7h3F!n.:.l CUR<38.:.ll.:.?;G0.:5g.:.m8l!ngWi7h7h3 g0dD5:H3lR.:.i53R

Posted on 15 May 2020
https://soundcloud.com/william-orpen/l33l-v-4-wh0m-7h3-83ll-70ll5-7h3-fnl-cur38ll/s-2iTQYxoC2pU

While we’re used to beguiling doses of experimentalism when we delve into Alternative artist 8udDha bl0od’s tracks their recently released soundscape was chill-inducing.

If you could imagine the soundtrack to a Horror flick set in a Tibetan monastery, you’ll get a good idea of how their latest intensely atmospheric release L3<3lV:iVWh0m7h383ll70ll5;7h3F!n.:.l CUR<38.:.ll.:.?;G0.:5g.:.m8l!ngWi7h7h3 g0dD5:H3lR.:.i53R unfolds.

The effects used in release L3<3lV:iVWh0m7h383ll70ll5;7h3F!n.:.l CUR<38.:.ll.:.?;G0.:5g.:.m8l!ngWi7h7h3 g0dD5:H3lR.:.i53R would enamour David Lynch himself. 8udDha bl0od’s deft mastery over the art of spatial effects was palpable. From the opulent chiming of bells to what can only be described as akin to the sound of rusted chains being dragged across the floor, you’ll hear it all in this indulgently disconcerting piece.

You can experience L3<3lV:iVWh0m7h383ll70ll5;7h3F!n.:.l CUR<38.:.ll.:.?;G0.:5g.:.m8l!ngWi7h7h3 g0dD5:H3lR.:.i53R for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Unique Russian Quintet The BlueStocking return with new Rock/Dark Cabaret single ‘’Bulletinawallet’’

Posted on 13 May 2020

I’m so fascinated by ’The BlueStocking’. I’ve never quite heard a band like this before in all my 39 years of being on this planet. They are completely unique and their interestingly mysterious mesh of Prog Rock and Dark Cabaret, makes them a name to watch in this music genre.

‘The BlueStocking’ features the vibrant Kira Mikheeva on lead vocals and keyboard, Hellen Dergaus on drums, Kat Soloviev is on bass and backing vocals, Egor Gavrilin – saxophone and last but not least- Ilya Gorohvodatskiy completes the lineup on guitar.

The Russian group have pushed ‘’Bulletinawallet’’ as the lead single from their debut album, the recently released: ‘Algedonic’. The singing starts off powerfully and I feel like the band would have much success with their music in movies, as it fits in due to the dramatic feel and ever changing flamboyance. Subtle changes throughout to keep you on your toes is the name of the game here. This is perfect music to wake up the neighbors who kept you up the night before.

‘The BlueStocking’ describe themselves as ‘Three gals and one guy from Moscow creating progressive-aggressive-post-pop-punk-cabaret.’ The band take their name from an 18th century term for educated, critically-thinking women – absolute outcasts at the time.

Before our eyes is a group that is improving all the time and it will be interesting to see how they progress after playing more live shows. This is a solid effort from the newcomers who are expressing their creativity in a positive manner. I’m excited to hear what ‘The BlueStockings’ bring out next and have a feeling it will be full of maturing as the band works out what sound they want to project to the world.

Stream The BlueStocking here on SoundCloud

Review By Llewelyn Screen

Machinic Demiurge’s Dark Release ‘Mechanically Separated Human’

Posted on 16 September 2017

If there is one thing which connects the various reference points that Machinic Demiurge it is a dark, agitated claustrophobic vibe that comes from its hushed menace and hypnotic backbeats. It employs fractious industrial splinters, gothic otherworldliness, strange skittering dance beats and enigmatic bass riffs to create a Bauhaus-esque, horror movie soundtrack for a new generation.

Oddly for all its sharp, jagged edges and sense of impending doom, Mechanically Separated Human is strangely elegant in its oddness, after all you don’t have to understand beauty to appreciate it and to a legion of Goths, anarcho-punks, darkwave dancers and other denizens of the night, this will be one of the most beautiful records they have heard recently. To others it will be strangely enticing and to yet others it will be confounding and challenging and no matter where you stand on the matter you won’t forget it in a hurry.