On July 3, London-based alt.-queer artist Ray Noir released “Dead Valentine,” a single that heralds his upcoming EP, Against the Machine. Co-written with Madeleine Wood, the track blends late ’90s and early ’00s industrial and rock vibes, depicting themes of revenge and obsession in a toxic romance. Noir describes it as a “venom-laced love letter” to those who’ve betrayed him. The song, produced by Jon Cass, features guitars by Maxine Cahell and backing vocals by Evan Mansell, and is accompanied by a visually striking video directed by Maximum Perou. Following his previous singles, Noir is set to perform with Pretty…
Author: Ritualcontrol
Norwegian noise rock duo Årabrot has unveiled the music video for their new single "Pedestal," serving as a preview of their upcoming album, Rite of Dionysus. This album, produced by Alain Johannes, captures a unique moment in time and explores themes of loss and introspection. Frontman Kjetil Nernes describes the song as a slow-burning, meditative track that evolves through collaboration with Karin Park and Johannes. The video, directed by Corentin Schieb, premiered on July 4 and features choreography by Elodie Guillotin. Rite of Dionysus is set for release on August 29, with pre-orders available now. Given the band’s experiences during…
After a 12-year hiatus, Slovakian post-punk and deathrock band Hysteric Helen has released their sophomore album, Chapter Two, marking a significant return for the group. The album includes singles like "Estrangement of the Ordinary," "The Junkie Family," and "Jalapeños B*tch," and debuted on July 1, 2023, through Hysteric Helen Records. Founded in 2000 as Helplines, the band has evolved over the years, with key members like Ms. Valentine leaving after their debut album. Now primarily powered by Dirty77, the band continues to carve out its unique sound in the music scene. Given the long gap between albums and the changes…
New England’s Snowbeasts and Arizona’s Solypsis have announced their latest collaboration, Extinction Burst, set for release on July 11. This marks their fifth partnership in as many years, with the 10 tracks blending Snowbeasts’ atmospheric soundscapes and dark ambient beats with Solypsis’ industrial textures and rhythmic noise. Following 2023’s Firelands, this album showcases their evolving synergy since they first collaborated in 2020. Between albums, they’ve also released singles, remixes, and covers, demonstrating their prolific creativity. As musical landscapes evolve, how do you think the fusion of distinct genres like post-industrial and experimental noise influences the listener’s experience and the overall…
AURI has unveiled a captivating new music video for their track "Museum Of Childhood," drawn from their forthcoming album, III – Candles & Beginnings, set to release on August 15 via Nuclear Blast Records. Band member Johanna Kurkela describes the single as a journey through the "enchanting realm" of imagination and nostalgia. Pre-orders are now available, and fans can catch the music video online. What themes do you think the "Museum Of Childhood" explores, and how do you feel nostalgia influences artistic expression in music? Read the Full Article
Washington, DC’s avant-garde post-punk band Zabus is set to release its fifth studio album, Whores of Holyrood, in August. This follows their recent work, the Shadow Genesis EP, which features stripped-down blues influences that founder Jeremy Moore sought to capture. The lead single debuted on June 29, with an accompanying video released shortly after. Zabus has actively experimented with various sounds, with their music available on Bandcamp for a pay-what-you-want model. Moore’s diverse projects, from industrial noise to ambient soundscapes, reflect an evolving creative landscape. Given Moore’s intention to strip away preconceived notions with their new album, how do you…
Grahm Eberhardt and Wade Saathoff of Mayhem Lettuce present their ninth studio album, OOPS! All Robots, diverting from Lovecraftian themes to a more light-hearted, playful vibe. The album, intended for all ages, blends new and unreleased tracks focusing on the whimsical adventures of Eggface, a character from their early recordings. It’s a reflection on the entertaining and sometimes frustrating nature of robots, with themes ranging from friendly household machines to killer androids. Following their previous work, the band continues to explore diverse narratives and creative expressions. Thought-Provoking Question: How does the playful approach to themes like robotics in OOPS! All…
Artoffact Records is set to release the Sugar & Violence EP, a collaboration between Louisahhh and Helsmoortel, on September 12. The opening track, "What I Want," blends rave-inspired techno with Louisahhh’s intense, poetic lyrics that explore themes of yearning and danger. The collaboration blossomed from mutual admiration, resulting in an organically grown EP featuring three original tracks and dub mixes. This follows both artists’ recent projects and showcases their aligned creative processes. Thought-provoking question: How does the convergence of different musical styles in collaborative projects influence the emotional and thematic depth found in their lyrics, as seen in Louisahhh’s work?…
Réal Cardinal and Alex Reed, both artists who haven’t released new albums in over five years, are set to collaborate on a single titled "The Less You Know," alongside Comaduster’s "Way with Me." This two-track offering is part of the upcoming album Memory Echoes, exploring themes of loss, trauma, and identity after a cosmic event. The single was released on July 4 and is available on Bandcamp, with Memory Echoes scheduled for August 14. This marks a significant return for both artists, with Cardinal last heard from in 2019 and Reed in 2020. Given the deep, thematic content surrounding loss…
LORD OF THE LOST has unveiled a new music video for their track "Ghosts," featured on the upcoming album OPVS NOIR Vol. 1, releasing in August via Napalm Records. The song showcases a collaboration with acclaimed cellist Tina Guo, who praised the creative synergy during the project. Vocalist Chris Harms expressed excitement about performing live with her in the future. What impact do you think genre-blending collaborations like this have on the evolution of metal music? Read the Full Article
