In 2023, LORD OF THE LOST solidified their rise with a notable presence at the Eurovision Song Contest and a tour with IRON MAIDEN, launching their ambitious Opvs Noir trilogy, which features guitarist Benjamin "Benji" Mundigler. Their latest release, Opvs Noir Vol. 1, explores darker themes, showcasing a blend of gothic rock and melancholic melodies, while also balancing upbeat tracks. Despite moments of brilliance, the album’s inconsistency in tempo and style highlights its transitional nature as the band navigates a gritty artistic direction. As they embrace a darker aesthetic, how might the shift in musical style influence their fanbase’s expectations,…
Author: Ritualcontrol
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I’m excited to unveil the cover for Horror Sacri, my new Darkwave album, capturing themes of reverence and decay through the haunting lens of photographer Márta Sándor. The artwork, featuring a weathered statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, encapsulates the album’s exploration of memory, trauma, and the tension between the sacred and the profane. With eight tracks blending progressive metal and atmospheric elements, this personal release invites listeners to confront their own inner ruins. What role do you think visual art plays in enhancing our emotional experience of music, and how does it influence your interpretation of an album’s themes?…
Author & Punisher is set to release their latest album, Nocturnal Birding, on October 3, 2024, coinciding with the project’s 20th anniversary and a European tour. Driven by themes of resilience and injustice, Tristan Shone draws inspiration from birdsong, merging natural rhythms with his signature industrial sound. The lead single "Titanis," featuring the Indonesian duo Kuntari, exemplifies this blend, while the album is dedicated to those who lost their lives at the U.S./Mexico border. As the band embraces fresh influences with new members and collaborators, it raises questions about the role of art in addressing social issues. How can the…
A Primitive Evolution has unveiled a music video for "Dark Skies," a track from their 2018 album Becoming. The video combines band performance footage with archival clips, showcasing themes of apocalypse and survival amidst despair, particularly poignant as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. Frontman Brett Carruthers emphasizes the relevance of the imagery in reflecting contemporary global fears. The band is set to perform on August 16 in Toronto, and is currently working on new material following their recent Ace of Spades EP. Given the current state of global uncertainty, how can art and music serve…
Hold Me Down’s upcoming album, Devour, set for release on September 5 via Sentient Ruin Laboratories, marks the band’s evolution into deeper industrial and metal territories. The lead single, "Living Meat," showcases corrosive rhythms and distorted vocals that explore themes of alienation and dehumanization in a digital age. This sophomore effort follows their 2022 album Powerless and the 2019 demo, with Devour conceptually addressing the inner dismantlement of humanity within an increasingly synthetic landscape. Given the album’s focus on the impact of digitalization on human identity, how do you think our own experiences with technology shape our sense of individuality…
Japanese rock quintet coldrain has just released a new single, “Chasing Shadows,” along with a music video directed by Masaki Watanabe. The song captures the band’s signature fusion of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks, exploring themes of personal truth and understanding amidst adversity. Vocalist Masato emphasizes the importance of connection, encouraging listeners to keep moving forward even in challenging times. “Chasing Shadows” is out now, just in time for their upcoming tour in Germany and a broader U.K. and European tour later this year, leading up to their Optimize EP. Given the band’s focus on understanding and exploration in challenging…
The new Darkwave album delves into Western spirituality’s fractured essence, blending classical influence with progressive metal across eight haunting tracks. It uniquely navigates themes of faith, despair, and existential struggle, portraying brokenness as a pathway to dignity rather than failure. With moments of reckoning and introspection, it challenges listeners to confront their spiritual anxieties and search for hope amidst chaos. What might it mean to find dignity and sanctity in our own struggles and “collapses,” and how can music serve as a vessel for this exploration? Read the Full Article
AFI has announced their twelfth studio album, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…, set to drop on October 3rd, 2023, via Run For Cover Records. The lead single, "Behind the Clock," features a music video directed by Gilbert Trejo, capturing the raw intensity of Davey Havok’s songwriting. Fans can preview the album’s intriguing tracklist, which includes titles like "Holy Visions" and "A World Unmade." With AFI consistently evolving their sound and themes, how do you think their musical direction in this album reflects societal changes or personal growth compared to their earlier work? Read the Full Article
Summary: On May 1, 2025, the German band Lifetaker released their EP Herbsthunde, marking a significant shift in their sound from aggressive Deathgrind to a darker, more industrial and electronic style. Previously known for their relentless blast beats, the trio has adapted to the departure of their drummer by incorporating electronic percussion. Their exploration of industrial tones, noise elements, and a switch to German lyrics enhances the eerie atmosphere of the EP. Tracks like "Schattenkabinett" and "Alpha Centurio" highlight a mix of blackened industrial and darkwave influences, showcasing vocalist Konstantin’s versatile delivery. This album represents a natural progression aligned with…
Pete Bentham & The Dinner Ladies return with their vibrant album Art, Religion & Chocolate Biscuits, blending playful punk energy with introspective lyrics. The record navigates nostalgia, personal struggles, and social commentary, from childhood memories to adult frustrations, all while maintaining a melodic charm. Tracks like "Shed" and "Mermaids In The Mersey" evoke heartfelt memories, while "Lie Down" addresses the weight of mental fatigue with poignant honesty. This album is a rich tapestry of smiles and serious reflections, making it a standout of the year. How can balancing humor and serious themes in art deepen our connection to personal narratives…