GECKO SECTOR: The name
Gecko Sector has been appearing in and out within the scene in years past.
Behind the moniker is none other than Gerrit Thomas, the sound designer behind
Funker Vogt.
With singer and lyricist Stefan Winkel, he creates a multilayered electronic
cornucopia of pounding club sounds, dark atmosphere and catchy melodies.
Versatility is the very essence of “Enter”, the duo’s debut
album: Future Pop elements meet EBM, Dark Electro and dance floor anthems with
a harder edge… a massive bandwidth of songs that veteran synth buff Gerrit
has christened with his rich, synthetic cinemascope sound. Release date: May
25, 2012.Tracklisting: 1. Alien Invasion 2. Stroboscope 3. X-files Of My Life 4. Recall 5. Second Face? 6. TV Conspiracy 7. Soul Bleeding 8. Mindless Love 9. A Million Hours 10. Bulletproof? 11. Concrete 12. Phantom Pain
Link: OutOFLine
MEN WITHOUTS
HATS: 2011 saw the return of Men Without Hats with their "Dance If You
Want Tour" that brought their iconic hits "The Safety Dance" and
"Pop Goes The World" across Canada for the first time in 2 decades.
The Montreal New Wave group is excited to announce the May 22nd release of
their highly anticipated new album 'Love In The Age Of War' (out on Big Fat
Truck). This will be their first album in almost 10 years and features 10
original songs written by Ivan Doroschuk, including first single "Head
Above Water." The album, produced by Dave "Rave" Ogilvie (Skinny
Puppy, Marilyn
Manson), features Ivan (voice and electronics), his brother Colin Doroschuk
(vocals) as well as Lou Dawson (vocals and live keyboards) and James Love
(guitars). Tracklisting: 01. Devil Come Round 02. Head Above Water 03. Everybody Knows 04. The Girl With The Silicon Eye 05. This War (Intro) 06. This War 07. Your Beautiful Heart 08. Live And Learn 09. Close To The Sun 10. Love's Epiphany 11. Love In The Age Of War
Link: facebook
Apr 21, 2012
AND ONE: Nico,
Joke, Steve und Rick are back together for AND ONE V.4.0, and a new full-length
release "S.T.O.P". The album is available in a limited edition format
including an extra EP 'Treibwerk' with 6 extra songs. Douglas McCarthy of
Nitzer Ebb fame is featured on an album track and a bonus track, and Eskil
Simonsson of Covenant lands
his talent on the bonus track 'Low'. Release date: May 28, 2012 on Synthetic
Symphony.Tracklisting: 1) Shouts of Joy 2) Kiliing The Mercy 3) Memory 4) You Without a Me 5) Don't Get Me Wrong 6) Aigua 7) S.T.O.P. The Sun 8) The 4 9) Back Home 10) Everybody Dies Tonight 11) The End Of Your Life (feat. Douglas McCarthy, 'Nitzer Ebb') 12) No Words
"TREIBWERK E.P." (Bestandteil der Limited Digi-Pack Edition) 1) Get It! (feat. Douglas McCarthy, 'Nitzer Ebb') 2) H.A.T.E. 3) One And 4) My Mission 5) Low (feat. Eskil Simonsson, 'Covenant') 6) Dark Heart
Link: S.T.O.P
Apr 15, 2012
O CHILDREN: O.
Children are set to release their new album ‘Apnea’ through Deadly
People on May 28th. 'Apnea' was preceded by the free download track 'PT
Cruiser'. Since releasing their self titled debut in 2010 the band faced the
small problem of the UK government trying to deport lead singer Tobi, it
transpired the frontman had inadvertently over stayed his visa by 15 years.
While the legal battle raged, Tobi started suffering from a medical condition
known as Involuntary Apnea, this is an uncontrollable suspension of breathing,
which clearly influenced the albums title.Tracklisting: 1 Holy Wood 2 The Realest 3 Red Like Fire 4 Oceanside 5 PT Cruiser 6 I Know (You Love Me) 7 Yours For You 8 H8 City 9 Swim 10 Solid Eyes 11 Chimera
Link: PT Cruiser
ULTRAVOX: EMI are
proud to announce the return of
Ultravox with
their first studio album in 28 years. ‘BRILLIANT’ the brand new
studio album will feature the 80s line-up of
Midge Ure /
Billy Currie / Chris Cross / Warren Cann. Following on from the sold-out
'Return To Eden' reformation shows in 2009, the classic Ultravox line-up has
recorded a 12-track collection of brand new songs which will be released on May
28th ahead of a full UK tour in September and October. Emerging from the new
wave and electro scenes of the late 70’s,
Ultravox
fashioned a form of electronic rock music that was uniquely powerful and
delivered massive hits through the 1980’s. Brilliant’ sees Ultravox
expanding their classic sonic template and reminding us of their strength as
songwriters of the highest calibre. The track Brilliant will be released
as the first single.Tracklisting: 01.Live Again 02.Flow 03.Brilliant 04.The Change 05.Rise 06.Remembering 07.Hello 08.This One 09.Fall 10.Let It Lie 11.Satellite 12.Contact
Link: Brilliant
Mar 17, 2012
ASSEMBLAGE
23: Assemblage 23 presents Bruise, His most fully realized album to date.
From the opening electrical glitches of “Crosstalk” the tone of the
album is set. The juxtaposition of musical warmth and lyrical darkness of
“The Last Mistake”, the concussive rhythms of “Noise Inside My
Head” and “Darkflow” all lend to the overarching feel of the
album. With Bruise,
Assemblage
23 shows that Tom Shear is an artist at the top of his craft. A23’s
fans made this release one of the most anticipated of 2012, and Assemblage 23
has delivered the best album of his career. The special limited edition version
of Bruise features a bonus disc with the exclusive songs “Rain Falls
Down”, “God is a Strangely Absent Father”, and
“Reckless” in addition to remixes from Cesium_137, iVardensphere,
Daniel Myer, Grendel, and more. Release date: June 12, 2012.Tracklisting: 01. Crosstalk 02. The Last Mistake 03. Over & Out 04. The Noise Inside My Head 05. Outsider 06. Darkflow 07. Automaton 08. The Other Side of the Wall 09. Talk Me Down 10. Otherness
Link: Bruise
Mar 11, 2012
AND ONE: After
'Back Home' staying on #1 of German DAC Charts for a full 8 weeks, 'Shouts of
Joy' is the new single from
And One. 5
tracks including 2 exclusive non-album tracks that won’t get on the highly
anticipated album “S.T.O.P.” 'Shouts Of Joy' is sometimes quite
reminiscent of ‘80s
Tears For
Fears harmonies, yet modern, danceable and somehow brute at the same time.
Release date: April 20, 2012.Tracklisting: 01 Shouts of Joy (Club Mix) 02 Perfect White 03 S.T.O.P. was an Inside Job!!! 04 Back Home (Ohne Trix Mix) 05 Shouts of Joy (Stave Nagahani Mix)
Link: Shouts of Joy
Mar 03, 2012
ARCANA: Brainchild
of Peter Bjärgö, the legendary Swedish ethereal/neoclassical act
Arcana is back with a new release after four years of silence since their last
full-length, 'Raspail'. While 2010 saw the re-release of their first four
albums with The First Era 4XCD box set,
Arcana return
with a superb follow-up to their long tradition of awesome melancholic
melodies, a mini-CD titled 'Emerald' available on April 10, 2012. Longtime fans
will rejoice in these mesmerizing songs, and new fans will surely be conquered.
This mini-CD also serves as a prelude to their upcoming full-length 'As Bright
As A Thousand Suns', scheduled for a May 2012 release on Cyclic
Law.Tracklisting: 1.As The End Draws Near 2. A Cage 3.Precious Stone
Link: Emerald
EPICA: Epica return
with a new full-length album 'Requiem for the Indifferent'. The album title
refers to the end of an era and will take the listener on a journey through
brutal metal, sweet melodies, technical instrumental passages, theatrical
moods, epic orchestration, varying vocal ranges, catchy tunes followed by
complex songwriting. Once again,
EPICA produced
the new album along with Sascha Paeth (AVANTASIA, KAMELOT) at the Gate Studio
in Wolfsburg, Germany. 'Requiem of the Indifferent’ will be released on
the 9th of March 2012 (13th of March in the US) on Nuclear Blast, after which
the band will start promoting the album with a big production world tour.
Tracklisting: 1 - Karma 2 - Monopoly on Truth 3 - Storm the Sorrow 4 - Delirium 5 - Internal Warfare 6 - Requiem for the Indifferent 7 - Anima 8 - Guilty Demeanor 9 - Deep Water Horizon 10 - Stay the Course 11 - Deter the Tyrant 12 - Avalanche 13 - Serenade of Self-Destruction 14 - Twin Flames (N. American Exclusive Song)
Link: Requiem for the Indifferent
Feb 12, 2012
MERCIFUL
NUNS: Celebrating Goth rock the classic way with a modern twist, MERCIFUL
NUNS have risen to attention and acclaim in a very short time since their
inception. Only a few month following their third full-length album release
Xibalba III, Merciful Nuns return with a new EP 'Genesis Revealed' on March 16,
2012. They're easily handling all shades of the genre on there, may it be the
mid-tempo title track, building towards a driving smasher, the rhythm-driven
'Enlightenment', or the atmospheric ballad 'All Days Are Black'. Follow the
link below for a trailer of the new EP.Tracklisting: 1. Prediction 2. Genesis Revealed 3. All Days Are Black 4. Enlihgtenment
Link: MercifulNuns.com
KILLING JOKE:
Killing Joke – featuring the band's original lineup – will release
their new album 'MMXII' (2012) on April 2nd via Spinefarm Records / Universal.
The album will be released in CD hardcopy and digital formats. It will also be
released on double coloured gatefold Vinyl. The 11 album tracks are an
avalanche of sound that is empowering whilst jolting you awake.
‘2012’ is an end-of-time album that somehow finds moments of optimism
in the downward swirl of the planet. To celebrate the album’s release,
Killing
Joke will be streaming the track ‘Rapture’ as a taster on
YouTubeTracklisting: 1.Pole Shift 2.Fema Camp 3.Rapture 4.Colony Collapse 5.Corporate Elect 6.In Cythera 7.Primobile 8.Glitch 9.Trance 10. On All Hallow’s Eve
Link: KillingJoke.com, Stream: Rapture
Feb 05, 2012
ANATHEMA:
Anathema will return in April with Weather Systems, their brand new studio
album. Weather Systems is the follow-up to 2010’s "We're Here Because
We're Here". An album of polarity. The play of opposites; light and shade,
birth and death, love and fear. The simple truths of life and loss, hope and
strength and darker internal themes are all explored here. The album was
recorded in Liverpool, North Wales and Oslo, each place significant to
Anathema past,
present and future. The record was produced and mastered by 5 times Norwegian
Grammy nominated Christer-André Cederberg. "Weather Systems"
will be available on Kscope from April 16th 2012. Tracklisting: 01. Untouchable, Part 1 02. Untouchable, Part 2 03. The Gathering Of The Clouds 04. Lightning Song 05. Sunlight 06. The Storm Before The Calm 07. The Beginning And The End 08. The Lost Child 09. Internal Landscapes
Link: Anathema.ws
THE
STRANGLERS: The punk veterans will be release the album, which has been given
the title of 'Giants', on March 5, 2012. It is the band's first album since
2006's 'Suite XVI' and the 17th album of their career so far. The band have
also confirmed an extensive UK tour to go alongside the album's release,
playing a total of 18 shows across March. Tracklisting: 1.'Another Camden Afternoon' 2.'Freedom Is Insane' 3.'Giants' 'Lowlands' 4.'Boom Boom' 5.'My Fickle Resolve' 6.'Time Was Once On My Side' 7.'Mercury Rising' 'Adios' 8.'15 Steps'
Link: Stranglers.net
XANDRIA: German
female-fronted symphonic metallers
XANDRIA will
release their new studio album, "Neverworld's End", via Napalm
Records on Feb 27th 2012 in Europe and March 6th 2012 in North America. XANDRIA
in February 2011 parted ways with its singer of one year, Kerstin Bischof.
Manuela Kraller replaced her.Tracklisting: 01. A Prophecy Of Worlds To Fall 02. Valentine 03. Forevermore 05. Euphoria 04. Blood On My Hands 06. Soulcrusher 07. The Dream Is Still Alive 08. The Lost Elysion 09. Call Of The Wind 10. A Thousand Letters 11. Cursed 12. The Nomad's Crown 13. When The Mirror Cracks (bonus track)
Link: Xandria.de
Jan 21, 2012
SCREAM SILENCE:
Berlin-based, darkly tinged Alternative group Scream Silence release their
self-titled new album, their most ambitious and accessible work to date. The
gloomy, cinematic and melodic pomp of the quintet’s previous releases is
used as a point of departure for a versatile and mesmerizing sonic epos that
fuses elements of Gothic Rock, Indie Pop, Shoegaze, Progressive Rock, as well
as subtle electronic and Metal-influences to create a cohesive work of popular
art. Release Date: February 24, 2012, on Out Of Line.Tracklisting: Wayfare / 2. One / 3. New Flood / 4. Dreamer's Court / 5. Blushed 6. In These Words / 7. Surd / 8. Horizons / 9. Downside / 10. Days Of Yore 11. Solitude / 12. Cocoon
Link: Scream Silence, Video Stream: Dreamer's Court
THE EDEN HOUSE:
A new mini-album 'Timeflows' is released on February 27 2012 on digipak CD and
180g LP from this acclaimed gothic / prog rock band.
The Eden
House are based around the nucleus of former Adoration/NFD/This Burning
Effigy guitarist Steve Carey, ex
Fields of the
Nephilim bassist Tony Pettitt, and twice Grammy-nominated Pink Floyd sound
architect, guitarist Andy Jackson. This release also features
The Mission
guitarist Simon Hinkler guesting on lead track ‘Neversea’, alongside
vocalists Valenteen, Amandine Ferrari and Meghan Noel-Evans. Tracklisting: 1. Neversea, 2. Into The Red, 3. The Only One, 4. Timeflows Pt.1, 5. Timeflows Pt.2.
Link: Timeflows EP, Listen: Timeflows sampler
Jan 15, 2012
GRENDEL:
Renowned for the unorthodox and original use of orchestration, obscure samples
incorporated with harsh and pounding EBM structures, Grendel, (and its
mastermind VLRK) has perfected a unique spin on Aggrotech, and his previous
releases, such as 2002’s "End of Ages" EP, 2003’s
"Prescription:Medicide, Soilbleed" EP, and 2007’s "Harsh
Generation" all stand as scene favorites and still dominate dance floors
worldwide. In 2009, the "Chemicals + Circuitry" EP was written &
recorded and was a slight diversion from the band's familiar sound; this EP
found Grendel exploring different sounds and styles. After three long years of
silence, Grendel emerges from the studio offering up the all new album
"Timewave : Zero". With this new release, Grendel both returns to its
signature sound, and pushes aggrotech further into new territories, continuing
the bands tradition of delivering cutting edge Harsh EBM! Released on April 24,
2012 on Metropolis Records.Tracklisting: 01. Rise 02. Conflict Instigation 03. Timewave : Zero 04. EPR // EDP 05. Wheels In Motion 06. Out Of My Mind 07. Deep Waters 08. Neon City Lights 09. Chemicals + Circuitry [v.2012] 10. Fall
Link: Timewave : Zero
WUMPSCUT: The
master of evil electro, :Wumpscut:, returns, like every April, with a new
full-length release! One of the hardest working and most prolific artists in
the genre, :W:
mastermind Rudy Ratzinger presents his all-new electronic opus, the malevolent
beast 'Women and Satan First'. Released on April 10, 2012, on Metropolis
Records. The album will be preceded by the DJ promo CD: DJ Dwarf XII. As usual,
the album is available in a mulitude of formats from :W:'s website, to please
all diehard fans: box set, vinyl, + posters, hooded sweater,
etc..Tracklisting: 01. Hallelujah 02. Women and Satan First 03. Death Panacea 04. Kill That Little Fuck 05. Burial On Demand 06. Grobian 07. L'Enfer Noir 08. Blutsturtz, Baby 09. Cunnilingus Creutzfeuer 10. Kaufe Deine Seele
Link: Women and Satan First
Jan 14, 2012
AND ONE: AND ONE
are "Back Home", with an all new seven-track EP. And now there are
four of them... In addition to the return of Joke Jay and Rick Schah, Nico
"Tentacle Dieter" Wieditz, a new high-profile keyboard wizard and
co-producer, joined the gang. During the "S*xtron Tour 2011", Nico
already proved that it's possible to play 5 keyboards simultaneously without
getting into a bad mood. The new live recording of "High" was
interpreted by none other than the composer himself - Joke Jay - and in no
place less than Peine, Germany. Just before the EP ends with "Missing
Track" (a cover of "The Missing Band"), we hear two remixes of
the title track which once more emphasize
AND ONE's
philosophy: a remix is not really a remix until the original enviously sits
next to it! Release Date: 16th Jan 2012, on Synthetic Symphony.
Tracklisting: 01. Back Home (Club Mix) 02. Wounds 03. Rick 04. High (Live in Peine, The Original) 05. Back Home (Mixed Conditioner) 06. Back Home (Berlin Mixer) 07. Missing Track
Link: Back Home EP
FIELDS OF THE
NEPHILIM: EMI in conjunction with Sacred Symphony announce the release of
"Ceromonies", the long-awaited live album and DVD by Fields Of The
Nephilim. Subtitled "Ad Mortem , Ad Vitam" ('To Death, For Life'),
this release marks the closing of one chapter in
Fields Of The
Nephilim's history, paving the way for what is soon to come. As frontman
Carl McCoy says: "The 'Ceromonies' project is about crystallising a point
in time which embodies magical moments created by
Fields Of The
Nephilim. Having focussed on the live elements over the last few years this
represents a closure and regeneration. Recorded over two sell-out shows at
London's Shepherds Bush Empire, "Ceromonies" features songs from
their earliest days such as "Trees Come Down" and "Preacher
Man", through a series of undeniable classics including
"Moonchild", "Psychonaut" and a rare performance of
"Celebrate", whilst taking in the dramatic soundscapes of the mid-90s
Nefilim incarnation ("Penetration", "Shine" and
"Zoon"), and coming right up to date with the band performing tracks
from their most recent studio album "Mourning Sun".
"Ceromonies" also includes a very rare live performance of "Wail
Of Sumer/And There Will Be Your Heart Also", the thirteen minute, elegiac
finale of the band's landmark "Elizium" album. Release Date: 5th Mar
2012 Link: Ceremonies
Jan 10, 2012
VCMG: VCMG release one of
2012’s most anticipated musical collaborations with the album
‘Ssss’, out on Mute on 12 March 2012. It marks the long awaited
reunion of electronic pioneers Vince Clarke (Erasure/
Yazoo/
Depeche Mode)
and Martin L.
Gore (Depeche
Mode), who have joined forces for the first time in over thirty years to
craft a 10-track album which demonstrates their mutual love of electronic
music. After initial tentative discussions, and a meeting at Short Circuit
presents Mute festival in London, where they both performed, these two
influential musicians and songwriters worked in a typically unique way. Clarke
and Gore worked alone in their respective studios, communicating only via email
and exchanging files until the album was ready. The album includes the recent
12” EP1 / Spock, described by The Quietus as “one of the best tracks
of 2011”, plus the forthcoming EP 2 / Single Blip. ‘Ssss’,
written and produced by Vince Clarke and
Martin L.
Gore, was mixed by Timothy “Q” Wiles, recorded and engineered by
Sie Medway Smith and Vince Clarke and mastered by Stefan Betke (aka
Pole).Tracklisting: 1. “Lowly” 2. “Zaat” 3. “Spock” 4. “Windup Robot” 5. “Bendy Bass” 6. “Single Blip” 7. “Skip This Track” 8. “Aftermaths” 9. “Recycle” 10. "Flux"
Link: Ssss
Jan 08, 2012
EISBRECHER:
After a successful run of tours and festival appearances in Europe including
Alice Cooper’s ‘Theatre of Death Tour’ and The Nova Rock
Festival, Eisbrecher is poised to once again conquer the US clubs and charts.
Heavier and harder than ever before, 'Die Hölle muss warten' features an
expertly crafted blend of crushing guitars, menacing vocals, and melodic synth
lines. Not one to stay the course, Eisbrecher also shows its ability to
incorporate modern influences and blend them into songs that stay uniquely
Eisbrecher, such as the dubstep-tinged “Herz aus Eis.” The
album’s opener “Tanz mit mir” is a perfect example of what
modern industrial rock should sound like, while tracks such as “Rette
mich” slow things down and feature frontman Alex’s crooning voice
over beautiful synth melodies. Released on February 14, 2012 on Metropolis
Records.Tracklisting: 01. Tanz mit mir 02. Augen unter Null 03. Die Hölle muss warten 04. Verrückt (Original Version) 05. Herz aus Eis 06. Prototyp 07. Ein Leben lang unsterblich 08. Abgrund 09. In meinem Raum 10. Keine Liebe 11. Exzess Express 12. Rette mich 13. Atem 14. Treiben 15. Verrückt (Combichrist Remix)
Link: Die Hölle muss warten
Jan 01, 2012
THE FROZEN
AUTUMN: The Frozen Autumn is an Italian darkwave band, formed in May 1993,
characterized by a blend of melancholic vocals, atmospheric gothic-wave, and
80s-style electropop. Having established a name for itself with the classic
albums such as Fragments of Memories (1997) and Emotional Screening Device
(2002), The Frozen Autumn now presents its latest masterpiece, 'Chirality'. An
artistic collage of seamlessly blended styles and genres, 'Chirality' is a
beautiful addition to The Frozen Autumn's legacy. Released on February 14,
2012, on Metropolis Records.Tracklisting: 01. Before The Storm 02. Sidereal Solitude 03. Chirality 04. Breathtaking Beauty 05. So Brave 06. The Exile 07. Victory 08. Rallentears 09. In The Golden Air 10. The Last Train
Link: Chirality
UNDERWORLD:
AWAKENING: There’s a new ‘Underworld’ sequel heading for
theaters at the end of January 2012, and that means another installment in the
franchise’s bestselling soundtrack series. This time around, Lakeshore
Records has lined up 17 tracks of goth-tinged rock and metal, including
Lacuna Coil,
Combichrist,
The Cure,
Collide, Evanescence,
Ministry, Linkin Park and many more. The soundtrack features several remixes by
former NIN member Danny Lohner, a.k.a. Renholder.Tracklisting: 1.Evanescence – “Made of Stone” (Renholder Remix) 2.Lacey Sturm – “Heavy Prey” (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo) 3.Linkin Park – “Blackout” (Renholder Remix) 4.The Cure – “Apart” (Renholder Remix) 5.Stella Katsoudas of Sister Soleil – “Killer & A Queen” (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo) 6.Ministry – “Watch Yourself” (Renholder Remix) 7.Lacuna Coil – “Trip The Darkness” (Ben Weinman Remix) 8.The Naked and Famous – “Young Blood” (Renholder Remix) 9.Black Light Burns – “It Rapes All In Its Path“ 10.William Control – “The Posthumous Letter“ 11. Civil Twilights – “How’m I Supposed To Die“ 12.& Sons – “Consolation Prize“ 13. 8MM – “Liar” (Revenant mix by 8mm) 14.Ryan T. Hope – “You Won’t See The Light (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo) 15.Combichrist – “Bottle Of Pain“ 16.Collide – “Intruder“ 17.Justin Lassen – “Exit Wounds” (Justin Lassen Remix) (feat. Silent Fury)
Link: entertheunderworld.com
MONICA
RICHARDS: Monica Richards of
Faith and
the Muse blasts forward with her second solo album, NAIADES, accompanied by
a 32 page hard cover book, full of exclusive art by some of today's legendary
comic and pop culture artists. Released in January 2012 on Danse Macabre
Records. An 8min+ video video features sound bytes from the forthcoming album,
views of pages from the book itself as well as some clips from Monica's live
shows, upcoming videos and some of the backing film from her performances.
Title and cover animations by Jim Neely. Full video of The Mighty (edited by
Marc Moorash) is in the works right now for release in
January.Link: NAIADES (video preview)
2012 Releases:
· 2012 new releases
Charts:
· International
· Musicfolio Charts
Album Reviews:
· Gothic/Ethereal
· Newwave/Synthpop
· Industrial/EBM