Gaerea 2/17/23

Gaerea 2/17/23

Come and Take It Live

Photos by me.

Uada 2/17/23

Come and Take It Live

Photos by me.

The Mark Inside EP

Yellow Lazarus

Released in January of this year, this smorgasbord of various electronic styles by new German group Yellow Lazarus probably should not appeal to me as much as it has. However, I tend to try most things Out of Line Music Label puts out, so I gave it a go. There's a lot going on here, style-wise, and it definitely pulls from several electronic styles I've never been into. However there's a catchy aggressiveness to this EP that has really gotten to me, and I've found myself listening to it a lot.

Consisting of 5 tracks, the release is all over the spectrum sonically, pulling influences from everything like dub to hardstyle, ebm, and synthpunk, just to list a few. I think part of it's appeal is that everything is mixed together so well, alternating from one stylistic influence to another seamlessly. The EP also tends to have an aggressive delivery that reminds me a bit of groups like Atari Teenage Riot or Mindless Self Indulgence, however it maintains a poppy catchiness as well. The variations between the three vocalists also keeps things fresh, and mixes melody, growls, and screams wonderfully.

My favorite track is the last one, "Half a Cigarette", though "Dead Slot Machines" is a close second. I really find all of the tracks great though, and have serious respect for how well they've brought various styles together. The EP is melodic, raw, poppy, groovy, fun, catchy, hard, and all around awesome.Honestly my unfamiliarity with many of the electronic styles utilized means my ability to describe the tracks is limited, unfortunately. Which just means you should listen to it!

Their full length was supposedly in the works, however I do not know if there have been delays due to current events. As of January it was slated to be released later this year.

You can pick up the digital album via Bandcamp and probably most other digital music retailers. I don't know of a physical version existing, if it does it would probably be found at Out of Line Music's webstore.

Panoptikum

Die Kreatur

Somehow this release flew under my radar, which I feel is more on Napalm Records than me, probably being buried under an armada of pirate metal. Dero of Oomph! and Chris Harms of Lord of the Lost combine forces for a new Neue Deutsche Härte outing as Die Kreatur.

This project definitely draws from both musicians' respective sonic tendencies. I find several of the tracks particularly remind me of Oomph!'s amazing album Ritual, released last year. I would also guess that is where this project formed, considering Chris Harms' guest spot on "Europa" off that album. However I find the first half of the album tends to be more aggressively abrasive in sound than most material either musician has recently released. Which is not a bad thing, and definitely roots the album more in metal than rock. Harsh vocals abound, particularly from Harms, and many of the songs are rapid and full blast. The latter half seems to mellow just a tad, with a little more symphonic and even medieval metal elements, particularly with tracks like "Schlafes Braut," and "Glück Auf!," Overall though it retains the industrial metal crunch throughout. I have not picked a favorite track yet, but I find " Mensch/Maschine," "Zwei 100%," and "Unzertrennlich" mighty enjoyable.

If you enjoy Industrial metal / Neue Deutsche Härte, I strongly encourage checking out this album.

You can pick up a copy from Napalm Records, digitally on Bandcamp, and on Amazon.

Wolfheart 3/12/23

Come and Take It Live

Photos by me.

"Desolate District"

SINE

Austin, Texas electronic project SINE have released a new track as a teaser for their upcoming album Mantis. The track features industrial powerhouse Chris Connelly of Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Pigface, and his prominent solo career, fame.

It's an excellently enticing track, more of the lush dark electronic soundscapes SINE presented on first album Insomniae. However this track feels a little more polished, and the mix is fantastic. Desolate District has a lovely melancholic allure, a seductive grime that pervades the track. The back and forth of the vocals is well executed, a blend of both sweet and bitter. The track displays a subtle mastery over the elements present in the first album, a bit more comfort and the aforementioned polish with the overall sound. I look forward to the full album, which as of yet does not have an official release date.

You can get the track from SINE's Bandcamp, as well as first album Insomniae and the Injected EP!