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Mothsounds cover art

Mothsounds Debut: New Shoegaze & Indie Rock Album from Phoenix

Mothsounds cover art

Mothsounds: A New Shoegaze Journey from Phoenix

It is new release day and I am proud to announce the arrival of Mothsounds! This self-titled debut brings nine new tracks of indie rock and shoegaze created by the talented trio of Mike Chambers, Jason Whitcomb, and Kevin Hartnell.

The album is now available for streaming on your favorite platforms. Take a dive into this sonic landscape and let us know what you think!

Critical Reception

The debut has already caught the ear of international press. IndieCriollo praised the album’s experimental nature and raw power:

“We start today’s charts with a doublet of mothsounds, who bring us a whole experimental universe in their music… finding these two songs is like seeing the curiosity of rock, and how it can unleash you with fury with nothing to leave behind. It is pure rock so that you feel and do not lose your mind, so untie it all.”

Track Highlight: “Beta Carotene”

One of the standout tracks mentioned in the review is “Beta Carotene.” It’s a track that takes you by surprise, demanding you jump into its world while catching your breath. Driven by propulsive percussion and the cryptic, catchy hook “Lemon lime twister,” it leans heavily into the band’s college rock influences.

Mothsounds Album Credits

All songs written by Mike Chambers & Jason Whitcomb.

Mothsounds is:

  • Mike Chambers: Guitars, bass, keys
  • Jason Whitcomb: Guitars, bass, keys, drum programming, vocals
  • Kevin Hartnell: Guitars, bass, keys, drums, percussion, backing vocals

Mixed by Kevin Hartnell | Mastered by Hector the Rat
Moth photo courtesy of Natasha Wright.

View Full Lyrics and Tracklist (Click to Expand) ▼

1. Son of the System

Son of the system / A child of war he cannot fight / A mother’s conviction / Try and escape he cannot hide
Open doorways and starlit sounds / As the looking glass fades / Opulence on this carousel of the beautiful ones / But something’s not right
Son of the system / A child of war he cannot fight / A father’s intentions / Poising everything in sight
One by one, as the air runs thin for the struggling fold / Two by tow as we take control of everything else / It’s starting to rise

2. Chain Link

Stop me before I get tired of the same situation / The cat’s out of the bag now / Downtown on the corner with another
Don’t speak it’s ok / I don’t think I want to hear this / Excuses come easy / I should I know / I’ve made quite a few of my own
Tell me if I should sit back while it falls out from under / Your footing unstable / Grab ahold of the sky as you’re falling / But next time remind me / Of the ways that I’m there when you / Don’t seem to need it / Looking down at the bottom of a barrel

3. Beta Carotene

Screaming at the statues on the lawn / Losing any sense of self control / Find myself alone and then / Television’s on the fritz again / We should just go throw it away
Lemon lime twister / Yeah I think I saw your sister last night / Out past a quarter to two / Beta Carotene wasteland / Now you’re off to the next move / Don’t you come down until we are through
Where have all the good times left and gone? / Wondering if they ever came around / Would I fall in love again with someone other than myself, my friend? / This life is just such a charade
Now you’re running to the wrong side of the ship cause you know it’s sinking / But no one else has a clue

4. Disentangled

Now that we’ve come this far / I don’t expect you’ll understand / I’ll leave it all behind / Forgetting just how sad it is / Then you get under my / Cold and thin contorted skin
And all / All I hear / Is the silence you bring / I’ll find some sense / And I’ll wait for you to change
A loaded mouth of lies / Twisted tongue and serpent’s smile / You slither by and by / I sit alone and wonder why / No comfort I have found / In watching you consume my mind.

5. Photos of the Ghost

Your moves are fine / It’s all we do to keep it in place / Hanging out for now / Truth is I’m mortified / By your grace it seems
Your thoughts are mine / A stoic figure enters my mind / Who does she want now? / Changes like the weather / And clouds are blowing in
When should I just let it go? / Let it end in silence / Ask yourself would you look back / Or would you run for your life?
Unglued, but I / See the pieces fall into place / Nausea is mine / I cannot stomach all we’ve become / And all that we’ve made

6. Dark Army

Let us in your silver lining / Leaves you trembling on the floor
Now I can’t feel you / My limbs are numb / We’re innocent here / We are innocent here / Now I can’t see you / My eyes are blind / We’re innocent here
Half lit pathways open on / Promises of what we’ve done / Broken pages of your story / One that no one lives to tell

7. Edit

I’ll surrender myself / I’ll lay my hand facedown / Stripped of all that controls me / Can’t save you from yourself / Innocence is over / At least that’s what we’re told
The countdown / It’s starting / Change is bound to come / They beg us / To feed them / Always wanting more / The chants are / Still calling / Slowly drowning out / An answer to all / The questions are left out
Broken down and beaten / We pull ourselves back up / Raise a fist in anger / Then watch it fall back down / Ours is not to question / Just fall back into line

8. Slip

Who am I to tell you that your mediocre life is tainted? / You’ll find out someday I know / Maybe I should clear my head and the way I see you clouded in my far too empty mind
I miss all the finer things we know / When I come down to the excuses we’ve made / I’ll forget all our troubles and we’ll make some
Who are you to listen to my every word I’m speaking softly / So you can’t hear what I say / Maybe I should scream my lungs out and blow away what you’ve accepted in your warm embrace

9. All That We Have Lost

Distant voices / Slowly fade away / Is anyone out there? / Who hears the same thing? / We are never going back
This is not what I’m here for / Shouldn’t shock you / Don’t need words to show you how I feel about you / Tell yourself that it’s alright / But don’t look in the mirror / You might not like who’s looking back / Wash away denial
Is she lost? / Or is she waiting? / For someone who’ll make a change

#IndieRock #Shoegaze #PhoenixMusic #Mothsounds #NewMusic

Saltanath - 888 by Antoni Tashev

Saltanath – 888: Progressive Rock & Guitar Virtuosity from London

Saltanath - 888 by Antoni Tashev

Saltanath: Progressive Folk & Guitar Virtuosity

We are thrilled to announce the release of “888” by Saltanath. This 8-track instrumental album is the brainchild of Antoni Tashev, a guitar virtuoso originally from Bulgaria and now based in London.

Drawing from classical training and a deep respect for his heritage, Tashev weaves complex “Math Rock” time signatures with the soulful melodies of Bulgarian folklore. The result is a sound that is technical yet deeply emotional, a true journey for fans of progressive rock and instrumental storytelling.

Track Highlight: “Spiritual Slumber”

A standout moment on the record is track 4, “Spiritual Slumber.” It perfectly encapsulates the project’s fusion of styles—balancing intricate, clean electric guitar work with driving percussion. It moves with a restless energy that defies its title, showcasing Tashev’s ability to make complex arrangements feel accessible and melodic.

Listen

Tracklist

  1. Euphoria (06:08)
  2. Medieval Dreams (05:14)
  3. 25th Century (02:31)
  4. Spiritual Slumber (04:16)
  5. Memorable Days (06:51)
  6. The Pilgrimage (05:08)
  7. Banished Tears (07:02)
  8. Saturn (06:04)

Album Credits

Saltanath is:

  • Antoni Tashev: Electric and acoustic guitars, Tambura
  • Kevin Hartnell: Drums, percussion, keys, bass guitar

All songs written by Antoni Tashev.
Produced and arranged by Kevin Hartnell and Antoni Tashev.

Mixed by Kevin Hartnell | Mastered by Hector the Rat at the Overlook Hotel.
Cover photo by Petya Tasheva | Design layout by Hector the Rat.

#ProgressiveRock #InstrumentalRock #MathRock #GuitarVirtuoso #Saltanath #NewMusic

The Sounds of Nightmares 4 by Kevin Hartnell cover art

The Sounds of Nightmares 4: Horror Anthology Score by Kevin Hartnell

The Sounds of Nightmares 4 by Kevin Hartnell cover art

The Sounds Of Nightmares 4: Music Composed For Campfire Radio Theater

Kevin Hartnell presents “The Sounds of Nightmares 4,” a collection of 31 tracks of fiendish audio composed for the horror anthology podcast Campfire Radio Theater.

This volume focuses heavily on two standout stories: “The Thing on the Ground Floor” and “Gerald.” Whether you are a fan of horror scores, dark ambient soundscapes, or 80s-inspired synth music, there is plenty here to scratch that itch.

Have a listen, in the dark, preferably with headphones.

The Thing on the Ground Floor

This two-part episode required a unique sonic approach. Creator John Ballentine requested a theme song for a fictional “Cops”-style television series referenced in the story. It had to evoke the energy of the famous “Bad Boys” theme while standing on its own. The result was the track “Busted,” a fun diversion from the otherwise dark and tense score.

Gerald

Originally written by Bill Gray for the CBC’s Nightfall anthology series, this story is set in 1983. Having grown up in the 80s with a love for analog synthesis, this score was something I could really sink my teeth into. The music leans heavily into the era, utilizing vintage synth textures to build a creeping sense of dread.

Stream & Download

Recommendations

#AudioDrama #Horror #Soundtrack #Score #CampfireRadioTheater #KevinHartnell

Plastic Horizon debut album cover art

Plastic Horizon: Self-Titled Synthwave Debut Album

Plastic Horizon debut album cover art

Plastic Horizon: A Synthwave Journey Begins By Kevin Hartnell

After ten months of writing and production, I am proud to announce the release of the self-titled debut album from Plastic Horizon.

Synthwave has been a fascination of mine for years. It is a rebirth of 1980s synth music with a modern, cinematic twist. Having survived the 80s and being a lifelong synthesizer fanatic, this genre feels like a perfect fit for my musical DNA. This album is a love letter to neon skylines, analog warmth, and the retro-futuristic dreams of a bygone era.

Track Highlight: “Memory Waves”

The standout track of the collection, “Memory Waves,” has quickly become a listener favorite. It captures a specific kind of “endless summer” nostalgia, shimmering keys, a driving mid-tempo beat, and a melody that feels like a fading photograph. It is the perfect soundtrack for a late-night drive or a moment of reflection.

Listen
Recommendations

Tracklist

  1. TCKR (03:09)
  2. The Crush (03:43)
  3. Chasing The Night (03:42)
  4. End Of The Road (03:36)
  5. Memory Waves (03:35)
  6. Autumn Wind (03:47)
  7. Fading Memories Of You (03:19)
  8. A Dream Within A Dream (03:54)
  9. Nightscape (part 1) (01:40)
  10. Nightscape (part 2) (02:27)

Album Credits

All tracks written & produced by Plastic Horizon.
Mixed and mastered by Hector the Rat.

Recorded from May 1, 2020 – February 12, 2021.
Released February 13, 2021.

Follow Plastic Horizon: Bandcamp | Facebook | YouTube

#Synthwave #Retrowave #Outrun #PlasticHorizon #NewMusic #80sVibe

The Sounds of Nightmares 3 by Kevin Hartnell

The Sounds of Nightmares 3 Soundtrack: Dark Scores for Campfire Radio Theater

The Sounds Of Nightmares 3: Music Composed For Campfire Radio Theater

Kevin Hartnell presents “The Sounds of Nightmares 3”, featuring 45 tracks of original music composed for the horror anthology podcast Campfire Radio Theater. This volume focuses on four stories with distinct tonal demands, from dread-soaked suspense to sudden, violent shocks, and the score is designed to support that range without losing cohesion.

This collection features scores from four tales of terror: “Death and Alchemy,” “Monster’s Game,” “Incident On and Off a Mountain Road,” and “The Resurrectionist.” It has been a great pleasure working on music for Campfire Radio Theater, especially because the show consistently gives the music room to breathe. When a scene is built on pacing, restraint, and performance, the score can do its best work.

If you are listening for the first time, use headphones. Many cues in this release rely on low-level texture, stereo movement, and careful dynamics. Those details can disappear on small speakers, but they matter when the story turns and the tension locks in.

Quick navigation

The Sounds of Nightmares 3: what this volume covers

Each episode in this set required a different scoring approach. Some scenes called for cold ambient pressure that sits behind dialogue and keeps the listener uneasy. Others needed rhythmic motion to push momentum forward without distracting from the performances. Across all four stories, the priority was the same: reinforce the emotional intent of the scene, clarify the arc, and give the transitions a sense of inevitability.

Below, you can play the episode directly on the page. If you prefer to jump straight to listening to the scores, use the Spotify and Bandcamp embeds at the bottom. Bandcamp is also the best option if you want to support the work directly.

Death and Alchemy

An obsessive doctor unleashes dark elemental forces in a mad quest to resurrect the dead in Victorian London.

Monster’s Game

A young man battling schizophrenic demons from his past, hears a sinister new voice in his earbuds with murderous intentions. Will a blossoming romance with a mysterious neighbor be his salvation or lead down a darker path?

Incident On and Off a Mountain Road

On the run from a bad relationship, Ellen is pursued into a moonlit wilderness by a freakish pale brute forcing her to utilize dormant survival skills in a bloody game of cat and mouse.

The Resurrectionist

A spiritual medium recalls harrowing experiences as a young girl traveling cross-country with her trucker father pursued by a mysterious cult. Along the way, they gain allies and enemies, both living and deceased.

Listen to the Scores

If you prefer uninterrupted listening, use the full-album players below. Spotify is convenient for streaming and playlists. Bandcamp is ideal if you want high-quality playback and direct support. If you are sharing the release, linking to this page is also useful because it keeps the episode scores and album players in one place.

Stream & Download
Recommendations

#AudioDrama #Horror #Soundtrack #Score #CampfireRadioTheater #KevinHartnell

TCKR by Plastic Horizon - single cover art

Plastic Horizon – TCKR: New Synthwave Project Debut

TCKR by Plastic Horizon - single cover art

Plastic Horizon: “TCKR”

It is with great pleasure that I announce a new music project called Plastic Horizon! For those who grew up in the 80s, you will understand the appeal of Synthwave, Stranger Things, and the nostalgia for the colorful decadence of that era. So, sit back in your La-Z-Boy chair, press play on the VCR, and enjoy the retro/future sounds.

The debut single, “TCKR,” is inspired by the series Black Mirror (created by Charlie Brooker) and the fictional neural research company TCKR Systems. You can read more about the lore behind the title at tckrsystems.tech.

This track sets the tone for the project: driving beats, neon-soaked synths, and a heavy dose of cinematic nostalgia.

Stream & Download

Recommendations

#PlasticHorizon #Synthwave #Retrowave #BlackMirror #TCKR #KevinHartnell

Before After Again debut album cover art

Before After Again – Self-Titled Debut: Atmospheric Darkwave & Post-Punk

Before After Again self-titled album cover art

Before After Again: Self-Titled Debut

Overlook Hotel Records is proud to present the self-titled debut from Before After Again. A collaboration between Jason Whitcomb and Kevin Hartnell, this project draws upon darkwave, post-punk, synthpop, and electro-rock styles to create a dense, atmospheric soundscape.

Released on January 1, 2020, this album marks a unique moment in the label’s history. Parts of the record were tracked in the original Overlook Hotel Records studio prior to its remodeling. As a result, the drum tracks capture a specific, “lost” room sound that no longer exists and can never be replicated.

Project Personnel

Before After Again is:

  • Jason Whitcomb: Vocals, Backing Vocals, Synths, Drum Programming, Bass, Guitars
  • Kevin Hartnell: Drums, Percussion, Bass, Guitars, Synths, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals

Special Guests:

  • Ty Whitcomb: Guitar on “Faux Devox”
  • Vic Bonato: Piano on “Core”

Mixed and mastered by Hector Ratt. Catalog R237-020.

Connect with Before After Again

Music Video: “Allison’s Gone”

Stream & Download

#BeforeAfterAgain #Darkwave #PostPunk #Synthpop #Industrial #KevinHartnell #JasonWhitcomb #OverlookHotelRecords

The Harvesting by THAL - album cover art

THAL – The Harvesting: Heavy Stoner Doom (Doom Charts #5)

The Harvesting by THAL - album cover art

THAL: “The Harvesting”

Overlook Hotel Records presents “The Harvesting,” the thunderous 2019 release from THAL (The Heathens Are Loose). Debuting at #5 on the Doom Charts, this album wraps up the year with a heavy dose of fuzz, groove, and misery.

The album transports listeners to a world of hardship and conflict, whether in medieval Europe or modern-day America. With massive riffs and stellar hooks, it takes everything that made the previous THAL releases great and amplifies it by ten.

Critical Reception

“The Harvesting” was met with immediate acclaim in the heavy music community:

  • Doom Charts: Debuted at #5 (December 2019).
  • Metal Temple: “9 out of 10… It takes everything that made the previous album great and just amplifies it by ten.”
  • Outlaws of the Sun: “Crank that dial up to 11 and ROCK THE HELL OUT WITH THAL.”
  • Desert Psychlist: “Transported to a world of hardship, conflict and misery… riffs that are as fuzzy as my face is bearded.”

Project Personnel

THAL is:

  • John “Vince Green” Walker: Vocals, Lyrics, Guitars, Keys
  • Kevin Hartnell: Guitars, Bass, Drums, Keys

Special Guest:

  • Margherita Bandini: Featured vocals on “Tonguerazor”

All songs written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by John Walker and Kevin Hartnell.

Lyrics: “Tombs”

Live at the base of a mountain
Ready to blow and release its fire
Every sound may be your last
The slightest move crushing every desire

Any man with a face is bound to fall
Another victim of the rules
Water drowns but please don’t thrash around and disturb this peaceful tomb

The solitude is wonderful down here
When it’s time to go I’ll do it without fear
Never place my fortunes in the hands of another man
Escape to the dusty tombs

As the walls they close in
Ready to bow down and ready to tap out
Then I clutch my chest and remember my way
Am I born to carry the load?
I made a pact with the devil and it’s time to go
Never again will the moon shine quite the same

Follow me to the fallen angels
Kingdom full of wretched names

Connect with THAL

Stream & Download

Recommendations

#THAL #TheHeathensAreLoose #StonerRock #DoomMetal #HeavyMetal #KevinHartnell #JohnVinceGreenWalker #OverlookHotelRecords

Silent Kings & Queens by Elektrik Warfare - cover art

Elektrik Warfare – Silent Kings & Queens: Debut Metal Album

Elektrik Warfare: Silent Kings & Queens

Overlook Hotel Records is proud to announce the release of “Silent Kings & Queens” (Catalog R237-019), the debut album from Elektrik Warfare.

Founded by Stockholm-based songwriter and artist Anders Plassgard, Elektrik Warfare delivers ten heavy tracks reflecting influences such as Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Judas Priest, and The Ramones. The album features blistering guitar work from Tony Inosencio and dystopian themes that echo the classic New Wave of British Heavy Metal era.

Recorded between April 2017 and September 2018, this release is highly recommended for fans of classic heavy metal and driving hard rock.

Project Personnel

Elektrik Warfare is:

  • Anders Plassgard: Vocals, Keys
  • Tony Inosencio: Rhythm & Lead Guitar
  • Frank Motor: Rhythm & Bass Guitar
  • Kevin Hartnell: Drums, Rhythm Guitar

Guest Musician:

  • Mat Williams: Rhythm & Lead Guitar

Credits:

  • Artwork: Anders Plassgard
  • Mixing: Kevin Hartnell & Tony Inosencio
  • Mastering: Hector Rat at The Overlook Hotel
  • Production: Elektrik Warfare

Lyrics: “Silent Kings & Queens”

The darkest ages, they are here
Evil rules the World and there´s bloodlust in the air
Somebody’s profit is someone’s misfortune, Gold in the pocket and death of a child
Guilty are those who stand watching in silence, They with the answers, they with the truth
Silent witness on the Shore
Stare into the sea they’re all gone forevermore
We follow a path into eternal darkness, Black empty souls and our heart´s made of stone
God is a Devil who plays with his children, Then leaving them all alone

Silent Kings and Queens just don´t want to see
They just close their eyes, Won´t give you no pity
Silent Kings and Queens they just let it be
System has failed it’s corrupt and inhuman
System has served for the eyes that never see

And all the gossip, all the lies
People spread their shit without a blink or thinking twice
Poor little thing who is begging for mercy, Mercy is not in the plan for you
Evil has come for a feast in all glory, nothing that you can do
The darkest ages, so they say
Evil rules the World and the weak they just obey
Somebody’s profit is someone’s misfortune, Gold in the pocket and death of a child
Guilty are those who stand watching in silence, They with the answers, they with the truth

Silent Kings and Queens just don´t want to see
They just close their eyes, Won´t give you no pity
Silent Kings and Queens they just let it be
System has failed it’s corrupt and inhuman
System has served for the eyes that never see

Stream & Download

#ElektrikWarfare #SilentKingsAndQueens #HeavyMetal #NWOBHM #AndersPlassgard #KevinHartnell #OverlookHotelRecords

The Sounds of Nightmares 2 by Kevin Hartnell - cover art

The Sounds of Nightmares 2: Original Music for Campfire Radio Theater

The Sounds Of Nightmares 2: Music Composed For Campfire Radio Theater

Kevin Hartnell presents “The Sounds of Nightmares 2,” featuring 38 tracks of original music composed for the horror anthology podcast Campfire Radio Theater. This release captures the expanding sonic palette of the series, moving from atmospheric dread to high-octane terror.

This collection features scores from four distinct tales: “Woods Ferry,” “Rites of Autumn,” “Abduction At Willow Woods,” and “Ravenous.” My connection with Campfire Radio Theater has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. My love for audio drama began as early as my interest in music, so contributing to this art form feels like coming home.

Please consider supporting the show by listening to the full episodes where these tracks appeared at Campfire Radio Theater.

Quick navigation

The Sounds of Nightmares 2: what this volume covers

This volume represents a deeper collaboration with the show’s creator, John Scott Ballentine. In addition to composing the score, I took on full production duties for the episode “Ravenous,” which offered a unique opportunity to shape the sound design alongside the music. Whether it’s the Halloween nostalgia of “Rites of Autumn” or the sci-fi intensity of “Abduction at Willow Woods,” each score in this set was built to enhance the specific tension of the script.

Below, you can play the episodes directly on the page. If you prefer to jump straight to listening to the scores, use the Spotify and Bandcamp embeds at the bottom. Bandcamp is also the best option if you want to support the work directly.

Woods Ferry

Weekend explorers on a quest for antique treasures stumble upon a lost town at the end of a long dirt road and soon uncover the unspeakable truth behind the decades past evacuation of Woods Ferry.

Rites of Autumn

A young boy spends an autumn afternoon with his grandpa who passes on a few very unique Halloween traditions.

Abduction at Willow Woods

Two old friends unearth lost secrets from their youth when they revisit the wooded site of an otherworldly encounter. (A 3D binaural audio experience! Headphones/Earbuds recommended!)

Ravenous

Investigating the disappearance of a colleague, BBC journalist Albert Titus lands the scoop of a lifetime in the Scottish coastal village of Redmayne as he unravels a terrifying mystery perhaps tied to a sinister cannibal clan of legend.

Listen to the Scores

If you prefer uninterrupted listening, use the full-album players below. Spotify is convenient for streaming and playlists. Bandcamp is ideal if you want high-quality playback and direct support. If you are sharing the release, linking to this page is also useful because it keeps the episode scores and album players in one place.

Stream & Download
Recommendations

#AudioDrama #Horror #Soundtrack #Score #CampfireRadioTheater #KevinHartnell