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Cover art for Black Screen by Before After Again

Black Screen: New Industrial Darkwave from Before After Again

January 29, 2024
Cover art for Black Screen by Before After Again

Before After Again turns up the tension with “Black Screen,” a track that channels the aggression of industrial rock through a post-punk lens.

A Driving Industrial Groove

“Black Screen” is built on a relentless, mid-tempo groove that feels like a march toward the inevitable. The vibe is undeniably angry, yet the vocal delivery remains deceptively smooth, creating a chilling contrast with the bite of the lyrics. It touches on themes of obsolescence, media saturation (“teleprompter weapons”), and the surreal feeling of being trapped in a loop.

With its gritty textures and driving bass, this track is perfect for fans who prefer their darkwave with a heavier, more aggressive edge.

Lyrics

You know it’s right
I can’t partake
In this constant push and pull
These empty streets
Are fully charged
Intake the soul off the floor

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

So please don’t fight
It makes you weak
We want you down on your knees
It’s so surreal
When we look back
At all the pain that you bring

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

Don’t shed those tears salty

Now face the fact
You’re obsolete
It’s time you’ve taken your bow
Hide if you like
We’re close behind
Oh can’t you taste this disease?

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

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“Black Screen” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Mirage by Plastic Horizon

Mirage: New Cinematic Dreamwave from Plastic Horizon

January 26, 2024
Cover art for Mirage by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon slows the tempo and deepens the mood with “Mirage,” a short but evocative track that drifts into the territory of dreamwave and chill synthpop.

A Melancholic Waltz

“Mirage” stands out immediately due to its time signature. Written in 12/8 time, the track has a swaying, waltz-like feel that separates it from the driving 4/4 beats of typical synthwave. This rhythmic choice, combined with lush pads and a gentle melody, creates a distinctively melancholic vibe, like a memory fading in the heat.

From the Score of “Gerald”

This composition has dramatic roots. It was originally composed as a theme for the Campfire Radio Theater episode “Gerald,” serving as part of a larger score featuring around 30 pieces of music. While it works perfectly as a standalone single for late-night listening, its cinematic origins are clear in the way it builds atmosphere and emotion in a short runtime.

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“Mirage” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for You Are a Machine by Before After Again

You Are a Machine: New Dub-Industrial Single from Before After Again

January 22, 2024
Cover art for You Are a Machine by Before After Again

Before After Again pushes the boundaries of their sound with “You Are a Machine,” a track that blends the echo-laden space of dub with the grit of industrial post-punk.

A Shift in Groove

This composition is defined by its rhythmic instability. It vacillates between a hypnotic, dub-inspired half-time groove and a more driving, mid-tempo post-punk beat. Buried underneath layers of delay and stuttering effects, the vocals act more like another instrument in the mix rather than a traditional lead, adding to the mechanical, disoriented atmosphere.

Lyrics

The ocean
Just close your eyes

Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward

The ocean
Just close your eyes

Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward

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“You Are a Machine” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Killer by Plastic Horizon

Killer: New Horror Synthwave from Plastic Horizon

January 19, 2024
Cover art for Killer by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon pays homage to the golden age of slasher films with “Killer,” a tense, cinematic track inspired by 1980s horror.

A Carpenter-Esque Beginning

The track opens with a slow, ominous build that is instantly reminiscent of early John Carpenter scores. It sets a scene of dread and anticipation, lurking in the shadows before revealing its true nature. This slow burn eventually explodes into a driving synthwave groove with heavy metal undertones, ramping up the energy like a chase scene in the third act.

The Christine Connection

As the adrenaline fades, “Killer” returns to the calm of its beginning. It fades out on a melodic line that feels like a lost outtake from the soundtrack to Christine, cold, mechanical, and hauntingly beautiful. It is a perfect closer for a track that wears its horror influences on its sleeve.

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“Killer” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Ephemeris by Plastic Horizon

Ephemeris: New 2024 Cinematic Darkwave from Plastic Horizon

January 8, 2024
Cover art for Ephemeris by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon launches a new series of singles with “Ephemeris,” a track that showcases the darker, more cinematic side of the project. While previous releases have explored upbeat synthpop, this composition drags the listener into the shadows.

A Score for Shadows

The origins of “Ephemeris” are rooted in drama. It was originally composed for the Campfire Radio Theater episode “Gerald,” serving as part of a larger score featuring around 30 pieces of music. Because of this, the track prioritizes atmosphere and tension over traditional song structures.

It opens with a spacious, brooding arrangement, creeping bass tones, a simple arp, and distant atmospheric textures that establish a sense of isolation. The production utilizes the stereo field to create a feeling of being watched, wrapping the listener in a cold, nocturnal mood that fits perfectly within the horror-synth canon.

The Heavy Build

As the composition progresses, it sheds its ambient skin and evolves into a powerful, sweeping groove. The production here hints at the weight of heavy metal, utilizing harmonized guitar leads that deliver the soaring power of twin guitars.

This shift from “creeping dread” to “anthemic power” transforms the track from background score to a main event. It creates a “wall of sound” finale that retains the darkness of the intro but delivers it with a driving force that will appeal to fans of Killer and other heavier synthwave tracks.

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“Ephemeris” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Carousel by Before After Again

Carousel: New Dark Wave Ballad from Before After Again

January 1, 2024
Cover art for Carousel by Before After Again

Before After Again kicks off the new year by taking listeners into the deepest abysses of dark wave with their latest work, “Carousel.”

A Journey Through Dark Landscapes

“Carousel” is a slow, brooding track that feels more like a nightmare than a dream. With stripped-down instrumentation and a low-energy vocal delivery, it captures a specifically mournful atmosphere.

As described by ElectroZombies (Thomas Frenken): “This melancholic ballad, drenched in melancholy, takes us on a journey through dark landscapes. The song itself sounds almost depressive, with a slow, low-energy delivery that perfectly captures the mournful atmosphere.”

Lyrics

Daughter son
Don’t make a scene
It’s no one’s fault
Don’t pin your blame on me

Carousel
Don’t need to keep
Another fall
From grace you think you need

No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear
No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear

Water pools
Through vacant eyes
It leads you through
All of my Twisted lies

Down the walls
My mirror drags
It looks my way but darling don’t look back

No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear
No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear

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“Carousel” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Words to the Wise by Imperial Measures

Words to the Wise: Debut Album from Imperial Measures

December 7, 2023
Cover art for Words to the Wise by Imperial Measures

Imperial Measures has officially arrived with their debut album, “Words to the Wise.” Spearheaded by the prolific composer Peter Rand and featuring the evocative vocals of Stefanie Kisamore, this project is a rich tapestry of progressive rock and pop sensibilities.

A New Musical Chapter

I am proud to have been a part of this collection, providing drums, percussion, keys, guitars, and handling the arrangement, production, and mixing. The result is an album that critics are already calling “gorgeous” and “absorbing.”

As Rob Fisher notes in his review: “The opening title track is a brilliant introduction to their musical world-building… It’s not until well over a minute into the song that the vocal is finally unleashed into a wonderfully soaring crescendo, full of power and life.”

Lyrics (Title Track)

Sun breaks through
Morning light
Bedside clock tells time
Eyes stay shut
Sleep holds back each rhyme

Songs that whisper
Through the night
Disappear
Disappear
Lines that told
The story right
Disappear
Disappear

All just words to the wise
Keep this sleep from my eyes
All just words to the wise
Keep this sleep from my eyes

Another me
Another world
Finds the words to say
Another me
Another world
Lives another day

All just words to the wise
Keep this sleep from my eyes
All just words to the wise
Keep this sleep from my eyes

Listen & Support

“Words to the Wise” is available now on all major streaming platforms. CD and Vinyl are available via Elastic Stage. You can support the project directly by purchasing the album on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Decade in Despair by Plassgard

Decade in Despair: Progressive Rock Anthology from Plassgard

September 18, 2022

Plassgard unleashes a massive musical anthology with “Decade in Despair,” a collection of recordings that spans ten years of creative evolution.

A Ten-Year Journey

Written entirely by Anders Plassgard, this album is a testament to perseverance and artistic vision. It weaves together a tapestry of genres, blending the complexity of progressive rock with the raw energy of NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) and classic rock.

The core trio of the band, Anders Plassgard (vocals, keys), Kevin Hartnell (drums, bass, keys), and Mat Williams (guitars), delivers a sound that is both nostalgic and thoroughly modern.

Ballet of the Mechanical Doll

A standout moment on the album is the track “Ballet of the Mechanical Doll.” Featuring guest bassist Bjorn Pehrson, this six-minute epic serves as a showcase for the band’s technical prowess.

Listeners should pay special attention to the guitar work of Mat Williams here; his performance is absolutely phenomenal, driving the track with intricate leads and heavy rhythms that define the album’s sound.

Track Listing

1. 1974 (04:47)
2. Demons in My Head (04:57)
3. The Wonderful Machine (06:28)
4. Creation (05:18)
5. Insanity of Man (03:00)
6. Black Agenda (06:02)
7. Born Evil (05:09)
8. Sunshine (04:40)
9. Shadowlands (05:35)
10. Ballet of the Mechanical Doll (06:27)
11. Shadow Dancer (02:53)
12. Spirit From the Sun (04:47)
13. Summer Love (04:48)
14. The People (04:34)
15. Shadow of My Heart (08:11)
16. Angel (03:56)
17. The Emporer (05:06)
18. Insanity of Man II (03:37)

Listen & Support

“Decade in Despair” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the album on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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