darkwave Tag

Before After Again self titled vinyl LP promo gif

Before After Again: Self-Titled 15-Year Collection Arrives on Vinyl

Before After Again self-titled vinyl LP cover art

After 15 years of collaboration, the darkwave and synthpop project Before After Again has reached a massive milestone. We are thrilled to announce the release of our very first physical vinyl record. This self-titled album is a carefully curated collection of singles that is now officially available on both vinyl and CD.

The Definitive Collection

This album serves as a definitive showcase of the signature sound we have spent over a decade refining. Featuring 12 tracks, the record includes fan favorites like “Concrete,” “Solitude,” and “Catatonia,” alongside deep atmospheric cuts such as “The Water That Pulls You Underneath” and “These Are Not Men.”

From the driving rhythm of “Vice Grip” and “Touch” to the brooding weight of “Black Screen,” and “Fade,” this collection captures the pure essence of what Jason Whitcomb and Kevin Hartnell have been building together since the beginning. Hearing these tracks sequenced together on a physical format brings a completely new life to the music.

Where to Find the Record

For collectors and audiophiles, there is nothing quite like dropping the needle on a fresh record. You can currently find physical copies locally at Zia Records, Stinkweeds, and Vinyl Record Dude in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.

If you are outside of the Phoenix area, do not worry. The album will soon be hitting record store shelves in Nashville, Cincinnati, and Tampa. You can also order your copy on vinyl or CD directly through ElasticStage.

Stream and Support

If you haven’t heard the tracks yet or want to take them on the go, you can stream the collection below. Thank you to everyone who has supported the band over the last 15 years to make this physical release a reality.

#BeforeAfterAgain #VinylRelease #Darkwave #Synthpop #PhysicalMedia #OverlookHotelRecords

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If you enjoy the darkwave and synthpop sounds of Before After Again, you might also enjoy these tracks from our artists roster:

Plastic Horizon - The Last Highway animated

Plastic Horizon: “The Last Highway” – A Cinematic Darkwave Anthem

The Last Higway by Plastic Horizon - cover art

Plastic Horizon: “The Last Highway”

A cinematic darkwave anthem built for a late-night drive into the unknown.

The latest release from Plastic Horizon is here. Titled “The Last Highway,” this atmospheric track bridges the gap between cinematic darkwave and driving outrun. Released under the Overlook Hotel Records banner, it is a high-energy composition that begs to be played at a high volume with the windows down.

Building the Atmosphere

Opening with a synthesizer arp progression, “The Last Highway” immediately establishes a mood of tension and mystery. The track finds a unique middle ground in the synthwave genre, blending the upbeat, driving momentum of outrun with lush, gothic darkwave elements.

As the arrangement builds, the tension ultimately releases into explosive chorus sections. Here, the track introduces 1980s style guitars and harmonized dual power leads, giving the composition a heavy edge that pushes it firmly into rock-infused territory. It is a dynamic journey that eventually opens up into an expansive, sweeping bridge before accelerating toward a massive final chorus.

The aesthetic is mirrored perfectly by its striking cover art, featuring the silhouette of a Lamborghini Countach speeding down a neon blue grid away from a glowing digital sunrise.

Vintage Textures and Sound Design

Creating this expansive cinematic space of fifty different tracks requires a dense, carefully crafted mix. The melodic foundation of “The Last Highway” relies heavily on the renowned U-He Diva synthesizer, celebrated for its incredible analog warmth and presence.

Additional layers and textures are powered by Cherry Audio instruments, ensuring a rich and varied frequency spectrum. Furthermore, several of the lush, vintage sounding patches featured in the track were expertly designed by Oblivion Sound Lab. Together, these tools build an authentic retro character that gives the track its massive, cinematic scope.

Stream and Support

You can experience the rush of “The Last Highway” right now. Stream the track via Spotify or support the project directly by purchasing the high-quality download from Bandcamp below.

#PlasticHorizon #TheLastHighway #Darkwave #Outrun #Synthwave #UHeDiva

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Berlin by Silent Apparatus - cover art

Silent Apparatus – Berlin: High-Octane Electronic Rock

Silent Apparatus: “Berlin”

Kevin Hartnell presents “Berlin,” the first high-octane single from the electronic project Silent Apparatus. Sitting at the intersection of Synthwave, Cyberpunk, and Electronic Rock, this track channels the mechanical energy of the “Berlin School” but updates it with the aggression of modern darkwave.

Clocking in at 110 BPM, “Berlin” establishes an immediate “night drive” atmosphere, a soundtrack for a high-speed chase through a neon-lit futuristic city. The production is anchored by a rolling, 16th-note synth bassline that blends classic arpeggiation while drums and punchy percussion from a Cherry Audio CR-78 cuts through the mix.

Production Notes

This session was an exercise in “less is more,” utilizing only 19 tracks to achieve its cinematic sound. The bright arp and bell leads were crafted using Baby Audio’s BA-1 and U-He Diva, providing a sharp contrast to the low-end weight. To push the track into “rock” territory, big power chords were recorded using a Gibson SG Special, adding a visceral, organic layer to the electronic foundation.

“Berlin” captures the nostalgia of the 80s but hits with the weight of modern production, making it equally suitable for a sci-fi stream or a dark highway drive.

#SilentApparatus #ElectronicRock #Synthwave #Darkwave #KevinHartnell

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Before After Again returns with "These Are Not Men," a darkwave anthem about the machinery of power and dehumanization. Stream it now.

These Are Not Men: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - These Are Not Men cover art

Before After Again returns with a stark new release titled These Are Not Men. This track is a darkwave transmission from the edges of control and collapse, blending icy analog synthesis with a precise, mechanical rhythmic structure.

The Machinery of Power

Lyrically blunt and sonically sharpened, These Are Not Men examines the machinery of power and the erosion of identity in its wake. The song channels themes of dehumanization, spectacle, and decay into a hypnotic synth-laced performance. It is not a song for dancing away the end of the world; it is a soundtrack for those who sit still and watch it burn.

The refrain, “I’ll be here standing down, smiling while we watch you die…” captures the cold detachment of the observer. There is no catharsis here, only the quiet certainty that what we are witnessing isn’t human anymore. It is a harsh anthem for collapsing systems and the monsters they breed.

Release Information

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, this single solidifies the band’s reputation for crafting dense, thought-provoking electronic music. It is a must-listen for fans of minimal synthpop and industrial-tinged darkwave.

Stream These Are Not Men Now

These Are Not Men is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the band directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Weakness single cover art by Before After Again

Weakness: New Synthpop Single by Before After Again

Before After Again has released a powerful new single titled Weakness. This track seamlessly blends the structural hooks of classic synthpop with the emotional weight of darkwave, creating a soundscape that obsesses over collapse, control, and finding beauty within the wreckage.

Deconstructing “Weakness”

From the opening notes, Weakness establishes a mood of tension. The lyrics paint a picture of internal conflict and external chaos. Lines like “Loss of all security” and “Blinded eyes that can’t believe what’s happened” speak to a sudden, jarring shift in reality, a moment where the ground falls out from underneath you.

Musically, the track mirrors this instability. While the beat is driving and danceable, the synth textures are laced with melancholy. It is a song for the dancefloor at the end of the world, where the only option left is to let the music take you down.

Lyrical Themes

The chorus, “You’re my weakness, come and take me,” acts as both a confession and a surrender. It explores the dangerous allure of vulnerability. Is it a person, a habit, or a memory that serves as the weakness? The ambiguity allows the listener to project their own struggles onto the track, making it a deeply personal listening experience.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, Weakness is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the band directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Before After Again - Control cover art animated

Control: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - Control cover art

The third installment of Before After Again singles for 2025 has arrived. Titled Control, this new release is a deceivingly upbeat slice of electronic music that is available on all major streaming and download sites today.

A Tale of Two Tempos

Musically, Control is built around a distinct structural shift that sets it apart from standard synthpop fare. The verses drive forward at a frenetic 240 BPM, creating a sense of urgency and anxious energy. However, when the chorus hits, the track cuts the time in half, dropping into a locked-in 120 BPM groove.

This shift transforms the song into a disco-influenced anthem, nodding to the melodic sensibilities of Kraftwerk and the experimental edge of Cabaret Voltaire. The juxtaposition of post-punk aggression with dancefloor-ready rhythms creates a unique tension, it demands that you move, even while the lyrics suggest paralysis.

“Everything is Perfect in the End”

Lyrically, the song stands in stark contrast to the upbeat instrumentation. It paints a picture of manipulation and disconnected pain. The line “The pavement hits your face” delivers a visceral blow that cuts through the disco sheen. The chorus serves as an ironic counterpoint, claiming “Everything is perfect in the end” while the narrator is clearly being “brushed aside.”

It is a classic darkwave trick: hiding a story of alienation inside a song that forces you to dance. The demons are real, but the beat goes on.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can stream Control now on Spotify, Apple Music, and more. To support the band directly, head over to Bandcamp to purchase the high-quality download.

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Fade animation

Fade: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Fade single cover art by Before After Again

Before After Again continues their 2025 release schedule with the arrival of their second single of the year, Fade. Available today on all major streaming platforms, this track deepens the band’s exploration of atmospheric darkwave and emotive synthpop.

“I Felt Alone in Your Arms”

Lyrically, Fade tackles the painful paradox of feeling isolated while in the presence of another person. The verse “And as we grow apart, remind me of the times / I felt alone in your arms” serves as the emotional core of the song. It suggests that the end of the relationship isn’t a sudden break, but a slow realization that physical proximity never guaranteed emotional connection.

The narrator expresses a desire to escape this disconnect entirely, wondering if they could “fall into something else” or “completely fade away from view.” It captures the specific heartbreak of wanting to disappear rather than face the “twisted and beautiful knots” of a failing dynamic.

The Inevitability of Change

The chorus introduces a sense of powerlessness with the refrain: “Then there’s a change / It comes my way / Not mine.” This repetition highlights that the shifts occurring in the narrator’s life are external and unwanted. However, the song concludes with a surprising note of acceptance. The final lines describe a “long and winding road” that feels like going home, offering a glimmer of hope that “this emptiness will soon pass.”

The Sound of Decay

Musically, the production mirrors these themes of distance and time. The synth textures are lush but melancholic, creating a “fading” atmosphere with washed-out reverb and decaying echoes. It fits perfectly into the Before After Again canon, offering a darker, more introspective counterpoint to their more upbeat tracks.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can listen to Fade right now. Support the band by adding the track to your playlists or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp.

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Before After Again - Touch cover art

Touch: New Post-Punk Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - Touch cover art

After a year-long wait, Before After Again returns with a vengeance. The new single, Touch, is available today on all major streaming and download sites. This track marks a sonic evolution for the project, aggressively combining elements of darkwave, post-punk, synthpop, and industrial music into a singular, cohesive sound.

“The Noose You Tighten”

Lyrically, Touch explores the disturbing intersection of physical intimacy and psychological manipulation. The narrator describes a relationship defined by control, yet there is a defiant undercurrent of immunity to that control. The key line, “The noose you tighten / Still feels loose on my end,” suggests a power dynamic where the aggressor believes they are in charge, but the victim has become too numb to be hurt.

The imagery is visceral, leaning into the song’s industrial influences. Phrases like “Warm tongue / Slithers down my throat” depict love as an invasive, choking force. The refrain asks to fill the void with “lies,” speaking to a cynical acceptance of betrayal as the only way to feel complete.

Controlled Chaos: 169 BPM

Musically, the track is built on a jarring structural shift that mirrors this psychological tension. The verses sprint forward at a blistering 169.2 BPM, driven by frenetic percussion and anxious post-punk energy. It mimics the feeling of a racing heart or the “flight” response kicked into overdrive.

However, when the chorus hits, the track drops into a grooving half-time groove. This sudden deceleration gives the refrain a sludge-like weight, emphasizing the “tightening noose” described in the lyrics. It trades speed for power, creating a sonic assault that feels both frantic and oppressive at the same time.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can stream Touch right now. Support the band by adding the track to your playlists or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp.

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Sinistrad animation

Future State: 10 Tracks of Dark Industrial Aggression from Sinistrad

It is New Release Day, and we have something incredibly heavy for you this time. **Sinistrad** has officially released their debut album, Future State, a collection containing 10 tracks of aggressive, dark electronic music best served at full volume.

While listeners may recognize the personnel behind the project, featuring members of the darkwave band Before After Again, Sinistrad stands as a distinct and formidable entity. Where previous projects might explore melody and atmosphere, this album explores force and texture.

The Sound of Future State

Future State is not your typical metal or industrial record. It occupies a unique sonic space that blends the mechanical precision of electronic sequencing with the raw energy of post-punk and industrial metal.

If you are a fan of heavy electronics, you might pick up on a touch of influence from giants like Ministry or the sample-heavy percussion of The Young Gods. There are also hints of the rhythmic drive found in KMFDM and the EBM pulse of Nitzer Ebb. However, Sinistrad avoids becoming a mere “knockoff” of these legendary groups. Instead, the band synthesizes these influences into an original sound that holds its own in the modern landscape.

Themes and Atmosphere

The music on Future State is dark, aggressive, and heavy. It paints a picture of a world in decline, fitting perfectly with the album’s title. The tracks are dense, layered with distorted guitars, synths, and crushing percussion that create a suffocating yet energetic atmosphere.

This is music for the end of the world, or perhaps the beginning of a new, colder one. It bridges the gap between the dance floor and the mosh pit, appealing to fans of industrial, metal, darkwave, and post-punk alike.

Lyrics: Future State

The title track serves as a manifesto for the album. Below are the lyrics for “Future State,” which explore themes of environmental collapse, manufactured emotion, and inevitable decay.

Feel the land slide
See the rising tide
In a voice that can’t be denied
We’re all going to die

Can’t change the future state
In a world where nothing moves
Teleprompt emotion brings
No real words
Just lips that move

Spinning arms
Tentacles
Wrap around
Kiss it all
Motherly
Your disease
Is warm

Glistening
Shake it loose
Understand
Tears that move
Venomous
Bear your tooth
It’s all
Mine

The lakes are running dry
The hole burned in the sky
Too late to ask why
We’re all going to die

Can’t fix a twisted mind
Just slip the meds under your tongue
Calculate coordinates
Let’s hit the floor
And start again

Stream the Album Now

Future State is now available on all of the usual platforms. You can stream the full album via Spotify or support the band directly on Bandcamp below.

#Sinistrad #IndustrialMetal #Darkwave #FutureState

Sinistrad - Future State logo animated

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Syntheticult cover art

Syntheticult: 2 New Tracks of Darkwave Electronic Rock

Syntheticult animated art

Syntheticult has arrived as a potent new force in the label’s roster, offering a unique blend of darkwave, post-punk, and electronic rock styles in an instrumental format. For fans of heavy guitars, cold synths, and hanging out in dark rooms, this project strikes a perfect balance between melody and atmosphere.

Drawing from influences like late-period Killing Joke and the industrial edge of Gary Numan, Syntheticult creates something unusual: music where melody is embraced, but heavy guitars are utilized to drive rhythms while synths build texture.

Two singles have been released, “Full of Empty” and “Momentary Prolifics,” and they are now available for purchase/download on Bandcamp as well as all of the usual streaming platforms.

Review: Full of Empty

The first track, “Full of Empty,” leans into stark contrast and emotional tension. It balances darkwave atmosphere with a rigid electronic rock framework. The composition favors weight and repetition over melodic excess, creating a hypnotic effect.

The synth lines are deliberately cold and unadorned, creating a sense of emotional distance that mirrors the title’s implication. The rhythm is steady and insistent rather than aggressive, allowing the track to build pressure without escalation. Guitars and electronic elements coexist without competing, reinforcing the song’s bleak, inward focus.

Production-wise, it is controlled and dry, avoiding unnecessary sheen. The arrangement leaves space for unease, making “Full of Empty” feel less like a conventional song and more like a sustained mood, direct, reserved, and intentionally unresolved.

Review: Momentary Prolifics

“Momentary Prolifics” continues Syntheticult’s darkwave and electronic rock hybrid but introduces a slightly more kinetic edge. This track relies on movement and texture rather than traditional hooks, unfolding through layered patterns and incremental shifts.

Rhythmic elements provide forward momentum, while synth textures and processed tones introduce tension and instability. There is a mechanical quality to the pacing, offset by subtle variations that keep the track from settling into predictability. Very little feels ornamental; every element serves the structure or the atmosphere.

The production here favors clarity over density, allowing each layer to remain distinct. “Momentary Prolifics” functions well as an immersive listen, rewarding attention without demanding it. It reinforces Syntheticult’s focus on mood-driven composition rather than surface impact.

Stream the Singles

You can listen to both tracks via the players below. If you enjoy the blend of organic aggression and electronic precision, consider supporting the artist on Bandcamp.

#Syntheticult #Darkwave #ElectronicRock #KillingJoke #GaryNuman #Instrumental

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