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Cover art for Hell of a Friend by Before After Again

Hell of a Friend: New Industrial Darkwave from Before After Again

February 5, 2024
Cover art for Hell of a Friend by Before After Again

Before After Again turns up the grit with “Hell of a Friend,” a track that leans heavily into the industrial side of the darkwave spectrum.

Demons Within

“Hell of a Friend” is driven by a distorted, mechanical beat and aggressive synth textures. It explores the darker corners of the psyche, specifically the “demons within” that we run from, only to find them waiting for us again. The lyrics paint a picture of a cyclical struggle, where the darkness isn’t just an enemy, but a familiar, albeit destructive, companion.

With influences ranging from early industrial rock to modern dark synth, this track is dense, heavy, and perfect for those who prefer their electronic music with a bit of an edge.

Lyrics

Don’t say a word they won’t understand
Everything ends and it starts again
Everyone runs from the demons within
Then we go back to bed it’s a hell of a friend

Take what is yours and break while you bend
Fading away while the past comes again
Falling on down on the darkness within
Never coming back it’s a hell of a friend

Don’t stop running you’ll find out for yourself
The time heals wounds and the scars that you felt
Everyone knows that you’re out of your mind
If you found something else now there’s nothing inside

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“Hell of a Friend” 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 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 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 Vice Grip by Before After Again

Vice Grip: New Uptempo Synthpop from Before After Again

January 15, 2024
Cover art for Vice Grip by Before After Again

Before After Again picks up the tempo with “Vice Grip,” a track that wraps dark lyrical themes in a bright, energetic package.

A Study in Contrast

“Vice Grip” is defined by its sparse instrumentation and a snappy, driving drum track that immediately induces movement. Musically, the chorus feels uplifting and anthemic, a classic synthpop earworm. However, digging into the lyrics reveals a narrative of distress, brokenness, and a toxic dynamic described as a “siege.”

This juxtaposition, dancing while “falling apart,” is a hallmark of the best coldwave and synthpop. It suggests that sometimes the only way to handle the “fracture” is to move through it.

Lyrics

I can’t believe you’re broken now
It’s pitiful
Such distress it tears us all apart
No shame no blame no reckoning
Just look at you
A fractured piece will lie away in waste

She swings a delightful
Comatose no breathing
Don’t fight it now it hurts you in the end
A fall from where she’d thought she’d been forgiven
For all the things she never should have said

Under your siege now
Your vice grip it pleases
Screaming but nothing
It sounds so enticing

I like the way you look at me
It tears into
Seeking trust in eyes you know that lie
So please decide what’s right
What’s wrong it matters none
The end it comes in every way you know

She swings a delightful
Comatose no breathing
Don’t fight it now it hurts you in the end
A fall from where she’d thought she’d been forgiven
For all the things she never should have said

Under your siege now
Your vice grip it pleases
Screaming but nothing
It sounds so enticing

Under your siege now
Your vice grip it pleases
Screaming but nothing
It sounds so enticing

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“Vice Grip” 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 The Water That Pulls You Underneath by Before After Again

The Water That Pulls You Underneath: New Industrial from Before After Again

January 8, 2024
Cover art for The Water That Pulls You Underneath by Before After Again

Before After Again dives deep into the murky waters of industrial rock with “The Water That Pulls You Underneath,” a track that eschews radio-friendly polish for raw, aggressive intensity.

A Rebellious Offspring

Melding old-school industrial with EBM and darkwave, this sonic creation feels like the rebellious offspring of the 90s alternative scene. It channels the twisted spirit of Nine Inch Nails and the aggressive ethos of Front Line Assembly, masterfully combining raw intensity with melodious elements. It embodies a DIY, independent spirit that is unapologetically dark.

Lyrics

Automatic-cratic
With a taste for thrills
Focus on terror
And a pitiful soul

Baby’s got a chance
But the pretty don’t show
Watch yourself run
While the memories unfold

Hold on don’t breath
You won’t succeed
I am the water
That pulls you underneath

Existential truth
And a pain that’s real
Lock your heart in
Let it fall into place

Damage is done
Count your losses and fails
Pretty one loves
All the pain that it brings

Hold on don’t breath
You won’t succeed
I am the water
That pulls you underneath

Ticking time bomb
And its locked onto you
Cover your eyes
Like there’s nothing to do

Losing your mind
As you bask in the toil
Never look back
At the lives you destroyed

Hold on don’t breath
You won’t succeed
I am the water
That pulls you underneath

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“The Water That Pulls You Underneath” 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 Again by Before After Again

Again: Sophomore Darkwave Album from Before After Again

September 18, 2022

Before After Again returns with their second full-length album, simply titled “Again.” Drawing upon darkwave, post-punk, and industrial influences, this release marks a confident evolution in the band’s sound.

A Darker Evolution

Written by Jason Whitcomb and produced by Kevin Hartnell, the album features 11 tracks that blend gritty electro-rock textures with melodic sensibilities. Tracks like “Sweet Candy” and “Not to Speak” showcase the duo’s ability to balance aggression with atmosphere.

Spotlight: VWS

One of the standout tracks on the album is “VWS.” While the full meaning of the acronym has been partially lost to time, the band recalls the first word stands for “Violated”—a theme echoed in the song’s crawling, uneasy rhythm.

Lyrics:
Looks like a scene from a movie
Drags like a nail on the blackboard
Crawls like a limb gone numb

Cries like a lamb for the slaughter
Turns out we’ve all been before her
See how your senses blur

The light’s on
But nobody’s home
Click the lock pull the key
The medicine flows

The light’s on
But nobody’s home
Click the lock pull the key and the switch while
The medicine flows

Eat like a long lost survivor
Choke down the lies that you’ve told her
All while she watches on

Clean all the stains that you’ve left there
Burn all the remnants
And know where
I’m on the prowl again

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“Again” 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.

After by Before After Again - cover art animated
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Before After Again debut album cover art

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

March 9, 2020
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”

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

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