mobile logo
 

electronic rock Tag

Berlin by Silent Apparatus - cover art

Silent Apparatus – Berlin: High-Octane Electronic Rock

November 24, 2025

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

Stream & Download

Recommendations

Music, News, Releases
Cover art for Winds of March by Plastic Horizon

Winds of March: New Cinematic Synthwave from Plastic Horizon

March 1, 2024
Cover art for Winds of March by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon returns to Overlook Hotel Records with “Winds of March,” a track that bridges the gap between atmospheric soundscapes and driving synth-rock energy.

A Cinematic Slow Burn

Drawing heavily from the visual language of Blade Runner and the nostalgic adrenaline of the Outrun aesthetic, this single is a study in tension and release. It does not rush; instead, it invites the listener into a dark, cinematic space.

The track begins with a “dark and easy” introduction, a slow burn of brooding pads and distant melodies that evoke the feeling of a solitary walk through a rain-slicked futuristic city. But as the “winds” pick up, so does the intensity. The composition patiently layers its elements, building a wall of sound that eventually breaks into a full-throttle synthwave rock anthem.

Listen & Support

This dynamic shift makes “Winds of March” the perfect companion for a late-night drive. It captures that specific moment when the empty road stretches out before you, the city lights blur into streaks of neon, and the only option is to turn the volume up and drive.

“Winds of March” 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.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Records
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

Listen & Support

“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.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News
Cover art for Aeon by Plastic Horizon

Aeon: New 80s-Inspired Synthpop from Plastic Horizon

February 2, 2024
Cover art for Aeon by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon delivers a dynamic listening experience with “Aeon,” a track that takes the listener on a journey through the sounds of the early 80s.

Big Energy, Classic Vibes

“Aeon” doesn’t ease you in; it opens with a bombastic, larger-than-life intro that immediately grabs your attention. From there, it shifts gears into an uptempo, New Wave synthpop rhythm reminiscent of bands like Berlin. The driving bass and shimmering synths create a sense of urgency and excitement that defines the golden era of the genre.

The Breakdown and Outro

Just when you settle into the groove, the track returns to the massive scale of the introduction, creating a powerful peak before fading out. The song wraps up with a soft, gentle arpeggio sequence, a perfect “cool down” after the high-energy ride.

Listen & Support

“Aeon” 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.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News
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

Listen & Support

“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.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
Cover art for Tachyon by Plastic Horizon

Tachyon: New Anthemic Outrun Single from Plastic Horizon

January 12, 2024
Cover art for Tachyon by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon hits the accelerator with “Tachyon,” a track that pays homage to the neon-soaked aesthetics of the Outrun genre while carving out its own lane.

A Slow Burn to Redline

While many Outrun tracks rely on high-speed tempos from the start, “Tachyon” takes a more deliberate approach. It runs at a moderate tempo, opening with a stripped-down, skeletal arrangement. A driving bassline locks in with a minimal drum track, allowing a lonely melody line to drift over the top like streetlights passing on a midnight drive.

The Anthemic Release

The track is a study in momentum. It builds patiently, layer by layer, until it erupts with anthemic guitar rhythms that transform the song from a moody synth piece into a stadium-sized rocker. The composition cycles back to the driving intro groove, but this time with the full weight of the instrumentation intact, bringing the song home in a bombastic, cinematic ending.

Listen & Support

“Tachyon” 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.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
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

Listen & Support

“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.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Uncategorized
Toxic Web - I cover art

Toxic Web: “I” EP – Darkwave & Dark Ambient Debut (2013)

October 4, 2013
Toxic Web - I cover art

Toxic Web: The Debut EP “I”

Overlook Hotel Records presents the debut EP from the electronic project Toxic Web, released October 4, 2013.

Overlook Hotel Records is proud to announce the release of catalog item R237-007: Toxic Web – “I”. This 4-track collection explores the darker side of electronic music, categorized as a blend of Darkwave and Dark Ambient soundscapes.

The project features the “fiendish and beautiful” vocal work of Deanna Quijada, supported by the synth wizardry of Jason Whitcomb and the rhythm section of Kevin Hartnell. The sound is often described as a mix of Darkwave and Dark Ambient, with vocals that channel the spirits of Kate Bush, Yma Sumac, and Nina Hagen.

Stream the EP

The EP is available for streaming or download.

Interview: Deanna Quijada

“Where do you get your ideas from?”

  • Where do you get your ideas?
  • Deanna Quijada
  • _blank
  • Interview
  • https://overlookhotelrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Toxic-Web-Interviews-Deanna-Quijada.mp3

“Sometimes I know what a song means to me personally, and sometimes I just have a feeling about it. And where the stuff comes from, I don’t know. Well, I will say that sometimes I have an image of my muse as being a beautiful woman who’s leading me by the hand down a very dangerous looking back alley in some weird, twisted city.

And I like to think I’m brave enough to just follow her anywhere. And most of the time I feel I am, and I’ll just go for it, because it’s nice to give yourself that freedom and not judge things too harshly while you’re creating them.

I’d say that most of it is an emotional exploration of some mental state and it can take different forms and it can take different stories and it doesn’t have to be autobiographical. It is, but I’m just walking down that weird alley, checking it out, going, wow, this is different.”

Tracklist & Credits

Tracklist:

  1. Toxic Web (04:24)
  2. Sunfalls (04:06)
  3. My Hands Are Blue (03:05)
  4. Cold Grey Eyes (03:26)

Album Credits:

  • Deanna Quijada: Vocals
  • Jason Whitcomb: Vocals, Synths, Drum Programming
  • Kevin Hartnell: Drums, Bass, Guitars, Synths, Drum Programming
  • Ty Whitcomb: Guitar on “Sunfalls”

Produced by Kevin Hartnell & Toxic Web. Mixed by Kevin Hartnell and mastered by Hector the Rat at the Overlook Hotel. Cover Art Centerpiece by Guill Quijada.

©2013 Overlook Hotel Records. Catalog R237-007.

Lyrics

1. Toxic Web

Pretty eyes / By the fire light / In a veil of smoke / They won’t tell me lies
Bite your lip / Bite your tongue / Find a spine if you know one

In the toxic web / Where’s your head / Where’s the truth
All the words you have spoken
Like a fire burnin’ / They fall around on the floor
Where you stumble upon them / I stumble upon them

I act like a fool around you / So I gave up / And look at you without me
Close enough / In my own mind / I make impulsive love
Come get it / Or turn away this time / In the end it’s all fine

Black laced eyes / Filled with tears can’t control them
Bite your lip / Bite your tongue / Find a spine if you know one
In the toxic web / Where’s your head / Where’s the truth
All the words you have spoken
Burnin’ in my head / They fall around on the floor
Where you stumble upon them / I stumble upon them
Hot coals I walk on
Once again friend / Once again fire / Once again / Again / Again

2. Sunfalls

Sounds that hang above me / You’re sharing them with me
The things that you’re saying / Couldn’t mean much more to me
The absence surrounds me / I’ve nothing more to say
So come here and adore me / I wouldn’t have it any other way

Out here where the sun falls / And the sky drips endlessly down
I’ll take you before me / And make it heaven
(Repeat Chorus)

Every day with masses / I feel you in my life
With all this disaster / I’m glad that it’s all mine
I reach for your acceptance / I’m begging you to say
The things you said before me / In a special kind of way

Out here where the sun falls / And the sky drips endlessly down
I’ll take you before me / And make it heaven
(Repeat Chorus)

3. My Hands Are Blue

My hands are blue / My hands are blue

Angels are falling down / Battered and bruised
And when doors open in / Say “My God, look at you”
Look at you

Don’t tell me a lie / I won’t be alright
My hands are blue / As cold as you

4. Cold Grey Eyes

(Instrumental)

Music, Interview, News, Releases
Before After Again wallpaper - baby doll

Before After Again: New Darkwave / Post-Punk Project Announced

July 27, 2013

Before After Again: A New Music Project

Overlook Hotel Records is excited to announce a new collaborative project featuring Kevin Hartnell and Jason Whitcomb.

Before After Again is a new music project I am working on with Jason Whitcomb. Some may recognize Jason as one of the “Bile Brothers” from our Cambium project.

Drawing influence from the darker side of music, Before After Again explores a sonic landscape built on Darkwave, Coldwave, Synthpop, and Post-Punk textures.

From Cambium to BAA

Jason and I started working on music together a couple of years ago. Since then, we have accumulated quite a few songs in our catalog. Some of our songs ended up on the Cambium album released by Overlook Hotel Records, while others found a home as part of The Replicon Project.

While we currently do not have a release date set, I have a feeling that there is already more than enough material for a full-length album of Before After Again songs. The writing process has been incredibly productive, allowing us to experiment with guitars and denser synth atmospheres.

Listen: “Allison’s Gone”

To give you an idea of what the project sounds like, have a listen to “Allison’s Gone” first. It represents the darker side of the band’s sound.

Listen: “Akron”

In contrast to the atmospheric vibe of “Allison’s Gone,” the track “Akron” reveals our heavier side that incorporates guitars into the mix.

I will post an update as things move forward. We have really enjoyed working on all of this new material and hope you like the new songs!

Thanks for listening,
Kevin Hartnell
Overlook Hotel Records

Full Album
Music, News, Releases
Cambium - Let's Send a Signal cover art

Cambium: “Let’s Send A Signal” – Debut Album Review & Stream

April 22, 2013
Cambium - Let's Send a Signal cover art

Cambium: “Let’s Send A Signal”

Overlook Hotel Records presents the debut album from Cambium, a 14-track journey through “future retro” rock.

Overlook Hotel Records is proud to announce catalog item R237-006: Cambium – “Let’s Send A Signal”. Available now for free download, this album represents a massive collaborative effort created in our secret laboratory.

Vic Bonat, Jason Whitcomb, Mike Chambers, Mat Williams, and I spent a year writing, recording, mixing, and “throwing hammers around” in a grand effort to bring you something special.

What Does It Sound Like?

Do you like your rock with synths? Perhaps you prefer your synths with guitars. Maybe you are like me and enjoy a very diverse array of musical styles, sometimes across the same album, or even throughout the course of the same song.

I’ve heard the term “future retro” thrown out there to describe the sound, but I have no idea what that means! Press the play button below and decide for yourself.

Stream the Album

The album is available for streaming or download via Spotify and Bandcamp.

Tracklist

Tracklist:

  1. Let’s Send A Signal (03:47)
  2. Forward Eyes (04:53)
  3. Biloquist (02:58)
  4. Escape Pod 9 (05:42)
  5. Nothing Else (04:06)
  6. Someday Soon (05:37)
  7. Recycle (03:18)
  8. Distant (05:14)
  9. Flinch (04:03)
  10. Static (04:49)
  11. Aphid (04:55)
  12. Salton (03:52)
  13. Where The Oxygen Gets Thin (04:10)
  14. Salton (long version) (06:18)

Album Credits

All lyrics by Jason Whitcomb. All music by Cambium.

  • Jason Whitcomb: Vocals, Synths, Bass, Guitars, Drum Programming
  • Mike Chambers: Bass, Guitars, Synths, Drum Programming
  • Mat Williams: Guitars, Leads
  • Vic Bonat: Guitars, Bass, Synths
  • Kevin Hartnell: Drums, Bass, Guitars, Synths, Vocals, Drum Programming
  • Deanna Quijada: Backing vocals on “Flinch”

Produced by Kevin Hartnell & Cambium. Mixed by Kevin Hartnell and mastered by Hector Rat at the Overlook Hotel. Artwork and design by Hector the Rat for Overlook Hotel Records.

©2013 Overlook Hotel Records. Catalog R237-006.

Lyrics: “Let’s Send A Signal”

Chains on our arms / Masks on our faces
We cover it up / For nothing at all

Let’s send a signal out there / One that they can’t ignore
Let’s find some trouble worth making / We’ll hang our heads when it’s done

When nobody’s watching / You think you’re alone
Confide in yourself / But watch what you say
These words are like poison / As you feed us like rats
And watch as we die

(Chorus)

No second chance / A life in the balance
You’ve been here before / No stranger to you
Hopelessly lost / Just hang on so tightly
I won’t let you go / Until I’m done with your soul

(Chorus)

Music, News, Releases