Artist: Igor Spectre

Album: Steak, Seafood, Salad, Satan

Label: Indie

Released: 2012

Website: www.igorspectre.com

Why Igor Spectre is not on the cover of Rolling Stone and selling out the Staples Center is beyond me! Especially after Tramps in Stereo! Well, the best rock and roll band you’ve never heard of is back with the epically titled: Steak, Seafood, Salad, Satan. With their newest studio album Igor Spectre once again delivers a solid set of songs while tinkering with their sound. There is no mistaking their trademark sound, however, here it’s a little less glam then Tramps in Stereo and bit more punk. It’s rock and roll with a quick beat and even quicker wit. Blending the sounds of their last two albums while adding a punk flavor.

The album starts with a torch song about death, “We Will All Fall Down”. By the second repartition of the chorus you will be singing along to this one. It also perfectly sets up the overall sound of the album. “The Girl Creeps Me Out”, well it’s hard not to love a song that opens with a child saying “Kill everybody. Cut them in half. Throw them in the garbage.”. The dark humor of this band is front and center here and flows right into next track “Me Llamo Carlos”. There is an very apparent B-horror film feel to this album. Songs like the fun “Cheerleader Suicide”, the horror/surf theme “Sundown Trail-Theme from Igor Spectre” and the very catchy and morose “Elizabeth Hoover’s Dead” perfectly illustrate this feel. “Dandy Boy” is on of my favorites and has a sound closer to the album Tramps in Stereo along with “Saturday Night”. We also have another of my favorites, “Elizabeth Hoover’s Dead” that is reminiscent of the We Miss the Russians sound with an intro guitar riff to die for. “Sick’s The New Sane” exemplifies this album’s punk influence.

If I had gun pointed at my head and had to pick one song to list as my favorite it would have to be “Two Requiems for Ruby Rose”. Every Igor album has a sad, strong ballad, “Broken Things” from We Miss the Russians, “Parasol” from Tramps in Stereo and now “Two Requiems for Ruby Rose”. The latter being the most powerful to this point. A sad car wreck story, ala “Last Kiss”, that has 50′s undertones. It’s not that it’s a ballad or that it’s in a more serious vein that make it my favorite. It’s that this song truly shows off this band’s brilliant songwriting skills. Starting as a sad, slow ballad it progresses into a rock rhythm with morbid lyrics and then leaves you with a broken heart. Lyrically and musically pitch perfect. An epic song for the ages.

Steak, Seafood,Salad, Satan is a straight up rock album that doesn’t falter. Just when I think Igor Spectre can’t get any better, they release a new album and prove me wrong! While a few of the songs on this album get overshadowed by some of the other tracks, there is not a single bad note on this album. While I enjoyed the glam/Bowie sound of Tramps, I am thrilled they tossed a new punk/Damned spice into the sick stew that is Igor Spectre. If you haven’t heard Igor Spectre before you owe it to yourself to buy this album right now (you can thank me later)! Fans of the band, well, I know you already have it and know how good it is. All I can really say in closing is: This is what a band is and this is what Rock and Roll is meant to be!

5/5

Artist: Lords of Acid

Album: Deep Chills

Label: Metropolis

Released: April 10th, 2012

Website: www.lordsofacid.co

It is my pleasure to announce that after a decade of relative silence, Lords of Acid are back with their new album Deep Chills. Listening to this album proves that LoA have not missed a beat over the years. In fact they have taken that beat to new playgrounds. While staying true to their signature sound they take the opportunity with Deep Chills to experiment and see how Lords would mesh with many other musical styles. The musical experimentation here reminds me of the Beastie Boys experimental album Paul’s Boutique. What are the results of the Acid tests here? An album that shows the brilliance of Praga Khan transcending boundaries into a wide rage of catchy riffs, beats, humor, and kink. In short, a strange trip that is worth more then the price of admission.

Let’s start with the songs that scream Lords Of Acid. Little Mighty Rabbit and Pop That Tooshie are what comes to mind when you think of this band. Songs that drip with sex with a beat that shakes the dance floor or vibrates the mattress. Dirty lyrics that walk the line of pure comedy and erotic with music that pops. Then there are the tracks that take that eroticism to a darker place. The music here is still ripe with a driving beat but slower and harsher. Drowning in Ecstasy explores the female orgasm, and Sole Sucker deals with foot fetish and domination. While Hot Magma is deep and rough, and then we have Long Johns, about a tranny, that combines a darker beat with lighter lyrics. There is a song here for just about any mood or fetish you’re into.

There are three songs that really focus on the music and what I would classify as serious songs. Censorship Blows deals with the growing problem of censorship that is going on, especially on-line. The style reminds me of KMFDM. With strong beats, guitars, and distorted vocals. It’s got more of an angry vibe, a call to action feel. Then a song that would fit in at any Dark Alt club or rave, Children of Acid is a very strong dance track. Then we have the trippy Medicine Man. This is a song that takes the listener on a journey from backward vocals to deep bass and then up into an ethereal sky. This is the album’s epic, well suited for mind expansion, if you catch my drift.

The rest of the tracks go all over the musical map. Taking chances that pay off and redefine the musical landscape of Lords of Acid. Speaking of pay offs, Mary, Queen of Slots takes us into a Las Vegas casino. With a very catchy guitar line, slot sounds, and light hip hop vocals this song is just fun. Love Bus is a strange blend of dance, guitar chords, and a road rhythm. Two of the biggest style chances turn out to be two of my favorite tracks. As a matter of fact the 1950′s soda shop sounding Slip ‘n Slide is my favorite of the album. It’s a great juxtaposition with an innocent sounding guitar, bass, and drum music with very dirty lyrics sung very sexy. Then fast forward a decade to the 1960′s surf song about having a crush on Ron Jeremy called Surfin’ Hedgehog. Not only is this song a pure blast it’s catchy as all hell! The strangest track hands down is Paranormal Energy. A dub-step style track about ghosts featuring guest vocals by Ghost Adventure’s Zak Bagans. Love him or hate him it’s hard not to be entertained by him. There is also a hidden track that takes the music from this song and matches it with new lyrics about a ghostly love affair.

Sex can be everything: fun, humorous, wild, mystical, intense, dark, harsh, and memorable. This album is the same. Praga Khan and Erhan Kurkun prove that they have a huge musical range that can be manipulated in any way they choose. Not to mention minds strange and humorous enough to go where the music calls. DJ Mea‘s vocal work fits this trip perfectly. Going from pure lust to feigned innocence, power to ethereal beauty. Deep Chills has music for everyone, every mood, and every position. This is not a comeback album for Lords this is a milestone and hopefully a glimpse at a future full of more bizarre music. It’s great to have them back and if you get only one Lords of Acid album, it better be this one!

5/5

Artist: September Mourning

Album: Melancholia

Label: Repo Records

Released: May 18th, 2012

Website: www.facebook.com/septembermourning

Power, strength, raw emotion, and a sweeping sonic landscape. That was my initial thoughts on September Mourning‘s debut album Melancholia. This sonic tale of a Reaper named September Mourning, takes the listener on a journey through an almost apocalyptic landscape. It’s a full album, by this I mean it’s not just built around the strength of one or two songs. The whole story unfolds from the first track to the last. Each track based on a soul that the Reaper collects giving us a glimpse into the roller coaster existence of the being known as September Mourning.

Musically this band doesn’t lock itself into one style. Taking elements from metal, industrial, goth, and wrapping it up in a theatrical shroud. Kicking off with the track “Go For The Throat” the song dose just that. A driving beat beat, metal infused guitar riffs, and vocals that range from soaring to growling. It’s a perfect song to start off with because it gives a glimpse at the range this band has to offer. This is followed by my personal favorite “A Place To Call Your Own”. Another killer guitar riff welcomes you to an epic song with a beautiful, catchy chorus that’s wrapped in a chaotic shell of verses. “Love is War” and “Seal Your Fate” are tracks that follow their unique blend of heavy, at times blistering, with the soaring beauty.

Melancholia dose not just deliver the above mentioned recipes for melodies. “Crimson Skies” is a ballad with heart wrenching vocals set over strings and electronics that blossom into a chorus of powerful distorted chords. The slower paced but still powerful tracks “Always” and “Last Embrace” continue in this vein. The catchiest of this style would have to be “Lost Angels”. While at a slower beat these tracks still paint a dark and bleak landscape. They still exists within the universe this album weaves. Each track burns with a powerful force, varying from a wildfire to an intense smolder.

While there are tracks that stand out here this is an album that stands as a whole. The songs on their own are like the amazing details that come together to form a full work of art. Melancholia is an outstanding debut from a band that has proved they have their own identity. A band that has honed their skills to a razor sharp edge. The blend of styles here will appeal to a wide audience. Add to that the strong backing story of the Reaper known as September Mourning, strong, well penned lyrics, catchy melodies and guitar lines, and you’ve got something that is addicting. With such a powerful start I am very excited to see where they take this sonic style and story. Anyone with a liking for music with a dark edge will be right at home with this band. It’s an album well suited for dreaming, releasing aggression, crying, getting lost in, or just plan rocking out.

4/5

You can Pre-order this TERROR-ific album here: http://www.poponaut.de/september-mourning-melancholia-p-10371.html?language=en

Artist: Second Skin

Album: Illa Exuro In Silentium

Label: Palace of Worms

Released: 2008

Website: www.secondskin.net

The two best words to describe Second Skin are: style and atmosphere. Their newest album “Ill Exuo In Silentium” (She Burns in Silence) oozes with both. Now I am a big fan of Dark Alt. bands trying new things. However, on the other side of the coin, I also love when bands do a sound damn good and have the balls to stick to it. That is what Second Skin dose and dose well. They take that tried and true Gothic sound of the late 80′s/early 90′s and do it in a way that doesn’t sound dated. We need bands to carry on that sound so it doesn’t stagnate into only nostalgia. There was a reason that sound was big before, we liked it! We just need a band to bring to the 2000′s, and Second Skin is doing just that.

Back to that atmosphere I was talking about earlier. “Ill Exuro In Silentium” is an album to listen to in a dark room while watching the candle light dance on the walls. It brings to mind ivy covered cemeteries and moldering mansions. It’s the type of album that becomes stronger the more you listen to it. The songs have many layers that come to the surface with each addition listen. While there are some tracks that would be fun to dance to, ‘Blood and Glass‘ for example, you’ll get more from this album in solo listening or in small groups. The atmosphere here is one you’ll want to get lost in and spend some time there.

Slated to be a vampire western album, it will fit in well with any dark landscape or time period you have in mind. There are two songs that really embody the “western” theme. ‘The West‘ starts off with old west sound effects. Then it erupts into that goth sound with almost a galloping beat to it. The lyrics further the dark western world. The other track is ‘Black Picket Fence‘. The opening guitar riff flirts with a Bon Jovi sound. These are great songs but if I had to pick a favorite it would have to be ‘The Narcissist‘. It’s got a great hook and with lines like, “You’re so in love with you/ The camera steals your soul/You’re kitschiness is so glib” how could you go wrong. ‘London Bridges‘ is a wonderfully dark and moody piece while a track like ‘Kick and Scream‘ has another good hook and a sound reminiscent of Fields of the Nephilim.

There are only a few complaints I have on this album. None of which are a deal breaker. First, while I do enjoy the mixes, there are times when the vocals get lost in the music. With such great lyrics and vocal prowess they could have put them a little more out front. Second, a couple tracks aren’t the strongest. Not that they are bad tracks, they just get lost among the stronger songs and blend together a bit. That being said, Ill Exuro In Silentium is a strong album that brings a classic sound to a new time period and will hopefully turn on a new generation to a timeless dark sound. With wonderful guitar lines, well crafted lyrics, atmosphere, and theatrical bass vocals this is a must for any goth fan.

31/2-5

Artist: Steam Powered Giraffe

Album: Album One

Label: Steam Powered Giraffe

Released: October 30, 2009

Website: www.steampoweredgiraffe.com/

What do you get when steam powered robots built in 1896 release an album in 2009 under the name Steam Powered Giraffe? A purely unique, imaginative, and splendiferous album that is unlike anything I have heard. Billed as Steampunk meets Futurism this band takes it’s theatrical vaudevillian show and commits it to Album One. An album that must be heard to understand there strange blend of musical styles and humor.

The album starts off with “Steam Man Band“, a song that brings to mind Sargent Pepper’s Mr. Kite. The late year Beatles inspiration is apparent thru out this album. Complete with a well placed inside nod at the end. One of the robots calls out “I’ve got splinters in my’s fingers”. Reminiscent of the close of The Beatles “Helter Skelter“; “I’ve got blisters on my fingers”. Now don’t get me wrong here. I am not saying that this band rips off any sound. It’s just a vibe or undercurrent. I thinks it’s the truly wonderful harmonies that bring about the comparison. The full sound of Steam Powered Giraffe is a blend of vaudeville, folk, barbershop quartet, and 60′s mixed with robots. They really do seem to create a turn of the century sound reborn in the 2000′s.

The aforementioned humor comes to a head on one of my favorite tracks, “Ice Cream Parade”. In a spoke intro one of the robots break and the other two plan to go to an Ice Cream Parade with out him. It’s a bit that made me laugh out loud. When the music kicks in the turn of the century sound really hits you. The humor continues with lines like: “Double dip dinosaur cherry”. The track then sifts to a medieval sound about horses that then carries to a 70′s Latin vibe about riding a quesadilla. This song is followed by another of my favorites, “Brass Goggles” that has another sound all together. A vaudvillie, rock harmony. Each song on the album has it’s own flavor. From “Clockwork Vadeville‘s” folk to “Sound of Tomorrow’s” 60′s, to “Electricity is in My Soul’s” piano ballad, and “Captain Albert Alexander’s” sea chanty. Yet even with all these flavors Steam Powered Giraffe has a sound completely unique to them. A sound that is also shaded with a melancholy. A longing for the past. Like a very happy childhood memory that brings a tear to your eye and a smile to your lips.

Once again, this is an album that must be heard to truly understand the sound. While a few of the songs aren’t quite as strong as the rest, none of them are bad. This is a group that is doing something completely different. They are creating a whole world with their songs and their robot history and show. The theatrics and whole package they bring is a blast and something that has been missing in the music scene in the last decade or so. Steam Powered Giraffe is crafting a new sound that, for me, really captures the essence of this culture known as Steampunk. I have not had a chance to see their live show, but it is on my must see list and it should be on yours as well! Get Album One, put in on and let it transport you to a fictional past with steam powered robots, mechanical ships, ice cream, and quesadillas.

4/5

Artist: The Stripper Project

Album: Brilliant Life

Label: HeadSPIN

Released: October 26, 2010

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stripper-Project/8616043722

Brilliant Life is the first full release by the English band The Stripper Project. It follows the EPs, Reasons Not To Go To Work and Filthy Wonderful. Fronted by the former vocalist from the wonderful Dark Alternative band Children on Stun, Neil Ash. Neil is joined by his partner in crime, Kyle Whipp (Bassist from Children on Stun). This duo is taking chances and trying new sounds. Not letting itself stagnate or get pigeonholed into any specific sound. Blending an almost pop sound with intelligent and dark lyrics. This is an album one must listen to many times to catch all the layers and meanings in each song.

The album kicks off with the track “The Back of the Cemetery”. A catchy track that has a wonderful duality. An upbeat melody is the first thing that hits you, but when the lyrics get to you the darkness is apparent. Reminds me a small bit of Echo and the Bunnymen. This “poppy” darkness and duality is best shown off in the track “I’m Ebola”. The brilliant lyrics also take center stage here. With a chorus like: “I’m coming up on you like cold hearted killer, sweeter than a sugar in a coca cola, you’re my Frankenstein, you’re the flu and I’m Ebola, misanthrope with a heart of a valentine, you be Israel I’ll be Palestine, and we can get on fine, you’re the flu I’m Ebola” one can easily see the high level of intelligence here. Intelligence mixed with a bit of insanity.

As mentioned earlier this album doesn’t stagnate on the same sound. The next track, “Wondergirl” proves that as the sound takes on more of a cold ’80s synth sound. A twisted glamor photo shoot fantasy. Neil Ash’s voice changes and goes to another place and style completely here. Kyle Whipp adds his vocal stylings to the darkest most post-punk sounding track “I Am Twisted Bird”. The title track “My Brilliant Life” returns to the pop”ish” sound with a nice sense of sarcasm in the lyrics. “When the sun’s coming up, I guess I’ll walk you home, If you like the smell of chicks and methadone.” It’s upbeat rock with a great hook and not hollow or vacuous. There is no reason this song should not be on the charts. Except that it’s NOT hollow or vacuous like most chart toppers.

“Fist Full of Flowers” is as catchy as “My Brilliant Life” and “I’m Ebola” but with a darker almost goth club sound. With it’s driving base-line and synth infused melody. It’s the forerunner for my favorite track on the album. Then you’ve got a song like “Autumn Leaves”. Epic and huge it brings together a multitude of styles shown earlier in the album. Powerful words like “This spirit could kill you if you let it, lips meeting in the dark, and you could try and beg the wind not to blow, leave me shaking like an addict, that would be delightfully divine” are capped with lines from the Charles Bukowski’s poem ‘The genius of the crowd’. The album closes with the cold, distant and left of center song “I Destroy Japan”. Finishing the album in almost a dream-like state.

Brilliant Life is a must have album. Not only for those in the Dark Alternative scene but for anyone who like smart, catchy, and fresh music. I am hard pressed to find faults with this album. Some tracks standout more then others. “Back of the Cemetery”, I’m Ebola”, “Wonder Girl”, “My Brilliant Life”, “Fist Full of Flowers”, and “Autumn Leaves” being those stand outs. However, that being said, the other tracks “Princess”, “Nightsurfing”, “I Am Twisted Bird”, and “I Destroy Japan” are just as sharp and clever on a more sublime level. Each song on this album is it’s own journey with it’s own sound. Yet the band has it’s own cohesive sound that holds the tracks together. This album is one that never gets boring or “more of the same” sounding. The Stripper Project is a standout band in the new wave of Dark Alternative artists. They aren’t afraid to go to new places, try new styles, or be clever. I am very excited to see where they go next. The Stripper Project are defiantly leading a “Brilliant Life”.

4 1/2 out of 5

Artist: Mather Louth and Radio Noir

Album: The Swamp Jazz Sessions

Label: Indie

Released: 2009

Website: www.matherlouth.com

How can I describe the sound of this incredible band. The only way I can think to convey it is through an image. Picture if you will. It’s a balmy evening in New Orleans circa 1920 or 30 and you are walking in The French Quarter. A sound leads you down an old dark alley to the door of a small Jazz club. The music draws you inside with it’s intoxicating rhythm. Once inside you find yourself surrounded by vampires, Voodoo practitioners, mysterious finely-dress men and women. and lady’s of the night. The Up-right Bass, Drums , Guitar, and Saxophone cause you to sway helplessly to this entrancing music. Then from out of the band’s shadowy melodies comes a voice with such a power that you are instantly lost in it’s dark sensuality. This is Mather Louth and Radio Noir.

The Swamp Jazz Session is a 4 song EP that transports you to another world. Combining elements of Jazz, Swamp Rock, and Blues they form a welcome new sound in the Dark Alternative scene. It’s refreshing to see a group doing something new and doing it amazingly well. The songs are extremely well crafted and the musicians that comprise this band are at the top of their game. This is a must have CD for anyone who is a fan of music that swings in a nefarious, southern, smoky cabaret way. Once you are under this band spell it’s damn near impossible to break. I do hope a full-length CD is on the way soon!

5/5