The New Division ~ Modus [2⊘2⊘]

An eighties echo, but amplified, streamlined, and anthemic. Think cruise control on a Summer-burnt Autobahn, joyously windswept at redline. An oddly cathartic church bell drives an ocean of emotions to a pinnacle of exaltation under far-too-convenient foot-pedal control. “I took my medicineThe voices won’t stopMy shadow’s caving inMy feet won’t walk” Originating as John Kunkel’s dorm room…

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bdrmm - Pulling Stitches [2⊘23]

With a menacing growl, the storm-grey curtain begins its slow descent. A once flourishing dream, draped over our sun’s bright and mighty entrance allows a mere smattering of rays to embrace glass. Glimmers of hope illuminate the shattered remains of a now haunted, once-spirited war zone. “Why does this feel?Like a dreamA third, second chanceJust doesn’t seem real” This is bdrmm (stylistically),…

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A Place To Bury Strangers ~ Let's See Each Other (Grimoose Remix)  [2⊘21]

While some bands may strive for a level production in all endeavors, others prefer to more proverbially “fly by the seat of their pants“. A Place To Bury Strangers, often known simply as APTBS, is firmly stationed in the latter with their renowned live performances considered the stuff of legend to those embracing insane antics with ear-splitting volumes to the shame of non-Spinal Tapians…

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SKYND - Tyler Hadley

You might want to skip this post, as it may be difficult to shake. SKYND is a troll in a Danish fairy tale depicting a kidnapped wife and her husband’s attempts to take her back. He eventually succeeds, but only with the admonition he must never rush her to do anything again, otherwise she’ll be returned to the troll (SKYND). The band of the same name is the brainchild of Swedish-born Marina…

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TVAM ~ Bitplain [2⊘19]

TVAM ~ Bitplain [2⊘19]

In a world where isolation has more or less been the new standard, one’s thoughts turn to our new communication norms and what they allow us to share and how. With Bitplain, TVAM are plumbing the depths of our mental connectivity to others through computer circuitry; a potential bond between the stark cold silicon and the fleshy bits that make us up. Per TVAM, “…as we recreate ourselves in…

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Garbage ~ Wolves (nsfw) [2⊘21]

Garbage ~ Wolves (nsfw) [2⊘21]

Since their early incarnation in the ’90’s, Garbage has been a mainstay in the alternative+ music world. Band members Shirley Manson (main vocals, guitars, keyboards), Duke Erikson (guitar, bass, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar, keyboards), and Butch Vig (drums, percussion, keyboards) have been distinctive in their cake-like-blending of staunchly-driven guitar riffs, complimentary darkly-layered…

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PVRIS ~ White Noise

PVRIS ~ White Noise

Originally known as Operation Guillotine, a metal-core band rechristened PARIS when their musical direction changed to a synth/electro-pop sound, and finally to the current PVRIS (same pronunciation) due to copyright issues. The band made up of vocalist Lynn Gunn, guitarist Alex Babinski, and bassist/keyboardist Brian MacDonald, self-describes themselves on Spotify as, “… pull(ing) together the…

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Ludovico Technique ~ Embrace

Ludovico Technique ~ Embrace

Let’s start by pointing out the elephant in the room… this video is sexy. Tres sexy. It seems to have been exclusively designed to get under the skin of any potentially “male-interested goth-type“, and does so exceptionally well with its velvety synths, silky vocals, and lyrics that are… rather to-the-point. Ludovico Technique, sometimes teased as Ludo Tech, is made up of lead singer Ben V- along…

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Killing Joke ~ I Am The Virus

Killing Joke ~ I Am The Virus

Despite the song’s eerily pre-coincidental release nearly five years prior to COVID, Jaz Coleman, frontman for Killing Joke, is an unlikely omniscient and rather perhaps simply wise. The lyrics, more likely to be interpreted as an allegory to our world’s overlords and their ever-present control over our lives – Jaz is an oft believer in several popular conspiracy theories, an occultist, an…

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Killing Joke ~ I Am The Virus

Killing Joke ~ I Am The Virus

Despite the song’s eerily pre-coincidental release nearly five years prior to COVID, Jaz Coleman, frontman for Killing Joke, is an unlikely omniscient and rather perhaps simply wise. The lyrics are more likely to be interpreted as an allegory to our world’s overlords and their ever-present control over our lives – Jaz is an oft believer in several popular conspiracy theories, an occultist, an…

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Emika - Let's Dance (Shocklee-Emikaized)

Emika – Let’s Dance (Shocklee-Emikaized)

It may come as a surprise to discover Emika (Ema Jolly) started her musical journey in a cupboard in secondary school. To be precise, she found an old beat-up PC with a 4-channel sequencing program in a cupboard and used it with a fellow classmate (and a myriad of other instruments) to create self-inspired hip-hop jams. From these simple beginnings, the Czech-born artist, residing in England…

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Sufjan Stevens ~ Run Away With Me

Sufjan Stevens ~ Run Away With Me

Hauntingly beautiful… Clearly, not the first time a song written by Sufjan (pronounced Sufyan) Stevens has been described thusly, yet nevertheless true. His abilities are the rarest trifecta, the talent to write lovely music, the skillful glorious prose, and the gift of wrapping it all up in a heartfelt, emotional bow. “They will terrorize us, With new confusion, With the fear of life that seeks…

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Garbage ~ Wolves (nsfw)

Garbage ~ Wolves (nsfw)

Since their early incarnation in the ’90’s, Garbage has been a mainstay in the alternative+ music world. Band members Shirley Manson (main vocals, guitars, keyboards), Duke Erikson (guitar, bass, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar, keyboards), and Butch Vig (drums, percussion, keyboards) have been distinctive in their cake-blended staunchly-driven guitar riffs with complimentary darkly-layered…

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TVAM ~ Bitplain

In a world where isolation has more or less been the new standard, one’s thoughts turn to our new communication norms and what they allow us to share and how. With Bitplain, TVAM are plumbing the depths of our mental connectivity to others through computer circuitry; a potential bond between the stark cold silicon and the fleshy bits that make us up. Per TVAM, “…as we recreate ourselves in…

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PVRIS ~ White Noise

PVRIS ~ White Noise

Originally known as Operation Guillotine, a metalcore band, rechristened PARIS when their musical direction changed to a synth/electro-pop sound, and finally to the current PVRIS (same pronunciation) due to copyright issues. The band made up of vocalist Lynn Gunn, guitarist Alex Babinski, and bassist/keyboardist Brian MacDonald, self-describe themselves on Spotify as, “… pull(ing) together the…

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Royal Blood ~ Boilermaker

Royal Blood ~ Boilermaker

Royal Blood lead singer Mike Kerr stated in an interview, “A boilermaker is a horrible, horrible drink. It’s a shot of whiskey (dropped) in a beer… When you’re drinking them, you know things are going wrong.” Strange then the juxtaposition of the boisterous fan-favorite track Boilermaker (first introduced during their 2019 European tour) up against this ill-flavored god-damning drink that Kerr…

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Film School - Influencer

Film School – Influencer

Perhaps a perfect counter to our current viral-infected oft dreary lives is the band Film School, originally formed in San Francisco and more recently headquartered in Los Angeles, comprised of bandmates Greg Bertens (vocals, guitar), Nyles Lannon (guitar, backing vocals), Justin LaBo (bass), Jason Ruck (synths), and Adam Wade (drums). If you long for the salad days of My Bloody Valentine,…

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