Ending the Vicious Cycle

Ending the Vicious Cycle is a gothic rock band from Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX area heavily influenced and compared to Bauhaus and The Sisters of Mercy, though they also draw inspiration from Jrock and Japanese EGA. The band was formed in 2009 by singer/guitarist Toby Rider. Originally from Tainan, Taiwan, Rider cut his musical teeth in the dark music scene of ‘80s Los Angeles at clubs like The Scream opening for Jane’s Addiction and playing alongside Ex-Voto. After relocating to Texas, Rider recruited Johnny B. on guitar and keyboards, Bill Hammon on bass, and Chris Rayburne on drums to finalize the line-up for EVC.

The music of EVC has a heavy dark rock feel, and is characterized by Rider’s introspective lyrics and elegant baritone over booming bass and melodic synth lines. They self-released a four song demo in 2010 and an EP, Ghosts, produced by Raymond John Ross in 2012, but gained much more notice for the single “1,000 Words” mixed by Voe Saint-Claire of The Angels of Liberty. Saint-Claire continues to collaborate with the band, mixing and producing their upcoming full-length album Big Black Heart scheduled for release in late 2013.

 

 

The Arch – New EP to be released soon…

In 1986 a lot of new things were happening in Belgian music.

A new scene created opportunities for young bands who wanted to try something new and one of these bands was The Arch.

Their music was an original mixture of EBM and guitars.

The Arch sent their first demo, “Revenge Revival”, to Dirk Ivens’s Body Records and the track appeared on the compilation “ Expo ‘87”.

Ludo Camberlin immediately felt the potential of the band and released their first EP “As Quiet As…” on Anything But Records.

Soon it was clear: The Arch had to focus abroad where their music was called “crossover”.

There were gigs in Holland, Germany and former Yugoslavia and their music appeared on alternative hit parades all over the world. 

After 6 records it became a little bit quieter but 2 compilation albums were released in Germany in that period.

The Arch continued to create new music and their sound continued to evolve.

A brand-new album, “Engine in Void” was released on the German label Echozone, and everything went in the fast lane again : in 2012 there were gigs in Belgium, Germany, Holland, Spain and Hungaria.

Their new EP “Beating The Balance” will be digitally released on 03.05.2013

The line up:

CUVG – Vocals, Ian Lambert – Synths, Ivan DC – Guitar, Mr. Pierre -Guitar, Miss Chiffon – Backing Vocals, JDSUB/Gijs – Mixing

 

Exit Strategy – Zorch EP

Exit Strategy is a solo project by B. Waddon…… it fuses many different sounds together to hopefully produce
something that is new and a bit different from the rest……….it encompass sounds mostly from Punk, Post-Punk, Prog-Punk, Metal, Goth, progressive, and Alternative…….

Debut album “Exit-Strategy I” was released on the 27/08/2012 and is available to buy via Bandcamp.

The track “Emotive Shades of darkness” is also featured along with some other great bands on Sombrati Records album “An Earth In Darkness Vol II” and is available for free download from Sombrati Records

Another track ‘Arise‘ is also featured on the new Sombrati Records album ‘Gothic Rock From Around The World‘

As of 2013 Exit Strategy are signed to Zorch Factory Records label.

On the 12/02/2013 Exit Strategy released the eagerly awaited ‘Zorch EP‘, featuring the superb vocals of Fear Incorporated‘s frontman William Westwater.

 

LAST JULY

Last July are a Dark Romantic/Electro-Goth band from the East of England, featuring ex-members of Rome Burns and All Living Fear, who blend dark electronics with driving guitars and strong passionate vocals.

photo credit: http://www.karohemd.co.uk

Initially formed as a two-piece, Last July quickly gained a following after playing to a packed audience at the Resolution Hotel during Whitby Goth Weekend in October 2009, closely followed by a favourable article in Unscene Magazine. After a number of gigs across the country they released their dιbut EP ‘Nothing Else But You‘ gaining welcoming reviews and airplay on internet radio. In 2011 Last July’s sound and stage presence increased tenfold with the addition of Nevla (ex-Rome Burns/All living Fear) on guitar. The band went from strength to strength with a string of successful gigs including festival appearances and support slots with some all-time goth greats.The following year saw them embark on recording their first full-length album ‘A True Story of a Lie‘ before going on to increase in number, welcoming new bass player H (ex-Rome Burns) into the fold. A very successful gig on the main stage at Whitby Goth Weekend marked the culmination of their best year so far.

Heading into the new year infused with confidence and with the writing of their next album already producing strong material, you can expect to see a lot more of Last July in 2013.

Their upcoming gigs

20/04/13: Electrowerkz, London (with Inkubus Sukkubus)

Electrowerkz, 7 Torrens Street, Islington EC1V 1NQ
Doors 7.00pm
Tickets £10 adv./£12 on the door

25/05/13: Midlands Goth Fest

Click HERE for Last July merch…

Click HERE for their official site…

 

New Zero God – MMXIII

New Zero God have just released a new album through Secret Sin Records – UK.

The album title is the latin numeral “MMXIII“, a nod to its release year, namely 2013.

“MMXIII” comes with 10 tracks steeped in guitar-driven Gothic/Post Punk. It was recorded in Athens, Greece, during June to November 2012, and was mastered in the UK and can be ordered from HERE.

Tracklist:
Damaged – Hypnotized – No Cure For Love – Sinners & Lovers – In Dreams We Trust – Freakshow – Angeline – Pinups – Intoxication – Until The End Of The Line

The band’s current line-up includes three original Flowers Of Romance members, singer Mike Pougounas, bassist Harris Stavrakas, and guitarist Lao, along with Sidheog Steves, ex-The Drops and New Zero God’s co-founder, on drums.

New Zero God uploaded this teaser on their YouTube page.

 

Release The Bats… : The History Of The Greek Dark Alternative Scene

The long awaited book about the Greek Dark Alternative Scene is about to be published soon.

The author of the book, Nick Drivas, knows the history of the scene first hand, since he was/is an active part of it…(click HERE for more details about Nick).

Our intelligence informs us that it covers the era 1980-2010, with details about each band, coloured album covers, photos and… a 17 track CD featuring some unreleased material.

“Release The Bats… : The History Of The Greek Dark Alternative Scene” is written in Greek and will be published by Art Nocturna, someday in November 2012.

Here is a video that will give you an idea.

 

Are you ready for Calling All Astronauts ?

Calling All Astronauts are politically charged Alt/Rock 3-piece that take their DIY ethics so seriously they have even built their own studio, featuring vocalist/programmer/producer David B, ex Caffeine guitarist J Browning and bassist Kristi Bury.

They have opened for Roger Daltrey, Echo & The Bunnymen, PWEI and A Place To Bury Strangers they also headlined and sold out, Alan Magee‘s Death2Disco at Notting Hill Arts Club.

Their debut single “Someone Like You” was played on numerous rock shows globally, they have also been guests on BBC 6 Music’s Introducing with Tom Robinson and Ireland’s RTE “Culture Café” The video of Someone Like You has so far received over 40,000 views on youtube. The “Guitars At 11 mix” of “Someone Like You” are featured on the covermount CD in the March ’12 issue of Big Cheese Magazine, in a feature within the magazine they compared them to NIN, Mindless Self Indulgence & Marilyn Manson .

 

Their follow up single “Winter Of Discontent” was released on June 2012 and also gained a considerable amount radio play including BBC 6Music, RTE, Q Radio, Amazing Radio and great reviews.

The third CAA single “What’s So Good?” is scheduled for release on December 2nd features an outstanding remix by Echoboy Bounce looks set to finally secure them that much sought after commodity, daytime airplay.

Their debut album “Post Modern Conspiracy” in out in February with two further singles following in March and May. They have already been confirmed for 2 major festivals in 2013.

Photo © Tina Korhonen http://www.tina-k.com 2008

 

Terminal Gods – new release and gigs

The new Terminal Gods single “Lessons In Fire” b-sided with “The Card Player” is now available to pre-order. Due to be shipped at the very start of November.

In January 2012, Josh Cooper, Robert Cowlin, Katie Halinski and Robert Maisey self released
their first 7″, “Electric Eyes“.

Tonight (Thursday October 25th) the band has a show at The Victoria, Dalston, London
support for Creatures Of Love at their “Boy Crimes” EP launch

Their next show are the following ones:

NORWAY – OSLO – Gotham Nights Halloween Party
Date: Friday October 26th
Location: Parkteatret
Time: 21:00
Other information: Support from Batboner

London
Date: Friday November 9th
Location: The Unicorn, Camden
Time: TBC
Cost: FREE
Other information: With Healthy Junkies, support from Clockwork Era and Girlfixer.

London
Date: Wednesday November 21st
Location: Rattlesnake Bar, Islington
Time: TBC
Cost: TBC
Other information: With Ventenner and others TBA.

ITALY – MILANO
Date: Thursday December 13th
Location: Ligera
Time: TBA
Cost: TBA
Other information: With support from Horror Vacui and Kalashnikov

ITALY – ANCONA
Date: Friday December 14th
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Cost: TBA
Other information: With support from Horror Vacui and TBA

ITALY – BOLOGNA
Date: Saturday December 15th
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Cost: TBA
Other information: With support from Horror Vacui and TBA

ITALY – SAVIGNANO SUL RUBINCONE
Date: Sunday December 16th
Location: Sidro Club
Time: TBA
Cost: TBA
Other information: With support from Horror Vacui and TBA

Follow THIS link to the band’s official site.

 

Red Sun Revival – Running from the Dawn

Red Sun Revival is a Gothic Rock band formed in London, England in 2011.

The debut album of the band is titled “Running from the Dawn” and the original songs were composed by singer/guitarist Rob Leydon.

Leydon was one of the founding members of Voices of Masada. He is also the guitarist of the band Adoration and he served in the past as session guitar player for Nosferatu and The Eden House.

“Running from the Dawn” was produced by Steve Carey of The Eden House, NFD and This Burning Effigy and features guest recording from violinist Bob Loveday (of Bob Geldof’s group, The Eden House and others).

Greek bass player Panos Theodoropoulos is behind the bass (he is playing with the hard rock band Portrait) and Matt Helm (of the band Pretentious Moi? ) is offering his dreamy guitar sound.

Christina Emery (additionally played keyboards for the band Future-Frenetic) adds a refreshing new dimension providing melodic interlay with the guitar.

“Running from the Dawn” was mastered by twice Grammy nominated sound engineer Andy Jackson, producer of Pink Floyd’s Division Bell album.

Red Sun Revival are influenced by Voices of Masada and Fields of the Nephilim. The tracks are perfect and if you are into this sound, you should buy this 9 track album by any means…

You can order the album from HERE.

You can catch the band on stage on Saturday 3rd November 2012 with David J., Joe Black, Zerosignal and Partly Faithful at Electrowerkz, 7 Torrens Str. London.
Or
On March 30-31 (Easter) 2013 – Emergency Exit Festival, with Grooving in Green, The Stompcrash, The Last Cry and Twisted Nerve.

 

The Rope

The Rope is a rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 2010 by Jesse Hagon (Vocals), Michael Browning (Guitar), Sam Richardson (Bass Guitar), and Matt Evans (Drums).

In the spring of 2011, The Rope released their six-song debut EP on their self-operated label, Late Century Records. The band has since launched European distribution via Spiralchords in Germany, and has been played on multiple college radio stations and in clubs throughout North America and Europe.

Most recently, The Rope released an official video for the EP’s single, “Water to Wine,” directed by Michael Minehart.

The Rope is currently in the process of recording their first full-length record, scheduled for release on Late Century Records in late 2012.