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  • Collide – Beneath the Skin

    Re-Constriction Records

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    Bandcamp

    Release Date: 1996
    Genre: Gothic Electronic
    Similar Artist(s): Diva Destruction
    Band Members: kaRIN, Statik
    Instruments Used: Synth, Vocals (female)

    The album begins with a powerful, knock you off your ass, wanna play this while drag racing song called Violet’s Dance. I conjure up indescribable images of power and electricity when this song plays upon my ears. “Violet’s Dance is the feeling of my own perspective of life,” says kaRIN, singer/songwriter of Collide. “I have always been able to see my life from the inside as well as objectively from the outside as an observer, so that I am both passenger and driver…ride…restless violet’s dancing.”

    This is Collide’s first album, released back in 1996 with an already formed personality, where most bands don’t really find themselves till their second or third album, this California-based dynamic duo come across as if they have been playing for decades.

    The most memorable tracks besides Violet’s Dance are Pandora’s Box which kaRIN says “conveys the emotion of knowing something is bad or harmful to you, but wanting it anyway.” and Dreams and Illusions was the first song kaRIN and Statik (who does all the wonderful “noise”) did together “. . . before there was a Collide, or even the thought of starting a band together.” kaRIN explains. “It’s the feeling of wanting something that you can’t attain.”

    Beneath the Skin is a nearly flawless album which is a phenomenal achievement for a first release. The song speaks of sorrow, need, passion, enchantment and power. it will pluck at the strings in your heart and will keep your mind scanning images of your own past. “The basic theme of anything I do artistically is a subconscious flow of what’s going on in my life.” kaRIN tells me. “I like to channel through vocals and words… a diary of sorts, pin pointing my thoughts and emotions. A lot of what I was actually going though at the time was the sickness of someone really close to me.”

    Be sure and check out Collide’s Official Website and the all new Club Collide now with over 60 members, chat will other fans of Collide and the band members themselves! – Azriel J. Knight

    Review Originally Published in 2001

  • Tapping the Vein – Undone

    Nuclear Blast Records

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    Release Date: 2000
    Genre: Goth Rock
    Similar Artist(s): Garbage, Stabbing Westward
    Members: Heather Thompson, Eric Fisher, Joe Rolland, Mark Burkett
    Instruments Used: Female Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Synthesizer

    Horror Online Magazine stated Vocalist Heather Thompson combines the intensity of The Sugarcubes, Bjork with the discipline of The Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Frazier. Thompson’s voice also has a quality which neither Bjork nor Frazier can claim: the capacity to fly from one emotional and auricular extreme to another in one second flat – believably and without strain.

    I couldn’t have put it better myself. Tapping the Vein’s “Undone” combines a near perfect mixture of the classic euphony, basic instruments (guitar, bass, drums) with just the right dosage of programming and sampling from Drummer Eric Fisher who was also the man who decided to come up with the band name “Tapping the Vein” because of his appreciation for Clive Barker.

    This 6 song EP is more than enough to attract to attention. A hard rock feel that has also attracted some attention to the goth scene for it’s tragic theme. Each song has it’s own creative life to it, with a song like crushing, it begins with an acoustic guitar and her voice, it seems to come from a distant radio, and suddenly the static and distance clears and the other instruments kick in with a pinch of Spanish flavor which may have been done on purpose, no idea, but great none the less. The album starts off with some synth guitar sounding deal that is difficult to describe and almost immediately after the drums come into play but this “sound” always remains and it sticks in your head. Song after song, a steady beat with a catchy chorus.

    This is Tapping the vein’s second EP release and a full length album under the Nuclear Blast record label on the way, this alone is indication enough of the talent of the band. Being under the same label as bands like Theatre of Tragedy, Dimmu Borgir, and Children of Bodom should give them the recognition they need and deserve – Azriel J. Knight

    Review Originally Published in 2001

  • Goliath – Land of Nod

    Pre- Print Online Review

    Discogs

    Release Date: 2000
    Genere: Dark Metal
    Similar Artist(s): Danzig
    Members: Mick aka “Goliath”
    Instruments Used: Synthesizer, Male Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar

    If you’re looking for a CD where every song sounds exactly like the last this is the one for you. I really hate giving bad reviews but I was not impressed with this album. When I interviewed Mick a few months ago I had only heard 2 tracks off of Land of Nod and I was really impressed with his work, what I was unaware of was that after track 2 it all goes downhill, like someone set up the CD in such a way so the music got progressively worse as you listened.

    The sound is flat, reminds me of listening to someone play it for me over the phone and nearly no time was spent in the lyrics. Mick himself stated, “I just write and not really think too much about the concept…it does have to be dark…. I am more into the music giving someone a vibe…lyrics are just filler for me…I write about God, Satan, demons, death, vampires etc…. But usually only spend about an hour working on them” This defiantly shows up in his work, and it’s unfortunate for those of us who listen to the words to help in meaning for the music.
    Recently Mick has gone back to the name Midnight Orchestra, which is what he previously called his group when he was a christian band, hopping back and forth from one name to another doesn’t say much either.
    If you’re into buying CD’s just for one or two tracks this may be perfect for you, otherwise I wouldn’t bother.

    I do however see potential, but that’s all I see. – Azriel J. Knight

    Review originally published in 2001

  • Silent Watcher of Dark Matter: Installation

    MP3.com (Independent)

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    Discogs

    Archive.org

    Release Date: 2000
    Genre: Dark Ambient/Ambient/Dark Post-Industrial
    Similar Artist(s): Raison D’etre, Lustmord, Rapoon.
    Band Members: myt
    Instruments Used: synthesizers, bass, flute, bells, gongs.

    Absolutely Haunting. Myt, the creator of this music has managed to find a way to take thoughts, emotions and transfer them into sound. The music will force you to conjure up images, smells, thoughts, nightmares, and whatever else you brain will find conceivable. Never have I heard Synths used in such a manner. The first track, Bipolar Outflow(1) plays out like the beginning of a story, the chimes sound as a warning to the listener it seems.
    There is a definite sign of experimental highlights in the form and sound produced by myt. Not the kind of music to play at a dance club party, but defiantly the perfect choice for meditation, relaxing alone, or for a candle lit night with a loved one. track three, Sandstorm begins with a slow rhythmic heartbeat and what sounds like a moaning of spirits but turns out to be the distant blowing of a sandstorm. bells slowly come into play and the moaning of the storm continues.
    The CD ends with a track called Surface, 21 minutes, which begins with a low hum of synth and what sounds like droplets of water echoing off the walls of a large chasm
    This is a 6 track D.A.M. CD which is available threw mp3.com and defiantly well worth it if your looking for something to relax you, memorize your mind and set you into a comatose meditative state. – Azriel J. Knight

    Review Originally Published in 2001

  • Dark Throne – Plaguewielder

    Issue 03 [Page 08]

    The thing I love about this band is that you always pretty
    much know what you’re getting into, brutally raw in your
    face black metal. Their latest release, Plaguewielder, is no
    exception to this rule, delivering exactly what you’d
    expect. The production is a little better than usual, with the
    drumming a lot clearer and technically executed. These
    guys really know how to deliver a down and dirty black n’
    roll groove. You could almost say this is beer drinking
    music. My favorite song has got to be “Sin Origin”,
    sounding a lot like Bathory in a beer swilling stupor with
    the lyric, “entertaining Satan on an wet electric stage”.
    Yah man, cheers to that. This stuff is great! So break out
    a six pack and throw on Plagueweilder. – Greg Manz

    Moonfog Productions

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  • Fear Absolute – The Truth

    Issue 03 [Page 08]

    Encyclopedia Metalum

    Fear Absolute claim to have influences of technically
    brilliant bands like Dream Theater and Death. But after
    listening to this five track demo, I thought that the only
    thing that makes this Fredericton, New Brunswick –
    based death metal band unique from the typical “cookiemonster
    rock”, is that they don’t sound so much like their
    on coke or crack (which is a good thing). Other than that,
    these guys have no surprises.
    However, if this death metal thing really does suit your
    fancy, they are releasing their second demo in the very
    near future. – Brooke Chiasson

  • Mourning After Pill – Ask and Ye Shall Deceive (later renamed to Parasite Priestess)

    Issue 03 [Page 08]

    MP3.com (Independent)

    Bandcamp

    I didn’t think a decent song could be produced using
    Frooty Loops, but The Mourning After Pill proved me
    wrong.
    I have been aware of this project for about a year now,
    and used to frequent the site to check for updates. I
    would occasionally plug The Parasitic Need into my
    Winamp, which is the first track off this single.
    Ask and Ye Shall Deceive has some funky twists and
    turns you’ll enjoy, and some you might be mildly
    annoyed with – there’s a bit of boring repetition here.
    Again, it’s all a matter of opinion of the individual, some
    like repetition, some don’t.
    AAYSD consists of four original tracks and two remixes.
    Most of the songs on here have the certain appeal of a
    pleasant dark ambience – the lyrics are a bit cheesy but
    Mourning After Pill seems to be a hobby project. My
    biggest beef is that it’s an mp3.com release, and most
    know about the whole Universal problem that started in
    October. I must admit, mp3.com produces better CD’s
    now: shrink wrapped and less propaganda.
    MAP has some creative elements worth checking out. – Azriel J. Knight

  • Bad Sector – Xela

    Issue 03 [Page 07]

    Cold Lands

    Bandcamp

    Official Site

    Yet again, Bad Sector doesn’t let us down (in fact, I am
    finding that Italy has been providing us with more and
    more intriguing artists). Everything you have grown to
    love about Bad Sector is demonstrated on this album.
    Xela is a re-mastered recording of the backing tape used
    in the Sonderangebot performance in Berlin, 1996; a half
    hour track exhibiting the classic Bad Sector grindy
    drones, raw textures, intense mechanical accents, and
    distinct arpeggios. The CD and inserts are cased in a
    heavy metal box decorated with a spattering of paint and
    the like. Not only can you have another beautiful album
    by Bad Sector, you can own an eye-catching piece of
    work among the plastic jewel cases on your rack! Look
    for other Bad Sector discs, such as The Harrow,
    Polonoid, and Dolmen Factory. It seems as though most
    of what he has released is done in ridiculously small
    print runs.
    Limited to 989 copies. – Sarah Cassady

  • Dark Muse – Sounds From Beyond The Silver Wheel

    Issue 03 [Page 07]

    The Fossil Dungeon

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    Bandcamp

    This seven track digipak brings back the days when I was
    really into Silent Watcher of Dark Matter and Not Applicable, two fantastic but under appreciated bands.
    Dark Muse, a solo project by Phyll Smith, has subtle and
    macabre vocals. The synth work is lovely. Long, drawn
    out, progressive dark ambient, utilizing panning and echo
    effects that blend wonderfully with her soft cries. The
    haunting ambience is gradual and minimalistic, but
    extremely creative. Smith uses a guitar, a line 6-modeler, a Russian string piano, bells, nails, coils, screws, water and bowed cymbals, among other things to produce her sound. Before SFBTSW, Smith released a series of mp3.com CD’s.
    SFBTSW isn’t purely a dark-ambient project, other genre
    appearances in this seven track experience are ethereal,
    experimental and darkwave, sometimes as a singular, but
    mostly in combination.
    Track one, Queen of the World of Spirits is haunting, dark
    and therapeutic in some respects. Certain Angst, our next track has a tribal feel, but not up and close, more like, just beyond your sight in the distance at sunset, again, very subtle. Calm is where I hear the reminiscence of mp3.com artist Not Applicable. Calm has a tunnel effect so to speak. You’ll have to listen to understand what I am trying to get at. LunaFlow (The Deep) is track four. If Silent Watcher of Dark Matter wasn’t such an unknown artist I would swear this was a blatant rip off, but instead it’s more like re-created originality I swooned at Phyll Smith’s ethereal vocals, a lot of hums and hoos, and they don’t overpower the synth work – it mixes very well. Smith takes advantage of the concept of her voice being an instrument and not a centerpiece to take away from the surrounding objects. This is a must-buy for people who seek out candle and incense music. – Azriel J. Knight

  • Sephiroth – Cathedron

    Issue 03 [Page 06]

    I have decided that anyone who claims to be a Cold
    Meat Industry fan is in fact not such if Sephiroth’s
    Cathedron is not already floating around in their CD
    collection. This is a beautiful example of dark ambient at
    its finest and should not be overlooked. This full-length
    album gives us dark ominous drones, tempos that can
    change direction as easily as the wind, powerful tribal
    drum arrangements, and gently threatening sounds that
    make up the melodies and fill in the body of each track.
    Sephiroth brings forward compositions that sound real
    and impose a cold, comfortable atmosphere. So far this
    is the only release from Sephiroth, but if you’re lucky,
    you can also find some of his early recordings under ‘Ulf
    Soderberg’ – worth looking into if Sephiroth has turned
    your head. All in all, it only took one spin of this disc
    before I was officially addicted – highly recommended.
    – Sarah Cassady

    Cold Meat Industry

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    Bandcamp