Avi Ghosh - Severing The Tie

Brainchild of Defy’s frontman, Avi Ghosh, “The Art of Feeling Low” encapsulates all fans have come to love about Defy, and then some. Raw in emotion (though not in production), Avi Ghosh has masterfully produced this full length album to center around something everyone can relate to – a tragic end to a close relationship. The entire CD is a journey from the beginning pains of a break-up to the ultimate resolution of moving on, and everything in between. The album is cathartic for both the artist and the listener, I’m sure.

Defy had already wowed me in the past with excellent song structure and production skills, and this new album surpasses the band’s previous efforts. While I more closely associate Defy with industrial rock bands such as Celldweller, Avi Ghosh’s solo project has a darker alternative sound, reminiscent of the best aspects of A Perfect Circle. The songs are innovative and catching, leaving this album as a top pick to be left on repeat in anyone’s CD player.

Suggested Tracks:
“Art of Feeling Low”
“Don’t Count On Me Anymore”

Lujhboia - Sendero de Panico

A merger of aggrotech and EBM at it’s finest, the independent artist Lujhboia represents up-and-coming industrial at it’s finest. After receiving many favorable reviews from members of the Side-Line forums, I gave this album a spin myself and was in no way disappointed. Lujhboia combines the best aspects of bands such as Psyclon Nine, Dawn of Ashes, and Angels on Acid, while giving a wonderful amount of variance to the songs to keep things very interesting and diverse. This is exactly what the stompy industrial scene is looking for today.

You can’t argue with the price of this album, either – Lujhboia is giving this album away for free on their website! There’s simply no reason not to get this album. DJ’s should especially give this album a listen; there are many tracks on this CD - such as “Sins of My Past” - sure to get the dance floor moving.

My only complaint about the CD (which resulted in the less-than-perfect rating) is that the production sounds a little thin. That may be due to the album being distributed in 192kps mp3s, so I hope that if the band decides to release a hard copy version of these songs, that all will be corrected. And with talent like this, I highly doubt this band will stay unsigned or unnoticed for long.

Suggested Tracks:
“Sins of My Past”
“Maldita”
“Solitude”

Various Artists - Songs in the Key of Death

I first heard about this compilation through the hot musical stylings of Everything Goes Cold - the current project of Eric Gottesman (Psyclon Nine, Ayria, See Colin Slash). Not only did I want to get my hands on a new EGC track (as we're all still waiting for "I’ve Sold Your Organs on the Black Market to Finance the Purchase of a Used Minivan" to be made publicly available), but the idea of an entire CD filled with songs all called "Deathkey" was pretty intriguing.

I wasn't disappointed. This is one of those albums where you can just tell these artists really enjoyed putting together tracks for this project. From tongue-in-cheek references to the insides of the goth/industrial scene ("Is Metropolis really going bankrupt?", "I'm on the Side-line boards!", etc.) to general mayhem (such as Unter Null's cover of "Gangsta's Paradise"), this album is filled with moments of hilarity to the careful listener.

While it's not the most brilliantly produced work (some of the tracks could have been mastered a bit better) it's definitely a breath of fresh air to a genre that tends to take itself far too seriously.

Suggested Tracks:
"Deathkey" (The Gothsicles)
"Deathkey" (Everything Goes Cold)
"Deathkey" (Unter Null)

Strangeland Records: Goth/Industrial Armageddon 2008

xUBERx guitarist Cheetahdave plays near SLR owner Ryan Hill

After two years of serving the DC metro area's need for electronic, industrial, metal, and punk music, Strangeland Records will be closing its doors for the last time on March 17th (marking their two year anniversary). Preferring to go out with a bang rather than a whisper, the shop organized three all day events during the month of January.

Goth/Industrial Armageddon 2008 took place on Saturday, January 12th,featuring some of the best goth & industrial bands and DJs in the DC metro area. Like all of the shows put on by SLR over the last two years, these free, all ages events were designed to help bolster a deminishing indie music scene by providing both bands and fans a fun, relaxed environment to enjoy some of the best new music around. Strangeland's never-ceasing support of the DC music scene will be sorely missed, and a hard gap to fill.

National act Ego Likeness headline this last industrial event.

Headling this event, Ego Likeness has always been a strong supporter of the shop, having graced the venue with one of it's first (and best attended) industrial shows on Halloween in 2006. Ego Likeness was also one of the many local artists who contributed to the Strangeland Records' "Goth/Industrial 2007" compilation, which has now sold out of it's second run of printing.

The crowd gathers around as The Opposite Sex performs.

One of the premier goth rock bands in the area, The Opposite Sex bring back the old school in a stellar way, helping to prove that the scene is by no means dead and buried.

SLR's intimate setting allows fans to get close and personal with bands like Red This Ever

Synth rock stars Red This Ever are one of Baltimore's hottest hometown acts. Larger than life, this band maintains a hectic show schedule, as well as helping to run The Depot in Baltimore (which hosts 1-2 goth/industrial/80's events weekly) as well as their own brand new music and clothing store - DryTear - located just above their venue.

Ken of Rites of Ash, one of DC's premier industrial rock acts.

Rites of Ash is gaining wide-scale attention, due to numerous shows at some of the area's larger venues (such as Jaxx) as well as national broadcasting through MTV. Industrial Rock to the max, these guys are moving up.

Electro rockers dharmata 101 are well-known at SLR for their crazy antics during shows.

Electro-industrial rock inspired by Buddhist philosophy, dharmata 101 presents the DC scene with some of the most intricate industrial music imaginable. The band's new guitarist, Ilker Yucel, is the editor for nationally-known ReGen Magazine - another huge supporter of Strangeland Records throughout the years.

xUBERx kick off the event in industrial style.

Punk industrial noise act xUBERx is comprised of some of DC's most prominent DJs. Within a year of forming, the band has released one EP and is currently working on their first full length release.

Fluffy Starr - Come On!

Finally. All of Fluffy Starr's fans let out a chorused sigh of relief when her long-awaited debut album, "Come On!", dropped this month.

Fluffy quickly claims her territory immediately on "Intro", making no bones about stating who she is and what this album is about to do. From track two on, this album is filled with sultry vocals and raging synths. Hard rock to the max, Fluffy Starr merges Gwen Stefani with Orgy, Madonna with Nine Inch Nails. Welcome to the new industrial rock.

The album is filled with the old demos, completely rethought. For long-time fans, adjusting to the new stylism might take some time. The quality and price is unmatched; from the superb mastering, the captivating vocals, and even a few surprises (such as guest vocals from Celldweller), this album is filled with 13 tracks of industrial goodness.

Suggested Tracks:
"Dirty Little Secret"
"Cold"
"Obsession"

Helalyn Flowers - A Voluntary Coincidence

Helalyn Flowers is currently one of the hottest bands on Alfa_Matrix, and for good reason. Straight out of Italy with stunning vocals, heavy guitar riffs, and moving electronics, Helalyn Flowers has a little bit of everything to appeal to any industrial fan.

"A Voluntary Coincidence" is Helalyn Flower's first full-length release to date, and is comprised of both new material and the first few tracks originally released by the band earlier this year - both independently and on their first Alfa_Matrix EP. For a fan who has been on the fence about purchasing a release from Helalyn Flowers, this is recommended for a first buy. If you already own many of these songs, it may be a little bit harder to justify the price for only a few new tracks.

Standing alone, it's a good album. My only complaints are less-than-amazing artwork (I expected more from a band who already has produced stellar promo photos and cover art), and the lack of punch the album delivers. There's nothing specifically wrong with any track, but there's nothing that really stands out either.

Suggested Tracks:
"E-Race Generation"

The Birthday Massacre - Walking With Strangers

I knew after hearing a lot of the new material at this year's Blacksun Festival, that this album would be stellar. The Birthday Massacre have built and maintained their own unique sound for many years without forsaking the ability to grow and expand.

"Walking with Strangers" brought some fresh new music to the fans, along with some old favorites remastered. Any long-time fan will thoroughly enjoy the new versions of such songs as "Remember Me" and "To Die For" - and if you're really paying attention, you'll pick up the reworked lyrics in "Looking Glass" from a collaboration The Birthday Massacre did with Vanity Beach several years ago on "The Knight Murders." In all respects, this album definitely feeds the craving of current fans.

As far as the new material goes, there are some great new works from the band, including their first single "Kill The Lights" as well the bass-blowing masterpeice "Red Stars". However, I was a bit disappointed to find that several of the other songs on this album just didn't quite live up to the quality of the aboved mentioned, or their previous works.

Suggested Tracks:
"Looking Glass"
"Red Stars"
"Kill The Lights"
"Remember Me"

Angels On Acid - Eyes Behind The Curtain

After having been introduced to Angels On Acid's music by several of the DC DJs, I knew I had to check these guys out. After hearing the great demos and catching an amazing performance at BOUND, I knew these guys were going places. Angels On Acid graced the stage at Nuclearfest 2007 as one of our headliners, and it's clear by their release of "Eyes Behind The Curtain" that they're only going up.

Angels On Acid represent everything that's going right in EBM these days. Killer electronics that keep you dancing, interlaced with the perfect blend of harmonic vocals meshed with industrial growls. This CD is a must have to DJs looking to pack the dance floor with something new. Even now, "Misery Loves Company" is blazing trails throughout clubs in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.

Suggested Tracks:
"Misery Loves Company"

In Tenebris - In Tenebris

A long-time Virginia favorite, female-fronted goth rockers In Tenebris have finally graced their fans with their long-awaited full-length. In Tenebris have been one of the most active goth/industrial bands in the Eastern United States scene, playing recently with bands such as Bella Morte and Ego Likeness. The band's self-titled release now features their fan's favorite live ballads in their studio-recorded glory.

Christina's clear soprano vocals soar in a manner reminescient of Ego Likeness or Evanescence, complimented by a memorable combination of electronics and acoustic instruments, especially in tracks such as "Chrysalis". In Tenebris have always surpassed the generic label of "goth rock" by creating a distinct sound with the meld of traditional rock rhythms and catchy electronic pulses.

The only disappointment from this band was the announcement of the band's demise soon after the release. However, many of the band members have expressed their plans to follow seperate projects, many of which will be followed by Radio-Active-Music.com. In the meantime, there's no denial about In Tenebris' impact on the goth/industrial scene in the Eastern Seaboard.

Suggested Tracks:
"Chrysalis"
"Havok"

Psyclon Nine - Crwn Thy Frnicatr

Well. Oh my. This CD seriously threatened a spot on my top five albums of all time. Leaving conventional noise industrial in the dust, Psyclon Nine blows their own excellent previous albums out of the water with their third release. INRI sounds like nursery rhymes in comparison.

Crwn Thy Frnicatr still falls into the realms of aggrotech, but with decidedly death metal influences, meaning lots more guitar and faster and deadly drum beats. I was afraid when I first heard Ner0 mention in an interview that Psyclon Nine was taking this approach, but the band has successfully incorporated the best of this darker side of music without loosing that enticing beat that makes everyone want to move.

The new release is also intensly more gothic, giving a very erie mood that pervades throughout the album, both intensifying the overall mood and cohesivily intertwining the songs into one satisfying experience. The songs range from in-your-face death metal threats to synthesized based oontz tracks, but they all have this very specific gothic and grounded twist that allows for a whole range of interpretation.

Suggested songs:
"Crwn The Frnicatr"
"Flesh Harvest"
"Visceral Holocaust"
"Parasitic"
"[bonus track]"