In Winter - Murmur

It has all the brooding gothic goodness that we've come to expect from the band, and the album is a downhill ride into the depths of despairing emotion and tragic understanding. The album opens with “Dead All Along” (one of my new favorite songs from this band) with the crucial line of “How can you grieve for something that’s been dead all along” – a line that really sets the stage for the thematic gothic beauty of this band.

The album overall is a great listen, though I have to admit I feel like I cheated myself by getting their radio demo earlier in the year. "June", "Hide & Seek", "Butterflies", and "Bitter Season" are still by far their strongest songs, so I sort of feel like I had read the best chapter in my favorite book before reading the rest; the rest is still good, but I already knew what was going to happen.

But hey, that's my fault for being impatient and getting that demo when they offered it! Still a damn good album. In Winter has a great style, though my one criticism is that I'd like to hear just a little more variety without losing that unique sound they have developed. The last three songs on this album (“Creatures”, “Falling Apart”, and “In The Garden”) start to push out of the bounds of the rest of the songs, so I’d really like to see more of that. All the musicians are very talented, and I'd love to see the vocalist expand her melodic range as well as the rest of the band sample with a bit more different sounds.

Suggested Tracks:
“Bitter Season”
“June”
“Butterflies”
“Hide & Seek”

Mankind Is Obsolete - Rise

Following the phenomenal EP release earlier this year, Mankind Is Obsolete returns with the full-length album. I was very surprised by the sound of this new cd; they dropped a lot of the stylistic ambiguity that I loved so much, and came up with a more traditional hard rock sound instead. The songs are still fantastic, but to be honest, I was a little sad not to hear something a little more innovative like the EP.

The album opens with “Still Right Here”, which is by far my favorite MKIO song to date. Pulsing beats and driving vocals get the point across – the song is bound to be a crowd-pleaser live. Overall, the album is much of the same. Singer Natasha has become much more aggressive and powerful in her delivery, which is a definite plus.

Further into the album, we get “She”, another personal favorite. This song does pick up more with the original themes of the EP, and I really dig the simplistic weave of futuristic sounds of this song. The album also takes the band in a new direction with slower ballads such as “More Than What I Am” and “Smile In The Dark” which shows a previously unseen side to the band that was refreshing.

All in all, it’s a good and rockable album with a few of their best tracks to date. I do hope, however, to hear more of the inspired sound of the EP in their future releases.

Suggested tracks:
“Still Right Here”
“She”
“Someone Like You”
“More Than What I Am”

Synthetic Nightmare - Manufactured Dreamscapes Demo

I had the chance to catch Synthetic Nightmare with Heretics in The Lab a few months ago, and while the band leans more to the Industrial Metal side than Industrial Rock, I really dug the set. At the end of the night, they handed out some copies of their latest demo.

Synthetic Nightmare definitely has a very diverse sound, which is why I think I liked them so much. They throw in a lot of different industrial, goth, and synth elements that really made them more accessible than to just the ‘metal’ crowd. Songs like “Pure Poison” and “In Fear We Die” would definitely be well-accepted by any interested synth/industrial fan.

For an obviously self-produced demo, this was a great effort! I’d suggest a bit more tweaking on the mixing and on some vocal effects, but it definitely gives the listener a good idea of the band’s style and capabilities; and believe me, their show is tight and not to be missed.

Suggested Tracks:
“Pure Poison”
“In Fear We Die”

Ever - Ever

I apologize for this review being shamefully overdue, but I couldn’t let this album slide by in my busy schedule. Husband and wife team of Jesse and Michelle Averna have blasted into the synth rock scene with their first self-titled release. Voted by the Radio-Active-Music.com’s fans as the best album of 2004, it’s easy to see the tremendous impact they’ve had on the music industry in such a short time.

Michelle’s voice is nothing short of astonishing. With such a haunting captivity, listeners are instantly enraptured in the emotion and message from this band. Jesse in no way falls short in comparison to his wife’s vocals; his programming is phenomenal, innovative, and a perfect companion to the floating sound of Michelle’s voice.

The music is so intricate, but seems to come with such ease, especially in songs such as “Stay” and “Idyll”. “Idyll” was the first single from this band, and was what had immediately hooked me to their sound. The emotional content is accessible, yet provides that glimmer of hope that society so desperately needs.

Suggested Tracks:
“Idyll”
“Lay Down”
“Stay”

Lunarclick Interview

Valdyr interviews frontwoman Claudia of Lunarclick about their new site, new album, and future plans.

Valdyr: First and foremost on everyone's mind I'm sure: what can you tell us about the album? Current status? Possible release date? Title?
Claudia: Thank you, Laura. First off, we would like to thank everyone who has been patient enough to believe in us while we have taken one year off to complete our New album titled “Toxicology”. This year has been full of inspiration, progression, change. Lunarclick is ready to go and move forward. Our release date will most likely be early 2006 with a CD release party in Los Angeles. Although we want to play a show now and unfortunately continue to turn down very beautiful shows with wonderful bands, we do this to be able to release and showcase our new music and sound in a very special way. We’d like to bring it all back with a BANG!

Valdyr: Where can we hear the new music?
Claudia: You can download music right now from http://www.lunarclick.com! Also, http://www.myspace.com/lunarclick.

Valdyr: You mentioned that you feel your new music is going to be more dynamic than your releases in the past, especially in regards to your vocals. Tell us more about that, and what fans can expect to hear on the new album.
Claudia: I have challenged myself in an emotional and physical way, to bring a new life to Lunarclick. I used to feel very shy and afraid to share my emotions, but now I want to drop those tears and fears upon you with a great and powerful performance. If I were to fall down on the floor and feel my emotion...YOU would be right there with me. This is what I’m talking about. Nothing is safe or planned and yes, yes I am afraid. I want to share that with you.

Valdyr: How successful has the re-launch of your website been?
Claudia: Sweet. I love it! Although I feel that I had to make the decision on having everyone re-sign up, I knew those were my true believers in me and Lunarclick. These people have always been there for me. They have been there for Lunarclick since day one. I am open to everyone and everything...believe.

Valdyr: You've also mentioned on the forum that the band is looking at touring in Japan and Europe in the near future. What can you tell your Japanese and European fans about that?
Claudia: Amazingly enough (to myself, especially)...why are people recognizing US in Europe, Asia, and Mexico? This makes me want to strive to tour. We are a band that never left California. We are that band that never thought we could have a chance and yet our huge international support just amazes me. When our CD is available, we will tour the states and most importantly, our European and Latin American neighbors.

Valdyr: I also saw a brief remark that you might be doing some work with another Radio-Active-Music.com supported artist, Kristyn Strange. Can you tell us anything about that?
Claudia: Yes, Miss Strange and I have always had a special bond...like many other creative artists, we always want to collaborate and “play”. You can definitely expect something special from us. I’m also involved with many other artists that I wish to collaborate with. Strange challenges me in a positive and an emotional way....She is so unusual and I am her star, lol. (inside joke)

Valdyr: Currently on your myspace account you have fabulous remiexs by AshesDead & Genuine Childs to hold the fans over until the new album. I've also heard rumors of more remixes on the way. What remixes might be coming, and has anyone else worked on them?
Claudia: Ashesdead.....beautiful! I am in love with the music and that kind of passion. Ashburn is Rayshele’s boyfriend, MY boyfriend's best friend since they were six years old. Carlton and Ashburn both constantly help and work with each other in a way I could not explain. They ARE brothers, they are family and their creativity and bond makes me feel envious of what they share. Ashburn currently did a remix of “Rescue” for Lunarclick. He is talking to us about another remix...I get chills just thinking about this...

Valdyr: I saw some time ago that you mentioned working with Paige Haley of Orgy on one of your songs. When I had a chance to interview Paige for D1 Music, he said he had helped you arrange at least one of your songs. Have you worked with him anymore since then for the album, or with any other noticable musical figures?
Claudia: I worked with Paige on just one song. The song was “Hey You”. He really helped me produce this song and track some vocals on a demo, while Carlton was on tour with Deadsy. Carlton then listened and re-produced it...but Paige was a huge sweetheart...he helped me. We have had no further collaborations since then. I am sure something will happen when time is ready.
I am currently working with several producers and song writers. These includes Genuine Childs (working with Paul Oakenfold) Ashburn of Ashesdead/Deadsy, Joe Bishara (Rasputina, Guns and Roses, Cevin Key)...many more, but who cares right?

Valdyr: What are some of the other Lunarclick projects on the horizon, aside from the new album and site?
Claudia: We just want to tour. We want to share what we have been feeling for two years. WE need to break free. As I mentioned above, we are working with amazing people. Just give us a chance to show you...we won't let you down.

Valdyr: I hear you're ditching the "*" at the end of your band name! *laughs* What's the reason behind that?
Claudia: Ahh...that name...Lunarclick... I created that name, like...ummm, over ten years ago...what an innocent child I was. Because of the name “lunar”...everyone thought “stars, moons, the solar system”. I agree, there is a certain aspect of me who was the creator of the name Lunarclick. No one else understood what I said or what I felt at that time. It is not about ditching that star symbol (which by the way, I love)...We are onto a new level and phase. Please help us embrace our soul. We are trying to touch you in a very special way with music, sound, energy. The stars...those stars just fade away.

Valdyr: What's been the most rewarding aspect or moment you've had in the process of recording the new album?
Claudia: Your support. You are the only reason I do this. Nothing else matters to me.

Valdyr: That's all the questions I had; is there anything else you'd like to add or tell the fans?
Claudia: I love them...if you want to call them fans...those fans, they make me feel alive. I can die a happy woman just knowing that I touched someone’s heart. Just ONE soul. Thank You.

The Terminal Generation - Our Monstrosity

My draw hasn’t dropped this much since I heard Dead Inside The Chrysalis for the first time. Welcome to the new generation of shock industrial. I could call The Terminal Generation industrial. I could call them gothic. I could call them post-modern, too, but I don’t think you’ll really get a right understanding of this band by words alone. When I listen to this album (due November 1st, label pending) I picture some sort of post-apocalyptic Celtic feud. Most of the music in these genres has a clean and pristine quality, but this band has thrown mud in the face of electrified rock. The Terminal Generation has created a dirty, throbbing conglomerate mass of sound that revolutionizes traditional goth/industrial music.

The only thing that kept this album from getting a 5/5 is that the mixing seems to be a little off. Some of the songs are at different overall sound levels that kept me turning my system up and down constantly, but I hope the band can get that evened out before pressing.

This album is not for the weak of heart. It’s hard, assaulting, and moving. Available by prescription. Take only as directed.

Suggested tracks:
“Duh Knuckle Song”
“Life Death Pain”