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March 23, 2012

Vlad in Tears’ Exclusive Official Video Release “Mary” on darkwave.ro Friday Mar-23!

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Watch the exclusive official video “Mary” and read exclusive news about the tour, new tracks and PC game from Vlad in Tears after the jump | Order Vlad in Tears’ album “Welcome to Vladyland” from iTunes here | Watch the video “At the End of the World” here

About Vlad in Tears:

When Kris Vlad (lead vocals & piano) decided to start his own act in 2005, he did not have to venture far from the idyllic Italian village he lived in to find bandmates. He recruited his brothers Lex (guitar) and Dario (bass) and their best friend Alex (drums). They came up with the band name Vlad in Tears because it had a ring to it that would immediately indicate the style in which the band was playing. They began looking for opportunities to play in front of live audiences, at first covering songs by other artists, but soon coming up with their own material and looking for a label to promote their original compositions. After a tour of 34 concerts in Italy, Austria, Switzerland and former Yugoslavia, they recorded their first demo tape “After The End”. What followed were reviews and interviews and a buzz that announced the “most amazing Italian Gothic Act”. Before long, labels started to become interested in Vlad in Tears. Eventually, the band signed with “Aural Music” where they released their first official record named “Seed of an Ancient Pain”, which gained the reputation of “Best Gothic Indie release of 2007”. The positive feedback Vlad in Tears was getting, led to more sold out gigs all over the world, especially in the UK and South America and eventually to the release of their second album “Underskin”, which will be re-released with additional material some time in 2012. Currently their third album “Welcome to Vladyland” once more demonstrates the versatility and musical depth of Vlad in Tears and is headed to become their biggest success in the charts, yet.

Watch the exclusive official video “Mary” from Vlad in Tears:

“It’s a ghost story…  A long time ago, Mary was this girl who was possessed by a demon. Shortly upon her death through exorcism, she started appearing in the very house in which she was exorcised. And then, the leader of a dark rock band called Vlad in Tears decided to make a video documentary set in Mary’s house. Kris, that was his name, had peculiar feelings while shooting the vid, it was like being stunned in the beginning, but as they moved on, he was taken in by the ghost girl. He fell in love, wicked love with her. Some believe that Mary is still around us. Maybe. She’s right here. Behind you. Now.” (Kris Vlad)

Lyrics: She’s like an angel in my dreams/She’s like a dancer on my lips….And now….killing to feel fine…/She’s like fever in my mind, She’s like demon on my side/She brings me to feel fine/She kills me to feel fine as the darkness in my life/My Mary, oh Mary, I’m feeling what you are feeling/My Mary, oh Mary I’m feeling what you are feelin’/My Mary, sweet Mary/I’m loosing my mind in you … you’re the worst and the best of my life…./She’s like a razor in my eyes/She’s like a razor on my side/And now ….Screaming to feel fine/She’s like a stranger in my town, drivin’ me crazy, diggin’ me down …/She brings me to feel fine/She kills me to feel fine as the darkness in my life….

(more…)

December 8, 2011

Aesthetic Perfection “All Beauty Destroyed” – Viva Music Album Review

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Tracklist: “A Nice Place to Visit” * “The Devil’s in the Details” * “The 11th Hour” * “Hit the Streets” * “One and Only” * “Inhuman” * “Celebrity Sin” * “Filthy Design” * “Motherf***er” * “Under Your Skin” * “The Little Death” * “All Beauty Destroyed”

Aesthetic Perfection – “All Beauty Destroyed” Viva Music Album Review:

The third and most recent Aesthetic Perfection album, was released in November with Out of Line and Metropolis Records and it all looks very good! With various formats released simultaneously (including two-disc and special editions), and hailed by two earlier single releases (late 2010/early 2011 “The Devil’s in the Details” and late 2011 “Inhuman”), the album is a complete and very fulfilling experience for the listener, which, is not unusual for an Aesthetic Perfection album.

There are several character traits of “All Beauty Destroyed” that need to be taken into account when addressing the question of just how good it is. Namely, one cannot talk about the new album without resorting to superlatives, but these superlatives are taken from the verbal realm of domination, aggression, violence, and protest. This is to say, there is not a song that speaks sweet, but brandishes instead the sword of a conqueror. Without false pretense, and without trying to pose nice where this will be superfluous and ridiculous to some extent, the album is an honest and animated appeal to embrace a new aesthetic perfection, that of all beauty destroyed. (more…)

December 6, 2011

Janosch Moldau “In Another World+Second Best”: Viva Music Album Review

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Tracklist: “In Another World (Single Version)” * “Second Best (UK Single Version)” * “In Another World (Riot Mix)” * “Second Best (Highlight Mix)” * “Second Best + In Another World (Video by Hendrik Schindler)” * “Second Best Video Re-edit by 2av GmbH”

About Janosch Moldau:

Based in the rural area of Southern Germany, over the last years, Janosch Moldau has created an international stir with his berlinesque and glamorous electronic pop sound. Janosch Moldau brings together electronic “plush-rock”, 80ies “synth-wave” and a severe bout of melancholy. “In Another World + Second Best” are the first singles to be released from the forthcoming 2012 album “Lovestar”.

Janosch Moldau – “In Another World + Second Best”: Viva Music Album Review:

Released on Nov-25, the new single from Janosch Moldau is already a hit – a first-week #18 in D.A.C. and #28 in top 100 videos from myvideo.de, the single combines two songs from the forthcoming “Lovestar” (2012, tba) providing single version, remixes, as well as video material in a very appetizing disc.

With a very positive and energetic sound, the opening “In Another World (Single Version)” is at the same time hymn and elegy and compiles a great deal of emotional background in very pertinent composition and vocal exercise. If that is the way “Lovestar” is going to sound like, then we’re already dancing around impatiently until it’s out! And when we thought this was a sort of decoy or bait to get us to like the single, the effervescent and sexy sound of “Second Best (UK Single Version)” lit up and took us to a superior level of sound, really appetizing and glamorous. In the same permanence of good feeling the first remix of the single compilation, namely “In Another World (Riot Mix)” took us where we belong and set us nice and cozy in an ambient of very flavorful sounds, while the second mix, “Second Best (Highlight Mix)” draws with a fluorescent pen in the dark signs and symbols that are at the same time arcane and known to us. Mention should also be made of the video material included in the single release (“Second Best + In Another World (Video by Hendrik Schindler)” * “Second Best Video Re-edit by 2av GmbH”) concludes the journey with very creative and decorous material.

Janosch Moldau – “Second Best” (video):

Janosch Moldau – Official Website | on Facebook | Discography on Discogs

November 29, 2011

Sopor AEternus & the Ensemble of Shadows – “Children of the Corn”: Viva Music Album Review

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Tracklist: “Children of the Corn” * “Bis Zum Hahnenschrei” * “Cornflowers” * “The Curse of the Mummy” * “Night of the Scarecrow” * “To Walk Behind the Rows” * “Harvest Moon (Cornflowers II)

Sopor AEternus & the Ensembe of Shadows “Children of the Corn” – Viva Music Album Review:

Out in November 2011 with Apocalyptic Records, the new album from Sopor AEternus & the Ensembe of Shadows is a baroque musical contraption with a definite style and grandeur. In the shortest of whiles after the release of late 2010 “A Strange Thing to Say” and of early 2011 “Have You Seen This Ghost?”, the third and last part of “A Triptychon of GHOSTS (or: El Sexorcismo de Anna-Varney Cantodea)” is a delight and a truly erudite excursion in the dimmed depths of music, accompanied, Charon-style, by the unequivocal, and unrepeatable voice of Anna-Varney Cantodea.

Musically speaking, the production is a unitary chorale of floating unrealities and cadenced potencies, and a firm grip on the handlebar of the darkest pool. Imaginative in a manner that is at the same time true to life and elegantly far-fetched, the album’s sound consistency and definite feel is carried on in the rhythm and measure of classical elegy. “Children of the Corn” is a cinematic experience with a voyeur camera spotted on an imaginary and exemplary childhood at the exact moment in which corruption can permeate the thick skin of sweet dreams and bring in the less sweet smell of growing up, part in nature, part in trauma. “Bis Zum Hahnenschrei” (approximate English translation: “Before  the Rooster’s Crow”), plays with the Jesus story moment and renaissance tunes in a playful but cautious manner, as if handling the minutest and most precious rough diamonds. “Cornflowers”, the song is at the same carousal and elegy and pertains to a very classical scheme, speaking in musical undertones to centuries of human existence.

Not unlike it, but at a different level of perception, “The Curse of the Mummy” indicates a displacement and a return to innocence despite the rabid, forward-moving pace of humanity. In a dance macabre pattern, this return to innocence, to maidenhood unravished and purity unsullied carries forth and above water level a torch of wisdom and of resilience. With the advent of “Night of the Scarecrow”, the imagery becomes richer, while the organ powered requiem soars and makes the experience of the album tilt between poles of tragedy and optimism. A Viva Music favorite, “To Walk Behind the Rows” unapologetically brings with its appeasing music box filled with memories a draft of stillness and motion, a certainty of the unfathomable immensity of fantasy and depicts its role in the formation of emotion in mannerisms and quirks that you simply have to adore. “Harvest Moon (Cornflowers II)”, the album coda, reenacts the beauty of the earlier “Cornflowers” in a bagpipe powered advance at the head of which walks a true maven.

“Children of the Corn” (Part Three of “A Triptychon of GHOSTS (or: El Sexorcismo de Anna-Varney Cantodea)”) is an unforgettable musical experience. Responding to the taste of baroque-crazed dark music lovers, the album transports in its many intertwined fibers a grandeur and strength of imagination that are at the same time enviable and dignified. With its multifaceted, baroque compositions, it may well sit on your CD shelf next to classical music and your relevant artists from the dark scene – and that’s a feat hardly any other album manages to outdo in 2011. Hats off, Sopor AEternus & the Ensembe of Shadows!

Sopor AEternus – Official Website | on Facebook | Discography on Discogs

November 28, 2011

David Lynch “Crazy Clown Time” – Viva Music Album Review

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Tracklist: “Pinky’s Dream” * “Good Day Today” * “So Glad” * “Noah’s Ark” * “Football Game” * “I Know” * “Strange and Unproductive Thinking” * “The Night Bell with Lightning” * “Stone’s Gone Up” * “Crazy Clown Time” * “These Are My Friends” * “Speed Roadster” * “Movin’ On” * “She Rise Up”

David Lynch – “Crazy Clown Time” – Viva Music Album Review:

The debut album from world-famous director David Lynch, if we conveniently close an eye to his work in the soundtrack of his own movies, “Crazy Clown Time” has been out for two weeks already, being released on Nov-07 with Sunday Best Records/Play It Again Sam, but we think it takes at least two weeks – just to be lenient with such an important issue – of constant listening to the album in order to make sure you’re not that kind of sloppy listener who misses the right influences and tone of the album. While it is true that the jingle the name of David Lynch carries about it is sufficient to get your ears pricked from the word go, it is also true that such an album is worthy of consideration from a number of perspectives that can only enhance, and never diminish, the merits of the album.

Two of the songs from the album are not novel auditions; “Good Day Today” and “I Know”, with their sequin-harsh surface, were released just one year ago, not a real appetizer, but a good standpoint for the work that was going to be unveiled. With basically only good reviews (“it transfers something of Lynch’s uncanny cinema to the musical medium”, “everyday, avant-garde vision” are some examples of conceptual criticism of the album), “Crazy Clown Time” is set, as the title well puts it, in its own, special time. It is not unlikely that the album be less well received in the electropop, ambient-loving crowd, because it is carried through straight and long conduits of blues-y and melancholy melody, but in a firm coating of electronic, temperature resistant material.

“Pinky’s Dream”, the opening track that features vocals from Karen Lee Orzolek (better known as The Yeah Yeah Yeahs‘ Karen O) induces a cool that is at the same time cinematic and minimal. Verbally pertinent for an opening track (there’s vent of pathfinding and watchfulness), “Pinky’s Dream” carries on atmosphere and anticipates it its melodic knit the outburst of “Good Day Today”, which sounds like a delayed trance, not deprived of its individuality, and resorting to oracular language. On the same topic of positivity, “So Glad” sounds tongue-in-cheek in its outside makeup, but deeper veins of sensibility throb behind that. With the same slo mo tempo of previous tracks, combining the soundtrack for a funeral and a victory dance in a very unsettling manner. (more…)

November 11, 2011

Haujobb “New World March” Out Today 11.11.11 – Viva Music Album Review

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Tracklist: “Control” * “Crossfire” * “Let’s Drop Bombs” * “More than Us” * “Machine Drum” * “Dead Market” * “Lost” * “Soul Reader” * “Little World” * “Membrane” * “New World March” * “Echo”

Read Viva Music’s review of Haujobb’s single “Dead Market” here | Order “New World March” from here.

Haujobb “New World March” – Viva Music Album Review:

The new world march begins today 11.11.11 with the release of Haujobb’s “New World March” album with Zweieck Recordings/Basic Unit Productions,. Beside Daniel Myer and Dejan Samardzic, several other artists joined their efforts in the project: Covenant’s Joakim Montelius, Paul Kendall, Achim Faerber, Sebastian Ullmann, to the result of a very impressive album. Our expectations were already geared up with the June release of their single “Dead Market”, but listening to the album (which, as you will see, cannot happen just once) provided way deeper insight into a musical universe worth settling in, in the coziest and most empathetic manner. It flows naturally, and it is heavy with feeling. There are no extraneous things in the album, and lyrical content is impactful, though it is kept at a minimum: no fancy embedded and subordinated clauses, proof of the fact that you don’t have to be verbose to get your message across. (more…)

October 18, 2011

The Cruxshadows – “Valkyrie”: Viva Music Album Review

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Tracklist: “Valkyrie” * “Valkyrie (Radio Edit)” * “Anthem” * “Valkyrie (Rise of the Valcyrge –The Dreamside Remix)” * “Strange Skies”

Read about The Cruxshadows’ performance at Amphi Festival 2010 here | See the photo gallery from The Crxushadows’ performance at Amphi Festival 2010 here.

About The Cruxshadows “Valkyrie”:

Following the success of their most recent Billboard #1 single “Quicksilver”, international darkwave sensation The Cruxshadows return to the spotlight with the powerful new club anthem “Valkyrie”. The mixture of dark electronic dance elements, classical elegance, and new wave sensibility compound to produce The Cruxshadows unmistakable signature sound in this five track maxi-single.  The disc features three uniquely targeted versions of their newest track “Valkyrie”, as well as two new bonus tracks. Always a favorite across several genres, the boys and girls of The Cruxshadows have produced yet another song sure to become a fan favorite.  “Valkyrie” is presented as a digipack with cover art by lead singer Rogue. (source: label site)

The Cruxshadows “Valkyrie”: Viva Music Album Review:

The Cruxshadows’ newest single, “Valkyrie” to be released by Wishfire on Nov-08 includes alongside the title track in various version, two new preview tracks, “Anthem” and “Strange Skies” from their forthcoming album “As the Dark against My Halo”.  The source track for the single release, “Valkyrie” borrows heavily and charmingly from the old Norse myth of the supernatural beings who decided the fate of warriors on the battlefield, transporting the reason and the progression of the battle in the realm of contemporariness and, what is more, in real life. Except for the general release version, which we had the chance to listen to in July this year, and the radio edit, a third excellent version of the track is provided, and we are talking about “Valkyrie (Rise of the Valcyrge –The Dreamside Remix)”, which has a definite edge and carefully transposes the listener into a different realm, inspired by hazy dreams and the same essence of myth, rendered in beautiful music. Added depth comes also with the other two tracks from the compilation, generously released as a sneak preview into what their forthcoming album is going to look like. The definite feel brought over by “Anthem” is not at all vain, it is heartfelt, energetic, and curiously serene, despite its overall dark shroud. Very much in connection with its 1980’s side, the other track, “Strange Skies” is a relevant addition to the single release, and in a more confrontational manner than the preceding “Anthem”, it provokes sheer enthusiasm, encapsulated in great soundscape and perfectionist instrument. It would be a great thing if “As the Dark against My Halo” sounded in its entirety like that, and this is something that’s not only feasible, but also highly probable. For the time being, enjoy the single release of “Valkyrie”!

The Cruxshadows – Official Website | on Facebook | Discography on Discogs

October 10, 2011

Aesthetic Perfection release “All Beauty Destroyed” on Nov-02. Before, “Inhuman” (single) on Oct-20!

Filed under: International News — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:00 am

“All Beauty Destroyed” is the name of the third album from Aesthetic Perfection. It will be released both as a standard disc and a special limited edition with a second disc including various remixes from X-RX, Alter Der Ruine and Hocico). It will be available in Europe from Out of Line starting Nov-04 and in the US from Metropolis starting Nov-08. Preceded by two single releases, one of which can be listened to and downloaded for free from the band’s Facebook page here (tab: Free single), (“The Devil’s in the Details”), as well as their forthcoming release, the appetizing album teaser to be released on Oct-20 with Out of Line (“Inhuman”).

Advance orders of the latter can be placed at the store located on Aesthetic Perfection’s site, but will also be available in digital outlets from both Out of Line and Metropolis. Meanwhile, you can stream the track from the band’s Facebook page here (tab: Band page). And if you thought the names of remix acts dropped in the album tracklist preview were great, what can you say when you hear that “Inhuman” is remixed by Combichrist, Imperative Reaction or iVardensphere? Check it out, don’t miss such a great opportunity to become familiar with a great album.

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