Sisters of Mercy - First and Last and Always (1985)/Floodland (1987)

 

Artist: Sisters of Mercy

Album: First and Last and Always

Release: (1985)

Label: Merciful Release

Tracklist:

1. Black Planet

2. Walk Away

3. No Time To Cry

4. A Rock And A Hard Place

5. Marian (Version)

6. First And Last And Always

7. Possession

8. Nine While Nine

9. Logic

10. Some Kind Of Stranger

Artist: Sisters Of Mercy

Album: Floodland

Release: 1987

Label: Merciful Release

Tracklist:

1. Dominion/Mother Russia

2. Flood I

3. Lucretia My Reflection

4. 1959

5. This Corrosion

6. Flood II

7. Driven Like The Snow

8. Never Land (A Fragment)

Dim candles, occult rites, red roses, blood filled chalices, ridiculous sunglasses: Sisters of Mercy.

Rivaling The Cure's self-pity and brooding, Sisters of Mercy are a pillar in the goth canon, and have stood as a high water mark for this particular brand of darkwave since the early 80s. Mind-blowing bass tone, deep crooning vocals, goth synth love, and expansive atmosphere make both of these LPs a must have for anyone who doesn't give a shit that the New York Times won't shut up about "goths" with pastel hair, and just wants to brood alone in the dark. Grab a bottle of blood red wine (at least one per person involved) and start with "Marian," you won't regret it.

Downloads in comments.

Autonomy - The Art Of Work In The Age Of Digital Reproduction (2012)

Artist: Autonomy
Album: The Art Of Work In The Age Of Digital Reproduction
Release: 2012
Label: Dirt Cult

Tracklist:
1. Homostasis Stasis
2. Public Faith
3. Dumb Punk
4. Contemptus Mundi
5. Library of Alexandria
6. No Need
7. Kistvaen
8. Gods Die
9. Work Order
10. Monuments Men
11. Fear Hate
12. Culture Tomb

I've been anticipating this LP ever since I first got my hands on Autonomy's 2011 demo and it was well worth the wait. The production is more clear, the songs more polished, and the energy and atmosphere of the demo intact. Frantic and dancable, this record takes from a spectrum of punk and post-punk influences, landing somewhere between the fuzzed-out, political Crass records tradition, and more dark atmospheric new wave. Don't pass this one up, you'll regret it:


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Merchandise - (Strange Songs) In The Dark (2010)/Children of Desire (2012)

Artist: Merchandise 
Album: (Strange Songs) In The Dark
Release: 2010
Label: Katorga Works, Drugged Conscious

Tracklist:
1. Loss
2. I Locked The Door
3. Foolish (Her Song)
4. I Get Lost
5. Worthless Apology
6. In The Dark
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Artist: Merchandise
Album: Children Of Desire
Release: 2012
Label: Katorga Works

Tracklist:
1. Thin Air
2. Time
3. Become What You Are
4. In Nightmare Room
5. Satellite
6. Roser Park

So to say I've been slacking hard on this blog is an understatement. I appreciate all of you that have dug through past posts in my absence. Focusing on such small niches of music so intensely for a while has burnt me out  a bit, so what I plan to do is open the scope of this blog a bit (don't worry, 80's punk in all its various forms will still rule). To start here are two albums from a band very strongly influenced by the goth movement, but who have done something refreshing in a period where Christian Death and Discharge clones roam abound. I mean lets be serious, not everyone can pull it off like Deathcharge. This band, Merchandise, is probably not new to you, as even hoards of Pitchfork followers are discovering them, but I highly recommend both of these releases if you haven't given them the chance they deserve.

The first, '(Strange Songs) In the Dark', is more outwardly influenced by many other bands on this blog. Depressing, synth heavy, drum machine, dark crooning, its all there. But something else puts this band a step above many other contemporary acts. In fact two somethings. The first is that, while definitely residing in the wake of Ian Curtis, Adrian Borland (The Sound), etc, the vocalist for Merchandise, Carson Cox, has an identifiable, heart-wrenching voice in his own right. The second is that guitarist David Vassalotti writes guitar riffs of all kinds, so good they'll make you dumb. And when I say all kinds I mean it. Check out the last song on the Merchandise demo (pure 90's gold), his solo work under monikers Dads, D.Vassalotti (lo-fi noisy pop), or his work with Cult Ritual (riff dominated hardcore). All fantastic, and I haven't even delved into the Neon Blud discography quite yet (another solo project).

These two records will make you sad, they will make you sing along, they will make wish you could ever write a song so fucking good. Start with my favorite below. In my opinion the best of many great songs they have written. If you like what you hear, watch Katorga for represses, 'Strange Songs' already has been repressed once, and I'm sure Children of Desire isn't too far off.



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Grave Babies - Pleasures 7" (2011)

Artist: Grave Babies
Album: Pleasures 7"
Release: 2011
Label: Hardly Art

This release comes our way from Hardly Art of all places. And while Grave Babies is suited for this label in some respects, 'Pleasures' is an entirely different beast than the usual forgettable indie-pop fare that constitutes its peers. Blown-out, containing great hooks, and taking strong cues from The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Cure, this 7" is some quality goth-pop. Grave Babies also have a new full length out if you're interested, although I personally am much more impressed with this EP. Watch out for shows if your near their home-base Seattle. Until next time:


*This file has been suspended via copyright law. I assume this means someone with legitimate claim would like this link taken down. I have obliged.*

Vex - Sanctuary (1984)

Artist: Vex
Album: Sanctuary
Release: 1984
Label: Fight Back Records


Tracklist:
1. Sanctuary
2. It's No Crime
3. World In Action
4. Relative Sadness


'Sanctuary' is the only release ever purveyed by this goth-tinged post-punk outfit. On this EP, Vex fuses early 80's anarcho guitar tone and atmosphere with prominent pop sensibilities, fueled strongly by influences from the likes of Joy Division and Killing Joke. Thanks to Ghoul Man for pointing me in the direction of this one. Hear it for yourself:



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Anasazi - s/t 7" (2012)

Artist: Anasazi
Album: s/t 7"
Release: 2012
Label: Toxic State


Tracklist:
1. Bone Collector
2. Samsara
3. Loving You


Great debut 7" from NY deathrockers Anasazi. If you missed it, their demo on Burn Books is killer, and these new three tracks do not disappoint. Continuing their homage to classic California influences (most notably Christian Death), my only disappointment with this release is that it only contains three songs. You can still get your hands on this via Katorga Works, who are carrying a number of new Toxic State releases (which can all be found on icoulddietommorow). They're going fast so get one while they last.


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Hexentanz - blutverlust (2012)

Artist: Hexentanz
Album: blutverlust
Release: 2012
Label: s/r


Tracklist:
1. Coven
2. Stake
3. Sorry
4. Night
5. Attic


Hexentanz are a two-man bedroom project out of Brooklyn playing eerie, atmospheric darkwave. A hypnotizing journey through dark corridors, haunted realms, and sacrificial ceremonies awaits anyone who picks up this EP, this group's debut release. If you're into it, you can stagger through the fog, ignore the terrifying chants surrounding you, and either acquire these mp3s for a nominal fee on Hexentanz's bandcamp, or email jakedibeler(at)gmail(dot)com and snag a tape. Enjoy the numb hymns kids.



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