Synthwave

Abstract Void – Wishdream [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Dr. Wvrm on January 2, 2022 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Synthwave, 21 comments

“In hindsight, 2018 stood me at an imperceptible crossroads: the intersection of my growing disenchantment with metal and a void-filling infatuation with the electronic. The latter was encouraged, if not inspired, by a Frankensteinian atmoblack/synthwave monster released at the improbably right space-time to capitalize on the trends I loved and tired of. Abstract Void’s Back to Reality would ride that wave of serendipity to become my most listened-to album of the next few years. At least until Wishdream came along.” Void when wished at night.

Hollywood Burns – The Age of the Saucers [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Kenstrosity on December 18, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Electronic, Non-metal Metal Things, Synthwave, 26 comments

“You can probably already tell that this is not a metal album. Maybe you can’t, I dunno. Either way, I can attest that this here album is awesome. Hollywood Burns is far from a household name, but French darksynth upstart Emeric “Hollywood Burns” Levardon deserves a big reputation boost coming off of his latest opus, The Age of the Saucers. Alien abductions abound and riffy electronic buzzery surround, handily securing my attention as he serves everything I want in music through his unique synthwave lens.” Watch the skies.

Perturbator – Lustful Sacraments Review

By Emya on May 31, 2021 in Reviews, Synthwave, 141 comments

“It is an interesting phenomenon how French synthwave musician Perturbator became a common household name among today’s metalhead community. Several years ago, I had an opportunity to see Perturbator live at Seattle’s vegan metal bar The Highline, the same venue where I previously saw Alcest, Oathbreaker, and Khemmis. Though it slipped my mind why I ultimately was unable to attend the Perturbator show, the point is that Perturbator has somehow become more aligned with the underground metal scene even though it would make far more sense for the band’s music to circulate most comfortably in synthwave circles.” Synthy lust.

The EP, Split, and Single Post [Things You Might Have Missed 2020] Part II

By El Cuervo on December 31, 2020 in Blog Posts, Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Black Metal, Death Metal, Folk Metal, Neofolk, Synthwave, Thrash Metal, 64 comments

“The neglected, forgotten children; that’s what this post is about. Full-lengths albums are the proud first-born, strutting about with muscular arms and a beautiful face. But EPs?” More short grist for the short grist mill.

The EP, Split, and Single Post [Things You Might Have Missed 2020] Part I

By El Cuervo on December 22, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Synthwave, Thrash Metal, 51 comments

Regardless of Me – Black Flowers Blossom Review

By El Cuervo on September 15, 2020 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Synthwave, 39 comments

“Six years into this gig, and I still largely choose albums from the promo pool by name and/or genre tag. While I like to review a diverse array of sub-genres, it’s tough for me to not pick the low hanging fruit of obscure tags. The prospect of “trance metal” was an enticing one indeed, and it was from this that I selected Italy’s Regardless of Me.” No regard.

Ulver – Flowers of Evil Review

By El Cuervo on August 29, 2020 in Reviews, Synthwave, 56 comments

“Off the back of 2017’s The Assassination of Julius Caesar and the Ulver Primer which we ran a few weeks ago, 2020 has bequeathed unto us a new full-length title from Norway’s Ulver. Flowers of Evil sits in an unusual place as successor to the most poppy Ulver release, an album which I underrated at the time but have come to love. Rarely simple and never expected, Ulver has built a career out of subverting expectations and always pushing into new territories. How does such a band follow the most accessible album of their story?” Just look at the flowers.

Master Boot Record – Floppy Disk Overdrive Review

By sentynel on March 21, 2020 in 2020, Doom Metal, Electronica Metal, Italian Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Doom Metal, Electronic Metal, Synthwave, 34 comments

“Master Boot Record first came to my attention a few years ago as a novelty synth-metal nerd music act that made good coding music. After a hard disk full of releases in their first couple of years, Interrupt Request was released in 2017. At that point, I suddenly realized that MBR had privilege escalated from novelty act to serious music. Nothing had changed about the style or the presentation, but after iterative improvements, the quality of the songwriting demanded that they be taken seriously.” Disc blaster.