Title: The Gothic Sounds of Nightbreed Vol.5
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Gothic Rock / Darkwave / Industrial
Release Date: 2009
Label: Nightbreed Recordings
Album Review
There was a time when the Gothic underground was kept alive literally by a handful of dedicated labels that nurtured the talents of a few diehard bands - some like the USA’s Cleopatra records diversified into more commercial genres and managed to scrape by as the 90’s turned into the 00’s. Others such as Nottingham’s Nightbreed Recordings descended further into the underground sporadically releasing a few select recordings in the first decade of the new millennium. It now seems that the time has come for one of the UK’s most respected record labels to re-emerge at the head of another Gothic revival.
Nightbreed have put out records by many influential bands such as 13 Candles, Suspiria, Nekromantik, Two Witches, Inkkubus Sukkubus, Midnight Configuration, and Every New Dead Ghost (the last two both featuring Label founder Trevor Bamford). But it was their compilation recordings - the ‘New Alternatives’ and ‘Gothic Sounds of Nightbreed’ ranges that kept interest in the label and affiliated bands alive amongst the club faithful. The fifth volume of the ‘Gothic Sounds of Nightbreed’ is the first to have been released in some years, heralding what label founder Trevor Bamford calls “The Gothic Internet Revolution!” and it isn’t hard to see why the time is right.
The compilation is a mix of new and veteran bands from across the world as well as a wild mix of genres - from the Darkwave of Midnight Configuration, the Gothic Rock of Ankst, the Industrial beats of Veil of Thorns, and even the Gothic Metal infused Atra Mors. The opening track is ‘Unholy Beat’ by the UK’s (and Nightbreed’s) own Midnight Configuration - a dark and aggressive slice of stomping Darkwave that will make it into most DJ’s future set-lists. Fellow veterans in the form of Finland’s Two Witches follow up with the classic sounding bass driven Gothic Rock track ‘Inner Circle Outsider’ that retains Goth’s original Post-Punk spirit. Next up is the Nephilim influenced, heavy guitar led Ankst from South Africa with ‘The Wicked’ - this track definitely will appeal to those who like a heavier Gothic sound. The UK’s Lupine follow with ‘Broken Wings’ - a great mix of traditional Gothic Rock and Darkwave electronics that come together to create a club friendly track. ‘End of Ages’ by the USA’s Soulscape revisits the sound of 90’s Goth with strong bass-lines, raw vocals and reverbing guitars.
Nightporter then offer up a very bass heavy track in the form of ‘Darkling’ which makes full use of echoing vocals and sweeping guitars. The legendary 13 Candles make their mark with the darkly romantic ‘Flight of an Angel’ which shows off their classic sound that was often imitated by a number of bands in the 90‘s. Deathpunk super-group Killer B Movie present a slice of blood spattered punk rock infused Psychobilly in the form of ‘Nothin’ To Lose’ that will no doubt have people on their feet ready to dance. The Realm follows on with the Darkwave of ‘Let Go’ - the mix of classic Gothic Rock and modern electronics providing another timeless sounding song. The Industrial mayhem of Attrition follows on with ‘Dante’s Kitchen’ which infuses old school Industrial and modern dance beats to create a dark dance floor classic. The aggressive grinding and surprisingly catchy Industrial Rock of Deadfilmstar’s ‘Replace’ acts as a great counterpoint to the previous track showing that Industrial can still be cold and unfriendly and yet get your feet tapping.
Synthcore outfit Method Cell presents the most EBM orientated track on the compilation in the form of ‘Blame Me’ to show just how diverse the sound of Goth in 2010 has become. Gothic / Industrial Metalers Pro-Jekt offer the equally danceable and heavy ‘Existence’ to the proceedings and bring the guitars back to prominence. The dark and aggressive dance beats of Edgegod hide a classic Black Sabbath track in the form of ‘Dirty Women’ that should confound and arouse people in equal proportions. Atra Mors follows with the romantic tragedy of ‘Luna Cry’ mixing late 80’s Gothic Rock with Early 90’s Doom Metal for a grinding but danceable track. Cauda Pavonis are up next with the frantic and Punk tinged ‘Juggernaut’, with subtle electronics and throbbing guitars it taps back into the rawer side of Goth. Memento Mori’s ‘High Ground’ is a delicious piece of Darkwave that caries infectious synthesizers and pulsing guitar work for a dance floor orientated track. ‘Darkness Falls’ by Darkness Falls mixes dance beats, heavy guitars and samples for an interesting take on Industrial and Darkbeat. Veil of Thorns close the festivities with the progressive electronica of ‘Ideological Corpses’ which despite it’s ultra modern elements retains a primal and tribal feel to it.
This compilation is a rallying call to the believers. Here are nineteen of the best and most diverse bands in the scene today, some already with veteran status, others newly established but all of which represent the modern face of the Gothic scene. Coinciding with an all day festival in December of 2010 and the launch of Radio Night breed a few months earlier, this CD is part of a wider plan to bring Goth back from the fringe once more. Best of all it has something for everyone - if you like synthesizers or guitars, dance beats or straight rock you’ll discover something to like on here.
Tracklist
01. Midnight Configuration- Unholy Beat
02. Two Witches - Inner Circle Outsider
03. Ankst - The Wicked
04. Lupine - Broken Wings (edit version)
05. Soulscape - End Of Ages (elevation)
06. NightPorter - Darkling (Gallows mix))
07. 13 Candles - Flight Of An Angel
08. Killer B Movie - Nothin’ To Lose
09. The Realm - Let Go
10. Attrition - Dante’s Kitchen (Skinflick remix)
11. Deadfilmstar - Replace
12. Method Cell - Blame Me
13. Pro-jekt - Existence
14. Edgegod - Dirty Women (the prodigal track returns!)
15. Atra Mors - Luna Cry
16. Cauda Pavonis - Juggernaut
17. Momento Mori UK - High Ground
18. Darkness Falls UK - Darkness Falls
19. Veil Of Thorns - Ideological. Corpses (Nearer To Hell )
Line-up
Midnight Configuration / Two Witches / Ankst / Lupine / Soulscape / NightPorter / 13 Candles / Killer B Movie / The Realm / Attrition / Deadfilmstar / Method Cell / Pro-jekt / Edgegod / Atra Mors / Cauda Pavonis / Momento Mori UK / Darkness Falls UK / Veil Of Thorns
Websites
http://www.praysilence.org/ / www.myspace.com/nightbreedrecordings
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 10
Sound: 10
Extras: -
Total: 10 / 10
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