Psyche - “Insomnia Theatre” CD

Classic horror electro fix

This is the definitive version of the vastly under-appreciated 1985 debut from Edmonton electro duo Psyche. Fronted by the charismatic vox of Darrin Huss and backed by clear, cinematic synth soundtrack vibes by brother Stephen Huss, Psyche was equally as inspired by Suicide, Soft Cell, Fad Gadget, and John Carpenter’s soundtracks. In short, it’s a horror-shock electro vibe here, perfectly suited to fans of those artists or peers like early Skinny Puppy.

Beginning with the classic "The Brain Collapses", and continuing through greats like "Wink Of An Eye” and the midnight drive-in verses of "Maggots", this album, even after 30 years, brings some magnificent analogue electronic grooves.  "Eating Violins" is an instrumental track showing Stephen Huss's skill crafting film-quality electronica with an ear for both dark ambience and melody. It's a brilliant and memorable cut, for sure. The aggressive “Children Carry Knives” is another highlight, somehow reminding me of the group’s affinity for another Canadian horror great, David Cronenberg. The straightjacketed electro shock of "Wrench", the demo of the pop-leaning "Why Should I?", and the tongue in cheek late night horror of  "Mr Eyeball Ooze" also round out the disc’s lengthy set of memorable and unique electro.

This expanded remastered re-release includes the full original vinyl LP’s 8 cuts, plus 11 other tracks, including plenty of previously unreleased gems unearthed from the band’s vault. In short, it’s a treasure trove of classic electronics from a group that deserves much more notice.

Artoffact Records

Psyche website

“Scream Park” DVD (director: Cary Hill)

Mediocre slasher with Ogre and Pinhead

Another ultra-low budget horror flick with an affinity for the classic 80s slashers here, featuring a couple of notable cast members. Unfortunately, there’s little else here worthy of mention. The premise is simple — a failing amusement park owner decides to create a “media sensation” by hiring insane redneck thugs to commit murders at the park. The park’s teen employees, enjoying a night of drinking and partying, end up being hunted, one-by-one, by the maniacs (one played by an often-masked Ogre from Skinny Puppy).

Not much else to say here, aside from a memorable appearance by Doug Bradley (Pinhead from “Hellraiser”). The usual grisly killings are here, alongside some mediocre acting, and a bit of nudity (the appealingly busty Kailey Marie Harris drops some wondrous double-D bombs), but overall this one just falls flat (unintentional pun), not distinguishing itself from a thousand others just like it.

“Scream Park” isn’t terrible, but it is unremarkable and fairly pedestrian. Serious slasher fans could do worse, but casual horror geeks can take it or leave it in good conscience.

Wild Eye Releasing

Rigor Mortis - “Rigor Mortis” CD

Classic thrash

The legendary debut album from Texas’ infamous thrash metal innovators has been at last reissued, with an added bonus track for fans (the punk-tinged “Spivey”). Originally released way back in 1988, Rigor Mortis (whose members would later go on to further notoriety with bands like Gwar and Ministry) dared to fuse ultra-speedy thrash metal with their gore movie fascination. Tracks like “Wizard Of Gore” or “Re-Animator” hold their inspirations proudly on their sleeves, and they obviously had a lot of fun doing it. Kudos for not taking themselves too seriously.

Coming around at roughly the same time as Slayer, Rigor Mortis mined much the same territory, never receiving quite the acclaim as their Bay Area brothers, but producing at least as heavy a din. Production on “Rigor Mortis” is clean, thanks to Skinny Puppy producer Dave Ogilvie’s mix, but the real treat here is the band’s skill at lightning-fast, yet clean instrumentation. Vocalist Bruce Corbitt has a raspy growl, but it never gets to the point of going all “Cookie Monster”, and guitarist Mike Scaccia had some of the speediest guitar riffs I have ever heard. This is old-school thrash metal, pure and unadulterated, and one of the genre’s most beloved templates.

Unequivocally a big influence on many a death metal act, Rigor Mortis’ debut is a recording that may not get it’s full due, but certainly has a place in many a metalhead’s heart. 

official Rigor Mortisbook

Collide - "Bent And Broken" 2xCD

A new double-album (26 tracks) of mostly remixes from California's finest dark-edged electro-rock act, "Bent And Broken" also includes some curious covers, including The Glove's "Orgy" and Queen's "She Makes Me". WIth the wealth of re-visited material here (mostly from their past couple of studio outings), fans of kArin and Statik's trademark blend of edgy electronica and sleek, ethereal vocal stylings will find much to enjoy here.

Quite often, remix albums are throwaways, shredding the artists' dignity in a shower of generic club beats or mainstream "radio friendly" mixes. For "Bent And Broken", I have to hand it to the band's choice in remixers -- there's nary a moment of "dubstep" foolishness here. Everything keeps Collide's integrity (and overall sound and personal, emotive vibe) intact.

It all opens with a heavy electronic remix by longtime Collide friends cEvin Key and Hiwatt Marshall, which works perfectly well in a trippy, skittering Skinny Puppy fashion. New track "Bent & Broken" is as good as anything the duo have done in the past, while the Queen cover ("She Makes Me") is a lovely, dreamy, even flighty acoustic-sounding rock song, sung in a gentle, ghostly voice courtesy of kArin. Other standouts include "Tears Like Rain (Cloudburst Mix)", which brings a serene, austere Eno piano ambience to great effect. "Counting To Zero (kaRin's Lullaby Mix by Antigen5)" is beautifully atmospheric and almost symphonic, while the "Unraveling Breaths" remix of "Utopia", by Whitney Kew, is a fittingly lovely ambient closer. 

A solid and faithful collection of both outsider remixes and a few new Collide tracks, "Bent And Broken" does the band justice, despite having many outside hands involved. Any fan will be more than pleased with this selection of dark and intelligent electro-rock stomp and slither. 

(Noiseplus Music)

The Punk Vault and MXV Photography

Long-time friend and ally of Goatsden, MXV (and curator of the famous Punk Vault), now is offering his professional concert photography for fans and collectors.

The site already has superb live photos for sale of artists like Skinny Puppy, Ohgr, Down, Public Image Limited, Jello Biafra, Social Distortion, Descendents, Adicts, Fishbone, Doro, Weedeater, Public Enemy, Weezer, Damned, Tesco Vee, Thrill Kill Kult, Ministry, Naked Raygun, Korn, The Prodigy, Cradle Of Filth, Anthrax, Ted Nugent, Billy Idol, Slash, System Of A Down, Disturbed, Gwar, TSOL, X, KMFDM, Dead Milkmen, Jerry Lee Lewis, and tons more. Check his page at:

MXV Photography

And while you're out and about, check his review site/blog at:

Punk Vinyl

Phil Western - "Laborandum" CD

Veteran electronic composer Western has quietly amassed an extensive, widely-varied, and highly collectible catalog of solo work outside of his better-known work with cEvin Key as Download and Plateau. "Laborandum" amicably sums up his solo work (both under his own name and as Kone) into a cohesive 54-minute set. 

Opening with the elegantly lush urban techno of "303", Western's combination of Detroit-style grooves, mellow West-coast psychedelia, and a post-industrial sense of sound manipulation come together splendidly on cuts like "Ke Bop Bop". "I Roll The Nickels" deftly uses samples of Charlie Manson alongside otherworldly electronic blips and beats. "Angels", the exclusive track here, is a dark slice of hallucinogenic electronica that reminds of classic Severed Heads with a modern ambient twist. The remaining tracks don't falter, either, and although "Laborandum" could be packed with more music, and plenty of Western's works remain criminally out of print, this is a superb place to sample his skilled sounds and beats. (Rustblade Records)

"2001 Maniacs: Field Of Screams" DVD (director: Tim Sullivan)

Carrying on a theme began in 1964 with Herschell Gordon Lewis' extraordinary "Two Thousand Maniacs" (and continued with Sullivan's debut, "2001 Maniacs"), this semi-sequel squanders fine performances by Bill Moseley and Lin Shaye (Granny) via a terrible script, awful acting, and crappy effects.

Notable for little more than an appearance by Skinny Puppy frontman Kevin "Ogre" Ogilvie, "Field Of Screams" basically amounts to a hack-take on buffoonish MTV-style teen stars (blatantly patterned after Paris Hilton) who end up interacting with the down-home backwoods Southern folks of Pleasant Valley. Who, of course, happen to be vile killers and cannibals. You already know the rest, and you've seen it done with more flair and charisma. Sure, there are some sick deaths (often tongue-in-cheek) and some off-color jokes, and some touches of breast action, but nothing here adds up.

Truly, this one was a pain to sit through. Steer clear. (First Look Studios)

Jakalope - "Things That Go Jump In The Night" album

What the hell happened here? Known best for his work with industrial-horror pioneers Skinny Puppy (and to a lesser degree, Nine Inch Nails), producer extraordinaire Dave "Rave" Ogilvie's new band is squeaky-clean radio pop, complete with teen-sheen singer whose vocals resemble Gwen Stefani, if you're into that kinda thing. Ehh, no. (604 Records)

Jakalopespace

Jakalope site

Map Music/Outersanctum releases (including Phil Western)

Any fans of intelligent and complex ambient and electronic music from some fine Vancouver artists should check this page:

Outersanctum Music

Rare and out of print Map Music CDs are available again, in very limited quantities, for only $12US apiece, including shipping (in North America). The releases include long unavailable recordings by Phil Western (a member of Download and platEAU, among others), Mere Mortals, Pilgrims Of The Mind, Cooldown (with a remix by Western), and the classic and seminal "Welcome To Lotus Land" compilation.

This may be your last chance to find these releases without paying exorbitant collectors prices, so hop to it!

"Fix - The Ministry Movie"

This is one I'm looking very forward to purchasing as soon as it's out...newest trailer up first:

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult - "Sinister Whisperz" CD

Subtitled "The Wax Trax! Years (1987-1991)", this 13-song collection harkens back to the glory days of this Chicago-based glam/dance/industrial act. And as a tribute to Wax Trax! founding fathers Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher (R.I.P. gentlemen), it's a fitting set, keeping the group's trademark mix of horror/occult themes and kitschy glam-club disco. As it turns out, "Sinister Whisperz" is not as much a compilation as a remix, from the early "And This Is What The Devil Does" or "Do You Fear For Your Child" to the more undeniably classic aggressive club sounds of "The Days Of Swine And Roses" and "Kooler Than Jesus".

And truth be told, TKK founders Marston Daley (aka Buzz McCoy) and Groovie Mann (Frankie Nardiello) have kept just about everything as I remember. Perhaps there are some minor tweaks here and remasterings there, but these cuts are oddly similar to the original tracks. Not that it's a bad thing, but fans expecting a modern mash-up of great Chicago dance cuts apply elsewhere. As a collection of the TKK's best tracks, this one hits the spots perfectly. The only thing missing is "Sex On Wheelz", but that's a minor complaint. Cooler than jesus indeed, this one's a must-get for old-school, die-hard Wax Trax! fans like me. (Rustblade)

TKK website

Collide - "These Eyes Before" CD

This California group's fifth full-length shines a new light on the duo's darkly sensual grooves. Formed in the mid-90's amidst the industrial rock frenzy, programmer Statik and vocalist kaRIN have steadily built a solid reputation and audience, fully independently, and their work has been instrumental in diversifying an increasingly testosterone-laden electronic dance/rock scene. They have befriended and worked alongside artists like Tool, Skinny Puppy, and Prince, but fittingly, it's their own work that garners them the most attention. "These Eyes Before" is a collection of 10 covers, beginning with Pink Floyd's "Breathe", which is transformed into a lovely and fantastic soundscape with an appropriately spaced-out vibe, and of course kaRIN's smooth and ethereal vocals. The Moody Blues' "Nights In White Satin" is also respectfully updated, with a superb mix of organic instrumentation and sleek programming. Other standouts? Depeche Mode's "I Feel You" is trippier and better-produced than the original. Bowie's amazing "Space Oddity" is given a wonderful modern electronic cyber-grafting, with kaRIN's breezy vocals pointed to the celestial heavens. Chris Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad Thing" effectively brings some smoldering, gritty rock to the table, and Fleetwood Mac's percussive "Tusk" is recreated, with actual marching band, and it all closes out with another Pink Floyd classic, "Comfortably Numb". Normally, I'd shout "heresy", as some things are just sacred, but Collide admirably pull it off, adding a cool and deep layer of mood to the song's already-potent melancholy. A superb release, and perhaps their best yet. (Noiseplus Music)

White Mice - "Ganjahovadose" CD

This is some seriously far-out, swollen, damaged stuff, from a group of Rhode Islanders who've been recording offensively for several years for a number of sub-underground labels. White Mice produce a potent cocktail of gross, tuneless and twisted mindfuck grindcore with enough rough edges to disorient even the staunchest death metal-head. "Ganjahovadose" features 10 tracks, though they blend together pretty well into one cluster of bent noise/beats and grizzled, agonized vocals. It's not blastbeats, though. White Mice's midtempo sound behemoth is hellbent on destroying through sheer overload. The mix and production here, by famous Skinny Puppy soundman Ken 'Hiwatt' Marshall, gives them plenty of space to throw their bloody furballs. The eighth track, "The Shroud Of Urine" brings on some proto-industrial sound loops to break up the din, but soon thereafter it's back to the hateful, psychedelic noise. Some of this even approaches a kind of free/out jazz, though jazz purists will scoff at that comparison. The point is, this is some seriously messed-up shit, for those with open minds (and maybe some ear protection). And the guys wear some sick white mouse costumes on stage, so I bet that's a sight to behold. You won't be hearing them on radio anytime soon, but this massive bloodclot of sound will clean out your ears, for sure. (20 Buck Spin)

website

Micespace

16Volt catalog for FREE

I've had a long history with Eric Powell and his venerable industrial/machine rock band 16Volt. While doing my own independent music zine, Godsend, back in the early 90's during the heyday of the Wax Trax! scene, I received a demotape from Nevada with three songs. I was instantly hooked with the strong songwriting, intense electronic programming and brutal aggression, and kept in touch with Eric for a while, giving his demotape an overwhelmingly good review and doing my best to promote it, even doing one of his earliest interviews.

16Volt interview for Godsend, 1991
16Volt followup interview for Godsend, 1999

Not long after that, he signed 16Volt onto fledgeling Re-Constriction Records, the new industrial imprint on Cargo US. From there, Eric released a number of increasingly heavy and precise albums of top-shelf electronic rock. Releases like 'Skin' and the blistering 'LetDownCrush' became influences and favorites of thousands (including some celebrity/musician fans), despite a sad and unjust lack of promotion.

Along the way, 16Volt has enlisted the musical and production assistance of such genre heavyweights like Dave 'Rave' Ogilvie, Keith 'Fluffy' Auerbach, William Tucker, Jared Hendrickson of Chemlab, Charles Levi of Thrill Kill Kult, Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails, Paul Raven of Killing Joke, and many others. However, after some issues with labels and the general industry, Eric decided to leave behind his music. He returned anew in 2007 with the solid 'FullBlackHabit', and he's been recording new material to be released in September (tentative title: 'American Porn Songs'), with a full tour on the horizon, as well.

I, personally, had the chance to finally see the band live back in 1999, as they opened for KMFDM. A brief meeting with Eric was cordial and friendly, and we discussed hanging out after the show a bit, though other factors led to that never quite happening. Regardless, it's great to see one of my favorite genre musicians continuing his progression, making some of the catchiest, most infectious head-snapping sounds around.


Now, for several reasons you can read about on his page, Eric is making most of his deep and amazing back catalogue of music available for FREE download. He's taking donations, but it's not necessary. Read about it here:

16Volt free download info

Suffice to say, if you like stuff like Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Rob Zombie, etc., do yourself a favor and have a listen. Thanks for all your music through the years, Eric.

16Volt website

"Love Sex Fear Death - The Inside Story Of The Process Church Of The Final Judgment" book

This is interesting -- a promo video (by acclaimed video producer William Morrison, who is doing a visual documentary on the Process himself) for a book by Timothy Wyllie detailing the Process Church Of The Final Judgment, coming soon from esteemed subversive publisher Feral House. From the sixties 'cult' group to the nineties' reactivation as a media group led by members of Psychic TV and Skinny Puppy, The Process was an enigmatic phenomenon that touched a number of (in)famous people (for better or worse), and, unbeknownst to many, has probably influenced our entire culture. Besides information from former Process members and reproductions from original Process documents and magazines, the book also features the involvement of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, among others. Count me in!

Feral House page

"Metal Machine Music - Nine Inch Nails And The Industrial Uprising" DVD

A curious account, this one. It's basically a NIN bio, completely unauthorized, but legitimized by the participation of former Nails Chris Vrenna and Rich Patrick, who have both gone on to successful careers in their own bands (Tweaker and Filter, respectively). Other writers and critics also have their say regarding Trent Reznor's rise, from his synthpop roots to his well-publicized battles with former record company TVT, to his recent experiments in alternative marketing and his successful back-to-DIY aesthetic. It's a solid and critical appraisal of NIN's albums. Clips from promo videos and live footage bolster the film well, as do some fine interviews with Jared Louche (of Chemlab) and Eric Powell (16 Volt) - both peers of Reznor. On the other hand, at least one writer featured here is purely sycophantic in his adulation/adoration for NIN...good for a chuckle at least.
What's most curious about this DVD is the first half-hour or so, which takes a whole different tact entirely. This is an examination, albeit a rather shallow one, of the beginnings of so-called 'industrial' music - highlighted (and indeed, made by) an extensive interview with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge. It's telling and fascinating, hearing it in her own words. Bits and pieces of live footage of Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Throbbing Gristle, Einsturzende Neubauten, Cabaret Voltaire, and Depeche Mode (??) litter this pre-NIN history. It's nice, though far from thorough. I'd really love to see this all expanded upon, with other important inspirations like Varese, Kraftwerk, Test Dept, Whitehouse, Boyd Rice, Front 242, and others included. But that's a whole different story altogether.
As it is, this 2+ hour documentary is an exceptional watch for NIN fans - offering some insight and rare footage. Maybe it is a bit surface, but this may be as close as we'll ever get to a true and definitive bio of Reznor and his NIN persona. (Chrome Dreams/Sexy Intellectual)

KetVector - "The Infinite Regress" CD

Being in an industrial act in the present day is a pretty shady proposition. Major labels want absolutely no part of you (that's no problem, though). Your audience is insulated and precious (and utterly tiny), and they usually dress really silly. And this is coming from a seriously-involved fan from way back before there was a dress code, Hot Topic, and before the wishy-washy gothy scene absorbed all the heavy and mean electronic sounds. Yeccch!

Anyway, Justin Bennett is no newbie or stranger, and it shows. His resume includes stints as drummer with Professional Murder Music, Thrill Kill Kult (who he still tours with), and these days, he works within the Skinny Puppy live band, as well as on other lesser-known projects called Bahntier and American Memory (with independent filmmaker and visual artist William Morrison).

On his debut as KetVector, he joins fellow Bahntier member Stefano Rosselo, and together, they manage to slice through all the crap and tedious stereotypes. 'The Infinite Regress' is an excellent and - if not innovative - a perfectly worthy collection of mostly instrumental soundtracks with plenty of dark cinematics, heavy rhythms, and expert live percussion. The ability to mess with the structures (and go on for weird, seemingly nonlinear noise tangents) is a skill which even Puppy themselves seem to have lost since their reformation.

Bennett's more than proven himself to be a worthy programmer, and it's a shame this release isn't getting larger media attention on a more prominent label (apparently Rustblade is an Italian micro-indie). A super-limited version of this album was available as a box set with a bonus disc (and some extra tracks), but nonetheless, any fan of classic Skinny Puppy will thoroughly enjoy this fine selection. (Rustblade)

KetVector page

Justin Bennett page

Beehatch - "Beehatch" CD

This international collaboration between Canadian electronic composer Phil Western and English sound collagist Mark Spybey has been brewing for quite some time. Initially meeting over a decade ago when both were members of terror-tronica project Download, these two rekindled their friendship in 2007 to create this wonderful slab of indescribably delicious sounds, textures, rhythms, and melodies. From the beginining ambiance of 'First Song', these two move into realms of experimental-sound-poetry pop in 'Facing Up To The Facts', and the monumental soundtrack ebb-and-flow of 'God Is So Good, God Is SO Dub', which sounds like a coastal tide being played with a string quartet (which gives way to a kind of junk-store dub at the conclusion). Nice and unpredictable! 'Warm And Fuzzy' is a classic old-skool electro piece, whereas the aptly-titled 'I Think I'm Chinese' has an appropriately chimey oriental motif. 'I See Your Light Dying' is a weird and trippy dub experience with Spybey's distorted vocals and a sound that recalls their earlier work in Download, actually, and certainly better than that group's recent output. A joy to listen to, and a top-notch audio adventure for ears that crave both the jarring and the soothing, Beehatch is a sure winner, and I'm looking forward to the tour and future recordings, already. Bravo! (Lens Records)

Floatpoint - "Beam Error" 2xCD

Originally released in super-limited quantities in 1995, this ambient techno gem from space cadets Dan Handrabur (Mere Mortals, Weed) and Phil Western (Download, Beehatch) has seen collector interest drive prices of original CDs to extremely high levels. With this in mind, Western has seen fit to re-release it (again in limited quantities, though) - while adding on an entire second disc of rare and unreleased works. Considering that the peak of this scene was well over a decade ago, one would assume that this sound would seem passe and dated by now. But to the contrary, Floatpoint's smooth electronic grooves are as cool and collected (and collectible) now as they were then. Splices of dub and tribal sounds filter through the duo's mellow beats and sequences, and all seems to blend together into a peaceful and soulful mode of escape. As in the rhythmic (yet chilled-out) 'Luna', Floatpoint creates spacious and warm grooves tailormade for home listening and reflection. The bonus disc includes some extended improvisations (some with friend Dwayne Goettel of Skinny Puppy fame), and unreleased cuts from the 'Beam Error' era, and these are of course in the same realm, if a little more indulgent in spots. Still, this is a gorgeous set worthy of more widespread attention and release. Close your eyes and drift away... (The Record Company)

Kone - "Cirrhotic Psychotic" CD

California-based multi-instrumentalist Phil Western is probably best known as half of experimental electronica groups Download and Plateau. But on this solo recording, Western more than proves that his prowess as a programmer and composer may even surpass these better-known, critically-acclaimed projects. Kone's premise is music created with only a simple setup of primitive electronic gear - a kind of no frills, balls-out approach to techno, you might say. And with such tight grooves as the almost acidic 'Movies On My House', this idea works quite well. Recalling the robotic demeanor of Kraftwerk, and gene-splicing in some glitchy minimalist funk by way of Detroit, these crisp and accessable tracks thump and sizzle, while also summoning some nicely ambient textures along the way (as on the lovely retro-stylings of 'Terrible News'). 'Mound (Fully Conscious Mix)' is a jagged and noisy eardrum-rattler that pummels like prime Aphex Twin, and similarly, 'Whoa War Wow', like most of this recording, is actually too manic for most dancefloors. Consider it prime electronic listening music for those with a hankering for something more, eh, corrosive. A really fine recording here, and respect to Mr. Western on a job well-done, indeed. (The Record Company)