Dark Force Fest

Get ready for the ultimate Goth-Industrial musical experience as  VampireFreaks presents the highly anticipated Dark Force Fest.  Taking place from March 31^st to April 2nd 2023 this three day Goth Industrial music festival has an  impressive line up including international and emerging artists from Goth, Industrial, Dark Wave and Post-Punk scenes.  

Located at the Sheraton Parsippany, a castle-style hotel in Parsippany New Jersey, only an hour from New York City, this huge event features 44000 square feet of space and over thirty bands.  Acts at the event include Combichrist, Suicide Commando, ACTORS, Rabbit Junk, HEALTH and so many more. 

 

Aside from the music, Dark Force Fest offers a range of events and activities including a costume competition, cosplay guests, sideshow performers, 100+ vendors as well as an information panel.  Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the very best in Dark music.  Get your tickets now ! 

Links :

https://darkforcefest.com/

 

 

 

Meersein

 

Jan creator of the music project Meersein, has always been inspired by music, especially from the eighties. Growing up, his parents exposed him to various genres of music and Friday dance nights at home became a regular occurrence. His love for music was solidified when his dad took him to his first concert and he knew he wanted to be a musician.

 

Attending the Me’ra Luna Festival, a German musical festival held at Hildesheim, allowed Jan to experience different genres of music and he came to appreciate retro dark synth pop. This led to the creation of his new project, Meersein, where he explores this genre.

 

Meersein is a departure from his previous project, Heldenlos, where he explored Indie Pop Rock. With Heldenlos, Jan toured 40 cities in Germany, playing live concerts at various venues.  

 

The sea is a major source of comfort and inspiration for Jan and the name Meersein means to be the sea.  Meersein provides a  vehicle for Jan to explore darker music, taking inspiration from bands such as Depeche Mode and The Cure. He uses his songwriting to explore his feelings and ideas and has written music for Meersein in the hope of examining his own feelings.  It’s also Jan’s hope that his music can help those going through darker times by being relatable. 

 

Jan is a talented musician who is able to play guitar, piano, drums, keyboard, and synthesizers.  He creates all the music for Meersein as well as providing sophisticated and smooth vocals.   He plays a large part in the development of the aesthetic for the project and works with talented photographers and artists to help create his vision.  Jan also manages all his social media ensuring it fits the projects style.  

 

Apart from his musical projects of Heldenlos and Meersein, Jan is also a Radio Presenter.  His radio show, which he describes as a hand selected treasure trove of Dark Culture, airs every second Saturday of the month at 7pm on Oldenburg-Eins.  The common thread between all of these endeavors is Jan’s passion for music.  

 Jan enjoys live performances and hopes to be performing live as Meersein soon.  He is keen to perform in as many places as his outstanding music takes him.  For new listeners to Meersein, Jan wants people to be able to relate to his music and find solace within it and have a sense that they are not alone in their more challenging experiences in life.   

 

Links :

Webpage : http://www.meersein-official.com/

IG : https://instagram.com/meersein_official?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

OLDENBURG- EINS : https://www.oeins.de/radio/live-stream/

Meersein’s “Lost”

 

Taking the listener into what retro Synth Pop artist,  Meersein describes as “one of his darkest times”, the new track “Lost” is an exploration of loneliness and despair.  “Lost” has a retro 80s Synth Pop sound  that perfectly captures feelings of isolation, despondency and helplessness.  The nostalgic synth melodies combined with poignant lyrics and smooth emotive vocals entice the listener into a sophisticated lush and layered soundscape.  Meersein is able to  convey complex emotions in an alluring and accessible way.  The vulnerable and raw emotion explored in “Lost” by artist Meersein will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or alone. 

Links : 

Webpage: http://www.meersein-official.com/

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/4bJIj1cQLB1po7nRklYg2B?si=y--5RjdoQ2-lONqBP5SoWw

Instagram : https://instagram.com/meersein_official?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

Out of Nowhere’s Wrong Generation

 

“We dedicate this video to the women of Iran. To those who are fighting for their basic freedom and getting killed by the Government. These are our sisters, we lived there, and we feel people in our hearts. The young generation in Iran taught us how to be big and brave. They don’t want their youth and future ruined. We (Iranian People) are not from the violent generation. Everyone from everywhere has the right to have freedom, but we didn’t have even the basic ones. Also, we don’t have freedom of speech. Although we are young, most of our dreams were buried six feet deep because of the regime’s suppression, but we can’t stay silent when our brothers and sisters are getting killed every day in Iran.”

 

Out of Nowhere’s new single “Wrong Generation” is a response to the political unrest and blatant violations of human rights in their home country of Iran, where women and those who support their struggle are facing horrific violence and aggression.  While showcasing both melodic vocals and harmonies and intense growling vocals “Wrong Generation” is an emotionally charged song that successfully blends melody and aggression to deliver a very powerful message through provocative and emotive lyrics.  The undulating guitar riffs and anthemic nature of the song inspire a feeling of possibility and a glimmer of hope despite the dire circumstances.   The song is a fitting tribute to the Iranian people who despite suffering and in some cases being murdered are still fighting to attain what are their basic rights as human beings.     

Links :

Webpage : https://outofnowhereofficial.com/

YouTube : https://youtu.be/Ip4FMlU54yY

Out of Nowhere

 

                                                         Photo courtesy of Facebook

With a name based on the bands belief that borders cause separation and that they as humans do not belong to any particular land, Out of Nowhere is  an Iranian Djent and Metalcore band.  Emerging in 2010 from the Iranian Metal scene where metal music was made illegal by the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Out of  Nowhere has the common goal, according to band members  “ to spread our voices to the whole world and share our thoughts and feeling.”  After the release of their first album they did some cover songs in their unique style.  In 2019 the band released the EP 2031 which saw a shift in the band’s sound towards a more Djent Progressive style.  Out of Nowhere became part of a documentary discussing the dangers and difficulties faced by musicians in the Iranian culture.  In 2021 with the release of “Blind Crow” the band started to explore Deathcore.  With the release of their latest song “Wrong Generation” Out of Nowhere voice their support of Iranian women who have no voice in the current regime. 

 

Out of Nowhere endeavours to make their sound unique by using elements from their culture and important to them in their music. The band’s music explores humans and modern human life as well as events that occur due to technology and science.   Out of Nowhere believe “in our opinion, man and the inner world of man have not yet been properly discovered, and every day we face new issues of human behavior, human personality and even new mental illnesses due to modern life.”

 

Acknowledging the importance of aesthetic to a band, Out of Nowhere  are heavily involved in the artwork for the band and have successfully found the right artists to work with them and enhance the bands message.

 

“Live performance is always a turning point and exciting for a band” according to Out of Nowhere. The band believes that through live performances they are able to share the ideas they have created in isolation with fans face to face and enjoy the positive connections that the music makes. 

 

For the future Out of Nowhere hopes to share their music with an ever increasing audience as well as to create music continuously. For someone unfamiliar with their music the band says “if you feel lost and misunderstood, you are not alone.  At this stage we are trying our best to get closer to each other with our music and help each other.”

Links :

Webpage : https://outofnowhereofficial.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outofnowhere.irband

Instagram : https://instagram.com/out_of_nowhere_official?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

YouTube : https://youtube.com/@OutOfNowhereBand

 

 

Distance H- Reason to Rush

 

 

Distance H, a  project by French producer Manu H, is creating Intimacy, a shadowy, melancholic EP featuring various female artists.  The new track “Reason to Rush” sees Manu H collaborating with Cuban born singer Liset Alea, former lead singer of the band Nouvelle Vague.

 

Manu H beautifully describes “Reasons to Rush” as representing

“Melancholy and loneliness are part of a precious inner world, the origin of creativity perhaps...but the doubt, the tiredness of thinking about oneself all the time...wanting to escape from oneself...music (art in general) and love are the only possible exits.  And the reason to rush might be to escape this tiring inner world towards art and love.”

 

“Reasons to Rush” takes the listener on a hazy and ethereal journey through the artists introspective thoughts. The airy and beautifully evocative vocals of Liset Alea perfectly complement the lush instrumental environment.  Each element of the track blends together seamlessly to create a wonderfully reflective and immersive experience.  “Reasons to Rush” is an awe-inspiring addition to the Distance H album Intimacy.

Links: 

YouTube : https://youtu.be/9uw9wGS92ZU

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/5x7oz6olYvBZQINUgBZ5mG?si=5ljlbB-pSN6xAQhjyQVamA

Rabbit Junk’s Apocalypse For Beginners

 “I rely on creativity to manage stress and heartache, and this record is no exception. 2022 was a rough year. We moved states, I started a new job, and it’s been a difficult transition. Every track on the album has some element of that stress in it. But the album also connects the personal to the social and global. 2022 was a year of reckoning, of facing hard truths. And I think this is currently what we are doing as a species, especially with regard to our impact on our little planet. So there is some kind of parallel between my own sense of “running out of time” and the sense that we are, collectively, running out of time. Apocalypse is on the horizon. But the reason why it’s for “beginners” is because it’s so damn obvious. It’s not like the apocalypse is sneaking up on us; it’s like a heavy-stepping drunk crashing through the door at 4am, still singing karaoke songs. And I see that same sort of “obviousness” in my personal life when I reflect on the decisions I’ve made. So the album is touching on this parallel. 

 

But I don’t intend any specific message for listeners. The album isn’t a lecture. I do plenty of that teaching college. I like to keep the lyrics open to interpretation so that listeners can insert their own meaning into each song. That makes every Rabbit Junk track a sort of collaboration between the band and the listener; we make the meaning together. That’s how I like it.”  

 

This is how  JP Anderson of the American based band Rabbit Junk describes the band’s new album Apocalypse for Beginners.  

 

The album starts with “Heavy, a track with raw disorientating energy. Intense growling vocals enhanced by heavy instrumentation perfectly compliment the emotional and provoking lyrics.  Featuring Amelia Arsenic on vocals “Stone Cold” has retro vibes and commanding, fierce male vocals accentuated by powerful and taunting female vocals.  “Nostromo” has an unsettling blend of 80s and heavy industrial music emphasized by vocals that oscillate between beseeching and viciously snarling.  The track “Love is Hell” has haunting female vocals alongside guttural screaming male vocals all within a dark and aggressive soundscape.  A powerful blast from the past with intense industrial sounds “The Grind” has harsh, mechanical sounding guitars with fluctuating male and female vocals.  With an intro that feels like a demented surf rock track, ‘The Bodies”  has an undulating sound that makes the listener feel like they are on a manic sea plunging beneath the frothing water until they can’t breath,  before being dragged back up. “Praetorian Aureol” begins with a haunting crescendo before erupting into grinding, rhythmic industrial sounds.  The track is full of evocative lyrics and passionate vocals.  With a thunderous beginning “Rabbit Out of Hiding” has the feel of a classic 80s rock anthem.  The song erupts into an energetic and fast-paced track.  “Apocalypse for Beginners” has heavy guitar riffs and a dirge like beat accompanying melodic vocals which are interrupted by bursts of tortured chaotic vocals.  

Overall this album is an intoxicating and stimulating journey spanning various genres.

Links 

Bandcamp: https://rabbitjunk.bandcamp.com/album/apocalypse-for-beginners

YouTube : https://youtube.com/@RabbitJunk

 

Rabbit Junk

 

                                                           Photo courtesy of Facebook

Rabbit Junk, a name that has inadvertently taken on an association with “cyberpunk retro futurism, maybe like a hacker call sign” according to founding member JP Anderson, was chosen with no specific significance and that was the point.  JP wanted a moniker that would not imply any genre or sound. Although hard to categorize JP attempts to by explaining that Rabbit Junk’s music touches on  Industrial Metal, Future Rock, Cyberpunk and Digital Hardcore.

 

The initial members of Rabbit Junk were JP on vocals, guitar, songwriting and all production for the band and Jennifer “Sum Grrrl” Bernert on vox and lead keys.  The couple were married before the band formed. According to JP “I totally pressured her into being in a band because I was really inspired by plural gender bands at the time.  She was thinking it was gonna be a temporary thing hahah! Whoops!” Past iterations of Rabbit Junk have included different guitar players and drummers.  “In 2014 Rabbit Junk got a bit of a reboot and ditched the live drums in favor of a more electronic sound”explains JP.  It’s was at this time that the band stripped the live show down to just JP and Sum Grrrrl.  JP describes it as being  “cheaper, more intimate and actually more fun.” 

 

Shortly before JP recorded his first Rabbit Junk demo his first band, The Shizit, dissolved.  JP said that he wanted to start “a project with more range than the butch digital hardcore sound The Shizit allowed for.”  In order to bring in female punk rock energy JP recruited Sum Grrrl.  “I grabbed Sum Grrrl into my little studio one day and said “yell!” JP confesses.  

 

“I write most songs in my head before I actually sit down in a studio and bring them to life” is how JP describes the start of his songwriting process.  Hearing random riffs, beats and vocal lines throughout his day, especially in the shower, inspire him.  In the beginning the music he created for Rabbit Junk was a close approximation of what he heard in his head but now he is able to come very close to reproducing what he hears and creates in his head and bring it to life in the real world.  

 

Using creativity to cope with stress and anxiety Rabbit Junk’s music explores lots of subtle political and social themes though Rabbit Junk is not something the band members uses as a soapbox.  JP explains “These themes sneak in because I have a PhD in Political Science and am a university professor in my normie life.  So I kinda can’t help it. Rabbit Junk also has themes of SciFiand horror because I’m just a big nerd.”

 

In terms of the aesthetic for Rabbit Junk initially JP was heavily involved in the aesthetic of the group doing all the art work himself.  This was fundamentally driven by finances and a lack of appropriate connections.  In 2017 the band started working with established artists.  JP believed that working with artists saw them “bring an approach to life for the cover art of  Rabbit Junk Will Die, our sixth album.”  Enjoying working with established artists, the band  tends to let them do their own thing and be inspired by the music.  The one thing that Rabbit Junk insists on is the ironic use of the color pink alongside  what is typical industrial and metal vibes in the music.  

 

“Although live performances can be challenging and stressful the band enjoys playing live”.  JP explains.  He also enjoys ” indulging in a bit of rock star life every once in a while because my normie life is pretty constrained.  So when the show is done, I wanna let loose.  Then its typically back to mega-adulting until the next show.”

 

 

Rabbit Junk have a new EP set for release in 2023.  The album has the quirky distinction of being a horror SciFi sound track for a movie that doesn’t exist.  “I am hardly the first person to use this approach, but plan to make a totally enveloping and hopefully sort of terrifying sound.  So far its much darker and heavier than “Apocalypse for Beginners”, with significant elements of ambient and soundscape. For those familiar, this EP i the final chapters of “ghetto blasphemer”, which is sort of a side project within Rabbit Junk that combines eldritch horror short story voice over with various metal and urban vibes.” JP expounds.

 

JP believes that Rabbit Junk fans are very interesting people that like a wide variety of music and genres.  He describes them as “metalheads at a synthwave night. The raver in a mosh pit.  They can hang with a playlist drawing from 50 different genres spread across four decades. They are not into gatekeeping or rules when it comes to style or sound.”  If this sounds like you then Rabbit Junk is the band you should be listening to.  

Links :

Bandcamp : https://rabbitjunk.bandcamp.com/album/apocalypse-for-beginners 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbitJunkOfficial

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Cnkej21cJ1XgbAh98CbaS?si=WOWq9L1iTn2o000a9jA59Q

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/au/artist/rabbit-junk/91982341

Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_Junk