Following a successful round of US shows last autumn, after more than ten years away from the American touring scene, Lebanon Hanover recently made a compelling return with a double A-side single, their first new offering since the mesmerizing Sci-Fi Sky of 2020. With Better Than Going Under/KYIV, the enigmatic William Maybelline and Larissa Iceglass skillfully blend the earthy tones of folk-acoustic and the ethereal qualities of classic dream pop with the raw emotional depth of post-punk. This fusion serves as a reflective journey through the fleeting yet intense experiences that shape our existence.

Through the evocative strains of KYIV and its beautiful accompanying video, Lebanon Hanover invites its audience to deeply contemplate life’s inherent splendor, even in the throes of despair. In this piece, the band crafts a sonic tableau that speaks to the collective human spirit, endeavoring to sow seeds of hope and solidarity in times of upheaval. The track, imbued with a poignant emotional depth, delves into the essence of the human experience, touching upon themes of being, understanding, and the interconnected story of our world.

The interplay of acoustic guitar and drum machine evokes a soundscape reminiscent of the Cocteau Twins’  Treasure, offering a listening journey marked by melancholy and haunting beauty. Iceglass’s voice, its deep, morose timbre shifting into a tone of resigned lament, captures the stark realities of grief. This reflection, devoid of a specific storyline, resonates with a universal empathy for those caught in the crossfire, highlighting the stark differences in human experiences shaped by mere geographical chance. The addition of a sombre trumpet further enriches the song, illustrating the depth of despair yet simultaneously acting as a beacon, advocating for unity and shared compassion to navigate the tribulations of existence.

Directed by Nastya Platinova, the video captures the duo as they contemplate these severe realities within an almost surreal environment. It juxtaposes a beautiful, sunlit landscape against the backdrop of a dilapidated cathedral-esque building’s ruins, creating a striking visual metaphor that amplifies the contrast between beauty and decay, hope and despair.

Watch the video for “Kyiv” below:

“Better Than Going Under / KYIV” is out via Fabrika Records on a limited edition white and gold 12-inch vinyl, as well as the standard black.

Order Here

Follow Lebanon Hanover:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Bandcamp
• Spotify

The post So Close to Armageddon — Lebanon Hanover Debut Poignant Video for “KYIV” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

And I begrudgingly say this, as a former New Yorker and Berliner, but Los Angeles has firmly established itself as a formidable contender in the global post-punk festival scene, effortlessly rivaling the traditional strongholds of Europe. The city, known for its perpetual sunshine (you know, the perfect place for a Goth), now also beams with the sunburnt glow of two pivotal music festivals: Darker Waves and Cruel World. The latter marked the triumphant return of Siouxsie to the U.S., with a performance so electrifying the festival had to be evacuated before she could take the stage. (But come on guys, NYC needs a festival like this, too — LA shouldn’t have all the fun!)

This year was a testament to the enduring spirit and adaptability of post-punk, synthpop, and darkwave, genres that continue to evolve and captivate new generations and even cross over into the mainstream. In this evolving landscape, we’ve seen a surge of artists not just reviving but redefining these sounds. It’s a surreal time these days where the nostalgic echoes of the past meet the innovative visions of the present, resulting in a period that could very well be remembered as a new golden age of post-punk music.

And just as L.A. has seamlessly blended its sunny disposition with the typically gloomy aesthetic of post-punk, the music of 2023 has interwoven the familiar with the avant-garde, presenting a year of releases that are as surprising as they are gratifying.

Nuovo Testamento, a band that has consistently proven its mettle, delivered ‘Love Lines,’ a record where each track shone with the potential of a hit single. Their ability to consistently produce high-caliber music has not gone unnoticed, making them a standout act of the year. Then there was Slowdive’s ‘everything is alive,’ a release that reminded everyone why they are revered icons in the shoegaze realm. Their return wasn’t just a nod to their past glory but a bold statement of their ongoing relevance in today’s music scene.

Mareux’s debut album, ‘Lovers from the Past,’ presented a compelling fusion of generational sounds, effectively bridging the gap between the underground and the contemporary. The album stood out for its creative songcraft and unique aesthetic, marking Mareux as an artist to watch.

The year was also notable for the surprising and remarkable releases from established acts like Zanias, and Belgrado. who released some of their best work to date. and newcomers Lathe of Heaven’s with their full-length debut nostalgic and refreshing nod to Killing Joke and The Blitz. Body of Light’s ‘Bitter Reflection’ was a delightful dive into new-wave pop, showcasing their versatility and creative prowess.

Perhaps most surprising were the contributions from veterans OMD and A Certain Ratio. Their latest works managed to capture the essence of their classic ’80s sound while injecting fresh, contemporary energy, proving that their creative wells are far from dry in 2023.

So, as we close the chapter on this whirlwind of a year, Myself, Andi Harriman, and Frank Deserto have scoured the soundscape, digging through the deluge of tunes to bring you a curated list of this year’s best. So, without further ado, here’s the music that defined our year,

Alex’s List

LPS

1. Nuovo Testamento – Love Lines

2. Slowdive – everything is alive

3. Mareux – Lovers From the Past

4. Lathe of Heaven – Bound By Naked Skies

5. Belgrado – Intra Apogeum

6. Zanias – Chrysalis

7. OMD – Bauhaus Staircase

8. Body of Light – Bitter Reflection 

9. Korine – Tear

10. Harsh Symmetry – Imitation 

11. A Certain Ratio – 1982

12. Temple of Angels – Endless Pursuit

13. Ritual Howls- Virtue Falters

14. Morwan – Svitaye, Palaye

15. Chasms Glimpse of Heaven

16. Fearing – Destroyer

17. Blu Anxxiety – Morbid Now, Morbid Later

18. House of Harm – Playground

19. Crush of Souls A)Void Love

20. Death Index Civilized By A Lie

EPs

1. Ultra Sunn – Kill Your Idols

2. Madeline Goldstein – Other World

3. Ortrotasce – War

4. Drab Majesty – An Object in Motion

5. Odonis Odonis- ICON

Singles / Tracks

1. Lebanon Hanover “Better Than Going Under”

2. Shadow Age – “Ours”

3. Scowl – “Psychic Dance Routine (Nuovo Testamento Remix)”

4. Catherine Moan – “Undo Undo”

5. Depeche Mode – “Wagging Tongue” Kid Moxie Remix

6. Bootblacks – “Forbidden Flames”

7. CG8 – “Cursed Angel”

8. Soft Vein “Bloodletting”

9. Topographies – “Night Sea”

10. Aurat – “Jugar”

Frank’s List

2023 was a strange year for me, musically. I kinda carved my own path through the year’s releases, actively seeking out guitars as always, eager to hear those six strings resonate the way they do best. In short, I’m still a sucker for a well written, organic song, though there was still quite a bit of room for big electronic beats and deep synthesizer grooves in my heart. In addition, many of my favorite releases of the year are from legacy favorites who released some of the best works of their career, including Slowdive, Fever Ray, Drop Nineteens, The Church, Everything but the Girl, A Certain Ratio, and Blur (perhaps an unpopular choice amongst the post-punk die hards, but for my marbles, their songwriting prowess continues to age like a fine wine, with their latest record mixing sad-bastard ballads with the ghosts of Scary Monsters. Also, don’t sleep on The WAEVE LP for the best Bowie horns this side of Young Americans). Kudos to the old guard for keeping the dream alive (even those who missed the cutoff, he says while still slowly but surely digesting the new OMD and Peter Gabriel albums), but also to the newer artists putting their best foot forward across a myriad of genres. Much love to Belgrado, Lathe of Heaven, Temple of Angels, and my Felte family (Chasms, Public Memory, Odonis Odonis, and Ritual Howls) for pushing boundaries and expanding the atmosphere this year.

The biggest surprise and the greatest reward of the year for me was EXEK, a band that I had never heard before stumbling upon their most recent record by happenstance. While on a pilgrimage to see Cranes reunite in London in October, I stopped by World of Echo, a small but mighty shop specializing in rare post-punk, synth, and outsider music, and heard the bright, clanging melodies of “Glow of Good Will” and “It’s Just a Flesh Wound, Darling” on an endless loop while I was shopping. The shop had just received copies of this new record, and quickly passed the obsession on to me in one foggy afternoon. To my ears, the band channels the best parts of Swell Maps and both Chairs Missing and A Bell is a Cup-era Wire, with a bit of Flying Nun jangle mixed in for good measure.

Happy listening, and see y’all in 2024! <3

LPs

1. EXEK – The Map and the Territory

2. The Church – The Hypnogauge 

3. The WAEVE – The Waeve

4. Slowdive – everything is alive

5. Public Memory – Elegiac Beat

6. Chasms – Glimpse of Heaven

7. Lathe of Heaven – Bound By Naked Skies

8. Temple of Angels – Endless Pursuit

9. Blur – The Ballad of Darren

10. Ritual Howls- Virtue Falters

11. Belgrado – Intra Apogeum

12. Nuovo Testamento – Love Lines

13. Nina Belief – Vessel of Voices

14. HEALTH – RAT WARS

15. Drop Nineteens – Hard Light

16. Everything But the Girl – Fuse

17. Magic Wands – Switched

18. Skeletal Family – Light From the Dark

19. A Certain Ratio – 1982

20. The True Faith – Go to Ground

EPs

1. SPC ECO – Wish

2. Glixen- She Only Said

3. Ortrotasce – War

4. Odonis Odonis- ICON

5. Luster – Dopamine Loop

Tracks:

1. Fever Ray – “Even It Out”

2. Bootblacks – “Wilderness”

3. Zanias – “Simulation”

4. Coatie Pop- “Embody”

5. Shadow Age – “Ours”

6. Sixth June – “Collapse”

7. Nabihah Iqbal – “This World Couldn’t See Us”

8. Body of Light – “Get It Right”

9. Lamp of Murmuur – “In Communion With the Wintermoon”

10. Smashing Pumpkins – “Empires”

Andi

The top three albums of 2023 were almost too easy to choose. Nuovo Testamento‘s Love Lines is an instant classic—blurring the lines between Italo disco, freestyle and a hint of Italo house, the band has matured and developed into every dance music fan’s utopian dream. SDH‘s Fake Is Real was similar in its genre-crossing ventures through synthpop, rave, and electro-clashy elements, while Mareux‘s stunningly beautiful LP, Lovers From the Past, put heartbreak overtop a cold, stoic beat.

In an attempt to find that connecting thread between each favorite album and/or track, it became clear that most selections on this list brought something unique that felt eerily familiar or, oppositely, confrontational. Pelada, Fotocopia and Puerta Negra utilized anarchic synthpunk to feud with authoritative women vocals sung in Spanish. Brixx and Augustus Muller reinterpreted the OST into a dreamy, EBM haze (Brixx replete with a saxophone solo). Lathe of Heaven and Blood Bells revved up guitar-based post-punk (positive punk?) amidst the sea of drum machines and synth pad ennui. Be it comfort or discomfort, the range of styles and approaches here are vast.

Most of all, the desire to move and be moved remains as both a DJ and a listener. From synthpunk and post-punk, to EBM and Italo body music, to the downright uncategorizable, each selection adds a luminescence that feels of the moment but—as it is my weakness—isn’t afraid to acknowledge to the past.

LPs

1. Nuovo Testamento – Love Lines

2. SDH – Fake is Real

3. Mareux – Lovers From the Past

4. Blu Anxxiety – Morbid Now, Morbid Later

5. Korine – Tear

6. Brixx – Erotomania

7. Lathe of Heaven – Bound By Naked Skies

8. Pelada – Ahora Más Que Nunca

9. Fotocopia – Fotocopia

10. Randolph & Mortimer – The Incomplete Truth

11. Harsh Symmetry – Imitation

12. Blood Bells – Now the Dawn

13. Augustus Muller – Cellulosed Bodies (OST)

14. Zanias – Chrysalis

15. House of Harm – Playground

EPs

1. Ortrotasce – War

2. Puerta Negra – Playa Sola

3. Ultra Sunn – Kill Your Idols

4. Nuxx Vomica – FTEV

5. CD Ghost – Vignette I

Singles

1. Blind Delon ft. I Hate Models – “Flashback”

2. Soft Crash ft. Ready in LED – “Free Yourself”

3. Scowl – “Psychic Dance Routine (Nuovo Testamento Remix)”

4. Fever Ray – “Carbon Dioxide”

5. Austher & Naranja ft. Bolides – “Collision”

6. Luz Futuro – “Tiempo”

7. Provoker – “It’s In My Head”

8. Shadow Age – “Ours”

9. Veil of Light – “Head-On Collision”

10. Years of Denial – “Dancing With Demons”

Listen to our Best of 2023 playlist on Spotify:

The post Post-Punk.com — The Best Of 2023 appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

It’s better than going under…

Following their first US tour in over a decade, Lebanon Hanover returns with a soul-stirring double A-side single release, marking their first new material since the captivating 2020 album, Sci-Fi Sky. Now, the enigmatic duo of William Maybelline and Larissa Iceglass beckons listeners into unventured sonic domains, intricately weaving folk-driven acoustic dream pop with the vulnerable essence of post-punk in a contemplative exploration of life’s ephemeral yet profound nature.

Embarking on a Cure-like sonic voyage reminiscent of The Head on the Door’ and the Kiss Me Era, side one of the new release, “Better Than Going Under” manifests as a romantic, sombre daydream. William Maybelline’s brooding baritone intertwines with sighing backing vocals, narrating an ode to life’s fleeting yet boundless vistas. The acoustic strums initiate a folk-driven narrative which, when coupled with a celestial choir, crafts a contemplative soundscape of cautious optimism. The lyricism, “Life is full of wonder, it’s better than going under,” encapsulates a message of endurance amidst life’s turbulent waves of sorrow. This track tenderly encourages listeners to embrace the small joys within life’s limited vastness, portraying a psychedelic narrative reminiscent of the evocative vibes of Echo and the Bunnymen or The Church. The key change in the chorus amplifies the emotive voyage, making ‘Better Than Going Under’ a compelling narrative that beckons listeners to find joy amidst life’s unpredictable ebb and flow rather than succumbing to the undertow of despair.

The music video for the song is directed by Tamas Mesme, with the story written by Maru. The editing is done by Praew Nicharee. It features Wiliam Maybelline and Vincenzo Wieczerzynski as two comrades who meet at New Castle train station. They give each other a special handshake and then head off to enjoy ice cream. The pair then ventures through the city, with William not hesitating to dance along the way. This perfect day ends with the two running into a smiling Larissa, who, brandishing flowers at a cemetery, presents them to a gravestone. Meanwhile, the boys continue to play with a synth nestled between blades of grass, while Larissa continues to smile, turns, and faces the camera.

Watch the video for “Better Than Going Under” below:

“Better Than Going Under / KYIV” is out via Fabrika Records on November 11th. It will also be available on a limited edition white and gold 12-inch vinyl, as well as the standard black.

Order Here

Follow Lebanon Hanover:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Bandcamp
• Spotify

The post Life is Full of Wonder — Lebanon Hanover Enjoys Ice Cream, Synths, and a Cemetery in Their Video for “Better Than Going Under” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Lebanon Hanover has, in the past, been plagued with difficulties regarding American visas. During a previous North American tour, the band was forced to cancel the rest of their American shows after playing two Canadian dates and being denied re-entry in the US. Moreover, in 2019, the band had announced another US tour, which unfortunately had to be canceled a month before its commencement due, once again, to visa issues.

Thanks to the dedication and diligence of their booking agency, Persona Grata, and their unwavering resilience and commitment to their international fans, Lebanon Hanover have finally confirmed their first American tour since they released their acclaimed  third studio album, Tomb For Two, and it’s iconic anthem “Sadness Is Rebellion.”

Lebanon Hanover has unveiled a series of tour dates nationwide, starting with a performance at The Monarch in Brooklyn, NY on October 4th. They will then grace stages in cities including Austin, San Francisco, Denver, Portland, and Los Angeles, with the tour spanning from October 4th to October 11th.

Tickets for several shows will be available for purchase soon.

For more details and updates, fans can visit Lebanon Hanover’s official website.

Lebanon Hanover US Tour Dates:

• 10-04 The Monarch – Brooklyn, NY (on sale Monday)
• 10-05 Elysium – Austin, TX (on sale)
• 10-08 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom (on sale Monday)
• 10-09 The Oriental Theater, CO – Denver (on sale)
• 10-10 Star Theater – Portland, OR (on sale Monday)
• 10-11 Vermont Hollywood – Los Angeles, CA (on sale Monday)

Originating from Sunderland, England, in 2010, the duo—comprising Swiss songstress and guitarist Larissa Iceglass and British vocal powerhouse, bassist, and synth maestro William Maybelline—have thus far blessed us with six studio albums. Their unique concoction of cold wave, post-punk, and minimal wave has, over the past decade, ushered in a renaissance in European darkwave.

Last December, they graced us with their video for “Hard Drug,” a track from their avant-garde 2020 album, Sci-Fi Sky: a sonic odyssey bridging hope and desolation, illuminating our darkest times.

Sci-Fi Sky is available now via Fabrika Records.

The album can be purchased here.

Follow Lebanon Hanover:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Bandcamp
• Spotify

The post Lebanon Hanover Announces First US Tour in 10 Years appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

The festival’s line-up features some of the most promising and renowned names in the dark music scene. Fans can expect to hear the likes of Molchat Doma, Lebanon Hanover, Selofan, Rue Oberkampf, Harsh Symmetry, Philipp Strobel, and Bad Hammer. With such an impressive array of artists, the festival promises to be a haven for fans of these genres.

Headlining the festival is Molchat Doma, a three-piece band from Belarus who have been making waves with their gloomy post-punk sound. They are set to perform an exclusive German show, and fans of their music eagerly anticipate their performance.

Joining Molchat Doma is Lebanon Hanover, the Swiss-British duo known for their melancholic, dark-wave sound. The band’s music is characterized by dreamy synth arrangements, somber melodies, and haunting vocals, making them an excellent fit for the festival.

Greek dark-wave duo Selofan, German dark synth outfit Rue Oberkampf, and, coming all the way from California, the rising star of the darkwave scene, Harsh Symmetry, are also set to perform at the festival, providing a diverse range of sounds for attendees.

The festival’s lineup also includes DJ Philipp Strobel,  head of the prominent German label Aufnahme + Wiedergabe, and Italian Island’s Bad Hammer, who is known for their electro-punk sound.

The Muffathalle in Munich, a popular music venue, is the perfect location for the Grey Scale Festival. The venue’s impressive sound system and spacious layout will ensure that the festival’s attendees have a fantastic time.

In summary, the Grey Scale Festival 2023 promises to be an unforgettable night of music that will attract fans from all over the world. With an impressive lineup of renowned and up-and-coming artists, this is a festival that you do not want to miss. So mark your calendars, get your tickets, and prepare yourself for an unforgettable night of dark-wave, post-punk, and synth music.

Tickets are on sale now.

Order Here

Artwork by Branca Studio

The post Grey Scale Festival 2023 Announces Molchat Doma, Lebanon Hanover, Selofan, Rue Oberkampf, Harsh Symmetry, Philipp Strobel, and Bad Hammer appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Upholding a firm belief that the creativity of the counterculture is a necessity for discourse in society, Grauzone Festival serves as a haven for free thinkers of all ages and orientations, as it cross-pollinates the worlds of visual arts, film, literature, and performance. This year, the musical lineup includes, among others, Patriarchy, Emma Ruth Rundle, VR SEX, filmmaker Jim Jarmusch’s band SQÜRL, Infravision, Death Valley Girls, and Ellen Allien. Lesley Woods, frontwoman, guitarist, and songwriter of the legendary feminist post-punks Au Pairs – who played at Pinkpop in 1982 – returns to the Netherlands with a solo show after four decades, performing classics from the Au Pairs song catalog and new work.

This year’s festival is sure to sell out of tickets and passes, given that the stacked lineup features some of our favorite international acts, some of which we have listed below:

VR Sex

VR SEX is the synth-punk band of Drab Majesty’s Deb Demure (aka Andrew Clinco). Under the name of Noel Skum (an anagram of Elon Musk), VR SEX blends elements of death rock and synth/punk, post-punk and ambient into an audio/visual package. The band brings forth thoughts of groups like Killing Joke and The Sisters of Mercy, with their own fresh spin.

Lebanon Hanover

Lebanon Hanover is a post-punk duo founded in 2010 by Larissa Iceglass (guitar, vocals) and William Maybelline (bass, vocals). Their ice-cold, minimal post-punk is augmented by the beauty of Art Nouveau aesthetics, British seashores, nighttime forest strolls, and the urbanism of Berlin. Lebanon Hanover’s music has been compared to 1980s Gothic rock/post-punk acts such as Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, and Bauhaus, yet they have created a new archetype in the modern Goth scene distinctly their own.

Lebanon Hanover’s output over the past decade has solidified the band as the most prolific and iconic of the modern darkwave scene.

Zanias

Zanias appears for the 7th time at Grauzone Festival this year, previously having performed with Linea Aspera (2013, 2020, 2022), Keluar (2015), and as Zanias (2017, 2021).  At this Grauzone, Zanias will be curating a special program, featuring her favorite bands and acts from her label Fleisch Records. She will also be performing a live set herself, and a DJ set.

Minuit Machine

Parisian dark synth/EBM duo Minuit Machine was formed by Hélène de Thoury (Synths) and Amandine Stioui (Vocals, Lyrics). Helene previously played at Grauzone events as Hante. and with her band Phosphor. Minuit Machine’s music is often described as “disrupted, emotional, and terribly addictive.”  They span the gamut from synth wave to dark electronic, with strong touches of techno and EBM. Minuit Machine promises an intense and emotional performance.

Hélène has recently departed the band, with new musician Camille joining Amandine going forward. The gig at Grauzone festival will be one of the first in a new chapter for the band.

Tempers

The New York duo of Jasmine Golestaneh and Eddie Cooper specialize in a sleek strain of low-lit poetic synth-pop with dark synths, atmospheric guitars, propulsive beats, gloomy vocals and hypnotic song hooks. In 2019 they performed at Grauzone Festival with their concept album about architect Rem Koolhaas’ essay about shopping malls and architecture. Now they’re back with their third album New Meaning.

Rue Oberkampf

Rue Oberkampf combines 80s ecstasy with the atmosphere of fog-shrouded, strobe-lit dance temples of the techno era. The combination of urban electronic music’s gritty drive with Julia’s French-German-English vocals reminds some critics of a more forceful version of Deux or Kirlian Camera. The band was founded at the end of 2016.

Tr/st

TR/ST began in 2010 by Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski (Austra). TR/ST, now the solo project of Alfons, is making a rare appearance in The Netherlands. His music combines sparkling synth-pop and grimy industrial beats into expansive songs filled with longing, lust, and despair. Each song is dominated by hypnotic melodies and Alfons’ deep, dramatic hypnotic vocals.

Kontravoid

Kontravoid is the solo project of LA drummer/producer Cam Findlay (Crystal Castles and TR/ST). Collaborating with FLEISCH Records’ Zanias, Kontravoid has made killer remixes for Patriarchy, Schwefelgelb, Utrasunn, and many more. With his analogue synths, he makes dark electronic, but catchy and, most of all, very danceable beats.

Ritual Howls

Detroit trio Ritual Howls create a cinematic blend of twangy industrial rock that could fuel a post-apocalyptic dancefloor. A collaboration between Paul Bancell (vocals, guitar), Chris Samuels (synth, samples, drum machine), and Ben Saginaw (bass). The band recently reissued their ten-year-old self-titled debut album on Felte with plans for a fifth album in 2023, songs of which will be heard at Grauzone.

Algiers

Algiers, based in three cities across two different continents, are a sprawling, politically-engaged, and multi-faceted project; embracing freewheeling rock‘n’roll energy, post-punk grit, the brute force of industrial electronics, the transcendence of gospel, and the power of experimental noise.

A Place to Bury Strangers

New York City’s A Place To Bury Strangers has been delighting and astonishing his audience for close to two decades, combining post-punk, noise-rock, shoegaze, psychedelia, and avant-garde music in startling and unexpected ways. As the founder of Death By Audio, creator of signal-scrambling stomp boxes and visionary instrument effects, frontman Oliver Ackermann is a font of creativity. In concert, A Place To Bury Strangers is nothing short of astounding — a shamanistic experience that bathes listeners in glorious sound, crazed left turns, transcendent vibrations, real-time experiments, brilliant breakthroughs. Oliver Ackermann also launched a label of his own: Dedstrange, dedicated to advancing the work of sonic renegades worldwide. He’s also refreshed the group’s lineup, adding bassist John Fedowitz and drummer Sandra Fedowitz, and the band has never sounded more current, or more courageous, or more accessibly melodic.

Belgrado

Barcelona post-punk act Belgrado has evolved into a new lineup and switched to electronic backing tracks, mutating into a band with a new sound that manages to keep their trademark sound alive.  The new Belgrado is more ethereal, cold, experimental, bouncy, and extremely addictive. With one boot firmly set in their trademark gelid post-punk, they dance with the other between minimal wave, dub and even Italo Disco.

Ashcode

Italian dark wave synth act Ash Code was founded by keyboard player Claudia Nottebella and twin brothers Alessandro and Adriano Belluccio. They masterfully blend influences, ranging from early Depeche Mode, The Sisters of Mercy to post-punk, Synthpop, coldwave & EBM, bringing with them a revamp of solid drum machines, haunting synths and driving bass lines. Molchat Doma, Clan Of Xymox and Minuit Machine made remixes for Ash Code songs, and Ash Code made remixes for acts like She Past Away and Agent Side Grinder.

Ploho

Siberian postpunkers Ploho are, together with acts like Molchat Doma, one of the most prominent purveyors of dark Soviet era-inspired post-punk.  Inspired by the aesthetic and sounds of late Soviet era of the 80s like Kino, as well as Joy Division, the band’s sound and approach also manages to reflect the icy chill of their home. Building upon a growing profile, the band teamed up with Belarusian band Molchat Doma to collaborate on “Along the Edge of the Island” in 2019.

Ultra Sunn

This post-punk coldwave electro duo formed in 2019 in Brussels by Sam Hugé (Fantøme) and Gaelle Souflet.

Ultra Sunn tailors classic analogue synthesizers sounds with incisive techno-like beats, taking inspiration from Berlin’s industrial electronic music and post-punk such as Schwefelgelb, DAF, and New Order. Acts like Kontravoid (also playing at Grauzone) and Sarin made remixes of Ultra Sunn songs. Their new EP, Kill Your Idols, will be released by Fleisch Records.

Grauzone Festival is February 10th through 12th, You can purchase your tickets here. Make haste! Don’t miss this stellar lineup!

Follow the Grauzone Festival:

• Website
• Instagram

The post Artists to See at Grauzone Festival’s 10th Anniversary appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

When love between two souls is genuine, it can be exquisite and agonizing: the joy of union equals the dopamine high of a narcotic; the cold turkey of withdrawal comes with the despair of separation. While most love songs focus on the sublime feelings of puppy love, grand romantic gestures or the intense drama of breakup, Lebanon Hanover stays on their unique brand of dour resignation…and rests upon the grief of missing.

The pandemic changed the game for millions across the globe, and their new single “Hard Drug” (Fabrika Records) captures the morose realization of an insurmountable obstacle to reunion. Written for their 2020 album Sci-Fi Sky, Lebanon Hanover ponders those bittersweet memories that get numbed out of us with endless handles of whisky and a few packs of Camels.

The video, scripted by Larissa Iceglass herself and directed by Piotrek Noisoireaux and Joanna Badtrip, follows a couple living parallel lives separately – reading the same books, guzzling merlot in order to dull the pain of loss; tracing the miles of separation on a map; glumly staring out the window sucking down a cigarette as memories are tattooed on their arm. Can digital communication and social media replace that real deal camaraderie? Of course not, but for so many, that was our sole means of connection. Love at arm’s length, echoes of affection tapped out by fingertips on a cracked screen.

Our star-crossed lovers endlessly replay their simple, everyday pleasures in their imaginations through flashback: checking out flea markets, zipping around on mopeds, playing a game of Elvira pinball. That hasn’t changed; the only difference is that they no longer share these everyday experiences together, and the agony is crippling. We don’t know the reason of their separation, nor does it matter – all they care about is ending their pain.

Dwelling on the melancholy brings false comfort; misery masquerades as a pacifier. Sometimes one gets addicted to that very pain, however, instead of seeking happier paths…and you find yourself lurking the shadows, slowly poisoning yourself to death instead of healing. This is a very real lamentation the world felt during lockdown, and it’s refreshing to sit with this specific anguish and let it have its (hopefully fleeting) moment.

Watch the video for “Hard Drug” below:

Lebanon Hanover’s most experimental album to date, Sci-Fi Sky, is an interdimensional bridge between hope and despair bringing light into an era of profound darkness. Sci-Fi Sky is out now via Fabrika Records.

The album can be purchased here.

Follow Lebanon Hanover:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Bandcamp
• Spotify

The post Lebanon Hanover Feel the Chill of Love’s Withdrawal in their Video for “Hard Drug” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

The video, directed by Tamas Mesmer and featuring mesmerizing British dancer Marie-Gabrielle Rotie, depicts a figure in various landscapes, rising from Mother Earth and opening channels of energy. A mysterious floating vision appears in the sky. Despite two completely different landscapes – one Earthly, one seemingly extraterrestrial, the dance is identical, the connection undeniable. Kali is the ultimate protector of her children, and these sacred dances evoke the need for her intervention. Part David Lynch, part Marina Abramovic, part Kate Bush, this vision of Kali’s incarnation brings chills and awe…it is a marvelous work of performance art, dance, and musical collaboration.

Watch the video below:

Come Kali Come is a perfect closer for Sci-Fi Sky, Lebanon Hanover’s most experimental album to date, an otherworldly beacon of hope in a time of sheer darkness. Sci-Fi Sky is out now via Fabrika Records.

The album can be purchased here.

Live Dates (additional dates will be added soon).

2021

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The post Lebanon Hanover Invoke the Divine Mother in Their Video for “Come Kali Come” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Watch the video for “Death Match” below:

Alien Dust is comprised of bursts of energy—compositions that are both ravenous and frenetic as “Death Match” clocks in at just over two minutes and the entire EP is just over ten minutes long. Trace Amount put together the mechanical rhythms and vocals in NYC while Qual worked remotely on the synthesized elements in Athens which made for a collaboration none of us knew we needed… until now.

Alien Dust will be out via the NYC-based electronic collective Faktor Music on October 29th.

Trace Amount will hit the road this December for a string of dates alongside Black Magnet (20 Buck Spin).

• 12/15/21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus
• 12/16/21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
• 12/17/21 – Boston, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
• 12/18/21 – Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry
• 12/19/21 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies
• 12/20/21 – Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle

Follow Trace Amount on Bandcamp and IG.

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The post Trace Amount Collaborates with Qual to Create the Annihilating “Death Match” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Ellen’s signature as a DJ and artist are the use of vocals in her sound, often augmenting productions and sets with her own voice. Forever editing and remixing tracks for her own use, experimenting with effects, she sculpts music to create specific moods for every dance floor. They captivated fans, as well as Lebanon Hanover themselves, who clamoured for an official release. Now, those wishes are answered. Darkwave and techno have always had a close relationship, and these remixes demonstrate a seamless blending that both illuminates and cross-pollinates their divergent musical attitudes.

The melancholy romance of Iceglass’ vocals is still present, but Allien elevates the beats for body movement. Her explosive 146bpm remix of ‘Living On The Edge’, a digital exclusive, is a vast and perfectly of-the-moment techno cut. Larissa’s vocals sit comfortably on top of the higher tempo and thumping drums, managing to preserve the original spirit of the song in a more thunderous context.

Ellen’s techno reinterpretation of ‘Invite Me To Your Country’ features pulsating kick drums and an air of menace, as Ellen skilfully piques our emotions by retaining the key motif and guitar riff from the original version.

“I’m a fan of Lebanon Hanover. They’re my weekly soundtrack at home, dancing around the carpet with my friends,” says Ellen. “They display a radical side without screaming, but understated and cool, clever poetry and stories in every song that appeal to me completely. Their lyrics speak to my soul and embody a feeling for me of where I come from. The Berlin of the past, that was empty and changeable, full of possibility from which we were finally able to blossom. Although Larissa sings in a very pretty way, the attitude is one of truth and melancholy, not pretending that the world is sweet and happy, but full of intensity, it’s sexy and truthful.”

The result is a match made in goth club heaven. Watch a preview of the mix of “Living On The Edge” from Ellen Allien’s Balcony, below:

The Lebanon Hanover “Ellen Allien Remixes” are out digitally on October 22nd, 2021 via BPitch, with the vinyl scheduled to ship the following February.

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