“Guanto nero” is the long-awaited new album by Ascending, including six great new Synthpop songs.
Ascending – Guanto nero [DR-049]
synth pop
NNHMN – Opera of Lust & The Art of Sorrow I EP [KDR]
“Opera of Lust & The Art of Sorrow” is envisioned as a multipart journey – Part 1 is here, with the next part to follow. This EP takes you deep into a world of cinematic soundscapes, a haunting symphony of desire and despair, hypnotic rhythms, and ethereal vocals. Blending dark wave, and gothic electronic elements, it unfolds like a forgotten opera—sensual, melancholic, and strangely tragic.
Synths Versus Me – So Far [22-226-001]
22Recordings aka Veintidos from Barcelona is building on the city’s popular new beat, dark synth and EBM scene with this release from the ingeniously conceived and christened Synths Vs Me. “So Far” (2015), “Ballet Dancer” (2018) “Monotony” (2016) And “Bye Bye Tom” (2017) originally written, composed and recorded by Vanessa Asbert and Nico Cabañas. “Fahrenheit 451” (2016) recorded by Vanessa Asbert and Nico Cabañas is an adaptation from “Fahrenheit 451” By Scortilla. “Sei Morto” (2023) was recorded by Nico Cabañas and India Nardone and remixed by Dark Vektor. “In Loving Memory of Vanessa”.
Venice Affair – Ascension [RWCLTR028]
Venice Affair seeks only to give humans a look into their own lives, history, suffering, and peace, all while providing a backbeat sprinkled with sexuality, romanticism, and especially entertainment. The concept of “Ascension” is much larger than a description of upward motion; it is the human description of our evolution from four to two, from caves to high rises, from child to elder, and from stardust to flesh. This collection of songs has been in the works since 2021 and meticulously arranged to provide the best possible lens into Venice Affair’s concept of human existence.
Les Animaux Sauvages – Futurespective LP [OR136]
“Futurespective” is a remastered compilation featuring the very best releases from the iconic Bulgarian band Les Animaux Sauvages. For the first time ever, these timeless tracks are available on vinyl.
Laura Krieg – Crépuscule LP [DR-047]
‘Crépuscule’ is the 2nd album from the queen of Canadian coldwave, Laura Krieg. All songs are written by Laura Krieg and Johnny Couteau.
Rina Pavar – Six [CT183]
Leipzig-based icy dark electronic artist Rina Pavar unveils ‘six’ her second album. In ‘six’ “I delve even deeper into my very personal perception of my musical self. Songs about memories, visions and encounters flow into new sounds and beats … which I hope will touch and move the listener.”
Q Lazzarus – Goodbye Horses [DE306]
At long last, Q Lazzarus says hello to Dark Entries. Q Lazzarus is the moniker of Diane Luckey, born in New Jersey in 1960. While living in the East Village in New York City in the 1980s, Diane met songwriter Bill Garvey at a party and they recorded “Goodbye Horses” in his home studio. As the story goes, Luckey met Hollywood director Jonathan Demme when she picked him up in her taxi during a snowstorm in 1986. Demme was wowed by her demo tape, which was playing in the cab, and they ended up hanging out at a restaurant for hours talking about life and music. “He liked it so much, I gave him the tape I was listening to, he said he would call me for one of his movies, but I didn’t really take it seriously.” said Luckey. Demme would have the song “Goodbye Horses” first appear in his offbeat comedy Married to the Mob, and then again more memorably in Silence of the Lambs when Buffalo Bill changes into women’s clothing while drowning out his intended victim’s pleas with loud music. Despite the exposure, both Luckey and Garvey languished in relative obscurity. “Goodbye Horses” is the definition of a cult classic, an ethereal tearjerker driven by Garvey’s lush synth work and Luckey’s unmistakably powerful voice. Garvey says, “the song is about transcendence over those who see the world as only earthly and finite.” Over 15 years of effort have gone into the making of this release. All five songs on this record were previously unreleased and are sourced from original master tapes.
Parade Ground – The Hidden Side [DE329]
Parade Ground march back to Dark Entries with ‘The Hidden Side’, a compilation of B-sides and unreleased material. Brothers Jean-Marc and Pierre Pauly started Parade Ground in Brussels in 1981. Their Dada-laced brand of post-punk fuses propulsive drum machines and icy synths with skeletal guitar riffs and Jean-Marc’s distinct and powerful voice, pioneering the subgenre of emotional body music. In 2011, Dark Entries released ‘The Golden Years’, a compilation chronicling the band’s A-sides and exposing them to a new generation of EBM enthusiasts. ‘The Hidden Side’ continues this mission, illuminating lesser-known facets of the band’s oeuvre. The tracks here were written between 1982 and 1989, and showcase Parade Ground’s range of styles – all cold, dark, and brooding.
Corps Diplomatique – Dans Ta Nuit [DE327]
French coldwave act Corps Diplomatique comes to Dark Entries with ‘Dans Ta Nuit’, a collection of tracks recorded between 1984-1987. Founded in Marseille by Olivier Aubin, Marie-Eve Bensussan, Patrick Loubet and Nicolas Pélissier, Corps Diplomatique remain shrouded in mystery. The band only released one 7” during their time, 1988’s Paradis I, in addition to appearing with three tracks on the La Muse Vénale compilation, a holy grail for devotees of the French coldwave. Dans Ta Nuit brings us nine tracks from this cult band, seven of which have never before appeared on vinyl. These cuts are raw and unembellished but not at the expense of dramatic tension. Tracks like “Sin of Flesh” and “Eros Phobia” deliver the kind of high octane mix of despair and ecstasy that coldwave enthusiasts crave.
Luc Van Acker / Pas De Deux – The Fear In My Heart / Cardiocleptomanie [STR7-103]
Belgian label Stroom presents a 7″ release featuring Luc Van Acker’s ‘The Fear In My Heart’ on the A-Side and Pas De Deux’s ‘Cardiocleptomanie’ on the B-side.
Dina Summer – Girls Gang LP [IDI021]
Berlin-based synth-wave band Dina Summer returns with their highly anticipated second album ‘Girls Gang’ via Iptamenos Discos. Donning a decadent “dark disco meets EBM” sound, Dina Summer is a collaborative project formed of electro-punk band Frittenbude member Kalipo and dark disco DJ & producer duo Local Suicide. The new album is a versatile collection of 11 tracks that delve into themes such as empowerment („No More Tears“ & „Girls Gang“), outsiderhood („Alien“ & „Zombie“), impermanence („Promise featuring Curses and Joshua Murphy“), nostalgia („Halkidiki“), and relationships („Nothing To Hide“ & „Hypnotized“). While their debut album was characterized by its club-centric sound, drawing from Italo disco and ’90s electro influences, this new release explores a richer palette of new wave, post-punk, and synth-pop.
SIIE – Cité Lunaire [CTM]
“Cité Lunaire” seamlessly blends EBM and synthpop to create a sonic journey between dream and reality. The lyrics, both poetic and introspective, explore the desire to escape the “chains of existence” and lose oneself in a parallel reality. The dense electronic production, with cold synths and powerful beats, enhances the feeling of drifting and intensity. Accompanied by an electro remix by Panthera, this version adds a dynamic touch with punchy beats. “Cité Lunaire” invites both introspection and escape, through a modern and mesmerizing soundscape.
Carlos Grabstein @ HÖR (Berlin) 03.02.2025
Marsman @ Body Heat XIII, Soup (Manchester) 26.10.2024
Skelesys – Fading Echoes LP [PNKMN058]
Pinkman presents the debut album of darkwave artist Skelesys. Across nine evocative tracks, “Fading Echoes” navigates the tension between nostalgia and self-discovery, weaving together a moody blend of synth-pop, post-punk, and goth influences. The result is an atmospheric exploration of memory, heartache, and resilience—a soundtrack for those moments when the past refuses to stay buried, and the future feels uncertain. From the cold, creeping synths to the mournful guitar lines that echo like distant whispers, “Fading Echoes” immerses the listener in a soundscape where shadows and light coexist. The album has a distinct cinematic quality, evoking the smoky allure of neon-lit cityscapes and rain-slicked streets, where every track feels like a chapter in a film noir tale of introspection and escape. There’s a sense of longing that runs through the album, a desire to hold onto something beautiful, even as it slips through your fingers.
Oraculo X Anniversary Special Series 1: Ortrotasce [FREE DOWNLOAD]
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Oráculo Records, the Catalan label has invited some of their most talented and beloved artists to contribute with a special celebratory gift in the form of a free download release. They will also have a non-profit, ultra-limited, handcrafted vinyl edition of these celebratory releases. Please check for details on their bandcamp page.
The first in this special series is Ortrotasce.
Effetto Joule – Robespierre (The DayVentura’s 2025 Ultimate Basement Mix) [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Italian producer DayVentura presents on his bandcamp a name-your-price remix for Effetto Joule – Robespierre, a modern basement vision of this dark and emotional masterpiece.
Marsman – Italorator Episode 21
Bobby & Frankie – Pump & Relax (E.E.’s ‘Mancesco In The Lab’ Edit) [FREE DOWNLOAD]
llusive master reworker E.E. returns to Slow Motion’s ‘A UFO’ Free Edit series with his seductive blend of Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Bobby O. The rework results in a full-power marriage of ‘Relax’ and ‘Pump It Up’ reminiscent of Paradise Garage and this unmistakably shimmering era. E.E. raises the tempo and cuts the majority of the vocals, keeping the thumping bass line and classic synth riffs as a focal point throughout. Staying true to the sound of 1985 and not messing with the delicate tones, he achieves a perfect balance, re-invigorating these hits and readying them for another round of dancefloor explosion.
The Hipodrome Of Music 