US electronic musician and vocalist Mari Kattman has issued a video for ‘Typical Girl’, the opening song on her new album Year Of The Katt, released in late June by Metropolis Records. The clip was shot in downtown Providence (Rhode Island) by Mark Allison of @401FilmsPVD.
“Typical girl. People say it constantly, so much so it feels almost criminal to be female by birth,” Kattman states when explaining the meaning of the song. “Like it’s vulgar or something to carry characteristics that are even remotely female. That it makes you difficult, unlovable or crazy when it’s not packaged up and tied with a pretty bow or something. There are so many misunderstandings about what it is to be a woman.”
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Kattman has recently announced a UK tour in October 2025 as the special guest of Assemblage 23, the electronic act founded in 1988 by Tom Shear, who is Kattman’s collaborator in the electronic duo Helix and her husband. Dates are as follows:
15th October BRISTOL Exchange 16th October MANCHESTER Rebellion 17th October GLASGOW Ivory Blacks 18th October SHEFFIELD Corporation 19th October LONDON The Dome (downstairs)
Following recent tours with Wardruna and God is an Astronaut, composer and sound designer Jo Quail is set to release her 7th album Notan on 12th September.
Notan is the seventh album from composer and sound designer Jo Quail—a work of striking contrast and graceful power. Drawing its name from the Japanese concept that explores the interplay of light and dark, the album unfolds as a deeply personal journey through polarity: presence and absence, softness and intensity, expansion and return.
What began in June 2023 as a series of raw, looped improvisations evolved into something far larger: a symphonic tapestry titled Ianus, now destined for recording with full orchestra in late 2025. But Notan is not that orchestral vision—it is the source from which it sprang, and the space to which it returns.
In these solo iterations, the music breathes with both intimacy and grandeur—cello, electric cello, and piano intertwine in richly layered textures. The sounds Jo creates on both acoustic and electric cello range from the traditional to the highly sculpted; all sound design and modelling is her own, forming the distinctive sonic identity that makes her music instantly recognisable. Each track is a live take, with every looped section performed in full, capturing the immediacy of live performance while allowing for a more considered control of sound—one that honours the context of making a record.
Across its arc, Notan evokes archetypal energies. ‘Butterfly Dance’ embodies matriarchal authority—stately and untouchable in its raw grace. First single, ‘Rex’, by contrast, traces Jo’s own evolution. First appearing on her 2010 debut as a tentative, fragile offering, the piece was left untouched for years. Reawakened during the solitude of lockdown, it transformed—emerging here as something altogether more commanding: majestic, grounded, and complete. Jo comments,
The first single from Notan is Rex, some of you who’ve been with me since the early days might remember it first appearing back in 2010. It’s a piece I’ve returned to in live performance, and over time it’s evolved and reshaped itself. This version is something quite different: a reimagining that feels both familiar and entirely new. I’m really proud to be releasing it now — and yes, it’s over 9 minutes long (a bold choice for a single, I know!).
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Jo Quail is also set to tour the UK in September to support the release:
Skål! German death metal militants SCALPTURE unleash the new video clip ‘Schwedentrunk’ in the wake of the release of their new full-length Landkrieg (‘Land Warfare’), which hit the world hard on March 7, 2025.
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The title ‘Schwedentrunk’ (‘Swedish Drink’) refers to a torture method, which was allegedly used at first by the troops of Gustav II Adolph, King of Sweden but got quickly adopted by all marauding troops ravaging the German lands during the 30 Years’ War (1618-1648). It was executed by forcing liquid manure and sewage down the throats of its victims.
The video clip was partially shot during SCALPTURE’s release show at Rare Guitar in Münster, Germany on March 7, and on the subsequent tour with CARNAL TOMB.
SCALPTURE comment: “The track ‘Schwedentrunk’ has quickly grown into a favourite both of the band as well as during our shows since Landkrieg was released in March”, guitarist Felix Marbach writes. “Much of the footage was shot at our release show and also during the tour with Carnal Tomb. The live video captures the raw ferocity on stage, but it is also a reminder of the intense time that we were able to share with so many of you. With some summer festivals on the horizon, we are going to pick up right there, where we left off.”
Dark-electro artist, MARIE ANN HEDONIA has unveiled her new cinematic video, ‘Eve Had the Metallic Shine of Summer’.
The video concept was inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s film, Persona. Eve, our mannequin represents a toxic relationship. Eve is a person we pour our whole self into, a person who takes all of our energy, time, money, soul, and gives nothing back.
MARIE ANN HEDONIA’s collaborator, BLACK KITE, states, “This song is about the potency and allure of destructive, codependent relationships and how they require us to self-abandon. It speaks to both addiction and toxic relationships that masquerade as love or comfort, but are actually antithetical to both.” The ending is completely dependent on the viewer’s point of view: Do I go mad? Am I the bad guy? Am I free now?
The video was shot over a period of 13 to14 hours during one day of “guerrilla” style film making, all over Baltimore city and county. Director Alex Shaak was pivotal in creating the striking visuals seen throughout the video, bringing the concept to life. The weather was completely coincidental. The energy of the thunderstorm very much translates the powerful ending of the video.
I’ve been digging GSXT for a whole decade now and shouting about it whenever the opportunity arises. I’m not sure how many people have been paying attention, but anyone who hasn’t has been missing out. They took their timing building up to their debut album, released in 2022, with half a dozen EPs preceding it. ‘Cosmic’ is the first material since Admire, three years ago, and this new single continues their trajectory of extending their repertoire, taking the form of a slow-building expansive brooder.
A cinematic piece of post-punk desert rock, and with hints of recent releases by Earth ‘Cosmic’ tones down the snarling overdrive that’s the duo’s signature sound in favour of something more hypnotic, in the vein of ‘Sonores’. It suits them well, as it happens: Shelly X’s voice drifts and aches through the bass-led verses, floating in a growing swirl of guitars in the chorus before a straight-up rock guitar solo swoops in.
To describe ‘Cosmic’ as commercial would be rather misleading, because it’s certainly no sell-out. But it does mark a significant step. What’s more, it’s absolutely huge, and immediately accessible, making it the cut which has the broadest appeal yet. Maybe now they’ll listen up, eh?
In anticipation of their soon-to-be-announced new album, Italian psych-garage band Bee Bee Sea returns with a 3-track concept EP titled It’s All About the Music and a limited 7" edition presented at Bergamo’s Punk Rock Raduno #8.
Three acts. One song. Three versions. The same song, reimagined in three forms:
The original version.
A faster one, like a punked-up Sgt. Pepper’s Reprise, born out of rehearsal boredom.
A slow, kraut-rock-inspired instrumental version shaped in the studio by producer Marco Giudici, who also played one of the guitars.
Each version got its own video, crafted by a different filmmaker:
A collage of Age of Empires visuals, curated by Lorenzo Perteghella
A medieval fantasy starring the band in armour, directed by Marco Bellini, with photography by Gloria Pasotti
A dynamic green-screen performance edited by Marco Alliegro
The limited 7-inch vinyl was released at Punk Rock Raduno #8, and was screen-printed live during Bee Bee Sea’s show in Bergamo by Saldacani and Baby Lemonade. A physical artefact. A visual riot. A mini garage-rock opera.
The Los Angeles-based punk band Sour Tongue was formed in the early days of the 2020 pandemic by Satori Marill and John Murphy, the mission of the alternative rock, grunge and riot grrrl influenced quintet remaining the same ever since their inception: “when it stops being fun, we’ll end it.” Fusing disco with grunge, hardcore punk with country, plus much more, Sour Tongue utilise humour and a degree of sonic absurdity to convey a deeper message of angst and desperation.
Having developed a global fanbase via four previous singles, an EP, plus a US tour with industrial rock heavyweights KMFDM, the band’s bright and breezy new single ‘I Thought You Liked Me!’ was written about a near universal experience felt by girls. “I wrote the song about being manipulated and lied to, getting fed up and reversing the roles,” states vocalist Marill. “I wanted to talk about reactive impropriety, but with a feeling of guilt tucked beneath it, because I think a lot of people are ashamed to admit when they do something out of spite. I think anyone who has ever had their heart broken and done something stupid in return can relate to it.”
The single is taken from a forthcoming EP entitled Final Girl, their most personal set of songs to date. Told as a story in four parts, it is about the intersection of grief, betrayal and heartbreak, yet loving through it all. It’s dark, it’s angry, it’s funny, it’s heartbreaking. It’s a horror comedy.
British artist J. Blacker, mastermind of ESA, has released a powerful music video for ‘Golden House’. The song is taken from the artist’s new album Sounds for Your Happiness, released on July 5th via Negative Gain Productions.
The new single and music video for ‘Golden House’ is an erotically charged, Roman tragedy inspired slab of pumping dancefloor power. Featuring Jo Hysteria from Massenhysterie on vocals, the video for ‘Golden House’ is a cynical POV on the infamous Roman rulers; Nero & Caligula (played by Jo Hysteria and Jamie Blacker respectively). As we witness their hedonistic and power hungry daily affairs (which include a servants wrestling match and body builders performance) before accompanying Nero and Caligula as they travel into modern times and seek to satisfy their hunger for pleasure.
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Inspired heavily by the pomp of the 1979 film Caligula, the video features competition winning body builders Jeannie Ellam and Vikki Varley alongside Jenova Rain and Stephan Sutor as the video Finale’s Insurgents, looking to swipe the ‘throne’ from the naive and arrogant Nero & Caligula.
The context that inspired this piece is the realisation that even after 1548 years since the demise of the infamous Roman Empire, the elected powers in place will still conduct themselves in the same way..and that abuse of power pays no real attention to time periods.
The single for this club edit of the track and music video is available from today (July 18). Whilst the original version of this track (which includes a historic re-telling of these two Emperors by Konstantia Buhalis) is featured on ESA’s album Sounds for Your Happiness, released on July 5th.
Sounds for Your Happiness is yet another milestone in the creative universe of ESA. Striking and thought provoking visuals, enormous electronics and powerful messages is always expected from an ESA release..Sounds for Your Happiness does not disappoint with any of these ingredients.
With this album, J Blacker paints ESA as a sinister technology company, with the musical structures from the album, utilised to create an emotional response from its listeners, which is transferred as energy to run the simulation we all live in. Its a nod to shows and films such as Severance and Soylent Green.
Musically, Sounds for Your Happiness is a bleak and furious slab of electronic meat. A journey of EBM / Industrial / Black Metal / Dark Ambient / Power Noise / Punk / Techno and Goa, the album is as ambitious as it is exhilarating and genres merge seamlessly into an energetic free-fall of sonic chaos.
Get plugged in and let the happiness wash over you.
Los Angeles psychedelic rock outfit Tombstones In Their Eyes present their new single ‘I Am Cold’, born from a period of intense personal freefall. It’s a raw, unflinching look at vulnerability and the chilling acknowledgment of emotional detachment, transforming inner turmoil into a powerful, resonant anthem.
‘I Am Cold’ is released by Kitten Robot Records, along with the B-Side ‘Take It Down’, which was recorded during the Asylum Harbour sessions. Spawned from a dark night of the soul, is a visceral outpouring of longing and a stark confrontation with a perceived numbness. A testament to creativity salvaged from the depths, this song is a gripping sonic journey forged in a crucible of personal hardship.
‘I Am Cold’ is the final offering from the band’s latest Asylum Harbour album, following psychedelic audio-visual trips for the singles ‘By My Side’, ‘Gimme Some Pain’, ‘I Like to Feel Good’ and ‘Mirror’. Recorded at Kitten Robot Studios, this album was recorded produced and engineered by Paul Roessler (known for his work with Josie Cotton, Nina Hagen, Hayley and the Crushers and Gitane Demone) and co-produced by John Treanor.
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Today, Tombstones In Their Eyes is made up of long-time members John Treanor (vocals & guitar), Stephen Striegel (drums), Courtney Davies (vocals), Phil Cobb (guitar) and Paul Boutin (guitar), along with new band members Nic Nifoussi (bass) and Clea Cullen (vocals).
What started as a demo-swapping exercise between Treanor in LA and James Cooper in NYC a decade ago evolved into a powerhouse band crafting expansive psychedelic soundscapes. For Treanor, these sonic explorations are not only an immersive subliminal journey, but a way to grapple with anxiety and depression by channeling it into art that boldly gazes outward at the universe while diving deep into the soul. Literally a cosmic therapy session.
KHNVM unleash a new video single featuring the title track of their new full-length Cosmocrator. The fourth album of the German death metal act with Bangladeshi roots has been scheduled for release on August 29, 2025.
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KHNVM comment: “The title track of our new album, ‘’Cosmocrator’, delves into the duality of its name, which translates as ‘Ruler of the World’ as well as its sinister connotation meaning ‘Satan’ within ancient pagan texts”, singer and guitarist Obliterator states. "This reflects our exploration of themes that are both universally human and also profoundly dark. Through intense musicality and complex lyricism, we confront the unsettling truths that lie beneath the surface of existence, appealing to those who seek adrenaline combined with philosophical depth.”
Aural Aggravation 