SOMAFREE INSTITUTE : Vertical Helix Scan(2020)

SOMAFREE INSTITUTE is a drum/synth trio out of Seattle, Washington that lock into dark, heady sci-fi grooves, taking the listener on a deep space journey that is part dystopian soundtrack and part electro-prog freakout. The band, which consists of Andrew Crawshaw(Synthesizers & Programming), Justin Thomas Kleine(Synthesizers), and Tim Call(Drums), creates a dizzying sonic dread that […]

SOMAFREE INSTITUTE Premiere “Orbital Resonance” Video; ‘Vertical Helix Scan(2020)’ Out Today

Synth/drum trio SOMAFREE INSTITUTE is dropping a newly recorded, remastered, and re-imagined version of their 2018 EP today. This time it’s coming on colored vinyl via the band and Two Headed Dog. Vertical Helix Scan(2020) is a drop into spaced-out synth and sci-fi prog in the vein of Zombi, Majeure, Voyag3r, and early 80s Tangerine […]

Steve Moore : VFW Soundtrack

Ever since I heard Steve Moore’s score for The Guest I firmly believe that he is the secret ingredient to a truly great cinematic experience. Moore won me over of course as synth/bass wizard in the horror prog duo Zombi, but when I first saw The Guest and became enamored with that score it felt […]

Alone 1980 : Night Lights

The latest from Sweden’s Alone 1980 isn’t short on dread and Gothic doom. It seems to dig into the macabre and things that go bump in the night in a visceral and melancholy way. Given what we saw in the US just last week in the nation’s capital, I think this is the soundtrack we […]

John Carpenter’s “Alive After Death” ; ‘Lost Themes III’ out February 5th

I can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year than with a new John Carpenter album. Lost Themes III will be dropping next month on February 5th and I couldn’t be happier about it. It’s not like the Master of Horror hasn’t kept himself busy since Lost Themes II dropped in […]

New Frontiers Announce Debut LP ‘(of) Inner Dimensions’ Out 1/22; Listen To “Ghosts of Time”

The heavy synth duo of New Frontiers consists of Andrew Crawshaw and Justin Kleine. Back in September they dropped the video for track “Cluster”. “Cluster” was a serene and hypnotically dark piece of music that blended their love of private press synth and Innovative Communications releases. It also showcased the influence of artists like Steve […]

Flyover Sounds : Jonah Leatherman’s “Couldn’t Find Any Reason” Is Proof Rock Isn’t Dead

Every once in a while you need a reminder that things aren’t as dire as they appear to be. That the world outside isn’t actually crumbling and burning, with a newer, darker civilization waiting to rise from the ashes. Listening to the new single from Fort Wayne–based musician Jonah Leatherman I’m convinced the sun will […]

Darkside Return With “Liberty Bell”; New Album ‘Spiral’ Drops Spring 2021

Featured photo by Jed DeMoss One of my favorite albums of 2013 was from the Nicolas Jaar/Dave Harrington project Darkside. That album, Psychic, was a mixture of slow motion electronics and Dave Gilmour-like guitar licks. A cross between Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, and Four Tet all mixed into this unique, slow burn of a record. […]

Delicate Steve : The Christmas Album

Delicate Steve(aka Steve Marion) is one of the best young guitarists working today. A eloquent mix of Ry Cooder, Santos and Johnny, and George Harrison, Delicate Steve makes his guitar sing in place of his voice, creating an often engaging and haunting sound. On Delicate Steve’s The Christmas Album the standards are covered in a […]

The War On Drugs : Live Drugs

I never thought I’d look back on live shows as if they’re something from the past. Something that doesn’t exist anymore, so we have to live those experiences through live albums. Well if 2020 has taught me anything it’s that nothing is forever, folks. Thankfully there are some truly great live albums that exist. Albums […]