Tag Archives: #NewWave

The Crüxshadows Channel the Spirit of 1986 with “LOVECRUSHLOVE”

The darkwave veterans look toward the sounds, romance, and alternative culture of 1986 for a new single arriving just in time for a milestone Dragon Con.

A Love Letter to 1986

The Crüxshadows have returned with “LOVECRUSHLOVE,” a brand-new single built around a deceptively simple question: what might The Crüxshadows have sounded like in 1986?

Conceived by frontman Rogue, the track embraces an upbeat, anthemic new-wave character inspired by the alternative music and film soundtracks of the era. Rogue has specifically pointed toward the work of filmmaker John Hughes, imagining “LOVECRUSHLOVE” as the kind of song that could have existed alongside the music of the 1986 classic Pretty in Pink.

At its center is something timeless: the exhilarating and sometimes complicated experience of falling in love.

Dragon Con Brings the Timeline Full Circle

The 1986 concept also carries another connection. Dragon Con celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, and The Crüxshadows have developed a longstanding relationship with the Atlanta convention through years of performances.

That history gives “LOVECRUSHLOVE” an appropriate sense of symmetry. Four decades after Dragon Con began, The Crüxshadows are looking back toward the same year for a track that reconnects elements of their darkwave identity with the new-wave sounds that helped shape alternative music.

The single is currently available directly through the band’s official website and is expected to reach major streaming platforms in early September 2026, around the time of Dragon Con.

🎶 Listen Now

“LOVECRUSHLOVE” is available as a free download directly from The Crüxshadows’ website, with fans encouraged to make a donation to support the band.

Download “LOVECRUSHLOVE”

With its collision of romance, nostalgia and unmistakable Crüxshadows DNA, “LOVECRUSHLOVE” doesn’t simply recreate the past. It asks what might have happened if The Crüxshadows had been there in 1986—and brings that alternate timeline crashing into 2026.

Deep Dive into the Universe of The Crüxshadows

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Corlyx Sink Their Teeth Into the Darkness with “Your Heart In The Serpent’s Mouth”

Corlyx return with another darkly seductive transmission, pushing their post-punk and darkwave identity forward with the newly released single “Your Heart In The Serpent’s Mouth.”

A New Bite From Corlyx

Corlyx have released their latest single, “Your Heart In The Serpent’s Mouth,” arriving August 20 through Out Of Line Music and continuing a particularly active chapter for the Brighton-based dark alternative outfit.

Built around the creative partnership of vocalist/songwriter Caitlin Stokes and guitarist/producer Brandon Ashley, Corlyx have spent years carving out their own territory between darkwave, post-punk, new wave, gothic rock, and what the band has increasingly defined as Death Pop. Their latest release carries that identity forward under a title that sounds unmistakably at home in the Corlyx universe—romantic, dangerous, and wrapped in gothic imagery.

Corlyx Keep the Darkness Moving

“Your Heart In The Serpent’s Mouth” follows a steady run of new material from Corlyx, including 2026 singles “Sweeter Than Blood” and “More Anarchy.” The new track also extends the momentum surrounding the band following their expansive 2025 album Purple Pain.

Originally formed in Los Angeles before relocating to Europe, Corlyx have steadily transformed their early industrial and electronic foundations into a broader sound drawing heavily from the atmosphere of ’80s post-punk and new wave, the rawness of ’90s alternative music, and contemporary darkwave production.

That evolution has helped Corlyx establish an identity that can move between gothic melancholy and dancefloor energy without becoming trapped inside either. Their growing catalog has also included collaborations with artists including Chris Harms of Lord Of The Lost, Blutengel, Massive Ego, Male Tears, and others throughout the international dark alternative scene.

With “Your Heart In The Serpent’s Mouth,” Corlyx add another chapter to that evolution while maintaining the dark romanticism, striking aesthetic, and genre-blurring approach that have become central to the band’s identity.

🎶 Listen Now

“Your Heart In The Serpent’s Mouth” arrives as Corlyx continue pushing forward through 2026 with new music and live appearances across Europe. For a band that has built its world around the collision of beauty, darkness, sensuality, and danger, the serpent appears to have found exactly where the heart belongs.

Deep Dive into the Universe of Corlyx

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🌹🔗 ORDER IN CHAOS Beckons to a “Wicked Paradise” – New Single & Video Premiere May 21st! 🎧🖤

Prepare to be drawn into a realm of shadowy allure as the Portuguese darkwave collective, Order In Chaos, unveils their latest single, “Wicked Paradise,” across all major digital platforms on Tuesday, May 21st, 2025, at 6:00 PM (your local time may vary, adjust your sundials accordingly!). Simultaneously, the band will premiere the captivating music video for “Wicked Paradise” on YouTube, offering a visual gateway into their darkly romantic world.

Hailing from Portugal, Order In Chaos crafts a sonic tapestry woven from a rich array of influences, seamlessly blending the melancholic beauty of gothic rock and darkwave with the driving energy of alternative rock and the shimmering textures of new wave and synthpop. Hints of post-punk’s introspective edge also permeate their sound, creating a unique auditory landscape that is both familiar and strikingly original.

The music of Order In Chaos is more than just a collection of notes and rhythms; it’s an immersive journey into a vividly imagined world, one where romance and eroticism intertwine with shadows and a profound sense of melancholy. Their songs paint sonic portraits of moonlit trysts and heartbroken whispers, all set against a backdrop of elegant decay and yearning desire. “Wicked Paradise” promises to be another compelling chapter in this ongoing narrative, beckoning listeners to explore the intoxicating beauty found within the darkness.

Mark your digital calendars and prepare to surrender to the alluring embrace of “Wicked Paradise” on May 21st. Order In Chaos is poised to deliver a single and video that will linger in your thoughts long after the final notes fade.

Set your coordinates for “Wicked Paradise”: [Links to digital platforms and YouTube video will be active on May 21st]

Deep Dive into the Universe of Order In Chaos: 🎧🌹

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🌃 CHICAGO’S COMASOFT Return with Triumphant New EP “Gather at the End”! 🎸

Chicago’s electro-rock quartet, Comasoft, have made a triumphant return with their brand new EP, “Gather at the End,” released on April 25th via Moth in a Flame! The EP features five fresh tracks, including the previously released singles “Numbing” and “Firebomb.”

Produced at BLVM3 Studios in Chicago, “Gather at the End” features founding member Tomasz Banach alongside Ramirez, Christopher Lee, and Chris Cambell. This marks Comasoft’s first new music since 2023’s “Finis Temporis” and 2015’s “Let’s go All the Way” EP.

This new EP is particularly significant as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut release on Moth in a Flame Records. Over two decades, the band has released two full-length albums, four EPs, and numerous singles, including their college radio hit “10volt.” While band members have evolved, Comasoft continues to deliver a sound that feels both fresh and reminiscent of iconic bands like The Cure, Placebo, and Gary Numan, all wrapped in an 80s neon aesthetic. Ramirez’s new romantic vocals blend seamlessly with powerful synthesizers and sharp guitars.

Gather at the End Tracklisting:

  1. Fire Bomb
  2. Restless Life
  3. Numbing (Perchance)
  4. Deprive
  5. Trapped in a Vial

For those who came of age in Chicago between Generation X and Millennial, Comasoft was a familiar face in the city’s dark, fog-filled clubs, sharing stages with electro-glam contemporaries and supporting major acts like Madina Lake, Hawthorne Heights, Breathe Carolina, The Presets, and Kill Hannah, as well as dark electronic artists such as IAMX, Apoptygma Berzerk, and Stabbing Westward.

Comasoft made their long-awaited return to the stage this past November, opening for a sold-out hometown show with Stabbing Westward. Riding high on the energy of that performance, Jay Ramirez and Comasoft focused on completing their new EP and booking more shows in 2025. Upcoming dates include a headlining show at Cobra Lounge in Chicago on April 25th and supporting EBM legends Leaether Strip in Columbus, Ohio on July 11th. More dates for 2025 are expected to be announced soon.

COMASOFT LIVE DATES 2025:

4/25/2025 Cobra Lounge, Chicago w/ BA Sisters and DJ Leo

7/11/2025 Black Swan Bar and Grill, Columbus w/Leaether Strip and the Stigmas

Deep Dive into the Universe of COMASOFT: 🎧

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☔ ASTARI NITE Releases New Single “Ms. Rain On My Parade” via Negative Gain Productions

A moody synthwave anthem challenging validation, illusion, and emotional solitude

Miami-based darkwave romantics ASTARI NITE return with their haunting new single “Ms. Rain On My Parade”, out now via Negative Gain Productions. The track arrives hot on the heels of their recent success “Unisex Games”, further cementing their signature blend of cinematic melancholy and glittering post-punk noir.

🎧 Listen Now on Bandcamp

💔 A Song for the Misunderstood

Frontman Mychael reflects on the deeper meaning behind the track:

“Validation is not love, and some people are confused by the two. It’s unfortunate how many live their lives yearning for that certain approval by others. This world can be very dishonest if you allow it to be—and the longer you continue to dive into someone else’s sea of lies, you’ll always be alone, with your telephone, and all four walls of the room.”

“Ms. Rain On My Parade” paints a bittersweet portrait of isolation in the modern age—wrapped in shimmering synth textures, aching vocals, and infectious grooves that echo both vulnerability and defiance.

🖤 Dive into the storm. Dance in the rain. Lose yourself in the shadows.

🕸️ Deep Dive into the Universe of Astari Nite
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Baltimore’s 51 PEG Unveils New EP, Magnetic Memories

Today, Baltimore-based alternative band 51 PEG releases their highly anticipated EP, Magnetic Memories. This latest offering highlights a departure from their signature heavy, dark sound, revealing a stripped-down, more straightforward approach. Inspired by the atmospheric textures of iconic 1980s alternative and new wave bands like The Cure and New Order, Magnetic Memories explores a different facet of the band’s musical identity while maintaining their emotional depth and intensity.

Adding to its nostalgic allure, the EP features a haunting cover of Peter Murphy’s timeless 1980s hit, Cuts You Up.

51 PEG first burst onto the scene in the early 2000s with their debut album, Strange Appointments. Over the years, the band has consistently evolved, releasing numerous works and captivating live audiences while sharing stages with acts like Stabbing Westward, Orgy, and The Birthday Massacre.

Magnetic Memories is now available on all major streaming platforms and digital outlets.


Listen to Magnetic Memories:

Check out the lyric video for “Starlight”:
Watch on YouTube

Deep Dive into the Universe of 51 PEG:

Distortion Productions Welcomes IIOIOIOII: Dark Electronic Synthpop from Charlotte

Distortion Productions is thrilled to announce the addition of Charlotte, North Carolina’s IIOIOIOII (pronounced IO or eye-oh). IIOIOIOII has been an active band since 2012 and is best described as dark and atmospheric electronic synthpop taking inspiration from classic New Wave and Industrial music. IIOIOIOII takes on lush soundscapes and heavy melodic elements and combines them with hard-hitting beats. The single “Frozen Sea” along with the accompanying video is the first taste of their forthcoming album “Dreaming,” slated for release in the Fall of 2023 on Distortion Productions.