I bought something from Bandcamp once, can't remember what, but as a result I got an email from Artoffact Records, urging me to try one of their free sampler albums. Everyone likes a free sample, except maybe if they're given out by a creepy guy in the supermarket, so obviously I took the bait.
There were about 20 tracks on it, and boy what a mixed bag! It was certainly diverse, terrifying in parts and really quite decent in others. But it sure was different, which was refreshing to these auld ears. So I did a bit of a pick 'n' mix and sorted out my faves. At the moment I are mostly partaking of "alternative pop", i.e. pop no-one else would touch. Maybe a bit synthy and/or gothy.
But...just what is goth? Historians have long discussed this and come up with no conclusive answer. It's probably bits of Sisters of Mercy (though probably only their first album), The Mission (but possibly only the odd song), The Cure (but only Lullaby really), Siouxsie and her Banshees (in bits). Ooh it's a minefield, covered in spiderwebs. Moodily lit.
And those bands who clearly fancy themselves as being goth-tastic tend to create a suitably smoky ambience but forget that having a good choon is still paramount. So do these particular gloomy anonymous decapitees have many of those in their velvety, erm, pouch?
These merry dudes hail from Ontario and their name reminds me of the TV news report in Highlander, "...a decapitated head, a head with no name", y'know. Anyway, they seem pretty darn dark and gothique, but in a tuneful way.
Singer Alis Device (great name) delivers strong Siouxsie-esque vocals throughout, ably backed up by Matt Ghostorm (great name) who seems to be the only other member of the group, so presumably plays guitar, bass and drums like a crazed octopus. I presume they enlist help when they play live.
There are some great dramatic songs here, the type that only shine through fully after a few listens. Call Of The Void and Ash Palace are relatively catchy standouts, but the rest slowly and insidiously begin to make their presence known, and before you know it, you realise there isn't a weak track to be had here.
Not only that, once you've finished the meat of the album, "you're sure of a big surprise" as from track 10 onwards you're suddenly transported into a magical world of cybergoth. Probably. Well, some very nice remixes anyway. Some are fairly recognisable alternative renditions of their originals, but others are complete reimaginings, and done with great expertise. Some accidentally come off as almost cheery. But most don't, hurray!
So it's kinda 2 for 1 really, something for everyone I'd have thought. As long as they like quality miserable music, that is.
Canadian goths are aboot the best goths around.