BAD GUYS GET DEAD - Resistor

Review by Atomic Robo Kid

How do obtain the music you listen to? Purchase, stream, physical or digital formats? A combination of them all, or do you download from a Torrent provider? Do you take notice of piracy legislation? Do you seed copyrighted material to others? Well, thats just a couple of concepts Bad Guys Get Dead considers with his newest EP 'Resistor'. In Fact, at the time of writing this review he has unleashed 'Resistor' via P2P and the only other means of listening comes with a hefty price tag of $500. This EP is mighty fine, in a host of ways, but I just don't have the means to purchase it. Looks like I'll just have to obtain it the other way. Or should I?

What is the price of art? it sure does have a value, art in all it's forms has the power to make us think and to make us question and the creators of art surely are worthy to be heralded as leaders. At the very least they deserve to be paid for their work!

The release strategy alone tells you that this mostly dark, bass fueled cyberpunk series of tracks sets out to provoke conversation around piracy, Internet addiction, reliance upon, being watched by and controlled by technology. This is the catalyst sowing the seed for dystopia.

Anyway, let's get down to review ‘Resistor’, by Bad Guys Get Dead.

Cybersecurity protocol is initiatiated as we enter 'The Scanner', reading our thoughts to detect any threat to the system that has been imposed upon us. Spoken samples and a heavy, almost Nu Metal sludgy guitar riff drags us through the security check. The sliced vocal sample helps those synaptic thoughts to flow, whilst that looped riff appeases our more primitive side. We shouldn't be scared if we have nothing to hide. But, honestly who doesn't! So beware those secrets will be detected!

'Hyperconvergence' ups the pace with toe tapping ferocity! The drum samples and sequencing are tight, and the explosive kicks get that adrenaline pumping. The structure maintains that Nu Metal edge and introduces new sonic elements, namely synth work. The higher notes work nicely with the metal style thumping drum work and fuzzy bass tones.

Deep, groovy, slap like bass introduces us to 'Information Superhighway' and the vocal samples remind us of the addictive qualities of the Internet, where reality merges with virtual realities. The ensuing coma places us in real danger numbing our emotions, separating us from family and friends like any other narcotic. That said, this track has a fun, at times experimental, composition where the sounds of modems and distorted samples are positioned at the forefront of the mix and lead the listener to contemplate the intrusion, the hold Internet use has on their lives.

Get those engines started, '7000RPM' is required here! This track brings a different flavour to the album, a much more outrun feel with mysterious dark layers of Trance as we embark on a late night drive. The latter third of the track turns slightly darker with a vocal sample to cement the essence of the track, we need to prepare for 7000 RPM. I really enjoyed that 90's coated dance music with that cool tone and pace of an Outrun composition.

'Dying Time' is here, as is the stark dystopian soundscape we are thrusted inside! High adrenaline sonics, reminiscent of an intense action scene from an 80's movie, provide the thrills to this track! In fact this would sit nicely as the soundtrack to Mad Max: Beyond The Thunderdome! After all, that's where the vocal samples have been borrowed from and would be my preferred track if I had to fight to the death with a sledgehammer or chainsaw! That sense of pent up aggression is captured very nicely by Bad Guys Get Dead.

I'm afraid I know next to nothing about Stranger Things, so it's tricky for me to comment on the appropriateness of the track: The Love Theme From Stranger Things Season 10'. However, what a can say is this track could easily be a soundtrack to a 80's movie, telling a story of friendships lost and found, true loves and passion. A very chilled Synthwave track and a great demonstration of the versatility of the artist. Skillfully done!

Slow riffs interact with the perfectly timed deep drum work. Spectral crackling sounds assist in creating an eerie horror mood This works very well indeed with the accompanying rock style drum patterns and evolving melody.

'Resonance of the Cyberblade' starts with a earsplitting electronic 'zing' as the Cyberblade is drawn, drums roll and synth guitar sounds strut forward propelling us into this no holds barred battle! This is an awesome dark Synthwave / Shredwave affair that gains an increasing darkness and ferocity as the track progresses.

Conclusion

Overall, 'Resistor' is cleverly composed, with a nice variety of Retrowave flavours and the occasional helping of a range of 90's toppings. There's lots of vocal samples and interesting sonics in this EP, where you'll experience an array of Synth genres. Starting heavy with deep grooves, flavours of Hip Hop (almost) and Nu Metal intertwined so well. Then, through to Chillwave and finally Shredwave.

Whether your after music as food for thought or seeking music to simply enjoy 'Resistor' has a lot to offer. The value of music is up for question. Is music valued in a monetary way or is music valued for the way it can make us move, feel and think? This EP keeps you guessing, each track brimming with surprises. Tom Hanks once said life is like a box of chocolates, which is also an apt way to describe 'Resistor'! You don't quite know what to expect, until you taste it. But, when you do boy it tastes great! So, tuck in! Get listening to this by any means necessary!

Torrent link: https://badguysgetdead.com/resistor
Bandcamp: https://badguysgetdead.bandcamp.com/album/resistor

AGNIS - Antipriest

Written by Vero Faye Kitsuné | Photo by Visionathor

Dark ethereal pop, Polish artist AGNIS shifts gears and returns with an industrial pop dance track and visuals, Antipriest via darkTunes Music Group. Agnis shows a different kind of fire with this industrial rave, darkwave, and synthpop fusion with a touch of 90’s Europop nostalgia designed to get some unholy moves going on the gothic dance floor.

In 2022, AGNIS released her debut dark ethereal pop full-length record imbued with pagan themes and mysticism entitled Oneness - an eclectic body of work and complete experience that touches upon subjects of transmutation, spiritual maturation, and finding light and fire, with powerful vocal performances and piano-led musical bravado against backdrops of industrial saw-edge and dark synthpop atmosphere. Oneness also showcased AGNIS’ magnificent visual artistry in the accompanying music videos. Also check out her beloved Madonna cover of Frozen.

Antipriest is AGNIS’ first revelation from her upcoming record slated for this year, promising to deliver a brand new chapter immersed in artful dark pop, thumping beats and her own brand of danceable dark electro. Dance, after all, is a most sacred ritual to all mystics and priestesses.

For more AGNIS, visit her Bandcamp.

CAT TEMPER - Happy Tails

Written by Vero Faye Kitsuné

Cat Temper opens a portal to a new feline dimension and scurries into iconic videos of the 1980s with his most excellent, brand new visuals for Happy Tails - the first single from his upcoming full-length record, Nineteen Eighty-Fur (March 2024).

Directed and animated by Jim Ether, Happy Tails is a frisky and delightful visual cat feast loaded with Easter eggs (and fuzzy mice). All rendered in 3D CGI, the video features Cat Temper and visual odes to A-Ha, Michael Jackson, Eurythmics, Talking Heads, Devo, A Flock of Seagulls, and more. They definitely pulled all the stoppers for this one! Also check out the accompanying pastel-hued synth pop maxi-single release filled with bonus non-album tracks with art by Foreigner.

Cat Temper is the highly prolific artistic project of Boston-based synth artist-producer, Mike Langlie. Known for his cheeky and endearingly irreverent feline twists on music legends, with LPs filled with a robust range of cat-themed song titles matching the quirk and mood of each track, Cat Temper has quickly grown into a synth icon and scene favorite.

Curious for more? Visit his Bandcamp.

ODDER - Pagan Incantations

Review by Atomic Robo Kid

Mysterious shrouded figures hold forth an ancient otherworldly vessel: To the unaware eye an enigma, an object with no obvious purpose. To this gathering of cloaked beings, the purpose has been written in scripture for millennia. The time is right, the planets finally aligned to allow the summoning of the ancient alien forces. Ancient, according to time but far superior in technological advances that humankind will ever understand. 

No sooner had they stepped onto the sacred platform that the vessel began to emit a high pitched melody, the ceremony has begun!

Odder brings us his newest offering 'Pagan Incantation' which starts with an accelerated tension building sequence, then an electrical high octave accent sound with a sonic backdrop of impending doom and gritty, overdrive bass! 

The device, with its high pitched tones that are increasing in complexity have started to rip open space itself. Thunderous sounds create a parting amongst the atmosphere, the time is right for our masters to enslave us once more and the time is now for Odder to ensnare us with his catchy hooks and draw us deeper into his groove ridden composition. What an intro!

Around a minute in there is a very cool breakdown, the calm before the Alien storm. Odder's signature hits, samples and glitches create a really interesting rhythm, pure seduction. Which, is further assisted by those spell filled chants. Deep, illegible mutterings sit amongst this impactful percussion, setting the scene for the ceremonial ritual. We've caught our breath but begin to witness the start of eternal domination as the track makes powerful progression. 

Towards the end of the track those high octave accent sounds and the chants of the believers are at the forefront of this rich sonic tapestry creating a clear sense of an approaching cataclysmic climax. I've already built my Doomsday bunker, and that's where you'll find me.... Listening to this track. Loud! 

'Pagan Incantation' is an impactful track that will get your heart and mind pumping, the power behind the drum work will make certain of that. The layering of vocal elements, with the illegible chanting, adds a welcome extra. Perhaps, transforming a passive listener to an inquisitive participant. I really enjoyed the gritty baselines and thumping drum sequences. Both of which are prone to a sprinkling of glitch. Basically balancing those nuances of Cyberpunk and Darksynth so well, yet spawning something new and exciting! 

Let it be known Odder has an EP release, coming later this year, and mark my words it is going to explosive! I've developed a taste for those dark glitches, fine tuned horror themes, mix tearing bass and clever percussion. I don't think I will be able to wait! However, in the meantime I highly recommend you listen to 'Pagan Incantation'.

For more tracks from ODDER, visit: oddersound.bandcamp.com