Doktor’s Prescription – Second Doses
(Favorite releases of 2017)
2017 – some things definitely happened. Political strife and a divided nation, a plague of sexual assault accusers and perpetrators, the worst mass shooting in US history (already said my piece there) and the deaths of many more prominent faces of music, including Chris Cornell, Tom Petty, Chester Bennington, and Chuck Berry.
But fuck those things for just a few. Let’s talk about INDUSTRIAL MUSIC. That’s why you’re all here, right? 2017 was a pretty amazing year for our scene, and I heard some pretty amazing things that remind me that the scene musically is constantly evolving but not changing past what we’ve always recognized it to be. The hardest thing about classifying anything as ‘industrial music’ has been having a benchmark or bar to compare it to, and just comparing everything to Nine Inch Nails or Ministry gets not only old, but starts to be incorrect. ‘Industrial music’ as most of us know it has been around for nearly 40 years and from those early seeds we have seen a literal maze of branches grow off from the tree. Comparing things to what came before is inevitable, but also unfair at times because it can stunt the evolution of the music as a whole.
I felt that in 2017, many artists took one path or another – either drawing on several varying influences to create something unique in itself, or taking a classic industrial sound and updating it for today. Both have resulted in some great music this year, a lot of which I’m certain I still have not listened to yet. We got releases from some heavy hitters in the scene as well as some newcomers making a massive impact. There was chaos. There was order. There was some stuff that bends the genre nearly to a breaking point but remains *just* close enough to be awesome.
This year’s list of my “Fave Five” comes with the same disclaimer as last year: I have not listened to every single thing that came out in 2017 (God damn did I want to – still working on it). I am positive I missed some great stuff; every year I discover something I missed one or two years ago. It’s practically impossible for me to digest everything from a whole year and provide the most epic, comprehensive coverage as an unpaid blog writer with a shitty laptop, ball-breaking job, and crippling debt, but consider this a humble list from a DJ, listener, Doktor, and fan of industrial/related musical persuasions - BEHOLD my 10 favorite releases in 2017 - I did five LPs & five EPs this year, since there were some AMAZING EPs that dropped as well.
Onward!
5. Blakk Glass – Trial
I felt that in 2017, many artists took one path or another – either drawing on several varying influences to create something unique in itself, or taking a classic industrial sound and updating it for today. Both have resulted in some great music this year, a lot of which I’m certain I still have not listened to yet. We got releases from some heavy hitters in the scene as well as some newcomers making a massive impact. There was chaos. There was order. There was some stuff that bends the genre nearly to a breaking point but remains *just* close enough to be awesome.
This year’s list of my “Fave Five” comes with the same disclaimer as last year: I have not listened to every single thing that came out in 2017 (God damn did I want to – still working on it). I am positive I missed some great stuff; every year I discover something I missed one or two years ago. It’s practically impossible for me to digest everything from a whole year and provide the most epic, comprehensive coverage as an unpaid blog writer with a shitty laptop, ball-breaking job, and crippling debt, but consider this a humble list from a DJ, listener, Doktor, and fan of industrial/related musical persuasions - BEHOLD my 10 favorite releases in 2017 - I did five LPs & five EPs this year, since there were some AMAZING EPs that dropped as well.
Onward!
5. Blakk Glass – Trial
https://blakkglass.bandcamp.com/album/trial-ep
A little local love here. These guys were so much fun live and such awesome people to hang out with after their performance that I had to include this release on my fave list for the year. A classic darkwave/electro vibe with a little dark cabaret styling and a dance floor friendly groove makes this EP a win in my book. Definitely a band to keep your eye on in the future - shout out to Franki, Shane, and Shaun if you’re reading – keep up the good work, guys. Can’t wait for the next thing you put out!
Fave track: Dance On Me
4. Klack – Do You Klack?
A little local love here. These guys were so much fun live and such awesome people to hang out with after their performance that I had to include this release on my fave list for the year. A classic darkwave/electro vibe with a little dark cabaret styling and a dance floor friendly groove makes this EP a win in my book. Definitely a band to keep your eye on in the future - shout out to Franki, Shane, and Shaun if you’re reading – keep up the good work, guys. Can’t wait for the next thing you put out!
Fave track: Dance On Me
4. Klack – Do You Klack?
https://klack.bandcamp.com/album/do-you-klack
Well I certainly do now. Side project (OF COURSE) of Matt Fanale of Caustic and Eric Oehler of Null Device brings the old school EBM Front 242/Nitzer Ebb groove back on this 4 track release. It’s awesome. It took me a couple of listens before I really start to like it. Now I can’t stop KLACKING. Do YOU Klack? I certainly KLACK. If you like your industrial with a retro edge and a funky bassline, start KLACKING now. You won’t be sorry. Plus they just released a cover of “Pump Up The Jam” – that got them on this list by itself.
Fave track: DMF
3. Boy Harsher – Country Girl
Well I certainly do now. Side project (OF COURSE) of Matt Fanale of Caustic and Eric Oehler of Null Device brings the old school EBM Front 242/Nitzer Ebb groove back on this 4 track release. It’s awesome. It took me a couple of listens before I really start to like it. Now I can’t stop KLACKING. Do YOU Klack? I certainly KLACK. If you like your industrial with a retro edge and a funky bassline, start KLACKING now. You won’t be sorry. Plus they just released a cover of “Pump Up The Jam” – that got them on this list by itself.
Fave track: DMF
3. Boy Harsher – Country Girl
https://boyharsher.bandcamp.com/album/country-girl-ep
I’ll admit – I was NOT big on these guys when I first heard them a couple years ago on their first release “Yr Body Is Nothing”, but between this EP and their older full-length album “Lesser Man”, I’m converted. There is so much crammed on this tiny record – breathy, haunting vocals that have become their signature, old-school aesthetics, sounds that sound *just* a bit unsettling, and a very unique creepy-yet-dance-y vibe that they have mastered between the last two records. When I listen to this record, I get transported away to somewhere very weird in my head – I’m not even sure where. That’s something that doesn’t happen too often anymore. When you listen to a ton of music, sometimes you need it to throw a little ‘kink’ in there to make you take notice. This record (and this band) do that for me – there’s a bit of hazy mystery behind everything they do and I have really come around to love it. Great stuff.
Fave track: Motion
2. Street Fever – Enchaine
I’ll admit – I was NOT big on these guys when I first heard them a couple years ago on their first release “Yr Body Is Nothing”, but between this EP and their older full-length album “Lesser Man”, I’m converted. There is so much crammed on this tiny record – breathy, haunting vocals that have become their signature, old-school aesthetics, sounds that sound *just* a bit unsettling, and a very unique creepy-yet-dance-y vibe that they have mastered between the last two records. When I listen to this record, I get transported away to somewhere very weird in my head – I’m not even sure where. That’s something that doesn’t happen too often anymore. When you listen to a ton of music, sometimes you need it to throw a little ‘kink’ in there to make you take notice. This record (and this band) do that for me – there’s a bit of hazy mystery behind everything they do and I have really come around to love it. Great stuff.
Fave track: Motion
2. Street Fever – Enchaine
https://streetfever.bandcamp.com/album/encha-n-2
Ok these guys hit me like a black-gloved slap in the face. Holy crap was this some great, groovy, dark wizardry from right down the way in Boise, ID. A dark, creepy vibe that borders just a little bit on the synthwave crossover that the scene has visited a bit recently. I feel it sticks more to what Street Fever is already exceptionally good at – atmosphere. You completely get the ‘underground dance club’ vibe off every one of these tracks, like you just stumbled into somewhere forbidden and awesome, where the bass is deep and the synths are dark and the streets have fevers (sorry). It’s slow, menacing, and SO groovy with a neat little EBM influence thrown in there for fun. I think these guys could get huge some day – or as huge as anyone gets in this little corner of music we call home. The previous EP “Afflictions” is just as good, BTW.
Fave track: In Your Lungs
1. Liebknecht – Produkt
Ok these guys hit me like a black-gloved slap in the face. Holy crap was this some great, groovy, dark wizardry from right down the way in Boise, ID. A dark, creepy vibe that borders just a little bit on the synthwave crossover that the scene has visited a bit recently. I feel it sticks more to what Street Fever is already exceptionally good at – atmosphere. You completely get the ‘underground dance club’ vibe off every one of these tracks, like you just stumbled into somewhere forbidden and awesome, where the bass is deep and the synths are dark and the streets have fevers (sorry). It’s slow, menacing, and SO groovy with a neat little EBM influence thrown in there for fun. I think these guys could get huge some day – or as huge as anyone gets in this little corner of music we call home. The previous EP “Afflictions” is just as good, BTW.
Fave track: In Your Lungs
1. Liebknecht – Produkt
https://danielmyer.bandcamp.com/album/liebknecht-produkt-ep
Speaking of side projects, the eternally busy Daniel Myer of Haujobb/Architect fame releases his latest effort under the name Liebknecht (collaboration with Renaldo Bite, whom he has worked with in the past) and these tracks are designed to be a preview of things to come on a full release. And they are all amazing – fantastic production, great use of unique sounds, and no pesky vocals to get in the way of all the interweaved sounds and dance floor grooves. The tracks are all 5+ minutes long but do NOT feel like it at all; in fact, the opposite is true - they feel like small musical journeys that leave you wanting more afterwards (sort of like a good movie). There is a definite old-meets-new aesthetic with the sounds as well, which will please anyone who is a fan of the genre. Check this shit out ASAP – I can pretty much guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
Fave track: ICE over Erfurt
I just noticed – apparently you had to have a monochrome colored cover to make my EP list this year…
LPs:
*Honorable Mention*
Synthetische Lebensform – Extravagant
Speaking of side projects, the eternally busy Daniel Myer of Haujobb/Architect fame releases his latest effort under the name Liebknecht (collaboration with Renaldo Bite, whom he has worked with in the past) and these tracks are designed to be a preview of things to come on a full release. And they are all amazing – fantastic production, great use of unique sounds, and no pesky vocals to get in the way of all the interweaved sounds and dance floor grooves. The tracks are all 5+ minutes long but do NOT feel like it at all; in fact, the opposite is true - they feel like small musical journeys that leave you wanting more afterwards (sort of like a good movie). There is a definite old-meets-new aesthetic with the sounds as well, which will please anyone who is a fan of the genre. Check this shit out ASAP – I can pretty much guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
Fave track: ICE over Erfurt
I just noticed – apparently you had to have a monochrome colored cover to make my EP list this year…
LPs:
*Honorable Mention*
Synthetische Lebensform – Extravagant
https://synth-me-label.bandcamp.com/album/extravagant
I know – immediate cop out. I had to include this, I’m sorry. Too much other good stuff this year, but I had to mention this release. Imagine a new Front Line Assembly record that sounds like an old Front Line Assembly record but also isn’t actually done by Front Line Assembly, but rather a couple of Russian guys who clearly are BIG fans (just look at that damn logo). It really does sound like one of those old record label sampler CDs where they have an unreleased mix of some Velvet Acid Christ song – so you buy it - and half the bands are like DIGITAL DIZTORT or LAZERSTIFT or something and it actually sounds pretty awesome? That’s what this is. Made in 2017. Seriously – if you’re an old school early 90s industrial fan (there HAS to be at least one or two of you out there), listen to this. I still don’t really know what they’re singing about, but I was too busy being amazing that this album was created this recently. These guys are definitely on the “classic industrial sound” side of 2017.
Ok, now on to the real shit:
5. Wulfband – Revolter
I know – immediate cop out. I had to include this, I’m sorry. Too much other good stuff this year, but I had to mention this release. Imagine a new Front Line Assembly record that sounds like an old Front Line Assembly record but also isn’t actually done by Front Line Assembly, but rather a couple of Russian guys who clearly are BIG fans (just look at that damn logo). It really does sound like one of those old record label sampler CDs where they have an unreleased mix of some Velvet Acid Christ song – so you buy it - and half the bands are like DIGITAL DIZTORT or LAZERSTIFT or something and it actually sounds pretty awesome? That’s what this is. Made in 2017. Seriously – if you’re an old school early 90s industrial fan (there HAS to be at least one or two of you out there), listen to this. I still don’t really know what they’re singing about, but I was too busy being amazing that this album was created this recently. These guys are definitely on the “classic industrial sound” side of 2017.
Ok, now on to the real shit:
5. Wulfband – Revolter
*no Bandcamp link – search on Amazon/Spotify*
Holy shit. This album grabs you by your face and just SCREAMS at you for what feels like the fastest 35 minutes ever. Unrelenting, frantic EBM insanity from Sweden. I kinda slept on these guys over the last couple of years, but every now & again I’d look at my collection and drop the one track I had from their releases (Chaostanzen) and sheer insanity would envelop the room. This release takes that insanity and breaks the knob off. These guys are best enjoyed driving somewhere fast or gearing up for something crazy. I bought this album based off the one track I had and all I remember is how QUICKLY I did all my chores while listening to them. After I was done I wanted to break the broom over my head. Wulfband has a very punk-rock madness to them and they blend it with old-school EBM as good as I’ve ever heard. Broken German lyrics colliding with funky synths, guitars, and live drums...then all colliding with your ear holes. IT DEMANDS YOU TO HEAR IT.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Kaos MF
4. FIRES – Red Goes Grey
Holy shit. This album grabs you by your face and just SCREAMS at you for what feels like the fastest 35 minutes ever. Unrelenting, frantic EBM insanity from Sweden. I kinda slept on these guys over the last couple of years, but every now & again I’d look at my collection and drop the one track I had from their releases (Chaostanzen) and sheer insanity would envelop the room. This release takes that insanity and breaks the knob off. These guys are best enjoyed driving somewhere fast or gearing up for something crazy. I bought this album based off the one track I had and all I remember is how QUICKLY I did all my chores while listening to them. After I was done I wanted to break the broom over my head. Wulfband has a very punk-rock madness to them and they blend it with old-school EBM as good as I’ve ever heard. Broken German lyrics colliding with funky synths, guitars, and live drums...then all colliding with your ear holes. IT DEMANDS YOU TO HEAR IT.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Kaos MF
4. FIRES – Red Goes Grey
https://metropolisrecords.bandcamp.com/album/red-goes-grey
I am such a SUCKER for the electro-industrial pop-influenced stuff, so this one may not rank as high for some of you, but it’s my FAVE five, not the best five, so lay off. J FIRES is a new project that released their first full-length album in 2017 and I just plain LOVED it. There’s not much I could add as to why specifically, other than I just truly dig catchy pop/rock structured laced with depressing, emotional vocals all layered over synthwave-influenced electronics and DANCEABILITY (which is often overlooked when we discuss newer industrial music). This record has a very modern Imperative Reaction-esque sound with a splash of Mr. Kitty and succeeds in making you happy, sad, and want to dance all at the same time. I guess one could even call it “Emo-Industrial”, which in this case is not a bad thing. Definitely an example of genre-bending, FIRES takes a ton of outside influence and weaves it together beautifully. I see big things in the future for this group.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Red Goes Grey
3. 3TEETH - <shutdown.exe>
I am such a SUCKER for the electro-industrial pop-influenced stuff, so this one may not rank as high for some of you, but it’s my FAVE five, not the best five, so lay off. J FIRES is a new project that released their first full-length album in 2017 and I just plain LOVED it. There’s not much I could add as to why specifically, other than I just truly dig catchy pop/rock structured laced with depressing, emotional vocals all layered over synthwave-influenced electronics and DANCEABILITY (which is often overlooked when we discuss newer industrial music). This record has a very modern Imperative Reaction-esque sound with a splash of Mr. Kitty and succeeds in making you happy, sad, and want to dance all at the same time. I guess one could even call it “Emo-Industrial”, which in this case is not a bad thing. Definitely an example of genre-bending, FIRES takes a ton of outside influence and weaves it together beautifully. I see big things in the future for this group.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Red Goes Grey
3. 3TEETH - <shutdown.exe>
https://3teeth.bandcamp.com/album/shutdown-exe
LOL of course they were “3”. I, for one, welcome our new industrial rock overlords. Not since Ministry or Marilyn Manson has a band showed up and made waves outside of the ‘scene’ and gotten noticed as much as these guys did in 2017. Touring with Tool & Primus and opening for Rammstein will do that. Bursting on the scene a couple years ago with their self-titled debut record, 3TEETH seemed like the very essence of a band acknowledging their past but sounding like the future, and they follow it up wonderfully with an instant industrial-rock classic. I have to emphasize the “rock” part here, because this record is a lot more on the ‘rock’ side than the ‘industrial’ side when compared to their first record, but they do it with such beautiful noise that it is absolutely not a downside – plus there is plenty of heavy synth action to be had. Between the artistic imagery they use in all of their promotional stuff (from merch to videos, which are by far some of the best in the scene today), the charismatic yet anarchistic aura from a killer live show, and the RIFFAGE OMG THE RIFFAGE, 3TEETH make a massive impact with this album and I cannot wait to hear what is coming in the future from these guys. The perfect ‘fuck this world’ record for 2017. Too sweet indeed.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Shutdown
2. Encephalon – We Only Love You When You’re Dead
LOL of course they were “3”. I, for one, welcome our new industrial rock overlords. Not since Ministry or Marilyn Manson has a band showed up and made waves outside of the ‘scene’ and gotten noticed as much as these guys did in 2017. Touring with Tool & Primus and opening for Rammstein will do that. Bursting on the scene a couple years ago with their self-titled debut record, 3TEETH seemed like the very essence of a band acknowledging their past but sounding like the future, and they follow it up wonderfully with an instant industrial-rock classic. I have to emphasize the “rock” part here, because this record is a lot more on the ‘rock’ side than the ‘industrial’ side when compared to their first record, but they do it with such beautiful noise that it is absolutely not a downside – plus there is plenty of heavy synth action to be had. Between the artistic imagery they use in all of their promotional stuff (from merch to videos, which are by far some of the best in the scene today), the charismatic yet anarchistic aura from a killer live show, and the RIFFAGE OMG THE RIFFAGE, 3TEETH make a massive impact with this album and I cannot wait to hear what is coming in the future from these guys. The perfect ‘fuck this world’ record for 2017. Too sweet indeed.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Shutdown
2. Encephalon – We Only Love You When You’re Dead
https://encephalon.bandcamp.com/album/we-only-love-you-when-youre-dead
An industrial rock opera about an undead soul stitched back together and forced to live again in this fucked-up materialistic world, then killed again for the cycle to repeat. Yup. That’s this record. Encephalon has always impressed me with their ability to truly ‘go big’ on their releases – and I made the mistake early on of trying to listen to these guys’ individual tracks instead of this epic story they were trying to tell me. Not this time – and I’m glad I didn’t miss out. It is truly an album vs. a collection of songs and there is a very sharp stylistic ‘rise and fall’ from the beginning of the record (the resurrection of our central character) to the end (the deconstruction and return to death), which you would never truly catch unless you heard it front to back. Musically, these guys are not afraid to throw any epic sounds at the wall & see what sticks, and lyrically they’ve been very straightforward in their story. We get so much packed on this release and none of the songs sound like the ones before them. It really does take you on a little adventure, and in a time where music is most often sampled in song form vs. album form, a very nice surprise.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Limb From Limb
1. Grendel –Age Of The Disposable Body
An industrial rock opera about an undead soul stitched back together and forced to live again in this fucked-up materialistic world, then killed again for the cycle to repeat. Yup. That’s this record. Encephalon has always impressed me with their ability to truly ‘go big’ on their releases – and I made the mistake early on of trying to listen to these guys’ individual tracks instead of this epic story they were trying to tell me. Not this time – and I’m glad I didn’t miss out. It is truly an album vs. a collection of songs and there is a very sharp stylistic ‘rise and fall’ from the beginning of the record (the resurrection of our central character) to the end (the deconstruction and return to death), which you would never truly catch unless you heard it front to back. Musically, these guys are not afraid to throw any epic sounds at the wall & see what sticks, and lyrically they’ve been very straightforward in their story. We get so much packed on this release and none of the songs sound like the ones before them. It really does take you on a little adventure, and in a time where music is most often sampled in song form vs. album form, a very nice surprise.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Limb From Limb
1. Grendel –Age Of The Disposable Body
https://infactedrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/age-of-the-disposable-body-deluxe
Now here’s something I did NOT expect. This record was SO good. In a year that saw releases from many industry mainstays, including Funker Vogt, SITD, Angelspit, Faderhead, and KMFDM, only one artist took things to a completely different level. JD and his Grendel project have always been in lockstep with your aggrotech dance floor cybergoth 2000s era club scene, with the classic “Soilbleed” and the entire “Harsh Generation” record echoing in club kid’s ears for over a decade. We saw a taste of what could be when he dropped “Chemicals + Circuitry” in 2009 and “Timewave: Zero” in 2012, with the focus more on bold production and clean vocals than simply a stompy dance floor cybertech dystopia anthems. It’s been FIVE years since a Grendel release, and HOLY SHIT was it worth the wait. This album is a true artistic evolution for Grendel and it showcases nothing but the most positive and talented aspects of the project while making an album that checks off many boxes that I could think of when it comes to a great, timeless electro-industrial record (released now or any time). Politically charged lyrics that reference real issues? CHECK. Modern, slick production that won’t sound dated in 10 years? CHECK. Dance floor appeal? CHECK. Old-school influence without simply replicating the past? CHECK. Angry agro-friendly ‘chant-able’ hooks peppered throughout the record? CHECK. A GODDAMN SAXOPHONE SOLO?? CHECK??? This album is BOTH a collection of great songs that stand on their own AND a collection of tunes that have a very clear flow together. It truly showcases the talent of one of ‘our thing’s’ most recognizable names of the past two decades; many artists in the scene don’t get the credit they deserve for their production and songwriting skills because so much of our music can sound the same to the casual or dance floor listener. Grendel smashes that to pieces here with a record that should be respected and remembered, and yet still sounds not only very industrial, but very Grendel – and very, very good. Well played, sir.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Severed Nation
Whew! After writing all of this I completely forgot all the bad shit that happened in 2017. I think I just found the secret, ya’ll – just bury yourself in awesome music all the time and drown out the world. This year set the bar pretty damn high – bring your best, 2018. Just leave the bullshit behind this time, OK??
Now here’s something I did NOT expect. This record was SO good. In a year that saw releases from many industry mainstays, including Funker Vogt, SITD, Angelspit, Faderhead, and KMFDM, only one artist took things to a completely different level. JD and his Grendel project have always been in lockstep with your aggrotech dance floor cybergoth 2000s era club scene, with the classic “Soilbleed” and the entire “Harsh Generation” record echoing in club kid’s ears for over a decade. We saw a taste of what could be when he dropped “Chemicals + Circuitry” in 2009 and “Timewave: Zero” in 2012, with the focus more on bold production and clean vocals than simply a stompy dance floor cybertech dystopia anthems. It’s been FIVE years since a Grendel release, and HOLY SHIT was it worth the wait. This album is a true artistic evolution for Grendel and it showcases nothing but the most positive and talented aspects of the project while making an album that checks off many boxes that I could think of when it comes to a great, timeless electro-industrial record (released now or any time). Politically charged lyrics that reference real issues? CHECK. Modern, slick production that won’t sound dated in 10 years? CHECK. Dance floor appeal? CHECK. Old-school influence without simply replicating the past? CHECK. Angry agro-friendly ‘chant-able’ hooks peppered throughout the record? CHECK. A GODDAMN SAXOPHONE SOLO?? CHECK??? This album is BOTH a collection of great songs that stand on their own AND a collection of tunes that have a very clear flow together. It truly showcases the talent of one of ‘our thing’s’ most recognizable names of the past two decades; many artists in the scene don’t get the credit they deserve for their production and songwriting skills because so much of our music can sound the same to the casual or dance floor listener. Grendel smashes that to pieces here with a record that should be respected and remembered, and yet still sounds not only very industrial, but very Grendel – and very, very good. Well played, sir.
You’ll like the record if you like this one track: Severed Nation
Whew! After writing all of this I completely forgot all the bad shit that happened in 2017. I think I just found the secret, ya’ll – just bury yourself in awesome music all the time and drown out the world. This year set the bar pretty damn high – bring your best, 2018. Just leave the bullshit behind this time, OK??
