Press info: Their debut album ‘Bitchhouse‘ is more than music.
It’s a safe space where women make the rules, embrace chaos,
and channel power through sound.
TUTV The two snake queens finally, after their 2021 debut single Arrival, have their debut album out. As the cliché goes it was worth
the wait, it absolutely is.
It resonates like an outlandish electro-pop journey. Sonically it reverberates,
at times spooky and uncanny, at times mysterious and enigmatic, at times
bombastic and melodramatic, always highly arresting and fully absorbing.
From industrial-rock infused, and orchestral pieces (think Chelsea Wolfe / Killing Joke
and NIN), to amplified reveries, and a surprising, but utterly cool rap guest moment
on shock track Pervert. The duo’s passional vocality fits the manic music like a glove.
No songs about the bees and the trees for Piranha and Fitzgerald. They address
all sorts of intolerance in our messed-up society where political charlatans rule.
Bitchhouse has all dark Gothwavish ingredients to have
yourself a mind-stirring experience. Electroclash excellence.
Artists: HVIRESS (pronounced ‘Heiress’) Who: The occult, musical love child of British
songwriters/musicians Hana Piranha and Mishkin
Fitzgerald.
Track: I AM THE SNAKE
Brand new piece from their upcoming debut album,
named Bitchhouse, which will land on October 10th.
It explores the seductive chaos of overconsumption, fast fashion, and the glittering
debris of late-stage capitalism, through a lens of ancient magic and feminine power. Propulsive and expertly crafted, the song is both sinister and self-assured.
Fitzgerald: “Hana and I came up with the concept for ‘I Am The Snake Queen’ after
a fateful night on some psychedelic mushrooms that went slightly wrong. Hana was transformed into an ancient deity and after coming out of the darkness she became
the snake queen.
After that experience, we both thought it was too good not to write a song about.
We have always seen HVIRESS as a project for mixing ancient magick with modern
trash. ‘I Am The Snake Queen’ blends those two worlds seamlessly.”
Single artwork
TUTV: Ready for an outlandish electro-pop trip? That’s what you’ll experience
in the upcoming, swirling 217 seconds. From the get-go layers of synths, keyed up percussion and transfixing vocals create an ominous atmosphere where reality and surreality meet and greet. You can’t, and you don’t want to resist its tantalising impact.
There’s a hard-to-nail tension in the air, all the way through.
The snake queen is hissing just around the corner. Dope stroke.
Early this month psych rock virtuoso Anton Newcombeand his orchestra
released new LP Fire Doesn’t Grow On Trees. Their 19th and one of their
best to my keen ears.
Ila is a Belgian post-punk trio fronted by bewitching songstress Ilayda Cicek.
Last year they had their stunning debut album Felt out, containing one of the
best singles of 2021 with Leave Me Dry.
Brand new piece Live To Love confirms
the immense intensity of ILA.
They are here to stay!
“This song is about a friend that you loved but just cannot be near. They always get
into trouble, always cause drama/fights, make a bunch of empty promises and get
you to do a bunch of intense stuff for them without getting anything in return.”
It’s a blazing bass/drum tandem that ignites this jiggish jackhammer with ardency
and flamboyance and keeps on steamrolling for the full 140 seconds.
And when an avid Amazon jumps in with pithy and bouncy vocals
you know, you feel and you hear straight away that we have a winner.
6. ‘Baby, I Had An Abortion’ byPETROL GIRLS (UK/Austria)
Last month this raging feminist post-hardcore 4-piece unleashed their 3rd album
named Baby. A badass beast of a record mixing raw power, mouthy screams, and a tsunami of loud and clear messages.
In the light of the incredible Roe v Wade debacle, disrespecting women’s fundamental
human rights, this LP’s sassy slam is a middle finger to all anti-abortion idiots.
American film soundtrack composer DANNY ELFMAN has a new album
out, titledBIGGER. MESSIER., on 12 August with reimagined versions of
songs from his last year’s Big Mess longplayer. More info here.
It features guest vocals from Trent Reznor, HEALTH, Zach Hill
of Death Grips, Xiu Xiu, Squarepusher, Ghostemane.
And the omnipresent Iggy Pop joined the fun too with this kick-ass jam.
These psycho-billy maniacs produce a wall-of-holy-smoke havoc on this horror-ific haymaker with sawing guitars, punk turbulence, hellish vocals a pulverizing chorus.
This razzle-dazzle master blaster races and rushes with vivid vigor and fervid
firmness. Punk ‘n roll at its razor-sharp best. And when the towering chorus kicks
in the sky-screaming vocals go through the roof. Amazeballs energy in overdrive.
If this Krautrock-like rotating electro ripper doesn’t trigger
your body, mind, and senses you need to change your meds.
Its repetitive rhythm mesmerizes and stupefies. Its sickly sticky synth swirl is simply irresistible and its magnetic voice brought the late great Talk Talk leader Mark Hollis
to mind.
On this Herculian stroke metal, shoegaze and classic guitar rock mania (think Eddie Van Halen and Neil Young‘s Crazy Horse) meet with forceful effect, while Rachel Bacon‘s vocals float above the giant raucousness. Bystander is a slow-burning torch, a powerhouse with mammoth riffs. Hefty score from their sterling 5-track EP Spiralized.
The obscure slow-progressing synth/guitar intro could easily be the shadowy intro
theme of a film noir starring this duo – Hana Piranha and Mishkin Fitzgerald – as Femmes Fatales with spine-chilling voices that cause a sensation of puzzlement and perturbation strengthened by the heavy metallic reverberations in the back.
When you look glamorous, move glamorous, and sound glamorous,
you have my attention in a flash. This London’s colorful gang’ new wallop
mourns the loss of heroes such as Tom Petty and genius Bowie.
Its avid flow gets under your skin from the get-go. A voltaic retro-resounding
guitar goes solo midway and challenges the somber mood. And Amazon Jo-Jo spices the ripper with her notable rock voice.
High-passionate mavericks The Afghan Whigs from Ohio
with general Greg Dulli upfront will share their 9th longplayer
named How Do You Burn? with the world on 9 September.
A Line Of Shots is one of the brill tracks we heard so far off the LP.
Vince Grant is no stranger to Turn Up The Volume. His dedication to darkwave
is infectious as he shows again here with his new shadowy single. Sonically you still
hear Joy Division and The Cure echoes.
Too Close To The Sun is an addictive melody at heart locked in tenebrous eurhythmics. Think of lots of The Cure hits (Close To You / Friday I’m In Love / Lovecats and so many more). They were experts in writing uncomplicated pop tunes and made them sound instantly captivating.
Grant also unites aural catchiness with shady musicality including
a melancholic saxophone solo in this new composition. Top.
Two weeks ago New York City‘s darlings dropped their 7th LP titled The Other Side Of Make Believe. In my aural opinion their best
since their 2002 debut.
Kilguss‘s voice is just amazing. Resonating somewhere between the magnific
voices of nightingales Angel Olsen and Sharon Van Etten. Yes, that is amazing and Great White Shark is also a heartfelt sort of musing that those two emotive ladies love. Say no more.
He tears open
From the heart
From the root
From intuition
He tears open
From the gut
From the soul
From inner vision
Who: The occult, musical love child of Hana Piranha and Mishkin Fitzgerald. Fierce friends and writing partners since
touring together in 2013, where they found they had more
in common than just rock music.
Press info: “Sonically, No Exit is a slow, sinister build into an explosive, hook-driven
chorus, delivering sulphur-hot vocals from Hana and Mishkin. Expert production is
provided by Evan Rodaniche (Cage9). No Exit has been selected to appear alongside
other iconic artists on the compilation releaseThis Is Deathpop by GIVE/TAKE.”
TUTV: The obscure slow-progressing synth/guitar intro could easily be the obscure
intro theme of a film noir starring Hana Piranha and Mishkin Fitzgerald as Femmes
Fatales with spine-chilling voices that cause feelings of puzzlement and perturbation strengthened by the heavy metallica reverberations in the back. Spellbinding.
Reference? The theatrical Finnish turbo Nightwish,
in sound and vocals. Yes, petrifying stuff, it is.
Here’s the eye-catching video shot by Scott Chalmers
James Cox (frontman): ““I used to be quite obsessed with true crime, and this song was
kind of born out of researching H.H Holmes and the World Trades Hotel in the 1860’s where
he would murder people staying at his hotel informally called ‘The Murder Castle’. I also got quite obsessed with a faith healer from the early 1900’s called Reverend Major Jealous Divine and reading transcripts of his old sermons, so this is basically just a weird amalgamation of mad shit I read about.”
A wham-bloody-bam drum intro, scorching guitars, filthy grooves, angry vocals,
all in just 50 seconds. Sounds like Nick Cave and his freakish gang The Birthday Party
are back with a filthy blues-injected blast. If you like creepy doom and gloom hullabaloo from a smelly basement you’ll love this to death.
A razorblade uppercut as intimidating as a bulldozer and
cutting as a Swiss knife. No rest for the wicked. One of the
clamorous highlights of these hardcore junks’ debut album A False Glimmer Of Hope.
Garage blues-rock junk Jon Spencer is back in town.
This time with his HITmakers. This razzle-dazzle cracker
is pushed by a bouncy synth touch and, schizophrenic
guitars and, of course, Spencer‘s freaky vocals.
The wonderful Kristin Hersh has an impressive résume.
10 albums with Throwing Muses, 10 solo albums and one
full LP and several EPs with50 Foot Wave (trio with Throwing Muses‘ bassist Bernard Georges).
And Hersh doesn’t think about retiring yet, she never will.
A new 7-track 50 Foot Wave album, entitled Black Pearl
comes our way on 15 April. Order info here.
Taster Staring Into The Sun is, a boisterous and metallic
slo-mo groove with a hammering beat, pumped-up guitars,
and Hersh’s manic vocals augmenting the shadowy tone of
this belter.
So what’s next for 50 Foot Wave? Playing at
metalfest Aftershock in Sacramento in October?
8. ‘Clowns For President’ by BAD SKIN (Montreal, CA)
Think legendary gritty grrrls Bikini Kill having a ball with Pussy Riot while kicking Russian president Putin up the ass.
These 4 steamy sisters in punchy punk crime buzz and fuzz
like a hot rod on the run.
Bad Skin storm full steam ahead with front Amazon Dope sneering
like a raging riot grrrl. Yep, Dope is dope. And this stunning stonker
is dope too!
Sounds like Patti Smith‘s Because The Night ends in a painful break-up
for the lovers. Ava Vox‘s heartache vocality and hurt timbre emphasise
the confused state of mind of the abused one and the melodramatic
sonic boom of this emotional eruption expresses sorrow, distress,
and angst. Another gripping Vox piece.
10. ‘This Cost Of Life’ by TIDAL WAVE (Toronto, CA)
Oh my, oh my. This sky-reaching gem left me out of breath after just one spin.
A tower of a song with an imposing impact. A masterstroke that explodes after the foreplay-intro and moves up and down like a roller coaster. Stellar tune, stellar sound, stellar guitars, stellar emotions, and a stellar chorus. Anthemically orchestrated with goosebumps arrangments. I’m quite sure their awesome fellowmen Arcade Fire would
like this grand exploit.
This is one of those songs that hypnotise from the get-go
to the eager finale. A feverish chant, one long chorus with Marglin‘s delirious voice causing goosebumps.
This is classic heavy metal. Huge sound, huge vocals, huge tune
with a huge chorus. If you’re a metal addict you will not mind if this
Swedish hit team stalks you. After an ominous violin intro, all burners
are on and frontman Michael Storck’s overwhelming pipes take over.
Self-titled debut longplayer comes on
11th February 2022 via WormHoleDeath.
This boiling-hot-cooking stroke hit me and my ears from
the moment the first chord blasted out of my shaking stereo.
Ardent anxiety and edgy excitability dominate this fanatical
outburst. And when the hair-rising chorus erupts you’ll
go mental just as these wolves do.
A twist and turn prog-pop-rock composition bringing legends Genesis (early years with Peter Gabriel) and YES (with voice Jon Anderson)
to mind. My favorite cut from Odawin‘s triumphant debut EP ‘Untitled.
Sensual, puzzling, tempting, synth-matic,
imaginative, seductive, esoteric, and relaxing.
HVIRESS are here to stay.
The ladies have once again teamed up with Scott Chalmers
to create an unsettling music video that leaves the viewer
pondering what they’ve just seen, a perfect partner to
the song’s opening lines…
“What is it that you see? It almost seems unreal
What is responsible for all the things you feel”
This riff-rowdy ripper flames with fervid fervency and resonates
as if Bob Mould was invited to play guitar. Ace tune, towering
sound, impassioned vocals, and a sickly sticky chorus.
Just what you need to activate your serotonin production.
Maximum result for a minimum wage.
This is what ecstatic pop grandeur is all about. Music that elevates
your state of mind to a titillating level. This new majestic single
generates a spellbinding buzz we all can use in these difficult
pandemic times.
When the multi-layered vocals/harmonies kick in, a gospel-like choir delight
creates an atmosphere of utter joy comparable with the euphoric drive of The Polyphonic Spree. Vitalizing vibe, refreshing rapture.
Who: The occult, musical love child of Hana Piranha and Mishkin Fitzgerald. Fierce friends and writing partners since
touring together in 2013, where they found they had more
in common than just rock music.
FFO: Goldfrapp, Portishead, Queen Adreena,
Puscifer, How To Destroy Angels, Carina Round.
The enigmatic duo unleashed their second single GOLDEN APPLE.
“Musically, the song is taunting, school-yard anthem with tribal undertones and
even some classical piano and strings, a colourful contrast from the apocalyptic
epic of debut single Arrival. Hana and Mishkin once again display their combined
musical powers to create something for the more discerning listener.”
The ladies have once again teamed up with Scott Chalmers
to create an unsettling music video that leaves the viewer
pondering what they’ve just seen, a perfect partner to
the song’s opening lines…
“What is it that you see? It almost seems unreal
What is responsible for all the things you feel”
Band: HVIRESS (pronounced ‘Heiress’) Who: A dark British electronic concoction of
myth and magic from duo Mishkin Fitzgerald/Hana Piranha FFO: Goldfrapp, Portishead, Queen Adreena, Puscifer,
How To Destroy Angels, Carina Round
Debut single: ARRIVAL Info: “The song, a scathing attack on political and religious hypocrisy,
is the first showcase of what these two women can offer as a dual-fronted
duo. Combining the strength of Mishkin’s vocal (described as a “beautifully-
wrought, mournful take on Patrick Wolf and Regina Spector”) with the snarling
aggression that has become a trademark feature of Hana’s style.”
Score: Biblical references help Hviress‘ reflect their view on our troubled
planet ruled by political and religious charlatans. The tone is ominous, the
timbre is spooky, the sound is intimidating, the vocals are dangerously seducing. Arrival progresses slowly and threateningly causing a nightmarish experience
reminiscent of the meditative moments of darkwave Goths Within Temptation
and Nightwish.
The accompanying video is shot by Scott Chalmers, master of the macabre,
which unites a chilling twist on a pagan Triple Goddess theme with an
unapologetic black and white performance from both women.
