James Kent, based in Paris, has released several records since 2012 under the name Perturbator. His music under this moniker can be loosely defined as synthwave but, in reality, Perturbator’s evades such straightforward categorisation. Incorporating elements of early synth-based music, as well techno, gothic rock, ambient music, and metal, Perturbator has been compared to Kraftwerk, John Carpenter, and Nine Inch Nails, amongst many others.
If the ’80s were your decade, then you’ve probably heard at least one song by Emmy winning US singer-songwriter Stan Bush, possibly without even realising it. From giving Jean-Claude Van Damme kung fu flicks Bloodsport, and Kickboxer a surge of synth-enhanced adrenaline with ‘Fight to Survive’ and ‘Never Surrender’, to giving criminally overlooked Charlie Sheen sci-fi ghost car movie The Wraith an extra helping of AOR cheese with ‘Hearts vs Heads’, Bush is arguably most famous for his musical contribution to 1986 animated classic Transformers: The Movie – ‘The Touch’.
Crosses (sometimes stylized as †††) a post-Punk and 1980s Gothic synth-pop influenced side project of Deftones frontman Chino Moreno may indeed be springing back to life for 2021. In a new interview with “The Boo Crew”, Bloody Disgusting’s weekly Podcast, Chino was interviewed by the gang to discuss the new Deftones album Ohms (review here), his horror episode score for Hulu’s Into The Dark series, stalking Anton Levay’s house in San Francisco, his favorite horror movies, and much more. Asked about Crosses, Chino confirmed that back at the end of 2018, the band had completed 6-7 songs with the idea of finishing them and teased some activity on social media at that time. When pressed about a future release Chino remarked that the break from Deftones touring to support Ohms until 2021 “might provide the chance to complete the new record”. Ghost Cult also interviewed Reyka Osburn of Death Valley High in 2019 and commented that he worked on new music with Chino, some of which was for Crosses too. Crosses released their self-titled album in 2014, and two other EPs, and toured the world several times. The band includes Moreno, Shawn Lopez (Far), and Chuck Doom. The interview was excellent and we suggest you check it out, like and subscribe to The Boo Crew Podcast too! Continue reading
Released in February 2020 and shared by the now postponed (and heading to online) Tribeca Film Festival as part of their A Short Film a Day Keeps Anxiety Away series online, a new documentary tells the story of two fans that got to party with Van Halen for an unforgettable and life-threatening time thanks to winning a contest on MTV during the 1984 tour! Lost Weekend by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb tells the story of two 20-year-olds from Phoenixville, PA who won a contest to party with rock band Van Halen, then in their debaucherous prime. The clip is one part cheesy 1980s goodness, one part classic rock history, and one part MTV legend. Check it out now! Continue reading
When thinking of the power metal scene in general, you would be forgiven for not necessarily considering Britain an institution of it. Considering that Germany has offered the worldwide scene the likes of Helloween and Blind Guardian, and Finnish groups such as Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica, it is unsurprising that power metal shows in the UK come few and far between, despite the country’s roots in the highly influential NWOBHM genre.Continue reading
Nostalgia can often be treated with cynicism and suspicion. Oftentimes heralding the past can be seen to be a cheap way of living of someone else’s glory through pale imitation, or can equally be seen as a pointless endeavour that does nothing to progress the state of artistry. For those who are not naysayers of throwback music, it can provide a comfort and a safety net; the points of reference are starkly apparent and it does nothing to rock the boat leaving the listener with a warm sense of familiarity.Continue reading
Along with the likes of Dan Terminus and GosT, Perturbator has been one of the leading lights in the burgeoning Synthwave scene. The combination of retro, 80s-infused electronica played with the enthusiasm and tempo of Heavy Metal has become the not-so-guilty pleasure of metalheads looking for a reprieve from their usual playlists. Continue reading