DEVIL is the second single on Tatra for the band and is the counterpart of their first one titled "Angel". While their album GOTHIC ELECTRONIC ANTHEMS will be released on February 2003 this single bring us three versions of the main title (two of them are remixed by Icon Of Coil and Panzerveps) plus "In The Shadows". "Devil" is something like Iggy Pop meets an ebm version of the Sisters Of Mercy while the second track is more goth with whispered vocals an acoustic guitar and strings. Looking like King Diamond Gothminister's vocalist embrace the goth verb as stated on their website: "The mission of Gothminister is to educate his dark diciples about goth and how the dark visions may improve the way your life - more optimism through darkness - more creativity through darkness. The minister is also interested in gothic architecture, and he lives in an old gothic mansion...". Enough said...

The third electro compilation from Tatra! SERIAL KILLER ELECTRONICS has got as subtitle "Norwegian Technopop, Futurepop, Industrial Collection" and features 16 tracks of Norwegian-only artists. Here's the tracklist:
01. Gothminister - Hatred (Serial Killer Version)
02. Echo Image - Endless Day (Club Version)
03. Super Jupiter - Got to Get Some
04. Icon Of Coil - Violations (Minimal Hardware Version)
05. Mortiis - Mental Maelstrom (Video Edit)
06. Spektralized - Stop and Rewind (S.G.E. Version)
07. X.Machina - Endgame
08. Pride And Fall - Inside
09. Sweep - Last Train to Paris
10. Magicka - Lex Tailoris
11. Panzerveps - Deported
12. Apoptygma Berzerk - Until the End of the World (Dark Club Mix)
13. Conetik - Lost Control
14. In Vein - Amended
15. Off.Tribe - Solid Ground (v.2.0)
16. Computorgirl - The Touch.
The sounds go from distorted ebm to modern synthpop passing through the new metal electronic vein of Mortiis for seventy minutes of "no mercy" music. Good compilation and bands, check it out if you are into modern synthpop and ebm.

It's a long time that I hadn't the occasion to listen to the kind of sounds the Room With A View play. You know, for all the nineties we have been used to listen to goth bands influenced mainly by Sisters Of Mercy or Fields Of The Nephilim but luckily the band seems to take as inspiration bands such as Modern English but using also metal influences (only on some parts of "End Of Season" and "Madeleine") and particular arrangements using trumpet, piano, accordion or a tambourine. Generally the tracks sound fresh and interesting even if sometimes they need time to get an hold on the audience because of all the influences and idea they mix: for example tracks like "Madeleine" merge a catchy melody and an experimental intro with the song's melodies and the radio stations sounds. The only thing I didn't appreciate that much is the alternance of metal vocals with mellow ones but since this is their first album they have time to grow.

It's time to go back to the 80's where Newwave/New Romantic and electronics/synthesizers first began it's mainstream groundbreak. Oh yes, definitely! Felix Da Housecat, aka Felix Stallings Jr., (who also have performed under the name Aphrohead, Thee Madcat Courtship, and Elektricboy) has put out an amazing cd that's purrr-fecto blend of 80's electro decadence and underground grooves. I'm talking about "Kittenz and thee Glitz" that includes various of collaborators who helped made this album strolling up on the dance charts. The disc shot off three singles; "Madame Hollywood" sung by sexy Swiss and the new queen of electro-pop Miss Kittin, which was number 8 for best selling maxi-single. The two videos I saw on MTV2 Dance are "What Does It Feel Like?" and the remake of the all girl 80's group The Flirts "Silver Screen Shower Scene". "Harlot" (Intro) opens the disc with the seductive vocals of Melistar who sounds like Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson. Other tracks features "Pray For A Star" and the soulful and beautiful soft ballad "Runaway Dreamer" sung by Harrison Crump. Felix and thee glamour Glitz crew offers the sound of house and trance in "Sequel2Sub", "Analog City" and "Magic Fly". These cool 16 tracks of synth-pop and house will make you want to get out your strobelights and dance the night away. Some of the music compositions are backed by electro melodies that resembles Depeche Mode 1982 "A Broken Frame" era. A great combination from this Chicago's American Dj. "Kittenz and thee Glitz" is the most innovative album ever produced for the new millenium!

The self-title "The Hungry Ghost' is a gothic ecletic cd. Based out of Ferndale, Michigan, HG pays homage to horror/sci-fi/fantasy movies and graphic novels. His debut album is extremely; fusing gothic music with trip-hop/hip-hop beats, electronics, bluesy guitar hooks, tight rolling basslines, spooky dark synths, and traditional eastern and oriented music. This Singapore born singer will put you in the mind of Lou Reed and Dylan. I'm not kidding either! Cd kicks off with "Haunted that have a spooky synth interlude that may remind you of the old ABC vampire soap opera series theme 'Dark Shadows'. The second track which is the first single "Heaven Is A Dark Place" is about dreams of an exotic paradise where angels wear black and night is perpetual. The track is redone by Amy Ketchum who asked for permission to do her version of it. Other tracks to be enjoyed to listen that's in gothic poetry delight; "Lady Twilight", a girl next door who goes through a startling transformation under the full moon; "Scary Town" is a glimpse into an apocalytic world where mutants run amok. The second single "Evil Never Dies" features guest vocalist Detroit techno-goth legend, The Impaler, will make you bob your head to the funky kick-ass dark bassline. I manage to make this hard-hitting track Best Gothic Single of the Year for the Lomo Jan/Feb 2003 issue in my The Best Electro/Gothic/Darkwave Artists of 2002. The Hungry Ghost have mature themes that's grounded in reality while taking us on a journey through our innermost fears and desires. He's the supernatural who will bring nightmares and chills and let you see his mysterious past that's shrouded in eternal darkness. I highly recommend you to buy this cd. You'll be hook after you listen to it for the first time.