Neon Noir

In the annals of 21st century alternative rock history there are few artists who cast a longer or more peculiar shadow than Finnish Love Metal pioneer Ville Valo.

In the annals of 21st century alternative rock history there are few artists who cast a longer or more peculiar shadow than Finnish Love Metal pioneer Ville Valo. After all, his band HIM were easily among the most iconic and idiosyncratic groups of the millenium. 'Loveletting', the first single off VV's debut album 'Neon Noir' out in early 2023, suggests this new infernal mix of light and shade is nothing short of a landmark release from one of modern music's most distinctive and intriguing voices.

The adventurous trio Chat Noir has for the past 12 years defied easy categorization with its organic mix of ambient music, electronic textures as well as chamber music and jazz. Their singular approach to the piano trio, cinematic in scope and startlingly beautiful, has garnered critical raves throughout Europe. 'Rare Noise' release.

After their debut album “Puls” in 2013, PORT NOIR released the “Neon” digital EP in 2015 marking one of the first releases by Anders Fridén's label Razzia Notes and Century Media Records, who kicked off their cooperation earlier in 2015. The four songs sported influences ranging from Kraftwerk to Johnny Cash, Cult of Luna to Muse, Rage Against The Machine to 80s pop music mounting in dark, fuzzy, electronica-enriched rock songs further showing the band's skill in crafting diverse and daring sonic art. But now, it is time to present the Swedes' second full-length opus, “Any Way The Wind Carries”, containing twelve brand-new tracks, which clearly profit from the experimental side unveiled on “Neon”: "Ever since the release of “Puls”, we've been writing and recording new material, trying to develop the current sound and find new ways to express our feelings via music.

Lord Huron, the folk-adjacent rock band helmed by Michigan-born singer and guitarist Ben Schneider, will release their third LP Vide Noir on April 20. With the announcement, they’ve released the two-part song “Ancient Names,” an eery, unresolved tale of a crystal ball vision that amplifies the band’s characteristic thematic darkness into distorted garage rock.