the NYC-based Destryur is likely to be well-known to darksynth fans, having been a part of several NRW releases such as “Night at the Grindhouse” and the “In Search of Darkness” soundtrack.

Figure is a bit newer to the NewRetroWave scene – but he’s no stranger to horror, and is perhaps a more seasoned producer in his own right – having cut his teeth over the past decade in the U.S. bass music scene. His gigantic “We Must Destroy” track was released only just as NewRetroWave was getting it’s start way back in 2011!

Together, this is a fantastic match made in hell for your listening displeasure.

As for this album – “Frightmare” is a brilliant tribute to 70s and 80s horror VHS. Each track title is a reference to a classic horror film, such as “Exorcist,” “Phantasm,” and “Street Trash.” Even the title of the album, “Frightmare,” is a classic horror film as well.

But the coldly calculated concept digs even deeper, as the arrangement and composition of each track seems to be directly inspired by the individual films they’re named after. For example, “Spit on Your Grave” sounds like pure sonic inspiration for revenge – a clear homage to the ultra-graphic 1978 classic “I Spit on Your Grave.” Another example is the frantic bass-splattered “Street Trash”, which is reminiscent of the confusing, splatter-gore filled black comedy flick “Street Trash” from 1987.

Overall, this is a fantastic darksynth / horrorsynth album that should absolutely not be missed! So what are you waiting for? Grab a listen below now!

On the face of it, you wouldn’t expect a collaboration album like “Wavefinder” to be so brilliant. Sure, both Sferro and Makeup and Vanity Set (MAVS) have honed their superb synth skills for over a decade – but their production styles are vastly different.

Sferro’s work is decidedly digital, featuring brilliant melodies driven by a disco heartbeat. MAVS, on the other hand, has honed his analog feel – slicing through soundtracks and albums alike with a keen edge of atmosphere.

So, I expected “Wavefinder” to be good – even great, given the sheer experience and quality of musicianship from these two artists. Truthfully though, I also expected some fragmentation – a certain disjointed feeling that is frequently noticeable with similar collaboration albums. It’s a sad fact that often when artists collaborate, there is a clash. Sometimes it’s ego, sometimes it’s production style, or wanting to go in different conceptual directions. Sometimes the final tracks just seem out of order. After listening to dozens and dozens of collabs, I can tell you there’s always something…

“In a lot of ways… the music sort of… tells me what it needs, you know? Then I just sort of let it happen.”

But then, as the first remarkable ripples of “Wavefinder” washed over me, I realized this record is something special. There is no clash – in fact, the opposite is true. The diverse styles of Sferro and MAVS complement one another in a unique way, merging into a gestalt of splendid sonic bliss that neither producer would have likely created on their own. From the initial vox-like trill of ‘Cursors’ to the final 90s-infused ambient decay of ‘Do You Really Want An Answer,’ every track on “Wavefinder” is truly exceptional.

MAVS + Sferro Wavefinder Vinyl From Stratford Court Records

Between syncopated kicks and stuttering hi-hats, there is a tangible atmosphere that pulls you in, demanding your attention. Brilliant polyphonic melodies emerge in perfect counterpoint to thick, juicy basslines – all punctuated by eccentric synth stabs that give the tracks an intense sense of movement and groove. And, of course, all of these elements are masterfully mixed and mastered. All of these different elements complement one another perfectly – much like Sferro and MAVS – and the end result sounds magical.

Throughout the album, there is a pervasive 90s nostalgia feel – which makes sense considering Sferro revealed during our interview that several of the tracks were actually outtakes  “Emotion Engine.”  Often the synth leads or stabs are also just slightly detuned, filtered with the analog wow and flutter warble of a VHS cassette in a very similar technique used in MAVS’ latest EP, “Gradient Ultra.” (Both of those releases made our yearly top 10 lists in 2021 and 2022 – and you should absolutely listen to them if you haven’t already!)

But, for MAVS and Sferro, that lush analog sound was not infused into “Wavefinder” for the often-cited stereotypical reason of feeling “warm” or “fat” – but instead to add a sense of organic decay and randomness. Chance.

“Anytime I can add unpredictability, I’m surprised by what it’s doing…” MAVS related in the same interview. “In a lot of ways, [through analog effects] the music sort of… tells me what it needs, you know? Then I just sort of let it happen.”

Makeup and Vanity Set at Human Music 2

Surprisingly, Sferro also related that although his workflow is digital, chance plays a large role in his production as well. “I can’t really explain it, but it happens to me digitally as well, because my computer sold. Like every render, dude… every render is different.”

“I don’t want to do the typical synthwave stuff anymore. I’ve done that beat and that to death… so the early 2000s, late 90s kind of thing – that’s what seemed attractive to me.” – Sferro

Perhaps most surprising is that MAVS and Sferro had never created together before, in spite of growing up within a few miles of one another in northern Ohio. In fact, the closest they had come to working together was when they both independently created tracks for the Demin’s “Initiate (Remixes)” – which happened to be very important to the genesis of “Wavefinder.”

Demin’s work sounds a lot like a sort of shimmering Com Truise. In fact, when “Initiate” was released, it led many to speculate that Demin may actually be a side project of Seth’s. This rumor is false, of course – as MAVS related perfectly in our recent interview, “…having talked to Seth over the years, I know that he’s into drum and bass and other stuff…. it would be weird for him to just do another thing that sounds like Com Truise.”

In fact, that sound – the Com Truise sound – is quickly becoming it’s own small microgenre called “Datawave,” Similar to how HOME’s work spawned Chillsynth. After working on the Demin tracks seperately, MAVS and Sferro thought that datawave sound would be perfect for “Wavefinder.”

“I didn’t want to deviate in the remix too much from [Demin’s] sound because I liked the sound. I was curious about the ‘datawave’ space…. so I just sort of leaned into that for the remix…and… it felt good. [Later] when I started to dig into the stuff [Sferro] had sent me, it just seemed like the logical progression, like the place to go. You always want to do something that’s exciting to you…and in that moment, that was what was exciting.”

Sferro at Neon RetroFest

But, in spite of finding inspiration in the Com Truise / datawave sound, no part of “Wavefinder” feels pastiche. Instead, the entire sound feels somehow new again – like re-experiencing your favorite movie for the first time. (Or, in my case, my favorite album.) That… genuine feeling – I think that’s what makes “Wavefinder” feel so special. At times it feels like so much synthwave today has been over-produced and polished into nothing but a rose-tinted mirror. It’s so incredibly refreshing to hear two old-guard synth artists creating sounds so new and fresh.

Like I said in the beginning of this review, it’s rare to find a release that reminds me of why I started writing about music in the first place. Those are nice words, sure – but what does that really mean? Well, the reason why I started writing about music was because I wanted to share the music that I loved with as many people as possible – and that sort of sums up how I feel about “Wavefinder.”

I love it.

Top tracks: “Hit Bit,” “Rubber City,” “Memory Screen,” and “Wavefinder.”

Favorite tracks : Homepage, Downtown, Lonely Heart

Corrupt Save ‘Ethernet Cafe’ is out now via Bandcamp.

Favorite tracks : Escaping the Void, Signals

Timecop1983 ‘Multiverse’ is out now via Bandcamp.

Thankfully, the EP’s release coincides with that of a Vapor Edition and Remix album featuring Caspro, Bart Graft, Eyeliner , Xennon and Donor Lens (featured below).

Wether it is for its original tracks or its equally impressive alternate versions, Deuce is a grand slam that you simply shouldn’t miss.

OSC ‘Deuce’, ‘Deuce : The Remixes’ and ‘Deuce: Vapor Edition’ are out via Bandcamp and Spotify via TimeSlave Recordings.

Sensational is the weird kids’ favorite rapper. He is the most unknown, sort of well-known, but not really, abstract experimental vagabond you’ve never heard of. He’s written numerous albums, E.P.’s and features that can be found all over bandcamp.

With “The Pearl”, Sensational delivers his signature brand of stream of thought wordplay and his gruff-gravely delivery layered over Planteaterz’ otherworldly productions.  This is more free-verse than what you’d typically expect from an underground Hip-Hop album. Experimental landscapes and textures layered very well with Chuck O’Bliss’ rhyme patterns. Some of these tracks including the few remixes is mystic circuitry; easily going from garage band Dan the Automator into lush and beautiful weirdness.

Listen to the whole album here
https://naffrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-pearl 

Sensational according to wikipedia:
“His style is often about weed intake or sci-fi based themes. He is known more for his often eclectic collaboration work, having played with the likes of Cardopusher, Kid 606, Handsome Boy Modeling School, DJ Scotch Bonnet, Kouhei Matsunaga, and Spectre. Often quite prolific, but known for brief spells of homelessness, it is not known how much of Sensational’s discography there actually is, as he can often be found selling his music on the streets of New York.”

Also included in this review is the most recent documentary about Sensational

THE RISE & FALL & RISE of SENSATIONAL
https://youtu.be/_qMQ96Bvz18

Favourite tracks: Silvia, For You Baby

BarbWalters ‘Apex’ is out now via Business Casual on Bandcamp.

Late Arcane ‘non-canon’ is out now via Business Casual on Bandcamp.

What lies behind the Iron Maiden like artwork is a fiery full throttle marathon of dark rave songs drenched in horror and Italian giallo slasher influence. There are two cuts that stand out. #6- Blood God and #7Demonic Incantation. Demonic Incantations specifically, is in my opinion, best described as Breakbeats from Hell.

If you are looking for bombastic, hype, tracks for your dancefloor dj sets or industrial anthems for your crime spree, this is the album for you.

BANDCAMP – https://draven1980s.bandcamp.com/
Linktr.ee.com – https://linktr.ee/Draven1980s

Stay classy, stay out of the sun and keep your finger on that REWIND button.

Cobra Wipeout ‘Venom Denim’ is out now on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Favourite tracks: Crosswind, Hiding My Love

Sørcery ‘Runic Collection’ is out now via Puget Sound Collective on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Sheaf ‘Intuition’ is out now via Bandcamp.