This is the story of 2 rogue scientists on a space travelling adventure to save mankind…err, wait, this seems familiar, haven’t we seen this before? Rewind.

Somehow Dr. Mantis Quade survived the VECTORWOLF attack of 1988. He retreated to Venus where he spent the following decades rebuilding his galactic empire. He maintains a totalitarian control through a sentient A.I. known as the Hypervisor which has society locked into an algorithm grid of mindless servitude. This A.I. is housed in a virtual cyberspace known as The Battle Program. Despite this, Quaid is left unfulfilled and wants his old life back. He plans to build a time travel machine that will enable him to return to 1988, rewrite history, restore his beloved original empire, and reconnect with his lost love, Syntrina, an android, who unbeknownst to him is a double agent. In reality, this is an extremely risky endeavor that will likely cause the destruction of the universe.

To power his time travel device, Quaid will need to amass a large quantity of one of the universe’s most powerful resources, Nostalgia Crystals. Quaid’s chosen base, the planet Venus, just happens to be home to the largest Nostalgia mines in the known galaxy.

Our heroes from the last story, the 2 rogue scientists, have spent this time under the control of the Hypervisor and have grown jaded and disillusioned. Thankfully, Syntrina underwent a stealth mission to enter The Battle Program and untether them from the algorithm grid and alert them to Quaid’s potentially catastrophic plan. Unfortunately, their key weapon, the mysterious and immensely powerful “VECTORWOLF” device was badly damaged during the first attack on Quaid back in 1988. To repair this device, the rogue scientists will also need to get their hands on some Nostalgia Crystals. They must travel to Venus and infiltrate Quaid’s base and its Nostalgia mines. Once the weapon is repowered, our heroes can use it to unleash an oscillating wave beam that will annihilate Quaid and his empire once and for all.

Can our heroes mine enough Nostalgia to save mankind, again?

If the band’s plot summary isn’t enough to sell you onto the wild ride that is Forgotten Future 2, I don’t know what is. Perhaps… the fact that the album even features Darksynth-lord Gost and Highway Superstar? Though the album will undoubtedly polarize Retrowave purists, VECTORWOLF’s latest will definitely go down as 2022’s boldest most noteworthy releases. For those about to embark on the rollercoaster ride: strap in tight.

VECTORWOLF ‘Forgotten Future 2’ is out now via Rosso Corsa Records on Bandcamp.

Neoslave ‘Unparallel’ is out now via Lazerdiscs Records via Bandcamp and Spotify.

‘Songs of Love & Death’ – The March 2020 E.P. features  Chaka playing all instruments and vocals (except on track #1 featuring Lady Red Ray on backing vocals) and crafting four very dark, introspective and synth riddled tracks.

I asked Chaka what inspired this album, Ghost Decibels he answered:

This record was inspired by my need to hear some new exciting music that has some emotional content combined with some excitement.

The first track opens up a soft series of tones that lull into comfort before the bass drops and all those familiar feelings of darkness and smokey emotions rush in the moment Chka’s voice speaks his first lines. The vocals are impressive and mixed very well against the driving production with a very new romantic delivery that reminds me of the 80’s bands: DAYS OF SORROW, THE WILD FLOWERS, SKINNY PUPPY, B MOVIE and, dare I say, a hint of George Lamont and Noel. Truly a fantastic opener to start any project with.

‘Celebrate’, the second track, follows after with a very Kraftwerk influenced vibe that carries a slight hint of that NY Freestyle element. Sue me, I can hear a subtle 80’s freestyle vibe on this track.

When asked what were his influences on this project, Chaka replied:

Bands that inspired my were YAZ, Pet Shop Boys, Human League, Joy Division, etc.

All those bands are some of my favorites growing up and essential for anyone looking to get into avant-garde music.

The third track, ‘Get Involved’ is the experimental delight of the album. Feeeling very Vince Clark with lyrics that resonate and permeate the disjointed rhythms .

The final track is ‘Giza Beach’ wtih distorted guitars and hi-claps descending into electro-synth boom baps; this is probably the song I will dedicate to my girlfriend ASAP. Truly dark imagery and isolating imagery highlighted by organs in the distant background. It’s the Candyman slowdance we’ve all danced in our heads when remembering someone, something or someplace. The guitars carry you out and close the E.P. with an abruptness that begs you to want more. more. more.

I recommend this album for anyone in the New Retro or Vapor scene that’s looking for something a lil more left of center and fleshed out than the revolving door of New retro and synth producers saturating the scene. It’s worth your listening ears intrigue and more than worth your dollar.

Go listen to SONGS OF LOVE & DEATH @https://wardancerecords.bandcamp.com/track/something-to-live-for

Until Next week, keep it cool and in house and your fingers on that rewind button.

Rising from the still-warm molten slag of the former Iron Curtain is Molchat Doma with “S Krish Nashih Domov” – simply put, one of the best new albums from this brutal 2017.

Hailing from Minsk, the capital and most populous city Belarus, Molchat Doma is a three piece group featuring the sullen vocals of Egor Shkutko, the endlessly nostalgic synth and guitar of Roman Komogortsev, and the melancholic, inspiring bass work from Pavel Kozlovskiy. Molchat Doma roughly translates to “Houses are Silent,” and “S Krish Nashih Domov” to “From the Roofs of our Houses.”

“S Krish Nashih Domov” or “From the Roofs of our Houses” is a lo-fi, Eastern European take on an expert blend of post-punk, new wave and synthpop – with just a dash of 80’s style darkwave for good measure.

This Molchat Doma sound is a virtuoso mix of dreary Alphaville synthwork, schizophrenic New Order drums with darker, even more reverberating New Order vocals and the most nostalgic strings of The Cure – peppered with a robust personality of all three and steeped in unknown eastern vibes that could only originate from soviet-era synth influences.

This is no exaggeration – almost every track on this album feels iconic in a familiar, but also foreign way. Although it is sung entirely in Slavic, the sad, nostalgic themes still resonate deeply – the sonic accomplishment surpassing language itself.

My top tracks: “doma molchat,” “tishina,” “krishi,” “lyudi nadoyeli,” “technologiya,” “pryatki,” and “ya ne kommunist.” A special thanks to my friend Sklenka, for introducing me to this  fantastic new (old) sound.

COMMUNITY RATINGS