Track Listing: Taboo, Cassandra, Carousel, The Gate.

I can see the headline now “New York Deathrock originators unearthed by scene resurgence 17 years on.” The Naked and the Dead have all the elements that make this 1985 re-release a must have in every ghouly Goth’s collection. They have that sparse and piercing guitar sound that we all love, a tribal drumming style, female vocals and a fantastic production quality all creating that classic Goth vibe. Having recently reformed with The Brides’ Julia Ghoulia singing you can expect big things from this band in the future.

Track Listing: Haunted, Heaven is a Dark Place, Walk on Fire, Brooder, Lady Twilight, Scary Town, This Cold Abyss, First Kill, Evil Never Dies, Supernatural Serenade, Frightened, She’s a Mystery to Me.

The Hungry Ghost’s self-titled debut LP is sparse and magical. Lyrics tell stories, beats imagine worlds without boundaries, and the words float above it all. At times it does seem Ghost cannot sing at all and then a note pours out right on key. “America is a scary town to get lost in” and I’ll be happy to have Ghost’s music along to comfort me. Order this CD at www.thehungryghost.com

Track Listing: Painkiller, No U-Turn, Loyalty of Liars, Shine, Monsters.

The Mansions are a good old-fashioned Rock and Roll band. We need more music like this in our lives: a little Synth, a little Glam, and a whole lot of rockin’ attitude. This is not your children’s pop music. 2001 Album “Charms for Love & Revenge” is available at www.themansions.tv along with various MP3’s for the upcoming “Loyalty of Liars”.

Track Listing: Misery Turns, The Waiting Game, Solitude, Misery Turns (Spellbound Remix), Misery Turns (Delusional version).

This is Gothic rock the way it should be. Powerful male and female vocals fill this 5 song EP to the brim. Not just another Sisters clone; this band transcends the Gothic label with larger than life songs, driving beats, and an urgent sound. Candia (Inkubus Sukkubus) guest sings on the outstanding title track. Two excellent remixes as well.

Track Listing: Untitled, Obstacle 1, NYC, PDA, Say Hello To The Angels, Hands Away, Obstacle 2, Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down, Roland, The New, Leif Erikson.

“Turn on the Bright Lights” is full of melodic post-punk chords that supposedly remind the critics of Joy Division. But if you ask me, Interpol has found there own, uniquely New York, mix of old and new. Sounding positively pampered by their elders, this group carves a memorable pop river through the sea of mediocrity.

Track Listing: The Fall, End Game, Regrets, Darkest Dream, Last Days, Placebo, Effigy, Failure, Effigy (Caltrops Mix), Effigy (Crematory Mix).

Where has this band been hiding? C137 fits into that new (or rather old) category of Industrial music that is not synthpop. Soft, harsh, danceable, stompable, this album has something for everyone. The standout track, Regrets, should be a dance floor classic. My only complaint is that I hear too many other artists in the samples and loops.

Track Listing: Pandemonium, Instincts of perversion, Untold Blasphemies, Bloodshed, Child’s Eternity, Forgotten Tears, Un Alma Y El Vacio, Twisted Lines, En Otro Lado, Wounds, Callate El Hocico.

With the release of “Signos De Aberracion” Mexico City’s Hocico, formed nearly a decade ago, are poised to finally take America by storm. Just signed to Metropolis records, and heading out on a major North American tour with Haujobb, Hocico sound like the scene veterans that they are. “Signos” is a very mature album with classically arranged pieces fitting in seamlessly with the harder Industrial dance tracks. This is a career-defining album.