By Keith Walsh
Based on the quantity of new music coming out, the post covid surge of activity has found artists as busy as rabbits. This diverse singles collection, featuring everything from hard punk to pop punk, and even industrial rock, proves that punk rock music takes on a variety of forms.

ON “Break You”
This badass female-fronted band from Toronto plays hard and fast, with catchy melodies and beats wrapped in a tough punkish package. Lucy Di Santo is at the helm, and the new eponymous album from ON features her killer bass work along with the cool riffs of guitarist Steve Fall. Fans of classic hard rock as well as melodic punk will find a lot to love here.
ON Music Official Site
ON at Bandcamp

Londynne’s Falling x Macca Wiles “911”
There’s nothing like a romantic emergency to inspire a song. Two new star acts combine to create this fun and catchy pop punk single. Londynne’s Falling are an exciting new band from Los Angeles, and Macca Wiles is a rising star from Britain. Together, they make magic, with this immediate earworm.
Londynne’s Falling Online
Londynne’s Falling On Facebook
Macca Wiles Facebook

Now After Nothing  “Sick Fix”
With influences across decades of goth, punk and new wave, this Atlanta-based project led by Matt Spatial just released a powerful debut single. Drummer Michael Allen’s live drums give the hook-loaded sound a pounding beat. Mark Gemini Thwaite adds additional guitars. Now After Nothing are looking forward to playing clubs in 2023.
Now After Nothing Links
Now After Nothing Bandcamp

The Bellwether Syndicate “Beacons”
Immaculately produced and catchy as hell, this gritty and moody song comes from  a Chicago band. The Bellwether Syndicate features vox and guitars by William Faith and Sarah Rose Faith. There’s a cool video with wild and dark elements, including goth and Bowie stylings. Yet somehow the song manages to be uplifting.
The Bellwether Syndicate Dot Com
The Bellwether Syndicate On Bandcamp

A Cloud Of Ravens “Nature Of Artifice”
As dark and moody as one might expect from the title, “Nature Of Artifice” sounds best at higher volumes, so the pulsing synth bass can be appreciated. The goth and death rock histories of frontman Nathan McIntosh show through here, and the vocals of his bandmate Beth Narducci are a haunting compliment. “Nature Of Artifice” is from the album Lost Hymns, coming in April, and produced by Jason Corbett, of ACTORS, at Jackknife Sound in Vancouver.
A Cloud Of Ravens On Bandcamp
A Cloud Of Ravens On Facebook

Frenchy And The Punk “Temple Of Sleep”
This New York-based post punk duo delivers a tale of uneasy dreams, with vivid imagery wrapped in a slightly upbeat tune that belies its overall mood. It’s from the recent album Zen Ghost. Samantha Stephenson has a terrific voice and Scott Helland is a master of the guitar. You’ll want to press play more than a few times.
Frenchy And The Punk Dot Com
Frenchy And The Punk On Bandcamp

Cathedral In Flames “Not Another Vampire Song”
Goth music of all kinds is hugely popular as a post punk genre. “Not Another Vampire Song” features lots of spooky atmosphere, with the obligatory reverb drenched instruments, menacing vocals, and in hints of pop stylings in the chord progression, guitars and keyboards. Described as “Czech gothic cowboys,” Cathedral In Flames are a trio from Prague. And despite the humorous lyrics which satirize the goth lifestyle, the overall effect is quite convincingly dark and moody. The latest recordings by the band are produced by John Fryer, who has worked with Nine Inch Nails, Peter Murphy and Fields Of The Nephilim.
Cathedral In Flames Dot Com
Cathedral In Flames On Bandcamp

40 Octaves Below “Dead To Rights” (MetaVersUs Album Remix)
Proving that punk rock songs can consist of electronic beats, this chilling tune from the Vancouver based project is oodles darker than most synthesizer-based music, hence its inclusion on this playlist. Even Trent Reznor (though not Skinny Puppy) might be frightened by the Orwellian nightmare depicted here. Intended as a wake up call to humanity, it’s from the new album MetaVersUs. 40 Octaves Below is the project of Drake Moore.
40 Octaves Below Web
40 Octaves Below On Bandcamp

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