NYC Gothic rock act mtf8 is getting closer to the end of the tunnel on the new album, Visions. Moving slowly he has created slightly wavering soundscapes that come close to ambient to post-rock. The sound of the '80s synth-driven post-punk boom - most notably early Depeche Mode, the Sisters of Mercy and New Order - has always been a huge influence. Tragedy is a better source for writing memorable lyrics than happiness and asking questions -"Why am I talking to strangers?" (Burning Visions) without a "right" answer is far more interesting.
His vocals are more upfront on this release, as a sign of growing confidence, and the use of shifting rhythms and off-kilter beats make the listening experience more adventurous. Even when a relationship has gone South, he looks back on it with fond memories, stating that he mostly longs for the ritual dance of attraction and seduction (The Game).
NYC Gothic rock act mtf8 has made a video for his cover of the Christian Death track Cavity, the opener of that band's classic debut Only Theatre of Pain. He used mainly B&W footage of himself, with slowly moving coloured smoke and lit candles to add dabs of colour. It is the sole cover on his new EP Momentum: "The music (...) moves slowly, but can't be stopped. It is best to ride the wave, wondering if it will crash of keep going for a bit longer".
HCTF review of Momentum.
At first NYC Gothic rock act mtf8 considered unveiling the tracks of his new EP Momentum as separate singles, but on seocnd thought he did not want the hassle of getting the word out five times in a row. In hindsight releasing them in one big swoop actually make more sense, because all the songs share the same emotion: getting out from under a dark cloud. The bass aims for the gut and the vocals go straight for the brain, making it an intense listening exercise. Once again producer Charlie Nieland was on hand to play bass and lead guitar.
Bookended by the two parts of the rather optimistic of Purity the darkness is the deepest in his cover of the Christian Death track Cavity. The spoken words are almost buried in the staric electronics of Submotion, acting as persuaders. The music on Momentum moves slowly, but can't be stopped. It is best to ride the wave, wondering if it will crash of keep going for a bit longer.
Way back in 2006 NYC Gothic rock act mtf8 considered recording a cover of Too Much Time On My Hands, a song by the rather uncool prog rock band Styx. It is seemed weird to do so, but fast-forward to 2020 and with the aid of his producer Charlie Nieland he transformed into a monolithic synth rocker that will be liked by fans of Nine Inch Nails and the Sisters of Mercy.
NYC Gothic rock act mtf8 has released Regress, the second part of an EP trilogy. The groundwork for these tracks was laid many, many years ago, but life got in the way and the project came to a standstill. The successor of Rebirh finds him in the darkness, slowly making his way back to the light, with Goddess dedicated "to the one who tried so hard to rescue my former self."
With wall-to-wall synths and surprisingly gentle piano as the main instruments the tracks were once again recorded with Charlie Nieland acting as producer. It is a true labour of love that took quite some time to fully develop while they worked hard @ Capture Sound Studios in Brooklyn to create a the moods and sounds they were striving for. All that hard work paid off in spades. Regress is bleak and beautiful, the vocals sounding more confident (Nineties Bowie comes to mind). Demons are faced, good and bad memories pop up, and traumas are exposed.
NYC Gothic rock act mtf8 and his producer Charlie Nieland sat down with Rob Prichard, of Brooklyn Bandstand, to discuss the Rebirth EP and coming back to music after such long time. They are currently on the next EP, Regress, the second of the projected trilogy.
HCTF review of Rebirth.
NYC Gothic rock act mtf8 came out of hibernation with the release of the splendid single The Smile, a stand-alone front-runner for an EP trilogy. The frist one, Rebirth finds him blinding a the daylight and being a little scared as well. the bad stuf that drove him into hiding is still lingering in his mind, but his unspecified fears are now under control. He now has the ability to turn weaknesses into strengths.
The heavy-handed Eighties sound of bands like the Sisters of Mercy and Bowie in Berlin phase are obviously a huge sources of inspiration, with NYC go-to shoegaze musician and producer Charlie Nieland having his back. They are already working on the next one. a decade of forced silence has ended and all those ent-up energy can't wait to be used.
NYC Gothic rock act mtf8 lay low for more than a decade, but will return with a projected series of three EPs. For now the single The Smile is an indication about what's in store: dark and understated post-rock that will appeal to fans of The Mission. Produced by Charlie Nieland, who also played bass and synth guitar, the song is about hope and starting all over.
