CURSE MACKEY Unveils ‘Imaginary Enemies’, A Darkwave Descent Into Grief & Revelation
Negative Gain Productions recording artist, CURSE MACKEY has just unveiled his highly-anticipated new album, Imaginary Enemies.
Curse's most intense and intimate album to date, Imaginary Enemies is a bleak, beautiful meditation on paranoia, grief, and the ghosts we conjure from within. Imaginary Enemies explores the liminal space between identity and illusion. A darkwave exorcism for the fractured self, it resonates with fans of Clan of Xymox, HEALTH, Skinny Puppy, Gary Numan, Twin Tribes & Cold.
CURSE MACKEY channels the ghosts of self-destruction, martyrdom, and revelation across tracks like "Doomed for Monday", "Time Comes Clean", and "The Kindness of Serpents". His voice drips with urgency, steeped in internal collapse and spiritual trespass. The grief-stricken ache of "Blood Like Love" serves as the album's aching heart: a poetic elegy rendered in grief-soaked melody and lyrical fire. Meanwhile, lead single, "Vertigo Ego" - a track of nocturnal paranoia, asks, “What monsters come after you when you are alone in the dark?”
Blending the raw aggression of early Wax Trax!/90’s era industrial music with cinematic darkwave atmospheres and hard-earned poetic insight, the album unfolds across gritty city streets and the shadowed corners of the mind, where desire blurs with danger and monsters move in silence.
Fueled by modular synths, jackhammer beats, spectral drones, and disembodied spoken word samples, Imaginary Enemies pulses with post-pandemic urgency and late-night mystery. Mackey’s ritualistic vocal delivery cuts like a psychic transmission, charting an intimate descent through fear, ecstasy, and invisible wars within. This is music for the haunted hours: seductive, volatile, and uncomfortably honest.
Imaginary Enemies concludes a trilogy that began with Instant Exorcism (2019) and deepened with Immoral Emporium (2022). Where Exorcism confronted internal chaos and Emporium explored societal decay, Enemies is a haunting culmination, mourning creative and personal losses while reaching for redemption in the wreckage.
Produced by Curse Mackey and longtime collaborator Chase Dobson, Imaginary Enemies features contributions from Jake Garcia (The Black Angels) and Rona Rougeheart (SINE), adding depth and tension to an already immersive soundscape. The result is intimate yet cinematic, insular yet explosively alive.
Imaginary Enemies is Mackey’s heaviest, most deliberate work yet. A fully realized vision carved from shadow and memory. It doesn’t just resonate with the pulse of darkwave, it haunts it. The album is a requiem, a ritual, and a rallying cry for those who live and create in the margins, carrying their ghosts with grace.
Imaginary Enemies is available on CD, vinyl LP and also on digital platforms everywhere including Spotify and Bandcamp.
Today it’s been exactly 38 years since electro-industrial band The Klinik released their second full album Plague (Antler 065 - Release date: 25.09.1987). Originally released as a gatefold vinyl it was re-released again by Antler Records as a bonus CD with the release of the 1991 Time (Antler 5040) album.
Plague, with menacing sounds and engaging songs, can be seen as one of the darkest albums released by the band. Marc Verhaeghen’s uncompromising and unpredictable programming, sampling and synth manipulation revoke apocalyptic visions while the typical, sometimes hissing, sometimes shouting, vocals of Dirk Ivens complete the dark atmosphere perfectly.
Plague (Tracklist)
A1 World Domination
A2 Murder
A3 No Time To Win
A4 Outside
B1 End Of The Line
B2 Pictures
B3 Into Deep Water
B4 Plague
Today it’s been exactly 33 years since Nine Inch Nails released Broken (EP)
Today it’s been exactly 33 years since Nine Inch Nails released its first EP Broken (September 22, 1992). The EP was produced by frontman Trent Reznor and Flood and entirely consists of new material. The synth-pop style from the band's 1989 debut album Pretty Hate Machine was replaced by a heavier sound that would act as a precursor to their second album The Downward Spiral (1994). One of the reasons for this drastic change in sound and style being TVT Records, who had signed the band, pressuring Trent Reznor to record a similar synth-pop album as follow-up after the success of the previous Pretty Hate Machine album. As a reaction to this attempt to interfere with his artistic and creative freedom Reznor secretly started recording with Flood under various monikers to prevent TVT Records from confiscating and releasing their recordings.
In the end, a deal was reached with Interscope Records to release future Nine Inch Nails releases.
The accompanying short movie Broken, filmed and directed by Peter Christopherson (Trobbing Gristle / Coil / …) and based on a scenario by Trent Reznor, was never officially released due to its extreme graphic content but was leaked as a bootleg which became heavily traded amongst fans.
Although the videos were widely censored from television airplay, the song Wish made the band win the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance (1993) while their Woodstock '94 performance of Happiness in Slavery won the same award at the 38th Grammy Awards (1996).
Broken peaked at the seventh rank on the US billboard 200 chart.
The original release of Broken was limited to 250.000 copies and included two bonus tracks on a separate 3" CD including a cover version of Physical, a song originally by Adam Ant, and Suck which Reznor had co-written with all-star industrial band Pigface.
A remix EP titled Fixed (with blue cover) was released late 1992.
Broken (EP)
1. Pionion
2. Wish
3. Last
4. Help me I Am In Hell
5. Happiness In Slavery
6. Gave Up
3" CD tracklist (Bonus)
1. Physical
2. Suck
Earlier this month NIN performed the Broken EP in its entirety on their Cold and Black and Infinite North America 2018 Tour (see video below).
SINTHETIK MESSIAH Sheds Light On The Undercurrent With Beneath The Surface
Louisiana-based "industrial bass" pioneer, SINTHETIK MESSIAH has unveiled their latest EP, Beneath The Surface
Beneath The Surface is a descent into the undercurrent — a raw, unfiltered excavation of the chaos, cruelty, and confusion that define the world we live in. Each track is a spade hitting the dirt, digging deeper into the systems, histories, traumas, and human instincts that keep everything so relentlessly messed up. It’s not about offering answers. It’s about refusing to look away.
Sonically, the EP blends the smoky unease of 90s trip-hop with the rusted edge of 90s industrial — a fusion of broken textures, distorted synths, and dragging, dirt-covered beats. It’s jagged, emotional, and sometimes angry — the way truth sounds when it’s unearthed.
Stream/Buy Beneath The Surface:
https://sinthetikmessiah.bandcamp.com/album/beneath-the-surface
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4e81KOQcZaq4rdh1NhKjh
44 years ago, Soft Cell's version of ‘Tainted Love’ reached the number one position in the British hit parade!
Today, 44 years ago, Soft Cell's version of ‘Tainted Love’ reached the number one position in the British hit parade while it also became the best-selling single of 1981 within the UK. The song also pushed through to the eighth position in the American Billboard Top 100, in which it lasted no less than 43 weeks. It became also a (number 1) hit in most European countries. Although Soft Cell's version was substantially different from the original version, the original version from 1964 performed by the American Gloria Jones, was re-released in the footsteps of Soft Cell’s success. The song was composed by producer Ed Cobb and originally released as a b-side which did not reach the hit parades.
Soft Cell brought the tempo down and replaced all acoustic instruments and electric guitars with synthesizers and drum computers. The song is said to have been recorded in a day and a half, with Soft Cell singer Marc Almond’s first vocal take being used as the definitive vocal track for the single release.
On the 12” release, the song changes halfway to a medley with ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ originally by The Supremes.
The single also announced the release of the Soft Cell debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret. An album that was also released as a video album with the title "Non-Stop Exotic Video Show”, hence the original video clip below. Later, in 1991, a new version was recorded with a video directed by musician / director Peter Christopherson (RIP). The latter also covered "Tainted Love" in 1985 with his cult band Coil. Marc Almond can also be seen in Coil’s video clip.
In 2001, Marilyn Manson also successfully ventured into a cover version of Tainted Love. His version managed to penetrate hit parades almost all over the world, in some countries even up to the top 10.
Meanwhile, more than 1.35 million units of Soft Cell’s "Tainted Love" have been sold!
Tainted Love
Sometimes I feel I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away from the pain that you drive into the heart of me
The love we share
Seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my light
For I toss and turn I can't sleep at night
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh tainted love
Tainted love
Now I know I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away
You don't really want it any more from me
To make things right
You need someone to hold you tight
And you'll think love is to pray
But I'm sorry I don't pray that way
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh tainted love
Tainted love
Don't touch me please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you though you hurt me so
Now I'm going to pack my things and go
Tainted love, tainted love
Tainted love, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Vandaag 38 jaar geleden bereikte Soft Cell’s versie van Tainted Love de nummer één positie van de Britse hitparade en werd het de best verkopende single van 1981 in de UK. Het nummer stootte ook door tot de achtste plaats in de Amerikaanse Billboard Top 100, waar het maar liefst 43 weken stand hield. In de meeste Europese landen werd het een (nummer 1) hit. Hoewel Soft Cell’s versie wezenlijk verschilde van de originele versie werd in de voetsporen van hun succes ook de originele versie uit 1964, uitgevoerd door de Amerikaanse Gloria Jones, opnieuw uitgebracht. Het door producer Ed Cobb gecomponeerde nummer werd oorspronkelijk als b-kant uitgebracht en kwam nooit in de hitparades.
Soft Cell bracht het tempo naar beneden en verving alle akoestische instrumenten en elektrische gitaren door synthesizers en drumcomputers. Het nummer werd opgenomen op anderhalve dag tijd en Soft Cell zanger Marc Almond’s eerste ‘take’ werd als definitieve vocal track gebruikt voor deze single release.
Op de 12” release gaat het nummer halverwege over naar een medley met ‘Where Did Our Love Go’, oorspronkelijk een nummer van The Supremes.
De single kondigde meteen ook de release van het Soft Cell debuutalbum Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret aan. Een album dat eveneens als videoalbum werd uitgegeven onder de titel ‘Non-Stop Exotic Video Show’.
Het was naar aanleiding van deze videorelease dat onderstaande originele videoclip werd opgenomen. Later, in 1991, werd een nieuwe versie opgenomen met een video geregisseerd door muzikant/regisseur Peter Christopherson (RIP). Deze laatste coverde ‘Tainted Love’ ook al in 1985 met zijn cultband Coil. In Coil’s videoclip is Marc Almond trouwens ook te zien.
In 2001 waagde ook Marilyn Manson zich aan een coverversie van Tainted Love en mét succes. Ook zijn versie wist over bijna heel de wereld in de hitparades te penetreren, in sommige landen tot zelfs hoog in de top 10.
Ondertussen zijn er al meer dan 1,35 miljoen stuks van Soft Cell’s ‘Tainted Love’ verkocht!
Tainted Love
Sometimes I feel I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away from the pain that you drive into the heart of me
The love we share
Seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my light
For I toss and turn I can't sleep at night
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh tainted love
Tainted love
Now I know I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away
You don't really want it any more from me
To make things right
You need someone to hold you tight
And you'll think love is to pray
But I'm sorry I don't pray that way
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh tainted love
Tainted love
Don't touch me please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you though you hurt me so
Now I'm going to pack my things and go
Tainted love, tainted love
Tainted love, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
[NL]
Vandaag 38 jaar geleden bereikte Soft Cell’s versie van Tainted Love de nummer één positie van de Britse hitparade en werd het de best verkopende single van 1981 in de UK. Het nummer stootte ook door tot de achtste plaats in de Amerikaanse Billboard Top 100, waar het maar liefst 43 weken stand hield. In de meeste Europese landen werd het een (nummer 1) hit. Hoewel Soft Cell’s versie wezenlijk verschilde van de originele versie werd in de voetsporen van hun succes ook de originele versie uit 1964, uitgevoerd door de Amerikaanse Gloria Jones, opnieuw uitgebracht. Het door producer Ed Cobb gecomponeerde nummer werd oorspronkelijk als b-kant uitgebracht en kwam nooit in de hitparades.
Soft Cell bracht het tempo naar beneden en verving alle akoestische instrumenten en elektrische gitaren door synthesizers en drumcomputers. Het nummer werd opgenomen op anderhalve dag tijd en Soft Cell zanger Marc Almond’s eerste ‘take’ werd als definitieve vocal track gebruikt voor deze single release.
Op de 12” release gaat het nummer halverwege over naar een medley met ‘Where Did Our Love Go’, oorspronkelijk een nummer van The Supremes.
De single kondigde meteen ook de release van het Soft Cell debuutalbum Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret aan. Een album dat eveneens als videoalbum werd uitgegeven onder de titel ‘Non-Stop Exotic Video Show’.
Het was naar aanleiding van deze videorelease dat onderstaande originele videoclip werd opgenomen. Later, in 1991, werd een nieuwe versie opgenomen met een video geregisseerd door muzikant/regisseur Peter Christopherson (RIP). Deze laatste coverde ‘Tainted Love’ ook al in 1985 met zijn cultband Coil. In Coil’s videoclip is Marc Almond trouwens ook te zien.
In 2001 waagde ook Marilyn Manson zich aan een coverversie van Tainted Love en mét succes. Ook zijn versie wist over bijna heel de wereld in de hitparades te penetreren, in sommige landen tot zelfs hoog in de top 10.
Ondertussen zijn er al meer dan 1,35 miljoen stuks van Soft Cell’s ‘Tainted Love’ verkocht!
ORIGINAL 1982 ORIGINAL 1991 COIL MARILYN MANSON
