Today it’s exactly 36 years ago that Nitzer Ebb released their third studio album Showtime!
Today it’s exactly 36 years ago that Nitzer Ebb released their third studio album Showtime on Mute Records (STUMM 72 / 20 March 1990).
The album has a whole has a very cohesive, uniform sound, despite each song being very unique, ranging from the more EBM-like Rope to the almost Industrial-Rock-ish Getting Closer. Three singles were taken from this album and released separately, Lightning Man, Fun To Be Had and Getting Closer.
Showtime - Tracklist
Getting Closer
Nobody Knows
One Mans Burden
All Over
My Heart
Lightning Man
Rope
Hold On
Fun To Be Had
This month, 44 years ago, Fad Gadget released the 7-inch single Make Room”. It was released in March 1982 on Mute Records as MUTE 012
'Make Room' continues Fad Gadget’s exploration of dark, minimal electronic soundscapes, characterized by sharp, mechanical beats and eerie synth layers. The song’s lyrics critique societal conformity and consumer culture, delivered with Tovey’s distinct deadpan vocals. The B-side, Lady Shave, remains one of his more recognizable tracks, known for its pulsing rhythm and provocative themes.
Like much of Fad Gadget’s work, Make Room was produced with the involvement of Daniel Miller, founder of Mute Records, ensuring its raw, experimental edge. The release came during a time when electronic music was gaining traction in the post-punk and industrial scenes, cementing Fad Gadget’s influence on later acts like Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails.
The B-side, Lady Shave, is one of Fad Gadget’s most striking tracks, featuring a relentless, pulsating rhythm and jagged synth lines. Lyrically, it delves into themes of beauty standards, vanity, and obsession with appearance, offering a biting critique of societal pressures. The song’s hypnotic repetition and raw energy make it a fan favorite and a staple of his live performances during which Frank Tovey often smeared himself with shaving cream while plucking his pubic hairs in front of the audience.
The single remains a cult favorite, showcasing the artist’s innovative use of early electronic instrumentation and socially charged lyricism.
Make Room - 7” Tracklist
A. Make Room 4:01
B. Lady Shave 5:40
On this day, 24 years ago, Ministry released their live album Sphinctour, a collection of tracks recorded on their 1996 world tour in support of the album Filth Pig. This was Ministry’s third solo album, while not their most popular, it does provide a time-capsule moment into the live performance of a band at the height of their powers.
This live performances is absolutely precise and perfectly represents the Ministry full, vast sound of chaos and noise. It is thoroughly un-dubbed, no studio tinkering in the process aftermath.
Recorded direct to the two-track system, this is the sound of Ministers naked and raw, spitting fire under the glare of a spotlight.
The collision of industrial intensity and thrashed- out guitar cranks is enough to unsettle the nerves as the listener is pulled into the world of Al Jourgensen. The real magic to this release is how much better the Filth Pig tracks sound in a live setting, at times transcending the studio release. It may not be for everyone but Sphinctour has become an essential Ministry release.
Track List;
(Complete)
1. "Psalm 69" (Elysée Montmartre, Paris) 5:04
2. "Crumbs" (Congress Center, Stuttgart) 3:54
3. "Reload" (Convention Center, Albuquerque) 2:33
4. "Filth Pig" (Varsity Arena, Toronto) 6:30
5. "So What" (The Warfield, San Francisco) 9:45
6. "Just One Fix" (Aragon Ballroom, Chicago) 4:38
7. "N.W.O." (Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles) 6:04
8. "Hero" (Gaswerk, Hamburg) 2:38
9. "Thieves" (Mercer Arena, Seattle) 5:14
10. "Scarecrow" (Jesolo Beach Festival, Venice) 7:56
11. "Lava" (Dour Festival, Brussels) 8:43
12. "The Fall" (Brixton Academy, London) 8:02
13. "Stigmata" (Roseland Ballroom, New York) 9:14
Track 5 and 13 not included on CD release
Al Jourgensen - vocals, mandolin ("Reload"), harmonica ("Filth Pig"), guitar ("Just One Fix", "N.W.O."), production
Paul Barker - bass guitar, keyboard bass ("The Fall"), production
Rey Washam - drums
Louis Svitek - guitar
Duane Buford - keyboards
Zlatko Hukic - guitar
[Kevin Burke]
Today, 39 years ago, Joy Division released "Licht und Blindheit" (Light and Blindness). Originally released on 18 March 1980 by the French label Sordide Sentimental as a France-only single release. It was limited to 1578 copies and featured the tracks Atmosphere (A-side) and Dead Souls (B-side).
Following the death of Ian Curtis in May 1980, "Atmosphere" was released as a single along with She’s Lost Control.
The single was re-released in 1988 to coincide with the release of the Joy Division compilation album Substance. The video that came with this re-release of Atmosphere was directed by Anton Corbijn.
Copies from the one and only original numbered limited edition pressing have been traded for prices well over €1000 on the internet. So, if you happen to come accros this record on a recordfair, it's more likely you found one of the nine bootleg pressings that have surfaced in the following decades.
Atmosphere - Lyrics
Walk in silence
Don't walk away, in silence
See the danger
Always danger
Endless talking
Life rebuilding
Don't walk away
Walk in silence
Don't turn away, in silence
Your confusion
My illusion
Worn like a mask of self-hate
Confronts and then dies
Don't walk away
People like you find it easy
Naked to see
Walking on air
Hunting by the rivers, through the streets, every corner
Abandoned too soon
Set down with due care
Don't walk away in silence
Don't walk away
(Bernard Sumner / Ian Curtis / Peter Hook / Stephen Paul David Morris)
The Wave-Gotik-Treffen (WGT) returns to Leipzig from 22 to 25 May 2026, once again transforming the city into the global epicenter of dark culture. Widely regarded as the world’s largest gothic festival, WGT brings together more than 150 artists across dozens of venues, spanning genres from darkwave and EBM to neofolk and industrial.
For its 33rd edition, organizers have already confirmed over 130 acts, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks. Among the most notable names revealed so far are industrial pioneers Frontline Assembly, avant-garde legends Einstürzende Neubauten, and darkwave icons Clan of Xymox. The lineup also features fan favorites such as Lacrimosa, London After Midnight, and Suicide Commando, the latter celebrating a 40th anniversary performance.
Additional highlights include Kim Wilde making a rare appearance within the scene, alongside cult acts like Das Ich and Covenant.
As always, WGT promises not only concerts but also a rich cultural program, reinforcing its unique status as a worldwide gathering for the gothic communityYou can order your tickets through the following link:
