"Love Lasts Forever" is a single by the Irish post-punk band Virgin Prunes, released in June 1986, 39 years ago! This release marked a significant moment in the band's career, showcasing their unique blend of post-punk and avant-garde influences. The Virgin Prunes, known for their theatrical performances and experimental sound, were a pivotal part of the Dublin music scene during the late 1970s and 1980s, contributing to the post-punk movement with their dark, atmospheric music and provocative imagery.

The single "Love Lasts Forever" is a compelling track that embodies the band's distinctive style. It features a haunting melody, driven by evocative lyrics and a moody instrumental arrangement. The song reflects themes of enduring love and emotional intensity, consistent with the band's tendency to explore deep and often unsettling emotional landscapes. The Virgin Prunes were known for pushing the boundaries of conventional music, and this single is no exception, blending intricate guitar work with brooding vocals and a rhythm that captivates the listener.

Upon its release, "Love Lasts Forever" received positive attention from both fans and critics. It demonstrated the band's ability to evolve and adapt their sound while maintaining their unique artistic vision. This single was part of the band's later works, which showed a transition from their earlier, more abrasive style to a slightly more accessible yet still deeply artistic approach. The Virgin Prunes continued to build on their reputation as innovative musicians, and "Love Lasts Forever" remains a testament to their enduring influence in the post-punk genre.

The band members, including Gavin Friday, Guggi, and Dik Evans (brother of U2's The Edge), were central figures in the band’s identity. Their collaborative efforts resulted in music that was as much about the atmosphere and visual presentation as it was about the sound. The release of "Love Lasts Forever" was accompanied by visually striking artwork and performances that were characteristic of the Virgin Prunes' commitment to a holistic artistic expression.

In the context of the band's discography, "Love Lasts Forever" stands out not only for its musical quality but also for its place in the Virgin Prunes' journey as artists. It encapsulates a period of maturation and refinement in their music, where they balanced their avant-garde roots with a broader appeal. This balance is a delicate one, and the Virgin Prunes managed to maintain their integrity and originality without succumbing to mainstream pressures.

The legacy of "Love Lasts Forever" and the Virgin Prunes is seen in their influence on subsequent generations of musicians. Their willingness to experiment and defy genre conventions paved the way for many artists who sought to push the boundaries of music and performance. The single remains a significant piece of the post-punk tapestry, illustrating the depth and emotional complexity that the genre can convey.

In summary, "Love Lasts Forever" is a powerful single by the Virgin Prunes that exemplifies the band's innovative approach to music and their impact on the post-punk movement. Released in June 1986, the song captures the essence of the band's artistic vision, blending haunting melodies with evocative lyrics and a compelling instrumental backdrop. It stands as a testament to the Virgin Prunes' enduring legacy and their contribution to the evolution of post-punk music.

Love Lasts Forever (Track listings)

UK 7" single (Baby 003)

A. "Love Lasts Forever" 4:45

B. "True Life Story" 3:25

UK 12" single (Baby 004)

US 12" single (T&G #15)

A. "Lovelornalimbo" 7:47

B. "I Like the Way You’re Frightened" – 8:25

DISCOGS

BodyBeats Productions, known as the driving force behind alternative events like BIMFEST and various other concert club nights in cities such as Antwerp and St. Niklaas, is proud to breathe new life into an almost forgotten initiative: Dark Demo(n)s. With this project, BodyBeats, in collaboration with Peek-a-Boo Magazine, wants to offer (up-and-coming) musical talent from the dark and alternative scene a unique chance to prove themselves live in front of a curious and open-minded audience.

The name says it all: at Dark Demo(n)s, bands and artists working within genres like darkwave, post-punk, EBM, industrial, and related styles get the opportunity to present their ‘demos’ in a dark, live setting. The concept is simple but powerful: an accessible stage, a high-quality sound system, and an audience hungry for new sounds.

But there’s more: the audience will actually have the chance to vote for which bands will get to open the renowned BIMFEST 2025!

According to BodyBeats, the idea arose from the observation that it’s often difficult for emerging acts in the alternative scene to perform on a professional stage. The organizers and driving forces behind BodyBeats emphasize the importance of this initiative: “With Dark Demo(n)s, we want to support the future of dark music. We all know how important those (first) live experiences are for (young) artists. This is our way of giving something back to the scene that has already given us so much.”

This 2025 and third edition of Dark Demo(n)s will take place at Zaal Togenblik in Beveren. It promises to be an evening of stylistic diversity and a mix of Belgian and international acts.

Dark Demo(n)s is not only aimed at newcomers: the public and bookers are also encouraged to come, listen, network, and discover new favorites. In this way, BodyBeats Productions hopes to create fertile ground for the next generation of alternative artists.

The Dark Demo(n)s bands competing this year for souls, honor, and glory are:

31st Tile – Antwerp, B (Twisted Electro)
31st Tile Facebook

Assfalt – Düsseldorf, D (Noisy EBM-Punk)
Assfalt Facebook

Candid Empire – B (Noise-Death-Industrial)
Candid Empire Facebook

Cryptochroma (Cold/Analogue/Synth)
Cryptochroma Facebook

Der Mussikant – Stuttgart, D (Minimal-Elektronik)
Der Mussikant Facebook

Euforic Existence – Antwerp, B (EBM)
Euforic Existence Facebook

They Feel Nothing– Bruges, B (Dark Wave/EBM)
THEY FEEL NOTHING Facebook

More information: www.bodybeats.be
Dark Demo(n)s 2025 Facebook event

www.bodybeats.be/en/dark-demo-n-s-2025

Darkwave artist, OWLS has announced the release of their debut full-length album, Death Games courtesy of Negative Gain Productions.

OWLS' debut album, Death Games is a haunting exploration of love, mortality, and the fragile nature of existence. Drawing on inspiration from the darker realms of postpunk, goth, and synth-based music, the album crafts an immersive world that resonates with themes of impermanence and the brutality of love. Citing influences from artists like Lebanon Hanover, Boy Harsher & Black Marble, OWLS delivers a compelling narrative of a courtship ending in death, and the tension between love and loss is palpable in every note.

Death Games is an album that captures the melancholy beauty of relationships destined to unravel. It is a journey bound to the shadow of death, ultimately reflecting the fragility of life itself. This is for the dark hearts, the loves lost, the ones looking towards the inevitable end that awaits. Death Games will be available on all major digital platforms on June 6th courtesy of Negative Gain Productions.

Order the album, Death Games on Bandcamp HERE:

https://owls-emee.bandcamp.com/album/death-games

open.spotify.com/artist/360cp9maUrvvqQ9xOfLRaJ

47 years ago, on June 16, 1978, Suicide performed their legendary 23 minutes lasting show at the renowned Brussels music club Ancienne Belgique, as support for Elvis Costello. The live audience recording, originally taped by a friend of the band, Howard Thompson, is not so much a registration of the quality of their actual live performance but it gives an indication of the general public's reaction to this confrontational electronic duo during their early days.

Before Suicide even starts playing booing can be heard from the crowd, indicating that they only wanted to hear the main act, Elvis Costello. Between every song the booing seems to become more intense. After roughly 10 minutes the crowd can be heard chanting "ELVIS! ELVIS!”. Then, after the band has been almost 20 minutes on stage, a loud applause can be heard; someone stole Alan Vega's microphone …

After receiving the microphone back he continues to sing "Frankie Teardrop" a cappella. After even more booing Vega shouts "SHUT THE FUCK UP! THIS IS ABOUT FRANKIE!". A few moments later the band leaves the stage.

That night Elvis Costello played a very short and angry set in which he made no secret of his outrage over Suicide's treatment by the crowd. This incited a riot. The show was cancelled and Vega's nose was broken.

The recording was first released only as a promo in 1978 until it was remastered and released as a bonus track on the band’s 1998 reissue of their self-titled debut album.

21½ Minutes In Berlin / 23 Minutes In Brussels (1978 LP tracklist)

DISCOGS

Today it’s exactly 46 years ago since Joy Division released their debut studio album Unknown Pleasures (15 June 1979) on the renowned label Factory Records. The album was recorded and mixed in only three successive weekends in April of the same year and was produced by Martin Hannet who incorporated a number of unconventional recording and production techniques into the group's sound.

The cover artwork was designed by artist Peter Saville while the centre sleeve depicts "100 consecutive pulses from the pulsar CP 1919" as found by Bernard Sumner in The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Astronomy (See more about the artwork in the video below)

It is the only Joy Division album that was released during lead singer Ian Curtis's lifetime.

Initially, sales of Unknown Pleasures were slow until the release of the non-album single, 'Transmission'. The album sold over 5000 copies within the first week of it's release, 20.000 copies were sold within the first year. However the album did not chart until it was reissued after the suicide of singer Ian Curtis. Then the album peaked at #71 in the UK Album Charts in August 1980 while it reached No.2 in the UK indie charts and spent 136 weeks in the chart in total. Factory Records did not release any singles from Unknown Pleasures,

It has since received sustained critical acclaim as an influential post-punk album and has been named as one of the best albums of all-time by publications such as NME, AllMusic, Select and Spin.

Instead of side A and B the sides were named Outside and Inside.

Unknown Pleasures - tracklist
A Outside

1. Disorder
2. Day Of The Lords
3. Candidate
4. Insight
5. New Dawn Fades

B Inside

1. She’s Lost Control
2. Shadowplay
3. Wilderness
4. Interzone
5. I Remember Nothing

DISCOGS