EBM stands for Electronic Body Music. It is more or less (by my own definition) a cross between techno and industrial. It has the dark instramentation and the vocals of industrial, but there are no convensional instraments. The music is all electronic with plenty of samples. I was first introduced to the form of music by my good friends Mark Lachar (plays bass in my band), and John Langdon (who has been working dilligently on his own material), when they made a mix tape for me of a few different bands. Three of the bands on this tape are Apoptygma Berzek, Leaether Strip, and Wumpcut. I liked what I heard so much that I ultimately asked them to make me a few tapes. On these tapes, along with further material from the three aformentioned bands, was a few new bands that I'd heard about from John and Mark but never actually heard. Covenant, Die Form, Evil's Toy, and others were among the bands on these tapes. I will give a brief over view of these bands. I don't know anything about the cd releases, but I will include a link to Isolation Tank Records, where you can order cd's from the web.
COVENANT
Covenant, in a short time has become my favorite EBM band and one of my favorite bands in any form of music. The dark instramentation and the danceable beats gives this music the ability to make you want to dance. I always have to be doing somethng when listening to Covenant, otherwise I'd start dancing. This duo from Sweden has good lyrics too. Most of the lyrics associated with EBM are somewhat boring and cheesy sounding. This is because that isn't what the music is about. But Covenant's lyrics (despite the fact that they speak very broken English) are very insightful. Much of what they say is about the problems in the world. "Theremin", one of their hit club scene singles talks about stopping genocide. My favorite song by Covenant is, "Figurehead." This is an unusual sounding song. It doesn't have that driving dance beat throughout. There are a lot more changes in the song, yet it stays danceable because even though the beat changes somewhat here and there, the tempo remains the same, keeping the song moving. Other noteable songs by Covenant are Speed, Feedback (opener at the show),Stalker, Void and ,Figurehead (music video edit). I got kicked in the head during the song, "Figurehead" at the concert in NYC. They played the Batcave (Downtime) near Penn Station. It was one of the greatest shows I've ever seen. Everyone there was going crazy dancing and jumping up and down when Covenant came on stage. From beginning to end ("Speed"), the show and the people there were energized to the point that the club owner had to ask people to calm down before someone got hurt. I must say that no body listened to him. People flooded the stage to the point that the lead singer had to ask people to leave him room to perform. It was phenominal. I suggest you to look up Covenant and buy a cd of them.
Apoptygma Berzerk
Apoptygma Berzerk is the first EBM band I ever heard. Their music is a step farther toward techno than any other EBM band I've heard. This group from England (don't quote me on that), has a few really awsome songs, and others that don't appeal to me as much. The song entitled, "Love Never Dies" is the first song on the original mix John made for me, and it is the first EBM song I ever heard. The song is very pulsing and very well mixed. I love the Carmina Burana sample in the chorus of the song. My favorite song by Apoptygma is a song entitled, "Non-Stop Violence". My friends consider this to be my anthem. It is one of my two favorite EBM songs (the other being Covenant's Figurehead). I listened to this song all summer in the car on the way to the clubs in the city. It begins with an instramental section that builds up into a verse that could cause you to unintentionally get up out of your seat and move to the beat. THe chorus is like an anthem of EBM music. This song is played all the time in the clubs. Other mentionable songs by Apoptygma Berzerk are Rebel, Deep Red, and the Non-Stop Violence bonus track on the cd. I'd say go out and find something by this band. They are certainly something to be reconned with.
WUMPSCUT
Wumpscut is one of the three or four most popular bands on the EBM scene. They are rough, brutal, and violent in their music and the dance beats are pounding. It is like a powerful mix of hate and sorrow. The lyrics are excellent, and the samples are some of the best in the business. The only problem with this band is that it gets somewhat repetative sounding. Hey, if you repeat something that's awsome, then who cares. This German band (or actually it's one guy), is a band I'd love to see live. The energy of the music is such that it must be the epitomy of a parent's worst nightmare. My favorite song by Wumpscut is called Concrete Rage. It is a killer song with, "Hate my parents" type lyrics. All the vocals are distorted mechanically, and the keyboards are loud and gut wrenching. Other songs by Wumpscut are Mortal Highway, On the Run, Down Where We Belong, and Ain't it Mad Yet?. These are the essential songs to have by Wumpscut. I don't know much else about them except that they have numerous releases for any interested.
Leaether Strip
Leaether Strip is a German ebm band whom uses the best samples of any band in the genre. Their music is danceable (although not heard as much at the clubs as I'd like), and very much intense. The beat grabs you and pushes you to move. The best song by Leaether Strip is entitled "Don't Tame Your Soul". It is the first song I heard by them and it remains my favorite to this day. It encompases all that makes Leaether Strip such a great ebm band. It contains a danceable yet aggressive beat, the sounds are phenomenal, and the samples are of the most fitting and interesting. I suggest to buy the greatest hits called "Retrospective". It has all of the best songs by this ebm powerhouse.
Also, Die Form, Front 242, Frontline Assembly, and Lights of Euphoria are bands to look around for.
Gothic
There are only a few gothic bands for me to mention, but there are many songs for me to talk about that are regularly played at the clubs. So, first I'll discuss the bands, and then the songs.
London After Midnight
London After Midnight is a California gothic band that does their recording in Germany due to the many further opportunities for goth over seas. The music is dark with heavy drum beats (live drummer too), and a sorrowful keyboard-based ambience and atmosphere. The vocals are the best in the business-dark, deep and sad. The lyrics used by London After Midnight are actually a slight parody of the whole goth scene, but not in an obvious manner. They are poetic and anguishing. This band is one of the best in the danceable music scene and only get better with every release. The most recent cd (the one I own) which includes the club hit "Kiss" is a perfectly produced album sound wise. It is mixed to precision. When it comes to goth, London After Midnight is also one of the coolest looking bands.
Switchblade Symphony
Switchblade Symphony is the first goth band that I bought a full legnth cd of. Their music is of the most melancholic I've ever heard. The sounds of the female vocals are extremely sombre, and there is a dark mood to every song. The first release, "Serpentine Gallery" is their best. I heard the newer one and I was impressed, but not utterly astonished as I was when I first heard the former. When I first bought it I listened to it constantly. It is one of the best cd's I've ever heard. I'd suggest you buy it. I was fortunate enough to have my band open for Switchblade back in the summer of 1996. It was one of the greatest experiences ever to be able to play in front of Switchblade Symphony. After we played there were a few more bands and then I got to watch Switchblade and their live show is good. I can't say it's great. There was a programming problem at one point and also there wasn't much going on on stage, but when it comes to goth music, Switchblade has got their act together.
Peter Murphy
Peter Murphy, former front man of original goth band Bauhaus, embarked on a solo career and I have to admit, (and maybe I'm not being a true goth fan by saying this, but) Peter Murphy's solo career makes Bauhaus sound like amatures. I respect Bauhaus because of their contribution to starting goth, and they have a few good songs such as Bela Lugosi's Dead, and Passion of Lovers, but in comparisson, Murphy has blown them away. The one solo album I own by Peter Murphy is entitled, "Deep". It is considered his best by many, and certainly has remained my favorite throughout the years. Cuts You Up, is a huge club hit, and there are mellow songs as well such as Strange Kind of Love, and my favorite on the album Marlene Dietrich's Favorite Poem. This is a killer album, and it is a must amongst any goth fan. Also his newer album is a really great release too, but in comparisson it is blemished by the previous release of Deep.
Virgin Prunes
This is one of the original goth groups from the early 80's along with the Cure, Bauhaus, Alien Sex Fiend, and Sisters of Mercy. The Prunes are extremely bizzar in there music. The lyrics are dark and the vocals are almost rediculous sounding, but in a whole, they are one of my favorite bands. The songs Baby Turns Blue, and Pagan Love Song, are my favorites, and many other people's as well considering how huge they are on the club scene to this day. The biggest problem with the Virgin Prunes, is that their records are no longer made, and are almost impossible to find. The best album is "If I Die, I Die" and from time to time, you hear about a rerelease of it, but it is a rare event, and if you hear about it, good luck getting a copy of it. The best thing to do to find the Prunes would be to a used cd or record store, and hope to find it. It'll be pot luck if you do.
Other Gothic bands to listen to would be:
The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Big Electirc Cat, Corpus Delecti, Love Like Blood, The Chameleons, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Shroud, Incubus Succubus, Bauhaus, and The Wake.
New Wave
I won't be discussing any particualar bands in depth, because most of the new wave bands were one hit wonders. What I will be talking about are particualr songs which have gotten my attention over the years, and I will name the bands responsible for the music.
"If You Leave" by Orchestral Manuevers in the Dark (OMD)is off the Pretty in Pink Soundtrack.
"The Promise" by When in Rome is my favorite new wave song.
"Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds is from the Breakfast Club Soundtrack.
"Rio" is Duran Duran's best song in my opinion. It is off the Rio album.
"Safety Dance" and "Pop Goes the World" are perhaps the happiest songs ever. They are by Men Without Hats, and can both be found on their Greatest Hits release.
"Human" and "Don't You Want Me" are by the Human League, and are easily accesible on their greatest hits.
"Enjoy the Silence" and "Personal Jesus" are two of many great songs by Depeche Mode.
"Voices Carry" by Til Tuesday is one of my all time favorite songs.
"White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself" encompass Billy Idol's best songs. "Cradle of Love" and "Rebel Yell" aren't bad either.
"Brand New Lover" and "You Spin Me (Like a Record)" are the huge club hits by Dead or Alive. Both are on their greatest hits.
"True Faith" and "Bizzare Love Triangle" are great songs by New Order and are both on their greatest hits as well.
"Hold Me Now" by the Thompson Twins is a great mellow New Wave song.
Who can forget "Come on Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners?
"Sex Dwarf" and "Tainted Love" are the best of Soft Cell.