Dark '80s

[damnromulans]

80s (-inspired) synthpop with a dark edge that rules.

Similar to...

Depeche Mode
The Mobile Homes
Dead or Alive
Tears For Fears
A Flock of Seagulls

 

[Vossyrus]

I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I'd also be interested in any recommendations.


Have you heard of Mechanical Cabaret? They're not from the 80's but are like a modern synthpop band. If you haven't heard of them, here's a live video for one of their songs - it sounds better on the album though.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16ZFtpYuWJ4&feature=PlayList&p=0BBDD3C629713829&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=33[/ame]

 

[Psychonaut]

Here's an obscure one you may not know. Not sure if this is what you wanted. It's more gothish...

 

[repetitive electronic music]

I don't know much about this stuff but early Human League is probably the most obvious recommendation - they had a much darker edge than the later more poppy stuff. Ultravox, too.

There was a big underground scene for this kind of thing with (wannabe) art school students making music on cheap electronics, typically released on cassette, varyingly referred to as 'minimal wave,' 'minimal synth,' etc, and now there's a bunch of blogs dedicated to unearthing the stuff. It kind of varies with some of it being pop - essentially a budget version of the more mainstream '80s acts like the ones you mentioned - some of it being more austere instrumental synthscapes resembling a considerably more simplistic version of John Carpenter's movie soundtracks or Tangerine Dream. This primer just came out so maybe check out some of the bands on there I guess. As an example of the two styles:



Of course, they were all influenced by Kraftwerk, because everyone is.

 

[damnromulans]

I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I'd also be interested in any recommendations.


Have you heard of Mechanical Cabaret? They're not from the 80's but are like a modern synthpop band. If you haven't heard of them, here's a live video for one of their songs - it sounds better on the album though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16ZF...29713829&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=33

Have not heard of them, will look at this when I get home! Thanks everyone for the recs.

Vossyrus you probably have many of these but these are some of my favorite goth and/or synthpop artists who are slightly lesser known...

Cosmicity (USA, Detroit)
Split Mirrors (REALLY GREAT - Germany)
Melotron (Germany)
And One (really well known but thought I'd state the obvious - Germany)
SCHWARZ STEIN (Japan)
Aural Vampire (Japan)
Soft Ballet (Japan)
Moi Dix Mois (Japan - cheeeeeeeesy goth rock visual kei stuff)

 

[damnromulans]

okay dudes, checked out the links and LOVE them all. I already knew Nosferatu but not that song, Mechanical Cabaret is GREAT, and I really liked the two links repetive electronic music posted.

 

[Caveman Ninja]

Paradise Lost got quite Depeche Mode-ish on One Second, and particularly Host...

 

[metal_wrath]

Sisters of Mercy

 

[Vossyrus]

Have not heard of them, will look at this when I get home! Thanks everyone for the recs.

Vossyrus you probably have many of these but these are some of my favorite goth and/or synthpop artists who are slightly lesser known...

Cosmicity (USA, Detroit)
Split Mirrors (REALLY GREAT - Germany)
Melotron (Germany)
And One (really well known but thought I'd state the obvious - Germany)
SCHWARZ STEIN (Japan)
Aural Vampire (Japan)
Soft Ballet (Japan)
Moi Dix Mois (Japan - cheeeeeeeesy goth rock visual kei stuff)

Actually, I've only heard of And One and Aural Vampire but Moi Dix Mois is the only band I can remember anything from. I don't believe I've heard of the other bands. I'll check them out though. Glad you enjoyed Mechanical Cabaret.

I was thinking, perhaps you might like something like The Danse Society? If you're not familiar with them, they're more of a post-punk/goth band but I believe they were one of the first to incorporate usage of synth in this genre, before bands like Clan of Xymox.



And I know I already mentioned to you that I'm a huge London After Midnight fan. I'm not sure if you already are, but I'm going to post this anyhow

 

[damnromulans]

I like Danse Society AND London After Midnight!

Back in the day I bought the "goth" compilation CDs from Hot Topic, found bands I like now (ex: The Mission UK, Apoptygma Berzerk, Nosferatu, Rosetta Stone) from those. Not entirely useless!

 

[Nightmare_Heaven]

Try some darkwave stuff...The Frozen Autumn, early Clan of Xymox, it's all very synthy, darkwave basically being goth synthpop:










earlier Danse Society too, perhaps:

 

[damnromulans]

LOVE Clan of Xymox (early is better), haven't heard The Frozen Autumn before so thanks a lot!

 

[Psychonaut]

You probably know these guys too but I'll take another stab at it.





And since I haven't seen them mentioned yet:

 

[zabu of nΩd]

I don't know much synthpop, and Cocteau Twins are more "ethereal" than "dark", but seeing as how they're the greatest synthpop band in history I figure they deserve a mention. Here's two of the more relevant songs:

 

[JontRevolting]

Cold Cave are a newish band who are'nt too bad,blatant Joy Division/New Order ripoff but still I don't mind the album(Love Comes Close).

 

[damnromulans]

Keep em coming. I love the Cocteau Twins. do they count as a group who uses glossolalia? My favorite song by them is "The Itchy Glowbo Blow."

 

[zabu of nΩd]

I was thinking of posting The Itchy Glowbo Blow too but it didn't quite seem to fit the thread. Incredible song.

I guess Fraser's lyrics aren't exactly glossolalia since she most likely put some thought into them as she wrote them, but they're still nonsensical for the most part.

 

[Srontgorrth]

Check out french band Asylum Party (which have been called "cold wave"

This song is great imo:



Btw The Armoury Show was pretty good!

 

[Master_Yoda77]

I rec this band too much, but if you like Cocteau Twins you should like this.

 

[damnromulans]

I love everything you guys have posted, especially Asylum Party. I think Srontgorrth and I are joined at the hip when it comes to these sorts of tunes.

I actually didn't have anything by Cause and Effect or Wolfgang Press before.

Dead Can Dance are great too. My favorite song by them is "The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove."