Daniel McCullough (Silver Walks) and Athan Maroulis (NØIR) have issued a new collaborative cover of Cyberaktif’s Wax Trax! single “Nothing Stays”, released September 19, 2025 via Distortion Productions. The four-track digital EP pairs the core version with remixes by S Y Z Y G Y X, genCAB, and KLACK.

The EP features programming by Dan McCullough (Lancaster, PA); lead vocals by Athan Maroulis (New York City); and backing vocals by Valentina Veil (VV & The Void) (Berlin). The whole was mixed by Dan Evans (Die Warzau) in Los Angeles and mastered by Eric Oehler (KLACK) in Madison, WI.

The Cyberaktif original appeared on Wax Trax! in 1990 and later on Artoffact’s expanded “Tenebrae Vision” edition.

About NØIR

NØIR is the New York City project of vocalist Athan Maroulis (ex-Spahn Ranch, Black Tape for a Blue Girl). The project debuted with the single “My Dear” in late 2012 and the album “Darkly Near” in 2013 on Metropolis Records. Subsequent releases include the EP “The Burning Bridge” (2016), the EP “A Pleasure” (2019), the single “Just Fascination” (2021), and the EP “Fallen” (2023). A remix anthology, “The Best of the Remixes,” followed in 2024.

About Silver Walks

Silver Walks is the project of Daniel McCullough, based in Philadelphia. Early output included singles and the EP “Songs of Love and Hate” (2019). The project signed to Distortion Productions for the full-length “Various Positions” (2022), mixed in part by John Fryer, with mastering by Eric Oehler. The project blends synthrock, EBM and industrial elements.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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The Russian White joins Distortion Productions for their new album “Funeral Art” that has just been released, featuring mixing and production work by Tim Heireth of silver walks.

The Russian White vocalist Tom Rhymer says, “I feel like this is our most pure TRW album where Mike and I didn’t have to make any compromises. We have a good mix of club bangers and cinematic and emotional tracks here.”

The Russian White is a dark electronic and deathwave band based in Pennsylvania, USA, formed in 2011. Known for blending genres such as post-punk, synthwave, and witch house, the band has a distinct, haunting sound reminiscent of 80s horror film soundtracks. Their music often features electronic beats, eerie atmospheres, and lush vocals, telling stories of obsession, beauty, and the unknown.

The band gained recognition with their debut self-titled album in 2015, followed by their sophomore release “The Haunted Beach” in 2019. They have also contributed to various compilations and performed alongside acts like Aesthetic Perfection and Thrill Kill Kult.

Look for The Russian White on tour with Solemn Shapes. Read the review of ‘Funeral Art’.

The Russian White – Art of Darkness Tour 2024 (w/Solemn Shapes)

• 10/10 Rochester, NY – Bar Bad Ending
• 10/11 Pittsburgh, PA – Cattivo
• 10/12 Youngstown, OH – Westside Bowl
• 10/13 Chicago, IL – Fallen Log
• 10/15 Iowa City, IA – Gabes
• 10/16 Madison, WI – Crucible
• 10/17 St. Louis, MO – – Mosh Mellow
• 10/18 Cincinnati, OH – Oddfellows (No Shapes)
• 1018 Bloomington, IN – Gallow Dance (No TRW)
• 10/19 Indianapolis, IN – Longshot (No TRW)
• 10/20 Memphis, TN – Growlers
• 10/22 Dallas, TX – Renos
• 10/23 San Antonio, TX – The Mix
• 10/24 Houston, TX – Black Magic Social Club
• 10/25 New Orleans, LA – Dark City Fest
• 10/26 New Orleans, LA – Dark City Fest
• 10/27 Atlanta, GA – Boggs
• 10/28 Charlotte, NC – Milestone
• 10/30 Lancaster, PA – Little Mutants (No Shapes)
• 11/10 Millersville, PA – Phantom Power (No Shapes)

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Genre/Influences: Industrial-Pop, Electro, Experimental, Chanson.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Black Spaced dust & Memories” is the new album by the duo Martin King (Test Dept.) – Roberto Soave. They invited singers Frankie Nardiello aka ‘Groovie Mann’ (My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult), Jared Louche (Chemlab, Prude), Steven Archer (Ego Likeness, Stoneburner), Coral Scere (Scere, Silver Walks), Cat Hall (Dissonance), Daz Sharp and Melodywhore. Side-Line previously covered the album’s announcement in a news article listing the full Dogtablet discography.

Content: This album covers a wide range of influences which have been mainly carried by Industrial sound treatments and slow rhythms. It’s quite surprising discovering Chanson and Minimal-Pop driven by Industrial sound treatments. Dogtablet brings different genres together, sometimes connecting totally unexpected elements with each other. I also noticed several sensual passages because of the deep vocals and cadence. It might appeal to lovers of Massive Attack. I don’t know if the last cut “Back To Black” might be seen as a free, instrumental, adaptation of the famous Amy Whinehouse song but it clearly sounds like a cool wink.

+ + + : This album took me by surprise. It took me a few seconds to realize I was listening to something totally different from what I’m used to. The dark sound treatments and Industrial sphere caught my attention -so you’ll not be surprised that a Test Dept. member is hiding behind this project. But I’m totally devoted to this creative process revealing a brilliant and challenging approach. It sounds minimal and somewhat inhibited on one side but also features heavy, blasting, Industrial sound treatments on the other side. There also is a very nice selection of vocalists which really adapted themselves to the music. I definitely like the Massive Attack inspired “Fall Panic” feat. Jared Louche but also “Tar Pit” feat. Daz Sharp, “Profiler X&Y” feat. Melodywhore, “These Remains” feat. Steve Archer and the already mentioned, instrumental, “Back To Black”.

– – – : The single cut that couldn’t convince me is “The Dreamer” feat. Catt Hall. This one sounds as if there’s no real match between music and vocals.

Conclusion: This work sounds totally out of the box but it’s the kind of challenge I fully support; original and efficient featuring a few beautiful cuts.

Best songs: “Fall Panic”, “Tar Pit”, “Profiler X&Y”, “These Remains”, “Back To Black”, “Even & Only”, “Desire”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Dogtablet

Label: www.distortionprod.com / www.facebook.com/distortionproductions

About Dogtablet

Dogtablet is the London-based industrial project of Martin King, formerly of Test Dept and Pigface, working here with Roberto Soave. According to Side-Line’s prior coverage, the project’s discography runs from “Outlaws & Strays” (2017), “Double Thirty” (2018) and “Feathers & Skin” (2019) through “Muscle & Bone (The Remixes)” and “Tales From The Outlaw” (both 2020) and “Pearldrop Blue” (2021), all self-released, before “Feathers & Skin/Pearldropblue” (2022) and the current album moved to Distortion Productions.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Minimal-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: The new EP byNøir is dedicated to Dave Hechman -Metropolis Records owner who passed away last year. Athan Maroulis got a helping hand from Erik Gustafson who produced the songs.

Content: “Fallen” is a danceable piece of Electronic-Wave/Pop mixing subtle sound arrangements and the deep, charismatic voice of Maroulis. The track has been remixed into vintage sound treatments by Paradox Obscur but also by Silver Walks. There’s also a ‘female’-edit featuring Kai Irina Hahn (The Sedona Effect). Next comes a cool B-side track plus a surprising, acoustic, cover version of Psychedelic Furs’ “Love My Way”.

+ + + : “Fallen” is a great song and the right title track for an EP. It’s a well-crafted piece of electronics empowered by guitar play and the unique singing of Athan Maroulis. Among the remixes I like to mention the old-school version of Paradox Obscur and the “Femme Mix” with female vocals. The cover version of “Love My Way” is clearly reminds me of the original version but it also has a minimal, graceful, touch reminding me of Thomas Dolby. 

– – – : I can’t really say the remixes of “Fallen” are adding a real bonus to the original song.

Conclusion: “Fallen” is for sure my favorite Nøir-song and I can only hope we’ll get more stuff like this soon.

Best songs: “Fallen”, “Fallen – Paradox Obscur Remix”, “Love My Way – Acoustic”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/NOIRmetropolis

Label: www.metropolis-records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords Read the news on ‘Fallen’.

About Nøir

Nøir is a revolving-lineup project conceived and fronted by vocalist Athan Maroulis, also known for his work with Spahn Ranch and Black Tape for a Blue Girl. The project released its debut album, “Darkly Near”, in 2013 on Metropolis Records, featuring Maroulis alongside Jamie Parganos and Kai Irina Hahn. Contributors over the years have included guitarist/producer Erik Gustafson, cellist Rebekah Feng and keyboardists Daniel McCullough, Dave Borsky and David Budet. Nøir’s remix output was compiled on 2024’s “The Best of the Remixes”. The “Fallen” EP followed in 2023, produced by Erik Gustafson and dedicated to the late Metropolis Records co-founder Dave Heckman.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

(Photo by Mandi Martini) Formed in New York City by Athan Maroulis, formerly of Spahn Ranch and Black Tape For A Blue Girl, NØIR launched its debut album “Darkly Near” followed by a remix album the following year, plus four subsequent EPs that have included at least one cover of a classic glam/new wave/goth rock song from the 1970s or 80s. All have been released on Metropolis Records.

Together with regular collaborators that include Erik Gustafson (guitars) and Kai Irina Hahn (keyboards), Maroulis began working on what would eventually become the brand new “Fallen” EP in late 2019, but the pandemic forced a lengthy delay in its recording. Then, as the Covid crisis lifted, the death of Metropolis Records founder and mastermind Dave Heckman further impeded its progress.

Eventually, the song “Fallen” was completed and remixed by Greek duo Paradox Obscur and the US artist Silver Walks, with the former making a black and white video for their version that is premiered today. The EP also includes “Fallen (Femme Mix)”, with vocals by Kai Irina Hahn, plus a new song entitled “Death Is Easy”. Also included is a cello-laced version of “Love My Way” by The Psychedelic Furs.

The EP itself is dedicated to Dave Heckman.

Here’s the video for “Fallen (Paradox Obscur Remix)”. Read the review of ‘Fallen’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Out via Distortion Productions is the all new album by the London-based industrial act Dogtablet, “Black Space Dust & Memories”. Behind Dogtablet we find Martin King who was a member of the legendary industrial band Test Dept. as well as Pigface.

This time, Martin has enlisted the vocal talent of Frankie Nardiello (Groovie Mann from My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult), Jared Louche (Chemlab & Prude), Steven Archer (Ego Likeness & Stoneburner), Coral Scere (Scere/silver walks), Cat Hall (Dissonance) and more. The album also holds Roger Ebner on sax (“Diamonds”) and Phil Moseley on guitars (“Ashes”).

“Black Space Dust & Memories” is out on compact disc as well as through all digital and streaming platforms.

Check out the “Down in Flames” video below.

For the fans, here’s the discography so far from Dogtablet.

• 2017: “Outlaws & Strays”, Self-released
• 2018: “Double Thirty” , Self-released
• 2019: “Feathers & Skin”, Self-released
• 2020: “Muscle & Bone (The Remixes)”, Self-released
• 2020: “Tales From The Outlaw”, Self-released
• 2021: “Pearldrop Blue”, Self-released
• 2022: “Feathers & Skin/Pearldropblue”, Released by Distortion Productions
• 2023: “Black Space Dust & Memories”, Released by Distortion Productions

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Genre/Influences: Industrial, Dark-Electro, Dark-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: We welcome the debut album of American project Silver Walks. Guest singers Stella Soleil, Eva X, Coral Scere + Tim Heireth and Marc Heal (Cubanate) contributed to the opus.John Fryer did the mixing.

Content: This work covers different influences, which have been masterly adapted into a very own creation. Most of the songs are powerful and mainly carried by Electro-Industrial sound treatments, but there’s also a pop touch emerging now and then. Most of the songs are cold and danceable. The different vocalists are adding diversity to the work; from pure sensuality to total rage.

+ + + : This is a well-crafted work with a very own approach. I like when a band is trying to do things a different way. The contribution of different singers brings different accents to the work, but I have to admit I remain impressed by the violence and rage by Marc Heal singing on “In Consequence”. This song is comparable to Industrial-Pop music. Another great cut is “Mirrortowne” featuring Industrial guitar riffs and cool electronic sequences.

– – – : There are no major minus points, but I got the feeling this project has the potential to do even better. But it’s a successful debut!

Conclusion: Distortion Productions has a nose for interesting, new, artists and Silver Walks definitely is one to keep an eye on.

Best songs: “In Consequence”, “Mirrortowne”, “Tear Me Down”, “Albatross”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: http://silverwalks.net / www.facebook.com/silverwalks

Label: www.distortionprod.com / www.facebook.com/distortionproductions

About Silver Walks

Silver Walks is a Philadelphia-based (USA) act blending EBM, industrial music, electronic psychedelia, punk and analog noise. The project’s debut LP “Various Positions” was mixed by John Fryer, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward and Depeche Mode.

The album was preceded by the single “In Consequence”, featuring guest vocals from Marc Heal of Cubanate, and was released on Distortion Productions, reviewed here as the project’s debut full-length.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Future-pop, body-pop. 

Background/Info: Silver Walks is an American solo-project driven by Daniel McCullough. I found out that a single (cf. “Tidal”) got released in 2017 while this EP is preceding the debut album planned for the end of the year. 

Content: It’s not that easy to define the precise ‘style’ of this project. I clearly noticed some future-pop elements, but also more minimalistic parts and punching electro-pop. The EP features 5 songs plus 2 remixes by Solve and Alizza (from Vore Aurora). 

+ + + : One of the main strengths of this EP clearly appears to be the strings injecting a melodic touch to the work. I like the opening cut “Rearview (Adrienne’s Mirror)” for its future-pop approach, but still the more minimalistic “Black Doves” is worthy of examination. If you want to label Silver Walks as ‘pop’-like it for sure has something atypical and that’s precisely what I like in the icy sound treatments emerging at “Timebomb”. The remix of “Black Doves” by Solve is a dark and interesting cut. 

– – – : One of the few, but essential aspects that hurt at a few songs (and especially at “Our Season On Fire”) is the production of the vocals. 

Conclusion: Silver Walks appears to be a formation with an interesting approach and good ideas, which I hope will serve as basis for the debut full length (which must be probably achieved in the meantime). 

Best songs: “Black Doves”, “Rearview (Adrienne’s Mirror)”, “Black Doves – Solve Remix”. 

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.facebook.com/silverwalks 

Label: www.distortionprod.com / www.facebook.com/distortionproductions

About Silver Walks

Silver Walks is the solo project of Daniel McCullough, based in Philadelphia. A single, “Tidal”, appeared in 2017 ahead of the “Songs Of Love And Hate” EP reviewed here. The project later signed to Distortion Productions for the full-length “Various Positions” (2022), mixed in part by John Fryer and mastered by Eric Oehler. In September 2025, McCullough paired with NOIR’s Athan Maroulis for a collaborative cover of Cyberaktif’s “Nothing Stays”, also issued on Distortion Productions.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

In honour of the 20th anniversary of the first volume of “The Unquiet Grave”, Cleopatra Records presents “The Unquiet Grave 2019”, a compilation that features 25 international Post-Punk, Goth, Industrial, Darkwave and Experimental artists from across the dark music spectrum.

The label’s original concept behind “The Unquiet Grave” varied from other Cleopatra compilations they completed such as “The Goth Box” (1996) as well as “The Black Bible” (1998), that included legacy acts such as Bauhaus, Virgin Prunes and Legendary Pink Dots along with a variety of up-and-coming bands. On the other hand, “The Unquiet Grave” (1999) exclusively featured new artists that deserved the opportunity for exposure to a larger audience. That original 1999 edition would include such bands as Bella Morte, Diary of Dreams, Android Lust and Rhea’s Obsession, to name a few.

“The Unquiet Grave 2019” applies the same formula as that original volume by showcasing 25 artists that equally deserve your attention. “The Unquiet Grave 2019” will be available on June 14th via all digital and streaming outlets.

The Unquiet Grave 2019 features: The Ink Bats, Social Station, The Sedona Effect, Antidote for Annie, Silver Walks, New Zero God, The Long Losts, Schedule IV, Hypofixx, Lorelei Dreaming, Fear Incorporated, Metamorph, Angel Metro, Abbey Death, The Drowning Season, May May Graves, Red Lokust, Acclimate, Traumabond, ENGRAM, Tragic Impulse, Spider Lilies, RCH IV, Dreamchild, Moss Garten.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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