Author Archives: Trishka Cisnerosian

Happy New Year! Release schedule countdown 2015!

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We’ve decided to do a release schedule countdown for all the releases that came out in 2015 on Mass Media.  Some releases are still available while others are sold out, nevertheless they all have a special place in our hearts.

Masquerade “Blood is the New Black” 12″  officially released around the 1st of the year 2015.

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Photo by our friend David of Transylvanian Flag

Masquerade “Blood is the New Black” 12″ – Masquerade are from Helsinki, Finland they had released a demo in the summer of 2013 that was highly sought after and received some acclaim in modern deathrock circles.  We were super excited to hear new recordings by Masquerade and most people had thought that they had broken up since they went through multiple lineup changes as the lead singer Suzi became known as difficult.  We were happy to hear that they indeed continued on and had what we thought was a great follow up to their demo.  The production value and aesthetic were on point and with Suzi working hard at maintaining a solid lineup and continually touring throughout Europe and eventually the US in late August 2015.

Official music video for “Needle Through a Bug” off their Demo.

Official Music Video for “All Things Hurt” off Blood is the New Black 12″

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Masquerade live in Wroclaw, Poland at Return to the Batcave Festival 2015

For me Suzi is Masquerade she commands an audience similarly to Siouxsie Sioux, the same moves, vocal abilities, and fashion.  Masquerade is no doubt informed by the Banshees and that is exactly what I love about them.  It’s like if the Banshees made a new record and that is precisely why I love this record so much.  It’s also probably why some people don’t like this record or are critical about it.

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Masquerade live in St. Petersburg, Russian 2015

As noted Masquerade toured the Western US in August 2015, they were supposed to play San La Muerte Fest in San Antonio, Tx. and decided not to for logistic purposes.  That was a real shame because they would have been a great fit and the shows that they did play in California were poorly attended unfortunately.  Years ago if a band from Finland was touring the show would have undoubtedly been packed because it was a touring band from Finland.  That’s just not the case anymore, it’s becoming harder and harder to get people to come out to shows, it’s like the movement has gone back to it’s infancy.

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Suzi of Masquerade / Virgin in Veil 2015

The “Blood is the New Black” 12″ was released in Finland on Fight Records and in the US on Mass Media Records.  Limited red vinyl is only available for the US version.   It can be ordered direct through us HERE

Masquerade are still playing and have just finished working on a follow up to the “Blood is the New Black” 12″.  Their new release will be released in Finland on Fight Records and they are currently looking for a US label to release it here as well, so contact them if you want to release it.  Here is the official video for “Panic Paranoia” off their upcoming release in 2016.

You can follow Suzi on TUMBLR HERE

You can follow and contact Masquerade on  Facebook HERE

You can buy Masquerade’s  “Blood is the new Black” 12″ HERE

Next up Sierpien to be continued…

 

 

 

Nikole & Migas of Annex “Top performances of 2015”

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Shadow Age – Richmond, VA

We saw Shadow Age in Richmond, Va. Shadow Age’s performance had the perfect ambiance for their melodic and haunting sound. With just the right amount of fog filled air, they were f*cking (not surprisingly) perfect. Aaron Tyree has such a smooth voice and their set was more of an experience rather than a performance because of their super tight musicianship. Typically, we stray to the harsher side of post-punk, yet Shadow Age was so captivating and real that there is no denying that they easily take out a lot of the post-punk bands emerging in the world right now.

Shadow Age live in Los Angeles at Part Time Punks.

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Cemetery – Chicago, IL

Cemetery played at San la Muerte Fest in San Antonio, TX. As most of us know, Cemetery is one of the best modern deathrock bands in the U.S. Their live performance was amazing to say the very least. The Texas crowd was thirsty for Cemetery and immediately detonated once they started playing. Desmond and Sam kept their guitar sound solid despite all the action. This performance was especially near and dear for us because we got to experience Cemetery with both Tricia and Cameron from MMR. I think we are all still having withdrawals from Cemetery’s set that night and, well, from the entire fest in general.

Cemetery live at San La Muerte fest, San Antonio, Tx.  Photo by Robert Flores “Sullen Serenade”

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I can not agree more, Cemetery seriously blew my mind live.  I had an out of body experience through their entire set.  I just wanted them to play over and over again like for the rest of my life. Do not pass up a chance to see them live.  They are incredibly fucking powerful, best band in US hands down!  – Tricia //

Cemetery “Demo” LP limited screen printed cover

Survival – New York City, NY

Survival played at Latino Punk Fest in NYC during August. We played right before them at LPF’s Post-Punk After Party at around 3:30 am inside of Rudy’s Barbershop. The night had turned into a dance party as soon as the first note kicked in. Survival was refreshing and super killer. Jess P.’s vocals and moves were fresh AF. Survival’s beats and guitar sound were perfect for blazing and dancing in NYC. This was one of our favorite sets at LPF.

Wrung – New York City, NY

Watching Wrung reminded us of what some dark punk / post-punk bands try to do but don’t get quite right. They had well constructed songs and a sound that was catchy yet goth. We hadn’t heard Wrung before we watched them because they hadn’t recorded any material yet but that didn’t matter once they started playing because it was kind of cooler to just get to see them live first. Wrung represented NYC so well. They were gritty, quirky in a really dark way and Steven Raftis’ stage presence was truly intriguing. Wrung has recently recorded so we’re really anticipating hearing the final product. We hope to see more of Wrung in the future.

Muerte – Mexico City, D.F.

Muerte played the main stage at Latino Punk Fest in NYC. Muerte encompasses the raw dark punk sound that’s emerged from Mexico. The intensity of their live performance was just blistering and straight forward. Dark melodies and fast hardcore punk progressions, easily gave the crowd what they had anticipated. They are one of the biggest dark punk bands in Mexico and easily were one of the biggest highlights of LPF 2015.

I want to thank Nikole and Migas for taking the time to contribute their top performances for 2015. There is nothing better than seeing a live performance by a band, their enthusiasm, personality, and depth as musicians can really leave a lasting impact on people.  So with that said, go to shows even if you are tired and it’s cold outside.  It takes a lot of work and effort to play in bands, so lets all support each other.  Our scene is what we make of it!  Please go see Annex if you get a chance, their performance at San La Muerte Fest was one of the best, they brought such power and fury, they are just amazing!  Also, please buy their releases.  Labels can not maintain themselves if everyone is just downloading music, the physical format is everlasting and a true archive.  Annex LP is still available through us and Imminent Destruction Records UK and Annex also has a new EP out on Occult Whispers ran by Dez of Cemetery.  xoxo Tricia

September news 1.0

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Where has the time gone?  Seriously, I feel as though I am still recovering from San La Muerte fest that went down the last weekend of August in San Antonio, Tx.  We came back home to record breaking heat and mounds of work from our day jobs as well as plenty of label work to catch up on.  Anyway, it’s good to be back home and I’m glad we were able to take the time off to go to Texas.  My only complaint really is that I gained like 10lbs back from what I lost before I left for the trip.  Continue reading →