In an age dominated by sterile algorithms and the relentless march of artificial intelligence, genuine human creativity has become a form of radical resistance. Lux Mala, the artistic alias of Nathalie Astrada, embodies this rebellion with her first remix album, “COVEN,” an ambitious global collaboration uniting 21 artists from 18 different countries, including the artist that made the cover art.
Astrada explains. “This is a project that I’ve been working on since last year, when a few artists did remixes of some of my songs.”
“Impressed with the results, I decided to develop a concept that will show that in this community, the artists are united, and it gives me the feeling that in art, boundaries do not exist,” she says. “While we are living in periods of hate, wars, greed, and egocentricity, this international group of artists decided to use their knowledge, skills, time, and dedication, to create something new from my material.”
Astrada’s vision was to bridge gaps among independent artists around the globe, highlighting their unique voices and fostering mutual inspiration. “A few artists are doing this for the very first time and that is magical.” She explains.” I believe in the power of music, and I hope that by sharing a little of my world with them, I can generate inspiration for their own music, while also giving the fans of each artist the chance to discover new music and interconnect.”
“Another important point is that we are living in strange times, where new technologies are making most of the independent artists struggle,” Astrada notes. “But if there is something that I’m very sure of, it is that an artificial intelligence will never be capable of making a remix like the ones you are about to hear, because the human soul is needed to give something unique between an original version and all the experience and magic that another artist could bring.”
Thus, “COVEN” emerges as a celebration of diverse artistry and unified collaboration. “There is variety in sound, subgenres, cultures, experiences, languages and ages throughout the album, that’s why I decided to call it ‘COVEN,'” Astrada elaborates. “Because, in my eyes, we are a group of witches and warlocks using music as magic, synthesizers as spells, tribal drum machines, ritualistic basses and poisonous guitars, sharing and celebrating the gift that music gives us.”
Astrada envisions the album promoting creative synergy rather than competition. “I really hope this album will show that it is better to be inspired by each other than to compete and that as a community we are united and we are strong,” she affirms.
Each remix was thoughtfully crafted by the contributing artists themselves, preserving their distinct sonic identities. “I wanted to mention that all the artists sent their remixes mixed by themselves, to respect their own sound,” says Astrada.
Supporting the creative vision were Chilean sound engineer Pablo Abatte, who mastered and leveled all tracks, and Swedish digital artist Valle Gren, who produced the promotional visuals. “This album also had help from my sound engineer, Pablo Abatte (Chile), who mastered the unmastered tracks and leveled all the volumes of each song, leaving every track equal to the others, and Valle Gren (Sweden), the digital artist behind the pictures and videos to promote each artist,” she concludes.
“So this is a clear example of talented humans controlling machines, instead of machines controlling humans.”
About the Remixers:
Andrés Ruiz (Argentina) remix “Vamos a la Luz”
Andrés Ruiz is an Argentine musician and producer known for his significant contributions to the avant-pop scene. He has released ten albums as a solo artist and collaborated with numerous artists, primarily from Argentina and Mexico, showcasing his distinctive songwriting and singing style.
The Spoiled (Italy) remix “Catacumba”
The Spoiled is an Italian modern darkwave band based around the solo work of Giovanni Santolla, combining industrial-inspired metallic percussion, distorted synths, hazy guitars, and ethereal vocals drawing from darkwave and shoegaze influences.
When I Die (Brazil) remix “Dead Man’s Lullaby”
Born in São Paulo, When I Die strongly recaptures the sound of the classic gothic style of the bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s while firmly bridging the gap with the movement’s new trends. WID manages to blend its original gothic sound with metal, post-punk, and rock ‘n’roll. The band has been recognised in various national media and outside Brazil and has played busy shows in São Paulo.
Caomancia (Puerto Rico) remixes “Toxicidad”
Caomancia is a Puerto Rican duo band created in 2022. The original members are Danelys Santiago (“formerly known as Venus Lament” and Post-Nuclear collaborator) and Christofer Colón (Lyrics/DJ/Backup Vocals). Their music is a mixture of Darkwave, Dark-electro industrial, and sometimes EBM or Witch House.
Slichtnacht (Mexico/Argentina) remixes “When I’m Lonely”
Slichtnacht is a project of Industrial music combined with Techno and Rave, founded by Signo Slichtnacht in Mexico in mid-2021, joined by Argentine producer Rex Core in late 2023. Their sound evolved from Dark Electro, Aggrotech, and Synthpop experimentation into more danceable, energetic rhythms.
Lestan Indigo (Estonia/Russia/USA) remix “Lux Mala”
Lestan Indigo is a Russian-American poet, composer, and musician, born April 3, 1992 in Kohtla-Järve, Estonia. His baritone voice delivers lyrics on melancholy, mortality, love, and nature, blending post-punk, new wave, dream pop, and gothic rock. As a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, he composes, writes, and produces independently.
Pablo Casadey (Argentina/Denmark) remixes “Ambivalencia”
Pablo Casadey is an Argentine/Italian musician and producer based in Denmark. He’s played in bands including Muñeca Galáctica, Hexe, Venus in Noise, Boom Boom Kid, DDT, Scum Babies, Lego, Revanche, Pirates Lovers, Diosque, Farsa Realidad, and Stalker Spleen. A multi-instrumentalist and composer, he explores post-punk, Dark Wave, garage rock ’n’ roll, alternative, and techno-punk, and DJs vinyl.
Distant Stares (Finland) remix “Rather Be Alone”
Created by Lassi Salminen in 2022, Distant Stares emerges as a soul-rending combination of gothic rock, post-punk, darkwave, and synth-pop, channeling bleakness while celebrating melodic richness.
Blood Desire (Spain/Portugal) remix “Apocalypse”
Blood Desire is a Madrid-based duo of musician John Saints and singer/actress Barbara Banu. They blend Post-Punk, Gothic Rock, and Dark Wave/Industrial to explore a wide range of emotions and sounds.
KNVLV (Kazakhstan) remix “Dead Man’s Lullaby”
Konovalov Artem Evgenyevich is a multigenre artist and producer whose tracks range from melancholic lyrics to powerful dance-metal, balancing instruments, space, and melody.
Suzi Sabotage (Finland) remix “Serpiente”
Dubbed “the Finnish siren,” Suzi Sabotage creates wintry, danceable, dark, coldwave with synth-punk and neofolk elements (kantele). Signed to Out Of Line Music.
Diverje (USA) remix “When I’m Lonely”
Formed in 1996 by Tommy T Rapisardi (Albuquerque), DIVERJE blends Electro-Industrial, Metal, EBM, and Aggrotech across 14 albums and 30+ releases. Still active in 2025 mixing EDM, Industrial, Aggrotech, and Metal.
Exorcisor (France) remix “Me Tengo que Escapar”
An electronic project blending gothic, post-punk, and rock with visuals inspired by ’70s/’80s horror films and a darker synthwave vibe.
Ultimate Soldier (Russia) remix “Mentiras”
Since 2009, influenced by Electro-Industrial acts (Novakill, T.A.N.K., Funker Vogt, etc.) and ’90s cyber-punk films.
Retrograth (Sweden) remix “The Line”
Post-punk, dark gothic electro artist inspired by analogue circuits, philosophy, and science, with 200+ radio shows in 20 countries and top-10 charts in Germany, Mexico, and the USA.
Entropía Psicótica (Mexico) remix “Toxicidad”
Founded in 2013 in Ixtapaluca, State of Mexico, by Lura Dyzert (joined by Schmerloz Anima). The project develops Dark Electro, Aggrotech, and Hatelectro, with lyrics on heartbreak, hate, repulsion, sadness, and religious resentment.
Purple Tsunami (Mexico) remix “Why Don’t You Just Die?”
DJ since 2008 and producer since 2021, Purple Tsunami blends rock, punk, post-punk, techno, darkwave, electroclash, dub, big beat, trip hop, and garage influences.
Other Voices (Spain) remix “Apocalypse”
Creator of other-voices.com, dedicated to darkwave, synthpop, and alternative electronic music; his remixes honor the artists who inspire him.
Carlos Vandal (Chile) remix “Dead Man’s Lullaby”
Chilean artist/producer from Arica. Member of Mygale, Virgine Dramatica, and Amöniacö. Supported The Cure (2013) and Clan of Xymox (2024). His solo work fuses alt-rock, darkwave, and shoegaze.
At0shima 3rr0r (Germany) remix “When I’m Lonely”
Formed in 2012 by ex-club DJ Dj-Deadbeatxz (Kevin Müller), blending dark electro, dark pop, and futurepop. Releases include 2 EPs, 1 single (ft. ElektroTerapi), 2 LPs, plus global remixes and collaborations.
Listen to Lux Mala’s COVEN remixes below, and order here:
About the Cover Art:
Sam Shearon (Great Britain/USA)
Mr. Sam Shearon is a Liverpool-born, British ‘dark artist’ based in Los Angeles. Specialising in the unexplained, horror, and science fiction, his work often includes elements inspired by ancient cultures, folklore, legend, and the occult.
Sam has created artwork for a variety of clients in both the rock and metal music scene and the world of the comic book and graphic novel, designing album covers, merchandise and comic-book covers for a variety of clients including: Jason Charles Miller, Rob Zombie, Slayer, Ministry, Rammstein, Filter, Iron Maiden, KISS, Powerman 5000, HIM, Orgy, Doyle, American Head Charge, Kill Devil Hill, Clive Barker, Stan Lee, IDW publishing, Boom Studios, The X-Files and Fangoria…. to name but a few.
He has also created for some of the world’s best-known musical instrument companies, including ESP Guitars, Schecter Guitar Research, and Coffin Case.
Follow LUX MALA:
