In a fascinating musical venture, Bryan Black, better known as Black Asteroid, teams up with Ian Astbury of The Cult, bringing forth a unique blend of sounds that straddles the line between Astbury’s gothic rock heritage and Black Asteroid’s electronic prowess. This collaboration has birthed Dirge Out, a track that effortlessly marries EBM vibes with rock sensibilities, This single is just a taste of what’s to come from Black Asteroid’s forthcoming album, Infinite Darkness, slated for release on May 3rd via Artoffact Records.
The fusion of Astbury’s distinct vocal style with Black’s electronic landscapes creates a sound that’s both fresh and familiar, challenging the boundaries of genre. Guitars and modular synths weave through the track, building a complex soundscape that pays homage to the roots of both artists while pushing forward into new territories. The collaboration not only showcases their individual strengths but also highlights the potential of cross-genre partnerships in creating innovative music.
Black shares a story about recording the track, highlighting the serendipity and spontaneity that often accompanies creative endeavors.
“Astbury and I agreed that it would be cool to collaborate and since I was already going to LA for a gig,” says Black. “I found a studio. I honestly didn’t know if he would show up, or if some imposter was using his account. Ian showed up. I watched on the studio security cameras as a black SUV pulled up. Ian rolled in with a bag full of notebooks, art books, pens, and stories. We talked for hours. Somehow with only 20 minutes left in our session, he went to the booth and nailed the vocal in 1 take. This was the first time I recorded with a vocalist as they were writing the vocals in my presence,”
Listen below:
Dirge Out marks the second release from the upcoming sophomore album, ‘Infinite Darkness‘, which will see its global release on May 3rd, 2024 via Artoffact Records. Black says it was Astbury who pushed him to get to it. “I was on the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo when he texted me “you should call your record Infinite Darkness.” How could I refuse?” Black comments.
Produced over the span of five years, the album features incredible talent, including ACTORS, Louisahhh, Michele Lamy, Front Line Assembly, and more!
Pre-order Infinite Darkness here.
Bryan Black, also known as Black Asteroid, kick-started his music career as a sound designer and keyboard technician for Prince at Paisley Park Studios in Minneapolis. Diving into his own creative endeavours, Black produced music under the aliases Haloblack and Motor, catching the attention of Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore. This led to a collaboration that produced the top 40 hit Man Made Machine and tours with Depeche Mode. Black Asteroid emerged on the scene with the debut single Engine 1 in 2011, showcasing a distinctive industrial techno sound that gained rapid popularity and secured him spots in prestigious clubs and festivals globally.
His debut album Thrust, released in 2017, featured a mix of crossover singles with contributions from artists like Zola Jesus and Cold Cave, highlighting Black’s penchant for integrating song structures and vocals into techno. Following this, 2023 saw Black exploring experimental sounds in the EPs Acid Flesh and New Flesh.
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