Angelspit

Angelspit

Angelspit is an electro-industrial band that emerged from Sydney, Australia, in 2003. The band's artistic output is characterized by its exploration of themes such as medical horror, cannibalism, and political commentary, often accompanied by dark cybergoth aesthetics. To date, Angelspit has released ten studio albums. In recent years, frontman Zoog Von Rock has also gained recognition for his educational weekly livestreams, "ART OF ROCK," and his Patreon content, which offers advice on music production and career development.

Formation and Early Releases

Angelspit originated as a duo, formed by Destroyx (Amelia Tan) and Zoog Von Rock (Karl Learmont) after they connected on an online zine forum in 2002. Their collaborative zine work provided the foundational lyrical inspiration for the band's initial material. The duo independently released their debut industrial EP, Nurse Grenade, for free in October 2004, which was later remastered in 2007.

Krankhaus Era

The band's debut album, Krankhaus, a concept album delving into themes of grotesque horror and medical experimentation, was self-released in June 2006. The album garnered critical acclaim, establishing Angelspit as an innovative emerging act in the electronic music scene. In 2007, a remix album, Krankhaus: Surgically Atoned, was released, featuring contributions from artists such as Combichrist. Angelspit also released their first music video for the track "Vena Cava," which visually complemented the album's disturbing narrative.

Blood Death Ivory and Hideous and Perfect

Angelspit's second album, Blood Death Ivory, was released in June 2008, marking a subtle evolution in their distinctive sound. This was followed by the remix album Black Kingdom Red Kingdom in 2009, which included remixes from notable artists like KMFDM and Ayria. The third album, Hideous and Perfect, arrived in September 2009. It was particularly noted for its striking album artwork, featuring an obscured Destroyx, and its experimental, atmospheric soundscapes. Two additional remix albums, Larva Pupa Tank Coffin (2010) and Carbon Beauty (2011), were released, both incorporating new original tracks by Angelspit.

Hello My Name Is and Destroyx's Departure

The band's fourth album, Hello My Name Is, was released in October 2011. This release saw Angelspit's lyricism shift towards more pronounced political commentary, with a strong critique of corporate society as a central theme. This album marked the final studio release featuring Destroyx, who departed in March 2014 to pursue solo projects, including her music under the moniker Amelia Arsenic.

The Product and Collaborative Ventures

Following Destroyx's departure, Angelspit continued its musical output, led by Zoog Von Rock and adopting a collaborative approach with a rotating roster of associated musicians. The band's fifth album, The Product, was released in March 2014 and featured guest appearances from George Bikos, Miss Ballistic, Helalyn Flowers, Agent 13, Chant, and Teknocracy. In September 2015, Angelspit collaborated with The Gothsicles under the project name Hardcore Pong, releasing a video-game-inspired collaborative album.

Cult of Fake and Black Dog Bite

Angelspit's sixth album, Cult of Fake, was released in June 2016, signaling a reinvention of the band's sound with a greater influence from dance music. The album's lyrics were its most overtly political to date, offering direct critiques of American lifestyle, media, and the political climate of 2016. The seventh album, Black Dog Bite, released in September 2017, drew inspiration from 90s cyberpunk, exploring lyrical themes of dystopia, consumerism, and futurism.

Bang Operative and The Ignorance Cartel

The eighth album, Bang Operative, released in September 2019, continued to explore these thematic territories, crafting a dark and introspective soundscape. Angelspit's ninth album, The Ignorance Cartel, was released in October 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by the political landscape of 2020, the album's concept centered on authoritarianism and mind control, featuring guest contributions from Miss Ballistic, Ice Planet 9000, Gasoline Invertebrate, and Queen of the Static Opera.

Diesel Priest and Recent Collaborations

The tenth album, Diesel Priest, was released in December 2021. It received praise for its thought-provoking and profound lyrics, which continued to address themes inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated political climate, including a critique of societal apathy towards violence, notably in the single "Killed on Camera." The album featured guest appearances from Gasoline Invertebrate, Miss Ballistic, MeteorEYES, Queen of the Static Opera, Ice Planet 9000, and May May Graves. Four remix albums were released for Diesel Priest, three of which included exclusive original tracks.

In 2022, Angelspit engaged in two significant collaborative projects. The first, a collaboration with Ice Planet 9000, resulted in the instrumental science-fiction concept album Sequence 1: Glass Jar, released in February, which included an accompanying audio drama with digital purchases. The second collaboration, with Queen of the Static Opera, yielded the single "Breathing But Not Alive," released under the joint moniker Venus of Gorgon.