October 2023 | MendoWerks

Kings County Pays Homage With NIN “Wish” Cover

30Oct

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Kings County Pays Homage With NIN “Wish” Cover

Orlando-based hard rock outfit Kings County has released their latest high-octane single and this one is a cover you may recognize. The band has re-imagined the classic Nine Inch Nails track "Wish". This reimagining of a classic track showcases the band's commitment to pushing boundaries both musically and visually. The accompanying video was shot in the historic West Virginia Penitentiary, adding a chilling layer to their interpretation. Kings County is comprised of Rob Dexter (Vocals, Bass), Steve Bell (Guitars, Vocals), Joe Lopez (Drums), and Bill Kania (Guitars, Vocals). Kings County's frontman, Rob Dexter, expressed his deep admiration for Nine Inch Nails, particularly Trent Reznor's ability to carve his unique path within the industrial rock scene. Dexter's fascination with "W...

almogfx Reunites with Vinter in “worlds apart”

30Oct

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Music

almogfx Reunites with Vinter in “worlds apart”

Liquid Ritual, the UK's premier wave music label, is at it again with another gentle, introspective new song: "worlds apart" by almogfx and Vinter. Profound and atmospheric, "Worlds Apart" is a song that will stay with you long after your first listen. This powerful collaboration shows off the best of both artists: the analog, the ambient, the ethereal, and more. Together, almogfx and Vinter create a special sort of magic that's yet to be replicated elsewhere. Check out "worlds apart" on Spotify, below. For the next Elder Scrolls: Skyrim rerelease that we all know is coming, I'd really love it if Bethesda considered updating the soundtrack to include songs like "worlds apart". Imagine exploring the open world's mountain peaks in HD with something as gorgeous and immersive a...

Cover Songs for a Post-‘Punk Goes…’ World

28Oct

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Music

Cover Songs for a Post-‘Punk Goes…’ World

Like most emo kids on the Internet in 2010, I was practically raised by Fearless Records' Punk Goes... compilation series. More specifically, I sunk a ton of time into the Punk Goes Pop compilations; I got my taste of contemporary pop by listening to guitar-heavy cover songs performed by bands I was already a fan of. It's been a few years since we got a Punk Goes... album. However, the tradition is still very much alive, thanks to artists like Pendulum and Toadies, both of which released some cool, reimagined pop cover songs recently. Additionally, if you're looking for information about cover songs, we'll be including three key facts about the process, as well as links to these new covers, below. Pendulum covers Taylor Swift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMbiRjjTWj0 Pend...

New Milli Vanilli Documentary Takes You Beyond The Scandal (Review)

27Oct

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

New Milli Vanilli Documentary Takes You Beyond The Scandal (Review)

For a brief moment in time in the 90s, it seemed like Milli Vanilli were the future of pop music. Their songs were inescapable. Their debut album produced hit after hit on the charts. Until, at least, it all fell apart. Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus were on top of the world until they were proven to be frauds. Or that's the story that everybody remembers. In a new documentary from director Luke Korem, we're offered a lot more information about what really went down. The two young men were living in Munich and both wanted to be famous. They were dancers on a popular German music television show and eventually formed a band. Discovered by producer Frank Farian, he signed them to a contract and agreed to record their music. The only problem? He loved their look, but didn'...

Flora Cash Reflects On Musical Journey With “Holy Water”

26Oct

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Flora Cash Reflects On Musical Journey With “Holy Water”

Acclaimed indie-pop duo Flora Cash, comprised of Swedish-American husband-and-wife Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall, has just unveiled their latest single, "Holy Water." This release is accompanied by a heartfelt music video directed and edited by the band themselves. Photo Credit: Gina Scarpino Flora Cash's "Holy Water" presents a unique perspective on love, emphasizing its role as a force that binds people in ways that can be almost otherworldly. The song combines the lyrical depth reminiscent of romantic poets with a fresh, modern approach, narrating a story of two souls drawn together by what feels like fate, hinting at a deeper, mystical connection. Behind The Scenes The song's production adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative. Djordje Milanovic's mournful viola...

Green Day’s Latest Message: ‘The American Dream’

24Oct

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Green Day’s Latest Message: ‘The American Dream’

Global rock icons Green Day are back with a powerful message in their new single. "The American Dream Is Killing Me" marks the first release from their upcoming 14th studio album. Saviors is set to drop on January 19th, 2024, via Reprise/Warner Records. Saviors album art The band debuted this song and another track, "Look Ma, No Brains!," in Las Vegas. First during a sold-out surprise show at the Fremont along with back-to-back headlining performances at the When We Were Young Festival. Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman of Green Day, describes "The American Dream Is Killing Me" as a critical reflection on the traditional American Dream and how it often falls short for many people, causing harm instead. The track resonates as a fiery call to action. Collaboration with Grammy-...

Looking to Experience ‘Barbenheimer’ at Home? You’ll Have to Wait!

20Oct

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film

Looking to Experience ‘Barbenheimer’ at Home? You’ll Have to Wait!

In 2023, the most unifying cinematic moment of the year was thanks to the unlikely 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon. Few could have predicted that Greta Gerwig's enthusiastic comedy based on the iconic Mattel doll and a historical drama from Christopher Nolan about the creation of the atomic bomb would create a perfect double feature. Instead of being rivals, 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' brought people to movie theaters in droves. And not just in America. The two films were wildly successful around the globe. When both films were released in late July, it was clear that 'Barbie' would be the big box office winner, but both films earned their fare share of ticket sales. In fact, 'Barbie' is the biggest box office hit of the year, with a global gross of over $1.4 billion. 'Oppenheimer...

19Oct

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Music

Psycho, We Will “Never Forget U”

New releases from Liquid Ritual are practically guaranteed to be epic. The label's recent release of "Never Forget U" by Psycho further proves this fact to be true. This newest song is a dreamy blend of UK garage and breakbeat structures wrapped up in wave music's emotional undercurrent. All together, Psycho delivers a tranquil, low-tempo wavy treat that is perfect for this time of year--or any time of year, really. Find the new song on Spotify, below. "Never Forget U" feels like the descent into fall that we experience here in upstate New York. It's slow, cold, aching--it's almost as if a crisp November breeze is on the metaphorical horizon of the song itself. With each note, another fistful of crisp autumn leaves have fallen away; with each note, we're transported deeper into...

Death Cassette Release Gritty Punk Rock Single “Reflector”

18Oct

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Death Cassette Release Gritty Punk Rock Single “Reflector”

Death Cassette, hailing from the vibrant punk scene of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is back with a new single and album announcement. They've been making waves with its distinctive blend of grunge and hardcore. Their music is characterized by a melodic, high-energy vibe and a strong focus on vocals. The band has joined forces with High End Denim Records to release their new EP Get Rid Of It. The album features six electrifying tracks. The first single, "Reflector," is available now and offers a glimpse into what this EP has to offer. You can expect the album to drop on November 17. New Single "Reflector" is a musical tirade against moral superiority and self-serving hypocrisy. Death Cassette's lyrics confront the tendency to point fingers at others without self-reflection, represented in...

Cherry Lena Weaves Together Darkness & Feminine Rage in “EDGE”

17Oct

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Music

Cherry Lena Weaves Together Darkness & Feminine Rage in “EDGE”

Canadian alternative pop artist, Cherry Lena, just released a new single: "EDGE". Touching on emotional themes like loneliness and isolation, this song is imbued with dark feminine energy and feminine rage. It also shows off the artist's rich vocals as well as her unique blend of drum 'n' bass beats and hypnotic dark pop tropes. Check it out: https://open.spotify.com/track/2uhtmKLHFHdf3K0NRWT1HE?si=33b6ddb822f94187 While this song doesn't quite emanate the same kind of "dark feminine"/"villain era" energy as some other tracks we've recently covered, it does lean into a specific side of 'bad bitch' behavior: inner strength and relentless self-care. It shows how one can drag herself out of the darkness--back from 'the edge'--and start anew. Explaining the song's history, C...