I felt mysteriously compelled to compile some dark tracks on the site tonight (as I am wont to do on particular dates/holidays) since once again it's Friday the 13th. No death/black metal or anything inherently malevolent by nature. Just things off the HD that fit with the theme (somewhat).

So, in honor of the day and in the spirit of keeping music evil, here are 13 ways of turning to the dark side...

Chromatics - The Killing Spree
Ceremony - Nothing Inside
David Gilmour Girls - Crimson As Murder
Ladytron - I'm Not Scared
Darker My Love - Post Mortem, Post Boredom
Absolute Body Control - Into The Light
Kiko - 7 Minutes
Automat - Eau Trouble
The Consumer - Dissociaty Identity
Neon Electronics vs. The Hacker - Better Way
Gosub - Lost In Our Ways
New York City Survivors - The Shadow
Eggfooyoung - Bad Dream

I'd say enjoy, but that's not particularly scary. How about what Elvira, Mistress of the Dark used to say...Unpleasant Dreams!

Franz & Shape are coming to wipe your synapses of mundane and predictable sonic sequences. Embracing the principles of our retro musical forebearers, they aim to deliver bona fide alternative dance music fused with up-to-the-minute synthetic sensibilities. Their sound though isn't one of yesterday's future; it is the past reflected through the present. Sometimes you really do need to look back in order to contemplate the here and now or determine just where it is you want to go.

Acquire Franz and Shape's retro-futuristic instant classic Acceleration at the Relish Recordings website. Including collaborations with some of today's most forward-thinking dark matter visionaries [Perspects, Matt Sims, G.D. Luxxe, David Carretta, Chelonis Jones, Dirk da Davo of The Neon Judgement], this album brings some much-needed dynamism to the current morass of homogeneity.

Franz & Shape - Tightropes feat. Perspects

If someone were to ask me what my orientation is, I would have to say, "Electrosexual." Like the title of one of Imatran Voima's 12"s states, Electro Is Aural Sex. I can't quite place my finger on it (so to speak), but there's something that's just so sexy about it. Maybe something to do with the beats being good to have sex to? I wouldn't know. [I'm a robot, remember?]

For a significant number of acts in the electrosphere, sex figures heavily into the equation. I suppose sex has always been a fixture in the mix along with drugs and rock n' roll, but with these guys, it's just a bit more blatant. You need only hear the names of the bands to realize that there's sumpin' jiggy going on.