Atlanta, USA-based darkwave newcomer Now After Nothing has announced details of its debut EP, Artificial Ambivalence, out on 13 September through the band's own label, Living On Neptune(s); the EP will be available on all digital platforms and vinyl.
Now After Nothing, helmed by Matt Spatial, has started to make waves locally after releasing a series of singles showcasing the band's goth and post-punk influences. The Artificial Ambivalence EP was written and performed by Spatial and drummer Michael Allen and features additional guitar work by Mark Gemini Thwaite, who has played with Peter Murphy, The Mission, and Gary Numan.
Matt Spatial talks about the EP: "With this collection of songs, you get a good understanding of our influences of post-punk, shoegaze, and darkwave. Lyrically, the songs of the EP remain true to the general theme of toxicity and how each one of us can really struggle sometimes with the negative influences and realities around us. It goes far beyond just tumultuous interpersonal relationships - it's also our toxic relationships to social media, commercial news media, politics, misogyny, racism, anti-human rights movements, misuse and abuse of religion, etc. ad nauseam".
Spatial also explains the title: "It all just takes its toll and it's from this feeling where the title, Artificial Ambivalence, comes from. To me the title personifies a reaction to the general malaise, exhaustion, and helplessness of how so many of us are feeling these days or how some can turn a blind eye to these negative forces because it doesn't impact them directly. The world feels like it's in a state of artificial ambivalence. When you add the play on the phrase artificial intelligence, it just further demonstrates, in my mind, how many people feel like they are on auto-pilot in some respects".
Now After Nothing plans to tour supporting the EP, and its first show is a hometown gig on 14 September at Center Stage with Glass Spells and DJ Goth Dad. The band also proudly supports Atlanta's Lifeline Animal Project - a non-profit organization that runs the animal shelters for the two main Atlanta counties with a no-kill mission statement. Now After Nothing will sell a 'Meow After Nothing' cat design T-shirt at shows and online, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the organization.
Now After Nothing blends classic influences and modern electronic soundscapes to the present-day crowd. Frontman and multi-instrumentalist, Matt Spatial, draws from a deep well of alternative music subgenres citing influences: Bauhaus, The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, and Sonic Youth. Spatial intricately weaves social, political, and personal narratives within the instrumentals to add depth and darkness that resonates with lost and misunderstood souls. The band has been getting noticed in Atlanta with its energetic live shows, sharing the stage with Curse Mackey (My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Pigface) and darkwave rising stars Astari Nite. Link

Artificial Ambivalence tracklist:
1. Sick Fix
2. Criminal Feature
3. Holly
4. Fixation Fantasy
5. Dare
6. Entangled

International symphonic metal icons Kamelot — renowned for their infectious melodies, cinematic storytelling, and electrifying performances — return with their haunting new album Dark...
Danish composer, producer, and multi‑instrumentalist Nils Lassen – known for his evocative craft and for his work with dream‑pop duo BlackieBlueBird – has unveiled "Under Your Spell",...
German dark electronic act Radarfield unveil their brand‑new single “Cocoon”, a track that drifts between atmospheric electronics, cinematic tension and the sleek, modern contours of...
Polish atmospheric black/epic doom metal solo project Divine Sovereign has announced a new album, Autaxia Chronicles: A House Divided, slated for release on 3 July via Wormholedeath.
"We paused our work as I was grieving heavily, but once we returned to it, things took on a whole new meaning." - LV Darkling
"There were already bands doing small illustrations of symphonic metal, and I was thinking, why doesn't someone do this all the time?" - Christofer Johnsson
"All of us want to bring back analogue methods—doing everything by hand. AI is completely outside our creative universe. It's a system designed to make things easier and faster." - Andy Julia
"When you feel something you need to share, creating songs is the best way to do it. You can reflect on yourself so that you can relax and be relieved of that emotion." - Çağla Güleray
