Greetings music enthusiasts, I hope everything is going well for you in 2026 (I can’t believe we’re in April already!). This month’s essay is essentially the article I had written last year, narrated by yours truly, the Doctor of Sputnik, with some tasty visuals to back it up. I actually think the essay is brought to life with this video version, so I hope you enjoy it. I’m still finding my rhythm with it all, but I would definitely say this is the best essay I’ve done thus far for the YouTube channel. If you didn’t read the article back when it was first published and you don’t know the tale behind Skinny Puppy or their music, you’re in for a treat as this is a very interesting tale centred around addiction, passive aggression, torment, and unfettered artistry — an environment that created some of the greatest industrial albums ever recorded.
On a side note: My aim was to try and drop one of these essays every month, but the work involved is quite a lot more than I initially intended, so the sustainability of this goal isn’t tenable. I’m in the middle of writing a script, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be ready for May. Time will tell, but there’s a few albums out in the coming months that will use up my free time.
Watch the full video here:
Recommended albums:
Bites, 1985
Stream the album here:
Recommended Tracks:
“Jesus to a Child”
“Fastlove”
“You Have Been Loved”
A boatload more content is going to be coming onto the YouTube channel in 2026, so consider subscribing so you don’t miss any of it:
Welcome, denizens of Sputnik, to my first-ever video essay! I’ve never done anything like this before, so I hope you enjoy it. I’ve wanted to do a review or an in-depth deep dive into not only one of my favourite soundtracks of all time, but one of my favourite albums, period, for a while now. I never get bored of listening to Human Revolution, so I thought I’d do a video that looks into the history of Michael McCann, the mindset behind the record, and then my personal opinion on why I love it. Let me know what you think, and if you want more content like this in the future, let me know.
Watch the full video here:
Stream the album here:
Recommended Tracks:
“Icarus”
“The Hive”
“Endings”
A boatload more content is going to be coming onto the YouTube channel in 2026, so consider subscribing so you don’t miss any of it:
You can read the full review I did for HumaningHERE.
After being on a decade-long hiatus, Earshot finally teased their return with a new line-up of members and a couple of singles to warm up with just before and during the Covid period. Yet, it was in 2025 where the band finally made their glorious return, dropping their first new album in 17 years and doing a 30+ date tour with Saliva to grease the engine and get things moving in a big way again. Simon (Dr.Gonzo) had an extensive discussion with Wil earlier last year to talk about the band’s history and their subsequent return, which you can watch here, however, in this new interview Gonzo catches up with Earshot to talk about Humaning at length, as well as the Spotify boycott, Lars v Napster, funny tour stories, new material in 2026, and much, much more in this monster discussion.
You can read the full review I did for Requiem HERE.
Primarily known for his dark folk project, Thurnin, Jurre Timmer is a no-nonsense solo artists with a wealth of talent under his belt. Coming off the back of last year’s fantastic third Thurnin album, Harmr, Jurre has resurrected his old melodeath project I, Forlorn 9 years after the release of his debut album, My Kingdom Eclipsed. This brand new 5-track EP, titled Requiem, is an appetiser for a full release later this year and can be listened to right now. With that in mind, Simon (Dr.Gonzo) recently had a chat with Jurre to discuss both I, Forlorn and Thurnin, as well as a soundtrack he has lined up for 2026, slop social media, mental health, and reflecting on Harmr nearly one year on from its release.
Ryan (Hawks) and Simon (Dr.Gonzo) recently caught up with David Moody and Chris Sheppard, the duo behind some of the most interesting black/death metal on the market today, to talk about Veilburner’s latest album, Longing for Triumph, Reeking of Tragedy, as well as a load of interesting subjects including world-building, playing live, influences, and a candid look at how the sausage is made in the Veilburner camp.
