Do you know what happens when life gets in the way? You miss out. In my case I’m not talking about the stereotypical father in a 90s comedy who tells his boss to shove it to make it to his kids baseball game last minute just as the child is up for bat at the final inning with plates loaded and all eyes on him. I’m talking about missing out on industrial music. The past couple of weeks have been rather hectic at work, travelling here and there and working a few late nights. Alas, my weekends have been filled with catching up on e-mails and not as much writing as I wish I could possibly do. Thankfully that comes to an end and I’m able to once again appreciate all the good things in life. Such as I Ya Toyah.
Yes, the ever-loved and still-rising industrial rock project, the all-so mesmerizing and (quite honestly) impressive solo musician that has been taking the scene by storm for quite some time, appearing all over the place. I remember when I first reviewed “Code Blue” in 2018; I met the album with a warm reception and was looking forward to where her career would take her next. While I didn’t doubt that she would go on to become a success, I also didn’t realize just how much of her heart and soul she would pour into this project. Dedication, blood, sweat, and tears have brought her to her current stage in her career, where she has refined her sound, production, and everything else in between. She even went on to open for Orgy and Cold, and collaborated on stage with Orgy. She took her craft and has mastered it to the best of her ability.
October 4th, 2024 will be a very, very special day for us as I Ya Toyah has announced the release of her forthcoming album “DRAMA”, which has been co-produced and mixed by Stabbing Westward’s Walter Flakus. And, sure, the wait might be long, the wait might be painful for some, but we can make way by having just one slice of the pie a little bit early as we’re premiering the music video for ‘Denial’ today. Check it out below.
When I first heard the demo for ‘Denial’ I knew it was the missing piece we needed for the album. It’s aggressive, driving and full of melody! It’s a song to be played loud! -Walter Flakus
It’s a dramatic song calling out schematic behaviors that lead to pulling humans apart instead of bringing us together. It’s an anthem for anti-cancel culture, a cynical observation of the current world and the wake-up call for the masses to do better, be better – starting on an individual level. -I Ya Toyah
The album “Drama” will also contain tracks from her critically acclaimed EP “I Am The Fire”, in which fellow (and much-loved) industrial site ReGen Magazine proclaimed, “The one-woman musical army continues to wage a powerful electro/industrial campaign.”
I Ya Toyah also proudly donates fifteen percent of her proceeds to charity organizations such as American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, and even recorded a cover of The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’ to raise funds for the people of Ukraine. In addition to the already fire line-up at Cold Waves in Chicago this year, I Ya Toyah will be gracing the festival with her presence. For more on I Ya Toyah click HERE.
