As one of the leading and better known futurepop artists VNV Nation encompasses trance, synthpop and ebm to create a driving musical force to which few others can compare. The name stands for “Victory Not Vengeance,” which echoes the groups motto: “One should strive to achieve; not sit in bitter regret.” The two members, Ronan

Since 2002, Roterstand has pretty much defined the Industrial-Futurepop genre with their rough blend of distorted synths and punching choruses spread over driving bass lines. They have only released a few albums but already have an extended assortment of singles that have become staples at club nights accross the globe.

What darkwave electronic night would be complete without the aggrotech sounds of the German group Funker Vogt? Comprised of members Gerrit Thomas, Jens Kästel, Björn Böttcher, Frank Schweigert, and Kai Schmidt, Funker Vogt has been a cornerstone of industrial music since 1995. They’ve produced several studio and remix albums and have appeared on countless compilations. Though their music is heavily focused on war and the military, the groups political stance is decidedly anti-war, with the album Execution Tracks especially intended to portray the cruelties and tragedy of war.

Founded in 1997 by Andy LaPlegua (who would go on to create Combichrist), Icon of Coil is a Norwegian futurepop band, joined by Sebastian Komor of Zombie Girl and more recently by Christian Lund. They are yet another in a long, growing list of darkwave electronic bands you can expect to hear at Night Shift.

There is little more that can be said about the history of Swedish group Covenant that isn’t already covered on their official website (click “The Band” for a very elaborate walkthrough of the evolution of the group!), but suffice it to say they are a heavily influential part of the electronic music scene, with a broad musical range from heavier EBM to lyrical and symphonic synthpop.