Portland Industrial Artist Court Knight Prepares for High Water Mark Show and Upcoming Fall Album

Portland industrial artist Court Knight, performing under the moniker Centrifugal Force Machine (CFM), is slated to headline a night of hard techno and EBM at the High Water Mark venue on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The show, part of a series of dates that also includes a performance at Catch One in Los Angeles on August 1 and a set at Luna Negra Goth Nights in Coachella, California on September 12, is the first public appearance of the project since the release of the OBLITERATE / COLLAPSE EP earlier this year. CFM is signed to the Berlin‑based label X‑IMG, and its debut album, OBJECT PERMANENCE, was issued on May 25, 2025. A second studio album is reportedly in production and is expected to arrive in the fall of 2026.

Court Knight began CFM after a nine‑year career as a DJ. The project is described as “unmistakably Berlin in tone” and is aimed at underground warehouse and concrete club environments. Knight explains that the name Centrifugal Force Machine was taken from a term in her mortician studies; the device is an embalming machine that uses centrifugal force to circulate chemicals through a body. The name was the only term she highlighted in her textbook over three years of training. Knight’s background in mortuary science informs the project’s dark aesthetic and thematic focus on death and decay.

Knight cites three films as key influences on the sound and visuals of CFM: the early Alien franchise, Mandy, and The Matrix. She says that these works shape the samples and imagery that appear on her tracks. In interviews, she has noted that visiting cemeteries is a regular part of her itinerary when traveling, and that Portland’s local scene is “full of talented artists and DJs who keep these genres alive.” She has expressed that Portland could benefit from more hard techno and EBM, but that the community prioritises intimate, friend‑centric shows over commercial expansion.

The X‑IMG release OBJECT PERMANENCE contains seven tracks and was produced by Dancing Plague. The album’s artwork was created by Minh Tran and Hotvlkuce Harjo. The OBLITERATE / COLLAPSE EP, issued earlier in 2026, extends the project’s catalogue with two additional tracks. Both releases have been distributed through X‑IMG’s digital channels and are available on major streaming platforms.

The upcoming dates also include the discontinuation of the promotion company and DJ night VANTABLACK, which Knight confirmed has been closed. “I buried it in its coffin a long time ago,” she said. The statement indicates that CFM will focus solely on music releases and live performances moving forward.

The High Water Mark show will run from 8:00 p.m. doors to 8:30 p.m. performance, with a 21+ age limit and a $10 admission fee. The venue will also host Mayray, Crash Davidian, and Sylphide on the same night. The event is part of a broader trend of niche electronic acts touring regional venues across the United States, and it highlights the continued demand for industrial and techno acts in the live‑music circuit.

At present, CFM’s schedule includes the July 23 show in Portland, the August 1 performance in Los Angeles, and the September 12 set in Coachella. The second album, slated for a fall 2026 release, will likely be promoted through these appearances. No further dates or releases have been announced beyond those listed. The project remains active under the X‑IMG label, and its next public engagement is the High Water Mark performance on July 23.