2023 Music Recomendations

2023! This year really propelled right along at a nice pace. Seems like after years of chaos and uncertainty that many things were starting to return to familiar while still looking cautiously ahead. A lot was happening and thankfully there was PLENTY of good music to coincide. Observations and listening habits:  • Techno-ebm still ruling the majority of what I listen to and purchase.  Still remains exciting to me and there’s still plenty of fuel left in the tank in my opinion. In that genre, enjoyed the new releases from Comfort Cure, Semantix, Nuxx Vomica, Red Deviil, MVTANT and more. • That new beat/Italo/future-synth sound really had my attention this year with some absolute bangers. It’s got a bit of 80’s retro flair, it’s uplifting and absolutely motivating.  Absolutely loved the entire “Love Lines” album from Nuovo Testamento, while Rue Oberkampf, Facets, Fiero, More Ephemeral and more all brought sprightly energy in 2023 as well. • Synthpop and Wave continued to be robust this year with releases/singles from Fragrance, Korine, and Lust For Youth amongst others. The New Division “Modern Life” album was an absolute gem, as was the phenomenal Zanias “Chrysalis” LP. • Lots of releases crossed genre lines in 2023 (without being pretentious af about it either). While often difficult to categorize, many still perked my ears right up including Die Selektion, Years of Denial, Mission to the Sun and Frett.  • Few things in alternative, shoegaze and pop this year were engaging, including a new album from Everything But the Girl after a lengthy absence, a teaser single from ambient/shoegaze darlings Mint Julep, a jangly guitar pop single “Ayn” from my not-so-guilty guilty pleasure The Ocean Blue, and new work from OMD.  • The industrial genre still churns and yes, will still give a listen especially when it’s material like Klack “Body2Body2Body” single! Great fun! Mode Bionics “Precise Control”, Realite “Crusher Zone”and PC World all thrust me back to 90’s era stompy-stomp rivethead delight. “The Incomplete Truth” by Sheffield powerhouse EBM masters Randolph & Mortimer delivered a force from beginning to end.  • Post-Punk seemed oversaturated, and the term over-used in 2023, but cutting through the clutter was the magnificent “Playground” album from House of Harm who seem to want to distance themselves far from the label altogether. That gorgeous track “Roseglass” reminded me more of synth-darlings Iris than anything dark and mopey. • Essential reissues from Code Industry, Schicksal and MCL (“New York” on the legendary ZYX!!), Section 25, Max and Intro were all cool to see. Can’t forget those notable tunes amongst all the modern gems.  alright then without further ado:

:: My Album of the Year for 2023 :: Zanias – Chrysalis Unveiling Chrysalis, her third monumental solo effort, Zanias marks some of the finest work of her musical career, further solidifying her reputation as a dynamic channel for raw emotional catharsis and intellectual exploration. This latest album, released via her label, Fleisch Records, is a hopeful and optimistic ethereal pop opus. It represents a significant evolution in her production techniques, offering the most genuine avatar of Alison Lewis’ (Zanias) musical philosophy to date.

Zanias masterfully interlaces avant-garde, otherworldly sonics with elements of darkwave, dazzling dance rhythms, surreal synth textures, indie pop, and folk harmonies. This intricate blend carves her unique signature within the astral pop landscape, evoking ethereal otherness. ‘Chrysalis’ was seeded by a number of unfortunate events in Lewis’ life but using her own music as therapy, she has weaved a cocoon of hope from the despair. Song topics include the human condition, burnout, disillusionment, bereavement and the toxicity of capitalism. Written and recorded between her adopted home of Berlin and the rainforest of Queensland in Australia, despite the various foods for thought, this is the possibly the most accessible Zanias album yet.

The excellent ‘Simulation’ opens and is a bittersweet ode to Berlin where “This city is a fable, nowhere else to go. This city has enabled us all and it’s breaking my soul”. Despite the introspection as expressed by a hauntingly contralto vocal, the backdrop glistens. Capturing “a broken reality” where “everything’s shattering”, a joyful escapist euphoria counters those feelings.

The swaying avant pop of ‘Metrics’ is beat-centric, ghostly yet danceable with a catchy buzz. Meanwhile if Madonna had more gothic tendencies around her ‘Bedroom Stories’ period, the dark and ethereal ‘Burial’ might have been the end result. Its lush synth strings and voiced-derived layers points towards global pop, but is much deeper. If you listen to one song this year from my playlist, make it “Burial” – words and emotions escape me. I danced to the song, other listens gave me a good cry. A cathartic experience with a solid beat. With glorious arpeggios and lush synth strings, ‘Lovelife’ is wonderfully trance, bolstered with bass guitar by live bandmate Laura Bailey aka NEU-ROMANCER while an array of pitch-shifted voice samples act as an abstract lead vocal before the actual one kicks in. With ominous tones reminiscent of THE CURE’s ‘A Forest’, ‘Closing’ uses a number of interesting vocal treatments which provide intensity over the snappy rhythmics.

In a departure, ‘Teatree’ features virtual strums and could be considered an eerie ZANIAS folk ballad while also taking a more sedate approach, ‘Departure’ projects a more atmospheric tone with rung textures and a white noise backbone. To close, the ‘Chrysalis’ title song goes for a full acoustic intro before beats and electronics make their presence felt as our heroine emerges from her sheltered state into her next stage of growth.

Evocative and captivating, ‘Chrysalis’ is the best Zoe Zanias long player to date. Alison Lewis remains independent and true to her art while providing a new-found immersive immediacy that will help her music reach a wider audience. That balance is no easy feat to achieve but with some new approaches, she has managed it. Look for Zanias to release remixes and alternate versions from Chrysalis in 2024 as well as a new experimental follow-up titled Ecdysis in the coming months, featuring tracks from the same time period.

::: ::: :::

Ah, I could go on and on. I love writing and talking about music. Your comments and conversation are welcome, but let’s wrap this up…

This isn’t a top 10, top 25 or even a top 50. Instead, it’s an A-Z recommendation list encompassing many genres as those lines are getting more and more blurred. A good tune is a good tune, regardless of genre.  

HIGHLY encourage you to get out there and seek out new music; Visit the record stores, go hear a new DJ, fire up Spotify or another streaming service, check out some new music via podcast, DJ mixes, label sites, online retailers, even Facebook. One of the best sources for discovering new music is Bandcamp – a plethora of discoveries to be found out there. If you do the work, you’ll be rewarded ;)      Speaking of Spotify – I made a playlist this year featuring plenty of the bands on my list. There’s at least a track or more from the artist who have a presence on Spotify. Sadly a few bands on this list aren’t on the platform but check Bandcamp and you can have a listen. Here’s the link:   https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1PYVw5uRCYlu9RGLnno861?si=ea8eb848f834415d

As in years past I’m certain I missed a few things, ignored the hype on certain releases or just plain forgotten something. It’s a chore to compile this list, but I love to do it. There’s a ton of new pioneering music out there for sure waiting to be discovered and it’s the “what’s next” that keeps me a motivated music fan. There’s never a dull moment in speaking, writing, DJ'ing or promoting new music, so I’ll keep doing it and hopefully be a guide for you all ;).   If it needs mention and I overlooked it - I may do an addendum in the next week or so. Anyways, got your notepaper and plenty of beverages ready? Don’t be a TL:DR (Too Long: Didn’t Read) fool. Read up. Enjoy the music of 2023!

::: ::: :::

Abby Knives – The Flowers of Evil

Alpha Sect & Weever – Machine Crime

Alpha Sect – Geile Tierre

Andi + Machino – Parafernales

Asymetric80 – Meraki

Autumns – Eaten Inside

B1980 – Body Awareness

Body of Light – Bitter Reflection

Brixx – Erotomania

Chrome Corps – Intimidation Tactics

Code Industry – Structure (RE)

Comfort Cure – Design International

Comfort Cure – Not My Taste

Curses Presents Tutto Vetro – No Mercy

Cyberaktif – A Single Trace

Damaged Clock – The Key of the Future

David J Bull – The Energy EP

Die Selektion – Zeuge aus Licht

Djedjotronic – Smog on the Dancefloor

Ethan Fawkes – Belgium is Back Remixes

Everything But The Girl – Fuse

Facets – Breakable

Fiero – Pulse Seductor

Fragrance – Dusts & Disorders

Frett – Nottwo

Fuedal – Unit 1

GBxCL – Carved Upon my Stone

Ghosts in the Machine / Kris Baha – Ghosts in the Machine

Handful of Snowdrops – Gabrielle 35th Anniversary EP

Hanged Man – Deathwish

House of Harm – Playground

ISO City – Back on the Grid

IV Horsemen – Parade Nocturne Remixed

Inva//id – Cover Story

Jorgen Thorvald – Ghost Citizens 7”

KRSSV – Coupe Fuego

KLACK – Body2Body2Body

Korine – Tear Lust for Youth – Accidental Win (single)

Lust for Youth – Giorgia (single)

MVTANT – Low Culture Metal Bodies

Magnum Opus & Ravetop – Fear in Our Veins 7”

Max & Intro – We Design the Future (RE)

Meshes – Always Against

Mind | Matter – Ode a La Foudre

Mint Julep – All Summer Long

Mission to the Sun – Sophia Oscillations

Mode Bionics - Precise Control

Monolith – Concrete Playground

Nasdrowie - Hardlines

New Division, The – Modern Life

New Frames – Scherben

New Scene – Waves

Notausgang – Shredded With Time

Nuovo Testamento – Love Lines

Nuxx Vomica - FTEV

Nuxx Vomica – Easy Go (Semantix Remix)

Omon Breaker – Compromat

Ortrotasce – War

PC World – Infinite Dream Weapon

Parasite – Cipher EP

Randolph & Mortimer – Solta No Caos feat. Avnoar (Alen Skanner Remix)

Randolph & Mortimer – The Incomplete Truth

Realite – Crusher Zone

Red Deviil – Overkill

Red Deviil – Seperado De La Realidad

Red Deviil – Tendencias Ocultas

Rhys Fulber – Brutal Nature Reux

Rival Cults – Indoctrination

Rue Oberkampf – Moths (single)

Rue Oberkampf – Solitude (single)

SDH – Fake is Real Section 25 – Retrofit (RE)

STKD:999 – Borders of the Mind

Schicksal – 24 Hours / Perpetum Cycle I + II

Semantix – Caustic Motion (single)

Semantix – Violent Protocol

Serfs – Half Eaten By Dogs

She Lost Kontrol – In The Realm of Electricity Remixed

Soft Crash – Free Yourself (single)

Soft Moon – Exister remixed

Spike Hellis – Altitude Sickness (S/T Remixes)

St. Theordore – Majesty

Survival Paradox – Dysfunctionalism

Various Artist - 5 Years SOIL Records

Various Artist – Cage of Flesh (Kindcrime Records)

Various Artist – Die Erlosung: Kapitel II (Crave Tapes)

Various Artist – KEYI Magazine Charity Compilation

Various Artist – Next Wave Acid Punx Deux

Various Artist – Precious Decay Selections (Miseria + Oraculo Records)

Various Artist – Shedding Skin (Bite Records)

Various Artist – The Brutality of Rhythm (Mecanica)

Various Artist – Under the Stone Vol. 2 (Bruto Industries)

Visceral Anatomy – Vol. II

Yansyet – Tears of the Motherland Remixes

Years of Denial – Suicide Disco Vol. 2

Zanias – Chrysalis

Zanias – Metrics (single)

Zanias – Simualtion (remixes by Clouzer, Alen Skanner, Forces)

2022 Music Recommendations

2022 – What an interesting year. Parts of it felt like maybe, just maybe, there was some progress and rebuilding being made from the fallout of a global pandemic.  Yet there was still that feeling of uncertainty and something else I can’t quite put my finger on.  A friend of mine said earlier in the year “I liked listening to music before my anxiety ruined it for me!”.  That elicited a mild chuckle, but sure, I get it - It’s a weird time. Events and life moving in multiple directions with music so often in parallel to that

Observations and listening habits: • Techno-ebm still ruling the majority of what I listen to and purchase.  In that genre, enjoyed the new releases from General Dynamics, Comfort Cure, Konkurs, GBxCL, Maedon, Yansyet, and Damaged Clock amongst others, • That new beat/Italo/future-synth sound had some absolute bangers. Pablo Bozzi remains such a skilled and incredible talent.  His own solo material and his collab with Hayden of Phase Fatale as Soft Crash were both remarkable. Tracks from Infravision, Fractions and Normal Bias all astounding. A fun and uplifting style. • Synthpop and Wave continued to be robust this year with releases from Minuit Machine, Figure Section, Boy Harsher (that “Machina” track was EVERYWHERE!!!), Sacred Skin, Handful of Snowdrops and more. My most favorite in this category included the “We Were Never Lost” album from Causeway that included an awesome cover of New Order’s “Your Silent Face”. • Alternative, Pop, Shoegaze, Post-Punk records from Hatchie,  Placebo, Mint-Julep,  The Present Moment, were welcome listens.   • The old industrial genre still churns and occasionally my ears will listen. New X Marks the Pedwalk was another sensational example of that projects superiority with future-pop. New Noise Unit came as a surprise and was a mish mash of styles/ideas that didn’t always work in my opinion but a track like “Alone Again” was a real gem. • The Serfs and Kubler-Ross get special mention for assiduously nailing the minimal analog industrial/ebm dance sounds of yesteryear with a modern touch. SO GOOD!!! • Essential reissues from Front Line Assembly and Delerium, Portion Control, Mentallo and the Fixer, and Dive were great to see. If you missed them the first time around now is your chance for rediscovery. The Sigbefia Five/Formal Defect was especially epic as prices for the OG were skyrocketing in value. • I need to think of a creative descriptor name for acts like Zola Jesus and King Dude. Two artist whose albums this year were among the most cathartic releases I experienced.  Uncommonly poignant, moody and so much more. I felt both drained and liberated after listening to each. • Biggest surprise of the year: Xpropaganda. 37 years after the masterpiece “A Secret Wish” Claudia Brücken and Susanne Freytag release the remarkable stunning comeback LP, The Heart Is Strange. intricately detailed it picks up naturally where “A Secret Wish left off – dramatic, soothing and peaceful.

::: ::: :::

Ah, I could go on and on. I love writing and talking about music. Your comments and conversation are welcome, but let’s wrap this up…

This isn’t a top 10, top 25 or even a top 50. Instead, it’s an A-Z recommendation list encompassing many genres as those lines are getting more and more blurred. A good tune is a good tune, regardless of genre.  

HIGHLY encourage you to get out there and seek out new music; Visit the record stores, go hear a new DJ, fire up Spotify or another streaming service, check out some new music via podcast, DJ mixes, label sites, online retailers, even Facebook. One of the best sources for discovering new music is BandCamp – a plethora of discoveries to be found out there. If you do the work, you’ll be rewarded ;)     Speaking of Spotify – I made a playlist this year featuring plenty of the bands on my list. There’s at least a track or more from the artist who have a presence on Spotify. Sadly a few bands on this list aren’t on the platform but check BandCamp and you can have a listen. Here’s the link:   https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1kGOD6hX5NpsDtuglS3W5Y?si=bd8c29a32bb14267

As in years past I’m certain I missed a few things, ignored the hype on certain releases or just plain forgotten something. It’s a chore to compile this list, but I love to do it. There’s a ton of new pioneering music out there for sure waiting to be discovered and it’s the “what’s next” that keeps me a motivated music fan. There’s never a dull moment in speaking, writing, DJ'ing or promoting new music, so I’ll keep doing it and hopefully be a guide for you all ;).   If it needs mention and I overlooked it - I may do an addendum in the next week or so. Anyways, got your notepaper and plenty of beverages ready? Don’t be a TL:DR (Too Long: Didn’t Read) fool. Read up. Enjoy the music of 2022!

Alpha Sect - Internet Rebels (single) Blac Kolor – Roots (ep) Boy Harsher - The Runner (OST) Causeway - We Were Never Lost (album) Cold Cave - Godstar cover (single) Comfort Cure - Cuts the Line (Single) Comfort Cure - Rain on the Bar (Single)

 Comfort Cure - They Told You Wrong (Single) Crystal Geometry - I Stare Into Darkness Crystal Geometry - Thorned (ep) Crystal Geometry – We Are Not Alone (single) Cyan ID - Silent Past Wounds (album) Damaged Clock - Circulo Vicioso (album) Dive - Behind the Sun (album re-issue) Endless Nothing – Omnia Fert Aetas (ep) Evil Dust -Dresden (album) Extensive Infraction - Social Coma (ep) Faux Fear – Perfect Blue (ep) Faux Fear – Uncharted <<<>>> Legacy (single) Figure Section – Mirages (album) Figure Section – Trompe La Mort (single) Fractions – Daytona (ep) Fractions – Rize (single) Front Line Assembly - Corroded/Disorder
(album re-issue) Front Line Assembly - The Initial Command (album re-issue) Front Line Assembly - Total Terror 1 (album re-issue) Front Line Assembly - Total Terror 2 (album re-issue) GBxCL – Consensus Omnium (single) GBxCL – Exordium (single) GBxCL - Total Denial (single) General Dynamics - Weaponize Your Dreams (album) Halv Drom - Serpent Scan (album) Handful of Snowdrops - Hope TM (single) Hatchie - Giving the World Away (album) Hatchie – Nosedive (single) Infravision – That Beat In My Heart (single) King Dude – Death (album) Klack - Beat Unity (ep) Klack - Believe (single) Konkurs - Mind Stimulant (album) Krishna Goineau Feat, MCL – 80’s Tape (album) Kubler Ross - Kubler Ross (album) Leathers – Runaway (single) Leathers – Ultraviolet (single) Light Asylum - Dark Allies (Pablo Bozzi edit digital single) Lust For Youth – Accidental Win (single) Maedon - Now I am Become Death (album) Maedon - Now I am Become Death (Remixes) (ep) Maedon-X – The Lion and the Ram (album) Max Und Max - World Clash (ep_ Mentallo and the Fixer - No Rest for the Wicked 30th Anniversary (album re-issue) Mind | Matter – A Travers L’Acheron (single) Mind | Matter - les brumes de l'abandon (ep) Mint Julep – Covers (album) Mint Julep – Daydream (single) Minuit Machine – 24 (album) Minuit Machine – Follower (single) Minuit Machine - Lion in A Cage (single) Nasdrowie – Extract (ep) Nasdrowie – The Phantom Images 2 (single) New Frames – Ashes (ep)  New Frames – RNF4 (ep) NGHTLY - Il Venerdì Dell'Arte (ep) NNHMN – Arabische Ritter (single) NNHMN - For the Comfort of Your Exstazy (ep) Noise Unit – Cheeba City Blues (Album) Normal Bias - Normal Bias (ep) NZM 99 – Disaster (single) NZM 99 – Analogia (ep) NZM 99 - Requiem of Art (album) Pablo Bozzi - Ghost of Chance (album) Pablo Bozzi - Magnetisma (ep) Pablo Bozzi - Street Reign (ep) Placebo - Never Let Me Go (album) Placebo – Shout (single) Poison Point - Poisoned Gloves (album) Portion Control – Dissolve Plus (album re-issue) Qual – Re-animated (album) Red Deviil - Monster Room (ep) Rhys Fulber - Collapsing Empires (album) Sacred Skin - Killer’s Mind (single) Sacred Skin - The Decline of Pleasure (album)

 Schwefelgelb - Whirlpool-Gedanken (ep) SDH - Maybe a Body (ep) Sigbefia Five/Formal Defect – Behind Impuls Records (album re-issue) Silent Servant - Optimistic Decay (single) Soft Crash – Artificial Tears (single) Soft Crash - Your Last Everything (album) Spike Hellis - Spike Hellis (album) Termination_800 - Cyborg Remix (album) Termination_800 – Opfor Target (ep) The Present Moment - Enough to Drive You Mad (album) The Present Moment - News For You (single) The Serfs - Primal Matter (album) The Serfs – Stimuli (Kontravoid Remix single) Various Artist - Tartarus (with Alpha Sect, Facets, Gegen Mann and more) (album) Various Artist - Unholy Body Tempo (with Cyan ID, Red Devill, GBxCL, etc…) (album) Venon Vampires - Luxury In Deceit (album) WLDV – Lots of bandcamp singles X Marks the Pedwalk - New/End (album) XPropaganda - The Heart Is Strange (album) Yansyet – System 189 (single) Yansyet - Tears of the Motherland (ep) Yansyet – The Shining (ep) Zola Jesus – Alive in Cappadocia (ep) Zola Jesus – Arkhon (album)

2021 Music Recommendations

2021 – Or as many referenced it 2020.1.  Another year of pandemic and uncertainty. Getting through those twelve months was enough. Thankfully some things began coming “back online”. There were a few tours that happened, some clubs reopened and cautious efforts to begin again started. As chaotic as 2021 often was, there was always music to offer an escape, keep me grounded, keep me motivated and keep me happy.

Observations and listening habits: • Still listening to plenty of techno-ebm (my favorite) and really impressed this year by releases from Crystal Geometry, Red Deviil, Alpha Sect, Mind | Matter and more in the genre. • Really liking the influx hybrid of new beat and italio into releases/songs from Infavision, Andi, Randolph & Mortimer, Pablo Bozzi, Soft Crash and others. • Synth and synthpop pulled me out of some depressing days and I loved the releases from Chvrches, Hatchie, Johnny Dynamite and the Bloodsuckers, Korine, and Wingtips. Got me smiling again. • New Wave material from Nuovo Testamento, Riki, and Second Skin really impressed me and it’s likely I’ll be listening to a LOT more of that stuff in 2022. • The old industrial genre still had a few surprises from Dive, The Force Dimension, Mildreda, Noise Unit (nice return!), This Morn Omina, Vomito Negro and a few others. • Best cover song goes to The Present Moment for “Indestructible”. • Super interesting and really genre-bending releases from Zanias, Odonis Odonis and Stendeck were phenomenal with their ideas. If you think you’ve heard it all, check these three releases. • The Ruen Brothers wonderfully avoided the sophomore curse of a bummer second album, releasing the fun “Ultramodern” album that’s just as good as their debut in the Americana/roots-rock genre. Can’t listen to electronic stuff all the time and it’s music like that that pairs well with car shows and cruisin’.

Ah, I could go on and on, but let’s wrap this up…

This isn’t a top 10, top 25 or even a top 100. Instead, it’s an A-Z recommendation list encompassing many genres as those lines are getting more and more blurred. A good tune is a good tune, regardless of genre.  

HIGHLY encourage you to get out there and seek out new music; Visit the record stores, go hear a new DJ, fire up Spotify or another streaming service, check out some new music via podcast, DJ mixes, label sites, online retailers, even Facebook. One of the best sources for discovering new music is BandCamp – a plethora of discoveries to be found out there. If you do the work, you’ll be rewarded ;)     Speaking of Spotify – I made a playlist this year featuring plenty of the bands on my list. There’s at least a track or more from the artist who have a presence on Spotify. Sadly a few bands on this list aren’t on the platform but check BandCamp and you can have a listen. Here’s the link:   https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3IfTR5042CqevW3ufPiimr?si=133c2f69ee354144

As in years past I’m certain I missed a few things, ignored the hype on certain releases or just plain forgotten something. It’s a chore to compile this list, but I love to do it. There’s a ton of new pioneering music out there for sure waiting to be discovered and it’s the “what’s next” that keeps me a motivated music fan. There’s never a dull moment in speaking, writing, DJ'ing or promoting new music, so I’ll keep doing it and hopefully be a guide for you all ;).   If it needs mention and I overlooked it - I may do an addendum in the next week or so. Anyways, got your notepaper and plenty of beverages ready? Don’t be a TL:DR (Too Long: Didn’t Read) fool. Read up. Enjoy the music of 2021!

Onwards with the 2021 list!!! !Bang Elektronika – “Aktiverung!” (Mecanica)

Absolute Body Control – “A New Dawn” (Mecanica)

Absolute Body Control – “Lost/Found” (Re-issue) (Mecanica)

Alessandro Nero – “Infected by Ideology” (X-IMG)

Alpha Sect – “Black Synapse” (Piladoras Tapes)

Alpha Sect – “Dark Rituals” (Soil Records)

Alpha Sect – “Drowned In Fire” (Forkha) Alpha Sect – “Fear State” (Mosaique)

Andi / Randolph & Mortimer – “Torque Force” (Mecanica)

Anti-Yo – “La Formula” (Pildoras Tapes)

Balvanera – “Courses of Action” (DKA Tapes)

Blac Kolor – “New Leader” (Aufnahme + Wiedergabe)

Blac Kolor – “Remixed Times of Upheavel” (Aufnahme + Wiedergabe)

Black Dahlia – “Animasochist” (X-IMG)

Black Dahlia – “Transmutative Discipline” (Self-released)

Blakk Harbor – “Petite Mort” (Self-released)

Blind Delon, IV Horsemen – “Liftoff” (Soil)

Calvary Stone – “Valeria’s Dream” (Soil)

Chloe Lula – “Errant Bodies” (Aufnahme + Wiedergabe)

Choke Chain – “Invoking Shadows” (Phage Tapes)

Chris Shape – “Shaped to Deform Extended” (Area Z)

Chvrches – “Good Girls” (Glassnote)

Chvrches – “He Said She Said” (Virgin)

Chvrches – “Screen Violence Directors Cut” (Glassnote)

Chvrches – “Screen Violence” (Glassnote)

Cold Cave – “Fate in Seven Lessons” (Self Released Heartworm Press)

Cold Cave – “Night Light” (Self Released Heartworm Press)

Comfort Cure – “Hands Of Stone” (Self released)

Comfort Cure – “Strain” (Self Released)

Crystal Geometry – “Distressing Visions” (Sonic Groove)

Crystal Geometry – “Doppleganger” (Gomboc records)

Cyan ID – “Serpents With Spirit and Body” (Detriti)

Decompiler – “Our Love Will Climb Any Mountain” (Detroit Industrial)

Devikorps – “Injection Site” (X-IMG)

Dive – “Leave Me Be” (Out Of Line)

Dry Feel – “No Privacy” (X-IMG)

Force Dimension – “Mortal Cable” (Sonic Groove)

Fractions – “Violent Eyes” (Fleisch)

Gorl, Robert (DAF) – Nur Noch Einer (Groenland Records)

Hante. – “Morning Tsunami” (Synth Religion)

Hatchie – “Crush” (Secretly Canadian)

Hatchie – “This Enchanted” (Secretly Canadian)

Infravision - “Illegal Future” (Fleisch Records)

Jenn Vix / Dirk Ivens – “Fuck, Rinse, Repeat / Burn” (Ant-Zen)

Johnny Dynamite & The Bloodsuckers – “Sleeveless” (Born Losers)

KLACK – “Introducing the 1984 Renault LeCar (Vinyl) (Self-released)

Kontravoid – “Faceless” (Self Released)

Korine – “Sunshine” (Self-released)

Leathers - “Reckless” (Artoffact Records)

Mildreda – “I Was Never Really There” (Dependent)

Mind | Matter – “Enfant De La Demence” (Intervision)

Mind | Matter – “Staring at the Void” (Area Z)

Mint Julep – “Halfway” (Unseen)

Mint Julep – “In A Deep & Dreemless Sleep” (Western Vinyl)

Minuit Machine – “Basic Needs” (Warriorecords)

Mission to the Sun – “Cleansed By Fire” (Felte)

Mission to the Sun – “Damaged” (Felte)

Mission to the Sun – “No Language” (Felte)

Mission to the Sun – “Take Me Back” (Felte)

Modebionics – “Misfortune of War” (Self-released)

Nasdrowie – “Feed New Hope” (L’Atelier Sept)

Nasdrowie – “Flesh World” (Detriti)

Noise Unit – “Body Aktiv” (Artoffact Records)

Noise Unit – “Fargo Field” (Artoffact Records)

Noise Unit – “Deviator” (Artoffact Records)

Noise Unit – “Misery” (Artoffact Records)

Notausgang – “The Lockdown Sessions” (Phormix)

Notausgang – “There is No Tomorrow” (Detriti)

Notausgang – “Third Encounter” (X-IMG)

Nuovo Testamento – “New Earth” (Avant!)

Nuovo Testamento – “New Earth remixes” (Funeral Party)

Odonis Odonis – “Spectrums” (Felte)

One Flesh Infektion – “Die Realitat ist ein Gefangnis” (Detriti)

Placebo – Beautiful James (Elevator Lady Ltd.)

Placebo – “Surrounded By Spies” (Elevator Lady Ltd.)

Present Moment, The – “Indestructible” (self-released)

Present Moment, The – “Life-Line” (self-released)

Present Moment, The – “Monkeyland” (self-released)

Randolph & Mortimer – “Systems, Souls & Societies” (self released)

Raum – “Conjurer” (Aufnahme + Wiedergabe)

Red Deviil – “Akerbeltz” (Haunted Space)

Red Deviil – “Inframundo” (OSM Tapes)

Rhys Fulber – “Brutal Nature” (FR Recordings)

Riki – “Gold” (Dais records)

Rouge – “Ultimatum” (Detriti)

Ruen Brothers – “Ultramodern” (Self-released)

Sarin x Scarlit Port – “Daevas” (Mechatronica)

Schwefelgelb – “Der Rest Der Nacht” (n-plex)

Second Skin – “Colder” (Self-released)

Second Skin - “Colder” (Kontravoid Remix) (Self-released)

Second Skin – “Eyes Closed” (Self-released)

Second Skin – “Eyes Closed” (Drab Majesty Remix) (Self-released)

Second Skin – “Far Away” (Self-released)

Sierra – “Control” (Self-Released)

Sierra – “Trapped” (Self-Released)

Stendeck – “Carnage” (Hymen Records)

Stendeck – “Somewhere Nobody Knows” (Hymen Records)

Teatre – “Vociferate” (Lux Rec)

These Hidden Hands X Zanias ‎– “Shackles” (Hidden Hundred)

This Morn ‘Omina - "The Roots Of Saraswati" (Dependent)

Tronik Youth – “Let’s Go” (Nein records)

Tronik Youth – “U R A Slave” (Nein Records)

Ultra Sunn – “Night is Mine (New Beat Mix)” (Self-released)

Unknown – “Lack of Resources” (X-IMG)

Various Artist – “Bodywork Selections Vol. 1” (Miseria)

Various Artist – “Egonlab Horror Story” (EgonLab)

Various Artist – “Los Insurgentes Tienen Razón Part 1” (OSM Tapes)

Various Artist – “Los Insurgentes Tienen Razón Part 2“(OSM Tapes)

Various Artist – “Los Insurgentes Tienen Razón Part 3” (OSM Tapes)

Various Artist – “Meta Moto V”

Various Artist – “Murder 03” (Murder Records)

Various Artist – “Sharp VA3” (Sharped Records)

Various Artist – “Stranger Times (A Tribute to The Chameleons)” (Coitus Interuptus Productions)

Various Artist – “Unification of Harsh Realities” Vol. 1

Veldt – “Ground Floor Remixed” (Detroit Industrial)

Visitor/XTR Human – “Technofosil/G.O.L.D. remix split” (Braid)

Vittorio Di Mango – “Extrema Ratio” (X-IMG)

Vomito Negro – “Entitled” (Mecanica)

Vulkanski – “Skeptical Answers” (Bite)

Wingtips – “Cutting Room Floor” (Artoffact Records)

Zanias – “Unearthed” (Fleisch)

Zanias – “Unraveled” (Fleisch)

Zanias – “Unseen” (Fleisch)

Zanias – “Untethered” (Fleisch)

2020 Music Recommendations

2020 – WHAT A SHIT YEAR! There was so much craziness in those 365 days – from politics to a pandemic. Music was often times one of those things we could take comfort in or use it as a tool to express a range of emotions. I’m always surprised when compiling these list (of which I’ve been doing for 20+ years now it seems) that no matter the state of the world, there is always an overabundance of great music to be discovered. 2020 musically, delivered - including surprising returns from some bands who’ve been rather quiet in the past years like Consolidated, Cabaret Voltaire, and Portion Control.  

The majority of what I listen to is electronic based music, with techno-body music being my favorite and there was STILL PLENTY of that in 2020 from labels like Aufnahme+Wiedergabe, Fleisch, Bite, X-IMG, Sonic Groove, SOIL, and more. Occasionally something a little lighter like the ethereal shoe-gaze goodness of Mint Julep (“Stray Fantasies” was an amazing record), or the post-punk of House of Harm (wonderful new discovery this year with “Viscous Pastimes”) and Sure (you all slept on “20 years” in 2020) works its way in to my listening. I still find synth pop from the likes of Riki, Korine, Tanz Waffen and Wingtips wonderfully appeasing. The wave material from the likes of Handful of Snowdrops, Linea Aspera, Zanias, Hante., Minuit Machine and Replicant was perfect for those melancholy moods. I even dipped into some aggressive near metal stuff this year from the likes of Pudeur, ESA and Youth Code – perfect for those days of anger.  Oh, and I was thrilled to see a lot of exclusive, unreleased and remixed Curve material surface this year – a band who embraces several genres (walls of guitar, shoe gaze, industrial) and moods.

This isn’t a top 10, top 25 or even a top 100. Instead, it’s an A-Z recommendation list encompassing many genres as those lines are getting more and more blurred. A good tune is a good tune, regardless of genre.  

HIGHLY encourage you to get out there and seek out new music; Visit the record stores, go hear a new DJ, fire up Spotify or another streaming service, check out some new music via podcast, DJ mixes, label sites, online retailers, even Facebook. One of the best sources for discovering new music is BandCamp - who in 2020 with the pandemic started BandCamp Fridays in which the site waived its normal fees to assist artist impacted. Taking place, the first Friday of every month, those will continue in 2021. There’s a plethora of discoveries to be found out there. If you do the work, you’ll be rewarded ;)     Speaking of Spotify – I made a playlist this year featuring plenty of the bands on my list. There’s at least a track or more from the artist who have a presence on Spotify. Sadly a few bands on this list aren’t on the platform, but check BandCamp and you can have a listen. Here’s the link:   https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02kQJZE7uvJxwHJD8j8zrh?si=SHlP4mVRTuaRejh6So3Mig

As in years past I’m certain I missed a few things, ignored the hype on certain releases or just plain forgotten something. It’s a chore to compile this list, but I love to do it. There’s a ton of new pioneering music out there for sure waiting to be discovered and it’s the “what’s next” that keeps me a motivated music fan. There’s never a dull moment in speaking, writing, DJ'ing or promoting new music, so I’ll keep doing it and hopefully be a guide for you all ;).   If it needs mention and I overlooked it - I may do an addendum in the next week or so. Anyways, got your notepaper and plenty of beverages ready? Don’t be a TL:DR (Too Long: Didn’t Read) fool. Read up. Enjoy the music of 2020!

Onwards with the list!!! :D  

2+2=5 - “Hidden In Plain Sight “ (COUP)  

Absolute Body Control   - “1980/2020” 3xLP (Oraculo Records)    

Agent 15   - “Voices In My Head” (Drone)  

Ah Cama-Sotz - “New Skin for Old Tribals “ (Self-released)  

Andi - “Corpse to Corpus” 12” (Aufnahme+Wiedergabe)    

Arabian Panther - “The Way of the Pentinent” EP (SOIL)  

Arnaud Rebotini – “Workout: This is a Quarantine EP6” (Self-released)  

Autumns - "You Always Taught Me Better" LP  (Detriti Records)  

Benedek - “Mr. Goods” 12” (L.I.E.S.)  

Blac Kolor   - “Extinction” EP  (Aufnahme+Widergabe)  

Blacksmith   - “Dominated” (X-IMG)    

Blitzkrieg Baby - “Remixed” (Aufnahme+Wiedergabe)    

Blush Response   - “Void In” LP (Megastructure)   - “Void Out” (Megastructure)    

Body Beat Ritual   - "Raw Dogs” EP (Pleasure Corp)  

Body Divide   - “Pleasure From Pain” (Squarewav)    

Cabaret Voltaire   - “Shadow of Fear” LP (Self-released)  

Calvary Stone - “Hate Unit” (Soil)  

Caustic - “The King of EBM” (Self-released)    

Cervello Elettronico - “No Sides” EP (SquareWav)  

Choke Chain - “Chain Tactics” (Self-released)   - “Grave” (Self-released)  

Chris Shape - “Shaped to Deform” (Unknown Pleasures Records)    

Chrome Corpse   - “Detecting Movement” Ltd. Edition 12" EP  (Oraculo Records)   - “Helmet Mounted Display” (Self-released)  

Chrome Corpse / Decent News   - “Split” (Self-Released)  

Codex Empire   - “Broken by Fear" Ltd. 12” (Horo)     - “Protected by Rage” 12”  (Aufnahme+Wiedergabe)  

Cold Cave   - “Waving Hands” (self-releaesed)  

Comfort Cure - “Serpentine City” (Rec.Body.Ltd)    

Consolidated - “Capitalism” (Self-released)  

Crystal Geometry   - “Samiam” EP (Sacred Court)   - “Senestre” 2x12” (Sonic Groove)  

Curve   - “Blindfold EP - Bootleg EP Series 1”  (Self-released)   - “Curve Oddities Bootleg Series 3” (Self-released)   - “Curve Oddities Bootleg Series 5” (Self-released)   - “Horror Head Raw DAT Mixes Bootleg Series 4” (Self-released)  

Cyan ID   - “Blurred Revelation” (X-IMG)  

Dive   - “Where Do We Go From Here” Ltd. Ed Box set (Out Of Line)    

E.L.I.   - “Dying to Live” (SOIL)    

E.S.A.   -  “Burial 10” (Negative Gain Productions)   -  “Eat Their Young / The Scorn” (Negative Gain Productions)  

Einstruzende Neubauten   – “Alles In Allem” (Potomak)  

Evil Dust   - “Desolation” (Crave Tapes)    

Fatal Morgana   -  “The Destructive Remixes” 12"   (Mecanica Records)   - “The Final Destruction” 2LP   (Mecanica Records)  

Filmmaker   - “Reinvent” 12” (Soil records)  

Fixmer - "Invasion” 12” (Bite)    

Fixmer/McCarthy   - “Unreleased From the Archives" (Planet Rogue Records)    

Foreign Policy   - “Watching Existence” 12” (X-IMG)  

Fractions   - “Nite NRG” (Monnom Black)    

Further Reductions - “Array” 12” (Knekelhuis)    

Hakai   – “No Flesh Shall Be Spared” 12” (Megastructure)  

Halv Drom   -  “Slum Vatic” LP (Fleisch)  

Handful of Snowdrops   - “Asymetrical” (NanoGénésie®) - “Echoes -The Complete Cover Collection” (NanoGénésie®)   - “The Four Winds” (NanoGénésie®)   - “The Impossible Dream” (NanoGénésie®)   - “Watch Me Bleed / Theme for Great Cities” (Self-released)  

Hante.   - “Fierce - Remixes & More” LP (Synth Religion)      

HKKPTR   - “Macht & Ohnmacht” EP (Aufnahme+Wiedergabe)    

House of Harm   - “Vicious Pastimes” LP (Avant!)  

Human Performance Lab   - “Impact Situation” 12"  (Aufnahme+Wiedergabe)  

Inhalt   - “Simulation” 2xLP Remixes (Mechatronica)  

Iron Court   - “Etched Forseights” (Detriti)    

Istigkeit & Angel Karel   - “You A’Int No Punk, You Punk”  (RND. Records)  

IV Horsemen   - “Compilation Vol. 1” (Self-released)     - “Human Crash” LP (Fleisch)    

Karger Traum   - “III” LP (DKA Records)    

Kenny Campbell   - “Blackest Ever Buckfast” (Drone)

King Dude   - “Full Virgo Moon” LP (Van)    

KLACK   - "Two Minute Warning” (Klackprodukt)   - “Move Any Mountain” (Self-released)     - “Catching Up with Klack” (Razgrom)   - “Distancing” (Self-released)   - “Move Any Mountain” (Self-released)     - “Probably” (Klackprodukt)  

Konkurs   - “Terminal Stage" (Megastructure, X-IMG)  

Kontravoid   - “Live from the Void” (Self-released)     - “Too Deep Remixes” (Fleisch)    

Korine   - “The Night We Raise” LP (Data Airlines)    

Kris Baha   - “Barely Alive” 12” (Emotional Especial)     - “Starts to Fall” 12” (Power Station)    

Kutkh Jackdaw   - “Sweat & Thunder EP and remixes” (Dark Disco)      

Lbeeze   - “Induced Expressions” (Phormix Tapes)    

Liebknecht   - “Demos The H4AR 2020" (Self-released)   - “Koln : Total Harmonic Noize remix” (Self-released)    

Linea Aspera   - “LP II” (Self-released)    

Looky Looky   - “Are You There Beach?” (Self-released)    

Machino   - “Ciudad Violenta” (X-IMG)    

Maedon   - “Escape To Berlin" (Sonic Groove)      

Marc Ash   - “Mirror Glaze Lavish" 12" EP (Fleisch)  

Marina Aleksandra   - “Animal Industrial Complex” (Randolph & Mort. mix)  

Max Durante   - “Fear and Desire” 12”  (Aufnahme+Wiedergabe)  

Mind | Matter   – “Souvenirs Brises” (Intervision)  

Mint Julep   - “Stray Fantasies” LP (Western Vinyl)    

Minuit Machine   - “Don’t Run From the Fire” 12” (Synth Religion)    

New Frames   - “Outer Limits” 12” (Bite)   - “RNF2” 12” (R Label Group)   - “Stylized Fear” 12” (Haven)    

Nordstaat   - “Singularity Second Coming” (X-IMG)  

NZ   - “More Of Us” 12” ltd. (Infacted Records)    

Objekt Clermont   - "Zeitgeist” EP (Self-released)  

Ofelia Ortodoxa   - “Maleficio” (Soil)    

Pablo Bozzi   - “Last Moscow Mule” (Dischi Autunno)   - “Walk on Wire” EP (Bite)  

Phase Fatale   - “Scanning Backwards” 2xLP (Osgut Ton)  

Portion Control   - “Head Buried” EP  (Portion-Control.Net)   - “Seed  1” EP (Portion-Control.Net)   - “Seed 2” EP (Portion-Control.Net)  

Pudeur   - “Magie Noire” (Area Z)    

Randolph & Mortimer   - “Enjoy More” 7” (Self-released)   - “Manifesto for a Modern World” 2xLP (Mecanica)     - “They Know We Know They Lie” (Self-released)   - “Union of the Faithful” (Self-released)    

Reka X Imperial Black Unit   - “Todo Avaricia” 12" EP  (Fleisch)  

Rendered   - “Stone Cold Soul” CD (Audiophob)    

Replicant   - "Regression” (Self-released)     - “Annihilation” (Self-released)  

Rhys Fulber   - “Diaspora” EP  (Aufnahme+Wiedergabe)   - “Resolve” (FR Recordings)  

Riki   - “Riki” LP (Dais Records)

Rommek   - “Break The Tension” 12” (Leyla Records)    

Salem Unsigned   - “Blood Origin” (RND.r recorcds)    

SARIN   - “Moral Cleansing Remixed" (Bite)      

Schwefelgelb   - “Der Puls Durch Die Schläfen Instrumentals" (n-Plex)     - “Der Puls Durch Die Schläfen" (n-Plex)     - “Die Stimme Drängt” 12"  (Cititrax)  

SDH - “Against Strong Thinking" 12" (Avant!)  

Size Pier   - “Typhoon in Busan” (X-IMG)    

Soft Crash   - “Spitzkrieg” 12” EP  (Bite)  

Soj   - “Land of Lovers and Hammers” (Infidel Bodies)   - “Slow Burn” (Industrial Complexx)    

Statiqbloom   - “Asphyxia Remixed” (Synthicide)      

Sure   - “20 Years” LP (Weyrd Sun Records)    

T_ERROR 404   - “Holographic Skull” (X-IMG)  

Tanz Waffen   - “Led Astray” (Self-Released)    

Teatre   - “Crime Imagery” (Self-released)  

Terrorfakt   - “Achtung 2020 Remixes” (SquareWav)    

The Marquis - “Poison” (Self-released)   - “Scab” (Self-released)    

Trauma Phase   - “Human Caused Disaster Response” (Detriti)   - “The Origin of Social Disabilities” (Self-Released)  

Unconscious   - “Regnum Novum” (X-IMG)     -"Slaves of System" LP  (Detriti)  

Unhuman   - “Voices of Distress” 12” (Bite)  

Various Artisits - “ASM II “ (Forkha) with: Chrome Corpse, Mind|Matter, The Undertaker’s Tapes, Evil Dust and more  

Various Artist -  “Meta Moto 4” (Meta Moto) with: Borsis Barksdale, Raw Ambassador, Filmmaker, Teatre and more

Various Artist - “Antikhrist Visions vol. II” LP (Industrias Mekanikas) with: Downwell, Delectro and more  

Various Artist - “BOY Records – Timeless Technology 1988 – 1991" 4xLP (Mecanica) Retrospective box of the legendary Boy label releases.  

Various Artist - “Crime Violente Vol.4”  (Up North Records) With: Calvary Stone, Lbeeze, Meshes and more  

Various Artist - “Dystopia in Action” 12” (X-IMG)     with: Alpha & Necromante, Kris Baha, Human Performance Lab and more  

Various Artist - “Ecdisis Vol 2” (Frigio Records) Snag this for the outstanding edit of Portion Control’s “Chew You to Bits”

Various Artist - “Murder 01” 12” (Murder) with: Codex Empire, Crystal Geometry, JK Flesh and more  

Various Artist - “Northern Nightmares Vol.1” (Up North Records) with: Autumns, Cardopusher, Teatre, Hate Magnum Opus and more

Various Artist - “Northern Nightmares Vol. 2” (Up North Records) with:  Notausgang, NGHTY, Violet Poison and more

Various Artist - “Sonic Groove: 25 Years 1995-2020" 2xLP (Sonic Groove) with: Orphx, Crustal geometry, Maedon, Rhys Fulber & Portion Control and more

Various Artist - “Uncanny Valleys Vol. 1” (Area Z) with: Chrome Corpse, Sarin x Imperial Black Unit, Celldod, IV Horsemen and more

Various Artist - “Uncanny Valleys Vol. 2” (Area Z) with: Ah Cama-Sotz, 3.14, MDS51 and more  

Various Artist - “Valley of Tears vol 1" 12” (Soil)   with: Imperial Black Unit, Fractions, Exhausted Modern and more

Various Artist - “Valley of Tears Vol. 2” 12” (Soil) with: SOj, Djedjotronic, Years of Denial and more  

Various Artist - “Seven Years of Delirium" (Liber Null)   with: Blush Response, NGLY, Zanias, Celldod, Phase Fatale and more  

Various Artist – “Detriti Split 1” 12” split vinyl (Detriti) with: Black Sun Dreamer and Trauma Phase

Various Artist – “Detriti Split 2” 12” split vinyl (Detriti) with: Mind | Matter and Iron Court  

Visceral Anatomy   - “Modern Anguish” EP  (Oraculo Records)  

Visitor   - “Technofossil” (Braid Records)  

Wingtips   - “Tears Of Pearls" (Self-released)    

Youth Code   - “Puzzle” (Self-Released)    

Zanias   - “Extinction” 12” (Fleisch)     - “Harmaline” (Self-Released)    

Zola Jesus   - “Live at Roadburn” (Roadburn Records)

2019 Music Recommendations

2019. Another stellar year! There was so much excitement this year to be found musically. First off some surprises from some older acts who haven’t released material in decades. Both Heavy Water Factory and Numb had terrific returns to form with new full lengths this year and not surprisingly after the long slumbers - still showcased modern sounds and futuristic ideas. Some terrific re-issues this year from the likes of Dive, Force Dimension and Robotiko Rejekto all from the awesome Mecanica label. If you missed them the first go-around seek them out – those are all important artifacts in the industrial-ebm history. Oh yeah, they also re-issued Acid Horse and Pailhead records this year too!  Synth-pop and synth wave made a huge impact again this year with remarkable releases from Hatchie (favorite record of the year), Silent Em, Luminance, Iris, Body of Light, Minuit Machine, Wingtips, Replicant and others. Post-punk seemed to be the buzz phrase this year with a lot of attention on it. Many great records from the likes of Foreign Resort, Present Moment, Ritual Howls, Veil of Light and Years of Denial. Retro sounding EBM still caught my attention with outstanding releases from Klack, Randolph & Mortimer and Unconscious. Likewise, there was so much contemporary energy surging in the newer techno-ebm realm with punchy releases from Crystal Geometry, Maedon, Kontravoid, Raffaele Attanasio, Rhys Fulber, Ansome and so many others. This isn’t a top 10, top 25 or even a top 100. Instead, it’s an A-Z recommendation list encompassing many genres as those lines are getting more and more blurred.  The majority of what I listen to is electronic based and that runs a whole gamut of sub-genres from techno-ebm, to synth-pop to whatever. A good tune is a good tune, regardless of genre. For each release I’ve listed a format (the one I purchased the release in). If there’s not a format listed - it’s usually digital. My preferred format is vinyl, but if you can’t find it on vinyl it’s likely available digitally as well. RE stands for re-issue by the way.

There’s a ton of new pioneering music out there for sure waiting to be discovered and it’s the “what’s next” that keeps me a motivated music fan. There’s never a dull moment in speaking, writing, DJ'ing or promoting new music, so I’ll keep doing it and hopefully be a guide for you all ;).  

HIGHLY encourage you to get out there and seek out new music; Visit the record stores, go hear a new DJ, fire up Spotify or another streaming service, check out some new music via podcast, DJ mixes, label sites, online retailers, Facebook, BANDCAMP, BANDCAMP, BANDCAMP, etc. There’s a plethora of discoveries to be found out there. If you do the work, you’ll be rewarded ;)   Speaking of Spotify – I made a playlist this year featuring plenty of the bands on my list. There’s at least a track or more from the artist who have a presence on Spotify. Here’s the link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZxvyspTQAiizVe2WN43Fr?si=jsLN6-DiS5WQerWSRbb9Fg

As in years past I’m sure I missed a few things, ignored the hype on certain releases or just plain forgotten something. If it needs mention and I overlooked it - I may do an addendum in the next week or so. Anyways, got your notepaper and plenty of beverages ready? Don’t be a TL:DR (Too Long: Didn’t Read) fool. Read up. Enjoy the music of 2019!

Onwards with the list!!! :D  

-Marc

000 - We Became Reptiles EP (RND. Records) Adam-X - Midnight Sun 12” (BITE)

AEmit - Devourer 12” (Fleisch) Ansome - Hounds of the Harbour 2x12” (Perc Trax) 

Arkan - Stamina (RND Redcords)

Autumns - Shortly After Nothing LP (Death & Leisure) - Pissing Away My Youth CS (Opal Tapes) Autumns/Verset Zero - ST 12” (Soil Records) Axkan - Torment 12” (Omen Recordings) Blush Response - Fissures in the Megastructure (Schematic Music Company) - Selection for Societal Sanity 12” (Sacred Court)

Body Beat Ritual - Instinct Primitive/Crash report 12” (Haven)

Body of Light - Time to Kill LP (Dais)

Boy Harsher - Careful LP (Nude Club) - Tears 12” (Nude Club) - Come Closer 12” (Nude Club)

Cardinal & Nun - I Met the Devil 12” (L.I.E.S.)

Celldod - Under Isen 12”(Veleno Viola) - Myndighetsforakt 12”(Unstable Signal) - Kemisk CS (AMOK)

Cervello Elletronico - Top Ded Ctr. CD (HANDS)

Chromatics - Closer to Grey CD (Italians Do It Better) - The Sound of Silence (Italians Do It Better) - Time Rider (Italians Do It Better) - Petals (Italians Do It Better)

Codex Empire - Slow Erosion 2xLP (aufnahme+wiedergabe)

Cold Cave - Promised Land (Heartworm Press)

Comfort Cure - Night Sweat (Self-released) - Intimate Vocabulary (Self-released) Confines - Geography of Nowhere CS (Synthicide)

Crystal Geometry - The Cyber Heresy 12” (Sonic Groove) - State of Play 12” (HANDS) - XV Signs of Doomsday CS (Tripalium Records) - Hexa Hexes (RND. Records)

Dax J - Chaos Comes to Conquer 12” (Monnom Black) Distant - Fallen Emperor CS (Detriti Records)

Dive - True Lies 2xLP (Mecanica RE)

Downwell - I See Death in Your Eyes 12” (Oraculo Records) Fee Lion - Blood Sisters - Blood Sisters Remixes (BOUND)

Force Dimension - Dues Ex Machina 2xLP (Mecanica RE)

Foreign Resort - Outumbered LP (Artoffact Records)

Fractions - Scars of Love 12” (Fleisch) - Constellations 12” (Rotterdam Electronix Harsh Mentor - Salve 12” (aufnahme+wiedergabe)

Hatchie - Keepsake LP (Heavenly Records)

Headless Horseman - 008 12” (Headless Horseman)

Heavy Water Factory - Fluid and Meat Remastered (Self-released) - Spillage (Self-released) - Purity of Evil (Self-released) - Amandava (Self-released) - Reaktif (Self-released)

Horrorist - Separate Dimension 2xLP (aufnahme+wiedergabe)

I Hate Models - L'Âge Des Métamorphoses 3xLP (Perc Trax) - Intergalactic Emotional Breakdown 12” (Arts)

Illnurse - Unreleased (Self-released)

Image of Life - Attended by Silence LP (Kernkrach)

Imperial Black Unit - Murder Under Establishment 12” (aufnahme+wiedergabe)

Inhalt Der Nacht - Deine Aura 12” (Seelen)

Iris - Six LP (Dependent)

IV Horseman - Dies Irae 12” (aufnahme+wiedergabe) Keepsakes - Modern Anxious Vernacular 12” (HAVEN)

Klack - 2400bps 8-N-1 (klackprodukt) - Introducing the 1984 Renault LeCar, Layover

Kontravoid - Too Deep LP (Fleisch)

Korine - Uncrossed / To You 7” (Born Losers Records)

Kris Baha - My Master 12” (Pinkman) - Palais 2xLP (CockTail d’Amore Music) Lapse of Reason - Sorrows 12” (aufnahme+wiedergabe)

Leathers – Phantom Heart (Self-released)

Liebknecht - Produkt V1.2 LP (Ant-Zen) - Ice Over Erfurt (Digital) - Koln EP (Digital)

Linea Aspera - Preservation Bias LP (Dark Entries RE)

Luminance - Ahead 2xLP (Medical Records) Lust For Youth - Lust For Youth LP (Sacred Bones),

Maedon - Against His Will 12” (Sonic Groove)

Maenad Veyl -  Body Count 2xLP (Veyl) - Onto Duat 12” (Bedouin Records) Mind | Matter - Peste Nere CS (Detriti Records)

Minuit Machine - Infrarouge LP (Synth Religion)

Multiple Man -  High on the Hog 12” EP (Fleisch) New Frames - Schweres Wasser 12” (HANDS)

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Ghosteen 2xLP (Ghosteen Ltd.) Nordstaat - Ein Opfer Auf Dem Altar Der Technologie CS (Clan Destine Records)

Nostromo - Extreme Manifestations 12” (aufnahme+wiedergabe)

Numb - Mortal Geometry LP (Metropolis)

Parallx - RP4 (R-Label Group)

Physical Wash - Physical Death CS (Self-released)

Populists aka Yan Wagner - Belgian Trip 12” (Detriti Records)

Present Moment - Split LP (Oraculo Records)

Radical G/Horrorist - RR2 (R-Label Group)

Raffaele Attanasio - Lust It Fills the Space 12” (LFJ)

Randolph & Mortimer - Manifesto for a Modern World CD (Self-Released) - Exclude/Divide (mp3 self-released) - R&M Remixes (mp3 self-released) - Electronic Body Weapon (mp3 self-released) - Body (mp3 self-released)

Rendered - Adrenalin EP (Mindcut)

Rendered / Black Egg - No Compromise 12” (Tripalium)

Replicant - A Taste of Midnight LP (self-released) - Pale Blue (mp3 self-released) - Lifelike (mp3 self-released)

Rhys Fulber - Ostalgia 2x12” (Sonic Groove) - Baut Mit 12” (Sonic Groove)

Rhys Fulber + Blush Response - Corruption of Form 12” (Sonic Groove)

Ritual Howls - Rendered Armour LP (Felte) - A Safe Haven From the Sun Robotiko Rejekto  - Communication 87-92 2xLP (Mecanica RE)

S.I.T.D. - Stunde X LP (Infacted Recordings) - Sturmlicht CD Single (Infacted) - Requiem X CD Single (Infacted) Salem Unsigned - Cantica (RND Records)

SARIN - Moral Cleansing LP (BITE) SARIN / Imperial Black Unit - Will to Destroy 12” (BITE)

Schwefelgelb - Aus Dem Gesicht Remixed 12” (aufnahme+wiedergabe) Sharplines - Born of God and Void CS (Dead By Overdose)

Silent EM - The Absence LP (Disko Obscura) Sina XX - My Body, Your Rules EP (RND Records)

T_error 404 - Spacemorgue (Khemia Records) - Ritual of Time (Area Z)

Test Dept. - Disturbance LP (One Little Indian) - White Label 12” (One Little Indian)

Thomas P Heckman - Acid Seduction 5 12” (AFU Limited) - Bone Breaker 12” (Molekul) - EBM Manifest Part 3 the Remixes 12” (AFU Limited) - EBM Manifest Part 4 The Remixes II 12” (AFU Limited) Tommy 47 - Veer 2xLP (47) - Veer Remixed 2xLP (47)

TR/ST - The Destroyer Part 1 LP (Grouch), - The Destroyer Part 2 LP (Grouch), - Gone (Grouch) Unconscious - Your God Is Dead LP (Detriti Records)

Unhuman - Nylon Speech 12” (BITE) Various – Benzeen Part 1 (Green Fetish records)            with: New Frames, hel.IV, LAVEN and more

Various – Infidel Selection Vol. 2 CS (Infidel Bodies)            with: Rendered, Crystal Geometry, Thomas P Heckmann, Hypnoskull and more Various – RAW Compilation Second Breath Parts 1-4 (RAW)            with: I Hate Models, Keepsakes, 14anger, Crystal Geometry, IV Horseman and plenty more Various – Sardonic Tonality Vol. 1 12” (HAVEN)            with: New Frames, Keepsakes, Ansome and more Various – Self Aware IV CS (X-IMG)            with: Konkurs, Primary, Survival Paradox, Unconscious and more

Various – Synthicide II 12” (Synthicide)            with: Ortrotasce, Andi, Cervello Elettronico and more

Various – The World of Monnom Black II 3xLP (Monnom Black)            with: Fractions, Zanias, Dax J and more Veil of Light - Inflict LP (Avant!) Veldt - Ground Floor CD (Detroit Industrial)

Velvet May - Vast as Black Night 12” (Tears on Waves) - Unknown Bodies 12” (Tears on Waves) Verschwender  - Face of Silence 12” (Seelen)

Vittorio Di Mango - RND.R030 (RND Records) VTSS - Self Control 12” (HAVEN) Wingtips - Exposure Therapy CD (Artoffact Records)

Years of Denial - Suicide Disco 2xLP (VEYL) - Body Map 12” (Pinkman Broken Dreams)

Yello - Bostich (ancient methods remix) 12” (aufnahme+wiedergabe)

2018 Music Recommendations

2018 - What an oddball year to say the very least.  Throughout the ups and downs, music was once again my saving grace. Music has that unique ability to say what words cannot, to pair with our emotions and be the soundtracks for our lives. I’d be lost without it for sure. 

This isn’t a top 10, top 25 or even a top 100.   Instead, it’s a recommendation list or better yet your shopping list. In years past, I used to break things down by genre. This year its just an alphabetical A-Z list as genre lines are getting more and more blurred.  The majority of what I listen to is electronic based and that runs a whole gamut of sub-genres from techno-ebm, to synth-pop to whatever. I’m less about trying to characterize music by genres these days, preferring instead to just enjoy it without pigeonholing. A good tune is a good tunes regardless of genre. 

At the very end I’ve “spotlighted” a handful of releases that I really enjoyed from the year. I could have written plenty about any in my lengthy list as they were all rather awesome, but I simply don’t have as much time this year as in years past. I’d suggest following me on FB as I post plenty of music news and items over there.

There’s a ton of new pioneering music out there for sure waiting to be discovered and it’s the “what’s next” that keeps me a motivated music fan. There’s never a dull moment in speaking, writing, DJ'ing or promoting new music, so I’ll keep doing it and hopefully be a guide for you all ;).  

HIGHLY encourage you to get out there and seek out new music; Visit the record stores, go hear a new DJ, fire up Spotify or another streaming service, check out some new music sites online, blogs, podcast, DJ mixes, label sites, online retailers, facebook, BANDCAMP, BANDCAMP, BANDCAMP, etc. There’s a plethora of discoveries to be found out there. If you do the work, you’ll be rewarded ;)

As in years past I’m sure I missed a few things, ignored the hype on certain releases or just plain forgotten something. I’m also REALLY horrible about remembering digital releases as I prefer physical format (Vinyl, CD, tapes). If it needs mention and I overlooked it - I may do an addendum in the next week or so.

Anyways, Read up.  Enjoy the music of 2018! Onwards with the list!!! :D  

-Marc :: THE LIST ::

3.14 - Closer to Chaos Cs

Acid Vatican - Psychoterrorpriest 12" Adam-X - Recon Mission Lp

Adult. - “this Behavior” Lp

Ah Came Sotz - I Believe CD

Aktion Mutante - S/t/ 12”

Alexey Volkov “the Smell of Wet Concrete” Cs

Alvar - I Sew a Blanket of All the Broken Clouds Cd

Ancient Methods - the Jericho Records 3xlp

Areaz001 - Various Artists (w/sarin, Unhuman, More)

Autodafeh - the Vintage Collection Lp

Autumns - Club Shite Cs

Blac Kolor - Sacred Ep

Black Asteroid Feat. Cold Cave (headless Horseman Mixes)

Black Merlin - Noi Ep

Blind Vision - Look at Me Lp (re)

Blush Response - Abuse Your Freedom 12”

Body Snatchers - Die Jugend Cs

Boris Barksdale - Tephra Ensemble 12”

Borusiade / The Sixteen Steps - “promises and Infatuation” Split Ep

Broken English Club - White Rats Lp

Broken English Club / Claus Fuss - Citrinitas Edition), 12" Vinyl

Celldod - Sadist Ep

Cevin Key - Brap & Forth Vol.8 Lp

Chvrches - Hansa Session 10” Ep

Chvrches- “love is Dead” Lp

Cititrax Volume 3 - Various Lp

Codex Empire - Precipice Ep

Codex Empire - Terminal Secretions

Cold Cave - You and Me and Infinity 10”

Continues - Fall Tragic (single)

Crystal Geometry - Red Faith Militia 12”

Dead Can Dance - Dionysis LP

Death in Rome - V2 Cd

Delectro - “missles” Ep

Demand – the Beauty of Decay Ep

Dint - Hooker 2x12”

Dive - Concrete Jungle Lp (RE)

Dive - Let Me in 12”

Dive - Snakedressed 2lp (RE)

Drax Response - “the Heart and the Stone” Ep

Dsx - Soviet Synthesizer Lp

ESA - That Beast CD

Feral Body - Chain Ritual (digital)

Fixmer - the God Ep

Fluxion A/d - Aciid House 12”

Forth - Various Artist Compilation Lp

Fractions - “control” Ep

Fraktur - "clair - Obscur" Cs

Glaare - to Deaf and Decay Lp

H880 - Self Perception, 100 Limited Edition Cs

Halv Drøm - Bravery Amongst the Flock [wr070] Cs

Handful of Snowdrops - Noir Cd

Headless Horseman -47014 Ep

Hide - Castration Anxiety LP

Homoagent - We Are Here to Ruin Your Life 12”

Human Performance Lab - “armed Vision” 12”

Hørd - Parallels Lp

I Hate Models - Midnight Cults 12”

I Hate Models - Spreading Plague 12”

Imperial Black Unit - State of Pressure 12

Inva//id - Demo Cs

Joel Eel - Performing a Crime LP

Kali Jugend - "crippling Narcissism & Absolute Self-doubt" Cs

King Dude - Music to Make War to Lp

Klack - Do You Klack Lp

Knk – Dead Body Music Iii Cd

Konkurs - Object of Subversion kontravoid - Undone Ep

Kuzina - "vrun" Cs

KVB  - Only Now Forever 2xlp

Limit / Experience - Oe001 12” (aka Silent Servant)

Lionhearts - Companion CD

Lucy Cliche “cliche’s Principle” Ep

Luster & Beta Evers - “eternal” Ancient Methods Mix 12”

Mass-x-odus - Societal Decline 12”

Monolith - Falling Dreams Cd New Frames - Rnf1

Nostromo - “greater Tension” Ep

Nx1 - Bt Ep

Oake - “sentiment of Callousness” Remixed Ep

Ohota - Russian Tape Cd

Operant - “harnessed to Flesh” Lp

Orphx - Learn to Suffer (sg1886), 12" Vinyl

Panacea - Above the Absolute

Panacea - Above the Absolute Ep

Phase Fatale - Reverse Fall Ep

Phase Fatale / Silent Servant - Confess 12”

Poison Point - Bestiensäule Ep 12" 

Previously Undisclosed Rituals - 12"

Prinzessin - "i Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" Cs

Pulsewidthmod - Serpentine Servitude 12”

Pure Ground / Luminance - Split Lp

Radioaktivists - Radioakt One, Book 2-cd

Randolph & Mortimer - Hope Tragedy Myths & Remixes (digital)

Realmz - Mindfold 12" Vinyl

Rebekah - into the Black Ep

Rebekah - My Heart Bleeds Black Double Ep Reka - Diving the Innermost, Vinyl 12”

Rendered - Schwartz 12"

Rhys Fulber - Your Dystopia, My Utopia, 2x12" Lp

Sarin & Xarah Dion - Collision Ep

Sarin - “kuleshov Effect” Ep

Schwefelgelb - Aus Den Falten 12"

Schwefelgelb - Rubedo Edition 12”

Self-aware Iii - Various Cs

Serration Pulse - S/t/ 12”

Silent Servant - Harm in Hand 12” 

Silent Servant - Shadows of Death and Desire LP

Some Have to Dance... Some Have to Kill 2 - V/a. Szymon - Head Garden Db12"

Terrence Fixmer - Through the Cortex Lp

Tertium Organum (k011) - Various Limited Edition Black 12"

Teste - the Box Man

The Great in the Small - Various Lp (gooiland)

The Soft Moon - Criminal Remixed Vol. 1 12"

The Soft Moon - Criminal Remixed Vol. 2 12"

The World of Monnom Black - Various Artist Lp

Thomas P. Heckmann - Ebm Manifest Part 3 the Remixes I 12"black Viny

Thomas P. Heckmann - “body Music” 3xlp

Unconscious + Hkkptr - Countermeasures Cs

Unconscious- “clerical Perversions” Ep

Unhuman & Surit - Impact Bashing 12"

Unhuman - “shadows, Fire and Spirits” Cs

UVB - “remembering the Heat” Ep

Varg - Nordic Flora Pt 5 Lp

Viktor Kalima - Club Muscle Cs

Visitor - Expat Lp

VNV Nation - Noire CD

VSK - “47015” Ep

War Scenes - Anorexia, Limited Edition 100 Cs

WarinD - My Friends Don’t Cry Ep

Waves of the Future - Various (w/an-i, B. Wanzer, More)

Waves of the Future 2xlp. a Mannequin Records Comp

Wiedergaben Vol. 2 - Various Artists 12"

Wingtips - Relativity

Zanias - into the All Lp

Zola Jesus - Wiseblood (johnny Jewel Remixes) Ep

Zola Jesus -“okovi: Additions” Lp

Radioaktivists - “Radioakt One” Luxus CD + Booklet It is hard to believe that it is already 5 years since Radioaktivists made their recording debut via the compilation 'Dependence 2012’, on which the German quartet offered up the song 'Pieces Of Me’. A strong and danceable electronic anthem, it not only impressed DJ’s, but also had fans clamoring for a full album. However, the band decided to take time to hone their sound and overall modus operandi before delivering the meisterwerk that is ‘Radioakt One’. 

But who are these activists? Frank Spinath, psychologist and lead singer icon of various groups/projects that include Seabound, Edge Of Dawn and Lionheart, is here working for the first time with Daniel Myer (of Haujobb, Architect and Liebknecht), despite the fact that both musicians lived in the same city of Bielefeld for several years. Krischan Wesenberg is well known as the studio wizard in the duo Rotersand but has also made a name for himself as a sound engineer, producer and remixer for other artists. Sascha Lange is the author of several books on the Depeche Mode fan scene and underground DJ culture in the former East Germany. 

This diverse line-up have eventually aligned themselves and forged an album that lives up to early expectations, although 'Radioakt One’ also reveals other unexpected surprises. Con-taining elements of Club, Dark Pop and what Lange calls 'Electronic Shoegaze’, the term 'Electronic Noir’ has already been applied to it. An album of depth with an al-most introverted feel, a series of short stories form the core of the electronic narrative and help forge the intriguing and unique identity of Radioaktivists, including a tale written by Lange included in the Limited Edition that relates a late night encounter with a mysteri-ous female hitchhiker on a rain-flooded German motorway. 

Radioaktivists have certainly taken a walk off the well-trodden path with their debut album. Although offering strong club oriented songs such ‘Raiders' and 'Reach Out’, it also shines a spotlight on their moodier and more subtle ‘Electronic Noir’ compositions and invites the listener to explore its depths and different sides over repeated plays. 

Ancient Methods - “The Jericho Records” 3xLP

a few paragraphs snagged from an excellent review snagged from secret thirteen online

The Jericho Records is a concept album where the author paints a heterogeneous soundscape around some biblical passages. Throughout the three chapters of the album (“The City Of Jericho”, “The Battle” and “The Aftermath”, each represented as one vinyl) he depicts these liturgic stories, building up the idea that “Music will tear down walls”, a statement used as a romantic war cry. The musical structure is far from stereotypical, boundless in terms of genre, and very visual. Albeit not a soundtrack in, let’s say, a John Williams sense, but, like a combination between Chu Ishikawa, Lustmord, and Raaf Jansen, it has a clear storyline behind it that structures the whole work. As a result, listeners should not expect a traditional Ancient Methods’ industrial techno EP. Rather, dark ambient, ritualistic and industrial techno compositions cohabitate in perfect harmony. In Silence and Walls, perhaps tracks that are closer to ambient music, open with magical layers, the very Jericho trumpets and a profound feeling of mystery or mysticism. They play a role as an introductory chapter, just before the 4/4 beat storm, which starts with the notably industrial Twelve Stones To Divide Jordan’s Sand, The House of Rahab or Swordsplay.

However, the outcome of the collaborations ends up being the most striking thing of all. Regis’ Array the Troop is undeniably reminiscent of Ugandan Methods’ live rituals: powerful, circular, employing traditional drums, factory sounds, and military-like rhythms. One step beyond is Orphx’s The Seven Shofars. Christina and Richie play with pulse and frequencies like no one else and, despite leaving their trademark rhythmical sound behind, the cinematic flavor they manage to give this track with is just mesmerizing. King Dude’s I Am Your New King brings in a cross-genre sound, a combination of dark folk vocals, black metal atmospheres, and techno kicks. Cindytalk’s Moonset adds a tragic elliptic mantra just before Walking On Cursed Soil, which features Prurient. This closing track is deeply in line with Mr. Fernow’s imagery and style: a simple, insistent 303-like bassline, a reverberated human voice that shifts from whispering to wild anger cries, a relentless circular beat, and thoughtfully-sculpted layers.

All in all, with The Jericho Records, Michael has proved three things to the world. First, he is completely capable of making a long play, and a superb one at that. Second, he has much more to offer than his famous industrial techno sound. And third, which probably applies to any human activity - when you team up with the right people, the result may be excellent. 

Zanias - “Into the All” LP

Zanias, has been hard at work over the years as part of many projects including the Dark Entries affiliated ‘Linea Aspera’ and minimal wave band ‘Keluar’ with Sid Lamar. Since then, she has been curating ‘Fleisch’, a club series and record label releasing music from the likes of Schwefelgelb, Forces and Kontravoid. 

As a solo artist, she has released her debut EP ‘To The Core’ in 2016 and has been collaborating with some of electronic music’s most respected figures. Appearing on Dax J’s critically acclaimed ‘Offending Public Morality’ LP, as well as providing vocals on Black Rain’s ‘Dark Pool’ album on Blackest Ever Black and working with Ancient Methods on last year’s ‘Andromeda’ which was released on Candela Rising. 

‘Into The All’ is the culmination of extensive recording and experimentation. It charts a journey of psychospiritual evolution, from an unconscious state through to death and enlightenment. Inspired by the works of Ken Wilber and Yuval Noah Harari, it expresses both a personal journey and one that applies to all of humanity. Utilising field recordings of birds, gibbons and insects from Malaysia and Australia, and samples of instruments from Indonesia (a reference to her childhood spent there), Armenia and ancient Norway and Sumeria, alongside synthesisers and drum machines.

King Dude - “Music to Make War To” LP

"Time To Go To War" is the world's first taste of Cowgill's exploration of humanity's propensity for conflict, both within and beyond our immediate surroundings. From global combat, to familial strife, no echelon of war is safe from Cowgill's barbed lyrics and aggressive, boots-to-the-ground melodies.

"In many ways the act of war creates the opportunity for great acts of courage, moments of compassion, times of reason, thoughts of regret and a deeper understanding of love," Cowgill says of the record's themes. "Now more than ever, in times like these when it appears that some invisible yet inevitable war is on the horizon, it is crucial to recall the past and the total reality of war."

Cowgill began churning out devilish neo-folk as King Dude in 2010, with the barren and eerie acoustic tracks of My Beloved Ghost. Cowgill's sound has seen a staggering evolution, strapping his plaintive songs with bombastic '80s sheen (Fear, 2014; Sex, 2016) while still dabbling in heart stringing Luciferian balladry (Songs of Flesh & Blood - In The Key of Light, 2015). Music To Make War To finds the King Dude persona at its most poised and fully realized.

Lionhearts - “Companion” CD

Lionhearts is the artistically ambitious solo project of Seabound singer Frank Spinath whose first effort, the self-titled album "Lionhearts", was released in mid 2017. Sound-wise his debut was rather introverted and experimental. Now, Spinath follows up to the album with "Companion", a real companion in the true sense of the word. 

"Companion" consists largely of remixes made by friends Spinath chose and asked by himself. "Companion" is way stronger than the majority of superfluous remix EPs within this genre. It is more club-friendly, catchier than the album, yet still stylistically coherent and a logical successor to the debut from which the original songs come. The remixers are by no means unknown: Iris, Acretongue, Olaf Wollschläger, Forma Tadre, Mildreda, Architect and Ben Lukas Boysen (Hecq) himself, they all epitomise high-class electro and have already collaborated with Spinath in different situations. 

It is also surprising that electronic reinterpretation suits these unassuming songs so well. Whether it's Olaf Wollschläger's straight, club-oriented approach in 'Gone', the sophisticated, warmly pulsating 'To What I Dont Know' by Hecq, the epic, percussive 'No Going Back' by Mildreda or the more intimate, laid-back interpretation of the same tune by Forma Tadre - All of Spinath's "Companions" have surpassed themselves. Listening to the tracks, you don't actually think it's a remix album, that's how well they fit together, not least in terms of sound and production. 

The proverbial cherry on the cake is the new composition 'Stars'. 

Handful of Snowdrops - “Noir” CD

Although they could easily be mentioned in the same breath as The Cure, Clan of Xyxmox, and New Order, Québec’s Handful of Snowdrops may be the best post-punk/post-goth band that nobody seems to have heard of. But over the course of 30+ years, Jean-Pierre and Michel Mercier (plus numerous collaborators) have released several albums and compilations’ worth of moody, atmospheric rock that any fan of the classic 4AD sound would do well to check out. (Case in point, their excellent cover of Clan of Xymox’s “Back Door.”)

By all appearances, 2015’s excellent III was Handful of Snowdrops’ final album. But earlier this year, the band ran a successful Indiegogo campaign to fund their fourth studio album. Titled Noir and consisting of 8 new songs, the new album was released on November 30 (and is the planned first album in a trilogy titled “Trois Niveaux de Gris”). 

'Noir', the title isn't a reference to the novel and film genre of the 40s and 50s, but simply French for black.  "Melodramatic, Alternative-Electro, Progressive, Moody Synth-Rock" are all characteristics of Handful of Snowdrops music. One of the best acts out there today. Period.

CHVRCHES - “Love is Dead” LP - “Hansa Session” EP

The first few plays of Chvrches newest “Love is Dead” really caught me off guard. The bands first offering with the help from an outside producer really sounded anxious and rushed blasting from verse to chorus almost far too quickly. (for instance take a listen to “Forever”).  It felt like the tracks needed a lot more room to breath and for their unique brand of sugary sweet synth pop to really open up.  Repeated vinyl listens and a lot of plays at work via Spotify and the album finally sunk in, and like all Chrvches albums prior I found them once again to be quite infectious. Possibly because my own life became more rushed and hectic, I connected with the songs pacing and quick energy. The impact in the songs and the great synth sounds/programming are all there, but whereas before there was a build up, everything is just thrust right at you and that took some adjustment with this record.

On the flips side to what felt hurried…

Hansa Session is a five-track collection of acoustic performances and string quartet arrangements from this year’s Love Is Dead. It’s named after the Hansa Studios in Berlin where David Bowie, Nick Cave, and many others have previously recorded. It’s where they recorded their last LP. 

Hansa is a wonderful limited 10” ep that has the band reinterpreting 5 tracks (Graffiti, Miracle, Get Out, Heaven/Hell, Really Gone) from the LP. They’re far more emotive and pack “all the feels” that perhaps got lost on the LP. There’s a real warmth and comfort in these versions. A nice calm for a band many consider purely electronic. Loved it!

Zola Jesus - “Okovi Editions” EP

Zola Jesus’ Okovi: Additions LP offers a new angle on her 2017 album, Okovi. The collection pairs four previously unreleased songs from the Okovi sessions with four remixes by a diverse cast of artists.  

Johnny Jewel turns “Ash to Bone” into a late-night cinematic torch song, Tri Angle composer Katie Gately’s “Siphon” is a dark choir of warping angels, black metal band Wolves in the Throne Room turn “Exhumed” makes the pounding industrial anthem even denser and heavier, and Toronto producer Joanne Pollock (formerly one half of Poemss with Venetian Snares’ Aaron Funk) makes “Soak” feel like an aching classical standard— until it starts warping in on itself and goes somewhere else entirely.  

"The songs on Additions traverse a vast amount of sonic ground, but taken together, they cohere remarkably well as an album, all while serving to enrich the experience of Okovi." 

“These four new songs were intended to be on Okovi,” Nika Roza Danilova explains. “Each of them represents a snapshot of my journey in making the record, and are just as precious to me as the songs that made it onto the final track listing. The remixes are beloved in their own way, as most were born from organic circumstances, and have drawn the original songs into completely new atmospheres.”

Pure Ground / Luminance - “Split” EP

Early in 2018, Los Angeles, Pure Ground paired up with Brussels based Luminance the solo project of DA,  to release a split EP in support of their 2018 European tour together. 

Pure Ground create hard electronics teaming with rhythmic white noise and unsettling melody as the backdrop over which the group explores lyrical themes of present-day dystopian realities, sleeplessness and the supernatural, and the eventual triumph of the natural world over a human civilization in rapid decline. 

Luminance never cease to explore unknown fields and new ways of conceiving dark synth music. Modelling poignant melodies dancing on sharp electronic beats, the tone is sometimes harsh and straight, sometimes soft and cold, exploring melancholy through electricity to bring the listener as far as possible from reality.

Each band takes one side of the album and with the final track on each side being a collaborative song. 

One of the standouts form the EP, the track “Last Stand”, Pure Ground composed the music while DA—has provided vocals and additional synths. The track combines the industrial, pulsating rhythmic foundation which is typical of Pure Ground, with the eerie, psychedelic feeling of Luminance. A killer track for the dance floors.

2017 Music Recommendations

2017 - What can one say? An interesting year that’s for sure. It was a year of uncertainty and every week seemed to become more and more of a political shit show with the orange Cheeto in charge. Lots of anxiety and anger floating in the air. You’d have thought there’d have been plenty more protest anthems or just plain out enraged albums. Seemed like there wasn’t, but then again maybe I wasn’t listening closely enough or paying attention to those kinds of records.

Music was a great escape this year for me. So often I’d put on the headphones at work to drown out the outside world in favor of things I wanted to hear. Vinyl went on the turntables often whether at home to help relax me or at the clubs for DJ sets to get the crowds amped up. In the car, I had my iPod full of the latest tunes. Also for the first time in many years my dual cassette deck in my home studio saw many presses of the play button. Music filled the air. Mostly techno-EBM, dark electronic, post-punk, industrial, synth pop and noise. Those are my fav genres and what most of this list entails, but I could often be caught listening to rockabilly/psychobilly like the Messer Chups who released Taste The Blood Of Guitaracula ‎this year.

This isn’t a top 10, top 25 or even a top 100.   Instead, it’s a recommendation list or better yet your shopping list. In years past, I used to break things down by genre. This year its just an alphabetical A-Z list as genre lines are getting more and more blurred.

For each release I’ve listed the format I purchased the release in. My preferred format is vinyl, but you’ll find CD, CS and digital formats as well.If it wasn’t on vinyl and I needed it, I’d grab my next favorite format. For most of the physical formats I think you’ll also find digital counterparts as well. I’ve provided BandCamp links for you to check out the music and easily purchase. Some of the vinyl and cassette releases may be sold out, but you can always find the digital still available.

The descriptions for each are borrowed from the label, artist or sales site (Boomkat, Storming the Base, etc…) provided. Why do additional work if the write ups already there? ;) Besides, most top 20’s I see these days just list the artist and release and don’t even give a description. Some words are my own but in most cases not. It’s time consuming and besides, I’ve run out of superlatives over the last 5 years with so many amazing releases. More importantly hit those links and LISTEN.

I’ll forgo any major state of the scene words and overall analysis on the music scene this year. There’s a ton of new pioneering music out there for sure waiting to be discovered and it’s the “what’s next” that keeps me a motivated music fan. There’s never a dull moment in speaking, writing, DJ'ing or promoting new music, so I’ll keep doing it and hopefully be a guide for you all ;).  Only bummer was maybe the This Morn Omina and Lionheart releases were not on vinyl. I think those would have made beautiful editions to a record collection. The exclusive packagings of the cd versions were “meh”. Anyways…

As in years past I’m sure I missed a few things, ignored the hype on certain releases (95% of ”Our Thing” is no longer My Thing ;) ) or just plain forgotten something. If it needs mention and I overlooked it - I may do an addendum in the next week or so.

Anyways, got your credit cards, notepaper and plenty of beverages? Don’t be a TL:DR (Too Long: Didn’t Read) fool. Read up. Enjoy the music of 2017! Onwards with the list!!! :D  

-Marc

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ADULT. - Detroit House Guest LP   (Mute)
 “Detroit House Guests” is a collaborative project, conceived by ADULT. in the early 2000s. The concept became a reality in 2014 after receiving a John S. and James L.Knight Foundation grant. Based on the visual artist residency model, each musician came to ADULT.’s studio for a three week period with the parameter that they all live, work and collaborate together. The result – a total anthropological sound experiment and a full length album.The album features collaborations with a whole host of musicians and artists – Douglas J McCarthy from Nitzer Ebb, Michael Gira from Swans, Shannon Funchess from Light Asylum, Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe aka Lichens, Austrian thereminist Dorit Chrysler and multidisciplinary artist Lun*na Menoh. https://boomkat.com/products/detroit-house-guests

ADULT. Detroit House Guests The Remixes -Mute ADULT. task a crack squad with remixes of their Detroit House Guests album tracks. Juan Mendez a.k.a. Silent Servant fills the brief with devilish style on a breathless, bruxist EBM remix of We Chase The Sound, where he buries Shannon Funchess’ vox deep in the wires, before she chops herself up into gasping sparks and spat syllables in her own, ruddier, angular take on the track. The legendary Barry Adamson is perhaps a surprising choice for the remix of We Are A Mirror, but handles the spiky groove and Douglas J McCarthy’s vocal with iron mitts and spunky aplomb, before Liars head the opposite direction to everyone with an arid, cinematic ’Savannah’ remix of Breathe On making filigree use of Michael Gira’s original vocal. https://boomkat.com/products/detroit-house-guests-the-remixes
 
 Alexey Volkov - Cold Blooded Genius 10" (Linda)
 Another straight talking, analog fueled 10”. This time welcoming aboard Berlin based Russian artist Alexey Volkov. His three track EP “Cold Blooded Genius” comes finely presented on transparent red ten inch vinyl (limited pressing). On the A Side at 45RPM the title track “Cold Blooded Genius” and on the B Side two tracks will spin at 33RPM, “Unfriendly Nation” & “Curtains Of Flesh”. Indulge in the machine noise of the highly regarded talent that is Alexey Volkov. https://lindarecords.bandcamp.com/album/linda002-alexey-volkov-cold-blooded-genius-ep


Alessandro Adriani - Fall Elsewhere And Shatter 12” (Pinkman)
 Alessandro Adriani weaves a nightmarish scenario as the Mannequin man returns to Pinkman's Broken Dreams with four hardened works. Beats are shaven into rigid points as EBM echoes are speared with contemporary contempt. Throughout the quartet are moments of exotic abstraction, psychological stresses and visceral disorders. Music for sleepless nights and addled minds.
 https://pinkman.bandcamp.com/album/fall-elsewhere-and-shatter-pbd07


Alessandro Adriani – A Martyrs Death 12” (Jealous God)
 Alessandro Adriani, the Italian-born, Berlin-based owner of the excellent Mannequin Records is up on Regis, Silent Servant and James Ruskin's Jealous God label, what can pretty much be boiled down to the continuation of the Sandwell District alliance. The focus is on hard-hitting slabs of jack-hammer techno with the crew's familiar hint of brutal industrialism at the core, which is perfect for the likes of Adriani's uncompromising 4/4 aesthetic. "Harvest" dominates the entirety of the A-side with its wild, bleeping wormhole of noise and organic drum patterns - the snares sounding suspiciously like metal axes hitting the chopping board; one the flip, "Prehistory" is relatively tamer on the surface, while still hitting hard down in the depths of the bass, and "Death & Rebirth" provides what comes most naturally to both artist and label... the sweet sense of tenebrous doom on the horizon. https://soundcloud.com/alessandro-adriani-mannequinrecords/alessandro-adriani-a-martyrs-death-jealous-god-jg018-12-mix
 
 Alessandro Adriani – Tapes 12” (Mannequin)
 Mannequin boss Alessandro Adriani has certainly stepped out from the shadows from his retrospective leaning label to create some brilliant modern EBM/industrial derivatives - that still give a respectful nod to their origins. For his newest release, he presents us with some fairly fierce offerings. "A Man Who Would Come Here Of His Own Free Will" is tough, acid-infused EBM that lunges for right he jugular. A does "He Is Everything & Nothing", the kind of techno-punk that's reminiscent of past work with Douglas Lee as An-I: could it possibly be him on vocals? Finally on the flip, the brooding darkwave of "You Never Sleep" features lovably cheesy '80s synth leads and Silent Servant style howls through walls of delay and distortion. You can just imagine PVC clad goths sweating it out to this one, in basements from Berlin to L.A. This follows up the re-issue of Adriani's excellent edit of Lata Ramasar's "The Greatest Name That Lives". https://mannequinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mnq-104-alessandro-adriani-tapes-12-ep


Ancient Methods – The Asking Breath Comes To Each EP (Candela Rising)
 ‘The Asking Breath Comes To Each’ is a perfect example of collaboration on an international scale. Michael Wollenhaupt a.k.a Ancient Methods, continues his fine form with 4 unstoppable tracks of industrial tinged funk and fury, with a different vocalist featuring on each. New York's Zohra Atash a.k.a Azar Swan features on the shamanic ’Swallow The Screw’ which ushers you deep in to jungle territory like a shot of Dimethyltryptamine. Berlin based Huren rages about a profit driven society on the devastating ‘The Standards Will Come And Go’. On the flip, things take a more contemplative turn with Los Angeles' Camella Lobo of Tropic Of Cancer providing other-worldly elegance on the atmospheric ‘It Won’t take Me’. Closing the record is the weightless ‘Andromeda’, a tribute to our galactic neighbour performed by Allison Lewis a.k.a Zanias of Linea Aspera and Keluar. https://candelarising.bandcamp.com/album/the-asking-breath-comes-to-each
 
 Ansome & Ossian – Butch/Buck 12” (South London Analogue Material)
 The boys behind South London Analogue Material return with their fifth edition (following up a great previous edition by ABSL) with some brutalist and no holds barred techno. Ansome and Ossian go for the jugular right from the get go on the pulverizing onslaught of "Butch" while Ayacarna's remix up next takes the track into pure sonic noise terror. On the flip, the lo-fi and cyclical grind of "Buck" calls to mind early Mills or Regis and the PDL remix up next provides the most subtle moment on the record on this deep and hypnotic slow burner which was a real treat we must say. https://southlondonanaloguematerial.bandcamp.com/album/slam005-ansome-ossian
 
 Ansome – British Steel  12” (Perc Trax)
 Ansome returns to Perc Trax for his first original release since his debut album 'Stowaway' was released on the label in April 2016. Since then he has extensively toured Europe and North and South America with his ever changing modular live set as well as further establishing his South London Analogue Material imprint with a run of uncompromising releases. Despite decamping to Berlin last year 'British Steel' shows there is still a no nonsense UK grittiness to Ansome's music. The frenetic rhythms reflect the pressure and paranoia of London life and for the first time his music incorporates vocals, thanks to the voice of occasional live collaborator Oliver Kohlenberg. The four tracks take in everything from broken grooves to straight up dance floor face melters with a perfect balance of rhythm and texture. Yes that’s Ansome naked with a sledge hammer on the cover artwork. :O https://perctrax.bandcamp.com/album/british-steel


Ariisk - Man Plus 7" (Difficult Interactions)
 Hot on the heels of last year's stunning EPs on Nostilevo and Scrapes, ARIISK returns for two final journeys into an isolated network of strobing synths, cavernous atmosphere and distant vocals echoing from long abandoned cyberscapes. Edition of 300 in heavy matte jackets with metallic ink, black inner sleeve and resealable poly bag. http://difficultinteractions.bigcartel.com/product/ariisk-man-plus-7


Ascetic – Everything Is Becoming Remixes 12” (Instruments of Discipline)
 The remixed tracks from Ascetic’s second album ‘Everything Is Becoming’ are a collision between industrial techno, EBM influenced bass lines, doom and dark ambient. Four Berlin based artists: Ancient Methods, Phase Fatale, Unhuman & Luna Violenta offer their take on the two opening tracks ‘Utterings’ and ‘Exegesis’ from the album. Roared vocals, guitar both jagged, creepy and ambient, live drums and samples are all melted down and reformed into at times recognizable and at times wholly alien compositions, Ancient Methods, Phase Fatale and Unuhuman offer different approaches to techno punishment while Luna’s interpretation is a cacophonous build that explodes into sonic abstraction. This EP is a perfect example of what Berlin does so well, where genres that share aesthetic values feedback, overlap and inspire. https://instrumentsofdiscipline.bandcamp.com/album/everything-is-becoming-remixes-ep
 
 Ash, Marc - Ostracism CS (Clan Destine Records)
 Marc Ash's "Ostracism" features 4 dirty wave-electro-industrial pieces, plus two banging techno reworks by Alexey Volkov and /ϟ/HUREN/ϟ/.
 https://clandestinerecords.bandcamp.com/album/ostracism

Bellatrix? – Discordia 12” (Veleno Viola)
 Violet Poison metamorphosizes into Bellatrix? for a venomous volley of EBM mutations on his Veleno Viola label - the antecedent to his Violet Poison / Violetshaped project with Shapednoise. The EP gets off to a slow heaving start with the half-tempo EBM grip and blunted, possessed vox of Discordia, seemingly priming us for the 16th note synth attack and formation of Rebirth, which wears its classic EBM inspirations proudly on its leather sleeve. The knives come out on the flipside with “Cut1”s throttled acid death gargles and the the slinkier hump of “Cut2”, all ending up at the fulminating EBM techno nastiness of “Strange Sex”. https://soundcloud.com/violet-poison/bellatrix-discordia


Beta Evers – Eruption 12” reissue Sonic Groove Experiments)
 The sub label of Sonic Groove, “Sonic Groove Experiments”, returns after a 4 year hiatus with a stellar re-release of the Electrowave classic “Eruption” by Beta Evers. Originally released as a Limited Edition 12” back in 2005 on Beta’s own Kommando 6 label. Now in 2017 the original pressing goes for quite a fortune on the record collecting market. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/eruption-sgx03
 
 Black Asteroid – Thrust LP (Last Gang Records)
 Bryan Black (a.k.a. Black Asteroid) releases his album “Thrust”, on Last Gang Records. Obsessed with sound and graphic design, Bryan Black started his music career as a sound designer and keyboard tech for Prince at Paisley Park Studios. While working for Prince, Black proceeded to create his own music- some of the most alien techno records released on labels such as Mute and Kompakt. In 2011 after years of recording and touring with MOTOR, Bryan wrote “Engine 1” to start a new chapter- returning to his techno roots in the boldest possible way. Black Asteroid set about making techno from a new perspective, in a traditional song structure format. The fashion designer Rick Owens picked up on what was happening, and used Black’s music for his runway shows in Paris. The two quickly became friends and collaborators. Their next collaboration comes in the form of the debut album from Black Asteroid, “Thrust”. Black worked with Rick Owens, to put together the album's artwork, and Owens' wife Michele Lamy provided vocals for one cut, "Tangiers," which is being released as a single with a remix from Headless Horseman. Cold Cave and Zola Jesus also feature as vocal collaborators on the ten-track record. The first single from the album was "Howl feat. Zola Jesus" and was released to great critical acclaim earlier this year. https://shop.lastgang.com/products/thrust
 
 Blac Kolor - Violate EP (Basic Unit Productions)
 Blac Kolor is the techno industrial project of German musician Hendrick Grothe dedicated to dark, obsessive rhythmic electronic music. We find here four tracks made of hypnotizing rhythmic sequences, old school snares and sampled loops. Once again he manages to be at the same time menacing and enthralling, with a hard sound to make bodies dance during sweaty nightclubbing. “Concrete Soul” is a thundering techno affair made of snares, claps, and percussion, recalling both European techno and electro, while the title track is a dark and throbbing ride full of obscure atmosphere and mesmerizing vocal samples.“Tagebauten” is a more experimental affair playing with industrial distortions and militant rhythms, and the final track “Dark Sky” is a collaboration with experimental EBM/electro project DSX a.k.a Dejan Samardzic of Haujobb, full of old school basslines and addictive sounds and drums. High quality EBM/electro infused techno is here to be found as always, keeping the stakes high as well with a playful and skillful nature. Four tracks made for the dancefloor, but characterized by their own identity even if linked by a dominating dark, obscure atmosphere. https://basicunitproductions.bandcamp.com/album/violate?t=2


Black Line – Treason, Sedition, and Subversive Activities CD (Self-released) BLACK LINE are the collective of, cyrusrex, Douglas J McCarthy (Nitzer Ebb), Jon Bates (Big Black Delta) , Anthony Baldino, Bon Harris (Nitzer Ebb), Zack Meyers (Fear Of Ghosts), Brad Apodaca (Fear Of Ghosts), Paul Barker (Ministry), Baseck, Michael Dietel (annodalleb), Ken Marshall (Skinny Puppy), Mark Walk (Skinny Puppy, Ohgr), and Christian Eigner (Depeche Mode). The result is 13 tracks (and a remix) of surprisingly cohesive electronic music, with Douglas’ characteristic vocals playing a big part and holding the album together. Songs are mostly quite melodic, moody and intricate, so don’t expect loud EBM bangers à la early Nitzer Ebb. But there are some dancey stuff on it like ”Shut It Down” – a sleazy groove fest of a track, by the way, complete with wah wah guitars and massive washes of analogue synths. Other tracks range from electro, instrumental ambient to intense heavier stuff, making the album quite a journey. Cyrus’ giant modular synth gets a proper workout on this album, but it’s not just knob twiddling for the sake of it, they’ve written some solid tracks as well. “Treason, Sedition and Subversive Activities” is a fine album and it stands listening to over and over while you discover new things in the mix. https://black-line.bandcamp.com/releases


Blasted - Aelien 001 12” (Aelien)
 Italian artist Blasted is ready to spread his stunning music with an intense four-track EP, “Aelien I”. The industrial architecture of this project defines the lines of his modern techno concept. Blasted welcomes two remixes from the acclaimed, Berlin-based producers Unhuman and Blush Response. The EP goes straight to its revelation; neurotic patterns which bump into a dark misanthropy, an experimental sound that becomes more and more cryptic. The second track is a powerful remix by Blush Response and it is the result of a metallic explosion due to a mental calculation of dusty beats and low basses. Unhuman’s remix closes the EP; dark forces make it clear about the distorsion and intensity of Aelien I’s noise, techno rhythm. Welcome to a unique variation of massive techno sphere. https://soundcloud.com/k1971/sets/premiere-blasted-blush
 
 Blush Response – Albedo Edition 12” (Khemia Records) London based electronic music label Khemia Records announces its sixth split release vinyl Ep. The second edition of the Magnum Opus Series features a new production from Berlin based modular powerhouse Blush Response alongside an electrifying collaboration between Years Of Denial, who have previously released on Oliver Ho’s Death and Leisure label and Russian techno auteur Alexey Volkov (Jealous God). On the Solar side Blush Response delivers ‘You Will Cry Out In Grief’ a maelstrom of industrial electronics seethes under a furious barrage of complex rhythms, as evolving symmetries disperse into incandescence. On the Lunar side Years of Denial meet Alexey Volkov in the first of a new collaborative series - ‘Confess’. Barkosina Hanusova’s voice ricochets against caustic snares as she intones a fetishistic ritual of contorted flesh and altered states. https://khemiarecordslondon.bandcamp.com/album/albedo-edition-k006


Blush Response – Human Augmentation 12” (Sonic Groove)
 Joey Blush's Blush Response feels like the perfect blend of two huge, game-changing dynasties in electronic music - the world of New York City, and that of Germany's capital, Berlin. The uncompromising producer now has an impressive catalogue behind him, and also a real reason to claim some of that inimitable EMB flavor, a style that he's managed to warp and twist with utter grace. Interestingly, he appears on Sonic Groove, the legendary NYC techno label, but this feels just right. A bold move for both producer and imprint. "Beyond Flesh" is a poisonous, acid-laden cocktail driven by a rugged sense of industrialism, while "Unclean Spirit" wastes no time, and just rolls the guns out from all angles. The B-side kicks off with "Machine God", a screaming pile-driver of a tune, bleached in a distorted infusion of machine drums, whereas "Instrumentality" rolls its drums and big-room synth into outer space, leaving the listener wondering why techno hasn't sounded this good in years. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/human-augmentation-sg-1776
 
 Blush Response – Infinite Density 2xLP (Sonic Groove)
 “Infinite Density” - the new album by the Berlin Based, Cuban-American artist Blush Response - is a fantastical exploration into the depths of Industrial and EBM techno in collaboration with techno frontman Adam X's infamous imprint, Sonic Groove. Influenced by the progressive noise of Autechre, Front Line Assembly and Skinny Puppy the producer has previously released with Aufnahme +Wiedergabe and Ant-Zen, as well as getting his hands dirty with programming work for the industrial pioneers Fear Factory, Rhys Fulber as well as Latin pop singer Cristian Castro. Infinite Density takes a firm grip on situationally influenced content, pulling every corner of Berlin into its belly for a challenging and unique sound - a sound that’s able to maintain functionality whilst simultaneously exposing loose wires of wild flangers and disturbed sampling. These erratic waves are expressed through the productions “Infinite Density”, “Aum Shinrikyo”, “Survivor Guilt” and “Dead Still Air”, showcasing the most alien meta-bodies of Blush's sound. As an appropriation on contemporary acidic sound, the sonic motions of Serpentine and Tryptamine delve into explorations within the acid genre. Rhys Fulber's string contribution on “Painkiller”initiates a whirlwind rhetoric of distortion. “Panic Stricken”, “No Solace” and “Tessellate” focus on strong industrial pads that carry the density of each track whilst Infinite Dread's EBM back bone hits hard with heavy arpeggiation. Crucial to its form, the album showcases new experimental sound that repurposes algorithms of today’s dancefloor dogma. Blush Response exposes these paradigms through mutated build-ups and drops. However, his innovative “modular synth heavy” sound design obscures the flow in a way that permeates the concrete arenas his productions are designed for - in true Berlin style. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-density-sglp03


Bootblacks – Fragments LP (Manic Depression)
 Since the group’s founding in 2010, Brooklyn-based Bootblacks have been enthralling audiences with their frenetic live shows from the U.S. to Europe. Their sound has been described as a balance of contradictions: both pensive and buoyant, referential and modern. Fitting, as the Bootblacks name is derived from novelist William Burroughs’ description of the dark underbelly of glitzy New York City. Vocalist and frontman Panther MacDonald lists an eclectic set of influences: Depeche Mode, New Order, Simple Minds, Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division, early U2, as well as the Beatles and David Bowie for lyrical inspiration. Bootblacks released their first EP, Narrowed, in the fall of 2012, recorded with Brian Scott Herman, after previously collaborating with Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds). MacDonald, guitarist Alli Gorman, and drummer Roger Humanbeing recount the collaboration with Sclavunos as a “life-changing” one that informs Bootblacks music to this day. Panther describes Veins, Bootblacks album released in 2016, as a step in the band’s evolution from punk to post-punk. With their influences always expanding, the band is never complacent in what makes up their sound. With the addition of Barrett Hiatt (The Harrow ) in early 2017, “Fragments” shows an even more synth heavy, atmospheric and “bigger-sounding” Bootblacks than before.
 https://bootblacks.bandcamp.com/album/fragments


Boy Harsher – Country Girl EP (Ascetic House) Boy Harsher weaves experimental instrumentation and energetic beats reminiscent of 80s goth rock into their own brand of minimalist electronic music that is both intimate and industrial — and entirely danceable. The duo consists of Jae Matthews and Gus Muller, and though they are now based in Northampton, Massachusetts, “Yr Body is Nothing” and their previous EP “Lesser Man” were recorded at Dollhouse Studios in Savannah, Georgia.  “Motion,” the dizzying opening track on Country Girl immerses you in delirium before you even realize it. Gus Muller layers synth-heavy melodies sharp enough to stab you in the heart over straightforward bass lines and percussion. Jae Matthews’ brooding vocals loom over the synth backbone throughout the EP. Country Girl features none of the shrieks or vocal oscillations heard on the energetic album Yr Body is Nothing, rather here subdued whispers and moans amount to a reflective, somewhat despondent narrative. This seedy, sleepy narrative comes to a head on the titular track “Country Girl”. Sounds take on amorphous forms on the disorienting track “Underwater,” with hollow, industrial percussion. The tempo picks up on the final track “Westerners,” the cinematic climax that makes the 4 track EP feel complete. “Westerners” captures Boy Harsher’s ability to glide seamlessly between danceable beats and despondent interludes. This alternation along with the vocal loops and refrains that creep in throughout the EP amount to an atmosphere that incites dancing but begets a sense of caution and paranoia. For an entirely eerie listening experience equipped with indulgent electronic drums. 
https://boyharsher.bandcamp.com/album/country-girl-ep


Broken English Club – Accidents & Romance 12” (Jealous God) Oliver Ho's Broken English Club has been a revelation of sorts since his first release appeared on Jealous God back in 2014. What's particularly impressive about this artist is how he successfully managed to align himself with all the right labels; all the right labels for his particular form of techno, including Cititrax. The man returns to Regis' and Silent Servant's Jealous God for the label's sixteenth instalment, and "Accidents & Romance" kicks the EP off with a familiarly rolling bassline that hints at the emergence of 303 tones without ever unleashing a full blockade of acid. On the B-side, "Country Life" enters the realm of nightmares thanks to sharp, bruising bass stabs and an ominous swarm of voices, leaving the foreboding elements of "Private Death" to linger in their own pool of broken drum patters and percussion shots. This is a keeper, and probably one of the best JG missiles yet! https://soundcloud.com/oliverho13/accidents-and-romance-broken-english-club-preview
 
 Broken English Club – The English Beach 2xLP (L.I.E.S.)
 British techno veteran Oliver Ho has released some fine material as Broken English Club since debuting the alias back in 2014. The English Beach, Ho's second BEC full-length and first for L.I.E.S, is the audio equivalent of a trip to a run-down North Sea coastal resort on a wet Wednesday in November. Full of end-of-days electronics, stripped-back industrial techno, moody minimal wave shufflers and bubbly EBM workouts, it's as authentic a tribute to early '80s electronic experimentalism as you're likely to hear all year. Highlights include the Nitzer Ebb style bounce of "Pylon", the foreboding, desolate electronica of "Rust Ballad", the angry electro moodiness of "Carrion" and the rolling, organ-laden autumnal bliss of "The English Beach". https://liesrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-english-beach


Broken English Club / Claus Fuss – Citrinitas Edition 12” (Khemia Records)
 London based electronic music label Khemia Records announces its seventh split release vinyl Ep. The third edition of the Magnum Opus Series features Thee Art Ov Metals, a raw, menacing, post-punk inflected cut, drenched in reverb over an insistent ebm groove from Broken English Club alongside the pristine cardio bleeps and rave hypnosis of Claus Fuss’ Static Ace. https://khemiarecordslondon.bandcamp.com/album/citrinitas-edition-k007
 
 Cardopusher – New Cult Fear 2xLP (Boysnoize)
 Venezuela born, Barcelona based Cardopusher's career goes back over 12 years- the proverbial 10,000 hours to master a skill long fulfilled. His forthcoming LP "New Cult Fear" on Boysnoize Records proves it through disciplined, focused craftsmanship. It's the type of no-frills production that deceives the amateur listener with it's simplicity, while the seasoned listener knows that the simpler the elements, the harder it is to make a track that moves the dancefloor. Moving dancefloors it does, although there's few smiles to be had. This is music for dark rooms, for Nitzer Ebb's famous pairing of "muscle and hate." This is being electrocuted by a broken TB-303- only you find the feeling erotic, your exclamations recorded on a haunted reel-to-reel. And it's never sounded so good. https://soundcloud.com/boysnoizerecords/sets/cardopusher-new-cult-fear-1
 
 Cardopusher – Nothing Left To Believe In 12” (Zone) 
Fresh from his gritty analogue adventures on the likes of Boys Noize's BNR and I Love Acid, Venezuelan sonic shapeshifter and uncompromised texture blender Cardopusher makes his debut on The Hacker's Zone imprint. Once again it's a visceral, physical odyssey that's tailored for the latest hours in the darkest rooms. Highlights include the sense-tricking paranoia of "Trouble With Too Much Acid", the bone snapping kicks and rising hook of "Blast Cut" and the stark, stripped back metallic rhythm of "Regulate". https://soundcloud.com/zonerec/cardopusher-nothing-left-to-believe-in-zone-29
 
 Catherine Wheel – Ferment LP Reissue (Music on Vinyl) The heavily sought after debut album Ferment by Catherine Wheel is finally pressed on vinyl again! In 2016, Pitchfork ranked the album at number 23 in their list of "The 50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time," with Ben Cardew of the website commenting that "a good half of the songs on Ferment, their debut, are enduring shoegaze classics, while "Black Metallic", in its full seven-minute glory, makes a strong claim to being the genre's 'Stairway to Heaven'." Ferment is the band's most unique record; it serves as a fitting lens through which to view the group's work throughout the 1990s. The album displays Catherine Wheel's early attempts to meld drone-drenched shoegaze with heavy rock. After all these years, it is the record's twin epics, "Black Metallic" and "Salt", that immediately illustrate why Catherine Wheel was so meaningful to so many of the bands that came after them. "Black Metallic", perhaps the group's most famous single, is absolutely otherworldly. For it's 25th year anniversary the album Ferment by Catherine Wheel is finally available on vinyl again, especially for this occasion only 1.500 copies are available on orange and gold mixed vinyl. 
 
 Celldöd – Terrorbalans 12” (Femur Records)
 Femur’s second release goes deeper into totally unsettling,dark and gloomy sounds. This time with Celldöd Terrorbalans- for the first time on vinyl. It had been previously released on cassette by Celldöd himself on his own platform Brutal Disciplin. He has also included two unreleased tracks. the machine-like -Svart Sira- and -Socker-. dirtier and naughtier. The closure to this second reference is a magnificent remix by Swedish duo Fishermen. originally released on Brutal Disciplin. too. “Terrorbalans” is a track drowned in distortion. Beats are central, all soaked in static and brazenly strutting into the red. A piece of tempered aggression, at its core “Terrorbalans” is a work of EBM blackened techno. “Socker,” the sibling, is a more experimental effort. Sample circle, warbling keys and beats are subdued as guttural chants boil out of speakers. “Svart Syra” is easier to digest but is still going to cause heartburn for some. Snares crash against a bulwark of twisted metal and buckled bars, broken glass and crushed cars come to mind in this harsh and harrowed grunt. Fishermen take on “Pulsedisco 2,” a track previously released on Suction, with devastating effect. Acid oil is poured over the original, beats are bolstered and an utterly evil interpretation is the product. Mean, menacing and maniacal from the Skudge men. https://femurrecords.bandcamp.com/album/terrorbalans
 
 Celldod – Korruption CS (Smashing Tapes)
 The black and white photocopied aesthetic of its artwork (by the Madrid crew Unlocked Youth) hints at the sort of music at hand. Korruption, tape five in the series, comes via Sweden and Anders Karlsson's cantankerous Celldöd project. Karlsson arrived at electronic music via punk. Earlier in the year he teamed up with Varg for an ambient techno record on Opal Tapes, which was noisy but dreamy. Celldöd courts a more specific sound: coarse, EBM-indebted and full of punk electronics. It's a coarsely EBM-indebted affair, punk electronics through and through. "Korruption Dub" is the grooviest of the four tracks, if you can keep up with its piston pace. "Tidens Tand" is sludgier with a midnight allure, while "Res Dig Upp" shoots pointed bleeps like bullets. They're all more inventive with the EBM template than "Kommer Tillbaka," which follows the rules more closely with vocal snatches and industrial murk. File Korruption alongside your weird-but-makes-sense collection of Mannequin and Kess Kill records. https://smashingtaperecords.bandcamp.com/album/korruption
 
 Cervello Elettronico – Live In Brooklyn At Synthicide (HANDS)
 Synthicide is arguably the hottest underground party series on the US east coast currently, and Cervello Elettronico was a natural headliner for the April edition on April 6th 2017. This release captures the concise, focused set as a perfect representation of their most recent HANDS album “Logical Fears”, from which come the bulk of tracks on this digital only album. A stout plunge, the rush of blood to the head, and the electronic brain transmits its physical effects!
 https://cervelloelettronico.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-brooklyn-at-synthicide-2017


Circa Tapes – Love And Venom LP (Medical Records)
 Third full length album by Circa Tapes (solo project of Adam Killing of Kill Memory Crash). Following excellent previous releases on Romance Moderne and DKA, this third album displays the evolution of Killing’s spot on ability to masterfully blend dark early 80s synth, industrial and cold wave into a completely new entity. Much heavier and wonderfully darker, this LP will appeal to fans of classics like Cabaret Voltaire and Skinny Puppy, as well as cutting edge EBM contemporaries such as Broken English Club, Boy Harsher and other cold wave / industrial hybrids. https://medicalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/love-and-venom-mr-069


CNC & Kobold – Misbehaviors EP (Shifting)
 Computer Numerical Control and Kobold launch their own platform for mind-bending sounds introducing Shifting Records and its first instalment, 'Misbehaviours', is a four-tracks Ep which features also a remix from Francesco Visconti aka VSK. Following their path through the rawest sides of the dancefloor-driven experiences, the Ep is conceived as a heavy take on Ebm with noisy textures, harsh vocal incursions and an almost inescapable, permanent tension. https://cnckobold.bandcamp.com/album/misbehaviours
 
 Codex Empire – Hamartia 12” (aufnahme + wiedergabe) British born, Vienna based producer Mahk Rumbae has been creating challenging experimental electronic music for 25 years as one half of industrial/ experimental band Konstruktivists as well as solo and side-projects. Codex Empire hits all the techno-EBM marks. Hamartia is the long awaited third Codex Empire ep for aufnahme + wiedergabe, limited edition of 500 copies. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/hamartia
 
 Codex Empire – Precipice Ep (Sacred Court) Codex Empire debuts on SNTS' label Sacred Court.  EBM and Industrial infused Techno tunes to be found here. Rumbae comes from a London drum and bass background and was a member of experimental band Konstruktivists. He’s also involved in the minimal synth act mitra mitra. Rumbae is an individual who understands sound and it’s his open-mindedness to explore that has led to Codex Empire in the creation of some of the best noise and dark atmospheric techno in the genre. https://soundcloud.com/sntsrecords/codex-empire-precipice-ep-sacred-court-scx04


Codex Empire – Codex Empire CD (aufnahme + wiedergabe)
 CD Compilation that collects tracks from earlier releases “Kingsevil”, “Cutpurse”, and “Hamartia” 12”’s (plus an unreleased bonus track). A stunning introduction into one of the best new artist in the techno-EBM realm that spotlights his aggressive, energetic, dissonant, instrumental, atmospheric, dark, ominous, hypnotic, noisy, repetitive, cold, rhythmic, sombre, apocalyptic, and mechanical sound. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/codex-empire
 
 Cold Cave – Glory (Digital)
 After releasing the brooding “The Idea of Love” 7-inch last fall, Cold Cave’s Wesley Eisold has returned with a new song called “Glory” and its accompanying video. The brooding track juxtaposes gliding, shimmery synths with Eisold’s despondent vocals. In the lyrics, however, it appears he may have found some hope. “Tonight’s the first night of my new life,” he sings. “Say goodbye to everyone I’ve ever known/ And we could spend the night together/ I could be you and you could be me too.” https://coldcave.bandcamp.com/album/glory


Crash Course In Science – Situational Awareness LP (Electronic Emergencies) With Situational Awareness, post-punk legends Crash Course In Science deliver a ten track album consisting entirely of brand new material. The songs on Situational Awareness sound crisp and ultra-fresh, while the band from Philadelphia, USA, maintains their distinctive DIY sound created by toys, kitchen appliances and self-built synths. Far beyond new wave, the music is experimental and danceable at the same time - science and art, together hand in hand. https://electronicemergencies.bandcamp.com/album/situational-awareness
 
 Crimes AM – Death And Adoration CS (Squarewav)
 Another project of David Christian (Cervello Elletronico), this one floating around in the area of synth wave. Death and Adoration is his second release (Softcore being the first). Ten (mostly) instrumental tracks that sound wonderfully futuristic set in a relaxing environment. The music is often slow, intricate and precious. Few albums reach out and grab at you pulling you in these days, but Death and Adoration grabs your soul. Awesome pad sounds will help conjure up moods and passions. Each song has a gradual build to it, pushing the tracks along. The perfect soundtrack to late night highway drives away from the city to escape to anywhere. http://squarewav.com/album/death-and-adoration
 
 Crystal Geometry – End Of Life Digital (Self-Released)
 – Riot Cult Digital (Self-Released) – Modular Scraps Digital (Self-Released) – Station Z Digital (Self-Released) A project based out of Grenoble, France operating in the areas of techno-EBM and influenced by Dark warehouse raves and (mostly) modular engineered music. Very industrial minded. The project started in 2016 by Maxime F Sabre yet is rather prolific and shows just as much professionalism and packs as much punch as similar artist on the aufnahme + wiedergabe roster. https://crystalgeometry.bandcamp.com


Cursed Moon – Rite of Darkness 12” +7” (Hells Headbangers Records)
 A one-man entity hailing from the greater Los Angeles area, Cursed Moon is one of the most exciting newcomers the label has come across. Branding itself "deathwave," Cursed Moon uniquely combines classic goth-rock from the '80s with early black metal sounds, weaving a witchy atmosphere whilst being grounded firmly in the grit of evil heavy metal. It's a sound that's immediately memorable and positively addicting - and not to mention one that will appeal to a wide variety of metalheads, punks, and other assorted freaks. Comprising 10 track over 54 minutes, Cursed Moon's debut album is a non-stop collection of anthem after anthem, each one darker and more cobwebbed than the last, altogether making for one of the most unique sounds in today's extreme music landscape. Never once lingering too long on one path, "Rite of Darkness" is total Deathwave perfection, and even includes suitably deathwaved covers of Oz, The Sisters of Mercy, and Skinny Puppy (“Assimilate”). Behold the “Rite of Darkness” and witness the rise of deathwave! https://cursed-moon.bandcamp.com/album/rite-of-darkness
 
 Curve – Doppelganger LP Reissue (3 Loop Music) 
In 1991, Curve arrived on the scene with a series of increasingly successful EPs via Dave Stewart’s Anxious label.A year later they released their debut album, Doppelgänger. A monster and stately record, it was their sonic manifesto. Self-produced with Flood, and mixed by emergent super engineer and unofficial sixth CURVE member Alan Moulder (Ride, U2, My Bloody Valentine, Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), its ability to sandblast your nerve endings for breakfast is matched only by its tendency to inebriate the listener with its aromatic charm.The album features two singles, ‘Fait Accompli’ and ‘Horror Head’ both of which hit the Top 40 in 1992. Now the album is once again available on vinyl and includes brand new sleevenotes by Andrew Collins.  The 180gsm vinyl includes an MP3 download. “a beautifully terrifying album… I have been listening to this album for almost 20 years and every time I hear something new” Consequence Of Sound. “They create a cavernous noise that is not so much a storm in a teacup, as a monsoon in a coffee mug" NME, 1992.
"A Curve song is a thing of instantly addictive melodic intensity" Q magazine.


Cyberaktif – Tenebrae Vision 2xLP (ArtofFact Records) 
A beautiful double-LP vinyl reissue collecting the complete works of Cevin Keyand Bill Leeb project Cyberaktif. In 1990, Bill Leeb of Front Line Assembly, as well as cEvin Key and Dwayne R. Goettel of Skinny Puppy joined forces to record one of the most iconic releases in the industrial genre: Cyberaktif! Artoffact Records presents a remastered 2LP vinyl edition of Tenebrae Vision, including both the Temper and Nothing Stays singles, and a rare bonus cut of Nothing Stays, edited by Beatbox Inc. The double LP is housed in an amazing gatefold sleeve with artwork restored. The audio is fully remastered (sounds AMAZING) and let's not forget that two tracks feature Blixa Bargeld from Einstürzende Neubauten! An epic reissue for an epic masterpiece. http://www.stormingthebase.com/cyberaktif-tenebrae-vision-2lp-vinyl/

Dasha Rush – Ain’t No God Nor King EP (Sonic Groove)
 Dasha is back on Sonic Groove for her first outing on the label in six years. In this time elapsed Dasha has released just two dance singles both some years ago. Her last musical outing in 2015, is the stunning masterpiece experimental listening album entitled “Sleepstep” on Raster Noton. Now finally after a quite long hiatus from releasing dance music. Dasha returns with “Ain't No God nor King”, a four song extended play release. This deep minded, beat driven journey starts off with “Katusha” a hard minimalistic, mesmerizing affair with strong delay effects on the kick drum forging a subconscious state of time and space as it echoes it way through mountainous canyons far away from civilization. Next up is “Dystopian Drive”, a percussive song which brings an atmosphere of doom and gloom full on, with a gritty & stringent EBM bassline and tripped out layered acidic effects riding the thick bass waves. “Black Swan” takes it a few steps further into even darker dismal territories, a nearly nine minute journey which is a fitting sound track for surveilling a haunting post nuclear apocalypse scene from up above. “Acid Melancholy” is a 303 tweaked ambient sound sculpture with a metronomic pendulum rhythmic perc swinging back and forth which signals that time has run its course and the end is near. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/aint-no-god-nor-king-sg1780
 
 Dead Husband – Renaissance EP (Self-Released Bandcamp) If you can get past the silly name, this project out of Boston has great appeal that should make synth pop and synth wave fans take notice. Clean production, tight sequences, epic synth pads and a healthy dose of vocoded vocals. Nothing very sinister here just light and airy and all he while addictive. “Dimension” borrows some house dive samples even. A nice underground discovery this year and a project to watch for in 2018. Renaissance was released as a Limited Edition First Release - 50 Copies Clear Vinyl. Plastic Sealed. Black jacket and black sleeve record. https://deadhusband.bandcamp.com/album/renaissance


Death Bells – Standing at the Edge of the World 12” (Funeral Party Records)
 Sydney’s Death Bells present their burning love for staple post-punk acts with some great musical homages to the old guard (Joy Division, The Cure) and a fitting sonic aesthetic that nostalgically recalls the genre tropes and cleaner production of decades gone by. From the hazy melodies, moody song timbres, thick and fuzzy bass lines, layered chorus-affected guitars, 80’s synths, simplistic but tight, booming and propelling percussion, the massive amounts of reverb injected into the album, baritone vocals that are dripping in delay that channel Ian Curtis; Death Bells make it crystal clear what their collective influences are via this resonating 10-track effort. However, while rarely, if ever straying from the template of bands that came long before them, this NSW quintet has moulded their various inspirations and modernize the key elements of this genre to create some truly great songs in their own right; thankfully not ending up as just some new-age copycat band in the process. https://deathbells-au.bandcamp.com/album/standing-at-the-edge-of-the-world


Death Of Lovers – The Acrobat LP (DAIS Records)
 Since the 2014 release of Philly outfit Death of Lover’s acclaimed debut EP “Buried Under a World of Roses”, many wondered if a full length follow-up for the band was even possible – largely due to the extensive touring schedule of Domenic, Nick, and Kyle’s other band: Nothing.  But between 2016 and 2017, the four piece band (that includes keyboard player CC Loo) was able to find the time to focus, demo, write, and carve out a stunning new direction and polished sound for the band.  “The Acrobat” represents that labor of love, and Death of Lovers have created one of the most eye-opening alternative records we’ve heard in years. Thoughtful compositions weave driving synths, drums and guitars through lock-step rhythm and nostalgia before shattering into intricate and spacious instrumental breaks. There is a welcome complexity and depth to the tracks, which dance between moody and sweeping to sparkling and bright – creating a beautiful contrast to the honest and dark lyrics. On the album single “The Absolute”, Domenic’s vocals (accompanied in harmony by drummer Kyle Kimball) take on the topics of selfishness and greed - “All in all is trembling fear – bound to fall on bludgeoned bell rung ears.  A senseless world of worth, deceived by needing, and the crow who perches on your tongue – reminding you it won’t be too long.” “Lowly People” is the band’s answer to PULP’s “Common People”, cast through the lens of their own upbringing: the streets of Kensington, Philly – where “Broken glass shimmers like the stars, summer air breeds a certain violence.” Somehow, The Acrobat achieves warm familiarity while sounding completely new.  While the tracks could easily have been included on the soundtrack to every one of your favorite 80s films, there is a fresh perspective and process evident in the songwriting that rewrites the “post-punk” rulebook. https://www.daisrecords.com/products/death-of-lovers-the-acrobat-lp


Desroi – Indifferent 12” (Manhigh) 
Following on a trio of successes with established talent, for our fourth release MANHIGH takes an excursion to lesser-known regions with experimentalist Desroi. Previously known from EPs on his eponymous imprint and Total Black the German newcomer quickly caught our attention. Beginning with the opener, 'Indifferent', we are introduced to his heavily sculpted, hypnotic sound world, where a rolling, repeating rhythmic framework is echoed in the higher registers with heavily-filtered delay loops, and a melodic lead line taken deeply into dub provides both a centerpiece and the basis for many other elements. Another relatively new talent currently rising quickly to wider notice, Phase Fatale's relaunch of 'Indifferent' stays resolutely in his own world, a grinding, banging amalgamation of distortion, punishing in its resolve and propelled by mutated elements of the Desroi's original piece. His idea of 'Apathy' invokes entirely more aggressive emotions than the word's conventional usage, tightly winding bleeps around a rigid sequence kept in motion by constant effects and sporadic drum hits, which then transforms at is halfway point with the entrance of harder kicks driven by an open hat. 'Sopor' induces trance states more than it does sleep; sophisticated applications of delay effects and patient acid combine for a deep, inward-looking hypnotic state with momentary shifts in rhythm and color evoking the ephemeral nature of dreams.
 https://manhighrecordingsbln.bandcamp.com/album/desroi-indifferent-w-phase-fatale-remix-manhigh004


The Devil And The Universe – Folk Horror LP (aufnahme + wiedergabe)
 Ritual, Ghost Wave, Dark Ambient, Soundtrackish... from Vienna, Austria. Goat wave for the initated. Folk horror - that’s the name of the sub-genre of (in the seventies developed) british horror film where the aesthetics and the content reflect the heathenistic history of the british royal empire. the horror element has its subtle nuances. it lies in fields and meadows, hides in birdhouses and haystacks. a masterpiece depicting a beautiful understanding of this genre is the feature film ‘the wicker man‘, released in 1973. the devil and the universe dedicated their last long-play album to mysticism and in particular, the perpetually baffling plight of the virgin mary. now, it is time for the purveyors of this most emotive sound, to go back to their heathenistic roots. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/folk-horror
 
 Die Selektion – Deine Stimme Ist Der Ursprung Jeglicher Gewalt (aufnahme + wiedergabe) Excellent review here! https://repartiseraren.se/2017/06/17/review-die-selektion-deine-stimme-ist-der-ursprung-jeglicher-gewalt/
 https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/deine-stimme-ist-der-ursprung-jeglicher-gewalt


Dige, Sally – Holding On LP (DKA)
 Sally Dige is a multidisciplinary artist known for her darkly poetic yet highly danceable electro-pop songs, DIY stylistic videos, design and visual art. 
Sally‘s deep and commanding voice, coupled with her analogue-visual-processes and overlapping artistic mediums has formed an identity that oscillates between the edges of aggression and fragility, old and new. Holding On was created during the time of intense inner turmoil. Despite being stretched to her emotional limits, Sally did not let the weight of her circumstances break her, instead channeling all of her pain and fears into the production of a series of incredibly powerful songs. Stunningly, Sally used only her voice and a single synth to create this album. Even with so little gear, the songs are anything but minimal. Each song has a minimum of 100 tracks and, for some songs, 100 tracks for just the drum section alone. Every audible sound has 20 other sounds swimming beneath it. These are songs written for dance floors but are sung about loneliness, death and the meaninglessness of existence. Sally‘s work tows the line between a blissful innocence and a heavy darkness. Think Gina X flavored post punk-disco rubbing against Twitch-era Ministry‘s lost Sade collab or Enya on LSD after a break up. Holding On is Sally‘s second album, following her debut Hard to Please, out on Avant! in Europe and DKA in North America, with two separate cover designs. https://dkarecords.bandcamp.com/album/holding-on
 
 Digital Poodle – Soul Crush 12” (Suction Records)
 Suction Records presents the 2nd volume in a vinyl reissue/remix series by Toronto’s Digital Poodle: “Revision! Vol. 2 - Soul Crush” (suction037). Formed in 1986 by Heiki Sillaste, Digital Poodle began self-releasing experimental/EBM tapes in the late-80s and by the early-‘90s had several releases licensed to international labels like Hyperium, Cleopatra and Ninja Tune. “Soul Crush” was an underground hit in EBM/alternative clubs around the world, particularly in Toronto. Also making an impact was Zoviet France’s Virtual Mix; a hypnotic, 13-minute psychedelic techno trip which was actually a live-in-studio jam between Digital Poodle and industrial music legends :zoviet*france: and became an unlikely rave staple, spun by DJs like Sven Väth. Both mixes are featured here, alongside a killer revision by none other than Adam X, one of this legendary techno producer’s rare remix appearances. One of the few artists to credibly bridge the gap between EBM and techno, Adam X delivers a pummelling dancefloor stormer, with Heiki’s distorted vocals taking the Adam X sound even closer than usual to a pure, vintage-EBM sound. http://www.suctionrecords.com/releases/digital-poodle-soul-crush/
 
 DIN – Real Dirt (DKA)
 DIN, the project of Los Angeles's Josie Vand and Greg Vand, are able to extract choice elements from eras past and distill it into an impressively focused and modern sound. Every sound, every texture, every voice falls perfectly into place, as the palette effortlessly winds from warm and pastoral to cold and sharp, leaving you room to both dance and dream. The "Real Dirt" LP is infectiously understated from start to finish, and as the follow up to their "Saturate" EP on Ascetic House it proves that DIN is a serious force in modern synth music. Those familiar with the label may recognize Greg Vand from his role in the great High-Functioning Flesh, however DIN will likely appeal more to fans of Factory Floor, Tropic of Cancer, and Boy Harsher. Josie Vand has previously performed as a member of DVA Damas and contributed her visual art talents to the Jealous God label. https://dkarecords.bandcamp.com/album/real-dirt
 
 Dissocio Modus Trans – DMT EP (Fleisch) 
Fleisch is thrilled to present the debut of Stockholm’s Dissociō Modus Trāns, aka DMT, featuring four cuts of some of the purest, unadulterated acid ever to hit the streets since Orange Sunshine. In the words of Terence McKenna himself, sampled in the opening title track, “DMT is the strongest hallucinogen there is…”, and DMT certainly hold true to their name as a pair of 303s weave a mind-altering journey through multiple dimensions of being. Driven and dirty techno beats form the rhythmic foundation while esoteric vocal samples lead the proceedings through the Tibetan Book of the Dead in “Origin/Destination” and “Bardo Thōdol”, and onward into the metaphysical mantra of “Trans Dimensional”. https://dissociomodustrans.bandcamp.com/releases
 
 Dive – Live Razzmatazz LP (Mecanica)
 Limited & numbered to 385 copies on electric blue vinyl. Dive does need no introduction. Frontman of Belgian EBM prime-movers The Klinik and the seminal minimal-synth act Absolute Body Control, Dirk Ivens started to work under this moniker in 1990 and has released a long list of albums and EP's on a wide number of labels including Minus Habens (Italy), Daft Records (Belgium), Discordia (Germany) and recently Out of Line (Germany). Dive is a sharp mix of industrial, EBM, noise and experimental sounds with abused drum machines, pulsating distortion and an unmistakable voice. This live show recorded on the famous Razzmatazz in Barcelona on April 2003 shows Dirk at the best of his fruitful career including some of Dive best tracks: Final Report', Sufferhead', Power of Passion' and others. https://mecanica.bandcamp.com/album/live-razzmatazz
 
 Dive – Underneath LP (Out of Line) 
Belgian electronic pioneer Dirk Ivens unleashes the eagerly awaited new album of his cult project DIVE. “Underneath” is another masterpiece of dark minimalist Electro-art. After a hiatus of more than a decade, Dirk Ivens' project DIVE finally returns with a new sign of life. For the new album “Underneath”, he has again teamed up with Ivan Iusco (who he worked with on “Concrete Jungle”) and Rafael M. Espinosa (his collaborator on “Behind The Sun”.) The result is a maelstrom of minimalist Electronica that ranges from fascinating to unsettling and that no other act can quite accomplish in the same way: Stripped-bare rhythms, dark, machine-like sequencers, psychotic synth-sounds that are expertly intertwined with cleverly placed noise-attacks and the distinctive, feverishly manic and ghostly raw voice of Dirk Ivens towering above it all. Some tracks, like the groovy “Far Away” or the hammering “Something” have turned out surprisingly catchy, but as a whole “Underneath” is a menacing behemoth that relentlessly pulls the listener into its dark machine world. The album feels like a David-Lynchian fever dream, oscillating wildly between cutting Industrial-loops, dark Minimal-art and groovy Electronic-Body-beats that converge into a physical tour de force. In their effectively relentless reduction of their sound to the bare necessities, DIVE yet again manage to create a one-of-a-kind experience. “Underneath” is released on CD and as a limited LP edition in classy dark green vinyl, containing the CD in a slip case as bonus. https://www.outoflineshop.de/dive-underneath-limited-dark-green-vinyl-lp-cd.html
 
 Divider – Europaisch-Amerikanische Freundschaft (Basic Unit Productions)
 With a sharp blade, Divider has carved out 6 highly physical tracks of Minimal Body Music for his new 6-track, Europäisch-Amerikanische Freundschaft. This release has a captivating energy of discovery, while also being simultaneously retro with a dash of post-punk minimalism influence. Mixed and mastered by Sid Lamar (Schwefelgelb) at Hype Cycle Studio. https://basicunitproductions.bandcamp.com/album/europ-isch-amerikanische-freundschaft
 
 Doubting Thomas – The Infidel 3xLP (Artoffact Records) 
 Huge 3LP reissue of the complete works of Skinny Puppy side-project Doubting Thomas on black vinyl! Originally released on the seminal Wax Trax! label, the Doubting Thomas sessions were recorded in between sessions for VIVIsectVI and Rabies, by Cevin Key and Dwayne Goettel (Skinny Puppy) and also featured the talents of Tom Ellard (Severed Heads). This incredible triple-vinyl reissue is fully authorized by Cevin Key and includes the entire Infidel album remastered, plus the Father Don't Cry EP. Doubting Thomas started as a collaboration between Key and Goettel, when tracks that didn't fit for Skinny Puppy were collected and stored for later use. By 1990, the two had enough material for an EP, and Wax Trax! released the now-classic and essential Father Don't Cry on 12" vinyl. Later in 1991, Wax Trax! released the full-length The Infidel, which to date has never been issued on vinyl. An anniversary edition on CD came out on Key's own Subsconscious imprint in the mid-2000s, but a vinyl version remained elusive, until now that is. Toronto-based Artoffact Records is proud to announce a definitive triple-vinyl edition of The Infidel, complete with Father Don't Cry, and packaged in an out-of-this-world triple gatefold sleeve, with restored artwork and remastered audio. http://www.stormingthebase.com/doubting-thomas-the-infidel-3lp-vinyl/


Download – Sidewinder EP (Artoffact)
 First-ever vinyl version of Download's much-praised Sidewinder. Featuring remixes of some of the greatest material from The Eyes of Stanley Pain, Sidewinder was released in 1996 and became an instant classic. The EP is now remastered for vinyl for the first time and includes all eight Sidewinder tracks on one slab of beautiful wax. Finally fans get “Glassblower” (re-mix) on vinyl!!!  Also includes a remix by Haujobb. Essential! http://www.stormingthebase.com/download-sidewinder-vinyl/


Drab Majesty - Oak Wood 7” (DAIS)
 The solo project of the enigmatic Deb Demure: Drab Majesty has made an undeniable impact on the underground since his crushing album debut “Careless” on Dais Records in 2015. In Deb Demure’s own words: “Oak Wood" was song received a couple weeks following the Ghostship tragedy in Oakland.  The DAIS family lost one of it's most beloved members, Cash Askew, and its song title is a literal translation of her last name; In Old Norse being Eiki (oak) Skogr (wood) thus making Oak Wood.  I found the name to be symbolically poignant in light of the events and wanted this to be a tribute piece.  The lyrics grapple with the existence of a god in a time of such utter sadness, hopelessness, and confusion. “Egress" is meant to serve as a faint departure or daydream; spaces I often find myself drifting to as a means of escape when disturbing thoughts cyclically plague my brain.  Side A confronts the issue and Side B acts as a mental respite.  Making instrumental guitar pieces has always been an act of meditation and I hope if only for a brief moment, the listener can wander and lose themselves within the sonic imagery offered in this piece. https://www.daisrecords.com/products/oak-wood-7


Drab Majesty - The Demonstration LP (DAIS)
 Drab Majesty began as a warbled transmission received via 4-track cassette in a dim, Los Angeles bedroom in 2012. The entity known as Deb Demure, an interdimensional muse of sorts, lent an otherworldly vision to a human contact; one to be realized through meticulously composed lo-fi recordings. Focusing on the aesthetics of cult ritual and the devastating power of music, Deb sought an alternative way to share the cosmic agenda. Culminating in a cassette titled Unarian Dances, Drab Majesty’s manifesto to humanity was revealed: revel in the power of artistic influences that reside beyond the self. The tape circulated through Los Angeles, catching the attention of local tastemakers like the heads at Lollipop Records in Echo Park. It quickly found a place on the shelves of LA’s underground musical seekers. After a gauntlet of performances and late night manifestations, Drab Majesty came on the radar of DAIS Records. In 2015, Drab Majesty released Careless, the first LP which was received and recorded solely by Demure on living room floors and in cluttered spaces across the city. After three pressings and an imminent fourth, Careless remains a fixture in LA’s somber yet sublime nightlife and a noted contribution to the murkier subcultures abroad. Wielding a left-handed guitar, Deb employs a unique style of arpeggiated finger picking, producing vast and organic musical textures reminiscent of Vinny Reilly (Durutti Column) with the anthemic power of Sisters of Mercy and Cocteau Twins. In the past two years Deb has been invited to support bands such as Cold Cave, Psychic TV, Clan of Xymox, The Frozen Autumn, Prayers, and label mates Youth Code and King Dude. From its incarnation, Drab Majesty was a solo act; an interplay between guitar and triggered machines. In 2016, with growing audiences and heightened interest, Drab expanded into a duo, employing the keyboard accompaniment of far-out twin, Mona D – filling out frequencies and upping the spectacle of the live performance. https://www.daisrecords.com/products/drab-majesty-the-demonstration


Dsordne – Tristi di Rabbia 12” (Blacksilk) 
Blacksilk proudly announces its third release, the second on vinyl, reissuing a selection of tracks from DsorDNE, experimental electronic band active in Turin during the 80’s and early 90’s. Thanks to the proactive and collaborative spirit of Marco Milanesio, band’s founder and author of most of the songs, deserved and proper attention is finally given to three stunning original masterpieces of dusky, heavily post-punk influenced tracks veined with some sort of industrial aftertaste. These songs have been selected from a span of works, mostly autoproduced, that DsorDNE released in the years of activity on various labels (primarily the related HAX Records) or fanzines of the thriving Italian underground scene of the time, which provided the perfect environment to experiment while representing the dull, grey and nihilist reality of the already post-industrial Turin of the mid-80’s.  “Tristi di Rabbia” (Sad of Anger), title taken from the almost madrigalic song opening the record, is completed with the electronic punk of “Love is my Eversion” (that will meet the taste of fans of SPK et similia) and “Guardami”, melodic slow industrial gem. On the B side are featured two contemporary reworks of other original songs: “Aria” remixed by Phase Fatale, gloomy dancefloor-friendly track that emphasises the vocal abstract games of the original bringing the song to a new rhythmic dimension. and “Rimani”, remixed by the emerging artist Unhuman, who deconstructs the dark ballad achieving the result of a brilliantly crafted lo-fi EBM banger. The artwork is curated by Silent Servant, that visually caged a picture from an unnamed Orthodox icon taken at the National Museum of Art in Bucharest reprocessing it in his own distinctive macabre-surrealist style, already appreciated in the numerous visual works for the Jealous God’s catalogue and still delivering the shock of the new. https://blacksilkrecs.bandcamp.com/album/dsordne-tristi-di-rabbia-bslk003
 
 Dusty Idols – Narcissus CS (Detriti Records)
 Sexy techno EBM newbeat from Berlin! Four strong (mainly) instrumental tracks that remind me of some of the Antler-Subway greats like Fatal Morgana, In Sotto Voce, Voltage Control, etc. Should New Beat have it’s resurgence in 2018, expect Dusty Idols to be leaders of the pack. Fun and exciting material. https://detritirecords.bandcamp.com/album/dusty-idols-narcissus
 
 Elastic Boys – Ebs CS (Detriti Records)
 Ravey house music from Switzerland! A much more laid back, happy side project of Veil of Light that would fit nicely in with the Manchester scene of the early 90’s. You can’t help but recall 808 State, Happy Mondays, and A Guy Called Gerald when listening to Elastic Boys. SO.VERY.GOOD! https://detritirecords.bandcamp.com/album/elastic-boys-ebs
 
 Esplendor Geometrico – Fluida Mekaniko 2xLP (GeometriK)
 The cult band based in Madrid and Rome, influential industrial pioneers of the pulsating, hypnotic and tribal rhythms since 1980, presents new album: Fluida Mekaniko. Since its previous album "Ultraphoon" (2013), Esplendor Geométrico has performed more frequently than ever during these last two years in different countries and festivals (2016 for the first time in the US and Russia), while there was a documentary feature film about the group launched in Madrid, Geometría del Esplendor, directed by a renowned Spanish director within the avant-garde cinema, José Ramón da Cruz. The film has just been premiered at the prestigious In-Edit festival in Barcelona, receiving an honorary award. Fluida Mekaniko has been recorded during 2016 and contains 12 new tracks that, although they continue the line developed since Pulsión (2009), we also find here references to their most harsh and noisy sound of the 90s. Industrial Neo-tribalism where mechanical rhythms hypnotize, like mantras, inducing the trance. It highlights, already a distinctive feature of E.G., the inclusion of voices and sonorities of African, Arab and Asian music.

Fearing – A Life of None CS (Funeral Party Records)
 Hailing from Oakland, California, Fearing play a style of music not usually associated with near-perfect weather and sunny beaches. Taking cues from such pioneers such as Asylum Party, Pornography-era The Cure, and The Chameleons; Fearing tackle themes of love, life, and lost morality. Limited to 98 copies. 
 
 Felina Spank – Things We Broke Digital (New York Haunted) Felina Spank started in 2015 when Alejandra Reyes and Jose Marulanda began jamming with synths and drum machines at Jose´s studio. Fueled by a mutual interest in noise, experimental techno, ebm and industrial, they began recording and created a great and unique sound. They released their first Ep called “Nebula” on Cute Heel´s label, Black Leather Records and then they made a single for the second version of CODE, a compilation diversified into techno and linear synth electronics strictly for clubs and basements for the same label. Recently they also released another single for the new Bogotá based Label, Gabber House recordings. But here is their NEW YORK HAUNTED debut. 3 Tracks that will knock your socks off. Somewhere in the shadowy basement under the Suicide building, next to the Throbbing Gristle alley... Cool and doomy EBM oriented proto techno... meet Felina Spank! https://newyorkhaunted.bandcamp.com/album/nyh109-felina-spank-things-we-broke


Fixmer/Mccarthy – Chemicals 12” (Sonic Groove) The legendary Douglas J. McCarthy, founder and frontman of the seminal and pioneering EBM project Nitzer Ebb, continues his alliance with Contemporary Techno producer Terence Fixmer together lending to the electronic music landscape with their combined artistic initiative. The A side of this 3 track e.p. presents the title track " Chemicals " in two forms; the original version and an instrumental version. The evolution of the sound that first surfaced in 2003 on Terence Fixmer's own, Lille, France based imprint Planet Rouge is apparent on this new installment in the FIXMER/MCCARTHY discography. "Chemicals " original version is a triumphant echo of EBM/Techno fusion constructed with current innovative electronic music production that retains the aesthetic of the original sound of EBM combined with the power of Douglas J. McCarthy's defining vocal style. The fine auditory balance is all the neural support needed to effectively compliment McCarthy's deep and thunderous vocals. This track is reminiscent of the classics "Murderous" and "Join In The Chant " by Nitzer Ebb but clearly light years beyond. The lyrical content references topics relevant to the forward thinking sect of the electronic underground, appropriately titled and are delivered with the magnified intensity McCarthy has draped the planet with for well over 30 years and for what he has become very well known for. The Instrumental version stands extremely strong on it's own and is, for all intents and purposes, a defining example of EBM proto Techno of the futuristic kind.The inclusion of this version expands the releases appeal and will serve the desires of any twilight excursion through dark sonic techno domains. Side B continues this transmission with another gem titled " Wrong Planet " that has been polished to near perfection in every way imaginable. This is a new development in sound that expands the horizon for this specific genre exponentially. Everything else happens from here on out specifically because this magnitude of output is truly unprecedented and expands beyond crossover range. Fixmer completely demonstrates his expertise while McCarthy’s inspired voice of fueled and cryptic conviction carries forth, a combination of perfect elements that give birth to an anthem for the rooms that deserve and can appreciate this. For DJ's of this legion, it's the perfect tool for peak time injection of auditory dissonance and streamlined cadence. For producers, has subtleties, production technique and sophistication that will have one back in the studio with their inspired hands challenged. This is a unique and advanced release for Sonic Groove and in current dystopian and bleak times it is comforting to know that there are still possibilities such as this to deliver us from it all. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/chemicals-sg1777


Feral Body – S/t Digital (Self-released BandCamp) One of Detroit’s newest acts to emerge in 2017 and certainly ones to watch continue to progress in 2018. Right off the bat the 3-songs evoke a sinister, destructive and weighty feel. The percussion is extra punchy and comes across very intense. It’s not a steady thump, but akin to that of an approaching killers footsteps. Vocals are delivered in a processional like slow chant feeling darkly religious and ceremonial. Synth and effect washes of heavy pad sounds and atmospherics add to the suspense. More mind music than body music here in it’s dirge-like deliverance. Will be watching and waiting to see where this project heads next. https://feralbody.bandcamp.com/releases

Fluxion A/D - Philadelphia / Detroit 2017 CS (Detroit Industrial) Live release from Detroit based noise, breakbeat, industrial, electronic masterminds Fluxion A/D. The cassette release includes live sets from Philadelphia and the stunning UFO Factory performance in Detroit. The Digital release has a bonus set from Pittsburgh. These guys take Brap to a whole new level. https://detroitindustrial.bandcamp.com/album/fluxion-a-d-live-2017


Force Dimension – Machinesex CD (DAFT Records) 20 years went by since the last release from this cult band but the waiting is over! René van Dijck (synthesizers, vocals) and Betty Correa (vocals, guitar, percussion) present you 13 brand new tracks produced by the band themselves and mastered by Eric Van Wonterghem. This album is a joined collaboration between Daft Records and the Noisy Democracy Records label from Brasil. https://www.outoflineshop.de/back-catalogue/f/the-force-dimension-machinesex-cd.html


Forces 
– Newbody 12” (Fleisch) Originally hailing from Melbourne Australia, the now Berlin based live electronic act FORCES release their latest 12" NEWBODY on the label incarnation of the Berlin based Fleisch collective. The 6 track EP maps their relationship over the last few years with four new tracks and two remixes. Ranging from taught, neurotic pop and EBM to bristling ambient landscapes, NEWBODY burns with a kind of pre-dawn energy that is both euphoric and paranoid. NEWBODY depicts the final moment in the boomerang arc of technology as it returns to completely re-enter the body, perfectly capturing the focused urgency and post-electronic physicality of FORCES live. https://forcesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/newbody

Frame of Mind - Murderous Thoughts CD (Infacted Recordings) Founded in 1988 „Frame of Mind“ also known as Michael Friedrich (Music, Synths, Programming) and Marko Hein (Text & Voice) started to produce dark electro wave inspired by their heroes Skinny Puppy. As part of the „first wave“ of new bands of that genre the band recorded two songs („Love is…“ and „...Is love“) for the first part of the famous „Body Rapture“ compilation on Zoth Ommog which was released in 1990 by label founder Talla 2XLC. After getting noticed by the scene and various live shows they started to record their first fullength which unfortunately never got released. As a coincidence Marko met Torben Schmidt (Labelowner of Infacted Recordings) in 2015 and the idea for another classics CD was born. As part of the classics series Infacted Recordings now releases this true treasure under the name „Murderous Thoughts“, again digitally remastered by Guido Fricke of Audion-X. Almost 30 years after being created the album will finally see the light of day! Get your hands on this since it is again strictly limited and will not be repressed! https://infactedrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/murderous-thoughts

Gatto Nero – A Drum CD (HANDS) Gatto Nero, the black cat, promises no bad luck, but rather crowded dance floors: The man who is otherwise known as Ah Cama-Sotz „debuts“ with ten tracks of fierce, in-your-face techno. Indeed A_Drum is so essentially and unpretentiously four-to-the-floor that it will bring out the youthful spirit in anyone who has ever been able to relate to the genre. Charming and clever, produced with all the expertise you might expect from a veteran of electronic music this album is thoroughly rhythmic and while it stays well clear of industrial sounds it isn’t friendly either, for sure. https://gattonero.bandcamp.com/releases


Geometry Combat – Storm Of Death LP (Werkstatt Recordings) Geometry Combat delivers a dangerous steel-crafted artillery embroidered with a metal of blackened drum beats, provoking the utter destruction of religious madness, shadowing over the corpse of a diluted heaven… https://synthesizer.bandcamp.com/album/289-geometry-combat-storm-of-death


Gin Devo – Electrotheque CD (Scanner) In lead with the masters of electronics from the 80's, Gin Devo (Vomito Negro Mastermind) strikes you with his new album "Electrotheque". Recorded on his massive collection of old school synthesizers, Gin takes you on a journey full analogue basses, pumping drum machines, vintage string machines and sequential hardware madness. "Electrotheque" stands for "purists" and with this album Gin Devo proves to be one of the last artists whom is capable of generating this kind of hardware electronic music without compromises. So put on "Electrotheque", and enjoy the beat. http://www.stormingthebase.com/gin-devo-electrotheque-cd/


Godflesh – Post Self LP (Avalanche Recordings) This is Godflesh in beast mode, bullishly churning a slightly abbreviated tracklist of 10 tracks (there’s 13 on the formats) that kick off with the feral lurch of Post Self and variously take in Metal club dancefloor juggernauts like Parasite, No Body, and the outstanding, even sexy roiler Mirror Of Finite Light, before taking the vibe downwards, inwards on the spirit-sousing Be God and the dirge of The Cyclic End, before properly baring their gnashers in the diesel-spitting chops and hackle-raising synths of Mortality Sorrow and the grunting tackle of In Your Shadow. https://godflesh1.bandcamp.com/album/post-self


Grendel – Age Of The Disposable Body Deluxe (Infacted Recordings) Hmmmm… an interesting one here. Have followed Grendel since “Inhumane Amusement” in 2001. Seen plenty of progression in his music across 5 previous albums. JD Tucker and I have even discussed music that doesn’t even fit into the electro-industrial “Our Thing” spectrum. There was a lot of discussion surrounding this album. How different techniques were being tried out in the studio, how different directions were being taken and that the Grendel of “Harsh Generation” or “Timewave Zero” era was gone. From what I saw Tucker listening to and all the early talk, I was almost expecting Grendel to do a complete 180 into unexplored territory.  What “Age of…” achieves is being a smart record. It’s the logical progression and maturity of an artist who perhaps doesn’t want to alienate old “Harsh” and “Timewave” fans, but needs to somehow show fans of “Our Thing” that there’s more strides being taken in the genre today than what they’re accustomed to hearing. To my ears It’s not a radical jump forward in the Grendel sound, but thankfully it’s not a repeat either of a blueprint already laid out prior. Perhaps the next album will be a major stylistic shift now that he’s prepared his audience for it. (Remember when Ministry went from Twitch to Land of?) The Deluxe Edition features a load of remixes (albeit predictable ones from Ass23, Solar Enemy, Shiv-r all working in styles you could expect). Pay attention however to the two remixes of “Hex It” it by Spitmask and High-Functioning Flesh - two newer breed acts who both dismantle then elevate the original track, one into a retro-ebm groove and the other into a propulsive banger. https://infactedrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/age-of-the-disposable-body-deluxe

Hacker - Le Theatre Des Operations 2xLP (Dark Entries) The latest album from Michel Amato aka The Hacker, ‘Le Théâtre des Opérations’. Michel began making music in 1989 a the age of 17 in Grenoble, France. He grew up listening to New Wave bands like Duran Duran, The Cure and Depeche Mode as well as the darker side of electro Kraftwerk, Cabaret Voltaire and D.A.F. In 1990s he released a series of 12” singles and an album of cold, calculating and relentless techno. In 1997 he teamed up with Caroline Herve aka Miss Kittin and to release landmark singles and albums that effortlessly channeled the carefree spirit of 80s electro pop (of which we released an EP of lost demos back in 2015). Michel’s new live project sees the enigmatic artist go back to his roots, performing a 100% analogue set directly inspired by his first true loves of New Wave and dark, powerful techno. ‘Le Théâtre des Opérations’ features 8 new tracks spread evenly across 2×12”s cut at 45rpm for maximum sound quality and DJ utility. The title comes from a metaphysical journal by French-born Canadian science fiction writer Maurice G Dantec. Passionate about avant-garde techno, The Hacker has taken his influences and crafted a potent homage to the power of the synthesizer. Songs veer from gritty, raw EBM to dark, subterranean electro, effortlessly channeling the strains of the Michel’s musical DNA: Front 242, Jeff Mills, Dopplereffekt, Drexciya. The only vocal track features an appearance by longtime friend and collaborator Miss Kittin, named “Time X” after the French science fiction television series Temps X. https://the--hacker.bandcamp.com/album/le-th-tre-des-op-rations


Halv Drom – Petroleum Hydromancy CS (Total Black) First stand alone EP from this Berlin based producer following up on tracks released on Fleisch, X-IMG, Instruments Of Discipline, and last years "Tag Und Nacht II" compilation. 4 tracks of primitive industrial music. Mastered by Sid Lamar (Schwefelgelb) https://totalblack.bandcamp.com/album/petroleum-hydromancy


Hante – Between Hope And Danger LP (Synth Religion) After her noteworthy projects Phosphor and Minuit Machine, Hélène de Thoury offers, through her solo project, a cold, synthetic and melancholic music mixing nagging darkwave and striking electronics. “Between Hope And Danger” is Hante.’s 3rd album and shows de Thoury showcasing increasing skills as a musician, arranger, and singer. The climate that surrounds this release is one of noir and cinematic beauty. Most songs taking on a synthesized dark wave approach where the listener gets immersed in the melodies and chorus’ that fill a room. Vocals come from a distance delivered in both French and English. Hante. is a shining star, romantic, melancholic, but groovy and up-tempo when needed. And when she doesn’t plunge into the grey, she may sing as a raging sea. Very emotional artist in deed, Hante., is actually offering through her music,  her soul, and her points of view in all life’s aspects. Love, loss, anger, threat, expectation, anticipation. https://synthreligion.bandcamp.com/album/between-hope-danger


Headless Horseman – 47009 12” (47) The Headless Horseman returns on Tommy Four Seven’s ’47’ imprint. Another industrial techno stalwart Headless Horseman is not joking when the anonymous act from Berlin returns to 47 after appearing on the label’s mini compilation. Wall-cracking bass and slicing synth stabs guarantee full action on the A-side, when the annihilation mode is switched on with “Widow’s Peak” and the doom atmosphere arrives with “Shattered”. The B-side is about post-combat emotions when “Bleeding Arrows” remains intense in a form of relative mid-tempo stepper and even machines can cry when listening to “The Day She Vanished”. https://47x47.bandcamp.com/album/47009


Hide – Black Flame EP (Joyful Noise Recordings) "HIDE materialized fully realized, their first shows shocking as your friend giving birth to a teenager. The music, the visual identity, and the immersive live experience were all in place from day one, each an essential component of a singular vision. Though thick with a heavy and austere aesthetic, the political messages were as unmistakeable as they were irreducible. It’s pitch black except for shocking strobes, and these flashes reveal only flesh in motion. The duo hides in the dark, in smoke, their faces masked or hooded. And this skin, glimpsed and faceless, become like an animal hide. It’s such a perfect single syllable—hide: starting off soft as unobstructed breath, gliding into a casual greeting and landing with a hard click of the tongue at the back of the teeth. But HIDE umbrellas such multiplicities, and collapses so many apparent paradoxes with that simple syllable. The beats are machine sounds, stripped of all ornamentation, triggering an instinctual response. And coupled with the hypnotic image of the pulsating flesh, the audience is reduced to their animal selves, anonymous and free. It’s Body Music, not escapism, but basking in confrontation. The aesthetic is the political." https://hide3.bandcamp.com/album/black-flame-ep


High-Functioning Flesh - Culture Cut LP (DAIS) Since the inception of Gregory Vand and Susan Subtract’s electro-punk outfit High-Functioning Flesh in 2012, the band has proven to be one of the most singular acts in years, defying the genre tag of “classic” EBM, as the creativity and fresh perspective they bring to the stage and studio has been instrumental in carving out a modern audience for the genre – elevating HFF into a category all their own.Following their striking debut on DKA Records in 2014, High-Functioning Flesh delivered an exceptional step forward in their sound on their sophomore effort for Dais Records, the “Definite Structures” LP in 2015. Since then, High-Functioning Flesh has toured extensively with label mates Body of Light and previewed their caustic shift to a more refined, hardened signature with their “Human Remains” single in 2016.  We now find High-Functioning Flesh at their sharpest and most poised position to date within their newest album: “Culture Cut”. Produced and mixed solely by the band in their personal studio during the Fall of 2016, Vand and Subtract felt the need to start the recording process on fresh footing, and composed “Culture Cut” using a variety of newly acquired vintage Roland and Oberheim equipment, creating entirely new percussion and synth samples to break out of familiar writing habits. The result was an album written in the face of a world unraveling – with several tracks addressing the dynamics of life in our current political climate. Songs such as “Drawn Out” discuss the observation of projected failure in our daily lives while “Provoke the Wound” projects a vision of dystopian collapse. “Hands at Play” reveal the band’s more melodic sound, previously debuted on “Heightened State”, the b-side to last year’s “Human Remains” single. Regardless of this pliant approach, lyrically the band holds firm to its abstract doubt and disinclined sense of compromise.  “Invoking Phantoms” was written as a dedicatory ritual in remembrance of friends lost to the Ghostship Fire in Oakland, CA during the Winter of 2016. From the initial concept to the final production, “Culture Cut” is a complete reboot from top to bottom with their process, style and sound. Available in limited editions of clear blue vinyl (100 copies), “sunglass” grey/black vinyl (400 copies) and standard black vinyl. https://www.daisrecords.com/collections/music/products/culture-cut-lp


Homoagent – Rogue, Undercover 12” (Instruments of Discipline) HOMOAGENT is the collaborative project of Basque techno and drone artist Triames and British electronic composer Anton Maiof AKA Antoni Maiovvi. Vicious darkroom techno working as the fictional soundtrack to one cop’s journey into underground S&M dungeons to catch a killer. https://instrumentsofdiscipline.bandcamp.com/album/rogue-undercover


Hørd - Futures EP (Sacred Court) Talented French artist HØRD releases a five-track EP on Sacred Court, inspired by the 80's Darkwave / Synthwave & EBM sounds.H ø r d creates electronic music inspired by coldwave, fantasy and “film noir” movies, oscillating between epic compositions and more contemplative tracks. https://hordmusic.bandcamp.com/album/ep-3-futures


Horrorist – Riot Digital Track STAY TUNED Sampler - Vol. I (Riot Radio Records) Classic Oliver Chesler! An angry, stompy, analog modular EBM rumbler of a track here delivered with a snarl and urging uproar. The protest song of 2017? https://riotradiorecords.com/store/va-stay-tuned-sampler-vol-i/


Horrorist – Programmed 12” (aufnahme + widergabe) Resident Advisor had a nice review here https://www.residentadvisor.net/reviews/20871 https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/programmed


Human Performance Lab – Armed Vision 12” (aufnahme + widergabe) electronic, acid, ebm,industrial,new beat,techno project of Berlin (by way of Toronto) Emad Dabiri - known for his work in SARIN- and Toronto based Matt Cangiano whose making a name as well with his project Khobra. They combine forces here for a 6-song EP that fits the techno-EBM aufnamhme+wiedergabe mold. www.aufnahmeundwiedergabe.de/armedvision

I Hate Models // Vittorio Di Mango Split 12" - Nigredo Edition (Khemia Records) Inaugurating the new Magnum Opus series of limited edition vinyl EP’s on Khemia Records are two dynamic young producers at the vanguard of future techno - I Hate Models and Vittorio Di Mango. On the Solar Side I Hate Models delivers Cyanure Dance an epic voyage full of emotional intensity, stretched across an insistent acid bass line, psychedelic punk-wave distortion, stratospheric arpeggios and ethereal vocals courtesy of the artist himself. On the Lunar side Vittorio Di Mango presents Epilessia aimed straight to the jugular, a peak-time dance-floor destroyer constructed with machine gun precision over crystalline snares and opiated vocal reverberations. https://khemiarecordslondon.bandcamp.com/album/nigredo-edition-k005


I Hate Models – State Of Control EP (Monnom Black) I Hate Models makes his debut on Dax J's Monnom Black imprint this month with a four-track EP, featuring moody, twisted stomper, 'Last Kiss Before Death'. Despite only dropping his first release in 2016, the enigmatic Frenchman has already secured a cult following through his blend of techno, EBM and rave. Through modern underground anthems I Hate Models has developed an instantly recognisable signature sound, contrasting tough percussion with airy, emotive synths, and sinister acidic touches. 'State Of Control' EP for Monnom Black continues this trend with four heavyweight, genre-crossing tracks. Check out ’Last Kiss Before Death', a thrusting, EBM-esque hammer, scored by savage industrial synthwork. https://monnomblack.bandcamp.com/album/state-of-control-ep


I Hate Models – Absolution XXL 12” (Voitax) The Voitax label project enters a new level with this cinematic three track EP by an upcoming producer every electronic enthusiast should keep an eye on. The seventh release features noisy grinding patterns cut up with well mangled movie quotes which find their climax in rough EBM influenced breaks. https://soundcloud.com/ihatemodels/sets/absolution-xxl-voi007


I Hate Models – Totsuka No Tsurugi 12” (Artscore) Techno can be innovative! I Hate Models Set the bars of the innovation once again with Totsuka No Tsurugi balancing full-on euphoric almost trance-anthems next to heavy percussion. A real gem! https://soundcloud.com/artsltd/sets/exclusive-i-hate-models-totsuka-no-tsurugi-artscore002

Impulse Controls - Devour. 12" (instruments of discipline) Devour is the first release from the collaboration between ontal and blush response, an ep comprised of crushed and crushing techno and electronics. both artists well-established in the european electronics scene, this release perfectly distills what both artists are so well known for, mind-bending modular synth explorations and drums and percussion that seem to chip away at your skull. https://instrumentsofdiscipline.bandcamp.com/album/devour


In The Nursery – 1961 CD (ITN Corporation) 1961 is a special year. Not only is it a rare strobogrammatic number (the next will be 6009) but it is also the birth year of the twin brothers Nigel & Klive Humberstone. For their first all new studio album (after a number of soundtrack albums), In The Nursery have taken inspiration from the historic, literary and personal connections of 1961. Taking inspiration from moments of the diversity of 1961 - including Yuri Gagarin's first space flight, The construction of the Berlin wall, the publication of Catch 22 and even the idling engine of a Ford Consul. The album features various contributors and a string quartet courtesy of the Up North Session Orchestra. https://inthenursery.bandcamp.com/album/1961

K. Reinshagen – I Am Seeing Fear 7" (Difficult Interactions) Transitioning from from his longtime LFA/Liable moniker, Nostilevo label head K. Reinshagen delivers two sides of lurching tape loops and unvarnished industrial rhythms perfectly suited for the uncertainty in our current social climate. Edition of 200 in heavyweight Kraft-duplex jackets with double sided insert and stickered poly bag. Variant edition of 25 with white-streaked b-side celebrating the label's first vinyl release - each is unique and handmade by a dedicated press operator. http://snakeland.bigcartel.com/product/k-reinshagen-technik-i-am-seeing-fear-7-difficult-interactions


Karger Traum – Such A Dream CS (DKA Records) Karger Traum is Blake Lusk and Taylor McKenzie from Oklahoma City. The project began when Blake invited Taylor to improvise vocals over his solo project, Holy Siege. Taylor's style of improvising lyrics in German fit well with Blake's minimal, throbbing productions and the pair decided to forge ahead as Karger Traum. Despite wearing the obvious Einstürzende Neubauten, Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft, and Suicide influences proudly on their sleeve they have managed to create a sound that has as much forward momentum as it does reverence for the past. After releasing "Alles Auf Einmal" on Blake’s label, Tape Gun Records, they recorded "Such A Dream" for DKA. https://dkarecords.bandcamp.com/album/such-a-dream


Khobra – In/Out CS (Sovietluxuryclub) An acid house, old school rave, low-fi techno 3 songer from Matt Cangiano’s (one half of Human Performance Lab) and Aaron J. Cunningham (Deth Cliq). Is that some LFO “Frequencies” influence I’m hearing? https://sovietluxuryclub.bandcamp.com/album/in-out


King Dude – In The Eyes Of The Lord/Why Must I Go On 7” (Not Just Religious Music) These "new" versions of classic King Dude songs were actually recorded in 2013 and sat on his shelf gathering dust. Now finally issued on 4 different colors of 7" vinyl and limited to 500 copies world wide.  Satanic Johnny Cash-meets-Nick Cave folk-ish anti-hero https://notjustreligiousmusic.bandcamp.com/album/njrm-019-king-dude-in-the-eyes-of-the-lord-why-must-i-go-on


Klack – Do You Klack? Digital (Self-Released)
 – Synthesizer digital (Self-Released) - Pump Up The Jam Digital (self-released) Inspired by 80s electronic, ebm, industrial, and especially new beat, KLACK is a project by none other than Madison’s own Matt Fanale (Caustic) and  Eric Oehler (Null Device). All these releases have a retro throwback crossover of EBM and mild acid/house music sound that recalls the wonderful music coming out of Belgium (like 242, A Split Second, Fatal Error and more).  New Beat will most likely see a huge resurgence in 2018. Great stuff that reminds me of the material labels like Techno Drome International, ZYX, New Zone and more were putting out. https://klack.bandcamp.com/


The Klinik   - Reset Digital (Not On Label - Klinik Self-released) It seems that The Klinik project is back ... without Dirk Ivens however.  Ivens makes for the best partnership with the Klinik who matches Verhaegens haunting tunes with his sinister vocal delivery. This version of the Klinik lacks without his input.  This Klinik verison is founder Marc Verhaeghen (Noise Unit, D.Sign ...) and Mark Burghgraeve (member of the group at various times in the past) who composed brand new titles for The Klinik. The sound is technological, heavy and hypnotic - “Liquid Moon” for example seems to take some pst-trance influences. After 2013’s Ivens/Verhaegen’s impressive “Eat Your Heart Out” release, was hoping that the on again-off-again partnership would continue. Such is not the case and “Reset” suffers without Ivens. https://theklinik1.bandcamp.com/releases


Konkurs - Object Of Subversion 12” (aufnahme + widergabe) Chugging analog techno and EBM by the duo comprised of Blush Response and SARIN. Mastered by Thomas P. Heckmann and sold in a limited edition of 500 vinyl copies. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/object-of-subversion


Kontravoid – So It Seems digital (Self-Released) Recorded in 2016 by Cameron Findlay but released digitally via BandCamp in April 2017. Remixed by Joel Eel (keep your eyes on this name). This track put to bed rumors that Kontravoid was defunct. OH MY how the sleeping beast had awakened. Kontravoid returned with this new track whose synth line and sharp synth stabs growled even more fierce and raw coupled with a vocal delivery that sounds far more aggressive and pissed off than anything we’ve heard from the one-man project prior. Great new direction for Kontravoid. Joe Eels remix travels some “Analogue Bubblebath” territory losely. Those who caught Kontravoid on a short US tour got to hear other new tracks more in a harsh techno-EBM vibe, as well as the older material get an even edgier facelift. Findlay mentioned a new release was coming (and the possible label it may release on). Stay tuned! https://kontravoid.bandcamp.com/album/so-it-seems


Laman Equine - S/T CS (Detriti) A side project from Andrea Gowasabi - a DJ from Rimini, Italy - the extended, unrelentingly layered track constructions of the Laman Equine project recall a sort of basement Blanck Mass. Sonic gauntlet runs generated on precision instruments, wickedly sharp, but with an edge of analogue decay, like tarnish on chrome. “LE#03” - the tape’s longest track - whips itself into a grimy, jackhammering assembly line, heaving and grinding away. (All tracks similarly share this clinical naming convention.) Laman Equine’s use of bridle and equestrian imagery investigates dominance games, human/non-human control mechanisms, and the boundary between rider and ridden. Industrial themes in full gallop, released by Detriti Records out of Berlin and already sold out. https://detritirecords.bandcamp.com/album/laman-equine-s-t


Le Car – Auto Reverse 2xLP (Reissue Clone Classic Cuts) Resident Advisor wrote this one up real nice. https://www.residentadvisor.net/reviews/20721 https://soundcloud.com/clone-nl/le-car-audiofilenine-clone-classic-cuts-030


Liebknecht – Produkt EP Digital (self-released) Liebknecht is a collaboration of Rinaldo Bite and Daniel Myer (Haujobb, Rendered, etc.). Machines used: Elektron Analog Rytm, Elektron Analog Four, Elektron Monomachine, Elektron Octatrack, Clavia Nord Drum 2, Clavia Nord Lead 2x, DSI Evolver Desktop, DSI Tetra, DSI Tempest, Waldorf Pulse 2, Waldorf MicroQ Keyboard & Presonus Studio One. Recorded in various places, studios, trains and busses all over the world. https://danielmyer.bandcamp.com/album/liebknecht-produkt-ep


Lionhearts – Lionhearts CD (Dependent) Up to now, the many impressive projects of psychologist Frank M. Spinath (Seabound, Edge Of Dawn, Ghost & Writer) have always been conceived in duo form: Spinath cared about the vocal duties, while his respective counterpart took control of the music. With LIONHEARTS, Spinath has realised his first real solo project as the music is created by him as well. In this endeavour, Ben Lukas Boysen (Hecq) supports him in the role of producer. The songs have gathered just like driftwood over the course of the years, and in terms of content, they span a whole range of subjects without coming across as random. Spinath has chosen to arrange his compositions in a manner reminiscent of the impressionistic classical cycle "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky who orchestrated his pieces like pictorial motives with various subjects. Thus, LIONHEARTS comes across as a consistent album dedicated to different topics from the universe of Frank M. Spinath, arranged without breaks in a "Continuous Mix," partially preluded and led over by instrumental parts. The sonic palette of the album first changes between golden and bright before getting progressively colder and darker. The subject matter is varied: There's the love story between two people not meant for each other in "The Ardent City," and there's "Cloud," a song about the last fight of a dying boxer, sarcastically commented on by the singer from a shielded VIP lounge ("Have a headache on me") - here, even the music seems to hover almost impassively above the cruel violence. Central topics such as searching, destiny, and guilt are the cornerstones of Spinath's compositions, and just as it is the case with paintings, the atmospheric electronic music does not surrender all of its hidden meanings at the first glance. Take, for example, the track "Murder" which is inspired by the highly intelligent serial killer Edmund Kemper who only handed himself in after he murdered several hitchhiker girls as well as his own mother. The album was excellently arranged by Ben Lukas Boysen whose production adds a special depth to the songs. This mixture of dark and ambiguous topics, the electronic lightness of the compositions, and the impressive arrangements of the tracks makes the album LIONHEARTS a profound and hypnotic trip, inviting you to discover the diversity of Spinath's sonic universe. LIONHEARTS was released as a double album in a "Continuous Mix" and as an identical album featuring the twelve tracks not fading into each other. https://lionhearts-de.bandcamp.com/album/lionhearts-luxus

Lionhearts - Companion CD (Dependent) "Companion" consists largely of remixes made by friends Spinath chose and asked by himself. We know, what you suspect - that this might be a collection of second-rate material, but this is definitely not the case! "Companion" simply blew us away and is way stronger than the majority of superfluous remix EPs within this genre. It is more club-friendly, catchier than the album, yet still stylistically coherent und a logical successor to the debut from which the original songs come. The remixers are by no means unknown: Iris, Acretongue, Olaf Wollschläger, Forma Tadre, Mildreda, Architect and Ben Lukas Boysen (Hecq) himself, they all epitomise high-class electro and have already collaborated with Spinath in different situations. The reason for the high quality of the mixes on "Companion", feast for discerning electronic fans, is still an interesting one. It might be due to the fact that Spinath chose the participators on his own and put the tracklist together by himself. It is also surprising that electronic reinterpretation suits these unassuming songs so well. Whether it's Olaf Wollschläger's straight, club-oriented approach in 'Gone', the sophisticated, warmly pulsating 'To What I Dont Know' by Hecq, the epic, percussive 'No Going Back' by Mildreda or the more intimate, laid-back interpretation of the same tune by Forma Tadre - All of Spinath's "Companions" have surpassed themselves. Listening to the tracks, you don't actually think it's a remix album, that's how well they fit together, not least in terms of sound and production. The proverbial cherry on the cake is the new composition 'Stars'. "Companion" will be your soundtrack companion for all life situations. https://lionhearts-de.bandcamp.com/album/companion

Manni Dee - Counterculture EP (Leyla Records) Returning to Leyla after inaugurating the label in summer 2015, Manni Dee presents Counterculture. A brutal yet evocative four track EP that conveys emotive states through noise, rhythm, texture and repetition. The opener 'Cameron On A Guillotine' pulls no punches as imagined from the track title. Determined propulsion at 140BPM acts as a stalwart base for sharp metallic stabs to glide over, along with dense atmospheres and percussive detail. Reminiscent of the early days of Birmingham Techno, Manni Dee taps in to his Midlands roots for an unapologetic and overt critique of the current state of affairs. Track two is a more introverted affair, with beds of white noise and atmospheric textures carrying 'Occupational Burnout' to places that both sedate and stimulate, accompanied by intricate and grinding rhythmic repetition. An apt fitting given the track title. Themes of rhythmic brutality return on track three this time in a more spacious form, throughout the astutely titled 'Abundant Fuckry'. Half and double time thrusting layers marry to give birth to a hypnotic bed that continues to expand as the track develops. A playful yet earnest track that displays Dee's skill and proficiency in building original and driving techno. The perfect balance between light and dark, a testament to the concept of Leyla Records, is beautifully presented in the final track. 'We Live In Hope' injects a cinematic sense of optimism through struggle, reminiscent of Dee's work under his Nuances alias. https://leylarecords.bandcamp.com/album/counterculture


Melania - Rimsorsum 12” (aufnahme + widergabe) Melania's debut release for aufnahme + wiedergabe comes with remix works by codex empire, rich oddie (orphx) and katran (ontal). The name Melania derived from Greek ''Μελαινα'' - meaning "black, dark”. In Greek Mythology Μελαινα was one of the nymph of the sacred Korykian cave, presided over the subterranean spring. Always nice to see a woman working in a genre so often associated as boys noise and does Melania ever bring it. A bit harsher than most aufnahme material this one seems to pay respect to the rhythmic noise of the Ant-Zen label. Looking forward to more from this artist. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/rimorsum


Minimum Syndicate – Zenosyne EP (Tripalium Records) On this new tribute to the nineties warehouse sounds, we welcome two heroes of the french rave scene, known for their powerful tracks released on their own label, but also on Rave or Die and AcidCore Records : Minimum Syndicat. These four heavy tracks combining techno, acid, doom and hardcore will definitely be the best back-to-school kit for all the ravers this year !  Minimum Syndicate draw their inspiration from the heart of the original rave scene, while infusing the acid with a new impetus, a touch of modernity. Minimum Syndicate embodies the soundtrack of a time, it oscillates between the nostalgia of a bygone past and the effervescence of a boiling youth, vintage set-up and new technologies, mental depth and wild cabriole. It's the "revival rave". https://tripalium.bandcamp.com/album/trip004-zenosyne-ep


Mitra Mitra – The Flood EP (Peripheral Minimal) Mitra Mitra was formed in Vienna in late 2014 by Violet Candide and Mahk Rumbae. Originally from New Zealand, Violet Candide is a founding member of the Crazy Hospital DJ collective, and one of the organizers of the legendary Future Echo club night in Vienna, and is one half of Anesthetic Hairpins. British musician Mahk Rumbae is known for his work as a member of the industrial/experimental project Konstruktivists, Oppenheimer MkII (with Andy Oppenheimer of Oppenheimer Analysis) and his solo techno project Codex Empire. After working together on one of Violet's solo songs, Heat, the pair decided to continue working together as mitra mitra, with the aim of writing electronic songs not tied to any particular influence or style. mitra mitra have so far released a limited 7” single on Polytechnic Youth and a self-titled debut album on their own label Micromort Music – both of which sold out almost immediately. For their new EP, released in conjunction with Peripheral Minimal, they present four new songs, including live favourites The Flood and One Universe, as well as Snakes and Phantom Flats. Rounding off the 6 track EP are two special remixes from LowSea, who remix Snakes, and IV/AN who remixes Blender (from the debut LP). https://peripheralminimal.bandcamp.com/album/the-flood


Multiple Man - New Metal (DKA) DKA is proud to present the debut full-length LP from Brisbane, Australia's Multiple Man. The twin-brother duo of Sean & Chris Campion, Multiple Man proves that two heads are better than one. Full-featured cinematic excess in the form of "8 NU TRACKS OF BURNING CHROME, CROSS CONTINENTAL HI-NRG, FIRM HANDSHAKE ELECTRONIC BODY MUSIC," as the band describe it in their own words. It was mixed by Matt Weiner (TWINS/DKA/CGI Records) after having performed with the duo on both coasts of the United States in 2016. New Metal has a lightness often absent from an otherwise harsh genre, boasting luxe melodies and silky synths. With electronic choir voices that undulate over Sean Campion’s mixed-down vocals, “Power Fantasy” is pure nostalgic greatness, showcasing a dance sensibility that echoes the hot-blooded nature of mid-’80s Cabaret Voltaire. Complex, dexterous, dreamy, and hazy, it will make night crawlers want to emerge from their cavernous spaces and feel the golden warmth of the sun. https://dkarecords.bandcamp.com/album/new-metal


Mumdance & Logos – Perc & Truss Remixes 12” (Tectonic) Perc & Truss rework two key cuts from Mumdance & Logos' debut album Proto (TEC 019CD/TEC 082LP, 2015) and deliver a pair of hard-as-nails techno bangers. "Move Your Body" is mutated from the hardcore-referencing original into a searing industrial belter. Perc & Truss' version makes use of distorted 808 drums and rising machine noise to ramp up the tension before eventually dropping out to the vocal sample and unleashing a terrorizing acid line. "Hall Of Mirrors" sees the pair re-route Mumdance & Logos' original into a 4/4 roller, peppered with metallic percussive hits and a robotic bass riff. https://soundcloud.com/tectonic-recordings/move-your-body-perc-truss
 
 Numb – Wasted Sky LP (Metropolis) This limited vinyl of the classic Numb album "Wasted Sky" is a masterful blend of guitars & electronics. Originally released in the mid 90's, this album still stands as a benchmark for industrial music. Dissonant, laden with hooks, driving & teeming with seething aggression, this varied, beloved release helped spawn a generation of industrial acts. Limited to 500 copies worldwide. https://www.metropolis-records.com/product/11503/wasted-sky-limited-edition-vinyl
 
 Odonis Odonis – No Pop LP (Felte) Since their blown-out 2011 debut, Toronto trio Odonis Odonis has continued to push their sound further into the depths of post-apocalyptic experimentation. Following 2016's foreboding 'Post Plague', 'No Pop' is the band's starker, more dance-floor-friendly LP. Stripping down instrumentation to a handful of synths and an electronic drum kit, the band worked quickly to write and record, bringing demos and improvised takes into the studio and completing the recording process over the course of three days. The result is a focused blend of hard-hitting industrial, techno, and noise - but each track on 'No Pop' is never just one of those elements. Pulsing rhythms lay the ground for textural soundscapes masterfully woven together to create a palpable sense of doom that is thick and satisfying. Taking its name from the anti-commercial 'No Pop' movement, which infers that there "is no expiration date on music nor is it limited by geographic or regional boundaries," 'No Pop' is raw with emotion that's elevated by deft production. Each hypnotizing meditation captures an uncomfortably honest cynicism with a brush of humor, emphasized by sparse vocals that taunt the current dystopia of technology, human emptiness and the mundane. 'No Pop' is the soundtrack of a sinking ship, and we're all happily aboard to go down with it. https://odonisodonis.bandcamp.com/album/no-pop


Ontal – Amass 2xLP (HANDS) Since 2011 ontal have shaped their reputation as spearheads of the industrial techno faction, and with their sophomore album, they join hands in an intuitive liaison: beats and filth, club appeal and noisy debris are the shared agenda. and yet, the sound of ‘amass’ is more than a combination, a hybrid of styles, but a coherent flow of dark rhythmic and experimental music that touches the conscience of the industrial aficionado. an album in its classic sense, these 11 tracks offer a lot of physical appeal and substantial bass riffs, as well as a thrilling storyline - an hour of sound that won’t let you go. with a string of 12 inch releases and remixes under their belt, serbian duo boris brenecki and darko kolar aka ontal are surely one of the most requested acts in the industrial techno circuit - which currently only seems to gather more and more momentum. perfect times for an album with a timeless sound, a culmination point of traditions: ‘amass’ doesn’t exclude, it gives equal room to the minimal elegance of ‘first sign’ and the heaviness of ‘improvidence’, upfront techno bangers like ‘defeated obstacles’ or ‘solidification’ stand next to the idm-enriched abstraction of the two parts of ‘pareidolia’. ‘for industrial people’ is like a wonderful welcome gift for the hands crowd - and the fastest tune among the lot. sonic post punk references can be found throughout, like in the clanging metal sounds of ‘2416’, and the final cut ‘pressure rise equation’ successfully bridges the gap between dance floor and experiment. the amassed consciousness of a genre, conveyed in an album that will generate massive crossover appeal! https://ontalofficial.bandcamp.com/album/amass


Ontal – Uprock EP (Mord) Ontal is a collaborative project which consists of Boris Brenecki and Darko Kolar, both hailing from Serbia. They focus on the bleakest, blackest apocalyptic techno and grinding mechanoid rhythms. Formed in November 2011 and influenced by numerous music genres, their sound can be described as an uncompromising, hard and intense assault. Breathing new life in the industrial strains of techno and the darker realms of the dancefloor and mind. https://mord.bandcamp.com/album/uprock-ep


Orange Sector – Endzeit 2xCD (Infacted Recordings) Double-CD at the price of 1! Celebrating 25 (!) years of activity, Orange Sector – once signed to Zoth Ommog (1992-1998) – deliver an amazing compilation, that includes ALL the big hits of the ‘second period’ of activity (2005-2017), all in Re-recorde and new, ‘pimped up’ versions! CD2 is a massive collection of 17 [!] great remixes by the band itself and acclaimed artists from the Electro/EBM-scene: Plastic Noise Experience, Ad:Key, Frontal, Nordarr, Ionic Vision, NZ, Blitzmaschine, Run Level Zero… CD1 also features a great cover of Depeche Mode’s ‘Pleasure, little treasure’ and ‘Warte, warte nur ein Weilchen’, a song dedicated to Hannover mass murder “Fritz Haamann.” With the latter the band covers a dark era in the history of German city Hannover... “25 years, a quarter of a century sounds long but doesn’t feel like this,” says Martin Bodewell, “we could have easily just compiled the old songs but instead opted to deliver something fresh and special to our fans!” Be sure to check out the cool cover version of Secessions “Touch”. https://infactedrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/endzeit-deluxe-edition
 
 P.A.L. – Signum 2xLP (aufnahme + widergabe) and (Ant-zen) Signum' was initially released more than twenty years ago on cd format and became a larger-than-life cornerstone of p.a.l's discography as well as a historical document in industrial music. recorded over a three year period from 1993-95 this album displays the past & present face of this artist's sonic variety ranging from sweeping minimalistic soundscapes and powerloaded percussion-driven floorburners to heavily distorted harsh power noise attacks presented as a unified front. the industrial anthem 'gelöbnis' is a truly fine example for the combination of crystal clear mastering and the selective, inspired implementation of samples which was always an important factor for p.a.l and became a trademark of his works. ant-zen and aufnahme + wiedergabe are proud to present the extraordinary reissue of this long-deleted legendary release on coloured heavy double vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. a timeless opus for being re-discovered by adepts and recovered by novices. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/signum


Penelope's Fiance - Farasan Racer CS (Detriti) Experimental instrumental ritualistic industrial belly dance music is the best and maybe only way to describe it. https://detritirecords.bandcamp.com/album/penelopes-fiance-farasan-racer


Perc – Bitter Music 2x12” (Perc Trax) Perc (aka London based Ali Wells) returns with 'Bitter Music', his third album following 'Wicker & Steel' (2011) and 'The Power And The Glory' (2014). As before the album will see a release on his own Perc Trax imprint, giving Perc the complete creative control needed to realise his vision of what should be a milestone release for both himself and Perc Trax. Originally a very inward looking album when work started on it in March 2016 the extensive political change happening in both the UK and around the world forced the album to widen its perspective. By the time the album was finished in December, it was clear that the sentiment of tracks such as 'Look What Your Love Has Done To Me' was as equally applicable to the micro politics of person relationships as it was to concerns for the future of a country in a state of flux. Pre-production for the album begun at Eve Studios, a residential studio just outside of Manchester, UK which specialises in collecting and restoring equipment salvaged from the sadly defunct BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The palette of sounds created during these sessions lends the album the sound of early electro-acoustic experimentation, especially evident on tracks such as 'Wax Apple'. Live instrumentation also plays a larger role on this album than on any previous Perc releases with Wells playing piano on many tracks and Ian East's flute playing featuring on 'Chatter'. The album also features a number of vocal collaborations including one with Gazelle Twin. Post-production, mixing and arranging was done at Perc's North London studio before the album was mastered by Perc Trax's regular mastering engineer Matt Colton. Sonically the album takes in everything from strung out vocal treatments to the type of warehouse rabble rousers Perc has made his own since his very first releases. More dance floor focussed than his previous albums yet pulling from a wider range of sounds 'Bitter Music' shows a development and maturing of Wells' music that could not have been foreseen just a few years ago. Delicately balancing the personal and the political 'Bitter Music' stands apart from most recent techno albums as it continually pushes outwards rather than concerning itself with the microscopic refinement of already established sounds. It is an album unafraid to take chances from an artist continually looking for his next step forwards. https://perctrax.bandcamp.com/album/bitter-music


Perc – Bitter Music Remixed 12” EP1 (Perc Trax) Perc’s third album “Bitter Music” pushed his sound to further extremes than ever before when released in April of this year. winning widespread acclaim and launching a worldwide tour to support it. Now the album returns with two EPs of interpretations for a diverse selection of remixers most of whom are new to Perc Trax. This first EP of remixes takes in Head Front Panel’s constantly building. pulsating version of deep album moment “The Thought That Counts”. Hodge’s Bristol meets London meets Berlin stepping take on “Chatter” and a screwfaced broken version of album opener “Exit” by rising Blackest Ever Black star Pessimist. https://perctrax.bandcamp.com/album/bitter-music-remixed-ep01

Perc – Bitter Music Remixed 12” EP2 (Perc Trax) Perc Trax completes its duo of “Bitter Music” remix EPs with this three tracker that aims directly for the dance floor. Opening up proceedings is Dax J. who has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last few years and who here serves up an irresistible take on “Unelected” fueled by the driving energy his productions and sets have become famous for. Next up Stroboscopic Artefacts boss Lucy layers shifting textures over popping kick drums for a version of “Wax Apple” that perfectly blends form and function. Lastly Matrixxman. himself another of the key break out artists of the last few years. takes control of “Rat Run” and morphs in into a rolling drum track built on rolling toms and topped off with dubbed out elements of Perc’s original mix. https://perctrax.bandcamp.com/album/bitter-music-remixed-ep02


Phase Fatale – Anubis  12” (Ostgut Ton) Berlin-based New Yorker Phase Fatale debuts on Unterton after strong releases with respected labels Jealous God and aufnahme + wiedergabe and six well-received club appearances at Berghain. Originally coming from a Post Punk / Cold Wave band background Hayden Payne stated in a recent Berghain club flyer interview: “Techno [...] resulted from a development of [Wave and EBM] genres and its movements. Punk and Techno share the same mindset, this connection has always been there for me.” Thus it was no surprise that his Anubis 12“ for Unterton combines said spirit with four club-ready tracks, placed firmly left of the center. “Hollow Flesh” starts with menacing synth pads and pulsing drones framing an ongoing, distinctive kick drum – an oppressive, regimented beat sequence reminiscent of angst-ridden, sci-fi scenarios. But Phase Fatale follows his own formula: Wave-meets-Electro vibes on a certainly dark overall sonority. The eponymous “Anubis” on A2 opens with an atmospheric intro until a kick sets the tone for a more straightforward, hypnotic and cold Techno cut, finely wrought with musical detail, as heady as it’s gloomy. "Wound" ignites some harassing fire: what abruptly starts off like a classic Techno-meets-sizzling-Noise track soon alters to a more tribal, snare-led Industrial cut with an osseous kick, offering an iridescent, textured feel, at times sounding like forging steel, then like swarming insects. On its abrasive surface “The Size Of God” on B2 shares the same bleak vibe of its three companions, but stands out with a more introverted, slow, broken rhythm structure, looped drones, opaque-distorted voice transmissions and swelling synth melodies, placing the Phase Fatale blueprint in a Post AmBM (Post Ambient Electronic Body Music) context. https://unterton.bandcamp.com/album/anubis


Phase Fatale – Redeemer LP (Hospital Productions) Redeemer is the brutally seductive debut album by Phase Fatale, a key player in the recent charge of EBM and post punk-informed industrial techno infecting ‘floors from his home city, NYC to his DJ residency at Berghain, Berlin. In Dominick Fernow’s Hospital Productions, Phase Fatale finds a fitting home for his personalised brand of clinical, rictus rhythm programming and searing synth and guitar lines, adding a vital streak of black and blue electric energy to the legendary label in its 20th year of cultish operation. In seven parts (and a trio of extended Silent Servant mixes due to come), Redeemer follows the direct, jagged lines of his 12”s for Jealous God and Unterton to a deeply personal realisation of weaponised sonics, upholding a strong tradition of techno as a prophetic exercise or ritual to gird dancers and listeners for the onset of future war. It presents Phase Fatale as an ultimate emissary of electronic violence and domination in the process, steeling the limbic system and muscle memory thru a fine-tuned disciplinarian approach to pharmacokinetics and biomechanics. Picking from the leather-bound cadaver of industrial dance music past, he reanimates his influences with pointillist precision and unapologetic force. Alloying muscular bass and metallic percussion with wire-combed 16th note synthlines and a barbed perimeter of guitar distortion, his sound can be heard as a metaphorical representation of holding your line against the attrition of a degenerated present. Each track dances concisely around the 5 minute mark, unfolding a series of densely packed and subtly rendered minimalist/maximalist structures. The shuddering tension of Spoken Ashes opens with banks of rotted chorales against a coalface of hacking stabs, establishing a pent vibe that vacillates precariously thru the adrenalised battery of Operate Within, to the clenched funk of Human Shield and the bombed-out, Alberich-alike Interference, seeming to resolve slightly with the supple roll of Order of Severity, before Beast bottoms out into immolating synth distortion, and Redeemer brings up the rear with a coolly-tempered, stoic form of industrial ecstasy. https://boomkat.com/products/redeemer-9aa8dc01-fbf6-4d19-83fc-32606fec60ea


Phase Fatale - Redeemer Extended Remixes  12” (Hospital Productions) NYC/Berlin’s Hayden Payne aka Phase Fatale extends his Redeemer album tracks for proper ‘floor pressure on Hospital Productions. Order Of Severity lives up to its mantle across the entire A-side, expanded and cut deeper for bass frequency response and allowing the growling mid-range guitars to really cut the the mix, whilst Silent Servant’s input really shows int he 2nd half. Operate Within hunts down a more typical EBM sound accentuated with clenched snares and raging bass torque on the B-side, next to a cold, killer, blank-eyed augmentation of Spoken Ashes. https://boomkat.com/products/redeemer-extended-mixes


Post Scriptum – Until You Drop 12” (Sonic Groove) Post Scriptum is the latest artist to join the Sonic Groove Records roster. Previously releasing on Function's legendary Infrastructure imprint, Post Scriptum changes gears stylistically in a very big way with his latest release entitled Until You Drop. Leaving his previous looped based purist Techno behind, Post Scriptum takes his sound exploration into the much darker cavernous world of Industrial Techno. Dark As You Like starts off this musical odyssey with a fierce mid tempo, broken beat groove. The rhythm emits the real feel sensation of live played drums with its hard smashing snares and deep booming bass kicks which surely will have you play the air drums! Layered on top of this beast of a rhythm track, Post Scriptum provides the perfect lyricism with a smooth spoken narrative. Very forward thinking sound design curves its way in and out of the dark negative space the rhythm and vocals provide. Without imitation or sounding even remotely retro this evokes the feel of early Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. Drop Zone is a highly intense workout with it's pulsing staccato bassline and crackling filtered out lead line which builds into a growling beast of riff that will completely consume the listener. You Won't Find Me (Short Mix/Long Mix) takes things further into the post contemporary realm of present day Industrialized Techno with complex, bass heavy drum rhythms, slicing and dicing their way through a darkened acidic atmosphere of time, space and sound. The joining of Post Scriptum and Sonic Groove Records is the perfect match with this beautifully crafted Techno-Industrial hybrid EP, a banger for the dance floor but also a delicious delicacy for your home turntable or music player. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/until-you-drop-sg1779
 
 Post Scriptum – Year Zero EP (PS) 
“Year Zero” is a first release on Post Scriptum’s own label and in a sense it is a manifesto defining it’s musical identity. No space here for a sound targeting the current techno mainstream. There is dirt, and the pinch of imperfections, very characteristic of avant-garde electronics and industrial well known for the quite nearby past. On the A side, there are compositions appearing like shutters from experiments conducted in the secret laboratory. The rhythm is giving the appropriate weight, while the rest is a musical conglomerate of sounds and synthesis building up a feeling of anxiety. A swarming energy, a modulation, an uncertainty and lurking somewhere danger are surrounding us. On the flip side are remixes constituting the lighter counterpunch. Motor eurhythmics bringing to life the old good Detroit techno definitely of a dance-floor character, making this material ideal for an interesting set. https://postscriptumlive.bandcamp.com/album/year-zero


Psychic Force – Welcome to Scarcity CD LTD (Alfa Matrix) German duo The Psychic Force earned a huge reputation in the early nineties in the dark elektro scene next to bands like Yelworc, AmGod, Plastic Noise Experience, and Placebo Effect. At the turn of the millennium, Michelle Christiansen and Jörg Charnowski simply vanished from the surface of the Earth. In Summer 2015, EBM/dark elektro veterans The Psychic Force  broke some 20 years of extended silence with the successful club-EP “Relapse”.  With their new full length album “Welcome To ScarCity“ The Psychic Force  gang unites their old school EBM roots with their personal music spectrum evolution throughout the years, towards more modern and melodic forms of electronics. A flight forward journey at full speed rolled-out in some 13 songs bringing us to dark oppressive cinematic industrial territories full of sample manipulations (the opening “Welcome To ScarCity”, the lingering “Die In The Clinic”, the upbeat “Painful Revelation” or  the noir “BeDevil”) also haunted by true classic dark elektro tracks with powerful harsh vocals like the cold and engaged Suicide Commando-esque “Politics Of Greed”, the anti-terrorism EBM assault “Blowback” and the unmatched revamped version of their club-hit “Twilight Zone MMXVI”. The German duo also sharpened the more melodic side of the band’s work by intelligently adding lighter passages to the album’s diversity where clearer vocals (even sometimes accompanied by Darja’s female backing vocals on 2 songs) and more modern melodic synth lines get fused with their characteristic icy elektro sequences and ripping EBM basslines sometimes evoking bands like Leaether Strip. The Psychic Force  also add a touch of humour to the album with the intentionally cliché EBM track “Vater EBM” with German lyrics that will bring some fun moments to dancefloors and at their concerts, evoking some kind of harsher “DAF-like” version of AND ONE’s good old tongue-in-cheek “Techno Man” hit. “ScarCity” offers you a challenging mixture of icy EBM, harsh elektro and catchy synth melodies marking a solid return on the forefront of the dark EBM scene for The Psychic Force . Awesome cover of the Klinik classic “Someone Somewhere” to be found here too! https://alfamatrix.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-scarcity-bonus-tracks-version

Raffaele Attanasio -  LFJ Remixes I 12” (Letters from Jerusalem) Ancient Methods, AnD and Headless Horseman start the new remixes series on Raffaele Attanasio's own label.  A new discovery for me this year yet one making impressive techno-EBM. https://www.deejay.de/Raffaele_Attanasio_Lfj_Remixes_1_LFJ002_Vinyl__295593


Randolph & Mortimer – Hope Tragedy Myths Digital  (Randolph & Mortimer Self-released) - Citizens Schwefelgelb Remix (Bandcamp digital) There’s GOT to be something in the water or air pollutants in Sheffield (see Clock DVA, Cabaret Voltaire, ABC, Human league, In The Nursery, LFO, and plenty more). Randolph & Mortimer began as a studio only project fusing classic 80s Industrial and Electronics influences (Cab Voltaire C.O.D.E era for sure) with a punk rock ethos and underground techno sounds. Part electronic music and part art experiment collaborations with Manchester's visual Engineers Meat Cassette led to some well received videos, these were followed up by the $ocial £utures €P - the debut release - a limited edition cassette released in 2014 on Texan label Young Cubs. The $ocial £utures €P threw everything into the furnace resulting in a wide range of sounds - from straight-up EBM to grinding techno, from bass heavy synth to minimal post punk. The €P saw R&M pushing the right buttons, gaining quality reviews and inclusion in various 2014 ‘best releases’ lists. In 2017 they remain one of the best newcomers of U.K. techno-EBM and their only going to go further in 2018. Hope Tragedy Myths is a well mixed batch of stomping bass, crunchy industrial grinds, political and religious samples, and smooth synth work that will leave you wanting more.  The “Citizens” (Schwefelgelb Remix) was first made available on the Mechanic Records “Some Have To Dance .​.​.​Some Have To Kill” vinyl. The Schwefelgelb fellas turn the great original track up into a further vigorous workout. One of the must hear tracks of 2017. https://randolphandmortimer.bandcamp.com


Rebekah – Into The Black 12” (Sonic Groove) rebekah has led a successful artist and dj career in the techno scene over the past five years with releases on the prolific clr and soma imprints as well as her own labels elements and decoy. her soma album from a few months ago entitled ‘fear paralysis’ shows her artistic skills of having a wide range of flexibility as she weaved through many styles of techno from deep to hard. taking her artistry into further realms of sound construction, rebekah ventures into a much harder industrial techno terrain with her latest four cut release entitled ‘into the black’. designed specifically with sonic groove in mind. ‘loose mechanics’ & ‘conquest’ are ferocious industrialized peak time techno pulverizers that will turn stone into dust. ‘into the black’ is an advant garde broken beat track with a pitch shifting, hauntingly dissonant string drone would be the perfect score for a sci-fi horror flick while ‘war cry’ turns the blackness into a lighter shade of grey with it's complexly designed chord driven emotions layered over a very intricately programmed drum rhythm. classify this ep under ‘all killer, no filler’. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-black-sg1781


Rendered - Bendover EP (Fleisch) Rendered is the relatively new collaboration between Daniel Myer (Haujobb, Architect) & Clément Perez (14Anger), both veterans of their respective genres spanning early 90s EBM and darkwave to more recent destructive techno releases. This fresh offering via Fleisch combines both of their signature styles into a colossal and abrasive 31 minute rhythmic barrage. “BENDOVER” begins with subtle and eerie pads that are quickly overpowered by a punishing percussive sequence, only to periodically return to soft intricate synth work before swinging back to full power. The Codex Empire remix of the same track features his distinctive unhinged 4/4 assaults minus any overt melodic inclinations that might get in the way of his ‘hammer to the head’ effort. Doubtful any other producer would have been better suited to remix duties here than Mr. Empire. On the B side “GOTHICSHOCK”’s wobbly acidic synths melt well against a wall of distorted kicks and sweeping synths. “GIRLSCOUTINACOMA” starts with an electro-esque kick pattern before entering a 4/4 sequence head on and later imploding into squelchy and blistering finale. “STONECOLDSOUL” is the closest thing here resembling an EBM track, starting off with a classic one note arpeggiated synth sequence & aggressive tom fills before washing out into a textural and noisy inferno. https://rendered.bandcamp.com/album/b-e-n-d-o-v-e-r


Rendered – Holeinthehead 12” (aufnahme + Wiedergabe) Rendered’s offering for aufnahme+wiedergabe is a four track lesson in 4/4 brutality. Power-EBM workouts. Released as a limited edition of 500 copies on vinyl. http://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bigcartel.com/product/a-w-xix-rendered-holeinthehead-12


Rendered – Puppetskin Ep (Omen Recordings) OMEN Recordings is off running to the industrial techno races again, and this third release has already been gaining traction around the globe with high anticipation and support from many respected producers and DJs alike. The Puppetskin EP, written and produced by German and French artists, RENDERED, with remixes by American producers BLACK ASTEROID and AXKAN, is off to a great start. RENDERED starts off strong with the title track, “Puppetskin" (A1), with strong breakbeat kicks, thrashing snares and rich synth lines that are melodic and spacey. The dancefloor will surely love the Charles Manson samples. “Nightmoves” (A2) also heads the pack with shuffling kicks while rich, minor-tuned pads take you on a persistent journey. About half way through, you will be moved by a 4/4 pattern that sneaks in and will be a favorite for the dancers. BLACK ASTEROID’s remix of “Puppetskin” (B2) does not disappoint as signature Black Asteroid textures and rhythms come alive in this rendition. Although it has rounded, full soundscapes that sound perfect for a large venue, its pumping, hypnotizing bass lines and screeching sirens keep you pulled into the darkness. AXKAN stays in the pack with his earthshattering remix of “Puppetskin” (B1) by starting slow with a profound intro to then push the audio boundaries with his powerful kick and bassline, to gain more and more strength with vocal samples, distorted drums and FX. AXKAN uses every stem of the original in such a creative way to help win the race. This EP, soon to be available on vinyl and digital formats, exceeds the expectations of sound design and techno together. No matter what time of night it is, these tracks can be played in a versatile way. While still employing darker textures, a breath of light creeps its way in. https://soundcloud.com/omenrecs/sets/omen003-rendered-puppetskin


Rendered – Thedestroyerofallbeauty 12” (Body Theory) Body Theory is Sebastien Michel’s (more famously known as the techno artist ‘UVB’) record label. He focuses on releasing quality electronic music from techno to influential genres such as industrial/wave/ebm. Body Theorys first guest EP from the duo Rendered with Industrial and EBM flavoured killer tunes. https://bodytheory.bandcamp.com/album/rendered-thedestroyerofallbeauty


Replicant – The Reckoning Digital (Self-Released) The year is 2017. A maniacal demagogue has seized control of the federal government. United States citizens are being swayed by state influenced media, focused on spewing hate and preaching lies. A faction of likeminded individuals and allies deemed The Resistance are all that’s left between democracy, and absolute control. Released exactly one year after the election, The Reckoning is Part I of "A Taste of Midnight" - a portrait of our modern dystopia, and a scathing commentary of our current ill-equipped administration. One of the best electronic post-punk acts working today. Chicago Tribune spotlighted them here - http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ott-chicago-music-replicant-1124-story.html https://replicantmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-reckoning

Rezystor - The Core of Chaos 12” (T/W/B) We present The Core of Chaos EP by Rezystor for the first TWB vinyl release. Two banging original tracks by Rezystor for the dancefloor which are the perfect combination to create a dark Atmosphere. Binny (Monnom Black/CLFT) takes over for the first remix and presents a raw, rave-influenced interpretation of Inner Core. The second remix of Inner Core comes from Rendered (Aufnahme+Wiedergabe/Body Theory) who converted the original into a bass heavy, pounding basement version. https://twblabel.bandcamp.com/album/the-core-of-chaos-ep-12


Ritual Howls – Their Body EP (Felte) Ritual Howls are a unique brand of industrial rock with jangle-like guitars. Collaboratively, Ritual Howls create a surreal, introspective gloom that could fuel a disco in hell, a soundtrack to your favorite nightmares and most grisly fantasies. The trio consists of Detroit's Paul Bancell (vocals/guitars), Ben Saginaw (bass) and Chris Samuels (Synths, Samples, Drum Machines). They collect samples of the physical world and feed them with guitar, vox, bass, synth and drum machines to create an aura of darkness over a pop sensibility. Paul Bancell provides lyrics that Poe or Lovecraft would approve of while Chris Samuels and Ben Saginaw sculpt sounds that bring his macabre tales lurching into the world of the living. The band’s Their Body EP follows up their third album, Into The Water, released a little over a year ago on Felte. Ritual Howls’ production sees the band dipping their toes into cleaner sonic territory than previously heard. Lead single “This Is Transcendence,” may be their most “pop” song to date. And lyrically, it’s as straightforward as we’ve heard from Paul Bancell. “Perfume” could have the most terrifying opening synth line that Samuels' has ever created. “Blood Red Moon” is reminiscent of signature Ritual Howls with Bancell’s guitar leading while drum machine rhythms keep the industrial feel intact and Saginaw’s low end thickens the intensity throughout. While we wait for another full-length, Ritual Howls continue to impress and build upon an eclectic sound that seems to have never-ending possibilities. https://ritualhowls.bandcamp.com/album/their-body


Rhys Fulber - Realism EP (Sonic Groove) Sonic Groove Records presents a new masterpiece entitled “Realism” by artist Rhys Fulber, his career as a waveform alchemist and sonic innovator began with the band Front Line Assembly, a project he helped both instigate and shared an imaginative vision with fellow pioneer Bill Leeb who is otherwise known for his work with early Skinny Puppy. The sound of Front Line Assembly assisted in the evolution and definition of the Industrial/EBM genre. Rhys Fulber has continued as an unprecedented producer with his contributions to other noteworthy defining procedures such as Noise Unit and Delerium and forging forward in the contemporary realm inside Youth Code and the more accessible Conjure One project. Side A of “Realism” triggers and sets things off with an EBM-infected Techno mechanism titled “ Effigy “, this track is a pristine composition of sounds that spark the mind with a juxtaposition of derived forms echoing like an aerodrome waving in the unknown and unexpected yet frighteningly familiar. The dark synth components are locked into place by a strict beat designed at optimum rhythmic level. An adequate amount of enhanced prototype dark dance floor provocation. Advancing through to track two reveals “ Reload “ an industrial infused broken beat stomper suitable for apocalyptic chambers. A growling synth bellows behind tense atmospheres with heart piercing keys capable of inducing tears . Broadcast with extreme caution for the listener as what is being invoked through these sounds is a force not to be underestimated. Side B navigates us to the cold destination of “ Minsk Maschinen “ which furthers the evidence that there is more to the depth of this release than one might normally find in an e.p. There is a sonic narrative encrypted within well-designed glitch-infused beeps and the blankets of cascading walls of synthetic chords supported by a beat that demands the attention of being played at the appropriate time and place. This is a prime example of crossover music without the compromise. “ Abstraction “ closes this saga like the dramatic ending of the final night of the most intense experience ever witnessed solidifying the entire episode leaving more to be created in its wake. Sonic Groove continues to define by breaking boundaries and continuing the streamline of innovation by introducing music into the system that is as powerful as it is dangerous. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/realism-sg-1778


Robotiko Rejekto – Rejekto 30th Anniv Edition 12” (Optimo Trax) Optimo Trax 30 celebrates a double 30 year anniversary; the original release date of “Rejekto” and 30 years since Twitch started dj’ing. In 1987, Twitch, who wasn’t known as Twitch yet, picked up a copy of “Rejekto” at Glasgow’s then numero uno import shop, 23rd Precinct. He was smitten. Shortly after that he got his first ever DJ gig and played “Rejekto” in his first ever DJ set. Nobody danced to it. He kept playing it and still nobody danced to it. Eventually he gave up playing it, but never stopped loving it. A few years ago he felt the time was right to try playing it again and this time people danced to it. In fact, people loved it and would ask about it and shriek in delight when they heard it. There is often a lot of false nostalgia talked about in dance music and how it “was better back in the day?”. Well, in some ways it was but in many it wasn’t and 30 years later it feels as if perhaps ears are more open, or perhaps “Rejekto” was just ahead of its time? From Germany, written and produced by Ra-Hen and Talla 2XLC, Robotiko Rejecto’s “Rejekto” was the inaugural release on the Techno Drome International label. With a powerful and seductive vocal sung in Romanian it has lately been categorised as EBM / Techno but at the time didn’t really fit into any convenient genre. Twitch called it Electrobeat. To celebrate this 30th release on Optimo Trax, the 12” comes in a  special sleeve designed by Katie Shambles and Andrew Beltran. As well as featuring the original classic “Perfekto” and “U.S. Dub” versions this reissue features a slo-mo cover version by long-time Twitch friend and ally, the mysterious Frenchbloke who was the only other person he knew back then who also loved this wonderful record. Robotiko! https://soundcloud.com/optimo-music/optimo-trax-30-robotiko-rejekto-rejekto-12-sampler

Sarin – Psychic Stress 12” (aufnahme + widergabe) One of the most evil projects currently emerging from the electronic underground, SΛRIN combines terrorizing industrial with menacing EBM and black shades of techno, wave and more. "Psychic Stress" was originally released on a limited 50 copies edition tape on X-Img (Record label of Emad Dabiri). The songs have been mixed again, some synth lines re-recorded and mastered for vinyl and digital versions in Sountess studio. The record includes also an UNHUMAN remix of the song "Total War" https://bferecords.bandcamp.com/album/b-f-e-42-sarin-psychic-stress-lp


Schwefelgelb - Den Umgekehrten Atem 12" (Fleisch) Schwefelgelb return to Fleisch with Den Umgekehrten Atem. This 4 track document offers Sid and Eddy’s latest gems in the pursuit of the perfect beat. Propulsive and heady, Den Umgekehrten Atem renders the glass and dust of early digital and wavetable synthesis with narcotic definition. Fragments of RGB split conga and drone swarm around this body hybrid of Techno and EBM, created with the sole purpose of stirring neural cocktails in the minds of listeners from Detroit to Berlin. Currently one of the best live electronic acts on the planet, extensive touring across the globe in support of an unfaltering stream of releases has made 2017 an incredible time for Schwefelgelb so far. With a record of such energy and clarity of vision as this, it doesn’t seem like stopping any time soon. https://schwefelgelb.bandcamp.com/album/den-umgekehrten-atem


Schwefelgelb - Dahinter Das Gesicht 12” (aufnahme + widergabe) Schwefelgelb debut release for aufnahme + wiedergabe w/ 4 hard hitting cuts of electronic body music. Limited edition of 500 copies. Industrial sonic landscapes driven through urgent rhythms and an atmosphere that lingers in the dusky hue of  the nefarious, Schwefelgelb, are EBM personified. Immoveable 4/4 kicks, marching on a determined rhythm accent metallic synth lines that make up the beating pulse of the tracks. Schwefelgelb might merely be dealing in EBM platitudes on this release, but their experience in the genre certainly shows. There’s no subtleties trying to engage with the listener, and everything operates at a corporeal level with Dahinter Das Gesicht. It’s instinctive and primordial and refuses to pander to anything other than a dance floor. Industrial percussive elements join shouts of “pressure” on tracks like Focus and what sets Schwefelgelb apart from their peers is the way they are able to progressive through a song , switching through different parts, without losing that essential drive of the track. Where music like this can often get “loopy”, Schwefelgelb show that it doesn’t have to be, and they expertly manipulate their parts around progressive forms that keep the tracks moving. https://schwefelgelb.bandcamp.com/album/dahinter-das-gesicht


Seven Trees –Trauma Toxicity CD (Progress Productions) One of Sweden's finest returns to the scene. Swedish dark electro/industrial duo Seven Trees are back. In the end of the 90's they quickly became one of the shooting stars of the scene with their album "Embracing The Unknown". After that things went quiet, but now they are back. "Trauma Toxicity" is 5 brand new tracks with dark, haunting, atmospheric and wonderful industrial. Limited to 500 copies world wide. http://www.progress-productions.com/product/seven-trees-trauma-toxicity/Finally


Sharplines / Nathaniel – Out Of Control 12” (Persephonic Sirens) Two newcomers, both adept at making the same sort of tenebrous dance gear and, by the sounds of four tunes, absolutely up for the killing! Sharplines' only tune on here, "Out Of Control", bursts through the speakers like a round of AK bullets on speed, buzzing with each new loop, while "Blood Under Nails" from Nathaniel is a comparatively more broken affair. On the flip, "Lolita" is an EBM-leaning slice of industrial tech-funk, followed by the similarly off-kilter, machine-drum psych-pop of the curiously formed "Dolores Haze". Banging material from this young powerhouse! http://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bigcartel.com/product/ps-02-sharplines-nathaniel-out-of-control-12


Sid Lamar & Dsx - 90 Degrees 12” (Veleno Viola) "90 Degrees" is the outcome of a collaboration between DSX (Dejan from Haujobb) and Sid Lamar (Schwefelgelb). 4 crude new beat-tinged instrumentals accompanied by sparse, yet direct vocals blend into urgent Proto-Wave with a sharp Body Music approach. https://soundcloud.com/violet-poison/dsx-sid-lamar-90-degrees-veleno-viola-007

Silent EM - Foreign States CS (Detriti) Jean Lorenzo, known as Silent EM, fell into his solo project by chance. Before moving to New York City, where he now calls home, Jean had played guitar and bass in post punk and punk bands but found, upon his transition to a new city, he could create music singularly with synthesizers and drum machines. He records live in his own studio and sings in both English and Spanish with dramatic lyrical themes that include lies, disillusion, numbness of love and lost utopias. The influence of 1980s French coldwave and post punk is apparent in his uptempo, emotional songs. Silent EM released his first EP in early 2013 on cassette, followed by a 7" that same year, and has released music on both American and European labels.  Both the first run and second run of this cassette sold out incredibly quick. You an still grab the digital version via band camp. https://detritirecords.bandcamp.com/album/silent-em-foreign-states


Sixth June – Virgo Rising LP (aufnahme + widergabe) Second full-length album from synth pop duo Sixth June. Laszlo Antal and Lidija Andonov play minimal, industrial, synthesized music, digging into the colder corners of the synthetic '80s for inspiration. Laszlo produces obscure but expressive and danceable textures while Lidija takes shape in a wobbling atmosphere no one can escape. Lidija, apart from singing in Sixth June, is a professional actress. Laszlo, composer of all of the tracks, is an illustrator and music video director. Strongly recommended to fans of Void Vision, Lines Aspera, Soft Metals, Xeno & Oaklander. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/virgo-rising


 [:S.I.T.D:] - Trauma: Ritual LP (Scanner) Welcome to the post-factual age! An ominous, sinister future lurks before us. On their seventh studio-album Trauma: Ritual  [:SITD:] reflect on the most critical issues of our times: fanaticism, irrationality and protectionism. Trauma: Ritual, will be released as limited 1st edition double cd, in beautiful digipak including the TRAUMA: CULT bonus cd with 6 exclusive tracks, i.e. band’s own club, single and extended versions from the tracks Puls:Schlag, Genesis and Incendium, as well as massive remixes of Brother Death and Mundlos. The incredibly danceable brand-new songs like Genesis, Companion, Cicatrix and Walls have Eyes amount gloomily, powerfully and morbidly to a menacing thunderstorm, while the lyrics keep digging heavily and deeply in the furtive, ruthlessly revealing the abyss of the human psyche. Trauma: Ritual is an almost sixty-minute long masterpiece, which ends with the epic tune Zenit, which is definitely one of the album highlights. [:SITD:] tear down the walls, they open the doors to freedom, and finally they unite. At the end of it all, hope prevails. http://www.stormingthebase.com/sitd-trauma-ritual-vinyl/


Skeleton Hands – Wake CS (Racecar LTD)
 – Flood Spell CD (Racecar LTD) Skeleton Hands, comprised of Evan Scott Sharfe and Chase Anderson, bring an eclectic electronic sound reminiscent of the glory days of post-punk that is simultaneously foreboding and uplifting. With influences ranging from House and Techno to Post-Punk and Goth, Skeleton Hands creates a moody sound with a joyful darkness that rumbles the floor and circles the atmosphere. Skeleton Hands blend sorrowful vocals alongside a guitar-tinged, synth-infused palette that firmly plants them at the forefront of a new movement of buzz worthy names in dark pop. https://skeletonhands.bandcamp.com


S.K.E.T. – Capitalism: Continuing Crisis CD (Hands Productions) After a hiatus of no less than eight years – during which S.K.E.T. were present nevertheless through continuing live performances and much recognized solo projects – one of HANDS’ cornerstone acts triumphantly returns with its fourth album. “Capitalism - Continuing Crisis” is a frank homecoming to the S.K.E.T. roots – highly political, propelled by high-octane industrial beats, and revealing a good deal of electro influences. These 13 agitating floor fillers are a physical turn-on and food for thought at the same time, a feasible weapon in these bleak times of continuing crisis. https://handsofficial.bandcamp.com/album/capitalism-continuing-crisis


Skinny Puppy – Bites LP  Reissue (Nettwerk)
 – Remission 12” Reissue (Nettwerk) Drawing from the pioneering work of artists like Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, and Portion Control, seminal electronic/avant-industrial group Skinny Puppy exploded onto the music scene with 1984’s Remission, fusing elements of new wave, techno, film-noir, and innovative sampling. Lead by cEvin Key and Nivek Ogre, the band quickly garnered a loyal international fanbase and followed up their new success with 1985’s Bites, which produced their first underground hit, “Assimilate.” Restored to their original track listing, Remission and Bites will be made available on vinyl for the first time in over 25 years via Nettwerk. The dark electro-pop styles of the debut EP, Remission, and first album Bites the following year, earned the band a fervent fan base. This era saw the creation of such now-immortal underground hits as "Assimilate", "Smothered Hope," "The Choke," "Dead Lines," "Last Call," and "Far Too Frail". Great records and essential for any industrial fan, but personally dissapointed that Network didn’t do more with these re-issues. Couldn’t they have done a remastering? Maybe dig up some exclusive tracks? Get some remixes? Some extensive liner notes, new booklets, etc.? Anything more for fans that already have these gems? Network missed a HUGE opportunity.


Spoiled Drama – This Is Our Mission 12” (Fleisch) Spoiled Drama reemerges exhibiting their darker side on “This is Our Mission”, their debut on the label embodiment of Berlin’s Fleisch collective. The five track EP exhibits a unique range and dexterity, blurring lines between the realms of techno, EBM, acid and electro with a touch of maladjusted pop and post-punk. From the anxious beat and shimmering tones of “Another Death Experience” to the ritualistic war drums and heavily distorted vocals of “Kisses Are Out of Fashion”, expect to feel dizzied, unnerved, yet beckoned to move. The eponymous track closes out the EP in an undeniably Drexciyan fashion, low-pitched vocals emerging from watery depths in lush sweeping pads and dissonant melodies. A mission accomplished with style. https://spoileddrama.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-our-mission


S S S S - There Is No Us 12” (aufnahme + widergabe) Tough, noisy, Industrial leaning clang and bang techno from Samuel Savenberg who’s had previous releases on the Hallow Ground label. His influences run from experimental to the pure industrial of Throbbing Gristle, SPK and Haus Arafna. There is a unique uncompromising and haunting ambience to be found on these 5 tracks. Limited edition vinyl of 500 copies. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/there-is-no-us


Sumerian Fleet – Pendulum LP (Dark Entries) Sumerian Fleet is a trio formed by Dutch producers Alden Tyrell and Mr Pauli, joined by Zarkoff after their 2010 debut EP. Their second EP came out in 2012 followed by their debut album ‘Just Pressure’ on Dark Entries in 2014. Sumerian Fleet have returned to release their sophomore LP ‘Pendulum’ of all new material as well as a remixed version of “This Game Has No Name” from Zarkoff’s other band, FFFC. ‘Pendulum’ contains 80’s Dark Wave/EBM inspired tracks with an industrial tinge. The band cites inspiration from musical acts Fad Gadget, Front 242, Bauhaus and Sisters of Mercy. Literary references come from Poe’s ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’, Pelevin’s ‘Generation P’ and ‘Life of Bugs’, as well as classic Cyberpunk like Gibson’s ‘Sprawl’ trilogy. Sumerian Fleet deliver 8 songs of vintage dark electro with a Gothic tinge and a touch of bass guitar. The album’s been put together in a way that the listener can connect the dots, create a narrative, and become immersed in this attitude that the band’s trying to convey, such as Vigny’s idea of accepting despair: “A calm despair, without angry convulsions or reproaches directed at heaven, is the essence of wisdom.” All songs were initially recorded at Mr Pauli’s studio in Den Haag, with overdubs and additional recordings at Zarkoff’s Sensorium Studio in Croatia, and then final mix downs at Alden Tyrell’s studio in Rotterdam. The album has been mixed by Alden Tyrell and mastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Each LP is packaged in a copper foil stamped jacket designed by Eloise Leigh, with abstract squares in varied rhythmic repetitions to indicate motion, and included a double sided 10”x10” insert with lyrics and notes. https://sumerianfleet.bandcamp.com/album/pendulum


Talker – Battle Standards 12” (Standards & Practices) Battle Standards represents the first output from Talker (Jonathan Krohn and Karl Meier) since 2014’s eponymous full-length on Karl O’Connor’s pioneering Downwards imprint. While that release demonstrated the pair’s range and ability to craft compelling music not simply for DJ use, this inaugural effort on their new Standards & Practices label is aimed squarely at the dancefloor, and designed for maximum visceral impact. Drawing on material created for their all-new live show, each track is a neat summation of the Talker aesthetic: elegant and brutal. Lead cut 'Battle Standard' goes right for the jugular, incorporating howling blasts of noise layered with dense, syncopated drums—recalling the work of Birmingham techno icons Regis and Surgeon. On the flip, '(Gold) Standard', a remix that appeared only on a limited edition CD compilation, is one of Talker’s most memorable compositions yet, with its haunting Aphex Twin-esque refrain and tough, mechanistic percussion. 'Snub Nose' closes the record with a reduced, pared-back sound, unlike anything the duo has done before. Featuring a distinct electro-EBM influence, the staccato, teeth-rattling rhythms might be the EP’s most effective DJ tool. https://stanprac.bandcamp.com/album/battle-standards


Talker – Battle Standards Remixes 12” (Standards & Practices) After unanimous praise for Talker’s 'Battle Standards' and play from the likes of Ancient Methods, Headless Horseman, Sunil Sharpe, Mumdance, Shifted and many others, Standards & Practices returns with a powerful set of remixes from iconic UK techno artists Surgeon, Regis, and Broken English Club. Anthony Child kicks off the proceedings with his first remix in over a year, and it's one of his best to date. His version of 'Battle Standard' takes the track in a radically different direction, building a hair-raising wall of sound culminating in an unforgettable melodic refrain, beautiful and brutal in classic Surgeon fashion. The A2 track is a special bonus: a Talker cut only previously available on a limited edition CD compilation. Entitled 'My Favorite Color Is Gold', this is a dark and cinematic ambient take on '(Gold) Standard'. On the flip, Oliver Ho delivers a remix of DJ favorite 'Snub Nose' under his Broken English Club alias. His overhaul is nothing short of remarkable. Only retaining a segment of the original drum track, he adds a post-punk-esque vocal while a vicious, monotone bassline snarls underneath, sounding like it slithered off of a Big Black LP sometime around 1985. Regis closes the EP with his brilliant broken-beat take on 'Battle Standard', stripping the original to its essentials for maximum dancefloor impact. As with the label’s previous EPs from Stave and Talker, this package features stunning full-color sleeve art from acclaimed graphic design studio Common Name, and a limited number are pressed on silver colored vinyl. https://stanprac.bandcamp.com/album/battle-standards-remixes


The Secret Initiative – IX 12” (TSI) THIS PROJECT IS A VINYL ONLY RELEASE. THERE ARE NO DIGITAL FILES. The Secret Initiative has been cloaked in secrecy since it's inception in 2009. Over the past 8 years there has been a lot of speculation on who the artist(s) is/are behind this project. Is it a collective of artists or a solo artist still remains to be answered. The Secret Initiative is a multi styled project ranging across the spectrum of Acid Techno, Dub Techno, Hard Techno & EBM, mostly done in a 1990's flavor, but with a modern day punchy production sound. Here, on the latest release, we have two peak time dance floor killers. >>Synesthete<<, a dark track-y techno climax-er with a whisper vocal sample repeating “I see the music, I hear the light”, which builds into a monster of a track. On the flip side is the hard but hypnotic >>Return To MCMXC<< which pays hommage to the 1990 Frankfurt TechnoClub/Dorian Gray EBM techno sound. https://sonicgroove.bandcamp.com/album/the-secret-initiative-ix


Tear Garden – The Brown Acid Caveat 2xLP (Metropolis) This is The Tear Garden's 8th record and is testimony to an enduring friendship that spans the aforementioned ocean. After 8 years, The Tear Garden (the psychedelic/experimental/electronic project of Edward Ka-Spel of The Legendary Pink Dots & cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy) return with "The Brown Acid Caveat", the culmination of the duo's 31 years of working together. Psychedelic electronic melancholia , fearless experimentation & improvisation combine to take the intrepid  listener on a mesmerizing voyage of the mind. https://www.metropolis-records.com/product/11543/the-brown-acid-caveat-vinyl-2lp-second-pressing


Templer – Human Hate CS (X-IMG) Blistering, ritualistic industrial & rhythmic noise from Berlin based Toulouse native TEMPLƎR. Thomas Chalandon, the young producer behind the project, is also the founder of the AREA-Z collective of Toulouse based DJs, producers, artists and promoters. Released as limited edition cassettes and digital, including six tracks plus a remix by SΛRIN. https://x-img.bandcamp.com/album/human-hate-ximg003


Terence Fixmer – Force EP (Ostgut Ton) With the new Force EP Terence Fixmer follows up on 2016's Beneath The Skin EP (O-TON 97), offering four stylistically different but congenial Techno scenarios for club use. The record's eponymous track on A1 doesn't think twice: the initial signal horn starts as sudden as the staggered kick drum rhythm, reoccurring throughout the cut's 6-minute playtime while sustained and oppressive screams from a synth, extra multifaceted EBM percussion and synth drones add to the overall sombre atmosphere of “Force”. The musical vibe distinctly changes with “Sidewalk” which puts more focus on synth melodies – like its predecessor a Techno cut per se, but with a stronger accent on hypnotic motifs. On B1 “Melting Planets” emphasises the kick: clocking in slightly slower than the other three tracks – at 122 bpm – the bass drum here sounds extra vivid, ever-present and spot-on, just as if Terence was playing the drum kit sitting right next to you. With additional percussion and swirling melodies “Melting Planets” is a lulling, mesmerizing meditation in Dub Techno. “Striking Patterns” on B2 links to the best moments of Force EP's A-side, combining bone-dry bass drum hits and distinctive brazen, banging noises, pulsing synths pads and sizzling surface sounds. https://ostgut.bandcamp.com/album/force-ep


Terence Fixmer – Dance of the Comets 12” (Novamute) Terence Fixmer reached worldwide recognition with the release of his debut album Muscle Machine on DJ Hell's seminal International Deejay Gigolos imprint in 1999. The album opened a whole new genre by combining Electro, Industrial, EBM and Techno into a more dance floor-focused EBM style, simply called 'Techno Body Music'. The French producer and live act has consistently explored and redefined the boundaries of modern Techno -and he is not slowing down. Dance Of The Comets is the second release on the newly relaunched NovaMutelabel. NovaMuteis the seminal techno label that has been home to Plastikman, Speedy J, Juan Atkins, Luke Slater, Joey Beltramand more. NovaMute, born again, recently released Cognitive Resonance by Nicolas Bougaïeffand will release the forthcoming EP by Charlotte De Witte. Terence Fixmer'ssound deftly avoids repetition by developing soundscapes which maintain musical depth and integrity. He above all preserves an original style, an increasingly experimental, simultaneously ruthless and instantly recognizable aesthetic. https://soundcloud.com/novamutenovamute/terence-fixmer-dance-of-the-comets


This Morn Omina -  Kundalini Rising 2xCD (Dependent) The serpent has escaped God's great zoo. With Kundalini Rising, something significant approaches us. "Just like a hissing cobra slowly wrenching from the shadows" - this is how the duo, comprising of band founder Mika Goedrijk and Karolus Lerocq who joined the band in 2010, describes its ninth studio album. Working on Kundalini Rising signalled the departure for new and more varied musical and spiritual realms for This Morn' Omina. Their last album L'Unification Des Forces Opposantes was released in 2011 and marked the completion of their Nyan Trilogy which was created over the course of eight years - now it was time for new myths and new visions. In Tantric lore, the term Kundalini - meaning serpent power in Sanskrit - describes a spiritual power inherent to each human, symbolized by a coiled snake at the base of your spine which can be awakened and incited to rise by the practice of Yoga. When this process is entirely successful, the serpent unites with the cosmic soul, thus granting man the attainment of highest bliss and enlightenment. When you're familiar with TMO's tradition of having a guiding topic for most of their releases, e.g. the subject of reincarnation on L'Unification Des Forces Opposantes, it's not far-fetched to associate Kundalini Rising with thoughts on apocalypse and its harbingers, but at the same time with possibilities of escaping or counteracting it by the activation of individual resilience or the use of reason. The impressively designed artbook edition contains liner notes with a detailed description of the various myths on which the tracks on Kundalini Rising are based. Here you'll find a spiritual mixture of pagan customs, the legends of the Hopi, the Celts, or the teachings of Sikhism, just to name a few examples. Continuing with this thread of duality, you will find this concept not only in the content of said myths. The most obvious facet of the musical duality that TMO aim to present with Kundalini Rising is, of course, the fact that the new record is a double CD with two very different discs. There's a major innovation in the fact that for the first time TMO have recorded two tracks with sung vocals. The opener Ayahuasca, a driving track suitable for clubs and not entirely coincidentally named after a psychotropic plant consumed by indigenous peoples in the context of cleansing ceremonies, is TMO's initiation ritual, guiding the listener into the realm of Kundalini Rising. The first disc brings you an ecstatic sound somewhere between Tribal Industrial, Goa, and EBM. If there was an acoustic equivalent to a flickering strobe light, you'd have to issue an epilepsy trigger warning for a track like Tir Nan Og. While disc one is ecstatic and forceful, the second one builds up an atmosphere more easily identifiable with the subject matter of the apocalypse. The great opener of disc two, God's Zoo, seems to wind its way into your years in an ominous and, yes, serpentine manner. The sound is getting ever more dragging and abysmal, but no less powerful. https://this-morn-omina.bandcamp.com/album/kundalini-rising


TR/ST – Bicep Single (Digital) TR/ST's new single "Bicep" will bring some potentially much-needed grey and silver hues to your playlist. Robert Alfons's instincts for crafting shiny industrial pop — honed over the albums TRST and Joyland — are still as sharp as ever. Yet the overall design of "Bicep" is more overtly sinister than most of his previous two albums: the verses where Alfons mutters his incantations of discordant, metallic noises create a mood venomous enough to linger over the hook's explosive synthy turn-up. TR/ST's new album will drop in early 2018. https://soundcloud.com/ttrstt/bicep-1


Tzusing – 東方不敗 LP (L.I.E.S.) After three stand out eps over the last three years for L.I.E.S. Tzusing delivers his debut lp for the label. Here we get seven tracks of precison crafted electronics, unmistakenly taking the artists signature industrial fueled sound and opening it up to a new dimension far beyond the typical metal beat clang. Emotional, dark and powerful, the album title taken literally means "Invincible East" based on a character (a swordsman) in a Jin Yong novel who must make the ultimate sacrifice to attain knowledge and transform. The narrative goes in hand with the artists observations living and travelling throughout Asia and provides a haunting soundtrack for a bleak future where few dare to subvert the power structures at hand. https://liesrecords.bandcamp.com/album/-


Tzusing – 瞬千撃  12” (Bedouin Records) Shanghai/Taipei-based producer Tzusing returns with 一瞬千擊 (In a Moment a Thousand Hits), continuing his exploration of the seamier side of life as his music mutates from industrial and EBM roots into stranger territories. Like the titular martial arts master of his recent LP 東方不敗, who can only achieve invincibility by denying his own masculinity, 一瞬千擊 asks if obsessive pursuit of a specific identity can only lead to its negation, the opposite of the intended image. Amidst the malevolent throat singing samples, suona-like drones, and occasional shouts and howls in Taiwanese, the music’s slamming percussive weight nods towards the most reviled forms of mainstream dance music. Treating every available tool as valid, Tzusing interrogates taste, constructed identity, and the desire for power through five tracks of destabilized funk and thundering processions. https://bedouinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/-

Unconscious   - La Caduta Di Lucifero 12” (Blackwater) “La Caduta Di Lucifero“ ( The Fall of Lucifer) is an homage to energy to come and the end of all evils. Produced by the acclaimed Codex Empire and the young, talented artist Unconscious. A dark and obscure texture with melodies to touch the inner places of the soul. A record designed for vinyl collectors as much as DJs. The Ep comes with a Codex Empire remix which gives the missing dance attitude to the vinyl. https://blackwaterlabel.bandcamp.com/album/la-caduta-di-lucifero


Unhuman – Control CS (Liber Null Berlin) Unhuman was founded as a noise project in 2012 in Athens with the release of his first tape, entitled Emperor Black on Species Productions and then a split tape with To The Lovers Farewell on Red Venice Records. Delving deeper into radical noise, experimental and industrial music, a whole new world of possibilities opened up to him when he moved to Berlin in 2012. After founding the Lärm-Alarm-Lärm festival, he combined the idea of underground music and more experiential events going onto organize workshops which encompassed experimental & interactive audio/visual performances in a project space called Shift which led to his current project Liber Null Berlin which unifies the freedom of arts in a conceptual event and a record label.  A society of total domination, of multidimensional control. The greatest enemy is apathy. Limited by passive submission towards physical, mental or sexual power. A degraded adjustment to authority... Liber Null Berlin is proud to announce the second tape in series, a four-track EP by the founder of the project - Unhuman. Including a remix from Veleno Viola's owner, Violet Poison. https://libernullde.bandcamp.com/album/unhuman-control


Vanbot – Collide Single (Lisch Recordings) - Close Enough Single (Lisch Recordings) - Not that Kind  Single (Lisch Recordings) Admitingly these singles are a bit less polished than past Vanbot work, which usually drew close comparisons to fellow Swede Robyn. These 3 tracks have a more refined and easy feel, less build up to epic sing-along chorus and more simple backbeats, more spacious synth loops and emotional flow. All a great teaser for the full-length and songs that feel more Vanbot style than Robyn. http://www.vanbotmusic.com

Vanbot 
 – Siberia LP (Lisch Recordings) Last spring, an impulse to flee the ordinary and mundane resulted in a personal and musical adventure along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Vanbot (Ester Ideskog) set out on a seventeen-day journey from Moscow to Beijing – together with producer/mixer Johannes Berglund and Petter Winnberg – and completed her third album from start to finish along the journey. The result is an ethereal canvas of 11 pop tunes that weave around abstracted soundscapes, gentle synth, and hypnotic numbers. A wonderfully relaxing album of dream-like quality. http://www.vanbotmusic.com


Vandalaze – Body Slime 12” Ep (Oraculo Records) Take elements of synthpop, EBM, new beat, euro-beat, electro-funk, sampling and techno - mix them all up, throw in a huge amount of 80’s influenced art/fashion and culture (think Keith Harring, Kenny Scharf, Warhol, etc.) evident in the crazy cover artwork, then season with a bit of weirdness and that only gives you a glimpse into the creative oddity of Cory You’s Vandalaze project. He calls it Slimewave or mutant pop, and you’ll want to check it out. Closest comparison is that of mid-period Severed Heads, some Yello or perhaps some Art of Noise. https://oraculorecords.bandcamp.com/album/vandalaze-body-slime-12-ltd-edition-album-digital-version


Varg -  "I'll Hold You Till We Die" 12” (Jealous God) The Jealous Gods conscript Varg for their 17th number, harnessing his esteemed Scando techno energies in four hardcore, pounding missiles under the title of I’ll Hold You Till We Die.A-side hurts the best with a pair of robust 140bpm bangers, getting into gear with the tense electro of For Milan/AMG and dispensing a proper bollocking with the stampeding groove of Skrrt (Music made To Listen To In A RS6). Turn over and he drops the tempos slightly to go in with a class party piece in Donatella Forever and then the soaring hard techno élan of Last dance (I’ll Hold You Till We Die). https://boomkat.com/products/i-ll-hold-you-till-you-die


Various Artist - Fleischberg Lp (Fleisch) Fleischberg is the 2nd vinyl iteration of Berlin’s body focused Fleisch collective, following hot on the heels of last year’s highly acclaimed release by Schwefelgelb. This 12” starts with a relentless six and a half minute assault by Australian native and Berlin based Halv Drøm, a fitting vinyl debut for the talented producer. DSX follows up with a finely tuned EBM track tactfully layered with obscure vocal samples and paired with piercing, frenetic drum programming. The B side starts with a slightly different approach, recalling a more classic techno and electro tone without losing sight of the release’s progressive focus; Privacy’s catchy “Work” recalls late 80s Chicago masterpieces without becoming overly nostalgic. Sekunde rounds out the compilation fully with a plodding and minimal piece that would be best appreciated while being blasted driving 300 km/h down a moonlit back road somewhere in the Black Forest. https://fleischrecords.bandcamp.com/album/various-fleischberg


Various Artist -  Holocaust Of Wisdom 12”   (Veleno Viola) Veleno Viola is the continuation of Violet Poison Records after the end of Violetshaped project . Keeping the continuity with the concept started with VPN , Veleno Viola differentiates itself for a more DIY and post – punk and less dance approach , with the use of vocal elements, strongly influenced by the industrial 80s , the minimal- wave , EBM minimalist and cyberpunk of the early 90s in a fetish and S & M context. Holocaust Of Wisdom is a 4 track 12” with the A side offering two tracks from 2V231 and the B-side featuring Bakunin Commando (remixed by Celldod) and Celldod (remixed by Bakunin Commando). Real underground minimal-EBM, yet still dancefloor-enough. https://soundcloud.com/violet-poison/va-holocaust-of-wisdom-upcoming-veleno-viola-005


Various Artist – Kommando Kompilation Cs (AMOK Tapes) You want to see where the future of techno-ebm is headed look no further than the outstanding AMOK tapes label. They’ve released some of the most impressive, challenging, exciting and hard hitting releases over the last several years from the likes of Ontal, Bakunin Commando, Huren. Unhuman, Verset Zero and more. The Kommando Kompilation is an 11 track cassette and a perfect introduction (Over one hour's worth ) to what this label offers. - mutant industrial and techno from a who’s who of the Berlin-centered electronic underground at the moment including Human Performance Lab, Blush Response vs. Bakunin Commando and friends. Excellent stuff as is all the AMOK releases. https://amoktapes.bandcamp.com/album/kommando-kompilation


Various Artist – Machinery Attack Vol 1 (Smashing Tapes Records) Industrial, noise, techno-ebm, weirdness collection of 6 songs from the likes of Beau Wanzer, Alessandro Adriani, Das Ding, DJ Slugbug, INNSYTER, and Raw Ambassador. Beau Wanzer has often cited power noise and artist like Ant-Zen’s Imminent Starvation amongst influences and you can really hear that in the direction “Shitty Cough 37” takes opening the A side of this cassette. https://smashingtaperecords.bandcamp.com/album/machinery-attack-vol-1


Various Artist – Rave Or Die Vol. 8 2x10" (New Flesh Records) French imprint Rave Or Die inaugurates its first compilation release since its inception back in . Featuring four uncompromising anthems from heavyweight producers The Mover, The Hacker, Minimum Syndicat and the label owner Umwelt, in this collectible 2x10" breaks the boundaries between 90's Rave and Doom styles sets and offers an explosive limited edition. Bangers and Dj tools for connoisseurs only! https://newfleshrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rave-or-die-08


Various Artist - Self Aware II Cs (X-IMG) “SELF-AWARE II” is the 2nd v/a release from X-IMG, bringing together an eclectic array of underground artists from across several countries & genres where their shared visions intersect in an appreciation of the darker sonic arts. Artists from Russia, Canada, Italy, France, Australia & Germany are represented here including Kontravoid (a preview at his new harder sound), Unconscious, Black Egg, Halv Drøm, Joel Eel, Crystal Geometry, SΛRIN, and t_error 404. https://x-img.bandcamp.com/album/self-aware-ii-ximg004


Various Artist - “Some Have To Dance …Some Have To Kill” LP (Mecanica) Limited edition of 350 copies on black vinyl housed on a deluxe transparent Priplak jacket. Mecanica Records new 6-track ebm/techno/electronic music compilation featuring LAURAPALMER, Romance Disaster, L Sedition, Delectro, Randolph & Mortimer and FX Millimetric. https://mecanica.bandcamp.com/album/some-have-to-dance-some-have-to-kill


Various Artist - Sovietluxury​.​Club 001 Compilation Cs (Sovietluxury.club) This is a collection of lost and forgotten songs from the rave subculture that occurred in Russia during the Soviet era and which were banned in books on the history of the capitalist reptile. (or is it really? ;) ). A kick ass cassette showcasing the sounds of acid, acid house, early rave, electro house and techno from some of the hottest in the current electronic underground including Aaron J. Cunningham, Drvg Cvltvre, Khobra, Snuffo and more. Great fun artwork too. A label to keep your eyes and ears on for sure. https://sovietluxuryclub.bandcamp.com/album/sovietluxury-club-001


Various Artist - Strategies Against The Body Vol. 2 (DKA Records) DKA presents the follow up to our 2015 synth compilation “Strategies Against The Body”! We’ve spent the last year compiling brand new tracks from our favorite working artists, veterans and newbies alike, to bring you the latest and greatest in synth music. “Strategies Against The Body II” pulls together DKA veterans Xander Harris and Tifaret with new additions Anticipation and Pyramid Club, as well as presenting special (for now) one off tracks from Passing, Colin Gorman Weiland, Videograve, ARIISK, Celldöd, and Spatial Relation in a cross-continental exploration of the dark side of the oscillator. https://dkarecords.bandcamp.com/album/strategies-against-the-body-vol-2


Various Artist - Surviving In Eu-Rope Cs (She Lost Kontrol) Surviving In EU-ROPE is the second release from SHE LOST KONTROL Records. A various artists on tape with: Inverno Noir (aka Luciano Lamanna e Simona Ferrucci from Winter Severity Index), Huren, Unhuman, Matter, Celldod, Scarpa, Thorofon, Devastor Execution, Assassani, Ordre Etern, Mind&Flesh, 89st & Petra Flurr, PRG/M & Bop, Werner Karloff. The whole tape is a melting pot of sounds, reflecting sounds of the 80's. From Industrial, EBM and New Wave with slight Techno influences. 74 minutes of broken grooves, hard basslines, drone, romantic synthwave and creepy and protesting voices. https://shelostkontrolrecords.bandcamp.com/album/surviving-in-eu-rope


Various Artist - Synthicide Compilation V1.0 EP (Synthicide) SYNTHICIDE is a monthly party that has nurtured dark synth-driven music in Brooklyn, New York since January 2014. Each artist featured on this compilation has performed at SYNTHICIDE in some capacity and whose work aligns with the very sentiment of the party: moody, oft-aggressive, sometimes sleazy and with a heavy 1980s influence. Featuring: Homoagent, SΛRIN, Andi, Silent Em, Statiqbloom, and Cute Heels. Industrial, Techno, Minimal Synth. Plus bonus remixes with the digital purchase of entire album. https://synthicide.bandcamp.com/album/synthicide-compilation-v10


Various Artist - Voitax X Compilation 3xLP (Voitax) "Phanon", an original painting by Rosmarie Barbara Weinlich, serves as a seed for the VOITAX X compilation. The label invited friends, both new and old, to find meaning within this complex work and create their own interpretations of it. The resulting tracks, spanning three vinyls, showcase the breadth of the Voitax sound - bleak, industrial soundscapes, tripped-out acid and new wave excursions, obliterated dub, and abrasive, off-kilter techno all feature. This is a record that will be equally at home on a turntable in your living room as it will be booming out beneath a veil of smoke and strobe light. Tracks by Mondkopf, Rory St John, Makaton, Nyarlathotep, Swarm Intelligence, Domenico Crisci, Cressida, Unhuman, Paal feat. Mara, Bleaching Agent, Esker, Second Spectre. https://soundcloud.com/voitax/sets/voitax-x-compilation-snippets


Vatican Shadow And Ancient Methods – Bunkerterror  10” (Hospital Productions) Two exclusive tracks from Ancient Methods and Vatican Shadow. On Bunkerterror, Vatican Shadow and Ancient Methods finally yield two exclusive industrial techno tracks, both offering unrelenting examples of their notorious b2b live/DJ shows from the past 12 months. Vatican Shadow bosses the ‘New York’ side with Monotheism & Zarqa, offering the VS sound at its most willing and able with stomping kicks piling thru sheets of shuddering white noise. It’s quite possibly the most deadly and dancefloor-dedicated cut in his cabinet of horrors - proper industrial cynicism! The ‘Berlin’ side belongs to Ancient Methods’ Immured In Supreme Beliefs, a perfectly rictus example of his pitch black war funk, finding intense pleasure in the near-refusal of syncopation, save for pendulous ice pick snares that nail the groove perfectly off centre. For legion industrial fiends this record is a dream come true. Arriving in Hospital Productions’ 20th anniversary year, it demonstrates the label diversifying and specifying their bonds... https://boomkat.com/products/bunkerterror


Veil Of Light - "Front Teeth" Lp (Avant!) The Swiss Zürich-based act comes back with their third full-length recording. Not even one year after their latest Ursprung LP, Veil Of Light give us ten new songs that mark quite a change of direction. The black & white artwork of their previous releases is gone to give space to one bold, full-colour look. The guitar-driven shoegaze-oriented fuzzy sounds of past records make way for a new focus on the Electronic, Industrial Synth, EBM-Wave spectrum. Check out the opener Your Love with its throbbing synths and mechanical drumming, or the pressing minimal-wave of Soul In Ethanol; again, Sturm Und Drang’s pounding industrial dance and Body To The Ceiling’s doom electronics. A new wave of New Wave is here and Veil Of Light are showing the way. https://veiloflight.bandcamp.com/album/front-teeth


Veil Of Light – Ursprung Remixed 12” (aufnahme + wiedergabe) codex empire, phase fatale, blush response and s s s s deliver their own interpretations from veil of light’s ‚ursprung‘. limited edition of 500 copies. https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/ursprung-remixed


Verset Zero – Consilium 12” (Tripalium Records) After two years of releases on three different sublabels (Acid Avengers, Tripalium Rave Series and Digital Mutant Series), Tripalium Corp celebrates in april the launch of its main series of EPs & albums. Industrial, EBM and experimental techno will be the key words of these new records, quite simply grouped under the banner Tripalium Records (TRPLM for the category reference). For the first one, we are thrilled to present the new album of Toulouse based producer Verset Zero : a scary and tortured release with black metal influences. The original tracks are accompanied by three remixes (Blush Response, Violet Poison and Huren). https://tripalium.bandcamp.com/album/trplm001-consilium


Violet Poison - Pareti Insanguinate CS (Smashing Tape Records) Dark/esoteric side-project of Francesco Baudazzi, one of the most talented producers from Italy, when it comes to both the amount of quality stuff he has released and his genuine approach, definitely far away from trends. Francesco’s career has followed different paths, some of which are hard to be defined or taken back to one single musical genre: fetish/sadomasochistic scenarios, a permanent spaghetti-quotationism, and dark sounds recalling industrial (Throbbing Gristle) even when it comes to visuals, and a ‘real’, laptop-free live experience (as he as stated himself). A ceaselessly evolving artist, with his own record labels, who is able to intrigue, upset and make you experience 80s-nostalgia… quite hard to forget! Pareti insanguinate is 4 tracks of raw EBM sequences (sounds like an SH-101) with shouted and effected vocals recalling early D.A.F., “Basic Pain Procedure” era Nitzer Ebb or even Portion Control. It’s back to basics primitive EBM here which makes it so appealing amongst so much overproduced rubbish. https://smashingtaperecords.bandcamp.com/album/pareti-insanguinate


Visitor – E.B.E. CS (Detriti Records) amazing old school EBM from Canada! the project of Band Members Philip Traikovski and Veronica Stefanuik.  Hearing the influences of Mentallo and the Fixer, Yelworc, Placebo Effect, Lassigue Bendthaus throughout. A Newcomer to keep your eyes on for sure. https://detritirecords.bandcamp.com/album/visitor-e-b-e
 
 Vok – Figure LP (Nettwerk) Electronic pop from Iceland! Figure sees the Reykjavík-based band taking their sound to new heights.  The album is full of distorted pulses, near-whispered melodies, echoing guitars and dreamy hooks.  Influenced by everything from The Weeknd and Little Dragon to existential sci-fi cinema, their ambitious first full-length spans a whole spectrum of sounds and emotions. “Anger, obsession, negligence, death, love, happiness and hope,” lists lead vocalist Margrét Rán (who began the band with saxophonist Andri Már in 2013). For Vök, Figure has been three life-changing years in the making. After winning Icelandic rising talent contest Músíktilraunir within months of forming, the group marked themselves out as innovative makers of smart and smoldering jams.  Figure was mostly written in Margret’s cozy studio in Reykjavik, over “endless cups of coffee” in front of spectacular views of the city they call home. The tracks were then taken to drummer Einar Stef’s home studio, where they recorded with producer Brett Cox, who was recently nominated for Young Producer of the Year at the Music Producers Guild Awards and whose stamp is keenly felt on the finely detailed Figure. https://open.spotify.com/album/7KrK5WUjBoRE7tVmYpmt0u


Vomitto Negro – Black Plague CD (Scanner) Legendary Belgian electro heroes Vomito Negro return with their new masterpiece "Black Plague". Arisen from the Darkness, Gin Devo & Sven Kadanza take you down to the ultimate playground of there fellow demons. Murderers, Monsters and Evil Spirits are knocking on the gates of hell. Black Plague unleashes the most haunted ghosts inside you. Real analogue instruments driven to the limits by the vintage masters of Dark Electronics! This album beats a storybook full of ghostly and demonic narratives from the bleak parallel world and some tracks are reminiscent of film music. The soundscape that created the two musicians is of a dark, hard complexity that is second to none. Every composition is unquestionably planned down to the last detail and every sound, no matter how soft, adds something to the stories of horror. The sound is organic and very close to the emotions. http://www.stormingthebase.com/vomito-negro-black-plague-cd/

V.S.K. – 47011 12” (47) Having contributed to the final 47 Various Artist EP earlier this year with Ancient Methods, OAKE and Tommy himself, VSK now delivers the third solo EP from 47. 47011 offers up 4 tracks ranging from dusky, ruptured metallic sounds to flat out effective techno, keeping with VSK’s signature combination of sharp sound design with fiercely out there rhythms. https://47x47.bandcamp.com/album/47011
 
 Welt In Scherben (Aka Thomas P. Heckmann) - Eisen Im Feuer (aufnahme + wiedergabe) Key figure of early and contemporary german Techno, EBM-Techno and Acid, Thomas P. Heckmann has shaped the landscape of electronic music since the very beginning ! His huge success as Drax LTD.IIi, Knarz, Silent Breed etc… set standards and beyond in the under- and overground !   https://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bandcamp.com/album/eisen-im-feuer
 
 Yone Dudas – Waiting For The Storm Movie Soundtrack Digital Album (LAEBEL) Original soundtrack for the Rogelio Salinas III movie "Waiting For The Storm". Yone Dudas is also known as Yone Defcode - composer and one half of the internationally acclaimed dark electro-industrial duo Decoded Feedback. Not many artist have the honor of actually writing a soundtrack, with most sticking to soundtrack-like sounds, which is an element you can find in much of the Decoded Feedback catalog. (“Bloodfields” which appeared on Decoded Feedbacks last album “Dark Passenger”also gets an airing here.)  Dudas gets to expand upon those cinematic themes on “Waiting for the Storm”. Completely instrumental of course, the 11 tracks are bleak and spectral, heavy on the synth pad sounds and plenty of piano work throughout. The movie itself is based around the plot of a family's peaceful evening taking a horrifying turn when three men in masks and hoods break into their house and take them hostage. When they offer the home invaders to take anything they want, one of them reveals the true reason their house was chosen. The trailer is full of suspense just like the music. Dudas is already composing more soundtrack work and it’s so nice to hear this side of her creativity. Keep your eyes and ears open. By the way, Laebel is Claus Larsen (Leatherstrip) newish label. https://yonedudas.bandcamp.com/releases
 
 Zanias – To The Core Remixes 12”   (Noiztank) Best remixes happen when the initiative comes from the very own remixer, instead of by commission. This denotes admiration and respect to the original artist, as well as a necessity to provide your own vision to an already consolidated work. Berghain´s resident Kobosil delivers strong dancefloor instances blending his unique understanding of the Berliner techno with Zanias’s vocals. Agency is the new solo project of half of Operant band August Skipper. His debut track offers a mature evolution that guides the listener from a percussive beginning till a high pressured synthed end. In case one track is not enough to be remixed, Dax J's raved version increases the BPMs in a mixture of "Follow The Body" and "In Eternal Return". The closing track is signed by Unhuman and brings the original EBM atmosphere back to the record. https://noiztank.bandcamp.com/album/ntk011-to-the-core-remixes


Zola Jesus – Okovi LP LTD Rust (Sacred Bones) For over a decade, Nika Roza Danilova has been recording music as Zola Jesus. She’s been on Sacred Bones Records for most of that time, and Okovi marks her reunion with the label. Fittingly, the 11 electronics-driven songs on Okovi share musical DNA with her early work on Sacred Bones. The music was written in pure catharsis, and as a result, the sonics are heavy, dark, and exploratory. In addition to the contributions of Danilova’s longtime live bandmate Alex DeGroot, cellist/noise-maker Shannon Kennedy, and percussionist Ted Byrnes all helped build Okovi’s textural universe. With Okovi, Zola Jesus has crafted a profound meditation on loss and reconciliation that stands tall alongside the major works of its genre. The album speaks of tragedy with great wisdom and clarity. Its songs plumb dark depths, but they reflect light as well. The dramatic goth-pop compositions also share soothing moments, and that might be due to the singer-songwriter's powerful yet calm, collected vocals. Heavy synth work dominates the musical backing, with ominous strings and detailed textures setting an epic, ethereal mood, and Zola's voice cuts through sharply to speak of "tragedy with great wisdom and clarity." The songs almost have a meditative quality to them, and Okovi is an engaging listen from the very first note to the last. https://zolajesus.bandcamp.com/album/okovi


2016 Music Recommendations

Ah yes, 2016- a horrible twelve months most would rather just as soon forget.

When I first started to jot down my thoughts they instantly went as negative as the last twelve months. I had to pause and re-assess for a moment. We just went through 365 days of hell, and there I was being hyper critical of music. Music - a thing that brings joy to people, unites, speaks words that can't be said, eases our pain, helps us forget or remember, provides the soundtracks to our lives, and so many other things. So I hit delete on those lengthy paragraphs (they were funny and fair, yet a bit harsh), and chose instead to just provide a lengthy list of music I did enjoy this year. This isn't a top 10, top 25 or even a top 100.  It's impossible to put a record like King Dude "Sex" next to Body of Light's "Let Me Go". You can't evaluate those records with the same tools, as they're both so stylistically different but equally as good. Instead, it's a recommendation list or better yet your shopping list. I've broken things down by genre categories, (Listed alphabetically, then artist alphabetically), but I wouldn't go too closely off those as plenty of releases break the genre barriers in their explorations of sound. Couple of things differently this year than in years past;

I haven't provided numerous links or a Spotify playlist/mix for listening. YOU CAN DO THE WORK THIS YEAR (and you should). Plenty of places to find these releases. Google is your friend. Check Discogs.com for information and label, band and other links. Spotify is a tremedous resource and one of the best streaming services out there. Plenty of these releases can be found there. YouTube will often have a video. Keep your eyes on sites like ReadyMade Distribution, HardWax, Mount Analog, ArtOfFact and more online sales sites. Most of these acts/labels have Facebook of course. Online news sites like Resident Advisor, Boomkat, The Brutalist, Post-Punk.com, futurismi.it, I Die : You Die, The Quietess, and plenty more are always discussing music. BandCamp, BandCamp, BandCamp - check there as a TON of these releases can be found and purchased at that site. Not to be forgotten, you can GO OUT and GO TO events and hear this material. In Detroit we have Something Cold, Mobius Strip and (my own) Produkt 313 - all nights that are playing a lot of this music, with DJ's who are super knowledgable and can most certainly inform you. You have to get out there and be inquisitive and curious if you want the good music ;) Next - No indepth "State of The Scene" words or critical "musical" analysis on 2016. On one hand it seemed like we were retreating backwards (even without the re-issues, Information Society covers and nonessential Pigface buffoonery) and on the other there were releases so future-forward in thought and sound you claimed "DAMN!!!". Quite a juxtaposition. It is what it is. People like what they like for whatever reason. There's a ton of new pioneering music out there for sure waiting to be discovered and it's the "what's next" that keeps me a motivated music fan. There's never a dull moment in speaking, writing, DJ'ing or promoting new music, so I'll keep doing it and hopefully be a guide for you all ;) I’ve really moved away from the industrial-club-dance music I listened to 5 years ago. A lot of things don’t interest me as they once did. As in years past I’m sure I missed a few things, ignored the hype on certain releases or just plain forgotten something. If it needs mention and I overlooked it - I may do an addendum next week.  And one last item: This was the first year in many that I can recall where my list included multiple formats. Not just predominantly vinyl this year, my recomendations also include physical releases available on cassette and CD. Few digital releases in there as well. Vinyl remains my favorite listening medium, but if there's a great interesting release I'm going to try to get it no matter what format. Anyways, got your snacks, pen and paper, eye drops and plenty of beverages? Onwards with the list!!! :D -Marc

::: ACID, NEW BEAT ::: Black Merlin - "Issue n. Fourteen" 12" Jealous God Donwtempo, atmospheric and post industrial... depending on the tunes... Dax J - "Illusion of Power" LP Electirc Deluxe Illusions of Power is about political corruption, the collapse and seizure of control, sparring nations, war, drugs, gangs and the fraudulent, media systems that spin it all into rolling, fear-mongering 24 hour loops. Written with an arsenal of hardware gear from the Londoner’s studio in Berlin, Dax J’s Electric Deluxe debut is a militant, yet atmospherical dancefloor assault.Dax J’s productions are typically mercurial, informed by the past and fortified with a wide range of influences from acid and ambient, to jungle and drum & bass. His EPs are rich, kaleidoscopic ventures involving an array of tempos and moods, and Illusions of Power is no different. Lucindo - "Alien Rebellion" 12" 3TH Records Fantastic, hard banging & distorted acid injected Techno in early 1990s reminiscence mode Zarkoff & Ikonal - "Toxicology" - 12" Gooiland Elektro Zarkoff returns to Gooiland Elektro… this time not as FFFC (Florence Foster Fan Club) but together with Ikonal… a partner in crime when it comes to producing spacey and trippy acid tracks… these three tracks are from one of the infamous synth jams Zarkoff is organizing in an empty factory near Sisak in Croatia… the acid tracks featured on this EP have a throbbing beat with a clear hint to EBM… and the acid lines are both psychedelic and dark… in short dark acid for late night parties! ::: AMBIENT, DARK AMBIENT, IDM ::: Ah Cama-Sotz – "Exorcise –Murder Themes III" CD Hands Productions further explorations in industrial/ritual/tribal/techno/dark ambient & soundtrack material from this long standing solo act. After the sensual downbeat fantasy "State of Mind", Ah Cama-Sotz releases a full dark ambient album that's widely devoid of rhythm: A meticulously crafted hour of music that may well serve as an exorcism. Electronic sounds and synthetic strings paint a sonorous background, cryptic samples and angelic choirs conjure up the enigmatic. For the dark-minded, this promises highly cinematic entertainment, purification in eleven movements. The eviction of a demon, the resurrection of the possessed is a mythical subject of almost all cultures. References to religious fanaticism have been the source of inspiration for many of Ah Cama-Sotz's dark ambient works, of which the Murder Themes series is an ongoing example. Nevertheless this is quite different from the 2013-released 2nd part, as "Exorcise" only makes rather subtle use of industrial sounds, and the topics dealt with are very ambiguous; this style of dark ambient is composed in the classical sense, and as such relates to a tradition of electronic avant-garde music that predates the industrial genre. Soundtrack-like in the best sense, "Exorcise" leads the listener from the unsettling bleakness of the opener "Absterge" through the lighter tones of "Burnside" and understated rhythmic structures of "Diaspore" or "Cicatrix" to the discordant organ sounds of "Epsomite"; en route we are exposed to a continuous contrast of the intangible and the mundane. Whatever you make of it, you can't deny the overwhelming effect of "Exorcise", a masterful depiction of a dim place where Ah Cama-Sotz obviously operates in a class of his own. Blush Response - "Rebirthed in the Sprawl" 2xCS Total Black Two thirty-minute dark ambient movements from Joey Blush. A departure from the onsalught of beat-heavy techno-ebm, this material is much darker and slow moving. Edition of 66  ::: CLASSIC EBM, CLASSIC INDUSTRIAL, INDUSTRIAL DANCE ::: Alvar - "Guilt Kollektion" CD Daft Records Swedish duo Alvar is comprised of married couple Jonas and Johanna making music inspired by deserted places, forgotten houses and old legends from Öland. Their music is a clash between techno, old school Cold Meat Industry records and hard beating electronic body music.  An incredibly impressive array of tracks that shatter genre constraints and take us on fascinating journey through dark electronics. You know when Dirk Ivens (Klinik, Dive, Sonar and head of Daft Records) signs an act it's goign to be good. Caffetine - "Yole" Digital Body Music Records A project from New Orleans of my buddy Scott Fryoux (along with Mark Taranto) signed to the newish Body Music Records - a label run by Claus Larsen of Leaether Strip and Freund 424 of Transponder / Rhesus Factor. Yes, this is pure 90's influenced Electronic Body Music. Nothing really remarkably new or ground breaking musically, but I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this release because it transported me back to a time when Wax Trax, Zoth, Antler Subway, Play it Again Sam, KK and labeles of that ilk ruled the day and playlist. For fans of Meat Beat Manifesto (99% era), Gruesome Twosome, Contagion PCB, Crunch-O-Matic, Kode IV... Covenant - "Sound Mirrors" 12” Dependent Records Covenant - "The Blinding Dark" LP Dependent Records Covenant still craft songs with a sense of experimentation and huge amnounts of sophistcation. Theirs an elegance and refinement to the band that keeps me coming back to checking them out album after album. I always get the sense that some Covenant tracks never come to full-realization, but that's not the case on the first single "Sound Mirrors". It moves, it builds, it subsides then rises again in classic Covenant style. "The Blinding Dark" doesn't sound as cohesive however, rather a collection of ideas broken up by interludes. Not necessarily a dance record ethier, which is where Covenants strengths really lie quite truthfully. There's some moments here sure, but what direction are we going in remains a constant question throughout the listen. Decoded Feedback - "Dark Passenger" CD Metropolis Records Dark Passenger, the ninth album from electro-industrial duo Decoded Feedback, explores the darkest secrets buried deep inside us all. It is a grim shadow that follows us throughout our lives and we reveal it only to those we truly trust. Dark Passenger takes us on a shadowy and euphoric journey of pulsating beats and ambient melodies. Oh and I'm thanked in the liner notes ;) Flash Zero - "Conspiracy" LP Mecanica Records (RE) Repress of the second album by this Spanish act originally released in 1989. After their debut “1988” the band experienced some changes in their name, line-up, language and tendencies. Flash Zero moved from techno-pop to Electronic Body Music influenced by Front 242 and the Belgian music explosion of the late 80s. Juggernauts - "The Juggernauts are Coming" CD Out of Line Belgian band The Juggernauts (and half of THE KLINIK) is the most important rejuvenators of the classic Electronic Body Music sound. The debut album “The Juggernauts are coming” features club-compatible tunes built on a minimalist foundation of beats, sequencer and shouts.  Like the name-inspiring symbol for an unstoppable destructive force, the music of The Juggernauts blasts out of the speakers like an energetic stronghold of beats, bass and wrath. Few contemporary bands manage to channel the spirit of early EBM as brutally effective as the Belgian duo on its debut. Thudding drum machines and rumbling low frequencies accompany front man Borg while he shouts all the anger, cynicism and social criticism out of his system. While The Juggernauts share the spirit of bands like the early Front 242 or Nitzer Ebb, they never fall into the retro-trap, providing the prime father of underground dance music with a refreshingly harsh and modern approach. KNK - "Dead Body Music 1 + 2" CD Daft Records KNK, a Belgian newcomer act that presents their very own sonic creation: DBM (Dead Body Music)!!!  KNK is composed by the two members K1 (Deejee Koën - vocals, lyrics) and K2 (Koen Vanderstappen - music, backing vocals) and is active since February 2015 only. The project self-released two CDrs (in fact ‘Dead Body Music I’ and ‘II’), that were printed in a very small edition and sold out immediately. Dirk Ivens now re-releases both mini-albums on this CD and two exclusive bonus-tracks have been added. KNK takes you on a dark electronic EBM / DBM journey with a macabre twist. Along with Alvar, a favorite discovery of this year. Memmaker - "Let there be Lasers" Digital Braincorp Records Came as a surprise as I thought the project may be defunct, yet alas. A collaboration between Iszoloscope's Yann Faussurier and Guillaume Nadon, Memmaker is all about fun, high-bpm clubbable bangers and off-kilter Sci-fi fueled humor.Plenty of samplesand silliness (Sex with a Robot(Are You Going to Do It!). Ministry - "Trax Rarities" LP Cleopatra Special limited edition double clear vinyl LP pressing with printed inner sleeve. Trax! Rarities is a collection of early tracks and versions from Al Jourgensen's Ministry and various side projects. Includes the super rare RevCo track "Drums Along The Carbide." and the first ever vinyl appearance of the essential PTP track "Show Me Your Spine that appeared int he Robocop movie. Orange Sector - "Farben" CD Infacted Records The third and FINAL part of the Orange Sector EP trilogy. The title song is a massive pumping club tune to make you dance! "Götter" (Gods) is an old school EBM stomper, re-made for live shows and stronger than ever. "Ich sehe dich sterben" ("I see you dying") is a tribute to all people who recently lost their lives. As a bonus the EP features great remixes by AD.keY, Zoon Politicon and Blitzmaschine. Orange Sector - "Stahlwerk" CD Infacted Records After the success with their 'Monoton EP', Orange Sector return with the 2nd part of their trilogy. Another real EBM smash! Hard hitting electronic beats with the outstanding vocals by singer Martin Bodewell. "Stahlwerk EP" is a true must have for all EBM addicts. 'Im Stahlwerk,' 'Terroristen,' 'Der Clown und das kleine Mädchen' or 'Tanz in den Frieden' are true Orange Sector hymns! The 8 song EP features outstanding remix versions by Martin Bodewell and NORDARR as well as a pulsating 'Clubstahl mix' of 'Im Stahlwerk' and an uptempo version of 'Der Clown...' EBM as EBM can be! Paranoid - "Never too Late" CD Infacted Records Classixx Second Paranoid“ classics release in the Infacted Recordings classics series. After "I still dominate you“ the second Paranoid release is named "Never too late“ and brings us another 17 (!) Paranoid songs in digital remastered format including rare and unreleased songs. A real documatary for all fans of the former Machinery/SPV EBM artist! Plastic Noise Experience -"Push and Punish" LP Alfa Matrix old-school EBM veteran Claus Kruse made exclusive "vinyl remixes" of 11 songs taken from his sophomore "Therapy" album, giving them a real "12" extended version" feel, just like in the good old days. Titled after the band's latest club hit, "Push and Punish" displays the German cult-act's ultimate aggressive sonic assault made of ripping basslines, hammering beats, fast dark electro sequences, powerful angry male vocals and carrying electronic melodies. Opening track "Control" is one that you can't sit still for. Rein - "Rein" CD EP Playground Music Scandanvia Was pretty excited for this as when it debuted it was a welcome entry of female-powered EBM in what is usually a boys-noise genre. The debut here has that raw edge and angsty vocal delivery drawing comparisons to Sarah Taylor of Youth Code or Erica Dunham from Unternull. Music was rapid paced EBM not unlike that of Spetsnaz. Pretty exciting. Unfortunately there was a follow up single "I Don't Get Anything But Shit from You", which just sounds like a bad anthem of teenage angst. Robotiko Rejekto - "Control Your Robot" CD EP Tone'bient Robotiko Rejekto was founded in 1987 by RaHen (Ralf Henrich) and Talla 2XLC (Andreas Tomalla). RaHen and Talla worked together in the early 1980s on projects such as Axodry , Moskwa TV and other formations around the Sound of Frankfurt scene. Robotiko Rejekto represented the early Technosound from the Rhine-Main area and was also successful in other European countries. The music style of Robotiko Rejekto was assigned to Aggrepo or Electronic Body Music (EBM) during this time. This new material obviously sounds more modern than those 90's days. Talla is long gone and working in the areas of trance. "Control Your Robot" still packs a punch with the synths, bass lines, and drums all built to bring out the dancing monster in you. Fun stuff from legends. [:SITD:] - "Brother Death" CD Scanner Pretty much moved on from a lot of the club industrial these days, but there's still a few acts that draw my attention like S.I.T.D. Celebrating 20 years now since the release of their first demo tape these guys from Germany's Ruhr area remain CONSISTENTLY GOOD!!! The EP contains 10 previously unreleased tracks, including the new club smashers "Brother Death", "Mundlos" and "Incendium", the atmospheric instrumentals "Porclean" and "Burial", plus massive remixes by SOLAR FAKE, SOLITARY EXPERIMENTS, KLANGSTABIL, AUTODAFEH and ES23. Almost 50 minutes of harsh electronic music in their usual lineage!Discovered by VNV Nation, these guys are just a bit harder than VNV and a bit more sinsister to boot. Think X-Marks too before they went all-pop. Masters of the syncopated-arpegiation and the deepest punch of a kick drum. A substantial foretaste of the upcoming long-player, which is planned to be released via Scanner / Dark Dimensions in the spring of 2017. The Opposer Divine - “Reverse/Human” CD Aliens Production The Opposer Divine - "Reverse/remixes" digital Aliens Production Released just over a year after debut album, 'Barb Wire Around Your Neck', 'Reverse//Human' reflects the project moving in new musical directions. Sole member Minor (Boris Mutina), live and support keyboardist of Slovakian act TERMINAL STATE, here presents a more focused vision. With less experimentation the project more closely fits in a dark electro framework, while continuing to dabble in other electronic genres such as ambient or IDM. This is complex dark electro at its very best - beautiful, punishing and uncompromising. Every song is compelling, including the instrumental track 'Ice Planet', built around samples from Charles Manson's court testimony. great disc that reminded me of Yelworcs, AmGod, Puppy, Mentallo's best work. The additional disc of remixes features some different interpretations on the dark themes. Venon Vampires - "Super Science & Sorcery" Digital Body Music Records Horrible band name but surprisingly NOT horrible music. Another discovery like Caffetine on Body Music Records. A recent band, but there sound will instantly transport you back to the hey day of KK records or Antler-Subway. Listeners will definitely pick up a strong Vomito Negro, In Sotto Voce or Boris Mikulic vibe.They cite Klinik, X Marks The Pedwalk, Vomito Negro, borghesia, Bigod 20, Front 242, John Foxx, The Neon Judgement and Snowy Red amongst their influences. These guys might be some of the best at capturing that pioneering EBM sound. ::: MINIMAL WAVE, MINIMAL SYNTH :::

Absolute Body Control - "Forbidden Games" LP Compilation Turntable Sounds Limited to 500 hand numbered copies for Record Store Day 2016! This beautiful picture disc album presents a collection of rare and unreleased tracks from the band. we hear Absolute Body Control in different styles. "Heartbeat" is a real ode to Suicide, with the same beats the late Alan Vega had a patent on. But there is also the club killer "Into The Light", presented here in the (Beat & Bass Version, remix). Much more danceable. You also hear a very subdued version of "A Broken Dream" which can't be more melancholic. "Automatic "4 with its addictive dance beats, floats between EBM and discoThe strangest song is the repetitive Tanzmuzik that doesn't seem to stop. ESSENTIAL!!! Absolute Body Control - "Wind (RE) Wind" 2xLP Collection Mecanica Records Absolute Body Control was formed by Dirk Ivens in 1980 and joined by Eric Van Wonterghem just after releasing their first single "Is There An Exit?". Achieving an underground cult following, the band took their influence from bands such as Suicide, D.A.F, and the UK electronic scene. After a few years, the band members all went their separate ways finding success in other influential acts such as The Klinik, Dive, Sonar, Monolith and Insekt. In 2007 Absolute Body Control re-formed and released "Wind[Re]Wind" on a very limited picture disc LP and later on CD including updated & re-recorded versions of their best tracks. Modern sound recording techniques blend seamlessly with the classic roots of low-fi electro. Now, almost a decade after the first pressing, "Wind[Re]Wind" is relunched including all the 13 tracks from the CD plus two new versions ("Waving Hands" and "The Man I Wanna Be") and a live recording from WGT 2007 (previously available only on a limited CD). The red vinyl version is long since sold out but black vinyl version can still be found. ESSENTIAL!!! Beta Evers - "Delusion" Vinyl BodyVolts Records | CD Daft Records After some EPs this is the first Beta Evers album. The vinyl release (Bodyvolt Records, Germany) comes with 8 tracks, the CD release (Daft Records, Belgium) with 10 tracks. Track 1-8 recorded between 2006-2016. Bonus tracks (9,10) are unreleased tracks from the Kommando 6 period. Finally, Brigitte Enzler presents her first ever full length album. It is filled with brand new minimal and experimental electronic music with an 80s' touch. Her memorable vocals add a sultry and mysterious touch to her music. Equinixious - "Cosmódromo" CD Sleepless Records Berlin Equinoxious, a minimal wave project of Rogelio Serrano, Mexico City, started at an early age his musical education studying piano, quickly discovered synth and rhythm machines and start working and composing primarily with analog synthesizers, influenced by late 70 and 80 ´s synthesizer bands and inspired by artistic movements such as futurism and science fiction, "Cosmódromo" is the result of extensive work carried out between june and august 2014. Luminance – "The Cold Rush" LP Eins:Zwei:Acht the rising star of the new Belgian Angst Wave. "The Cold Rush" brings together on wax two outstanding previous recordings, and well deserving of the vinyl format: Luminance's half of the split cassette with Acapulco Hunters released in 2014 on Wool E-Tapes, and "Wait", a digital three-tracker from 2015, featuring Agent Side Grinder's Kristoffer Grip on guest vocals. Both have been revised and remixed into a coherent album in its own right, deep and gripping, with two completely new tracks, including the mind-blowing dance floor killer "Martyr". No More - "Touchlight Buddhas" LP Daft Records After 22 years of non activity, No More (most known for their culthit "Suicide Commando") decided to re-start in 2008. This LP (including free cd) contains selected tracks curated by Dirk Ivens from their 3 latest albums, all in reworked versions, plus unreleased material. Otrotasce - "Monument of Existence" 2xLP Disko Obscura Over a year in the making, this double LP is a compilation of Nic Hamersly's best work from his online releases W E S T and Monument Of Existence, along with a handful of brilliant new tracks never heard before. Ltd. 250. 16 tracks of minimal cold wave synth bliss, dizzying sequences and spectral vocals. Pure Ground - "Giftgarten" Special edition LP + 7" Chondritic Sound The guys over at I Die : You Die summed this one up better than I ever could so http://www.idieyoudie.com/2016/11/pure-ground-giftgarten/ S/HE - " Who Do You Love?" CD Sleepless Records Berlin S/HE is the project of NORA BELOW and DIRK IVENS. Nora Below known from her solowork released on the Berlin based Bpitch Control label and projects like Stop Disco Mafia and Syn but also for her performances, paintings and comic magazines teamed up with Dirk Ivens who is already active for almost 4 decades in bands like Dive / Absolute Body Control / The Klinik / Sonar and together they bring you a mix of minimal trash electronics containing an outstanding version of the all time classic "Who do you love". It took me a while to warm up to this. It's nearly a very distorted electroclash offering and not your typical Ivens related project. After several listens it grows on you and you feel the near spontaneous and primal energy. Valis - "Cold Hands" EP Oráculo Records From Chicago, VALIS are considered the true kings of the "EBM funky" sound. This record presents 4 of their most acclaimed tracks and it's even more special because the band has been dissolved due to internal discrepancies of the members and is practically sure that this release will be their second and last vinyl. The fresh mix of EBM, electro and funk and Jeremiah Meece's screams on top it will explode any dancefloor on earth, a truly classic for the very near future!. All tracks have been analogically remastered specially for this vinyl version. Limited to 300 copies on yellow vinyl. Including "Cold Hands", "The Cant", "Cold World Melts (Valis Remix)" and Black Carbon. ::: NEOFOLK, GOTH, DARK WAVE, DARK ALTERNATIVE :::

All Your Sisters - "Uncomfortable Skin" LP Flenser Records Dark and brooding post-punk/goth from this San Francisco duo not affraid to blend into other genres like noise and dark ambient as well. Fierce stuff. Cold Cave - "The Idea of Love" 7” Heartworm Press Raspy, intense, and spartan-like. Plenty different than the pop-like sensibilities of 2011's "Cherish the Light Years". Much more raw and edgy. Cold Cave - "Nothing is True But You" 7” flexi Heartworm Press A valentines day gift from the band. A pulsating dark pop creeper of a track. Death In Rome - "Hitparade" CD Hau Ruck! SPQR Fun neo-folk covers done incredibly well of pop songs like Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball", "Careless Whisper" by George Michael and more that take the piss out of the cold sober post-industrial genre. Essential. Hante. - "No Hard Feelings" 12” Synth Religion Hante. - "This Fog that Never Ends" LP Synth Religion More material from Hélène de Thoury formerly of the brilliant and sadly short-lived Minuit Machine. Both of these carry on in musch the same veina s that past project creating a cold and synthetic music mixing nagging cold wave and striking electronics. Synth music somewhere between dark melancholia and bright hope. King Dude – "Sex" LP Van When rock and roll goes to Hell. Sad and gloomy in parts, heavy riffs in others. A record that paints vivid pictures of shadowy places, emotions, hedonism and nihilism.Perhaps my favorite record of the year and spent a lot of time on the turntable. King Dude/Drab Majesty - "Who Taught You How To Love This Way?" split 7" Dais Records "Who Taught You How To Love" marks the first lyrical/musical split task collaboration between the vocals of TJ Cowgill (King Dude) and the instrumental composition of Deb Demure (Drab Majesty). Track can also be found on the full-length King Dude "Sex" LP. The B-side "Only A Mime", an acoustic song written by Deb Demure (Drab Majesty) assumes the identity of a lover's critical gaze cast upon Demure.  The metaphor of the mime is used to call into question the validity of ones words (or lack thereof) versus physical actions.  On this track, Deb is backed by Cowgill's signature guttural vocal styling on the chorus refrains. Pleasure Symbols - "Pleasure Symbols" 12” Avant! Pleasure Symbols from Brisbane, Australia is the post punk/synth duo project of Phoebe Paradise and Jasmine Dunn.Desolate but not devoid, Pleasure Symbols engulf honest pop music under a sea of slowed, cold synth and bass. Ritualistic vocals perpetually conveying a sense of desperation, but not without fortitude, the bands unembellished restraint continually on show. Ritual Howls - "Into the Water" LP Felte The third record from these Detroiters (and friends) continues the bands evolution of showcasing sulky and downcast tunes. Thevy've further honed their haunting sound on this record that often draws comparisons to Nick Cave meeting with cEvin Key (Skinny Puppy) in a dark alley. Spahn Ranch - "Back to the Wood" LP Dais Records Blending the moody goth minimalism of their art-punk predecessors with the unique lo-fi drone intuition that had forsaken most hardcore punk audiences, Spahn Ranch became a staple curiosity in Detroit. Short-lived and criminally overlooked, Spahn Ranch were among the first to join art-punk's angular paradigms and drone's sublime chill in unholy, chaotic matrimony (and frequently get mixed up with the L.A. industrial band of the same name). This collection shows an American band heavily influenced by British post-punk, but adding their own unique spin on the genre. The band had a knack for melding a minimal post-punk sound with tribal drumming and a vaguely Middle Eastern guitar sound. Add some somewhat ethereal vocals on top, and you’ve got a band that should have made it onto many a ’80s “bedroom mix,” next to Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance. Veil of Light - "Unsprung" LP aufnahme + wiedergabe  Veil Of Light is the synth/postpunk solo project of a mystery man from Zurich known to the wider World only as "M". The project was born in 2012 when all the tracks for the Veil Of Light eponymous 2013 EP released on BELATEN were recorded by M in a bunker near Zurich. That last fact incidentally is a good way to describe the music released under this project's name much like the mental image of a bunker it is cold dark and forces one into a contemplative resigned state. The influences that immediately come to mind listening to Veil Of Light are 1980s wave music post punk industrial and dark ambient all weaved together by an overarching depressive yet dreamy atmosphere. It has been called gothgaze and the description seems apt. ::: NEU-EBM, TECHNO-INDUSTRIAL ::: Adam X + Perc - "Mutiny" 12‎” Ampere&Ohm For Mutiny & Disorder, Adam X joined forces again with fellow techno veteran Alistair "Perc" Wells. The duo begin in typically retro-futurist fashion on "Mutiny", whose rising and falling synth lines, dense beats and clanking hits recall the early days of Roman techno. The "back-to-the-future" feel continues with the warped riffs, spacey electronics, apocalyptic textures, surging sub-bass and thunderous rhythms of flipside workout "Disorder". Alessandro Adriani - "Crow (Mick Wills Cut) / White Swan" 12” Mannequin The new Mannequin Records serie "Death Of The Machines" is launched with their own Alessandro Adriania first up. It features a banging Mick Wills remix of the unreleased 'Crow' backed by White Swan', hypnotsing, and truly psychedelic electro tune . Amato - "Le Desordre Et La Nuit" 12” Cititrax A four song debut EP by The Hacker's new project called Amato. Influenced by early EBM, German techno and new wave. Amato integrates his love of the new wave to form four ebm tinged techno funk hits. Very dancefloor friendly, these tracks take pop elements reminiscent of Belgian body music and bring them to the present day. Ansome - "Coffin Dodge" EP THEM No-holds-barred, menacing, stepping & punching Techno bangers from one of the most interesting names working in the area of techno-industrial today. Ansome - "Stowaway" LP Perc Trax "Stowaway", the debut album from Ansome. A ten track collection of brutal UK electronics which marks the next significant step in a rapid rise. Ansome was the hot name this year. "Stowaway" is relentless and dark and very effective. In fact, very rarely does a techno album maintain a level of intensity and interest from start to finish like this one. Based in a heavy, galloping warehouse aesthetic, strong elements of glitch, acid, and a deft hand at sound design are very much evident, but the subtleties, undertones, and thoughtful flourishes and thematic progressions are what elevates the album from good, functional techno to a truly artistic work. Blac Kolor - "Born In Ruins" CD Basic Unit Productions Prepare yourself to be transported into a dystopian soundscape which is intensely rhythmic, experimental and hypnotic at the same time, providing the project with entirely new dynamics. The massive bass drums and lashing whip-like sounds combined with slowly floating synth sounds create a permanent game of contrasts. Totally different from the dark techno sounds of the first album 'Wide Noise', this follow-up is a haunting memorandum of sorts. An equally disturbing and deeply engaging retrospective journey from dark ruins, where the only light is faint and distant. Blac Kolor - "Stormfly" 12” Basic Unit Productions A whole different affair than the album 'Born In Ruins', this jewel sparkles with its own deep dark techno tones. Schwefelgelb unfolds a remix of 'Skeleton' in the end, which wraps this release up with finesse, pulling once again at the heartstrings of any techno lover. Listen once, and one will fall easily into the abyss that is Blac Kolor. Blush Response - "Body Architect" 12” aufnahme+wiedergabe Distorted, acidic, superb hard Techno EP w/EBM inspiration. Broken English Club - "Myths Of Steel And Concrete" - 7" Death & Leisure Oliver Ho has now launched his own imprint, Death & Leisure, and its inaugural 7-inch is a razor-sharp introduction to his current sound. "Myths Of Steel And Concrete" is one of the decaying techno hybrids Ho does so well. The kicks are rotted and relentless, and the synths squeal and yammer erratically, needling at the eardrums from several directions. It's all shrouded in echo as if we're hearing a solitary worker in an abandoned factory, drilling away until the building collapses around her. On the B-side, "Our History In Bones" strips the beat away to focus on Ho's voice. He's spent a while perfecting a Suicide-style deadpan and it's in fine form here. His apparent boredom makes the synths' pained yowling all the more distressing. Ho has described his new label as a place where "absurdist melodrama meets vile electronics," and while this debut doesn't offer anything new, it certainly delivers on that promise. Broken English Club - "Suburban Hunting" LP Cititrax Oliver Ho fearlessly exposes a range of emotion through varying sound, texture and song structure. The result is a manifestation of his influences (post punk, noise, techno, grindcore) melded into his own unique vision and culminating in an album that sounds absolutely massive, both on and off the dance floor. About Broken English Club, in Oliver's own words: "It's not about some idea of the future, it's about a grubbier seedier world. Theres no superior technology here, there's a romance to damp concrete buildings and abandoned reservoirs.I like music with a sense of dread, there's drama or suspense in that feeling somewhere. I am fueled by the energy and noise". Giver a listen to the ttrack "Scum" - a tribute to the Napalm Death song of the same name. Celldod - "KESS03" EP Kess Kill KESS03 is a collection of new work by Celldöd, real name Anders Karlsson, although the sound is thoroughly vintage. From the crusty-sounding gear to the snotty vocals (from Annie Gylling on "Falska Gudar"), these tracks come across like a throwback where proto-EBM and industrial bands like Liaisons Dangereuses left off.. Raw, gritty and squealing, the music is very punk, channeling Karlsson's earliest band, The Pain Machinery, into a one-man setup with just as much rancour. But most importantly, all three tracks speak to contemporary dance floors. In the vein of Broken English Club, Silent Servant and Terrence Fixmer, Karlsson finds fertile ground in the past. He knows the club is as good a place as any for post-punk, industrial and EBM's ragged creativity. Codex Empire - "Cutpurse" 12” aufnahme+wiedergabe Hard hitting, EBM leaning, classy Techno banger Domenico Crisci - "Issue n. 12" Jealous God Domenico Crisci's new effort blends in perfectly into the high-quality releases of the label, oscillating between Techno, EBM, Power Electronics and Minimal Synth. The tracks don't even bother to annoy or tease with any kind of intro—instead, a raging kick drum and mangled and distorted synth arpeggios kick your balls until they glow. Barely leaving room to breathe, it evokes the spirit of Industrial Techno as it was forged in the late 90s in the UK, masterfully demonstrated on the excellent closer "Alte Tanz". The analogue roughness of "Seagulls Scream" certainly Silent Servant's influence on Techno, integrating a jumping bassline, as if it was created by Vince Clarke on bad drugs after an arse-kicking Nitzer Ebb gig—forcibly making its way to the dancefloor, oscillating pads overlay the track every once in a while, and "Unknown Body" follows the paths of the EBM-fueled relentlessness defining Jealous God's sound from the very beginning. It's a true festival of Rage—"Black Birds Over Naples" evokes the atmosphere of impending doom, with accented hi-hats ticking along and barely working as a corset for a pounding rhytmic foundation, enriched by resonating filter sounds, teasing a big bang to come. Upswelling and decaying detuned synths leave an uneasy feeling, stimulating the nerves in a very twisted way. No prisoners taken. Domenico Crisci's fourth release keeps up the high standarts of Jealous God releases, and beats his best work so far, the excellent Ceremony EP, easily. An addictive record indeed, and a must-have if you enjoyed Jealous God's output so far. Dust - "Agony Planet" 2xLP 2mr A nightmarish, alien horror narrative. Thirteen tracks, spanning in genre from digital hardcore, dungeon techno, and celestial ambience, are all held together by a theme of extravagant extraterrestrial warfare. Club-savvy techno engineering accompanied by frontwoman Greem Jellyfish's bizarre monologues and warped screams beckon listeners on a journey through the occult mysticism of the nightmarish and torturous deep ocean of an alien hell. Agony Planet is an unrelenting and bold debut from a trio not afraid to explore the dark caverns of the underground. Eschaton - "Eschaton II" LP Token Ancient Methods and Orphx pair up again here. The four-track Eschaton II sees the German-Canadian production unit offer up a more varied approach together without losing any of the industrial menace that made their debut offering such a compelling proposition. Big drums are the marauding, dominating element on opener "Deus Irae", whilst "Those Who Obey" pulls you through the abstracted, industrial mire. "Answer My Prayer" sounds primed to soundtrack a clubscene whilst the appropriately-named closer "No Other Gods Before Me" is an invitation to wander through the sonic equivalent of Dante's Inferno. Factory Floor - "25 25" 2xLP DFA Since the departure of Dominic Butler, Factory Floor's Gabriel Gurnsy and Nik Colk Void has consciously moved away from the Throbbing Gristle/Cabaret Voltaire inspired sound with which they made their name. On 25 25, their third full length, they continue this voyage. While there are occasional reminders of their industrial roots dotted throughout the album, the most obvious influences this time round are acid house and no-nonsense European techno. Their tracks have always been subtly shifting, full-throttle, groove-based affairs, of course, but this time round they seem more intent on sound-tracking breathless, 4am dancefloor moments, rather than showcasing their arty, experimental roots. That all of the eight tracks bang hard is a given. FUTURE9192 - "FUTURE9192" 12" Continuum Series 1991-1998  FUTURE9192 offer the hysteria of rave culture in it's rawest form, taking us from violently distorted 303s and uplifting pads in "Plutronick", industrial soundscapes and pulsating synths in "House Of Snax", to "Rhythm Of Slime"'s raging ebm-chords and stomping kicks (which isa 'cover' of Front 242's "Rhythm of Time" in disguise), only to close with the epic "Murder Someone", a hypnotic, bell-driven monster utilizing a droning "amen"-break as percussion. Headless Horseman - "EGR45-00005" 12” Elektron Grammofon The dark knight of eerily appealing techno — Headless Horseman — is back with a vengeance. This time, he has chosen to recruit the Elektron Octatrack, Analog Rytm, Overbridge and Machinedrum UW in order to pursue his modern-day arcane craft. Heckmann - "Fist Up High" EP 12” Afu Limited Heckmann returns with his trademark hard-beat-strong-sequence EBM-Industrial-Techno style and gets a very strong support by VSK remixing one of his tracks "Speak Silent To Me!" In these troubled times we need some hard beats to release our tension and anger on the dance floor and don't need aggression against each other! If you misss those stompy Nitzer Ebb classics, Heckmann is the logical successor to the Violent Playground. Heckmann - "Reality Lost / In Your Face" 12” Afu Limited Keyfigure of early and contemporary german Techno, EBM-Techno and Acid, Thomas P. Heckmann has shaped the landscape of electronic music since the very beginning ! Two raw and relentless tracks to kick ass and bring the noise back to the floors ! Energy loaded analogue madness...enjoy ! Hide - "Flesh for the Living" 12” Midwich Productions Following a series of self-released cassettes, Flesh For the Living is HIDE's vinyl debut. This 3-track EP contains 3 soon-to-be anthems. Showcasing top-notch production values, these tracks have a physicality that matches their live show. The title track provides a bracing adrenaline rush that will have listeners on their feet, fists in the air. The remix of that track by WATTS (for American Primitive)slows the pace, evoking a cinematic, dreamlike atmosphere. "Limb From Limb" is a sinister side-long stomper that menaces with ethereal vocals, ghostlike percussion and a gut-wrenching low-end hook. High-Functioning Flesh - "Human Remains" 7'' Dais Records "Human Remains" signifies the band's movement from aggressive industrial structure to shining dance floor anthems, all while making sure their audience never strays in thought of who their musical architect is playing overhead. Coupled with the B-side "Heightened State", HFF passes through the speakers at more progressive, minimal electronic pace. Keeping up the rhythm and nature of their familiar signature, HFF matures into complex, infectious cadence married with voltaic synthesized sound. Horrorist  - "Here Comes the Whip" 7” Teenage Menopause Records "Here Comes The Whip" is the first song from his upcoming album Separate Dimension. The new album will be released on Things to Come Records along with 3 more singles, however this first track is on the French Teenage Menopause label with the B-side of the EP featuring the off-the-wall "The Darkness That Was Mean to Be" from Fire Funmania. "The Whip" is a straight-forward track that sounds somewhere in between electronic body music and regular hard-techno. Arpeggiated rhythms are paired with stone-hard beats that punch down into the ground.It's minimal but effective. Think a harsher version of ADULT. The b-side track "The Darkness That Was Meant To Be" is some bizarre low-fi gothic serenade that churns out the same lyrical content over and over again. Laid upon a foundation of distortion, this melodramatic but calmly performed song is something else than the first side of this release. Huren - "Kozmodroma" CS AMOK Tapes The first product of techno-busy man David Fosters time in Berlin. A very Industrial-infused affair, haunting and mechanized, with distant echoes of the early, low-key baby steps of Techno.The atmosphere is reminiscent of a haunted warehouse, and the songs take their time to buid up, teasing the infamous "boom" to come—tracks like "Rarebell-Changing Face" and "Kotimikro" provide subtle morphings of detuned drone layers, underlined by only the absolutely necessary drum patterns. Even the more beat-driven tracks—"Mimezitar", "Katakomben" and the closing track "Kinoapparatom", rely more on atmospheres—evoking the image of a distorted live transmission from a post-nuclear war future. Impulse Controls – "Devour" 12” Instruments Of Discipline Two of the hottest names in the Industrial and Techno scene are out to kick some arse with a beat inferno—The Berlin-based modular synth wiz Joey Blush (Blush Response) and the Serbian Industrial/Techno duo Ontal, team up as Impulse Controls. Their debut release "Devour" is full of reverb-laden kicks, metallic percussions and noise defining the three-track release. Making themselves excellent names in the highly interesting Techno/Industrial blend, the collaboration raises some serious expectations, which they easily live up to. The three tracks offer hard-hitting and pushing Industrial-infused Techno cuts. Great stuff and a go-to record in my DJ sets. MORE PLEASE!!!

In The Mouth Of The Wolf  - "In The Mouth Of The Wolf" 12" Diagonal Two of industrial music's most insatiable operators, Ancient Methods & Cindytalk, pay homage to the White Rose figurehead, Sophie Scholl - remembered for her role in the passive resistance to the Nazis during WWII - with a passionate and unflinching trio of noise/techno girders for Diagonal. For those aware of Cindytalk's illustrious industrial heritage - she has collaborated with everyone from Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil to Revolting Cocks' Chris Connolly and DJ Scud; this is nothing short of a momentous meeting of epochs, styles and mutual intent. "Need of Angels" barrels across the A-side, pinned to the 'floor by riveting percussion and charging the spirits with thee harshest noise coming on in waves of absolute terror and catharsis.Flipside, "Sleight of Hand" disperses that lactic build-up by loosening up and allowing some prime, late '80s EBM swing into the mix, resolved against a blizzard of head-long, atonal ferocity. A Search for New Realities shifts their attention again, arching up with a pensive white noise wash pierced by pinging coin drops before unleashing a thunderous torrent of breakbeat techno hearkening back to AM's finest Ugandan Methods and Cindy's work for Praxis, but with a thoroughly modern aesthetic. JASSS - "Mother" 12'' Mannequin  Berlin based emerging acid queen Jasss returns on Mannequin. The "Mother" EP starts out with the shocking noir EBM of "Minotauro" that will appeal to fans of Silent Servant or December, before she presents the stripped and tunnelling techno of "Gates To Nowhere" which is absolutely fierce. Then comes the total curveball on the flip: the gloomy synth pop of "Mother". Konkurs - "Burning Images" - 12" Veleno Viola Cold War Body Techno! KONKURS is a project constructed from minds of two of the most prolific electronic producers currently around. Joey Blush of Blush_Response and Emad Dabiri of SΛRIN deliver us an EP of industrialized techno EBM of the highest calibre. Its dark, its heavy, its unrelenting. First up is "Face The Target", possibly the most EBM-centric song on the EP, it's a huge beast of a track. Like the rest of this EP, it seems the goal here is to crush all that steps in the path of KONKURS. Hearing Blush_Responses's cyberpunk experimental sounds mesh with SΛRIN's sample focused grooves is fantastic, everything syncs so well – it really sounds like a match made in heaven. Next up, "Scarab" may or may not be a reference to my favourite video-game, Halo, but its a punishing track nonetheless. The trend continues with "Burning Images" and "Body Harder" both set to annihilate dancefloors. Notably, despite the rhythmic insistence of this EP, there is a huge amount of detail and nuances to be enjoyed with a good pair of headphones. Not only does the immaculate production come into focus, but those aforementioned details elevate this EP into new territory. This is both club and headphone music. Konsumer - "Crybully" EP Nachtstrom Schallplatten 4 Tracks of dark, banging Industrial Techno. Limited Edition, Yellow Marbled Color Vinyl. The Codex Empire mix is insane!!! Marie Davidson - "Adieux De Dancefloor" LP Cititrax Marie Davidson has emerged as one of the foremost electronic artists working in contemporary pop today. As a long-time member of Essaie Pas (DFA Records), Davidson has had the opportunity to hone her many talents.With Adieux Au Dancefloor, Marie makes a slight departure from her last two releases, via Holodeck (2015) and Weyrd Son (2014), by creating her first fully dancefloor oriented piece of work. Through the 45 minutes of music that comprises the album, she experiments with pop structures, defines her voice, and layers rhythms to make complex and beautiful techno tracks. She closes the album with the title track in classic Chanson style. Monolith - "Time Running Out" EP Sonic Groove New material from Eric Van Wonterghem, one of the most important figures to come out of Belgium's electronic music scene who has had involvement with Absolute Body Control, The Klinik, and Insekt. Monolith has been going quite some time as well. "Time Running Out" is cutting edge, post contemporary industrial-techno music with highly percussive drum programming and infectious sound design set to overrun dance floors. On Adam-X's Sonic Groove label. MRTVI - "Tijerazo Mortal" 12” Jezgro  FIRECE RECORD ALERT!!!! MRTVI is the new moniker of Huren. The first track 'IVUKTON' is a heavy atmospheric drone track, perfectly suited for the mornings after completely exhausting night, that will give you an inner balance. The second track 'IBUKRON' is actually the track that was played the night before at a party that exhausted the shit out of you with it's sci-fi sounds and thrilling pumping kicks, so is the third 'TIJERAZO MORTAL', the punchy noise track that slowly faded away in the dark corner of unrest. The forth track is the remix by Violet Poison of 'TIJERAZO MORTAL' heavy armored mixture of EBM and industrial nuanced perfectly with distorted, screaming vocals. NGLY - "Cities of Illusion" - 2xLP L.I.E.S. After an earlier white label single in 2014, The debut eight track lp, "Cities of Illusion", is a record that walks a fine line between many of the original strains of the electronic realm. The elements are all there to be picked apart, to be used, to be abused, thrown against the wall smashed to bits...played in the club or on the late night mix shows, it's magic you heard in the past and crave in the present. To say the music on the lp is one thing or another is an injustice...it pays reverence while at the same time turns a corner; held together by a loose yet cohesive thread. It is a full presentation that is unafraid to challenge or confuse, with no concern for genre imposed limitations. Ontal - "Simulacron" CS AMOK Tapes Ontal is a collaborative project which consists of Boris Brenecki and Darko Kolar, both hailing from Serbia. They focus on the bleakest, blackest apocalyptic techno and grinding mechanoid rhythms. Formed in November 2011 and influenced by numerous music genres, their sound can be described as an uncompromising, hard and intense assault. Breathing new life in the industrial strains of techno and the darker realms of the dancefloor and mind. "Simulacron" is an extreme exercise in analog synth arpeggios and industrial drumming. In addition, the cassette comes with two exclusive sequences. Phara - "Next Of Kin" - 2x12 Black Sun Records Phara is a young talented and vitually unknown techno producer from Belgium. But not for long. For his debut he attracted the attention of the renowned British label Black Sun Records. That label was formerly a springboard for heavy-hitters like AnD and Sunil Sharpe. A listen to "Next of Kin" will justify why the label picked him up. The eight songs on Next of Kin fit with the dark, techno machine of the label "Next of Kin" is a varied, banging, strong-willed techno album. Phara may be young and a newcomer, but listen after lisrten of this album will convince you he's well on his way to becoming another of the big names in the genre. Phase Fatale -"Issue N° Ten" - 12" Jealous God Phase Fatale - "Issue N° Fifteen" - 12" Jealous God Phase Fatale is the techno project of Berlin-based DJ and producer Hayden Payne from New York. Coming from a background playing in post-punk bands over the past years, Phase Fatale is an artistic endeavor that serves as an outlet for his own interpretation of darker, harder and industrial-influenced techno. Brutal productions confronted by sinister atmospheres create a sound imprint that has mutated into a new electronic identity. Rigid drumming, cold synths and bleak samples - the image of future war. Both these releases are ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. Payne is one of the most interesting of the neu-techno-ebm group, fully blurring the lines between Industrial, EBM and Techno closely. He ups his game with every releas. "Ten" just ignited dancefloors when I played it and "Fifteen" is still so fresh, it's release was just a few weeks ago, that I haven't had a chance to unleash it on unsuspecting crowds. Powell - "Sport" LP XL Recordings In 2016, Powell found a home on the legendary rave outpost XL - a label that's brought us The Prodigy amongst others. "Sport" is an LP that sounds like the perfect snapshot of his eclectic DJ sets and live gigs. "Sport" is an eclectic/electric mix of late night, out and about snatches of pub chatter, fizzzzzy synth textures, flocks of angry bees stuck in a rack of Wasp synths and downtown NY, uptown Hackney out on the pi*s swagger. Powell's sense of fun really comes to the forefront of the session with tongue in cheek track titles like "Fuck You, Oscar" and "Gone A Bit Bendy [NTS Chatroom Version]". Using the longer format to enlist the help of his gang, there are guest spots on the dials from Loke Rahbek of Posh Isolation who turns in a swampy number that sounds like TG going disco, rippin' guitar fuzz on "Frankie" [feat Frankie] and Entr'acte's Dale Cornish whose production talents adorn the chopped out vocal lines that take center stage on "Do You Rotate?" Each track's a variation on the Powell sound, squelchy acid stabs, bone-dry tech-step drums and a wealth of off the hook samples. All stuck together with cellotape and glue to make one of the most entertaining and uniquely original 'dance music' records you are likely to hear this year, S. English - "General Dimensions" 12" L.I.E.S. American experimental musican Shane English continues in a long tradition of outsider electronics as he's been humbly prolific in his output though the years involving himself in numerous recording projects. Collaborating with Jonah Lange in their group Corporate Park as well as an ongoing collab with Beau Wanzer (seeing a release last year under the CP/BW name), English now commits his second full length solo offering to vinyl in the form of the General Dimensions lp. Sparse machine driven electronics dominate the recording providing a back drop for the occasional pulsating rhythm, metallic clank or floating obscured vocal. While it is a dark and sparse affair there is a quiet downtrodden beauty throughout giving the recording a sense of uncertain serenity in an almost shoegazey way. SAWF - "VNL004" 12” Vanilla SAWF - "Nihil Est" EP Code is Law SAWF - "Ms. Roxanne" 12” Kafta Busy year for SAWF. Sawf makes some of the hardest techno around. The Greek producer is able to nail a raw aesthetic so consistently, due an ear for crafty samples, hard-hitting percussion and steady grooves. Sawf productions are spacious and funky, but also menacing and dark—few producers are able to combine these characteristics so effectively and output so much without it becoming formulaic or predictable. Schwefelgelb - "Wie Die Finger Durch Den Nebel" EP Fleisch Schwefelgelb is the electronic music project of Sid & Eddy. Having carefully straddled the boundaries between Techno, EBM and Electro, the duo entered 2016 with a 12" release on the new label incarnation of the Berlin based Fleisch collective. Fleisch consists of a group of miscreants known for throwing some of the best curated dark underground dance parties in Berlin, with a focus on sounds ranging from E.B.M., new beat, acid to techno. The metamorphosis of Fleisch into a label could not demand a more fitting debut than Schwefelgelb's newest sonic discharge. Tight programming, catchy analog synth-bass coupled with well utilized & frenetic shouted vocals echo the golden age of Electronic Body Music. A refreshing progression of sounds moves the style forward without being afflicted with the formulaic and hollow tendencies befallen similar attempts by others acts over the years. Silent Servant - "EGR45-00003" 12” Elektron Grammofon The 12-inch is the third in Elektron Grammofon's vinyl series, which is dedicated to artists who use the company's gear (with proceeds going to an unspecified charity). LA producer Juan Mendez offers a three-tracker that uses Elektron machines "liberally"—two studio cuts along with a lengthy excerpt from a live set Mendez performed at Complex in Glendale, California. Silent Servant - "Hypnosis in the Modern Age, vol 2" 12” L.I.E.S. Known for his previous work with techno outfit Sandwell District, Juan Mendez, since the dissolve of the group has tapped into his formative new wave/post punk and early electronic influences effectively applying them to his recent productions to create an engaging amalgamation of modern dance music. Across this ep the sounds of Bleep, EBM, and even Minimal Synth are all present…from deep floor movers to jagged edged 150 bpm skankers, Mendez through these last years has been responsible for opening up minds on the floor and this ep proves to be a testament of such. Soft Moon - "Deeper remixed Vol. 1 + 2" LP aufnahme + wiedergabe/Captured Tracks Following the release of his third studio album 'Deeper' earlier this year via Captured Tracks, Luis Vasquez aka The Soft Moon dropped 'Deeper Remixed VOL. 1' and 'Deeper Remixed VOL. 2'. Both 12″s are co-released by Captured Tracks and the Berlin-based record label aufnahme + wiedergabe. Standout remix for me was "Desertion" by the Berlin-based Phase Fatale. Phase Fatale takes the already dark, industrial tones of The Soft Moon to a new level with his fierce, piercing techno and pounding synth sounds.The mixes from Ancient Methods, Blush response, and Codex Empire all to be found on Volume 1 hit the EBM & Synth-Wave spectrum and certainly don't miss the mark either. Part II takles another wicked industrial/EBM beating from a ravenous horde, inc remixes from Trentemøller, Dave Clark and Ninos Du Brasil. Bothe great remix records. SØS Gunver Ryberg - "AFTRYK" 12" Contort A contemporary composer and sound artist, SØS Gunver Ryberg's debut EP 'AFTRYK' delivers an astonishing sonic storm. Somewhere along the intersection between electronic music and sound art, her characteristic style is recognised for challenging your state of consciousness by transformative musical experiences with insistent rhythms, combined with a meticulous exploration of textures and timbres. Raw sounds created from synthesis and processed field recordings are framed by symphonic forms and create a unique expressivity. SΛRIN - "Current Conflict"12” aufnahme + wiedergabe One of the most evil projects currently emerging from the electronic underground, SΛRIN combines terrorizing industrial with menacing EBM and black shades of techno, wave and more. Built on rhythm, the music of SΛRIN centers around big bass-lines and very subtle melody lines. With an absence of vocals, the listener's focus is directed towards that rhythm and also the feel/texture of each track. It's a skill that SΛRIN has nailed quite efficiently. Right from the get go, we hear SΛRIN's sampling skills in full flow – "Spine" is a beat heavy track with an addictive bassline that'll surely go down well in the clubs. There is a consistent rhythmic attack throughout Current Conflict, perhaps only diminishing on closer "Threshold", where the BPM dips and we're exposed to some of SΛRIN's more intricate programming. Swarm Intelligence - "The Lighthouse" 12” Voitax The fifth release on VOITAX takes you on a journey into a field of distorted beats, rhythmic noise sounds and industrial and ambient influenced elements. Fasten the seat belt. Theologian / Ancient Methods - "La Saignée" Split-12" Metaphysik metaphysik brings Ancient Methods and Theologian together into one sphere, with the intention to juxtapose their energy and aesthetic elements alike. As both commenced as strangers and worked separately, the split has developed, gravitating naturally towards the themes of love and death. "Death Elemental" by Theologian is a relentless and compelling journey featuring wistful cello by Gretchen Heinel and synth by Daniel Suffering. Very drone and beat-less. B-side is the wimmer - "A German Love" by Ancient Methods delivers a pounding pace creating an unforgiving wall of sound, while "Built on Scars" is supported by a pulse heavy rhythm.That opening sample in a German love and the rest of the story is kind of creepy but makes for a wonderful break in dj seats that are often ebm-techno-beat-heavy. Traversable Wormhole - "Sublight Velocities / Semiclassical Gravity" 12" Hospital Productions / TRAVERSABLE WORMHOLE "Sublight Velocitie"s is Adam X Mitchell's first original Traversable Wormhole music since 2012, and the first 12-inch outside of his ten-volume, self-titled series. It's also released by Dominick Fernow's Hospital Productions, rather than Mitchell's own label or CLR. But that says more of Hospital's move towards techno than any abrasive makeover for Traversable Wormhole—Sublight Velocities isn't a departure for the project. Both tracks balance the rigidity of brutalist techno with a broken beat swing. "Sublight Velocities" has a great kick pattern to begin with, so the metallic hammering that doubles its rhythm only makes it more hypnotic, while bright, bleepy FX add a sci-fi edge. "Semiclassical Gravity" is more patient and restrained, tapping into the moodiness of Mitchell's work as ADMX-71 as it keeps Traversable Wormhole's core elements—such as chords that sound like someone banging on a toolshed—intact. Thankfully, this record captures what made Mitchell's project so riveting the first time around. Unhuman - "Unhuman" CS AMOK Tapes After 3 years of silence and experimentation, noise project Unhuman has evolved with its eponymous C22 cassette traveling between the boundaries of techno, post-punk, industrial and electronic body music with 4 alienesque tracks. Definitely on the aggressive and distorted side of the Berlin vibe and definitely one of my favorite cassette releases this year! Vittorio Di Mango - "Wrong Definition" CS AMOK Tapes Wrong Definition is the debut EP of Italy's Vittorio Di Mango fusing his own take on Electronic Body Music and post-apocalyptic techno. Not to be ignored. Wolfsheim - "Sparrows and Nightingales (Ancient Methods remix)" 12" Dark Entires Wait! Wolfsheim made it into Marc's year-end recommendations list?There must be something wrong. Nope same Wolfsheim and same annoying track that has haunted goth clubs forever. What direction Ancient Methods takes this remix in is just incredible. Long gone are the 80's New Romantic, new wave, synthpop, and darkwave touches of the orriginal and they've been replaced by a driving, EBM-leaning, amphetamine-laced club ready cut. The vocals are cut up and replaced and are nearly indistinguishable. Fans will barely recognize the new version. I love this because it take everry annoying thing about Wolfsheim and mangles the fuck out of it into a much more unique and enjoyable offering. Youth Code - "Commitment to Complications" LP Dais Records Commitment to Complications reflects Youth Code's time spent with various electronic alumni and scales up the aggressive notch left behind in their previous releases. Youth Code's introduction of the album starts on a reflective note but quickly changes gears into hyper drive BPM pacing with rhythmic complexity driven in with the track "Transitions" that can only be referenced as maniacal. Songs like "Doghead" and "Shift of Dismay" show the band as a frontrunner of definitive industrial anthems and critical songwriting skill. Another harbinger of Youth Code's dire shift into more strident terrain would be evident in the inclusion of Ben Falgoust (Goatwhore) and Todd Jones (Nails) as guest performers. The band's cohesive collaboration with producer Rhys Fulber (Front Line Assembly, Fear Factory, Delerium. Conjure One) is in full display, driving the band's aural trajectory into consuming and contentious industrial electronics. Zanias - "To the Core" 12” Noiztank Zoe Zanias, currently based in Berlin, is known as the voice of darkwave bands Linea Aspera and Keluar, and now performs solo under the name Zanias. Born in Australia, raised in South-East Asia and educated in archaeology in London, Zanias channels her unusual life history and interests into music that acts as her own personal experimental analysis of the mind, and provides the perfect method of sharing the fundamental struggle of being born sentient, self-aware, and imperfect products of biological evolution. "To the Core" is the first solo EP by Zanias after her Keluar and Linea Aspera projects. Written and produced by Alison Lewis and Alex Akesr (of the brilliant Force) in Australia at the beginning of 201, this evolution culminates in a mature but radical project. An awesome gloomy, 1980's synth pop leaning new wave EP with a slight ebm nod. VERY much looking forward to more material from Zanias. Zex Model - "Dead Body" 12” aufnahme + wiedergabe "Dead Body" is a fantastic piece of dark industrial music, but unfortunately the last from Zex Model's Paul Von Aphid, whose sudden death came in 2016. Opener "Crush" is built around a repetitive drum loop and a subtle background synth melody, all smothered in a wall of heavy sampling and noise. It's heavy as hell and equally dark. It's this darkness of the whole EP that really permeates through the listeners' ears. This is ominously bleak music with absolutely no light in sight. Perhaps an omen as to what the future would hold for Paul. Perhaps an indication as to where his head was."Threat" starts with a metal guitar lick before the old school industrial beats start hitting hard. The vocals are low in the mix, hugely processed and will sufficiently scare the neighbours so as to ensure no one will ever talk to you again. Perfect so. An amazing track again. "Dead City Central", with its 4/4 beat, is probably the most club friendly track here, but in all honesty this EP was not made for the clubs. Featuring some guitar sounds in the mix, as well as the trademark processed vocals and heavy sampling, this is Zex Model on fire, in the pits of hell, ready to slay. Closer "Rule" continues the ominous trend. A little more synth heavy than the preceding tracks, almost portraying itself as a climatic ending to a riotous affair. ::: OTHER ::: Mint Julep - "Broken Devotion" CD Unseen Music Husband and wife shoegaze duo. Beautiful album that includes a stunning, must-hear cover of When in Rome's "The Promise" Tiger Army - "V" LP Rise Records Fifth studio album from the California based band and the first new music in 9 years. Front man Nick 13 is at his best with songs displaying his skills as a singer/songwriter who can write rockabilly, Americana, psychobilly and roots rock. ::: RE-ISSUES ::: Autechre - "Tri Repetae" LP Warp Records (RE) Tri Repetae, the third album from Autechre finally made available again on vinyl, having been out of print on vinyl since 2001. On reflection, Tri Repeate stands tall as one of the most out-there and boundary-pushing releases from Ae ever. Going back to the group's roots as b-boy's, Tri... features ten variations on street sounds from hip-hop and techno to industrial and jungle. Released at a time when producers were ripe with ideas for cosmic breakbeat experimentation, Tri... mixed the glitchy twisted dynamics of EPs and sculpted a long player that resembles some of the most 'floor friendly' Ae to ever grace a packed nightclub soundsystem. The ten tracks pulled influence from previous outings, from the glacial Amber chug of Overand to the Incunabula acid of Leterel. But the overall sound is one of mixing influence from the avant-garde with the mid 90's post-hardcore sound of jungle.For anyone looking to get to grips with Ae but wanting something that bridges the gap between the early analogue escapism and the latter deconstructionist stance of elseq, Tri Repetae is the perfect point to dive into. Mixing elements of groups such as Coil at their most industrial, the austere techno of the Downwards crew and the cold yet funky electro of Man Parrish, they composed an album that still, twenty one years since its release, has one of the most singular sounds for anything resembling electro techno. Axodry - "You" 12" Dark Entries (RE) Axodry was the duo of Andreas "Talla 2XLC" Tomalla and Ralf "Ra/Hen" Henrich formed in Frankfurt, Germany in 1982. The two met at City Music record store where Talla 2XLC worked and supplied the local DJ scene with dance 12"s. From 1984 to 1991 they released six maxi 12" singles. Both members were leading figures in the European electronic scene during the 80's and 90's, forming bands like Bigod 20, Tribantura, Micro Chip League, Moskwa TV, Pluuto and Robotiko Reject. In 1988 they released the maxi 12" single "You" on ZYX Records/Combeat. Influenced by Depeche Mode, Gary Numan and John Foxx, the duo crafted their own brand of Industrial, Synth Pop and Electronic Body Music. Their basic set up for recording songs at RaHen's home studio was a Moog Rouge, Roland SH-101, Teisco synthesizer, Linn Drum and Fricke sequencer. Ra/Hen tackles vocal duties and sings about longing for a lost love. Included on this reissue are the Beauty & The Beat Mix and Beasty Dub Mix from the 1988 single. On the flip is the slightly sped up Razormaid Remix, performed by Art Maharg and Joseph Watt, that originally appeared on the "Welcome To The Technodrome" compilation in 1989. Also included is "Mechanic", originally released in 1991 as the B-side for their final single "Losing You". All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The record comes in a sleeve featuring the original black and blue cover art with hand-painted typography by Dr. Draw, The Gruesome Grapholoic. Each copy includes a postcard with with notes. Crash Course in Science - "Jump Over Barrels" 12” Dark Entires (RE) Crash Course In Science is a band whose history you have to piece together. The post-punk trio formed in the late '70s, with an unlikely approach. They replaced traditional instrumentation with toys and household appliances, making post-punk with a bright, sometimes humourous character. (The band's 1979 debut, Cakes In The Home, is almost cutesy in its own way.) As the years wore on, the Philadelphia band started dabbling in homemade synths, resulting in a spikier, new wave-influenced sound. That music debuted on Signals From Pier Thirteen (reissued by Dark Entries last year) and peaked on Near Marineland, the full-length they recorded in 1981 but never released until Vinyl-On-Demand pressed it as part of a comprehensive 2009 box set. Dark Entries has now scooped up "Jump Over Barrels," Marineland's best track, for a 12-inch that pairs it with a brilliant remix from Charles Manier. By the time of Near Marineland, Crash Course In Science had turned darker and more rhythmic. It's a style better suited for the dance floor, where "Jump Over Barrels" has found a second life. Its jittery energy is infectious, sounding as though whoever programmed the sequencer had drunk too much coffee. From the harsh skronks to the nasal vocals, it's volatile and a little angry, though not without a sense of humour—why is vocalist Michael Zodorozny so disgruntled about about having to "go out with Carol"? The original is supplemented by a demo version and a rehearsal recording, neither of which are all that revealing. The real attraction is the remix from Charles Manier, an alias of Tadd Mullinix. So far he's used the project for paranoid electro, and that's exactly what his craggy and broken version delivers. The jagged ends are more jagged, the vocals are smothered and any lightheartedness is totally blotted out. It's a different mood than the original, but it's no less deadly Final Cut - "Deep Into The Cut" LP We Can Elude Control (RE) This one really came as quite a surprise re-release. "Deep" is one of the MOST significant industrial AND techno records to come out of Detroit.Most know the bands later day releases on Nettwerk Records ("Consumed"), yet I still feel many don't know about this criminally overlooked record and it's importance. It's a record that pre-dates Underground Resistance, predates the rise of Detroit Techno, before "rave" hit Detroit in 1992,before Jeff Mills went on to interntional DJ stardom, before, well,a LOT of things. In '89 and '90 nightclub denizens who weren't listening to techno were listening to the rigid sounds of Industrial. Mill stated in a past interview "It was what was happening in Detroit at the time. Techno and Industrial. Front 242, Nitzer Ebb , the more danceable things... at some stage in Detroit they used to mix; the techno crowd and the industrial crowd used to party together... the industrial scene was more suburban, more white. The techno scene was predominantly black." It was in that Detroit of 1989 that black met white, Jeff Mills met Tony "Asrock" Srock and began the collaboration known as Final Cut. In hindsight, Final Cut is a footnote in Mills' lofty legacy. His collaboration with Anthony Srock bore a few EPs and one album, "Deep Into The Cut". First issued on Srock's Full Effect Records, that LP would be the first—and last—merging of Mills' raw, agitated techno with Srock's industrial tendencies. It was significant in its time, but the unprecedented success of "Take Me Away"—Final Cut's major label club and a massive HOUSE(!!!) hit that just about everyone will have heard—shunted the album into the shadows. For almost 30 years, this nugget of Detroit history "Deep Into the Cut" has been collecting dust (except for maybe a few Detroit and knowledgeable DJ's playing it out). But now, thanks to We Can Elude Control and the mastering efforts of Rashad Becker, "Deep Into The Cut" is back, oiled up and cranking like new. In its new context, "Deep Into The Cut" neatly aligns with the likes of Diagonal, Jealous God and Perc Trax, labels and artists looking to give old industrial and techno aesthetics a contemporary feel. Tougher tracks like "Burn Baby Burn," "I Told You Not To Stop," "The Escape" and "The Prosecuted" wouldn't sound at odds in a Bleaching Agent or Powell set. "Rotation" 30 years later still has the same machine gun force – a classically Millsian 'functional' title, that – is probably influenced by the leather-clad pummel of Nitzer Ebb, but spikes the mix with acidic drum madness and overspilling machine code. Sure you can look at "Deep" as a bit of nostalgia, as tracks like the ravey "Now That's Funky," "Harmony" and "Celestial V.S.U." can be enjoyed as the shining examples of pre-golden era techno they are. 'I Told You Not To Stop' and 'Now That's Funky' have the kind of thunderous kickdrums and dramatic synth lines that weren't quite yet a Detroit trademark, but would later get rinsed by Mills and others in the Underground Resistance crew. 'Celestial VSU' lands in curiously similar mutated-techno territory to the 'bleep' scene that was sprouting in northern England at the time, and is Deep Into The Cut's one moment that clearly favours empathy over punishment. Album closer 'The Escape' is unusually brief for a techno number at under three minutes, but its abrupt spinbacks and steel-jaw stutter rhythm could have done the biz on any of Mills' early solo releases, say the Waveform Transmission Vol. 1 album. As Mills continues to delve into film scores, theatre performances, orchestral collaborations and other high-minded endeavors, these songs can be a welcome reminder of his humble, sometimes even crude, beginnings. If, over 25 years on, Deep Into The Cut fascinates largely because of its showcasing of one member's embryonic brilliance, he wouldn't command this much influence over Final Cut for much longer. A remake of 'I Told You Not To Stop', the swansong for the Mills/Srock partnership, is EBM with vocals by Ministry's Chris Connelly. With a clear divergence in the duo's ambitions – Mills wanted to push Detroit techno forward and seize it back from the major labels that had got their claws into Inner City; Srock wanted to make, in Mills' words, "Satanic thrash rock" – they split for good. Final Cut carried on into the 90s with Srock plus various pals and sidemen; Jeff Mills became the greatest techno DJ in the world. It was around this time, though, and under this name, that he was tempted away from an interest in hip-hop production by the spectre of gnarly, ear-scrubbing, raveable electronic rackets. And we should be very thankful to Anthony Srock for his part in that.ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL RECORD! Front Line Assembly - "State of Mind" LP Cleopatra Records (RE) The second full-length record from Front Line Assembly, State of Mind was also the second of three albums the group released on a month-by-month basis between December 1987 and February 1988. Recorded with the group's original line-up of Bill Leeb and Michael Balch (and produced by Dave Ogilvie), the album finds Front Line in an experimental mode typical of its early work. To some it may sound dated compared with recent Front Line Assembly albums, but that doesn't make it any less. "First Reprisal" is fascinating, "Burnt Soul" is short but has the band showing their talent with a lack of electronic options. The band was just coming into their own, still in embryonic stages and forming their own identity. It's dark and atmospheric throughout (which Mentallo and the Fixer drawed upon later) with but a few tracks "Consequence" and "Landslide" more rooted in seeking early dancefloor grooves. An important record and history lesson in one of the industrial genre's biggest and long-standing acts. Haujobb - "Freeze Frame Reality" 2xLP Artoffact Records (RE) Out of print on CD and yet considered to be the album that transformed a promising industrial act to what is now one of the most innovative projects of the last 20 years, haujobb's Freeze Frame Reality was a monumental release when it first surfaced in 1995. It certainly felt like a revolution then. Today the inspired album is overshadowed by the much more successul Solutions for a Small Planet, and yet it still brought us some of the best-loved haujobb songs, "Dream Aid", "Nezzwerk", and "World Window" to name a few. And it is on Freeze Frame Reality that the first hallmarks of "the haujobb sound" emerge, namely the mixing of techno and industrial, the sci-fi synths, and--above all--the incredible pacing, the slow emerging-ness of the songs.What this record needed most, though, was a good remastering. So that was the departure point for the Artoffact Records vinyl edition. Haujobb's own sound-man Manu (owner of LeafAudio) has all but recreated "Freeze Frame Reality", bringing up elements previously lost, giving muddy sections some breathing room, and taking the album to a new level. Released in a gatefold sleeve with restored cover images. Side D includes bonus remixes by Cevin Key and Mentallo & the Fixer. Noise Unit - "Agitte/In Vain" Digital Artofofact (RE) First-ever digital version of the classic Antler-Subway 12". This incarnation of Noise Unit was Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly) and Marc Verhaeghen (Klinik), joined by Rhys Fulber and with Luc Van Acker on backing vocals. Basically the dreamteam. The audio is fully remastered. Noise Unit - "Deceit / Struktur" Digital Artofofact (RE) First-ever digital version of the classic Antler-Subway / Wax Trax 12". This incarnation of Noise Unit was Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly) and Marc Verhaeghen (Klinik). The audio is fully remastered. Noise Unit - "Decoder" 2xLP Artoffact Records (RE) Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly, Delerium) started Noise Unit in 1989, originally with Marc Verhaeghen of Belgian act Klinik. The project was envisioned as an outlet for ideas that did not fit into Front Line Assembly and quickly became a favourite amongst Leeb's fanbase. After one album with Verhaeghen (Grinding Into Emptiness, released on Wax Trax), Rhys Fulber joined the band, and the three members produced Response Frequency in 1990. Following this, Noise Unit became a duo with Leeb and Fulber at the helm. This incarnation created two spellbinding EBM records, Strategy of Violence and Decoder, both released as CD-only albums in the early 90s. The magic of the Leeb-Fulber writing duo is in full force on these records, an incredible knack for pure EBM, Canadian-style: driving basslines, steel-can drums, dystopian vocoded vocals, and spacy synth lines! The second Leeb-Fulber Noise Unit album, Decoder, ventures further into techno territory and explores dystopian soundscapes with minimal, processed vocals reminiscent of Forma Tadre, Haujobb, and Headscan. Now, for the first time ever, Decoder is reissued as an incredible double-LP vinyl. The record is remastered, artwork is restored, and the entire set is housed in a gorgeous gatefold sleeve. What's more, Bill Leeb dug deep into the archives and found two ridiculously amazing unreleased bonus tracks, which appear only on this Artoffact Records edition.

Noise Unit – "Drill" LP Artoffact Records (RE) Noise Unit's Drill appeared 20 years ago on the notorious Off Beat label and featured input from Marc Verhaeghen (Klinik), as well as members of Haujobb. The core duo of Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber were of course still at the helm, and the result was a more future-electro sound that combined the earlier EBM beats with the techno style of Decoder. The album has long been a favourite amongst Front Line Assembly and Noise Unit fans, but has never been properly reissued and a vinyl version never appeared. The Artoffact Records reissue presents Drill as a double-LP vinyl, lovingly remastered and presented in a beautiful gatefold sleeve. The release features music on three sides, and the fourth side will sport an incredible etching, based on the iconic cover art.

Noise Unit – "Grinding into Emptiness" LP +7” Artoffact Records (RE) Originally released in 1989 on the influential Antler-Subway and Wax Trax! labels, Noise Unit's debut album, Grinding Into Emptiness, finally gets a proper reissue through Toronto-based Artoffact Records. Featuring the original line-up of Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly) and Marc Verhaeghen (Klinik), the first Noise Unit is a minimal industrial-EBM hybrid, perhaps best described as a pared-down Front Line Assembly. And yet it has a style and voice all its own, as Belgian cold electronics meet the signature Canadian, Vancouver industrial sound of the mid-80s. From the opening shouts of the original single Deceit, to the cold, low-tech of Dry Lungs or the familiar samples of Ritualistic, up until the incredible ambient closer, The End, Grinding Into Emptiness is magnificent. The Artoffact Records reissue comes on two slabs of vinyl, one 12 " and one 7", and is housed in a faithful reproduction of the original sleeve. The artist and title lettering has been redone in gold-foil, giving the final product an elegance it truly deserves. All audio is remastered and fully authorized. Noise Unit – "Response Frequency" LP Artoffact Records (RE) 1990 saw the release of Response Frequency, the second Noise Unit album. Rhys Fulber (Front Line Assembly, Delerium) also joined the band, and the album features guest appearances by Marc Ickx (A Split Second) and Luc Van Acker (RevCo). Thus, the Belgian-Canadian collaboration is only heightened on Response Frequency, creating a unique sound that is unparalleled on releases from that era.The album spawned a double A-side 12" single, Agitate/In Vain, on which Bill Leeb rocks as a vocalist, with exactly the aggression and feeling found on albums like Caustic Grip (released in the same year). Toronto-based Artoffact Records will reissue Response Frequency on vinyl and CD, including the bonus Agitate/In Vain 12" mixes. The vinyl edition comes on two slabs of vinyl, one 12" and one 7", and is housed in a faithful reproduction of the original sleeve. The artist and title lettering has been redone in gold-foil, giving the final product an elegance it truly deserves. All audio is remastered and fully authorized. Noise Unit – "Strategy of Violence" 2xLP Artoffact Records (RE) Now, for the first time ever, Strategy of Violence is reissued as a wonderful double-LP vinyl. The record is remastered, artwork is restored, and the entire set is housed in an incredible gatefold sleeve. What's more, Bill Leeb dug deep into the archives and found two ridiculously amazing unreleased bonus tracks, which appear only on this Artoffact Records edition. If that was not enough, Side D of the record includes a beautiful etching designed specifically for this re-release. Suicide Commando - "Bind, Torture, Kill" 2xLP Dependent Records (RE) The most successful and influential Suicide Commando Album, "Bind, Torture, Kill" surprisingly saw a double vinyl re-issue this year- strictly limited to 500 units.The album, which centres around the deeds of the Infamous "BTK-Killer" serial mass murderer Dennis Rader, who used to literally bind, torture and kill his victims between 1974 and 1991. It also highlights the musical talent of Johan Van Roy, aka Suicide Commando and shows him on the peak of his skills. The wild maelstrom of arpeggiator sequences, whipping, machinelike drums and dark vocals and lyrics turned "Bind, Torture, Kill" into a heritage hit on industrial dancefloors worldwide and inspired literally dozens of industrial copycats throughout the last decade. But the album is not only exceptional due to its sonic achievements, but also due to the quality of its photography and artwork. Shot by renowned fetish photographer Roman Kasperski, the album campaign was accompanied by an extensive photo campaign blending artist shots and album topic together. As a witness to this exceptional artwork, the album saw release in a luxurious gatefold cover accompanied by four rare bonus tracks, available on the last side of the double vinyl release. Suicide Commando - "Black Flowers" CD Sleepless Records Berlin (RE) 'Black Flowers' was self released on the cassette format by Johan van Roy in 1992. After re-releases on iTunes/Bandcamp many requests came to also make the music available as a physical release. This CD comes in a beautiful digipak with as a bonus an ultra rare, 30-minute Suicide Commando industrial soundscape named 'Baustellen'. This is vintage, retro, and minimal electro à la Johan van Roy.A Klinik influence runs throughout. Another historical document in the history of a very enduring band with a fascinating career. Telefon Tel Aviv - "Fahrenheit Fair Enough" 2xLP Ghostly International (RE) On the fifteenth anniversary of its release, Ghostly International is reissuing "Fahrenheit Fair Enough" with a vinyl edition and bonus digital material. Josh Eustis and the late Charles Cooper had imagined making a "hard club record," but instead Fahrenheit came to be seen as a delicate slice of electronica by fans and critics who misconstrued its stylistics roots. This was, perhaps, hardly surprising. Telefon Tel Aviv arrived at a time when there was no roadmap for an American electronic music scene comparable to what the UK had produced in the 1990s. They were the latest artists to find themselves in a strange middle ground between hip-hop and electronic music that had yet to be understood. The sonic sculptures of "Fahrenheit Fair Enough" they spent "thousands of hours" carving have proven resilient. The music sounds all the more relevant in 2016 because the roadmap Eustis and Cooper desired then, exists today. A beautiful moving record that needs to be in your collection. Wumpscut vs Haujobb - "The Remix Wars Strike 1" LP Artoffact Records (RE) The famous 1990s Remix Wars series, in which two artists remix each others' tracks and release them on a split CD, is finally getting much-deserved vinyl reissues through Toronto-based Artoffact Records. The series first launched in 1996 with the release of Strike 1: :wumpscut: vs. haujobb, and later installments included collaborations between Die Krupps and Front Line Assembly, as well as 16 Volt and Hate Dept. (neither of which was my cup of tea and I passed on those vinyl re-issues this year.). This one however is so crucial in the account of ebm industrial. This release came at a time when both Haujobb and Wumpscut were just achieveing popularity. You had two of the biggest industrial acts from Germany turnign major heads in the then American industrial scene which around 1996 was still very much about Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, KMFDM and anyone else fusing guitars with electronics. Then along comes Wumpscut with it's blend of Bavarian ebm that borrowed heavily from the influence of Leatherstrip and grabbed elements from the young rhythmic noise scene as well. So many Wumpscut tracks were just savage at the time. Juxtaposed next to this was Haujobb who came at the industrial-ebm genre from a different angle altogether. Much inspired by the techno knob twiddlers like Lassigue Bendthaus, Clock Dva, Aphex Twin, and bands of that ilk. There sound was less punishing and more atmospheric.Then these two bands collided on The Remix Wars. Three Wumpscut tracks "In the Night" (from Gomorra), "Die in Winter" (from Bunkertor 7) and "Mother" (a compilation track from 1994) all got mixed by Haujobb. Haujobb in return offered up 3 tracks from the "Freeze Frame Reality" record -"Consciousness", "World Window" and "Nezzwerk". Haujobbs reworkings of Wumpscut tame the anger and take the tracks down a path of twisted ambiance and disjointed dance beats with "Mother" perhaps being the best of the three with it's slow yet intense build around vocoded effects and awesoem synth pads. Wumpscut provides a little more impact for Haujobb's dynamics. The fusion remix of "World Window" is full of momentum and certainly one for the dancefloor. Listening to this again on wonderfulyl remastered vinyl reminds me of how groundbreaking both these bands are and continue to be, as well as how this release changed so much of industrial by getting it's creators to think differently and explore different sounds/influences. Twenty years later this release is still forward-thinking. The perfect blend between complex programming and danceable rythms. Also it's cool to think what releases for each came after this - Haujobb would release it's definitive "Solutions for a Small Planet" and Wumpscut would assault with "Embryodead". Zwischenfall - "Sandy Eyes" 12” Dark Entires (RE) Zwischenfall were a short lived Belgian trio comprised of Martin Urban, Michael Sass & Stephan Kraemer and who only had two releases: the Heute EP in 1983 and of course Sandy Eyes (1984) that now gets a re-issue on Josh Cheon's always reliable Dark Entries. The title track is sweet, disco infused synth-pop (and definitely a spirit of the time) while "Flucht 84" takes it cues from Moroder or Gino Soccio on this fabulous cosmic disco journey. On the flip are two bonus tracks: "Sacred Time" injects a bit more EBM attitude into it while "Polar Magazine" gets more funky and that keyboard brass section is a nice touch. ::: RHYTHMIC NOISE, NOISE, EXPERIMENTAL, BREAK-BEAT ::: Autechre - "elseq 1-5 " Digital Warp Records A surprise-release of nearly four hours of music, spanning five volumes. It's a gigantic listen, almost overkill. Certainly exhausting, if not listened to in parts. Theres the familar and inspiring technical tweaking as only auetechre can coax out of their machines juxtaposed by the quiet and calm. Autechre have always traversed the electronic spectrum creating post-human and next level sounds, the unexpected and unpredictable. "Elseq" shows plenty more of that. Truly one of a kind. Shame no vinyl release planned for this. Black Kolor – "Spirits" Digital Basic Unit Productions Teaser single for the album "Born In Ruins". Less the usual dark techno/EBM crossover sound found on other Blac Kolor releases and more a push for near-ritualistic trance-inducing soundscapes here not too far removed from the influence of Coils "The Snow" (Answers Come in Dreams II) Blush Response - "Reshaper" CD Ant-Zen Blush Response had a busy year with techno-ebm releases, an ambient release and "Reshaper" on the legendary Ant-Zen label well known for it's rhythmic noise. As expected, "Reshapers" material hits a bit harder around the edges with more distorted drums, odd sounds and textures. A fabtastic release that showcases another side of Joey Blush's musical expertise. "Wearing Thinner" is a choice track. Bombardier - “Fury:” 2x12" Division 13 8 industrial techno tracks on a double vinyl for the super-talented Jason Snell. Surprisingly this vinyl was offered for FREE, you only had to pay postage(!) Snell sums up the albums as such; "This album represents an new era of my music, an important step away from my old method of blasting everything through a 4-track compressor and creating a mid-range punk sound, to a new, larger sound that has deeper lows and cleaner mids and highs. The vision in this album is dark, otherworldly, and my exploration of new beat structures, shaping and resampling sounds in a way I wasn't able to do before. My music has always been my attempt to push myself, push the sounds, and make order from chaos, and each album becomes a marker in my personal evolution as a person and an artist." Get this one, follow this guys output, because it's soem of the most enthrallign out there. Cervello Elettronico - "Logical Fears" CD Hands Productions LA-based act Cervello Elettronico puts out his second album for HANDS, and it is surely branded by fears – logical or not – pursuing a darker and more aggressive direction than ever before. What remains is the crisp production and remarkable variation in beats and sounds, and yet this appears direct and almost simple, dominated by a tidal wave of bass heavy industrial beats, coming on with the force of a freight train. The brain controls the motor function; the electronic brain dissects that anatomy of movement with "Logical Fears." Whether for an underground techno or a rhythm-geared industrial set, Cervello Elettronico provides quite some tasty club food! 'Logical Fears' covers a broad spectrum of sounds and scratches the surface of other electronic genres. There are touches of IDM, but this is sanded down to an abrasive edge, as to keep the album firmly within Industrial territory and the Hands standard of rhythmic noise. A solid and well-structured album. Craow – “Craow” LP Nostilveo Neue dark electronic power. Heavy rhythmic industrial with a large dose of synthetic experimentation. Creeping and drenched. At times reminiscent of Dive's early work, yet a particularly unique record.Give a listen to "LA" which proffers the feeling of EBM evolving on slathered industrial tags. The track approaches weightless and obtuse, and becomes a leaden impulse depicting the city. Label Nostilevo describes it as a "heavy synthesis, dark and moody electronics with a serious dance floor vibe." Delien - "User Interface" RMX CS Some very talented people providing remixes of one of the songs from DI001 / VOID015 - DeLIEN Identity Annex album. The song 'User Interface' gets interpreted 8 times with various amounts of amazing transformations. From 2step, electronic, abstract, breakcore, broken beat, experimental industrial, minimal synth, noise and techno it's all here. Remixes by: Redhat, Selector Catalogue, Baseck, Bombardier, Chris Samuels, Various Reasons, Split Horizon and Dishevele. All the mixes are completely unique and despite them all being of the same song there's no plenty of variety. Chris Samuels mix just might be my favorite here as it sounds like the best of a Key/Goettel (Puppy, Doubting Thomas) track. One of Detroit's BEST electronic projects! Iszoloscope - "False Vacuum" CD Ant-Zen Since the beginning, a distinguishing feature of Iszoloscope has been the addition of intelligent and unexpected details to the basic ingredients that industrial music is known for. This, the project's seventh full length album 'false vacuum' raises the already high bar Yann Faussurier set on his previous releases in a most astounding way. Within these nine tracks Iszoloscope is establishing ties between a myriad of different styles ranging from solemn orchestral constructs and rich dark ambient soundscapes to sequenced hard-hitting technoid industrial rhythms and fast remorseless drum and bass beat structures. Mighty pulsating sub basses and loony melodic curls, hypnotic percussion and carefully placed bursts of electronics evoke highly energetic atmospheres of power and tension that resonate inside the listener's mind. Accompanied by many personal changes it took Iszolocsope nearly four years to complete this opus. Worth the wait! Kerridge - "Fatal Light Attraction" 2xLP Downwards Kerridge returned to Downwards in 2016 with the custom-built electronics of "Fatal Light Attraction" following last year's incursions on his own Contort label.The project premiered at Berlin's Atonal 2015 edition, featuring Kerridge working alongside Andrej Boleslavsky & Maria Júdová to create an intense, kinetic shadowplay synched as an illusive counterpart to the music and performance. As Kerridge's 3rd long player, it marks a more fluid, or effluent, refinement of his sound, blurring the boundaries between organic audio sources and custom-constructed synths to flooding the senses with waves of bristling, oxidising industrial tones and coruscating texturhythm seemingly intent on separating flesh from bone. It's evil stuff, all seven tracks of it, forming a closed feedback system of guttural, choking frequencies and cardiac arrhythymatics. Monolith - "Domination" CD Hands Productions Two years after his HANDS debut "Crashed", Belgian veteran Eric van Wonterghem pushes for "Domination" – his 9th album in total: With all the expertise of over three decades in underground music, the rhythm unit that is Monolith is bound to conquer the industrial techno dance floors of the present age, with a hypnotic and abrasive sound that is as timeless as it has a championship pedigree. Notably rougher than its predecessor, "Domination" is about no-nonsense, sub-130 bpm techno pulses and stumbling beats, with a healthy dose of darkness and some experimental ethnic soundscapes thrown in for the good measure of the full length album. Tested positive to exercise domination on the FORMS OF HANDS 16 audience, this is a good hour of physically palpable electronics at their best. Kicking off with the title track "Domination", Monolith comes dashing with the tracks "Angel of Death", "Bridges", "Oppression" and "Nerve Net" - perfect bangers for a dark techno set, 2016 Berlin style! Enjoy the rush of prime dance floor material with bulging kicks and the unsettling omnipresence of background noise, before the beatless interlude "Countdown" pushes for more experimental territory: "Reconstructed" is heavy with distortion, "Dust of India" and "Baigari" are gritty ethnic fantasies and "Religion of Peace" is the noisy peak of this album. Nevertheless, more fine club tunes are scattered over the rest of the album - submit to the maddening hook of "The Bell Witch" or the sleek electro sounds of the Dmitry Distant remix. Truly this album feels absolutely flawless, with the brisk and the calmer moments in perfect balance Not Waving – "Animals" 2xLP Diagonal Diagonal turn out Not Waving's definitive album opus Animals, following up last year's brazen 12" battery "Get Serious" with his strongest, POPulist collection of computer acid and New Beta floor fillers.It's by far the most diverse, expansive record on Diagonal to date, covering a broad spectrum of emotions and club sub-genus between the revving charge of his opening statement Believe, and the come-down synth catharsis of They Cannot Be Replaced; distilling all the deep-raved and giddy thrill of a night on the lash in London with a pulpy, gritty sense of dramaturgy that really makes this his first proper solo album, rather than a compatible collection of tracks.That canny touch comes on in waves, whether creeping up in the spine with banking synth harmonies in Head Body - which could almost be Alessandro Cortini gone EBM - or sparking the bones with his tried-and-tested 24 showpiece, whereas Tomorrow We Will Kill You makes an oblique about-turn into screwed and funereal pop song-writing, before striking for your tender underbelly with acidic clout in I Know I Know I Know, and promptly cutting the lights for Punch's dark ambient tract.And it's possibly in the final straight that his moniker's reference to This Heat (he's named after a cut from their seminal, eponymous debut LP) really manifests itself, channelling a drummer's sensibility and studio alchemist touch in a trio of open yet tensile rhythmelodic structures - the percussive polymeter of Gutsy, the nEuro tribalism of Face Attack, and, likewise, a pHizzing nod to his label boss Powell in the stress test of Work Talk. Orphx - "Pitch Black Mirror" 2xLP Hands Productions Pitch Black Mirror is the new full length album from industrial techno veterans Orphx, co-presented by Sonic Groove (2xLP + digital) and Hands (CD). Rich Oddie and Christina Sealey have created a diverse and distinctive body of work over the last 23 years and this album may be their most definitive statement yet. Pitch Black Mirror foregrounds the duo's unique fusion of techno and industrial but also demonstrates their ability to continually push their sound in new and challenging directions by drawing on elements of electro, post-punk, and EBM. The human voice is a central element here, ranging from subtle layers of samples and location recordings to the more prominent vocals of Rich Oddie and guest vocalist Marie Davidson. The album is also notable for its detailed sound design, courtesy of Sealey's modular synthesizer systems, Oddie's percussion and synth work, and software mutations from founding Orphx member Aron West. With its sonic and lyrical imagery of watery depths, lost love, and transmutations, Pitch Black Mirror offers a sonic landscape that is clearly inspired by personal and social turmoil but points towards the possibility of creative transformation. Puce Mary - "The Spiral" LP Posh Isolation The Spiral' is Frederikke Hoffmeiers third solo LP for Posh Isolation under her Puce Mary moniker, and follows where last year's critically acclaimed 'Persona' left off. Working more precisely than ever, 'The Spiral' binds the listener in a tight web of sharp synthesizers, hammering percussion, obscured vocals, field recordings, and blistering noise. Puce Mary manages to at once honour the history of industrial music and noise, as well as transform it. 'The Spiral' is harsh, but the aggression of the compositions never feels unnecessarily overstated. It is an album that is easy to get dragged into but brutally hard to get out of, disclosing the underhand of control as censurable nurture. 'The Spiral' goes through an extreme spectre of emotions, trying to be everything, feel everything, at once. The vestige of safety in dominance and submission is antagonised as audience and artist take turns being dealt blows. 'The Spiral' charts this instability as a perennial tonic in sound. With an already impressive discography and live career, Frederikke Hoffmeier has manifested herself as a key voice in new industrial music. 'The Spiral' is further proof that she has earned her praise. Raum-Zeit - "Let a Maniac on Your Modular" CS AMOK Tapes The British-Dutch duo (including Eindkrak) make their debut together as Raum-Zeit. 5 tracks of raw synthpunk in pure rhythmic industrial form. This very much reminds me of the youthful first recordings of Portion Control. It's primal and raw and edgy and of course excellent! Shxcxchcxsh - "SsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSs" LP Avian Following on from 2014's much lauded long player Linear S Decoded, SsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSs finds the duo pairing trademark stop motion percussion and hyper tensile synthesis with corrosive sound design on a series of warping, maximalist pieces. As a complete article, the work is wedded to the Avian aesthetic : monochromatic & wrought with tension. It's powerfully dynamic and thoroughly organic in execution - an unbound, rolling matrix of white noise & wrought iron percussion, replete with disembodied choirs that pan uncomfortably in and out of the sonic hinterland. Despite dealing with many of the themes that have come to characterise the output of the label : unease & existential paranoia - a sense of loss & isolation; there's a cathartic - almost redemptive energy contained in the blistering waves of distortion that either intermittently burst into focus, or sit boldly at the forefront of the mix. At moments it comes tantalisingly close to cacophony - crushed delays feed back in on themselves as tracks build, rolling ominously on towards an as yet unidentified point. With SsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSs, SHXCXCHCXSH offer some of their most powerfully emotive work yet, heady & burning - that deftly communicates the movement from a position of relative safety to absolute, untethered sonic hyperbole. Vatican Shadow - "Media in the Service of Terror" LP Hospital Productions Dominick Fernow laces up his Vatican Shadow boots for the project's first set of drills since 2014 and one of its finest ever transmissions, trampling in the wake of his fierce new Prurient record "Unknown Rains", for Hospital Productions.Reflecting on a world much unchanged, even intensified since his last dispatch, "Media In The Service of Terror" works classic VS signatures measured with increased momentum and propulsive energy, divided into seven parts and imbued with that dramatic melodic arrangements that works beyond the club.Stepping farther away from the 'floor, he's in scowling, contemplative form with "Ziad Jarrah Studied Mathematics" and at his best when working between spheres, as with the industrial reggaeton roil of "Take Vows" in both its versions, and particularly the pensile atmosphere of "Interrogation Mosaic." Possibly one of the best records from the Vatican Shadow discography. x0ks - " FEmale#01" CD Sleepless Records A weird one here with a weird concept behind it, but if you like noise and rhtymic noise it's certainly one to check out. x0ks is female and male, the special music mediators for anouk and sneji tigerpaw; they are techno and noize loving cyberskunks from outer space. on their exploration and scanning the galaxies, they stumbled over a tiny solar system with an blue planet called #3742gamma314. they never expected what they found there, skunkionid lifeforms that love their music too. Holy skunk of the ancestors what a wonderful discovery! Sneji and anouk couldnít believe it. Anouk and sneji have spent years on research, and one day they found a matching couple, with right brain-conditions. To establish an uplink to control these lifeforms. After some tests and observing the behaviour of the carrier they started to form a band called x0ks. And now, they are bringing the cyberskunk noize to that little funny blue marble called earth. here are the cyberskunks from outer space! Years of Denial – "Blood Debts" - LP Death & Leisure One of the most diverse records of 2016. Blood Debts' is the compulsive debut album from Years Of Denial, the alter-face of London-based French musician/producer and DJ, Jerome Tcherneyan. Though his formulative Marseille youth was spent exploring the darkest corners of post-punk, New Wave, not to mention Public Enemy and the inspirational Mille Plateaux and Basic Channel labels, Tcherneyan, already an extremely capable drummer, quickly extended his sonic palate toward and beyond the bass-heavy electronic isolationism, insistent beats and drone experimentation that's still very much prevalent in his work today. One should not either pass over his integral contribution to the much-lauded, though stolidly underground "ghost-rock" unit, Piano Magic, which engineered sublime collaborations with Brendan Perry (Dead Can Dance), Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins/This Mortal Coil) and Alan Sparhawk (Low). Tcherneyan, always prolific, can also lay claim to impressive collusions with Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah (African Head Charge), Damo Suzuki (Can), 70's psych folk legend, Mark Fry to name but a few. In 2005, Jerome founded and promoted the infamous 'Flesh' parties; guests including Andy Stott /Claro Intelecto/Edit-Select/James Ruskin/Kirk Degiorgio/Mark Broom/Oliver Ho/Sigha/Steve Bicknell and many more. These nights served as an invaluable education in Techno and Dubmixology; marathon sets played deep into the sunrise. Skip forward a decade and the DJ bug is even deeper embedded, with Tcherneyan sharing the booth with, amongst many others, Orphx/Phase Fatale/Joefarr and London Modular Alliance. Tcherneyan's muse and foil on 'Blood Debts,' his first for Oliver Ho's splendid and already essential new Death & Leisure imprint, is Maya Petrovna, an entrancing London-based vocalist, film composer and performance/physical theatre artist, whose voice perfectly evokes Billie Holliday, Diamanda Galas and all stations between. There's a black neon heart at the centre of 'Blood Debts,' a fetishtic ritual of contorted flesh and altered states; a feverish, infectious paradox of primitivism and modernity ::: SYNTH POP ::: Body Of Light - "Let Me Go" LP Dais Records A fully-realized vision of synth pop sensibility and erotic aesthetics.  Body of Light  has solidified itself in its current mature state as one of the most transcendent dance music mediums today.  Hesitant to define themselves strictly as a “synth-pop” collaboration, the brothers incorporate a wide variety of commodities as they attempt to formulate a direction, unique with decaying, warped tape loops, aging VHS home-movie sound samples from their childhood, primitive waveforms, and processed vocals tinged with harmonic means.  Handful of Snowdrops - "Live November 85" Digital self-released 4 songs salvaged from a very old and badly warped tape cassette! Of the four tracks featured here, one is a cover of Joy Division's "Heart and Soul", and that the remaining three were never recorded or demoed and are unknown to most. Handful of Snowdrops – "1984 The Remaining" Digital self-released A sketch pads of ideas the band was trying out while looking for new band members. A sequel to 1984 - Lost Demo Tracks. The material's all over the place, most of the times embarrassing, but it has it's surprising moments. Liquid Newt - "Walk with Scars" CD Dependent Records The keyboard player for Diskonnekted teams with Seabound vocalist Frank M. Spinath. A beautifully written tragedy that's a perfect match for the melodic Liquid Newt sound. Fresh and danceable variation of Seabound or Iris, to name but two inspirations. This first release is an exciting start of a great adventure. More please. Lust for Youth - "Compassion" LP Sacred Bones Perhaps not as strong as the bands "International" album, but "Compassion" does carry on with the affectionately vicious, and vulnerably sharp sound this bands come to design lately. Seabound - "Everything" 14xLP Vinyl Box Dependent Records MASSIVE. "Everything" is the definitive collection of Seabound's work to date. The deluxe box set contains every Seabound track ever released (incl. rare demo material) spread across fourteen 180g heavyweight vinyl LPs and collected as lossless digital wav files on a DVD. The lavish set contains a 96-page hardcover book including lyrics, photos, artwork, personal notes from the band as well as a foreword by German cult radio host Ecki Stieg. Each box comes with a certificate of authenticity, hand-numbered and signed by Martin and Frank. "Everything" is strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide. Super sophistacated, full-fledged, mature synth pop perfection. ::: VARIOUS ARTIST COMPILATIONS ::: Various Artists - "47006" - 12" 47 Records techno-ebm compilation with Headless Horseman, Phase Fatale, Stephanie Sykes and Tommy Four Seven Various Artists - "A Disseminated Darkness On Inner Personality Status" EP Contort Yourself techno-ebm compilation with Novacom, JK Flesh, Le Syndicat Various Artists - "Cititrax vol.2" LP Cititrax techno-ebm compilation with Tzusing, L/F/D/M, Silent Servant, Maelstrom Various Artists - "Few Tricks For Nervous Dealmakers" EP Controt Yourself techno-ebm compilation with Volition Immanent, Zombies Under Stress, Mark Forshaw Various Artists - "Im Rhythmus Bleiben - A Tribute to Front 242" 3xCD KL Dark Records MUCH MUCH MUCH better tribute to Front 242 than that Alfa-Matrix abortion (Recovery For You (An Alfa Matrix Tribute To Front 242) ). Skip that one by all means and hunt this one down. KL Dark has assembled 3CD's who pay wonderful homage to the Belgian masters of Body Music. with Force Dimnension, Leaetherstrip, Pain Machinery, Nice Circles and plenty more Various Artists - "Konfabulation" - CS NEN Records techno-ebm compilation with SARIN, Unhuman, Violet Poison, Zex Model and more Various Artists - "New Brutalism III" 2xC40 CS Total Black techno-ebm compilation with Varg, Blush Response, Kareem and more Various Artists - "Noblesse Oblige" LP Gooiland Elektro techno-ebm compilation with Profligate, Future Blondes, Monocorpse and more Various Artist - "Not So Cold: A Warm Wave Compilation - complete collection" 2xCD Sleepless Records Minimal wave, electro, industrial, post-punk compialtion with Absolute Body Control, Hante., Volkova, Inhalt, Unidentified Man and plenty more Various Artists - "So Low Remixes" LP The Vinyl Factory with The Klinik "Moving Hands" Helena Hauff Remix (a really cool but not autorized by the Klinik, remix of one of their greatest tracks) Various Artist – "The Sound of Belgium (TSOB) Vol. 3" 10xLP Boxset La Musique Fait La Force 3rd volume in the massive LP box set that centers on new beat and it's ties with ebm, techno and dance music. with Channel X, Frank De Wulf, Technotronic, Major Problem, 101, Public Relation, Front 242 and More! Various Artists - "Wiedergaben vol. 1" 12" Aufnahme + Wiedergabe Cool A-side and B-side LP with Kirlian Camera and Stonith. Check out that Stonith track for it's familiar sample from "Bela Lugosi's Dead".

2015 Music Recommendations

2015 365 days, 52 weeks, 8760 hours - that's plenty of time to be fully-invested in discovering music.

The year started off with a bang and just kept going. Seems every week I was getting a new piece of vinyl, cassette, CD or purchasing something on Bandcamp or adding to a playlist on Spotify. Yes I love music and I love to write. I've written for several magazines and zines. This year even contributed to the FRIENDS OF I DIE: YOU DIE YEAR END ROUND UP. I worked in music stores for many many years as well. Yes, I DJ, and yes can talk incessantly about songs, bands, records and labels. Quite simply, I like to get music on peoples radar and into their ears. Friend Jacek Kozlowski (of Storming the Base and Art of Fact Records) even started a hastag #MarcChurch about all my music posting. The purpose of these list, Facebook post, pictures and bugging the shit out of you at club nights is to get you the reader ENGAGED, EXCITED and INFORMED about music you may not know, haven't heard of, or perhaps been curious about. Overall 2015 was good for my ears. Lots of exciting releases, discoveries of new labels and acts, surprise comebacks, cool re-issues and more. There were a few moments throughout 2015 where I questioned "Why?", "What the fuck?", "What year is it?" and "why would this Detroit band pay $3292 to have IAMX remix one of their songs?". Thankfully for every kind of moment like that there was something exceptional to balance it out. Plenty to sift through this year so without further ado, let's get on with it shall we?

In most cases here I've tried to provide individual Spotify links of select tracks so that you may click the link and be taken to the song for listening. There's also a playlist link that'll play those select songs in a Spotify playlist. Not on Spotify? You should be as it's a wonderful tool to check music out, form playlist and share music with friends. A few links go directly to the bands BandCamp pages where you can listen and even purchase the tracks. Couple links to Youtube videos and some right to Soundcloud - All to give you a glimpse of what's available to listen to. Yep tried to make it easy for you gals and guys but not everything is on Spotify. You may have to dig some. Google is your friend :D My own preferences - I listen to a bit of everything in music, yet lean towards electronic stuff. Very heavily into vinyl and purchase that the most. Done my best here to break things down into sections or groupings (even that's getting difficult as there's so much crossover with genre's now)

Anyways, ready? Got your beverage and snacks? Pen and paper to make some notes. It's way TL:DR but worth it. Here goes…

    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2015 Alternative and Pop :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Let's start here. Yearly I always find some very remarkable albums that fall into this category and they become some of my most repeated listens. Biggest of the alternative bands to release new music this year was New Order. My all-time favorite band. Personally loved the new album, although reviews from all over the place were mixed. There's some brilliant songs to be found on "Music Complete" ("Academic" for instance) and some of the bands best songwriting ever. Hooks basslines are missed, but there's still enough going on and singature New Order sounds with this album for repeated listens. Handful of Snowdrops had a surprising 'comeback' album with "III". This Candian band released it's first album of new studio material since 1995. "III" is modern synthpop at it's finest. A masterpiece of an album from beginning to end, every track (especially "Broken Bones") perfectly capturing their original sound while simultaneously progressive, and infused with heartfelt emotion. Not unlike the good era of Xymox in executing melodramatic electro synth awesomeness. Only released on CD sadly, "III" had a succesful crowdfunding campaign, sold out quickly and got fans excited again about the prospects of the band doing regular recording, plus hinting at a possible tour. It wasn't soon however before those hopes and wishes were crushed with the band going on one of the WORST onslaughts of complaing about the current music industry and how difficult it was/is to be a musician these days. Of course the business model has changed in 20+ years since their last album. They've effectively called it quits for good this time which is real shame as their music is resplendent and extraordinary. Adapt and survive. Digital available at Bandcamp link and leave these guys a nice note to carry on whatever it takes. CHVRCHES were back this year too with their sophmore album. OUTSTANDING release with every single track stronger than the next. Some of the best modern day sing-along synthpop out there today. Epic dance anthems, that despite being about past failed relationships is very emotionally uplifting. No sophmore slump here. Brilliant. Similar to CHVRCHES with it's female fronted impassioned synth driven pop is Swedens Vanbot. "Perfect Storm" was supposed to be out in 2014 but with the album nearly completed, Ester Ideskog wasn't feeling it, had a crreative breakdown, scrapped the album and started over. Not sure what we missed out on, but "Perfect Storm" is must-hear smooth electro-pop at just the right side of bubblegum pop. Think a very sophistcated Robyn, that moves through an array of emotions. Hurts returned this year with "Surrender". While the bands debut "Happiness" is still their defining and best album in my opinion, it's always good to check in with this English synth duo. "Surrender" seems to skip around a lot. On one hand there's a killer dance jam to be found in "Nothing Will be bigger than Us" and a piano-driven tear-jerker in "Wish". Listeners may get the impression they have lost their focus and are throwing various styles out there to see what really sticks and what's the best direction to move in for future releases. My first listen through this album, I hated it, but it grew on me and really like it now. Speaking of losing focus, what's happened to the Editors? The bands latest for 2015 "In Dream" is moody, lifeless and plain out depressing. Completely in focus is the album "Gemini" by California (by way of Uruguay) based The New Division. Inspired by 90's acts like New Order and Tears for Fears - there's plenty of synths, plenty of shimmering guitar work, plenty of strong melodies and plenty of fantastic production. You'll be listening to "Gemini" plenty of times on repeat. Kite's "IV" and Mr, Kitty's "Fragments" ended up on plenty of year end list and for good reason. Both are benchmark takes on modern synth-pop. Not everything has to be a clone of Depeche Mode and both these artist are charting new grounds in an ever familiar genre. Sweeping tracks to be found on both releases and each characterized by unique vocal deliveries. There was quite a few single or digital download teasers of note this year; The Big Pink teased wth "Hightimes". The UK based band had done a bit of a residency in Los Angeles this year and while "Hightimes" shows no real hints at a new stylistic direction it hones in well on what the band does best - a mix of warm Britpop colliding with mildly edgy pop. Looking forward to seeing what this band brings in 2016. Lust for Youth, who last year had the stunning "International" album, teased a new song "Better Looking Brother", which expands on the "International" sound, not unlike New Order or Pet Shop Boys or the combo those two bands, Electronic. Great track that should have all anticipating a new release (hopefully in 2016). Portlands Chromatics had a very busy year- releasing five singles. On February 3, 2015, Chromatics released the three-track single "Yes (Love Theme from Lost River)", which is included in the trailer and soundtrack for Ryan Gosling's directorial debut, Lost River. In September the song "Shadow" was made available. In November, Chromatics released seven cover versions of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" which just may be the cover song of the year. So smooth and dripping with sweetness. However it's the bands "I Can Never Be Myself When You're Around" single that is a huge attention getter. Distant wispy female vocals,the soft focus synth lines, regally thumping kick drums and beaming guitar work are pure lightheaded melodrama, fizzing and swooning like the best shoegaze. This one song stayed in play a LOT in my Spotify. And one that's rather removed from my usual electronic taste, Lord Huron grabbed my attention quickly this year. After a long string of singles all with cover artwork that had this wonderful design aesthetic with wonderful imagery and even better typography, the band compiled "Strange Trails" - an album of story-telling heartache and lonely indie folk with a filmic quality.

  Hightimes – The Big Pink

Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Chromatics

I Can Never Be Myself When You're Around – Chromatics

Clearest Blue – CHVRCHES

Bury It – CHVRCHES

Leave A Trace – CHVRCHES

Marching Orders – Editors

Nothing Will Be Bigger Than Us – Hurts

True Colours – Kite

Shame – Liste Noire

Non Grata – Liste Noire

Glasnost – Liste Noire

Frozen Pines – Lord Huron

Cursed – Lord Huron

Better Looking Brother – Lust For Youth

I Lost You – mr. kitty

Iris – The New Division

Academic – New Order

The Way You Say It – Vanbot

Bite the Bullet – Vanbot

Better in the Light – Vanbot

Turmoil - In Flagranti Remix – Yan Wagner

Love Sick – Yan Wagner

Playlist Link »

    ::::::::::::::::::::: 2015 Post Punk ::::::::::::::::::::: Hell some of these probably could have been included in the above category. I tend to think of post-punk as pertaining to a set of artistic sensibilities and approaches rather than any unifying style. Anyways, have a listen to some of these and you'll see how they are defined/linked in sound. Absolutely LOVED the Cold Showers, Drab Majesty and Them are Us Too records this year. ALL California based bands and all on Dais Records (Label of the year awarded to them). Cold Showers "Matter of Choice" and Drab Majesty "Careless" are the perfect blending of the post-punk, synthpop, new wave and coldwave that we all grew up on and familiarized ourselves with. Imagine the best of Wire, early New Order, Echo, Clan of Xymox and more - both Cold Showers and Drab Majesty share many similarities, while adding their own distinct characteristics. Dusky overtones permeate the records but there's life and hope in these records. Cold Showers "Whatever You Want" is absolutely golden in mood, lyrics and emotion. Likewise Drab Majesty's track "Everything is Sentimental" showcases a breath of optimism in a more shoegazeing fashion. Meanwhile Them Are Us Too "The Problem with Redheads" (song title of the year) and the rest of the album is soaked in ethereal beauty not heard since the heyday of 4Ad Records (Could easily put this one in the Dark Wave category below as well). All essential and stunning records. I was REALLY impressed with King Dude's latest record "Songs of Flesh & Blood - In The Key of Light". He still gets unfairly lumped in with Neo-folk but there's further dynamics in his music that often contain rugged Americana sounds and creeping occultic darkness. From Seattle, King Dude's voice hints at Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Michael Gira, and possibly Chris Isaak. You want some grim songs about the devil and personal demons - "Songs of Flesh and Blood: In The Key of Light" is for you. But while the church organ fuzz of "I Don't Wanna Dream Anymore" will have you weeping, a track like 'Rosemary' with it's swinging piano will have you dancing along. Nice diverse record. Speaking of piano, the title track to be heard on Detroit's Clay Renderings "Snowthorn" is both captivating and enrapturing. Icy and cold certainly, but there's something very welcoming about these songs as well. It's dreamy and musing, dramatic, cathartic and intense, but also restrained. Nothing necessarily climaxes, but the momentum is carried throughout with dreamy synth and fragile, plaintive guitar. It's impossible to throw any more praise at Killing Joke than I already have over the years. Despite the fact these guys have been groundbreaking and influential for nearly as long as I've been alive they never cease to let up on delivering the goods. "Pylon" carries on delivering everything we've come to expect from the UK based act. Bordering on industrial-metal, punk and mild goth sensibilities, "Pylon" their fifteenth(!!!) studio album delivers a ferocious onslaught of addictive tunes. Looking forward to seeing them on tour with another band that made my year end list - The Soft Moon. "Deeper" from the Soft Moon centers around the topics of depression, nihilism and oblivion. Not fighting with them but surrendering to them. The album moves through territories of Nine Inch Nails like industrial, shoegaze introspection, loops of static and even some tribal percussion. A record that delivers form beginning to end. Another record that front to back delivered was "Alkimia" from Stockholm's Agent Side Grinder. The much-talked-about darlings of post-punk, the act delivers fantastic bass guitar riffs and hypnotic repetitive analogue keyboard sounds coupled with the strong baritone voice of Kristoffer Grip. "Alkimia" is a wonderfully varied record that kicks right off with the enveloping "Into the Wild", slows for the creeping "Void (The Winning Hand)" and then packs a thud again with "This is Us" also the first single of the release. The bassline from "This is Us" will have Peter Hook fans aflutter. Very close to that of Joy Divisions classic "Shadowplay". The last song, 'Last Rites', is the album's "magnum opus". A long, hypnotic song with a waltzing rhythm, on which guest Nicole Sabouné sings the choruses as main singer. Here, the sounds are more 'industrial' and the structure, more progressive, which allows the song to make the perfect link with the band's more industrial past and to close the album in a beautiful manner. Perhaps the best closing song on ANY album this year. Picking up a heavy Joy Division vibe is San Franciscos In Letter Form who released a stunning and impressive 7" "Wait Now/Reflecting The Rain". "Reflecting..." despite the band claiming it was musically influenced by the Modern English classic "I Melt With You" , sounds much more like a leftover late period Joy Division/New Order song ala "Ceremony". They nail the similar bass, synth, machine-like rhythms and dark vocals to a T. It's erie in it's similarities. "Wait Now" is a more rauckus outting borrowing a bit more from the Killing Joke school - slicing guitar, strong chorus and pounding, pounding, POUNDING drums all delivered in 2 minutes and 57 seconds. ESSENTIAL. You probably don't think of Turkey as being a country to produce any post-punk. Well, duo She Past Away will change that. Around since 2006 the band released "Narin Yalnizlik" this year combining elements from legacy bands such as The Cure, Joy Division, as well as Sisters of Mercy, but with a new and fresh sound. Finally, must mention the French act FUTURE who released their debut full-length "Horizons" in 2015.The addictive cold melodies and fractured drums of most post-punk/cold wave are presen, however FUTURE lays down an amazing hypnotic atmosphere by building walls of noise guitar ala Curve, My Bloody Valentine and others. It's a way different influence than most post punk bands would cite, but the results are fantastic.

  Into The Wild – Agent Side Grinder

Void (The Winning Hand) – Agent Side Grinder

This Is Us – Agent Side Grinder

Last Rites – Agent Side Grinder

Black – The Soft Moon

Desertion – The Soft Moon

Wait Now – In Letter Form

Rosemary – King Dude

I Don't Wanna Dream Anymore – King Dude

Summer's Oath – Communions

War On Freedom – Killing Joke

Whatever You Want – Cold Showers

Everything Is Sentimental – Drab Majesty

Snowthorn – Clay Rendering

Memory Loses Momentum – Clay Rendering

Katarsis – She Past Away

Benevolent Technologies – Qual

Side Effects – FUTURE

Eudaemonia – Them Are Us Too

The Problem with Redheads – Them Are Us Too

Playlist Link »

    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2015 Minimal / Cold Wave/ Dark Wave/ Ethereal ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Minimal wave is a contentiously named genre of electronic music which focuses on electronic, often-times pre-MIDI instrumentation and themes of sincere, rather than ironic, detachment. It comprises obscure, atypical examples of genres such as new wave, so-called synthpunk, synthpop, post-punk, coldwave, and electropop. Anyways, now that we've gotten an odd definition out of the way here are some standout releases in this genre. Some great stuff in this category this year. The female duo of Minuit Machine had my favorite release in this category for 2015. "Violent Rains" is a moving and emotional story of an album - at times dark, at times hopeful, and what's remarkable is that each song has its very own signature. Very much a modern synth band but with flourishes of the 80's masters. Plenty of dark atmospheres set against danceable synthesizer rhythms and easily the most emotional vocal delivery of any artist this year. "Famous or Dead" my favorite track from this magnificent album has ALL the feels. Minimal wave favs Lebanon Hanover were back this year with "Besides the Abyss". This album reflects a process of musical maturing and self-knowledge, though inward-looking and intimate, it has no difficulties entering deep into the emotional world of the listener. Dominated by the voice of Larissa Iceglass, which embraces us like an unknown warmth coming straight from the blackest abyss, the elegance of the guitar parts, the sad bass and synthesizer melodies, the poetic tenderness of the lyrics, this album is of a unique hopeful but gloomy atmosphere. ''Besides the Abyss'' is gorgeous and timeless. Less is often more could be the mantra for Helena Hauffs "Discreet Desires" LP. On her first proper full-length Hauff runs 30+ year old analogue gear through all the paces. At times it's sparse ("Sworn to Secrecy Part 1"), while at others ("L'Homme Mort") shows the machines chugging right along. Lots of synth modulation, all instrumental tracks and never a dull moment in this dynamic release. November Növelet another alias of Haus Arafna, finally gave fans new music with "The World In Devotion" LP. Couched in deep black analogue electronics embossed with the characteristic Növelet stamp. Fragile ghostly melodies, with weeping pad sounds together in tried and tested partnership, powered by driving bass figures, dreamy sound scapes and monotonous rhythm patterns that strike sparks of divine light through the comfortless darkness.

Was introduced to the music of Luminace this year. "Sans Visage" is a genre hopper, floating between goth, industrial ("No Second Act") and synthpop, but my favorite track "The Twin Gods" and much of this release does have a minimal wave vibe. "Sans Visage" is a perfect blend between classical wave/ analog synth-pop sounds and a deep, dystopian, nearly mystical feeling. The robotic rhythm and the keyboard harmonies conjure up an eerie, dreamy atmosphere, on which the heavily reverberated vocals hover. One to watch for sure. Bandcamp link

  Sworn to Secrecy Part I – Helena Hauff

L'Homme Mort – Helena Hauff

Piece of Pleasure – Helena Hauff

Battles – Minuit Machine

Everlasting – Minuit Machine

Famous or Dead – Minuit Machine

Fall Industrial Wall – Lebanon Hanover

The Well – Lebanon Hanover

Dark Hill – Lebanon Hanover

Playlist Link »

    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2015 Noise, Weird, Whatever, Other ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Every year there grows an increasing amount of bands that defy categorization. They can't easily be lumped into one of the other genres above and below. They may borrow elements of them but they mash them up with a plethora of other styles or we find them reventing genres, pushing new boundaries, and just continuuing to be more experimental than ever.

Dutch band Distel is a perfect example. "Zand" released on the always awesome Ant-Zen label fuses sound treatments, songwriting and emotional intensity with the ability to generate a coherent, monolithic opus reaped from a wide range of sources. 'Zand' is a collection of songs expressing autumnal, funereal moods through subdued atmospheres carried by subliminal beats, phantasmal electronics, processed guitars and gloomy, sometimes mildly distorted vocals. Distel's style is very much their own oscillating between ritualistic soundscapes, vintage industrial music and cold-/darkwave. "Zand' is an album that leaves space for adventure, fun and some strange moments.

Prurient's "Frozen Niagara Falls" is Dominic Fernow (Vatican Shadow, Hospital Productions) most wide-reaching Prurient album yet. This album sunk in really quickly on a road-trip to Columbus, Ohio with Dan Stolarski. Amazing album showcasing dichotomy, and plenty of discrepant elements that Fernow manages to get to work all together. Resident Advisor had a great review of the album here.

"Communion" from Rabit just may be hold the most violent song on an album this year. "Pandemic" centers around the sound of machine guns being used for percussion. Plenty of tarnished 808 kicks, and a heavy, sluggish rhythms, juxtaposed next to strange synth and noises can be foudn throughout all tracks. A tense record in delivery and execution full of twisted, clanking, and thoroughly alien soundscapes, but one that adventurous music fans will devour. Speaking of alien-like soundscapes - Drew McDowall released his debut "Collapse" this year via Dais Records. Drew's history is an amazing one from being in the ranks with both Psychic Tv and Coil as well as production/remixes for Nine Inch Nails, Azar Swan and others. "Collapse" offers 5 tracks of ominous near-ritualistic modular synthesizer compositions. Not dance music, but deep listeing music. Slow and meditative. His Detroit performance this year was outstanding (and it was a pleasure to meet him). "LP" from Container could certainly the most chaotic record of the year. Abstract, noise, techno(?) from a former full on noise scene guy who's also not affraid to meddle with hip-hop rhythms and hyperactive static. There's a LOT going on within each song on "LP" but it's all an engrossing listen. Synapscape turned 20 this year and presented their tenth full length "Rhythm Age" on Ant-Zen. This release is the result of a four year process which has included a huge assemblage of selection, refusal and revision concerning musical influences, instrumentation and stylistic shape. This detailed and time-consuming method of production is audible on every note of this milestone in Synapscape's evolution. As the album title suggests, 'Rhythm Age' is focused on most different beat variations, ranging from straight and distorted to technoid, complex and even broken.These manifold rhythmic textures build a solid foundation for both atmospheric and powerful electronic landscapes, solid bass lines, nuanced lead synths, and Tim Kniep's distinctive processed voice. Stylistically, Synapscape ventured from the often used formulaic norm of the industrial genre from the very beginning into different territories - 'Rhythm Age' provides an even more detailed insight into this project's musically varied sound-design. The thirteen tracks introduce an inimitable combination of rhythmic industrial, idm, electroclash and experimental tunes with the hard-to-define, special character of Synapscape's work approach. This album is an outstanding arc of suspense whose many facets will show up after repeated listening - a merging of modern versus ancient, as digital and analogue as music can get. Ah Cama-Sotz returns with a more concise, almost intimate album. While still considering the rhythmic aspects of the ACS sound, the 60 minutes of "State Of Mind" are on a distinctly downbeat note, leaving room for the inimitable atmospheric pieces and a fair share of sensual fantasies, on some tracks accompanied by familiar female vocals. The ACS mélange of ethnic sounds and beats with dark electronica and morbid obsessions appears more refined than ever. With "State of Mind" veteran producer Herman Klapholz proves again he has no equal when it comes to providing authentically introspective and dark mood music! John Carpenters "Lost Themes" marks the first time (I think) I've ever included a "soundtrack" in any of my many year end list (Shame I realize as there are PLENTY of good ones out there awaiting my discovery). However this isn't a real sound track as there is no accompanying movie, but the music is full on the same style as the compositions Carpenter has done for many horror and sci-fi films. Synth based, simple, spacey (some songs could pass for out-run electro easily) and most certainly full of all-kinds of moods. What's amazingly cool is the seperate "Lost Themes Remixed" album. A killer round up of artist like Prurient, Zola Jesus, OhGr of Skinny Puppy, Silent Servant, Uniform and JG 'Foetus' Thirwell each bringing their distinct flourish to Carpenters work. AMAZING and how remixes should be done. "Chorégraphie" demonstrates Vromb's incredible skills at handling his analog electronic equipment, which means in large part the sound manipulations are created by directly using the machines with only a little part of computer assisted sequencing, audio montages and overdubs. Subliminal trance-inducing beats, mighty pulsating sub basses and repetitive sequencer textures enriched with surrealistic ambient dronescapes and Hugo Girard's recognizable voice generate a steady but everchanging semi-ritualistic flow which was, is, and will be associated uniquely with the sonic world of vromb. To sum up You The Living's debut "XXXI" in one word would be bleak. Brooding and emotional with music informed by one of the memebrs being severly ill for the year while constructing and recording it. The track by track break down from the following site is worth a read while listeing to the album. Ecstasphere returned with another conceptual record which takes the characteristic contrasty sound and dynamics of the project to the next level. Hypnotizingly emphatic soundscapes, deep rhythmic noise surfaces and thrilling beat structures mix with epic arrangements of enchanting, often unsettling and sometimes disturbing melodies to create deliciously creepy atmospheres you might recognize from your own favorite nightmares. Dan Stolarski released his second Marital Vows material with the Chromatin Records tape "Trauma". An eclectic sonic pallete of sounds experimenting with the best elements of fuzzed feedback heavy attacks like the opener "Matrimony Pt. II", juxtaposed next to the floating ambience of "Loss". While the debut could be loosely described using terms like industrial, post-punk, and noise, "Trauma" is near impossible to be defined simply by genre. Utilizing controlled dynamics, vividly dark and surreal imagery, recurring themes, an extended array of instruments and an unnervingly sparse usage of vocals, there is a level of restraint on display more commonly found in classical compositions which results in "Trauma" feeling more like a film score than anything else. This is a truly unique and singular listening experience and an uncompromising showcase of artistic expression. Bandcamp link

Two other very cool cassettes to check out as well here:

Maldoror - "Live at Maldoror CS" - Experimental/electronic/noise/synth/wave Live performance from the likes of Bad News, Body of Light, Inhalt, High-Functioning Flesh and more. Bandcamp link Chondritic Sound - "All the Little Devils Are Proud of Hell" 2xCS box Massive double cassette compilation to celebrate our 300th release. 18 artists, some old and some new to Chondritic Sound, spanning a variety of experimental, atmospheric and industrial styles. Conceived as an introduction to the past, present and future of the label. Featuring exclusive songs, in order of appearance: Image of Life, S. English, Oil Thief, Sleep Clinic, Smokey Emery, Liebestod, Mortal Bodies, JT Whitfield, Pleasure Island, Scant, L.F.A., SECAM Kino, Granite Mask, Ligature, Plagues, Strain of Laws, The Siamese Pearl, and Hive Mind. Edition of 200, packaged in a 5″ box with professionally printed covers, labelled tapes, foldout insert . Bandcamp link

  Hotel Odessa – Ah Cama-Sotz

Room with a View – Ah Cama-Sotz

Remover – Container

Appliance – Container

Nothing to Mend – Distel

In Ruins – Distel

Hypnotic Congress – Drew McDowall

Creeping Creatures Made of Fear – Ecstasphere

Army of Puppets – Ecstasphere

Vortex – John Carpenter

Wraith – John Carpenter

Night - Zola Jesus and Dean Hurley Remix – John Carpenter

Vortex - Silent Servant Remix – John Carpenter

Fallen - Blanck Mass Remix – John Carpenter

Vortex - Uniform Remix – John Carpenter

Dragonflies to Sew You Up – Prurient

Every Relationship Earthrise – Prurient

Greenpoint – Prurient

Pandemic – Rabit

Trapped In This Body – Rabit

In Secret – Ron Morelli

Loop – Synapscape

Fonk – Synapscape

Them – Synapscape

Manigance – vromb

Stabilisateur – vromb

Naked – You The Living

Rituals – You The Living

Playlist Link »

    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2015 Ambient-IDM (and sorta kinda IDM) ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Both Autoclav 1.1 and Stendeck are oftem categorized as ambient-IDM (intelligent dance music) and while that's the root sound of both these fantastic artist, each of their 2015 albums diversified by including more drum and bass rhythm patterns on top of wonderful ambience. Autoclav1.1's "Werewolf Country" see's the inclusion of IDM dubstep-like beats combined with the usual Rhythmic Noise, Breakcore and Ambient we've found on earlier material. 11(!!!) albums of material now and there must be experimentation to keep evolving. Really liked this release and Autoclav1.1 remains one you can count on for excellence. No stranger to my year end list (every album he's done has been mentioned/profiled) Stendeck's "Folger" was mind-blowing. Continuing to build on his signature sound, Stendeck once again inducts listeners with a collection of massive beat-oriented electronica complemented by epic synth scores and resounding narratives. Nostalgic pads meet with evolving rhythms and pulsing basslines giving each song a classical feel with futuristic symphonic leanings resulting in a defining contrast that is both dynamic and engaging. Enveloping atmospheres expand and retract shaping an intensity and flow to each song arrangement while birthing lavish beat structures that effortlessly maneuver amongst engrossing melodies and undeniable warmth. 'Folgor' offers release from the constraints of common motifs to present an expansive trip allowing the listener access to a world of formidable sounds that will resonate like an amorous memory. Posh Isolation is an indie label out of Denmark, a label known for releasing cassettes and all kinds of material from the noise of Puce Mary, folk of Marching Church to the kind of ambient drone of other roster artists. The labels output is always one to keep an eye on, although it's sometimes hit or miss. "Fortuna" is Rosen & Spyddets first full length LP and consists of eight instrumental pieces of sugar coated adolescent synth music. Gorgeous in execution with a light and airy sound, perfect for dreams. It should be no surprise to readers that I think anything Ben Lukas Boysen (HECQ) is involved in is pure gold. The guys done film composition, production and sound design for many projects. A musical genius for sure. In August 2013 Boysen spent some time in Barcelona, making audio recordings of the 9th biggest supercomputer in the world, Mare Nostrum. Installed in a former chapel with acres of glass and steel, Europe's most powerful computer is not only impressive in its performance but also in its appearance. With the the "Mare Nostrum" album you will get a living proof of Mare Nostrum (the machine) audible skills, captured and processed by hecq. This release is a fascinating symbiosis of electronic soundscapes and systematic recording where samples of Mare Nostrum's sounds are masterly integrated into four lengthy compositions. Abstract pulses of a machine with sometimes even creatural sounds and atmospheric synthesized ambience result in a deep, organic opus, creating a yet unheard sonic landscape in the listeners' minds. A dense, impressive auditory adventure and one more epic milestone of hecq's ambient-oriented side.

  Violently Exciting and Extremely Loud (Folgor) – Stendeck

Tonight Is Forever – Stendeck

Last Drink At the Pink Flamingos Motel – Stendeck

Selene – Rosen & Spyddet

Fortuna – Rosen & Spyddet

II – Hecq

Earworm – Autoclav1.1

Werewolf Country – Autoclav1.1

Constructive Dismissal – Autoclav1.1

Playlist Link »

    ::::::::::::::::::::: 2015 Industrial ::::::::::::::::::::: Disclaimer: this USED to be my genre. Yep used to. For years was plenty into it, DJ'ing every weekend and picking up endless amounts of CD's in this often heavy synth style. Then one day about three years ago it happened. Everything started to sound the same, artwork looked the same, the themes got silly, the style/fashion got sillier, progression of the genre seemed to be stagnant - you knew what to expect. The genre that was once full of exciting ideas in my youth holds little excitement these days. Now, I connect less and less with it and find much more excitement and experimentation in dark techno and other genres. It's been MUCH harder to find stuff to like. The industrial records now REALLY, REALLY, REALLY have to be PHENOMENAL and ahead of the game to even get my attention and that's difficult because many of the bands in this genre are plenty formulaic after they've achieved even an ounce of success. I could be a mean son-of-a-bitch and REALLY slag many 2015 industrial releases, however, in that giant trash heap that often procalims "Industrial is Not Dead" (it's certainly kicking a dead horse) there actually were some amazing standouts full of substance and possibly convincing that the genre hasn't completely flat-lined yet. Haujobb returned this year with "Blendwerk" the first new material since 2011. Haujobb's always been ahead of the game and early proponents of genre hopping and not easily being pigeonholed. "Blendwerk" tries its hand to be minimal (maybe like Absolute Body Control), but with so much tinkering, twiddling, and technical trickery it became the most precise Haujobb material to date with much to focus in on. What may have strived to be simplistic came across as super dynamic. First listen didn't win me over (like Haujobb releases always do), but found myself coming back to this release quite a bit. There's new ground being explored as it should be (even for Haujobb) and plenty of room left for experimentation. Nice to see this one release don limited white vinyl too! We perhaps heard a glimpse of what to expect from Haujobb via one of Daniel Myers other projects Architect with his 2015 release "Neon". Architect has always been a mixture of many styles, from bass music to techno, from ambient to breaks, all inexhaustibly explored by German mastermind Daniel Myer. Architect's most pronounced quality is their proficient combination of powerful grooves and atmospheric soundscapes. "Neon" is essentially an electro-pop tune, but undergoes six radically transforning mixes ranging from dub to industrial proving that Myer can write a song and take it in any direction he feels. Dead When I Found Her returned in 2015 with "All the Way Down" full-length and the accompanying EP "The Botton" via ArtofFact Records. 2013's "Rag Doll Blues" was immeasurable - easily one of the most outstanding releases ever in the industrial genre. Guess what - in 2015 he topped even that release. Grab a listen to "Downpour" to be immediately a fan. Absolutely outstanding. I've never been so speechless for a release. The good guys over at I Die:You Die had a talk with Michael Arthur Holloway about the new album that is a terrific read and gives insight into what expect from the album.

X Marks the Pedwalk released "The House of Rain" in 2015. Severen Ni-Arb has always been light years ahead of the rest of the genre. The German was doing future pop with the "Meshwork" album back in 1995 long before VNV Nation coined the term in 2002. After a long abscence XMTP returned in 2010 with "Inner Zone Journey" and then in 2012 released "The Sun, The Cold and my Underwater Fear". Since the comeback XMTP's sound has shown a deeper sophistication. Tracks now are much more flowing, elegant and anthemic. You'll still get a dancefloor stomper like "Second Home", but "House of Rain" is really Ni-Arb orchestrating snapshots and ephemeral moments full of yearning and melancholy moving on a very emotional path with rich atmospheric compositions and arrangements. It's another piece of the refined XMTP mosaic depicted over the last three albums.

Another artist working on a 'story' is ESA (Electronic Substance Abuse) who presented part 3 of "Themes of Carnal Empowerment: Penance" on WTII Records. He also released the EP "Flowers Were Real" as well. Part 3 still holds much of the rhythmic brutality that ESA is known for but breaks with moments of dark ambient and more vocal work. ESA's compositions are undoubtedly threatening and offensive floor stomping club tunes but also twist and churn enough to warrant more attentive listening. Nice to see the trilogy completed and even moreso curious to see what direction ESA moves in next.

Los Angeles based HEALTH unleashed "Death Magic" this year and it instantly got into everyones radar. A band that uses an unusual blend of electronics and guitars to pummel the listener. They can be as firece as a thrash metal band at times and as mechanical as the best Nine Inch Nails song (they were openers on Trents 2008 tour) but then, even in the course of one song, there is this juxtapostion in the bombast where Health gives songs breathing room with sweeping synths, melodies and more. Now throw in the soft vocal delivery of vocalist Jacob Duzsik. It's nothing you would expect, yet It's specatucular and makes songs epic. Plus the flow of this album from one song to the next makes it impossible to ignore. One of my favorite live shows this year. They seem to present themselves as a metal band, who has a strong admiration for synth and pop structures. You had metal guys grooving right next to synth heads, super encouraging to see. Great album! Must make mention of Vancouver's Weird Candle and their debut album "Regeneration:. Brought to my attention by the fine guys over at I:Die:You:Die I'll let their expert review to be found here speak for the album. Parts of that album could fall under post punk category too. Bandcamp link Why Chicago's Hide is not yet a bigger name in industrial goth circles remains a mystery, but perhaps they like floating under the radar some. Perhaps it's that they only have 3 self-released cassettes out - 2014's "Posession/The Bleeding Heart ‎" and this years "Resurrection/Force Fed ‎" and "A Falling / Sea of Time". Hide is the duo of electronic musician Seth Sher and vocalist Heather Gabel, (The later has done design work for several bands including Alkaline Trio, Rancid and Joan Jett). They were hand picked by Marilyn Manson to open on several dates of Mansons last tour. That should be proof of how good this duo is. HIDE is a great blend of industrial, dark/synth wave, goth and experimental electronics with occult visuals and undertones. Think a less operatic Die Form, but still with the abundant use of synths and tremendous drums. Easily the best underground act operating today and with work on a proper debut vinyl LP beginning in 2016, HIDE should be one of the breakout artist for the new year. Stay tuned. Bandcamp link Like female fronted electronic projects? You'll love the Deep compilation. 19 unreleased tracks compiled by Dirk Ivens. Comes in a digipack with a 24 page booklet. Artwork painting by Aleta Welling. Clips and purchase link here Finally, long standing (10 years now) Detroit Industrial-breakcore-noise-cut up act Delien awoke again this year with the "Idenity Annex" cassette. Listeners can always expect the best weirdness from these guys - A rigorous creed of human-machine interface and collective expression. 4 tracks rendered to tape, demarcating an unbroken timeline. Raw industrial! Take in an earful. This is industrial that has always accepted all of the limitless extremities that the "genre" promised, as well as the raw, street science-fiction worldview of techno and electro, and cut-up noise. "Judgement Call" has almost an 80s industrial hop vibe, with streaks of noise funking their way through it all. Sliced ideas from a monster cyber jam coalesces into "User Interface" – a track that defies a single energy – it bass driven broken beat evolves into blast-beat hardcore before becoming heavy glitched out electro. "Rose Covered Steel" is another long jam that decimates twisted industrial breaks. Raw pieces carved out of slag metal. Bandcamp link

Neon - Club Mix – Architect

Snow - 3rd Drift – Architect

The Tempters Triumph – Esa

My Church – Esa

Spitting Seeds – Dead When I Found Her

Downpour – Dead When I Found Her

Blood Lesson – Dead When I Found Her

The Noise Above Us – Dead When I Found Her

Input Error – Haujobb

Produkt – Haujobb

We Are One – X Marks The Pedwalk

Second Home – X Marks The Pedwalk

STONEFIST – HEALTH

MEN TODAY – HEALTH

LIFE – HEALTH

Body – Randolph & Mortimer

Playlist Link »

  :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2015 Re-issues / Box Sets / Collections :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: In case you missed them the first time around, weren't born yet, developed an interest in the bands catalog after the initail release, there's always a bevy of great re-issues every year to discover or rediscover. Biggest for me this year were the two "quieter" Swans records "Love of Life" and "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity". This is the first time either album has been available on vinyl since their initial release in 91 and 92. Both these albums are less 'ugly' than the earlier noise outburst of Swans material and some might even make the claim they're even neo-folk (but not in the DIJ fashion). There's traditional songs here and very little of the earlier punishment the Swans would unleash. Still dark, moody, and sprinkled with good and evil, both albums are essential in the evolution of Swans as a musical force. If you at all like acoustic songs, or pleasant melodies masking vicious attacks, then both albums are definitely for you, appealing to the intellect as well as the viscera. Friend Adam over at the awesome A Model of Control zine was spot on with his review of Underworlds re-issue of "Second Toughest In the Infants (Super Deluxe)". His review is much better than anything I could type up so will share his - For the second year running, Underworld released a sumptuous box set to reflect on past glories. Last year's twentieth anniversary set for dubnobasswithmyheadman has now been followed with a similar set for Second Toughest In The Infants, and this one is just as good. It follows the same format - original album, rarities, remixes and other odds and ends, and is a useful reminder that Second Toughest… was a massive step away from what came before, experimenting with breakbeats (to astonishing effect in the charge of Pearl's Girl, and also in the opening sixteen-minute epic of Juanita/Kiteless/To Dream of Love) and even blues (Stagger, Blueski) as well as pounding, pounding techno (Rowla). Not only that, but the remaster of this is astounding, being ultra clean and giving the album a clarity that it never had before. The real surprises, though, come with the other material - there are some great tracks in the B-Sides, rarities and remixes, but the gem is the fourth CD - to all intents and purposes a seven-track demonstration of how Born Slippy evolved into the monster it became, and it's amazing to realise that the synth hook that is so important to the sound of the track took some time to be introduced. When you get to the full, twelve-minute NUXX version that is the final track in the box, though, the rush when that beat finally rips out of the speakers is still something else, even after all those years. The highly influential, yet highly overlooked, Portion Control saw both "I Staggered Mentally" (early and yet still rough sounds in the bands discography) re-issued by Dark Entires, and a wonderful retrospctive 2xLP released by Vinyl On Demand. "Progress Report 1982-1986" clearly demonstrates their early experimentation at the advent of analog electronic machines. The eclectic material ranges from cassette port-a-studio material, recorded in Peckham and Kennington, South London, to high-end studio recordings. Portion Control's punk roots are on display, as the group demonstrates unrivalled creativity and bridges the gap between UK industrial, early ambient, and the formative stages of electronic dance music. The music features rising arpeggiators, proto bass lines (a true Portion Control signature), dark sound design, and recurring beats and rhythms -- many elements that became the bedrock of future darker electronic music. During this highly-charged period, Portion Control established themselves at the forefront of the formative underground UK electronics scene. This double LP contains a selection of tracks from the Raise the Pulse 12" (1983), the Hit the Pulse 12" (1983), the ..Step Forward LP (1984), the Rough Justice 12" (1984), the Go-Talk 12" (1984), the Great Divide LP (1986), the Psycho-Bod Saves the World LP (1986), and the Purge 12" (1986), as well as a previously unreleased tape from 1982 called Kiss Kiss - Sex and live recordings from a 1984 performance in Amsterdam. ESSENTIAL!!!! Order from Vinyl On Demand Industrial legends (who took much influence from Portion Control) Front Line Assembly celebrated both the 25th anniversary of the imperative "Caustic Grip" and the 20th anniversary of "Hard Wired". No re-release for "Caustic Grip" (Which you can still find the vinyl available direct from Wax Trax), but ArtofFact records offered severeal different versions (2LP, 3LP) as well as going all out with a 6 LP boxset on blue vinyl. "Hard Wired", one of the most memorable and highest impact recordings in the genre, period. With the electronic and EBM elements from their well-received Tactical Neural Implant mashed with the guitar-heavy style of Milennium, the duo of Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber accomplished on these 10 tracks nothing short of a masterpiece. The album went on to sell in excess of 50,000 copies worldwide, spawned a world tour, and it was praised by the likes of Melody Maker. On the 20th anniversary release of Hard Wired, Artoffact Records presents a fully authorized 6LP edition of Hard Wired on vinyl. The boxset contains the following: Hard Wired on 2LP double-gatefold vinyl, remastered from original tapes. Live Wired on 3LP triple-gatefold vinyl, remastered from original tapes. Circuitry on 1LP vinyl, remastered from original tapes. All remastering supervised by Greg Reely and Bill Leeb. Deluxe lift-off lid style vinyl-sized collector's box. The boxset is limited to 300 copies worldwide; 150 with the blue versions of Hard Wired and Live Wired; 150 with special edition deluxe clear/red effect versions. The clear/red effect versions are not available on their own.

ArtofFact killed it all year with vinyl re-issues (check Storming the Base vinyl selection for plenty). Amongst the stand outs (and making me feel old) was a 30th anniversary reissue of Psyche's first 12" release, "Thundershowers (In Ivory Towers) b/w Lead Me Astray." The original independent 12" that helped launch Psyche's career in Canada, presented in a replica sleeve and with full audio remastering. "Thundershowers (In Ivory Towers)" includes two mixes of the title track, as well as two remixes of the wonderful b-side "Lead Me Astray". Both tracks exemplify the aggressive vocal-driven brand of synthpop that would make Psyche famous. Neither track was ever released on any proper Psyche studio album, making this a delight for collectors and synthpop fans alike. The reissue also includes some cool replicas of vintage artifacts: an insert contains a replica of the poster for the Thundershowers release show at Toronto's Nuts and Bolts club. Take yourself back to 1985 when these lined the streets of Yonge and Dundas! A special invitation card replica is also included, which happily enough doubles as an MP3 download code. The original invitation was actually the very first appearance of Psyche's now-famous logo! This wonderful reissue is thus not only the starting point of Psyche's long lasting career creating international synthpop club hits

Another of Canada's early synth and EBM pioneers, Toronto's Digital Poodle saw a (sort-of) re-issue with the "Revision! vol.1 - Work Terminal" release on Suction records. "Work Terminal," was an early '90s electronic dance floor anthem in Toronto (and Detroit too for that matter), that sounds decidedly contemporary in 2015. The bands sound borrowed heavily from the European (see Zoth Ommog ) EBM sound but even crossed over into the emerging techno scene long before the norm. The orriginal mix is presented on the vinyl, rounded out by remixes by Opal Tapes', O/H's sludgy, furious techno version and Solvent's driving minimal synth reduction. "Revision! vol.1" offers a diverse set of dance floor killers for the modern industrial-techno scene. Suicide Commando by way of Minimal-Maximal finally put his first tape "Electro Convulsion Therapy" out for the first time on LP. "Electro Convulsion Therapy" was the last of nine (and without any doubt the most successful) tapes. Released in 1993. It already contained the original 4 track recordings of later clubhits like "Traumatize", "Necrophilia" or "Time", but also featured other pearls like "Close Your Eyes", "Sheer Horror" or "How It Feels". "Electro Convulsion Therapy" holds the complete last tape on lp, along with a selection of the best songs from the other early tapes released between 1988 and 1992, including several rare songs and even one previously unreleased song as a bonus on the free included cd version. All remastered by Eric Van Wonterghem (Monolith, Absolute Body Control, etc) at Prodam Berlin . This material is much more analog-synth based and more minimal but still essential work in the discography of Johan Van Roy who has gone on to become one of the leaders in the industrial genre. Also thanks to Minimal Maximal fans of The Force Dimension finally got a 25 Year Anniversary re-issue of the amazing EBM debut! This edition contains the debut album, originally released as KK020 on KK Records in Belgium 1989. The vinyl contains the so-called "red edition," produced by Dirk Ivens and a free bonus cd which includes both the red and blue editions (produced by Luc Van Acker). Also the complete tracks from the first 2 twelve inches "Dust" and "tension" are included. Remastered. Limited to 500 units. Essential. Available here Now onto a band that has a true cult-classic of a song called "Suicide Commando" - Kiel, Germany's No More. Founded in the summer of 1979, their music is rooted in early Post Punk / No Wave. No More began as a quartet with Andy A. Schwarz (vocals, guitar, bass), Tina Sanudakura (synthesizers), Christian Darc (drums, vocals) and Thomas Welz (bass, vocals). They self-­released their debut 7″ four song EP "Too Late" in 1980. The EP was reviewed in the German 'Sounds' magazine as "strangely, archaic music, a brute sound that seems to be recorded with a purposely damaged 4­-track". After the departure of Thomas Welz at the end of 1980, No More worked as a trio until the end of 1983. As a trio the band explored musical minimalism and experimented with sequencers, drum synthesizers and rhythm boxes. There were no studios involved in the recording process. All recordings were made in bunkers, laundry rooms, cellars and rehearsal rooms. In 1981 the band released their second single "Suicide Commando". The song spread internationally over the following years and became the band's biggest success. In 1982 No More released the mini­-album "A Rose Is A Rose" on 10", described by NME as "made by a trio of young Germans who appear to have fallen out of Lou Reed ́s 'Berlin' album". Songs on this mini­-LP convey the desolate and bleak attitude of German youth in the early 1980s. This reissue compiles all 8 tracks from the mini­-LP, both tracks from the "Suicide Commando" 7" plus 3 demos from 1982. As a bonus each LP includes the original "Too Late" 7" EP remastered and housed in an exact copy of the original jacket. Also on the minimal wave front - Oppenheimer Analysis saw a remastered double album of archival material called "New Mexico" on the Minimal Wave label. Formed in 1982 in London by Andy Oppenheimer and Martin Lloyd, the duo were fans of early synthesiser bands like The Human League and Soft Cell. They also explored their interest in old science fiction movies, the politics and aesthetics of the Cold War and the social impact of the atomic bomb through their music, which was largely released on a cassettes sold at gigs and via mail order. Oppenheimer Analysis were the subjects of the Minimal Wave label's first archival release, 2005's self-titled EP, which collected four tracks from New Mexico, the duo's first demo tape. To celebrate the label's 10th anniversary, Minimal Wave announced it would be reissuing New Mexico in its entirety, remastered and pressed to vinyl for the first time. Tracks like "Cold War" and "The Devil's Dancers" are quintessential minimal wave dance jams (you should know) while a track like "New Mexico" is one of the most alluring synth jams you will ever hear. So joyed to have this music on vinyl.

On the club industrial side Noisuf-X released "10 years of Riot", a 2 disc set collecting the 10 years of songs that dominated industrial-discos for a long time. For my City Club years I couldn't get past a night of playing at least 2 or 3 tracks from this artist. Long tired of this sound, but "10 Years of Riot" was a fun listen back in time to when I'd beatmatch an hour long set of similar material all at 140 bpm and have packed dancefloors. The Noisuf-X sound is characterized by harsh, pumping beats, furious bass lines, icy technoid leads, multiple sound manipulations and the typical spoken samplings. Pretty much Hardstyle techno colliding with industrial dance. This 'best of' moves back to "Tinnitus" and to all of the albums that have been released thus far. The songs are like in chronological order opening with songs of the "Antipode" (2005) album and ending with songs from last year's released "Invasion". A few songs have been reworked and presented as a different mix. The main disc features 19 songs and all the hits of Noisuf-X. The bonus disc features 14 extra songs - a selection of demo songs (from 2015), unfinished demos, unreleased demos and unreleased songs from the early years. The four "2015 Demo"-songs all are hard and hitting industrial-trance pieces. For those not schooled in the short-lived but influential sound of New Beat, the name Ro Moran won't mean much. Yet during the late '80s and early '90s, Moran - real name Rembert De Smet - was one of Belgium's most prolific producers, delivering underground New Beat anthems on an almost weekly basis. This career retrospective, "Collected #1" gathers together the best of his productions, a number of which haven't seen the light of day since 1988. Like much New Beat, Moran's driving, warehouse-friendly productions inventively joined the dots between industrial, EBM and pitched-down acid house, best witnessed in the twisted funk of Kaos 007's "CK On Acid", 2 Body's strobe-friendly "Astoria", and Edwards & Armani's slamming "Acid Drill". "SM" by SM is must-hear! onto the box sets... Surprisingly it was Cleopatra records (yes THAT Cleopatra) that had the most interesting Box Sets this year. Still not sure what to make of that Occult Box, but the label did a FANTASTIC job on the Ministry Trax Box- A treasure trove of early Wax Trax Records material from Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Pailhead, 1,000 Homo DJs, PTP and Acid Horse — including previously unreleased tracks and demos — all compiled on a limited-edition 7CD/1LP box set . The collection features material previously released on the Twelve Inch Singles and Side Trax compilations, as well as the out-of-print Black Box — Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years box set. HOWEVER, it's all collected now in one spot AND there are 29 previously unreleased tracks/demos, as well as long-sought material such as "I'll Do Anything For You," a With Sympathy-era track that hasn't seen release prior , and four live tracks (From Detroit 1982 no less) that will grab the attention of the most die hard collector of Jourgenson material. The 64-page book is extensive, full of photos and notes on the band. Encased in a leather-bound, foil-embossed box it's just a really sharp collection of Ministry and its creative network of collaborators who weren't afraid to do something new; to reinvent themselves; to blend genres in ways that enraged purists, and to explore genres nobody ever imagined could possibly exist. The resulting 95 tracks span a wide musical gamut: some of them sound like an '80s New Wave dancefloor; others sound like raw footage from an industrial biker rally in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future. But what links these tracks is pure Ministry attitude. Germany's Hands Productions celebrated 25 years in 2015 by realesing the "25 Years Of Hands" 4 CD limited edition compilatation. HANDS is a pioneering label for contemporary electronic music, presenting artists from all over the world. Looking back on a history of 25 years, it's more than appropriate to celebrate HANDS properly as a pioneering label for contemporary electronic music. For this occasion, (almost) all currently active artists of the worldwide label roster have contributed a new and exclusive track for this massive compilation. So rather than dabbling in retrospective, it's a state-of-the-art, and a view into the future of HANDS, with 48 tracks on lavishly packaged four CDs, presenting a diversity of individual electronic styles, united in the desire for progress. When Udo Wießmann founded the HANDS label in 1990, it was in order to be able to develop his own music first the project Atrum followed up shortly by Winterkälte, with complete artistic freedom. At first, it was just about the Atrum debut tape, and who would have thought that in the ensuing 25 years over 300 releases in the shape of CDs, vinyls, tapes, VHS, DVD would follow, as well as no less than 15 annual FORMS OF HANDS festivals and three HANDS LABEL NIGHTS. Also, HANDS artists are regular and established appearances at club concerts, festival stages, sound installations and audio visual performances. Initially associated with pioneering the rhythm'n'noise style, HANDS is also respected for their releases in genres as diverse as techno, drum'n'bass, ambient, IDM , industrial hardcore and all of those styles can be found on "25 YEARS OF HANDS" of course. Appearing in alphabetical order, with no limit to track length, this is a strong statement of artistic value. From the HANDS stalwarts such as Winterkälte, Mono No Aware or Ah Cama-Sotz to more recently joined acts such as Monolith, Ambassador21 or Cervello Elettronico, from those with a larger HANDS backcatalogue like Greyhound, Proyecto Mirage, Heimstatt Yiptoash, Shorai or S.K.E.T. to more novel projects like Saturmzlide or Supersimmetria, this unites the entire tribe. Fans will be delighted to hear from acts who have been in the long grass for a while, like Edgey, Angina P or 5F-X, and to witness the direction that they're currently taking. And it's without hyperbole, that the musical content is of undisputed quality, and it is accordingly packaged: The limited first edition comes in an oversize art book style heavy carton CD cover with embossing designed by Nicola Bork. Check Hands Mailorder for availability.

  Tinnitus (Akustikusneurinom Version) – Noisuf-X

Play It Loud (2015 Demo Version) – Noisuf-X

Sheer Horror – Suicide Commando

Body Bag – Suicide Commando

Transparent Species – Front Line Assembly

Love of Life – Swans

The Sound of Freedom – Swans

The Devil's Dancers – Oppenheimer Analysis

Radiance – Oppenheimer Analysis

Cold War – Oppenheimer Analysis

New Mexico – Oppenheimer Analysis

Burn Baby Burn – Blok 57

How Does It Go – Fostercare

Dark Passenger – Teeel

III – Ritualz

Puur – Distel

Acid Drill – The Edwards, Armani

SM – SM

Body Drill – 2 Body's

I'm Gonna Beat This - Instrumental Acid Mix – Agaric

Suicide Commando – No More

Pearl’s Girl - Remastered – Underworld

Born Slippy - Nuxx / Remastered – Underworld

Thundershowers - Extended Mix – Psyche

I'm Falling – Ministry

I'll Do Anything for You – Ministry

Move – Ministry

Where Are You at Now? – Ministry

Work For Love (Demo) – Ministry

No Devotion (Bonus Track) – Revolting Cocks

Stainless Steel Providers – Revolting Cocks

I Will Refuse – Pailhead

Don't Stand In Line – Pailhead

Better Ways – 1000 Homo DJs

Show Me Your Spine – PTP

No Name No Slogan – Acid Horse

Same Old Madness (Video Version) – Ministry

We Shall Cleanse The World (Razormaid Mix) – Revolting Cocks

Don't Stand In Line (Remix) – Pailhead

Better Than You – Swans

Love Will Save You – Swans

Work Terminal – Digital Poodle

Work Terminal - Solvent Revision – Digital Poodle

Work Terminal - Celldod Revision – Digital Poodle

Playlist Link »

    ::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2015 EBM/Techno ::::::::::::::::::::::::: Always been my favorite genres to follow, and saving the best for last. There's just something about the EBM genre that combines elements of post-industrial music, electronic dance music and synth punk that still gets the old blood circulating still. And with techno rapidly evolving away from it's minimal trappings into darker territories (and many of the producers stating how much Body Music has ALWAYS been an influence), it's a very exciting time for both these genres that are really merging to become almost one. There's not too much difference between the often techno classified Civil Dity and that of Nitzer Ebb. Same can be said for Beau Wanzer, Silent Servant, and Powell. The interchange of ideas is why you found so many great DJ mixes this year spread between Soundcloud, Digital Tsunami, Secret Thirteen, Electronic Explorations and other sites sequaying between ebm, techno and more sonic contortions. There's much experimenting, boundry pushing and futuristic sounding releases to be found in these genres. Makes the discovery fun again.

The masters of the genre were at it: Gabi Delgado (D.A.F.) released his second solo album this year ("2") proving not only why he has so much respect as a forefather of this genre but also showcasing some new directions.

NZ, Orange Sector (Two singles and a full-length this year!), Prager Handgriff, La Sante, MRDTC, EMU Bomb (bandcamp link) all carried the classic sound torch (laid down by 242, Nitzer Ebb, etc.) fantastically well. DRP resurfaced after 25 years with the "Peace Offensive" CD on Dirk Ivens DAFT Record. DRP, a Japanese EBM band from Sapporo, released their first album "Electro Brain 586" on Body Records / Antler Subway way back in 1990. A second album "PEACE OFFENSIVE" and a 12 inch "MAKE LOVE" where recorded in 1991 but due to label policy's these recordings never saw the light of day. Recently DAFT found these treasures back in their archives and, remastered by Eric van Wonterghem (Monolith / Absolute Body Control), decided to release both recordings in one Digipak CD, 23 years after the original recording date. Limted to just 300 copies this essential CD contains the electro-acid-EBM bombs in the true DRP tradition, plus the 3 remixes of `Make love'. One of 2015's best surprises. Order from Sleepless Berlin After a 5-year hiatus, the cult 80s EBM act SERPENTS returned! "State of War" delivers pure, raw and back to basics old school EBM with a signature SERPENTS touch. SERPENTS began in 1989 with a series of cassette releases, leading up to their debut album 'Terminal Breath' in 1993. The band followed up with just two other full-length albums, 'What Is Fear?' in 1999 and the digital-only 'Immer Voran!' in 2010. The band has had a revolving line-up over the years but the mastermind has always been Kazim Sarikaya. In a 2012 interview Sarikaya speculated that the band could have been much bigger if they had been able to sign a contract after their first tapes, when the EBM scene was gaining widespread popularity in Germany and the early releases of bands like LEÆTHER STRIP and :WUMPSCUT: were taking the scene by storm. However, for whatever reason the band never really signed a lucrative contract. And, like countless other bands of the time, Sarikaya's day job and life in general led to delays over the years. There was a similar delay converting from analog technology to digital, from hardware synths and drum machines to software-based technology. The newest SERPENTS release, 'State Of War', is a double-CD release from Electro Aggression Records. The first disc, titled 'State Of War', is the band's new album, providing an old school feel but with a clean and modern production. Disc 2 provides a re-release of 'Immer Voran!', the lost 2010 album that saw a digital release but never a chance to breathe on its own. With entirely German vocals, this disc has a decidedly different feel than 'State Of War'. Yet this is not a reissue in the purest sense. Some songs, such as 'Komm Noch Näher', 'Immer Voran!', 'Wer Bist Du?' and 'Das Zweite Leben' are here presented in updated 2015 versions. An unreleased version of 'Wings Of Darkness' is also present, originally from the 1999 album 'What Is Fear?' And, to give listeners a taste of the vintage SERPENTS sound, the club classic 'Das Zweite Leben' is also present here in remixed form (from 1993's 'Terminal Breath'). 'State Of War' 2-CD collection strikes me as a carefully curated re-introduction to a band that has forged its own unique path since the early days of EBM. Bandcamp Link

On point, you had the more techno-minded guys borrowing and reshaping elements of the EBM genre; Beau Wanzer, Broken English Club, Circa Tapes (ex-Kill memory Crash), Civil Duty, Daniel Avery, Dronelock, Drvg Cvltvre, Headless Horeseman, Henning Baer, Profligate, Realmz, Regis, Slugbug, Powell, Terrence Fixmer (excellent Jealous God issue this year and a re-issue of his "Aktion Mekanik" theme) , Tommy Four Seven, Israel Vines, Perc, 77tm, Octave One, Florence Foster Fan Club, Miss Kitten & The Hacker, Drax (aka Thomas P. Heckmann), Cardopusher (who's "Streetjack" track was a pure acid banger) and more. Then you have more the 'industrial-ebm' gang taking influence from the old European sound (Pure Ground, High-Functioning Flesh, Silent Signals) or just destroying pre-concieved notions on what EBM is, like Youth Code. Not to forget, Azar Swan who had both Cut Hands and Vatican Shadow do very tibal industrial and dark techno variations respectively.

As usuaul there's always 'rising' artist creating head turners tunes; Tzusing, P.E.A.R.L. (Who was included on at least 7 singles this year), Codex Empire, Boan, Ascion, Alstadt Echo, Phase Fatale, Body Party, Multiples and more. Also check out the following comps: Detroit Techno Militia - "The Tip of the Spear" 3xLP - which featured former THD artist Shawn Rudiman working some ebm techno. Purchase here Controt Yourself - "Events At The Fatal Party ‎" and "Shark Story Of The Century" both released this year and paired new ebm/techno artist (Prostitutes, Beau Wanzer, Slugbug, etc...) with updated mixes of some of the 80's biggest ebm bands like Die Form and Esplendor Geométrico. Great concept and great compilations. Check Discogs for availability as these leave the shops and sell out quickly! Cititrax - "Tracks Volume 1" with Amato (akaThe Hacker), Tzusing, An-I and Broken English Club. THIS is the new sound of techno-ebm!!!!Sound clips and purchase link DKA - Strategies Against the Body - "Strategies Against The Body: A Contemporary Survey", a 7 track overview and celebration of the dramatic resurgence of industrial music and culture that has been sweeping the globe the past few years. Together, the artists featured on this compilation present an incisive look at the depth and span of the genre while also moving the form forward into bold new shapes. Touching on filthy synthpunk, expansive pop, primitive Body Music and clattering techno, this compilation is exclusively composed of previously unreleased music from High-Functioning Flesh, Tannhäuser Gate, RedRedRed, Xander Harris, DVA Damas, and DKA's own Tifaret and TWINS, this release captures the essence of the current chapter the industrial/synth scene while also promising tantalizing hints at the shape of industrial to come. Bandcamp Link Oh and the whole Obscuur Techno label catlaog demands your attention. A great discovery for me this year. OBSCURE TECHNO is an organization based in Utrecht, The Netherlands focused on sharing deep, raw and sometimes acid techno sounds. No vinyl from the label (yet), all digital, but for sure Amazing stuff. Check out Grayhuman's "Portland 525" ep and I Hate Models "Persephone" for proof. DAMN!!!! Bandcamp Link You have to keep your eyes and ears open!!! Of special note these were some favorites this year that desreve mention (although I highly reccomend a lot of self-exploring of all these artist in this genre)

High-Functioning Flesh - "Definite Structures" The Los Angeles duo released their sophmore album via DAIS in 2015. No sophmore slump worries here. A VERY satisfying release that ended up on many year-end list this year (#1 at I:Die You:Die and #2 at amodelofcontrol). What's most appealing to me about High-Functioning Flesh is that they present a lot of early 80's-90's industrial-ebm influences (Portion Control, Cabaret Voltaire, Manufacture, etc...) yet they have their own unique sound that has modern flourishes as well. By far, they're the best at paying a respectful reference without being a flat-out ripoff. A collection of nine pounding songs with infectious melodies, memorable choruses, jagged digital synthesizers and Subtract's snarling punk yells. Raw and visceral, "Definite Structures" is just as good as the classic albums like Ministry's "Twitch", Cabs "C.O.D.E." and Nitzer Ebbs "That Total Age". It's got a nice reminder of the "way it was" without being cheesy throwback. If you loved the bands debut "A Misery of Unities – A Unity of Miseries" (and who didn't) you'll notice not a huge shift in style and song construction but certainly a more cofident development of their sound. I simply can't throw enough praise at this record. If you're and EBM fan, go get it. And for a really indepth analysis of this record check out I:Die You:Dies VERY indepth "In Conversation: with" article here http://www.idieyoudie.com/2015/06/in-conversation-high-functioning-flesh-definite-structures/

Pure Ground - "The Arsonist / And So Remain (limited hand-numbered 7")" and "Standard of Living" The finest purveyors (and sustainers) of that icy, desolate and minimal ebm sound (popularized in Belgium) is without question L.A.s Pure Ground. The 7" single came in two versions - Limited to 150 hand-numbered copies a 40gr Clear gold vinyl and a Limited to 350 hand-numbered copies 40gr Black vinyl. "The Arsonist" is a minimal synth jam making use exclusively of classic analog equipment, incorporating an equal share of harmonious and discordant elements. This ones got a slight hint of a grove akin to early Klinik (a band they're influenced by but certainly don't replicate). The B-side "And So Remain" is much more subdued and distant sounding, a creeping and cathartic exercise in restrained haunting. "Standard of Living" is a top-noth showcase of Pure Grounds work. Sounding focused and self-assured there is a tight assemblage of tracks to be found on the bands 3rd album all working within the frameworks of minimal rhythms, arpeggiated basslines, scraps of melodies and some noise. Tracks like the opener "Second Skin" or "Centuries in Gold" reminiscent once again of Klinik and their minimal, yet harder approach on EBM and Industrial – "The Glory of Absence" even nods over to power electronics pioneers Whitehouse and Genocide Organ, while "Tides" or "The End of Days" evoke a more melancholic minimal synth feeling, "Poison" is a formidable EBM stomper, intelligently building up and evolving to a subliminally experimental, analogue driven track that might have well been released in Belgium in the early 80s. The songs are well-composed, giving away just the right amount of monotony and some minor changes actually adding a lot. The vocals are energetic and the production, oldschool-ish as it sounds, is crystal clear, perfectly displayed in "War In Every House", building up on a bassline repeated over the whole song, before throwing in minor changes in the drum pattern, some slightly disharmonic, never completely repeating arpeggiated melody lines, underlining a rawly shouted vocal line partially drowning in delay. ESSENTIAL! Bandcamp "Standard of Living" Bandcamp The Arsonist / And So Remain 7"

Celldod - "Pulsdisco" 12" and "Mekaniskt Gränsland" LP These two releases are noteworthy in that they are what many may look at as the blueprint for the emerging of the neo-ebm sound. Mixing up EBM with industrial and techno -it's a mix that displays much forward-thinking and crossover potential. These tracks would work in your usual industrial-dance clubs but more importantly could attract plenty of the pure-techno crowd. The tracks to be found on both these releases are all stand-out . Investigate and you'll discover "Svart Magi" with its deliciously wonky bassline, the brooding, pseudo electro of "Impulskontroll", don't forget "Under Press" and its harsh techno tone, or the beatless howls of "Stormens Oga". Love this stuff!

Phase Fatale - Grain 12" Phase Fatale is the techno project of Berlin-based DJ and producer Hayden Payne from New York. Born out of his various post-punk and cold wave bands in the past, Phase Fatale is an artistic endeavour that serves as an outlet for his own interpretation of the darker, harder and industrial-leaning techno. The project aims to demolish the border between music and noise to create a new individual vision of techno – the sound of future war, whether it's captured on vinyl or an extract of the digital static. Phase Fatale uses exclusively hardware to achieve his distinguishable sound for his live sets while his DJ sets feature a unique blend of techno laced with EBM and industrial. Much like his 2014 "Skyscraper" EP , "Grain" moves between noise-ridden soundscapes and minimal industrial techno rhythms, capturing the spirits of both EBM classics and modern contemporaries. Also check out the podcast he did for Digital Tsunami (https://soundcloud.com/digitaltsunami/digital-tsunami-084-phase-fatale)

Louisahhh!!! and Maelstrom Both Lousiahhh!!! and Maelstrom seperately and together had standout years. Louisahhh releasing "Shadow Work" on Gesaffelsteins Bromance Records.The six track "Shadow Work" EP, is her strongest offering yet.The pack leads with "Ready", which immediately sucks you into a vacuum of awesome evolutionary spoken word. "I'm ready to shine" she says with unwavering confidence as a pulsing backdrop steadily burns and rises along with the poetry. The voice has always been Louisahhh!!!'s trademark instrument and it continues to shine through the glimmering "Change" as lines like "Cut me and it's light I bleed" float along an instrumental that sounds like Radiohead type warping pads tied to a Royksopp style bass rhythm."Ego" further elevates the listener into an intimate higher state of consciousness while tapping into trance-like sexuality. "Face down play with it / Penetrate shape shift it / Hold still don't spill it / Bottom out get lifted," she coos around the type of upward arps you might hear in a miami bass track; paired with rhythms which syncopate like a warehouse strobe light. She continues to give us life mantras cast in a nighttime hue with "Want", where she fires off lines like "It's good to want / it's not enough / don't ever stop" through what seem like almost grit teeth. Many of the EP's tracks make stylistic shifts a little after halfway in, and "Want"'s switch up sees her going from talking to top line while the track underneath her expands into a vogue-y disco strut. "I got a fever / look at my hands shake," she says in the release's closing track, "Quake", as if to visualize the surging dancefloor energy she's built up to this point. "I got a fever – I got a fever – I got a fever," she continues before a splash of reverb followed by a stark dip into jaw-dropping, vocal-cutting techno. In this one, the idea of Louisahhh!!!'s voice being a texture not unlike synths, kicks and basslines, is further driven home as they layer, spill and dice around her main lead. It's a fitting climax for one of her best collections of music yet. "Shadow Work" is a welcome reminder that Bromance put out some of the best techno available right now and Louisahhh!!!, whose beautiful and intense vocal and production work continues grow with each release, is a major part of that. Along with Maelstrom (more on him later) they released the 'Friction' EP and once again the pair have hit gold.

The title track kicks off with venomous throbbing and a considerable amount of drive before Louisahhh!!!'s seductive whispers trickle in. The track is stompier than the duo's previous productions but still comes armed with rolling drops and beautifully timed crescendos. 'Body Music' is a room shaker owing much to ADULTS. sound. Three wicked original tracks and two intelligent edits that deliver.

Maelstroms own Optics EP saw release via Zone records. A rugged techno four trackre. Though his name suggests total chaos, Maelstrom's music belies intention, focus and precision. Often marked as 'exciting newcomer' to French techno, Maelstrom has actually been making music for over fifteen years. With a cryptic history of aliases and side projects, illegal raves thrown in warehouses and fields and basements, the artist has really come into his own under this moniker. With releases on BNR Trax, Sound Pellegrino and an undeniable staple of the Zone Records family, Maelstrom's sound has matured from ferocious electro bangers to knee-buckling techno over the last half-decade. Opening up this fine EP is 'Densil,' the dark, textural broken techno track that has harsh claps, urgent siren sounds and a real sense of industrialism in its turbulent groove. 'Fission' is a more traditional acid track with gurgling 303 lines bubbling away above firmly planted, insistent kicks. Late night twinkles and a subtle paranoia characterise the murky atmospheres and it doesn't take much to imagine this one doing plenty of damage in the club. The perfectly occult 'Optical Tendencies' is another experimental affair with lumpy drums, pixel thin synth patterns and more grumbling industrial fills. It is dystopian and dark, absorbing and brilliantly machine made. Lastly, the excellent 'Oxy Blur' has sluggish bass, swampy sounds and corrugated synths all slowly trudging along as pained stabs and bleak pads all add to the soot black intensity of it all.

And if the two weren't busy enough, they started a new label called RAAR. The name connotes both 'rare, uncommon, unique' and the sound of a guttural roar, the wild cry of a true passion project. Started as equal parts research division of techno's new frontiers, haven for the sacred and profane, and 'benevolent anarchy', RAAR aims to release truly innovative music from and for brave sonic explorers. Unsatisfied with digital-only distribution, RAAR plans to press every release to vinyl, curating a library of tangible sound objects as the label's legacy. RAR001 celebrates a new collaboration in Roijacker, supergroup composed of Dave Clarke, Black Asteroid and Mr Jones, in addition to LOUISAHHH!!! and Maelstrom's own ongoing transition into raucous, full throttle rave warfare.

Mikron - "Sleep Paralysis" Mikron are two English brothers (Michael Corcoran and Ciaran Corcoran) who live in Australia, but here they release on Sheffield label Central Processing Unit (keep your peepers ont his label). Following an EP for Gesaffelstein and The Hacker's ZONE Records, Mikron present their latest opus, "Sleep Paralysis", containing four crunchy electro tracks for the twisted mind. Like the best electro, this is dark: raw, saturated, and hard-hitting, yet itching with a serious machine funk.

Headless Horseman - Had both a single "006" and a full-length 2x12" "007". Not much is known about Germany's Headless Horseman, an artist who has decided to keep near total anonymity since his first self-titled EP back in 2013. The techno deviant is back with his own (self-titled!) label's sixth release and it's more brash, pounding 4/4 goodness as expected. "Sanctuary" is like a slowed-down d&b tune from the late 90's, while on the B-side, "Battle Hill" is basically a d&b tune from the 90's (in a familiar D-Bridge tone). "Bridge Of Dismay", on the other hand, is a fast-paced and glitchy percussive number with a truly twisted groove. The seventh in the mysterious Headless Horseman series is the most well-rounded release to date. It ranges in mood from the deep, dark textures of "Moonlight" and the menacing, groaning soundtrack that is "Stormrunner" to the heavy, direct techno of "Road To Betrayal" and the more typical Headless Horseman sound on "Haunted", where lithe dense broken beats roll out over twisted horror-scapes. In between these two extremes sit a new direction for Headless Horseman, audible on the dark, almost hip-hop noir of "Raven" and "Her Black Wings". It's the latest, fascinating chapter in the Headless Horseman saga.

Blush Response - "Future Tyrants" Joey Blush AKA Blush Response hails from NYC but is very much a resident of Germany's capital nowadays. In fact, he's so popular there already that he's landed on Philipp Strobel and Gabriel Brero's aufnahme + wiedergabe, home to like-minded EBM enthusiasts and darkwave specialists. "Future Tyrants" itself is a pulsating slice of noise-filtered techno, and "Civilian Slaughter" scraps the straight beats in favour of pure chaos in the form of huge walls of cavernous sonics. The flip sees the nastiness that "Seven Rays" deliver some pounding, head-tripping kick drums amid squelching sounds, and the more minimalistic "Fenix" deliver some real poison. Nasty! Bandcamp link

Multiples -"Multiples" and "2" Multiples is Jesse J. McClear. Originator of Heavy Water Factory and multi-genre producer. 'Multiples', the self-titled debut, is an EP of dark, grinding industrial techno filled with scraping soundscapes and heavy kicks; with influences ranging from Black Asteroid to Monoloc, to Terence Fixmer .'2' features 3-tracks of heavy industrial techno and dark tech-house madness. Bandcamp Link Multiples Bandcamp Link "2"

Valid Point – And

Acido Rosso – Ascion

Oklahoma – Beau Wanzer

Shitty Cough 7 – Beau Wanzer

Babylon – BOAN

Freaksnake – BOAN

BOAN Acid – BOAN

Ritual Killing – Broken English Club

Impulskontroll – Celldod

Antimateria – Celldod

Pulsdisco 1 – Celldod

Stalull – Celldod

Adagio – The Circa Tapes

No Dexterity – Civil Duty

Two Door Civic – Civil Duty

Kingsevil – Codex Empire

Savage Dispensary – Codex Empire

Spring 27 (Silent Servant Remix) – Daniel Avery

Reception (Perc Remix) – Daniel Avery

Water Jump (Powell Remix) – Daniel Avery

No Man's Land – Data-Bank-A

The Mob (Street Mix) – Data-Bank-A

Vulture Lord - Original Mix – Drvg Cvltvre

New Earth Army – Drvg Cvltvre

We Have Become The Filth Of The Universe – Drvg Cvltvre

Manbait - Regis Version – Family Sex

Astronaut – Gabi Delgado

Musik – Gabi Delgado

Viva La Droga Electronica – Gabi Delgado

Angst – Gabi Delgado

Say Nothing to No One – Henning Baer

Empire Down – Henning Baer

Hunger Cries – High-Functioning Flesh

Afterbirth – High-Functioning Flesh

Confuse the Call – High-Functioning Flesh

WWKD - Silent Servant Remix – Israel Vines, Silent Servant

Mr Mime – J Tijn

Panguna (The Hacker Remix) – Keluar, The Hacker

Locked Target – Kwartz

Zlote I Szare – La Santé

Moja Wina – La Santé

Body Music (Original Mix) – Louisahhh!!!, Maelstrom

Friction (Rave Mix) – Louisahhh!!!, Maelstrom

Fision – Maelstrom

Optical Tendencies – Maelstrom

Sleep Paralysis – Mikron

Dry Sense – Mikron

Leather Forever – Miss Kittin, The Hacker

Nightlife – Miss Kittin, The Hacker

Brain Talk – MRDTC

Chase'N'Pain – NZ

One of Us – NZ

Golden Age – NZ

Return Of Juno - Original Mix – Octave One

Glasmensch – Orange Sector

Sturm – Orange Sector

Monoton - NZ Remix – Orange Sector

Monoton – Orange Sector

Rebell – Orange Sector

Vortex – P.E.A.R.L.

All gods of man - Original Mix – P.E.A.R.L.

Rot – Phase Fatale

Grain – Phase Fatale

73 – Phase Fatale

Amerika – Prager Handgriff

Morgenrot – Prager Handgriff

Good Humor – Profligate

Circulation – Realmz

Strength - Album Remix – Red Industrie, Psyche

Blood Witness - Original 12" Mix – Regis

Disconnect Myself – //Tense//

131 – Tommy Four Seven

Meskalin – Tyske Ludder

4 Floors of Whores – Tzu Sing

Frankincense and Myrrh – Tzu Sing

Anagnorisis – Youth Code

Playlist Link »

  And that's it! I'll be back in February with the things I forgot or maybe even a few addendums on releases for one reason or another I missed out on (Oil Thief). It's hard to get to everything, yet I try. And of course there were some things that made other peoples list, I had little interest in myself. That's music, we each hone in on what appeals to our unique taste. Hope these lists let you discover some amazing music released in 2015. If in any way I can help you hunt these down for purchase, let me know. VERY MUCH looking forward to 2016 and helping to improve your record collections through suggestions ;)

2014 Music Recommendations (MASSIVE)

Whew! 2014, quite the year for music. What transpires within a years time - it always amazes me. What explodes? What fizzles? What's a sleeper hit? What's to be discovered?

This year had many memorable moments such as the first new Aphex Twin ("Syro") in 13 years, new material from old stalwarts such as Borghesia, Godflesh, Laibach, Einstruzende Neaubauten and Click Click, as well as triumphant returns from Seabound and Iris. Not to forget all the cool underground stuff (Pure Ground, Celldod, Human Performance Lab, Body of Light, etc) that surfaced this year as well. That's ONLY the beginning. PLENTY of exceptional releases in the areas of noise (W.A.S.T.E.), IDM (Tonikom), dark techno (Vatican Shadow), and alternative/pop (The Foreign Resort).

Over the years I've been doing these list (about 10+ years now), I've watched my taste change and the trends in music come, go, blur and expand. Have long since stopped doing a straight out top 10 or top 25 list - there's just way too much good stuff and limiting it down to just 10, 15 or 25 often proves to be too difficult and you end up missing things, thus the recommendations list. Yes I love music and I love to write. In the past I wrote for several magazines and zines. I worked in music stores for many many years as well. Yes, I DJ, and yes can talk incessantly about songs, bands, records and labels. Quite simply, I like to get music on peoples radar and into their ears. The purpose of these list is to get you the reader ENGAGED, EXCITED and INFORMED about music you may not know, haven't heard of, or perhaps been curious about. 

2014 was the year in which vinyl dominated my music purchases. I think I only purchased three CD releases this year - one being Cabaret Voltaire's "C.O.D.E." as I had been looking for it forever, the next an old Cult Klassix compilation and the third was the Klinik 8cd box set because it was made available only on CD. ( Oh and my buddy Anders sent me a mini-cd of the new Celldod material as well. )  The vinyl experience is unique in that it puts a bit more focus -for me at least- on listening. You're engaged with a side and then have to get up and flip it over if need be. With CD's, I always tend to drift off over the course of 79 minutes. Spinning vinyl also made DJ'ing fun again. Selecting just the right records to fit into the bag for the evening. Then cueing them up and watching the grooves play out rather than have a digital read and automotically knowing the bpm. The resurgence of the cassette culture also continued in 2014. Plenty of great stuff to be found on Chondritic Sound, Passed Loves, Ascetic House, Nostilevo and more. Certainly not my preferred format, but when you get a release as good as the Body of Light "Limits of Reason" or the industrial audio destruction of Marital Vows which were only available on cassette, you take what you can get. In most cases here I've tried to provide individual Spotify links of select tracks so that you may click the link and be taken to the song for listening. Not on Spotify? You should be as it's a wonderful tool to check music out, form playlist and share music with friends. A few links go directly to the bands BandCamp pages where you can listen and even purchase the tracks. Couple links to Youtube videos and some right to Soundcloud - All to give you a glimpse of what's available to listen to. I've also tried to provide just a playlist link that will open the list in full in Spotify so you can play it. Yep tried to make it easy for you gals and guys but not everything is on Spotify. You may have to dig some. Google is your friend :D My own preferences - I listen to a bit of everything in music, yet lean towards electronic stuff very heavily. Done my best here to break things down into sections or groupings (even that's getting difficult as there's so much crossover with genre's now) Anyways, ready? Got your beverage and snacks? Pen and paper to make some notes. It's way long but worth it. Here goes…

  2014 EBM (full playlist 2014 EBM) Always been my favorite genre to follow, so lets start here. There's just soemthing about the genre that combines elements of post-industrial music, electronic dance music and synth punk that still gets the old blood circulating. 2014 continued to see a strong ressurgence in the sound and style.

The masters of the genre were at it: Gabi Delgado (D.A.F.) released a solo album this year ("1") proving not only why he has so much respect as a forefather of this genre but also showcasing some new directions. Likewise Front 242 celebrated 30 years of music making with three US shows as well as a limited box set 7" of "Take One" on the relaunched Wax Trax records.

Electro Generator Group, NZ, Overdriver, Plastic Noise Experience, Terence Fixmer, Wulfband, Oberkampf all carried the classic sound torch (laid down by 242, Nitzer Ebb, etc.) fantastically well

On point, you had the more techno-minded guys borrowing and reshaping elements of the EBM genre; Adam X, Al Ferox, Brodinski, Broken English Club, Cute Heels, Drvg Cvltvre, Further Reductions, Geistech, The Hacker, The Horrorist, Millimetric, Monolith, Orphx, Oscar Mulero, SFX DJ, Silent Servant, Solvent, Streetwalker, Beau Wanzer, X-Crashed (aka Adam-X), Jock Club, Uncto, Jon Convex, Drax, D. Carbone, Tzusing, amongst many more.

As usuaul there's always 'rising' artist creating head turners tunes; 77thm, An-I, Ansome, Ateph Elidja,Bill Youngman, Bombardier, Bronze Teeth, Headless Horseman, In Aeternam Vale, Jon Convex, Maelstrom, Mikron, Profligate, Prostitutes, RedRedRed, Sumerian Fleet, UVB, Wollows, Pure Ground, Kord, Ssleaze, Domenico Crisci, Violet Posion, Celldod, MetaMorphosys, Animal Bodies, Zarkoff, Kit N C.L.A.W.S. and more... Was impressed this year by four underground releases: Sarin - "Rotten". A cassette and digital release from Toronto's Deth records. Incredible stuff here that explores a dark minimalistic ebm world. A very retro-mood is set complete with synth-heavy beats and well-placed samples that create a grimy atmosphere. However the production is ever so modern sounding. A stunning fusion of EBM, classic industrial, techno and movie samples, with minimal analog basslines that chug and churn each song into a dance floor killer. http://dethrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rotten

Human Performance Lab - "Body Break". Also from Deth Records in Toronto. Human Performance Lab see's SΛRIN teamed up with the minimal synth half of Vierance to create this little monster. Human Performance Lab is the culmination of a year's work of triggering and sequencing an array of synths and samples to create a unique hybrid. The minimal powerful and driving bass lines recall the good old days of late 80s EBM and new beat, topped off with subtle melodies and intricate samples. Whereas Sarin may lean more towards a sinister side, Human Performance Lab tinkers with New Beat just a little bit more. http://dethrecords.bandcamp.com/album/body-break

Celldod - "Pulsdisco#1 ‎", Pulsdisco#2" , "Affektiv Storm ‎", "Krig " Remember this name. Remember it because you're going to hear it again and again. A project of The Pain Machinery's Anders Karlsson, CELLDÖD had a very prolific 2014 releasing 4(!) cassettes and preparing the Pulsdisco vinyl that was pressed right here at Archer in Detroit and to be released the first week of January on vinyl via Toronto's Suction Records. CELLDÖD most likely started as Anders was working on new Pain Machinery material, but evolved and grew into something all it's own. Suction records decritption sums it up very well. 'The pulse of bands like DAF, Nitzer Ebb and The Klinik is at the heart of Celldöd's sound as well, but with a twist. Celldöd strips EBM down to it's core, eliminating vocals and any superfluous details. Celldöd offers a raw, minimal, and purist vision of EBM; hardware tracks recorded live to tape using just a handful of machines. Celldöd's bare bones dance cuts are dirty and primitive, but manage to steer clear of retro trappings, sounding fresh and contemporary. Despite being driven by Nitzer Ebb-style basslines and militant electronic percussion, you can also hear the squelch and funk of vintage acid house and proto-techno in Celldöd, giving Pulsdisco the same techno/EBM crossover appeal of artists such as Silent Servant, Adam X and Terrence Fixmer." ESSENTIAL! https://soundcloud.com/celldod MetaMorphosys - "Out of the Picture". A total throw back to the Zoth Ommog, Ras DVA days perhaps. There's a home recording rawness and distinctiveness about these tracks. The appeal is they sound like what any of us who got into ebm late 80's early 90's were all aspiring to be, yet possibly didn't know much about the machines - so we had FUN. There's impressive ideas here and the sound is one not bogged down by overproduction whatsoever. The music matters most and not so much a crisp production. Also check out the "Cut: Early Demos" to hear even more of the bands beginnings. Both are FREE to download via bandcamp http://fragileforms.bandcamp.com And some mentions of even more favorite ebm releases this year;

Sumerian Fleet- "Just Pressure" Plain and simple - a really fun record that takes me back to the "C.O.D.E" era of Cabaret Voltaire (one of my favorite records of all time). Sumerian Fleet is a Dutch trio taking obvious inspiration from 80's industrial, ebm and wave. Like the aforementioned Cabs record, "Just Pressure" is full of simple dance floor hooks, tense arpegiations, synth stabs, guitar echoes, well-delivered vocals with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. Because of the fact the band utilizes vintage analog gear like the Linn Drum, Roland TR-808, MiniMoog, Korg MS-20, and Roland Jupiter 8 this record sounds like it could have hit in 89, however it doesn't sound particularly retro like some other EBM releases this year, just that Sumerian Fleet really admires that era and wanted to do a contemporary take on it. Cute Heels- "Spiritual" Taut, shark-eyed EBM/wave. A skilfully intuitive meld of sounds ranging from rugged, blistered forms of hydraulic EBM onwards to synthy romance, classy industrial funk, spark-spitting electro and noisy, discordant synth bombs. A thouroughly satisfying album that reminds me of Front 242's brilliant "Geography" album in a big way. Music that carries a heavy sci-fi futuristic vibe.

The Hacker - "Love/Kraft" The Hacker returned in 2014 with a stylish blend of EBM and electro-pop with "Love/Kraft". Seven lean, glossy black songs that fall in the dark between salacious EBM swing, new beat, italio disco and techno. A long established sonic experimenter who's released seminal electroclash work with Miss Kittin, The Hacker remains an icon for the current generation of electronic producers like fellow label mate and countryman Gesaffelstein. "A Thousand Times" feat. Detroit's own Perspects is a terse bit of electro-tech that spits out percussive hits, is wired up with thick synth lines and bounces on a big bassline. A robotic voice sings the track's title and makes for pure punk-funk listening. Next up, 'Clear' plays with surfing electro percussion and supple basslines. It's a chunky groove that breaks down with a classic bit of ravey old school piano before kicking again. Showing his many different sides, 'Parallele Universe' then slips into a slinky, deep down below the surface groove as industrial drones linger somewhere off in the distance. The albums best track, 'Pure Energy' sees pistons pumping, white noise sweeps and teeth gnashing bass sounds get joined by whip snapping, metallic hooks and monstrous kicks to make for the most aggressive moment of the lot. This is the sound of The Hacker at his moody best – it covers plenty of ground from main room wreckers to subtler back room mood pieces, and makes for a truly captivating listen. ESSENTIAL!

AN-I - "Kino" and "Gutz" When "Kino" was released at the beginning of the year in February, it was an instant classic. Upon it's realease, I heard no less than 5 DJ's play all the cuts at three different events around Detroit. "Kino" was THAT an impressive debut. Former New Yorker and now Berliner, Doug Lee combined a hard hitting sound beyond categorization moving from techno to jack to punk and noise. It suggests an anything goes attitude perhaps dictated more by the will of machines themselves then any author. "Kino (Beats)" starts with a noisy junk percussion assault and continues it's near Tetsuo Iron Man, Neubauten, "Crash & Burn" Ministry, Speedy J pummeling onwards. More industrial than anything else this year and a record that whenever it got dropped would see people losing their shit and fists in the air. One of 2014's most memorable tracks easily. But did Lee stop at that? Of course not! In December he unleashed a follow up EP called "Gutz", three distinct slabs of throbbing machine funk. The opening track "Gutz" is a dense mutant high energy number, modern yet timeless. "Rut", the first track An-i recorded whilst still living in New York and the first one to catch label Cittrax attention, opens the B side with a massive dose of syncopated teutonic mayhem, spacier and sparser than the rest. "Save Us" completes the release with an anthem of dirty warehouse techno. An-i came completely out of nowhere and just made such an impact this year. http://minimalwave.com/releases/release/kino-i http://minimalwave.com/articles/article/an-i-gutz-12 Perc - "The Power and the Glory", "The Power And The Glory Remixed ", Perc & Truss - Two Hundred AnD - "Cosmic Microwave Background", "Esoteric Systems ‎", "Kundalini". "FVS", "Dark Matter" Can group these two artist under one review perhaps. Both Perc and AnD had similar releases this year. Both artist float around the territories of dark techno but often push the limits of harsh industrialism, hard-nosed-ebm, agrression and ferocious pounding of kick drums. Both artist paint an ever broadening pallete of sounds. There's chugging electro, paranoid bpm bangers and chaos to be found across all the output here. Both "Power" and "Cosmic" do brutal jumps from one place to another. It's an uncomfortable ride, but for those willing to take the adventure they will be rewarded. Some of the most confronting techno out there. Check this material out of you haven't yet. http://www.electricdeluxe.net/cosmic-microwave-background/ (Perc in the playlist below) High-Functioning Flesh - "A Unity of Miseries-A Misery of Unities" Getting this bands demo tape back in 2013 listeners could hear the sparks that were soon to ignite with this LA based band. 2014 was certainly their year with the release of their album "A Unity of Miseries-A Misery of Unities" on DKA (They'd later sign with Dais Records). Of the seven songs that make up "A Unity of Miseries...", four are polished versions of ones that appeared on their online demo tape last year, but stronger and more realized. "Rigid Embrace" has the duo embracing electro the most, pairing a brittle bass sequence and sharp, inhuman drums. "Touch Oblivion Icon" is perhaps the most iconic song on here, shuffling along at a moderate tempo amongst sparse synths and some more detached vocals, here more Jean-Luc De Meyer than Douglas McCarthy. Some may quip the record feels old and nostalgic, but i really think they are just trying to make/pay minor tribute to an 80's and early 90's EBM sound trademarked in Europe. (It's a better influence to have than any cyber-gas mask terror.) The album still sounds very modern while borrowing the aesthetic elements of bands like Portion Control, Cabaret Voltaire, Front 242 and others. Really great article here that will give you insight into the band http://highfunctioningflesh.bandcamp.com Maelstrom - "Adversarial Design" Over the years Maelstrom has crafted a sound that sits sweetly between electro and techno, and this dark, brooding and intense style is again showcased on his new EP. With Gesaffelstein and The Hacker backing the young Frenchman by signing him to Zone, you know there's something special afoot. 'Adversarial Design' combines his trademark wavering synths with builds that whoosh and whirl before exploding into a menacing kickdrum-focused roller. Remember when Depeche Modes Alan Wilder teamed with Nitzer Ebb for "Come Alive"? Well the title track has that Ebb like bite but with the Depeche atmospherics. It's fierce bassline juxtaposed next to beautiful synth work. 'Introduction To Entropy' has more character than the latter and is a slower, more eerie cut, while 'Species' throws you back into the danger zone. The pounding 'Genome' uses a more staggered beat, drawing on the electro stylings. A HUGE newcomer to the EBM breed. Played these tracks out several times and they got as many people dancing as inquiring into what it was. Can't wait for more! UGH, there's so many more noteable releases which could each have special notes/mention and I do want to scream good things about every one of them. Give the folllowing playlist a good listen for top cuts from the releases and investigate some of these acts further. 77tm – She Likes to Watch You (Millimetric Rmx) Adam X – Sheer Insanity Adam X – Irreformable Al Ferox – Hell On Earth - Thomas P Heckmann Remix Animal Bodies ‎- The Killing Scene Ansome – Penny & Pound - Paul Birken Remix Ansome – Mans Head - Original Mix Ansome – Halyard Hitch - Original Mix Ansome – Kitty - Original Mix Ateph Elidja – Road Junction Beau Wanzer - Power Outtage 10" Beau Wanzer ‎– Untitled Bill Youngman – Magnetic Bombardier – Demon - Hard Acid Remix Bombardier – VFM (Blac Kolor Remix) Borgie – Break And Enter - Borgie Remix Brodinski – Let The Beat Control Your Body - Maelstrom & Louisahhh!!! Remix Broken English Club – Boxes Broken English Club – Divinity Bronze Teeth – Albion Pressure Cute Heels – Metal Disco Cute Heels – Methaphysic the Method David Meiser – Breaking the Wall Demia E. Clash – Goodbye Baby - Demia E.Clash Remix Domenico Crisci - Russian Torrents Drvg Cvltvre – Airplane Hangar On Stun - Original Mix Drvg Cvltvre – Ne Prilazita Electro Generator Group – To Believe - Original Mix Electro Generator Group – Iceolation - Original Mix Ethan Fawkes – There's a place for you - Original mix Former Descent - Tough Love International Frak - Ultrsaw Further Reductions – Death to the Beat Gabi Delgado – Sex Kamikaze Gabi Delgado – Langweilig Geistech – The Sector - Orline Remix Gesaffelstein – Control Movement Gesaffelstein – Depravity The Hacker – A Thousand Times (feat. Perspects) The Hacker – Pure Energy The Hacker – Jalousy Headless Horseman – Legend - Original Mix In Aeternam Vale – Machine À Laver In Aeternam Vale – Ultrabase Inhalt - Simulacra LP remixes Jon Convex – Snake KIT N C.L.A.W.S. - DESERTOFSAMENESS Kord - We Live In This Maelstrom – Adversarial Design Mikron – Counts for Nothing Mikron – Product No Millimetric – Negative Leaders The Monolith – Rotation Monsieur Monseur – Hacktivity NZ – Totalism NZ – Terror for Money Orphx – What Will Burn Oscar Mulero – Electric Storm - Original Mix Overdriver – Hubble - Original Mix Perc – Dumpster Perc – Take Your Body Off Perc – Bleeding Colours - Untold Remix The Plastic Noise Experience – Control Profligate – Can't Stop Shaking Profligate – Maniac Will Win Profligate – We Can Have It All The Prostitutes – Dragged It Home to Bed Psyche – The Saint Became a Lush (Radical.G Rework) Pure Ground - " Daylight & Protection" LP Red Red Red – Contact/Dream Red Red Red – A Pattern Completion Rrose – Pentagons SFX Dj – Khaos Control - Cute Heels Remix Silent Servant – Lust Abandon Silent Servant – Cut Unconcious Solvent – Burn the Tables - Remix A Split Second – Flesh (Radical G RMX - Extended) Streetwalker – Ooze (Silent Servant Remix) Sumerian Fleet – On to You Sumerian Fleet – Unfulfilled Desire Surgeon – Fixed Action Pattern Terence Fixmer – Empire Uncto - Pain UVB – Stop Motion - Original Mix Wollows – Complex Failure - Original Mix Wulfband – Jetzt X-Crashed - Where Were You in '92 12" Youth Code – Consuming Guilt Youth Code – For I Am Cursed

  2014 Alternative (full playlist 2014 alternative/pop) 

Amazingly good records fell into this category this year and not surprisingly most of the albums that saw my most repeated listenings can be grouped here. Denmarks The Foreign Resort "New Frontiers" is as close to perfection as an album can be, one that would make even Joy Division's Ian Curtis smile. Moody yet optimistic. Edgy and vibrant. A MUST HEAR! Meanwhile Zola Jesus' "Taiga" showed a much more accessible side to the usually dark chanteuse. CHVRCHES didn't have a new album this year but released a new song "Get Away" which hints at where they may be headed for 2015's new album. They also had a special Record Store Day single for "Under the Tide" - one of the tracks that became a dynamic part of the bands constant live sets throughout 2014. Detroit's own Haunted House put out both a self-titled EP and another called "Gold's Gym" that deserve mention for not only being some of the best home-recorded darwave indie pop EVER, but also for delivering a sound not often found in Detroit. Wonderful stuff there. The list goes on and on here with notable releases from Avec Sans, The Horrors, I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, The KVB, Morning Parade, The New Division, and St. Vincent amongst others.. Agent Side Grinder – This Is Us Agent Side Grinder – Beloved Fool (feat. Kite) Avec Sans – All of Time CHVRCHES – Get Away CHVRCHES – Under The Tide - Single Version Client – You Can Dance Detachments – Machines Don't Lie The Foreign Resort – Alone The Foreign Resort – Dead Leaves The Foreign Resort – Landslide Future Islands – Seasons (Waiting On You) Future Islands – A Dream of You and Me Haunted House – My Bed Is in the Attic Haunted House – Guts Haunted House – Castle Death Haunted House – Trophy Life The Horrors – First Day of Spring The Horrors – Sleepwalk The Horrors – Chasing Shadows I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness – Come Undone The KVB – Cartesian Bodies The KVB – Across the Sea Morning Parade – Shake The Cage The New Division – Honest - The New Division Remix The New Division – Stockholm - Parade of Lights Remix The New Division – Shine Röyksopp & Robyn – Do It Again Röyksopp & Robyn – Sayit St. Vincent – Digital Witness Swans – A Little God In My Hands Zola Jesus – Dangerous Days Zola Jesus – Go (Blank Sea) 2014 Synthpop (full playlist 2014 synthpop) A genre that still makes an important impact with some incredibly momentus releases. Toronto's Trust returned with his sophomore release "Joyland" this year. Uplifting and unpredictable and worthy of so many repeated listens. And that voice.  After an 8 year absence Seabound finally returned this year with the "Speak In Storms" album. Another outpouring of atmospheric grooves, Franks sophisticated vocals and delivery. Worth the wait for sure and never a bad album from them. Also HIGHLY noteable was the new album from Iris "Radiant" - an album which almost never happened as the band had collapsed after the 2010 tour (with the aforementioned Seabound). Three scratch tracks led to the two members reworking together again and the result is the absolutely phenomenal "Radiant" - an album of ambient-like poise, warmth and sparkling quality of which you can hardly get enough. Last years breakout star Mr. Kitty whose unparalleled "Life" CD people are still slowly latching onto, put out a follow up called "Time". Beautifully constructed songs showing deep emotion and rich passion. If not familiar with Mr. Kitty yet, time to catch up. Not to forget, Lust For Youth "International" is a masterpiece owing much to New Order or even Pet Shop Boys. That album got played a LOT everywhere (work, home, clubs, etc…). So who is this years breakout? There's two - first L.A. based Vogel whose debut "Hologram" can be described as "Deep space exploration meets Blade Runner disco", and "a more danceable Tron soundtrack", landing in a melancholic, glitchy time warp somewhere between 1983 and 2047. Second is Body of Light whose "Limits of Reason" cassette (yep I said cassette) was a brand of catchy, poppy, synth-y darkwave all their own. They excel at crafting dark music that's mainly synths and an 808 filled to the brim with hooks, great vocals, and strong production. The tape sold out incredibly quick and many are waiting for "Limits of Reason" to get a vinyl release. Will be a HUGE record when it does. Alter Der Ruine – Lights Austra – Bass Drum Dance Body of Light - Limits of Reason Iris – Another Way Iris – Phenom Iris – Wayseer Iris – Cries of Insanity Lust For Youth – Illume Lust For Youth – Armida mr. kitty – Glow mr. kitty – Devour mr. kitty – Pathogen mr. kitty – Xiii Seabound – A Grown Man Seabound – Nothing But Love Sons Of Magdalene – Move to Pain St. Lucia – September St. Lucia – When the Night Trust – Capitol Trust – Are We Arc? Vogel – Night City Vogel – Andromeda 2014 Minimal Wave (full playlist - 2014 minimal wave) Perhaps these could slide into the forementioned Alternative, Synthpop, Techno or weird categories, but alas I grouped them here. Minimal wave is a contentiously named genre of electronic music which focuses on electronic, often-times pre-MIDI instrumentation and themes of sincere, rather than ironic, detachment.[1] It comprises obscure, atypical examples of genres such as new wave, so-called "minimal" electronic or synthesizer music, synthpunk, synthpop, post-punk, coldwave, and electropop. Anyways, now that we've gotten an odd definition out of the way here's the standout releases in this genre for me for 2014. Detroit's Ritual Howls released "Turkish Leather" this year to much underground acclaim. Exceptionally awesome album of post-punk goth. The GOOD kind of goth that reminds listeners of legends such as Chameleons, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, early Sisters, Red Temple Spirits, and perhaps Joy Division. Transcending guitars, bass lines like a heartbeat, electronics that offer a near psychedelic sonic atmosphere spin melodramatic tales throughout the entire album. It's ominous and dreary, yet equally lively and comforting like a rainy day. Philadelphia's Void Vision has managed to combine vintage dance elements with melodic structures, haunting melancholy, and lyrics that have a palpable soul. The songs on "Sub Rosa" themselves are dynamic, referencing a cross-section of the last 30 years of electronic music, while simultaneously retaining a uniqueness all their own. Fans of femme-fronted synth music need to check this out. Xeno & Oaklander (a name nearly synomous with the resurrgence in minimal wave) partnered with Ann Arbor, Michigan based Ghostly records to release "Par Avion". The Brooklyn duo's latest could be the modern day successor to Depeche Modes "Some Great Reward" era. Listening to Par Avion you hear the similar styled simplistic melodies, lo-fi electro pop, analog chug, flutter of rhythms, glinting sequences and pale, shimmering backdrops. Plus a mix of hard-edged and ethereal. Admittingly it took me longer to warm up to this album than other X&O material, but it's got some wonderful gems to discover much like the bands back catalog. Valis - "The Demolished Man" deserves all kinds of mention and its best to let the labels own description cover all the bases. 'Straddling the fine lines between classic synth-pop, industrial, and r&b, VALIS manages to fuse their influences into a whole that is far greater than the sum of its parts, and "The Demolished Man" is no exception to this rule. Taking the listener on a dark, vivid, and intense trip through the various stages of grieving that follows the collapse of a long romantic relationship, it is very clear that this record is not just a collection of songs thrown together for an LP release. This is a record that was made and conceived as an album and to listen through it start to finish is to experience an incredible arc of emotions and ideas. The album's extremely lush and detailed production serves as a perfect counterpart to its rich conceptual execution and makes repeat listens extremely rewarding, but it is perhaps the impeccable songwriting that really ties it all together. The band claim to have scrapped two LPs worth of material in the 3 years that the world has been waiting for this record, and we can assure you that the resulting LP has made every second of the wait worth it.'  --- YES it's just that good! Yes the R&B is there and cool as hell. Think if there had been a part two to Ministry's synthpop era "With Sympathy", Valis' "The Demolished Man" could have certainly been it. Keluar released the "Vitreum" EP in 2014. Moving further on from former project Linea Aspera, Zoe Zanias and Schwefelgelbs Sid Lamar now are a vital creative team. The message is still gloomy synth wave, the weapons are analogue synthesizers and Zoès solemn voice, and they're very effective. "Vitreum", marks a light shift in the band's direction towards more straightforward sound. Driven by a vintage four-to-the-floor-beat, the synth sound like a call from the grave of Linea Aspera. "Surface", another track covers the newer side of Keluar, being as closest to a dance song they have generously offered so far. More in that direction please. Great stuff. Get this! Keluar - Vitreum Ritual Howls – The Taste of You Ritual Howls – Final Service Valis - The Demolished Man Void Vision – Everything Is Fine Void Vision – The Source Void Vision – In 20 Years - (Extended Version) Xeno & Oaklander – Jasmine Nights

2014 weird, heavy, ritual ,unclassifiable. (full playlist 2014 noise / weird / dark techno) There were releases in 2014 that were beyond classification and not so easy to pigeonhole, really didn't even know where to 'file' them , so throughout the year they ended up in a Spotify folder called "Whatever". Liars "Mess" is beyond odd, further breaking down the electronic borders. It's mischevious and deviant, bizzare yet beautiful. Can you really know what to expect from an album who's openng line is " "Take my pants off / Use my socks / Smell my socks / Eat my face off / Eat my face off / Take my face / Give me your face."?

Puce Mary - Persona LP (Posh Isolation) - weird. noisey. unsettling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DawP7-aRcHA Black Rains "Dark Pool" is absolutely terrifying - full of distortion, overdriven circuitry, red alert arpeggios and metallic-plated drones. Throughout, the productions the sounds move deep into queasy dark ambient territory, yet there's a noir-ish, cinematic sense pervading every track. Fans of Coil and Fausten will take a liking to this easily. Containers "Adhesive" EP stands at the crossroads of techno and rhytmic noise. Raw synthesizers collide against a bristle and brooding, muscular concentration of drums - it's kinda what a young Aphex Twin was all about early on in his career. One of the heaviest of the heavy acts, Godflesh returned this year with "A World Lit Only By Fire". They didn't miss a moment and returned in even better form - full of rage, thudding bass and songs that are just threatening as well as devastating. Usually 'metal' (for lack of a better term for them) is not my cup of tea, but Godflesh have had the right recipee for angry anthems for ages and should not be ignored. Pharmakon returned with "Bestial Burden" this year on Sacred Bones. A screaming, growling, brutal sonic-force of horror-noies. Not easy listening by any stretch, but one of the most cathartic outporings of the year. Powernoise still has many practioners and this year you could find Mono-Amine "Human Farming", The Peoples Republic of Europe "Redline", Rugitus Aeternam "Rhythms for a Distorted Age", SONAR "Shadow Dancers", W.A.S.T.E "Warlord Mentality", Xotox Redux" (Vinyl) and Catastrophe Noise "Aggressive Melting Faces" amongst the best. Cut Hands - The cutting-edge project from former Whitehouse main man William Bennet released the full-length "Festival of the Dead" LP this year on Blackest Ever Black. A MONSTER of a record driven by heavily percussive African and Haitian rhythms. It's dark, foreboding, epic and relentless. Very accessible and addictive. Don't let this material pass you by.

One last one well-deserving of mention, is the project Diamond Version who in 2014 finally dropped their debut album. "CI" pairs flaring electronic rhythms, deconstructed techno and dread static with clipped slogans borrowed from advertising and marketing. It's peculiar (and reminds me of the genius that is Lassigue Bendthaus). Just when one might think they are too out there, they enlist for their first single from the album - Neil Tennant from Pet Shop Boys - for a collaborative take on the old gospel hymn, 'Were You There'. Brilliant and acessible on that one. Keep your eyes and ears on this band for sure in 2015 and onwards.

Actress – Contagious Actress – Gaze Bestial Mouths – Reunion Black Rain – Burst Black Rain – Xibalba Road Black Rain – Data River Black Rain – Who Will Save the Tiger? Container – Adhesive Cut Hands - Festival of the Dead Diamond Version – Were You There (feat. Neil Tennant) Diamond Version – Science For A Better Life (CI) Function & Vatican Shadow – Bejeweled Body Godflesh – Shut Me Down Godflesh – Life Giver Life Taker Godflesh – Curse Us All Kommando – Metal Teeth Kommando – Cutting in Flesh Letzte Ausfahrt Leben – Damnation Liars – Pro Anti Anti Marshstepper – 1 Mono-Amine – Time for a Revolution Mono-Amine – Unjustified Violence Orphan Swords – Orobas The Peoples Republic of Europe – Redline Pharmakon – Body Betrays Itself Pharmakon – Autoimmune philipp münch – Dystopia philipp münch – Survival Rawbots – Gouen Ryuuga - Omnicide Remix Rugitus Aeternam – Distorted Age Sonar – Better Change Sonar – A Matter Of Time Vatican Shadow – Desert Storm (Waco) Violet Poison – Palace of Mirrors Violet Poison – Pain W.A.S.T.E. – Kill Something xotox - notwehr (remix by aehm) 2014 Techno (full playlist 2014 techno) Much like 2013 where techno seemed to rid itself of the minimal trappings it once had developing into very dark and sinister explorations, 2014 continued in that direction. Thanks to labels like Perc Trax, Downwards, L.I.E.S., Blackest Ever Black, and more. Techno continued to be much more broken machine like. Again a lot of blurring of genre lines as some of this could cross over into noise, EBM or other categories (and maybe some of that EBM list belongs here even?) There's so much experimentation and excitement in this genre again. Everytime I'd hear news of a new release it was always "take my money" because techno has certainly toughened up even more. Just dive right into the following list as it contains some excellent tracks. Bas Mooy – Rage - Original Mix Drumcell – Speak Silence - Brian Sanhaji Remix Ekman – Litha Energetic X – Heaven's Gate - Hidden Rooms Remix The Exaltics – Node 2 - Original Mix Ike Yard – Half a God (Powell Remix) Ottodox – Fortune in My Arms Ottodox – Through the Storm Powell – So We Went Electric Sawlin – Niedertracht Shards – Wentworth - Original Mix Talker – Cut the Weight - Regis Extended Version Talker – Black Snake Talker – Frame Capture Talker – Meniscus Tuomas Rantanen – Garjainia Vatican Shadow – Remember Your Black Day Vatican Shadow – Al Qaeda

2014 Some of what gets mislabeled 'industrial' that stood out surprisingly There WAS some of what's often lumped in as industrial ( not necessarily club related ) that WAS of interest. Slovenia's Borghesia returned after a very very long abscence to grant listeners with "And Man Created God" a compelling, confrontational work of art; the subject matter of this album touches on the idea that the corrupt, diseased systems of old are just replaced with more of the same. Themes explored that are not unlike their fellow country men Laibach (who also had a new album this year) or Australias Black Lung who were prolific with 2 albums and a companion remix album. Click Click returned with their first album of new material in 17 years "Those Nervous Surgeons". A HUGE influence among many artist they continue to be so with a uniquely stark sound characterised by an organic frailty and depth, albeit produced electronically for the most part. The album harks back to the uniquely gloomy atmosphere as heard on old Click Click albums. Why this band slips under the radar so often is perplexing. Same can be said for fellow countrymen Portion Control who released an outtakes album called "Unrest In The Grime". The albums "Hey Hey Trip" should be more of what's getting played in industrial clubs. Front Line Assembly also did a stunning remix album with "Echoes" picking some of the newer breed of artist (Blush Response, Youth Code, Liebknicht, etc) to offer up remixes of tracks off of "Echogenetic". Fantastic results of diversity pushing the sonic limits into non-existence. Vomitto Negro released "Death Sun" this year 'a stark, vitriolic piece of work, full of the innovative, crushing old-school dark EBM that Vomito Negro helped invent'. Cabaret Voltaires Stephen Mallinder offered up his newest project under the Wrangler moniker. "L.A. Spark" is an analogue electronic album of alien carnival rhythms with a sleekness and beauty. Newcomer award goes to 3teeth whose self-titled debut harkens back to the days when many got their introduction to industrial via the chugga-chugga guitar angst of bands like 16 Volt, Ministry ("Land Of" era) and Chemlab. Usually can't stand the guitar stuff , YET there was something about the ferocity of this album, clever marketing tactics and certainly the fact that (like Youth Code a year before) it was a big smack to the face of current industrial club scene that you CAN have something different. 3TEETH – Pearls 2 Swine 3TEETH – Master of Decay 3TEETH – Final Product Borghesia – We Don't Believe You Click Click – Rats in My Bed - Version Front Line Assembly – Echogenetic - Youth Code Front Line Assembly – Deadened - Liebknetch Laibach – The Whistleblowers Portion Control - Unrest in the Grime Vomito Negro – Fighting the Force Vomito Negro – In Silent Places Wrangler – L.A. Spark Wrangler – Space Ace 2014 IDM (full playlist 2014 IDM) Always had a keen ear for IDM or what often gets called "art techno", "ambient techno", "intelligent techno", and "electronica". It's downtempo and downbeat (not always danceable) cinematic explorations often make for the best listening (while working on design). Biggest favorites among the IDM releases this year included new material from Tonikom and Dryft. Tonikoms "Seeking the Lost Mind" is full of soulful, breathing abstract pads interwoven with lovely harmonies carried by constant beats with interlaced syncopated percussion programming that add up to melancholic, but also hopeful, dreamy vibes. Stupendous!  Dryft isn't one discernible style. It's soft and floaty at times with much more vivid vibes apt for gaming or sci fi. It's an amalgam of the music that means something to composer Mike Cadoo. Emotional experiments in music. 

Highly encourage you to check out the following tracks as many of these releases saw many repeated listeings during the work days.

Architect – Immaterial - Ghost Bike Remix Autoclav1.1 – Not in Service Autoclav1.1 – Everything Must Go Black Lung – The Prophet Margin - Detritus Rmx Black Lung – The Prophet Margin - Displacer Rmx Cubic Nomad – Hydromedusa Cubic Nomad & Bombardier – Bioluminescence Detritus – The Very Idea Detritus – More Than Half Displacer – The Devils House Displacer – Creature Comforts Drumcell – Speak Silence - Original Mix Dryft – Blue Windows Dryft – The Blur Vent Eyes Cream – No Matter How Fair Eyes Cream – Void Her Majesty The Flashbulb – Nothing but Lines The Flashbulb – For Your Escape The Flashbulb – Winter Map Hologram_ – Last Day of Happiness Hologram_ – Room 586 millipede – A Hole in the Shape of You millipede – For Now Nimon – A Box of Old Photographs Nimon – Something I'll Never Forget tonikom – There Is Music Everywhere tonikom – Nocturnal tonikom – Kokoro tonikom – Motomeru tonikom – Tebanasou

2014 Compilations (full playlist 2014 compliations) Many people approach me inquiring "How do you find out about so much music?" or "Where's a good place to discover new tracks?" The answer -compilations!!! They provide a great chance to explore the familiar and perhaps unfamiliar. 2014 had many significant comps. For sheer eclectisim you need look no further than Sacred Bones "Todo Muere Vol.4" LP. From neo-folk to synthpop to the just plain weird (Pharmakon cover of "Bang Bang") this is a really diverse collection of songs and a good display of what can be found on the Sacred Bones roster. A bit similar and showcasing more minimal wave the "Transmission Barcelona: Second Anniversary" comp has some standout tracks. Looking for great techno-ebm collections, then check out DJedjotronic Presents "Innerstate 101", "I Love Techno mixed by Brodinski", as well the VII, VIII, IX and XI realeases in the Killler Hits from Hell series. Plus the second volume of the Frost Series from Haujobbs Basic Unit label. Three of the best dark techno compaltions this year can be found with the "Halha" compilation on Downwards, Perc Trax's 10th anniversary compilation "Slowly Exploding" and the "Paris/Berlin" soundtrack to the accompanying documentary (which by the way is awesome as well). ALL packed full of killer cuts! Those 3 records alone were essential ammunition in my record bag. For underground industrial look no further than the "Deth Vol. 1" compilation (only released on tape and digital) out of Toronto spotlighting bands like Sarin and Human Performance Lab. From hi-nrg influenced synth-pop to new school cold wave and from harsh body beats to trance indulging spacious elektro Gooiland Records "Freikörperkultur LP" is 8 solid tracks waiting to be discovered.

Djedjotronic – Traffic Maelstrom – Snow Dance Atom TM – Ich Bin Meine Machine (Boys Noize Remix) Djedjotronic – Junkbox The Hacker – Polonium 210 Mikron – Medika Combine Jimmy Edgar – Frequency Jon Convex – Feel Nothing Maelstrom – Adversarial Design Adam Beyer – Crispy Bits A2 Del Ectro – D Commander - Original Mix Pzylo – Crash Palace - Original Mix Bleaching Agent – Akplenc Manse (UK) – Slacker Phosphor – Linear Attraction In Death It Ends – Futureblack Noï Kabat – Kitchen Person Al Ferox – Matrix - Original Mix Radical G – Judas - Original Mix Ethan Fawkes – Go Away - Original Mix Pharmakon – Bang Bang Pop. 1280 – Kingdom Come Lust For Youth – Illume Sarin – Interface - Original Mix Human Performance Lab – Ultimate - Original Mix Ghettocyb.org – 1993 - Original Mix Vierance – Athens Cries - Original Mix Regis – Cold Water - Substance Version Fret – Fret Talker – Cut the Weight Pt 1 Antonym – Consumer Device Kerridge – A Shadow Cast Paris-Berlin: 20 Years of Underground Techno Slowly Exploding - 10 Years of Perc Trax (Bandcamp)

  2014 Reissues / Box Sets (full playlist 2014 re-issues) So many important gems from the past seeing re-issues and most with remasters. These classics await rediscovery by fans or an awakening if it's the first time hearing them. The Klinik was back with yet another limited Box set. An 8CD collection that gathers nearly everything , some live recordings as well as a disc worth of miscellaneous material. Much had already seen release earlier on, via two other now sold out collections/box sets, yet a very worthy collection to have and wonderfully remastered as well. Other essential reissues to consider picking up if you missed them first time around are listed below. Great year for reissues with Clan of Xymox, Richard H. Kirk, Underworld, Aphex Twin, Cocteau Twins, Mentallo & The Fixer, Numb (on vinyl), Ministry (12" Singels on Vinyl), Revolting Cocks and plenty more. Yes, feeling plenty old when a record I remember purchasing when it first came out, gets the remaster and re-release treatment.

Aphex Twin – Pulsewidth Aphex Twin – We Are the Music Makers Cocteau Twins – Carolyn’s Fingers Cocteau Twins – Iceblink Luck Cocteau Twins – Heaven Or Las Vegas Crash Course In Science – Cardboard Lamb Cybotron – Cosmic Cars Hidden Place – Asimmetrie Massive Attack – Teardrop Mentallo and The Fixer – Rapid Suffocation - Remastered Mentallo and The Fixer – Virtually Hopeless - Remastered Mentallo and The Fixer – Decomposed - Grimpen Ward Remix Mentallo and The Fixer – Battered States of Euphoria Ministry – Same Old Madness Ministry – I'm Falling Ministry – Nature of Outtakes Ministry – He's Angry Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Still In Love Public Image Ltd. – Public Image Revolting Cocks – Cattle Grind Revolting Cocks – Attack Ships on Fire Richard H. Kirk – Never Lose Your Shadow Severed Heads – Dead Eyes Opened Soma Holiday – Shake Your Molecules - Original Underworld – Cowgirl - Remastered Underworld – Spikee - Remastered

  And that's it! Despite the TL:DR of it all, I've obviosuly forgotten something (Happens every year). Thanks for taking the time. Hope these lists let you discover some amazing music released in 2014. Perhaps next year will do these in a different format.

Enjoy!

VERY MUCH looking forward to what 2015 has in store musically and otherwise.

Marc Church’s MASSIVE 2013 Music Recommendation Lists and Notes.

2013 - an enormous and exceptionally great year for music.  Think about it. this year saw MAJOR (but wait, some might not be good) releases from the likes of Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, Gary Numan, Clock DVA, Covenant, VNV Nation, Download, My Bloody Valentine, Motorhead, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, New Order, Nick Cave, Wire and…. well, the list is HUGE.

From way back in January up until the remaining weeks of the year in December, there was always a new and noteworthy release to check out.

Speaking of checking out, you’ll probably read this list and wonder just how on Earth I can listen to so much music. 

Easy,…

• Wake up in the morning and get a few tunes going while getting breakfast / ready… singing in the shower! 

• Into the car for a drive to work - more music,

• At work listen to headphones all day - more music

• Drive home from work - music, music, music.

• Once home = more music

• Go out to events, dancing, concerts = much more music.  

As cliche as it sounds - it’s the soundtrack to life.

Over the years I’ve been doing these list (about 10+ years) now, I’ve watched my taste change and the trends in music come, go, blur and expand. Have long since stopped doing a straight out top 10 or top 25 list - there’s just way too much good stuff and limiting it down to just 10, 15 or 25 often proves to be too difficult and you end up missing things, thus the recommendations list. 

Yes I love music and I love to write. In the past I wrote for several magazines and zines.  I worked in music stores for many many years as well. Like to get music on peoples radar and into their ears.

In most cases I’ve tried to provide a Spotify Playlist so that you may click the link and be taken to the song for listening.  Not on Spotify? You should be as it’s a wonderful tool to check music out, form playlist and share music with friends. A few links go directly to the bands BandCamp pages where you can listen and even purchase the tracks. Couple links to Youtube videos and some right to Soundcloud - All to give you a glimpse of what’s available to listen to.

My own preferences -  I listen to a bit of everything in music, yet lean towards electronic stuff very heavily. Done my best here to break things down into sections or groupings (even that’s getting difficult as there’s so much crossover with genre’s now)

Anyways, ready? Got your beverage and snacks? Pen and paper to make some notes. Here goes…

2013 Alternative / Pop / Synth Pop

Plenty of good stuff in this category this year. Anoraak was back with a new one. Long time favorite Anne Clark paired up with Murat Parlek for stripped down yet beautiful piano renditions of old favorites. Zola Jesus did nearly the same thing teaming up with Foetus’ Jim Thirwell for orchestral arrangements of her songs. Client returned with a smashing new single as did O.M.D. ( plus a new album). New Order and Placebo were back in fine form. Astonishing that Kirlian Camera still slips under the radar for being such an amazing band. Their “Black Summer Choirs” is on par with anything they’ve done in the past. Same can be said for the acoustic apocalyptic folk of Rome. Any time Wire and Nick Cave both release albums anyone should sit up and take notice.  The brilliant Section 25 gave a bevy of tracks to remixers who all returned fantastic results on “Eigengrau”. Darker alternative was supplied by ERAAS, The KVB, Selebrities, Sixth June, Tropic of Cancer and White Lies.  

My two standout picks from this genre this year go to CHVRCHES and Mr. Kitty who each produced pure synth pop albums full of upbeat, happy and just marvelous songwriting.

Anne Clark – Sleeper in Metropolis

Anoraak – Morning Light

Anoraak – Sunrise to Sunset

CHVRCHES – The Mother We Share

CHVRCHES – Lies

CHVRCHES – Recover

Client – XXX-Action

Der Noir – Sunrise

ERAAS – At Heart (The KVB Remix)

Kirlian Camera – Black August

The KVB – Shadows

The KVB – For the Day

The KVB – Passing By

The KVB – Kill the Lights

mr. kitty – Scars

mr. kitty – Years

New Order – I’ll Stay With You

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Wide Lovely Eyes

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push the Sky Away

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Metroland

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Stay With Me

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Frontline

Placebo – Loud Like Love

Placebo – Hold On To Me

Rome – Hate Us and See If We Mind - Single Version

SECTION 25 – Beating Heart (Absolute Body Control Remix)

SECTION 25 – Colour, Movement, Sex & Violence (Monoton Remix)

Selebrities – I Could Change

Sixth June – Fade

Sixth June – Stars

Tropic of Cancer – The Seasons Won’t Change (And Neither Will You)

Vanbot – Hold This Moment

Vanbot – When My Heart Breaks

White Lies – Be Your Man

Wire – Magic Bullet

Wire – As We Go

Zola Jesus – Night

2013 Compilations

Many people approach me inquiring “How do you find out about so much music?” or “Where’s a good place to discover new tracks?"  The answer - compilations!!!  They provide a great chance to explore the familiar and perhaps unfamiliar.

2013 had many significant comps.

Interested in minimal synth? You couldn’t do better than checking out the "And You Will Find Them In The Basement” compilation featuring one of the last tracks from the much missed Linea Aspera as well as tracks from Mild Peril and NOi Kabat amongst others. 

Looking to revisit old classics and unearth some rare gems? Check out Trevor Jacksons “Metal Dance 2”. Every bit as essential as the first volume, Jackson compiles the less heard dark dance classics like Experimental Products next to the very rare remixes (i.e.: 400 Blows remix of Skinny Puppy’s “Dead Lines”).  

Looking for a glimpse into where industrial/ebm is headed? Grab both the “Frost Vol. 1 comp” as well as the “Inside the Volcano Vol. 1” compilations.  Frost was compiled by the Basic Unit label (affiliated with those guys in Haujobb).  The comp features bands like Blac Kolor and Liebknecht (another of Myers numerous outputs). If you dig the forward focused sounds of Haujobb and any of Myers many projects then this will not disappoint as it’s all another prime example of his and his many friends expertise with the machines.   Likewise, Volcano Vol. 1 - You can expect gears grinding, industrial atmospheres, abstract electronica and everything in between. At times, you’ll also hear a lot of EBM. Sometimes you might actually also hear some experimental electronica.

The “Retro Future” comp was magnificent as well. As the name suggest, it was like a trip to the future yet you had to wear a Members Only jacket and drive a Ferrari. Spacey, Dancey, fun and lots of synth laser sounds.

Techno fans should note the release of the 5th compilation in the “Killer Hits From Hell” Series.  EBM fans might even like that one as all the tracks have the punchy 4/4. Like your techno even harder from the darkness of hell? Then check out the “We Like Dark Hell” compilation bordering on hard style, gabba and industrial. How about primitive and experimental? “The Black Ideal” compilation has you covered and was a favorite this year.

Certainly something for everyone to be found on many compilations this year.

Linea Aspera – Attica

Mild Peril – Alpha Zone

Noï Kabat – I Corrode

Saåad with Mondkopf – Last Love

Casual Violence – Beauty Mode

Violetshaped – Black Wisdom, White Witch

Blac Kolor – Rule Forever

Liebknecht – I Am Freak

Blac Kolor – Rule Forever - Cute Heels Mix One

Portion Control – Punsch

Solvent – Red and Metal

The Pain Machinery – Inferno

The Horrorist – Heart of Steel

//Tense// – Dissconect Myself (Beau Wanzer Adjustment)

Ethan Fawkes – Kill Us - Original Mix

Lefthandpath – Zodiac - Original Mix

Radical G – 666 - Original Mix

Deastro – Word As Weapon - Original Mix

Blvrred Vision – Youth - Original Mix

400 Blows – Deadlines - 400 Blows Remix

Experimental Products – Work That Beat

Crash Course In Science – Jump Over Barrels

Cosey – Driving Blind

Fear Effect – Machanikal Desire

Tproe – Tech Tree

2013 Elektro

Yeah even I’m getting confused on the characteristics of what makes a certain kind of music fall into a certain genre. Seriously, where do you place the resplendent ADULT? Their new album “The Way Things Fall” was a masterpiece blend of techno, synth pop, minimal synth and more. One not to miss. Miss Kitten was back with “Calling From the Stars” - an album that sees further mature steps away from her corny electroclash trappings of the past. Then out of nowhere comes Downloads Phil Western with two releases - “Ghost in Your Boobs” (favorite album title of 2013) and “Melodium” both of which have not even a trace of the darkness or weirdness you’d associate with the mans work in Download and instead delve expertly into spacey electronic almost trance-like grooves. Loved Inhalts “Occupations”. Finally there’s the Australian Tuff Sherman whose “Shrapnel Manifesto” first attracted me for the albums title, but kept me at attention with an intoxicating blend of abstract and bassy music with an almost jazzy feel.

ADULT. – Tonight, We Fall

ADULT. – At the End of It All

Inhalt – Panopticon

Inhalt – Black Sun

Inhalt – Programming

Inhalt – Occupations

Miss Kittin – Bassline

Phil Western – Ghost In Your Bed - Spon.10.80 Remix

Phil Western – California

Tuff Sherm – Monarch Engineer

2013 Club Industrial

Alright might as well get it out of the way.  Yes still pay attention to some of this genre because every once in a while something of note pops up.  But let’s face it the current industrial club music genre REALLY needs a revamp (so much so I wrote an article about it back in June which you can read here )

Releases from Ministry, Juno Reactor, KMFDM, Noisuf-X, Suicide Commando, CombiChrist and VNV Nation were either flat out fucking terrible (Hello Ministry - just STOP!) or entirely formulaic in approach (see: KMFDM, Juno, Noisuf, Chainreactor, VNV, Komor Kommando, etc…) Then there’s Covenant - who are entirely capable of writing one good song per album and leaving the rest at what always just feels like an unfinished state. “Leaving Babylon” was no different - needing more to fill the hollow spaces to be truly epic.  With Daniel Myer now having left the group it’s gonna be tough.

Any sparks from the aforementioned albums can be caught in the following playlist.

Surprises did come in a few releases however. “Echogenetic” from Front Line Assembly was one of the MOST exciting releases from the band in their entire career. Had nearly given up on the act and they release an album that not only harkens back and pays tribute to their old sound and mastery of synths, programming and vocal effects, they also manage to find a way to sneak in some of the newer music trends (dub step - the good kind) within.

Same can be said for Skinny Puppy and their newest “Weapon”.  Often far too critical of Puppy as they can certainly deliver but often times go too far out with experimenting. “Weapon” got it right in just the perfect amount of experimenting while also paying homage to their ground-breaking techniques of old albums.  One listen of both the FLA and Puppy albums and I was suckered in like I was as a teenager discovering their music (ha!).

Equivalently, DIe Krupps newest “The Machinist of Joy” had something for all fans of the band. Some more metal tracks juxtaposed next to EBM numbers. A nice display of the several styles they do well.

While Suicide Commando failed (no shock there) to leave me with a big impression on both the “Unterwelt” single and the Deluxe Version of “When Evil Speaks”, his return to an old project Lescure 13 made me take note. Formed back in 1989 (with Stefan Bens of Stin Scatzor) the new L13 saw Johann and Stefan returning to pure old school Electronic Body Music, full of raw edges and no compromises. A LOT more interesting than distorted trance rhythms over serial killer vocals.

Ghost & Writers “Red Flags” is a graceful and sophisticated affair, but really only makes the listener yearn for vocalist Frank Spinaths main project Seabound (who will have an album in 2014)

Another great surprise was the album “Ruins Outlast” by Pyrroline whose sound took me right back to the glory days of Zoth Ommog and Celtic Circle. Dark and complex programming full of great hooks and a wonderful depth of emotion akin to acts like Abscess, Mentallo and the Fixer and Heavy Water Factory.  Really miss bands like that, so it’s nice to have Pyrroline.

Must give mention to Blush Response here as well. Their album “Tension Strategies” could have easily come out at the height of the gutter-tech guitar industrial craze of years past.  Instead here it is in 2013 and peculiarly enough sounds fresh. Maybe because we’ve been hit with so much future pop, terrorbanana and combi-clones we all forgot it was possible to sound different on the dance floor.

Aesthetische – Still Life - Ivo Draganac remix

Aesthetische – High Heel Fixation - feat. Ava Nima of Robotiko Rejekto

BlakOPz – Long Live the New Flesh

Blush Response – America

Chainreactor – Kick Ass

Chainreactor – Gas Panic

Covenant – Last Dance - Modulate Remix

Covenant – Prime Movers

CygnosiC – Escape (Chainreactor Remix)

Deadliner – Transmitter

Die Krupps – The Machinist of Joy

Front Line Assembly – Killing Grounds

Front Line Assembly – Ghosts

Gesaffelstein – Hate or Glory

Ghost & Writer – Beyond Repair

Juno Reactor – Guillotine

Komor Kommando – Servus Pulsu - Red Mix by Inertia

Lescure 13 – Secrets

Lescure 13 – Aggression/Obsession

Nitro/Noise – Synchronised Beat F**K (Noisuf-X Remix)

Nitro/Noise – X (Phosgore Remix)

Noisuf-X – WTF? [What the Funk]

Noisuf-X – Warning

Pyrroline – Ruin Outlast - Cultures Fall

Pyrroline – Effulgent - Red+Test Remix

Skinny Puppy – Salvo

Skinny Puppy – Paragun

Suicide Commando – Body Machine Body - Demo Version

Suicide Commando – My Blasphemy - Absolute Body Control Remix

VNV Nation – Retaliate

Voster - World War V

2013 EBM (Electronic Body Music) and Nu Body

Been a huge resurgence in this genre for a few years now and 2013 could be the high water mark for the genre that combines elements of post- industrial music, electronic dance music and synth punk.

You have releases from the forefathers of the genre;

The Klinik, Lescure 13, Orange Sector, Pankow, Plastic Noise Experience, Pouppee Fabrikk, Signal Aout 42 and Vomito Negro

You have the bands that still carry the classic sound torch fantastically well;

Autodafeh, Bodystyler, Novakill, Spetsnaz,. Also Brotman and Short whose “Distance Unknown” LP sounds like a continuation of Front 242’s “Geography”!!!

You had the traditional techno guys paying respect to the genre;

David Carretta, Terrence Fixmer, Thomas P. Heckmann

Even a few guys revisiting the classic Belgian New Beat sound;

Bodyparty, Body Shock

A whole breed of artist (now considered Nu Body) still creating smashers;

Al Ferox, Ancient Methods, Blac Kolor, Black Jeans, Div|der, Equitant, Ethan Fawkes, Factory Floor, Fraulein Z, The Horrorist, Jonathann Cast, Kontravoid, Liquid G, Maelstrom, Orline (good god that tracks awesome), Public Domain Resource, Qpdb, Radical G, Sawf, Silent Em, Solvent, Stamba, //TENSE//, Jenn Vix with Dirk Ivens, Noi Kabat,  Zex Model, Tannhauser Gate, Keluar (ex Linea Aspera), PCP, High Functioning Flesh, Pure Ground, Image of Life, Schwefelgelb, The Left Hand Path (ex Ascii,Disko), Garth Knight and Yan Wagner.

The bigger acts still tinkering with the classic ebm repetitive sequencer lines;

Covenant, Front Line Assembly, VNV, Suicide Commando

THEN you get bands/projects that still push the boundaries of this genre even further into exciting territories;

Long time Nitzer Ebb front man Douglas McCarthy not only released his first solo album “Kill Your Friends” which showed he has more range and ideas than that of just Ebb.  He also contributed vocals to the Headman (featuring Scott Fraser) track “Noise”. Perhaps most importantly along with Cyrus Rex he began a project called DJMREX based around exploring the modular synthesizer systems first EP to drop December 30th.

Geseffalstein is of important note here as well. The lone Frenchman turned heads everywhere this year with a sound that was as much equal parts techno as it was ebm. He had fans talking on both the techno boards and the mainly industrial boards.  His music transcended the genres boundaries bringing attention of one to the other. Now add onto this he worked with Tiga, Miss Kitten, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk and Brodinski.  Oh yeah he also produced two tracks on “Yeezus” by Kanye West.  Impressive resume. Everybody was all aflutter this year of how industrial broke back into the mainstream. Truth is it was always there, hidden in the background, it’s just in 2013 it became a buzzword like electronica was years ago.  Still it’s a cool thing to see an artist like Gesaffelstein with a tip of the hat to a genre that we all know has been exciting for 20+ years AND he (with others) is continuing to make it exciting. 

Speaking of exciting others…

YOUTH CODE.  Their name was everywhere this year, The bands demo tape provided a tiny glimpse into something special to come on the self-titled full length. THIS was the kick in the pants that industrial, ebm, whatever-the-fuck-you want to call it needed.  Here’s an album that’s raw, energetic, punk-like, ugly, angst-filled, primal, ragged and deadly. It threw a big middle-finger up to a scene that was getting stale. It left behind the tired gimmicks and cliche’s of the genre (vampires, neon dreads, furry boots, etc…) and went back to the roots (Puppy, Wax Trax, Leatherstrip, Babyland, Coil, etc…) breaking down prior scene constrictions. There’s a zillion reviews of praise for this album (along with the haters too) but Youth Code have cultivated an entirely original and a powerfully memorable album. A masterpiece of filth and aggression. Here you’re given something you didn’t even realize was missing from your life. Forceful and violent sounding, without the pretentious heavy handed reverence many other industrial artists have. They aren’t reaching into the bag of old tricks, they’ve thrown it out the window.  To call them EBM or Industrial is too narrow, as they encompass so many surrounding genres.  Had I too pick an album of the year, Youth Code would be it!

Aesthetische – Still Life - Ivo Draganac remix

Al Ferox – I Love Satan - Original Mix

Al Ferox – I Love Satan - Radical G Remix

Al Ferox – Robots Warfare - Jonathann Cast Remix

Al Ferox – 309 - Original Mix

Ancient Methods – Knights & Bishops

Autodafeh – Emerging Sadness

Blac Kolor – Rule Forever - Cute Heels Mix One

Blac Kolor – Kold - RAWconstruction by Liebknecht

Black Jeans – No Safety

Bodystyler – We Run!!!

Covenant – Last Dance - Modulate Remix

David Carretta – The Intruders (The Hacker Remix)

Deadliner – Transmitter

Div|der – Minimal Distraction - Cute Heels Remix

Div|der – Relentless At the Heart - Radio Edit

Douglas J McCarthy – Move On - Original Mix

Douglas J McCarthy – Move On - The Hacker Remix

Douglas J McCarthy – Move On - Kloq Remix

Equitant – Body Vehement - Electrosexual Remix

Equitant – Body Vehement

Ethan Fawkes – Automatic - Ethan Fawkes Rapid Fire Remix

Ethan Fawkes – Kill Us - Original Mix

Factory Floor – Fall Back

Fraulein Z – Christiane F - D-R-U-N-K Remix

Fraulein Z – Royal Junk - Al Ferox Remix

Fraulein Z – Sex Shooter

Front Line Assembly – Killing Grounds

Gesaffelstein – Hate or Glory

Gesaffelstein – Pursuit

Headman – Noise

The Horrorist – Automatic - Zakhari Remix

The Horrorist – Heart of Steel

Jonathann Cast – Inclinment Trajectory - Original Mix

The Klinik – In Your Room

The Klinik – Bite Now Bite

The Klinik – Bite Now Bite

Kontravoid – Impurities

Kontravoid – Impurities (Equitant Remix)

Kontravoid – Impurities (Tannhauser Gate Remix)

Kontravoid – Native State - 7" Version

Kontravoid – Cut to Cleanse - 7" Version

Lescure 13 – Aggression/Obsession

Liquid G. – Drop That Fat Bomb

Maelstrom – The Line

Mr. Jones – Crater - Mike Humphries Remix

Mystery Of Dawn – Lost - Inside Agitator Remix

Nale Garcia – Galactic

Novakill – Demonizer - Force-Fed Mix By Inside Agitator

Novakill – Demonizer - Force-Fed Mix By Inside Agitator

Novakill – Demonizer - Force-Fed Mix By Inside Agitator

Novakill – Demonizer - Force-Fed Mix By Inside Agitator

Orline – Der Bomber - Demia E.Clash Remix

Pankow – Crash and Burn

Pankow – Crash and Burn

The Plastic Noise Experience – Control - 12" Extended Mix

Pouppée Fabrikk – Bring Back the Ways of Old - 12 Inch Version

Pouppée Fabrikk – Bring Back the Ways of Old

Pouppée Fabrikk – H8 U - 12 Inch Version

Public Domain Resource – Red Lines

Qpdb – Heartbeats for Life - Original Mix

Radical G – Here Comes the Storm - Al Ferox Remix

Radical G – Here Comes the Storm - The Hacker Remix

Sawf – Know the System - Original Mix

Severe Illusion – Strategy of Aprehention

SIGNAL AOUT 42 – Race of the Human Race

Silent EM – Case Unclear

Solvent – Red and Metal

Soma Sema – Artifical Heart

Spetsnaz – Fake!

Stamba – Deviation - Inside Agitator Remix

Stamba – Deviation - Inside Agitator Remix

Suicide Commando – Body Machine Body - Demo Version

Suicide Commando – Body Machine Body - Demo Version

//Tense// – Dissconect Myself (Beau Wanzer Adjustment)

Terence Fixmer – Warm - Regis Remix

Thomas P. Heckmann – Mechanoid

Thomas P. Heckmann – Mechanoid

Thomas P. Heckmann – Tanzmaschine

Thomas P. Heckmann – Knarz Is Machine

Thomas P. Heckmann – Knarz Is Machine

Thomas P. Heckmann – Welt In Scherben III-1

VNV Nation – Retaliate

Vomito Negro – Power On Demand

Yan Wagner – Changed - Arnaud Rebotini Classic Dub

Yan Wagner – Changed - The Hacker Remix

Youth Code – Let the Sky Burn

Youth Code – Carried Mask

Body.Party

Bodyshock

Zex Model - Mind Slaughter

Jenn Vixx / Dirk Ivens - Fuck, Rinse Repeat

Keluar - Ennoea EP

Orange Sector ‎– Vorwärts Nach Weit

Noi Kabat - Make Room! Make Room!

Tannhauser Gate - Function Operate

PCP - PCP

High Functioning Flesh - Demo Tape 2013

Brotman & Short - Distance Unknown

Pure Ground - Protection

Image of Life - Weight Loss in War Time

Schwefelgelb - Den Keller Volllaufen

Schwefelgelb - Dunkel Vor Der Den Augen Uns

The Left Hand Path - Numerous releases via Bandcamp 

Garth Knight - Probable Target

Let’s Jump over and have a look at 

2013 Reissues / Box Sets

So many important gems from the past seeing re-issues and most with remasters. These classics await rediscovery by fans or an awakening if it’s the first time hearing them.

2013 FINALLY was the year we got the remasters of several Cabaret Voltaire releases. Beginning with arguably their greatest achievement, “Red Mecca”, and followed by “#8385 (Collected Works 1983-1985)”, a collection that included “The Crackdown”, “Micro-Phonies”, “Drinking Gasoline”, and “The Covenant, The Sword, And The Arm Of The Lord”. Those last 4 albums were released separately as well.

“The Covenant, The Sword, And The Arm Of The Lord"  was THE album that started me on this long journey into industrial. ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL LISTENING.

Also absolutely essential were the remasters of  Atom TM/Lassigue Bendthaus "Matter” and Mlada Fronta’s “Every Thing” 10 CD box set. Two VERY prolific artist each whom over many years have continued to raise the bar on electronic excellence.  The “Every Thing” box is an unbelievable showcase of one artist body of work ranging from the styles of cold ambient soundscapes to tribal rhythmic noise to techno-industrial grove fest. 

Miss out on the limited 8-CD-box-set with the complete works of DIVE last year that sold out rather quickly? Don’t miss out on this years “Compiled” - the definitive selection of the best, most famous and most important tracks of this electronic pioneer on a deluxe double CD. 36 tracks spanning the entire career of Dirk Ivens.

Leaetherstrip fans got an unexpected treat when Dark Entries records released “Teenage Demos” a collection of Claus Larsen’s earliest recordings. Nine demo songs recorded between 1982 and 1986 that show Larsen in a much more Depeche Mode synth pop vein. Very fun stuff and Claus is proud of this early work (unlike Ministry’s Al J who can’t even own up to “With Sympathy”).

Also VERY cool to see Mannequin Records come through with a re-release of Musumeci - “Schwarz Morgen / Zusammen” - a rare and unknown Italian Minimal Synth band from the 80’s not unlike D.A.F., or Liaisons Dangereuses.  A new discovery for me.

And speaking of new wave goodies from the 80’s, both Psyche and Hard Corps saw reissues of material from their catalogs this year. Hard Corps had an amazing sound characterized by the juxtaposition between their hard edged industrial and the fragile and enigmatic vocals of French front woman Regine Fetet that created an unusual dichotomy, lending to their strength of character as a band and thus allowing them to stand out from the rest. “Rarities” compiles the outtakes and demos that were left behind. Tracks that truly never saw the light of day, yet should have as they sound amazing. Psyche continues to write music to this day while their early catalog continues to gain much praise and many cite as being hugely influential.  The acts quintessential 1985 album “Insomnia Theatre” finally got the reissue AND remastering treatment with the bonus track “Thundershowers” added to the 2013 version. Classic minimal synth with some excursions into near industrial territory.

Atom TM – Automotive

Atom TM – Velocity Life

Cabaret Voltaire – Sensoria - Live at Toronto Concert Hall 5th May 1985

Cabaret Voltaire – Do Right - Live at Toronto Concert Hall 5th May 1985

Cabaret Voltaire – I Want You - Remastered 2013

Cabaret Voltaire – Motion Rotation - Remastered 2013

Cabaret Voltaire – Do Right - Remastered 2013

Cabaret Voltaire – James Brown - Remastered 2013

Cabaret Voltaire – Sensoria - Remastered 2013

Dive – Final Report

Dive – Obsession

Dive – Sidewalk Sinner

Mlada Fronta – F7,2-1/775

Mlada Fronta – F8,2-1/456

Mlada Fronta – Sn O2

Mlada Fronta – Kr 83.80

Mlada Fronta – Ritual

Mlada Fronta – Year .9

Mlada Fronta – H2o

Mlada Fronta – Revolution (Phase 1)

Mlada Fronta – Industrial Visions

Mlada Fronta – Apocalyptic Trance

Musumeci – Schwarz Morgen

Musumeci – Lieber

Psyche – The Brain Collapses - Dance Mix

Psyche – Children Carry Knives

Psyche – Thundershowers - 12" Mix

Leather Strip - Teenage Demos

The greatest area of discovery for me musically this year all laid in the areas of techno.

2013 Techno

So much of the the techno that crossed my ears in 2013 was exactly the kind of stuff I really wanted to be hearing for so many years but just wasn’t aware of it or it was hiding out of site.  Everything in techno seemed to take a darker and much more sinister vibe in 2013 thanks to labels like Perc Trax, Downwards and more. Techno became much more broken machine like. Again a lot of blurring of genre lines. Much of this material found itself nestled next to the likes of traditional EBM like Nitzer Ebb, Front 242, etc… in my DJ sets. It made crowds take notice that something was changing in the scene and that a club set could now consist of things beyond the normal top 40 club fillers. Aynways…

Predict that techno in 2014 will only continue to grow darker and evolve to display some fascinating albums of mood and emotional depth.  Keep your eyes on these artist.

MORE PLEASE!!!

Abstract Division – Fierce Tension - Shifted Remix

Ancient Methods – Knights & Bishops

Autechre – jatevee Chttp://cuthands.bandcamp.com

Autechre – runrepik

AX&P – Coulomb

Bleaching Agent – Twwpk

Diamond Version – Sense and Simplicity

Drumcell – Disturbance - Pfirter Remix I

Drvg Cvltvre – Sanctvary’s End

Exium – Absolute Magnitude

Factory Floor – Fall Back

Geistech – Titan 3791 - Original Mix

George Lanham – Collab 8

Gesaffelstein – Pursuit

Gesaffelstein – Obsession

Gesaffelstein – Duel

Gesaffelstein – Hate or Glory

Gesaffelstein – Trans

Ike Yard – Half a God - Recombinant Remix

In Aeternam Vale – La Piscine

In Aeternam Vale – Calling Somewhere

Jimmy Edgar – Strike

Lag – Applied Mechanics - Original Mix

Lag – Proving Grounds - Original Mix

Lag – The Snarl - Original Mix

Lag – Applied Mechanics - Voidloss Hidden Messages Mix

Lag – Applied Mechanics - Voidloss Return To Occult Remix

Miki Craven – Introspektiv - Miki Craven Remix

Mr. Jones – Apogeum - Audio Injection Remix

The Prostitutes – Poison the Masses

The Prostitutes – Crawl on You at Night

Rrose – The Stare - Original Mix

Sawf – Faxta

Sawf – Tretra - Radial Remix

Shifted – Sektor C

Somatic Responses – Fly-By - Eomac Remix

Surkin – Tiger Rhythm

Terence Fixmer – Warm - Regis Remix

Tuomas Rantanen – Gladiator - Twist3d Fight Remix

Tuomas Rantanen – Day in Galapagos

Tuomas Rantanen – Robotan Shoulders

Tuomas Rantanen – Symphonic Metal - Original Mix

Tuomas Rantanen – Area - Original Mix

Unluck – Introspektiv - Positive Merge Remix

Vatican Shadow – Al Qaeda

A Vision of Love – Black & Blue (For You)

Cut Hands - Damballah 58

Cut Hands - Madwoman 12"

2013 Hard Tekno / Gabba / Power Noize

Then there was the hard techno, gabba stuff, power noise stuff.  Still a lot of material in here that makes for a fun listen and good work out music. Quite frankly most of the bands in my list below have all been at this style for long periods of time and are the ‘best’ at it. Really don’t do much exploring in this genre any longer as I know right where to go for the quality stuff.

Biggest discovery in this genre was Frenchman Tuomas Rantanen who was quite prolific in 2013 releasing 6(!!!) releases all just complete crazy bangers.  And major congrats to my friend Cat Caet on completely selling out of her “Rusting Dreams” release as Catastrophe Noise.

Cubic Nomad – Android Development

Cubic Nomad – Drum Warning

Esa – The Shape of Hate to Come

Hidden Rooms – Black

Hidden Rooms – Origin

Hidden Rooms – Origin

Mindwalker – Black Clouds

Mirco Abete – Oceano - Embrionyc’S Deepwater Remix

The Peoples Republic of Europe – Feel The Power - Original Mix

The Peoples Republic of Europe – Energy - Original Mix

Petrochemical – To Conquer Fear

Sei2ure – Opposition

Sirus – War Drone

Somatic Responses – Reverse Engineering

Sonic Destroyer – Electric Highway - Abnormal Dysfunction Remix

Sonic Destroyer – Electric Highway - Abnormal Dysfunction Remix

Synaptic Memories – Plague

Synaptic Memories – Black Crucifix

Tuomas Rantanen – Half Orbit

Tuomas Rantanen – Soviet

Tuomas Rantanen – Pulsar

Tuomas Rantanen – Robotan Shoulders

Catatstrophe Noise

Noiz+Zilenth - Freeland

2013 IDM / Dark Ambient / Ritual / Sort-of-Dubstep / Whatever.

Finally there were releases in 2013 that were beyond classification, really didn’t even know where to 'file’ them so throughout the year they ended up in a Spotify folder called IDM / Dark Ambient / Ritual / Sort-of-Dubstep / Whatever.  Still looking for music with a TON of experimentation with sounds not so easy to pigeonhole? Then look no further to many (if not all) of the albums in the following playlist:

From the slow and chilly sounds of Lustmord and Atrium Carceri on through the space-themed “Post-Sign” work of legends Clock DVA then onto ritual dance of Ah Cama Sotz and the one-of-a-kind machine built noise grind of Author and Punishor (who I’ve raved about last year even) the list below encompass albums that DEMAND intent listening as there’s layers, themes, atmospheres and more all to be uncovered.

Of particular note are three albums that require a further spotlight:

First up is Faustens self-titled debut. Heavy, dense, suffocating and massive: a deep album which moves very slowly but does so with an unstoppable drive. Fausten’s début is a misanthropic, oppressive work which reunites noise with modern production techniques; a colossal, smart and twisted monster of coldness and inhumanity, of distortion, beats and subtle details. 

Like Coils “Unreleased Themes for Hellraiser” the first time hearing parts of Faustens debut (alone at night on a darkened highway during a road trip) sent shivers down my spine. A work of the highest regard and probably my second favorite release of 2013.  Saddened it’s been overlooked (or forgotten) on many year end lists this year.

On a LOT of list however were the following two releases;

“Mine” by Architect.  By now you should know Architect is another of (Haujobb’s) Daniel Myers many projects. “Myer is a true innovator who has forged his own path in the industrial/experimental electronic world and still remains sinfully undiscovered by many.” -Paul Lloyd, Connexion Bizarre

Storming the Base’s description is better than I could ever write…

“Architect’s sixth full length album "Mine” constitutes an appreciable shift in direction compared to his previous works by adding compositional and instrumental innovations brand new to this project. Supported by well-respected artists such as Ben Lukas Boysen a.k.a. Hecq, guitarist and cellist Felix Gerlach, Dejan Samardzic (dsx), legendary producer, engineer and remixer Paul Kendall (Depeche Mode, Nitzer Ebb, Erasure, Recoil), Canadian musician and sound designer Comaduster and Hungarian vocalist Emese Arvai-Illes (Black Nail Cabaret), Architect marches to no one’s beat but his own, expanding ambitious electronica with comprehensive down-tempo song structures. Moderate yet decisive beats and precise keyboard and string arrangements build the foundation for Emese’s exceptional voice, transmitting suspense, depth and sinister beauty with perfectly fitting lyrics. Depending on how and when you listen, this atmospheric release can fill you with menace and sadness, or send you into a deep reverie. Uncompromising, muscular and powerful, the music of “Mine” is also full of subtle touches and a supple sense of rhythm. “

The pairing up with Comaduster for the song "Altitude” may very well be the most affecting track you hear in 2013!!!! 

GET THAT ALBUM!!! 

Speaking of Comaduster… Listeners have been getting glimpses from 2010 (Dependent’s “Septic IX "comp) and last years "Accretion” compilation (Tympanik) into the genius that lies in this Canadians work. The single for “Winter Eyes” real eased also this year, was an excellent teaser for the full-length debut “Hollow Worlds”.

“Drawing from a deep well of influences, ‘Hollow Worlds‘ encompasses a distinctive range of musical styles skillfully incorporating elements of industrial, dubstep, EDM, post-rock, glitch, IDM, ambient, and pop music into a wholly polished and cohesive assembly of work that garners cerebral as well as dancefloor allure. From start to finish, ‘Hollow Worlds‘ executes a potent strike, sustaining a proficient balance of bass-heavy beats, gushing synth melodies, taut rhythmic structures, and absorbing lyrics with humanistic vocals to match.” - Tympanik Audio

“The album is a masterfully crafted brew of electronica, EDM, synthpop, glitch, dubstep, witchcraft and wizardry. I really commend Comaduster for making such a dynamic feature that tastefully incorporates such opposing styles. If you like any style of electronic music at all, I would recommend Hollow Worlds.” - Head Full Of Noise

Ah Cama-Sotz – Roots of Eternity

Alberich – Image of Progress

Alexander Lewis – Mirror Fragment

Architect – Neverending

Architect – The Sun

Architect – Altitude - Feat. Comaduster

Atrium Carceri – A Curved Blade

Author & Punisher – Tame as a Lion

Bartel – Rain When You Look Down

Cher Nobyl – Nomansland

Clock DVA – Mercury Project

Comaduster – Winter Eyes

Comaduster – Hollow Worlds

Comaduster – Winter Eyes (Access to Arasaka Remix)

Comaduster – Slip Through (2013 Mix)

Concrete Fence – Industrial Disease

Concrete Fence – Caulk

DJ Hidden – The Wanderer

Download – Saw Crust

Download – Yoni

Download – Blotch

Drumcell – Behind You

Empusae – Rutsu

Fausten – Punishment

Fausten – Evisceration

Geomatic – Sibylline Prophecy

Hecq – Flame II

Klangstabil – Shadowboy - The Awakening

Lustmord – Goetia

Mika Vainio – Sub-atlantic

Navicon Torture Technologies – Cult of Doom

Navicon Torture Technologies – Victvm Vermis

nebulo – Boxxx

Pharmakon – Ache

Polysick – Citylights

Prurient – You Show Great Spirit

SHXCXCHCXSH – ZZNNZNZNNZN

SSLEEPERHOLD – Beatsslave

Teeth Of The Sea – Black Strategy

Theologian – Writhing Corpus Landscape

These Hidden Hands – Severed

thorofon – Clandestine Culture Dk

Vatican Shadow – Tonight Saddam Walks Amidst Ruins

Violet Poison – Spooky Pendulum

Violet Poison – Like A Pandora’s Box

«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»

And despite those lists -  I’m certain theres something I’ve obviously missed. Feel free to let me know of something.

Hope these list let you discover some amazing music released in 2013. 

Enjoy!

VERY MUCH looking forward to what 2014 has in store musically.

Favorite musical releases of 2009

So much good music in 2009. In years past I used to do a top 10 list for several categories. Rather than that, here's a list of favs kinda sorta broken down by category.  There's plenty of reviews, sound clips, MySpaz pages out there for these releases. Check some of them out. Non- industrial stuff Creepshow - Run for Your Life Placebo - Battle for the Sun The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love Editors - In The Light And On This Evening KiloWatts & Vanek - Focus & Flow Future Pop/Synth Pop/whatever it's called this week Mesh - A Perfect Solution Project Pitchfork - Feel (single)  / Dreams (Album) Seabound - When Black Beats Blue Phaser Kontrol - Electro Warriors Rotersand - War On Error Ep Rotersand - Random Is Resistance (Limited Edition) Assemblage 23 - Spark (CDM) Assemblage 23 - Compass (2CD Ltd.Ed.)   Lyronian - Side Scan (2CD Ltd.Ed.) Implant - Implantology (2CD Limited Edition) Santa Hates You - Rocket Heart (Limited Edition EP) Encephalon - Drowner (EP) Dark Electro Schallfaktor - Sittenverfall Alien Vampires - Fuck Off And Die (yeah stupid name, but evil tracks ;) ) Weltkrieg - Weltkrieg Suicide Commando - Until We Die - Severed Head (Limited Edition Vinyl) Suicide Commando - Die Motherfucker Die (Limited Edition CDM) (2009) X-Fusion - Ultima Ratio (2CD Limited Edition) (2009) [:SITD:] - Rot 2CD Stahlnebel And Black Selket - Unexpected (2CD Limited Edition) IDM and related type stuff Stendeck - Sonnambula Synapscape - Again Marching Dynamics - The Workers Party of Haiti Keef Baker - Pen Fifteen (2CD) Mika Goedrijk - Pellicules Tonikom - The Sniper's Veil Displacer - X Was Never Like This Access To Arasaka - Oppidan This Morn' Omina - Momentum of Singular Clarity Totakeke - The Things That Disappear When I Close My Eyes (2CD) Autoclav1.1 - Where Once Were Exit Wounds Detritus - Things Gone Wrong Displacer - Lost Mission Rhytmic Noise stuff Prometheus Burning - Plague Called HuMANity S.K.E.T. - Depleted Uranium Weapons Cenotype - Origins Unfold (2CDR) Xotox And Detune-X - We Are Deaf (2CD Limited Edition) The Peoples Republic Of Europe - Babylon S.K.E.T. - Depleted Uranium Weapons 13th Monkey - Redefining The Paradigm Of Bang Imminent - Cask Strength Scrap.Edx - Merciless Protraction W.A.S.T.E. - A Silent Mantra Of Rage (2CD) Dark Industrial Dance/Techno Caustic - This is Jizzcore (2CD Limited Edition) (x)-Rx - Stage 2 VA - Extreme Suendenfall 8 (2CD) VA - Extreme Störfrequenz 3 Noorglo - Hard Body Music Komor Kommando - Das EP (CDM) Motor - Metal Machine (2009) Chainreactor - X-Tinction (2009) Captive Six - Noizemaker (Limited Edition) Nachtmahr - Alle Lust Will Ewigkeit 00tz 00tz - Death By Numbers Phosgore - Domination VA - Extreme Stoerfrequenz Vol.4 Pow[d]er Pussy - Takenoprisoners Terrorfakt - ReEvolution C/A/T - We Are Still Alive (EP) Cervello Elettronico - Process of Elimination VA - Extreme Lustlieder 3 VA - Extreme Sündenfall 9 (2CD) Grendel - Chemicals + Circuitry (EP) Fla Vector - Magnifying Virus State Noisuf-X - Voodoo Ritual Welcome back fella's Nitzer Ebb - Industrial Complex X Marks the Pewdwalk - Seventeen (can't stop watching the video) I'm ceratin I've overlooked some things and probably something obvious as well. And I'll exclude my list of crap releases for 2009, unless you really want to know... Happy listening

:: 2006 Top Releases ::

Ok, here we go. 2006 was certainly an odd year for music. Overall, a lot of crap out there and material that seems to be a repeat of things heard in years past or a weak clone of someone better. At City Club I found myself sadly playing tracks that were several years old as opposed to the most recent stuff that I'd play at Necto. At work I listened to a ton of IDM while at home it was also a weird mixture of genre's. It seemed this year (at least to me) that in order to find the really really good releases you sometimes had to look much further than the Metropolis and Alfa-Matrix catalog (there were exceptions) to the smaller labels or self-released disc to be impressed and hear progression.

Bought a ton of things this year (as usual). Stayed away almost entirely from genre's I used to enjoy (synthpop and trance) and even delved deeper into my love for noise and harsh-rhythms - where most of my musical interest and purchases lay for 2006. Differring from years past - nothing really stood out as being a sure fire #1. So rather than a 1-10 list, here's several highlights from 2006. Full-Lengths Bitcrush - In Distance (N5Md) Fantastic release from former Gridlock member Mike Cadoo. A varied musical road-trip thru heart-felt emotions, sadness and more. Tracks so beautiful you instantly focus your attention in on and tracks so adrift you can just loose yourself completely. There's even some shoe-gazing styled guitar. Celine - Elapsed Time (M-tronic) Another disc to remind anyone that electronic music has soul. Celine sings improvised over, under, and through instrumentals by Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Black Dog and more. Tracks that are instantly familiar but with the additions of Celines rich voice, add a unique and alluring twist to cold machine music. Elapsed Time is IDM music with heart. Moctan - Suspect (Ant-Zen) A side project(?) of Punch-Inc and Morgenstern. Hard technoid dance music based on 4/4 rhythms. Dark techno with distorted drums and a bit of noise. Kinda like Pow[d]er Pussy minus a bit of humor, but with harsh grooves o get you moving. Motor - Klunk (Mute) Who would have thunk Klunk?! Former Haloblack musican (and Prince's Guitar Tech) Bryan Black makes a killer return to music production. I'd lost interest in Haloblack years ago so to find out Motor is him and Mr. No was quite a surprise. This disc is phenomenal in merging the sounds of techno, golden era-industrial (think Nitzer Ebb basslines/rhythms), acid house, old school electro (clash?) and more into a raw and dirty package. Excellent potential for crossover from the techno scene to the industrial scene and back again like the similar sounding Kill Memory Crash. And oh yeah, speaking of Nitzer Ebb - vocalist Douglas McCarthy guest on "1 x 1". Oil 10 - Beyond (Funkwelten) Perhaps my favorite thing to listen to at work. Engaging and moving, polished to perfection electronic anthems. Mostly instrumental with a few samples. OIL 10's tracks sound as familiar as the masters of the genre (Kraftwerk) but also motion towards the future. The music robots have sex too! S.I.N.A. - Nie Und Immer (Hands) Yeah the hottie from Pzychobitch returns with her side-project S.I.N.A. and quickly establishes yet another genre - Industrial Clash. Imagine the harsheness of industrial noize mixed in with the campiness and retro-attitude of 80's wave. The result is a fun and accesible amalgamation of styles run through the noise filter seved with female attitude - don't worry she won't bite... too hard ;) Scrap.edx - Recoil the Void (Hands) Rhythms and atmosphere. Complex arrangements of noise with brutal drums, drill and bass meet abstratc IDM and every alteration inbetween. Aggression and melody blend and then shift to contrast and then back again. Got the chance to meet Scrap.edx creator Joshua Colella in Chicago this year after admiring his work for several years. He's also to have released a 7" vinyl on Pandemic records - have to keep my eyes and ears on that and anythign else Josh/Scrap.edx does. Spetsnaz - Totalier (Out of Line) Because one can never have enough bands that sound like Nitzer Ebb ;) and because Nitzer Ebb wasn't around in 2006 (er...wait) Sadly this is the last full-length from this band as they disbanded in the later parts of the year. Solid, aggressive EBM that makes me re-live my youth ;) Suicide Commando - Bind Torture Kill (Noise Terror Productions/Dependent) Hard to ignore the man who along with Tactical Sekt remain (arguably) the only redeeming focal points of the hellektro genre. More of the same from Johan, but when you've got a strong formula (great hard drums, synths, mean vocals, etc...) why change it up too much and when every other band is attemtping (and failing) to emulate your trademark sound? Loved the cover of "Massaker", glad to see tracks like "Bind Torture, Kill", "Bleed for Us All", and "Menschenfresser" get club play. Qulaity all around including the bonus disc that came with my limited version - some great remixes on it as well (Virtual Embrace, Diskonnekted). Let's see where he takes us with the next release - hopefully noisier and more brutal ;) Terrorfakt - Teethgrinder (Metropolis) Yeah, so he's a friend of mine, Yeah I spent some time on the road with him and Tonikom this Fall and yeah I'm thanked in the liner notes. OK, I'm biassed ;) Seriously, Never one to dissapoint, Terrorfakt delivered strongly again this year. Getting a preview of some of these as works in progress way back in September 05, I had only the smallest idea of what to expect. When the disc arrived was again blown away. Raw and agressive powernoise or the most part ("Empire" let's you catch your breath) Ben has taken Terrorfakt into even more extreme territories strenghtening his expertise at intricately brutal drum arrangements and punishing bass/synth. A great range of tracks that had me selecting different ones whenever I was DJ'ing. "Rhythm & Hate" sounds so good on Necto's system ;) Tom Wax - A New Life 2cd (Infacted) Interesting 2cd release here. Infacted take one of Germany's largest techno/trance dj's (he was signed to Sony/V2), let him do his thing and promote to an unknowing industrial music scene currently into the harsher sides of electronic music. Regardless this is good stuff. His tracks stand well as being a bit harder-edged techno (near schranz-like). It's a release such as this that may get somebody only into techno to cross over to some industrial and it may open some industrial kids eyes to the similarity of styles in other genres. The second cd features remixes from Infacted artist - Liquid Divine, Conetik, Reaper and SOMAN. The SOMAN mix is outstanding as usual. Also providing remixes are Pascal FEOS (tips of the hat to Detroit's techno sound) and Eric Sneo (One of the larger names in schranz techno). Given a few more years and a few more releases such as this the genre lines will be non-existent. Seabound - Double Crosser LTD Edition (Dependent) These guys always seem to make it into my top releases for the year. Another remarkable release with "Double Crosser". A few of us had made the odd observation that Seabound is almost taking the old sea shanties of the 19th century and revitalizing them in a futuristic form of electronic music. They take the imagery of the sea (other subjects too) and synchronize it to the movements of rhythm and synths. Every song a story from one of the best lyricist in electronic music (Frank Spinath) exquisitely wrapped around the sonic arrangements of Martin Vorbrodt. Every song completely engaging wheather it be fast-paced ("Domination") or subdued ("Castaway"). The bonus disc from the limited version offers 2 mixes of "The Promise". Covenant's mix of this track is without question one of the best things Covenant has done musically if not ever. Rotersands mix of "Scorch the Ground" breathes new life into the track as well. Tonikom - Ocular Pitch (Self-released) The one release from ths year I've told EVERYONE to purchase. An outstanding collecting of tracks that gather influences from many other styles (ie: "Exotic Dancer" - world music ). IDM, industrial, techno, drum n bass, electro, trance, power electronix, ambient and tribal all combine to form Tonikom's sound. Not much club-play from me with this disc (several tracks could work), but at work, on road-trips and around home this disc was in constant rotation. "The Wave Goodbye" is pure electronic bliss at it's best - one of the best tracks of the year. GET THIS. And why hasn't Tonikom been signed to an established label yet. Ghostly would be smart to sign her. ESA . Devotion, Discipline, and Denial (Hive Records) Really strong debut CD here fron this Brittish act. Split into 3 sections as the title implies. The Devotion starts slow with "Manipulating God" before building into a fierce outrage with selections like "Belief Conversion" and "We All Know the World is Wrong". Spot the Rotersand samples? Discipline section is rough yet pokes fun too with tracks such as "Say No to Emo" and "Cutslut" is vicious. Denial section closes everything down and is not as bombastic as the other two sections but still packs a considerable. Scrap.edx's Josh Collela (who did the mastering here) contributes with a remix of "Devoted Contortions" which is absolutely pounding. A concept album that strikes hard with aggression. Can't wait to hear more from ESA. Prometheus Burning . Beyond Repair (Hive Records) HOLY SMOKES did Hive have a great year or what?! Releases from ESA and this one from Prometheus Burning are going to have other bands envious (heh-heh). "Beyond Repair" is equal parts noise, distorted rip-your-heart-out-through-your-throat beats and pummeling floorstompers. "Some Things are Meant to Stay Broken", "Significantly Altered" , "For Every Action there is a Reaction" were favorties but the whole disc is something you can drop on and become fully immersed in. VERY well done. Now I just need to catch them live. They've been to Detroit several times but everytime I'm out of town. S.A.M - Synthetic Adrenaline Music (ProNoize) A late entry having come out early December. From the same label who brought us Noisuf-X, Xotox, AM-Inc, Stahlfrequenz (and soon Neuss) more hard distorted techno-industrial body music akin to the other bands on their label or even Combichrist. Great stuff. Stahlfrequenz - Coma Themes (ProNoize) ProNoize and Hive were the labels this year for me. Stahlfrequenz is another hard-rhythmic dance project in the same area as their other ProNoize labelmates. You kiddies start requesting this stuff at the clubs ok! ;) S:Cage - Madness Turns To Glass (Ant-Zen) Saw this act live at Indoctrination in Chicago and was instantly transfixed. His lastest cd is just as magnificient as his live work. Stephen Seto (S:Cage) creates a unique melding of beauty and belligerence. Soundscapes that are at moments dream-like then transform to nightmares, but with far more of an edge than most drowsy ambient thanks to nice effects and well-crafted rhythms. Another favorite to pop on at 3 p.m. durring work to be awoken from the days tedium. Caustic - Unicorns, Kittens, And Shit (Crunch Pod) / Endif - Meta (Crunch Pod) Madtown powernoise came on strong this year. Caustics disc is a fun affair of clubby rhytmic noise surrounded with that old rivet-head feeling of yesteryear. It's in your face but equally fun. Endif's release has a bit more atmosphere and 'complicated' structures that build and breakdown. Several listens to "Meta" and you'll be asking yourself "wtf? - how'd that sound get constructed". Both disc executed with great knowledge, skill and precision. Gothsicles - NESferatu (Sonic Mainline) The Most fun you will have with a disc this year. The Gothsicles (also from Madison) poke fun at goth (it' so easy) AND the video game culture (NES) that any 30 something grew up on. Songs such as "Konami Code IV", "tripple Shot", "One Second Ghost" and "English License" are tounge-in-cheek electro goth that will have you dancing and laughing or laughing so hard you'll have to stop dancing. The bands live show is one of the most entertaining in the scene. Look for a release party for this cd in January at City Club. Imperative Reaction - As We Fall (Metropolis) Another great release from IR which continues to show the bands mastery of writing driving industrial dance tracks. It's amazing how this band takes the basics of good songwriting (verse,chorus,hook), excellent vocal delivery and skilled production to higher standards each time. What's really interesting is that with this release which got quick attention int he Detroit scene there's been an influx of request for older material from them as well. Maybe there is hope yet. Imperative Reaction and Cessium_137 both deserve more club play. Fantastic album artwork as well. Code 64 - Departure (Memento Materia) Been moving away from synthpop/futurepop more and more but occasionally a gem pops out like Code 64. Departure is distinct and electrfying. No fucking around here, these guys aren't copy cats of the big boys, they should be right up there alongside them. Tunes so infectious (and often times more elaborate than say Covenant) it's hard to sit still. Lyrics are personal and catchy. Great club stuff and refined tunes like the emotionally charged "Carry Me Home". I even liked "Go64" which sounds like crazy 8-bit Breakin'2 eletric boogaloo. Rosewater - Bloodcount (Sturm) Forgot who tipped me off to this artist and the Sturm label but thanks for opening my eyes. Sturms a label to watch. This is a powernoise artist from Latvia. 3rd release but first official release as the other two were limited CD-R's. HARSH DANCEABLE noise that challoenges the listener. Watch this band... OMG - I'm tired of typing need a break. Just go to the web and purchase these as well: Manufactura - We're Set Silently On Fire (Crunch Pod) More diverse and varied offering from Carloz this time around. Noise in parts, dark artmospheres in others, grinding ebm in there as well. If you're a fan you know what to expect. If new with Manufacturas sound, as good an introduction to the talented project as you're gona get. W.A.S.T.E. - This is what we Seek (Sistinas records) Punishing powernoise. Total entropy. Nice guys. Great label. The Operative - An Adoring Circle Of Radical Calamity (Crunch Pod), Basic Shortwave Operations (Mechanismz), Held Hostage To Skeptical Intelligence (Mechanismz) Yeah 3 releases this year from The Operative that all showcase the tremendous depth and skill this guy has. With influences as diverse as Egyptian Lover, classic ebm like Click Click, 80's new wave like Propaganda (whom he reconstructs on "Held Hostage") to powernoise, breaks, and whatever else it's all here and executed exceptionally well. "The White People Still Can't Dance Anthem" from Basic Shortwave Operations is a favorite. Like SoulTrain run thru a effects pedals. And while super productive, The Operatives music sounds complete and individualistic. Check these out and keep your eyes on projects surrounding The Operative as much is in store. Also of note is the artwork for "Held Hostage" was done by a local Ann Arbor graphic designer (guess who) ;) This Morn' Omina - Les Passages Jumeaux : Le 25ième Degré ~ Le 33ième Degré / Au Delà De Tous Les Degrés (Ant-Zen) Ritual, Trance, Ambient, and more that never fails to impress. They are not a band to be classified. If you know them they're prolly a favorite already, if you don't know them - you'll soon love them ;) Geez I have carpel tunnel now... Singles/EP.s Combichrist - Get Your Body Beat (Metropolis) Yeah, exploded onto the dance floor everywhere this year. Funny just 3 years ago I got pennies checuked at me for playign anything off of "Joy of Gunz" now Combichrist is all the kids want to hear. Anyways, fun, mildly-aggressive, catchy stomp fest here. The Sergio Mea mix was my favorite. Depeche Mode - Precious (Mute) A track that piqued my interest again in DM. A simple well-crafted pop song with plenty of fun remixes all over the place on domestic, import, white label releases. The blokes haven't forgotten how to write a great track. Grendel - Soilbleed Redux (Metropolis) yeah a re-issue of the dance club classic - even if you have the orriginal you need this for the previously unreleased remix of "Soilbleed" by [Dawn of Ashes] which lengthens the orriginal with a nice intro and adds other dynamics. New Grendel on a new lablel (Infacted) to come in 2007. Mesh - Crash (Koenigskinder) These guys just keep getting better and better. The Bristol masterminds continue there faultlessness on this single. Driving synth anthems, captivating lyrics and a near indie pop sound with wave and electro influences make this very memorable. I still haven't checked out the full-length :( Noisuf-X - Tinnitus (ProNoize) More of that great, hard, crunchy, distorted techno body music you've come to expect from the ProNoize roster of bands. This just slams you and then there's additional remixes from Stahlfrequenz, Xotox, Implant and Am Inc. Pow[d]er Pussy - Just to annoy you (Pflichtkauf) More from the collaoration of This Morn Omina and Ah Cama Sotz. Danceable technoid rhythms for the body. Am Inc - Feuchte Hosen (ProNoize) This one almost snuck by me, but in my checking out the rest of ProNoize releases came across this. Again typical ProNoize artist sound so check the other reviews ;) Spetsnaz - Hardcore Hooligans (Out of Line) Classic EBM, but sadly the last thing we may ever hear from the now disbanded Spetsnaz. High levels of energy and still drawing comparisons to Ebb, they do branch into other areas like swing meets EBM (OMG) as found on the cover song "Down and Out". Long live EBM. Dismantled - Standard Issue (Bonus disc/Anthem) 13th Apr 2006 Ok, didn't care much for the full-length (it's like emo electro) -- but with the limited ed of the release you get a bonus disc that holds one f the most killer futurepop remixes ever - Rotersands reworking of Dismantled "Anthem". Noble played this track early int he year at Necto and I had to run over to see what it was. It grabbed my attention instantly like few song this year. Rotersand take the orriginal and give it some serious oontz thump and quick synth arpegiation. The vocals have a Reznor vibe to them which actually doesn't bother me despite my disliking of Trent. Shame this song can only be found packaged with the full-length as this track alone will put any dancefloor in motion. Should of been a single. Dismantled could have afforded a to pay some rent. Dive vs. Diskonnekted - Frozen (Alfa-Matrix) DIRK IVENS!!! What more needs to be said?! Oh yeah, the first remix from Numb in years can be found here too along with remixes by Leaetherstrip and Combichrist. Clan of Xymox - Weak in my knees (Pandaimonium) And One Dave alerted me to this wayyyy back in January. Eh, ok I thought more darkwave goth crap - but whoa wait what's this? A surprisingly good electro-goth song (more on the electro-side) remixed by Grendel and the Azoic, a new recording of the 4ad classic "Michelle" and yet another remix of "Michelle" by Destroid!!! Not bad at all. But hey Ronny, Sun's Out - lighten up! comps Endzeit Bunkertracks Act II (Alfa-Matrix) Part 2 of the series - 4 disc of hellektro with so much good music to offer. Das Bunker - Fear of a Distorted Planet (Das Bunker) 2 CD comp with Modulate, Noit Excev, The Operative, Northbourne, SOMAN, Imoerative Reaction and more. ALL EXCLUSIVE TRACKS TO THIS COMPILATION. Industrial for the Masses III (Out of Line) Should have been called Techno for the Masses. Beat heavy harsh techno from Unter Art, Chris Liebing/Speedy J, Motor, 13th Monkey and more. Plus a second disc with the debut ep of Northbourne. The UnterArt track on this disc destroys!!! Noise Terror Vol. 1 (Noise Terror productions) Hard EBM/Hellektro comp compiled by Suicide Commando's Johan Van Roy. Gret stuff from Toronto's Fractured, Unter Null, Insekt, Dawn of Ashes and more. Best comebacks: Nitzer Ebb - Body Rework/Body of Work (Mute) Long rumored 'best-of' Body of Work got kind of watered down from it's initial 3cd+DVD package that was discussed years ago. Body of Work does collect all the hits the band has come to be known for from 84-97, but it was all released before and any NEP junkie has long since found these. Good to have some of this stuff that appeared on vinyl finally on CD. Dissapointed that more rarities weren't included. Regardless it's Ebb - one of my many favorites that got me into funny haircuts and stomping around smokey clubs. Body Rework however sparked my interest more so featuring newish (some were released) remixes of the old classics. Of note: Motors mix of "Lightning Man" was just dirty and raw electronics. Techno forefather Derrick May's mix of "Shame" (released previously on vinyl) shows that techno and industrial share so many common elements. BlackStrobes mix of "Getting Closer" breaks down and builds the key elements of rhythm and bass. It's a testament to how good the orriginal compositions are when 10+ years later a new remix utilizing the same structure but new sounds, can break ground again for the track. Oddly enough, I didn't care as much for the Muscle and Hate Tribute project - where it seemed Seb really modernized/polished everything and the rigor of the orriginals was somewhat lost on my ears. Was also good to see Nitzer Ebb back on the live front this year. How cool was it that Detroit would be the first to seen a re-united Ebb!!! This city sucked a little less this year ;) AND how cool is it that Ebb is working on new material for 07!!!! Lost Signal - Eviscerate (23 db) Loved his 2002 debut, even if it was like VNV Jr. produced by a23's Tom Shear. Charlie had even seen my old band perform a few times and we had talked from time to time. Suppose we were distant friends. Knew he was going through some stuff and thought maybe we'd heard the last of Lost Signal. 4 Years laters, it's 2006 and he's back picking up right where he left off - this time on Shears new label and with the production tricks he's learned over the years away. Sure there's similarities to the work of a23 and VNV, but what I do find appealing about Lost Signal is Charlies vocal delivery and his lyrics - which have an understanding for the complexities of life but are delivered with sincerity and assurance. Best Re-issues: Portion Control - Archive 5cd box (Portion Control) This was a dream come true - ALL the Portion Control that was released on vinyl collected on CD. There'd been a few CD releases (TEQ music has a retrospective - now long out of print) but nothing of this magnitude. It's next to near impossible to find the old stuff on Vinyl. I've wored in record stores and been half-way around the world and found a few releases/12"s. Mastered from the orriginals to have the same sonic quality. They didn't fuck with it, nuances and all. Such an important part of the electro-industrial history. Portion Control put aggression to synthpop music before anyone else was doing it and when industrial was still "chaotic noise" that was rarely danceable. They influenced Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly and even were the opening act for Depeche Mode when they were all young. The Cure reissues came in a close second. Disappointments Psyclon Nine - Crwn Thy Frnctr (Metropolis) Crap Black metal minus the stupid face makeup of the usual black metal bands. They were great live in Cleveland earlier this year. I was curious to hear what was forthcoming. Much more GEETARS on this cd and I figured it being produced by David_Din (Informatik) there'd be some synth work. Nope. It just comes across as juvenile shock tactics for the hot topic, shaven eyebrow kids board with Manson. The Retrosic - Nightcrawler ( Limited Edition ) (Tribume Records) I wanted to like this, I really did, because "God of Hell" was a really strong release. This just misses the mark somewhere. The distinguishing traits that made the Retrosic be heralded as the next big thing (intricate dark compostions, atmospheres, noises, beats, lyrics, imagery) have lessoned on this release. Much of this comes across as sounding like the REALLY, REALLY, really bad scraps of In Strict Confidence. And if ISC is doing the same thing far better why not listen to them? Yawns Covenant - Skyshaper (Metropolis) "Ritual Noise" was the obvious club hit but it's "Stalker" (Pt. III). It's also not ritual and not noise. Tracks sound unfinished and plod along directionless at points. Come on guys you can do better (see: remix of Seabounds "The Promise'). More hype than substance here. And live - the energy comes too late. Front Line Assembly - Artificial soldier (Metropolis) Bill an co continue to proove they can release good quality stuff, but it's appeal has lessoned on my ears cause everytime they release something new it's almost like the same old songs with new names. Yes Front Line is getting formulaic. Delerium not fairing much better these days either. What we need is another Intermix. And there live show at Infest U.K. - no comment. To watch in 2007: 13th Monkey - Noise/Techno/Drill+Bass/whatever side project of Kiev member. Modulate - "Skullfuck" and "Das Bunker" were all over Detroit and other DJ's playlist this year. He recently signed with Infacted and Sistinas records. Look for it in 07 and expect to hear it a LOT! Suicide Inside - German lesbian noise-makers. Part of Ambassador 21. First release is good 2nd release should hit the mark if they do one. Nin Kuji - Music for victims... no way out! Northborne - Side project(?) of Icon of Coils Christian signed to Masterhit Records. Tracks on Das Bunker and Industrial for the Masses comps were industrial-techno fun. Neuss - Washington DC based female powernoise outfit and newest signee to the ProNoize label (Xotox, Noisuf-X, more) And that's it. I know I've forgotten something. Sadly my Autoclav1.1 disc hasn't shipped yet. I would expect that to have made the list this year had it arrived in time. Thanks for reading. Onward to new sounds in 2007.

2005 Top CD Releases

2005 - A crazy year for music with a ton of hellektro releases. Tons of re-issues (Cure, Cabaret Voltaire, and more) making me feel old. A resurgence of EBM (making me feel young again). Noise became more popular... genre lines continued to blur or be oblitrated even more... And And One's "Panzermensch" still did not go away! Anyways, here's my list for 2005. I have a bit different ear for things than other individuals and other DJ's, strong likes and dislikes... Top 10 Full-Length CDs 10. VNV Nation – Matter and Form (Metropolis Records) So much debate over this release when it first came out. Fans were really divided right down the middle it seemed. Half were lightly disgusted on the new more techno-trance direction that Ronan had headed in and the other half still found a few tracks they liked and wrote off the rest as filler. Maybe because Ronan is a good friend, maybe because we spoke earlier about non-industrial influences (he’s a HUGE Underworld and Placebo fan) and maybe because he told me before this release was even half-way finished to expect something more “Leftfield” (now I realize there was a pun there) I was prepared for this release. From the first listen I can honestly say I loved every track. VNV are to be commended for successfully doing what few in the electronic scene have failed to do – make a CD that doesn’t COMPLETELY alienate existing fans and then show some alternatives for where the band could be headed in sound with coming releases. Let’s face it, VNV can’t ride this futurepop thing forever can they? Matter and Form shows growth and a band looking to push boundaries. 9. [:SITD:] - Coded Message:12 (Accession/Metropolis) Nothing too exceptionally different than their last full-length outing “Stronghold” , but when you’ve so quickly established yourself as one of the leading darker electro acts in the club scene why tamper with the direction of that successful approach? Again nicely constructed songs, great and catchy chorus’, driving synth work that’s both dark and powerful yet entirely danceable. Coded Message:12 is just what you’d expect from [:SITD:] 8. Headscan - Pattern Recognition (Art of Fact) Released just a few weeks prior to the close of 2005, I’ve seen this popping up on many Top 10 list this year. After the highly praised and sold out “Shaper and Mechanist” debut and several successful EPs, the Montreal-based duo of Headscan have released their stunning and visionary second CD. “Pattern Recognition” is packed with futuristic dance floor pounding music and entangling dark vivid sounds capes. Their haunting vocals fuse with relentless beats and powerful hypnotic sequences with a strong and upfront presence, but at times dives into the abyss, lurking within the driving rhythms and loops only to resurface again like a haunting message from another dimension. Headscan showcases their talents by impressively combining the best elements of electro, techno, and industrial that all result in a sound that is fresh, exciting and that always holds true to its predecessors in electronic music. Another great CD from these guys, they haven’t done a bad one yet. 7. Kill Memory Crash – American Automatic (Ghostly International) Absolutely superb release and it makes me even happier that the Ghostly International label who put this out is (duh) internationally known and acclaimed and resides right in my hometown of Ann Arbor, MI. Label owner Sam lives directly next door to the lofts I work in. This Chicago (former Detroit) duo’s disc is the best exemplification of electronic body music’s past merging with the Warp-records-like modern electronic-techno. It’s a mash of Nitzer Ebb like bass lines and rhythms merged together with glitched-out electro, traces of IDM and cyberpunk punch. Every track made for the dance floor. There’s parts of Kill Memory Crash’s “American Automatic” that remind me of the brilliant “Twitch CD by Ministry (surely an influence on KMC) and there’s more forward thinking, experimenting and tinkering than many of today’s (stuck in minimal territory) techno artist. However, the end result is neither an update of past industrial influences or one that comes off overtly future-forward. This sits nicely in a spot of the significance of industrials past and shows the possibilities for where techno could (should?) be heading. I’ve played this disc during ebm sets, during noise sets and just causally at home and it always serves to be a great listen/crowd pleaser. 6. Fractured - Only Human Remains (Dependent) Just one of the numerous “hellektro” CD’s I purchased this year. Was joking that it would have been easy to make a top 10 list with 1 harsh artist and then put them in a 9-way tie with other similar artist. But Toronto based Fractured somehow avoid all the pitfalls of the genre and release a CD way above average and certainly not redundant. Great programming and careful attention paid to clever vocal effects. Musically the disc ranges from dark electro floor-fillers to slower tempo tracks rich in depth and dedication, similar to Mentallo & the Fixer. Released on the new Dependent sub label (Noise Terror Productions) led by Suicide Commando’s Johan Van Roy – This STRONG debut is enough to give Suicide Commando a run for their money. 5. Rotersand - Welcome To Goodbye (Dependent/Metropolis) How Rotersand could outdo their last CD “truth is Fanatic” was always going to intrigue me, but with “Welcome to Goodbye”, they surpassed every expectation. This disc pushes them even further to searing perfection. Exceptional synth work provides a HUGE variety of styles from harsher and noisier pieces like “Storm” on through to the ballad-like “All in All”. Vocalist Rasc elevates every track with often-fearsome yet equally human delivery. The guy can sing and never lacks aggression or emotion. Impossible to select just one stand out track, cause they all stand out. The clubs were all about playing the 4/4 futurepop bangers “Almost Wasted” and “Exterminate, Annihilate, Destroy”. With that being said however, this disc remains the one from my list this year I could throw in for anyone (even non-industrial fans) and have them identify with liking at the very least one song (most fell in love with the whole disc in the process). There’s so many moments to savor on “Welcome to Goodbye” and Rotersand just continues to progress in several areas of synth-driven music without losing focus and control. Rumor has it they’re on their way to the states in 2006 as an opener for Covenant’s tour. Here’s hoping Rotersands live show is as explosive as this album is. 4. Combichrist – Everybody Hates You (Out of Line/Metroplis) So why is it in 2004 when I first played Combichrist the request sheets were filled with scrawlings of ‘Dear DJ – YOU SUCK!’ but now in 2005 on any given request sheet it’s just jammed pack with request for Combichrist??? No matter, as it’s excellent to see this release and Combichrist getting the attention. This is the disc that seemed to slip into everybody’s hands this year. Offering more attitude, more humor and more noise like-techno-body music than his main band Icon of Coil, Andy LaPlegua delivers a monster of a release. Huge beats, killer synth lines -all wrapped in cynicism and aggression. Certainly not an odd blueprint as other bands have tried it (Check Siechtum’s Diagnose:zeit CD out in 2001) but maybe it’s because Combichrist pushed these noise elements into a more structured song flow that “Everybody Hates You” becomes accessible & instantly addictive to the masses. The limited 2cd version disc featured a second disc that features some IDM, ambient and repetitive noise. If you didn’t get Combichrist this year – you’re missing out on a fun listening experience. 3. Terrorfakt - Cold World Remixes (Metropolis) A diverse batch of remixes from the more harsh ebm fueled E-Craft and Imperative Reaction on into the punishing noise of Cervello Elettronico and Synth Etik. There's some darker ambient tracks as well such as "Elimination Chamber" and "Black Hoods in Brooklyn" (which sees Pneumatic Detach pair up against Terrorfakt!!!). Every remixer puts their signature on whatever selected track ("newcomers" Re_Agent and Life Cried you'll be hearing tons more of SOON)- there's stuff on here that packs serious punch and there's programming trickery that is simply outstanding and breaks away from the monotony trap of most rhythmic noise these days And if that isn't enough there's five EXCLUSIVE tracks not found on the original version of Cold Steel World. Not all noise all the time either, just the perfect mixture of hard-edged-industrialized-electro-dance floor-noise-EBM. 2. S.K.E.T. – Aktivist (Hands Productions) Whoa! Came across this band this year while reading an online review and being blown away by the sound clips. Beginning in 1995, they really didn’t move into the rhythm-noise sector until 1998. Two earlier releases are now long since deleted. “Aktivist” is their first release for the legendary Hands Productions label and just about everything on Hands is done with quality. Hard rhythmic noise, aggressive and industrious with tracks like “Center of Evil”, “Isolator III” and “Updated Reality” BUT equally suitable for the adventurous club with tracks like “Stalinoper 2004”, “Revolution of the Pigs” and my favorite “Phreax in Intoxication of life”. Rich with influences from history, revolution (check that cover artwork), literature, film, propaganda art and more, “Aktivist” sets the atmosphere for a reflection on the battles fought and the rebellion ahead. 1. XOTOX - Psi ( Limited Edition ) So yeah, powernoise or harsher noisier electronics really became my forte more so this year than in years past. The criticism from others was that it all often sounds the same. For those of you saying such things, clear your head and check out the 2 CD limited edition of “Psi” from Xotox. All the proper necessary ingredients are included such as, distorted and destroyed (and rather diverse) rhythm patterns, plus layers of synths that attack the listener. With exception of "Winterblut" (featuring vocals by X-Fusion), this album is entirely instrumental, but never does this drift into the endless redundancy of so many other noise artist. The limited version offers up a second disc featuring a live video, a video clip of “Psi” and remixes by [:S.I.T.D.:], Noisuf-X, Mechanical Moth, Kiew and others. And while I LOVE the work of [:S.I.T.D.:] there mix pushes “Roboterkrieg” into some futurepop territory and is my least favorite mix of them all. Not that it’s inadequate by any measures, it remains a great remix, but when a band I highly admire is surpassed by other remixes you know they must be rather exceptional and the disc must be extraordinary. When you tire of Combichrist, move onto this… Honorable Mentions: Chiasm - Relapse Glis - Nemesis Limited 2CD Mind.in.a.box. - Certainty Accessory - Forever And Beyond Culture Kultur - Reborn Painbastard - Overkill Analogue Brain - Electroshock Negative Format - Moving Past The Boundaries NOISUF-X Antipode Stromkern - Light it Up Mono No Aware - Kotaku Keep your eyes on: Analogue Brain Reaper Head-less The Operative Re_Agent Life Cried Tonikom Necessary Response 2006 disappointments: Nine Inch Nails – Without Teeth Nice one Trent, make us wait 5 years for this piece of electro-rock shit. Was really hoping you’d turn me into a casual fan again. Nope. The Killers and Michael Buble disc held my interest more than this. Project Pitchfork - Kaskade Never going to completely rule this band out cause it seems they go in cycles of releasing something bad and then following it up with something killer. Will see what the next effort holds. Shorai - 40 Minutes Into The Future WTF happened??? The first CD from this Hands artist showed a lot of imagination, sound creativity and potential. The tracks on the 2005 Hands comp were stompy. Then the newest full-length sees them go REALLY electro like a broken Pong machine. Rather disappointing… Neuroactive - N-Gin   Sadly another band that has just declined with every release after the first three absolutely brilliant releases. They moved studios during the recording of this release. Band members were quoted as saying “New album will sound harder and more electronic than ever before...” Then when the release date arrived and it was finally available "This album has been hard release to finish. There has been tons of material made for this album, but only a fraction made into the final release." NO KIDDING! I think any fan would have rather waited say 5 years for another stunning Neuroactive CD than have to listen to this. Top singles (too busy to come up with 10, so here’s 7) 7. Unter Null - Sick F**k DJ EP (Alfa-Matrix) You either love or hate Unter Null. Seems she (yes that’s a she) became the target for numerous hate-fest directed at her. Not concerned with what was being said, I took a real quick liking to the “Sick Fuck” EP. This is evil RAW stuff on par with Suicide Commando. The C-Drone Defect mix is my favorite just waiting and building in intensity before it just explodes in crunchy rhythms and hissed, distorted vocal angst. This EP delivers an onslaught of uncompromising, distorted and manipulated sounds/vocals coupled with harsh elektro assaults and a touch of power noise. To strengthen this release are diverse mixes from Grendel, Implant, Manufactura, Tamtrum and Everything Goes Cold ( aka Psyclon Nine ) . A bit overkill with so many mixes perhaps but it was targeted to DJ’s looking for variety. A great teaser to the full-length but when the full length came out I was rather disappointed that Implant (who produced) had really smoothed over much of that rawness and polished things up. I like that underdone sound of the EP a bit more than the tried-perfection of the full-length, it just seems to compliment the edginess of the music better. 6. Painbastard - Storm Of Impermanence EP (Accession) Taking the firestorm of a CD that was the full-length (which would have made the top 10 but there were just too many similar sounding hellektro releases this year) and advancing the club-electro / EBM sound even further with remixes from Lights Of Euphoria, [:SITD:], Conetik, and Reaper. Often found myself reaching for this at the right moments for club play. 5. Leaetherstrip - Suicide Bombers EP (Alfa-Matrix) A much welcome return for one of the electronics scenes biggest legends So nice to see the master active once again and “Suicide Bombers” continues to define this influential artist. “Suicide Bombers” offers up darker EBM, full of aggression, harsh bass lines and pulsing synthetic sequences. So many other newer acts have cloned the Leaetherstrip sound (and never as good as Claus can do it either) but on this EP he really reclaims all the trademark sounds and style. From the opening title cut, which condemns suicide terror attacks, the EP continues to explore more political assaults with "Shame Of A Nation" which features a compelling song structure ultimately reaching an amazing climax in the second part of the song... "This Is Where I Want To Be" and "Death Is Walking Next To Me" are what we could call "classic Leaetherstrip" tunes that showcase Claus Larsen's trademark characteristics: a punishing rhythm pace and aggressive electronic style with distorted vocals. With "Til Far". The EP takes a darker and more symphonic turn before the aptly titled "Reborn" plunges us back into the powerful dark realms of Leaetherstrip's rebirth.   4. [:SITD:] - Odyssey:13 EP (Accession) Remixes and additional new tracks that continue to strengthen [:SITD:} as a leader of darker electronics. More attention to the vocals here sounding more natural with less reliance on effects. Favorites are the newer club mix of “Wegweiser” (which really didn’t need much of an improvement from the CD version yet pushes the song with further dynamics) and the Grendel remix of “Crusade” which opens with a chilly reminder of the London bus bombings from this past summer, crisp synth stabs and that strong arpegiation work that is becoming Grendel’s trademark. Sadly the Absurd Minds mix of “Ascension” really misses the mark slowing the original album version down, stripping most of the elements back to the barest traits and in the process of doing so the song loses all it’s character. That’s the only sour spot on the CD however and with this disc clocking in at around 50 minutes, fans get their moneys worth. 3. Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch MCD (Island Records) I’ve always passed this band off as a piss-poor electroclash band never really taking much of an interest in them. I think it was Jon Noble who adventurously one night threw this on at City Club and my ears opened. Sheer bewilderment when it was discovered it was Ladytron. Finally the band has begun to grow distant from that childish 80’s retro sound and show some more modern tendencies. Utilizing excellent synth programming, some clever (gasp!) indie-inspired guitar, and a wonderfully catchy chorus the result is a great pop song, albeit a REALLY black-hearted pop song (like the kind Anne Clark or Propaganda might do) Damn shame the full-length didn’t live up to the greatness that was this MCD. 2. Stromkern - Stand Up (Dependent EU/ WTII (US) You knew this was coming. This single EXOLODED everywhere and quickly. Stromkern restores many jaded music fans faith in the genre that is industrial. Sticking to no restrictions and defying the usual characteristics of the genre, Ned Kirby unleashes one of the best SK tracks ever. (maybe the best? But I still have a stronger liking for “Perfect Sunrise”) Insightful lyrics carried along by rap styled vocals and bombastic electronic compositions “Stand Up” instantly become an anthem. And the bonus tracks too are not simply filler – strong in their own aspects. Great teaser for the full-length, which also delivered big time (I just didn’t listen to the full-length enough for it to make my top 10 – shame on me) 1. Grendel - Soilbleed (Noitekk (EU)/Metropolis (US) I don’t think I could ever tire of playing this track. From the day I bought it, up to just this past week even, every time I’ve stepped into a DJ booth I’ve managed to spin this track. A sure-fire floor- filling classic of roughness melded with remarkable synth layers. Sure there’s been a handful (maybe two handfuls) of industrial bands that have sampled “Full Metal Jacket” but nobody has rhythmically synced it as well into darker aggressive EBM music than Grendel. Two additional mixes of this track by OBSZÖN GESCHÖPF and Agonoize offer even harder versions. Now then if that track doesn’t satisfy you (trust me, it will) there’s additional tracks here that could have warranted their own singles – “Interrogation Leash” and “Aspiration Feed” continue Grendel’s evil-attack. Not forgetting the fun aspects of music, Grendel give us an updated 2k5 cover version of “Zombienation” that originally appeared on the limited bonus disc of “prescription medicine” . This versions less harsh than the earlier version yet equally enjoyable. Finally closing things out is a somber soundtrack-like piece “Dream II (Feat. Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio)” showcasing Grendels talents in a different approach. Supposedly fans will get a full-length Grendel release in 2006, keep you eyes and ears ready for that! Top 5 Compilations 5. Various Artists - Endzeit Bunkertracks ( Act 1 ) (Alfa-Matrix) "Endzeit Bunkertracks" hits straight ahead offering a HUGE selection of the best dark, harsh elektro acts active in the scene today. Here’s what you get -- 4 (!!) full length CD's (including 50 (out of 60) rare or unreleased exclusive tracks!) delivered in a deluxe box packaging limited to 1.666 copies. The leaders of the genre such as Hocico, Suicide Commandi, :Wumpscut:, Yelworc, The retrosic, God Module, Tactical Sekt and so many others are presented right next to talented newcomers like Noisuf-X, Tamtrum, Fractured, Dunkelwerk, Unter Null and so many more. A great value for the money, Endzeit Bunkertracks presents the new generation of dark elektro really well. 4 disc of the same harsh style of music might seem too much but keep in mind, A Different drum released a 6cd (!) set of synthpop, and of the 2 collections I’d rather have this (LOL). Act 2 is in the works now. 4. Various Artists - Awake The Machines Vol. 5 ( Ltd ) (Out of Line) OutofLine records newest compilation is again a spotlight on that labels activities offering a plethora of goodies, remixes or simply representative tracks by every act from this label. From the ever popular hellektro sound – here represented by artist such as Hocico, Decoded Feedback, Amduscia, God Module and Aesthetic perfection, on into more futurepop styling of bands such as Angels & Agony, Necessary Response and Destroid followed by further explorations into Orkus flavored electro-goth (Tristesse De La Lune, Blutengel, Terminal choice) and then old school body music from the likes of Proceed, SOMAN and Spetsnaz (who’s “that perfect body (flawless mix)” is the BEST mix yet from these guys). A great collection of the OutofLine artist and for electronic fans unfamiliar with this label a really good starting place. 3. Various Artists - Infacted Vol. 2 (Infacted Records) A spotlight comp on another German label releasing quality material. Infacted is run by Torben Schmidt who’s not only a DJ but also the musician behind Lights of Euphoria and live member of Suicide Commando. He’s had past label experience working for legendary label Zoth Ommog and then Bloodline. His experience and connections within the electronic music community have led him to be able to work with many musicians and partner with many labels worldwide. Infacted’s roster of bands run a pretty diverse range. Bands holding more futurepop characteristic are well presented here such as Colony 5, Les Anges De La Nuit, Endanger, Diskonnekted, State of the Union and more. Darker electro is represented in two tracks from [:SITD:] with the Heimataerde remix of “lebensborn” and Garten der asche. Infacted is usually first to capitalize on the latest trends in the scene and with a resurgence of EBM happening they present exclusive remixes from both SOMAN and Reaper that I personally found myself spinning more than the regular versions because of there different intros, instrumentation and breaks. A great collection at a moderate price that presents some of the biggest names and some of the biggest club hits today. 2. Various Artists - Techno Body Music Vol. 1 (Out of Line) Music Non Stops description says it best - Bringing together some of the most creative talent from two disparate scenes - This is TBM : Techno... Body... Music ! … TBM ? Based on the roots of legendary acts such as Kraftwerk, DAF and the 80's electronic New Wave movement in general, "Techno Body Music" builds itself upon the solid framework of minimal, rhythm-based electronic sound structures directly aimed at getting the body in motion. Fittingly this musical style was soon christened "Electronic Body Music" or EBM in short. Later, at the end of decade of its birth the EBM sound was simplified, its basic structure reduced to four-to-the-floor-beats generated by electronic sound devices, this style was simply called Techno. With no strict borders DJ's would cater to fans of both genres due to fact that the basic goal of both ravers and EBM aficionados was the same : to dance to electronic music ! In the Nineties, the two scenes started to alienate themselves from each other ( although the musical roots and goals still basically remained the same ) though artists involved with either scene still continued to actively exchange styles and ideas, albeit passively. With acts such as Combichrist, VNV Nation ( who both present EXCLUSIVE tracks here ) and Fixmer / McCarthy to one side and DJ Hell, Sven Vath, T.Raumschmiere or Chris Liebing ( who regularly heads his set list with Nitzer Ebb's "Murderous" ) to the other, this creative sequence appears to have traveled full circle with TBM - "Techno Body Music" being its logical consequence. "Techno Body Music" innovates, breaking down barriers and walls - putting together ONE essential collection of two scenes across two essential discs. A new trend in electronic music ? Techno Body Music could well be it.... It brought back so many memories of working at Blitz Records, Absolute records and zipping around town with my buddy Zalix listening to tons of Wax Trax, Play it Again Sam, Nettwerk and more label stuff. Can’t wait for volume 2. 1. Various Artists - Advanced Electronics Vol. 4 (Synthetic Symphony) A double CD collection of all the tracks that stormed up the DAC, the German Alternative Charts. Compiled in a collaboration between Hardbeat Promotion (who represents nearly every larger German industrial act) and Synthetic Symphony (who has Covenant, FLA and Skinny Puppy amongst there artist). So big names are represented well here. And as with earlier version of the Adv. Electronic series the listener gets special versions, unreleased stuff, remixes or other goodies.   HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: the extended remix of “Ascension” done by [:SITD:] (Far better than the Absurd Minds remix). SOMAN’S remix of VNV NATION’s “Chrome” that push there newer mix into storming techno territory. SUICIDE COMMANDO give us a preview of a preview of the next full-length release “Bind Torture Kill” with the track “Bleed For Us All”. More aggressive than recent stuff reminding more of the “Mindstrip” period. IMPLANT who team up with legendary vocalist Anne Clark here present a killer trance track with “Tune Up Your Chips And Circuits” that should give Juno Reactor, Underworld, Hallucinogen and Praga Kahn a good scare. Holy shit has this track got momentum and effects galore. Implant is doing some of the best hard trance out there today. Not to be missed. ZOMBIE GIRL – The new project of Renee Cooper-Komor and husband Sebastian R. Komor of Icon of Coil. A campy electro-romp through B movie Zombie creepiness. So many good artist represented here (Rotersand, Glis, Grendel, Melotron, Mesh, etc…) and the compilers have also given some attention to newer unheard of or upstart artist like Individualdistanz, File Not Found, The Promise, S.K.E.T. (here with an exclusive mix of “revolution of the pigs”) and more. So much great club stuff this year and if you missed some of it, you can catch up by checking out Advanced Electronics 4. Looking forward to 2006...

2004 Musical Best of List

Top 10 CD’s – Full lengths 2004

10.   Juno Reactor – Labyrinth

Any new Juno Reactor release should be of note to fans.  This one certainly doesn’t disappoint old fans and should find a legion of new fans as well.  “Labyrinth” is a masterpiece of orchestral-techno-trance that plays like an energetic fueled epic. A range of diverse world music influences from the Spanish guitar work on into native chants and more shines through here next to super crisp production. Some of “Labyrinths” songs are much more softened than usual material showcasing a new spirit for Juno Reactor.

 09.   Pow[d]er Pussy – 6 ways from Sunday

A collaboration between Herman of Ah Cama-Sotz and This Morn' Omina’s Mika Goedrijk.  Each of these artist and their individual projects can certainly hold their own while together they continue to push new boundaries with sound.  Last years “One Day” 3” CD was just a teaser of things to come and the long player “6 Ways from Sunday” delivers quick, powerful, heavy contagious beats of industrial dance noise.  From the get-go - driving techno rhythms and a futuristic sound yet with some roughness and raw energy also reminds of the old EBM style.  Packaged nicely in a minimal cardboard case as well. <>

08.   Parallel Project - Fusion

Negative Format's Alex Matheu usually never fails to make my list. For 2004 he returns with his side (Parallel) Project. Take Alex’s gifted work in the genres of ebm and trance, plus some astonishing exploration into down-tempo, ethereal and break beat and then add a host of diverse guest vocalist from across the scene including Seize’s Sandrine Gouriou, Stromkerns Ned Kirby, Tom Shear of Assemblage 23, Meyer of Haujobb, Jennifer Parkin from Ayria, System Syn’s Clint Carney, Psyche front man Darrin Huss, Courtney Bangert of God Module, Victoria Lloyd of Claire Voyant, a rare vocal performance by VNV Nations Mark Jackson, Kristy Venrick of the Azoic as well as G. Wygonik from Cut.Rate.Box.  The result is a satisfying album full of club potential yet with enough material as well for after club/at home headphone listening. While some have expressed thoughts that the guest vocals only play second fiddle to all the musical dynamics, my personal take on it is that the different vocalists really set this release apart from Alex’s main trance tendencies of Negative Format and lend themselves well to new styles.

07.   Blank – Artificial Breathing Certainly had to include this release, which has been a favorite since June. Blank first made an appearance mixing Stromkern’s “Perfect Sunrise” and in 2004 released a steady stream of 3 releases(!!!) – the full-length “Artificial Breathing”, the single “Overhead” and then the split remix release with Icon of Coil side-project Moonitor for the U-Turn 3 release series.  2004 was certainly Blanks year, but I’ll be shocked, saddened and surprised to see this release possibly omitted from many top 10 lists this year. Drawing inspiration from the early industrial pioneers along with the more modern trance masters, Blanks debut full length is dynamically paced aggressive dark ebm with trance elements, full of soaring soundscapes and  progressive rhythm structures with no slowdowns.  Targeted right for the dance floor, it’s been a while since I’ve heard this much exuberance in a release, especially so with a debut.  With a nod to Leather Strip, XMTP and especially “Hard-wired” era FLA “Artificial Breathing” is a great release that can serve as a transition between the harsher elektro bands and the more accessible future-pop stylings. Let’s hope more people pay attention to this promising act.

06.   State of the Union – Inpendium

A disc to become instantly addicted to.  Hearing of WTII Records financial “problems” I thought this might never see a domestic release so I got the import version on Infacted. (The domestic version has since been released).  What this band has transformed themselves into is nothing short of amazing.  State’s debut failed to make a blip on my radar but “Inpendium” hits the mark BIG TIME.  Conceived as a concept album dealing with devastation of the future and present on a personal as well as global scale “Inpendium” covers a lot of ground both lyrically and musically. “Intro” and “Escape” serve as a transitional launch pad right into the floor killer “Timerunner”. And then in an odd turn SOtU takes the listener into a delerium-like instrumental with ”Trapped in Time”. The rest of this disc follows the conceptual theme well in some momentous and inventive songs.  Can’t wait to hear what they do next. Of note is that

Johann Sebastian will be working on the music for the next Bruderschaft release. 

05.   Icon of Coil – Machines are Us Limited box edition</>

Quite possibly, Icon of Coils most definitive release.  Highly anticipated and certainly a disc that measured up to the hype surrounding the release. Being an insane collector I ordered the strictly limited edition deluxe box set (1500 copies worldwide). The contents include a special booklet, postcard, and sticker in a pocket, the regular CD, plus the special 6-track bonus CD ''SoundDivE.P.,'' which includes EXCLUSIVE tracks.  Icon of Coil continues executing near flawless musical perfection on this release. Razor-sharp baselines meld with uplifting synth arpegiations propelling songs straight for dance floor dominance once again. Sticking with what they know and exercise well (call it future-pop if you must), IOC did experiment with some more electroclash and d+b-like rhythms to great effect on “Machines”. While the ebm fueled “Shelter” and “Dead Enough for Life” were constantly in heavy rotation on dance floors, for me it was the slower "Sleepless" that really REALLY caught my attention. The emotional intensity alone in that song is worth the price of the CD itself yet there is much in the ways of intensity throughout the entire disc.  The accompanying Sound:Dive EP features some further excursions into IoC music. Sadly the 8am version of Sleep:less doesn’t pack the same punch as the regular CD version, but hearing Delobbo COMPLETELY trance out “Transfer Complete” is a fair trade off as are the other mixes/selections of  “Consumer” and “Wiretrip”.   A phenomenal year for Icon Of Coil complete with a US tour to back up the release and members still found the time to release material from all their side projects including Combichrist, Monofader, Moonitor and Panzer AG .  Don’t expect them to slow down in 2005 either.<>  

04.   Seabound – Beyond Flatline

Seabounds music is always captivating and “Beyond Flatline” continues to showcase this bands talents. This German duo more so than any other band elicits a strong cinematic and moody imagery/feeling within each release and individual song.  Their sound is mature and focused from the more upfront future-pop techno of “Contact” and “Poisonous Friend” into the subdued “Soul Diver”. Another standout aspect of Seabound is the constantly personal lyrics that paint a scene within ones mind so perfectly. It’s hauntingly beautiful at times, but you’d expect that from a vocalist who’s real job is professor and Chair of Differential Psychology and Psychodiagnostics in the Department of Psychology at the University of Saarland!!!  A fully coherent release from vocal-oriented to (almost) instrumental songs, from pop with an undercurrent to a reminiscence of industrial sounds.

03.   Mind.In.a.Box – Lost Alone 

Not classifiable and not an album that can be pigeonholed, nor should it. “Lost Alone” is intricate and complex, a conceptual story following the theme of isolation/being alone.  The music itself is made by a shy and reclusive Viennese video game developer and is a striking amalgamation of many electronic sounds that all provide a flowing dark dance groove. HIGHLY innovative with plenty of digital trickery, vocoder and vocal effects throughout. Take a listen to the one-sided telephone conversation in “"Questions," for an example of the vocal trickery. Continued listens allows the listener to still discover things buried within the flawless production, crafty beats, seductive bass, and REALLY moody arrangements. Fans won’t have to wait long for a follow up as Mind.In.A.Box is already preparing a new single and album "Dreamweb" planned for  the first half of 2005.

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02.   Assemblage 23 – Storm deluxe import edition</>

There’s something special about Tom Shear and Assemblage 23.  The elements used to create his music are really quite simplistic in nature - nothing too self-aggrandizing like a plethora of other acts who come off as over excessive on so many levels.  Assemblage 23 consistently delivers and “Storm”, Assemblages 4

th

release continues Toms further dominance of the elektro-industrial scene.  Call it ebm.synthpop, futurepop, whatever – everything fans have come to expect from a23 is presented here and even more so finely tuned and layered.  Certainly Shears other gifted and perhaps most appealing ability is the lyrical content that is ever so emotive.  If you’re falling apart, the telling quality of any a23 lyric can bring strength within. Oh yeah, he can also put those lyrics against a steady BPM for a club track. Just about anything on this disc could have hit the club floors.  I got to hear all these tracks played live @ Infest 04 before the official CD release and the wait was almost unbearable for this release.  Imagine having all those superior a23 hooks in your head for a solid month!!!  The deluxe import version comes packaged in a tri-fold cardboard case - opening the left hand side is a pocket with a pull out 11x17 poster on one side - absolutely beautiful- and on the other the lyrics. The disc rest in a tray in the middle section while the right hand fold out contains a cd-booklet of additional photographs taken by Jenny Sturgis (Scott Sturgis' -converter- wife). The photographs are stunning black and white with one key focal point and serve as a bit of symbolism for the lyrical quality of each track. The cardboard packaging vs. the gloss print of the domestic sleeve/design that I've also seen, just seems to bring about the overall feel of the artwork much better. Obviously a bit more cost involved in packaging a release this way, but with the rise in cd copying it's nice to see some artist putting extra care into giving something more back to the consumer. If you didn't buy the domestic version and want something a little cooler and different, you should consider the import version – but whatever you do, don’t let this release slip you by.

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01.   Destroid – Future Prophecies </>

Surprised?  Yeah a hard choice with so much good music released this year.  Destroid shook my mind from the get go.  Even harder to believe that elektro music’s most notorious drunkard is one half the mastermind behind this side-project.  Yeah, Daniel Meyer (of Haujobb and 1 million other projects) teams with the mysterious Japanese Yamazaki to form Destroid.  These guys have taken everything from the elektronik music scenes and just COMPLETELY broke every standard this genre has come to expect. It’s all here from power-electronics to ebm to some future pop, atmospheric overtones and even a ballad(!) yet there’s a consistent flow guiding the listener through the 13 tracks. Full of impact “Future Prophecies” is uncommonly varied and full of impact ~ not much more needs to be said, but a listen should be mandatory.

Honorable Mentions

Pzycho Bitch -The day before and the Day after Sinister female vocals and catchy rhythms Retrosic – God of Hell 3 cd book version Dark electro box set  ltd. to 666 featuring "GOD OF HELL" (Album-CD), "SERVANT OF HELL" (Bonus-CD), "RARITIES COLLECTION" (Bonus-CD-II) Spetzsnaz – Grand Redesign So good it was re-issued with bonus tracks – the new kings of ebm!

<> Last Influence of Brain – Illusions and Reality

Dark apocalyptic electro from Slovakia. A remarkable first effort but they’ll really hit their mark and individual identity on their 2nd CD

Das Ich – Lava Glut

15 years of creating tunes and Das Ich still pounds out a great CD. People always dance to the VNV mix of Destillat so why not make a whole disc that sounds similar!?

System Syn – Premeditated

A great mixture of harshness and more melodic synth sophistication Clint’s voice is the most distinct in the genre.

Terrorfakt – Cold Steel World

Pummeling and awesome. Hard to take all in one sitting/listen however

Wai Pai Wai – s/t

Another output for Ah Cama Sotz’s

Herman Klapholz - edgy, intelligent and danceable but not as effective as Pow[d]er Pussy

In Strict Confidence – Holy Ltd Edition

Killer artwork forced me to purchase the ltd box version. ISC’s quintessential darkwave qualities well executed throughout the entire disc.

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Imperative Reaction – Redemption Third release is a charm.  Electro-synth-dance-ROCK.  Would have made the top 10 if I remembered to play it more often at the clubs and the kids would have danced to it rather than being so close-minded.

Top 10 singles of 2004

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10  Virtual Embrace – Roots of Evil

Limited 12-track club EP. An electro assaults of upbeat noise sequences, effected vox and earth-shattering electro beats in the same company as Tactical Sekt, Aslan Faction or Amduscia. The EP includes exclusive remixes from Glis, Solitary Experiments, Schattenschlag, Neikka RPM and many, many more. Prepare for a new brutality.

09.  Spetsnaz – Perfect Body

This new EP continues with the old-school EBM vibe of pioneers like DAF and Nitzer Ebb.  Vigorous rhythms, chanting vocals and hard sequenced bass-lines. “That Perfect Body” is just fun and addicting in the same way Ebbs “Join in the Chant” is. The Earlobe mix has a bit more trance synth work than the original and the new On the edge ( Bodybeats Version ) mixes things around the standard Teutonic beats. If you miss the glory days of Nitzer Ebb this band is for you.

08.  Lights of Euphoria – One Nation

LoE Mastermind Torben Schmidt plays synths live for Suicide Commando so it was naturally only a matter of time before the influence of Johans music creeped into Lights of Euphoria.  This release sounds more like SC than Lights of Euphoria and that’s even ignoring the fact Johan van Roy adds vocals on  "You Better run".  Title track "One Nation" even features more darkly and aggressive overtones. Remixes from Massiv in Mensch and Syrian push the original mix into techno trance and synthpop realms respectively, while Painbastard and Heimataerde take “You Better Run” into unmerciful new arrangements.

</> <>07.  Combichrist – Blut Royalle

Limited edition white vinyl of 666 copies.  Combichrist new one is rigid, refusing to play nice. This is the ugly brother side-project to Icon of Coils front man.  Very rhythmic aggressive electronic music (almost dirty techno) incorporating an aural onslaught meant to disturb. Fans of Ant-Zen/Hymen artist are familiar with this style of music through artist like Roger Rotor or even Imminent, but with Andy’s fame with Icon of Coil he’s introducing these sounds to an audience who may have ignored them until now.

06.  Neikka RPM – Here’s Your Revolution the DJ edition

Limited to 150 copies only, female fronted Neikka RPM creates beat-heavy seductive trance music with a spontaneous edge, despite the mountains of technology. An addicting song in its standard version. Great remixes are offered by the likes of Negative Format and Dj Delobbo who each take the song into further deep trance territories. Diskonnekted and Dunkelwerk each push the song to more hostile territory, while Razed in Black and Rotersand each work their own signature characteristics into the mix. With the limited nature of this release, these may be long gone, but keep you eyes and ears open for this band.</> <>

05.  Apoptygma Berzerk – Harmonizer DVD/Unicorn

Finally the long awaited "Unicorn" EP.  This was supposed to be released soon after the complete shit album Harmonizer.  Got to hand it to Apop for making a single that restores my faith in them a little.  There are several new versions of "Unicorn" as well as an ok cover of The Cure's "A Strange Day," and a brand new Apoptygma Berzerk song. Most notable and most upbeat remix of Unicorn comes from T.O.Y who turn it into an electro stomper. The most out of character remix comes from Hocico who try desperately to take a fluff pop song and turn it into something evil, I’m still scratching my head on that one. Other mixes come from Groths own Fairlight Children (electroclash in sound) and the retro synth sounding Freezepop. A DJ has his choice of varied styles with this release. They really made this song standout again.  "The Making Of Harmonizer" DVD makes for a nice all-encompassing package but the single should have been released on it’s own.

04. Seabound w/ Pride and Fall – Beyond Flatline Tour EP

A split release from the Beyond Flatline Tour 2004.  Seabound offers 2 tracks  “Watching Over You”  (Beacon In The Night mix ) and “Floating”  ( feat. Andrew Sega ) and while I love the newer version of “Watching” it’s “Floating” that demands to be heard.  The first time I got this I must have played it 5 times or more on repeat.  This is Seabound at their absolute emotional best. A mid-tempo dance track with deep lyrics. The lyrics according to lead singer “A blend of many personal things and they mean a lot to me. Part of them is inspired by virtual trips into my past… re-live all the details I remember. At the time when I wrote Floating, I felt that I had changed for the worse and I had the strong wish to go back. Parts of the lyrics are inspired by the Chinese Yue Lann Festival. For one long lunar month during the Hungry Ghost Festival, ghosts are said to roam the earth…A third source for the lyrics to "Floating" was Stephen King's "IT" in which a malevolent clown lures children into the underworld. The line "We are (all) floating here" is from that book.”  If you hear one song this year make this one it.

Pride and Fall’s first track “Angel” is VNV-inspired futurepop yet the usually whisper-like vocals take on a more sinister-tone which is a welcome change. Pride and Fall also deliver a newer mix of “December”. This version is far superior improvement to the original mix as it starts slow and builds in intensity continuing to accelerate through the chorus and onto the end.  The original version took forever to get going and slowed to a crawl halfway through and eventually faded out.  This is sure to be a collector’s item and well worth the hunt to find it.</><>

03. State of the Union – Timerunner

The first single from State of the Union's album

Inpendum

just exploded.  I remember the first time dropping this at the club and usually the floor half clears for new stuff, but nobody left and even more came out to dance. I’ve never seen a new song work so well. This is full on euro-flavored futurepop dance like VNV Nation or Covenants “Call the Ships to Port” with shimmering arpeggios, catchy hooks (both synth wise and lyrically) and furious drums. This served as a perfect teaser to the full-length

02. Suicide Commando – Cause of Death: Suicide/One Nation Under God

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4 years ago, Johan Van Roy talked of ending SC, good thing he didn’t cause from 2000 until now the Belgian has released some of his most captivating work. Cause of Death: Suicide continues his abusive songwriting. Like Hellraiser and Face of Death earlier, the music continues the traditions of strong melody over strong abrasive beats. Heard in clubs everywhere this year (and luckily for me live at Infest) this one certainly was stunning. Great remixes from Fiendflug, Converter, Hocico, Grendal, Wumpscut and A23 only makes this more appealing.

01. Synapse & Seizure - Enzyme K7-5 Synapse & Seizure produce their music separately, but these two artist from the Hague decided to present themselves as a team on this release. First things first - this is a release without real melodies, but the sounds and effects make sure the tracks are interesting from the beginning until the end.  Synapse’s track “Renoised Sine” features a kick that’s incredibly very low and rough. It will blow you away! The sounds and effects in this track are great. Closest comparison would be that of say maybe Converter, but even Converter sounds weak after hearing this (and I LOVE Converter) The drive in the track is cool and will keep you dancing all the time. Seizure’s “Pneumatic Transmission” is also a dark track, again with a straight in your face kick! Distorted percussion sounds, cool rumbling bass effects and the relentless kick you’ll feel instantly. The track just keeps on going and going.  This release is a severe beating… So how come I’ve never played this out at the clubs?!  Let’s just say the close-minded sheep are nowhere near ready for this quite yet.

Top 5 compilations of 2004

05. Septic Vol. 4

Mostly pale in comparison to the other 3 compilations prior. This might be due to Dependents loss of heavy hitters like VNV and Covenant and stupidly dropping Ivory Frequency.  The German labels focus now has shifted to introducing newer acts and picking up scraps from labels who have gone under and bands looking for new contracts. Septic 4 did have some strong tracks however such as Blame (brilliant smooth elektro-trance) and Standeg (new project of ex-haujobb musician).  Some exclusive remixes are to be found like This Morn' Omina "One Eyed Man" (Kill The Daemon), Seabound "Transformer" (Antiseptic RMX), and Pride and Fall "Omniscient" (Remix). Where’s Suicide Commando however???<>  04. Infacted Vol. 1</>

90% totally new material including exclusive new tracks and remixes from a label to keep your eye on! Offered at a cheap price as well. AND a 12-page booklet introducing the bands and their releases. Great tracks from NamNamBulu, Endanger and State of the Union.  Fans get to hear the new harsher direction of Glis and get an introduction to great new acts such as Frozen Plazma and Heimataerde. <>

03.  Cryonica Tanz Vol 3

The third release in the Cryonica Tanz series is a double CD collection that includes 30 unique tracks from thirty unique electro bands.  A wide range of styles from futurepop (Matrix - Senseless Game, Mono Chrome - Riveted ( Seize mix)) to harsh elektro (Dunkelwerk - Die Sechste Armee ( club is a battlefield cut ), Solitary Experiments - Watching Over You ( cut off )) into noise (Terrorfakt - Like Bricks And Thunder), some elektro-trance stylings  (Swarf – Subtext, Seize - Unbreakable ( broken mix )) and finally some old-school inspired material (Oil 10 - Le Bar ( happy hour mix ), Spetsnaz - To The Core ( Extended 2.0 ).  Showcasing the variety of the scenes many musical styles there’s something for everyone on Cryonica Tanz 3</>

02.  Re;Connected – Alfa Matrix A special deluxe digipak double CD featuring ALL EXCLUSIVE and previously UNRELEASED material from ALL artists on the 3 year old Alfa Matrix Label. Big names and bigger new comers are featured here. Front 242 and related side projects Male or Female, Under Viewer ( a brand new song of P. Codenys and JL De Meyer's side project ) and Daniel B's solo-effort Prothese are represented well.  Dive also appears as well as the classic older ebm-industro acts Insekt and A;GRUMH.  A new mix of Bruderschafts - Forever ( Virtual Embrace mix ) is included and is certainly one of the best mixes of the abundance of that track. Regenerator, Collide, Nebula-H, Ayria, Hungry Lucy and more are all present. Even recently signed new artist like Unter Null and Agonised by Love aren’t left out (Thank goodness cause Unter Null is a must hear!!!) Most appealing about this compilation is the VERY wide variety of musical styles presented from power noise to EBM through harsh electro, synthpop, dark trip hop, and Industrial dance. One style doesn’t over dominate another.  Each track you can instantly become addicted to.  While Wax Trax became synonymous with the early industrial and ebm scene, Alfa Matrix is becoming a quick label entity of epic proportions as well.

<> 01.  Machineries of Joy Vol. 3

2 disc set featuring 32 completely new, exclusively remixed and original tracks only to be found on this collection.  Spotlighting the ever growing and consistently outstanding mainly harsh-elektro OutOfLine label, listeners will find big names like Decoded Feedback, Hocico, Icon Of Coil, Angels & Agony, Amduscia, BlutEngel, Terminal Choice, God Module, Accessory, Haujobb and CombiChrist right next to the newer breed of next big things like Analogue Brain, Destroid, Aesthetic Perfection, Soman, The Horrorist and UnterART. So much to explore on this disc.</>

Expecting more for 2004

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Skinny Puppy – Greater Wrong of the Right

From an earlier review of mine: Quite truthfully after two listens it has failed to leave any impression on me. Technically the CD sounds amazing but it lacks the innovation and elements that made Puppy so influential. Maybe it's because it's been eight years, maybe it's in part due to Dwayne Goettels absence, maybe it's because Ogre isn't destroying himself with drugs or maybe it's because every directionless industrial band has copied the bands style since, but I really expected MUCH more from all the hype that has surrounded this release. Hardly innovative and hardly ground breaking like past releases and not that that is the only criteria for a outstanding CD, but there is not even a single song that has something that captures my attention making me want to go back for a repeated listen. I can list five other recent releases that would be a better investment: Pneumatic Detach - "Pareses Re:infected" , This Morn' Omina - "Le Serpent Blanc, Le Serpent Rouge", Yelworc - Trinity (after a 10 year(!) absence a band influenced by Puppy releases a BETTER album than Puppy!), Pzychobitch - The Day Before / The Day After, [SITD] – Stronghold.  Sure, without Puppy some of those bands wouldn't exist, but these bands are using the things Puppy was SOLELY responsible for implementing and carrying the horror-tech sound further where I REALLY would have expected Puppy to be more pioneering on this release. I figured some of the side-projects would have provided a testing ground for what works and what doesn't.

Still love Skinny Puppy, seen them many times in concert and would not hesitate a minute to see them again. Their catalog still holds some of the best industrial songs ever, but the expected Skinny Puppy intensity on "The Greater Wrong Of The Right" just isn't there for me. Earlier albums served as great representations of what Skinny Puppy stood for, but this new CD plays more like a compromise of artistic differences, which should have been resolved in the different side-projects (which also had very little in common).

</> <>

Die Warzau – Convenience</>

Very excited that one of my all-time favorites let by bygones be bygones and reformed this year. It’s been 9 years since the last Die Warzau release “Engine”.  I really wanted and expected this CD to welcome back the band to the forefront of the scene, but the bottom line is this release just falls short.  Their wide range of influences (everything from Beatles like pop to world music) just seems to miss the mark, like they’ve been completely removed from what’s taken place in the areas of industrial rock for all those years. Some of this sounds straight up alterna-teen-rock like the fodder you’d hear overplayed on ‘new music now’ radio. With the earlier “All Good Girls” song, DW did catch a brief moment of radio stardom – do they want more now? To their credit, Die Warzau have the unique ability to foresee oncoming musical trends or simply redefine existing ones, but Convenience really gave me no reference to where they’re headed. Each track seems to play like Die Warzau mocking today’s musical trends with “yeah we can do that to” and my constructive criticism of that is it comes across as less creative for a band that can usually blow the doors off a studio anytime.  Perhaps repeated listens will warm me up and unearth what I’ve overlooked with this release, nevertheless glad they are back as they can and will release more good music. Let’s hope for a tour soon.

Startling Revelation of 2004

Virtual Embrace

Blasting right out of the underground this year!  VIRTUAL><EMBRACE is the devilish solo-assault of Mike Johnson (member of Sero.Overdose, Agonoize, Infekktion...).  The guy was everywhere with killer mixes for artist like Bruderschaft, Stark, Aiboforcen, XP8, and more…ALWAYS extremely aggressive and offering no compromise for club potential.  Anything this guy put his imprint on seemed to find its way into my set list or CD decks.

Comeback of the Year award 2004

Yelworc – Trinity Who would have guessed that one of the early developers of dark-horror-elektro would return with a killer disc (in my eyes outdoing even Skinny Puppy’s latest)  Absolutely sinister!

<>Portion Control – Well Come

The legends that influenced Skinny Puppy, FLA, Blixa Bargeld and even opened for Depeche Mode on the Some Great Reward tour return to influential status with an album setting new trends yet again.  Always forward thinking and constantly progressing.</> <>  

Flesh Field – Strain

An act that sadly got caught in the demise of a once great label (Inception) returns totally rejuvenated. Huge string stabs, clever drum programming and (GASP!) guitar make for a great release. Released in late November, sadly I haven’t had more time to let the fervor of this release sink in in such short time.</>

Best Retrospective release of 2004

Klinik – Klinik

Released 15 years ago as a box set (of which I own the vinyl version) this has finally been re-released.  The tracks intentionally sound as they did then – no re-mastering here, just the cold, slow, dark and minimal creepy electronics the Klinik is known for. It may sound retro to some but keep in mind Klinik are legends that influenced everyone else who has since mimicked their sound.

Bands to watch in 2005

UV  - Ohio based harsh elektro artist signed to BLC productions this year and are full of motivation and ideas!

Shnarph ! – The lead singer of Plastic goes more aggressive and noise-like

Der Arbeiter - MIlitarypop.  Think Laibach/Fiendflug-like marches with some BPM’s for the dance floor.

Unter Null – Music as harsh as Tactical Sekt, fronted by a female who’ll prove the harsh-elektro scene is not just dominated by boys’ noise.

My musical Top 10's of 2003

My musical Top 10's of 2003. Yes I did make it out last night.  More on that later perhaps. Did not make it to CC, had a rather low-key evening, but certainly a VERY FUN evening nonetheless. As expected here is my Top 10 CD lists of 2003.  Enjoy

Top 10 CD’s – Full lengths

1. This Morn Omnia - Le Serpent Blanc / Le Serpent Rouge A stunning follow up to  ''7 years of Famine''.  Ant-Zen presents the first part of This Morn 'Omnia's ''Nyan'' trilogy. This disc just floored me with it’s combination of hard techno, four-to-the-floor rhythms, ritual-tribal percussion and breaks, overwhelmed by voice samples. This music is powerful and aggressive, but not overtly nihilistic.  Something you can put on at anytime and instantly fall into the addicting rhythms and song structure.  Disc 2 ''Le Serpent Rouge'' focuses more on the ritual-influenced side centered around the themes of the Zodiac. The music comes off much quieter and more introspective but never calm or soft –more like dark-ambient. CD artwork is phenomenal as well holding some beautiful images shot by (my friend) Alan McClelland of Se7en e-zine http://www.nezzwerk.com/seven/.  Musically diverse, comparable to no other bands out there really.  I hear new elements each time I listen to it.  Easily made #1 for the year.

2. [SITD] – Stronghold Shadows In The Dark seemed to have come out of relative obscurity (save for a compilation appearance on Septic II in 2001) to shoot straight to the top of the elektro genre and straight onto dance floors worldwide!!!  The German duo took the formulas of harsh ebm, futurepop, trance and more, then created their own unique signature on it all.   ''Stronghold'' makes for a fascinating soundtrack of enormous versatility and variety - mixing apocalyptic electro with underground anthems. Tracks like ''Hurt, “Snuff Machinery'', ''Venom'' or ''Rose-Coloured Skies'' have altered and forever changed the blueprint for other acts to follow! Add to [SITD]’s credit the fact that they can write a killer instrumental as the title track ''Stronghold'' (a chilling conclusion to a perfect CD), firmly illustrates and no elektro fanatic should be without this CD.

3. Warp Brothers – Warp Factor Another dynamic German duo who released their CD “Warp Factor” in March of 2003.  Early on in the year, but still mighty memorable. Big Beat meets Trance – yet it should appeal to elektro-industrial fans as well as there’s some serious OOntz included.  Every single beat HARSH and punishing!!!  Every synth, every bassline, every arp-line, everything effected and mangled to a jaw dropping end product that’s instantly addicitve.  

4. Seize - The Other Side Of Your Mind Ltd 2CD This UK based bands CD “Lunacy” – released on their own label, effectively caught my attention in 2000.  Preparing their new release Seize also caught the attention of Alfa-Matrix who (with all label releases) issued a Limited edition version of ''The Other Side Of Your Mind'' album ( in a DVD sized box ). Included are the normal CD version, postcards, stickers, and a full length BONUS CD album featuring exclusive tracks.  Their new album reveals a much more mature, up-tempo and club orientated sound, rich with lush modern EBM synths, top rate production and soaring female vocals.  This CD DEMANDS the listeners attention and fans of elektro, futurepop, trance, synthpop, and 80’s influenced euro-dance will quickly get into what is offered across both disc.  And definantly get the limited edition because the bonus remixes from the likes of Implant, Delobbo, Colony 5, Neikka RPM and more are NOT TO BE MISSED!  Completely  captivating with the potential to reach just about every electronic music market (save for the hopeless goth scene) , Seize could also have the potential to crossover into more mainstream markets as well, there just that good and that appealing.

5. Suicide Commando - Axis Of Evil Always knew Johan Van Roy had it in him.  A full-on killer release was inevitable – “Hellraiser” was just a teaser for what was to come.  ''Axis Of Evil'' has been three years in the making and offers 10 tracks of vintage, classic dancefloor assaults that deliver the most grueling of all SC releases, mixing thunderous electro expressions infused with harsh vocals and punishing beats!   I Totally missed out on the limited edition version (which included a DVD) but listeners still need to get their hands on whatever version of this they can.  Sincerely raw, brutal, minimal, and caustic programming.  Johan Van Roy makes great angry music.  

6. Glis - Balance Limited Box I found myself constantly listening to this throughout the year.  Diverse, superb, full of emotion, great programming, great production, decent lyrical content , … it’s hard to find any flaws in this disc whatsoever. The limited edition contains exclusive postcards, a poster, and a bonus CD including exclusive remixes.  special guests include Assemblage 23 (additional vocal production & remix), Jennifer Parkin (Ariya), Dominique (Neikka RPM) as well as featured remixes from Delobbo, Implant, Z Prochek and more.   Glis’ music is instantly infectious taking on varied influences that even include IDM and noize, which propels the project beyond JUST the all-to-common sounds of the ebm and future pop genres. Glis provides something more advanced in its quest to explore new territory yet still remains modern sounding enough to hang with the big names like Covenant, A23 and the like.  Glis had a phenomenal year in 2003 with a Euro tour as well as a US tour.  Oh yeah if you didn’t get enough of Glis in 03, well Shaun also contributed music and production duties to Ariya as well. 

7. Lights Of Euphoria - Krieg Gegen Die Maschinen Ltd CD The single “True Life” certainly was an attention-getter, marking a return for Lights of Euphoria.  Torben Schmidt is a musician that has immersed himself deeply within the electronic scene from so many angles that he has boundless directions in which to pursue.  The LIMITED TO 1000 COPIES ONLY edition of the new album features 18 TRACKS ! ( 13 songs from the regular album and 5 BONUS TRACKS). Whats interesting about this release is it collects some songs from a varying range of time in the Lights of Euphoria discography, for example “Show me your Tears (Apoptygma Berzerk vs. Industrialheads RMX)” was released 7 cd’s ago on “Beyond Subconsciousness”.  Theirs also Torbens remix of God Module’s “Dyskonnect” included. Odd as these song inclusions may seem,  listening to the CD from beginning to end still makes for a very cohesive whole.  Songs show a variety of influence from straight-ahead nearly simplistic EBM to more intricate future pop stylings.  Also included is the song ''Consequence ( Face Yourself )'' featuring the vocal contributions of Ronan Harris from VNV Nation.  A great CD of varied ideas, tempos and moods making for essential listening.

8. T.O.Y. - White Lights limited edition Always distinctive and unique, they’ve really nailed the whole electro-synth-pop genre and can produce quality results on every release.  They’ve done it again on “White Lights” which includes a bonus cd containing remixes for such bands as In Strict Confidence, 18 Summers (ex Silke Bishoff) and !Bang Elektronika. Also Steffen Keth (DE/VISION) contributed guest vocals for the song "The sky is the limit".  And yeah getting to meet and hang out with Oliver Taranczewski in Detroit this year doesn’t sway my opinion one bit (yeahhhhhh right J )

9  Re.Work - Coma Almost a casualty of the defunct Bloodline label, I was left to wonder if Germany’s Re:Work was ever to release a follow up to their stunning 2001 debut ''Impulse''. There was tours, remix work (Decoded Feedback, Noisex, etc… ) and then finally the eagerly awaited second album ''Coma'' released on the German Scanner label (who also signed Stromkern early on). Moving further away from the Funker Vogt comparisons (the band was discovered by Funker Vogt) the album focuses more on constructing VERY memorable songs that are both melodic and dance orientated with an edge.  

10  Negative Format - Cipher Method Where elektro-ebm-trance merge into one -  ''Cipher Method'' brings back the cyber element that bands like Clock Dva, Lassigue Bendthaus, and Electro Assassin explored.  Negative Format continues to push the boundries on every release.  “Cipher Method” will work on the more adventurous dancefloors offering more complex beat and rhythm structures,  dark atmospheric overtones, and a mixture of vocoded and effected vocal passages.   Also great just to sit and listen to as a  further exploration into sound. For body and mind!