Beyond Border – Aftermath (Digital/CD Album – NoCut)
Beyond Border started out as a duo in 2019 and has since grown into a trio comprising Kai Vincenz Németh, Michael Deiters, and newcomer Renee Brandt. With Aftermath, the German band delivers its third full-length album, produced by none other than Rob Dust. The album is also available as a double CD.
Beyond Border remains true to a sound that sits somewhere between classic Electro-Pop and the slightly harder, more dance-oriented Future-Pop genre. Danceability is a key element of this record, an aspect undoubtedly influenced by Rob Dust’s involvement. The album is pure ‘power-pop’, occasionally incorporating guitar riffs to inject even more energy into the mix. What follows is a succession of sensational tracks, sounding like an imaginary fusion of bands such as Mesh, Massive Ego, and Depeche Mode. Terrolokaust and, notably, Ruined Conflict were invited to contribute, with the latter’s collaboration proving particularly infectious thanks to Xavier Morales and his distinctive voice. In terms of production, the album delivers everything one could expect from an Electro/Future-Pop release, while being meticulously crafted down to the finest detail. None of the twelve tracks disappoints. Small details sometimes build towards incredible climaxes, such as the female choral effect that emerges towards the end of the beautiful “Absolution”.
The second disc features a solid selection of remixes, including contributions from Mesh themselves, as well as Eisfabrik and Ruined Conflict. While the Mesh and Eisfabrik remixes are my personal favorites, the more EBM-oriented remix by SK3RED also deserves a special mention.
“Aftermath” is a fantastic album in every asspect, from its compositions and production to its impressive collection of remixes. As far as I’m concerned, this is an album that is bound to appear on many year-end lists of the best releases of the year. An absolute must-have!!! (Rating:9).
Listen to “Absolution”:
About Beyond Border
Beyond Border is a German synthpop act that started in 2019 as a duo formed by Kai Vincenz Németh and Michael Deiters. Renee Brandt later joined, turning the project into a trio. The band describes its music as modern synthpop built as a bridge between the scene and pop.
The first releases were self-released in 2020 and included the singles “First Contact”, “Construction” and “The Damned Don’t Cry” featuring Lis van den Akker, together with the collection “B-Sides, Love, Live And Others”. The debut album “Awakening” followed in 2021, again without a label, and the club-oriented set “Awake The Clubs” appeared in 2022.
In 2024 the trio signed to NoCut for the album “Gathering”. “Aftermath” is its second album for the label and was released on March 27, 2026, as a digital album and as a double CD pairing the twelve new tracks with a full disc of remixes. Rob Dust produced the record, which also features guest contributions from Terrolokaust and Ruined Conflict.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
