Darkness On Demand – Digital Outcast (Album – Alfa Matrix)
Genre/Influences: EBM.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Four years after their last album (cf. “Detoxination”) Darkness On Demand (ex-Dance Or Die) are back on track unleashing their third full length album which also is the first one released by the Belgian label Alfa Matrix. The German formation released a few singles and EP as appetizers to this album which is meant as a reconnection with nature and reality, ‘to escape from that digital world dominated by artificial social medias and credit card consumption’.
Content: Nothing has really changed in the global sound approach and production of the new work. This is DOD at its best; mixing more evasive, slower, tracks together with harder, dancefloor-driven cuts. The tracks are definitely EBM driven but with this typical dark, powerful, and elaborated approach which became that typical for the band.
+ + + : Darkness On Demand didn’t reinvent themselves but simply remind us of the essence and genius of their work; hardly comparable to any other formation and driven now by power and then by beauty… but most of the time it’s just both aspects together. I however prefer the ‘harder’ cuts of the album like “Last Attack”, “Ban Of Truth”, “Reactor 4” and “Lord Of The Harvest”. The powerful and sophisticated Electro is totally matching with the powerful and charismatic vocals of Gary Wagner. There also is a perfect balance between power and catchy, melodic, and carrying choruses. On top you’ll notice subtle sound arrangements.
– – – : I regret the album is not featuring a few more up-tempo cuts but the good news is there’s also a great EP with extra, powerful, songs.
Conclusion: Darkness On Demand already strikes back with style and energy. It’s fascinating to see how this band thirty five years after the set up of Dance Or Die still remains a true reference in the Electronic underground scene.
Best songs: “Ban Of Truth”, “Reactor 4”, “Lord Of The Harvest”, “Last Attack”, “Stagnation”.
Rate: 8.
Artist: www.darknessondemand.com / www.facebook.com/darknessondemand
Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Digital Outcast’.
Listen to “Digital Outcast”:
About Darkness On Demand
Darkness On Demand is a German dark electro/EBM duo formed by vocalist Gary Wagner and producer Falgalas, who have played together since 1993, first as Dance Or Die. As Darkness On Demand the pair released two albums on Repo Records before signing to Alfa Matrix, where they issued the “Final Way” EP and the single “Hang On (Winterhart Remix)”.
“Digital Outcast” followed on Alfa Matrix in September 2023 as the duo’s third full length and first release for the label, four years after “Detoxination”. It was followed a month later by the “White Clouds” EP, and by the album “Panic In Reserve” in December 2024 and the EP “Silence” in March 2025.
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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.
