Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: POC is a Swedish duo driven by Mika Rossi (Autodafeh, Endless Shame, Agrezzior ao) and his son Sebastian. “It’s No Fun” features five songs.

Content: POC stands for old-school EBM driven by menacing bass lines, simple, but efficient tunes and a few more elaborated passages with bleeps and extra noises. The vocals are rather simple and easy to keep in mind.

+ + + : This is an interesting and satisfying debut by father and son Rossi. It’s cool to discover an EP featuring 5 different songs. Pay attention for “Tick Tock” and “Work My Body” which according to me both have a true potential for EBM dancefloors. The last mentioned song is also more elaborated although still into old-school EBM.

– – – : I think the vocals could be a bit more passionate and harsher. The lyrics are really simple but that’s not really a point.

Conclusion: This EP smells like more!

Best songs: “Tick Tock”, “Work My Body”, “A Shot Of Jäger”.

Rate: 8.

Label: www.darkdimensions.de /  www.facebook.com/pages/Dark-Dimensions-Label-Group/486014725206

Listen to “It’s No Fun”:

About POC

POC is a Swedish EBM duo from Blekinge, formed by Mika Rossi, also known for his work in Autodafeh and Agrezzior, and his son Sebastian Rossi. The duo released its debut EP, “It’s No Fun”, on November 24, 2023, through Scanner, part of the Dark Dimensions Label Group. The EP contains five tracks: “A Shot Of Jäger”, “Tick Tock”, “It’s No Fun”, “My Panzer Wagon” and “Work My Body”.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Set up in 1992 the German duo Orange Sector brings us a second teaser from their forthcoming full length album “Alarm”. It will be their twelfth album to date.

Content: “Die Fahne” is a typically ‘hard’ Orange Sector song. It’s pure old-school EBM and the song will for sure appeal for the lovers of DAF. The song is carried by a dry and pure EBM bass line and enraged vocals.

We get a ‘single’- and ‘album’-version plus remixes by Agrezzior and Angriffspakt. There also is a kind of B-side song entitled “Heute Liebe Ich Dich”, which is one more song reminding me of the DAF sound-formula. Next to a “Club Mix” we also get a remix by Neutron.

+ + + : Orange Sector doesn’t take their fans by surprise, but brings hard EBM in the purest retro-style. It’s a powerful song featuring harsh vocals (in German). The “Single Mix” and “Album Version” of the title song are driven by a great dose of testosterone! Both remixes are a bit different and I here especially recommend the Agriffspakt-remix. “Heute Liebe Ich Dich” is a cool B-side cut.

– – – : “Die Fahne” isn’t maybe the best Orange Sector in history although a solid piece of old-school EBM. The point is you rapidly get a ‘déjà-vu’ effect.

Conclusion: The only legal heir of DAF is without a shadow of a doubt Orange Sector! Good-old EBM nostalgia made in 2018/2019!

Best songs: “Die Fahne – Single Mix”, “Die Fahne – Album Version”, “Die Fahne – Angriffspakt Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/OrangeSector

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

About Orange Sector

Orange Sector is a German EBM band founded in 1992 in Hannover by Martin Bodewell and Lars Felker, later joined by René Nowotny of AD:Key.

“Die Fahne” is the second teaser single from Orange Sector’s twelfth full-length album, “Alarm”, released later in 2019. The band went on to release “Zerstörer” in 2020 and the EP “The Work Is Done” in 2022.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘The Vintage Collection’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

We all know Swedish duo Mika Rossi – Jesper Nilsson for their involvement with Autodafeh, but they also deal with other projects like Agrezzior. This is another EBM driven band inspired by the harder fields of body music. They last year released their third full length “Strike Back” on Infacted Recordings revealing power, energy and pure old-school EBM. This is what the band has to say about this opus.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: How do you look back at the writing of the “Strike Back”-album and are there in hindsight some elements of the production you would have done differently right now?

Jesper: The making of our latest album “Strike Back” was all about raw, pure power. We wanted to do a real hard catchy body album, that was straight forward with punky vibes. Every track we made contained trashy sound foundation combined with hard-hitting bass lines and catchy melodies. It was fun to make this album cause both Mika and me loves this kind of EBM, that we proudly call ’powerbody’. We are not trying to be innovative, we just do what we want. In all we are very proud of how this album turned out so we wouldn’t change any single thing.

Q: So can you give us more details about the global writing?

Jesper: The main elements of “Strike Back” are the joy and energy of creating a hard pumping, catchy EBM album, that people can enjoy both at home and in clubs. We think it brings some kind of humor when people enjoy to dance and sing along to tracks they like, never wait to hate and ‘BKKS’ (cf. Body, Körper, Kropp, Sex). This because the lyrics are pure criticism of our crazy world and so-called societies and its dysfunctionality. After all we are lucky to have the coq wheel spinning and our EBM to enjoy.

Q: One of the songs (cf. “Kraft”) is featuring Orange Sector. How did this collaboration happened and what do you especially like in the sound of Orange Sector?

Jesper: I think all begun when we made a remix for Orange Secctor and Martin suggested to write some lyrics and put some vocals on an Agrezzior track. You always know what you get from Orange Sector….POWER!!

Q: Agrezzior looks a bit like a band where musicians (friends) can come and go. What is it all about and what does it reveal about the band’s spirit and sonic purposes behind Agrezzior?  

Jesper: Agrezzior was more like a project than a band when we first started. Now after our third album “Strike Back”, Agrezzior has become a solid band. There will always be some collaboration with other bands, this because Agrezzior is not only a band, it’s like a family where everyone that has an Agrezzior T-shirt is welcome. It’s a fun concept and the very heart and soul of what Agrezzior are.

Q: Mika and Jesper, you both are/have been involved with other projects. The common elements between these project definitely is the EBM basis, but what makes Agrezzior different from the rest?

Jesper: Its true we have and still are involved in many different bands and projects. Each one of them contributes to our development as music makers as well as humanoids. With Agrezzior we allow ourselves to get wild and crazy. With powerbody we have a chance to express our aggressive side filled with hot adrenaline. With Agrezzior we work with our bodies and blood, with Autodafeh we work with our minds and intelligence. That’s the difference but also our motto, music for body and mind.

Q: How do you see Agrezzior evolving during the next few years and are there some artists you would like to work with? Remixed by? Festivals you would like to play?

Jesper: Agrezzior will continue to create more old-school music, continue to work with different influences. All bands are welcome to work with us, cause all bands are important. It doesn’t matter how small or big you are, the most important is that you love to create hard hitting pumping EBM. Our music takes no prisoners. We are always open for gigs, so club managers get in touch and we can discuss how to make it work.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Driven by the creative spirit of the Autodafeh members Mika Rossi and Jesper Nilsson, Swedish hard EBM-ers Agrezzior are back on track unleashing the third full length of this project.

Content: Agrezzior remains for 100% driven and inspired by good-old EBM. It’s a furious electronic format, which sometimes moves at the edge of hardcore and electro-punk. The fast sequences and Jesper’s typical ‘aaw aaw’ screams reminding me of Nitzer Ebb, which clearly sounds as the main source of inspiration. I also noticed some engaged lyrics, which maybe is one of the main differences with other bands in the genre.

+ + + : With Mika Rossi behind the operating desk you clearly have one of the most talented contemporary EBM composers while Jesper Nilsson is a charismatic singer with a powerful voice. So Agrezzior is made of a winning team, which resulted in an old-school, but well-crafted opus. The songs are enraged and clearly composed to make your body sweat. The production is carried by solid bass lines and achieved with little details, which  make the difference with most of the EBM bands. Autodafeh however is more straightforward and less elaborate than Autodafeh, but still very efficient. One of the songs has been composed together with Orange Sector, which is a pretty cool surprise.

– – – : The main point with this album is that it becomes rapidly predictable. The sound formula is quite easy and even if it’s efficient it also is a bit repetitive.

Conclusion: Autodafeh stands for intelligent EBM while Agrezzior sounds like pure fun! But there clearly is ‘fun’ that has been accomplished by knowledge and professionalism. This is a hard-hitting production that will conquer the EBM community.

Best songs: “Youth”, “Master”, “Never Wait To Hate”, “Strike Back”, “Kraft (Orange Sector & Agrezzior)”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/Agrezzior

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, electro-punk.

Background/Info: Hailing from Poland, but based in Sweden, La Santé is a band you might have discovered on a few compilations or the debut album “La Poulave” released on Halotan Records. Driven by Andree van Berg, La Santé found a deal with EK Product to unleash this new opus.

Content: La Santé stands for pure old-school EBM. The songs are straightforward and remain unpolished. It’s a raw and somewhat electro-punk expression, which has been inspired by some pioneers of the EBM genre. The tracks remain pretty short, but very punching.

+ + + : “Pogansky” stands for the real sound and power of EBM. It’s an album without surprises, but faithful to the single dynamic of this music style. La Santé composes songs without compromises and with this typical vocals characteristic as all songs are sung in Polish.  If you’re into raw and unpolished EBM this work will definitely conquer your heart. I have a preference for the few cuts featuring extra metallic synth lines. It’s not really what I would call a lead, but a cool extra sound effect running through a few cuts.

– – – : I think it’s a pity the global sound production and mixing are suffering from a lack of professionalism. It might be the will of the artist, but compared to high-tech productions such as Spetsnaz, NZ, Orange Sector, Agrezzior and co, this work sounds more as a demo. The songs are pretty repetitive and without real climax.

Conclusion: This EBM album sounds a bit such as ‘back to the roots’ reminding me of times when bands were recording their music with a 4×4 tape recorder. It was cool to get your music on tape, but the sound was also a bit crappy. No doubt about it, La Santé is a band you’re going to like, or not. I’m not totally conquered although it remains a recommended work for body-lovers.

Best songs: “Nie Mowie, Nie Slysze”, “Mocno”, “Morgana”.

Rate: (6).

Band: www.facebook.com/LaSante.ebm

Label: www.ekproduct.com / www.facebook.com/EKProduct

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Read the review of ‘Reanimator’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Out of the blue the belgian Alfa Matrix label releases the 2nd volume in their massive ‘Electronic Body Matrix‘ series. The first volume of this compilation series (check the release here) got qualified by many as the ultimate anthology of the EBM / electro-industrial scene. The 2nd edition of the “Electronic Body Matrix” compilation box once again manages featuring a real “who is who” artist selection bringing all new, exclusive or rare tracks.

This 2nd edition presents some 76 bands across 4 CD’s plus an exclusive download link giving you access to another 40 additional bands for a total music play of 116 songs (over 70% rare or previously unreleased tracks), an astounding 10 hour sonic journey! Marketed as a deluxe carton box with an extensive 28-page booklet with band pictures and credits.

All together on one same compilation, the leaders of the electronic scene of yesterday and tomorrow come together and include: FRONT 242 (exclusive mix), NITZER EBB (exclusive mix), FIXMER/MC CARTHY, RHYS FULBER, DANIEL B. PROTHESE, DIVE, BRUDERSCHAFT, POUPPEE FABRIKK, ARMAGEDDON DILDOS, KOMOR KOMMANDO, ELEGANT MACHINERY, AYRIA, FUNKER VOGT, PLASTIC NOISE EXPERIENCE, NOISUF-X, NEUROTICFISH, AESTHETISCHE, THE PSYCHIC FORCE, IMPLANT, [SITD], ALIEN VAMPIRES, HOCICO, ORPHX, NÖVÖ, METROLAND, PITCH YAR OF MATTER, MONDTRÄUME, CULTURE KÜLTUR, TOLCHOK, DEUTSCHE BANK, AVARICE IN AUDIO, THE SEXORCIST, PSY’AVIAH, AIBOFORCEN, ELEKTROKLÄNGE, R.I.P. (ROPPONGI INC PROJECT), ENTRZELLE, and many more, without forgetting the impressive remix work contributions of bands like EISFABRIK, FADERHEAD, ORANGE SECTOR, NZ, ELM, etc.

Add to this all hardcore ambassadors of today’s pure EBM league in the likes of SPETSNAZ, ELM, NZ, AD:KEY, AUTODAFEH, AGREZZIOR, ORANGE SECTOR,KANT KINO, CELLULOIDE, LIGHTS OF EUPHORIA, DIFFUZION, PATENBRIGADE: WOLFF, ACCESSORY, CEPHALGY, AMORPHOUS, VENAL FLESH, PROTECTORATE, STOPPENBERG, CENTHRON, LLUMEN, CARDINAL NOIRE, MILDREDA, CRYTEK, KONER, etc.

The exclusive bonus download link included in this 4CD box also gives you access to some 40 additional songs from artists like MENTALLO & THE FIXER, ACYLUM, SERPENTS, ZOMBIE GIRL, AENGELDUST, EQUITANT, NETZ, STUDIO-X, SIVA SIX, NEIKKA RPM, ESSENCE OF MIND, DEKAD, INTERFACE, NEUTRAL LIES, CIRCUITO CERRADO, TRAGIC IMPULSE, WANT/ED, HELALYN FLOWERS, DIVERJE, SCHWARZBLUT, TOTEM OBSCURA, DIGITAL GEIST, KILMARTH, SIGNAL OPERATOR, ELECTRO SYNTHETIC REBELLION, DIGITAL GEIST, TECHNOID, DEN C.T. BUG, and many more!

The full track listing can be checked right here.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Out in October via emmobiz Records is the first volume in the brand new compilation series “EBM Industries”.

This double vinyl holds tracks from such EBM bands as Leaether Strip, Tyske Ludder, Prager Handgriff, NZ, Nordarr, Sturm Cafe, Steril, Frontal, AD:Key, Digital Factor, Amnistia and Zweite Jugend. Also included are the newcomers ManMindMachine, Zweistürzende Alltbauten and Harm Joy next to submissions by Overgament and Y-Luk-O. Included are exclusive or rare tracks and remixes.

Side A:

1. TC75 – Count the Clock 3:04
2. Leaether Strip – Same old Shit 4:13
3. NZ – One Of Us (Album Version) 5:06
4. Nordarr – Die Erde Brennt (Edit) 3:22
5. Frontal – Was Bleibt 4:16

Side B:

1. Tyske Ludder – An Vorderster Front (Rework 1.0) 3:43
2. Prager Handgriff – Bis an das Ende der Welt (Exit Freedom Mix) 6:05
3. Overgament – Sorrounded by Darkness – Moshi Remix 6:29
4. Digital Factor – Wrong Space 3:44

Side C:

1. AD:key – Elitaer (10th_anniversary-Video-Edit) 2:39
2. ManMind Machine – Steam On (EBM Remix) 4:40
3. Steril –Black Jesus 4:54
4. Sturm Cafe – Traummann (Spark Remix) 3:22
5. Amnistia – Kraft (Werk 2007) 4:29

Side C:

1. Orange Sector – Götter (EBZ Mix) 2:55
2. Zweite Jugend – Hoch Die Tassen 03:12
3. Zweistürzende Altbauten – Ss’jabroka 03:29
4. Harm Joy – Only the Nightmare survive (Tyske Ludders “Schmetterlingsmaschine” Remix) 4:57
5. Y-Luk-O – Autark (Static Violence Remix)4:13

The release comes in 3 versions: the Special Edition (available here), the Black Edition (available here) and the Red Edition (available here).

And that’s not all.

The label has also planned a live release event for this compilation which takes place on October 14, 2017 in Kassel/Germany during Summer Stomp 2017 which is organised by Daniel Buff from EBM Stomp. You’ll be able to see bands from Austria, Sweden and Germany such as Proleturan (a side project of Andreas from Full contact 69). They will be followed by the Austrian guys Daniel and Jürgen from NZ. The third act will be Amnistia and the fourth the oldschool heroes from Steril.

Between the co-headliners and the headlining gig of Agrezzior, a special midnight-act named Das_dreckige_dutzenD is planned and will be a big surprise for the audience. After this, Agrezzior from Sweden will be finishing the live part of the evening and then you will have more time to drink and dance at an EBM-Aftershowparty. You can order tickets at: www.EBM-Stomp.de or www.facebook.com/ebmstomp.

Here’s the poster for the event:

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Five years after their successful and totally old-styled EBM debut album “Domination” we finally get new work from Agrezzior. This Swedish side-project of Autodafeh –including Mika Rossi, features a new singer. Johan Damm (Dupont, Menticide) is no longer singing on “Berserker” and got replaced by Autodafeh vocalist Jesper Nilsson.

Content: The sound and influences of the new work hasn’t really changed compared to their astonishing debut work. I think we might trust the genius of body-master Mika Rossi to create alluring and merciless EBM. A band like Front 242 is to Autodafeh what bands like Nitzer Ebb, Pouppée Fabrikk and Orange Sector are to Agrezzior.

The solid and low, vibrating bass lines are clearly inspired by a band like Pouppée Fabrikk while some of the arrangements and powerful choruses evoke early Orange Sector. Jesper’s way of singing will probably evoke Douglas McCarthy. “Berserker” doesn’t innovate at all, but simply reveals to be an impressive emulation of old-school EBM.

“Berserker” sounds hard, but pretty short. We get a total of 12 songs, each having a duration of around 3 minutes. This is EBM in the purest tradition of the genre, which means merciless and straight forward.

+ + + : Despite of their lack of originality, “Berserker” clearly appears to be a dangerous sonic weapon. The songs are fully accomplished, powerful and simply efficient.

– – – : The main strength of the work probably also is its main weakness. The work is based upon a repetitive and simple formula, but that’s precisely the essence of all good EBM, don’t you think?!

Conclusion: “Berserker” will take no prisoners, but is a total guarantee for many dancefloor victims. This is EBM with a double dose of testosterone!

Best songs: “Fast As A Bullet”, “Men Of Mayhem”, “Sick Of Lies”, “Dead Red Beat”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/Agrezzior-173455837687

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Content: Orange Sector is an EBM ‘veteran’ band, which does not need a big introduction. Back in the 90s they’ve been one of the hottest bands in the genre during their Zoth Ommog period. They next went into hibernation but reactivated again after the new millennium.

They have released several albums since then, but the earlier this year released “Nigth. Terrors” revealed Orange Sector to be in a great and inspiriting mood. It all remains pure old-school EBM, but it simply sounds irresistible.

“Monoton” is the 2nd EP taken from the new album and I have to warn you this will be a pure sonic shock! The German body masters remain faithful to their merciless and uncompromised body format, but they simply left me breathless by such impressive energy and higher level of EBM.

“Monoton” sounds like pure EBM and still was one of the funniest cuts of the album for its lyrical content, which was a wink to several earlier successful songs of the band.

The title song was remixed by 3 different artists and I have to say these remixes are absolutely phenomenal. NZ is one of the latest EBM sensations, which also is one of the best Nitzer Ebb emulations I’ve ever heard. They remixed “Monoton” with efficiency and extreme EBM-power.

Agrezzior is another great EBM band from the ‘newest’ generation and, which is finally back on track, having released a new album. They also did a wonderful job.

Celluloide is not exactly what I should call an EBM formation, but the French synth-pop combo simply added their Kraftwerk-ian, space bleeps to the power of “Monoton”, which in my opinion resulted in an outstanding remix.

The EP also features 3 new cuts and I here again have to warn you to put on your seatbelts. Orange Sector here excels as EBM architects and are even revealing new elements on “Es Ist So Wie Es Ist”. They here have used a pure EBM bass line, but, which is a not much different in sound that what we’ve been used to hear from this band. However, it creates a new dimension, which is accomplished by some extra great sound sculptures and studio effects. This is one of their best songs in years!

Two more great new songs are “Alles Ist Falsch”, which clearly sounds like early DAF and “Ich Bin Keine Maschine”, which is the softest song of the EP although still a great EBM cut with some extra effects on top of the vocal parts.

Conclusion: This EP took me by surprise and will be for sure hot stuff for DJ’s and clubbers.

Best songs: “Es Ist So Wie Es Ist”, “Alles Ist Falsch”, “Monoton – Celluloide Remix”, “Monoton – Agrezzior Remix”.

Rate: (DP:9)DP.

Band: www.orange-sector.de / www.facebook.com/OrangeSector

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com