Alfred Kaenders, founder of the Geldern (DE) based electro-industrial label Celtic Circle Productions is no more. He died a few days ago.

The sad news was announced by Bruno Kramm (Das Ich) on his Facebook page.

Bruno: “Today, I learned about the far too early death of one of the scene’s originals, Alfred Kaenders. As the founder of the Celtic Circle Productions label in the nineties, in recent years he was especially ubiquitous at festivals with his perfume and jewelry stands. Alfred had a very eventful life story with many highs and lows, many legendary tales and incidents, but always with his mischievous smile that I will never forget. My thoughts are with his family. Farewell, old friend.”

In a reaction Seba Dolimont, who worked with Alfred when he ran the printed version of Side-Line, says: “This is shocking news. Definitely too young to die… Alfred was a true passionate man for our dark scene and he had a strong and active contribution to it in the 90’s through concerts, the labels and magazine publishing. Professionally, I learnt a lot from him and he gave me his trust back in the days for releasing my own music as Aiboforcen and bringing Side-Line Magazine on the map as leading print mag in English with attached CD. He definitely somehow contributed to the foundations of what Side-Line Magazine and Alfa Matrix/Spleen+ would become later. Sadly enough, some major mismanagement mistakes brought his activities to collapse. But i will never forget his unlimited devotion to the dark underground music scene, his countless stories he was telling with ultimate passion, his big heart for the people and artists he was supporting and bringing together. We spent unforgettable moments together during these years between Belgium, Geldern & Krefeld (Germany) and his unique laughter is still echoing in my ears… Merci for all the positive things and moments you brought and all these nice people i learnt to know thanks to your impressive networking. I hope you find some nice dark tunes out there. RIP my “un-be liev-able” old bro…”

The label which launched its first productions in 1992 originally was the home to Inertia, Yelworc, AmGod and many other groups of the early and mid-nineties. The label also had a sub-label, Khazad-Dûm, and produced compilation releases for Side-Line, Gothic Grimoire and Vertigo. The label ceased operations in 1998 after experiencing financial difficulties.

We offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

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.

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It’s been 20 years since the American synthpop/EBM band Glis, aka Shaun Frandsen, debuted on Alfa-Matrix with the “Balance” album. Glis was one of the 10 first bands that signed to then very young Belgian label.

20 years later Glis returns revisiting “Sunrise”, a single which was a major club hit back upon its release. The track comes in a brand new enhanced v3.0 mix, and is backed by what you can call a showcase of the evolutionary history of the track throughout the years, including two instrumental versions.

The release is out now on Bandcamp with other platforms to follow in the next weeks.

About Glis

Seattle-based Glis was formed by Shaun Frandsen and Andrea Ashdown. They signed to Alfa Matrix after the release of their first album, “Extract”, in 2002. Andrea left after their second album and Shaun continued Glis as a solo project, working with a range of contributors.

The project is characterized by its blend of futurepop—a genre that combines elements of electronic body music (EBM), synthpop, and trance—with other electronic influences.

“Nemesis”, released in 2005 and featuring Jean-Luc De Meyer on guest vocals, saw the act change from poppy EBM to a darker, more industrial-influenced sound.

While Glis’s sound has been compared to other notable acts in the futurepop and EBM genres, Frandsen has managed to carve out a unique niche for the project with his distinctive approach to songwriting and production. Over the years, Glis has released several albums and EPs on Alfa Matrix.

Check out Glis on Spotify.

Glis discography

Albums

1. Extract – 2001 (A.D.S.R. Musicwerks)
2. Equilibrium – 2003 (Alfa Matrix)
3. Balance – 2003 (Alfa Matrix / A.D.S.R. Musicwerks)
4. Nemesis – 2005 (Alfa Matrix)
5. 2001-2008 A Shot And A Bassline – 2008 (Alfa Matrix)
6. Phoenix – 2013 (Alfa Matrix)

Singles & EPs

1. Disappear! – 2004 (Alfa Matrix)
2. Apocalypse Parties – 2012 (Alfa Matrix, AM 3046DJ)
3. 4.4U [2012.12] (amGod / Cynical Existence (2) / Glis / Alien Vampires) – 2012 (Alfa Matrix)
4. Seconds – 2013 (Alfa Matrix)
5. Hate You (Glis & DJ Areal Kollen) – 2014 (Xiami, 12526632667)
6. Sunrise Forever – 2023 (Alfa Matrix)

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

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YelworC was a highly influential Dark Electro group from Munich, Germany, formed by Dominik van Reich (later amGOD) and Peter Devin on New Year’s Eve 1987/88. They released three highly regarded demotapes before their pathbreaking debut album “Brainstorming” came out in December 1992 on the infamous Celtic Circle Productions label. The album was marketed as a “futuristic and neo-apocalyptic Electro-Dark synthesis” and drew comparisons to Placebo Effect’s “Galleries of Pain.” The legendary EP “Blood in Face” followed in 1993, featuring the club hit “Soulhunter” and more.

The band disbanded shortly after, and Dominik van Reich went on to found the project amGOD. Two more yelworC albums and an EP were released in 2004 and 2007 on In Strict Confidence’s Minuswelt label, but only featured Peter Devin. The following four vinyl re-releases – via GH Records – are officially authorized versions and not bootlegs:

• “Dis-cover & Con-trol” (Limited White Edition, 12″ Vinyl) – A collection of their first self-released tape from 1989, limited to 200 copies on white vinyl.
• “Brainstorming” (2 × Vinyl, Limited, Blue or White) – A double-vinyl reissue of their debut album and EP, available in either blue or white, limited to 150 copies each.
• “Flash, Wards And Incubation” (Limited Red Edition, 12″ Vinyl) – The first-ever vinyl release of their second self-released tape from 1989, limited to 200 copies on red vinyl.
• “A.I.W.A.S.S.” (2 × Vinyl, Limited, Silver or Orange) – A double-vinyl reissue of their third tape from 1990, available in silver or orange, limited to 150 copies each.

These re-releases offer a unique opportunity for fans to own officially authorized vinyl versions of YelworC’s rare and influential works.

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.

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Alfa Matrix has launched the 1st edition of its new compilation series: “Matrix​:​Reb00ted”. The 1st volume is entered around the remixes the Norwegian dark electro act Kant Kino completed over the years, hence the sub-title for the first volume: “Zion [EBM] Warfare [01] – the Kant Kino guerrilla”.

On the download compilation – which can be downloaded here – you find 15 songs from Alfa Matrix’s massive music repertoire which got mixed by Kant Kino. For those who are familiar with the band’s remix sound, you know you can expect a unique blend of EBM basslines, upbeat sequences and melodic synths.

The bands remixed by this duo include Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, Leather Strip, Bruderschaft, Pouppée Fabric, Amgod, Komor Kommando, Implant, Aesthetische, Essence Of Mind, Studio-X vs. Simon Carter, Kant Kino themselves, Junksista and the label’s most recent discovery from France Crytek.

Available now on Bandcamp, you can listen to the trackless below.

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.

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It was Record Store Day this past weekend and for the occasion the Belgian label launched a special 30% discount code ( RSD2017 ) which is available to use until the end of this week. You can apply the code in the label’s webshop or on the label’s Bandcamp page. You will get 30% off on everything that is added in your basket (except on the forthcoming Metroland and Alien Vampires box sets).

Happy hunting!

Included in this massive discount action are releases by 32CRASH, Acylum, Aengeldust, Aesthetische, Agonised By Love, Aiboforcen, Alien Vampires, Ambassador21, amGod, Armageddon Dildos, Avarice In Audio, Ayria, Bruderschaft, Cosmic Armchair, Crisk, Cynical Existence, Depeche Mode (the tribute releases), Diffuzion, Diskonnekted, Dive, Dream Recall, Dunkelwerk, Elektroklänge, ELM, Entrzelle, Epsilon Minus, Essence Of Mind, Freakangel, Front 242, Gaytron, Glis, Halo In Reverse, HausHetaere, Headscan, Helalyn Flowers, Hungry Lucy, I:scintilla, Implant, Internal, Inure, Junksista, Kant Kino, Klutæ, Komor Kommando, Krystal System, Leaether Strip, Lovelorn Dolls, Malakwa, Male Or Female, Mari Chrome, Mentallo and the Fixer, Metroland, Mind:State, Mnemonic, Mondträume, Monolith, Nebula-H, Neikka RPM, Nitzer Ebb, Növö, O.V.N.I., Plastic Noise Experience, Pouppee Fabrikk, Prozium, Psy’Aviah, Razorfade, Recoil, Regenerator, Saeldes Sanc, Schwarzblut, Sebastian Komor, Seize, Sero.Overdose, Shaun F, Simon Carter, Siva Six, Star Industry, Stray, Studio-X, Suicide Inside, Tamtrum, Technoir, The Cure (tribute), The Psychic Force, Totem Obscura, Trisomie 21, Unter Null, Venal Flesh, Virgins O.R Pigeons, Virtual Embrace, XMH, Zombie Girl, … plus a long list of compilations.

And in order to save on shipping costs, it’s recommended to combine this with the label’s 2 newest releases although they are not discounted.

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.

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“Today he has no means He’s alone and anonymous, but written in his cells he’s got the marks of a genius”, with these Front 242 lyrics (“Headhunter”) the Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix has launched quite an impressive EBM day action offering no less than a 30% discount on all of it’s physical (and download releases) including the much wanted Front 242 vinyls sets.

All you need to do is use the code ebmday242 to get 30% off on all of the labels releases (ltd editions, boxsets, t-shirts, vinyls, …) purchased via the Alfa Matrix webstore and the official Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page.

The code ebmday242 is only valid today and this weekend and will be applied on all products you have added in your basket.

And that’s not all! the label has also added a huge list of VERY low priced compilations right here.

Included in this massive discount action are all physical and download releases by 32CRASH, Acylum, Aengeldust, Aesthetische, Agonised By Love, Aiboforcen, Alien Vampires, Ambassador21, amGod, Armageddon Dildos, Avarice In Audio, Ayria, Bruderschaft, Cosmic Armchair, Crisk, Cynical Existence, Depeche Mode (the tribute releases), Diffuzion, Diskonnekted, Dive, Dream Recall, Dunkelwerk, Elektroklänge, ELM, Entrzelle, Epsilon Minus, Essence Of Mind, Freakangel, Front 242, Gaytron, Glis, Halo In Reverse, HausHetaere, Headscan, Helalyn Flowers, Hungry Lucy, I:scintilla, Implant, Internal, Inure, Junksista, Kant Kino, Klutæ, Komor Kommando, Krystal System, Leaether Strip, Lovelorn Dolls, Malakwa, Male Or Female, Mari Chrome, Mentallo and the Fixer, Metroland, Mind:State, Mnemonic, Mondträume, Monolith, Nebula-H, Neikka RPM, Nitzer Ebb, Növö, O.V.N.I., Plastic Noise Experience, Pouppee Fabrikk, Prozium, Psy’Aviah, Razorfade, Recoil, Regenerator, Saeldes Sanc, Schwarzblut, Sebastian Komor, Seize, Sero.Overdose, Shaun F, Simon Carter, Siva Six, Star Industry, Stray, Studio-X, Suicide Inside, Tamtrum, Technoir, The Cure (tribute), The Psychic Force, Totem Obscura, Trisomie 21, Unter Null, Venal Flesh, Virgins O.R Pigeons, Virtual Embrace, XMH, Zombie Girl, … plus a long list of compilations.

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.

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We enter the final few hours to enjoy a 50% reduction on all of your purchases via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page. You get a discount of 50% when using the discount code january50432. Just enter it when checking out. The code is valid on ALL of the releases on the label’s Bandcamp page.

Included in this massive discount action are releases by 32CRASH, Acylum, Aengeldust, Aesthetische, Agonised By Love, Aiboforcen, Alien Vampires, Ambassador21, amGod, Armageddon Dildos, Avarice In Audio, Ayria, Bruderschaft, Cosmic Armchair, Crisk, Cynical Existence, Depeche Mode (the tribute releases), Diffuzion, Diskonnekted, Dive, Dream Recall, Dunkelwerk, Elektroklänge, ELM, Entrzelle, Epsilon Minus, Essence Of Mind, Freakangel, Front 242, Gaytron, Glis, Halo In Reverse, HausHetaere, Headscan, Helalyn Flowers, Hungry Lucy, I:scintilla, Implant, Internal, Inure, Junksista, Kant Kino, Klutæ, Komor Kommando, Krystal System, Leaether Strip, Lovelorn Dolls, Malakwa, Male Or Female, Mari Chrome, Mentallo and the Fixer, Metroland, Mind:State, Mnemonic, Mondträume, Monolith, Nebula-H, Neikka RPM, Nitzer Ebb, Növö, O.V.N.I., Plastic Noise Experience, Pouppee Fabrikk, Prozium, Psy’Aviah, Razorfade, Regenerator, Saeldes Sanc, Schwarzblut, Sebastian Komor, Seize, Sero.Overdose, Shaun F, Simon Carter, Siva Six, Star Industry, Stray, Studio-X, Suicide Inside, Tamtrum, Technoir, The Cure (tribute), The Psychic Force, Totem Obscura, Trisomie 21, Unter Null, Venal Flesh, Virgins O.R Pigeons, Virtual Embrace, XMH, Zombie Girl, … plus a long list of compilations.

The discount code only lasts till January 31st midnight, so make sure to use it asap!

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.

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The German cult dark electro duo The Psychic Force earned a huge reputation in the early nineties in the dark elektro scene next to bands like Yelworc, AmGod, PNE and Placebo Effect. Michelle Christiansen and Jörg Charnowski resurfaced only recently when in Summer 2015 they released the EP “Relapse” followed by the album “Traces”.

With their new full length album “Welcome To ScarCity“ the band again offers old school EBM with a modern and melodic touch. You can listen to the album below or download it right here.

Next to the normal version of the album, there is also a 2CD boxset holding 12 bonus tracks including an exclusive cover version of The Klinik’s classic “Someone Somewhere” hit as well as remix works by such fine bands as Eisfabrik, Ad:Key and Acylum.

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.

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The Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix has launched a mega pre-Christmas sale action via its online CD/vinyl web store. Just use the discount code DECSALE16 when completing your purchase and you will get 30% off on all physical releases (CD, DVD, Vinyl) which came out before mid-June 2016 (so in short you get a discount on most of the label’s huge catalogue).

The label webs tore can be accessed right here.

Included in this massive discount action are releases by 32CRASH, Acylum, Aengeldust, Aesthetische, Agonised By Love, Aiboforcen, Alien Vampires, Ambassador21, amGod, Armageddon Dildos, Avarice In Audio, Ayria, Bruderschaft, Cosmic Armchair, Crisk, Cynical Existence, Depeche Mode (the tribute releases), Diffuzion, Diskonnekted, Dive, Dream Recall, Dunkelwerk, Elektroklänge, ELM, Entrzelle, Epsilon Minus, Essence Of Mind, Freakangel, Front 242, Gaytron, Glis, Halo In Reverse, HausHetaere, Headscan, Helalyn Flowers, Hungry Lucy, I:scintilla, Implant, Internal, Inure, Junksista, Kant Kino, Klutæ, Komor Kommando, Krystal System, Leaether Strip, Lovelorn Dolls, Malakwa, Male Or Female, Mari Chrome, Mentallo and the Fixer, Metroland, Mind:State, Mnemonic, Mondträume, Monolith, Nebula-H, Neikka RPM, Nitzer Ebb, Növö, O.V.N.I., Plastic Noise Experience, Pouppee Fabrikk, Prozium, Psy’Aviah, Razorfade, Recoil, Regenerator, Saeldes Sanc, Schwarzblut, Sebastian Komor, Seize, Sero.Overdose, Shaun F, Simon Carter, Siva Six, Star Industry, Stray, Studio-X, Suicide Inside, Tamtrum, Technoir, The Cure (tribute), The Psychic Force, Totem Obscura, Trisomie 21, Unter Null, Venal Flesh, Virgins O.R Pigeons, Virtual Embrace, XMH, Zombie Girl, … plus a long list of compilations.

And in order to save on shipping costs, it’s recommended to combine this with the label’s newest releases although they are not discounted. The newest releases from the label come from the bands Underviewer, Front 242, Mondträume, The Psychic Force, Llumen, Kant Kino, Daniel B. Prothesesèse and many many more!

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.

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It’s back catalogue time at Alfa Matrix. The label has announced that they now have added 99,99% of their back catalogue material online in the past few days. Says the label: “Over the past 2 years Alfa Matrix has been releasing all new releases via Bandcamp too. But a lot of our back catalogue material wasn’t on there. Today this has changed, as we have now added 99,99% of our back catalogue material online, straight from the master tapes.”

The latest additions (around 40 in total) include several sold out releases such as (sold out) albums from Implant, Metroland, Kant Kino, Nebula-H, amGod, Mentallo & The Fixer, Regenerator (including a Front 242 remix) and lots more! The complete list can be found below.

DO NOT FORGET: Alfa Matrix has also issued a 25% reduction code for September: september5236584 (use it when checking out on Bandcamp).

The list of releases that have been added:

• AGONISED BY LOVE – Lovesick Society
• AGONISED BY LOVE – All Of White Horizons
• AGONISED BY LOVE – Close Behind You EP
• AMGOD – Dreamcatcher (Bonus Tracks Version)
• CRISK. – Das Erste Mal EP
• CRISK. – Machlaut
• GLIS – Balance (Bonus Tracks Version)
• IMPLANT – Self​-​Inflicted (Bonus Tracks Version)
• IMPLANT – We Are Doing Fine / Too Many Puppies EP
• IMPLANT – Soft Flesh – Hard Steel
• (IN)TERNAL – Dysfunctional Subconscious
• INURE – Subversive (Bonus Tracks Version)
• INURE – Disillusion EP
• KANT KINO – LRSBSS EP
• KANT KINO – We Are Kant Kino – You Are Not (Bonus Tracks Version)
• KLUTAE – Sinner EP
• LEAETHER STRIP – Haervaerk EP
• MALAKWA – Street Preacher (Bonus Tracks Version)
• MARI CHROME – Georgy#11811 (Bonus Tracks Version)
• MENTALLO & THE FIXER – Music From The Eather (Bonus Tracks Version)
• MENTALLO & THE FIXER – Commandments For The Molecular Age (Radio Version) EP
• MENTALLO & THE FIXER – Commandments For The Molecular Age EP
• MENTALLO & THE FIXER – Enlightenment Through A Chemical Catalyst (Bonus Tracks Version)
• MENTALLO & THE FIXER – A Collection of Rare, Unreleased & Remastered (Bonus Tracks Version)
• METROLAND – Mixing The Gap (Extended) EP
• MIND:STATE – Decayed​-​Rebuilt (Bonus Tracks Version)
• MIND:STATE – BBC2X EP
• NEBULA-H – H
• NEBULA-H – H2O
• NEBULA-H – rH (Bonus Track Version)
• NEIKKA RPM – The Gemini Prophecies (Bonus Tracks Version)
• O.V.N.I. – Good For You EP
• O.V.N.I. – Objet Volant Non Identifié (Bonus Tracks Version)
• PSY’AVIAH – Ok / Virtual Gods (DJ Only) EP
• THE PLASTIC NOISE EXPERIENCE – Dead Or Alive + Transmission Completed (Bonus Tracks Version)
• RAZORFADE – This Clear Shining (Bonus Tracks Version)
• REGENERATOR – Disease (Bonus Tracks Version)
• REGENERATOR – War (Bonus Tracks Version)
• REGENERATOR – Regenerated X (Bonus Tracks Version)
• SUICIDE INSIDE – Homicide (Bonus Tracks Version)
• VARIOUS ARTISTS – Square Matrix 001 (Bonus Tracks Version)
• VARIOUS ARTISTS – Square Matrix 002 (Bonus Tracks Version)
• VARIOUS ARTISTS – Square Matrix 003 (Bonus Tracks Version)
• VARIOUS ARTISTS – Square Matrix 004 (Bonus Tracks Version)

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.

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