Genre/Influences: Experimental.

Background/Info: Richmond Avant Improv Collective (RAIC) was set up in Richmond (USA) in late 2015. The ‘collective’ features multiple involved members.They already released several works since 2017.

Content: The name of the band clearly indicates what the sound and influences is all about. It’s pure improvisation mixing an impressive arsenal of instruments like electronics, drums, guitar, bass, violin, cello, saxophone, flute and banjo. The vocals are also used as an extra instrument, creating a sensation of ‘lamentations’.

+ + + : I first of all have to say a word about the great artwork of this album. There are only 100 copies of the CD, which has been packed in carbon box including files on, which you can find the title of the tracks, the lyrics, credits and acknowledgments. Sound-wise you definitely have to like improvisation and experimental music, but it makes me also think of free-jazz; it feels like a great jam session between jazz artists using different instruments than the ‘classical’ jazz equipment.

– – – : This kind of music – we might consider defining it as ‘music’, is clearly meant to catch the attention of a very restricted number of listeners and fans.

Conclusion: Improvisation always has something weird, even a bit ‘fast-food’ like. It’s a ‘unique’ experience in the true meaning of the word.

Best songs: “Early-Music Lamentations”, “Baptism”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Richmond.Avant.Improv.Collective

Label: https://arachnidiscs.wordpress.com / www.facebook.com/arachnidiscs

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.

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Out via Arachnidiscs Recordings next month is the newest album by the post-punk act Gad Whip, “Trapped In A Pin Hole Camera”. The label itself describes the band as being like “Cabaret Voltaire, Sleaford Mods, PiL, Crass if they had been technoheads.”

“Trapped In A Pin Hole Camera” features the core trio of Amos, Bolam and Davies aided by Neil Campbell (Vibracathedral Orchestra, Astral Social Club etc), Paul Walsh (Smell & Quim, Foldhead etc), Jimbo Baxter (Freaks Union, The Fuckin’ Glorious etc), Eva Davies and Ryan Walker (both on extra guitar & bass duties). The album was recorded “in several kitchens throughout the summer of 2017 in West Yorkshire, UK, with one mic and a busking amp” the band claims, “though the recording is by no means the lo-fi shambles that implies”.

You can already check out the video for “Generator Small Ads” below.

Gad Whip formed in the summer of 2014 and have since put out 4 tapes and a couple of EP’s (one of those being a 12” on Ever/Never Records).

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!

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Genre/Influences: Industrial, electronic.

Background/Info: Semen Priest is a Canadian formation unleashing their 3^rd full length by Arachnidiscs Recordings, which is mainly devoted to the good-old and now totally underground cassette format.

Notice by the way the album is also available in a digital format on Bandcamp.

Content: I never heard of this band before, but the sound Semen Priest is dealing with clearly evokes some good-old souvenirs bringing me back to some 80s formations. There’s a kind of funky-industrial approach, which sounds a bit like the offspring between Revolting Cocks and Schriekback while some passages also remind me of the Luna Twist (old Belgian band). The sound is hard to define and yet familiar if you have been into the wider fields of new-wave music.

There’s a nice twist between electronics and guitar while the vocals reveal a kind of zombie, growling style. The songs are quite extended, but remain fascinating for their global sound texture. There also is a move from psychedelic passages into deep, resonating bass parts to this dark and industrial funky touch. Especially the first part of the album is quite remarkable.

+ + + : Semen Priest is inspired by some forgotten parts of the 80s electro & new-wave scene and will definitely appeal for lovers of early Revolting Cocks, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Mussolini Headkick and other Schriekback.

– – – : “Third Testament” not always is the most accessible release while the cassette format is probably not the best way to bring a band in the spotlights.

Conclusion: “Third Testament” is a cool discovery bringing me back to forgotten times and legendary bands.

Best songs: “Wrong Number”, “Gendercide”.

Rate: (6½ ).

Band: https://arachnidiscs.bandcamp.com/album/semen–priest

Label: https://arachnidiscs.wordpress.com / www.facebook.com/arachnidiscs

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