Autodafeh – SIDE-LINE https://www.side-line.com Industrial, electro, EBM, post-punk, darkwave news Sat, 05 Jul 2025 16:59:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.side-line.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cropped-side-line-logo-png-32x32.png Autodafeh – SIDE-LINE https://www.side-line.com 32 32 Autodafeh interview: ‘An honor to be compared to Front 242’ https://www.side-line.com/autodafeh-interview-compared-to-front-242/ Sun, 06 Jul 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=78225 Countless EBM bands have drawn inspiration from Front 242, but only a few have reached...]]>

Countless EBM bands have drawn inspiration from Front 242, but only a few have reached a truly commendable level. Among the finest students of the ‘242 school’ is the Swedish band Autodafeh, founded in 2007. Each of their albums showcases strong production values and music that is thoughtfully composed with skill and intent. After taking a step back in recent years, the band returns stronger than ever with “Greed”, their first new studio album in a decade. Masterfully led by core members Mika Rossi and Anders Olsson, the group has, in recent years, been joined by Jesper Nilsson and Thomas Kroell Green. “Greed”, Autodafeh’s sixth album, was released via Dark Dimensions / Scanner. The record delivers classic EBM vibes, elevated by outstanding production. As far as I’m concerned—and without a doubt—“Greed” is one of the best EBM albums of recent years. Time for a talk with Anders Olsson. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: “Greed” is your sixth album, but also your first new release in ten years. What happened during that period, and what was the direct trigger to start making new music for Autodafeh again?

Anders: Well… time really flies doesn’t it… During the past 10 years we’ve been involved in some other projects, mainly Mika, he’s been producing some other acts (Agrezzior, POC, Navigator Project, and some more), we made some remixes, but we also faced the pandemic and during that time we had some time to write some new music, and we released our compilation (that had a new song on it, that was intended for “Greed”). But we wrote a lot of songs for this album and we decided to drop “Religion And Politics” for some other songs. The album was actually finished about 2 years ago, but then we decided to remix it, and that took some time too, but now it’s finally released. We also changed some band members, Jesper left, and Thomas and Sebastian joined.

Q: Even though you’ve all been active with other projects, it’s inevitable that you evolve both as individuals and as musicians over the course of a decade. How do you reflect on that evolution, and how has it influenced the creation and composition of “Greed”?

Anders: Well… it’s a part of life really, you grow up, become an adult, might get some kids, a Volvo, a dog, and you pay rent.

Music wise it’s all about enjoying it as long as you can, the more you play the more you learn, you also get inspired by different things, and one way for us to express that is to write songs, there is a song on our first album called “Money Trouble” because some of us and some friends around us had it more or less like that back then, so there’s probably some parts of our new songs that are influenced by our current situation in life and some songs that are totally fiction. We always look forward not backwards, you can’t change the past and our philosophy is that everything becomes an experience, you level up as you grow older.

Q: Can you tell us more about “Greed”? Did you have a clear concept for the sound and lyrical content beforehand, or did it develop more organically? And how did you divide the tasks and responsibilities during the composition and production process?

Anders: It has developed during the production and songwriting process, it’s always a process when we do an album, sometimes it’s a quick one, and sometimes it takes a bit longer, some parts of the album was actually written before the pandemic, but it’s like a jigsaw puzzle, all the bits need to fall in place. We often start out with a beat or a baseline and work around that, sometimes it can be a sample we work around and then change it or remove it in the end. Mika has made most of the album this time and we had great support from Frank at our label (Dark Dimensions / Scanner) along the way.

Q: “Greed” is a striking and provocative album title. What’s the deeper meaning behind it and the lyrics — which seem to reflect on the world we live in and the dynamics between people? And how personal are these themes for you?

Anders: No deeper meaning as such, it’s more of a reflection of the current world situation, although most of the lyrics were written a few years ago, I think with the pandemic and all that was and is happening in the world now and during that time, you need to reflect on what is bothering you and what is important to you, sometimes it’s the small things that keep you going, not sure if it’s because we’re getting older but some parts of life are fragile, and you need to keep that in mind.

Q: The more I listen to the album, the more I find myself drawing comparisons to Front 242 — particularly in the structure, layering of sounds, and a kind of intelligent production style that’s rare among many EBM acts today. What does this say about your studio setup and tools, and more broadly, about your approach to sound design, mixing, and production?

Anders: First of all, thank you very much for the kind words. We focus a lot on the production, because we think it’s really important that the end product sounds good to us, and in the end to the listener too and of course that we feel that there are good songs. During the years we have evolved in our production skills and spent a lot of time in ‘tweaking’ in the studio and finding what we like (and don’t like), but it’s an endless piece of string so to speak.

There’s always something that is ‘better’ in the studio and audio world. We still use both hardware and software when we record our music with both synths and so called outboard, but we mix ‘in the box’ to a degree of approximately 95%.

It’s also an honor to be compared to Front 242 in that way because they have always sounded great, and we have never denied that we are heavily influenced by them.

Q: Since your comeback, there have been only a few live performances and no concrete tour plans announced. What can we expect from Autodafeh live in the near future? And are there other plans involving Autodafeh or your various side projects?

Anders: We love to play live, but I think that since we’ve been quiet for some time (production wise) we might have been forgotten, but we’re back and strong, we have already started writing the next album, and we’re also talking about making another EP (following up the “re:lector” EP released in 2009 to celebrate the 15th year anniversary.

]]> Autodafeh – Greed (Digital/CD Album – Scanner / Dark Dimensions) https://www.side-line.com/autodafeh-greed-digital-cd-album-scanner-dark-dimensions/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=77352 Swedish act Autodafeh returns with their first new album in ten years! Led by Mika...]]>

Swedish act Autodafeh returns with their first new album in ten years! Led by Mika Rossi, they pleasantly surprised us in advance with two strong singles —both of which appear on “Greed”. The album features a total of twelve tracks and marks the band’s sixth full-length release.

Autodafeh has always stood for high-quality EBM, and this new work is no exception. While they don’t aim to innovate, they deliver expertly crafted EBM with pounding beats, driving bass lines, and powerful sound design. The strength lies not in frantic tempos or aggressive vocal delivery, but in rich vintage sound treatments, menacing bass lines, catchy choruses, occasional minimalistic touches, and distinctive vocals.

This is music made for dancefloors and “Greed” is a relentless succession of excellent tracks. The deeper you delve into the album, the more the Front 242 influence becomes apparent —not in a derivative way, but rather as if Autodafeh has thoroughly studied and understood the essence of that classic sound. They’ve transformed it into something of their own, and the result is nothing short of irresistible.

“Greed” is a brilliant EBM album, and without a doubt, Autodafeh’s best work to date. I especially recommend the second half of the record, where one highlight seamlessly follows another. As far as I’m concerned, this is one of the finest EBM productions of the past decade! (Rating:9).

Listen to “Under The Blood Red Sky”:

https://scanner-dd.bandcamp.com/track/under-the-blood-red-sky

]]> Autodafeh is back with all new EBM single ‘Fastlane’ https://www.side-line.com/autodafeh-is-back-with-all-new-ebm-single-fastlane/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:03:34 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=75145 Autodafeh is back with an all new single, “Fastlane”, to be released on March 14...]]>

Autodafeh is back with an all new single, “Fastlane”, to be released on March 14 as a limited, hand-numbered 7” vinyl (100 copies only) via Dark Dimensions. The track is the second teaser for their forthcoming album “Greed”. The track comes paired with an exclusive Echoknocks remix of their 2024 digital single “One Step Forward”.

About Autodafeh

Autodafeh is a Swedish electronic body music (EBM) band hailing from the southern region of Sweden. Formed in late 2007 by childhood friends Jesper Nilsson and Mika Rossi, the duo soon welcomed Anders Olsson into the fold, completing the core trio. The idea(l): to revive the classic EBM spirit of the 1980s – think Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb.

The band’s journey began with a buzz on MySpace, leading to a swift signing with Sigsaly Transmissions and the release of their debut album, “Hunt for Glory”, in June 2008. This was followed by the EP “re:lectro” in 2009. That same year, they hit the European stages gigging across Sweden, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, and Poland. Their sophomore album, “Identity Unknown”, followed in 2010, showcasing a refined yet raw sound.

In 2011, Autodafeh joined the Scanner label (part of Dark Dimensions) and released “Act of Faith”. Their output continued with “Blackout Scenario” (2013) and “Digital Citizens” (2014), the latter inspired by vintage synths and drum machines. After a brief hiatus in 2015 to rebuild their studio and tend to personal matters, they returned in 2016 with drummer Thomas Kroell Green as a fourth member, just in time to remix classics for their 10th anniversary compilation, “The Vintage Collection” (2018).

And now there is a new album being completed, “Greed”, first teased by the single “One Step Forward” released in April 2024.

]]> POC – It’s No Fun (EP – Scanner / Dark Dimensions) https://www.side-line.com/poc-its-no-fun-ep-scanner-dark-dimensions/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=48349 Genre/Influences: EBM. Format: Digital. Background/Info: POC is a Swedish duo driven by Mika Rossi (Autodafeh,...]]>

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

]]> ‘Click Interview’ with KREIGN: ‘I Like That It Is Simple And Minimal’ https://www.side-line.com/click-interview-with-kreign-i-like-that-it-is-simple-and-minimal/ Sat, 27 Feb 2021 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=29262 KREIGN is an American set up in 2010 by featuring Ryan Hutman and Xiån Austin....]]>

KREIGN is an American set up in 2010 by featuring Ryan Hutman and Xiån Austin. They met thanks to a mutual friend. Ryan was involved with HARDWIRE and in search of a drummer. Xiån was drumming for Sang:Rael and Alter Der Ruine at the time and finally joined HARDWIRE. Some HARDWIRE songs were pretty EBM-driven, which was the reason to start a side-project. KREIGN was born and asked Dave Strand (THE STRAND) to join in as singer. But he finally decided to move on with THE STRAND. Being a side project, KREIGN didn’t really move anywhere for 10 years even though they had quite a few songs started and set aside. But KREIGN finally released their self-titled and self-released debut album in 2020, which got rapidly re-released by Scanner (Dark Dimensions). The work is a powerful mix of good-old EBM with an impressive sophisticated production on top. “Kreign II” is a true masterpiece and one of the best EBM releases from the past years.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: KREIGN has been set up as a tribute to ‘old-school’ EBM. What makes this ‘old-school’ style that special and what do you like in EBM sound? 

Ryan: It evokes aggression from me and I like that. I like the groove. I like that it is simple and minimal. 

Xiån: I grew up a New-Waver… in Utah of all places. My first glimpse of EBM and I’m not sure  if it could be categorized as such, but it was MINISTRY’s “Twitch”-album. I could not stop listening to “We Believe”. It was the driving bassline and simplicity of the beat that gripped me. I wanted to hear more. I was now on the hunt for something similar. Back then there was no Internet. The only way to find new music at the time was via magazines, clubs and/or word of mouth. A friend of mine had a DJ buddy in New York City. He would send him mixtapes of music he was spinning. I discovered bands like FRONT 242, NITZER EBB, DAF, PANKOW, SKINNY PUPPY, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY and more. I would comb through record stores for hours and I would buy anything with cool cover art that looked Industrial or EBM. That’s how I discovered the now legendary Wax Trax Records. 

In the late 80’s, early 90’s, Salt Lake City spawned a killer Industrial club called ‘The Pompadour’. We would go religiously every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. The DJ was awesome and he knew his shit. Funny thinking about it now, he was probably more annoyed at the fact that, almost every song, we’d go to the booth and ask who he was spinning. Haha! 

Q: You guys got both involved with HARDWIRE while you were still active in other projects as well. What did you learn out of these previous experiences and what makes the difference with KREIGN? 

Ryan: Jonah from HARDWIRE taught me to not always use the ‘easy’ word to make a rhyme and to put more thought into my lyrics. Now, I am proud of my lyrics, even though they are usually simple. I can say more with less words. 

Mike from HARDWIRE and I learned early on that a live drummer can take a show to the next level. Even though I admit I suck at playing drums, I do it for KREIGN when Xiån sings “Disco King” and “In That Frame Of Mind”.

Xiån: I learned that it’s very difficult to manage multiple projects. Haha! All good though, the experience was worth every moment. I enjoyed traveling, playing shows and meeting cool peeps. As far as the difference with KREIGN, I think Ryan and I have very similar mindsets. When we hook up to write, it just flows. It’s a freak of nature I suppose.

Q: Old-school EBM often sounds simple and powerful; solid bass lines mixed with a danceable tempo plus harsh vocals and eventually metallic percussion parts. I consider KREIGN as one of the first bands breaking the codes; your music being definitely old-school like, but much more sophisticated and elaborated. Tell us a bit more about ‘sound’ and writing/production of the songs? 

Ryan: I figured out how to bend notes with soft synths in Cubase and I couldn’t stop doing it. We then translated that forced portamento back into the Nord Lead 2. Then Xiån and I would grab a few knobs on the Nord while the computer played the midi and recorded whatever we thought sounded cool. Fucking with FM, octave selector, pitch, and cutoff was so fun. We couldn’t do it without four hands on it and us laughing at the crazy sounds it made as we pushed the keyboard to it’s limits. It became a signature bass sound in most of the songs. It is rare for us to leave a bass sound without at least messing with the cutoff. Almost every sound is modulated by hand or is programmed to modulate.

Our formula also includes a few other hallmarks like basslines that play for just one verse, break downs that go to ultra minimal and then build up bigger, random sounds that only happen once in the song, ambient creepy background noise, and lead synth lines.

Q: How did the self-titled debut album “Kreign” see the daylight? What have been the influences, triggers, maybe references, lyrical themes and criteria to achieve the album? 

Ryan: I was really influenced by WULFBAND and GESSAFELSTEIN. I went back through a bunch of our songs and randomly detuned them after hearing WULFBAND for the first time. GESSAFELSTEIN influenced me to go back and crank the treble on the synths.

Lyrically, most of the songs have an upbeat message about how to deal with stress, anxiety, and tragedy. “Live Fast” is about my love for my Harley Davidson. “Disco King” is a fun song written with tongue in cheek.

Xiån: The push came from our good  friends in HOCICO. Erk invited us to play a show with them in Mexico City. We couldn’t decline the offer. We only had a couple finished tracks at that time. I think we had three or four months to complete the album, learn the songs, and rehearse them enough to perform a decent show.

It was an amazing experience. To this day I can’t believe we pulled that one off. (Still breathing heavy)…

Q: The limited edition of the album is something really special featuring only great remixes by mainly great names from the EBM scene. How did this bonus disc see the daylight and tell us a bit more about the different artists and the remixes they made?

Ryan: We had previously done a remix CD and an EP with some remixes with HARDWIRE. We met Jürgen Engler first through Facebook when we asked him to remix HARDWIRE. We got to meet him in person on the FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY-tour. When we asked him to take a look at KREIGN, he liked it and wanted to remix “5 Layers Of Chaos”. He also wanted to sing a duet with Xiån on “Disco King”. I thought it would be cool if he would sing it in German and he agreed, even though he was unsure if German lyrics would even fit the song. I think it sounds perfect. 

I had worked with REACHING FOR SHADOWS on some of the songs on her debut album. We met SPANKTHENUN, NZ, and NOVA STATE MACHINE through Facebook and Bandcamp. As much as I hate Facebook, sometimes it comes in real handy. 

Xiån: Peter ELM and I have been friends for many years. He was one of the first people we asked to do a remix. His amazingness never fails. A number of years ago I was invited to play drums for VOLVO:242 (a side-project of SPETSNAZ) at ‘Familientreffen 5’ back in 2009 (there’s a couple of cornball videos on YouTube) and I met the guys in AUTODAFEH who were also on the bill. These guys are top notch! Loved their music and performance. They later asked me to play drums on a couple tracks for their upcoming album, “Identity Unknown”. (“Evil Doll & Love Hate” and “Pain” to be exact). I was honored to do so.

Q: 2020 has been for sure a horrible year to release a debut album. How do you experience the pandemic versus your artistic activities? And what are the plans for post-Covid 19?  

Ryan: We would like to play more shows. We did a livestream show called “Isolation Room” and it was fun, but it was in an empty room. We usually feed off of the energy of the audience. It pushes us further to perform harder. We’d like to eventually play shows in Europe.

Xiån: Luckily we’ve stayed healthy throughout the pandemic and have spent a lot of time in the studio writing for our next album. Hope you will all stay tuned. New ideas and sounds are brewing…

]]> Kreign – Kreign II (Album – Scanner / Dark Dimensions) https://www.side-line.com/kreign-kreign-ii-album-scanner-dark-dimensions/ Sat, 09 Jan 2021 20:30:00 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=28642 Genre/Influences: EBM. Format: Digital, 2 CD. Background/Info: Kreign is an American duo set up in...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital, 2 CD.

Background/Info: Kreign is an American duo set up in 2010 by Ryan Hutman (still involved with Hardwire) and Xiån Austin (also involved with hardwire and ex-member of Alter Der Ruine and Dust Is Noise). They set up this band as a tribute to old-school EBM. Earlier this year they self-released a self-titled album featuring ten songs. They got signed to Scanner, which re-released this album while there’s an extra disc available with remixes.

Content: Kreign deals with a solid old-school EBM basis, which is driven by solid bass lines, heavy rhythms and powerful vocals. This basis has been mixed with sophisticated sound treatments, even featuring Acid-like sequences. The songs are all extremely powerful; there’s just one short instrumental break. Two songs are featuring The Strand.

The second disc features 9 remixes by some renowned EBM names such as Die Krupps plus Jürgen Engler, but still established names such as Autodafeh, NZ and Elm. There’s also a remix by Nova State Machine while Kreign remixed 3 songs as well.

+ + + : This album left me literally breathless. I’ve already heard great EBM productions after Nitzer Ebb; thinking of Orange Sector, Spetsnaz or more recently NZ. But Kreign moves a step further by achieving retro-EBM together with intelligent sound treatments. It’s hard to find this kind of powerful EBM with such a sophisticated composition. It’s powerful and crafted with genius. Kreign elevates EBM to a higher artistic degree. The sound treatments are simply amazing; from the heavy, menacing bass lines to the more complex sequences, which together with the enraged vocals will sound like a smack in your face. And there’s more… It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed an extra disc with so many remixes. Kreign not only asked talented projects and great names, but there’s something to say about each remix. I however have a preference for “Building You Back” remixed by NZ and “Live Fast” remixed by Autodafeh. There’s also a cool remix of “Layers Of Chaos” by Die Krupps.

– – – : Both songs featuring The Strand are the only ones that couldn’t convince me a same way, but I’m not saying these songs are worse!

Conclusion: Kreign took me by surprise, unleashing nothing, but a masterpiece of phenomenal old-styled EBM with an intelligent writing.

Best songs: “Add It Up”, “5 Layers Of Chaos”, “Shit Storm”, “Disco King”, “Lost Purpose” + “Live Fast – Remixed by Autodafeh”, “Building You Back – NZRMX”, “Layers Of Chaos – Die Krupps Remix by Jürgen Engler”, “Shit Storm – Reaching For Shadows Mix”.

Rate: (9).

Artist: www.facebook.com/kreignmusic

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

]]> V/A A Human Scan(ner) – The 20th Anniversary Compilation (Album – Scanner / Dark Dimensions) https://www.side-line.com/v-a-a-human-scanner-the-20th-anniversary-compilation-album-scanner-dark-dimensions/ Fri, 08 Jan 2021 20:30:00 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=28636 Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro, Electro-Pop, Body-Pop, Electro-Wave. Format: Digital, 2 CD. Background/Info: Scanner is a subdivision...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro, Electro-Pop, Body-Pop, Electro-Wave.

Format: Digital, 2 CD.

Background/Info: Scanner is a subdivision of Dark Dimensions, which this year celebrates its twentieth anniversary. Set up by Francesco D’Angelo, Scanner has been always and mainly devoted to Electronic genres like EBM, Dark-Electro and Electro-Pop. The compilation features twenty six artists and songs reminding us of the great artists from this label.

Artists: Gin Devo, BhamBhamHara, Autodafeh, Kreign, DSTR, Fractal Age, Destin Fragile, Blue Images, Twins In Fear, Cyan Inc, Vomito Negro, [:SITD:], Eden Synthetic Corps, Mechanical Moth, Centhron, Intent:Outtake, Disorder:Mankind, Das Werk, X-Fusion, Spetsnaz, Grausame Töchter, Epinephrin, Black Heaven, A Spell Inside, Absurd Minds, Straftanz. 

Content: This sampler is a perfect way to (re)discover the Scanner label roaster, which features some great EBM names such as Autodafeh and Spetsnaz while other names such as [:SITD:], Vomito Negro + Gin Devo, Eden Synthetic Corps and Absurd Minds were more active in a darker EBM format, getting pretty close with pure Dark-Electro. Centhron and X-Fusion are for sure Dark-Electro! Other bands like BhamBhamHara and Straftanz are more representative of the progressive (Techno)-EBM format. A Spell Inside remains one of the ‘oldest’ bands from the roster and still one of the few to deal with Electro-Pop. And then there’s Grausame Töchter, which remains a very unique experience in sound. The compilation also features a few bands we’ve a bit forgotten like Fractal Age, Destin Fragile, Epinephrin. It’s also a while ago we’ve heard something from Cyan Inc. And there’re new signatures like the promising EBM formation Kreign and the Experimental-Electro Twins In Fear plus a few totally unknown names like Das Werk and Disorder:Mankind.

+ + + : When you take a brief look at the names featured at this compilation you can only, but agree Scanner has been for numerous years one of the leading labels from the Dark-Electro scene. But this compilation becomes really interesting when you’ll know that nearly all of the tracks are exclusive ones and/or rare edits. Frank D’Angelo always has had a nose to sign great artists, Kreign being the new sensation! My favorite cuts from the album are the ones by X-Fusion and Grausame Töchter remixed by And One.

– – – : This compilation doesn’t cover the entire Scanner roster, which says something about the Electronic welfare from the label. Some artists that haven’t been featured (because they’re no longer part of the label) are Amnistia, Stromkern, Distorted Reality, Sleepwalk, Page 12, The Eternal Afflict, Cycloon, Sara Noxx, Re:Work, Spiritual Reality, Inside, Das Präparat.. More than enough to fill an extra disc and they all are still part of this great label’s history.

Conclusion: This compilation is a part of history; 20 years of great underground music by Scanner!

Best bands: X-Fusion, Grausame Töchter, Autodafeh, Straftanz, BhamBhamHara, [:SITD:].

Rate: (8½).

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

]]> Pouppée Fabrikk – EKM Anthology 1989-2019 (Box – Alfa Matrix) https://www.side-line.com/pouppee-fabrikk-ekm-anthology-1989-2019-box-alfa-matrix/ Thu, 31 Dec 2020 20:30:00 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=28493 Genre/Influences: EBM, Electro-Metal. Format: Digital, 6 CD Box. Background/Info: Swedish cult EBM formation Pouppée Fabrikk...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM, Electro-Metal.

Format: Digital, 6 CD Box.

Background/Info: Swedish cult EBM formation Pouppée Fabrikk struck back earlier this year by the phenomenal and dynamic EBM album “Airmen”. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic the band couldn’t play live again and released this massive Box instead. EKM stands for ‘Electronics Kroppsmusik’, which is the name they used to define their music. Anthology refers to thirty years of Pouppée Fabrikk; songs that were originally composed in between 1989 and 2019. This impressive anthology features 94 songs; taken from their albums, EP’s, but still some exclusive remixes, live tracks, rehearsal edits and demo cuts. The fans get 42 exclusive songs!

Content: Pouppée Fabrikk can be easily defined as an EBM master; a band that left a trademark in EBM history. Often compared with bands like Nitzer Ebb and DAF for the straight forward and merciless EBM they later on injected guitar playing and Metal influences getting them closer to Die Krupps. But this anthology first of all reveals that Pouppée Fabrikk still has a very own sound DNA, the kind of band that you instantly recognize for their solid bass lines, dark and disturbing sphere, heavy rhythmic and deep growls. But Pouppée Fabrikk also had something pretty Punk-like.

This Box is a way to get back to early and essential albums “Rage” and “Portent” plus the first EP’s “Summoning” and “Betrayal”, pure and unpolished, raw EBM with a Punk attitude. The next releases “We Have Come To Drop Bombs”, “Djävulen” and “Your Pain – Our Gain” revealed a sound in evolution; EBM getting mixed with furious guitar riffs becoming more Metal-like. The album “The Dirt” released in 2013 was a kind of move back to the roots.

Songs from later EP’s like “I Want Candy”, “Elite Electronics”, “Bring Back The Ways Of Old” and “H8 U” have been featured as well. Most of the exclusive songs are demo edits from some of their most famous tracks, but also exclusive remixes by Plastic Noise Experience, Nexus Kenosis and Angst, next to other remixes by Spetsnaz, Blush Response, Kant Kino, Aesthetische, Autodafeh and Polyfuse. And you’ll discover some live recordings from the early years; from 1989, 1991 and 1994.

+ + + : No need to say this Box is an absolute must have for the Pouppée Fabrikk fans. It’s a complete anthology getting us back to the band’s greatest hits, but still an opportunity to discover numerous exclusive songs. This legendary band deserves such an artistic box. The work also is an opportunity to see how the band evolved throughout the years; from the brute and unpolished “Rage” to the more accomplished “Portent” to the Punkish “We Have Come to Drop Bombs” to the Metal-orientated “Djavülen” and “Your Pain Our Gain” to the move back to EBM “The Dirt” while reminding us of essential EP’s like “Summoning”, “Betrayal” and “I Want Candy”. Pouppée Fabrikk is not just EBM, it’s a band with a very own and easy recognizable sound. Probably one of the darkest and hardest retro-EBM bands. 2020 has been the year of Pouppée Fabrikk! We first get this great new album “Armén” featuring core members Henrik Nordvargr Björkk, Leif Holm and Jouni Ollila working back together, but now there’s this great retrospective. It’s also interesting to know your favorite Pouppée Fabrikk song; mine will always be “Die Jugend” from the EP “Summoning”. Among the multiple remixes, I’ll mention the great job done by Autodafeh remixing “Bring Back The Ways Of Old”, originally released on the same-titled EP. 

– – – : The less convincing part of the work is the live recordings; the songs were previously unreleased, but unfortunately suffering from a poor sound quality.

Conclusion: There’s no better way resuming this album –and the entire work of Pouppée Fabrikk, than the title of their debut album: Rage!

Best songs: “Die Jugend”, “Retrospect”, “T.O.D.N.”, “Keine Zukunft”, “Summon The Spirits”, “Where Are You?”, “Bring Back The Ways Of Old – Autodafeh Remix”.

Rate: (9).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Pouppée-Fabrikk-100329766260

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix

]]> Italian darkwave act Klonavenus returns with ‘motion:less’ album later this month incl. Templebeat remix https://www.side-line.com/italian-darkwave-act-klonavenus-returns-with-motionless-album-later-this-month-incl-templebeat-remix/ Wed, 09 Sep 2020 16:54:38 +0000 https://www.side-line.com/?p=26933 Out via Space Race Records on September 25th is the return of the Klonavenus to...]]>
Italian darkwave act Klonavenus returns with 'motion:less' album later this month incl. Templebeat remix

Out via Space Race Records on September 25th is the return of the Klonavenus to the scene with the album “motion:less”. The project consists of Paolo Chemnitz and Saffio and the duo here present their 3rd album.

Expect 11 songs offering a combination of EBM, darkwave, synthpop and industrial. Also included are remixes by A Copy For Collapse and legendary Italian Electro/EBM-combo Templebeat.

From Italy with dark wave love

Klonavenus was formed in Rome in 2005 by Saffio (music & programming) and Paolo Chemnitz (vocals & lyrics). After two demos, the duo signed a contract with The Fossil Dungeon label and released “Metropolights” in 2007. One year later the band released a compilation of previously unreleased tracks. In 2010 they returned with the single, “The Loser” while held remixes by Dismantled, Autodafeh and Ginger Snap5.

In the Winter of 2013, Klonavenus released the official video for “Electro Body Killer”, directed by the Italian independent filmaker Domiziano Cristopharo. We had to wait until 2015 to see the band’s second album “Angst” being released, recorded in Berlin and mastered in the US by Rob Early (Retrogramme). The album also includes remixes by Spektralized, Cygnosic and Blank.

After two years of silence, Klonavenus released a new EP as a free download (“Last Life On The Left”), then appeared at the end of 2018 in a double compilation (“Complicity Content”) released by the label E|K , with a new song called “Welcome To Violence” featuring the voice of Elisa Tomaselli. At the same time, KV released “We Fly Away”, a 7″ vinyl.

]]> Struck9 – Ritual Body Music (CD Album – EK Product) https://www.side-line.com/struck9-ritual-body-music-cd-album-ek-product/ Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:30:04 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=15284 Genre/Influences: EBM. Background/Info: Struck9 is a Colombian EBM project set up in 2008. After a...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Struck9 is a Colombian EBM project set up in 2008. After a debut album (cf. “Democracy”) released in their homeland on Black Leather Records (2010) the band is now back on track with a new opus. They joined hands with EK Product to unleash their “Ritual Body Music”.

Content: Struck9 stands for pure old-school EBM with a raw and somewhat unpolished production. The sound might remind you of great names such as DAF, Armageddon Dildos and co, but I also have to say this band has a very own approach. The songs are well-crafted and not just an easy and cheap EBM cliché.

Both last songs are remixes by Autodafeh and Atropine.

+ + + : This is retro-EBM, but with a personal style and attitude. The songs might appear ‘classical’, but they’re well-crafted and accomplished with little details like cool bleeps, metal percussion sounds at the right place and simple, but efficient tunes. The album features a succession of great songs and honestly there’s no song to throw away. Struck9 doesn’t reinvent EBM, but will please all lovers of the genre by this outstanding work.

– – – : The unpolished sound production is pretty vintage-like, but it took me a few minutes to get used to it. I think a more contemporary (and professional) production would give an extra to the album although the spirit would maybe be different. It’s a bit the same for the production of the vocals. So in the end it’s pure old-styled EBM in influences and production. The remixes of Autodafeh and Atropine are cool, but I personally prefer the original versions.

Conclusion: Struck9 doesn’t innovate, but this album is absolutely phenomenal. I even dare to say one of the best EBM releases I’ve heard in months!

Best songs: “No Fracking U.S.A.”, “Kapital”, “Resist”, “Bodytemple”, “Ritual Body Music”, “Interconnected”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.struck9.com / www.facebook.com/strucknine

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

]]> Autodafeh – The Vintage Collection (CD Album – EK Product) https://www.side-line.com/autodafeh-the-vintage-collection-cd-album-ek-product/ Sat, 31 Mar 2018 19:30:39 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=14549 Genre/Influences: EBM. Background/Info: Mika Rossi, Jesper Nilsson and Anders Olsson are celebrating the 10th anniversary...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Mika Rossi, Jesper Nilsson and Anders Olsson are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their EBM brainchild commonly known as ‘Autodafeh’. The band has released 5 albums and 2 EP’s and are actually working on their new opus planned to be released this year. “The Vintage Collection” as the title indicates is a collection or compilation or simply a ‘best of’ album featuring remixed songs (by Autodafeh) taken from all their releases. The album features 14 songs while the vinyl edition only features 10 cuts.

Content: Autodafeh definitely is one of the most recognized and praised contemporary EBM bands. The Swedish formation (also involved with Agrezzior) has been always been strongly inspired by the work of Front 242 and that’s an element you’ll rapidly notice. Every single song reminds me of a track from the impressive ‘242’ discography, but it has been adapted into an own approach. The songs are driven by danceable kicks, typical electro-body sequences, good-old spoken samplings and vocals in the style of Jean-Luc Demeyer and Richard 23.

+ + + : Autodafeh is to Front 242 what Spetsnaz is to Nitzer Ebb! You could say ‘a copyist’, but I think that would be offending the genius of Mika Rossi and his mates. The work is the result of great sound treatments, intelligent structures, carrying melody lines and the right BPM’s to get you into a frenetic dance. The shadow of Front 242 supports the entire work, but the composition is styled and more an ode to the Godfathers of EBM. I also want to say a word about the great vocal lines, which are also pretty ‘classical’ like for this kind of music, but still that efficient. The use of a delay and the backings à la Richard 23 are just great.

– – – : Autodafeh has been never dealt with originality, but simply efficiency! I however can imagine some die-hard fans of Front 242 considering this kind of formation as pure blasphemy.

Conclusion: If Front 242 is commonly and world-wide known and recognized as being the Godfathers of EBM, Autodafeh is one of the best odes a band has ever accomplished to this formation. That’s why this ‘best of’ is an absolute must-have for EBM fans.

Best songs: “Exercise Your Brain”, “Divided We Fall”, “Retro Electric”, “Heaven Screams”, “Identity Unknown”, “Hunt For Glory”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.autodafeh.com / www.facebook.com/autodafeh

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

 

]]> ‘Click Interview’ with Agrezzior: ‘Agrezzior Is Not Only A Band, It’s Like A Family’ https://www.side-line.com/click-interview-with-agrezzior-agrezzior-is-not-only-a-band-its-like-a-family/ Sat, 17 Feb 2018 18:00:21 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=14074 We all know Swedish duo Mika Rossi – Jesper Nilsson for their involvement with Autodafeh,...]]>

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.

]]> Agrezzior – Strike Back (CD Album – Infacted Recordings) https://www.side-line.com/agrezzior-strike-back-cd-album-infacted-recordings/ Mon, 15 Jan 2018 19:15:48 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=13628 Genre/Influences: EBM. Background/Info: Driven by the creative spirit of the Autodafeh members Mika Rossi and...]]>

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

 

]]> Autodafeh releases limited edition vinyl for ‘The Vintage Collection’ https://www.side-line.com/autodafeh-releases-limited-edition-vinyl-for-the-vintage-collection/ Tue, 02 Jan 2018 20:00:53 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=13528 The Swedish combo Autodafeh returns with “The Vintage Collection” which contains some of the band’s...]]>

Autodafeh releases limited edition vinyl for 'The Vintage Collection'

The Swedish combo Autodafeh returns with “The Vintage Collection” which contains some of the band’s classics plus new songs as well (now that was about time!).

The release also comes out in a limited vinyl version holding 10 tracks: “Identity unknown”, “Religion and Politics”, “Ready to go”, “Hall of Fame”, “Airborne”, “Exercise your Brain”, “Secret Ground”, “Retro Electric”, “No Names” and “Divided we fall”.

You can order this limited vinyl version right here.

Autodafeh was formed in 2007 in the Swedish city of Kristianstad by Mika Rossi, Jesper Nilsson and Anders Olsson.

]]> V/A Electronic Body Matrix II (4 CD Box + Download Card + Alfa Matrix) https://www.side-line.com/v-a-electronic-body-matrix-ii-4-cd-box-download-card-alfa-matrix/ Sat, 25 Nov 2017 19:30:14 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=13080 Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro, techno-body, electro-pop, industrial-rave, minimal-electro, future-pop, electro-industrial. Background/Info: One of the leading labels...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro, techno-body, electro-pop, industrial-rave, minimal-electro, future-pop, electro-industrial.

Background/Info: One of the leading labels of the electronic underground scene is back on track with the second edition of the “Electronic Body Matrix”-series. Six years after the first volume we already get a sonic orgy featuring 4 discs (76 songs) plus a download card featuring 40 extra bands and songs. I also want to express my gratitude to label owner Séba Dolimont for having asked me to make some prospection and tipping bands that finally got a place on this sampler.

Bands: Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, Rhys Fulber, Fixmer/McCarthy, Pouppée Fabrikk, Funker Vogt, Dive, NZ, Orange Sector, Noisuf-X, Komor Kommando, Daniel B, Spetsnaz, Autodafeh, Neurotic Fish, Plastic Noise Experience.

Content: What can I say about a massive compilation featuring 116 songs. The list of bands is too long, but “Electronic Body Matrix” first of all is an impressive cocktail of electronic underground mix. Most of the bands are EBM-inspired, but you also will discover related genres such as future-pop, dark-electro, minimal-electro, industrial-rave and co.

+ + + : The compilation brings some bands back a alive or at least formations we haven’t heard for quite a long time. It also is an opportunity to discover exclusive (re)mixes and I here for example want to mention the remix of Front 242’s “Take One”. It also is an opportunity to discover less familiar names dealing with electronics, which are here in good company. The 4 discs are really great and according to me even the best compilation ever released by the Belgian label!

– – – : I expected a bit more from the download card. The selection of bands is not bad at all, but a level under the CDs. From a very personal point of view, I was not that convinced by the few electro-pop songs, but that’s maybe because there’s no real link with EBM here.

Conclusion: This compilation is an absolute must have or the right gift for a friend who’s discovering this kind of music. A real great compilation from the ‘matrix’ headquarters of electronic music.

Best bands: Fixmer McCarthy, Autodafeh, Dive, Elektroklänge, Pouppée Fabrikk, Neon Electronics.

Rate: (9).

Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix

 

 

]]> Alfa Matrix to launch 2nd volume of massive 116-track strong EBM compilation: ‘Electronic Body Matrix 2’ 4CD Boxset (+ bonus downloads) https://www.side-line.com/alfa-matrix-to-launch-2nd-volume-of-massive-116-track-strong-ebm-compilation-electronic-body-matrix-2-4cd-boxset-bonus-downloads/ Mon, 07 Aug 2017 16:00:20 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=11871 Out of the blue the belgian Alfa Matrix label releases the 2nd volume in their...]]>

Alfa Matrix to launch 2nd volume of massive 116-track strong EBM compilation: 'Electronic Body Matrix 2' 4CD Boxset (+ bonus downloads)

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.

]]> We The North – Endemic (CD EP – Space Race Records) https://www.side-line.com/we-the-north-endemic-cd-ep-space-race-records/ Wed, 12 Oct 2016 18:18:44 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=8241 Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, body-pop. Background/Info: Space Race Records again seems to have found a new promising...]]>

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, body-pop.

We The NorthBackground/Info: Space Race Records again seems to have found a new promising band active in the wider electro-pop fields. Hailing from Scandinavia and set up as a solo-project by Johan Hansson, the artist describes his music as ‘Nordic Noir’. “Endemic” is the first official release featuring 4 songs and 4 remixes.

Content: The sound clearly mixes electro-pop elements and a few harder body-inspired influences. The music is well-crafted and doesn’t sound at all as a first recording. You’ll notice deep, alluring bass lines and some melodic loops while Hansson vocals are clear and powerful. A few melancholic atmospheres can be heard as well.

Among the 4 remixes I especially noticed great contributions from ES23 and especially Mika Rossi (Autodafeh).

+ + + : “Endemic” is a successful debut revealing 2 great songs (cf. “Lost Inside” and “Understand Me”), which are quite elaborated and masterly produced. There’s a perfect match between the music and the vocals. The remix of “Lost Inside” by Mika Rossi is a great piece of minimal electro-pop.

– – – : I can’t say to have heard a real potential hit and that’s a pity. We The North clearly reveals a solid potential carried by a mature production, but I’m missing an extra catchy touch.

Conclusion: “Endemic” features several enjoyable songs and cool remixes as well. I’m looking forward to the debut full length to get a better idea about the real potential of the band.

Best songs: “Lost Inside”, “Understand Me”, “Understand Me – Mika Rossi Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.facebook.com/wethenorthofficial

Label: www.spaceracerecords.com / www.facebook.com/SpaceRaceRecords

 

]]> Elm – Edge (Digital EP – Alfa Matrix) https://www.side-line.com/elm-edge-digital-ep-alfa-matrix/ Thu, 05 May 2016 21:45:44 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=6376 Genre/Influences: EBM. Background/Info: Peter Elm got some recognition under the Restricted Area moniker. This Swedish...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM.

ElmBackground/Info: Peter Elm got some recognition under the Restricted Area moniker. This Swedish artist always moved in between electro-pop and pure EBM releasing multiple noticeable releases. Speaking for myself I’ve always thought that this artist never gained the deserved recognition.

Elm is the new solo-project of this talented artist who was joined by Pontus Stålberg (Spetsnaz) as the producer.

Content: Elm has been announced as 100% EBM. I can only, but confirm the hard and punching old-school EBM formula reminding me of Nitzer Ebb, Spetsnaz, NZ and co. This is a merciless EP served as an appetizer for the upcoming “Hardline”-debut album.

“Edge” is a smashing cut carried by a deep, dry and murderous bass line joined by a danceable cadence and the charismatic vocals of Peter Elm. The duo Elm –  Stålberg stands for experience and total efficiency.

There are 5 remixes of the title song. Next to an “Xtended Mix” and “Punish Mix” we get remixes by Autodafeh, Pouppée Fabrikk and Hardwire. The most atypical and still cool remix is the one by Hardwire featuring furious guitar passages and a mad cadence.

There also is a kind of B-side song reminding me of Restricted Area for the use of French language. It’s a sexual EBM experience once more carried by a great bass line.

+ + + : “Edge” sounds like EBM has to sound; great sound production driven by a heavy bass line, fast sequences, a danceable cadence and great vocals.

– – – : Less remixes of the title song and a bit more remixes of the B-side cut (for example) would have been better for the diversity. “Edge” is a great piece of music although it doesn’t bring any new element to the genre.

Conclusion: The shadow of Douglas McCarthy is lurking from behind the corner and he knows it’s great stuff…

Best songs: “Edge”, “Brofar – X-Edit”, “Edge – Xtended Mix”, “Edge – Remixed by Hardwire”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/elmelectro

.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix

]]> Agrezzior – Berserker (CD Album – Infacted Recordings) https://www.side-line.com/agrezzior-berserker-cd-album-infacted-recordings/ Sun, 24 Jan 2016 15:08:27 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=4719 Genre/Influences: EBM. Background/Info: Five years after their successful and totally old-styled EBM debut album “Domination”...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM.

AgrezziorBackground/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

]]> Astma – 600 Pounds Of Body (DCD Album – Electro Aggression Records) https://www.side-line.com/astma-600-pounds-of-body-dcd-album-electro-aggression-records/ Sat, 02 Jan 2016 23:48:37 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=4414 Genre/Influences: EBM. Content: Astma is a familiar name at the wider fields of EBM. This...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM.

AstmaContent: Astma is a familiar name at the wider fields of EBM. This Swedish formation is not what I would call a leading band in the genre although an interesting combo dealing with hard EBM since 2001, which gained some reputation from their live performances.
Electro Aggression Records gave them the opportunity to release an official full length featuring 23 (!) songs plus an extra disc with some great remixes.

If you’re not familiar with Astma, you can imagine an hybrid between Orange Sector and Pouppée Fabrikk. This is a rather classical ‘hardcore’ version of EBM, which sounds in the purest tradition of the genre. There’s no real innovation, but this kind of EBM definitely appears to be vaccinated against any new element. You better prepare yourself to ‘move your body’ with the 23 (!) songs of the main disc. The tracks are pretty short – in the 2- 3 minute range, but driven by maximum injection of testosterone.

The sound formula is no longer a secret for EBM lovers. You get a fast cadence joined by dry bass lines and some extra metallic percussion plus heavy shouting vocals. It’s as simple as that and it still works. I however can’t say that Astma has the potential to become a new sensation in the genre, but they have the power to make you move. In the end I would say that this is exactly what we expect from this kind of music, isn’t it?

Behind the ‘cliché’ Astma tries to put their own stamp on the EBM sound. It’s not exactly about their sound, but some of their funny lyrical parts, which are more into punk. “Cut It Short” is one of these songs, where they sing about wanting to cut the hair of hippies. One of the hardest cuts is the so-called “New Version” of “A Global Game” featuring a weird chorus about football. Another funny cut is “Body In Japan” for the mishmash of Japanese words. It doesn’t mean that much, but it’s pure fun and it works.

One of my favorite songs is also one of their most elaborate. Astma added a cool, raw lead on “Suffer And Pain”, which adds more elements to the song although it still remains a pretty simple and efficient. I just regret there are no more variations in the songs like on this track.

The 2nd disc will definitely catch your attention if you’re a real EBM freak. Nineteen bands have been asked to make a remix and you’ll discover bands like Signal Aout 42, Armageddon Dildos, The Psychic Force, Plastic Noise Experience, MRDTC, Autodafeh, Invoke The Insult, Cardinal Noire, Serpents, DRP, Brigade Werther, kFactor ao. This is a truly sonic orgy resulting in several great remixes.

In my opinion, one of the best remixes is the one of “Mr. Miller” by Full Contact 69. This is not exactly the most famous name on the list, but maybe the most creative one revealing a minimal EBM touch reminding me a bit of PNE. Other noticeable remixes have been accomplished by Plastic Noise Experience, Autodafeh and Invoke The Insult. The bands injected their own touch to the work, which brings more diversity to this disc.

Conclusion: A stereotypical-, but solid EBM release with an impressive list of remixes.

Best songs: “Suffer And Pain”, “Cut It Short”, “Tune In The ESP”, “Body In Japan”, “A Global Game – New Version” +” Mr. Miller – Full Contact 69 Remix”, “Suffer And Pain – Autodafeh Remix”.

Rate: (DP:7½)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/Astma-164850410224999

Label: www.electroaggressionrecords.com / www.facebook.com/ElectroAggressionRecords

]]> Autodafeh – Digital Citizens (CD Album – Scanner) https://www.side-line.com/autodafeh-digital-citizens-cd-album-scanner/ Mon, 25 May 2015 13:29:42 +0000 http://www.side-line.com/?p=825 Genre/Influences: EBM. Content: This is album number 5 for the Swedish EBM formation. Autodafeh became...]]>

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Autodafeh – Digital Citizens (CD Album – Scanner)Content: This is album number 5 for the Swedish EBM formation. Autodafeh became a rather prolific combo, but where the qualitative element has been always more important than quantity.

After the outstanding previous work “Blackout Scenario” (2013) I was really wondering which direction the new work would take. Their ‘electronic music for body and mind’ remains pretty faithful to the good-old standards in the genre, but the new work has been introduced as mainly inspired by old synthesizers and drum machines from the 80s and 90s. That’s not really surprising that the trio has been influenced by the early roots of EBM, which often reminded me of bands like Front 242, DAF and co.

So it’s not a coincidence that this work features a cover version of Front 242’s famous and early hit “No Shuffle.” It’s not my favorite song although I’ve to say that the song has been meticulously transformed into the Autodafeh trademark. There only is one ‘242’ and only one Autodafeh! That’s precisely what the band of Mika Rossi shows from the very first notes till the last song. It’s pure body music featuring a modern touch while inspired by the early years of the music genre. The songs are powerful and mainly carried by solid bass lines, elaborate sequences and danceable rhythms. I like most of the dry snare drums, which remind me of the 80s standards.

Both debut songs are pretty cool, but just appetizers for what’s coming next. “Conflict” and especially the title song (which you might have discovered at the previously released and self-titled EP) both are outstanding compositions. This is intelligent body music empowered by raw, synthetic leads and a kind of technoid touch emerging on “Digital Citizens.” There also is a kind of guitar-like electro sound arrangement injecting a misty atmosphere.

The album next moves into rough EBM fields driven by Klinik-al sounds (cf. “Legacy”) till a somewhat dreamy-like creation (cf. “Fatamorgana”), which is more like a kind of break in the midst of furious songs. “No Future” is one of the main ‘old-styled’ songs, which clearly reminds me of the good-old years of Front 242.

The last part of this album (featuring 13 songs) reveals a few more noticeable cuts. But Autodafeh is more than simply an EBM-inspired formation. They also reveal –and confirm, their fine nose for great sound arrangements and impressive sound creation. “Carpe Diem” and “Set Me Free” both are hard and merciless smashers.

Conclusion: I’ve never been disappointed by the work of Autodafeh and their “Digital Citizens” again brings me full satisfaction. This album confirms the growing status of Autodafeh, which belongs to the best contemporary groups in the genre.

Best songs: “Conflict”, “Digital Citizens”, “Game Of Life”, “No Future”, “Carpe Diem”, “Set Me Free”.

Rate: (DP:8½)DP.

Band: http://autodafeh.com / www.facebook.com/autodafeh?ref=ts&v=wall

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

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