Genre/Influences: Doom-Metal, Cinematographic, Industrial.

Format: Digital, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Modder is a Belgian formation, which started as a duo and became a trio -featuring members of Barst. This work features four songs.

Content: Modder invites the listener to embark for an extremely dark trip, which is carried by Doom- and so-called Sludge-Metal influences. There’s an apocalyptic fusion between guitar play and drums. Bombastic and definitely Cinematographic for its instrumental edit, this album sounds like hell.

+ + + : This music is not only Metal-driven, but still has something obscure and tormented reminding Industrial pioneers. The tracks are moving crescendo accompanied by heavy, bombastic drums leading the listener into a state of approximate trance. I have a preference for the last tracks, which sounds a bit more diversified.

– – – : I’m sometimes missing a few vocals and/or experiments with vocals or spoken samplings; just a word or a shout would be cool.

Conclusion: Modder brings you sonic obscurity; a dark trip symbolizing the dark ages we’re going through. 

Best songs: “When Your Bones Weren’t Meant To be”, “Wax Rituals”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/modder666

Labels: http://consouling.be / www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds / www.LayBareRecordings.com / www.facebook.com/laybarerecordings

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Industrial, experimental.

Background/Info: Bart Desmet better known as Barst is now active for a couple of years and has released several interesting productions. 

Content: Barst seems to experiment with new sonic elements on each new production. The dark and industrial sound remains the basis of the work, but each time again there’s something different and even surprising. This work featuring 4 cuts is dominated by heavy, industrial guitar, but evolves towards a kind of post/apocalyptic rock when adding some vocal lines. The songs have been progressively built up until reaching their ultimate state of explosion. 

+ + + : Barst songs are progressively built up. The guitar playing is absolutely impressive, creating a harsh industrial sensation while repetitive drum sections and spooky vocals are joining in. It creates a kind of industrial ‘big bang’ finding its apotheosis at “I Die – Live Long” and “Mad – Total Recall: Roadkill”. But the main strength of Barst is the very unique sound approach!

– – – : The single song that couldn’t totally convince me also is the longest one (cf. “The Fields: Final Chapter /Valhaal”), which doesn’t really end into a climax. I would have liked to get more songs!

Conclusion: Barst simply confirms to be one of the most creative and I even dare to say ‘visionary’ artists from the contemporary industrial/rock/drone scene.

Best songs: “I Die – Live Long”, “Mad – Total Recall: Roadkill”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/BARSTmaker

Label: http://consouling.be / www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient.

Background/Info: ‘Dehn Sora’ (real name Vincent Petitjean) is now active under the Treha Sektori moniker for more than ten years. He mainly released his work on Cyclic Law, and also on the Belgian label Consouling Sounds. He likes working together with other artists (Barst, Innerwoud, Muhd…), but of course still releases solo-material. This album is a fine selection from previously unreleased songs that have been composed for  film and video, and tracks that were originally released on vinyl, compilations etc.

Content: The title track opening the album was originally released on the mini-CD + book “The Sensation Of Being One Of them” featuring Muhd. It’s pretty representative for the obscure sound universe of this French artist who next to music is also involved with visual arts. Quite progressively we’re walking through a bombastic sound universe, sometimes joined by whispering, ghost-like voices and a constant mysterious and anguished atmospheres.

+ + + : Treha Sektori is something like a spider; he patiently composed his tracks like spinning a web. Quite progressively you’ll hear new sounds and noises joining in. The percussion parts are an essential aspect, reinforcing the industrial influence. I also enjoy the whispering voices, which are reinforcing the feeling of disaster hanging over the work. It also is a perfect disc to discover with headphones. It will give you a better view about the multiple little details and noises the tracks have been composed with.

– – – : I like the global progression running through the song, which moves crescendo, but which is sometimes missing a truly climax. Let’s not forget this album is a selection of mainly previously released material, but I’m sure Treha Sektori has more potential to discover.

Conclusion: This album looks more like a collector’s item for the fans of Treha Sektori, but it also is an opportunity to discover a fascinating sound universe.

Best songs: “The Sense Of Dust And Sheer”, “Onverth Emh”, “Sahe Fernah”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/trehasektori

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental, neo-classic.

Background/Info: “Haven” resulted from the common efforts between Pieter-Jan Van Assche (Innerwoud) on double bass and soprano Astrid Stockman. Most of you are probably more familiar with the work of Innerwoud who worked together with artists such as Barst and Treha Sektori.

Content: This album has something of an artistic intercourse between the melancholia and reverie of the double bass and the magic of Astrid’s vocals. Both Belgian artists are simply complementary accomplishing a deeply artistic work. But the album is much more than simply neo-classic music. It also has something experimental as some extra noises have been added here and there.

+ + + : The double bass is not the same as a cello, but there’s a similar emotion coming out. This melancholia creates a delicious symbiosis with the artistically trained vocals of Astrid Stockman. The songs have this transcendental power that makes you forget all daily misery. You feel like you have entered into another world, which is dark, but offers feelings of relief.

– – – : The album features 4 cuts. Only one single track (cf. “Elegy III”) can’t convince me; it’s short instrumental cut without real interest.

Conclusion: Music is emotion and the emotion I feel when listening to “Haven” is sadness. And believe it or not, but sadness can become beautiful and even deeply artistic.

Best songs: “Elegy IV”, “Elegy I”, “Elegy II”.

Rate: (8).

Artists: www.innerwoud.com / www.facebook.com/innerwoud / www.astridstocman.be / www.facebook.com/astridstockmansopraan

Label: http://consouling.be / www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Industrial, apocalyptic-rock, experimental.

Background/Info: Bart Desmet aka Barst is back on track unleashing his newest album “The Endeavour”. The Belgian artist got the help of several guest artists such as Niels Brown (Vonnis), Gregory Simons (Vonnis, Arise Fair Sun), Messy Mathi, Mathlovsky, Tokyo Oyo, William Lacalmontie (OVTRENOIR) and Mike Armine (Rosetta).

Content: The work of Barst remains a fascinating experience and a truly sonic exploration covering different influences. From an experimental new-wave like soundtrack to heavier industrial passages to pure apocalyptic-rock, “The Endeavour” progressively becomes a truly sonic enigma. Electronics and guitar, but also passages featuring violin, piano and drums are coming together in a dark-harmonious creation with male- and female vocals on top.

+ + + : Barst is a project, which is nearly impossible to label. It reveals an original sound approach, which I’ve always liked. Barst deals with a very personal sound perception as a wink to different music styles. The work is very eclectic and that’s probably also because of the numerous guest artists. This way Bart Desmet became a kind of visionary choir master. The production of the different vocalists also is a noticeable aspect of the album. Most of the vocals feel a bit like compressed, becoming an extra element next to the music. It also creates a ghost-like effect on several songs.

– – – : There’s an interesting progression in the tracklist, but the last track unfortunately doesn’t bring the expected apotheosis. I would not have placed this song to end the album.

Conclusion: Barst is a kind of sound alien covering dark influences and mostly labeled among industrial- and experimental artists. “The Endeavour” however proves it first of all remains a very atypical, but mesmerizing sound trip.

Best songs: “Point B”, “The Mad”, “Beyond The Fields”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/BARSTmaker

Label: http://consouling.be / www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental, abstract, krautrock, cinematographic.

Background/Info: This Belgian project is the meeting between Bart Desmet better known as Barst (BRST) and drummer Karen Willems (KRN) and features female poet Sofie Verdoodt and photographer Jeroen Jacobs. This is the self-titled debut work of this somewhat improvised collective, which was recorded in a kind of garage/hall in just one day.

Content: This work is a kind of improvisation, which clearly sounds experimental and abstract-like, but still featuring elements of industrial music and apocalyptic- and/or krautrock. The work consists of one single cut that has been progressively built up, revealing different passages on, which drums, electronics and guitar playing join in. But there also is the Flemish poetry of Sofie Verdoodt, which totally fits with the experimental approach of the sound.

+ + + : To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of improvised music sessions resulting in a record. I however have to admit this work features exciting passages, the music being progressively built up and harmonized between both musicians. The poetry adds something dramatic and mysterious to the sound. It sounds dark, a bit painful and existential, but still a deeper reflection of the society we’re living in. I also have to say a word about the artwork. This album is a digipak featuring an inside booklet with pictures of the artists during the recording session.

– – – : This is the kind of work appealing for a restricted number of music lovers, but in the end I’m sure there’s an audience for this kind of experiment. It however is the kind of release you gone like or not; there’s no way in between.

Conclusion: Experimental music can be fascinating and especially diversified. It also reveals a kind of artistic concept between different artists and that’s an experience I’ve always loved and supported.

Best songs: “#BRSTKRN”.

Rate: (7).

Bands: www.facebook.com/BARSTmaker / www.facebook.com/karen.willems.5

Label: www.wool–e–shop.be / www.facebook.com/woolediscs

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Experimental, dark-ambient, cinematographic, industrial, ritual.

Background/Info: Italian label Unexplained Sound Group is used to familiarizing us with compilations based on the underground scene of one ‘target’ country. The label now invites us to visit the experimental scene from my own country featuring 26 (!) Belgian bands. The sampler saw the light of day thanks to the contribution of Peter Verwimp who’s active in different formations and featured on this new series by Ashtoreth.

Bands: Barts + Treha Sektori, Yannick Franck, Ripit, Hybryds, Ashtoreth, TraumaSutra, Fissures, Innerwoud, Aponogeton, Owann, TZII, Stratosphere ao.

Content: The titled indicates a vision on the ‘experimental’ scene, but this sampler has much more to offer. It’s a travel throughout the most hidden and unknown projects active on the Belgian underground soil. The common ground between all bands is the dark creation of their work, which can be dark-ambient for some, somewhat ritual for others, into cinematographic exposures for some, even minimal-electro like for a few ones and definitely experimental for the rest.

+ + + : The strength of this sampler is its diversity in styles, and also the discovery of unknown bands. You really have to be addicted to experimental underground music to have ever heard of all those bands. Well, that’s precisely what makes the compilation essential for people like me. It’s a kind of sonic documentary revealing several sonic treasures. The biggest treasures –even in music, are not always that far to find. It would take me too long analyzing all of the bands, but I’ve been seduced by anguishing opener by Barst + Treha Sektori, the haunting style of Yannick Franck, the minimal approach from Ripit, the always ritual-sounding Hybryds, the pure filmographic Innerwoud, the subtle treatments from TZII, the minimalism and oriental driven Massimo Amato + Cheri Gao + Peter Wullen and another experiment by Trauma Terrestrial.

– – – : This kind of sampler remains a truly experimental release accessible for a very restricted number of music lovers. Some cuts are very experimental and not always my cup of tea while 26 songs is a sonic orgy you can better avoid if you’re not into this extreme underground format.

Conclusion: Unexplained Sound Group is not the most familiar label from the underground scene although one of the most interesting ones I got the opportunity to discover. This is a label inciting the listener to purchase new bands discovered on this kind of conceptual sampler.

Best bands: Hybryds, Barst + Treha Sektori, Innerwoud, TZII.

Rate: (7½).

Label: www.facebook.com/unexplainedsoundsgroup

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Apocalyptic-rock, ambient, drones.

Background/Info: Set up and driven by Mathieu Vandekerckhove, Syndrome is a familiar name from the Consouling Sounds roster. This Belgian musician has already been active in numerous bands and especially into metal-driven projects like Amenra. “Forever And A Day” is a new opus featuring one single piece.

Content: The composition of Syndrome is pretty soundtrack-like inspired, but meant to please dark music lovers. You’ll immediately get the impression of being imprisoned in a dark-ambient cut carried by tormenting, buzzing tones till the guitar becomes more explicit. We this way reaches a transcendental universe of reverie and psychedelic passages.

The guitar playing is an essential element of this composition, but I also have to mention Vandekerckhove’s deep timbre of voice, which sounds cavernous and anguished.

+ + + : Syndrome reminds me a bit of Barst (another formation signed to Consouling Sounds). There’s a similar taste for dark-ambient & psychedelic sound creation with an explicit cinematographic appeal. The apotheosis of these single tracks is absolutely phenomenal and reminds me a bit of the tormented atmosphere of “The Virgin Suicides”-movie. This composition has been meticulously composed finally creating a disturbing feeling and that feels just great!

– – – : It’s a pity this work only features one single cut. I got an unsaturated feeling at the end, which also means it’s a quite efficient opus.

Conclusion: “Forever And A Day” could have been the perfect soundtrack for a ‘film-noir’ theme. Despair seems to be a great muse for tormented musicians so I don’t know if Mathieu Vandekerckhove will recognize himself by this association, but let’s elevate him to this status!

Best songs: “Forever And A Day”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.facebook.com/syndromechurch

Label: http://consouling.be / www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Apocalyptic-rock, soundtrack, industrial, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: Bart Desmet better known under the Barst moniker is a renowned and recognized Belgian musician who’s already been active for numerous years. In a rather short lapse of time Barst has released several productions on cassette format and split-releases. “The Western Lands” is taken and inspired by a famous novel of William S. Burroughs. The album has been accomplished by the help of numerous musicians like Sal-Ocin (Empusae), Tokyo-Oyo, Herr Man, Karen Willems (Involves), Sloth Prince, Mathlovsky, Fär, Dehn Sora and SP808.

Content: The album reveals five songs that have been meticulously built up reaching a truly sonic apotheosis mainly created by a crescendoing guitar and excelling drumming. The tracks are compact and like sonic puzzle pieces, where one piece can’t live without the other. Some spooky guest vocals can be heard now and then, but they appear to create an extra sound effect instead of real vocal parts.

The writing reveals dense sound layers played by numerous instruments. It’s a mix of electronic- and authentic instruments all together creating an apocalyptic feeling of ambient music or psychedelic-rock.

+ + + : Barst is a band with a unique approach in sound. You can’t really compare this band to classical ambient formations. Barst covers multiple genres, like taking the best from each of them. I was impressed by the harmony between all contributors. The production is elaborate and features numerous climaxes.

– – – : Barst is probably not the most accessible production, clearly experimenting with multiple influences. In the end it’s impossible to label this band as any particular genre, but just as the addition of influences.

Conclusion: William S. Burroughs’ “The Western Lands” has been revisited and transposed into an apocalyptic music sound by Barst. It’s hard to say what poor William thinks about it, but I guess he must be very proud of such an accomplished work.

Best songs: “The Western Lands”, “The Passage”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.barst.eu / www.facebook.com/BARSTmaker

Label: http://consouling.be / www.facebook.com/ConsoulingSounds

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