Beyond The Ghost &#8211; SIDE-LINE

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.

Top 25 albums of the year 2022

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 18:08:55 +0000

(By Stéphane Froidcoeur for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews) 2022 has been once again a sad, bloody and terrible year. Living in a mad world music once more remains a true therapy to appease pain and frustration. Concerts and festivals came back; the perfect place to meet friends again. Artists remain prolific releasing great studio work. So I’m once more closing the year by a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’-albums of the year.

Over 700 productions have been selected while 540 reviews have been made all over the year. Some productions have been refused because the style of music didn’t fit, while other reviews will be postponed to 2023. I’m really grateful to all labels, bands and promoters considering my work and efforts and I hope you’ll go on providing me new promos next year.

I one again have to express my deepest gratitude to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM) who for years and years now is reading, correcting and improving my reviews. Without Rich there would be no reviews. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker – chief redactor Side-Line Music Magazine – for the successful collaboration.

Up now to 2023. I already reduced my activities this year and will move on reducing it in 2023. I made my first reviews and interviews back in 1991 (!). Some of the readers and artists weren’t even born when I wrote my first review for Side-Line. So after more than 30 years non-stop activities I think it’s not that strange to move on slowly.

I also want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who don’t realise and appreciate the work I’m doing by making reviews and preparing interviews to get them in the spotlights. The attitude and less of respect shown by those people – luckily a very few number – is just unacceptable… but I’m afraid it reflects the world we’re living in… Behind a genius artist is not always hiding a great person… It’s quite strange to realise the ’biggest’- and long-time established artists from this scene often are the most accessible ones.

Writing reviews remains very ‘subjective’ and always a source of discussion, but keep in mind it will be always the perception of the reviewer. I can assure you I’m always trying to argue my reviews the best as possible. A review will be never objective, but has to be honest!

Like every year I’ve made a selection from the best albums of the year. This ‘TOP 25’ covers different styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Cinematographic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno and a few related genres. It remains an exciting but tough exercise.

This ‘TOP 25’ is taken from the promotional material I got while compilations, ‘best of’-productions, EP’s and singles were not considered.

So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2022 and don’t forget to share it with your friends….

Top 25 albums 2022

IVARDENSPHERE: “Ragemaker” – Metropolis Records
DIE ROBO SAPIENS : “Robo Sapien Race” – Alfa Matrix
EBE04 : “Inrush – Give/Take
CALDON GLOVER: “Labyrintia” – Cyclic Law
ROME: “Hegemonikon” – Trisol
NEIKKA RPM: “Scorpio In The Hourglass – Alfa Matrix
VANGUARD: “Spectrum” – Infacted Recordings
SUICIDE COMMANDO: “Goddestructor” – Out Of Line
ELM: “Penetrator” – Alfa Matrix
OBERER TOTPUNKT: “Totentanz” – Danse Macabre Records
THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE: “Fascination” – Metropolis Records
BLACKBOOK: “Confessions Of The Innocent” – DarkTunes Music Group
BEYOND THE GHOST: “Sundown” – Cryo Chamber
THEN COMES SILENCE: “Hunger” – Metropolis Records
PRINCIPE VALLIENTE: “Barricades” – Metropolis Records
DAWN OF ASHES: “Scars Of The Broken” – Artoffact Records
MONSTERGOD: “Ozymandias” – Space Race Records
STATIQBLOOM: “Threat” – Sonic Groove Records
AXIOME: “Field Guide To Alien Planets And Other Disco Balls – Audiophob
REICHSFEIND: “Darken” – Alfa Matrix
FIRST AID 4 SOULS: “I Am The Night” – Alfa Matrix
ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO: “Nihilist Notes And The Perputual Quest 4 Meaning In Nothing” – Out Of Line
KILL SHELTER: “Asylum” – Manic Depression Records / Metropolis Records
JAGATH: “Svapna” – Cold Spring Records
KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND: “Voodoo” – Shyrec

‘Click Interview’ with Beyond The Ghost: ‘I Would Like To Have A Sound And Style That People Can Recognize’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Pierre Laplace played in different bands before he set up Beyond The Ghost. The French solo-project got rapidly signed to Cryo Chamber and released five albums plus a collaborative album in between 2019 and 2022. The newest work “Sundown” is the final chapter of the “Europe Series” trilogy. The concept is all about a futuristic and dystopian vision happening in Berlin, London and Rome. Beyond The Ghost released great pieces of Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music, but “Sundown” appears to be the magnum opus. The French artist created an ominous atmosphere by the use of analogue sound treatments and real instruments. Beyond The Ghost is definitely one of the most talented projects in its genre from the past few years. Time for a chat with Pierre Laplace.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I think it’s interesting starting this interview to ask about your music background. You’ve been involved with music and bands/projects which are totally different from Beyond The Ghost. Tell us a bit more about your artistic odyssey and how do you see yourself as musician?

Pierre: I think I’m pretty open-minded as a musician (and music fan as well). I’ve always liked exploring different genres and styles. I started playing New-Wave music when I was 17, I was heavily influenced by The Cure and Joy Division. A few years later, I got into songwriting, playing nylon or folk guitar. I sang and played guitar in a band called Vera Clouzot for 10 years. We started out as a three-piece, with one of my friends playing the cello, which wasn’t very common at the time. We released 2 mostly acoustic albums sung in English, then 2 friends joined us on drums and on bass guitar, and our sound evolved into a mix of atmospheric Ballads and Experimental-Rock music. We released 2 albums sung in French with that line-up. I also released 2 albums of Folk songwriting as Kenyon.

Then I took a break from writing music, started setting up a home studio with no clear idea of what I wanted to do musically. Luckily, I found out that my 15-year-old niece Léonie had a beautiful voice when she played guitar and sang at a family dinner party. We worked together as The Sandman’s Orchestra. I wrote and produced the songs, and Léonie was the lead singer. We released 3 albums of original songs, mostly Atmospheric-Folk, with a touch of Electronic music, and our last album was a cover of “The Ninth Wave”, the B-side to Kate Bush’s classic “Hounds Of Love”-album. It was a huge undertaking and I spent countless hours working on sounds, textures and arrangements.

Q: How did you get in touch with Dark-Ambient and related music genres? What was the main idea and purposes when setting up Beyond The Ghost?

Pierre: Around the time I was working on “The Ninth Wave”. I started listening to Ambient music, as well as Post-Rock stuff and Dark-Jazz. When I started working as Beyond The Ghost, the main idea was to write Cinematic music that would mix organic and electronic sounds, to operate within the realm of Dark-Ambient while being open to the influence of other genres.

Q: Beyond The Ghost clearly is a prolific project as you released five full length albums plus one collaborative album together with Dead Melodies in 3-4 years of time. How do you explain this productivity and how do you go on motivating yourself and getting the inspiration to release new works in such a short lapse of time?

Pierre: Signing to Cryo Chamber was such a great opportunity, it boosted my creativity. I get bored easily, so I like having artistic projects that keep me busy and creative. As soon as an album is finished, I take a couple of weeks to think about what I want to do next, and then I start working on a new album. I find inspiration in different ways, it can be personal stuff I’ve been through, feelings of loneliness and anxiety, or the loss of a loved one for example. Sometimes I’m inspired by some work of art. Most of the time, I play a real or virtual instrument, start improvising and if I find an idea I like, I start building a track around it.

Q: You recently released the “Sundown”-album which is the final chapter of the “Europe Series”-trilogy. Tell us a bit more about this futuristic, dystopian, conceptual work where you invite the listener to visit Berlin, London and Rome in further times? What have been the main sources of inspiration and how did you transpose the concept into sound?

Pierre: After 2 albums that were deeply personal and the fantasy world we explored with Dead Melodies, I wanted to try something different, and I got this idea of working on a trilogy that would evoke the possible decline of Europe in a few decades. Honestly, I don’t know how the concept came to me, it just happened. I liked the idea of the 3 albums taking place in a specific time and place, and it gave me the opportunity to explore different genres, since I wanted each album to have its own sonic identity. Roughly speaking, “The Last Resort” is a noir album influenced by Dark-Jazz with “Twin Peaks” vibes, The “Desolation Age” is a mostly Electronic album that can be labelled as Cyber-Punk, I guess, and “Sundown” is my attempt at mixing Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music in the style of Ennio Morricone.

Q: I consider “Sundown” as your absolute master piece. It reveals a great evolution in the global production process, but also a noticeable symbiosis between electronic sound treatments and authentic instruments. Do you always consider the last album as being the best one? When do you know a track/album is finished?

Pierre:Thank you for the kind words on “Sundown”. It was the album I spent the most time working, and I think it’s my best work yet. My friend Tom of Dead Melodies called it Dark-Ambient spaghetti Western music, which is a great way to describe the album! Besides “Sundown”, I don’t consider my last album as being the best one. I don’t usually think that way. I consider each album as a new sonic venture. I don’t know if I’ve succeeded, but I would like to have a sound and style that people can recognize, and at the same time create albums that have their own identity and are different from one another. I feel that an album is finished when I’m happy with the track sequence, the overall sound and atmosphere.

Q: What are you actually working on and how do you expect Beyond The Ghost evolving throughout the coming years?

Pierre: After “Sundown” was completed, I started working on a new project, but it’s taking me longer than usual, notably because I had to move out, and other stuff got in the way. Now that my home studio is set up in my new house, I’ve resumed working on this new album. The music could go in various directions, but for now it’s a mix of early Electronic sounds, Dark-Ambient and Dark-Jazz.

Beyond The Ghost – Sundown (Album – Cryo Chamber)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-Ambient, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Sundown” is the final chapter in the “Europe Series”-trilogy by French artist Pierre Laplace. It started with “The Last Resort” and a view of Berlin in 2060. The album “The Desolation Age” brought us to London in 2061 while “Sundown” is a dystopian view of Rome in 2062. Aside from this trilogy Beyond The Ghost released two early full lengths and a collaborative work together with Dead Melodies.

Content: Beyond The Ghost moves on exploring dark paths of ambient music. Pierre Laplace created an ominous sound universe mixing authentic sounds like cello and guitar together with vintage electronic treatments. The production features slow rhythms and also passages with ghost-like vocals.

+ + + : Beyond The Ghost accomplished with the “Europe series” a brilliant production. The first two chapters were already noticeable works but “Sundown” definitely appears to be the magnum opus. It’s an original composition mixing Dark-Ambient and Cinematic music together while driven by slow rhythms and intriguing vocals. I’m also addicted to the magic, analogue like, sound treatments while the guitar parts inject a freaky touch. The second part of the album reveals a succession of superb tracks.

– – – : I can’t say this album is hard to label but it definitely brings different influences together so in the end it’s a production for open-minded Dark-Ambient lovers.

Conclusion: Trilogies are always a challenge but Beyond The Ghost has accomplished a true tour de force.

Best songs: “Ghosts Marching Home”, “Obscuration”, “Chiiaroscuro”, “No Way Out Of This Maze”, “Sundown”, “The Darkest Night Ever”.

Rate: 9.

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

Beyond The Ghost – The Desolation Age (Album – Cryo Chamber)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Pierre Laplace strikes back with the second chapter of his trilogy about the “Europe Series”. He previously this year released an album about Berlin in the year 2060 and now travels to London in the year 2061 where ‘ultra-nationalist powers are fighting against each other, trying to conquer more territory and assert their supremacy’.

Content: The album takes off in a rather surprising way revealing a somewhat Kraftwerk-ian sequences surrounded by dark sound vibes and accentuated by strings. It reveals a different approach, which I would label as ‘natural evolution’ in sound, featuring explicit Electro sequences with the familiar dark atmosphere on top. Some passages feature piano like arrangements, but still the icy sound of a trumpet –which was also noticeable at “The Last Resort”.

+ + + : I already enjoyed the previous album of this French artist who simply confirms at “The Desolation Ege”. The futuristic, dystopian theme has been perfectly adapted into a production of dark reverie mixed with more chilling passages. I especially enjoyed the obscure synth parts resulting in a true masterpiece entitled “Pale Conquerors”. Another noticeable track is “Quietus” for its slow, crescendo progression. Last, but not least I also want to mention “Slow Motion Downfall” for the low resonating piano tune and the icy, trumpet part.

– – – : The last track sounds a bit as an antithesis to great album.

Conclusion: This trilogy still has its final chapter to get revealed, but so far, it’s a brilliant production.

Best songs: “Pale Conquerors”, “Quietus”, “Slow Motion Downfall”, “The Desolation Age”, “Exodus”.

Rate: 8½.

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

Beyond The Ghost – The Last Resort (Album – Cryo Chamber)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 18:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This is the third full length by French project Beyond The Ghost. Another album was released in collaboration with Dead Melodies. “The Last Resort” is the first chapter of a trilogy called “Europa Series”. This work is a futuristic story that happened in 2060 in Berlin (Germany). Pierre Laplace got a helping hand from trumpet player Christophe Motury.

Content: The sonic universe of “The Last resort” has a deep and poignant Cinematographic appeal. You get the sensation of watching a ‘film noir’; dark and smoked bars visited by mysterious men. The inhibited composition mixed with the trumpet accentuates the ominous sphere of this album. The tracks also feature delicate arrangements played by piano.

+ + + : Beyond The Ghost is a project that caught my attention since the debut album. It’s not just a cinematographic experience, but the work of an artist adding that little extra on top of his music. This little bonus has been created by the use of authentic instruments, which have a totally different sound than the use of electronic gear and field recordings. All these different ingredients and sound sources create an intimate atmosphere with a pronounced visual strength. The trumpet sounds have something magic, cold and sensual. The first part of the work sounds brilliant and I especially want to mention “A Transient Shelter”, which is an absolute masterpiece.

– – – : The second part of the album is not bad at all, but the best cuts are definitely in the first part.

Conclusion: Beyond The Ghost has probably accomplished its best work to date; a great Cinematographic production for lovers of darkness.

Best songs: “A Transient Shelter”, “The Darkness Before My Eyes”, “Opiated Dreams”, “The Perils Of Dawn”.

Rate: (8½).

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

Cryo Chamber Collaboration – Yig (Album – Cryo Chamber)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:30:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Since 2014, each year we get a “Cryo Chamber Collaboration”-album. It always consists of a collaborative- and conceptual production between label artists paying tribute to the work of H.P. Lovecraft. This latest production has been released at the end of 2020 and features the following artists:Neizvestija, ProtoU, Dronny Darko, RNGMNN, In Quantum, Dead Melodies, Atrium Carceri, Keosz, Northumbria, Beyond The Ghost, Wordclock, God Body Disconnect, Randal Collier-Ford, Hilyard, Council Of Nine, Dahlia’s Tear, Lesa Listvy, Creation VI, Aegri Somnia, Ager Sonus, Ruptured World and Alphaxone.

Content: The work features two extended pieces from 70 and 69 minutes. “Yig 1” is more diversified featuring buzzing noises, passages with slow rhythms, vocal effects, dreamy atmospheres, and field recordings. It’s a pure Cinematographic sensation, which becomes even more explicit on “Yig 2”. We here get an abyssal sensation featuring low sound resonations and progressively evolving into a total ‘film music’ approach refined with piano parts.

+ + + : This collaborative concept remains a unique experience, but also a true tour de force set up and masterly lead by Cryo Chamber’s owner Simon Heath. The common thread of this work is the dark atmospheres reflecting a pure Cinematographic style. It’s a collage of different parts, which all together create a sonic osmosis. I personally prefer the first disc “Yig 1”, which is more diversified and also a bit darker. You don’t really get the feeling listening to tracks of one hour; there’s enough variety resulting in different passages, which are now refined and then rougher. This is the perfect release to accompany a visual performance.

– – – : Even if the production is diversified, there however is a monotonous sphere hanging over the work. I’m missing highlights.

Conclusion: This album once again stands for the true spirit of Cryo Chamber; Cinematographic music around a conceptual theme accomplished by the artists of the label roster.

Best songs: “Yig 1”.

Rate: (7).

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

Dead Melodies & Beyond The Ghost – Crier’s Bane (Album – Cryo Chamber)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 20:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Crier’s Bane” resulted from the common efforts between French artist Pierre Laplace (Beyond The Ghost) and British artist Tom Moore (Dead Melodies). They both are label mates and Tom Moore is used to working on collaborative works.

Content: This work is from start on characterized by a strong inhibited aspect. The sound is dark and prosper, but progressively evolving towards more intriguing passages. You’ll notice screams and chants joining in during the last part of the album. But here again the work remains intimate and inhibited, creating a delicate sensation in darkness. Other cuts have been accomplished by metallic sound treatments while the addition of field recordings is quite noticeable as well.

+ + + : I was deeply impressed by this collaboration between Dead Melodies and Beyond The Ghost. It clearly sounds like both artists have been working together for years. They’ve achieved a poignant work revealing a perfect cohesion between both of their sonic universes. I especially like the inhibited element supporting the composition, which is also accentuated by a true arsenal of little, subtle noises and field recordings. They’ve used a true arsenal of instruments, but it doesn’t really sound that way. The second half of the work features multiple great tracks. I’ll mention “Parlour Of Ignorance” for its terror-like sphere and “A Momentary Refuge” for its mystic connotation. “The Unforgiving Toll Of Time” is another attention grabber for its delicacy, but also its sacred-like sound.

– – – : The work is maybe just missing a total climax, but you don’t hear me complaining. The debut tracks sound more hesitant, but quite progressively this album will reveal its true face and strength.

Conclusion: Cryo Chamber is the ultimate label for collaborations between label mates, but this work also is one of the most successful one in the genre. This is a great, mysterious and fascinating Cinematographic trip.

Best songs: “Parlour Of Ignorance”, “A Momentary Refuge”, “The Unforgiving Toll Of Time”, “At The Foundry Gates”.

Rate: (8).

Artists: www.facebook.com/thedeadmelodies / www.facebook.com/beyondtheghost

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

Beyond The Ghost – Eternal Drift (Album – Cryo Chamber)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:00:28 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-cinematographic.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: The last year released debut album “You Disappeared” by French musician Pierre Laplace aka Beyond The Ghost, was a successful work. He now strikes back revealing nine new compositions.

Content: The sonic universe of this Frenchman remains characterized by a rather intimate feeling created by chilling atmospheres reinforced by field recordings. But there also is an authentic touch running through the work, which is injected by cello passages from a guest musician and piano-like arrangements. Pierre Laplace also added –just as on his debut work, a few passages with mysterious, spooky chants.

+ + + : I again like the work of Beyond The Ghost, which is not only intimate, but also revealing a poignant ominous feeling. The tracks are progressively evolving towards a truly nearby, impending sphere. The addition of piano sound arrangements and cello make me think of the good-old black-white movies of haunted houses and abandoned places.

– – – : The album is just missing an absolute climax, but that makes me believe the best is yet to come.

Conclusion: This album has something of an imaginary, sonic urbex; you get the sensation visiting imaginary, abandoned, isolated –and hopefully haunted, houses.

Best songs: “The Slow Agony Of Solitude”, “Suspended Consciousness”, “Surrender”, “Nebulous Beings”.

Rate: (8).

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

Beyond The Ghost – You Disappeared (Digital Album – Cryo Chamber)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 19:00:48 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-cinematographic, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: Pierre Laplace is a French musician who joined hands together with Cryo Chamber to unleash the debut work of his project Beyond The Ghost. “You Disappeared” deals with an imaginary city of fog.

Content: The cinematic atmosphere supports this album from start till the end. The tracks have been composed with a mix of instruments and field recordings. The piano playing is quite noticeable, but I also have to mention some passages with drones and another extract featuring a few chants. It creates a world of despair, sometimes leading the listener into a paranoiac sensation empowered by oppressive atmospheres.

+ + + : The most noticeable element –and the main strength of this work is the global atmosphere created by the artist. Ambient and cinematic music can have the power to bring the listener into a fantasy world created by their own imagination. Pierre Laplace has this power and talent to create a strong visual appeal. But I also like the somewhat inhibited aspect of this sphere. It has something delicate and even authentic, which is due to the use of real instruments.

– – – : The main difficulty for this artist will be to catch the attention of a wider audience and especially in a music style, which counts numerous projects in the genre.

Conclusion: Beyond The Ghost is an interesting and talented newcomer creating a poignant dark-cinematographic sound. This is an album, which is worthy of examination.

Best songs: “Quicksand”, “False Idols”, “The Day When You Lost Your Smile”, “Remembering The World As It Used To Be”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www .facebook .com /beyondtheghost

Label: www .cryochamberlabel .com / www .facebook .com /CryoChamber