Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Orange Sector remains one of the most famous EBM bands from the 90s. After a hiatus of several years they came back to life in 2005 and started releasing new EBM work. “Endzeit” is a look back, kind of ‘best of’ from this second Orange Sector period. The bonus disc features an impressive list of remixes.

Content: The fans of Orange Sector will rediscover some of the band’s hottest songs and mainly EP-title songs from the ‘new millennium’-years. Hard and straight forward, driven by dry, cutting bass lines, carrying choruses which are easy to keep in mind, a danceable kick and powerful vocals are the main sound elements to define the sound of Orange Sector.

Remixes have been accomplished by NZ, Plastic Noise Experience, Angstfabrikk, AD:Key, Frontal, Zweite Jugend, Wellncocktail, Dominatrix, Ionic Vision, NordarR, Blitzmaschine, Run Level Zero, Lars Timm Felker and Martin Bodewell himself.

+ + + : This album is an opportunity to rediscover some of the bands hottest songs from the 21^st Century. I’m referring to “Der Maschinist”, “Geile Zeit”, “Glasmensch”, “Monoton”, “Stahlwerk” and “Farben”. It now becomes clear why Orange Sector remained a leading EBM formation. It’s all about power, solid bass lines, energetic body beats, commanding vocals and simply a ‘healthy load of sonic violence’. Orange Sector is a sort of transposition of early DAF into modern times. The songs are enraged and some of the lyrics and samplings are clearly engaged.

The different remixes are still history and I here would recommend the work accomplished by Blitzmaschine and the poppy “Club Mix” of “Touch” by Orange Sector.

– – – : A ‘best of’ always is stuff for discussion, but it doesn’t bring anything new. I however think a band like Orange Sector deserves this kind of release.

Conclusion: Orange Sector was one of the leading formations during the 90s, but they’re still ruling over the new millennium years. I’m not sure if the best is yet to come, but I think they’ll go on releasing EBM from a high qualitative level.

Best songs: “Der Maschinist”, “Geile Zeit”, “Krieg Und Frieden”, “Endzeit”, “Terroristen” + “Farben – Blitzmaschine Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.orange–sector.de / www.facebook.com/OrangeSector

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

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-rock, metal, gothic.

Background/Info: Singer Martin Engler and his acolytes are back on track unleashing the ninth studio album of Mono Inc. The German formation became one of the most noticeable bands from the German goth-metal & alternative rock scene. The new work features a new opus with 12 songs and an extra disc featuring surprising remixes.

Content: Mono Inc. never stopped their progression throughout the years. “Together Till The End” is an invitation to embark on a powerful and melodic trip constantly mixing elements of dark and alternative rock, metal riffs and melodic gothic melody lines. The overwhelming choruses are one of the main characteristics of this new opus, while in a way being the band’s trademark.

The power has been mixed with delicate arrangements and charismatic vocals, but still feature a few surprising contributions from Ronan Harris (VNV Nation) and another tracks featuring Tilo Wolff (Lacrimosa), Joachim Witt and Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost).

The bonus CD mainly consists of some surprising remixes by bands such as Palast, Solitary Experiments, Faderhead, Eisfabrik and Blitzmaschine. It’s quite surprising to discover the original songs transposed in mainly pop-orientated versions. You also will discover a live, unplugged song plus the original versions of both songs featuring the aforementioned guest singers.

+ + + : “Together Till The End” is a true masterpiece revealing a perfect balance between power, melodies and sensibility, but still a perfect match between orchestral/epic arrangements and subtle sound treatments. Mono Inc. realized a tour de force inviting Ronan Harris to sing on the beautiful “Boatman” and a trio of famous guests on “Children Of The Dark”. The global production is absolutely amazing while the album is filled with numerous potential hits. “Together Till The End” is an accomplished piece carried by great musicians and a charismatic singer.

The bonus disc transposes most of the original songs into a surprising electronic-pop approach. Most of the remixes have been made by label mates. I was deeply impressed by the remixes of Eisfabrik and Blitzmaschine.

– – – : This album will become without a shadow of a doubt one of the best productions of 2017 so I don’t have any negative points. I just can imagine that some fans will be a bit disappointed by the electronic remixes from the bonus disc.

Conclusion: You have numerous great albums, but not many outstanding pieces. “Together Till The End” is an album I can’t get enough from so it definitely is a masterpiece!

Best songs: “There Comes A Time (Back to Life)”, “Children Of The Dark”, “Boatman”, “Out In The Fields”, “The Banks Of Eden” + “Across The Waves – Takatiktok Mix by Eisfabrik”, “This Is My Life – Kondensat Remix by Blitzmaschine”.

Rate: (9).

Band: www.mono–inc.com / www.facebook.com/monoinc

Label: http://nocut.de / www.facebook.com/spvhannover

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

Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘Farben’.

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

1. Farben
2. Götter V.02
3. Heute liebe ich dich
4. Ich sehe Dich sterben
5. Farben (Club 89 Mix)
6. Götter (Ad/key rmx)
7. Ich sehe Dich sterben (Zoon Politicon immortal mix)
8. Götter V.03
9. Farben (Blitzmaschine rmx)

Read the review of ‘Farben’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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