Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: “Sins Of The Flesh” is the second EP released in 2021 by Blut Reaktor on Insane Records. The American solo-project driven by ‘John Noir” unleashed six new songs -while his previous mini-album “Post Mortem” also featured six tracks.

Content: Compared to its previous work, Blut Reaktor didn’t evolve that much in sound and influences. It remains a mix between elements of EBM and dark-Electro. The production of the vocals has something ghost-like, which matches the dark atmospheres hanging over the tracks. I noticed a more aggressive cut at the final part of the work.  

+ + + : The sound formula and global production of Blut Reaktor sounds simple, but efficient. The melody lines create a dark sphere, but also add a retro-touch to the work, which might remind me of some 90s productions. “Glitch” is one of the hardest, but still one of the best songs I’ve heard from this project. It’s driven by aggressive sequences and a danceable, beating kick.

– – – : Songs like “Only Sin Deep”, “Seeds Of Sodom” and “Abyss” are easy listening, but missing extra elaboration.

Conclusion: I’m still convinced Blut Reaktor can do better than what the different productions have shown so far. But this new work reveals some promising cuts.

Best songs: “Glitch”, “Beneath The Judas Tree”.

Rate: 7½. 

Artist: www.facebook.com/blutreaktor

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

About Blut Reaktor

Blut Reaktor was formed in 2008 by John Noir in New York. The first releases were instrumental, and in 2013 the project added vocals for the first time on the self-titled EP, followed by a revamped version of “In Limbo”.

In 2015 Blut Reaktor released the album “In Vain”, its first release on a label, Underground Industrial Records, with Monique Decay as backing vocalist. In 2020 the project self-released the EP “Tales From The Flesh” and the reworked “In Vain Redux”.

The move to Insane Records came with the EP “Post Mortem”, announced when the project signed to Insane Records in May 2021. “Sins Of The Flesh” is the second EP for the label in the same year.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Earlier this year the American solo-project Blut Reaktor signed to Insane Records. The project driven by ‘John Noir’ has already self-released a few productions while other ones were released by Underground Industrial Records. “Post Mortem” features six new cuts.

Content: “Post Mortem” takes off with a true fusion between EBM- and Dark-Electro influences with some whispering vocals in the background. The work evolves with a groovy EBM style and other catchy, Dark-Pop influences. The EBM basis remains present but is definitely mixed with other influences. There’s also a more Electro-Wave driven cut while the last track reminds me of the early years of Blut Reaktor for its instrumental edit.

+ + + : Blut Reaktor can’t be compared to any other formation and that’s a positive aspect, which I particularly like. The sound is covering different- although related genres so in the end this EP (or mini-album) tends to reveal this is a project with its own sound. I like the melodic touch of the work. Both debut tracks are noticeable pieces although I’ve a preference for the second one entitled “Scars”, which is darker and harder.

– – – : “Post Mortem” is an easy listening piece of music, but I can’t say I’ve heard potential hits.

Conclusion: Blut Reaktor confirms its potential, but I’m sure the best is yet to come.

Best songs: “Scars”, “Suffer”, “Solitude”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/blutreaktor

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU Read the news on ‘Post Mortem’.

About Blut Reaktor

Blut Reaktor is a one-man dark electro project from New York, United States, formed in 2008 and driven by John Noir. The first three releases, issued between 2008 and 2010, were instrumental.

In 2013 the “Blut Reaktor” EP appeared, the first release on which Noir contributed vocals. Later that year he issued a revamped version of the first release, “In Limbo”. In 2014, with Monique Decay joining, the project released a compilation with reworked versions of “Limbo” and “Glitch”. The album “In Vain” followed in 2015 as the label debut on Underground Industrial Records, and the single “Cathartic Angel Complex” arrived in 2016. In 2020 the project released the EP “Tales From The Flesh” together with the albums “Imperfecta” and “In Vain Redux”.

The move to Insane Records was announced in May 2021, as reported in Blut Reaktor joins Insane Records and releases EP ‘Post Mortem’. The six-track EP “Post Mortem” was released on 25 May 2021 and holds “Suffer”, “Scars”, “Fallen Angels”, “Solitude”, “Broken Saint” and “Frightners”.

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: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.  

Background/Info: French duo Michael Roussel – Frederic Lecieux are already active for numerous years, but didn’t release new stuff on a regular basis. This album features a selection of new songs, remastered old cuts and remixes.

Content: The French project is devoted to retro-EBM and that’s an influence you’ll instantly recognize. The dark style and unpolished production has something pretty 90s like. Some elements in the production are vaguely evoking giant bands such as Front 242 and FLA. The album also reveals 2 instrumental songs revealing a more elaborated approach. Remixes have been made by Signal Aout 42, Destillat, Blut Reaktor and Shane Aungst.

+ + + : If you like vintage EBM and you’ve a preference for the 90s style, Psychosomatik will definitely give you an adrenaline boost. The influences are quite familiar, but the band tries to create an own approach with an extra dark touch on top. “Bullfighter” is a familiar song from the band and still remains one of their best exponents. The spooky, distorted vocals inject an extra dark touch. There’s also something to say about both instrumental edits “State Of Oppression” and “GroundZero”. Among the remixes I’ve to mention the great contributions from Signal Aout 42 and Destillat.

– – – : The rough and unpolished mixing and production sounds a bit amateuristic, but is an essential aspect to get back to this retro-style.

Conclusion: Psychosomatik brings some good-old memories alive, the album mainly appealing for all those who are into rough and unpolished EBM.

Best songs: “Bullfighter”, “State Of Oppression”, “No Time To Lose – Signal Aout 42 Remix”, “Bullfighter – Destillat Remix”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Psychosomatik-official-110573057735813

About Psychosomatik

Psychosomatik is a French electro-industrial project formed in September 2000 by Michael Roussel (vocals, machines) and Frederic Lecieux (machines), who had been making music together since 1992, according to the Discogs profile. The self-released CDr “Psychopath?” (2003) was followed by “State Of Oppression” on PSK Records on 4 November 2014. In 2020 the duo issued the digital singles “No Time To Lose / Bullfighter”, “Fears (Of Halloween)” and “The Madman (Spankthenun Edit) / No Time To Lose”.

“Re/In/Trospective” was self-released digitally on 5 February 2021, with a CD edition. The band describes it as a compilation of two new tracks, one reworked track, three remastered tracks from “State Of Oppression”, three unreleased tracks and four remixes. The thirteen tracks are “Damage Done”, “Carnal Pleasure”, “The Madman (Spankthenun Edit)”, “Bullfighter”, “No Time To Lose (Negociation Of Peace)”, “State Of Oppression”, “Check The Numbers (feat. Camuscle)”, “Release Me (feat. OBE)”, “Groundzero”, “No Time To Lose (Signal Aout 42 Remix)”, “Bullfighter (Destillat Remix)”, “No Time To Lose (Blut Reaktor Remix)” and “Bullfighter (Shane Aungst Remix)”. Olivier Camus and Teddy Genty add vocals on two tracks, Craig Saunders made the artwork and Roussel mixed and mastered the album at The Ranch. The Spankthenun edit is covered in the Side-Line review of Spankthenun – The Bunker Tapes Vol.2.

Since 2022 Psychosomatik has been the solo project of Michael Roussel. Later digital releases include “Burn” (2022), “Sin” (2023), “Stress EP” (2024) and “Felines” (2025). The project contributed to the Side-Line charity compilation Electronic Bodies (2023), and Shane Aungst included it in the ‘Electronic Bodies’ Mega-Mix released the same year. “Re/In/Trospective” is the project’s first Side-Line review.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Insane Records announces the signing of the American dark electro project from New York, Blut Reaktor. This is a one-man formation (John Noir) which started out back in 2008, now has released brand new digital EP, “Post Mortem”. The EP consists of 6 original tracks.

You can expect a very dark sound avoiding dance beats.

Blut Reaktor was formed in 2008 with the first 3 releases from 2008 – 2010 being instrumental ones. In 2013, the “Blut Reaktor” EP was released on which John contributed vocals for the first time. Later that year he released a revamped version of the first release, “In Limbo”. In 2014 together with Monique Decay joining, the band released a compilation album with reworked versions of “Limbo”, “Glitch” and more.

In 2015 “In Vain”, was released, which also was the project’s label debut album “In Vain” on Underground Industrial Records. The following year, the single “Cathartic Angel Complex” was launched on all digital platforms. In 2020 the project released the EP “Tales from the flesh” together with the albums “Imperfecta” and “In Vain Redux”.

The project’s second album on a label will be released later this year on Insane Records.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Insane Records have added a new member to their label roster, namely the New York based dark electro project Blut Reaktor. Blut Reaktor is a one-man formation that originated back in 2008, the only member being John Noir.

Out now on all digital platforms is the new digital EP “Post Mortem” which consists of 6 original tracks.

About Blut Reaktor

Blut Reaktor was formed in 2008 by John Noir. The first releases were the instrumental albums “In Limbo”, “Pyro” and “Insomnia”. In 2013 he released “In Limbo” which for the first time had vocals. It was followed by the “Self Titled” EP.

In 2015 Blut Reaktor released a new LP “In Vain”, the first release on a label (Underground Industrial Records) for the project. On the disc we also could hear Monique Decay as backing vocalist. 5 years later Blut Reaktor released the EP “Tales From The Flesh” and a new version of “In Vain Redux”.

For the “Post Mortem” EP the project signed with Insane Records which will also release the project’s newest full length later in 2021. Read the review of ‘Post Mortem’.

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!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, punk-pop, electro-minimal.

Background/Info: I thought Junksista had left Alfa Matrix, but the versatile German formation is now back on board with the ‘matrix’ unleashing this “Sinner’s Delight”. They originally self-released this EP last year featuring 6 new songs. We now get a ‘deluxe’ or ‘expanded’ version featuring 8 extra cuts (remixes). Notice by the way there are a strictly limited number of copies available on CD format (digipak).

Content: The new songs remain in the purest tradition of the German pop-punkers. The main question always has to define the real style of Junksista and the least I can say is that it’s a kind of modern punk mixed with pop, minimal electronics and technoid arrangements.

The lyrics remain funny, sexy and maybe a tiny bit provocative, but here again it makes all the charm of both Germans.

Remixes have been made by Max Gain, Antibody, Restriction 9, Flammpunkt, Blut Reaktor, Man Woman Machine and Flesh Eating Foundation (2 remixes).

+ + + : Junksista remains to me one of the most refreshing electro-pop sensation from the past few years. They don’t really care about established standards and fashion trends, but are just doing their own thing! The new songs are really efficient and revealing a band, which is in constant move trying to reinvent their own sound. From EBM bass lines to technoid arrangements to minimal treatments and sexy female vocals with hot lyrics Junksista rules! I especially like the songs “Drug” and “8008”. If this work is sold as an EP, it rather looks like a mini-album with some extra remixes.

– – – : The remixes inject some diversity, but can’t unfortunately convince me! Except the somewhat dub-inspired remix by Max Gain, I definitely prefer the original versions of all songs.

Conclusion: Junksista is back on track, moving on with their totally provocative and sexy pop music. It remains a weird experience, but one that will get you into dance; great production for a great band!

Best songs: “Drug”, “8008”, “Jump”, “How Deep Is My Love”, “Drug – 3,2glue Remix by Max Gain / Imaginary War”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.junksista.de / www.facebook.com/Junksista

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

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