German electro/gothic project Calva Y Nada returns with the “Calva Y Nada La Pura Mierda EP”, a new CD-EP on Emmobiz Records scheduled for March 20, 2026. The release expands the first new studio track since 1998 into a full remix EP and follows its initial live premiere at Club Seilerstrasse in Zwickau during the 16th Elektrisch Festival on October 19, 2024.

The title track “La Pura Mierda” first appeared as an exclusive studio version on the 10″ vinyl sampler for the 18th Elektrisch Festival, accompanied there by two remixes from TC75 and Marc2U (Sabotage Q.C.Q.C.?). The new EP collects additional remixes from a roster of long-running scene names and adds a new version of the catalog track “Rascheln”.

Festival visitors to the Elektrisch dates in Zwickau on February 27 and 28, 2026, will be able to purchase the CD-EP on site ahead of the official street date.

Tracklist for Calva Y Nada EP “La Pura Mierda”

The “Calva Y Nada La Pura Mierda EP” appears as a 7-track CD-EP with the following running order:

1. “La Pura Mierda” – 3:30
2. “La Pura Mierda” – Remixed by Accessory – 4:02
3. “La Pura Mierda” – M2U Sabotage 2 – 5:20 (remix by Marc2U of Sabotage Q.C.Q.C.?)
4. “La Pura Mierda” – Club Mix by Supreme Court – 3:51
5. “La Pura Mierda” – Soman T.R.I.P. Remix – 5:20 (remix by Soman)
6. “La Pura Mierda” – In Strict Confidence Remix – 3:27 (remix by In Strict Confidence)
7. “Rascheln” – Dennis Ostermann Remix – 5:40

Formats and where to buy ‘La Pura Mierda’

The “Calva Y Nada La Pura Mierda EP” is announced as a CD-EP (EPCD) via Emmobiz. The disc will be sold both as a stand-alone EPCD and as part of a collectors set.

The standard CD-EP can be pre-ordered directly below:

• Calva Y Nada “La Pura Mierda” EPCD

A limited collectors set, bundling the CD-EP with additional merchandise (including apparel and accessories), is available as well.

• Calva Y Nada “La Pura Mierda” Collectors Edition

About Calva Y Nada

Calva Y Nada is a German electro project founded in 1990 by singer and programmer Constantin Warter, better known as Breñal. The band name, Spanish for “baldness and nothing,” references Warter’s earlier project Glatze des Willens and the philosophical work L’être et le néant by Jean-Paul Sartre.

During the early 1990s the live line-up included keyboardist Martin Tessarek (“Tessi”) and drummer Tom Steinseifer (“Le Puce”), with Peter Augustat briefly handling bass duties in 1992, before all three were replaced by keyboard player Stefan Müter, also active in Cyan Kills E.Coli. Stylistically the group offers a mix of electro and gothic, with Breñal’s untreated but dark vocal delivery and lyrics alternating between German and Spanish.

The core Calva Y Nada album cycle ran throughout the 1990s, beginning with “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca” (1990) and “Dias Felizes” (1991), followed by “Monolog” (maxi-CD, 1993), “Monologe eines Baumes” (1993), the mini-CD “Die Katze im Sack” (1994), “Palpita, Corazón, Palpita” (1994), the maxi-CD “Finstere Zeit” (1996), full album “Das Böse macht ein freundliches Gesicht” (1996) and “Schlaf” (1998).

From the mid-2010s onward, Emmobiz began an extensive reissue campaign of this catalog. The 1994 album “Palpita, Corazón, Palpita” returned in several configurations, followed by a 2CD edition of “Das Böse macht ein freundliches Gesicht” with a full disc of live bonus material and a new edition of “Schlaf” including a very limited 2CD set. In 2024 Emmobiz launched a series of Calva Y Nada vinyl picture discs, starting with debut album “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca“, and later announced a mega-limited reissue of “Dias Felizes” on LP.

Live the band returned in the 2020s, including a comeback at Amphi Festival 2023 and a show at the 16th Elektrisch Festival in October 2024 at Club Seilerstrasse in Zwickau. The sold-out 2024 concert at Club Seilerstrasse was later announced as “Live @ Club Seilerstrasse Zwickau“, a double-vinyl release issued on March 14, 2025, featuring the then unreleased tracks “Rotes Meer” and “La Pura Mierda”.

The reissue cycle continued into 2025 with a first-time vinyl edition of “Monologe eines Baumes“, available as a double picture-disc LP in a gatefold sleeve with wood-scented varnish and additional limited sets.

The “La Pura Mierda” EP marks the first new studio track credited to the project since the 1998 album “Schlaf”, expanding a song first heard live at the 16th Elektrisch Festival into a full remix release with contributions from Accessory, Marc2U (Sabotage Q.C.Q.C.?), Supreme Court, Soman and In Strict Confidence, plus a new version of “Rascheln”.

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.

side-line.com

German electronic/dark-wave project Calva Y Nada will see its 1994 fourth album “¡Palpita, Corazón, Palpita!” issued on vinyl for the first time on 1 May 2026 via Emmo.biz Records. The Calva Y Nada Palpita Corazon Palpita vinyl editions arrive as a standalone picture LP, a set with the “Finstere Zeit” 12-inch, and a 77-copy collector’s box, all built around new picture-disc artwork and newly pressed vinyl.

“¡Palpita, Corazón, Palpita!” originally appeared on CD in 1994 on Hyperium Records and is Calva Y Nada’s fourth full-length album. The reissue is part of Emmo.biz Records’ dedicated series of Calva Y Nada reissues launched in 2024 with the debut album “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca“.

The standard version is a limited picture LP (200 copies). It uses the original ten tracks spread over two sides. A second configuration pairs the picture LP with a black-vinyl 12-inch titled “Finstere Zeit”, limited to 222 copies. On top sits a collector’s box set limited to 77 copies, which adds a black/white splatter version of the “Finstere Zeit” 12-inch plus merchandise (T-shirt, four postcards and four fridge magnets).

“Finstere Zeit” originated as a mid-1990s single and later as a bonus disc in the 2015 CD special edition of “¡Palpita, Corazón, Palpita!”. For the 2026 vinyl reissue, Emmo.biz expands the material into a five-track 12-inch.

The new “Finstere Zeit” 12″ contains:

1. “Finstere Zeit”
2. “Übel”
3. “Algazara (Remix)”
4. “Steh Auf! – M2U Sabotage 1”
5. “Steh Auf! – M2U Sabotage 2”

The two “Steh Auf!” versions are freshly produced remixes by Marc Werner from 1990s electro/EBM outfit Sabotage Q.C.Q.C.?.

About Calva Y Nada

Calva Y Nada is a German electronic/dark-wave project founded in 1990 by musician and lyricist Constantin Warter (Breñal). Early recordings appeared on ZZO Records before the project moved to the Hamburg-based label Hyperium Records.

The debut album “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca” introduced Breñal’s mixture of Spanish-language titles, philosophical themes and cold electronic arrangements. It was followed by “Dias Felizes” in 1991 and “Monologe eines Baumes” in 1993.

In 1994 Calva Y Nada issued both the EP “Die Katze im Sack” and the album “¡Palpita, Corazón, Palpita!”. The later albums “Das Böse macht ein freundliches Gesicht” (1996) and “Schlaf” (1998) closed the original studio run and introduced tracks such as “Finstere Zeit”.

From the mid-2010s onward, Emmo.biz Records started a systematic reissue campaign for Calva Y Nada, issuing expanded CD editions of the classic albums and gradually moving into vinyl. 2015 saw “¡Palpita, Corazón, Palpita!” re-released in three CD formats, including a special edition with the “Finstere Zeit” bonus disc. In 2016 and 2017, “Das Böse macht ein freundliches Gesicht” and “Schlaf” followed as 2CD sets with new artwork and bonus material.

In May 2024 Emmo.biz announced that all Calva Y Nada albums would be reissued as numbered picture LPs, starting with “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca” in a 500-copy picture disc and a 77-copy box set. We also reported on a new picture-disc edition of “Dias Felizes“, again accompanied by a 77-piece collector’s package, and a double-LP live set “Live @ Club Seilerstrasse Zwickau” documenting the sold-out 19 October 2024 concert. In 2025, the EP “Die Katze im Sack” and the album “Monologe eines Baumes” were both scheduled for vinyl, each in multiple editions.

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.

side-line.com

The German electronic/dark wave act Calva Y Nada will see a reissue of the 1994 EP “Die Katze im Sack” via Emmo.biz Records on December 5, 2025, and this in three version: a Collector Edition, a Special Edition, and a standard picture LP. All versions include three new remixes; the Collector and Special Editions add a bonus 7″ with “Live in Leipzig 1993”.

Here are the available formats available in pre-order:

• Collector Edition: picture LP + bonus 7″ (black/white splatter), T-shirt, bag, button blister, patch; limited to 77.
• Special Edition: picture LP + bonus 7″ (transparent/white streaks); limited to 222.
• Standard: picture LP; limited to 222.

Full tracklist Calva Y Nada – “Die Katze im Sack”

LP (incl. 3 new remixes)

• A1 “Borriquito” — 5:51
• A2 “El Guardia” — 5:23
• A3 “Dias Felizes (Yes I’m Happy Mix)” — 4:14
• A4 “Der Sturm (Kill Your World Mix)” — 6:37
• B1 “Fern Von Den Engeln” — 2:58
• B2 “Knocking On Heaven’s Door” — 2:30
• B3 “Der Sturm (Add Nothing Remix)” — 5:35
• B4 “El Guardia (Krieg-B Remix)” — 3:50
• B5 “Borriquito (Dark Donkey Remix by Supreme Court)” — 5:00

Bonus 7″ – Live in Leipzig 1993

• A1 “Sin Tardanza” — 5:26
• A2 “Was ist?” — 3:34
• B1 “Schmerzenskrone” — 6:04

“Die Katze im Sack” originally appeared as a limited EP on Hyperium Records (1994). It was later reissued in 2015 on CD.

About Calva Y Nada

Calva Y Nada is a German electronic/dark-wave project founded in 1990 by Constantin Warter (a.k.a. Breñal). Early releases appeared on Hyperium Records after a debut on ZZO Records; the catalog has been progressively reissued by Emmo.biz since the 2010s.

Notable albums include “Dias Felizes” (1991), “Monologe eines Baumes” (1993), “¡Palpita, Corazón, Palpita!” (1994), “Das Böse macht ein freundliches Gesicht” (1996) and “Schlaf” (1998).

The project returned to stages in the 1990s (e.g., WGT 1998) and reappeared live in 2023 (Amphi Festival).

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.

side-line.com

Calva Y Nada‘s 3rd album “Monologe eines Baumes” (“Monologues of a Tree”) will be out on vinyl on May 10. This is the first time this album sees a vinyl release. The album will be available in three versions.

The first version comes as a double picture LP in a gatefold cover, including the hits “Der Sturm” (“The Storm”) and “Schmerzenskrone” (“Crown of Thorns”). The cover is coated with a wood-scented varnish.

Apart from the regular vinyl, there are also two special limited editions. The first one includes the double picture LP in a gatefold cover with a wood-scented varnish coating, plus a 12″ vinyl “Monolog” on blue marbled vinyl with an etched B-side. This first limited version is limited to 222 copies. The second version holds the double picture LP , the 12″ vinyl “Monolog”; plus a flag, metal pin, and a scented tree. This limited edition version is made available on 77 copies.

The “Monolog” 12“ has the following tracklist:

1. Monolog
2. Flute [With A Little Help From: La Flauta Del] – Brujo Joaquín
3. Other [With A Little Help From: Die Hyäne] – Juan Palma Hohmann
4. Paradies
5. Kein Abschied

(Track 2 + 3 recorded live at The Logo, Bochum on 09/05/1991)

“Monologe eines Baumes” is the third studio album by the electro-industrial band Calva Y Nada, released in 1993. In 1994, a special edition titled “Monolog Box” was released, limited to 1,000 hand-numbered copies. This box set included the albums “Monologe Eines Baumes” and “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca,” along with an exclusive release titled “Monolog”, available only in this collection.

About Calva y Nada

Calva y Nada, a German electro-dark wave project, emerged in 1990 under the direction of Constantin Warter, known by his pseudonym Breñal. After departing from his previous band, Glatze des Willens, Breñal embarked on a solo venture.

The project’s debut album, “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca”, released on ZZO Records, showcased an experimental sound that laid the foundation for Calva y Nada’s distinctive style. Lyrically, the album drew inspiration from the writings of a Calvinist secret correspondent in 16th-century hyper-Catholic Spain.

In 1991, Calva y Nada released “Días Felizes” through Hyperium Records. This album featured a blend of German and Spanish lyrics, delivering a pure and raw techno sound that stood apart from the prevalent EBM trend.

For the 1993 album “Monologe Eines Baumes” Breñal’s philosophical explorations thematically delved into the symbolic sentimental life of a tree from birth to its transformation into furniture.

Throughout the ’90s, Calva y Nada continued to produce music characterized by heavily orchestrated arrangements, martial rhythms, and experimental harmonies with lyrics often reflecting Breñal’s philosophy and religious beliefs.

The band disbanded in 1998 after the final release “Schlaf“.

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.

side-line.com

The sold-out Calva y Nada concert from 19th of October 2024 (in the Zwickau based club Seilerstrasse) will be released as “Live @ Club Seilerstrasse Zwickau” on double vinyl via emmobiz Records. The release will be out in 2 vinyl formats on 14th of march 2025 including the 2 unreleased tracks “Rotes Meer” and “La Pura Mierda”.

The release is now available in pre-order via emmobiz Records as a clear edition with slipmat and as a transparent red marbled version.

The track list

Side A

1. Borriquito
2. Paradies
3. Rotes Meer
4. Fernes Leid

Side B

1. Schmerzenskrone
2. El Susto esnuestro
3. El Guardia
4. La Pura Mierda

Side C

1. Dias Felizes
2. Schlaf
3. Was ist?
4. Ven Y Verás
5. Santos Inocentes

Side D

1. Rascheln
2. Wallies Traum
3. Leben
4. Der Sturm

About Calva y Nada

Calva y Nada, a German electro-dark wave project, emerged in 1990 under the direction of Constantin Warter, known by his pseudonym Breñal. After departing from his previous band, Glatze des Willens, Breñal embarked on a solo venture.

The project’s debut album, “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca”, released on ZZO Records, showcased an experimental sound that laid the foundation for Calva y Nada’s distinctive style. Lyrically, the album drew inspiration from the writings of a Calvinist secret correspondent in 16th-century hyper-Catholic Spain.

In 1991, Calva y Nada released “Días Felizes” through Hyperium Records. This album featured a blend of German and Spanish lyrics, delivering a pure and raw techno sound that stood apart from the prevalent EBM trend.

For the 1993 album “Monologe Eines Baumes” Breñal’s philosophical explorations thematically delved into the symbolic sentimental life of a tree from birth to its transformation into furniture.

Throughout the ’90s, Calva y Nada continued to produce music characterized by heavily orchestrated arrangements, martial rhythms, and experimental harmonies with lyrics often reflecting Breñal’s philosophy and religious beliefs.

The band disbanded in 1998 after the final release “Schlaf“.

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.

side-line.com

The German label emmobiz Records is back with yet another Calva Y Nada reissue. This time it’s the album “Dias Felizes” which is also available in a special edition, limited to just 77 pieces. The set includes an exclusive bronze Calva coin with a printed velvet pouch, a T-shirt, a poster, and of course, the Picture LP.

Out on November 8th, you can order it straight from the label shop.

“Días Felizes” was originally released in 1991. While the title translates to “Happy Days” in Spanish, the music itself contrasts with the title, exploring darker and dystopian themes. The album is seen as a defining work in the German electro scene, contributing to the band’s cult status within the genre. It mixes elements of darkwave, industrial, and electronic body music (EBM), producing a sound that’s moody, atmospheric, and rhythmic. Tracks often contain politically charged and introspective lyrics in both German and Spanish.

Some standout tracks include “Schwarze Liebe” and “Der Sturm”, which are fan favorites. Overall, the album is considered one of the key releases in early 90s dark electro music, appealing to fans of darker electronic and gothic sounds.

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.

side-line.com

Emmo.biz Records is releasing a special 10″ red/transparent vinyl edition of the “V.A. 16. Elektrisch Festival” compilation on October 19th. The festival compilation is part of a series of releases celebrating the Elektrisch Festival, which focuses on electronic body music (EBM) and industrial music.

This limited release – available for ordering right here – features exclusive re-recordings from Cat Rapes Dog and Digital Factor, special edits by Accessory and Calva Y Nada, and two exclusive cover versions of Calva Y Nada classics by Supreme Court. Only 222 copies will be available.

Additionally, there’s a special festival package that includes a T-shirt, bag, and sticker which you can order here.

Here’s the tracklist of the compilation.

Side A:

1. Calva Y Nada – “Aufprall” Vinyl Edit (4:06)
2. Digital Factor – “Sexmachine” Freier24Mix (3:40)
3. Accessory – “Braindead” Vinyl Edit (5:57)

Side B:

1. Cat Rapes Dog – “American Dream 2024” (4:40)
2. Calva Y Nada – “Los Santos Inocentes” Elektrisch Version by Supreme Court (4:28)
3. Calva Y Nada – “Schlaf” Elektrisch Version by Supreme Court (4:28)

About Emmo.biz Records

Emmo.biz Records is a German label established in 2012, specializing in electronic body music (EBM), industrial, and synth-pop genres. Founded and managed by Jörg Freier, the label quickly gained recognition.

Despite its success, Emmo.biz Records ceased operations at the end of 2017. Jörg Freier decided to close the label due to time constraints from his other business, a butcher shop, which required his full attention. The label’s closure was marked by a huge sale to clear out remaining stock.

After years of silence, emmo.biz Records returned in 2024 and started reissuing Calva Y Nada. Regarding the label’s resurrection, Jörg Freier stated, “If you love and live music, there are always incentives to re-release things. I was always in constant contact with various bands… When Calva Y Nada finally agreed to play the sold-out 16th Elektrisch Festival, the decision was made to resurrect the label.”

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.

side-line.com

After years of silence, emmobiz Records returns with its first release: the reissue of the Calva Y Nada debut album, “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca”. This release comes in two versions: a vinyl picture disc limited to 500 copies and a box set limited to 77 copies. It is set to hit stores on July 10th, and pre-orders are now available at emmobiz Records.

Regarding the label’s resurrection, Jörg Freier states, “If you love and live music, there are always incentives to re-release things. I was always in constant contact with various bands… When Calva Y Nada finally agreed to play the sold-out 16th Elektrisch Festival, the decision was made to resurrect the label.”

This reissue is part of a series of re-releases of all records from the German cult band Calva Y Nada. All reissues feature new artwork and are numbered.

Here are the links to the two products of the first reissue:

• “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca” Picture LP (limited to 500 copies)
• “El Peste Perverso Lleva Mi Peluca” Box Set (including Vinyl Picture Disc, T-Shirt, signed art card) (limited to 77 copies)

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.

side-line.com

Reality’s Despair is a Belgian solo-project, which was set up more than 20 years ago now. The project self-released numerous productions, went through a hiatus of several years and got reactivated again. For the new album “Perfidious Depopulation”, Reality’s Despair got signed to the Russian label Insane Records. The work is characterized by strong retro-elements of EBM and Dark-Electro. I’d a chat with Tom.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Let’s get back to the origins of Reality’s Despair. Who’s hiding behind this project and what did you’ve in mind when setting up the band? What have been your main sources of inspiration?

Tom: Reality’s Despair is a one man’s project, with headquarters just below Antwerp (Belgium), producing music in the genre of EBM and Dark-Electro, with a strong 90’s influence and with heavily processed vocals. The main sources of inspiration I find in the supernatural, the off worldly and the destructive nature of humankind, the misery of being, melancholia etc.

Q: The name of band sounds dark and totally fitting with the reality and the world of today! What did you really try to express and how did you experience the entire pandemic thing thus far? Has it been inspiring for you as musician?

Tom: Reality’s Despair is a reference to the desperation in everyone’s life, the falling and getting up, the reaching for the unattainable, chasing the dream that always will stay just a dream, the pain and loss we meet in our lives, the little to no impact we have on existence…

As for the pandemic, it’s more like a ‘plandemic’ if you ask me. Humanity on this planet is controlled by a small fraction of very wealthy and obsessed people, who advocate a reduction in human population, just to stay in control of things, and to keep possession of earth’s declining resources.

Check the data and think for yourself… sadly some people died, but how deadly is this ‘pandemic’ really? Do we really need those jabs and boosters? Are those so safe? How long will our freedom be limited? Do other opinions regarding this pandemic really need to be censored that hard? Is this proposed great reset really beneficial for us? ‘You will own nothing but you will be happy’?

There are some topics around this issue that I will address further in the coming album, so yes it’s an inspiration I guess 😉

Q: Reality’s Despair is active since the late 90s. You self-released an impressive number of productions while your new album “Perfidious Depopulation” has been signed by Insane Records. How comes it took that long to get a label deal and what does this signing mean to you? What have been your experiences as DIY artist?

Tom: The intent from the start was to completely stay independent with this project, to be able to keep doing my own thing and to evolve on my own pace. Sites like Bandcamp are an ideal place to start for a new DIY band. Bandcamp offers some fine tools to attract a decent fanbase for instance, and offers streaming as well. But after some time DIY artists hit an exposure plateau.

With some releases on the counter, I felt the time was right to scale the project up a little, to gain some more following, attract some more attention in the world of music. So, let’s say it was ‘good timing’ by Insane Records to contract me.

They made it very clear from the first conversation they truly wanted me on board, and offered me the necessary freedom I want and need for this project, so I jumped on board.

This doesn’t mean I will never be DIY again in the future, but for now I’m very happy with the label. The brain behind Insane Records actually is a very nice, respectable and reliable person, so that’s a big surplus and a good base for a stable cooperation.

Q: Let’s talk about “Perfidious Depopulation”. How did the writing and production of the album happened? Did you handle specific criteria and references in the writing/recording/production/mastering process?

Tom: It was entirely written, recorded, mixed and mastered by myself. In the past I mainly used some analog gear, like a Roland synth, sampler and drum computer, but since the restart a few years ago I mainly use the Cubase daw, and some fantastic software instruments and effects. It all happens in the box these days. It’s impressive what current software emulations can do with sound.

As for criteria and references, I just let my emotions flow and try to keep external musical influences out of my head as much as possible. I always say: music is an art, created by your brain and shaped by your heart!

Q: You already evoked your music is featuring elements of EBM and Dark-Electro while there’s a strong and explicit 90s touch running through the work, reminding me artists like Calva Y Nada, DAF, Orange Sector… Do you consider yourself as an ‘old-school’ artist and what’s your perception about ‘contemporary’ Electronics?

Tom: Thank you for the comparison, I totally love the bands you mention. Although I would have liked the name of Cygnosic in that list 🙂 I consider myself an old-school artist for sure.

Nowadays I don’t listen to current Electro often, although there are some great bands around. But I often feel there’s too little emotion put in present day music, not enough drama…

Q: After more than twenty years of involvement, how do you expect the project evolving? Are there specific items you want to improve/change? And what about live shows?

Tom: There are no plans for doing live gigs in the future, cause I don’t like to be placed in the spotlight, but never say never, right?

I always want to keep improving my writing and production skills, and I intent to keep REALITY’S DESPAIR active for some years to come, since I really enjoy the creative process. I am not going to make the mistake of quitting twice!

I feel the best song still needs to be written and there are still many topics Reality’s Despair needs to evoke. There’s still a lot of ‘butt-kicking’ to be done 😉

I am perfectly happy with my small fanbase who support me, who really love the music, and who dig the messages behind the curtains. I don’t feel the need to have thousands of fans. The more fans with certain expectations you got, the less creative freedom you have, you understand? It are the loyal fans who keep this project alive after all.

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, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Belgian solo-project Reality’s Despair was set up more than twenty years ago. After numerous self-released productions and a hiatus of numerous years, Reality’s Despair struck back and even signed a deal with the Russian label,  Insane Records to unleash the official debut album.

Content: “Perfidious Depopulation” features 11 songs plus 3 reworked (older) cuts. This work will appeal to EBM lovers and reveals a quite diversified spectrum of EBM influences. From pure old-school EBM reminding me of DAF, Orange Sector and co towards more sophisticated writing à la Calva Y Nada, the common thread between the songs is the 90s driven source of inspiration. An essential element in the sound is the melodic touch of the strings. The vocals were mainly produced in a ghost-like way.

+ + + : This work will ravish EBM nostalgic from the 90s. “The 509th” is clearly reminiscent of the sophistication of Calva Y Nada. It’s a brilliant song, which according to me reveals a true potential. But “1952 Flyby” is something totally different and into retro EBM à la Orange Sector and co. And here again Reality’s Despair reveals great writing skills. I also have to mention some of the reworked songs, but especially “Cytokine Storm – Club Edit” is worthy of examination.

– – – : A few tracks like “Distance Kills Existence” and “A Shadow In The Fog” have something more inhibited and that’s not exactly the best part of the album. I also get the feeling Reality’s Despair is still in search of its own sound and EBM format, the album being pretty versatile.

Conclusion: This work is an antidote to innovation, but it’s a cool retro-inspired EBM production.

Best songs: “The 509th”, “1952 Flyby”, “Cytokine Storm – Club Edit”, “Our Future Is Cold – Extended”, “Evil Intent”, “Oasphe Collapsing”. 

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/realitysdespair

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

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, dark-electro.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Jürgen Schips and Matthias Günzler were involved with Darc Entries during the 90s. After they’d left they set up Plastikstrom, which has been introduced as a band dealing with electro, new-wave, dark-wave and related genres. The German band is now back on track unleashing their debut album “Beton Gegen Angst”, which is available in different formats; vinyl, CD and of course at digital platforms.

Content: “Beton Gegen Angst” has this typical German 90s sound of EBM and dark-electronic music. Some sequences remind me of Calva Y Nada while the more EBM inspired cuts are evoking DAF and Liaisons Dangereuses. There also is a strong minimal approach emerging from a few cuts, which comes closer to Suicide. Plastikstrom brings an interesting mix of ideas recovered with a very own touch on top. It has something old-school like. The vocals are all sung in German. They were produced a rather clear, but powerful and passionate way.

+ + + : This album sounds like an exceptional debut! The sound and influences aren’t new, but have been worked out in a mature and efficient way. The songs even have something refreshing and especially the minimal track are worthy of examination. “Großstadtalarm” is one of these cuts, mixing a linear cadence reminding me of Suicide with a genius vocals’ production, which has something fragmented. “Wandertag” is another noticeable song for the imaginary hybrid between DAF and Calva Y Nada. “Alles Für Uns” is a terrific retro EBM cut while cuts like “Amok” and “Illusionär” will possibly appeal for Liaisons Dangereuses fans.

– – – : A few songs are maybe a little too short –and that’s simply because some of these cuts sound great! The only single cut that can’t convince me is the last one, which is a kind of outro.

Conclusion: Plastikstrom is without a shadow of a doubt one of the great discoveries in EBM land from the past few months. This band brings us back to intelligent and well-crafted body music!

Best songs: “Wandertag”, “Großstadtalarm”, . “Alles Für Uns”, “Amok”, “Illusionär”, “Beton Gegen Angst”, “Mir Egal”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.plastikstrom.de / www.facebook.com/Plastikstrom

Label: www.youngandcold.de / www.facebook.com/youngandcoldrecords

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

Geert De Wilde started composing music under the IC 434 moniker in 1994. After some promising demos he released his first official album “Weathering Skies” (1996) on Dirk Ivens’ label Body Records. The album and the live performances both got a very positive response. Being considered as the Belgian answer to Calva Y Nada, Geert De Wilde moved on releasing “Dogondance” (1998) and “The Banished” (2002) both released on Body Records as well. After a hiatus of six years IC 434 got finally signed to Infacted Recordings unleashing the album “Bacteriate” (2008) and “Anhedonia” (2011). After this last opus the dark-electro & EBM project remained pretty silent, but from time to time you can see IC 434 on stage. The upcoming live show planned for February, 29^th, 2020 at the ‘Fetish Café’ in Antwerp is an opportunity to see this great artist back on stage again. It also incited me to ask Geert how things are evolving with IC 434.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: IC 434 will be again on stage at the end of February. You didn’t release any new work since the “Anhedonia”-album (2011) so how’s the project doing and what’s your personal evaluation from the past years?

Geert: I haven’t written any IC 434 songs since “Anhedonia”. Besides a few gigs and some work for side-project Skyshifter, my focus is on organizing non-related party events the last couple of years so IC 434 is in a deep sleep. Last year, I did a single concert for the 25 years of existence, and indeed, at the end of February I will be on stage in ‘Fetish Café’ in my hometown Antwerp, because that’s quite a unique location of course and the organizers are very kind and enthusiastic people. But don’t expect a complete revival.

Q: You’ve been involved with numerous side-projects (from Genocide to Temesta to Pangea to Obedience…), but here again, it all looks like these projects are in stand-by or no longer active. Did you get the feeling to have seen it all and what’s your perception about the evolution in the electronic scene?

Geert: It’s not that these projects were all complete different, for example Temesta and Pangea are just other names for the same thing, and Obedience was meant to be the new path for IC 434, but fate decided it was not meant to be. I’ve always been interested in a wide spectrum of musical styles and I also wanted to make different kinds of music, and earlier on I had the compulsive idea this was not possible all under the same moniker.

But honestly, I hardly know anything about the evolution of the dark electronic scene, answering your last question. The few songs I got to know recently kept me mostly completely indifferent. Probably this is partly a result of getting older, my complex personal life and as you said ‘having seen it all’. And at the same time, let’s compare the year 1980 to 2000 and then 2000 to 2020, and I think we all have to admit the evolution has become much less prominent in an objective manner.

Q: I’m in touch with a lot of artists and label owners and I often get the feeling some of them no longer enjoy what they’re doing and that makes me think to the title of your last album “Anhedonia”. Do you recognize this sensation and in, which way does it symbolize the world and society we’re actually living in?

Geert: Perhaps it’s not so strange you start to enjoy other things when you’re getting older. But there’s more going on I think. We live in an overstimulating world where everything goes faster and faster. We get a little taste of something new, and move on rapidly to the next because of the overwhelming amount of things to choose from. I think the resulting addiction to new stimuli makes your brain exhausted and leads to anhedonia without much doubt. Being heard in such a world as a musician or label owner is much harder than it was in the 20^th Century and as a result, reducing the joy.

Q: You’ve been always concerned about important topics such as death, social themes, but still about astronomy, nature, animal rights… It all looks like things are progressively evolving, some people (and even adolescents) getting aware about what’s happening with our planet, but at the other side others who don’t totally care about it. What’s your own perception and personal involvement?

Geert: In these social media times, everyone has his or her opinion on everything. The need to having an opinion seems to be more important than using valid arguments, because the ego gets more and more importance, which I see reflected in a lot of those same opinions. To me, the future does not seem very bright, on the contrary. There’s the environmental crisis that’s still neglected by the majority of people for reasons of mainly cognitive dissonance, and there’s also the growing importance of ‘believe’ (superstition, alternative medicine, astrology, religion…) based on not knowing how to interpret data and/or not knowing how to get to a valid conclusion based on those data, or it’s even just based on gut feeling. In both cases psychological mechanisms we all share are involved. The challenge is to be aware of those mechanisms and I am convinced they should be teached at school prior to many other things.

Q: What did you keep in mind from the early IC 434-years? What have been the major facts you’ll never forget? The biggest challenges? What makes you proud and what makes you sick? What brings the future?

Geert: I enjoyed the early years the most. The days I switched on my Korg M1 and the inspiration came faster than my fingers could translate it into music. Being proud of releasing the first demo tape. Not thinking about how people would react on the internet. Just taking care of the composition and not getting nuts in the mixing and mastering stage, what became the biggest challenge later on. During the years, it all became less spontaneous, and things in personal life did not help for sure. So many things happened in those 25 years that it’s just too much to describe, even if they’re really important in a positive or negative way. And now I have absolutely no idea what the future will bring for IC 434.

Q: Geert, I know you as a humble and discrete man and artist. You’re not the kind of guy who has the need to get in the spotlights or someone obsessed by ‘image’ and talking about his life on social media. What does (or did) music bring and maybe change to your life? Do you see music as something pure artistic or is it more than that?

Geert: I feel this as a compliment, but it hasn’t always made things easy because that’s not how our world generally works if you want to get somewhere. Although IC 434 has not been a priority for many years, music will probably always keep an important role in my life, just as it always did since I was 13. I’ve spent most part of my spare time in musical activities in one or another way. Creating songs, doing masterings for others, meeting friends on related activities, setting up events, going to concerts… It’s definitely more than something ‘just’ artistic, it’s about emotions and the will to express whatever I want to at a certain moment, even without words.

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-electro, EBM.

Background/Info: Set up in 2010 by Jan Kluge (vocals) and Thomas DosUnit the Berlin duo self-released the album “Dein Schicksal” in 2012. They were joined in 2016 by Oliver Senger (Agonoize) and started writing new material. “Sünde Mensch” is the first official album from Any Second and features an extra disc with remixes.

Content: The sound and influences of Any Second are somewhat 90s like and clearly reminding me of bands such as Tyske Lüdder, Der Prager Handgriff and Calva Y Nada. They bring a powerful mix of dark-electronics and pure EBM sung by charismatic vocals. Most of the vocals are sung in German.

The bonus disc features 10 remixes by [:SITD:], Cephalgy, Centhron, Trensity, Mondträume, Electronic Frequency, Synthattack, Tranzresonanz, Pseudokrupp Project and Angriffspakt.

+ + + : No doubt about it, this is a ‘typical’ Out Of Line production that will appeal for lovers of dark-electronics and EBM. Any second moves somewhere in between and clearly evoke good-old 90s influences. The songs are well-crafted and feature several great cuts. I especially want to tip “Seelenhügel”, which appears to be a real potential hit. The powerful and charismatic vocals are sometimes reminding me of Tyske Lüdder.

Among the remixes I want to say a word about the great job done by [:SITD:] (remixing “Seelenhügel”) and Tanzresonanz (a band I remember from an ‘old’ Out Of Line-compilation entitled “Electrostorm Vol.6”).

– – – : I noticed a few ‘softer’ cuts, which are not the most captivating ones from the work. Sound-wise Any Second avoids all innovation, but I have to admit they accomplished an efficient production.

Conclusion: This is the kind of band that will appeal for multiple electro-heads passionate by EBM and dark-electronics. Nothing new although a cool work!

Best songs: “Seelenhügel”, “Niedergand”, “Sünde” + “Zorn – Tranzresonanz Remix”, “Seelenhügel – [:SITD:] Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.anysecond.eu / www.facebook.com/anysecond.berlin

Label: www.outofline.de  / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel

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

The 7th and final part in the series of re-releases of all classic Calva Y Nada albums, “Schlaf”, will be out in a few weeks from now, coming in all new artwork. Orders are accepted right here, especially for the super-limited 2CD set.

“Schlaf” was Constantin Warter’s (aka Calva Y Nada) last ever album and was released on the legendary Hyperium Records label in 1998. With “Schlaf”, this German electronic/avant-garde music project founded in 1990 by Constantin Warter came to a sudden and unexpected end. Nothing has ever been heard again from Calva Y Nada after that.

The album is being re-released as a VERY limited 2CD edition of just 222 copies (available here), including an exclusive 3” Bonus-CD, that features the ultra-rare track “Guns’n’Weiss”, released in 1998 on the 4th “Zwischenfall”-compilation (and one year later also on French Elegy magazine compilation) only.

Here’s the title track to freshen up your memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NVNKgEDckE

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.

side-line.com

Part 6 of the re-releases series for Calva Y Nada back catalogue presents the band’s second last album, originally released in 1996 on the now legendary Hypericum label: “Das Böse macht ein freundliches Gesicht”.

The “Das Böse macht ein freundliches Gesicht” album featured the very successful single “Finstere Zeit” and offered typical CYN songs although featuring a few new subtle elements.

The album comes also as a very limited edition double-CD including the exclusive 12-tracks bonus-CD Live-Album “Live in Freiburg”. You can order that limited set right here. Highly recommended!

Here’s the album track “Aufprall”.

Here’s “Finstere Zeit” offering good old 90s electro with un-vocoded vocals.

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.

side-line.com

Good news for the Calva Y Nada fans, Emmo.bizz will be releasing the band’s 1994 album “¡Palpita, Corazón, Palpita!”, originally released via Hyperium Records, in no less than 3 different versions. All versions can be ordered right now. Below are the details. This is the 5th Calva Y Nada re-release via the German label.

The 3 different versions are the following.

The special edition (you can buy it here):

• This edition is limited to 77 copies including the bonus CD “Finstere Zeit”
• It includes a printed metalbox
• It comes with a special A5 digipak
• It includes a lanyard
• It includes a bonus CD with 3 tracks: “Finstere Zeit”, “Übel” and “Algazara (Remix)”

The limited edition which is limited to 222 copies including the bonus CD “Finstere Zeit” (you can buy it here) and then there’s also a normal 1CD edition (you can buy it here).

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.

side-line.com