Referring to the events that unfolded globally, 2023 has again been a bloody, terrible year. Music continues to be a true therapy for soothing pain and suffering, though it seems to have a diminishing impact on the ongoing horror. Therefore, I’m once again wrapping up the year with a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’ albums.

Throughout the year, over 700 productions were selected, and 450 reviews were conducted. Some productions were declined because the style of music didn’t fit, others weren’t reviewed for not being ‘good enough’, while a final portion of reviews will be postponed to early 2024. I am immensely grateful to all the labels, bands, and promoters for considering my work, and I look forward to collaborating again in 2024.

I extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM), who has been reading, correcting, and improving the reviews for many years. Without Rich, these reviews would not exist. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker, chief editor of Side-Line Music Magazine, for our ongoing, successful collaboration. Last but not least, I thank my lovely wife, Katja, for giving me the time and freedom to pursue my passion.

However…

Looking ahead to 2024, I’ve been scaling back my activities for a few years and plan to reduce them further. Having started with my first reviews and interviews back in 1991, I feel the end drawing near. My aim is to reach 2025, but nothing is certain. I’ve grown a bit tired and disillusioned with how things are evolving.

That’s why I want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who fail to realize or appreciate the work I do in creating reviews and preparing interviews to spotlight them. Guys, I do this for free and in my free time! The attitude and lack of respect shown by some – fortunately a very few – is very, very sad. But, I’m afraid it reflects the world we live in. Behind a genius artist doesn’t always stand a great person. It’s odd realizing that the ‘biggest’ and long-established artists in this scene are often the most accessible.

Writing reviews remains highly subjective and a source of discussion. Remember, it’s always the reviewer’s perception. I assure you, I always strive to substantiate my reviews as best as possible. A review is subjective but must be honest!

Like every year, I’ve selected the best albums of the year 2023. This ‘TOP 25’ encompasses various styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Ritual, Cinematic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno, and a few related genres. It’s always an exciting yet challenging task.

This ‘TOP 25’ is based on the promotional material I received, excluding compilations, ‘best of’ productions, EPs, and singles. So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2023, and don’t forget to share it with your friends…

Stéphane Froidcoeur (for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews)

Top 25 albums of the year 2023

1. CERULEAN VEINS “Black” Cold Transmission Music
2. LIEBKNECHT “Fabrikat” Ant-Zen
3. FRONTIER GUARDS “Colony” Aliens Production
4. SOPOR AETERNUS & THE ENSEMBLE OF SHADOWS “Alone At Sam’s – An Evening With…” Apocalyptic Vision / Trisol
5. WAVESHARD “Waveshard” Corvus Records
6. THE EMPATH “Black Hole” Audiophob
7. VNV NATION “Electric Sun” Metropolis Records
8. EFF DST “Incarnate” Ant-Zen
9. ENZO KREFT “XL” Enzo Kreft
10. DELEYAMAN “The Sudbury Inn” TTO Records
11. GIRLS UNDER GLASS “Backdraft” Dependent Records
12. ALIEN VAMPIRES “Return Me To Hell” Alfa Matrix
13. SUN’S SPECTRUM “The Silence After The Fall” Cold Transmission Music
14. DANIEL MYER “Hingab” Sonic Groove
15. SHROUDS “Shrouds” Hands
16. DIARY OF DREAMS “Melancholin” Accession Records
17. MONO INC “Ravenblack” NoCut / SPV
18. ROME “Gates Of Europe” Trisol
19. OHNE NOMEN “The S-Witch” Cold Transmission Music
20. THE SEVEN WHORES OF THE APOCALYPSE “All Through The Waste” Scanner / Dark Dimensions
21. SPANKTHENUN “The Bunker Tapes Vol.3” SpankTheNun
22. BLACKCARBURNING “Watching Sleepers” COP International
23. GOD BODY DISCONNECT “The Weight Of Regression” Cryo Chamber
24. MILDREDA “Blue-Devilled” Dependent Records
25. PASCAL SAVY “Simulacra” Cyclic Law

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

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries) When you ask Cerulean Veins about the origins of the band Amanda Ashley Toombs and Dustin Frelich answer ‘Cerulean Veins has yet to see actual daylight. We are what happens when juxtaposing forces come together at a certain time and place and create. This union is similar to the moments just before sunrise or sunset.’ Hailing from San Diego (USA) the duo this year released its fourth full length album by Cold Transmission Music. “Black” stands for good-old Dark-Wave / Post-Punk music driven by dynamic rhythms, elevating choruses and captivating vocal parts. The work features ten songs which could be nearly all potential singles. “Black” is a great production and I even dare to affirm one of the best albums from the last years in Dark-Wave music. Amanda and Dustin bring us an introduction to their band while giving us an insight to “Black”.

Q: I noticed you set up Cerulean Veins now ten years ago. Can you draw up the balance sheet from this first decade of Cerulean Veins?

CV: Reflecting on ten years of existence, we’ve definitely found our way through the ups and downs and ins and outs of time. By creating and releasing four full-length albums (“Cerulean Veins” in 2016, “Ado” in 2017, “Blue” in 2020 and “Black” in 2023) and 23 singles, we’ve grown as musicians, artists, and humans.

Q: Your previous album was called “Blue” while the new one is entitled “Black”. Do you have something special with colors and what do you try to express by these titles and the lyrical content of “Black”?

CV: We cannot separate color from symbolism across cultures, so by using color we acknowledge blue isn’t just blue and black isn’t just black. In a way, we are providing a lens through which others can approach our music. Cerulean is a dark sky blue. One of the earliest starting points for this album was the line, ‘Out of the Blue and into the Black.’ “Black” was the natural progression after 2020’s “Blue”, and from here we’ll see where “Black” takes us next.

Q: How did the “Black” album take shape and what’s the input of each other? What have been the sources of inspiration?  

CV: Humanity is our biggest source of inspiration, especially during the creation of “Black”. We typically start with a musical fragment or idea, and build that into more complete statements before going back through and vetting the best ideas. Most often, we find that the words reveal themselves in the music.

Q: I honestly consider “Black” as one of the most accomplished Dark-Wave/Post-Punk productions from the past years. Do you’ve any favorite and/or referential album/artist in mind? And how do you perceive the evolution from the early stuff till “Black”?

CV: As a companion and successor to “Blue”, we see “Black” as the culmination of our time spent creating. While we do draw upon certain touchstones from music history, our references or influences aren’t necessarily artists or albums. Instead, we pull from moods, both real and imagined, as influences for what we create.

Q: How do you transpose the songs from the studio to the stage and what have been your live experiences so far? Any chance to see you playing in Europe?

CV: Performing our songs live on stage with a full band definitely brings a different energy to our music. Live, the experience is frenetic with less production than what may feel right in the studio or on playback. We would love to play in Europe!

Q: How self-critical are you? Are there specific aspects in writing and/or production you would like to change and/or improve at further songs/albums?

CV: Being critical can make the music better, but it can also hinder creativity. There is definitely a time and place for self-criticism, and that’s not early in the creative process. We’ve found giving ourselves permission to create means silencing the critical voices and allowing ourselves to explore different ideas. But then later embracing a critical approach in our vetting process.

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-Wave, Post-Punk.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info: American duo Dustin Frelich and Amanda Ashley Toombs are back on track unleashing their fourth album to date. After the previously released “Blue,” they now move on with “Black” dealing about ‘life, death, love, and what it means to be human.’

Content: This work stands for pure, good-old, Dark-Wave. The album features 10, swinging, dynamic, songs. There’s no real break but just a succession of great songs carried by solid choruses. The songs have been meticulously built up and masterfully lead by the charismatic vocals of Dustin Frelich who’s timbre of voice reminds me a bit of Tom Smith (Editors).

+ + + : I already liked “Blue” but “Black” is a true masterpiece and I even dare to say one of the best Dark-Wave albums from the past several years. The dynamic running through the songs has a great effect which even becomes hypnotic and elevating during the choruses. “Love Won’t Save Us Now” is the perfect illustration of the album’s genius. The ten songs could be all potential singles. I also want to mention the great production of the vocals which have something captivating and powerful. This album sounds like the imaginary offspring between the most dynamic side of The Smiths and the vocals of Editors.

– – – : Sound-wise there are no minus points to mention. I don’t have anything against sober artwork but this one is maybe a bit too sober.

Conclusion: I feel some magic listening to “Black”. This is a great album you’ll listen to in loop.

Best songs: “Love Won’t Save Us Now”, “Dancing With Shadows”, “Tempted Hearts”, “Only The Love”, “Infinite Love”, “Dance Human Dance”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.facebook.com/CeruleanVeins

Label: www.coldtransmission.com / www.facebook.com/coldtransmissionmusic

About Cerulean Veins

Cerulean Veins is a dark-wave and post-punk duo based in San Diego, California, made up of vocalist and bassist Dustin Frelich and synth and keyboard player Amanda Ashley Toombs. The project also describes itself under the tagline “Music. Words. Humanity.”

The duo’s catalog includes the albums “Self-Entitled” (2016) and “Ado” (2017), both recorded with additional musicians Paul Welch and Bob Patrowicz, followed by “Blue” (2020) and the fourth album, “Black,” released in 2023 through Cold Transmission Music.

In a June 2023 interview, Cerulean Veins told Side-Line that Humanity Is Our Biggest Source Of Inspiration, a theme carried into “Black,” an album built around life, death, love and what it means to be human.

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: Cold-Wave, Rock-Wave.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Cerulean Veins is an American duo set up by married couple Dustin Frelich and Amanda Ashley Toombs. They’ve been active since 2013 and have released an impressive number of singles.  “Blue” is the band’s third album, which was originally released in 2020 on cassette format by Reclusion Records. Cold Transmission Music has now released the album as a CD.

Content: I never heard of this band before “Blue”. The work is merging different 80s related influences; from Cold-Wave reminding Joy Division for the guitar and The Skeletal Family for the energetic drums to Post-Punk and a kind of Dark-Rock. The work is diversified, the songs being often carried by strong choruses. Parts of the album also remind me of Placebo and the Belgian formation The Customs.

+ + + : “Blue” is a great and fully enjoyable work because of its diversity and especially the fusion of all influences. It takes off a rather dark and Cold-Wave style featuring great opening songs (cf. “Fell In Love” and “Hello, Darkness”) and progressively evolves towards a more Rock-Wave style (cf. “Ghost Memory” and “Dance In The Darkness”). The drums, played by a real drummer, inject a true boost of energy. Last, but not least I should say a good band always needs a great singer and Dustin Frelich definitely has a charismatic voice.

– – – : The artwork of this album looks pretty sober, maybe a little bit too sober although clearly matching with the title of the work; it looks simply blue.

Conclusion: This album sounds like a true revelation; Cerulean Veins is a band I can strongly encourage you to discover.

Best songs: “Fell In Love”, “Hello, Darkness”, “Dance In The Darkness”, “Boo”, “Ghost Memory”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/CeruleanVeins

Label: www.coldtransmission.com / www.facebook.com/coldtransmissionmusic

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