Chiasm &#8211; SIDE-LINE

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!

‘Resurgence’, a massive 7CD post-punk boxset to be released in January 2025 – Pre-order now

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 15:25:46 +0000

The Brussels-based Spleen+ label (a division of Alfa Matrix) has prepared a deluxe 7CD collector’s edition – “Resurgence” – which brings together 133 active bands from across the globe, spanning the diverse sub-genres born from post-punk’s iconic roots. You can order it now from the Alfa Matrix webstore and in digital download format from Bandcamp.

The release comes housed in a luxurious vinyl-sized box, and comes accompanied by a 28-page book. The book holds interviews from renowned producers like John Fryer and Jean-Marc Lederman, label managers, journalists, and iconic artists (including Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, William Faith, No More, Skeletal Family, Mona Mur, KaS Product, And Also The Trees, Clan Of Xymox, Attrition, Das Ich, Merciful Nuns, The Names, The Breath Of Life, etc).

Spanning 23 different nationalities, the music included is a genre-spanning mix of post-punk, cold wave, dark synth, ethereal, and minimal EBM with such bands like Boy Harsher, A Cloud Of Ravens, No More, Skeletal Family, Collection D’Arnell Andrea, Underviewer, Attrition, Merciful Nuns, Lederman/De Meyer, Local Suicide & Sekelesys, Star Industry, Ataraxia, Czarina, Helalyn Flowers, Ascii.Disko, Je T’Aime, The Ultimate Dreamers, Lycia, Opera Multi Steel, The Breath Of Life, Auger, The Names, Whispers In The Shadow, Lovelorn Dolls, Astari Nite, Chiasm, Saigon Blue Rain, Omnimar, Still Patient, Creux Lies, Golden Apes, and many more.

You can already check out a few tracks here.

Resurgence by Various Artists

Apart from the 7CD vinyl size deluxe carton box format, “Resurgence” will not be available on mainstream digital platforms, except exclusively via the label’s Bandcamp page.

There is also a special combi pack including the 7CD set plus Darkness On Demand’s “Panic In Reserve” CD and To Avoid’s “All Gods Are Gone” 2CD.

“Resurgence” Tracklist

Cd 1

Bestial Mouths . Hex (The Spell)
A Cloud Of Ravens . Parable
Boy Harsher . Give Me A Reason
Czarina . Wonderland
Collection D’arnell Andrea . Waiting For Meaulnes
Krystal System . La Lame Dans Ta Main
Je T’aime . Out Of Sight
Aeon Rings . Fully Operational
The Ultimate Dreamers . Polarized
Partikul . Nothing Good In Me
Cosmobrigade . Spacepit
Aeon Sable . From Witchcraft To Deviltry
Stereoskop . Deep Down
The Breath Of Life . Slowly Crushing
Faust Project . Rats Lullaby
Al . Mistake
N.E.L. & J.P . Desinteresse
Zeitgeist Zero . Scream
Voyna . Moulding Heart

Cd 2

Blackbook . You Are Strange
Auger . My Heart Is Glass
Dekad . A Deadly Show (Video Edit)
Love In Cage . A Logical Secret Collection
Helalyn Flowers . Halos
Soft Scent . No Wounds
Sweet Ermengarde . Sweet Sacrifice
Martin Dupont . Bent At The Window (2023)
The Names . Far From The Factories
Boxes Of Blow . Melting Faces
Mirror Of Haze Feat. Primitive Heart . Reckless
A Slice Of Life . Seven Days
Then Comes Silence . Pretty Creatures
Nite . Inside Of My Head
Astari Nite . Bowie In Daydreams
Korus . Złote Światło Pierwszego Zachodu
Lovelorn Dolls . A Heart Cries
Whispers In The Shadow . Revenants
Merciful Nuns . Oneironauts

Cd 3

Lederman – De Meyer . Heartbeat
Local Suicide & Skelesys . Surface Of The Sun (Radio Edit)
Punx Soundcheck Feat. Ascii.Disko & Princess Superstar . Gasoline
No More . Sleepers And Trains
Mitra Mitra . Memories For Company
A Copy For Collapse Feat. Simona Pietrucci . Faded
Alien Skin . Depress Me
White Mansion . Cancel The Sky
Apnoie . Splash Your Bile
Celluloide . Compte Les Ombres
Risk Risk . Streetwalk
Total Chroma . Northern Lights
Opera Multi Steel . À Nos Moments Perdus
Lycia . Simpler Times
Noemi Aurora . Blood As Lipstick
Novus . Ess
I Ya Toyah . Death’s Kiss
Katcross . Rest
Winter Severity Index . Speak To Me

Cd 4

Systeme Paradoxe . Comme Le Sable En Hiver
Aiboforcen . Break The Black Ice (Original Mix)
Chiasm . Cut Right Through (Emileigh Rohn Edit)
Saigon Blue Rain . Dolls Dresses
Her Own World . Mistrust
Still Patient Feat. Minu-Schirin Samimi . Blind Vision
Creux Lies . Playtime
Der Klinke . Curtains (Your Life On Hold Remix)
On The Floor . Crying On The Dancefloor
Numa Echos Feat. Red Zebra . Waisted Items
Factheory . The Day (Ok Lion! Mix – Short Version)
Antiflvx . Crystal
Flor Concreta . She’s Closer
Golden Apes . Ash Trees
Glis . Blue Sky Night
Ataraxia . The Source
Hanging Freud . Grooming
Ok Lion! . Get Away
Yuzna . Queen Of The Eels

Cd 5

The Breath Of Life Feat. Implant . The Last Record
The Halo Trees . Happy Man
Palm Ghosts . Tilt
Your Life On Hold . Imprisoned (Merciless Radio Edit)
Götterdämmerung . Common Existence
Jenni Sex . Sin Chimes
Denner . She Radiates Darkness
Imjudas . I Love You
Black Needle Noise . Dollhouse On Fire
Dead Souls Rising . Dysmorphobia
The Waning Moon . Annabel
Korinthians . Leader Of The Night
Elektrostaub Feat. Stefan Netschio . Mantis (Auger Remix)
Omnimar . The Matrix
Synapsyche Feat. Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost) . The Last Dying Flame
Dance My Darling . Criminal
First Aid 4 Souls Feat. Emke Of Black Nail Cabaret . Das Messer
Supernova 1006 . Tell Your Name (Mix)
Suicidal Romance . Runaways

Cd 6

Ascii.Disko . Loslassen
Vioflesh . Emotions
Dina Summer . Who Am I (Club Version)
Pleasure Victim . Rascheln
Pink Opake . Pronta
Thewalkingicon . The Trail (Radio Edit)
Psy’aviah Feat. Sorrow Stories . Healing
Seasurfer . Collapsing
Lakeside X . Fire In The Sky (Radio Version)
Darkness On Demand . Hang On (Winterhart Remix)
Star Industry . Selling Icons (The Dreamside Remix)
Alphavox . Dark Satellite
Yama Uba . Shapes
Lifeless Past . Anxiety
Pink Turns Blue . Not Gonna Take It
Social Union . Waiting For Red
Sine . Until (Clan Of Xymox Remix)
Sorry, Heels . She Burns (We Burn) Version
Lights A.M . Clouds

Cd 7

Useless/You . Echo
Attrition . The Great Derailer
Children Of Zeal . Taking Over
Octolab . Friend Or Foe
Vague Phonique . The Last Man
Midnight Poetry . Black Hole
The Overlookers . Undercover (Edit)
La Machine . Vamos A La Playa (Radiomix)
Die Sexual . House Of God
Carrellee . Morning Sun
Underviewer . Was Soll Ich Tun (Aiboforcen Remix)
Night In Athens . Words Unspoken
Neila Invo . Alienation
Skeletal Family . My Own Redemption
The Murder Mystery . A Girl Named Red
Princess Ugly . For A Moment I Forgot The Desolation
Instant Lake . Ivory Dreams
Vision Video . Balaclava Kiss
La Scaltra . Dancing On Debris

https://rohn-lederman.bandcamp.com/track/faces-pretend-black-cd

Rohn + Lederman – Black And Blue (Double album-Digital/CD – Les Disques De La Pantouffle)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0000

“Black And Blue” is the fourth instalment between Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm) and Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer, Lederman / De Meyer ao). “Black” brings a more danceable side of Electro/Industrial-Pop with the sensual vocals of Emileigh on top. There are also minimal passages and bombastic arrangements that you can hear in this original and atypical Electro-Pop style. “Blue” completely breaks with the danceable character of “Black” and brings an atmospheric, refined, and Cinematic approach with still sexy vocals. I personally prefer “Black” instead of “Blue”. (Rate: 7½).

Listen to “Faces Pretend”:

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.

Jean-Marc Lederman Experience – Sci-Fi Revisited (Album – COP International)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Cinematic, Experimental, Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer, Gene Loves Jezebel ao)is back on track with a new and already conceptual work. The album title speaks for itself. The Belgian Electro pioneer has been assisted by Tom Shear (Assemblage 23), Christina Z, Jim Semonik (Red Lokust), Mari Kattman, Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm), Ken Magerman, Daz Sharp, Julianne Regan, Jim Marcus (Die Warzau) and Sapphira Vee.

Content: Lederman composed the music for the impressive list of guest singers. The music is filled with explicit astral sound treatments and -atmospheres. The slow rhythms together with the different singers make it more accessible while a few passages are more into Electro-Pop and danceable passages. The main characteristic of the work is the narrating format of the singers interpreting extracts of sci-fi stories.

+ + + : Jean-Marc Lederman moves on exorcizing his endless creative thoughts and concepts with one of his most creative and ambitious works ever. It’s not only about music -which totally stands for the concept of the album revealing a ‘space’-like dimension but also the accomplishment of a wider- and higher artistic goal. There’s a kind of cyber-puzzle wherein the listener/visitor has to unlock every single track.You really have to experience it on your own to realize what it’s all about.

– – – : The importance of the concept is maybe undermining a tiny bit the music itself.

Conclusion: Jean-Marc Lederman revisited sci-fi themes which must have been a piece of cake as he’s for sure the one and only sci-fi musician from the Electronic scene.

Best songs: “The Eyes Have It! Feat. Ken Magerman”, “Titanium Aegis feat. Christina Z”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.jmlederman.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100056370733178

Label: www.facebook.com/copint

Jean-Marc Lederman presents audiobook of short sci-fi tales, ‘Sci-Fi Revisited’ – Out now

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 09:42:45 +0000

Jean-Marc Lederman, known for his work with Fad Gadget, The The, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer (with Frank Spinath from Seabound), and Rohn-Lederman with Emileigh from Chiasm, presents an audiobook of short sci-fi tales, “Sci-Fi Revisited”. The book is narrated by various singers and musicians, and it is accompanied by a computer puzzle game. The package also includes a 12-page micro book with 11 pulp covers.

Released under the The Jean-Marc Lederman Experience moniker, “Sci-Fi Revisited” features Tom Shear (Assemblage 23), Christina Z, Jim Semonik (Red Lokust), Mari Kattman, Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm), Ken Magerman, Daz Sharp, Julianne Regan, Jim Marcus (Die Warzau), and Sapphira Vee.

This release is a co-production between Les Disques De La Pantoufle and COP International. It was produced, arranged, and played by Jean-Marc Lederman. The images for the website and cover were prompted by Kevin B. Lederman. The lab/vault website and video game were developed by Kevin B. Lederman, courtesy of https://blackfoot.io/.

The album is available through COP International and on their Bandcamp page. Note that the CD version comes in a limited edition of just 100 hand numbered copies. It holds a 12-page micro book on 230 gram paper. You also get access to a puzzle game to unlock the tracks.

Sci-Fi Revisited by Jean-Marc Lederman

Chiasm drops ‘Cut Right Through’ EP featuring Assemblage 23 – Out now

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 12:16:57 +0000

Emileigh Rohn, the artistic force behind Chiasm, has released her latest EP titled “Cut Right Through” via COP International. This record serves as a preview to her seventh studio album, “Zone”. The EP features collaborations with artists such as Assemblage 23, Mildreda, :10, and hEADaCHE.

Recorded at MausHaus Studio over a span of three years (2020-2023), “Cut Right Through” offers an eclectic mix of electronic music navigating through various sub-genres, from dancefloor-ready anthems to glitch-infused tracks. The EP surely showcases Rohn’s versatility and unique approach to electronic music.

Mastering of the EP was done by Jean-Marc Lederman, ensuring a top-notch audio quality. The visual aspect of the EP was in the hands of Christian Petke/DCore providing artwork that complements the musical content.

You can check out the new 7-track EP right now, including on Bandcamp.

Cut Right Through by Chiasm

Click Interview with Rohn-Lederman: ‘Commitment To The Art’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 18:00:00 +0000

Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer, Lederman/ De Meyer ao) and Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm) got in touch for Jean-Marc’s conceptual album “Letters To Gods And Fallen Angels” (2019). It became a praised album and a successful collaboration inciting the Belgian-American duo to move on working together. Rohn-Lederman was born and a first album “Venus Chariot” was released in 2021. One year later the duo strikes back unleashing “Rage!”. Both albums released by COP International reveal a very own approach in sound, mixing different styles resulting in an atypical Electro-Pop production. “Rage!” sounds darker and harsher than its predecessor but also is a sophisticated piece of music. This is what both artists have to say about their common project.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: What motivated you to work together on a full length album and what makes the chemistry between both of you?

Jean-Marc: We kinda hooked up really from the beginning. I had provided Emileigh a song but ended up having to recreate the entire instrumental part beyond her voice. And she loved it. And I was so surprised as usually singers hate that, they’ll often get very self-conscious when the music changes too much. And I think Emileigh liked that I went as far as redoing a whole new music backing behind her. So we kind of got impressed by how each other was ready to alter course for making the end song shine through: commitment to the art.

Emileigh: We began in 2019 with a song featured at Jean-Marc’s album “Letters To Gods And Fallen Angels” and realized the potential of continuing to try more. So, we created an EP which eventually became an album and really haven’t stopped since. I think at last count, we have over 50 tracks released together at this point. It’s been an incredibly dynamic partnership.

Q: Was there something like a consensus about the music, lyrical themes and global approach when setting up the project?

Jean-Marc: We just went straight in and got to discover things happening when they did and follow the rabbit down the music hole…

Emileigh:I recall, when we first began, having a discussion around Tom Waits quote regarding beautiful music saying terrible things. I think that intense emotional edge, especially with our recent “Rage!”-album, has only continued to sharpen. We knew well from our individual projects that our mindsets were similar and wanted to create music that continues to move and hold interest. I think we both have a fiery opposition to stagnancy.

Q: Jean-Marc, you already worked with numerous singers and artists so what makes the experience with Emileigh Rohn maybe different or that particular? What did she brought you never experienced before and in which way did she stimulates your artistic creativity and –skills in the production of this work?

Jean-Marc: I have been lucky enough to share a great music experience with amazing singers like Bruce Geduldig with The Weathermen and Frank Spinath with Ghost & Writer. Here, Emileigh brings in her amazing lyrical talent, her great voice, her ability to embrace changes and a genuine curiosity for bold and new things. The differences are multiples but I think it is also her natural attitude towards musical experiments.

Q: I often get the feeling Jean-Marc is one of the very few artists active at this scene who’s able to write the right music for the singers he’s working with… the singers becoming his muse? Do you recognize it or is it totally different? What’s your experience about it?

Emileigh: I write from my own interpretations, but there’s no question that we inspire each other. Our tracks begin with a skeleton composed by Jean-Marc, and I create my songs around that. Then he arranges the sounds around what I’ve provided, so there is indeed a chance for each of us to adjust what we’ve created. It’s been an incredibly creative experience overall.

Q: Sound-wise Rohn-Lederman sounds driven by Electro-Pop influences and yet it sounds to me as an antidote to ‘classical’ Electro-Pop standards which are only but repeating themselves. What makes the inspiration for Rohn-Lederman and what’s your perception of Electro-Pop productions who nearly all sound the same?

Jean-Marc: We are both very open to many different music styles and we aren’t afraid of trying mixing things we’ve heard, be it in a Top Ten hit or an obscure sound in a song penned by an unknown Moldavian band from the seventies (lol). So, no real influences but many of them. Luckily enough, they get draft in and mix themselves with all the others and it makes up for something rather different. Electro-pop productions are most often amazing sound wise and terrible inspiration and novelty wise.

Q: I guess you didn’t record the album together in studio but did everything over the net. Don’t you think working together in the same room/studio would result in a different production? What’s your opinion about it? And what’s the next step now for this project?

Jean-Marc: Sure it would sound different: what we get today is the result of that studio isolation and geographical distance. Being together in the studio would allow us to refine certain parts for sure but still we would go in the same area: putting together elements that aren’t supposed to be seen together.
It would be amazing to record in the same studio and very probably would lead to even more research and musical melting pot.

Next step? We have already kinda define where we want Rohn-Lederman 3 to go and lazily get going lol. But first Emileigh gets to work on her own Chiasm album and then we’ll regroup for our next one.

Emileigh: I’ve always preferred to work alone in my studio because it allows me to experiment with different sounds and techniques without the fear of judgement, the opportunity to self-edit in my own space. I think although we are comfortable sharing with each other mid-progress, we’re still giving ourselves this chance to branch out and create content that’s extra memorable for the listeners. As far as what’s next, yes, I’m constructing my new Chiasm-album and I’m sure that will have some influence on how we approach our next ROHN-LEDERMAN-album together. It’s going to be wild!! 🙂

Electropop project Rohn – Lederman to release ‘Rage!’ Album on September 2nd – check a first video

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 06:05:25 +0000

Out on the 2nd of September via COP International is the Rohn – Lederman album “Rage!”.

Behind Rohn – Lederman we find Jean-Marc Lederman (Fad Gadget, The Weathermen, The The, Gene Loves Jezebel, Ghost & Writer + numerous solo records) and Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm) who started this project to bring catchy electropop. More recently, Emileigh Rohn recently also completed an album with John Fryer titled “Missed The Noise”, and since has been working with Jean-Marc Lederman on this project.

Here’s a first preview of the Porno For Pyros track “Pets” by Rohn – Lederma.

Night music for seahorses and manatees by Jean-Marc Lederman

Jean-Marc Lederman releases ‘Night music for seahorses and manatees’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 07:37:00 +0000

(Photo by Erica Hinyot) Out now is the all new album by Jean-Marc Lederman called “Night music for seahorses and manatees“. The album is a 38 minutes long mostly instrumental album including a cover version of Tim Buckley’s “Song To The Siren”, sung by Emileigh Rohn from US band Chiasm.

Conceptually built around life in the sea, the album has a foreword by Geoff Avern, marine biologist and Doctor of Literature and Psychology, who tells us about the extremely dangerous state of our Oceans.

Jean-Marc Lederman adds: “You’ll literally meet seahorses, manatees, sharks, mantas, an old shipwreck, see the sad state the coral reefs are in (and that’s our fault), you’ll also be looking for Dory and will finally arrive at the bottom of the sea and re- discover…SURPRISE !”

You can check out the full release below. The album is also available on CD (4 sides eco-package).

Jean-Marc Lederman Experience – The Raven (Album – COP International)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Cinematographic, Experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Jean-Marc Lederman has achieved a new work featuring guest singers. In the past few months he released similar albums like “13 Ghost Stories” and “Letters To Gods And Fallen Angels”, and also “Venus Chariot” as a collaboration between him and Emileigh Rohn. “The Raven” is driven by a new concept where Lederman asked his guests to work on old texts from poets like (Byron, Poe, Plato, Shelley, de Froidmont ao.

Content: The guest singers for this album areMari Kattman (Helix, Mari & The Ghost), Christopher Hall (Stabbing Westward), Mark Hockings (Mesh), Elena Alice Fossi (Kirlian Camera, Spectra*Paris), Azam Ali (Niyaz), Dr. Strangefryer (aka John Fryer), Jim Semonik (Red Locust), Lis Van Den Akker (Misery, Psy’Aviah), Ken Mageman, Jean-Luc De Meyer (Front 242, 32Crash), Stefan Netschio (Beborn Beton), Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm), Christina Z.

Sound-wise the work is pretty eclectic, moving in between a free interpretation of Electro-Pop compositions and more pronounced Cinematographic music. The songs feature numerous, typical Cinema music arrangements, which are sometimes bombastic, but also pretty evasive. I also noticed very Minimal-Electro driven pieces. The songs have been sung/performed in English, French and Italian.

+ + + :Each time, Jean-Marc Lederman Experience again sounds like a new and fascinating journey. First there is always an interesting concept and I like this one for mixing old poems together with music, which as an imaginary Soundtrack has been performed by the artist. There’s once again a true symbiosis between music and vocals, seeing Jean-Marc transforming himself into a sonic chameleon. Music and performer are totally complementary, now resulting in a sensual composition like the one with Mari Kattman, then into a kind of Lounge approach with Mark Hockings, becoming totally minimal with Dr. Strangefryer, getting us into a dreamy part with Lis Van Den Akker. But the most surprising- and poignant track is the one with Jean-Luc De Meyer inspired on a poem of Hélinand de Froidmont. It’s an old and tenebrous poem, which has been masterly interpreted by the Front 242 lead singer and adapted into a horror-like music composition. There are several noticeable cuts on this album, which is more an album to listen to instead of dancing.

– – – : The album once more creates the illusion listening to a compilation instead of an album composed by one artist. That’s part of this concept and I’m sure Jean-Marc Lederman still has enough ideas and creativity to move on with it.

Conclusion: Jean-Marc Lederman Experience and his guest singers stand for a true sonic intercourse. This is a new brilliant piece of music and the perfect successor to “Letters To Gods And Fallen Angels”.

Best songs: “The Worms Of Death”, “Invocation”, Frankenstein”, “Smouldering Corpse In The Morning Sun”, “The Cold Heart Slept Below”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.jmlederman.com / www.facebook.com/Music-composer-Jean-Marc-Lederman-1585277635023000 / www.facebook.com/jeanmarc.lederman

Label: www.facebook.com/copint

Rohn + Lederman – Venus Chariot (Album – COP International)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Indie-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm) already sung a song on Jean-Marc Lederman’s last album “Letters To Gods And Fallen Angels”. They now joined arms together for a full length album. The American singer and Belgian musician accomplished fifteen songs.

Content: “Venus Chariot” sounds like the meeting between a heavenly, graceful singer and a true sonic chameleon. Jean-Marc Lederman composed an Electro-Pop composition, which has something pretty catchy and yet accomplished with numerous Experimental passages. The sound treatments are sometimes surprising, mixing refinement and bombast.

+ + + : It feels like Jean-Marc Lederman has written “Venus Chariot” for the voice of Emileigh Rohn. I get the impression the music would have been totally different with another singer. So it creates a true harmony between music and vocals. And Rohn’s fragile and heavenly timbre of voice has something particular, something you can’t totally catch, but Lederman caught it by music. Some passages remind me of Lilly Allen, but in a more Experimental approach. There are several cool songs featured like the EP-title song “Watch Out”, but my favorite one is for sure “Up In Flames” for its catchy side and ping-pong like sequences. “Sunflower” is another attention grabber for its delicacy. “What’d We Find Out” sounds more Indie-driven and is another cool cut. Last, but not least I also recommend “Come Over Here” featuring guitar sounds and male- and female vocals. I’m still perplex to see the sonic canvas of Jean-Marc Lederman who took me once more by surprise.

– – – : Some pieces are maybe missing an extra catchy touch, but I think it was not exactly the intention of this work.

Conclusion: It feels like both protagonists have already worked together for years and I can only encourage them to renew this experience.

Best songs: “Up In Flames”, “Sunflower”, “Watch Out”, “What’d We Find Out”, “Come Over Here”.

Rate: 7½.

Artists: www.facebook.com/emileigh.rohn / www.facebook.com/jeanmarc.lederman

Label: www.facebook.com/copint

Rohn-Lederman project launches first single, ‘Watch Out!’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 07:52:35 +0000

After her work with Chiasm and John Fryer’s album ” Missed the Noise”, Emileigh Rohn has jumped right into her next adventure with Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen / Fad Gadget / Front242 / Ghost & Writer with Frank Spinath from Seabound) to launch a new band: Rohn-Lederman.

Their first offering is an EP named “Watch Out!” Which comes in 4 reworked versions on the EP. Remixers on duty include Claus Larsen (Leaether Strip), Tom Shear (Assemblage 23), Mark Hockings (Mesh, Black Car Burning) and an own Rohn-Lederman remix. Also Krischan Jan-Eric Wesenberg (Rotersand) made a remix which will be released later this year.

Watch Out! by Rohn – Lederman

Here’s the video for the remixed version of “Watch Out!”.

John Fryer’s Black Needle Noise announces new single ‘Machine’ featuring vocalist Attasalina & violinist Meredith Yayanos

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 17:26:47 +0000

(Courtesy Attasalina) Black Needle Noise’s first release on COP International Records is a fact. Out now is a new single “Machine” featuring vocalist Attasalina and violinist Meredith Yayanos. The “Machine” EP features remixes from Christopher Hall (Stabbing Westward), Mark Hockings (Mesh/Blackcarburning), Sick Jokes, Soman and (London DJ) Samantha Togni.

Says Fryer of “Machine”: “It’s taken a while to find the right song for Attasalina so we could collaborate again. She did an amazing job on ‘Messages By Dreams’ and she has done an exceptional job on ‘Machine.’ It’s always a pleasure working with Attasalina, and it’s been great having Meredith Yayanos on board this time around playing violin on the track, adding another dimension.”

Attasalina, best known for her collaboration with Daniel Ash (The Soldiers of Everyday), has also released music with her band The Seraphim Rising and is currently working on her first solo record in collaboration with John Fryer, to be called Freed From Rage and Sorrow. She previously collaborated with Fryer on the Black Needle Noise track “Messages By Dreams.”

Machine by Black Needle Noise with Attasalina

See the video for “Machine” below.

About John Fryer

John Fryer started his career in 1979 at London’s Blackwing Studios (London) and soon began working with seminal bands on 4AD, Mute, Rough Trade and Beggars Banquet, including Depeche Mode, The Wolfgang Press and Cocteau Twins. His achievement in helping develop the latter’s pioneering ethereal and ambient sound ultimately led Watts-Russell to recruit Fryer as his partner for This Mortal Coil.

Since then, Fryer has produced many iconic artists, including Love and Rockets, HIM, Cradle of Filth, Clan of Xymox, Nitzer Ebb, Dead Can Dance, Yaz (Yazoo), Xmal Deutschland, Fields of the Nephilim, De/Vision, Stabbing Westward and many others. Fryer has also produced many film soundtracks, such as Seven, Clerks, Johnny Mnemonic, Mortal Kombat, Faust and Resident Evil: Apocalypse.

Currently Fryer also works closely with COP International and its roster and this debut Black Needle Noise release on the label is being hailed by COP founder Christian Petke who says, “I know how much this project means to John and I think it represents some of his finest work. Black Needle Noise is his vehicle to execute his artistic visions. It is not bound by style or fashion but represents the distilled essence of a man honing his craft for 40-plus years. To say it is an honor to represent Black Needle Noise on COP International is an understatement.”

Fryer recently celebrated a #1 entry on the German DAC Charts with the Chiasm & John Fryer album “Missed The Noise”. Good to know, Fryer acts as an A&R and a producer at COP International Records, helming the work of artists such as Stabbing Westward, Azam Ali, Chiasm, Stoneburner, Blackcarburning and more.

Chiasm and John Fryer to release debut album ‘Missed The Noise’ on March 5 – new single ‘Intertwined’ out now

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:02:34 +0000

Out via COP International on March 5 is the Chiasm & John Fryer debut album “Missed The Noise” for which a new single has been released: “Intertwined”. The full-length – available here for pre-ordering – will include 11 tracks including the previously released singles “Away” and “Are You Okay?”.

“Missed The Noise” comes on the heels of a busy 2020 for Chiasm, which saw her release the “Away” EP in June and the “Are You Okay?” single and remix EP in August, which also featured John Fryer and contributions from label mates Stabbing Westward and Jean-Marc Lederman (Front 242, The Weathermen, Lederman / De Meyer) as well as Third Realm and Glass Apple Bonzai.

But for now check the new single “Intertwined”.

Intertwined by Chiasm

Reichsfeind – Living In Space / The Remixes (EP – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 19:00:12 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Reichsfeind recently joined hands together with Alfa Matrix. While the new EP “Persona” is meant as an appetizer to announce the new album, this EP is part of the back-catalogue that will be released on Alfa Matrix. “Living In Space / The Remixes” is the complementary EP to the same-titled album released in 2017 by E-Noxe. The EP was self-released in 2018.

Content: The EP takes off with the previously unreleased “Mute”-song, which is carried by a hopping rhythm. The chorus reveals the Pop approach, which is more pronounced than what we’ve heard from Reichsfeind at the “Chasm Walk”-album.

We next get 3 remixes from songs that were originally released on “Living In Space”. Remixes have been accomplished by Desastrous, Chiasm and Kennedy.

+ + + : “Mute” is a cool song opening this EP revealing the Electro-Pop side of Reichsfeind or shall I dare to say the ‘early’ influences of the project. Together with the remix of “Detox” by Desastrous both songs are characterized by danceable vibes and cool melody lines. You also can hear the well-crafted writing of the songs.

– – – : I’m not sure bringing this older stuff alive is the best way to promote the new work of Reichsfeind. The remixes by Chiasm and Kennedy are soft and less exiciting.

Conclusion: I’m not a huge fan of this EP, which has less to do with what Reichsfeind is composing today. This is an EP for the fans and collectors.

Best songs: “Mute”, “Detox – Desastrous Remix”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Reichsfeind

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

Third Realm – The Art Of Despair (Album – darkTunes Music Group)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 19:30:37 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro, dark-wave.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Nathan Rainer is active under the Third Realm moniker since 2000. He released multiple albums on labels such as Radio-Active Music and Distortion Productions plus self-released different works as well. He last year joined hands with darkTunes to unleash this new work.

Content: Third Realm moves on mixing EBM and dark-electro music. The album takes off with hot female moans while the harsh vocals of Nathan Rainer are joining in. This song is one of the two cuts featuring Chiasm, but is pretty representative of the album, revealing a hot and club-driven sexy EBM format. Some songs are darker and more dark-electro orientated while other passages are getting back to the dark-wave style of the project. Songs with clearer vocals are once again reminding me of Diary Of Dreams; there’s a natural power and charismatic interpretation of the songs.

The final part of the work features remixes by Aesthetic Perfection, Subliminal Code and Panic Lift.

+ + + : Third Realm moves on experimenting with different –although related, influences, but this album reveals a truly cohesive result. There’s a harmony between all songs, which naturally resulted in a few brilliant songs such as “Passion” and the dance-wave driven “Gazing At The Stars”. Third Realm has found the right balance between catchy choruses, danceable kicks and EBM power. Both songs featuring Chiasm are also noticeable parts revealing a hot balance between both singers. Last, but not least there’s also a great remix by Aesthetic Perfection.

– – – : Third Realm remains a project mixing multiple genres together so in the end you often get the feeling of hearing different bands, but I have to admit it’s not really the point of this work.

Conclusion: It’s hard to say if this is the best work ever composed by Third Realm, but it for sure is a very efficient mix between different, although related genres.

Best songs: “Passion”, Bipolar Pop feat. Chiasm”, “Gazing At The Stars”, Tides Of The Sea feat. Chiasm”, “Bipolar Pop feat. Chiasm – Aesthetic Perfection Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: https://thirdrealm.org / www.facebook.com/ThirdRealm

Label: www.darktunes.com / www.facebook.com/darkTunesMusic

COP International has announced the signing to their artist roster of Jean-Marc Lederman

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 11:44:28 +0000

(Photo by Erica Hinyot) COP International has announced the signing to their artist roster of Jean-Marc Lederman. COP International will release a full album with Emileigh Rohn (of the electronic-industrial project Chiasm). The two most recently worked together on a series of remixes for Chiasm’s “Away” EP as you could read here on Side-Line. Lederman will also be teaming up with opera singer Diva Marisa Winter for a series of genre-bending tracks. Information on both releases will be announced soon.

Says Lederman of the label signing: “It’s a pleasure to work with COP International and I really look forward to exciting releases and synergies.”

Says COP International founder Christian Petke: “I first noticed Jean-Marc’s work when he did remixes for our artist Chiasm. Our mastering guy put it perfectly: ‘Every note had its place and the sound was perfect.’ After doing a bit of research, I had come to realize he’s an electronic music bedrock and came highly recommended by our in-house producer John Fryer who had worked with him on The Weathermen. After having a series of long conversations about life and music, it became obvious that we needed to work together. COP International is not just looking for raw talent, but also people that understand and embrace the culture of community that we are creating with the label. Jean-Marc is a perfect fit for that and we are incredibly excited to have him on board. We decided that we will create a band around his skill and talents deeply rooted in electronic music with a cinematic and epic feel. We found an exceptional vocalist in Diva Marisa Winter who is equally comfortable on a stage in the world of opera as she is belting it out in the pit of the Thunderdome at Burning Man and Wasteland. The first demo is on the way and it sounds incredible. He will also write a new album with Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm) that allows both of them to explore a more tender/fragile side of their respective music. The first tracks are fantastic and we anticipate a release next year.”

From Fad Gadget to Front 242

Best known for his work with iconic alternative and industrial bands such as The The, Gene Loves Jezebel, Fad Gadget and The Weathermen, as well as collaborations with Front 242 and French rocker Alain Bashung, Lederman’s storied career has also included lush sonic compositions for both film and video games. Lederman’s recent scoring work can be heard on the 2017 full feature movie “Doubleplusonegood” and he was also second composer to Ramin Djawadi (“Games of Thrones,” “Westworld”) on a full feature.

Lederman has also released exclusive double CD/artbooks under the name Jean-Marc Lederman Experience (and with artwork by Erica Hinyot) in which he gathers singers from all over the music worlds to contribute voices to a common musical theme—the most recent including 13 Ghost Stories in 2019 and Letters To Gods (And Fallen Angels) in 2020.

He also worked together with Jean-Luc De Meyer from Front 242 in the Ledermann / De Meyer project which released 2 EP’s and a full album “Eleven grinding songs” on vinyl and limited 2CD.

WED077 – Letters To Gods (and fallen angels) by Jean-Marc Lederman Experience

Collaborative album for Jean-Marc Lederman Experience: ‘Letters To Gods (and fallen angels)’ incl. a massive list of vocalists

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 11:15:20 +0000

Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Fad Gadget, The The, Ghost & Writer, Lederman-Demeyer) has released a new release under the Jean-Marc Lederman Experience moniker. With this project he calls up singers from different niches and countries to write lyrics and sing them on a common theme. The end result is then being packaged in a 2CD 36 pages hardcover art book with artwork and pictures by Erica Hinyot.

2019 saw the release of “13 Ghost Stories”, and now he offers “Letters To Gods (and fallen angels)” including performances from 21 different singers, from the USA to Italy, Mexico or Wales. The concept this time is very topical in this strange reset time: “You can write a letter to a God, or a fallen angel. What do you say?”

This time, the artists are:

Agi Taralas (Our Banshee, Greece)
Emma Barson (Promenade Cinema, UK)
Ghost & Writer with cello by Jo Quail (Germany/Belgium UK)
Mari Kattman (Helix, USA)
JP Aston with backing vocals by Julianne Regan (Gene Loves Jezebel/Wales All About Eve/UK
Coline Wauters (Atome, Belgium)
Christina Z (comics Witchblade writer, Magnesium Burn/USA)
Das Vintage (Mexico)
Lucia Fairfull (Lusca And The Best Boys/ Scotland)
Stefan Netschio (Beborn Beton/Germany)
Hunter S. Thompson (Writer, USA)
Elena Alice Fossi (Kirlian Camera/Stalingrad Valkyrie Italy)
Tom Shear (Assemblage 23/ Helix USA)
Mark Hockings (MESH/ UK)
Jenna Fearon (USA)
Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm/USA)
Miriam Christina (The Other Side Of Who, 580 Miles/ Germany)
Haydn Park-Patterson (The Ninth Wave/ Scotland)
Rodney Orpheus (The Cassandra Complex/ EU)
Louise Fraser (USA)
Lis van den Akker (Holland)
Claus Larsen (Leaether Strip/ Denmark)
Friedrich Nietzsche (Patrimonia Universal de la Humanidad)
With 3 novels by:
Christina Z. (comics Witchblade writer, Magnesium Burn/USA)
Ceratomia (USA)
Philippe Genion (à;GRUMH /Belgium)

Check the previews below.

Industrial-electronic project Chiasm releases ‘Away EP’ featuring John Fryer through COP International label

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 17:02:23 +0000

(Photo courtesy of Chiasm) Chiasm has announced a brand new EP: “Away”. Released via the COP International label it’s a teaser for the upcmong full-length album “Missed The Noise”. For those who don’t know the project, Chiasm is Emileigh Rohn’s musical output augmented here by collaborator John Fryer (Black Needle Noise).

Here’s what Detroit-based musician says about her collaboration with Jon Fryer: “The COP team, along with John Fryer, really knew what I needed. It was absolutely a new adventure. This EP is much more accessible than previous works because we made it so quickly (John moves fast!) so there wasn’t a lot of room for total introspection and intense analysis, which is unusual for me. John makes everything sound beautiful, and I’m so eager for everyone to hear it,” says Rohn. “I also need to acknowledge my home team, including the cats, for the inspiration and encouragement.”

The “Away” EP follows a long line of notable releases from Chiasm which was established in 1997. Older readers will for sure remember the 2001 album “Disorder” with the track “Isolated” that was featured in the television show “NCIS” as well as in the “Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines” computer game. Rohn has also collaborated with genre stars Attrition, Carphax Files, Jean-Marc Lederman, Third Realm, :10:, and Acclimate.

Here’s a preview: