The Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix releases the twelfth volume in its “Matrix+ Downloaded” series to coincide with the label’s 24th anniversary. The digital-only set collects 69 tracks across the label’s current spectrum – EBM, dark elektro/industrial, synth pop – and newer Spleen+ additions spanning post-punk, goth rock and coldwave. The compilation is offered as a free/pay-what-you-want download via the label’s Bandcamp page and also includes a PDF booklet.

On the cover you will recognize Erica Dunham from Unter Null.

Artists included on this free download compilation include: Studio-X (feat. Kyoko Baertsoen), Rector Scanner, Aesthetische, Cut.Rate.Box, Kant Kino, Frontal Boundary, C-Lekktor, Acylum, Diffuzion, Implant, Neikka RPM, First Aid 4 Souls (feat. Aux Animaux), Noemi Aurora, Suicidal Romance, Llumen, Hanging Freud, Lederman/De Meyer, The Ultimate Dreamers, Aiboforcen, Digital Factor, Armageddon Dildos, Helalyn Flowers, Krystal System, The True Union, Freakangel, Totem Obscura, Lovelorn Dolls (feat. Dero Goi), The Breath of Life, The Names, ImJudas, Synapsyche, Miseria Ultima, Unter Null, Alien Vampires (feat. Dani Divine), Venal Flesh, Helle9, To Avoid, Pouppée Fabrikk, Stahlgeist, Nigra Nebula, Aengeldust, Circuito Cerrado, Matthew Creed, Cubic, Metroland, The Psychic Force, Komor Kommando, First Aid Tech, Die Robo Sapiens, ELM, Plastic Noise Experience, AD:Key, Elektroklänge, 808 Dot Pop, Avarice in Audio, Elektrostaub (feat. Echo Image), Cryogenic Echelon, Entrzelle, Neuroactive, Technoir, Mondträume, Star Industry, Stray, Psy’Aviah (feat. Sorrow Stories), Zombie Girl, Darkness on Demand, Circumpolar, Dunkelwerk, and Lights A.M.

A&R manager, Sebastien Dolimont says: “In 2025, Alfa Matrix proudly celebrates 24 years of existence. Nearly a quarter of a century fighting for dark alternative music, discovering new talents, and keeping the underground alive. This anniversary is not just about us and our artists – it’s about you, our fans. Because without your constant support, there would be no label, no releases, no future for the scene we all love.”

And he add: “In a world where indie labels are disappearing, streaming revenues collapse, and risks of signing new talents are higher than ever, we are proud to still stand strong — but we can only do it with you by our side. By downloading this compilation, you are not just enjoying music — you are actively supporting 69 artists and helping keep our scene alive, fresh, and forward-looking. From all of us at Alfa Matrix and Spleen+, and on behalf of all our artists: thank you for 24 years of loyalty, passion, and support. Together, we’ll keep writing the future of the dark underground.”

About Alfa Matrix

Alfa Matrix is a Brussels-based independent label founded in 2001. The catalogue focuses on electronic subgenres including industrial, EBM, dark elektro, and synth pop, later expanding into post-punk/coldwave via the Spleen+ division. The label’s team includes label & artists manager Seba Dolimont, promo manager Bernard Van Isacker, and head of design Benoît Blanchart.

From the early 2000s, Alfa Matrix used series-based releases to build international reach. Notable strands include “Sounds From The Matrix” (label samplers), “Re:Connected” (digital label overview), and the club-oriented “Endzeit Bunkertracks” multi-CD anthologies (first “Act” released 21 March 2005, featuring 60 tracks with 50 exclusives).

In 2023, Alfa Matrix inaugurated Spleen+, a division centred on post-punk and adjacent styles, and followed with multi-artist projects and catalogue building, including the “Resurgence” 7-CD box that assembled 133 contemporary bands from the post-punk family.

The label has since the very start focused on a direct contact with its fans and customers via their online webstore and Bandcamp.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

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Alfa Matrix, the renowned Belgian label, commemorates its 22nd anniversary with yet another mastodont compilation on Bandcamp. The latest installment in the acclaimed “Matrix Downloaded” series, titled “Matrix+ Downloaded 011”, is now available as a free download on their Bandcamp page. Packed with 60 tracks, including new signings and a preview of the upcoming Spleen+ label releases, this compilation showcases Alfa Matrix’s diverse music repertoire.

“Matrix+ Downloaded 011” soared to the top of the industrial Bandcamp charts within hours of its release, claiming the coveted number 1 position.

The collection holds 60 tracks in total including several new signings. These are the bands present on this brand new free download compilation: Hanging Freud, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Breath Of Life, Psy’Aviah Feat. Sorrow Stories, ImJudas, Star Industry, Halo In Reverse, Lovelorn Dolls, The True Union, Freakangel, Avarice In Audio, Siva Six, Alien Vampires, Synapsyche, Helalyn Flowers, Neuroactive, Elektrostaub Feat. Stefan Netschio, Technoir, Entrzelle, Llumen, Noemi Aurora, Aiboforcen Feat. Jan D., Reichsfeind, Mondträume Feat. N-Frequency, The Psychic Force, Digital Factor, Implant, Darkness On Demand, Aesthetische, Komor Kommando Vs. The True Union, Matthew Creed, C-Lekktor, First Aid Tech, Pouppee Fabrikk, ELM, Die Robo Sapiens, Plastic Noise Experience, Armageddon Dildos, Stahlgeist, AD:keY, Kant Kino, Suicidal Romance, Miseria Ultima, First Aid 4 Souls, Neikka RPM, Circumpolar, Venal Flesh, Helle9, Diffuzion, Acylum, Circuito Cerrado, Aengeldust, Studio-X, 808 Dot Pop, Cubic, Metroland, Rector Scanner, Elektroklänge, Cosmic Armchair, Lights A.M.

You can download “Matrix+ Downloaded 011” for free via Bandcamp.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: After three self-released and four official albums C-Lekktor breaks the silence after a hiatus of five years. Mexican Dark-Electro head Marco Barientos aka ‘Markko B’ signed to Alfa Matrix. He’s already familiar with the Belgian label having released music from his side project Circuito Cerrado. The last album of this side-project “Furious Basslines” might have inspired him for the slogan of this new C-Lekktor work ‘Are You Ready For The Bass?’

Content: The album stands for pure C-Lekktor Electro-terror and yet I noticed a little evolution in sound. The mix between Dark-Electro and EBM has never been so perfect. The songs are driven by hopping rhythms and sequences while carrying leads are pushing the songs to a higher dimension. Markko B is singing like a possessed creature.

The bonus disc features remixes by Xperiment, Centhron, ESA, Nevel, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Skynthattack, Venal Flesh, Neikka RPM, Chamaeleon, Nano Infect, FabrikC, Third Realm, Aesthetische, Miseria Ultima and Circuito Cerrado.

+ + + : C-Lekktor stands for power and terror; a violent Dark-Electro experience which became the trademark of this artist. C-Lekktor definitely belongs with projects like Hocico and Amduscia to the best Mexican bands in the genre. Markko B knows how to compose pure dance-terror. I like the way he created a perfect symbiosis between Dark-Electro and EBM resulting in great songs like “God Killer”, “Me”, “Death Dealer” and “Are You Ready For The Bass?”. Among the remixes featuring great names I especially like the job done by Neikka RPM industrializing “Obsession” in a true masterpiece with female backing vocals by Dominique. Other essential remixes are these by The Psychic Force and Chamaeleon.

– – – : The first part of the album sounds okay but the best cuts are definitely featured on the second part. I however have already heard better stuff from C-Lekktor.

Conclusion: ‘Are you ready for the bass?’ No doubt about it C-Lekktor will take dancefloors by force!

Best songs: “Me”, “Are You Ready For The Bass?”, “God Killer”, “Dearth Dealer” + “Obsession – Neikka RPM Remix”, “House Of Pain – The Psychic Force Remix”. 

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Clekktor

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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C-Lekktor expands, the duo consisting of Markko and Jamie, welcome a 3rd member to their line-up: Dj/Producer Dimitri Berzerk aka d·b. The news was announced on Facebook last night as you can see below.

C-Lekktor has a new album out since last week, the 2CD “New World Disorder” which is also available as download via Bandcamp and all other services. With “New World Disorder”, the band breaks 5 years of extended silence. The release offers a fusion of classic dark hellektro with upbeat industrial EBM.

Note that this 2CD is a limited edition first pressing including a 16-track bonus disc featuring remixes by ESA, Centhron, Xperiment, The Psychic Force, Fabrikc, Aesthetische, Neikka RPM, Venal Flesh, Nano Infect, Circuito Cerrado, Llumen, Nevel, Synthattack, Chamaeleon, Miseria Ultima and Third Realm.

Below is the Facebook announcement.

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.

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One of the leading bands from the Mexican dark elektro scene, C-Lekktor, has landed a record deal with the Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix. After having been focused on some side-project activities (for instance the excellent Circuito Cerrado) and other collaborations over the last years, Markko B. has concentrated his attention back on C-Lekktor.

Alfa Matrix announced today that they will release the new C-Lekktor album “New World Disorder” later in October. With this new release C-Lekktor breaks 5 years of extended silence (and pandemic struggle).

The first pressing of this “New World Disorder” album comes out as double-CD digipak limited edition with extended artwork and a 16-track bonus disc featuring remixes by Esa, Centhron, Xperiment, The Psychic Force, Fabrikc, Aesthetische, Neikka Rpm, Venal Flesh, Nano Infect, Circuito Cerrado, Llumen, Nevel, Synthattack, Chamaeleon, Miseria Ultima and Third Realm.

You can already check two tracks on Bandcamp (they are yours for immediate download if you pre-order the download release). The 2CD limited edition can be pre-ordered now from the Alfa Matrix webshop.

The project debuted in 2004 with the self-released album “Re-A-Gression”. It was followed by “Cloned And Mutated” in 2007, again self-released. The same year the project offered “Refusing The Paradise” after which they got picked up by COP International. On that label they released 3 albums, “The Silence Procession” (2008), “X-Tension In Progress” (2012) and “Final Alternativo” (2014). The band’s last album was the 2017 release “Out Of My Way” re-released in an anniversary edition in 2019.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

It has been a hectic year, also for Alfa Matrix, but luckily their bands took the time to work in their studio to record new material. Out now via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page is the label’s 10th edition in the “Matrix Downloaded” compilation series, again offering you a – free – insight in what the Belgian label is all about. You can discover 64 tracks right here on Bandcamp.

The download holds tracks from Cubic, Psy’Aviah, Aesthetische, Digital Factor, Reichsfeind, Llumen, Zombie Girl, Diffuzion, Matthew Creed, Circuito Cerrado, Circumpolar, Venal Flesh, Mentallo & The Fixer, Freakangel, Alien Vampires, I:Scintilla, Schwarzblut, Totem Obscura, Reactor7X, First Aid 4 Souls, Lederman / De Meyer, Implant, AD:keY, Kant Kino, Die Robo Sapiens, ELM, Pouppee Fabrikk, Armageddon Dildos, Plastic Noise Experience, Synapsyche, Avarice In Audio, Elektrostaub, Junksista, First Aid 4 Souls, Benestrophe, Mental Exile, Star Industry, Halo In Reverse, Lovelorn Dolls, Helalyn Flowers, Essence Of Mind, Rector Scanner, Elektroklänge, Metroland, Lights A.M, Cosmic Armchair, Aiboforcen, H.O.W., 808 DOT POP, Suicidal Romance, Entrzelle, Technoir, Neuroactive, Mondträume, The Psychic Force, Studio-X, Studio-X Vs Simon Carter, Neikka RPM, Komor Kommando, Siva Six, Aengeldust, Acylum, Dunkelwerk and Növö.

Exclusive face masks

Next to that you can also get the download together with a face mask, out in a very limited series. You can either buy them separately or get all 3 in one. Check the set of 3 Face Masks (Blue Matrix + Endzeit + Red EBM Alert) or the separate masks.

Note that EVERY face mask order comes with a free compilation CD on top: “Sounds from the matrix 022” with 20 extra tracks.

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.

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The 14th track on our free (or pay-what-you-want to support our charity work) download compilation “Face The Beat: Session 5” is by the Mexico City based industrial electro hardcore duo Circuito Cerrado. Note that mastermind and frontman of this act is actually Markko B., also the frontman of the cult dark elektro act C-Lekkto.

The band so far released 3 albums. “Distortment” was the band’s 2014 debut on Infacted Recordings followed by 2 releases on Alfa Matrix: “Arrhythmia” (2016) and “Furious Basslines” (2018). Both Alfa Matrix releases were also released with a bonus remix CD.

The track we present you here is taken from the band’s exquisite “Furious Basslines” album. Let’s hope we’ll get some all new material pretty soon!

You can listen to “Das Ist Laut” right below.

Check “Face The Beat: Session 5” on Bandcamp to discover the other bands. All donations will go to charity.

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

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, EBM, techno-body, minimal-electronics.

Background/Info: Next to the first volume of this series, which is devoted to gothic music, we here get a new selection of 32 bands dealing with the underground side of electronic music. The compilation has been compiled by Dimitri Berzerk.

Artists: C-Lekktor, Circuito Cerrado, Cid Project, Electrovot, Dimitri Berzerk, Neuvision, Nordika, Vyrtual Zociety, Red Industrie, Oxomaxoma, Vox Humana ao.

Content: Mexico has always been a prolific ground for alternative electronics and this sampler reveals the welfare of the country when it comes to dark-electronics, EBM and related genres. The compilation brings a nice twist between famous and established names at one side and upcoming talents at the other side. It’s first of all an opportunity to discover great danceable songs from bands you better can keep their names in mind.

+ + + : Here again I have to congratulate the efforts of Dimitri Berzerk to release such an artistic and informative compilation; great artwork and a nice selection of bands. The booklet is an essential tool to get you a bit more familiar with the featured artists. It’s an opportunity to discover great, danceable songs, which will ravish DJ’s. It will lead me too far mentioning all noticeable artists, but I hear great work from La Bande-Son Imaginaire (probably the most original song from the sampler through the addition of violin sounds), Red Industrie (for the minimalism and sound intelligence) and Infected Sound System plus Chaotic Rave System (both for composing stumping ‘oontz’ electronics).

– – – : I think it’s a pity bands such as Hocico and Amduscia weren’t featured. I know they belong to the best Mexican exports from this scene so we all know them, but it would have been cool to get them on board.

Conclusion: This compilation is a terrific exposure of the talented Mexican electro scene! It’s an absolute must-have!

Best bands: Chaotic Rave System, La Bande-Son Imaginaire, Red Industrie, Infected Sound System, C-Lekktor, C-Phalea, Neuvision, Ego Bliss, SFX DJ.

Rate: (8½).

Label: www.sector–industrial.com / www.facebook.com/sector.industrial.producciones

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.

Background/Info: Justin A. Thiele better known as the creative spirit behind the American project Viscera Drip released this new full length a while ago now. The third official  studio album “Satanic Panic” has been inspired by ‘particular events in America in the 70’s, but even more so, a parallel of our current lives in a constant state of panic and worry, obsession and fear’. Notice by the way a limited edition of this album has been released as well, which is featuring an extra disc with remixes.

Content: Viscera Drip moves on with pure, dark-electro music, which is driven by solid, pumping kicks, aggressive sequences and simple, but efficient melody lines. On top of it all you’ll hear harsh and ‘satanic’ vocals. The main particularity of the work is the contribution of multiple guests such as Benjamin’s Plague, 13TH Angel, Sin DNA, Avarice In Audio plus remixes by Circuito Cerrado vs. C-Lekktor, Tar-Tar, Alien Nation and Jermageddon.

+ + + : The previous album “Perpetual Adversity” already was a great piece of music and this latest work simply confirms the great potential of Viscera Drip. There’s no real surprise and no innovation, but simply a well-crafted album featuring multiple efficient pieces. “The Human Race Is Wrong”, and “Rotten” feat. 13TH Angel both are heavy, punching tracks. I however have a preference for the kind of experimental, instrumental “Tulpa”, which sounds as the offspring between Feindflug (for the percussion sections) and Suicide Commando (for the melody line). The different ‘featurings’ are interesting and pretty successful. There also is a great remix by Circuito Cerrado vs. C-Lekktor.

– – – : It might be surprising, but my favorite cut “Tulpa” sounds like an experimental cut and/or breaks on the album. I regret this cut was not a bit more elaborated (it’s pretty short) because it sounds damn great! If you’re in search of ‘progressive’ dark-electronic music this album will not give you what you want. 

Conclusion: The title of the work stands for its content! Viscera Drip is a tormented, but very efficient dark-electro monster!

Best songs: “Tulpa”, “The Human Race Is Wrong”, “Rotten” feat. 13TH Angel, “Bleak”, “Martyers”, “Aphotoc” feat. Avarice In Audio, “Bleak – Circuito Cerrado vs. C-Lekktor Remix”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/VisceraDrip

Label: www.advoxya–records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya–Records/265765706059

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: Industrial-electro, industrial-rave, dark-electro.

Background/Info: Marrko B. (mainly known from C-Lekktor) and ‘Psyklon’ are back on track unleashing the third full length album from their common project Circuito Cerrado.

Content: “Furious Basslines” is characterized by a harsh industrial sound mixed with technoid/rave-like influences. The songs feature tons of spoken samplings while one song features real vocals by Rexx Arkana (on the bonus disc). The songs are rough and ultra-danceable. It’s not the first time I got the impression Marrko B. has been seriously infected by the work of Noisuf-X although “Furious Basslines” sounds more industrial-like. You’ll recognize songs, which were originally featured at the EP “Revolution”.

The limited edition featuring an extra disc is an opportunity to discover extra songs, collaborations with Rexx Arkana, Noiz+Zilenth and Tanzkrieg plus a remix Circuito Cerado made of an Iszolscope-song.

+ + + : Marrko B.  is one of those Mexican talents who never stop to take me by surprise. This work isn’t maybe the most original one in sound, but the tracks are powerful and simply efficient. The sound treatments are raw and the songs are accomplished. There are a few cool samplings running through the tracklist. This album is food for the DJ’s and dynamite for the dancefloors!

– – – : I was less convinced by the bonus disc; the sound formula becomes a little bit repetitive while the true pearls of the album have been featured at the main disc.

Conclusion: I should ask the same question as for the last C-Lekktor album; where will Marrko B. stop? This work is a great accomplishment.  

Best songs: “As Loud As Possible”, “Revolution feat. Odissi”, “Technoizer feat. Sfx DJ”, “Mode Of Death”, “Shut That Shit Down” + “Noize In The Sky feat. Rex Arkana”, “Relevance Outside Logic – Circuito Cerrado Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/circuitocerradoband

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Those familiar with ordering directly with the Belgian label Alfa Matrix know they will always get a free CD sampler from the “Sounds From The Matrix” series with each purchase. With the 20th

With the 20th volume of the “Sounds From The Matrix” label compilation series, being made available for their online CD store customers, the label has now also launched the release as a standalone download via Bandcamp (with other stores to follow).

On this 20th volume Alfa Matrix highlights its current hot releases (from Alien Vampires to Helalyn Flowers and I:Scintilla through Metroland and other Circuito Cerrado, Implant or yet Psy’Aviah) and gives us an insight on what 2019 will sound like.

Alfa Matrix also reveals recent signings like Synapsyche, Reactor7X, Mental Exile or yet the very promising newcomer H.O.W.; and also letting us discover first songs from forthcoming releases by bands like Aesthetische, Dunkelwerk, Llumen, Junksista, Kant Kino, Ad:key, Avarice In Audio, Imjudas, etc..

This new download counts 19 fresh electronic tracks.

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.

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Genre/Influences: Electro-industrial, industrial-techno.

Background/Info: Markko B. better known as the sound operator and voice behind C-Lekktor strikes back with his ‘industrial’ side-project Circuito Cerrado. “Revolution” is a 4-track teaser announcing the upcoming third album “Furious Basslines”.

Content: The title song is a heavy and punching electro-industrial cut driven by a hard-hitting kick and a solid lead. The song has been also remixed by Binary Division. Both remaining cuts are remixes from songs that will appear on the upcoming album. Acylum and the Mexican project Fabrikmutter have been asked to accomplished a remix as well.

+ + + : No doubt about it, the title song is the right one to get released on EP. It’s a killing dancefloor cut creating a perfect sonic fusion between industrial- and dark-electro music with a technoid touch on top. Among the remixes I especially want to mention a great job done by Binary Division, but the best remix is the one by Fabrikmutter.

– – – : I experienced previous work by Circuito Cerrado as more ‘industrial’-like and that’s maybe an element I’m missing here. Acylum didn’t accomplish its most efficient remix, but there’s no reason to complain.

Conclusion: Marrko B.  Is one of those contemporary electro-wizards changing everything he composes into sonic gold. This EP is a real juicy appetizer to welcome the new album.

Best songs: “Revolution – Short Edit”, “T.N.T. – Fabrikmutter Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/circuitocerradoband

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

“Furious Basslines” is the title of the brand new album by Mexico’s dark electro act Circuito Cerrado, the band’s 3rd so far. The new album comes 2 years after the heavy industrial “Arrhythmia” and a few weeks after the download EP “Revolution”.

For this album Marrko B. (mastermind of dark elektro fame C-Lekktor) and his partner in crime Psyklon again mix modern techno beats and industrial distorted noise.

The album also comes out as a limited double-CD edition (available here) with 11 exclusive bonus tracks including collaborations and featuring artists such as Rexx Arkana, Iszoloscope, Noiz+Zilenth,Tanzkrieg, etc.. Next to this, you can of course pre-order the normal CD version as well next to the bonus tracks download version from Bandcamp.

Here are already 2 tracks: “Revolution (feat. Odissi)” and “I Will Fuck You Up”.

And for those who didn’t check out the “Revolution” EP already, you can listen to the tracks below and get it from Bandcamp.

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.

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The Mexican harsh electro act Circuito Cerrado returns with the 4-track download EP “Revolution”. The EP is the first one announcing the band’s forthcoming studio album “Furious Basslines”.

On this new appetizer EP you get exclusive versions and remixes from artists in the likes of label mates Acylum, Binary Vision and Mexican neighbors Fabrikmutter.

You can download the tracks exclusively via Bandcamp, the other platforms will follow in the next weeks.

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

C-Lekktor progressively became one of the leading formations at the wider fields of dark-electronics. Master mind Marco Antonio Barrientos (Markko) has been busy experimenting and releasing music for his side-projects Circuito Cerrado and Kromak, but now strikes back unleashing the fourth official full length of C-Lekktor. “Out Of My Way” also is the first album released on DWA (Digital World Audio) and will ravish all electro heads and fans of the band. This album will only increase the status of the band. I got in touch with the always friendly and accessible front man to answer a few questions.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: After the previous C-Lekktor-album (cf. “Final Alternativo”) you were busy releasing material for Circuito Cerrado and Kromak. How does it feel to strike back with your ‘main’ project and the new album?

Markko: I really needed getting back to C-LEKKTOR, which really reflects a lot of very different feelings and thoughts from my daily life. This new album stands for the accumulated energy that was inside me. I feel alive!

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about that and are there some new music elements you tried to incorporate in the production?

Markko: Actually when Jorge and I started working on this new album, we talked about the idea to return to the old structure of the songs we like from the first albums, but we wanted to experiment with some fresh sounds. So this is the result of the ideas we got in mind. We wanted to please our fans all over the world who were missing the ‘old’ sound, but on the other hand we also tried to please the people who liked the sound of “X-Tension In Progress”. So I think we are somewhere in the midst (laugh)

Q: I experienced “Out Of My Way” as your most diversified work; moving from EBM to dark-electronics to industrial-trance. What have been the main sources of inspiration to compose this new work?

Markko: Thanx for the words, that’s really appreciated. The main basis for this new album definitely was our first two albums.. We somewhere changed ideas and technical skills on the latest album so we wanted to recover our old sound formula, but we love music and we enjoy listening to it; new and old music. So I guess we used different ingredients to get and different flavor on this new album (laugh)

Q: Next to the ‘regular’ edit, the album has been also released as a so-called ‘audio-book’ featuring a bonus disc. Tell us a bit more about this concept, the artwork and the bonus disc featuring hard-hitting songs?

Markko: Jamie from DWA is always putting great efforts and passion in everything he is doing. We didn’t only notice his interest in our music, but still a real friendship and total support in the products he is realizing. We already noticed it with the 7″ vinyl of  “Radioakktivity” and now with this gorgeous version of the album on digibook. We feel so proud of it; the artwork was done again by DJ/VJ Psyklon and I can tell you this time it was not a deception at all. He immediately caught the idea and concept we were looking for and ‘bang’ there it was.

About the extra songs on the bonus disc the answer is quite easy. We had too much songs so they couldn’t all be released on one disc and decided to put the songs on a bonus disc.

Q: You in 2015 did a noticeable cover version of Kraftwerk’s “Radioactivity”, which I think is a real great dark-electro version of this legendary song. How did it feel to cover such a great band and do you’ve other songs in mind you would like to cover?

Markko: I can’t say if it is a good cover version or not, but I just wanted to pay tribute to one of the bands that changed my life and turned my way into the right music. I didn’t only make covers of Kraftwerk, but still a few more from bands like Depeche Mode, Suicide Commando, Front 242, Hocico and a few more… cause all these bands are in my mind and my ears… and now that you say it, I feel so honored that you like it… It means that not everything I’m doing is shitty (laugh).

Q: Together with Hocico and Amduscia, C-Lekktor is without a shadow of a doubt one of the leading dark-electro bands from Mexico. How does it feel to have reached this status and what’s the relationship with other Mexican artists?

Markko: Well to be honest, I’ve never thought about this, but thank you for this great compliment. I think every band or project has its own place and I don’t compose music for a competition or so, it was never my intention to get a place or number on anything… I’m actually not looking for fame, I’m just a guy trying to share the sounds that are living in my head and my heart. I’ve a lot of respect and admiration for each of my country mate musicians, but also for all the other artists all over the world.

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, industrial-electro.

Background/Info: Three years after the debut-album “Freakshow” Nadine ‘Cooraz’ Engel is back with her newest opus “Agent Orange”. Nadine is still involved with her husband in Acylum and Totem Obscura.

Content: “Agent Orange” sounds different than its predecessor. The harsh and merciless electro-industrial sound of the debut work evolved towards a more ‘classical’ dark-electro sound à la Acylum plus a few medieval elements à la Totem Obscura. Aengeldust in a way became the offspring between her other projects although there’s a more industrial- and even somewhat anarchistic flavor supporting this work.

The samplings are pretty important on “Agent Orange”, for accentuating a kind of disturbing atmosphere. A few cuts have been composed together with ‘guests’ such as Circuito Cerrado, FabrikC, Project Erratic and DJ Ele.

+ + + : I can’t get away from the idea that Nadine’s husband Pedro Engel has helped her with the global composition and production. He however sounds as an important source of inspiration, but this album will also appeal for lovers of Wumpscut and Heimataerde. I like the global evolution from the first album towards “Agent Orange”. The work is maybe a little less original, but damned efficient. Most of the samplings add a real bonus to the work and I especially like some passages where I think to have recognized Winston Churchill. Aengeldust sounds dark and tormented while having accomplished a few great cuts. The song “Duce” is an attention grabber and I also enjoyed the version together with FabrikC.

– – – : My single regret is that the tracks start to get a little bit too similar and repetitive after a while.

Conclusion: Aengeldust achieved a noticeable work, which has the potential to find a place next to the great Acylum! Nadine and Pedro Engel feel a bit like the Bonnie & Clyde of the dark-electro scene!

Best songs: “Duce – Part 2 feat. FabrikC”, “Paranoia”, “Duce”, “Genosse Tod”, “Fahnenträger”, “Agent Orange”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/Aengeldust

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Suicide Commando is a long-time leading formation from the dark-electronic scene. The band is an important source of inspiration for numerous new bands. So I got the idea asking a question to artists who are or have been related to Johan Van Roy. What do they think about his music, about the man hiding behind the artist…

I got in touch with Torben Schmidt, Dirk Ivens, Jean-Luc De Meyer, Jan L., Nero Bellum, Markko Barientos and Sakis (aka SynthetiC).

Speaking for myself I got the opportunity to work with Johan on a common project called Toxic Shock Syndrome. That was quite a long time ago now, but all over the years Johan remained the same kind and accessible guy for which I can only express my admiration for the talented artist he is and my respect for the great person hiding behind the artist. There where some artists are ‘struggling’ with their egos, he simply remains himself…

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Torben Schmidt is the owner of Infacted Recordings, member of Lights Of Euphoria and Binnary Park plus long-time live member of Suicide Commando.

Q: We all know Johan Van Roy as an ‘artist’ and ‘performer’, but what kind of man is he behind the scenes?

Torben: I know Johan since more then 20 years now and I have to say that he is one of the most loyal and kind guys I ever met. In fact he turned from an artist I respect into a real friend. We experienced so many cool things in the last 17 years being a part of his band which really made us friends. I’m really happy that I got to know him and that we had the chance to expand our friendship.

Dirk Ivens is a living legend of the electronic underground scene, front man of The Klinik, but still involved with Dive, Sonar, Absolute Body Control… he also was a source of inspiration for Suicide Commando.

Q: The Klinik definitely was one of the main sources of inspiration for Suicide Commando. How much of The Klinik do you recognize in Suicide Commando?

Dirk: It looks like more than 30 years after the release of the first album of The Klinik that these songs are still very much alive and were a big inspiration for a lot of bands during the years.. including Suicide Commando. Johan was one of them and especially his early work before he developed and finally found his own musical touch.

Jean-Luc De Meyer is the singer of the pioneers of EBM, the one and only Front 242! He’s also involved with 32 Crash, Underviewer and Modern Cubism. Jean-Luc De Meyer did some guest vocals on the song “The Pain That You Liked”, which was originally released as EP and featured on the newest Suicide Commando album as well.

Q: Jean-Luc, you already sung in multiple projects and did multiple guest vocals, but I never expected you singing on a song of Suicide Commando. What kind of experience was it for you and what’s your perception of the Suicide Commando sound?  

Jean-Luc: I’m not that sociable you know so I lately met Johan, maybe 3 or 4 years ago now. But I’d seen numerous concerts of Suicide Commando before. Singing on “The Pain That You Like” was a rather easy job because music and lyrics both were already written and I only had to interpret the song. It was quite simple and a bit of an evidence for me as I felt like a fish in the water singing on this kind of music…

Jan L is for sure another leading artist from the electronic underground scene. From Noisuf-X to X-Fusion to Stoppenberg he ever ever set up Kombat Unit together with Johan Van Roy.

Q: You ever set up Kombat Unit together with Johan Van Roy. What did you keep in mind from this experience and what’s your perception of Johan Van Roy as an artist/performer?

Jan L: Yes, we started Kombat Unit some time ago.. and we had a lot of fun making music together. We both have very different ways of working.. but it worked very well in the end, even if we only finished 2 songs. Our problem was only our lack of time. That´s why we stopped with Kombat Unit.

You maybe know that we both know each other since a very long time and we are close friends. I respect Johan as a very nice person and as a great artist. I also love to work with him, when it comes to mixing/mastering his Suicide Commando stuff. His music inspired countless bands since a very long time and he is a very important person in our scene. Without him our scene would be very different.

Nero Bellum is the front man of Psyclon Nine and get featured on the opening song of the new album.

Q: How did you get in touch with Johan Van Roy and what kind of experience was it for you contributing to the opening song (cf. “The Gates Of Oblivion”) of the new album?

Nero: I believe that my first correspondence with Johan took place just as “Mindstrip” was being released. I had just formed my band Psyclon Nine and had just begun work on our first album. Suicide Commando was one of my biggest influences at the time and Johan was happy to give me advice.

“The Gates Of Oblivion” gave us an opportunity to collaborate in a much deeper way. While Johan had most of the music written when he approached me, I was able to bring live, modular synthesis into the picture as well as my lyrical contributions. Performing the track at ‘Wave Gotik Treffen’ 10 minutes before my shuttle arrived was something that I won’t soon forget.

Markko Barientos is without a shadow of a doubt one of the leading artists from the Mexican dark-electro scene, but he in the meantime became a word-wide recognized artist involved with C-Lekktor, Circuito Cerrado and Kromak.

Q: Do you remember the first time you’ve heard Suicide Commando and what did you think? What means this band to you?

Markko: Yeah I still remember that day, the first time I heard Suicide Commando here in Mexico city we have a ‘Music Market’ named “El  Chopo” and I got the “Critical Stage” CD by luck. At that time there wasn’t internet and to find original CDs was something that became a real pain in the ass, but fortunately I found it and it was so blasting that it changed my own panorama from what I was listening to those days. ‘COLD-VIOLENT AND CATCHY’ are my favorite 3 words when it comes to dark electronic music. I just wanted to get more and more from Suicide Commando.

Suicide Commando had already released the “Stored Images”-album around that time I found the “Critical Stage”-album (so you can see how hard it was to find music in Mexico during that time?) From that day I always knew that I was so engaged with his sound and after all these years I still consider it as one of my biggest pleasures and influences in my music. For me “Construct-Destruct” is and will be always one of the best albums. To keep it short, ‘I’M A SUICIDE COMMANDO ADDICT, aren’t you?

Sakis aka SynthetiC from Nano Infect is a Greek artist who definitely found his inspiration in the cold electro sound of Suicide Commando. Johan Van Roy was guest singer on the Nano Infect’s song “Lifeless”.

Q: Suicide Commando clearly sounds like a source of inspiration for numerous dark-electronic bands. What makes the sound of Suicide Commando that special and what specific elements in this sound do you like?

Sakis: What makes Suicide Commando so special to a point that, at least to me, literally everybody is inspired, is the man behind the project; Johan Van Roy himself. He’s a loyal and simple guy while his sound features a straight forward structure plus a melody that gets stuck in your head from the very first moment. Needless to mention the groovy bass lines and that super fat sounding signature snare!
As for the lyrics, you get to see that Johan Van Roy is an everyday normal guy with thoughts like yours and mine… Songs about depression, death, the way the mind works… simple thoughts of a man who feels he has to express them…

It has been an honor to know him and I would like to thank him in public again for everything.

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

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

Nadine “Cooraz” Engel (also known for her work with Acylum and Totem Obscura) debuted a few years ago with the hard-hitting “Freakshow” album which was quite well received in the club scene. She now returns with the follow-up album “Agent Orange” featuring a total of 15 tracks. Included on the album are also collaborations with the acts Circuito Cerrado, FabrikC and Project Erratic.

The album will be out on CD (available via this label webstore) and as a download album (right here via Bandcamp). You can view a trailer of the album right below.

Alfa Matrix, which is releasing this album, has also made the first 2 tracks available from the album via Bandcamp. Closer to the releasedate you’ll be able to listen to an exclusive album preview on Side-Line.

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.

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For its 15th anniversary, the Belgian record label Alfa Matrix also celebrated the 35 years of existence of Front 242 and this with the Front 242 tribute album “Recovery >for you<” uniting 32 fellow label bands who have each covered one song from Front 242’s music repertoire.

The release is available on the Alfa Matrix webstore as a 2CD plus also on their Bandcamp page as a download.

You can preview the tracks right below:

The bands who collaborated to “Recovery >for you<” include Metroland, Komor Kommando, Ad:Key, Plastic Noise Experience, Imjudas, Sin.Sin, Cosmic Armchair, Neikka Rpm, Alien Vampires, Ayria, Implant, Avarice In Audio, Acylum, Schwarzblut, Star Industry, Regenerator, Elektroklänge, Elm, Kant Kino, Technoir, Diffuzion, Aesthetische, Circuito Cerrado Vs. C-Lekktor, Növö, Totem Obscura, Venal Flesh Feat. Chase Dobson, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Helalyn Flowers, Essence Of Mind, Armageddon Dildos and Xmh.

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.

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The 13th track on our free download compilation “Face The Beat: Session 4” (featuring 92 tracks) is by Circuito Cerrado, the hard power noise project of Mexican artist Markko B., mastermind and frontman of the cult dark elektro act C-Lekktor.

“What’s Your Emergency” is a very good example of what to expect on the project’s second album “Arrhythmia” released mid-June 2016 via Alfa Matrix: a mixture of rhythm noise, TBM and industrial rave dance. The album was also released with a bonus remix CD (available via the label directly) next to this Bandcamp release. The bonus material includes reworks by acts like Noisex, Alien Vampires and more having a go at Markko B.’s material.

For now enjoy “What’s Your Emergency”!

Check our “Face The Beat: Session 4” page on Bandcamp to discover the other 91 bands. All donations will go to charity.

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.

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With “Recovery >for you<”, the Alfa Matrix label is closing this double-celebration year 2016 in beauty. For its 15th anniversary, the Belgian record label also celebrated in many ways the 35 years of existence of Front 242. Therefor the Alfa Matrix label family decided to pay homage to the band.

32 fellow label bands have each covered one song from Front 242’s music repertoire, picking songs from the full discography of the band, from “Geography” to “Pulse”. The release is already up for pre-order on the Alfa Matrix webstore plus also on their Bandcamp page.

“Recovery >for you<” resulted in a collection of 32 songs reflecting the Alfa Matrix band roster’s high diversity by bands such as Metroland, Komor Kommando, Ad:Key, Plastic Noise Experience, Imjudas, Sin.Sin, Cosmic Armchair, Neikka Rpm, Alien Vampires, Ayria, Implant, Avarice In Audio, Acylum, Schwarzblut, Star Industry, Regenerator, Elektroklänge, Elm, Kant Kino, Technoir, Diffuzion, Aesthetische, Circuito Cerrado Vs. C-Lekktor, Növö, Totem Obscura, Venal Flesh Feat. Chase Dobson, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Helalyn Flowers, Essence Of Mind, Armageddon Dildos and Xmh.

Classic Front 242 tunes covered include amongst others “Headhunter”, “Happiness”, “Lovely Day”, “U-men”, “Commando Mix”, “Masterhit”, “No Shuffle”, “Tragedy for You”, “Take One”, “Funkhadafi”, “Moldavia”, “Operating Tracks”, “Don’t Crash”, “Body To Body”, “Welcome To Paradise”, and many more. The full tracklist can be viewed here.

Below is a first exclusive preview which Front 242 have posted on their Instagram account earlier this evening.

#Front242 #tribute “Recovery>for you<” now available via www.alfa-matrix-store.com 32 tracks, this is an exclusive preview! @alfamatrix #alfamatrix

A video posted by Front 242 – Official (@front242official) on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:49am PDT

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

Genre/Influences: Electro-industrial, industrial-rave.

Background/Info: Markko B(arrientos) is a renowned artist as leader of the Mexican dark-electro project C-Lekktor. Two years ago now he took his fans by surprise launching a new project dealing with a hard electro-industrial sound. The album “Distortment” got released on Infacted Recordings. Later on Markko B set up another project called Kromak, which is more into techno-trance. He’s now already back on track unleashing the second full length of Circuito Cerrado, which has been released on Alfa Matrix.

Content: Circuito Cerrado is not the typical type of electro-industrial music. You can easily notice Markko is still inspired by hard techno formats and dark-electronics. “Arrhythmia” is driven by hard and impressive industrial treatments, which you’ll easily notice when discovering the distorted drum sections and the tortured electro sounds. The work has been accomplished by an impressive arsenal of noises and manipulations.

Next to the industrial content the work also reveals technoid elements, spoken samplings (which sometimes might remind you of Noisuf-X), dark-electronic leads and even a few acid treatments. Some passages on the debut album were clearly inspired by the industrial-rave sound of Noisuf-X. This input is less present now although it clearly remains a sonic reference in the work of Circuito Cerrado. Notice by the way that Jan L did the mastering of this album.

The regular album features 17 songs of power and sonic torture. The extra disc features 13 remixes by an impressive list of bands featuring Noisuf-X, Chainreactor, Iszoloscope, FabrikC, Xotox, Acylum, Alien Vampires, Noisex, Alien Vampires, Noiz-Zilenth, Antythesys, Avarice In Audio, Aengeldust, Chaotic Rave System and SFX DJ.

+ + + : Circuito Cerrado deals with an elaborate industrial composition, which is more sophisticated than the average power-noise formation. This industrial sound is more accessible through the input of different extra elements while the technoid elements get it more danceable. The song “Training Day” featuring “Full Metal Jacket”-samplings is not the most original song yet a real potential hit. Noisuf-X fans will be pleased by “Stress Generator”, which is a damned pumping song in the industrial-rave style.

Among the remixes I highly recommend Chainreactor and Antythesys. Both remixing a song that was originally released on the debut album of the band.

– – – : I personally have a little preference for the previous album, which was closer to Noisuf-X. It just proves that an album doesn’t always have to be original in sound to be successful. Don’t get me wrong, this new opus is a remarkable composition, but maybe with not as many potential hits.

Conclusion: Circuito Cerrado probably is one of the hardest and most industrial bands signed at Alfa Matrix. This formation might open a door for more talented industrial-minded formations on the Belgian label. “Arrhythmia” also confirms the extraordinary talent of Markko B who’s definitely becoming one of the hottest artists of his generation.

Best songs: “Training Day”, “Stress Generator”, “Macabre Dance”, “Blastyle”, “Let The Bass Fuck You Up” + Liebe Macht Blind – Chainreactor Remix”, “Liebe Macht Blind – Antythesys Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/Circuito–Cerrado-241195842721352

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Out now via SkyQode (Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify) is the 5-track EP “In the Voice of Others” by Kromak, a side-project of Markko B., who is better known as the mastermind behind C-Lekktor and Circuito Cerrado.

With Kromak, Marrko explores the vast territories of trance music. The EP follows up Kromak’s excellent debut album “Trance It” which was released in October 2015. For the occasion Markko has teamed up with several vocalists. If you missed this album, you can get it via Bandcamp, iTunes or Spotify.

The EP contains an extra surprise for all Depeche Mode fans as Kromak offers a rendition of “Sister Of Night” in two different versions, one featuring Xavier Morales (Ruined Conflict) and the other a duo of Alexander Gladky (Unity One) and Suede Flores (Carved Souls).

Apart from that, there are two original tracks with the voices of Pao Manriquez (Dying 4 U) and Alla Reizenfeldt (Spread your wings) and a remix done by the Mexican DJ / producer DMT Berzerk. Like the debut album, “In the Voice of Others” was mastered by Jan L of X-Fusion Music Production.

The tracklist:

1. Sister Of Night (Feat. Ruined Conflict)
2. Dying 4 U (Feat. Pao Manriquez)
3. Spread Your Wings (Feat. Alla Reizenfeldt)
4. Sister Of Night (Feat. Unity One & Carved Souls) (Uplifting Version)
5. Dying 4 U (Feat. Pao Manriquez) (DMT Berzerk Remix)

Here is another preview:

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.

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Out of the blue we get a fresh EP from the Mexican electro noise act Circuito Cerrado. The EP, “8 Bit Bitch” (available now from Bandcamp), comes ahead of the release of their new “Arrhythmia” double-CD album on June 17th 2016 (available on 2CD and as a standalone download).

Circuito Cerrado is actually Markko B. (also known as the mastermind and frontman of the dark elektro act C-Lekktor).

The “8 Bit Bitch” EP offers 6 tracks which are available for immediate download on Bandcamp. The track list holds a short edit of the title track “8 Bit Bitch” next to a club version of “What’s Your Emergency?”. Next to these 2 tracks you get 2 reworks from the title track, including one by Centhron, while Valium Era attacks “What’s Your Emergency?”. Finally, “Noize In The Sky” is given the Virus Gate remix treatment.

You can check out the EP below.

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

Mexico’s Circuito Cerrado has joined the Belgian electronic music label Alfa Matrix. The band is the hard power noise project of Markko B., mastermind and frontman of the cult dark elektro act C-Lekktor.

The project’s second album “Arrhythmia” holds 17 studio tracks (next to 13 bonus tracks) mixing rhythm noise, TBM and industrial rave dance including such possible hits like “8 Bit Bitch”, “Let The Bass Fxxk You Up” or yet “I Own Your Ass”.

The album will only be released as a 2CD set holding a bonus remix CD (available in pre-order right here) featuring tracks by scene bands like Alien Vampires, Acylum, Fabrikc, XOTOX, Aengeldust, Chainreactor, Avarice In Audio, Iszoloscope and many more. If you prefer downloading the album, then you can already get 3 tracks for immediate download on Bandcamp.

You can already listen to a couple of tracks below. Te tienes que poner más duro para molestar mucho a tus vecinos!

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

Genre/Influences: Techno-trance.

Content: Behind this new project is hiding a rather surprising name. I could never have imagined the front-man of C-Lekktor (Markko B) setting up a techno-trance project. We already discovered the electro-industrial side-project Circuito Cerrado, which sounds more related to C-Lekktor, but Kromak is something totally different.

I don’t know if Markko did it just for fun, but I suspect this Mexican genius really likes trance music. Kromak sounds like the right sonic canvas to exorcise different techno-inspired ideas. I personally prefer the more psy-trance orientated cuts, which are more elaborated and intelligent wise. “Trance It” is a great title track with a goa-driven kick and astral electronic effects. It becomes clear on this song that Markko must have listened to psy-trance productions.
Other tracks mix elements of trance and dance music while I also noticed elements of hard-trance. “Beating” even reveals an exploration of dance music. The production is well-crafted and I here have to recognize the professionalism of this artist although some of the ‘dance-minded tracks are sometimes a bit ‘cheap’ when it comes to their melody line.

I definitely prefer the harder passages, which come through on “Tempus Fugit”, “Synthphonia (In F Minor)” and the pumping “Sagittarius”. All these cuts are pretty hard-beating and sometimes a bit into dark-trance. It’s the total opposite of a more happy-sounding track like “Fading Memories”. There’s not exactly what I should call coherence between all cuts and that’s one of the only regrets about this work. Kromak is a quite well-crafted and mature production (mastered by Jan L) revealing the diversity and creativity of Markko B.

Conclusion: If you like techno and trance-driven electronics you for sure will find interesting cuts at this debut work of Kromak. “Trance It” clearly sounds as an antidote for the heavy dark and doom electronics of C-Lekktor and Circuito Cerrado. I like artists with different sources of inspiration, which ultimately result in different projects.

Best songs: “Trance It”, “Tempus Fugit”, “Synthphonia (In F Minor)”, “Sagittarius”.

Rate: (DP:7)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/KROMAKsideproject

Label: http://skyqode.com / www.facebook.com/skyqode

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, electro-pop, electro-industrial.

Bands: Grendel, Frozen Plasma, Reaper, Pre.Emptive Strike 01, Orange Sector, E-Craft, Menschdefekt, Skyla Vertex, Modulate ao.

Content: More and more labels are promoting digital releases and that’s precisely what this “Digital Infaction”-compilation is all about. You get a total of 16 bands at a so-called ‘discovery price’. It first of all is an interesting selection of some of Infacted’s finest formations. The fans of the label will not exactly discover ‘new’ stuff, but it’s a great tracklist mixing the different electronic genres the label is dealing with. The majority of the songs are remixes, which always remains an opportunity to discover familiar songs in a different version.

The debut part reveals one of the new potential hits of Reaper, which is taken from the latest EP. “Der Schnitter (Mit Der sense Im Club)” is a great piece of electro-body-tech music. Orange Sector is one of the label’s veterans and their “Sturm” song is another smasher. This track was originally released at their last EP and has been remixed by Martin Bodewell in a merciless old-school EBM way.

E-Craft last year took me by surprise releasing the hard and intelligent EBM-driven “Re-Arrested” album. The song “Blast Zone” was not directly the biggest attention grabber and yet the overwhelming power and heavy blasts are simply terrific. It reminds me a bit of FLA-influences.

The final part of the album is absolutely amazing. Skyla Vertex deals with their usual dark-electro genre, which is absolutely remarkable. Frozen Plasma will please to the electro-pop freaks getting us back to their last year released successful song “Crazy”. Grendel takes us back into the realms of dark-electronics. The famous song “Timewave Zero” has been remixed by Modulate in a hard and merciless way. ES23 is another great electro formation experimenting with the coldest paths of electronics. The track “Enjoy The Light” has been originally released at their last year released album “Mutatio Ex Machina” and is a total smasher.

Last, but not least I also have to mention the terrific and electro-industrial driven side-project of C-Lekktor. Circuito Cerrado last year released the promising debut-album “Distortment” featuring the sexy and somewhat rave-like “Bad Girls Go To Hell”. This song is one of the absolute favorites from this great sampler.

The only negative point is the mastering, which could have been much better.

Conclusion: The first volume of this new digital sampler-series is a great summary of the sound Infacted is dealing with. You’ll be not disappointed to (re)discover this amazing selection of great bands and successful songs.

Best bands: Circuito Cerrado, ES23, Frozen Plasma, E-Craft, Orange Sector, Reaper.

Rate: (DP:8½)DP.

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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