Genre/Influences: IDM, Electro-Ambient, Minimal-Electronics, Experimental.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: The Belgianduo of Cruise [Ctrl] has been active since 2006. Driven by John Cultiaux and “Gore”, they have already released productions on very different labels. This new opus is the first in four years and still the first one released on the French label M-Tronic.

Content: Cruise [Ctrl] remains faithful to their original influences; a pretty minimal composition built up with electronic treatments moving from IDM to Ambient passages to total Experimentalism. The main difference with the previous releases is maybe the accentuated Cinematographic approach at some tracks, but also a more explicit Minimal-Electro format. The global production sounds cold, sometimes mysterious and now and then danceable. The tracks are instrumental edits except “Juste” featuring spoken vocals by Alice Juste.

+ + + : Cruise [Ctrl] remains one of the best hidden secrets from Belgium. Well, it’s not that secret, but I never have understood why this duo is not more recognized. They’re composing a very unique sound, which already brought them to work with famous guests. This opus is a new exploration of creative Electronic fields. I like the band’s approach and their taste for minimalism. The tracks have been progressively built up, covering different influences and reaching a true apotheosis at songs like “Juste”, “Black Orb” and “The Fireman’s Hope”.

– – – : It’s a pity this artistic album is not available in a physical copy. I also regret the album only features 7 songs although this is the magic number of alchemists…

Conclusion: “It’s Happening Again” feels a bit like watching a surreal movie without images; you get the sound and have to imagine the story. It’s a fascinating experience made in Belgium!

Best songs: “Juste”, “Black Orb”, “The Fireman’s Hope”, “White Sands 45”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.cruisectrl.be / www.facebook.com/CRSCTRL

Label: www.m-tronic.com / www.facebook.com/mtroniclabel

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: Minimal-electro, industrial, experimental, IDM.

Background/Info: Set up by John C and Gore we welcome the 4^th album of this Belgian duo. “Let’s Rock” reveals 8 songs inspired by the mythology of Twin Peaks.

Content: Cruise [Ctrl] remains one of the best kept secrets of the Belgian underground scene. I’m not saying that the band is totally unknown, but we have to admit it’s not exactly the most familiar and praised band from the scene. And that’s a real shame as their previous work revealed an impressive minimal and somewhat IDM minded approach.

“Let’s Rock!” is not that different and yet more into experimental treatments. I got the feeling the duo has experimented more with sounds and noises becoming real noise architects creating a kind of avant-garde like sound. The work remains an imaginary sound bridge between electronic minimalism and industrial music. A few more influences moving from IDM to experimental techno can be noticed as well.

The tracks are mainly based on repetitive, icy sound loops and an impressive arsenal of noises and other manipulations. The cadence is rather linear, but injecting a real accessible element to the work. All the songs are instrumental, which simply accentuate the minimal approach of the production.

+ + + : The minimal and more explicit experimental creation is absolutely worthy of examination. Cruise [Ctrl] might remind you of a contemporary version of Suicide, but in the end I would say that this band is not comparable to any other although they would for sure appeal to lovers of labels like Tympanik Audio and Hands.

– – – : I’m missing the electronic exposure of the past albums, which was more diverse and elaborate. This album clearly evolves in sound and especially noise influences. I also regret there’s no single track with vocals and/or spoken samplings like the great experiment they did on their previous album with Dirk Ivens on vocals.

Conclusion: “Let’s Rock” clearly is not my favorite album of Cruise [Ctrl], but it remains a fascinating and pretty cool work characterized by impressive sound treatments and a fine taste for experimental electro music.

Best songs: “Since My Baby Left Me”, “Dancing Machines Create Image”, “Car Tree Woman”, “Circle Of Dreams”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.cruisectrl.be / www.facebook.com/CRSCTRL

Label: www.signifieronline.com / www.facebook.com/signifieronline

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