Genre/Influences: Techno-Body, EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Back From The Wave is a French project which has already released a few works. They signed to Space Factory Records to unleash their newest EP featuring three tracks plus two remixes.

Content: All songs are driven by solid bass lines and Techno-Body vibes with space-like strings and effects on top. Remixes have been accomplished by Panthera and David Carretta.

+ + + : This project sounds like a true addition to the Space Factory roster. According to me all tracks could be used as title-song which says something about the potential of Back From The Wave. The sound is the perfect offspring between EBM and Dark-Techno influences. David Carretta boosted the title cut with a harder and faster kick while he also added extra, menacing sequences. This is the absolute highlight. Panthera also achieved a powerful remix of “Corrosives Influences”. Last but not least the last cut “C345B” sounds like an extra dancefloor cut.

– – – : I don’t have true minus points to mention nevertheless I always regret when a remix by another artist is more convincing than the original edit.

Conclusion: This is a solid EP for Techno-Body heads.

Best songs: “Psychic – David Carretta Remix”, “Corrosives Influences – Panthera Remix”, “Psychic”, “C345B”, “Corrosives Influences”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/bftwave.music

Label: www.facebook.com/spacefactory

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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Genre/Influences: Minimal-Electro, Electroclash, EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: French project Jostronamer has already released many productions, but this EP is his first work released by Space Factory, which might be considered as a consecration.

Content: The EP features 5 tracks, taking off with the instrumental title track. This piece sounds vintage-like and sounds like the perfect offspring between Minimal-Electro, EBM (for the bass line) and Electroclash. The last track is a remix of “Artificial Intelligence” by Commuter. The other tracks left are holding on to the different influences, but you here will discover two cuts with some robotic/spoken-like vocals.

+ + + : I like the global sound treatments of this EP for the dominant bass Lines and analogue sound treatments featuring great effects. Even if the title track is my favorite one –including the great remix by commuter, the songs featuring vocals (effects) bring a little bonus to the work.

– – – : It could be an idea adding some vocals (think of Douglas McCarthy) or samplings on the title track; it might result in a phenomenal piece of music. 

Conclusion: This first release on the label of David Carretta and Pascal Bourdette by Jostronamer is a cool and ultra-danceable production!

Best songs: “Artificial Intelligence”, “Artificial Intelligence – Commuter Remix”, “Invader”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Jostronamer

Label: www.facebook.com/spacefactory

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, experimental, EBM, techno.

Format: Digital, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Berliner based producer Aga Wilk moves back to Space Factory to unleash a new four-track EP. The debut work “Boy” was also released on David Carretta’s label while the next productions got released on different other record companies.

Content: “Radio Warschau” is clearly driven by retro-EBM influences and minimal-electro formats, but there also is a solid part of experimentalism running through this work. The production of the vocals is pretty robotic-like, but often more getting the effect of a sampling. Sound-wise Aga Wilk also likes to experiment with different effects and noises, resulting in some pretty atmospheric-like passages, but also danceable cuts.

+ + + : From the dark and menacing atmosphere hanging over “Rohdaten” to the more danceable “Regime” the new work by Romance Disaster is clearly mixing different influences. I like both sides although I’ve a little preference for the most danceable cuts. The last song entitled “Polyamory” features Adriano Canzian and that’s another noticeable cut for its retro-like approach of EBM merged with techno. This work is a great vintage-, analogue like production featuring 4 different cuts.

– – – : Different cool songs, but not what I would call an absolute hit, which is missing here.

Conclusion: Romance Disaster moves on composing noticeable productions and I really hope this artist will consider releasing a full length album.

Best songs: “Regime”, “Polyamory feat. Adriano Canzian”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/romancedisaster

Label: www.facebook.com/spacefactory

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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The French label Unknown Pleasures Records, run by Pedro Peñas y Roble aka HIV+, stops its activities this summer. They are currently emptying their last stocks before closing for good. The label which started in 2013 was based in the south of France was dedicated to the production of material from the post-punk, minimal wave and EBM scene. Their final release is a Tribute to Death In June.

In the past the label has released albums of bands like Norma Loy, David Carretta, Blind Delon, Adan & Ilse, Hausfrau, Black Egg, European Ghost, Ono Scream, Antipole, Kill Shelter, Vogue Noir, Ohota, Wendy Bevan, Alek Drive, Art Kinder Industrie, Baroque, Maman Küsters, Japan Suicide, Follow Me Not, Der Himmel über Berlin, Dave Inox, Mr Nô, None, Velvet Kills, Selfishadows, Container 47, The Shyness Of Strangers, Secret Sight, La Main, Fluxus, Grand((Ø))Signal, Neon Electronics, Hardlab, Judith Juillerat, Monolog and Love In Prague.

The label has also worked and collaborated with several musicians such as Alan Vega, Gabi Delgado, Dirk Da Davo, Eric Van Wonterghem, Jurgen Engler, Richard 23, Patrick Codenys, Marc Hurtado, Arturo Lanz, The Hacker, Dirk Ivens, The Horrorist, Haujobb, Position Parallèle, John Lord Fonda, Dominique Nicolas, Marc Collin, Michaël Theis, Radical G, Növö, Millimetric, In Death It Ends, In Aeternam Vale, Sonic Area, Adriano Canzian, Alice Botte, Versari and many more.

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. 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!

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Genre/Influences: Minimal-electro, electroclash, experimental.

Background/Info:  Victoria Lukas and Jauzas The Shining have already released previous EP’s together. “Multiple” is their newest collaborative work and the first one released by David Carretta’s label Space Factory.

Content: The EP features 4 cuts opening with the minimal-electro like “Follow Me”, which reminds me a bit of Miss Kittin & The Hacker. “Follow Me” can be considered as the main song, the other songs left revealing a more experimental approach. The lyrics are half spoken-like.

+ + + : The minimal format of the opening track evokes good-old souvenirs, but it also is a successful song featuring fine, bleeping sequences and sexy female vocals. The main strength of this record is the care for great sound treatments and the multiple effects. The sensual way of singing –and sometimes half spoken from Victoria Lukas adds a hot touch to the work.

– – – : I regret the entire tracklist doesn’t sound in the vein of “Follow Me”. The other cuts are a little bit too experimental-like.

Conclusion: “Multiple” is an EP that will ravish lovers of great sound treatments and effects. I’m however convinced this duo has the potential to do better.

Best songs: “Follow Me”.

Rate: (7).

Artists: www.facebook.com/victoria.lukas /

 www.facebook.com/jauzastheshining

Label: www.facebook.com/spacefactory

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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Genre/Influences: EBM, electro-industrial.

Background/Info: Art Kinder Industrie is a French duo that was active in between the late 80s and early 90s and was driven by Xavier Vincent and David Carretta. That’s for sure interesting for all fans of Carretta, but I also know the original work on cassette format released by this band has been praised for quite a long time now. Art Kinder Industrie was a talented and promising French EBM formation and I think this late CD release is more than an ode. I also noticed that Xavier Vincent passed away in 2006 so this work is also an ode to him.

Content: From the very first track, which is a perfect intro-song you directly will understand why Art Kinder Industrie was a promising band. They mixed good-old 80s EBM with harsher industrial sound treatments creating a raw and unpolished sound. The 14 songs were originally recorded in between 1988 and 1990, but globally speaking they still make sense. You directly recognize the retro-style with some sterile and/or screaming like vocals.

+ + + : This album reflects a piece of history and more specifically the French EBM history. Art Kinder Industrie had the skills to become a recognized formation, but they just entered into history as an obscure French band, which had released some demos, which became highly purchased. So this album is a real relief for all fans and collectors. I was impressed by the efficiency of some tracks even more than 30 years after their original edit. I think that’s also because of the somewhat avant-garde like approach of the duo and it’s not really a coincidence if David Carretta became a worldwide recognized artist after this early period.

– – – : A few tracks clearly sound outdated, but you don’t hear me to complain.

Conclusion: We sometimes have to go back to the roots and that’s precisely what +Closer² has done bringing Art Kinder Industrie to life by this high recommendable album. This is a great work for all 80s EBM addicts!

Best songs: “Visions”, “Medecine”, “Teknik Tonfall”, “Für Freiheit Und Frieden”, “Radiations”, “The World”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Art–Kinder–Industrie-1070365829676405

Label: www.facebook.com/pg/Closer²-411269699390997

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, minimal-EBM.

Background/Info: Behind this Italian production is hiding Adriano Canzian, Massimo Bastasi & Mauro Copeta (both involved in Hard Ton).

Content: The sound and influences and somewhat comparable to the work of Adriano Canzian. We’re moving through a minimal-electronic universe featuring great retro electronics and solid EBM-minded bass lines.

This EP features the title track, remixes by David Carretta (Space Factory owner) plus Romance Disaster (which already released an EP on Space Factory) and a sexy, groovy B-side cut.

+ + + : I like the retro-minimalism The Fool’s Stone are dealing with. David Carretta’s remix only empowers and accentuates this approach. The title song is featuring half-spoken like vocals, but David Carretta accomplished a great edit without the vocal parts. I also like the real hot B-side track “Silicone”.

– – – : The title song is cool, but not the best version from the EP. I definitely prefer the harder and more minimal edit by David Carretta.

Conclusion: This is the kind of production you can only, but expect on a label such as Space Factory. The Fool’s Stone is the perfect fusion between good-old EBM influences and contemporary minimal-electronics with a techno flavor on top!

Best songs: “Futura – David Carretta Remix”, “Futura”, “Silicone”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/thefoolsstone

Label: www.facebook.com/spacefactory

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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Genre/Influences: Techno-body, minimal EBM.

Background/Info: During the past few years Space Factory (label set up by David Carretta) doesn’t release that many releases, but each of them is worthy of examination; quality instead of quantity! Baroque is the project driven by Japanese producer, DJ and remixer Smmy. He released an impressive number of EP’s and now joined hands together with Space Factory for this digital work featuring 4 cuts.

Content: I’m often linking Japanese artists with experimental music, but Baroque is the entire contrary. This artist moves from irresistible EBM bass lines to raw industrial treatments to melody lines reminding Kraftwerk to a kind of dark and visionary techno music.

+ + + : If you’re into progressive and especially minimal and/or vintage electro mainly inspired by EBM, this EP is something you really have to discover. The 4 different songs are carried by impressive bass lines (especially on the title track), but still with great melody lines and I here especially want to mention the Kraftwerk-ian inspired “Fallin”. This work sounds in pure vintage style although injected with some refreshing arrangements.

– – – : I don’t have real minus points except the somewhat repetitive loops running through “Aim”, which sounds more like a B-side cut.

Conclusion: If you never got the opportunity to discover Baroque, I can only, but recommend this great EP, which is mixing vintage EBM and techno minimalism.

Best songs: “Fallin”, “Ocean Of Noise”, “Blanches”.

Rate: (8½).

Band: www.facebook.com/baroqueofficial

Label: www.facebook.com/spacefactory

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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Genre/Influences: Dark-techno, minimal-electro, acid.

Background/Info: French artists David Carretta and Workerpoor have already released previous EP’s together. They’re back on track unleashing this new EP featuring 4 cuts.

Content: The EP covers different influences; taking off with technoid influences mixed with darker, industrial sounds. The title song is somewhat different, but still dark and somewhat into acid sequences.

Both cuts have been remixed. We first get a remix of Jensen Interceptor together with Assembler Code and next the title song remixed by Baroque.

+ + + : David Carretta is a pioneer in the genre, but also an artist with an endless creative spirit while Workerpoor is one of those talented French artists from the newer generation. Both artists are pretty complementary, which mainly comes through at the title song. I like the sound intelligence running through this cut, simply proving that there’s much more than the usual and cheap techno productions. Among the remixes I have a preference for the job by Jensen Interceptor (a band I highly recommend) and Assembler Code.

– – – : Speaking for myself I already heard more convincing EP’s produced by both techno fellows and I especially refer to “I.N.T.R.U.D.E.R.S.”.

Conclusion: Carretta and Workerpoor explore the good-old acid influences resulting in a great title song.

Best songs: “Acid 90”, “Do You Know This Room – Jensen Interceptor & Assembler Code Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Bands: www.facebook.com/David–Carretta-110322897838 / www.facebook.com/theworkerpoor

Label: www.millefeuilles.org

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-EBM, electroclash.

Background/Info: Romance Disaster is a new project set up by Aga Wilk (previously involved in 77TM). This Berliner based producer claims to be inspired by EBM, techno and dark-electro. He joined hands together with David Carretta’s Space Factory label to unleash this 4-pieced EP.

Content: The opening song sounds like an offspring between good-old new-beat influences and electroclash. It sounds cold and into minimalism, which for sure is the main sound characteristic of this work.

The other cuts are more into explicit electroclash influences and even reminding me of Miss Kittin and not only for the female vocals. You’ll also notice a few EBM elements running through the work. Romance Disaster also stands for good-old vintage electro treatments, which also is the trademark of Space Factory.

+ + + : Romance Disaster hasn’t reinvented the electroclash style, which we now commonly call dark-techno or minimal-EBM, but it’s a damn successful production in the genre. The songs have been accomplished with magic analogue sound manipulation while carried by solid dance vibes. “Black Silesia” is a great cut to start, but I really have to mention the entire EP. I also like this kind of EP featuring 4 different songs.

– – – : When an EP is good, but only features 4 songs you can only be frustrated when coming to the end. Sound wise Romance Disaster doesn’t innovate, but has found the best receipt to compose great minimal electro sounds.

Conclusion: I already discovered a few cool bands on Space Factory and Romance Disaster is one more name to keep in mind. “Boy” has the power to make you dance for the entire EP.

Best songs: “Black Silesia”, “Eyes Blind”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/romancedisaster

Label: www.facebook.com/spacefactory

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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I first heard of David Carretta when discovering the EBM-driven BAND Art Kinder Industrie. I couldn’t believe it was the same musician soon becoming one of the main artists of the electroclash movement. He got signed to International Deejay Gigolo, which was the reference in the genre. Later on he set up his own label Space Factory.

Unknown Pleasures Records joined hands with David Carretta to unleash a retrospective-CD featuring some of his most essential compositions in history; 15 songs of power and dance which can be defined as (inspired by the title from one of his 12”): ‘Marseille Kicks Ass’

(by Stéphane Froidcoeur)

Q: Two Decades – A Retrospective” is an opportunity to look back at 20 years of involvement, but what  do you consider as the main facts and maybe songs/releases of your career thus far?

David: The main facts are the moments when you meet people who make you going further through your passion. Nothing can happen when you remain alone.

Q: How do you look back at the ‘electroclash’ movement and its evolution till today? What was it all about and does it still have a sense today?

David: Of course it still makes sense ; musical genres don’t lose their sense from one day till another. It’s as a cycle, they’re moving away and coming back.

Q: I always have been fascinated by your ‘image’, which got numerous and often funny comments and comparisons, but did you really care about it and what’s the importance of the image?

David: Image and music are indissociable. I’ve chosen my own style to bring people something different and make them react.

Q: I’m wondering how you see yourself moving on as musician/producer and label owner of Space Factory?

David: I like to control all things I’m doing and I’m involved in multiple projects, but not only in music.

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

Genre/Influences: Minimal-EBM, electroclash.

Background/Info: I think there are a few artists who need no real introduction. This French producer and artist is a pioneer from the so-called electroclash movement and got signed to the famous International Deejay Gigolo label while he later on set up his own label Space Factory.

I also remember him from his early involvement in the dark-EBM inspired formation Art Kinder Industrie. This compilation featuring 15 songs is a magic piece of music and as indicated in the title a marvelous ‘retrospective’.

Content: This is a fascinating compilation brings us back to some early tracks of the artist next to songs he did together with other bands like Workerpoor and The Hacker plus Millimetric. There also is a song he released under the Aerobic moniker, which was a project together with David’s wife Gigi Succes (who’s also running Space Factory as well).

“Two Decades” clearly brings the original electroclash sound back to live. It clearly remains a minimal experience in sound inspired by retro/vintage EBM and I here can evoke bands like The Neon Judgement, Kraftwerk and the raw style of the early Front 242 period.

The sound was also characterized by somewhat sterile and robotic vocals, but the main strength of the production remains the pure vintage and analogue-minded creation with a little raw, technoid flavor on top.

Notice by the way that the album features one previously unreleased song (cf. “Retrospective”) showing a real orgy of sonic manipulations.

+ + + : This album is a nice selection of brilliant minimal body music, but what I especially appreciate in this artist is the unique sound-DNA, which is that typical when listening to David Carretta.

– – – : You can always wonder why some songs were not featured on it, but I regret there’s no song from Art Kinder Industrie on it (maybe remixed and/or reworked).

Conclusion: This ‘retrospective’ clearly sounds like an homage to the genius of this visionary artist who became one of the most influential musicians in his genre.

Best songs: “Moskow Reise – feat. The Hacker & Millimetric”, “New Love”, “Land Of Sin”, “Station To Station”, “Colors”.

Rate: (8½).

Band: www.facebook.com/David-Carretta-110322897838

Label: www.unknown–pleasures–records.com /  www.facebook.com/Unknown–Pleasures–Records-566180440115465

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