Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Berlin trio Any Second released in December 2022 their third album to date. Oliver Senger, Thomas Beschoner and Jan Kluge left Out Of Line and joined hands together with Infacted Recordings to unleash “Enemies”. The opus was preceded by the powerful EP-teaser “Scalpel”. “Enemies” is available as a double disc featuring remixes on the bonus disc.

Content: If you know the band from their previous works you immediately will recognize the perfect mix between EBM and Dark-Electro. Nearly all the songs have been sung in English but there’s also one track with German vocals. Any Second don’t reinvent the music genres they’re inspired by but they mix it in a unique way while adding a catchy touch now and then.

The bonus disc features remixes by Suicide Commando (same one as on the EP), Blutengel, Darkness On Demand, Trensity, Die Braut, Captive Of Society, Digital Energy, Seelennacht, Batavia, Ma=st+er and TerrorFrequenz. 

+ + + : The global production has been improved in comparison with previous works. There’s a perfect balance between all the different influences while in the end it remains an ultra-danceable work featuring noticeable songs. My absolute favorite cut is probably the most unusual one; “Cornered” is driven by an irresistible, catchy and Pop-driven lead. I also recommend “I Shout”, “Where Is God” and the Tyske Lüdder-sounding “Subtil 19”.

Among the remixes you’ll find great names like Suicide Commando and Blutengel but my favorite remix is the one by Die Braut.

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the bonus disc. Any Second has made a serious progression while I’m sure they still can do better.

Conclusion: A fully accomplished work featuring several, potential, dancefloor killers. 

Best songs: “Cornered”, “I Shout”, “Where Is God”, “Subtil 19”, “Enemies Among Friends” + “Scalpel – Die Braut Remix”, “Me And My Enemy – Suicide Commando Remix”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.anysecond.eu / www.facebook.com/anysecond.berlin

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.

www.side-line.com

Chilean duo Die BRAUT has been set up in 2007 by singer Katia Figueroa Letelier and composer Voz y Líricas Cristián Soto Vanell. DIE BRAUT is for sure one of the most familiar Electro-underground bands from their country. They released albums on labels such as Danse Macabre, Orion and NoiTekk. They last year released their newest opus “Virtual Communication” on the Russian label ScentAir Records. It also was the band’s first full length album since “Psychotherapy” (2011). The songs are danceable pieces mixing elements of Electro-Pop and New-Wave music, but it’s without a shadow of a doubt the most mature and accomplished work of the band to date. Time for a chat with the Chilean duo.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: You guys are active under DIE BRAUT moniker since 2007! What do you consider as the main facts in the band’s history and how did you evolve from the early years till today?

DB: Exactly! And that name is due to the existence of a frontwoman in the band. For years now we have enjoyed our art and reached great moments like the release of every single and album, each performance,  all what we’ve learned from great musicians who left us and the affection and support of the people. We of course always cherish the great moments.

We especially keep in mind two great festivals where we were invited to play. There was Wave Gotik Treffen in 2011 and Orus Fest in 2016, both leaving us a clear feeling of doing things well and being able to enjoy playing in front of thousands of people, which we like the most of all.

Evolution is part of the same learning and love for music, dedication, study, being clear about concepts and always ready listening to others, to live each experience as the best of our lives and thus continue to grow.

Q: You last year released the new album “Virtual Communication”, which clearly sounds different in sound and influences. The global production is more ‘Pop’-driven, but what’s your perception of this work and what have been the main influences to compose the new stuff?

DB:The perception of things is subjective and influences have always been present in our lives. Mainly it is about experiences, things that happen to people, illnesses, hunger, abuse, misery and pain. Musically for us the influences to compose this or another album have always been the same, the difference is that we can show it with different faces and nuances. We love Synth-Pop, as well as Grunge, Rock and all its evolution over the years. What is changing from an album to the next one is the concept of each work and we think that today the most appropriate thing for us is to present “Virtual Communication” as one of the great shortcomings of human being in recent times and we believe that it was just the right time to say it.

We will never pigeonhole ourselves into anything specific and we also don’t believe there’s a reason to have another band with a different musical style. We are sure that variations feed our creation and that is how we have seen it reflected in our albums and listeners.

Q: The lyrical content of your work has often been a critical perception of what happens in your own country, Chile, but what did you try to express on “Virtual Communication”?

DB: Indeed, the truth is that we spent a good time showing our own experiences as a country and American continent, but this is what we commented in the previous answer; each concept may differ as time passes and while we observe it, it is worth telling it. “Virtual Communication” means a globalized world, mixed with the immeasurable expansion of social networks, their aggressiveness and their misuse. It stands for the selfishness of nations, people and not having an own identity, where written criticism seem to have more value than honest conversation.

We don’t see it as a path in the opposite direction, but as something that is a real fact from which we must know how to take advantage and learn to be able to relate.

Q: Do you follow a particular procedure to compose the music and writing the lyrics? Do you’ve specific references when it comes to production?

DB:Music is supposed to be spontaneous, something that comes from the heart and mind, and not necessarily from a synth or computer. Music has to be sexy in all its dimensions and the transforming channel of ideas into songs, so we don’t have a specific way to start working. As we said before, it’s enough to be clear about the concept on, which we want to deepen and all that results from it is an album as we have made it

Q: I noticed you’ve been already worked with multiple labels; Orion Records of course, but also European labels such as Danse Macabre, Noitekk, Advoxya Records and now ScentAir Records. What makes you’re constantly working with new companies and what do you expect from a label?

DB:We believe that each of them has been a great learning experience. All things always have a limited time and we have lived it to the end. Some of them are no longer active and regarding others it simply were personal decisions, which have nothing to do anything specific. We see positive the fact that each of them has had enough interest to have welcomed us and believed in our music, and from our side to have been able to go a step further.

Right now we are happy with ScentAir and we hope to continue releasing records on this label. Promotion and support both are very important itemds and you don’t hear us to complaining in all what we got so far.

Q: Artistic activities have been affected all over the world because of the Covid-19 pandemic. How’s the situation in Chile and how do you try to manage this situation now that you’ve a new album out? What brings the future for DIE BRAUT?

DB:Of course, and it’s a global health issue. For now we just have to wait patiently and stay current by making more and more records. A new single with remixes will be released pretty soon and we’re working on a new album with another lyrical and musical concept, which is totally different from “Virtual Communication”. It will surely transport the listener to the 80s with a theme refering to love and respect for nature, native peoples and a lot of geographical histories, which we believe represent us spiritually. It will remain Electronic music in all its variations!

Thank you very much for this interview and the support of our work

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: Electro-Pop, Wave-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Set up in 2007 by singer Katia Figueroa Letelier and composer Voz y Líricas
Cristián Soto Vanell, Die Braut clearly is one of the most familiar Electro-underground bands from Chile. They released their stuff on very different labels such as Danse Macabre, Orion, NoiTekk and Advoxya Records while this new opus (the first ‘new’ album since 2011) has been released on Russian label ScentAir.

Content: Die Braut already has experience with varied Electronic influences, but they’ve always been connected with some Pop influences. The new work is clearly moving in between Electro-Pop and retro-like Wave-Pop music. They’ve reached a very own sound, which is hard to compare and yet some songs remind me a bit of the spirit of Kirlian Camera. Die Braut definitely sounds more melodic and Pop driven, but the production is  supported with a colder atmosphere. Most of the songs are danceable and masterly driven by the female vocals of Katia Figueroa Letelier.

+ + + : Die Braut probably accomplished their most elaborated and mature work to date. I can’t say that they are innovating, but they are simply good in what they do! This is an electro-Pop format with attitude! The songs are boosted by danceable kicks while the melodic choruses create an elevating effect. I also like the production of the vocals creating a perfect balance with the sound.

– – – : This album is maybe missing ‘the’ hit that would convince all Electro lovers of this band’s true potential.

Conclusion: Die Braut strikes back with style unleashing a well-crafted and efficient album.

Best songs: “Words In An Empty Space”, “Virtual Communication”, “Without Time”, “Dissonance”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/diebrautmusic

Label: www.scent-air.com / www.facebook.com/ScentairRecords

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

SUPPRESSOR is a solo-project hailing from Chile. You might have discovered this hard- and dark minded Electro-Trance project on one of the famous “Endzeit Bunkertracks”-compilation series or by a remix for SynthAttack. Suppressor already released a few EP’s, but has now released the debut full length “Into A Deep Void” on darkTunes Music Group. The work is an astonishing sonic fusion between Psy-Trance and Dark-Electronics.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: You are already active under the Suppressor moniker for several years now, but can you briefly tell us who you are, where do you come from and how did you get contaminated by the electronic-music virus? What have been your sources of inspiration?

Bergen: My name is Bergen Schlitzie, I am from Santiago, Chile. Since I was a child I started listening to Techno and growing up I got interested in Electronic music. In my adolescence I got interested in Gothic- and Industrial music plus hard Electronic beats.

It was in 2004 when together with Ignacio J. Vera (Traumatic Injection, Don Baphomet) we set up our first project called NEUTRAL KONNTROL and so, our way in the music production. I always quote Noisuf-X, Xotox, as a source of inspiration, as well as more neural rhythms such as Psy-Trance and Goa

Q: You this year released your new album “Into A Deep Void” revealing a true sonic fusion between Industrial- and Psy-Trance music. How do you perceive your own evolution from the previous releases till “Into A Deep Void”?

Bergen: Since I started as a SUPPRESSOR, I wanted to have a different and danceable sound. I progressed and got more interested in creating something more ‘personal’.  

Then I decided to try the mixture of Industrial and Psy-Trance for the “Shaman”-EP, which generated what I was looking for to obtain that sound; that mixture that was different from the previous one that I already had published and that pleased the public in general.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the writing, recording and production work of the album?

Bergen: “Into A Deep Void” is a very personal process. The title and the album itself are inspired by the film “Enter The Void” by Gaspar Noé. In this album I reflect my desires for an introspective journey. The album itself is a process of ending and beginning, a new beginning both personally and artistically. It was a process of trial and error, but with a result that I love.

Q: The Psy-Trance influences are very present in the album, but still in the clip of “ Śūnyatā”. Tell us a bit more about the clip and the way you get in touch with Psy-Trance music? What does this genre of music mean to you?

Bergen: “Śūnyatā” or “Void” is a Buddhist concept that opens the inner being, empty of feelings and memories, to return as you wish.

Psy-Trance is a music genre that attracts me by its message and connection with nature, it transports me to another place within the subconscious, it creates my “Void” and restart as many times as necessary.

Q: I think it’s not an easy thing to release a new album during the Covid-19 pandemic. How do you experience this situation and does it have a real impact on your activities?

Bergen: This pandemic has been quite difficult to live, both creatively and personally. I should mention that this record was an escape valve. I was able to concentrate on writing it, arranging it, mixing it, and thus freeing myself from many burdens. Enjoy the process, that’s all.

Q: You are hailing from Chile so what can you tell us about the scene (bands, labels, clubs, promoters, organizations etc) in your country? What do you expect to be signed on an European label?

Bergen: There are good bands and musical projects like Say Just Words, Die Braut, Traumatic Injection, as well as good places to play and show your art… but there is a lack of support from the public.

The Chilean scene is many years away from what has been achieved in Europe or Mexico where bands are getting a bigger support. I hope to have more opportunities of diffusion together with other European labels (apart from DarkTunes) to show my art to many more people and to get far with my project.

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, body-pop.

Background/Info: Peruvian duo Arian 1 strikes back with a new EP featuring the title song plus 5 remixes.

Content: If you’re already familiar with the work of Arian 1 you’ll rapidly recognize the essence of their work. “Spend The Night” is a very efficient piece of EBM with a poppy touch on top. The vocals are rather clear.

Remixes have been accomplished by Reaxion Guerilla, Die Braut, Gunmaker, Bleeding Corp. and Struck 9.

+ + + : The title song is cool and danceable piece of fresh EBM. The carrying chorus creates a little climax. Among the remixes I especially want to mention the very clubby edit of Reaxion Guerilla and Bleeding Corp. which has accentuated the lead of the song.

– – – : I’m always a bit disappointed getting EP’s with one single song followed by a load of remixes.

Conclusion: Arian 1 confirms their potential and simply talent to compose efficient EBM-driven music. This is a band that deserves more recognition!

Best songs: “Spend The Night”, “Spend The Night – Reaxion Guerilla Remix”, “Spend The Night – Bleeding Corp. Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/ARIANUNO

Label: http://insane–records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

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: French dark-electro formation A7ie has a clear and solid strong ‘sick music for sick people’! the band has already been active since 2005 and rapidly became one of Advoxya Records’ flag holders. One year after the last full length album “Occidere Mundi” this new opus features remixes from several cuts of this album plus two extra songs.

Content: If you know the violent and obscure dark-(h)el(l)ectro approach of A7ie you for sure will recognize this strong fundament running through the remixes. These remixes have been made by dark-sonic troops featuring Acylum, Cold Therapy, Vault 113, Venal Flesh, Die Braut, Alien Nation, Archazard, Controlled Collapse, Thornsectide, nolongerhuman, Hasswut and Brain Over Dust.

All of the bands hold on to the tormented sound atmospheres, which sometimes remind me of :Wumpscut:, but a few bands even added a very strong personal touch to the original version. Acylum and Die Braut both did a real impressive job.

This work also reveals two alternative versions of previously released songs. Especially the “V2.0” version of “Show Me” is a noticeable cut.

+ + + : “Narcissick Volume II” is an album for the fans of A7ie. It doesn’t bring real new songs, but several noticeable remixes by other dark-electro formations. There also is a limited edition featuring an extra 7” with two remixes by :Wumpscut: and a box format with a lot of fan material.

A7ie remains a terrific dark-electro act, which clearly inspired most of the remixers like the aggressive remix of Acylum, the club-minded remix of Vault 113, the stomping remix by Die Braut, the :Wumpscut:-like remix by Alien Nation and the anguishing sounding remix by Hasswut.

– – – : Remixes can be cool and are a way to bring bands together, but A7ie likes to abuse this formula and that starts to get a little bit boring. After “Narcissick” (2001) we get a second volume with remixes while every single album still has its load of remixes. More original work and less remixes would be just fine!

Conclusion: If you like A7ie and you’re fond of remixes, don’t hesitate to get your hands on this dark-electro production.

Best songs: “Face To Death – Remix By Die Braut”, “The Evil In Us – Acylum Remix”, “Show Me – V2.0”, “Occidere Mundi – Bloodshed World by Alien Nation Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Band: http://a7ie.com / www.facebook.com/a7ieofficial

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: Techno-trance, body-techno.

Content: Studio X Vs. Simon Carter is the union between an Australian techno-trance sound genius and a British DJ/artist. I think that this duo is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most controversial projects signed at Alfa Matrix. Their pronounced techno-trance inspiration sounds like miles away from the standard patterns of electro-underground music.

The earlier this year released EP “Dance With Me ‘Dance With The Devil” already gave us an idea about this 2nd studio album and the least I can say is that it sounds like a pure sonic explosion. I really consider this band as one of the hottest and most clubby formations from the entire scene. The sound is not just techno & trance-minded, but is carried by an impressive production work.

Lawrie Masson is a fucking genius. I don’t know if the man needs to take some hallucinogens to find his inspiration, but he has found the sonic elixir to compose smashing and intelligent dance stuff. Some elements reveal a darker and more underground touch, which comes through in a few industrial sound treatments and other EBM passages, but globally speaking “Ad Astra Volantis” is an invitation to embark for a great transcendental sound trip.

The songs are mainly characterized by impressive flat bass lines and breaks leading you to a real climax. If you don’t remember how it feels to get an orgasm, just put this CD in your disc player, play it at maximum volume and I can assure you’ll soon get back into it. This album indeed sounds like pure sex!

There’s an impressive succession of real masterpieces, which are sometimes joined by some sweet pop elements. A few tracks are even reminding me to the sound intelligence of Daft Punk, but transposed into a hard-techno style. The song “Stranger (Dream With Me)” feat. Trix is one of those tracks.

There for sure is diversity at this album. Some tracks are a little bit of a cool down, but always covered with pure dance elements. I also have a little preference for the somewhat robotic-like “Forever Alone Lost And Unknown”, which sounds like ‘nintendo’-electronics.

“More Than This” is another special cut, which evokes some Madonna elements, but once again transposed into a harder technoid production.

A quite important element is the vocals’ production. That’s for sure what makes the difference with usual techno standards, which are not familiar with vocals. The vocals have been used as a kind of effect on top of the music and, which are perfectly matching with the hard sound.

“Ad Astra Volantis” will especially appeal for lovers of techno music and hard-trance, but open-minded electro lovers will possibly be convinced as well. Notice by the way that the album features 16 songs while the digital edition brings you 18 (!!!) extra songs.

The digital edition reveals 5 exclusive songs plus a real orgy of remixes by bands like C.Lekktor, Aestetische, Binary Division, Pre.Emptive Strike 01, Waves Under Water, Die Braut, Grandchaos ao. This is a way to discover more familiar names from the dark-electro and EBM scene trying to add their personal stamp to the songs.

Conclusion: This is an album you’re either going to like or not; there’s no way in between! One thing is for sure, you can better avoid listening to Studio X Vs. Simon Carter if you’re allergic for techno-minded productions. I found it simply irresistible and proving that techno music can be intelligent as well.

Best songs: “More Than This”, “The Storm Of Life”, “Shooting At The Stars”, “Lies”, “Dance with Me ‘Dance With The Devil”, “Forever Alone Lost And Unknown”.

Rate: (DP:9)DP.

Band: www.officialstudio-x.com / www.facebook.com/officialstudiox / www.facebook.com/sy.carter

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