Genre/Influences: IDM, EBM, Experimental, Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD.  

Background/Info: This compilation is an opportunity to discover the music universe of Aliens Production; a label run by Slovakian Peter Rybar (Disharmony) and active since the late 90s. This compilation features 16 artists -while you get 2 more at the digital edit.

Artists: Triode, AKMD, Calm-T feat. Mortum, Holon, Jash Teua, Niadragea, Morbid Fance, Disharmony, Mortal Constraint, Human Vault, Tokke, Kryotronic, Bieker, Synta[XE[rror, KIFOTH, Drifting In Silence.

Content: You’ll discover a fine selection of ‘old’ label servants next to ‘younger’ projects while there’s also a noticeable feature by legendary Mortal Constraint and Morbid Fancy. This album covers different styles from IDM to sophisticated EBM and from Electro-Experimental to Cinematic music.

+ + + : The compilation reveals a fine selection of great artists which all have composed an exclusive track for this compilation. That makes the compilation really interesting and even essential. Mortal Constraint delivered an intelligent piece of music and remains a project I’m missing in this scene. Morbid Fancy is another project that was active during the 90s. I’m not sure they made a come-back for this sampler but probably deliver a previously unreleased song from the past which sounds as intelligent EBM. Disharmony stands for pure IDM appealing to fans of Clock DVA. I also have to mention a great and atmospheric cut by AKMD, the haunting EBM from KIFOTH and the IDM-driven songs from Synta[XE]rror and Kryotronic.

– – – : I’m still perplex why this label never got more recognition.

Conclusion: The perfect work to get contaminated by the unique sound universe of Alien Productions.

Best bands: Morbid Fancy, Disharmony, Mortal Constraint, KIFOTH, Kryotronic, Synta[XE]rror, Tokee, AKMD.

Rate: 8.

Label: www.label.aliens.sk / www.facebook.com/pages/Aliens-production-label/200028820052578

About Aliens Production

Aliens Production is a Slovakian record label run by Peter Rybar, also known for his own project Disharmony, active since the late 1990s. The label has released material from acts including Disharmony, Fractal, Human Vault, KIFOTH and Morbid Fancy. This compilation gathers sixteen Aliens Production artists on one release, each contributing an exclusive track.

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: Ambient-Electro, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: “Simulation” is a collaborative work between American artist Derrick Stembridge aka Drifting In Silence and Ukrainian born Pavlo Storonsky aka Tineidae.

Content: The work sounds as a true melting pot between the experienced Ambient project Drifting In Silence and the more IDM/Ambient approach of Tineidae. The result covers a wider range of Ambient-Electronic music with a wink to pioneers like Tangerine Dream. Space-driven tracks, which are sometimes moving to a darker edge, but often getting back to ‘pure’ Ambient work.

+ + + : The debut track is an impressive opener revealing a true complementarity between both artists. The overwhelming sound production reflects maturity, but still vintage sound elements typified by astral sound effects and sweeps. The rhythmic running through the opus makes it all more accessible. 

– – – : The debut cut is also my favorite one and I’m missing similar sound blasts on the rest of the work.

Conclusion: This is a successful collaboration between two artists with a somewhat different background although totally connected with each other through the magic of Ambient-Electronics.

Best songs: “Reality”, “Dark Matter”, “Simulation, Pt.2”.

Rate: 7.

Artists: www.facebook.com/driftinginsilence / www.facebook.com/71ne1dae

Label: https://labilerecords.com / www.facebook.com/labilerecords

About Drifting In Silence and Tineidae

Drifting In Silence is the ambient project of American artist Derrick Stembridge, formed in 2003. The 2021 album “False Awakening”, built around Carl Jung’s dream theories, was released on the Secret Press label.

Tineidae is the IDM/ambient project of Ukrainian-born, Warsaw-based artist Pavlo Storonsky, active since the 2012 debut album “Lights” on Tympanik Audio. It was followed by “Shadows” (2014), “Slowly Drown In Static” (2019) and the Cryo Chamber album “Exo” (2024). “Simulation” marked the two artists’ first collaborative album, released via Labile Records.

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

Drifting In Silence was formed in 2003 by Derrick Stembridge. Out now is the new album, “False Awakening”. It was released on Secret Press, a self-proclaimed nomadic record label home to a variety of ambient artists. On the release the band you get a deep contemplation of Carl Jung’s dream theories. The Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst wrote that art expression and images found in dreams could help recover from trauma and emotional distress.

Across the album, the rhythmic collage of field recordings and synthesizer pads lay the foundation for meditative strains of piano and guitar. Vangelis, Robert Rich or Max Richter come really in the neighborhood listening to the material.

“False Awakening” is available on CD and cassette as well as digital download.

Here’s the video for “False Awakening”.

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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