ES23 &#8211; SIDE-LINE

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.

Italian futurepop / EBM act Stars Crusaders present 8-track strong remix album

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 09:50:35 +0000

The Italian Futurepop/EBM band Stars Crusaders has released “M.A.T.E.R. Remixed,” a new album featuring reworked versions of tracks from their 2022 album “M.A.T.E.R.”. The remix album includes contributions from bands like Faderhead, Assemblage 23, ES23, Accessory, as well as label mates Unity One, Chem, and Roobanok.

Founded in 2013, Stars Crusaders is a four-member electronic band from Italy that combines elements of synthpop, futurepop, and EBM. A lyric video for the track “Ishtar (Faderhead Remix)” is also available.

Here’s the lyric video for “Ishtar (Faderhead Remix)”.

You can get the remix album right now on Bandcamp.

M.A.T.E.R. Remixed by Stars Crusaders

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!

Supreme Court – Avid For Revenge (Album – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 27 May 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Nearly thirteen years after their last album, German Dark-Electro combo Supreme Court strikes back. This is the band’s fourth full length and the second one released by Infacted Recordings. The opus was preceded by the singles “We Are Dumb” and “Face Reality”.

Content: The sound of Supreme Court remains extremely dark, carried by menacing bass lines and harsh vocals. The catchy, icy, leads and stumping kicks make it pretty accessible music for dark dancefloors. I also noticed a more EBM driven track (cf. ”Rotten Corpses”) and the more elaborated “Simplify Your Life” featuring Acid-like sequences.

The CD format reveals bonus tracks which are remixes by Feindflug, ES23, Lights Of Euphoria and Pre.Emptive Strike 0.1 which are taken from the previous singles.

+ + + : Back in time I considered Supreme Court as one of the most talented Dark-Electro formations so it’s great to see this band striking back. The sound remains extremely dark but a bit more catchy than in the past. You’ll also discover songs with a different approach which injects extra variety to the work. “We Are Dumb” remains a great and essential cut but there’re other potential singles featured like “Simplify Your Life” and “Rotten Corpses”. I also have to mention “Racheengel” for its extra catchy touch. Among the remixes, Feindflug definitely is a noticeable and surprising project. Their remix of “We Are Dumb” sounds like being mixed with the great melody-line from Simple Minds’ “Theme For Great Cities”.

– – – : Despite of the great artists that have been asked for the remixes they unfortunately don’t really add a true bonus.

Conclusion: Supreme Court resurrected with a great Dark-Electro piece which only confirms the potential of the early productions.

Best songs: “Rotten Corpses”, “Simplify Your Life”, “We Are Dumb”, “Racheengel”, “Only The World”, “Voice Of Hate”.

Rate: 8½.

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

DV8R – IO (Album – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, Body-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: This year, American formation DV8R returned with “IO”. It rather looks like a mini-album instead of a true full length, the work featuring six new songs plus four remixes. “IO” was released three years after the debut full-length “Zero Hour”.

Content: “IO” stands for dynamic, hard and elaborated EBM. But it moves further than simply ‘classical’ EBM; it’s an elaborated production, which more than once reminds me of the genius of sound guru Seb Kommor.

The remixes were made by Siva Six, Funker Vogt, ES23 and Grendel.

+ + + : This is what I should call ‘progressive EBM’! It sounds like music for the ‘new’ generation of EBM freaks; a hard and sophisticated production with great sound treatments and impressive manipulations. “Nemesis” and “Beat Alive” both illustrate the potential of the formation, but still their impressive writing skills. A few other tracks have been refined with Electro-Pop arrangements, which mainly emerge during the choruses. The list of remixes is also impressive and I especially recommend the great job accomplished by Siva Six remixing “Nemesis” and Grendel remixing “Anatomy Omega”.

– – – : I can’t find noticeable minus parts here.

Conclusion: DV8R is not like most EBM formations, which simply reproduce the codes, but this band stands for great and alluring modernism!

Best songs: “Nemesis”, “Beat Alive”, “Output”, “Nemesis – Siva Six Remix”, “Anatomy Omega – Grendel Remix”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.dv8r.net / www.facebook.com/DV8RBAND

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

Basscalate – Bass Bitch (EP – darkTunes Music Group)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 18:30:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Industrial-Rave, Trance-EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: German project Basscalate was set up during the lockdown. Driven by SynthAttack front man Martin Schindler, and he got some vocal assistance from Julia. A first single “Feel this Beat” was released last year while we now get an EP featuring three songs plus two remixes.

Content: Basscalate clearly sounds like a fun project to set dancefloors on fire. It sounds rather like a mission impossible during lockdown, but once the clubs will open their doors again; this EP has the potential to lead visitors into an ecstatic dance. As the name of the project indicates, the songs are driven by solid bass lines mixed with pumping rhythms and pure Trance arrangements. Julia’s vocals are produced in a half spoken way, sometimes creating the effect of a sampling. Martin does the backing vocals, which sounds like growls. Remixes were done by ES23 and Basszilla.

+ + + : The main focus is to compose Electro for dancefloors and Basscalate clearly succeeded in their goal. The title song is hitting hard, mixing Techno and Trance with a dark touch on top. The lyrics are hilarious, but it fits with this kind of stuff. Both remixes add a cool extra.

– – – : It’s hard to say if we should treat Basscalate as a serious project; it’s just fun and music to drive you mad.

Conclusion: Basscalate sounds like an antidote to Covid-19; the ultimate vaccine to get clubs open again!

Best songs: “Bass Bitch”, “Feel This Beat”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/BasscalateHQ

Label: www.darktunes.com / www.facebook.com/darkTunesMusic

Labels Interviews: File 6: Torben Schmidt / Infacted Recordings: ‘It Was Always A Moving Experience To Be Part Of Creating Something’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 22 May 2021 18:30:00 +0000

Torben Schmidt gained some experience about label activities working as A&R manager for the legendary Zoth Ommog and Bloodline. He set up Infacted Recordings in 2001 and signed bands like Orange Sector, Namnambulu, Frozen Plasma, Reaper, X Marks The Pedwalk, Prager Handgriff, Heimataerde, Grendel, ES23, Ruined Conflict, Xotox, NZ, Aircrash Bureau, PreEmptive Strike 0.1, Shiv-R, Torul, IC434, Vanguard… but still the own bands he’s involved with Lights Of Euphoria and Binary Park. Twenty years later Infacted Recordings became a reference when it comes to EBM, Electro-Pop and Dark-Electro artists.

(Stéphane Froidcoeur / Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Was there a kind of ‘philosophy’ when you set up your label and did it evolve over the years? How would you define your label activities today?

Torben: My main aim and intention when I started Infacted Recordings back in 2001 was to get independent and release/support the music I love, whenever possible detached from the economical side (which of course is not always possible). I was working for other people/companies before I started my own record company and experienced many good, but also quite some things, which were to be improved. I think the big advantage I had from the start was that I knew both sides, working in a record company and being an artist, producer myself.

Q: I can imagine you must have specific and explicit criteria to sign an artist/band. Can you give us more details about this aspect and how important is it for you to know the person(s) hiding behind the ‘artist(s)’?

Torben: Well, to be honest, for me it is basically a matter of personal taste. One rule I had from the start was to get to know the human behind every band/artist whenever possible to make up my mind about the individuals. If there is a good chemistry in between label and band/artist, that’s the most solid base you can get for a strong work together.

Q: You are already active for numerous years now so you must have seen a lot of things changing and evolving; think about social media, streaming platforms, Youtube channels… but also economic crisis etc. What are the pros and cons of these changes/evolutions and in, which way did you had to adapt/change your strategy and activities?

Torben: I think you already hit the point with the question. Time changes and we, as the motors and creators of this scene had the task to step up with the changes. We are innovators to a certain point, always at the pulse with being DJs, musicians, producers, people who initiate ideas and start projects. For me personal it was always a moving experience to be part of creating something. I think you really have to be where the heart of the scene is, at clubs, at festivals at concerts, meeting fans and supporters and have a good communication.

Q: The ongoing pandemic has affected all artistic life and activities so what’s the true impact on your label activities and do you think it will also affect your long term objectives?

Torben: The main problem we all seek is that one big part of our scene is missing, that’s the live/club thing we have with our bands and our supporting DJs. Many plans we had with touring and release events for 2020 and 2021 had to be shifted. There are fresh ideas with streaming events, but this rarely compensates the feeling most of our scene loves and lives. So well, we honestly hope that there will be perspectives again soon. On the other side I am very happy to have so many supporters out there who continuously aid me/us as a label and the bands and DJs directly.

Q: Do you think media (magazines, online platforms etc…) still have an impact and a role to play today? What’s your relationship with ‘journalists’ and how important is their work?

Torben: I can only speak for me personally here, but I think that print media is losing more and more of its impact due to various factors. Time is running fast and news are spread way more easily digital then in print media. It’s not really blaming, but print magazines concentrate too much on the same bands over and over again (of course often due to demand).

There are exceptions of course and I truly appreciate the support we get and a lot of still really enthusiastic journalists, but I experienced so many people stop buying magazines in the last years and change to digital media to get there information. For me as a label, social media and online media in general is an important key for my promotional work.

Q: What do you consider as your biggest accomplishment(s)? Do you have specific goals/dreams you want to achieve and how do you prepare and see the future of the label(s)? And what are your biggest regret(s)?

Torben: During the years I had the opportunity to work with so many talented artists, known/not so knows, small/big, which is/was truly an honor. So many relationships were started, collaborations occurred and friendships actually did result. My dream to live & work with music did already happen, so I am pretty thankful for this. I have to say that I do not really regret anything. Being in the music scene was great in almost all time periods and every phase had it great moments. Even on bad experiences you grow and make internal progress.

A Kiss To Resist EP by SUICIDAL ROMANCE Burning Love / Remember Me EP by SUICIDAL ROMANCE Whisper Goodbye EP by SUICIDAL ROMANCE

Cult electropop act Suicidal Romance re-releases 3 EPs which were unavailable for quite some time

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 12 May 2021 10:47:46 +0000

Good news for the Suicidal Romance fans, the Estonian dark electropop act has decided to re-release 3 of its EPs which have been unavailable for quite some time. Available right now via Bandcamp (and in 3 weeks from now on all other platforms) are the following EPs: “Whisper Goodbye” (2013), “Burning Love / Remember Me” (2012) and “A Kiss To Resist” (2008).

The cult dark pop duo Dmitry Darling and Viktoria Seimar recently returned with their rather stunning new EP “Runaways”, so the re-release of their older material does not come as a complete surprise.

“A Kiss To Resist” EP was originally released in November 2008. This 13-track EP was the follow-up release to the band’s debut album ”Love Beyond Reach”. Included is also an excellent cover version of Erasure’s “Always” and a collaboration with Lost Area’s singer Jan Moser. Next to this you got an acoustic version of “Call Me” next to various upbeat electro remixes from acts in the likes of Aesthetic Perfection, Massiv In Mensch, Syrian and many more.

“Burning Love / Remember Me” EP was originally released in October 2012. The 13-track EP came out after the release of the band’s 3rd studio album “Memories Behind Closed Curtains”. It featured two new tracks including the very first song ever sung in Russian by the band. Hovering between romantic synth pop and female-fronted dark elektro, these two cuts were accompanied by quite a diverse selection of additional remixes from acts like Diversant13, ES23, Kant Kino and many more.

The “Whisper Goodbye” EP was originally released in December 2013 and features 7 tracks revealing the harder side of Suicidal Romance. For the occasion the band teamed up with Pete Crane (SHIV-R) as guest vocalist on the club hit “Slave/Slave” as well as with remixers in the likes of Die Sektor, Reaxion Guerrilla, Incubite, CeDigest and Psy’Aviah.

You can check out these re-releases right below.

Toal – Ritus Ex Silenti (Album – DarkTunes Music Group)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 20:30:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-Pop, Wave-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: German formation Toal released a debut-EP entitled “Timeless”-EP in 2019 and last year struck back with their debut full-length album. The work features ten songs plus seven remixes.

Content: Toal deals with a sound, which is not that easy to define. It however clearly sounds inspired by a dark approach in Electro-Pop. The songs have something evasive, sometimes moving into Cinematographic passages and even touching ground with a kind of ‘Cabaret-Noir’-style. The female vocals are sometimes reminding me of a mix between L’Âme Immortelle and Kirlian Camera while the production might appeal for lovers of Blutengel.

Remixes have been accomplished by [:SITD:], L’Âme Immortelle, Chrom, ES23, Mental Exile and HzweiG. There’s also one remix featuring SynthAttack.

+ + + : I like the mix between the different influences, but globally speaking Toal deals with a rather personal Dark-Electro-Pop approach. This band is not a new emulation of an idol, but tries to bring something different merging different influences with each other. The now sensual and then dreamy-like vocal parts create a delicious match with the music. The album is missing an ‘absolute’ hit, but features multiple cool songs instead. I also have to say a word about the impressive list of remixers. L’Âme Immortelle, Chrom and ES23 did a really great job.

– – – : I think this band has more potential than what came out at this work.

Conclusion: “Ritus Ex Silenti” is a very promising debut album resulting from a creative process.

Best songs: “Ritual”, “Unreal World”, “Trapped Heart” + “Trapped Heart – Remix by Tom Chrom”, “Unreal World – L’Âme Immortelle Remix”, “Unreal World – ES23 Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/toal.band

Label: www.darktunes.com / www.facebook.com/darkTunesMusic

‘Click Interview’ with ES23: ‘I’m Not A Huge Fan Producing The Same Music Over And Over Again’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 18:00:00 +0000

German solo-project ES23 is the creative outlet of Daniel Pad. It all started in 2004, but it took some years to ES23 to release its first official album “Heaven Or Hell” (2012). The album was released by Infacted Recordings, which also released the next albums “Mutatio Ex Machina” (2014) and “Erase My Heart” (2017). ES23 evolved from a Dark-Electro project towards a more Electro/Future-Pop driven project. The newest work “Only Melodies Remain” is mixing the Electro-Pop influences together with harder EBM elements. So each album sounds different, but always features great songs. It’s not that different for “Only Melodies Remain”.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: You’re active under the ES23 moniker since 2004. That’s already a while now! Albums have been released, you collaborated with ‘guests’ etc. How do you look back at this ‘voyage’ so far and how do you see ES23 today?

Daniel: When I look back to what happened so far, I can definitely say that I have learned a lot and I am still learning a lot today. Today I would say that ES23 actually started in 2010. It feels like the time before I was more playing around and getting to know the first steps.

ES23 has changed a lot over the years. I think change in that context is a good thing. I improved my skills and knowledge, but I also evolved as an artist and producer. I would say a ‘play-around’ turned into a solid music project.

Q: When did you start working on the new album “Only Melodies Remain” and did you’d a specific sound and album in mind? How did the album took shape?

Daniel: The production of the current album actually started right after the “Erase My Heart”-album was released. I use a lot of my free time to produce new music. Unlike other artists, who do it full-time, I need to find time to compose, which is not always that easy.

Accordingly, the release of the current album took almost 3 years. That’s why I released an EP and a single in between. The sound has changed so much because I’ve been more involved with analog synthesizers for a few years and maybe also influenced by the music I listen to. I’ve been listening to Retro and Synth-Wave for a while. That may be one reason. But this album was created like all the other ones; I sit down, produce music and the outcome of that is ES23.

Q: It’s quite interesting to see the evolution of ES23 from album to album. While the early work was more Dark-Electro driven, you next injected some Electro-Pop influences while the new work became harder again, featuring a mix of EBM and Electro-Pop. How do you explain this evolution and your own evolution as musician/artist?

Daniel: I think changes and influences both come naturally. Sometimes I feel like producing something harder and sometimes something more gently. Personally, I’m not a huge fan producing the same music over and over again. I need variation. Maybe the next album will be totally Dark-Electro again. Who knows! What I however value, is less harsher vocals. I may not be the best singer, but I enjoy it.

Q: “What is the title of the album “Only Melodies Remain” reflecting? What have been the main themes that inspired you for the lyrical content and how important are lyrics to you?

Daniel: The lyrics are always added as last in my music productions. With every song I always have a basic mood and basic ideas, which then have to be composed. Quite straightforward, actually. It is not always easy to find the right topic. It often sounds a little like heartache.

The title says: If nothing remains, the music remains. Then, for example, that you should keep memories and learn from them. Most of the songs are actually self-explanatory.

Q: Because of Covid-19, multiple artists have been more creative and prolific than ever before; making remixes, clips, live streams, reworking early songs… Have you been doing other things next to the new album? What will you keep in mind from 2020 and do you’ve some plans for the post-pandemic period?

Daniel: To be honest, I did all of these things before Covid-19. I for example helped some of my music mates on how to do a live stream on Youtube/Twitch/Facebook and what they might need in terms of soft- and hardware.

I’ve had my Twitch account for a long time (https://www.twitch.tv/es23_official) and I always upload the streams later on to my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/ES23Official).

Among other things, I’ve had a few live jam videos where I’m jamming with my synthesizers. It’s a way to show how I create my own sounds etc. I’ve changed in a way that I do not only create music, but also show HOW I do it. If you take a look on to Youtube e.g. you can see many creative minds just creating great stuff with great tools and share it to people. That’s what I’ve oriented myself towards that. I enjoy showing what I can do and I’m very happy when others can learn from it. For fans, too, it is definitely something special to be able to take a look behind the scenes.

All in all, I will continue as I have done up to now. I’m looking forward to future concerts. Fortunately, isolation doesn’t bother me that much. From time to time I like to be a little distant from the real world. So maybe I get along a little better with social distancing than some others. However, there are moments and memories I like to think back to and I look forward to get it back! Fits quite well with the album, eh? 😉

ES23 – Only Melodies Remain (Album – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, EBM, Body-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Daniel Pad aka ES23 last year unleashed the EP “When I’m Gone” as an appetizer to his fourth official album “Only Melodies Remain”. It seems that it took a while to release the album, but here it is; twelve songs plus two remixes!

Content: After a rather evasive, instrumental debut song, “When I’m Gone” appears to be the real start of the album. ES23’s last releases were driven by Electro-Pop influences and even if this album holds on this influence, it also becomes empowered by EBM elements especially the second part of the album which is spiced by solid EBM bass lines. Some songs are getting harder while the vocals are spookier. There’s even one song featuring SynthAttack featuring the familiar hopping sequences of this band.

The first part of the song is more into the Electro/Future-Pop and ES23 here sometimes reminds me of Apoptygma Berzerk. The work comes to its end with a remix of “When I’m Gone” by Solitary Experiments and “Taking Me Down” remixed by Shiv-R.

+ + + : ES23 ever started as a Dark-Electro project and progressively moved into solid Electro-Pop music. This album takes some distance with previous productions and becomes harder again, powered by great EBM bass lines. While the debut songs have something more Future-Pop orientated –and revealing some cool songs, the second part of the work appears to be a great fusion between EBM and Electro-Pop. Songs like “Not Your Enemy”, “Good Or Bad” and “Taking Me Down” all are great exposures of this boosted format. Both remixes by Solitary Experiments and Shiv-R are also worthy of examination especially the hard-kicking remix of “Taking Me Down” by Shiv-R is pure sonic adrenaline! I think this album features more potential single/EP title songs.

– – – : I don’t see real minus points about this album, Daniel Pad having released one of his best productions to date!

Conclusion: “Only Melodies Remain” sounds like the perfect offspring between EBM and Electro-Pop.

Best songs: “Not Your Enemy”, “Good Or Bad”, “Only Melodies Remain”, “When I’m Gone”, “Taking Me Down”, “Taking Me Down – Shiv-R Remix”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.es23.de / www.facebook.com/ES23official

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

Reichsfeind – Persona (EP – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 20:00:26 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Timo Revna set up Reichsfeind in 2011. Two albums were released thus far, but especially the self-released second one “Chasm Walk” caught my attention for its Electronic eclecticism. The German artist from Frankfurt now joined hands together with Alfa Matrix to unleash his new album. “Persona” is the first teaser to announce the upcoming opus.

Content: The title song featured as “Single Edit” reveals a great duality between rough sound treatments and a carrying chorus. It’s an ultra danceable song with the particularity of robotic vocal effects. Rob Dust accomplished a more pronounced ‘dance’ remix.

We next get remixes from songs that were originally released on the “Chasm Walk”-album. The “Club Mix” of “Retox” remains a smasher driven by a hopping cadence. This song has also been remixed by [Aesthetische] and Hydroxie. Last, but not least there also is a remix of “Anti” by ES23.

+ + + : The title song confirms the strong potential of the “Chasm”-album. It remains hard to define, but Reichsfeind sounds more like the fusion between different influences instead of belonging to a proper music genre. I like the rough sound treatments of “Persona” mixed with a solid chorus. It creates a heavy Dark-Pop effect symbolizing the very personal sound approach of this artist. But there’s also something to say about the great “Club Remix” of “Retox” and the harder edit by [Aesthetische].

– – – : It’s hard to find a minus point here; this is the perfect EP to get dancefloors on fire!

Conclusion: Reichsfeind is a very promising new comer to the Alfa Matrix roster and the great “Persona”-song will for sure become a hit!

Best songs: “Persona – Single Edit”, “Retox – [Aesthetische Remix]”, “Retox – Club Mix”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/pg/Reichsfeind

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

God Module – The Unsound Remixes (Album – Metropolis)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 20:30:54 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: God Module last year unleashed the successful opus “The Unsound”, which has been now revisited by an impressive list of artists remixing most of the songs from the album. “The Unsound” was God Module’s eighth official album.

Content: From the 10 original songs of the album only 2 (cf. “Behind The Curtain” and “One Last Wish”) haven’t been remixed. We get a total of seventeen (!) remixes by Iris, Amnestic, ESA, Baby Magick, Ruined Conflict, ES23, System Syn, Wolftron, Reichsfeind, Absynthe Of Faith, “Finite Automata, Ghostfeeder, Invalid, Velvet Acid Christ, Funker Vogt, Aircrash Bureau and Rodney Anonymous.

The selection of remixers is pretty diversified resulting in a true sonic cocktail. It’s pretty surprising to hear God Module being remixed by Iris for example. But I can also mention the heavier and industrial work by Amnestic and the melancholic Pop of System Syn. The album ends with heavy dance cuts by Funker Vogt and Aircrash Bureau.

+ + + : It’s cool to nearly get all songs from the album being remixed. It creates a cool diversity and I’m sure we all will find some favorite cuts. I have to mention ES23 transforming “Cross My Heart” into a powerful, melodic edit. Funker Vogt did a great job remixing “Unconscious” while I also have to mention “Déjà vu” remixed by Aircrash Bureau. Ruined conflict is another great name and the remix of “Display” definitely belongs to the best of this opus. So in the end it’s quite interesting to see that some of the best songs from the original album didn’t become my favorites now.

– – – : When you get 17 remixes you for sure will always have a few forgettable ones; some of the less famous artists unfortunately also deliver the less inspired remixes.

Conclusion: This album is a perfect item for die-hard fans and DJ’s, but I still prefer the original album.

Best songs: “Cross My Heart – ES23 Remix”, “Unconscious – Funker Vogt Remix”, “Display – Ruined Conflict Remix”, “Déjà Vu – Aircrash Bureau Remix”;

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.godmodule.org / www.facebook.com/godmodule

Label: www.metropolis-records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords

Eisfabrik – Automatisierung In Der Eisfabrik (EP – RepoRecords)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 19:30:17 +0000

Genre/Influences: Future-Pop, Body-Pop, Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: It seems that there’s no rest in the Eisfabrik. Gerrit Thomas and his gang are back on track revealing an EP with six new songs and four remixes released a few months after the last album “Kryothermalmusik Aus Der Eisfabrik”

Content: The new tracks are moving on the carrying, emotional and powerful style of the band. The new songs are switching from pure danceable killers like “Free 2020” and Sorrow Face” to more melancholic passages. The songs are mainly driven by danceable kicks, carrying leads and the typical Gerrit Thomas arrangements, which are reminiscent of Funker Vogt.

We also get a few remixes from songs featured on the last album. ES23 remixed “We Don’t care” while this song has been also reworked into an acoustic ballad featuring guitarist Hemke Kay. There also is a remix of “Grim Reaper” and one of “Friends” (featured at the band’s debut album) by Petone.

+ + + : Eisfabrik is constantly switching dancefloor- and evasive tracks. It’s great to get an EP with multiple new songs and even if these cuts aren’t maybe not the best of the band, “Free 2020” and “Sorrow Face” are however powerful cuts carried by strong leads and the charismatic voice of ‘Dr. Schnee’. Gerrit Thomas remains a truly sound guru transforming every single note into a magic moment. Eisfabrik made a great remix of “Grim Reaper”. But I also have to mention the surprising, original and sensitive acoustic version of “We don’t Care” featuring Hemke Kay. This is much more than simply an EP abusing remixes; this is what we in the past would have called a mini-album!

– – – : Eisfabrik has its own sounds and always the same kind of ‘conceptual’ lyrics, which makes this band easily recognizable although it sometimes becomes a little repetitive and predictable.

Conclusion: After their great last album “Kryothermalmusik Aus Der Eisfabrik”, this EP is a great little extra for the fans. The Future-Pop sound of Eisfabrik rules!

Best songs: “Grim Reaper – No Crop Without Seeds Mix”, “Free 2020”, “Sorrow Face”, “We Don’t Care – Acoustic Guitar Mix”, “Cold As Ice”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.eismusik.de / www.facebook.com/eisfabrikofficial

Label: www.reporecords.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Repo-Records/119590774857404

Dark synth pop act Reichsfeind inks deal with Alfa Matrix – releases brand new single/video and back catalogue on Bandcamp

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 08:16:18 +0000

After the well received second album “Chasm Walk”, Frankfurt-based mastermind Timo Revna aka Reichsfeind has joined the well-known Belgian electronic music label Alfa Matrix. Immediately available via Bandcamp is the brand new electro pop single “Persona” which is an instant ear worm as you can hear below.

Many readers will also remember Reichsfeind from his participation on our most recent Face The Beat compilation with the track “Mute”.

But that’s not all, next to a new single, the label has also made available the entire back catalogue of Reichsfeind via Bandcamp exclusively which will please fans of bands like Seabound, X-Marks The Pedwalk, Elderbrook, Beborn Beton or yet De/Vision.

First of all there’s the new single “Persona”. The 6-track EP holds the title track next to an upbeat remix by Rob Dust, reworked mix of the project’s club hit “Retox” and a selection of remixes of “Anti” and “Retox” by artists in the likes of Aesthetische, ES23 and Hydroxie.

Persona EP by REICHSFEIND

Additionally there’s also a video launched for the single’s leading track.

Entire back catalogue also released on Bandcamp

For the occasion of the arrival of Reichsfeind in the Alfa Matrix roster of artists, the Belgian label is releasing the band’s back catalogue exclusively on its Bandcamp page.

“Daydream” EP

Initially released in July 2014, “Daydream” is the first official self-released EP by the German act Reichsfeind. It holds 6 tracks which set the sonic foundations of the band revealing synth melodies layered across darker electro arrangements with upbeat rhythm patterns with vocoded male vocals. The label perfectly describes it as “synth pop music with an edge and a darkish dimension.”

Daydream EP by REICHSFEIND

“Living in space” download album

Initially released in November 2017, “Living In Space” is not only the first official full length CD of Reichsfeind but it’s also their breakthrough album. The album includes club hits like “Soulpaint” and “Detox”. The album features bonus remixes by Rob Dust, Maneater and Kayfabe Lanoise.

Living in Space by REICHSFEIND

“Living in space (the remixes)” EP

Initially released in January 2018, “Living In Space (the remixes)” is the complementary EP release of Reichsfeind’s debut album. Opening with the exclusive non-album track “Mute”, this 4-track EP showcases 3 selected album songs from a different sonic perspective going from the upbeat club mix of “Detox (Desastroes remix)” to the more laid-back version of the “Soulpaint (Kennedy remix)”.

Living in Space (The Remixes) EP by REICHSFEIND

“Chasm walk” download album

The 14-track album “Chasm Walk” was originally released in November 2019. With his second album, Reichsfeind showed a matured songwriting and production level merging modern electronics, driving rhythms, dark atmosphere, meaningful lyrics, rolling basslines and addictive melodic sounds.

The album is also released with 4 bonus remixes by Kennedy, Maneater, Kayfabe, Lanoise and Chadouze.

Chasm Walk by REICHSFEIND

Mental Exile – Exile Nights II (EP – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 18:30:58 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, wave-pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Mondträume singer Damasius Venys moves on with his solo-project Mental Exile. After a successful EP “Exile Nights” and an accomplished debut album “Ride The Madness” he strikes back with the second volume of “Exile Nights” featuring four new songs plus two remixes.

Content: The global sound approach remains totally faithful to the sound of the album. This is electro-pop music with a look at the past; a retro-driven electro style, which is mainly created by the melody lines and some arrangements plus effects. “Quarantine” definitely appears to be the ultimate song in the genre, reminding me of New Order for some of the sound arrangements. The composition is mainly electronic, but still achieved with guitar play.

Remixes have been made by ES23 and Eisfabrik. We here get a song that was originally released at the debut EP (cf. “One Of Us”) remixed by ES23 and another track from the album (cf. “The Night Is Mine”) remixed by Eisfabrik.

+ + + : First of all there’s the voice of Damasius Venys who clearly is one of the most talented singers from this underground scene; not typically electro-pop like, but a powerful and charismatic timbre of voice that can be put on different styles. Next there’s the sound approach, which is clearly vintage-like and yet accomplished with a personal-, contemporary touch on top. I like this EP for featuring 4 brand-new songs and especially “Quarantine” is a true masterpiece for its melody, arrangements and danceable vibes. I also have to say a word about both remixes, which are adding a real bonus.

– – – : Two from the new songs (cf. “Streets On Fire” and “Stronger Than Time”) can’t totally convince, being more the B-side cuts of the EP. The melody lines are a little less repetitive here.

Conclusion: This EP is one more nice addition to the album, Mental Exile preferring to bring new songs instead of an endless number of remixes. I like this spirit, which also is pretty 80s like!

Best songs: “Quarantine”, “The Night Is Mine – Eisfabrik Remix”, “Out Of My Life”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/mentalexileproject

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

Xotox – Gestern (Album – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 19:30:05 +0000

Genre/Influences: Industrial, industrial-techno.

Format: Digital, CD & DCD.

Background/Info: “Gestern” is the first new studio album by Andreas Davids aka Xotox in six years. It also is the first full length released on Infacted Recordings. “Gestern” –which is available as a double disc, was preceded by two very different EP’s (cf. “UFO” and “Sorgenkind”).

Content: Xotox is a project I’ve always linked with an electro-industrial fusion. The first EP “UFO” revealed a more technoid/rave sound mixed with industrial music. That’s also the essence of “Gestern”. It sounds hard, sometimes merciless, but definitely danceable! The die-hard freaks will also get a few more old-styled cuts, but “Gestern” definitely stands for Xotox V.2! the sound has seriously evolved, becoming more modern although still harsh and sometimes unpolished. The songs remain instrumental edits, but you’ll notice numerous spoken samplings.

The second disc features remixes by a precious list of remixes; ES23, Krischan Wesenberg, MS Gentur, Probe, Pete Crane, Laermpegel, Autoclav 1.1, Distorted Reality, Stahlschlag and 480billion. You’ll also discover 2 more songs, which are alternative edits.

+ + + : It’s hard to say if Xotox has renewed its sound, but there definitely is a more toward a more technoid approach. But this rave influence has been mixed with the old industrial elements. It creates an irresistible sound, which was already exposed at the “UFO”-EP. “Zu Tief”, “Welt Alarm” and “Ein Tagtraum Im Regen” all are similar inspired cuts, which will bring you to dance. Andreas Davids also reveals great sound treatments like taking some distance with the brutal industrial style from the past.

The second disc features some essential remixes. “UFO” has been the main song exposed to the remixing skills of artists such as ES23 and Wesenberg both doing an extraordinary job. Krischan Wesenberg probably accomplished the most sophisticated and intelligent remix of the album. I also have to say a word about the devastating groovy-industrial remix by Probe and the raw edit by Pete Crane (Shiv-R). Last, but not least Autoclav 1.1 did a great job as well, transposing “Die Neue Normalität” into an intriguing sound experience.

– – – : A few songs are ending in a rather abrupt way. I’m not saying that I’m missing vocals on this album, but I would be curious to hear what it would sound like.

Conclusion: Xotox is back and the world will take notice! Watch out for “Gestern” means ‘yesterday’, but this album is the sound of the future!

Best songs: “UFO”, “Zu Tief”, “Welt Alarm”, “Ein Tagtraum Im Regen”, “Haunted” + “UFO – Wesenberg Rework”, “UFO – ES23 Remix”, “UFO – Probe Remix”, “UFO – Pete Crane Remix”, “Die Neue Normalität – Autoclav 1.1 Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.xotox.info / www.facebook.com/xotoxmusic

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

Mondträume side-project Mental Exile offers brand new single: ‘Exile Nights II’ EP – available now via Bandcamp

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 18:08:58 +0000

(Photo by Lydia Solans) The debut album “Ride The Madness” (available here on bandcamp) by the electro pop act Mental Exile, a side-project from Mondträume’s Damasius Venys, has been extremely well received. From that album, released in October last year, you could already enjoy the “Exile Nights” EP (available here on Bandcamp) , and now part 2 is also available: “Exile Nights II”.

The EP features 4 brand new songs plus 2 bonus remixes by Eisfabrik and ES23. The EP was once again mixed and mastered by Italian synthwave artist and producer Vincenzo Salvia.

Check out the EP below which is now exclusively available via Bandcamp.

Exile Nights II EP by MENTAL EXILE

Digital Energy – Tempest (Album – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 19:30:39 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, body-pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This German duo saw the light of day in 2000 and self-released the album “Interemontional” in 2008. They split one year after and reactivated the band in 2014. They self-released a few singles and finally joined hands together with Infacted to unleash their official debut album.

Content: The album features 10 songs plus 3 remixes. The previous singles have been featured. After a somewhat Kraftwerk-ian intro cut, “Trust” (their last self-released single) reveals an overwhelming sound production mixing elements of EBM and electro-pop together. This song sounds a bit like the imaginary offspring between Covenant and Rotersand. It’s however not representative of the album, which is rapidly moving into evasive electro-pop compositions. The songs remain danceable and sometimes melancholic while the influence of Depeche Mode is easily recognizable. One of the last songs (cf. “Disease” is getting back to EBM elements.

Remixes have been accomplished by ES23, Outsized and Kaos!.

+ + + : The work takes off an impressive way by the outstanding “Trust”. This song stands for pure electronic sound intelligence, driven by aggressive sequences and great sound treatments while the clear, but charismatic vocals are the cherry on the pie. I also recommend the other ‘harder’ cut “Disease”, which might appeal to early And One fans. So Digital Energy clearly has potential, but they’ll mainly appeal to synth-pop lovers. “Mirror” is for sure their best song in the genre.

– – – : The Depeche Mode inspiration is too much at the forefront and that’s a pity as this band clearly has much more to offer. I expected a bit more out of the remixes.

Conclusion: Digital Energy is a band showing two faces. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I think they better have to leave the Depeche Mode inspiration a bit more behind.

Best songs: “Trust”, “Disease”, “Mirror”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www .facebook .com /digitalenergymusic

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

Xotox – UFO (EP – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 18:30:28 +0000

Genre/Influences: Industrial, industrial-trance, IDM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Xotox is back on track unleashing its first new work from 2020. After numerous productions released by ProNoize (Dark Dimensions) Andreas Davids now joined hands together with Infacted Recordings. “UFO” features the title song plus six remixes and an instrumental extra song.

Content: “UFO” is an electro-industrial song featuring essential spoken samplings. It’s not the heaviest cut from the project nor a new industrial-techno song in the vein of the last EP “Paleodisco”.

Remixes have been accomplished by ES23, Wesenberg, MS Gentur, Probe, Pete Crane and Laermpegel. The remixes bring extra diversity; from the club-friendly remix by ES23 to the sound intelligence of Wesenberg to groovy-industrial work by Probe to some d’n’b elements added by Laermpegel.

The last cut is an instrumental outro.

+ + + : I can’t say “UFO” is the best song I’ve ever heard by Xotox, but it clearly inspired remixers to surpass themselves. Wesenberg did an astonishing job, transposing the original edit into intelligent sound treatments. ES23 realized a dancefloor stomper, but the best surprise comes from the unknown Probe project. This remix is a heavy danceable industrial-groove cut. Therefore, diversity definitely is the keyword for this great EP.

– – – : I have never been a huge fan of EP’s featuring a title song and an endless list of remixes. I however have to say this EP has something special because of the great remixes! Most remixes are more convincing than the original edit.

Conclusion: It’s not happening that often I recommend buying an EP filled with remixes, but “UFO” is a cool industrial dance-production!

Best songs: “UFO – Probe Remix”, “UFO – Wesenberg Rework”, “UFO – ES23 Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www .xotox .info / www .facebook .com /xotoxmusic

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

ES23 – When I’m Gone (EP – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 19:00:46 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-pop, EBM, dark-electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Daniel Pad ended 2019 with a new EP from his sonic brainchild ES23. While waiting for this German artist’s fourth official studio album, he brings three new songs plus three remixes from the title track.

Content: ES23 once started with pure dark-electro music and progressively evolved towards hard electro-pop. This EP sounds like the symbiosis between both influences, unleashing a powered electro where melodies and harder EBM bass lines plus dark, carrying leads are inciting the listener to dance. Among the new cuts there’s one instrumental. Remixes have been accomplished by Reichsfeind, Intent: Outtake and Desastroes.

+ + + : The title song appears to be a potential new club-hit for ES23. It’s the perfect fusion between dark-electro and electro-pop. There’s a great lead carrying this song. “Not Your Enemy” is another cool song, which is driven by a solid EBM bass line and a spooky lead. Among the remixes I especially want to mention the pumping adaptation of “When I’m Gone” by Reichsfeind.

– – – : This EP makes me really wondering how the new ES23 will sound-like. I’ve never been disappointed by this project and a possible return to darker influences would be a cool step.

Conclusion: Some EP’s still make sense and especially when you get a great title song, a cool B-side and one or more noticeable remixes.

Best songs: “When I’m Gone”, “When I’m Gone – Dungeon Remix by Reichsfeind”, “Not Your Enemy”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www .es 23.de / www .facebook .com /ES 23 official

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

SynthAttack – Join Us (CD Album – darkTunes Music Group)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 19:30:24 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, aggrotech.

Background/Info: “Join Us” is SynthAttack’s fourth album since the opening full length “To The Floor” (2015). The band is still driven by the creative spirit of Martin Schindler. “Join Us” features ten songs plus seven remixes by other artists.

Content: SynthAttack can be the best compared to an imaginary dance-ogre. The songs are boosted by electro-adrenaline made by heavy, danceable kicks, cold electro sequences and trance-like leads. The vocals feature this cavernous expression while a few cuts reveal female backings. SynthAttack is the perfect fusion between dark-electro and dance/trance music.

Remixes have been accomplished by Aesthetic Perfection, Centhron, Agonoize, ES23, Grendel, CygnosiC and Nachtmahr.

+ + + : SynthAttack clearly composes music for the dancefloor. Each new opus sounds as a sonic bomb to get fans into frenetic dance. It’s not that different for “Join Us”, which is an invitation to move. The heavy, boosting kicks together with the trance-like leads can’t leave club visitors enjoying dark-electronics unmoved. The songs reflect constant power, which feels a bit like a transcendental trip. Songs like “Join Us”, “Enjoy The Pain”, and “Addicted To The Thrill” will definitely convince you from the band’s potential and dance skills. Next to the new songs you also get an impressive list of famous artists/remixers. I here have a little preference for the remix of “Final salvation” by ES23.

– – – : SynthAttack remains a kind of challenge. The fusion of dark-electronics with some commercial-like trance leads is sometimes pretty risky and maybe a bit cheap. I’m especially referring to “Final Salvation”, which reminds me of the lead of Culture Beat’s mega-hit “Mr. Vain”. Despite of the great artists invited to remix I don’t experience this section as a real bonus to the album. The original songs are definitely better!

Conclusion: SynthAttack makes no prisoners blowing everything down! Music is their religion, the dancefloor their temple to convince new adherents!

Best songs: “Join Us”, “Enjoy The Pain”, “Addicted To The Thrill”, “Until The Dawn”, “Final Salvation – ES23 Remix”, “Join Us – Aesthetic Perfection Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www .facebook .com /synthattack

Label: www .darktunes .com / www .facebook .com /darkTunesMusic

State Of The Union – Industrial Slither / Remixes (Digital EP – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:30:35 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Johann Sebastian moves back to the last year released album of State Of The Union “Indupop”. It was the fifth album of the L.A. based artist. “Industrial” and “Slither” both were originally released on “Indupop” and now exposed to the remixing skills of other artists.

Content: Both songs have been released as “Original Single Remix” revealing the pleasant and happy-like synth-pop music from this artist. “Slither” has been remixed by ES23 and Assemblage 23 while “Industrial” has been remixed by [SITD], Frozen Plasma and Ruined Conflict.

+ + + : You’ll have to agree that the chosen remixers are quite interesting names for an EP. I especially like the work of Assemblage 23 and Frozen Plasma. Another noticeable cut is the remix of “Industrial” by [SITD], which seem like having accentuated the lead of the song. No doubt about it, this is the kind of EP that will please to the fans of the band.

– – – : Both title songs weren’t exactly my favorites featured at “Indupop” so I’m not totally convinced by the EP.

Conclusion: State Of The Union has already composed better songs than “Industrial” and “Slither”, but the great list of remixes makes this EP interesting.

Best songs: “Industrial – Frozen Plasma Remix”, “Slither – Assemblage 23 Remix”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www .facebook .com /StateOfTheUnionOfficial

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

Frozen Plasma – Pakt (CD Album – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 18:30:05 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Frozen Plasma strikes back with a particular album; kind of ‘featuring’-releasing on, which the German duo invited 10 guest singers to sing each a favorite Frozen Plasma song.

Content: You’ll easily recognize songs such as “Foolish Dreams”, “MurderousTrap”, “Hypocrite”, “King Of Pain”, but the vocals are different and sometimes surprising. For this concept “Pakt” features Thomas Lecszenski (SITD), Xavier Morales (Ruined Conflict), Paul (The Saint Paul), Casi (Rroyce), Charly-Barth Ricklefs (Eisfabrik), Jimmy Machon (Lights Of Euphoria), Dennis Schöber (Solitary Experiments), Daniel Pad (ES23), André Steinigen (Versus) and Nihls Uppahl (Beyond Obsession).

+ + + : The songs remain driven by the electro/future-pop style of Frozen Plasma. The guest singers inject some extra diversity to the sound. Songs such as “Murderous Trap” feat. Xavier Morales, “Hypocrite” feat. Daniel Pad and “Faith Over Your Fear” feat. André Steinigen work really well. It’s an original way to revisit 10 songs from the band.

– – – : A few songs can’t convince me and that’s maybe because some of them aren’t my favorites. I’m missing some of the band’s biggest hits –like “Herz”, “Crazy”, “Tanz Der Revolution”).

Conclusion: The idea behind this album also is a way to connect people with each other. It’s an original way to bring some old songs back to life.

Best songs: “Murderous Trap”, “Hypocrite”, “Faith Over Your Fear”, “Foolish Dreams”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www .frozenplasma .de / www .facebook .com /FrozenPlasma

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

Sonorus7 – Acid Pops (CD Album – Danse Macabre)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 21:00:21 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark electro-pop.

Background/Info: Set up in 2017 by Liss Eulenherz (Intent:Outtake, Project Snowflake), Clodi Korzin (La Magra, Mental Defect) and ‘machinist’ Daniel Korzin (Mental Defect) this German trio already got a very positive response in their homeland and this before unleashing this official debut album.

Content: The work is driven by both female vocalists while Daniel Korzin is doing some backing vocals as well. I sometimes got the impression the music was composed to accompany both singers. The sound has something electro-wave and dark-pop like. It’s the kind of work that might appeal for lovers of early L’Âme Immortelle.

The album features 10 songs plus 5 remixes by Eisfabrik, ES23, Rabia Sorda, Mechanical Moth and Rroyce.

+ + + : The main strength of the album is emerging from the great vocals, which in a way inject some melody to the music. Sound-wise “Acid Pops” caught my attention with some filtered electro treatments. The best part for sure is the last one revealing great remixes by Eisfabrik and Rabia Sorda.

– – – : I can’t get away from the idea there’s something wrong with an album when you prefer the remixes instead of the original versions. Well, that’s precisely what I experienced listening to “Acid Pops”. The original edits are missing punchy choruses and a bit more elaboration in the composition.

Conclusion: There are some good ideas running through the work, but I’m afraid that’s not enough to speak about a successful album. But let’s not forget this is just the first album from a new band!

Best songs: “Incendio – Remixed by Eisfabrik”, “Breathe Me In – Remixed by Engel / Rabnia Sorda, Palast”, “Wasteland”, “Finite Incantatem”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www .sonorus 7.com / www .facebook .com /Sonorus 7

Label: www .dansemacabre –group .de / www .facebook .com /dansemacabrerec

ES23 – Taking Me Down (CD EP – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 19:19:19 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, EBM.

Background/Info: Set up in 2004 by Daniel Pad, ES23 self-released its debut work and released 3 official full lengths on Infacted Recordings. “Taking Me Down” is the German project’s newest EP (or single if you prefer; the work features the title song plus 4 remixes and an alternative version of the latest album title-song).

Content: “Taking Me Down” is less dark-electro driven than what I’m used to hearing from ES23. It remains a ‘cold’ electro driven piece, but it still sounds pretty EBM-like while the vocals are rather ‘clear’ compared to earlier work.

Remixes were made by Frozen Plasma, Ruined Conflict, Synthattack and State Of The Union. The last song is a “Classic Version” of “Erase My Heart”.

+ + + : The title song is the right track for an EP; it’s a perfect danceable cut driven by cool, cold sequences and an efficient lead. The song moves crescendo, which creates a certain feeling of climax. Among the remixes I especially recommend the transcendental approach by Frozen Plasma and the more pop-sounding one by Ruined Conflict.

– – – : The remixes are okay, but speaking for myself I expected a bit more out of remixes and especially on an EP. The “Classic Version” of “Erase My Heart” is surprising, light and wafting, but doesn’t bring anything really extra to the work.

Conclusion: ES23 strikes back with an efficient song for the dancefloors!

Best songs: “Taking Me Down”, “Taking Me Down – Frozen Plasma Remix”, “Taking Me Down – Ruined Conflict Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www .es 23.de / www .facebook .com /ES 23 official

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

‘Click Interview’ with Solitary Experiments: ‘The Feedback From The Audience Is The Biggest Thank You We Can Think Of’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 18:00:13 +0000

Solitary Experiments is a band I’m following from their very early debut. The German formation was set up in 1994 releasing their debut work on Maschinewelt Records. They later on joined hands together with the major company Out Of Line. Solitary Experiments never stopped increasing recognition and popularity. All over the years their music has evolved from dark EBM to future-pop and electro-pop. They last year released new opus “Future Tense” reveals a new vintage of great, danceable and melodic songs. I asked a few questions to singer and head of the band Dennis Schober.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Solitary Experiments will celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2019! What have been the most important facts, songs & records, events ao you kept in mind and how do you see the future of the band?

Dennis: None of us would have believed that we would even get as far as the 25th anniversary. So many things have happened and it is hard to focus on one thing. I can definitely say that it wasn’t an easy path. We will always remember the foreign shows, beginning with Arnhem in Holland in 1999. Then our record deal with Out Of Line was the next milestone and then it went steadily uphill. The resulting album “Advance Into Unknown” which is still praised by critics must be mentioned, but it was the next one which included some of our biggest hits like “Delight” or “Pale Candle Light” that really brought us forward.

Next to seven studio albums, we also released some collaborative compilations, a retrospective box set and a live DVD for our 20th anniversary, plus the symphonic CD to the “Gothic Meets Klassik” event, which we are all very proud of. I also need to mention the jubilee shows (which started with our 10th anniversary celebration) and for which we always release a free compilation featuring all collaborating artists and friends. As you can see, there have been quite a lot of releases and we are planning to continue down this path.

Q: When I go back to the early work released on Maschinenwelt Records I first of all remember a band, which was more involved into EBM-influences although there was already an electro-pop touch on top. The style became more future-pop like throughout the years, but how do you perceive the evolution in sound and as musicians over the years?

Dennis: In the beginning we tried to sound like our idols. But we soon found our own stylistic path and through the growing experience we have learned to concentrate on what suits us best. This best explains the logical development of our music. We always put a focus on melodies and I have always tried to improve and develop my vocal skills. Throughout the years, we have noticed that the style that has changed has become increasingly popular with audiences.

Q: Your new album “Future Tense” took me by surprise; the sound and influences aren’t that new, but especially the global production process sounds to me as one of your most accomplished works in history. What can you say about the writing of this work and what has been the main focus in the production process?

Dennis: I take this as a compliment. What I can say is that we have been mastering the CDs in the same studio since “Phenomena”. With that album, we were overlooking the entire process and have been working with the producer to give it just the right sound. We have learned a lot from this, also in regard to pre-production. Michael has put all this collected knowledge into the production of the new album. It is good to hear that it was worth it.

Q: The title of the album “Future Tense” has something intriguing, even a bit symbolic and in a way related to the main source of inspiration, which remains future-pop music. What is it really all about and what did you try to accomplish releasing this album?

Dennis: We only tried to keep the standard of the last release, as we knew that it would be hard to top. We didn’t want to create a masterpiece, but just another waypoint on our journey. The main topic was clear from start on with the title and lyrics deliberately chosen to make you think about them. Basically, it’s about life and its transience. There is also an in-depth description to find in the booklet of the CD.

Q: The second disc reveals an impressive list of remixers. Did you have personal criteria to ask and/or choose bands to get remixed by and what have been the most surprising remixes from the album (which according to me are Empirion and Mono Inc.)?

Dennis: We always choose remixers with care. A lot of them have been on our wish list for a long while, like British act Empirion. I have to like the remixer’s style… like with Rob Dust or Raul Parra. Other mixes were part of an exchange with the artist. We wanted to give some newcomers a chance, as well, like German band ES23. Their track was a pleasant surprise, but I also have to mentions the versions of L’Âme Immortelle and the superb interpretation of Mono Inc.

Q: Solitary Experiments also became an experienced- and popular live band in the electro-pop scene. What makes the magic of playing live and what do you need, to speak about a successful concert?

Dennis: Being on stage is most important thing to us, as we have a direct feedback from the audience and are able to interact with them. A good show must include a solid stage performance, next to professional lights and sound. That is why we are using live drums, for instant. But one of the most important things is that we are all having fun. The feedback from the audience is the biggest thank you we can think of. The next big party is already booked – we will celebrating on November 8th and 9th in Berlin… with anybody who wants to attend.

Solitary Experiments – Future Tense (DCD Album – Out Of Line)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 21:00:51 +0000

Genre/Influences: Future-pop, electro-pop.

Background/Info: Solitary Experiments is a band I’m keeping an eye on since their very early years. The German formation became a recognized band dealing with electro/body-pop. “Future Tense” is their newest studio album, which was released 3 years after “Heavenly Symphony”.

Content: “Future Tense” is an interesting album title for featuring songs and a sound, which clearly bring us back to the past… This work isn’t retro-like, but seems to shout hard and loud that ‘future-pop’ is alive more than ever before. The album reveals a succession of great and carrying future-pop pieces, which will clearly appeal for the fans of VNV Nation and co. Sometimes a bit more dreamy-like, but mainly danceable, “Future Tense” is a noticeable album in its genre.

The second disc features remixes by ES23, Mental Discipline, Empirion, Binary Park, Freunde Der Technik, Mono Inc, People Theatre, Rob Dust, L’Âme Immortelle, Beborn Beton, Paul Parra, Hartung & Schleinitz and Uniik.

+ + + : You immediately will notice the maturity of this band. They’ve accomplished a major album, which –even if doesn’t bring anything new, maybe is one of their best productions in history. It’s a melodic and danceable piece of work, but still a work filled with sensibility and emotions. There are several songs illustrating the talent of the band. I for sure can refer to the already know “Crash & Burn” (featuring female vocals by Tea F? Thimé from Ashbury Heights), but also “Brace Yourself!”, “Shelter”, “I Am”, the harder sounding “Double Dealer” and my personal favorite one “Every Time”.

Among the remixes I especially recommend the harder and darker sounding remix of “Double Dealer” by Empirion, but I also noticed cool contributions from Mental Discipline, Rob Dust, People Theatre, Paul Parra and a surprising acoustic remix by Mono Inc.

– – – : I don’t see real minor points although Solitary Experiments became a little bit predictable in their composition while a few songs are moving on the ‘commercial’ edge of dance music.

Conclusion: Solitary Experiments have already released great and noticeable productions, but I consider “Future Tense” as one of their best in history. Future-pop is alive and this album clearly symbolizes this fact.

Best songs: “Every Time”, “Brace Yourself!”, “Shelter”, “I Am”, “Crash & Burn”, “Double Dealer” + “Double dealer – Empirion Remix”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www .solitaryexperiments .de / www .facebook .com /solitaryexperiments

Label: www .outofline .de / www .facebook .com /outoflinelabel

State Of The Union – Mindless (Digital EP – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 20:30:29 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Californian based Johann Sebastian is back after a hiatus of four years. While we’re eagerly expecting the new full length album entitled “Indupop”, we here already get an appetizer. This EP features the title song plus 7 remixed songs.

Content: “Mindless” is a catchy, melodic electro-pop song like we’ve been used to hear from this band. Remixes have been done by Accessory, Ruined Conflict (2x), ES23 (2x) and DJ Dominatrix (2x). You’ll hear remixes of the title song plus other cuts.

+ + + : “Mindless” is not the best cut I’ve heard from Johann Sebastian although it’s a cool and well-crafted piece of synth-pop. Among the remixes I especially recommend the somewhat EBM flavored remix of the title track by DJ Dominatrix. Ruined Conflict also did a great job remixing “Encore”.

– – – : I would have liked to hear at least one extra song instead of this endless list of remixes. While Ruined Conflict did a great job on “Encore” they also featured a rather poorly inspired remix of “Industrial”.

Conclusion: This EP is food for DJ’s and the biggest fans of the band, but I prefer to discover the album to get an idea about State Of Nation ano 2018!

Best songs: “Mindless – Logic-A Remix by DJ Dominatrix”, “Mindless – Original Mix”, “Encore – Mix by Ruined Conflict”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www .state –of –the –union .info / www .facebook .com /StateOfTheUnionOfficial

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

Croona – My Sweet Revenge (Digital EP – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:30:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, dark-pop.

Background/Info: You for sure know Fredrik Croona from his involvement with Cynical Existence and Project Rotten. The past few years he also released a kind of dark future-pop music as Fredrik Croona. And he now strikes back as ‘Croona’ and signed to Infacted Recordings.

Content: The title song features Avarice In Audio and is a rather hard and harsh kind of electro-pop music. The song is much harder than the stuff released as Fredrik Croona. We next get 2 more songs, which are carried by hard kicks. Both last songs are remixes, first by ES23 and next by Schwarzstern.

+ + + : I experienced this first exposure of Croona as an offspring between the dark electro-pop of the Fredrik Croona productions and the harsher (evil) side of Cynical Existence. It’s a hard exposure of electro-pop music and not a new Depeche Mode copyist, which for Swedish ‘pop’ formations is rather rare. The title song makes sense and will for sure bring people to dance.

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the remixes and especially the one by ES23, which is a band I really like. I can’t say I was totally convinced by this debut, but let’s wait for the album to get an idea about the potential of Croona.

Conclusion: If electro-pop music makes you happy, Croona reveals an evil and merciless side!

Best songs: “My Sweet Revenge feat. Avarice In Audio”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www .facebook .com /croonaf

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

System Noire – Do Not Pass That Door (CD Album – Danse Macabre)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 19:30:13 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro.

Background/Info: Björn Miethe (vocals) and Daniel Gosewisch (machines) are System Noire. This German duo previously released a few EP’s (“On The Other Side” was released on DarkTunes Music group) and has now unleashed their official debut full length.

Content: The music is clearly inspired by dark-electro standards. They clearly pay some attention to achieve simple, but carrying melody lines. The album is alternating mainly dark-electro driven cuts and a few softer cuts. I also noticed a few instrumentals.

System Noire also likes to work with guests. They already did it on their debut single “On The Other Side” featuring Henrik Iversen (NamNamBulu) and now composed a song together with SynthAttack while other songs are featuring Unterschicht and Alien Nation. Remixes have been done by Ruined Conflict, XMH and ES23.

+ + + : This band deals with a rather easy and somewhat simplistic dark-electro format, which is however rather pleasant to listen to. The harder cuts definitely are the best ones and I especially want to mention “Voices” featuring Unterschicht and “Viaie Introspectivo feat. Alien Nation”. The melodic side of the songs is a noticeable element. I here want to tip “I Believe” as most essential piece. The remixes of Ruined Conflict and ES23 both are attention grabbers.

– – – : The few softer cuts can’t really convince me. But the main element the band maybe has to reconsider is to elaborate their songs. It sometimes sounds a bit too simple-minded.

Conclusion: System Noire’s debut album is not what I would call a fully successful opus although there are a few interesting cuts that will get you dancing. I think there’s more potential in this band than what came out on this work.

Best songs: “I Believe”, “Voices feat. Unterschicht”, “Viaie Introspectivo feat. Alien Nation”, “Voices – ES23 Remix”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www .facebook .com /SystemNoire

Label: www .dansemacabre –group .de / www .facebook .com /dansemacabrerec

Nachtmahr – Widerstand (CD EP – Trisol)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 18:30:28 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro.

Background/Info: Thomas Rainer aka the ‘tanzdiktator’ operating behind the Nachtmahr desk became one of the most praised dark-electro artists from the last years. His success is not only due to great albums, but also for the explicit military image and propaganda style of the project. Nachtmahr strikes back again with a new EP.

Content: This EP sounds in the purest Nachtmahr strategy. First there’s the artwork and imagery and next there’s the music. The sound hasn’t changed at all –even if Thomas Rainer takes his troops by surprise ending the release with a kind of goth/folk piece.

But the other songs left “Firmament” and “Ungezähmtes Land” are easily recognizable. The songs are powerful and somewhat bombast while alternated by melodic, carrying choruses featuring enraged vocals. I sometimes get the impression listening to industrial-pop and that’s maybe what makes the difference with the average dark-electro formations.

Each song features a Russian version featuring Maria Mar from Omnimar as a guest singer –while she also is one of the models featured in the booklet and artwork. Remixes have been accomplished by ES23, Shaârghot, Affentanz and Greg Oroth while Ordo Rosarius Aquilibrio did a personal cover version of “Ungezähmtes Land”.

+ + + : This is the kind of EP that will definitely satisfy the fans and followers of Nachtmahr. All familiar ingredients have been featured, but especially the solid choruses are the most noticeable aspect. Thomas Rainer is a talented melody writer and he each time again find the right keys to please his fans. Among the remixes I especially like the Shaârghot and Affentnz edits. But the best song is the adaptation of “Ungezähmtes Land” by Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio. The lyrics have been sung in English and the song has this typical dark neo-folk/goth and industrial-like touch. The global artwork remains once more controversial, but definitely great!

– – – : I’m still convinced that Nachtmahr is repeating itself for years now. I’m missing some innovation; a few new ideas in the music, which could reinvent the Nachtmahr sound. It starts to become a little less too predictable.

Conclusion: The fans will be pleased by this new EP, but I think that Nachtmahr has to consider new sonic strategies to moving on conquering the music lovers.

Best songs: “Firmament – Remix by Shaârghot”, “Ungezähmtes Land – Cover by Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio”, “Firmament”, “Ungezähmtes Land – Remix by Affentanz”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www .nachtmahr .at / www .facebook .com /nachtmahr .band

Label: www .trisol .de / www .facebook .com /pages /Trisol –Music –Group /104166526285471

‘Click Interview’ with ES23: ‘Maybe Music Is The Way I Get Along With My Life’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 17:00:30 +0000

Set up in Bochum in 2004, it took a few years to ES23 to break through. The band got the opportunity to get signed on Infacted Recordings and took the dark-electro community by surprise releasing the successful official debut album “Heaven Or Hell” (2012). The sound was clearly inspired by Suicide Commando. Quite progressively ES23 moved towards a ‘softer’ and more into future-pop driven sound. That’s the global approach you can hear on the third full length “Erase Your Heart” still released on Infacted Recordings. I got in touch with Daniel Pad, the creative spirit behind the band.

(by Inferno sound Diaries)

Q: “Erase My Heart” definitely sounds different from your previous work. Is it all about a natural evolution from dark (h)el(l)tronics towards more melodic and future-pop driven influences or a progressive break with the past?

Daniel: In my opinion, I guess the change in style and sound comes from newer Soft- and Hardware that came into the studio from time to time. New sounds, new possibilities and more room for creativity is the main factor here. There are still some harsher elements like “Destiny”, “Get Out Of My Head” and “Once And For All”. I will not miss these elements. They might become less harsh in the future, but I will not forget my past work.

Q: So what kind of album and sound did you had in mind when starting the writing of “Erase My Heart” and what means this new opus in your evolution as musician?

Daniel: I did not have a ‘master plan’ for “Erase My Heart”. Each song of the album has its own character and all in all the album might sound like a compilation of genre-work in this scene, which I love most about it. You might say I have the right song, for the right situation. Most times I just sit there, start something and then it becomes this or that song. It is that ‘easy’ (laugh).

As always –I create– what I want to create and what comes into my mind. And with “Erase My Heart” I think I hit a good spot. Some people might miss some harsher elements, but many people like my clearer voice –and I like to use it both ways.

Q: What does the title of the album stands for and what have been the main themes that inspired the lyrical content of the album?

Daniel: The Instrumental versions of the songs were finished a lot earlier than the lyrics. They describe a situation from my past. I guess all in all each track has its own story, and many of them are related to situations of my life. I think many people have made the same experience. For example, a lost love, where you just want to end it all, or scream and find a way out for your bad feeling. But don´t worry, everything is fine; maybe music is the way I get along with my life.

Q: I can imagine it’s maybe not an easy thing to play live some of the ‘older’ songs (from the “Heaven Or Hell”-album) together with the new cuts. Did you maybe rework some songs and what have been the reactions so far?

Daniel: On tour with [:SITD:] I started with the clearer vocal-songs and later on they became harsher and I used the vocoder then. It has a good mixture and it worked perfectly. For example: almost every time I play “Sweetmeat” because of the 160BPM.

But you are right, it is not that easy to find the perfect setlist. I haven´t thought about reworking some songs from the past. Maybe I will. Because of the way they were produced.

Q: I noticed an interesting evolution in the artwork of your albums and especially between “Heaven Or Hell”, which was sober and “Mutatio Ex Machina” and now “Erase My Heart” being more artistic and sophisticated. Tell us a bit more about this evolution and the importance of artwork generally speaking?

Daniel: That´s easy; “Heaven Or Hell” was created by User-DX and “Mutatio Ex Machina” and “Erase My Heart” were created by Alexander Fröbel aka Pixelbreed. So the difference maybe comes from there. I trust the work and skills of those guys and I am happy about the fact that it doesn’t take me too much time in creating the artwork myself. With “Mutatio Ex Machina” and “Erase My Heart” I just gave some basic ideas, and Alex hit the spot with the perfect artwork. It is easy for me and I know I am save with the quality.

Q: Suicide Commando has been for sure a source of inspiration on your debut album while you now made a cover version of “Conspiracy With The Devil”, which will be featured on the newest album (limited edition). How was it working on this song and what did you try to inject in your version?

Daniel: I am very happy about the cover song. We also played it live once. Suicide Commando has always been a great source of awesome songs over all these years. Johan once wrote about the idea of a cover-compilation for the future and I wanted to take a song I love, and which would be not covered by everyone. He even gave me the original sample of ‘there is much killing to be done’ to make it a perfect cover version. I am very proud being part of such a great limited edition.

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

ES23 – Erase My Heart (CD Album – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:15:46 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, dark-future-pop, EBM.

Background/Info: “Erase My Heart” is the third official full length released by Daniel Pad. After a totally hard and dark-electro driven debut work (cf. “Heaven Or Hell”) the next album (cf. “Mutatio Ex Machina”) revealed a few softer elements.

Content: “Erase My Heart” moves on where “Mutatio Ex Machina” stopped. I think we no longer can speak about pure dark-electronics. The songs are too melodic and clearly future-pop driven to only appeal to dark-elector heads.

“Erase My Heart” brings genres together, in a way reinventing future-pop by injecting harder and darker electro influences while I also noticed a few 90s minded elements. This work stands for hard, danceable kicks, melodic and sometimes somewhat trance-driven leads, hopping sequences and charismatic vocals.

The work features 11 songs plus 3 remixes featuring [SITD] and Alien Nation.

+ + + : ES23 is a band in constant progression and that’s definitely an aspect I like and fully support. This artist is not emulating his previous work, but likes to look forward by experimenting and elaborating new ideas. This album is a very efficient merge between different electronic styles like dark-electro, EBM and future-pop, but it also reveals a mature sound writing. Next to the carrying melody lines I also like the global sound production. This is the kind of work that might appeal to different electronic lovers. Among the remixes I especially like the one of “Erase My Heart” by [SITD].

– – – : ES23 is maybe sitting in between two chairs; the music genre is not 100% clear, but rather a hybrid between different genres. It might become too dark and hard for electro-pop fans and too melodic for (h)el(l)ectro lovers.

Conclusion: The least I can say is that Daniel Pad is an intriguing sound architect who seems to construct sonic bridges between different genres. I think his work has enough potential to bring fans from different genres together and make them dance!

Best songs: “Get Out Of My Head”, “Destiny”, “Error”, “Erase My Heart”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www .facebook .com /ES 23 official

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

We The North – Endemic (CD EP – Space Race Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 18:18:44 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, body-pop.

Background/Info: Space Race Records again seems to have found a new promising band active in the wider electro-pop fields. Hailing from Scandinavia and set up as a solo-project by Johan Hansson, the artist describes his music as ‘Nordic Noir’. “Endemic” is the first official release featuring 4 songs and 4 remixes.

Content: The sound clearly mixes electro-pop elements and a few harder body-inspired influences. The music is well-crafted and doesn’t sound at all as a first recording. You’ll notice deep, alluring bass lines and some melodic loops while Hansson vocals are clear and powerful. A few melancholic atmospheres can be heard as well.

Among the 4 remixes I especially noticed great contributions from ES23 and especially Mika Rossi (Autodafeh).

+ + + : “Endemic” is a successful debut revealing 2 great songs (cf. “Lost Inside” and “Understand Me”), which are quite elaborated and masterly produced. There’s a perfect match between the music and the vocals. The remix of “Lost Inside” by Mika Rossi is a great piece of minimal electro-pop.

– – – : I can’t say to have heard a real potential hit and that’s a pity. We The North clearly reveals a solid potential carried by a mature production, but I’m missing an extra catchy touch.

Conclusion: “Endemic” features several enjoyable songs and cool remixes as well. I’m looking forward to the debut full length to get a better idea about the real potential of the band.

Best songs: “Lost Inside”, “Understand Me”, “Understand Me – Mika Rossi Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www .facebook .com /wethenorthofficial

Label: www .spaceracerecords .com / www .facebook .com /SpaceRaceRecords

V/A Digital Infaction Vol.1 (Digital Album – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 19:19:15 +0000

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