Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This is album number eight for the French solo-project Electro Synthetic Rebellion (ESR). Driven by Vince Pujol, “Into Darkness” was composed between 2017 and 2020 and released four years after the last album. “Into Darkness” is the third work released on Advoxya Records.

Content: “Into Darkness” sounds like a continuation of this project’s previous album and entire discography. I consider ESR to be one of the numerous ‘pupils’ of Frontline Assembly and this comparison still makes sense for this work. It’s an elaborated EBM format mixing power, great sound treatments and retro-like atmospheres. The vocals still have this ghost-like production. One of the songs is a ‘new’ version of “Reanimate” originally released on ESR’s debut album “Distorted Visions” (2001). There’re also a few instrumental cuts on the tracklist.

+ + + : I guess it’s not the first time I say that ESR probably belongs to the most unrated EBM formations from the scene. “Into Darkness” once more proves the writing skills of Vince Pujol. He’s not composing original EBM, but simply a great, accomplished and alluring production. The retro touch running as a common thread throughout the album is achieved with a strong contemporary touch. The old- and reworked song “Reanimate” is a way to discover the evolution of ESR, but still confirming this project already had a nose for great EBM now twenty years ago. ESR stands for sophisticated EBM mixing power and freaky atmospheres.

– – – : ESR doesn’t innovate, but only improve the global production. I don’t think it’s a minus as the qualitative level of the production remains pretty high.

Conclusion: You like EBM and you’re in search of a great- and intelligent album, try “Into Darkness”.

Best songs: “Haunted Grounds”, “Too Late”, “Reanimate – Reminiscence”, “Broken”, “Dark Forces”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/DarkElectroESR

Label: www.advoxya-records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya-Records/265765706059

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: I found out that Vincent Pujol started to compose music under the Electro Synthetic Rebellion moniker in 1997. This new opus (the 7^th one) has been released in 2017, which means a kind of 20^th anniversary celebration featuring 11 new songs. This new opus comes after a hiatus of 4 years although ESR re-released both debut albums in the meantime.

Content: The EBM influences, which have been often compared to FLA haven’t really changed all over the years. ESR deals with a more sophisticated format of EBM. The new work is again characterized by an intelligent writing with some retro touch on top and the harsh vocals of Pujol. The haunting atmospheres makes it pretty dark, but always carried by a danceable cadence. One of the most noticeable cuts from the album is the pretty cool Leather Strip cover version of “Adrenaline Rush”.

+ + + : From a very personal point of view I consider ESR as a sure value from the EBM scene. The writing remains an elaborated and intelligent format, which is characterized by endless little noises and details, but also by alluring bass lines and haunting moods. “Machines Of Destruction” doesn’t sound that different from what I’m used to hear from this artist, but sound-wise it probably is one of his best releases.

– – – : I have one little regret when listening to ESR; it’s a great band, but without any real hits. The songs are absolutely accomplished, but missing this little extra that makes a song becoming a hit! The sound formula remains the same-old and that’s maybe an element ESR will have to think about on further releases.

Conclusion: “Machines Of Destruction” is without a shadow of a doubt one of my all time favorite ESR releases, but at the other side it brings nothing new. I would like to hear this project working with an extra member of producer to get some refreshing elements in the production.

Best songs: “Possession”, “Freedom Above All”, “Machines Of Destruction”, “In Your Eyes”, “Adrenaline Rush”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/DarkElectroESR / www.facebook.com/darkvince.esr

Label: www.advoxya–records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya–Records/265765706059

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Minimal-electronics, EBM.

Background/Info: Belgian based artist Cheleskov Ivanovitch is back on track with a new album full of remixes. Devoted to minimal EBM carried by analogue sound, Grandchaos became a reference in the vintage- and minimal EBM style. The third and so far last album “We Suffer When The World Changes” was released in 2014, and still serves as a source of inspiration to get new remixes.

Content: “Tempest” features 12 remixes plus one new version of “Memories In Poison”. Granchaos again selected a fine list of bands to remix 6 songs from the last album plus one cut (cf. “Ressurection”) that was originally released on the second album “Rumours Of My Life”.

There’s a cool diversity between truly minimal-EBM songs in the vein of the original edits and more personal remixes with some extra ‘dance’ elements on top or techno grooves, and also more ‘classical’ EBM and even experimental cuts. Among the remixes you’ll find bands such as Di*ove, Electro Synthetic Rebellion, Signal Aout 42, kFactor, Bak XIII, 8khz Mono, Akalotz and a few less familiar names such as Fatal Aim, Mechaload, Krawallchuck and Big Toxic.

+ + + : There’s an interesting diversity between the remixes, but especially 2 songs emerge from this remix-orgy. ESR did an impressive and pure minimal-minded work remixing “Man On Fire” while Signal Aout 42 transformed “The Tempest” into a kind of free-electro-dance and body-driven version. I expected Akalotz to transform “The Tempest” into a pure old-school EBM cut, but they still held onto the minimal format of the song achieving a cool remix. The so-called “Storm Cloud Version” of “Memories I A Poison” is another noticeable song that will please the lovers of Grandchaos.

– – – : I know Chesleskov Ivanovitch is simply fond of remixes, but I get the impression he’s a bit abusing from this recipe. After having released the EP’s “Days” and “Memories”, which already were into remixes, he moves on with the same formula. I should say it’s time now for new stuff!

Conclusion: DJ’s will for sure get some new potential dancefloor killers on “Tempest”, which I especially like for its variety and nice cocktail of interesting bands.

Best songs: “The Tempest – Signal Aout 42 Remix”, “Man On Fire – Electro Synthetic Rebellion Remix”, “Memories Is A Poison – Storm Cloud Version”, “The Tempest – Akalotz Remix”, “Tell Me You Love Me – Di*ove Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.grandchaos.be / www.facebook.com/GRANDCHAOS-144968152245744

Label: www.ekproduct.com / www.facebook.com/EKProduct

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

Tcheleskov Ivanovitch is already into music since the late 80s. He together with his brother set up the Belgian project Ivanovitch Dans L’Ombre, but gained more recognition during the past few years with his Grandchaos project. Several productions have been released on labels like Urgence Disk Records and EK Product and are pure lust for lovers of good-old vintage and minimal electronics. More recently Tcheleskov Ivanovitch together with Jacky Meurisse (Signal Aout 42) set up a common project Grand((Ø))Signal, which is another minimal electronic experience.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: From the early days of Ivanovitch Dans L’Ombre towards Grandchaos and now Grand((Ø))Signal clearly appears to be a serious move in sound, writing and production as well. What explains this evolution? 

Tcheslov: When my brother Trevosky and I founded Ivanovitch Dans L.ombre in 1982, we were at the beginning of the ‘democratization’” of electronic instruments and recording techniques. The production costs were steep, but making music was an enthralling experience mainly because we both entered uncharted territory. It was a labor of love and a way to take part in politics for most punk acts. For Grandchaos et Grand((Ø))Signal (my collaboration with Jacky Meurisse), I took advantage of the creative possibilities offered by modern technology, but it remains quite difficult to attain a tight rhythm section and ‘solid groove’. Machines are just instruments and you need to find inspiration to write music and create magic moments.

Q: Getting back to the early years of your music career, what have been your main sources of inspiration and references in electronic music? 

Tcheleskov: As a child, I was very fond of Kraftwerk and J.M Jarre, but they were not revolutionary artists by any means. Fortunately, the punk and DIY ethic made good use of synthesizers to create spontaneous and aggressive melodies. In my humble opinion, Suicide and Cabaret Voltaire were the marquee acts of that period. “Frankie Teardrop” and “Nag Nag Nag” are absolute masterpieces that will remain engraved in my mind forever!

Q: Grandchaos clearly reveals a minimal- and somewhat vintage EBM approach, but still a passion for hardware equipment! What does it says about you as a musician/producer and your perception of contemporary electronic music? 

Tcheleskov: I’m irremediably old school! I don’t find digital synths appealing at all. Touching an instrument is essential to me. When I see my synths and drum machines I feel like a kid in a candy store. Music nourishes me. I am always looking out for new bands. Creative musicians continue to explore new sounds and they never cease to amaze me. Record labels continue to play an instrumental role in scouting new talent.

Q: Except the fact that Grand((Ø))Signal is a duo and Grandchaos a solo-project, what are the main differences between both formations and especially when it comes to aspects like sources of inspiration and global production? 

Tcheleskov: Grandchaos is a therapy to overcome my personal problems as it allows me to express how I feel. Dark themes such as suffering and death have haunted me for many years. The loss of loved ones as well as my serious health issues may have accentuated the dark tones of Grandchaos lyrics. With Grandchaos, I feel somewhat close to the ‘EBM United’ movement that gained popularity across the globe. The ‘No Pain No Gain’ slogan resonates well with the human nature. Grand((Ø))Signal, for its part, is a joint project between Jacky and me. We put in practice what we have learned throughout our long musical journey. The sound and image have been purified and geared towards the dancefloor. We would like to make retro-futurist music ‘made in Belgium’ that would appeal to fans of Gesaffelstein or Schwefelgelb. The release of our debut album “Aktivation” on Unknown Pleasures Records will definitely prompt us to pursue this project and play live shows.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the choice of the artists who contributed to the remixes on “Days + Memories” and are there some inspiring remixes for the further work of Grandchaos? 

Tcheleskov: Every time I discover the work of an artist that inspires me, I add his/her name to my address book and I contact them when the opportunity presents itself i.e when I start compiling remixes. For the “Days” and “Memories” EP’s, I ‘ve had the pleasure to work with mega-talented artists such as Nicole & Anne (2XNI), Noamm or Franck Kartel to name just a few.

Q: A new album (cf. “Tempest”) has been just released on EK Product featuring a new list of remixed songs. What do you like about remixes?

Tcheleskov: 2016 was indeed a very prolific year, and 2017 will be even busier! The “Tempest” compilation just came out on the Italian label EK Product. Many friends took part in this project such as Jacky Meurisse (SA42), Vince (ESR), Dada (BAK XIII) or Arthur Plata (Mechaload) to name a few. My last album “We Suffer When The World Changes” was reinterpreted by artists from across the globe and I’m really glad that Amedeo and his label EK Product decided to release this project. Grandchaos has a long story with the remixes. One could even say that Grandchaos took off with the double disc compilation “In Sedens” compiled by the old school electro purist Nader Moumneh who now runs the highly-regarded record label  Electro Aggression Records (EAR) specialized in old school EBM and complex, multi-layered dark-electro. Nader is also the co-founder of the rising synthpop/Italo Disco record label NADANNA with Marc schaffer of Anna Logue Records.

Grandchaos has been remixed over a hundred times and I’m a serious candidate for the Guinness records. On a more serious note, I truly enjoy the reinterpretation of my songs by other artists. It is a formidable sensation and we learn a lot when we listen to the music of other artists with an open mind.

Q: What brings 2017 for Grandchaos and your other projects? 

Tcheleskov: For Grandchaos, a mini-album titled “The Day Disappears Only To Reappear” is slated for a June 2017 release. It will be released as an ultra-limited picture disc via 2 exceptional record labels: Urgence Disk Records (CH) and Law Lynch Records (BE).

Trevosky and I would like to release a compilation featuring unreleased material by IDLO but since the original material was recorded on tapes, it is gonna be a long and daunting task. We will see how it plays out.

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Vince Pujol (Electro Synthetic Rebellion, Diverje) and Tommy T (Diverje, inFused and DSBP label owner) know each other for quite a long time now. They’re not only involved in Diverje, but still in Bio-Mechanical Degeneration. This project got a bit lost from our radar as the debut-album “Exoskeleton” was released 11 years ago now. “Warbeats” is a new and great dark-electronic opus, which will bring this band back on the map. The album has been released on Advoxya Records. Here’s what both mates have to say about their new work.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Let’s take off with the binning, how did you guys ever met and finally set up this common project with this crazy name? What is it all about?

Vince: I was a young artist trying to get in touch with people in the scene so I sent a demo CD-R to Tommy who got into it and brought me support through the Cyberage radio show, this is how we first met. After my debut album “Distorted Vision” got released in Europe, I was looking for a label to release my second album “Corroded Fragments” and Tommy/DSBP signed me. We became friends and since the beginning we share our passion for electronic/industrial music.

In 2004 I had the idea of releasing some dark sci-fi instrumental tracks I had composed. I don’t exactly remember how I came to Bio-Mechanical Degeneration but I was looking for a crazy dark Sci-Fi oriented name!

Then we started talking with Tommy about a possible release and he suggested to sing some of the songs. So I asked him if he wanted to join me and we started our collaboration on “Exoskeleton”. The project is very dark, kind of apocalyptic, it’s all about the degeneration of the human race leading to hybridization with robots.

Tommy T: I have always admired Vince’s work from the beginning and we have made some great tracks together since then and it is always fun!

We were friends from E.S.R. and Cyberage meeting and then DSBP signed E.S.R. and we realized how much we both loved dark-electronic music, and then I asked him if he would collaborate with me in some Diverje tracks too!

We been doing that since 2003 and the first Bio-Mechanical Degeneration-CD came about soon after that as we were wanting to take on a different theme for Bio-Mechanical Degeneration and it has been fun writing together in this way with music and vocals going back and forth…

Q: Why did it take 11 years to compose and release a new full length after the “Exoskeleton”-album and how do you look back now at this debut opus?

Vince: I remember during an interview concerning “Exoskeleton” we said we’ll do another one but then we both get back to our main projects and forget a bit about the project. I have thought about a new album several times, but couldn’t really find the inspriration to start something new and different from our main projects. In 2013 as I was looking for new sample libraries, I found a very interesting one and I asked myself how could I use it and like a sparkle in the night I immediately thought about the rebirth of Bio-Mechanical Degeneration with a more EBM/robotic approach. I composed a few demos and send them to Tommy to see how he felt about them and that’s how we decided to work on that new album.

When I look back and listen to “Exoskeleton”, I like the experimental approach and I like the way we did something different. It was also my first collaboration with someone since a long time and I’m happy we did it with Tommy because it’s important to do things with friends and people you share your passion with. From a technical point of view I think I would mix the songs a bit differently nowadays cause it sounds a bit ‘raw’ when I play it now but I did my best at the time with the gear I had.

Tommy T: I personally LOVE the “Exoskeleton”-CD as it is so unique overall in sound and the way we produced it together… the songs are still very fresh more than 10 years later too!

We have been wanting to do this new “Warbeats” 2^nd album for awhile now, but we are both always busy it seems with work, music and life, we are definitely inspired to make the next album within a couple years. I love how both albums have their own sound and identity, and we will build upon that.

Q: May I affirm that the main difference between both of your albums can be heard in the remixes you made of 2 songs that were originally released on “Exoskeleton”? What did you try to change/improve?

Vince: Yes, that’s right. Studio equipment and techniques have changed in 10 years, there’s nearly no limitations these days so I wanted to take the best songs from the debut album and take them to a new level. I didn’t really want to change the songs but just want to have a better production and add little things there and here. Note that the remix version of “Hybridization” comes from a DSBP compilation, that was not the original version appearing on “Exoskeleton”.

I also think our skills in writing and working on arrangements, effects and mixes have grown over the years and it shows with that new album.

Tommy T: Yes, as Vince said, we wanted to re-release these 2 tracks with a newer sound and mix, as bonuses and to connect the old and new!

Q: You already said a word about the influences running through “Warbeats”, but tell us a bit more about the writing process?

Vince: “Warbeats” was first inspired by a Sci-Fi/robot Fx sample library. I wanted to mix together hard electronic basses with strong beats and lots of Fx samples, that’s how the first demos came out and that’s how the album took shape adding melodies and working on the arrangements. The treatments on the vocals have been pushed to a new level too with lots of different effects. The inspiration here is all about sci-fi, robots and aliens!

Tommy T: I definitely think we are both always progressing as writers and creators and this album was a natural progression for us and more vocal oriented this time around as well..not 50/50 instrumental to vocal tracks like the “Exoskeleton”-album was. We are becoming more diverse in sound and in our Sci-Fi subjects as well, and this album we also deal with the reanimated/zombies as well…lol

Q: What are the main differences between Bio-Mechanical Degeneration and all the other projects you’ve been involved to?

Vince: To me “Bio-Mechanical Degeneration” is a lot more Sci-Fi oriented and ‘mechanical’ than Electro Synthetic Rebellion. It’s harder too with a lot more harsh/tortured vocals.

It’s interesting to have another project in addition to my collaborations with Diverje so I can experiment new things, new atmospheres and sounds. As a composer I think it’s important to have different sources of inspiration and develop different things so you’re not “locked” into one and only project especially when your project is nearly 20 years old.

But obviously some people will recognize some kind of ‘song writing signature’ or even ‘sound signature’ because the gear, the studio and the men are the same.

Tommy T: I really enjoy the differences with Bio-Mechanical Degeneration and my other projects Diverje and in-Fused! Diverje is more of an aggressive industrial, harsh EBM/coldwave mix, with lots of ferocity, and in-Fused is more experimental, IDM, wave, power noise, trance influenced..
Between all 3 projects I feel pretty balanced and doing all kinds of awesome electronic/ industrial music!

Q: Tcheleskov Ivanovitch (Grandchaos, Grand O Signal) contributed to one of the songs. How did you came to work with him and what did he add to the song & album?

Vince: I know Tché for quite a long time now and I think we share the same passion for music. I remember a long time ago we were talking on the phone and we said we should try to collaborate together in the future so when I started working on “Warbeats” I immediately though about inviting Tché.

That was an open process, I sent a few demos to Tché for him to see what the project was all about and asked Tché to start composing and to send me whatever he wanted (sequences, sounds, loops, etc). Then step by step I tried to arrange my parts with his parts and we talked about the direction of the song until the final version of the song.

Tommy T: I love this track with Tché! He added a lot to the sound and I look forward to having him work with us on more music in the future!! Very cool sound and he loves the dark electronic music as we do!

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro.

Background/Info: Behind Bio-Mechanical Degeneration hides Vincent Pujol (ESR) and Tommy T. Rapisardi (Diverje) plus guest musician Tcheleskov Ivanovitch (Grandchaos, Grand O Signal). The duo Pujol – Rapisardi already released a somewhat forgotten debut album “Exoskelton” in 2005 on Tommy T’s own label DSBP. Vincent Pujol also joined Diverje so both musicians know each other for quite a long time now. “Warbeats” is a comeback album released on Advoxya Records featuring 13 songs plus 2 remixes.

Content: “Warbeats” is clearly into sophisticated EBM. The composition is elaborated and accomplished with great sound sculptures and numerous sound effects and other crashing percussion. The songs are carried by icy synth treatments and Tommy T’s zombie-like timbre of voice.

The elaboration and global approach reminds me of a mix of Frontline Assembly (which remains an important source of inspiration in the work of Vincent Pujol) and Vomito Negro.

Both remixes are interesting as is consists of two tracks that were originally released on their debut album.

+ + + : “Warbeats” is a fully accomplished dark-body music opus revealing amazing sound treatments like deep bass lines, icy sound effects and somewhat industrial like percussions. It’s an elaborate composition, and according to me one of the best productions ever accomplished by this duo. This is not the typical EBM format, but an intelligent songwriting that reveals a passion for sound creation. There’s an efficient twist between danceable vibes and haunting atmospheres. The album reveals several brilliant songs.

– – – : It’s not always that easy to differentiate verses from choruses. The writing is dense and all the layers and structure sometimes feel a bit like melting together, but you don’t hear me complain!

Conclusion: “Warbeats” definitely belongs to this restricted number of absolute ‘best of’ EBM-albums of 2016. I hope this duo will not make us wait  a decennium to unleash a new album.

Best songs: “Invisible Threat”, “Victory”, “Outbreak”, “Lies For Answers”, “They’re Coming”.

Rate: (8½).

Band: www.facebook.com/Electro–Synthetic–Rebellion-115630698473655 / www.facebook.com/diverje

Label: www.advoxya–records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya–Records/265765706059

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark EBM.

Background/Info: Electro Synthetic Rebellion became a rather familiar name for dark-minded EBM heads. The French one-man project set up by Vincent Pujol is active since the late 90s. The fans will for sure recognize the title of this album, which was originally released in 2003 on Wire Productions.

This double disc takes us back in time, which already happened at the previous work “Rebirth + Distorted Visions”. We now get back to the 2^nd full length while the 1^st disc entitled “Entropy” was originally composed in between both debut albums. The album was send to labels, but got never released so this is an opportunity to get back to the early and previously unreleased work of ESR.

Content: The influences and basics of ESR don’t really change all over the years. The sound and global production got more mature and elaborated, but the EBM founding remains exactly the same. The sound has been often linked to FLA and that’s precisely what comes through at “Entropy”. The songs were written in between 2000 and 2001, but they don’t sound like outdated.

“Entropy” is a solid piece of dark body music, which makes me think to a kind of spooky EBM. I like the haunting atmospheres in the back of the work while the dark and sometimes industrial sound treatments are efficient. Some of the vocals have been produced by robotic effects while there also are nice female backings at “Falling apart”.

There’re also is a bonus part featuring 4 remixes from familiar cuts.

The 2^nd disc gets us back to the original songs from the “Corroded Fragments” albums, but we now get a different ‘bonus’ featuring 4 different remixes. It’s quite interesting to get back to this opus after “Entropy”. Speaking for myself I can’t understand why “Entropy” has been never released before as the songs are more accomplished than on “Corroded Fragments”.

Don’t get me wrong, it remains a cool production, which evokes once more influences from FLA and a typical 90s EBM format. It however is not the best album from ESR.

+ + + : Even if I often link the sound of ESR to FLA, this band has a great and recognizable dark EBM sound. “Entropy” is a remarkable work, which sounds like a lost treasure.

– – – : The “Corroded Fragments”-album is not my favorite work of ESR. There’s too much similarity between the songs and no real hits.

Conclusion: “Entropy” is a heavenly surprise that comes to life after more than 10 years of anonymity. It’s definitely an album you’ve to discover while you get the 2^nd official album with it plus rare remixes.

Best songs: “Dead Zone”, “Run Away”, “Falling Apart”, “Re-Programmed – Damaged Brain Cell Remix” + “Fright”, “Final Rebellion – Gravitational Extended Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: http://esyr.free.fr / www.facebook.com/Electro-Synthetic-Rebellion-115630698473655

Label: www.advoxya-records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya-Records/265765706059

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro.

Content: I’ve always considered Eden Synthetic Corps (ESC) as the Portuguese answer to bands like FLA, Suicide Commando and Hocico. They strike back with their 5th album, which seems to have already gained some positive reactions.

The sound formula of ESC hasn’t really changed and that’s maybe one of the single reproaches I can say about “Sandwalkers”. The work moves in between dark-EBM and (h)el(l)ectronics. It’s a powerful exposure of dark lyrical themes, which will not make you happy. The sound universe of this band covers pure defeatism, which has been transposed into a dynamic and enraged sound creation. Some of the songs are driven by hopping sequences while supported with icy leads. Some icy elements are filled with a kind of raw technoid touch, but I can assure you it all remains dark and tormented electronics from hell.

The production reflects a raw and unpolished production, which must be for sure voluntary. But if there’s one real minus point is the mixing and maybe the mastering. I regret some leads are not more getting through, especially when they’re quite carrying and composed with a cool icy sound texture. The song “Oil Of The Feathered Serpent” is a good example to illustrate the mix, which I think might have been better.

But globally speaking this is a new great work by ESC. Some of the songs are clearly covering FLA influences, but with this extra rough touch on top. Most of the tracks are merciless and even mind-blowing, but it’s one of the softer songs entitled “Neuri” which sounds like the potential hit. The chorus is absolutely irresistible and before you’ll realize it you’ll start shouting the words ‘Shape-Shifter’ together with the singer. This is for sure one of the best songs this band has ever written.

“Sandwalkers” features 14 songs and that’s quite an impressive tracklist. The songs are not that diversified, but that rather is a positive item if you like the work of ESR. And belief me, there are no songs to throw away!

Conclusion: ESC progressively becomes a warrant for qualitative dark-electronic music and this new work simply confirms it. I’m just convinced the mixing/mastering could have been better!

Best songs: “Neuri”, “Dystopia”, “Catarse”, “Atsinganoi”, “Lamiae”, “Oil Of The Feathered Serpent”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.edensyntheticcorps.pt / www.facebook.com/edensyntheticcorps

Label: www.darkdimensions.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Dark-Dimensions-Label-Group/486014725206

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