Originally formed in 1996, Swedish band Scheitan began its journey blending Black-Metal with touches of Gothic-Rock, creating a sound both intense and haunting. They released three notable albums in the late ’90s. This year, Scheitan has returned to the scene, unveiling their first full-length album in 25 years. Titled “Songs For The Gothic People” and released by The Circle Music, the album leans into Post-Punk influences, layered with melodic elements that build to an exhilarating crescendo. I had the chance to speak with Pierre Törnkvist, the sole driving force behind Scheitan, about the band’s resurrection and this impressive new opus. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: “Songs For The Gothic People” marks Scheitan’s first new album in 25 years. It seems to represent not just a comeback, but a complete metamorphosis in genre and the evolution into a solo project. Could you share more about this revival and the shifts in genre and influences?

Pierre: Scheitan was a musical project that already back in the late 90’s shifted in style, and to be honest, I think what changed most from our 1999 “Nemesis” album and the new are the vocals. The rest was already there in 1999, maybe not in a clear form like this -and it’s certainly also a musical development but to me there was melodies, lyrical darkness, some slow songs, some up-tempo ones already back then.

Our first album in 1997 one could call a ‘Black-Metal’ album, at least musically but we already shifted gears in 1998 with the 4 more Gothic songs that were on “Berzerk 2000”. And for “Nemesis” the furious tempo was all gone. So, a part of the transition was already made. This was just the finishing touch. 

Q: When did you begin working on “Songs For Gothic People” and how did the album ultimately take shape?

Pierre: Well, I was experimenting in the studio, tired of doing the usual screaming stuff and decided to try to sing properly. This was not an easy task since I am 75% deaf since the age of 5 so singing in tune is a challenge. But things got better with time, I practiced a lot and at the same time I wrote the song “Lost In Time”. At first I did not know what to do with the song and was thinking of what to name this ‘project’. But the more I thought about it I felt that this would be a natural continuation of Scheitan, this would be the logical next step.

As I said, the music was already there and now the vocals would be in place. I did not have the opportunity to work with my singing like this back in the day so it could not happen then, and instead it happened now. I was always a fan of the Greek underground scene and when The Circle Music released the last Thou Art Lord-EP I sent the label-boss Maria an e-mail together with the song. She liked it a lot and asked if I wanted to do an album, and the rest is history. 

Q: The title is quite explicit, suggesting a clear target audience. Is there a deeper meaning behind it? Can you elaborate on the lyrical themes and influences that shaped the album?

Pierre: About the title, it’s not necessarily aimed at ‘Goth’ people. But rather at people who feel that they do not belong to this world and all the madness that is going on. That, to me, is what goth really represents, not how you look but how you feel. To look at all this insanity from the side, feeling and realizing it’s all wrong. Other than that, the lyrics are very dark and existential. I think this comes naturally with age, when you start experiencing the death of your friends and your parents combined with war and misery everywhere. Age teaches us to see the world from another perspective. And also realizing that life is not a clock spinning around and around but rather an hourglass running out of sand sooner than later did have an impact on the lyrics. 

Q: Transitioning from a band to a solo project is a significant change. How did this shift impact your process of composing and producing the songs? What were your greatest challenges and opportunities, as well as your most significant sources of satisfaction and pride?

Pierre: Well, Scheitan was never a ‘band’ anyway. Scheitan was me and Oscar, and that meant it basically was me writing songs and Oscar playing drums. He wrote music in many other musical projects, like The Everdawn and Helltrain but with Scheitain he trusted me 100% with the writing. Of course he did a few riffs here and there but he was usually happy with what I wrote and rarely had any wishes to change anything. And I think that if Oscar had been alive today he would have liked the new album a lot. He was the one introducing me to bands like Fields Of The Nephilim and Sisters Of Mercy from which I obviously have drawn inspiration to create this music.

But what really differs now from back in the day is that I have a studio in my own home, I have such better possibilities to create and record music, that is a huge change. The biggest challenge was the vocals, no doubt, but once I gained the self confidence that I could do it, very much coached during the process by Daniel Bergstrand who mixed the album, I think it moved on quite smoothly. The biggest opportunity is definitely the fact that I have infinite amounts of time in the studio as it is my own. And yes, I am really proud of this album, I have said it before, when I listen to it now there are times that I find it hard to believe that I did this all by myself, that I had this album in me.  

Regarding the solo project/band definition I would say that the ‘band’ feeling of Scheitan has never been as strong as it is today after me and Axel started playing live shows together. In the beginning I think both of us just tried to do our best to perform the songs but this has developed into a real project where we continuously improve our performance and discuss new ideas for the future. Axel has contributed a lot to both the visual identity as well as the contact with the audience during this short period of time. 

Q: How would you describe yourself as a musician, and what was your approach to creating the songs for this album? Were there any key moments or influences that significantly shaped your development as a musician?

Pierre: I think it’s more of a collection of things that made all this happen. Firstly of course the fact that I built the studio a few years ago. Then all the stuff I learned along the way, how to record, how to arrange the songs better, how to use the software, vocal practice… a lot of different things. I spent a lot of time the last few years listening to completely different music, like EDM, Pop stuff -really anything but Metal just to learn from songwriters with a different approach. I think this helped a lot to make me better at writing and arranging songs.

So I would not say there are key moments, rather persistence and the will to constantly keep going, keep evolving, staying curious with a will to learn new things. A lot of people talk about inspiration, they look to be ‘inspired’ to get something going. If there is one thing to pinpoint in all this I think it’s the lie of ‘inspiration’, there is no such thing. Just get in the studio, and start somewhere, after five minutes you will be lost in the flow and come out a few hours later. I think this approach is applicable to any kind of artist, it doesn’t matter if you write books, do paintings or whatever.

Q: What can fans look forward to in the coming months in terms of performances, new music videos, remixes, and other potential projects?

Pierre: Well, Scheitan recently released the new single “Fury Flow” which is a re-recording of a song from the “Nemesis”-album. Really just done out of curiosity and to prove the point that the songs on that album were not very far from what Scheitan is today. By the end of November there will be another single titled “Love n’ Death”, it will probably be released earlier on YouTube. Then by the end of January there will be another single, “Carry Me Home”. We also hope to book some more shows.

And yes, we are looking for a booking agency, so if anyone out there would be interested in working with Scheitan, just get in touch. Also, check out the website at www.scheitan.se 

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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The new album from Prague gothic cowboys, Cathedral In Flames titled “Count To Nine”, is out now on the Musicraft label. It’s the follow-up to the 2021 released “Hang Me High And Bury Me Deep”. On this album the two key members, Phil Lee Fall and Gatsby, are accompanied by the voice of Ambra von Bernstein and guitarist Billac deVille.

Thematically the album covers contemporary psychological problems and addictions, mysticism and magical sexual practices. The nine tracks were mixed by John Fryer (Fields of the Nephilim, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Paradise Lost, Cradle Of Filth and more).

Vocalist Phil Lee Fall says this of the album: “On Count To Nine we tried to cross boundaries. We ventured further and deeper than ever before. Musically, lyrically and sonically. It took us almost three years, but we are extremely happy with the result. Dark, mystical and monumental gothic rock for the 21st century.”

Gatsby adds: “Each track is heavily influenced by the mood and situations in which it was created. That’s why I make music, to get the emotion out. So the fact that it’s dark is probably natural. In a way, it’s a catharsis of the disgust and confusion we live in.”

Count To Nine is available on all major digital outlets worldwide including Spotify and Bandcamp.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Swedish gothic rock act Scheitan have released a music video for their next single “Believe”. “Believe” is taken off their upcoming album “Songs for the Gothic People” and the single is available on all digital platforms.

Scheitan have recently returned following a 24-year hiatus, and will release a new album “Songs for the Gothic People” on 22 May 2024 via the Greek label The Circle Music. The new album further explores the gothic vibe that was present on their ”Nemesis” album, released by Century Media Records in 1999.

The music video for “Believe” can be viewed right below.

Guitarist, multiinstrumentalist and vocalist Pierre Törnkvist comments on the new single: ““Believe” was one of the earlier tracks I wrote for the new album. Ghost had just released their song “My Little Sunshine” and I was inspired by the tempo of the track, I think it has a certain groove to it. Mr. Forge is one of the most prominent songwriters of our time so catching a bit of inspiration from him can’t do any harm. To me, the lyrics have a double edge. At first glance, they could be seen as written from a pure “I” perspective, what “I believe”. But one could also interpret it as a general “I believe” followed blindly by many people. They all claim to believe in some kind of “god” and “goodness” but there is more fire than ever in the world, look at Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and all acts of terror constantly committed in the name of “god”. Maybe your “gods” are not the gods they claim to be?”

Pre-orders for the LP and CD version of “Songs for the Gothic People” are available now via The Circle Music.

About Scheitan

Scheitan emerged in 1996, founded by Pierre Törnkvist on guitar, bass, and vocals, alongside Oscar Karlsson on drums. Initially a black metal ensemble, the group transitioned into gothic/ambient rock over time. Both Törnkvist and Karlsson, were already quite seasoned in death and black metal through bands like The Moaning, Defleshed, The Everdawn, and Gates of Ishtar.

The band’s debut “Travelling in Ancient Times” was unveiled in 1996 through Invasion Records, featuring eight tracks of intense black metal, with the closing piece, “Portals of Might,” hinting at Scheitan’s evolving musical direction. Their sophomore effort, “Berzerk 2000” (1998, Invasion Records), showcased a mix of styles: the first half revealed a gothic/ambient sound, while the latter part marked Scheitan’s departure from black metal. A segment of “Berzerk 2000” was digitally reissued as the “Deathgoth” EP in 2021.

Post-Invasion Records, Century Media welcomed Scheitan, leading to the 1999 release of “Nemesis”. This album fully embraced a gothic/ambient/dark aesthetic, though Törnkvist’s vocals retained their initial harshness. The creation of new material post-“Nemesis” led Törnkvist and Karlsson to form Helltrain, diverging from the Scheitan project.

After a 24-year break, Scheitan returned in 2023 with “Lost In Time”, a single echoing the gothic rock of Sisters of Mercy, Fields of The Nephilim, and The 69 Eyes. Shortly before “Lost in Time”, the band joined Greek label The Circle Music, planning a full-length album release in 2024.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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The Swedish gothic rock act Scheitan has recorded a cover of the Billy Idol track “White Wedding”.

Scheitan have recently returned following a 24-year hiatus, and will release a new album “Songs for the Gothic People” in Spring 2024 via the Greek independent label The Circle Music. The new album further explores the gothic vibe that was present on their ”Nemesis” album, released by Century Media Records in 1999.

Check out the lyric video below.

Guitarist, multiinstrumentalist & vocalist Pierre Törnkvist comments on the new recording: “Billy Idol has always been one of my favourite artists. It was the same for Oscar, Scheitan’s drummer who tragically passed away some years ago. And I think Oscar would have approved of this version of “White Wedding”. We talked many times about recording “Rebel Yell” with our other band Helltrain but I think this one will do equally good. I tried to go for a bit more “goth” than “rock” in the soundscape and vocals. Billy is an excellent singer so it would just have been stupid to try to replicate some of the stuff he does in the track. I know my place and capabilities. I’ve spent a lot of time with his newer material like “Bitter Taste” and “Running from the Ghost” and have to say it´s equally good as the tracks he delivered as a young artist. I will now keep working on the upcoming album and perhaps throw in one or two more cover tracks along the way.”

Listen to the singles “Fire at Dawn” and “Lost in Time” which were released earlier this year.

About Scheitan

Scheitan was formed in 1996 by Pierre Törnkvist (guitar/bass/vocals) together with Oscar Karlsson (drums). The duo started out as a black metal band but transformed during the musical journey into the fields of gothic/ambient rock. Both members had previous musical experience mainly from death and black metal such as The Moaning, Defleshed, The Everdawn and Gates of Ishtar to name a few.

Scheitan released its first album “Travelling in Ancient Times” on Invasion Records in 1996. The album was an 8-track black metal album except for the last track “Portals of Might” which was the first indication of Scheitan wanting to explore other musical realms. The second album “Berzerk 2000”, also released on Invasion Records in 1998, was divided into different styles. The first four tracks show a gothic/ambient Scheitan while the last three saw Scheitan bid a final farewell to its black metal roots. The first four tracks of “Berzerk 2000” saw a digital re-release in 2021 as the “Deathgoth” EP.

Century Media signed the band after the contract with Invasion was finished and in 1999 the band recorded and released “Nemesis”. The musical style was now completely devoted to the gothic/ambient/dark domain except for the vocals of Pierre Törnkvist who were still kept in the harsh style present on earlier albums. When it was time to write new Scheitan material after “Nemesis” both Pierre and Oscar felt that it did not fit into the project and therefore Helltrain was started, which is a completely different story.

Scheitan went on a 24-year hiatus but was brought back to life in 2023 with the single “Lost In Time”, a gothic rock track in the veins of Sisters of Mercy, Fields of The Nephilim and The 69 Eyes. A few weeks prior to the release of the single “Lost in Time” Scheitan signed to Greek label The Circle Music and is set to release a full-length album in 2024.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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The Swedish band Scheitan, originally rooted in black metal but now embracing gothic rock, has released a fresh single and accompanying video titled “Fire at Dawn” which today exclusively premieres on Side-Line. This track serves as the second single from their forthcoming album, “Songs for the Gothic People,” slated for release in Spring 2024 by the Greek indie label, The Circle Music.

Scheitan went on a 24-year hiatus but was brought back to life in 2023 with the single Lost In Time, a gothic rock masterpiece in the veins of Sisters of Mercy, Fields of The Nephilim and The 69 Eyes. A few weeks prior to the release of the single “Lost in Time” Scheitan signed to Greek label The Circle Music and is set to release a full-length album in 2024.

“Fire at Dawn” is also now available on all digital platforms. Below is the lyric video.

Songwriter, guitarist & vocalist Pierre Törnkvist comments on the new song: “I feel that this became a nice follow up to the last single, “Lost in Time”, almost like two siblings of songs that each have their own identity but have a connection somehow. Not all songs on the album will have this traditional mid-tempo gothic rock style but these two turned out that way. I have never liked to speak about lyrical themes but it has almost become a necessary evil these days. The song speaks to the heart of those of us who do not feel like a part of contemporary society, those of us who feel the fire from within, the instinct to defy all that is wrong in this world. If you have the fire inside, you already know, for sure. I will now keep working on the rest of the tracks for the album, a lot of ideas are already in progress and I am basically spending time in the studio 4-5 days a week, a bit here and there. We hope to have another single released after the birth of the new year and then we will celebrate the new album in the spring of 2024. I think it will be one of the best post-rock efforts in a long time, I am quite sure of that.”

Founded in 1996 by Pierre Törnkvist (guitar/bass/vocals) and Oscar Karlsson (drums), Scheitan initially pursued a black metal style. Both members had prior experience in death and black metal bands like The Moaning, Defleshed, The Everdawn, and Gates of Ishtar.

The band’s debut album, “Travelling in Ancient Times,” released in 1996 under Invasion Records, comprised eight tracks of intense black metal, though its final track hinted at Scheitan’s future musical direction. Their sophomore album, “Berzerk 2000,” also under Invasion Records, showcased a split personality, with the first half leaning towards gothic/ambient and the latter part serving as a farewell to their black metal origins. Some tracks from “Berzerk 2000” were digitally reissued in 2021 as the “Deathgoth” EP.

In 1999, after parting ways with Invasion Records, Scheitan joined forces with Century Media and released “Nemesis,” an album that fully committed to the gothic/ambient/dark genre, albeit retaining Pierre Törnkvist’s signature harsh vocals from earlier records. Following “Nemesis,” both Pierre and Oscar felt their new material didn’t align with Scheitan, which led them to initiate a separate project called Helltrain—a tale for another time.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Leeds-based UK gothic rock legends Ghost Dance, featuring Anne Marie Hurst, are set to release a new album, “The Silent Shout,” in May 2023 through Voltage Records. To promote the upcoming release, the band will embark on a headline UK tour.

“The Silent Shout” comprises eight new tracks and two previously unreleased songs penned by Sisters of Mercy guitarist Gary Marx, who co-founded Ghost Dance with Anne Marie in 1985. The album will be available on CD and vinyl through Voltage Records and PHD distribution worldwide, as well as on all online platforms.

“Falling Down,” the first single from the album, can be viewed below.

Over the past 18 months, Ghost Dance’s current line-up has performed at numerous sold-out shows across the UK, including a special guest appearance with Fields of the Nephilim at the Tomorrow’s Ghosts festival in Whitby.

About Ghost Dance

Ghost Dance, a fusion of gothic rock and post-punk, was formed in 1985 when Gary Marx (ex-Sisters of Mercy guitarist) and Anne-Marie Hurst (ex-Skeletal Family vocalist) left their previous bands. Initially signed to Nick Jones’ Karbon Records, the band later joined major label Chrysalis Records before disbanding in 1989.

In 2019, Anne-Marie Hurst reformed Ghost Dance with new members Tim Walker (guitar), Stephen Derrig (guitar), Phil Noble (bass), and Dave Wood (drums) and began working on new material. Following reunion shows in the UK, the band signed with Voltage Records for a 2022 album release, which has now been confirmed for 2023. Read the review of ‘The Silent Shout’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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The UK goth rock act Salvation will play at the ‘Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival’ in Whitby on Oct 28th with The March Violets.

For those who missed it, the band released the live album “We Gave You Diamonds​.​.​. Live at De Casino!” on CD and purple vinyl in late 2021. There are still a few copies available from this limited vinyl edition of 300 copies. The first 100 copies came with a free Salvation Tote Bag. The CD version holds a 12-page colour booklet with exclusive photos of the band on stage and the fans.

The live recording itself was made at De Casino in Sint-Niklaas (BE) on March 7th 2020 on the final night of a four-date tour supporting The Mission.

About Salvation

Salvation was formed in 1983 by Danny and James, who experimented with noise using bass guitar, synths, and pedals. They recorded their first single, “Girlsoul” on Merciful Release, with the help of Andrew Eldritch from The Sisters of Mercy, and recorded six songs for an album, “Clash of Dreams”, that was ultimately shelved. Only 4 ‘test pressings’ were made at the time and the release was shelved. The album remained unavailable until it was remastered and released in October 2014.

Mike left the band, but Choque joined with his 12-string guitar and pedals, and the band continued to produce recordings with a psychedelic goth sound.

In 1987, James left and was replaced by Ben and Richard, transforming Salvation into a well-oiled rock ‘n’ roll machine. The band’s “Diamonds Are Forever” album sold solidly at home and abroad and breached the indie charts.

The band continued to tour and record, but Paul left and Choque left for his mistress, The Hollow Men. The band underwent serious auditions and brought on new members, Andy M and George Schultz. The band released their “All And More” EP and in 1989, the band was signed to Miles Copeland’s IRS label and released their album “Sass”. Salvation from then on toured extensively with The Alarm, Fields of The Nephilim, New Model Army and The Wonderstuff.

Constant gigging took its toll, and the band’s groove machine reached terminal meltdown. Danny left the band in mid-1990, signalling the end of their IRS contract. The band recruited another singer, but things were never the same, and the final curtain soon descended.

In March 2020, the band played 4 shows supporting The Mission in France and Belgium.

The current line-up consists of Daniel Mass, Benoît Farvak, Paul Lavender, Nic Bate and Stuart Owen.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Prague’s gothic rock band Cathedral In Flames have just revealed their new single, “Not Another Vampire Song”. The single follows the release of their Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds cover of “The Weeping Song”. John Fryer (Fields of The Nephilim, Peter Murphy, Nine Inch Nails) produced the new recordings.

The lyrics of the track poke fun at typical gothic rock themes as well as stories of closed rock clubs and churches.

Phil Lee Fall explains the track: “The song is based on a memory of the nineties, when we used to travel (not only to play) around Bohemia, and after a night of drinking we would go the next morning to the only place that was open (on Saturday or Sunday) at that time, so to church. It’s also about booze, or rather about alcoholics and how after a few drinks quiet introverts turn into raging sovereign steamrollers. And how they turn into pale, hungover vampires the next day, afraid of daylight and looking in the mirror.”

Below is the video for the song.

For more on John Fryer, see John Fryer interview: ‘Punk (pop with attitude) kicked the doors of… on Side-Line.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave, Post-Punk.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: After two impressive albums Mark E Moon strikes back with six new songs. It rather looks as a mini-album inspired by themes like ‘depression, rage, assault, alcoholism, the murder of an innocent child and the sheer horror of life on an alien feudal world’.

Content: The citizens from The Isle Of Man hold on their successful sound formula bringing good-old Cold-Wave souvenirs back alive. The Sisters Of Mercy and Fields Of The Nephilim sound as main sources of inspiration. The dark guitar play and cavernous timbre of voice are leading the listener into a universe of despair and sadness. You’ll also notice female backing vocals.

+ + + : From a very personal point of view I consider Mark E Moon as one of the hottest and most talented Cold-Wave / Post-Punk formations from the past years. They deal with a mature and well-crafted production which brings the darkest hours of 80s dancefloors back alive. The elevating chorus of “Revenge” is pure sonic ecstasy. I also have to mention “Anastasia” featuring delicious female backing vocals. There’s definitely something to say about each single track.

– – – : I don’t have minus points to mention but just regret there are only 6 songs featured.

Conclusion: Mark E Moon stands for a high qualitative level among contemporary Dark-Wave bands.

Best songs: “Revenge”, “Anastasia”, “Drowning”, “Blacklight”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.facebook.com/MarkEMoon1

Label: www.coldtransmission.com / www.facebook.com/coldtransmissionmusic

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave, Post-Punk.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: The Serbian project 7 Rainbows In Exile released their debut album “Twilight Gymnastics” at the end of 2021.

Content: From the very first notes of the work, you immediately recognize the strong influence of The Sisters Of Mercy and Fields Of The Nephilim. The deep timbre of voice together with the guitar playing both inject a very dark and sad mood.

+ + + : 7 Rainbows In Exile will appeal to 80s Cold-Wave lovers. It’s a stereotypical production mainly based on mewing guitar and cavernous vocal production. The opening song “The Heart Of The Storm” sounds a bit different for being harder, although it also keeps 80s memories alive. “Demon With The Boys Eyes” is one of the most noticeable cuts revealing the real inspiration of this band.

– – – : The composition sounds rudimentary and needs to be elaborated.

Conclusion: Typical Post-Punk emulation!

Best songs: “Demon With The Boys Eyes”, “The Heart Of The Storm”.

Rate: 6.

Artist: www.facebook.com/7rainbowsinexile

Label: www.waverecordsmusic.com / www.facebook.com/waverecords

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

The 2021 edition of the Sinner’s Day Festival will take place from 30th October until 1st November 2021 at The Max in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. About 53 new wave, EBM, industrial, post-punk, synth-pop and eighties bands are featured on 2 stages.

This year the line-up includes: Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft (Robert Goerl & DAF world premiere), Gary Numan, Clan Of Xymox, Praga Khan, Covenant, Fields Of The Nephilim, Suicide Commando, Funeral Dress, The Arch, The Bollock Brothers, Your Life On Hold, Ground Nero, Absolute Body Control, A Slice Of Life, Astrasonic, Blancmange, Diary Of Dreams, Agent Side Grinder, Red Zebra, Siglo XX, The KVB, And Also The Trees, La Muerte, UK Subs, Glen Matlock, IAMTHESHADOW, A Split Second, BFG, Then Jericho, She Past Away, The Foreign Resort, Minuit Machine, Leaether Strip, Haujobb, Gene Loves Jezebel, Twin Tribes, La Lune Noire, Empathy Test, Jah Wobble and more!

There is also The Batcave, the dance-area where you can party while DJ’s spin their finest tracks 13h/day. A camping area is available if you want to stay next to the festival area at night!

Tickets can be ordered here

Be aware that you need to show a valid Covid certificate/Covid Safe Ticket to get access to the festival!

Czech gothic rock act Cathedral In Flames have an album out, “Hang Me High & Bury Me Deep”. “Hang Me High, Bury Me Deep” is available worldwide on CD and via all digital platforms. A special vinyl version in a 3D gatefold package will be released soon.

For this album Phil Lee Fall and Ambra Von Bernstein also worked with samples and guitar parts by Billac DeVille, Mr Theorodick and Gatsby, who – in addition to the obligatory bass guitar – also recorded a substantial part of the guitars and keyboards. Pianist Antonio Koczwara was also invited to record the demanding keyboard parts.

Via the 9 tracks on this album you can hear that the Prague based act were clearly influenced by the likes of Sisters Of Mercy and Fields Of The Nephilim both in terms of sound and musical ideas. You can check out “Blacktrain” below.

And the full 9-track album is available right below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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(Courtesy Attasalina) Black Needle Noise’s first release on COP International Records is a fact. Out now is a new single “Machine” featuring vocalist Attasalina and violinist Meredith Yayanos. The “Machine” EP features remixes from Christopher Hall (Stabbing Westward), Mark Hockings (Mesh/Blackcarburning), Sick Jokes, Soman and (London DJ) Samantha Togni.

Says Fryer of “Machine”: “It’s taken a while to find the right song for Attasalina so we could collaborate again. She did an amazing job on ‘Messages By Dreams’ and she has done an exceptional job on ‘Machine.’ It’s always a pleasure working with Attasalina, and it’s been great having Meredith Yayanos on board this time around playing violin on the track, adding another dimension.”

Attasalina, best known for her collaboration with Daniel Ash (The Soldiers of Everyday), has also released music with her band The Seraphim Rising and is currently working on her first solo record in collaboration with John Fryer, to be called Freed From Rage and Sorrow. She previously collaborated with Fryer on the Black Needle Noise track “Messages By Dreams.”

See the video for “Machine” below.

About John Fryer

John Fryer started his career in 1979 at London’s Blackwing Studios (London) and soon began working with seminal bands on 4AD, Mute, Rough Trade and Beggars Banquet, including Depeche Mode, The Wolfgang Press and Cocteau Twins. His achievement in helping develop the latter’s pioneering ethereal and ambient sound ultimately led Watts-Russell to recruit Fryer as his partner for This Mortal Coil.

Since then, Fryer has produced many iconic artists, including Love and Rockets, HIM, Cradle of Filth, Clan of Xymox, Nitzer Ebb, Dead Can Dance, Yaz (Yazoo), Xmal Deutschland, Fields of the Nephilim, De/Vision, Stabbing Westward and many others. Fryer has also produced many film soundtracks, such as Seven, Clerks, Johnny Mnemonic, Mortal Kombat, Faust and Resident Evil: Apocalypse.

Currently Fryer also works closely with COP International and its roster and this debut Black Needle Noise release on the label is being hailed by COP founder Christian Petke who says, “I know how much this project means to John and I think it represents some of his finest work. Black Needle Noise is his vehicle to execute his artistic visions. It is not bound by style or fashion but represents the distilled essence of a man honing his craft for 40-plus years. To say it is an honor to represent Black Needle Noise on COP International is an understatement.”

Fryer recently celebrated a #1 entry on the German DAC Charts with the Chiasm & John Fryer album “Missed The Noise”. Good to know, Fryer acts as an A&R and a producer at COP International Records, helming the work of artists such as Stabbing Westward, Azam Ali, Chiasm, Stoneburner, Blackcarburning and more.

For more on John Fryer, see A Cloud Of Ravens release remix EP feat. remixes by Clan of Xymox,… on Side-Line.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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“We Lose The Night” is the brand new video for the Swedish post-punk act Then Comes Silence. The track is taken from the upcoming album “Machine”. You can view the video below. The band’s new album “Machine” will be released on March 13.

Post-punk from Stockholm since 2012

Then Comes Silence is a quartet based in Stockholm, Sweden. Since the band’s very first show, as the opening act for A Place to Bury Strangers in 2012, the band released 4 albums: “Then Comes Silence” (2012 – Novoton), “Then Comes Silence II” (2013 – Novoton), “Nyctophillian” (2015 – Novoton) and “Blood” (2017 – Nuclear Blast).

In 2018 the band opened for Fields Of The Nephilim and Chameleons Vox in Germany and they are more frequently playing other festivals in Europe. In 2018 Seth Kapadia and Jens Karnstedt left the band and the former session musicians and touring substitutes Mattias Ruejas Jonson (ex-A Projection) and Spanish born Hugo Zombie (ex-Los Carniceros Del Norte) became the new members in the band.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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On 10th and 11th August 2019 the annual M’era-Luna festival takes place in the area of Hildesheim-Drispenstedt, Germany. M’era Luna exists since 2000 and is one of the biggest Gothic festivals in the European scene. Gothic, new wave, electro, EBM, industrial and medieval bands are featured on 2 stages.

The last years the festival was every time sold out and had about 25.000 visitors. This year some of the confirmed artists are: Fields Of The Nephilim, VNV Nation, Lacrimosa, OOMPH!, Deathstars, DIE KRUPPS, Within Temptation, ASP, Subway To Sally, Combichrist, Diary Of Dreams, Corvus Corax, Suicide Commando, Agonoize, Funker Vogt, Mono Inc., DE/VISION, Empathy Test, Joachim Witt, Spetsnaz, [:SITD:], Zeromancer, Melotron, …

DJ’s at the afterparties are: Der Schulz (Unzucht), Bruno Kramm (Das Ich), Chris L. (Funker Vogt and Agonoize), Andy Krüger (Melotron), Ronan Harris (VNV Nation), Mike Kanetzky (Matrix Bochum).

Besides watching concerts you can also visit markets, artist signing events, gothic fashion shows, readings by Axel Hildebrand, Markus Heitz and Christian von Aster. The Gothic Garden, an oasis of calm right in front of the festival infield, offers demanding festival-goers comfort, space and conveniences to make your stay more exclusive, pleasant and more relaxing. At the M’era Luna Academy you can follow special workshops which will be announced soon on the official renewed website.

The interactive M’era Luna app can be downloaded here and tickets can be ordered here.

This news will come as a big sad surprise to many. Fields of the Nephilim guitarist Tom Edwards has died, aged 41, from suspected heart failure. Edwards was 41 and died a day after performing live with Adam Ant in Boston.

The news was revealed by the official Adam Ant Facebook page as Tom Edwards was both guitarist and musical director for Adam Ant. Still according to the statement made on the Adam Ant Facebook page, Edwards passed away 2 days ago from suspected heart failure at Kennedy Hospital in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Tom was on tour with the band as part of the North American ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ tour that began two nights ago in Washington DC. He was found unresponsive then rushed to the hospital where he passed away yesterday in the late afternoon.
An autopsy is pending. No further details are known at this time.

Besides playing with Adam Ant and Fields of the Nephilim, Edwards also played with Roddy Frame, Rebelles, Edwyn Collins, Andrea Corrs, Arno Castens and Spiderbites. In order to pay respects to their honored bandmate, Adam and his band have postponed their upcoming concerts at The Keswick Theatre in Philadelphia (January 26) and Webster Hall in New York City (January 27), but will resume the tour at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto (January 29).

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Read the review of ‘Protectorate’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Genre/Influences: Gothic, goth-rock.

Content: Still Patient? were one of the biggest promising bands from the German gothic scene during the 90s. They for sure got some recognition, but never gained a real international break through. The band finally split and the members got involved in different projects, which never reached a similar level of popularity than Still Patient?

That was maybe one of the reasons why they finally reactivated the band a few years ago now. The EP “Selective Perception” got released in 2014 while there also was this beautiful album “Retrospective 88•2•99”. But this is their first new studio album since “Demondive” (1999) and the least I can say is that Still Patient? strikes back with style and conviction. The band now consists of a mix of original- plus new members, but the least I can say is that Still Patient? is back on track!

The main influences clearly bring us back to the 80s new-wave movement reminding me of legendary bands like The Sisters Of Mercy and Fields Of The Nephilim. There’s no innovation, but just an outstanding emulation of guitar new-wave music. All the songs smell like pure new-wave music. The songs are carried by outstanding guitar playing expressing this typical 80s mewing and melancholic style. The deeply, cavernous timbre of voice of singer Andy Koa remains another main strength of the band. I can’t get away from making a link between The Sisters Of Mercy. The sound is dark and sometimes moving on the edge of dark-rock music, just like Andrew Eldritch and co did.

The opening part reveals a succession of great songs, which are powerful and totally accomplished. “We Come In Peace” has this little extra element you often recognize in a ‘hit’ song. The title of the song sounds a bit in contradiction with the power emerging from the writing. There are a few softer cuts like the well-crafted “Away From Me”, but I’m more into the harder work. Still Patient? are simply excelling in 80s new-wave nostalgia played in a powerful way. The final part features a few more noticeable cuts. You now and then can hear some refined piano-like arrangements, which are more into a typical post 80s gothic tradition. “Song Of Defeat” is a beautiful cut in the genre.

There also is a bonus song, which appears to be an adaptation of “Mascara Osiris”, which was originally released on their debut album “Salamand” (1992). This new version is called “Mascara Osiris II” which was written in 2012. It’s a great, fast and powerful cut, which brings this album to its final climax.

Conclusion: Still Patient? strikes back in an outstanding way. This is a real successful piece of music celebrating the 25th anniversary of the band!

Best songs: “We Come In Peace”, “Mascara Osiris II”, “The Devils Bride”, “After Sundown”, “Seconds Of Fame”.

Rate: (Elise Din:8½)Elise Din.

Band: www.stillpatient.de/index.php/en / www.facebook.com/stillpatient

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.

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Genre/Influences: New-wave, gothic.

Content: Horror Vacui gained some international recognition with their debut album “In Darkness You Will Feel Alright”. The new work “Return Of The Empire” was first released at the end 2014 by Horror Pain Gore Death in a CD format and has been now released by Avant! Records as vinyl.

I was not that familiar with this band. The first album revealed some interesting and pure retro new-wave ideas, but the new work has been a real revelation!

From the very first notes you clearly notice the pure and explicit guitar-wave style reminding me of legendary formations like The Cult, The Fields Of The Nephilim and The Skeletal Family. The sound is a faithful and totally accomplished emulation of the great new-wave sound. You get the typical and really genius guitar parts mixed with the dark and deep haunting bass lines and furious drum sections. The dynamic of the drum parts is the main link with The Skeletal Family. On top of it all you’ll hear the enraged vocals of singer ‘The Sheriff O’. Music and vocals are in perfect harmony, evoking the dark side of life.

Horror Vacui clearly avoids any innovation, but are talented and devoted ‘pupils’ of the 80s movement. I really would have sworn that I went back in time, awakening in an obscure little club during the 80s with Horror Vacui on stage. The sound has the true spirit of the new-wave music while I was impressed by the enraged cadence and brilliant guitar work. “Return Of The Empire” features a succession of furious songs and a few potential hits like “Light Of Darkness” and “Opus Tenebris”. I was not always a ‘fan’ of Italian Goth formations, but Horror Vacui is one of the few exceptions to the rule.

I noticed an impressive improvement in the global production, which sometimes was a little bit hesitant on their debut work. This album reflects maturity and self-confidence in the writing process. The sound becomes harder and sometimes moves on the edge of post-punk. “Return Of The Empire” sounds like a whirlwind without any mercy.

Conclusion: “Return Of The Empire” is a successful recording revealing a genius copy of good-old new-wave music.

Best songs: “Light Of Darkness”, “Opus Tenebris”, “Return Of The Empire”, “The Fall Of The Empire”, “5000”, “Time”.

Rate: (Elise Din:8½)Elise Din.

Band: www.facebook.com/pages/Horror-Vacui/230480293648769

Label: www.horrorpaingoredeath.com / www.facebook.com/horrorpaingoredeath / www.avantrecords.com / www.facebook.com/AvantRecords

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