Istvan Gazdag continues to display an inexhaustible creativity, and that creativity consistently guarantees quality. With this ‘new’ album from his main project, First Aid 4 Souls, he combines four brand-new compositions from 2026 with a selection of older material that has been reworked, remastered, or presented in alternative versions. In total, we are treated to no fewer than 25 tracks, serving both as a retrospective and as a showcase for new material.

Gazdag clearly enjoys collaboration, and for this release he has joined forces with partner in crime ‘Mortum’ from Human Vault, as well as Mpurfekt, Stahlgeist, United Gods, K.I.F.O.T.H., Tor Marrock, V.E.N., and Svoid. The resulting tracklist is highly diverse, offering a mix of the Hungarian artist’s signature sound alongside more Experimental and even Ambient tracks and versions. To me, First Aid 4 Souls remains, above all, an intelligent form of EBM that frequently evokes the Canadian school of masters such as Front Line Assembly and Skinny Puppy. The structural composition of these tracks and the richness of the sounds and effects on display are absolutely phenomenal. Once again, there are some true gems to be found—particularly among the reworked older tracks rather than the new compositions that open the album. The production is meticulous and precise, featuring driving verses and explosive choruses. There are also some unique tracks that venture into purely Experimental or even Crossover genre territory, thanks in part to the inclusion of guitar elements. A 25-track album might be considered lengthy, but Istvan Gazdag shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

This is an artist who lives and breathes music and remains a true genius within his genre. However, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that this is the album I would choose to introduce someone to his work. Nevertheless, it contains enough gems to qualify as a ‘must-have’. (Rating:8).

Listen to “Havoc feat. Worker / Stahlgeist”:

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is a Budapest-based electronic project founded in 2007 by István Gazdag, evolving from his earlier industrial and EBM outfit Vacuum. Over time the project has worked with rotating collaborators and guest vocalists and has touched industrial, EBM, dark ambient and new wave influences.

Early releases appeared via Some Bizarre, Electro Arc and Poison Girls Records before Gazdag joined the Belgian label Alfa Matrix. Discography milestones include “Deathstep” (2011, CD) and the earlier “Beyond The Galaxy” era, later revisited as “Beyond The Galaxy / Rework” under Alfa Matrix. Later Alfa Matrix releases include I Am The Night (2022), the 70-track back-catalogue download This Present Darkness (2023) and the EPs Dancing At The Abyss and Laudator Temporis Acti (both 2023).

In December 2025 the project shifted sound with Progenitrix, a post-punk and darkwave album with a long list of female guest vocalists. Gazdag discussed that record in the March 2026 First Aid 4 Souls interview. “Totems In A Field Of Pain” was released by Alfa Matrix on 26 June 2026 as a 25-track digital album and returns the project to its electro-industrial base.

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Hungarian electro-industrial act First Aid 4 Souls have released the 25-track album “Totems In A Field Of Pain”, issued digitally through Alfa Matrix on 26 June 2026. Project mastermind István Gazdag steers the record back toward the harsh electro-industrial sound of the project’s early years, pulling together two decades of material with new 2026 compositions.

What First Aid 4 Souls gather on ‘Totems In A Field Of Pain’

The album runs to 25 tracks of corrosive electronics, militant rhythms and mechanical atmospheres, mixing brand-new pieces with older material rebuilt, remixed or remastered into harder forms. US-based vocalist Mortum, of Human Vault, returns across several tracks, including “Pre-Rendered Biological Evolution”, “Binary Defect”, “King Of Filth” and “The Fate Of The Tormentor”. The record also gathers a long list of collaborators from the industrial underground: Impurfekt, Stahlgeist, United Gods, K.I.F.O.T.H., Tor Marrock, V.E.N. and Svoid.

The release lands seven months after First Aid 4 Souls moved in a different direction on the post-punk and darkwave album “Progenitrix”, issued in December 2025 with a run of female guest singers. “Totems In A Field Of Pain” turns back to the project’s aggressive electro-industrial core.

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is the electro-industrial project of Hungarian musician István Gazdag, who has worked in the electronic and industrial scene since the late 1980s. He formed the project in 2007 as a continuation of his earlier industrial and EBM band Vacuum, writing all of its music while bringing in a rotating cast of guest vocalists, which has led some to describe it as an international supergroup.

The project signed to the Belgian label Alfa Matrix in 2019 for the dark EBM album “Keep This World Empty”, which introduced its collaboration with US vocalist Mortum. Gazdag has also produced remixes for acts including Coil and Soft Cell. After the darkwave turn of “Progenitrix” in late 2025, “Totems In A Field Of Pain” returns the project to the corrosive electro-industrial sound it built over its earlier releases.

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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With “Progenitrix (feat. Divas of the Dark)” First Aid 4 Souls steps away from pure industrial force and into a more restrained, ritualistic form of power. Built around female voices and vintage new wave electronics, the album rejects narrative storytelling in favor of emotional states, intimacy, and conceptual balance. Conceived as the first half of a duology, “Progenitrix” is neither a manifesto nor a provocation, but an invitation to listen without choosing sides. In this interview, mastermind István Gazdag reflects on authorship, freedom in collaboration, sensuality, and the idea of neutrality in a world obsessed with extremes…

The new First Aid 4 Souls album is available as download and on CD.

First Aid 4 Souls interview

SL. The new FIRST AID 4 SOULS album “Progenitrix” marks a clear break from the industrial harshness of earlier FIRST AID 4 SOULS. Was this shift driven by exhaustion with aggression or by the need to explore a different kind of power?

I. I keep saying that the electro industrial sound of FIRST AID 4 SOULS doesn’t suit the delicate and special female soul, in my opinion. Of course, if you listen to the album carefully, there are definitely some harder moments, but that’s not what the album is about as a whole. I don’t feel exhausted at all. I think that my both other projects STAHLGEIST and FIRST AID TECH do show that there is no lack of electronic aggression. But “Progenitrix” is actually mostly new wave, although there are many delicate industrial sounds in it as well.

SL. Every track features a female voice, yet the project remains clearly authored by you. Where did you draw the line between curation and control?

I. Personally, I wrote the musical foundations and then mixed them with the vocal tracks, which, as always, I also did the effects for on this album. I do not tolerate restrictions on other people at any level, especially in the creative process, so the ladies were given complete freedom. I didn’t even have to mention the usual mantras that there is no place for current political and religious references in FIRST AID 4 SOULS. This was obvious from their personalities and delicate souls.

SL. This FIRST AID 4 SOULS album leans heavily into sensuality and ritual. Do you see “Progenitrix” as storytelling or as a series of emotional states the listener is meant to inhabit rather than understand?

I. There is no unified story arc behind the “Progenitrix” album. However, there is a unified concept. You know, I wrote this album for my two daughters. And all I asked the female artists was to tell them something that I, as a man, couldn’t.

SL. Working exclusively with vintage synths can be read as devotion or limitation. Was this a romantic decision or a way to impose discipline on the emotional tone of the album?

I.Working with vintage synthesizers was primarily a compositional consideration. The goal was to use as few tracks as possible and achieve the most authentic sound possible.  Of course, during the final stages, all the latest studio technology was brought into play, but the sound is completely authentic to the eighties and early nineties. I’m currently working on several new songs, but I’m not even using MIDI here, I’m recording the tracks live. Not on a retro instrument, mind you, but on an Osmose. And yes, I hadn’t thought about it until now, but I find there’s something romantic about the sound of vintage synths. Reminiscing about the past is a romantic option when you’re over fifty (laugh). 

SL. If “Progenitrix” were released without any context about feminism or concept, what do you think would disturb listeners the most: the vulnerability of the voices, or the authority they project?

I.I think the length of the album would bother listeners the most, because it’s too short and they would want to listen to more (laugh). But joking aside. FIRST AID 4 SOULS is complex music. It is for educated, cultured people. I don’t care at all what hurts the plebs. I know that my music can only have an effect on people with a certain IQ. 

The sincerity of the ladies, however, is heartwarming. For example, while finalizing the last song, “Du,” even I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

SL. This is the first half of a duology, with a male-voiced counterpart still to come. Does “Progenitrix” stand as an answer or as a challenge to what follows?

I. I think I set the bar high with this album. The male counterpart is slowly maturing, but it will be completely different. As a man, I am on much firmer ground here than as a creator. I talked to a few underground world stars about this, and we started thinking together. If you knew their names, you would say: Now, right here, right now!  Of course, that album will be completely different. It is not being made as a response, nor as a counterpoint, but as an equal, yet different companion.

SL. When the full cycle is complete, do you expect listeners to choose sides or to realize they were never meant to?

I. This is a very good and important question. Humans are not inherently capable of choosing sides; rather, they are born into it. This is a simple biological question. Spirituality is a completely different matter. There is no predestination there; the soul’s freedom of will is a sacred question. In our present world, there is a serious moral and ethical crisis and confusion on this subject. Everyone is pushed toward one of two extremes. Either they recognize a static biological state as exclusive, or they disregard it completely in favor of the freedom of the soul. Both are extremes. Nothing is black and white. The master concept behind duology is completely neutral. It does not pass judgment or manipulate. Instead, it presents a more complete spectrum based on the understanding of the listener. The rest is not our concern.

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is a Budapest electronic/industrial project formed in 2007 by István Gazdag as the direct continuation of his earlier industrial/EBM act Vacuum. Gazdag is the founder, producer, composer and sound engineer of the project. The project has generally operated around his work with guest contributors rather than as a fixed full band, with collaborators including Havasi Zoltán, Vető Gábor, Frank Balázs and Tamás Nimród.

The first release was the 2008 double CD “My Favourite Pain With Some Bizzare Remix Package”. Later releases were “Brutpop” (2009), “Deathstep” (2011), “Beyond the Galaxy” and “Navigator” (both 2013), and “Back To Shambala” (2014). After the Some Bizzare release he worked with Germany’s Electro Arc and later Japan’s Poison Girls Records, while also recording with collaborators including Brad Bishop, Linda Daemon and Victoria Moralez. “Trashcathedral” was released in 2016 and “Dark Tunnel” in 2017.

In 2019 First Aid 4 Souls signed to Alfa Matrix and released the EP “Increased Sensory Perception”, followed that same year by “Keep This World Empty”. Around that period US-based singer Mortum of Human Vault became part of the project’s line-up. He then continued with “Fire” and “Dreambox” in 2020, “Stainless Steel Eyes” in 2021, “Beyond The Galaxy / Rework” and “I Am The Night” in 2022, “This Present Darkness”, “Dancing At The Abyss” and “Laudator Temporis Acti” in 2023, and “Progenitrix” in December 2025

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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Alfa Matrix / Spleen+ release “Progenitrix”, the new CD by the Hungarian project First Aid 4 Souls, today, December 12, 2025. The album features a string of female guestvocalist and is a complete shift in sound for the project which moved from an industrial sound into a darkwave / post-punk direction or as the label puts it: “With ‘Progenitrix’, István Gazdag opens a bold new chapter for First Aid 4 Souls, abandoning the project’s industrial harshness to embrace a more sensual and evocative universe where darkwave, goth and post-punk shimmer with electronic authenticity.”

The female singers on the album include Emke (Black Nail Cabaret), Marita Volodina (Stridulum / Blood Tears After), Celina, Ruth García Núñez de Arenas (From Hell), Aux Animaux, Aleksandra Rempel, Kriistal Ann (Paradox Obscur), Linda Daemon and Valanaïs (Valérie Hendrich). Note that the material for this album was produced with restored vintage 80s/90s synthesizers and samplers.

The release is available for ordering via Bandcamp and on CD via the Alfa Matrix / Spleen+ webstore.

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is a Budapest-based electronic project founded in 2007 by István Gazdag, evolving from his earlier industrial/EBM outfit Vacuum. Over time, the project has worked with rotating collaborators and guest vocalists, and has touched industrial, EBM, dark ambient and new wave influences.

Early releases appeared via Some Bizarre, Electro Arc and Poison Girls Records before Gazdag joined the Belgian label Alfa Matrix. Discography milestones include “Deathstep” (2011, CD) and the earlier “Beyond The Galaxy” era, later revisited as “Beyond The Galaxy / Rework” under Alfa Matrix.

In 2025 the project shifted sound and announced a new album, “Progenitrix”, featuring a post-punk / darkwave sound with a long list of female guest vocalists, the ‘ ‘Divas of the Dark’ (Aux Animaux, Emke/Black Nail Cabaret, Marita Volodina/Stridulum, Kriistal Ann/Paradox Obscur, among others).

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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István Gazdag, the mastermind behind First Aid 4 Souls, unveiled the debut EP of his latest project, First Aid Tech, last year. The 4 tracks from this self-titled EP are now featured on his ambitious full-length album, which boasts a staggering 22 songs. On this release, Gazdag dives headfirst into sonic experimentation, seamlessly blending genres like EBM, Hard-Techno, Acid, and Psy-Trance. His signature EBM basslines remain a standout feature, expertly intertwined with infectious, Acid-tinged sequences. These elements are propelled by thunderous Techno kicks and occasionally accented with trippy Psychedelic layers. While many tracks are instrumental, a few feature vocal elements that add a touch of accessibility to the album. The soundscape occasionally feels like a hypnotic fusion of Frontline Assembly and Juno Reactor, with subtle nods to Front 242. Gazdag’s brilliance as a sound architect shines throughout, demonstrating his boundless creativity and production prowess. Though additional vocal contributions might elevate the record even further, this album is already a triumph of composition and sound design. (Rating:8½).

Listen to “The Fortress”:

About First Aid Tech

First Aid Tech is a project of Hungarian electronic artist István Gazdag, who is also the driving force behind First Aid 4 Souls and Stahlgeist. Gazdag performed and DJed under the First Aid Tech moniker for years before the project’s first official release, the self-titled techno body EP, came out in December 2023 on Alfa Matrix with 4 tracks and 4 bonus remixes.

First Aid 4 Souls has been active since 2007, mixing industrial, EBM, dark ambient, trance, and new wave, often with guest vocalists. Stahlgeist delivers old-school EBM. In 2025 Gazdag discussed First Aid Tech in the Side-Line interview ‘Exploring a Pulsating Universe’.

“Tech Under Your Skin”, the first First Aid Tech full-length, expands the four EP tracks into a 22-track album and is the release reviewed here.

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 Brussels-based Spleen+ label (a division of Alfa Matrix) has prepared a deluxe 7CD collector’s edition – “Resurgence” – which brings together 133 active bands from across the globe, spanning the diverse sub-genres born from post-punk’s iconic roots. You can order it now from the Alfa Matrix webstore and in digital download format from Bandcamp.

The release comes housed in a luxurious vinyl-sized box, and comes accompanied by a 28-page book. The book holds interviews from renowned producers like John Fryer and Jean-Marc Lederman, label managers, journalists, and iconic artists (including Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, William Faith, No More, Skeletal Family, Mona Mur, KaS Product, And Also The Trees, Clan Of Xymox, Attrition, Das Ich, Merciful Nuns, The Names, The Breath Of Life, etc).

Spanning 23 different nationalities, the music included is a genre-spanning mix of post-punk, cold wave, dark synth, ethereal, and minimal EBM with such bands like Boy Harsher, A Cloud Of Ravens, No More, Skeletal Family, Collection D’Arnell Andrea, Underviewer, Attrition, Merciful Nuns, Lederman/De Meyer, Local Suicide & Sekelesys, Star Industry, Ataraxia, Czarina, Helalyn Flowers, Ascii.Disko, Je T’Aime, The Ultimate Dreamers, Lycia, Opera Multi Steel, The Breath Of Life, Auger, The Names, Whispers In The Shadow, Lovelorn Dolls, Astari Nite, Chiasm, Saigon Blue Rain, Omnimar, Still Patient, Creux Lies, Golden Apes, and many more.

You can already check out a few tracks here.

Apart from the 7CD vinyl size deluxe carton box format, “Resurgence” will not be available on mainstream digital platforms, except exclusively via the label’s Bandcamp page.

There is also a special combi pack including the 7CD set plus Darkness On Demand’s “Panic In Reserve” CD and To Avoid’s “All Gods Are Gone” 2CD.

“Resurgence” Tracklist

Cd 1

1. Bestial Mouths . Hex (The Spell)
2. A Cloud Of Ravens . Parable
3. Boy Harsher . Give Me A Reason
4. Czarina . Wonderland
5. Collection D’arnell Andrea . Waiting For Meaulnes
6. Krystal System . La Lame Dans Ta Main
7. Je T’aime . Out Of Sight
8. Aeon Rings . Fully Operational
9. The Ultimate Dreamers . Polarized
10. Partikul . Nothing Good In Me
11. Cosmobrigade . Spacepit
12. Aeon Sable . From Witchcraft To Deviltry
13. Stereoskop . Deep Down
14. The Breath Of Life . Slowly Crushing
15. Faust Project . Rats Lullaby
16. Al . Mistake
17. N.E.L. & J.P . Desinteresse
18. Zeitgeist Zero . Scream
19. Voyna . Moulding Heart

Cd 2

1. Blackbook . You Are Strange
2. Auger . My Heart Is Glass
3. Dekad . A Deadly Show (Video Edit)
4. Love In Cage . A Logical Secret Collection
5. Helalyn Flowers . Halos
6. Soft Scent . No Wounds
7. Sweet Ermengarde . Sweet Sacrifice
8. Martin Dupont . Bent At The Window (2023)
9. The Names . Far From The Factories
10. Boxes Of Blow . Melting Faces
11. Mirror Of Haze Feat. Primitive Heart . Reckless
12. A Slice Of Life . Seven Days
13. Then Comes Silence . Pretty Creatures
14. Nite . Inside Of My Head
15. Astari Nite . Bowie In Daydreams
16. Korus . Złote Światło Pierwszego Zachodu
17. Lovelorn Dolls . A Heart Cries
18. Whispers In The Shadow . Revenants
19. Merciful Nuns . Oneironauts

Cd 3

1. Lederman – De Meyer . Heartbeat
2. Local Suicide & Skelesys . Surface Of The Sun (Radio Edit)
3. Punx Soundcheck Feat. Ascii.Disko & Princess Superstar . Gasoline
4. No More . Sleepers And Trains
5. Mitra Mitra . Memories For Company
6. A Copy For Collapse Feat. Simona Pietrucci . Faded
7. Alien Skin . Depress Me
8. White Mansion . Cancel The Sky
9. Apnoie . Splash Your Bile
10. Celluloide . Compte Les Ombres
11. Risk Risk . Streetwalk
12. Total Chroma . Northern Lights
13. Opera Multi Steel . À Nos Moments Perdus
14. Lycia . Simpler Times
15. Noemi Aurora . Blood As Lipstick
16. Novus . Ess
17. I Ya Toyah . Death’s Kiss
18. Katcross . Rest
19. Winter Severity Index . Speak To Me

Cd 4

1. Systeme Paradoxe . Comme Le Sable En Hiver
2. Aiboforcen . Break The Black Ice (Original Mix)
3. Chiasm . Cut Right Through (Emileigh Rohn Edit)
4. Saigon Blue Rain . Dolls Dresses
5. Her Own World . Mistrust
6. Still Patient Feat. Minu-Schirin Samimi . Blind Vision
7. Creux Lies . Playtime
8. Der Klinke . Curtains (Your Life On Hold Remix)
9. On The Floor . Crying On The Dancefloor
10. Numa Echos Feat. Red Zebra . Waisted Items
11. Factheory . The Day (Ok Lion! Mix – Short Version)
12. Antiflvx . Crystal
13. Flor Concreta . She’s Closer
14. Golden Apes . Ash Trees
15. Glis . Blue Sky Night
16. Ataraxia . The Source
17. Hanging Freud . Grooming
18. Ok Lion! . Get Away
19. Yuzna . Queen Of The Eels

Cd 5

1. The Breath Of Life Feat. Implant . The Last Record
2. The Halo Trees . Happy Man
3. Palm Ghosts . Tilt
4. Your Life On Hold . Imprisoned (Merciless Radio Edit)
5. Götterdämmerung . Common Existence
6. Jenni Sex . Sin Chimes
7. Denner . She Radiates Darkness
8. Imjudas . I Love You
9. Black Needle Noise . Dollhouse On Fire
10. Dead Souls Rising . Dysmorphobia
11. The Waning Moon . Annabel
12. Korinthians . Leader Of The Night
13. Elektrostaub Feat. Stefan Netschio . Mantis (Auger Remix)
14. Omnimar . The Matrix
15. Synapsyche Feat. Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost) . The Last Dying Flame
16. Dance My Darling . Criminal
17. First Aid 4 Souls Feat. Emke Of Black Nail Cabaret . Das Messer
18. Supernova 1006 . Tell Your Name (Mix)
19. Suicidal Romance . Runaways

Cd 6

1. Ascii.Disko . Loslassen
2. Vioflesh . Emotions
3. Dina Summer . Who Am I (Club Version)
4. Pleasure Victim . Rascheln
5. Pink Opake . Pronta
6. Thewalkingicon . The Trail (Radio Edit)
7. Psy’aviah Feat. Sorrow Stories . Healing
8. Seasurfer . Collapsing
9. Lakeside X . Fire In The Sky (Radio Version)
10. Darkness On Demand . Hang On (Winterhart Remix)
11. Star Industry . Selling Icons (The Dreamside Remix)
12. Alphavox . Dark Satellite
13. Yama Uba . Shapes
14. Lifeless Past . Anxiety
15. Pink Turns Blue . Not Gonna Take It
16. Social Union . Waiting For Red
17. Sine . Until (Clan Of Xymox Remix)
18. Sorry, Heels . She Burns (We Burn) Version
19. Lights A.M . Clouds

Cd 7

1. Useless/You . Echo
2. Attrition . The Great Derailer
3. Children Of Zeal . Taking Over
4. Octolab . Friend Or Foe
5. Vague Phonique . The Last Man
6. Midnight Poetry . Black Hole
7. The Overlookers . Undercover (Edit)
8. La Machine . Vamos A La Playa (Radiomix)
9. Die Sexual . House Of God
10. Carrellee . Morning Sun
11. Underviewer . Was Soll Ich Tun (Aiboforcen Remix)
12. Night In Athens . Words Unspoken
13. Neila Invo . Alienation
14. Skeletal Family . My Own Redemption
15. The Murder Mystery . A Girl Named Red
16. Princess Ugly . For A Moment I Forgot The Desolation
17. Instant Lake . Ivory Dreams
18. Vision Video . Balaclava Kiss
19. La Scaltra . Dancing On Debris

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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Belgian EBM act CauseNation is set to release “The Remix Collection” on September 6th, 2024. This new compilation, out via the Antwerp based DressCode Black label, features a lineup of remixes that re-imagine some of CauseNation’s tracks.

On remix duty we find Vomito Negro, Novakill, Darkvolt, First Aid 4 Souls, Nova State Machine, Enzo Kreft, Cirque d’Ess and VV303.

“The Remix Collection” is already available on Bandcamp and will be available on all major platforms, including Spotify, starting September 6th, 2024.

Tracklist:

1. Mark of Cain (Vomito Negro remix)
2. Hearts Beat Strong (Novakill remix)
3. Demons of the Night (Darkvolt remix)
4. Mark of Cain (First Aid 4 Souls remix)
5. The Things You Promise (Nova State Machine remix)
6. Hearts Beat Strong (Enzo Kreft remix)
7. Mark of Cain (Cirque d’Ess remix)
8. Hearts Beat Strong (Darkvolt remix)
9. Divided We Fall (First Aid 4 Souls remix)
10. The Things You Promise (VV303 remix)
11. Demons of the Night (First Aid 4 Souls remix)

CauseNation is based in Antwerp and was formed in 2015 by Vain Sacrosanct, Dries De Vreeze, and Jonas Herrnia. The band made its debut with the single “The Things You Promise” which was mixed and mastered by Claus Larsen.

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!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Techno-Body, Industrial-Rave.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Hungarian prolific artist István Gazdag (First Aid 4 Souls) strikes back with a new project. This self-titled debut-EP features four songs plus four remixes.

Content: The inspiration to First Aid Tech becomes rapidly clear; this is Industrial/Electronic music infused with heavy Techno beats and sounds. The songs are carried by solid bass lines and are featuring Trance passages while you’ll also notice very few robotic, sampled, vocals. Remixes have been delivered by Benke, Man+Machine, Ritual Abuse and Bernathy.

+ + + : During the past few years this Hungarian Electro master has unleashed a rather diversified canvas of influences for his major project First Aid 4 Souls. I think it’s a good idea to create a side-project next to the Mothership so István Gazdag can move on exposing his sonic ideas. This kind of project might appeal for lovers of Soman and related artists; hard-pumping Techno stuff melted with dark Electro/Industrial elements. The first three tracks are impressive pieces of aggressive electronic music to get dancefloors on fire. The Benke-Remix of “Bloodwit” is a cool bonus for its Acid sequences.

– – – : Except the remix by Benke all other remixes don’t exactly add an extra.

Conclusion: István Gazdag is not only a talented EBM composer but he also know how to produce powerful Techno music for dark souls.

Best songs: “Breakout”, “Bloodwit”, “Haute Tension”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083230725685

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘First Aid Tech’.

About First Aid Tech

First Aid Tech is an alias of Hungarian musician István Gazdag, known for his main project First Aid 4 Souls, a Budapest-based act he founded in 2007 after his earlier industrial/EBM outfit Vacuum. Under the First Aid Tech name, Gazdag pursues a harder techno and industrial-rave direction. The project’s self-titled debut EP, featuring four original tracks and remixes by Benke, Man+Machine, Ritual Abuse and Bernathy, was released through Alfa Matrix at the end of 2023.

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: EBM, Dark-Electro, Minimal-Electro, Dark-Pop. 

Format: Digital, CD.  

Background/Info: This compilation features seventeen Electro-underground projects from the Hungarian scene. The album has been mastered by one of the most famous artists from this scene: Istvan Gazdag from First Aid 4 Souls.

Artists: Planetdamage, Stahlgeist, Re-Infection, Techno Pop, Grip, Empelde + Planetdamage, 3.N.D., Man-Machine, Worker, Celina, RTFXX, CMC, Vacuum(X), Tief Larm, Livingtotem, Calm T, Aras Focum.

Content: Hungarian Electronics by different more familiar- and totally unknown artists. The selection is quite diversified but often carried by EBM and Minimal Electronics while also walking on darker paths of Electro-Pop, Trance, Industrial ao. You’ll notice several projects singing in their Mother tongue while others prefer the English language.

+ + + : I like this kind of compilation, giving us the opportunity to get more familiarized with less familiar Electro scenes. We of course know Hungarian projects like First Aid 4 Souls and Black Nail cabaret (both aren’t featured here) but also Stahlgeist, Planetdamage, Man-Machine or the great LivingTotem but most of the artists were discoveries. From these artists I like the somewhat Shamen sounding Techno Pop, the EBM driven Grip which is empowered by guitar, the darker electro side of Man-Machine and the Dark-Pop inspired Celina -which reminds me of Ayria. But most significant cuts are the ones by Stahlgeist -revealing alluring EBM and the Minimal-EBM/IDM Planetdamage.

– – – : I regret the compilation doesn’t feature a booklet with more information about the bands and the Hungazrian scene.

Conclusion: Hungary is a small Electro scene but featuring real great artists so I hope we’ll get the opportunity to discover more stuff from these bands.

Best bands: Stahlgeist, Planetdamage, LivingTotem, Techno Pop, Grip.

Rate: 8.

About New Horizon

“New Horizon: A Hungarian Electro-Industrial Compilation” is a various-artists release gathering seventeen tracks from the Hungarian electro-industrial and EBM underground. It was released on 7 September 2023 in digital and CD formats.

The compilation was mastered by Istvan Gazdag of First Aid 4 Souls, with photography by Dóri Hrisztu-Pazonyi and design by Kollektiva. It brings together Planetdamage, Stahlgeist, Re-Infection, Techno Pop, Grip, Empelde + Planetdamage, 3.N.D., Man-Machine, Worker, Celina, RTFXX, CMC, Vacuum(X), Tief Larm, Livingtotem, Calm T, and Aras Focum.

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

Belgium’s electro act Llumen returns with a 9-track EP bridging the previous “Polygon Heart” album and the forthcoming album “The Breaking Waves” announced for Spring 2024 on Alfa Matrix.

“Die Stille Totgeschwiegen” is the first Llumen song mixing English and German lyrics, and is the first new song revealed from the forthcoming album “The Breaking Waves”. The track got remixed by Grendel, Elektrostaub and First Aid 4 Souls. Included as well are remixed versions of “Like My Pain” by Aiboforcen, Pre:Emptive Strike 0.1, Ah Cama-Sotz and Promenade Cinema.

You can download the new EP right here from Bandcamp.

About Llumen

Llumen emerged around 2010, marking a new phase in Pieter Coussement’s musical career. Before Llumen, Coussement was part of various projects, but with Llumen, he found a way to merge a more structured musical style with the experimental work he did at the Institute of Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music. As the years passed, Llumen developed its unique sound, leading to the release of its first digital EP in 2016 through Alfa-Matrix. 2017 saw the debut of Llumen’s album, “The Memory Institute,” which blends elements of EBM, futurepop, and gothic.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

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Although Hungarian electronic artist István Gazdag (First Aid 4 Souls, Stahlgeist) has been performing and DJing under the First Aid Tech moniker for years, it’s only now that the first official release of this project comes out. This self-titled techno body 8-track EP reveals 4 tracks and 4 bonus remixes.

Musically you can expect the artist’s industrial/EBM roots merging with acid / rave influences resulting in techno body.

You can download the First Aid Tech EP right now from Bandcamp.

István Gazdag is also the driving force behind the Hungarian musical projects First Aid 4 Souls and Stahlgeist. First Aid 4 Souls is known for its blend of industrial, EBM, dark ambient, trance, and new wave. Active since 2007, First Aid 4 Souls often includes various guest vocalists. Stahlgeist then again brings EBM that refers to the old years of Front Line Assembley or yet Wumpscut Read the review of ‘First Aid Tech’.

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!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-Wave, EBM, Cinematic.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Hungarian First Aid 4 Souls remains ultra-prolific already releasing new work. Core member István Gazdag wanted to revisit his Electro-Goth roots and paying ‘tribute to the work of geniuses who laid the foundations of Synth Dark-Wave and to his personal heroes that are Bauhaus and Tones On Tail.’ The EP -which rather looks as a mini-album, features seven songs. Belgian singer ‘Vain Sacrosanct’  (Causenation) sung on five cuts while Canadian-Hungarian female vocalist Linda Daemon (Kr3ll, Black Mamba…) and UK Pop singer Mark Duffield each sang on one song.

Content: We’re used to hear First Aid 4 Souls dealing with sophisticated EBM but István Gazdag also took us by surprise exploring other sonic fields during the past years. The EBM influence is definitely present at this work but there indeed is a good-old 80s Electro-Wave influence as well. The work sounds more atmospheric and even evasive on a few passages. The Electro-Wave tribute is accentuated at a few cuts by guitar sounds.

+ + + : Gazdag has already accomplished a meaningful production which sounds different from the ‘traditional’ sound of the project although featuring cool cuts. There also is a true symbiosis between his music and the charismatic vocals of Vain Sacrosanct. My favorite cuts are the ones revealing an explicit EBM touch but there’s also something to say about both debut cuts featuring an ominous atmosphere.

– – – : I can’t say First Aid 4 Souls is too prolific but it sometimes becomes difficult to catch the red line between all the different albums and EPs of the project.

Conclusion: A very personal but accomplished tribute to some of István Gazdag’s favorite 80s artists.

Best songs: “Now You Can See Me”, “The Sweetest Temptation”, “Alpha Female”, “Laudator Temporis”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.firstaid4souls.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063628544089

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Laudator Temporis Acti’.

Listen to “Laudator Temporis Acti”:

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is the project of Hungarian artist István Gazdag, signed to Alfa Matrix. The prolific project moves between EBM and Electro-Wave, and the “Laudator Temporis Acti” EP was described by Gazdag as a tribute to Bauhaus and Tones On Tail.

The seven-song release features Belgian singer Vain Sacrosanct (Causenation) on five tracks, with Canadian-Hungarian vocalist Linda Daemon (Kr3ll, Black Mamba) and UK singer Mark Duffield each contributing one song.

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

Out now via Bandcamp as a free download is DJ Shane Aungst’s “Electronic Bodies – Nightside Sessions” mega-mix. The Seattle (United States) based DJ produced this 2-part megamix including 23 tracks (and 2 intros) from “Electronic Bodies” during long evening sessions in October 2023. Note that the intros were created by Viscera Drip.

As you will know the original “Electronic Bodies” compilation (available here on Bandcamp) focused on EBM and its offspring. The proceedings of this mega-mix will equally go to charity.

Shane’s mixes mainly deal in the EBM/Aggrotech/Industrial genres, and come with heavy layers of sampling and edits. He has been doing studio work, working on sampling, mixes, edits, remixes, as well as putting together some original material. We will soon also publish an interview with Shane on his current and future work. Check his Instagram page for more info.

The tracklist is as follows:

Part 1

1. Night side sessions – Intro 00:00
2. Diffuzion – Ain’t Gonna Fuck With My Brain 00:49
3. Rabbits Wear Boots – Cyborg 04:54
4. Him+He – Dr Jones (Ocult Mix) 09:42
5. ELM – Vessel Of Violence (Weaponized Cardio Mix) 14:06
6. Ars – Thanatophobia 17:18
7. UCNX – Burning Slowly Down 21:54
8. Llumen – You Can Have It All (Matrix Edit) 25:41
9. The Psychic Force – Lockdown Lovers 29:50
10. Kant Kino – Frontline (Edit) 34:22
11. Raudadler – Sexual Deviants 37:15
12. First Aid 4 Souls – Anger 41:58
13. Miseria Ultima – Yet Shivering Profound 46:30

Part 2

1. Viscera Drip – Night side sessions Intro 00:00
2. Human Vault – Flesh And Bone (Void You Are Edit By Nadragea – Side-Line Cut) 00:52
3. Digital Factor – What 05:18
4. Aiboforcen – Cycle Of Life (Short Edit) 08:35
5. Aesthetische – Boiling Over (Celsius Version) 12:30
6. Diverje – Numb (EBM Remix By Psychosomatik) 16:50
7. Venus In Disgrace – Generation Commodore 20:25
8. Kreign – Don’t Force The Hand 23:13
9. Fuckware – Combat 27:22
10. Stahlgeist – Infected Colony (Alternate Version) 31:10
11. Sinthetik Messiah – Know Your Enemy 35:39
12. Töt – Mon Nom Est Personne 39:14

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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Hungarian musician István Gazdag, in collaboration with Mortum, has unveiled a brand-new EP titled “Laudator Temporis Acti” under the First Aid 4 Souls banner. The EP is available for immediate download on Bandcamp.

This 7-track EP is a nod to the past, with the band embracing their electro-goth origins and paying homage to iconic bands such as Bauhaus and Tones On Tail. Additionally, István Gazdag has incorporated contemporary inspirations from the thriving post-punk cold wave genre, drawing from bands like Sextile and Paradox Obscure among others.

For this unique project, István Gazdag joined forces with old friends. This includes Vain Sacrosanct, the lead singer of the Belgian cold electro group Causenation, with whom Gazdag previously co-released an album titled “Stainless Steel Eyes”. The EP also showcases talents like the renowned industrial metal singer Linda Daemon, who has Canadian-Hungarian roots and is known for her work with Kr3Ll and Black Mamba, as well as UK’s noir pop artist Mark Duffield.

The fresh EP is available for listening below. Read the review of ‘Laudator Temporis Acti’.

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!

side-line.com

Alfa Matrix, the renowned Belgian label, commemorates its 22nd anniversary with yet another mastodont compilation on Bandcamp. The latest installment in the acclaimed “Matrix Downloaded” series, titled “Matrix+ Downloaded 011”, is now available as a free download on their Bandcamp page. Packed with 60 tracks, including new signings and a preview of the upcoming Spleen+ label releases, this compilation showcases Alfa Matrix’s diverse music repertoire.

“Matrix+ Downloaded 011” soared to the top of the industrial Bandcamp charts within hours of its release, claiming the coveted number 1 position.

The collection holds 60 tracks in total including several new signings. These are the bands present on this brand new free download compilation: Hanging Freud, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Breath Of Life, Psy’Aviah Feat. Sorrow Stories, ImJudas, Star Industry, Halo In Reverse, Lovelorn Dolls, The True Union, Freakangel, Avarice In Audio, Siva Six, Alien Vampires, Synapsyche, Helalyn Flowers, Neuroactive, Elektrostaub Feat. Stefan Netschio, Technoir, Entrzelle, Llumen, Noemi Aurora, Aiboforcen Feat. Jan D., Reichsfeind, Mondträume Feat. N-Frequency, The Psychic Force, Digital Factor, Implant, Darkness On Demand, Aesthetische, Komor Kommando Vs. The True Union, Matthew Creed, C-Lekktor, First Aid Tech, Pouppee Fabrikk, ELM, Die Robo Sapiens, Plastic Noise Experience, Armageddon Dildos, Stahlgeist, AD:keY, Kant Kino, Suicidal Romance, Miseria Ultima, First Aid 4 Souls, Neikka RPM, Circumpolar, Venal Flesh, Helle9, Diffuzion, Acylum, Circuito Cerrado, Aengeldust, Studio-X, 808 Dot Pop, Cubic, Metroland, Rector Scanner, Elektroklänge, Cosmic Armchair, Lights A.M.

You can download “Matrix+ Downloaded 011” for free via Bandcamp.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Nine years after the release of their first tribute to The Cure, titled “A Strange Play – Tribute to The Cure“, Alfa Matrix and Spleen+ have joined forces to create a follow-up tribute album. The second volume in the series, “A Strange Play (Vol. 2) – Tribute to The Cure“, features 27 tracks, including electro, synth pop, EBM acts from Alfa Matrix and cold wave, post-punk, and gothic rock bands from their Spleen+ division and is out now via Bandcamp, the label’s webstore and all other platforms.

The album includes reinterpretations of classic hits and lesser-known B-sides, shedding new light on the original tracks or giving them an entirely different sonic perspective. The tribute album itself this time is a collaborative effort between both established and emerging artists from the Alfa Matrix and Spleen+ rosters.

Compiled by and for The Cure fans, this new tribute adventure brings together a growing roster of Spleen+ artists, including Noemi Aurora, Star Industry, Imjudas, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Breath of Life, and Lovelorn Dolls. Additionally, the album features synth and electro cult acts, as well as upcoming Alfa Matrix artists, such as Neuroactive, Armageddon Dildos, Implant, Darkness on Demand (formerly Dance or Die), Helle9 (an Alien Vampires side-project), Metroland, Aesthetische featuring Zombie Girl, Aiboforcen, Technoir, Kant Kino, Digital Factor, Regenerator, Lights A.M (an Essence of Mind solo project), Neikka RPM, First Aid 4 Souls, Diffuzion, Avarice in Audio, Elektroklänge, Circumpolar, and Cosmic Armchair.

In conjunction with the release of “A Strange Play (Vol. 2),” goth-metal/darkwave act Lovelorn Dolls has released a single and accompanying video clip for their cover of “Lullaby.” The music video, created entirely using artificial intelligence, tells the story of a girl pursued by a mysterious, threatening, yet alluring man. The video’s creator, Kristell, was inspired by her own childhood experience of being both fascinated and frightened by The Cure’s original “Lullaby” music video.

Here’s the track list for the new volume which is available now on 2CD via the Alfa Matrix webstore and as download via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page and the Spleen+ Bandcamp page.

Here’s the first volume.

Side-Line also covered The Cure’s ‘s ’.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Techno-Body.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Hungarian EBM/Industrial producer
István Gazdag remains very prolific and has already unleashed new work on his main project First Aid 4 Souls. This mini-album features seven songs and has been introduced as the fusion between the Hungarian artist’s Techno project First Aid Tech and his Dark-Electro/EBM/Industrial project First Aid 4 Souls.

Content: This is for sure one of the most surprising releases I’ve heard from this project. You still recognize the darker, sophisticated, EBM basis which has been infused with the power of Techno music. The result sounds as an ultra-danceable format; a kind of imaginary hybrid between FLA and Chemical Brothers with some extra Psy-Trance elements here and then. Vocals by familiar singers Mortum and Vic Willow have been added as a kind of effect/sampling.

+ + + : After the last year released Epic-Electro like “I Am The Night”-album First Aid 4 Souls strikes back with something totally different and still featuring the band’s sound DNA. István Gazdag feels comfortable dealing with different influences while holding on to the EBM touch. This album sounds like a modern Body-Techno work. The first part of the work reveals amazing cuts but especially “Burning Horizon” and “Anger” left me breathless.

– – – : First Aid 4 Souls remains creative and prolific but there’s maybe a too big gap between the familiar stuff of the band, the previous Epic album and this new piece.

Conclusion: First Aid 4 Souls doesn’t repeat itself and already explores new horizons of EBM mixed with other influences.

Best songs: “Anger”, “Burning Horizon”, “White Noise White Boys”, “Night Lies”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063628544089

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Dancing At The Abyss’.

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is a Budapest-based electronic project founded in 2007 by István Gazdag, evolving from his earlier industrial/EBM outfit Vacuum. Over time, the project has worked with rotating collaborators and guest vocalists, and has touched industrial, EBM, dark ambient and new wave influences.

Early releases appeared via Some Bizarre, Electro Arc and Poison Girls Records before Gazdag joined the Belgian label Alfa Matrix. Discography milestones include “Deathstep” (2011, CD) and the earlier “Beyond The Galaxy” era, later revisited as “Beyond The Galaxy / Rework” under Alfa Matrix.

“Dancing At The Abyss”, the mini-album reviewed here, followed in 2023. In 2025 the project shifted sound and released “Progenitrix”, a post-punk/darkwave album featuring a long list of female guest vocalists billed as the ‘Divas of the Dark’ (Aux Animaux, Emke/Black Nail Cabaret, Marita Volodina/Stridulum, Kriistal Ann/Paradox Obscur, among others).

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

Out now via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page is an all new mini-album by the Hungarian dark electro act First Aid 4 Souls. With “Dancing At the Abyss” mini-album, Hungarian electronic music artist István Gazdag introduces techno club influences of his First Aid Tech project into the darker industrial mood of First Aid 4 Souls.

Included are 7 new songs that hang somewhere between techno body music and industrial dance mixed with the distorted or manipulated sampled vocals by Mortum and Vic Willow. All this flavored with a darker industrial touch.

This mini-album is out now via Bandcamp as an immediate download and will follow on all other streaming platforms in the next two weeks.

Veteran Hungarian artist István Gazdag, formerly of Vacuum, has been an active participant in the avant-garde electronic/industrial scene since the late 1980s. He has a diverse range of releases on various labels and has done remarkable remix work for legendary bands such as Coil, Soft Cell, Test. Dept., Cabaret Voltaire, and Einstürzende Neubauten. In recent years, he has collaborated with US-based singer Mortum from Human Vault, who has contributed darker lyrics and a harsher vocal style to their joint project, First Aid 4 Souls.

Earlier this year the project released the 70-track release “This Present Darkness” including four full-length albums (“Trash Cathedral,” “Dark Tunnel,” “Keep This World Empty,” and “I Am The Night”) plus the previously unreleased remix album “Your Social Skill Demised”. The four albums have been re-edited, reconstructed, or newly remastered, supplemented with a variety of previously unreleased bonus material. Read the review of ‘Dancing At The Abyss’.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

“This Present Darkness” – a 70-track strong download on Bandcamp – retraces some 9 years of collaboration between the Hungarian electronic industrial artist István Gazdag and the US-based singer Mortum (Human Vault) under the First Aid 4 Souls flag.

Included are the 4 full length albums “Trash Cathedral”, “Dark Tunnel”, “Keep This World Empty” and “I Am The Night” plus the so far unreleased remix album “Your Social Skill Demised”. That latter serves as perfect appetizer for what comes next so the band’s label Alfa Matrix says.

The 4 full length albums come in a fully re-edited & reconstructed (“rework”) versions and/or newly remastered audio packs with a bunch of previously unreleased bonus material to top it all.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Stahlgeist is a Hungarian duo driven by Istvan Gazdag (First Aid 4 Souls) and Tamás Bank (Worker/Munkás). They deal with a sophisticated EBM format which will for sure appeal for lovers of early Frontline Assembly. The debut album “Escape Reality” originally self-released in 2019 got an official release in 2020 on Advoxya Records and has been now re-released by Alfa-Matrix and retitled to “Altered Reality”. Great bass lines and icy sequences resulted in danceable songs. This interview is an opportunity to know a bit more about this great formation.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Who’s hiding behind Stahlgeist and how did the project saw the daylight? Was there something like a plan and/or an idea about influences, sound and approach?

Stahlgeist: Stahlgeist is Istvan Gazdag (from First Aid 4 Souls) and Tamás Bank (from Worker/Munkás). It’s just a dream of two EBM fanatics. We don’t have a plan in general, we just want to play EBM.

Q: What’s your way and procedure of working together? What’s the input of both members and did you’ve to make many compromises in the writing & production of the album?

Stahlgeist: Istvan writes the songs and sends them to me and I write the lyrics and send it back, then we meet and discuss if one of us like to change something and then we record the lyrics and Istvan masters them together.

Q: You first self-released the album “Escape Reality” which was next re-released by Advoxya Records and finally reworked and retitled to “Altered Reality”. Tell us a bit more about the progression from “Escape Reality” towards “Altered Reality”? What did you try to improve and/or change?

Stahlgeist: On the one hand, we wanted to change it because of the change of label, so that Alfa-Matrix could reach a wider audience, and on the other hand, Istvan has learned and improved a lot in his mastering skills since the recording of “Escape Reality” and it would have been a shame to miss that opportunity to make the songs better.

Q: What is the album all about and what did you try to express by the lyrical themes?

Stahlgeist: The album is about the present around us and a possible future. The reality we would escape from presents a picture of a gloomier future. Our everyday life and our expected future leaves us despondent and pained. Just as the genre was born out of a sense of hopelessness and oppression, we are now confronted with the same feelings in our daily lives.

Q: The production sounds like good-old EBM but accomplished with a true sophisticated song writing. Tell us a bit more about the sound concept and production? And how did this album took shape?

Stahlgeist: We really like old-school EBM, and Istvan involved with his Dark-Electro music project First Aid 4 Souls wanted more EBM, stronger, stompier music and I wanted to go along this journey with him.

Q: Tell us a bit more about both ‘bonus’ songs featured at “Altered Reality”? Do you’ve already new songs and ideas in mind for the further evolution of Stahlgeist?

Stahlgeist: The two new songs from our upcoming new album have been added to surprise our fans with a little gift. The musical basis is complete and the lyrics are done; now comes the singing phase. I can promise you that the tempo will not slow down and the lyrics will not become any gentler.

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

(By Stéphane Froidcoeur for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews) 2022 has been once again a sad, bloody and terrible year. Living in a mad world music once more remains a true therapy to appease pain and frustration. Concerts and festivals came back; the perfect place to meet friends again. Artists remain prolific releasing great studio work. So I’m once more closing the year by a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’-albums of the year.

Over 700 productions have been selected while 540  reviews have been made all over the year. Some productions have been refused because the style of music didn’t fit, while other reviews will be postponed to 2023. I’m really grateful to all labels, bands and promoters considering my work and efforts and I hope you’ll go on providing me new promos next year.

I one again have to express my deepest gratitude to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM) who for years and years now is reading, correcting and improving my reviews. Without Rich there would be no reviews. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker – chief redactor Side-Line Music Magazine – for the successful collaboration. 

Up now to 2023. I already reduced my activities this year and will move on reducing it in 2023. I made my first reviews and interviews back in 1991 (!). Some of the readers and artists weren’t even born when I wrote my first review for Side-Line. So after more than 30 years non-stop activities I think it’s not that strange to move on slowly.

I also want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who don’t realise and appreciate the work I’m doing by making reviews and preparing interviews to get them in the spotlights. The attitude and less of respect shown by those people – luckily a very few number – is just unacceptable… but I’m afraid it reflects the world we’re living in… Behind a genius artist is not always hiding a great person… It’s quite strange to realise the ’biggest’- and long-time established artists from this scene often are the most accessible ones.

Writing reviews remains very ‘subjective’ and always a source of discussion, but keep in mind it will be always the perception of the reviewer. I can assure you I’m always trying to argue my reviews the best as possible. A review will be never objective, but has to be honest!

Like every year I’ve made a selection from the best albums of the year. This ‘TOP 25’ covers different styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Cinematographic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno and a few related genres. It remains an exciting but tough exercise.

This ‘TOP 25’ is taken from the promotional material I got while compilations, ‘best of’-productions, EP’s and singles were not considered.

So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2022 and don’t forget to share it with your friends….

Top 25 albums 2022

1. IVARDENSPHERE: “Ragemaker” – Metropolis Records
2. DIE ROBO SAPIENS : “Robo Sapien Race” – Alfa Matrix
3. EBE04 : “Inrush – Give/Take
4. CALDON GLOVER: “Labyrintia” – Cyclic Law
5. ROME: “Hegemonikon” – Trisol
6. NEIKKA RPM: “Scorpio In The Hourglass – Alfa Matrix
7. VANGUARD: “Spectrum” – Infacted Recordings
8. SUICIDE COMMANDO: “Goddestructor” – Out Of Line
9. ELM: “Penetrator” – Alfa Matrix
10. OBERER TOTPUNKT: “Totentanz” – Danse Macabre Records
11. THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE: “Fascination” – Metropolis Records
12. BLACKBOOK: “Confessions Of The Innocent” – DarkTunes Music Group
13. BEYOND THE GHOST: “Sundown” – Cryo Chamber
14. THEN COMES SILENCE: “Hunger” – Metropolis Records
15. PRINCIPE VALLIENTE: “Barricades” – Metropolis Records
16. DAWN OF ASHES: “Scars Of The Broken” – Artoffact Records
17. MONSTERGOD: “Ozymandias” – Space Race Records
18. STATIQBLOOM: “Threat” – Sonic Groove Records
19. AXIOME: “Field Guide To Alien Planets And Other Disco Balls – Audiophob
20. REICHSFEIND: “Darken” – Alfa Matrix
21. FIRST AID 4 SOULS: “I Am The Night” – Alfa Matrix
22. ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO: “Nihilist Notes And The Perputual Quest 4 Meaning In Nothing” – Out Of Line
23. KILL SHELTER: “Asylum” – Manic Depression Records / Metropolis Records
24. JAGATH: “Svapna” – Cold Spring Records
25. KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND: “Voodoo” – Shyrec

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.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Hungarian duo Stahlgeist is driven by core members Istvan Gazdag (First Aid 4 Souls) and Tamás Bank (Worker Munkás). “Altered Reality” features reworked songs from the band’s self-released debut album “Escape Reality” (2019) which was re-released by Advoxya Records in 2020.

Content: If you don’t yet know Stahlgeist you better get prepared to discover a well-crafted old-school EBM opus which is clearly evoking early Frontline Assembly. Both last cuts weren’t featured on the original album.

+ + + : Stahlgeist deals with a classic EBM format but the way the songs have been written reveals a sophisticated process. This is much more than cheap EBM, but a well-thought and accomplished composition revealing great bass lines, icy sequences and raw, danceable songs. Istvan Gazdag remains a true genius musician when it comes to composing intelligent retro EBM. The sound is more ‘straightforward’  than First Aid 4 Souls so this is total EBM power & fun.

– – – : I’m convinced the production of the vocals could now and then be a bit better but you don’t hear me complaining. Both ‘new’ tracks aren’t exactly the most convincing ones.

Conclusion: Stahlgeist joined the Alfa Matrix roster which I hope will give them a wider exposure. This work kicks a**!

Best songs: “Infected Colony – Alternate Version”, “Stahlgeist – Alternate Version”, “Step By Step – Alternate Version”, “Inner Temple – Alternate Version”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/stahlgeist

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

About Stahlgeist

Stahlgeist is a Hungarian duo driven by core members Istvan Gazdag, also active as First Aid 4 Souls, and Tamás Bank of Worker Munkás. The project’s debut album “Escape Reality” appeared in 2019 and was reissued by Advoxya Records in 2020. Stahlgeist signed to Alfa Matrix in October 2022, as confirmed at the time, releasing an alternate version of “Escape Reality”, the release reviewed here as “Altered Reality”. The duo later returned with the five-track single “Silence” in February 2025 and the album “Justice” in June 2025, discussed in a Side-Line interview the same month.

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

From the Budapest (Hungary) based fine harsh electro artist István Gazdag (First Aid 4 Souls) comes a brand new oldschool EBM project, Stahlgeist which he formed together with his friend Tamás Bank on vocals. Hungarian industrial fans will certainly know Tamás Bank from his other industrial music projects Worker Munkas and Interzone Inc..

The project recently signed to Alfa Matrix and presents us now a first release on the label, namely the album “Altered Reality” which is a totally revamped alternate version of the band’s “Escape Reality” debut album from 2019.

Stahlgeist is firmly rooted in the oldschool EBM genre adding a touch of aggrotech complexity. Expect fast solid bass lines, upbeat aggressive sequences and powerful angry vocals. Oldschool EBM at its finest you can say.

You can download the 13-track album immediately now on Bandcamp, the release will be available on all other platforms on October 21st. Read the reviews of ‘Escape Reality’ and ‘Escape Reality’.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Belgian EBM duo Wülf7 has had little success in their homeland. They strike back with four new songs plus seven bonus cuts.

Content: The songs are driven by solid- and typical EBM bass lines. The global sound atmosphere is dark and accentuated by synth lines and deep, resonating, vocals. Among the other songs left we get two collaborative pieces -one with Tankt and the other together with TC75. Remixes have been accomplished by First Aid 4 Souls, Sleepwalk, Astma, Plastic Noise Experience and To Avoid.

+ + + : The main strength of the duo is that they’re mixing a pure, old-school, EBM style together with an atypical approach, which sounds more sophisticated while recovered with strings. The title song is a cool cut, but I also have to mention “EBM Nation”. Among the remixes I noticed a great job done by First Aid 4 Souls -especially for the sound production and Astma which also boosted the original edit by a professional sound production.

– – – : The only point Wülf7 has to be reconsider is the mix of their work. It has a dirty sound, which is clearly reminding me of retro-productions from the 90s, but it’s suffering from a lack of professionalism.

Conclusion: The only -but essential thing, Wülf7 has to improve is the technical part of their work, but this band has a true potential.

Best songs: “I Don’t Want (Anymore)”, “EBM Nation” + “I Don’t Want (Anymore) – Remix by First Aid 4 Souls”, “Morbide – Remix by Astma”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Wulfe7

About Wülf7

Wülf7 is a Belgian duo, made up of members Bwulf and CyrbVII, describing their sound as a “Dark Electro Body Melancholic” mix of EBM influences. The project debuted with the 2019 singles “WÜLF7” and “The Nights Of The Wolves”, followed by the album “Dark Hate” (2020), the “Flesh / Electro” EP (2020) and the remix EP “Dark Hate – The Last Philosophy” (2021). “I Don’t Want (Anymore)” followed in 2022, adding seven bonus tracks and remixes by First Aid 4 Souls, Sleepwalk, Astma, Plastic Noise Experience and To Avoid.

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

Driven by István Gazdag the Hungarian Electro project First Aid 4 Souls remains a prolific and top notch formation. For the new album “I Am The Night” –released by Alfa Matrix, István renewed the experience working with his compatriot ‘Mortum’ as vocalist. The main difference with previous productions, which were often driven by sophisticated EBM influences, is the evolution in sound. First Aid 4 Souls injected, heavy, epic/orchestral, arrangements to the sound resulting in a heavy, bombastic work. The music creates a perfect match with the conceptual theme of the album around paintings from different international artists. “I Am The Night” is a Soundtrack for these painting.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: First Aid 4 Souls is now active for 15 years. You released multiple productions so can you draw up the balance sheet of the past 15 years? What have been the highlights and biggest deceptions?

István: We’ve started at the apex, thanks to the legendary publisher Some Bizarre, publishing us with a double CD back in 2008. I’ve had the opportunity  to mix bands like Coil, Soft Cell, Cabaret Voltaire, Swans, Test Dept, Einstürzende Neubauten or Depeche Mode on the second CD. 

Our album “Deathstep” was also a big hit, and our latest joint work with Mortum (Human Vault) entitled “I Am The Night” is considered a great success within the industry.

In the name of being unpredictable we’ve published a Psy-Rock album, full of real guitar riffs and old-school sci-fi tones. This however, caught no one’s attention.

Q: Your newest album “I Am The Night” is a particular conceptual work which seems to be a Soundtrack for paintings from different artists, right? How did you get the idea of this concept and how did you manage the different stages from the choice of the paintings till the music?

István: Back in the days I was aiming to become an art historian; I’ve had forty conscious years of picking the right pictures. Amongst the main themes are manly attitude, and a darker viewpoint of our world.

Tracks are recomposing the original paintings to the smallest details. Light, bound to canvas, can morph back into vibration this way.

Q: You already experienced working with concepts and artistic themes (like “Keep This World Empty”). What makes a conceptual release that exciting and what means ‘arts’ to you -and especially during the lockdowns where people were no longer allowed to cultural events?

István: These days, culture is not a trendy call-sign. One can only rebel against apathy and ignorance through action. A higher level of this is ‘total art’, where high culture is a starting point in composing.

People are generally devoid of all presence, being in lockdown or not. COVID did not change much about this.

Q: “I Am The Night” also brings a different approach in sound which is clearly driven by Epic/Orchestral arrangements. What have been the main sources of inspiration and references to produce this work? And did you notice important changes/evolutions in the global writing process?  

István: Will, Coil, Laibach or the In The Nursery are all fantastic when it comes to harmony and Kevin Key is still an in exhaustive source of inspiration to me.

Nowadays symphony can fit on a pendrive. This  helps a tremendous amount when it comes to creating the euphony by producers.

Q: A few years ago now you signed to Alfa Matrix. Do you notice and experience major differences being signed to a leading label? And what do you expect from labels today?

István: Alfa Matrix represents a status for us. Being an important company, financial accounting is much more manageable. 

Underground publishers are fighting for their survival these days. Promotion may be better with them, but soon enough these stars will fade…

Q: You also started to re-release ‘older’ productions revealing ‘reworked’ songs. Does it mean you weren’t satisfied with the original recordings and do you see yourself as a perfectionist? What did you try to improve?

István: In the past ten years my knowledge of mastering and audio techniques have massively improved. Yes, I’m a perfectionist, and I have a strong inner drive to be able to roar louder and more effectively.

No one can tell that we haven’t said it enough times; there is trouble ahead…

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: Cinematic-EBM, Epic-EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Hungarian work addict István Gazdag strikes back with an new- and conceptual album of his First Aid 4 Souls project. He renewed the experience working with his compatriot ‘Mortum’ -who lives in the US and you might know from his own project Human Vault. The concept of the work can be summarized as Soundtracks that have been composed for paintings by international artists.  

Content: First Aid 4 Souls will take its fans by surprise. The work which is often pretty EBM-like -and reminding me of FLA for its complexity, has been adapted into a heavy orchestral approach. It accentuates the Cinematic sound of the work and might remind you of Stiff Miners and Parzival. The vocals are totally fitting with the Epic-EBM format. The opus features 13 songs plus 4 instrumental bonus cuts.

+ + + : István Gazdag is clearly not repeating himself and definitely took me by surprise. I think there’s not enough bands dealing with this kind of sound. It’s an original approach but still resulting from a creative process. Mixing elements of EBM and Epic music together is not the most accessible kind of music but I was deeply impressed. You clearly can feel the Soundtrack approach and I really like the concept behind the paintings. First Aid 4 Soul in a way reinvented its own sound. The writing is intelligent and the sound extremely elaborated. There are several great songs but I want to mention “Your Symbols Will Fall” and the instrumental “The Well Of Bones” featuring a Psychedelic touch on top.

– – – : I’m totally fond of the instrumental tracks at the final part of the album but it would have been better spreading them all over the work. Despite this great composition, it’s not exactly the easiest Electro format to catch a wider audience.

Conclusion: First Aid 4 Souls has achieved a wider artistic concept by bringing music and painting together. The Orchestral-EBM format is a successful fusion getting my full support.

Best songs: “Your Symbols Will Fail”, “The Well Of Bones”, “I Am The Night”, “The Light In Us Was Darkness”, “Not Enough”, “Compromised”.

Rate: 9.

Artist:  www.facebook.com/First-Aid-4-Souls-180876236297

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘I Am The Night’.

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is a Budapest-based electronic project founded in 2007 by István Gazdag, evolving from his earlier industrial and EBM outfit Vacuum. The project has worked with rotating collaborators and guest vocalists, and has touched industrial, EBM, dark ambient and new wave influences.

Early releases appeared via Some Bizarre, Electro Arc and Poison Girls Records before Gazdag joined the Belgian label Alfa Matrix. Milestones include “Deathstep” in 2011 and the “Beyond The Galaxy” era, later revisited under Alfa Matrix. The collaboration with US-based singer Mortum of Human Vault began with “Keep This World Empty” in 2019.

“I Am The Night”, the album reviewed here, continued that partnership and was issued by Alfa Matrix in 2022, with the bonus version dated 13 May 2022 on Bandcamp. In 2025 the project shifted sound again for “Progenitrix”, a post-punk and darkwave album built around a long list of female guest vocalists including Aux Animaux, Emke of Black Nail Cabaret, Marita Volodina of Stridulum and Kriistal Ann of Paradox Obscur.

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

Out today is the all new album by the Hungarian electronic industrial artist István Gazdag aka First Aid 4 Souls.

The new album, “I Am The Night“, offers a darker side of the project and again sees Gazdag collaborating with the US-based singer Mortum (Human Vault) after the album “Keep This World Empty” released in 2019.

Istvan Gazdag again had a special way of working on this album, he namely selected one painting per song to draw inspiration from. The original painting he used for this recording process includes work from Thomas Cole, H. R. Giger, Gustave Dore, Zdzisław Beksiński, Mónika Préger, Odd Nerdrum, Pierre Fritel, Jenő Barcsay, Mihály Zichy, Christine Cobden, Jacques-Louis David, Hermann Hendrich and Maja Sokolowska.

The album is out on CD and as a download. Note that the download version holds 3 bonus tracks. You can check out the full album below which is available now via Bandcamp and via the Alfa Matrix webstore (for the CD). Read the review of ‘I Am The Night’.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Hungarian project First Aid 4 Souls driven by István Gazdag started a series of ‘reworked’ albums. The first one “Beyond The Galaxy” was originally released in 2013 by Electro-Arc. The artist completely reworked the songs.

Content: I can’t compare with the original album -which I can’t remember to have ever heard and which seems not available on digital platforms, but you rapidly recognize the elaborated EBM format of the project. It’s a sophisticated and detailed composition evoking Frontline Assembly, but still reminding me of Neuroactive. Guest singers were invited for the vocal parts. It brings a diversity of mainly male- and female vocals while István Gazdag is doing backings.

+ + + : Being re-released on Alfa Matrix this album will definitely get more exposure than its original edit, but it also is a way to re-discover a great piece of music. First Aid 4 Souls remains a talented project with an open-minded EBM spectrum. The work reveals great songs like the opening piece “The Thirteenth Floor” (there’s also another version of the song), which sounds a bit minimal-like. “Alien Implant” is the most surprising ‘rework’ reminding me a bit of the energy of The Chemical Brothers. I also recommend “Chaos Cultist”” for its overwhelming production mixed with minimal sound treatments. “Gemini”, “Visitors” and “Nebula” sounds like hard-bouncing EBM cuts for FLA fans.

– – – : I’m always a bit reticent with bands revisiting their back catalogue, but I’ve to admit this is a cool production.

Conclusion: Definitely an album for the fans of First Aid 4 Souls while it’s also an opportunity to (re)discover a somewhat forgotten opus.

Best songs: “The Thirteenth Floor”, “Alien Implant”,  “Chaos Cultist”, “Gemini”, “Visitors”, “Nebula”.

Rate: 8.

Listen to “Beyond The Galaxy (Rework)”:

Artist: www.facebook.com/First-Aid-4-Souls-180876236297

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

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is an electronic and industrial project from Budapest, Hungary, started in 2007 by István Gazdag. Gyorgy Turoczy has since joined the line-up. The project mixes noise, acid and trance elements with new wave melodies and industrial metal.

The 2CD “My Favourite Pain With Some Bizzare Remix Package” appeared on Some Bizzare in 2008. Electro Arc then released “Deathstep” in 2011, four volumes of the “Selected Electro Works” series between 2011 and 2012, and the CD album “Beyond The Galaxy” in 2013.

Alfa Matrix signed the project for the EP “Dreambox” in 2020 and the album “Stainless Steel Eyes” in 2021. The reworked edition of the 2013 album followed in December 2021, which Side-Line covered in First Aid 4 Souls re-release 2013 break-through album ‘Beyond The Galaxy’ in a reworked version.

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

Out now via the Slovakian Aliens Production labels the new Human Vault remix-album “Carnal Motives”. The release comes after the “God Under Construction” and the “Self Rust” album.

The album acts as a pause before the band releases its brand new album “Fragment Existence”. The 15-track remix-album holds reworks by bands such as First Aid 4 Souls, E.N.D. and Aras Focum, dISHARMONY, Novakill and Terminal State next to many other tracks.

You can download the remix-album 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!

side-line.com

Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, … all have released 10 new streaming albums and EPs this morning from the Belgian Alfa Matrix label from artists such as Armageddon Dildos, Circumpolar, Cubic, Elektrostaub, First Aid 4 Souls, Imjudas, Rector Scanner, Siva Six and Suicidal Romance.

All in all a mix of good oldschool darkwave, EBM, synthpop, electropop, industrial and harsh electro.

If your prefer HQ audio downloads, then you can head for the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page where are all available as well since a few days.

Below are the releases in alphabetic band-order. Enjoy!

Armageddon Dildos – Destruction EP

Circumpolar – Awaiting The Dawn

Cubic – Phonic Lessons Part 3 EP

Elektrostaub – Reliance

First Aid 4 Souls – Beyond The Galaxy (Rework)

ImJudas – Ritual EP

Rector Scanner – Das Mädchen Aus Dem All EP I

Rector Scanner – Das Mädchen Aus Dem All EP II

Siva Six – Deathcult

Suicidal Romance – Love Promise EP

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!

side-line.com

(Original photo by Viviana Ball) It was in 2013 when the Hungarian electronic / industrial act First Aid 4 Souls originally released the break-through album “Beyond The Galaxy”. The band’s mastermind, István Gazdag, has now reworked that very album. And when we say ‘reworked’ we mean totally replayed and remixed. The instrumentations were fully restructured adding also live drums and guitars.

“Beyond The Galaxy (Rework)” offers a mix of catchy dark dance music and experimental industrial and everything that stands in between.

You can also hear various involved guest singers: Aaron Russell from Impurfekt, Linda Daemon from Krell, Balázs Frank from V.E:N., Vic Willow, Árpád Ciprián Asbóth from Impact Pulse and Mark Duffield from Eltel.

Judge for yourself below, the album is available as download from Bandcamp with other platforms to follow.

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!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Industrial.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Hungarian born Gyorgy Turoczy aka ‘Mortum’ has been releasing music under the Human Vault moniker since 1997. Actually based in New-York (USA) this project released an impressive discography and got signed last year to Aliens Production. This album is a kind of retrospective featuring songs composed between 2011 and 2021. 

Content: Human Vault stands for a powerful sound, which might be best described as the imaginary offspring between FLA, Mortal Constraint and Skinny Puppy. The songs are elaborated and often reminiscent of the 90s. 

The work features 14 songs and 7 remixes by Willful Deception, First Aid 4 Souls, Gary, Nova State, PTR and 2 by Sik_Of_Novakill. 

+ + + : If you don’t know this band yet, the album is a perfect opportunity to get familiarized by the sophisticated and intelligent sound of Human Vault. The composition reflects intelligence characterized by impressive and overwhelming sound treatments. It’s a rough production and subtle. There’s a perfect balance between powerful tracks driven by faster rhythms and more evasive cuts revealing dark and powerful atmospheres. Among the remixes I noticed great contributions by Sik_Of_Novakill, Gary and Nova State. 

– – – : I think it’s a pity this band isn’t more known by the EBM audience. That’s why I would have preferred to get more ‘older’ songs instead of remixes –even if the remixes are excellent!

Conclusion: I’m really wondering how Human Vault will evolve, but this project can look back at a very strong basis. 

Best songs: “Do Not Believe In You”, I Pray I Die”, “This Hate (Edit), “You Deny (Edit)” + “This Hate – Abjection Mix by Sik_Of_Novakill”, “This Hate – Neuroclub Remix by Gary”. 

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/mortum/exabyss 

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

About Human Vault

Human Vault is the dark electro project of Gyorgy Turoczy, who records as Mortum. He started the project in Hungary in 1997 and later relocated to New York.

Early material appeared without a label, among it the “Fuck Symbols Fuck Gods” EP in 2002 and the albums “Pagan Propaganda” in 2005 and “Mutilated Dreams” in 2007. From 2008 his own Exabyss Records issued “Where Gods Die”, “Omnium Humanity” in 2009, the double CDr “Tears Of The Quiet Ones” in 2011, “Existence Means Nothing” in 2014 and the CD “As The Beggars” in 2015.

Cassette releases on No Labels Interested followed with “For All Your Religions” and the “DataSect” EP in 2017 and the “It Is War Again” EP in 2019. Exabyss Records issued “The Immortality Craft” and the double-cassette compilation “The Box” in 2019, the “Self Rust” EP and “The Evoke Of The Terrific Nothing” in 2020. Aliens Production released the compilation “God Under Construction [2011-2021]” in 2021, and Phage Tapes issued a CD version in 2022.

The remix album “Carnal Motives” followed in March 2022, a month after Side-Line published a Click Interview with Human Vault. The “The Undermining Instrument Of Fate” EP arrived later in 2022, the compilation “The Vault” in 2023, “All Must Be Gone” in 2025 and “Waiting Is Endless” in 2026.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Set up in 2010 by Raúl Junior Padrón and Raúl José Padrón, this Venezulian duo is operating from Hungary. This is also the place of their label Advoxya Records. The album was released early in 2021 and is also available as a double disc featuring remixes by bands like First Aid 4 Souls, Viscera Drip, Nohycit, Tragic Impulse ao. 

Content: Subliminal Code is not what I can call a band, which repeats itself. They already revealed different sources of inspiration, from pure Dark-Electro towards a harder Industrial sound. I think this work rather sounds like the offspring of both styles; a perfect match between typical Dark-Electro sonorities and a harder Industrial side driven by guitar riffs. You’ll discover songs at full speed, but refined with melodies. The vocals accentuate the rage running through this work, which is symbolized by its title.

+ + + : What I like is the kind of harmony subliminal Code found between rage and melody. They really created a crossover between both genres, working on songs like “No More” and “To Night”. I especially recommend the second part of the album featuring the most interesting cuts. 

– – – : I can’t say the debut songs are worse, but without a similar harmony between power and melody. The songs are driven by nervous sequences and rhythms, which are sometimes maybe too fast.

Conclusion: Subliminal Code is definitely not a copyist, but a Dark-Electro band with a different approach and vision.

Best songs: “No More”, “To Night”, “Malevolencia”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/groups/subliminalcodegoups

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

About Subliminal Code

Subliminal Code was founded at the beginning of 2010 by Raúl Junior Padrón and Raúl José Padrón, who name EBM, industrial, metal, synthpop and gothic music as starting points.

The first EP “Soldier Of Hell” appeared on Engraved Ritual in 2011, followed by the single “The Beautiful People” in 2013. “Another Day” was issued through Advoxya Records in 2014, ahead of “Karma In Mortem” the same year, the covers album “Karma In Covers” in 2016 and “Soldier Of Hell, Reborn” that same year.

Side-Line covered the first single from this album, “Malevolencia”, in February 2020. The singles “Push Me Down” and “I Never” followed on the label in 2022.

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

“Jab # 3​,​1415926535​.​.​. [Ain’t gonna fuck with my brain]” is the title of an all new 8-track strong EP by the female fronted dark electro pop act Diffuzion.

Lead singer Xev explained the title as this: “‘Ain’t Gonna Fuck With My Brain!’ is a quite usual expression we use in Russian language when somebody annoys you with repetitive and unnecessary information. So why not make a song out of it.”

Combine that with the the highly frustrating Covid19 lockdown situation with a physical separation of over 7000 km across the Atlantic ocean between both members and you get the idea where this comes from. The whole resulted in an excellent cut!

Besides the title track we also get an excellent, but really an excellent, rework by Aesthetische of “The Blessed”. The title track was reworked by First Aid 4 Souls, Cubic, Aesthetische, Matthew Creed, Neikka RPM and Acylum vs. Aengeldust.

You can download this rather attractive release below, first on Bandcamp, later on on all other services.

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: EBM, Body-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info:  First Aid 4 Souls’ mastermind István Gazdag is a prolific artist who also like collaborating with other artists. After last year’s released album “Fire” on which he worked with several of his compatriots, the Hungarian artist now released this work together with Belgian artist  ‘Vain Sacrosanct’ (Causenation). They know each other as István Gazdag already remixed Causenation and mixed plus mastered the last album.

Content: This work is clearly driven by EBM influences, which is a quite familiar style for First Aid 4 Souls. The main particularity is the vocals performed by Ivan Heyligen aka ‘Vain Sacrosanct’. This guy has a charismatic way of singing so in a way it creates a sonic illusion of FLA (for the music) meeting Covenant (for the vocals). But First Aid 4 Souls isn’t that typical EBM band, but always injects a very own input, which mainly comes through in the choruses of this work. You’ll notice somewhat Pop-refined choruses getting the record pretty accessible.

+ + + : István Gazdag never stops to impress me; he has the skills to adapt himself to the singers he’s working with. So each album has something different from the previous one although there’s a common thread, which is easily recognizable in every single production. There’s this darker EBM approach reminding FLA, which always comes back. “Broken Promise” is a good exposure of this ‘Canadian’ sound. I however prefer “Skin” for the mix of EBM and Electro-Pop and “B.R.O.”, which is a harder and definitely club-driven song with a Future-Pop touch on top. This album also is an opportunity to discover a talented singer involved with the promising Belgian formation Causenation.

– – – : First Aid 4 Souls is always in search of new ideas and experiences. But I’m personally missing the sound and spirit from albums like “Dark Tunnel” and “Keep This World Empty”.

Conclusion: This is one more new collaboration by First Aid 4 Souls and the least I can say is that this work sounds like a perfect match between the Hungarian sound master and Belgian singer.

Best songs: “B.R.O.”, “Skin”, “Broken Promise”, “Who’s Gonna Walk The Line”.

Rate: (7 ½)

Artist: www.facebook.com/First-Aid-4-Souls-180876236297

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

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is a Budapest-based electronic project founded in 2007 by István Gazdag, evolving from his earlier industrial and EBM outfit Vacuum. The project works with rotating collaborators and guest vocalists and has touched industrial, EBM, dark ambient and new wave influences. Early releases appeared via Some Bizarre, Electro Arc and Poison Girls Records before Gazdag joined Alfa Matrix in 2019 with Keep This World Empty, followed in 2020 by Fire, an album with Hungarian guest singers reviewed on Side-Line in August 2020, and the EP Dreambox.

“Stainless Steel Eyes” was released by Alfa Matrix on 1 April 2021 as a twelve-track download, announced on Side-Line in Dark electro act First Aid 4 Souls lands new album: ‘Stainless Steel Eyes’ feat. Causenation singer Vain Sacrosanct. Vain Sacrosanct is the singer of the Belgian cold-electro act Causenation; according to the label the two met at a festival in Belgium where both performed. The tracks are “Stainless Steel Eyes”, “Skin”, “Who’s Gonna Walk The Line”, “Legend”, “The Meat”, “Broken Promise”, “Rise And Fall”, “Falling Star”, “Lockdown”, “B.R.O.”, “Media” and “The War Is Coming”. Gazdag also mixed and mastered Causenation’s Promises Of Hope And Fear (Wool-E Discs, 2021), reviewed on Side-Line in June 2021.

Later Alfa Matrix releases include the reworked Beyond The Galaxy / Rework (2022), “I Am The Night” (2022), the 70-track back-catalogue download “This Present Darkness” (2023), the EPs “Dancing At The Abyss” and Laudator Temporis Acti (both 2023), the latter again with Vain Sacrosanct, the post-punk album “Progenitrix” (2025) and Totems In A Field Of Pain (2026). The album reviewed here is the project’s first collaboration with Vain Sacrosanct.

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, Electro-Wave.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Causenation is a Belgian formation, which has already been active for a couple of years now. They self-released a few singles and EP’s –and didn’t spare any effort, asking Claus Larsen (Leather Strip) to mix and master some songs. They now joined hands together with Wool-E Discs unleashing this work featuring eight songs. This (mini)-album has been mixed and mastered by Gazdag István (First Aid 4 Souls) who previously remixed one of their songs.

Content: The main sources of inspiration are clearly revealing 80s Electro-Wave music. The first part of the album stands for good-old Electro, but also for the Belgian Electro; dark and somewhat tormented. Some of the songs have been achieved with guitar sounds. The vocals are somewhat tenebrous reinforcing the dark expression of the production. Previously released songs like “Things You Promise” and “Black Lust” have been featured as well.

+ + + : The first part of the album sounds very promising; I like the dark sphere supporting the production, which also creates a perfect balance with the way of singing. Nothing really new, but accomplished songs with “Fear The Future” and “Demons Of The Night” are the absolute highlights.

– – – : The last 3 songs of the album –featuring the previously released “Black Lust” are somewhat ruining the promising debut part. These songs are unaccomplished.

Conclusion: I have mixed feelings listening to this work; a promising debut followed by a disappointing final. But there clearly is potential in this band.

Best songs: “Fear The Future”, “Demons Of The Night”, “The Things You Promise”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/causenation1

Label: www.wool-e-discs.be / www.facebook.com/woolediscs

About Causenation

Causenation is a project from Antwerp, Belgium. Between 2018 and 2019 the act self-released a run of singles and EPs, among them “The Things You Promise”, “Black Lust” and “Demons Of The Night”, along with remix editions of those tracks. “Promises Of Hope And Fear”, released by Wool-E Discs in 2020, was mixed and mastered by Istvan Gazdag of First Aid 4 Souls. Causenation singer Vain Sacrosanct went on to feature on First Aid 4 Souls’ “Stainless Steel Eyes” album in 2021 and the “Laudator Temporis Acti” EP in 2023. Causenation itself returned in 2023 with the “Divided We Fall” EP and the single “Hearts Beat Strong”, followed by “The Remix Collection” on DressCode Black in 2024.

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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Out now is Planetdamage “Relapse Protocol – The Remixes” on the Black Pill Red Pill label. “Relapse Protocol – The Remixes” holds 8 tracks and as source material the album “Relapse Protocol” was used, that one was released in November 2020.

The following remixers participated: Aether Pilot, Spankthenun, Mach Fox of Zwaremachine, Freeze Etch, The Gothsicles, Chrome Corpse and Vandalaze. Mastering (and additional production on track 5) was done by Reza Udhin (Killing Joke, Implant) of Cryonica Audio Mastering.

You can hear the EP below.

Damage has been working as a producer for 5 years, landing 5 EPs and a number of remixes, collaborating with bands like First Aid 4 Souls or Black Nail Cabaret, having been remixed by musicians such as Haujobb, Leaether Strip or Attrition.

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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Besides working together with Mortum on the next First Aid 4 Soul harsh industrial album, Hungarian artist István Gazdag also enjoys experimenting with other artists and expanding his sonic spectrum through collaborations.

For “Stainless Steel Eyes” he worked together with Vain Sacrosanct, lead vocalist of Belgium’s cold electro act Causenation. On this 12-track album, the duo went resolutely for vintage synths and the good old electro industrial sound from the 80’s. Especially the track “Who’s Gonna Walk the Line” is a real ear wurm as you hear below.

The release is available on Bandcamp as a high quality audio download and from all other services as well.

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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It has been a hectic year, also for Alfa Matrix, but luckily their bands took the time to work in their studio to record new material. Out now via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page is the label’s 10th edition in the “Matrix Downloaded” compilation series, again offering you a – free – insight in what the Belgian label is all about. You can discover 64 tracks right here on Bandcamp.

The download holds tracks from Cubic, Psy’Aviah, Aesthetische, Digital Factor, Reichsfeind, Llumen, Zombie Girl, Diffuzion, Matthew Creed, Circuito Cerrado, Circumpolar, Venal Flesh, Mentallo & The Fixer, Freakangel, Alien Vampires, I:Scintilla, Schwarzblut, Totem Obscura, Reactor7X, First Aid 4 Souls, Lederman / De Meyer, Implant, AD:keY, Kant Kino, Die Robo Sapiens, ELM, Pouppee Fabrikk, Armageddon Dildos, Plastic Noise Experience, Synapsyche, Avarice In Audio, Elektrostaub, Junksista, First Aid 4 Souls, Benestrophe, Mental Exile, Star Industry, Halo In Reverse, Lovelorn Dolls, Helalyn Flowers, Essence Of Mind, Rector Scanner, Elektroklänge, Metroland, Lights A.M, Cosmic Armchair, Aiboforcen, H.O.W., 808 DOT POP, Suicidal Romance, Entrzelle, Technoir, Neuroactive, Mondträume, The Psychic Force, Studio-X, Studio-X Vs Simon Carter, Neikka RPM, Komor Kommando, Siva Six, Aengeldust, Acylum, Dunkelwerk and Növö.

Exclusive face masks

Next to that you can also get the download together with a face mask, out in a very limited series. You can either buy them separately or get all 3 in one. Check the set of 3 Face Masks (Blue Matrix + Endzeit + Red EBM Alert) or the separate masks.

Note that EVERY face mask order comes with a free compilation CD on top: “Sounds from the matrix 022” with 20 extra tracks.

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: EBM, Body-Pop, Dark-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Earlier this year First Aid 4 Souls released the “Fire”-album, which was a kind of conceptual work on, which the band’s mastermind worked together with Hungarian compatriots/singers like Emke from Black Nail Cabaret, Josef Stapel from Ultranoire or yet Vic Willow from Planetdamage. “Dreambox” is an EP taken from this work featuring a selection of fourteen songs.

Content: “Das Messer” feat. Emke and “Dreambox” feat. Josef Stapel are the main songs from the EP. Five remixes from each song have been made while you’ll also get remixes of the songs “Burn”, “Ordinary Demonism” and “Freedom” all featuring vocals by Vic Willow. As a little extra “Bring Back Armageddon” is a new song featuring Nick Sonick from Wet Lips. The main particularity of the work is that István Gazdag is responsible for all remixes. From orchestral to 80s, to more Industrial-driven to EBM to refreshing Pop he tried to create different edits.  

+ + + : “Das Messer” remains a great union between the sophisticated Dark-Body-Pop of first Aid 4 Souls and the charismatic vocals of Emke. This woman has such a charisma emerging from her voice that she cannot leave you unmoved. The “Zombie Club Mix ” has something more Industrial-like while the bouncing “Batcave”-version both are attention grabbers. “Dreambox” featuring Josef Stapel remains a cool song as well. There’s a duality between the EBM sequences and the more Pop-like way of singing, but here again it perfectly works and especially the “Club Mix” is worthy of examination. I also like the songs featuring Vic Willow while having a preference for the punchy “Club Mix” of “Burn” and the sophisticated “Club Mix” of “Freedom”.

– – – : The new song “Bring Back Armageddon” is a more pompous, orchestral song, which can’t compete with the other cuts from the EP. This EP is mainly meant for the fans.

Conclusion: The songs on this EP reveal the eclectic Electronic format from one of the best Hungarian formations in the genre.

Best songs: “Das Messer feat. Emke”, “Dreambox feat. Josef Stapel – Club Mix”, “Das Messer feat. Emke – Batcave Version”, “Freedom feat. Vic Willow – Club Mix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/First-Aid-4-Souls-180876236297

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Dreambox’.

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is a Hungarian electro project driven by Istvan Gazdag, active for over a decade and signed early on to the Some Bizarre label, which released a double CD of the project’s work in 2008 alongside acts such as Coil, Soft Cell, Cabaret Voltaire, Swans, Test Dept and Einsturzende Neubauten. The 2020 concept album “Fire”, released via Alfa Matrix, paired Gazdag with Hungarian singers including Emke of Black Nail Cabaret, Josef Stapel of Ultranoire and Vic Willow of Planetdamage. “Dreambox” collects a selection of remixes and extra tracks from that album, all reworked by Gazdag himself.

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.

Format: Digital, Double CD.

Background/Info: Armageddon Dildos is back on track unleashing the first ‘new’ studio album since “Untergrund” (2011). Uwe Kanka introduced the new album by the solid EP “Heut Nacht” released earlier this year. “Dystopia” wants to be a critical reflection about the dystopian world we’re living in. The front cover clearly reminds me of the legendary “1984” novel of George Orwell.

Content: The regular album features 13 songs while the bonus disc features 12 extra songs/remixes. The album takes off with a unique song for the band, but still a great and overwhelming piece of music. Armageddon Dildos next moves from harder EBM cuts –including the already known “Heut Nacht”, towards slower pieces. I also noticed some interesting experiments like the minimal driven “Night People”, which sounds a bit 80s like. The song “Neon” is also a noticeable cut featuring female vocals by Malin Kanka (Uwe’s daughter). “Stay” is already something totally different and brings a surprising guitar Electro-Rock style. The work ends with a hard “Club Mix” of the title song.

The bonus disc is featuring remixes by Schramm, Intent:Outtake, First Aid 4 Souls, Inertia, Dave Anderson, Digital Factor, Orange Sector, AD:Key, Fredrik Söderberg, Lights Of Euphoria, Rico Ferenc Piller and Synapsyche.

+ + + : “Dystopia” is a diversified album driven, by good-old EBM sequences mixed with eclectic elements. The die-hard fans will be ravished discovering songs such as “Dystopia” and “Heut Nacht”. “High Up In The Sky” stands for modernism while “Night People” is a great ode to 80s electronics. “Heut Nacht” and “Destruction” both reveal noticeable melody lines. Last, but not least “Ohne Dich” is a cool Body-Pop song sung in German while featuring female French samplings. Among the remixes I want to mention the devastating remix of “Dance Of Dead Bodies” by Lights Of Euphoria. Intent:Outtake did also a great job remixing “Dystopia”.

– – – : Some cuts are clearly unexpected, and not totally convincing. I of course refer to the already mentioned “Stay”. The early and successful days of this band are clearly a way behind us.

Conclusion: I remember to have been disappointed when discovering the “Untergrund”-album while “Dystopia” reconciles me a bit with the true spirit of the band.

Best songs: “Ohne Dich”, “Dystopia – Club Mix”, “Heut Nacht”, “Night People”, “Destruction” + “Dance On Dead Bodies – Light Of Euphoria Stadium Mix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.armageddondildos.info / www.facebook.com/armageddondildos

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Dystopia’.

About Armageddon Dildos

Armageddon Dildos is a German EBM duo founded in Kassel in 1990. The band released through Zoth Ommog in the 1990s, including the CD EP “Fear” in 1993, and returned with “Morgengrauen” on Electric Blue in 2003 and “Sangreal” on Ausfahrt in 2005.

The Belgian label Alfa Matrix has released the more recent albums, among them “Herbstzeitlose” (2018) and “No Pain Forever” (2019). “Dystopia” followed in 2020, and Side-Line spoke to the duo about the album in a “Click Interview” with Armageddon Dildos in December 2020. Two EPs drawn from “Dystopia” later followed: “War Of The Religions” and “Destruction”, both released in 2021.

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

Hungarian artist István Gazdag aka First Aid 4 Souls got quite some applauses for his recent conceptual “Fire” album. The album showed much more melodic and orchestral compositions compared to the previous harsh and dark EBM album “Keep This World Empty”.

On the album István Gazdag worked with such singers as Ultranoire’s Josef Stapel, Black Nail Cabaret’s dark pop frontwoman Emke or yet Vic Willow. Out now, is the “Dreambox” EP offering alternative versions of the album’s two favorite songs that are “Das Messer” and “Dreambox” again featuring said singers of course. The reworks range from retro electro new wave versions to bombastic orchestral remakes.

But next to the aforementioned songs you also get new versions of a few more album songs (“Burn”, “Freedom” and “Ordinary Demonism”). The EP holds 14 (!) tracks with most tracks being over 120 BPM up to 170 BPM. As an extra you get the exclusive and previously unreleased collaboration with Nick Sonick of Wet Lips on “Bring Back Armageddon”.

Enjoy this very club friendly release below, via download on Bandcamp or via Spotify.

And for those who prefer Spotify: Read the review of ‘Dreambox’.

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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In March 2020 Düsseldorf’s leading EBM act Armageddon Dildos launched a brand new download EP, “Heut Nacht” (available here on Bandcamp). Today the band releases a new album. Uwe Kanka takes the opportunity to protest against our world’s dystopia in general, and socio-political issues in particular like intolerance, abuse, disinformation or yet selfishness.

For the occasion he surrounded himself with studio gurus and old time friends Mathias Black and Sven Mouhcine. You can expect 80’s melodic influences with the 90’s power of industrial dark techno.

Below you can listen to the complete album.

The limited edition of the album includes a bonus album featuring one remix of each album song by a wide range of collaborators including Orange Sector, Digital Factor, Ad:Key, Lights Of Euphoria, Schramm, Intent:Outtake, First Aid 4 Souls, Inertia, Synapsyche, Dave Anderson, Rico Piller and Fredrik Söderberg.

Available formats:

Armageddon Dildos – Dystopia Download
Armageddon Dildos – Dystopia CD
Armageddon Dildos – Dystopia 2CD

And here are the first 2 tracks to check out.

Slowly but steadily

Armageddon Dildos was formed in 1988 in Kassel Germany, and the name comes from the slang term for intercontinental ballistic missiles. The band has always been popular within their native Germany but also outside of Germany they have a cult following among industrial music lovers. They released their first album, “That’s Armageddon”, in 1990 on the cult label Zoth Ommog. The rest is history.

Noticeable is that the band has always taken it time to record and release new material. Their latest full album already dates from 2011 when they released “Untergrund”, also on Alfa Matrix. Read the review of ‘Dystopia’.

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!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, body-pop.

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Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Last year Hungarian electro/EBM act First Aid 4 Souls joined hands together with Alfa Matrix unleashing the great album “Keep This World Empty”. The band’s mastermind, Istvan Gazdag, is now already back on track releasing a new and somewhat conceptual work. “Fire” in a way pays homage to the Hungarian underground scene LD50, which reassembled bands and fans. First Aid 4 Souls invited several Hungarian artists to release this new work. The featured artists are Emke from Black Nail Cabaret, Josef Stapel from Ultranoire, Vic Willow and ‘Damage’ from Planetdamage.

Content: Nine of the twelve songs are featuring Vic Willow as the singer and the least I can say is that this artist has a great timbre of voice. He sometimes reminds me of Gary Numan, but he’s injecting passion to the songs. And the songs are moving from pure EBM towards electro-pop tracks. Some cuts are supported with poignant atmospheric layers. This is a real diversified work, also experimenting with orchestral arrangements, funky grooves and even a rather cinematographic last cut. Emke (Black Nail Cabaret) is also an artist with a unique timbre of voice. She really rules over the song and I have to say that Istvan Gazdag created a meticulous composition fitting with her vocals.

+ + + : First Aid 4 Souls is a band I’m keeping an eye on for some years now. I’ve never been disappointed and this new –and particular work, only confirms the talent of Istvan Gazdag. This musician operates as a true sound architect who feels comfortable with different styles of electronic music. But I have to say that the opening song “Burst Of Anger” is just like an amazing sonic assault! The song is driven by menacing bass lines, hard dance kicks and a great lead while the charisma of singer Vic Willow is doing the rest. “The Worm Queen” is another great song with the same singer and here again it reveals intelligent EBM. The somewhat more groovy driven “Burn” –again featuring Vic Willow, is also an attention grabber. I also remain fascinated by the female power of Emke. Last, but not least I like the ‘Hungarian’ concept of the work!

– – – : I noticed a few cuts, which can’t convince me; probably because electro-pop isn’t Istvan’s best exposure.

Conclusion: First Aid 4 Souls remains to me one of the hottest newcomers from the Alfa Matrix stable; this is intelligent EBM mixed with a few more influences.

Best songs: “Burst Of Anger”, “The Worm Queen”, “Das Messer”, “Burn”, “Ordinary Demonism”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/First-Aid-4-Souls-180876236297

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

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is a Hungarian project led by ex-Vacuum member István Gazdag, active for more than ten years by 2020. The band signed to Alfa Matrix for the 2019 album “Keep This World Empty”, discussed in a January 2020 Click Interview. “Fire” paid tribute to the Hungarian underground community LD50.hu, gathering guest vocalists from the local scene; First Aid 4 Souls followed it later in 2020 with the EP “Dreambox” and, in 2021, the album “Stainless Steel Eyes”.

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

(Photo by Brigi Major) Veteran Hungarian artist István Gazdag joined the Alfa Matrix label in 2019 for the release of the dark EBM album “Keep This World Empty” (get it here on Bandcamp) which was recorded with his partner in crime Mortum on vocals. Gazdag has been very active in the avant-garde electronic / industrial scene since the late 80’s with numerous and quite diversified releases on various labels under his belt and some great remix work for such cult acts like Coil, Soft Cell, Test. Dept., Cabaret Voltaire or Einstürzende Neubauten.

On the new “Fire” album (available now from Bandcamp) you get a collaboration effort with several key-protagonists from the electro industrial scene in Hungary. As a result the release is released under the ‘First Aid 4 Souls feat. LD50’ named after the famous cult sub-culture community site LD50.hu where all the fans and artists in the country gathered. A bit like our legendary Side-Line forum (where trolling became kind of a sports we must admit).

But back to Hungary, the legacy of the LD50.hu forum van be found back on this 12-track album via studio collaborations with other Hungarian artists like Black Nail Cabaret’s dark pop diva Emke, Ultranoire’s singer Josef Stapel, provocative artist Vic Willow (and his voice evoking David Bowie and Gary Numan) or yet the writer/futurist Damage of Planetdamage.

The result is a mix of 80’s tainted moody electro wave with a dance floor edge and noir melancholic vocals. It also shows that the Hungarian dark wave scene is far from being dead, on the contrary. A daring yet very accessible release.

Check out this excellent release below, you can download it right now from 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!

side-line.com

The Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix is launching 8 new Bandcamp exclusive releases today from AD:keY, Aesthetische, Die Robo Sapiens, First Aid 4 Souls, Helalyn Flowers, Neuroactive, Psy’Aviah and Studio-X vs. Simon Carter. At the same time the label also officially releases the new albums by 808 DOT POP and Avarice In Audio today.

Good to know, if you want to support artists and labels to survive during this Corona crisis, Bandcamp is again waiving its revenue share on all sales today. All the purchases placed on that day will therefore support the bands and labels present on the platform.

The new releases can be found below:

Side-Line also covered Aesthetische’s ‘MMXX’.

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: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Stahlgeist is a new Hungarian EBM duo set up in 2017. The band is driven by Istvan Gazdag (First Aid 4 Souls) and Tamás Bank (Worker Munkás). Last year the duo self-released the digital album “Escape Reality”. In the meantime they joined hands together with Advoxya Records, which released the CD format of this debut work. Side-Line already reviewed the self-released digital version of “Escape Reality” in 2019.                                                                                                    

Content: The album takes off a pure old-school EBM way characterized by a solid bass line. Quite progressively Stahlgeist moves into an intelligent format of ‘body music’, which is –just as First Aid 4 Souls, sometimes reminding me of Frontline Assembly (pay attention to “Infected Colony”). The songs are diversified, but all inspired by retro-EBM. This diversity also comes back in the vocals –mainly sung in English, but you’ll also notice other languages as well.

+ + + : This is a great debut work. The classical EBM format has no surprises, but the way the songs have been written reveals a sophisticated process. This is much more than cheap EBM, but a well-thought and accomplished composition revealing great bass lines, icy sequences and raw, danceable songs. There are several cool songs featured on this work. It’s a good thing this album has now been released on CD!

– – – : The link with FLA became rapidly obvious, but I’m not complaining when the result is that accomplished.

Conclusion: Stahlgeist knows how to bring the true EBM spirit to life! This is another strong and promising debut released by Advoxya Records!

Best songs: “Infected Colony”, “Step By Step”, “Nihilist”, “No Regrets”, “Escape Reality”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/stahlgeist

Label: www.advoxya–records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya–Records/265765706059 Read the news on ‘Escape Reality’.

About Stahlgeist

Stahlgeist is a Hungarian EBM duo formed in 2017 by Istvan Gazdag of First Aid 4 Souls and Tamas Bank of Worker/Munkas. The duo self-released “Escape Reality” as a digital album in 2019 before Advoxya Records issued it on CD in 2020. Alfa Matrix later re-released and remastered the album under the title “Altered Reality” in 2022.

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: EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Two years ago  the EP “Herbstseitlose” saw the German EBM act Armageddon Dildos get back into business. The EP was meant as a teaser to the new album –the first one since “Untergrunt” (2011). Ano 2020 Uwe Kanka is back again with a second EP announcing the new album “Dystopia”. Mathias Black did some additional programming and production work. He previously already worked with Armageddon Dildos as a remixer and producer.

Content: “Heut Nacht” is a solid piece of EBM reminding me a bit of the early hours. It has a strong DAF connotation –especially during the chorus, while the vocals have something grave. Remixes have been accomplished by Dave Anderson, Messiaen Noir, AD:key, Melting Rust Opera, First Aid 4 Souls and Flesh Wire. The remixes inject a real diversity, some of the artists having totally decomposed the original edit.

+ + + : The previous EP already was an interesting comeback, but “Heut Nacht” is probably the band’s best song in years! It’s a cool title track revealing a well-crafted, danceable EBM. It sounds a bit minimal-like, but definitely promising for the upcoming album. Among the remixes I noticed great contributions from label mates AD:key and First Aid 4 Souls. Especially the last mentioned Hungarian formation did a great job, boosting the song with extra power and dance vibes!

– – – : I was less convinced by the experimental exposure of Melting Rust Opera and Flesh Wire. This is not exactly the kind of remixes you expect for an EP released by an EBM band!

Conclusion: Time for “Dystopia” so we can really hear if Armageddon Dildos is back to improve its image and become again the EBM leader they were during the 90s!

Best songs: “Heut Nacht – Club Mix by First Aid 4 Souls”, “Heut Nacht – AD:key Mix”, “Heut Nacht”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.armageddondildos.info / www.facebook.com/armageddondildos 

Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Heut Nacht’.

About Armageddon Dildos

Armageddon Dildos is a German EBM project founded in 1990 in Kassel, with Uwe Kanka as its constant member. The band’s 2018 comeback EP “Herbstzeitlose” was followed by the single “No Pain Forever” in 2019 and this “Heut Nacht” EP in 2020, both released ahead of the album “Dystopia”, issued on Alfa Matrix later in 2020.

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

Cult German Electronic Body Music act Armageddon Dildos have launched a new EP and (title)song before the release of the new album “Dystopia”. On “Heut Nacht”, which is available now on Bandcamp, veteran artist Uwe Kanka and his gang bring full-frontal ripping basslines, minimal melodic electro sequences and powerful German vocals with a catchy chorus.

The track itself was inspired by an autumnal night stroll in a foggy forest evoking darkish childhood fairy tales souvenirs. The track itself got also reinterpreted by various artists coming from quite different musical horizons for this EP. You’ll find renditions by Dave Anderson, Messiaen Noir, AD:keY, Melting Rust Opera (who renamed the song, “Noise Nacht”), Hungarian industrial veteran First Aid 4 Souls and Flesh Wire (who renamed the song, “Silent Nacht”).

You can download the EP right below! Read the reviews of ‘Heut Nacht’ and ‘Nacht’.

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!

side-line.com

Available now for free (or pay-what-you-want) via Bandcamp is the 9th volume in the “Matrix Downloaded” compilation download series by the Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix. In the past these compilations have been downloaded by ten thousands of fans around the world and we don’t expect it will be different this year.

The label also announces that it will invest all donations in nurturing new bands and getting their careers launched.

Here’s what Seba Dolimont, A&R at Alfa Matrix, has to say about it: “The music market has shifted a lot over the years and in many ways losing its solid footing. CDs sales are collapsing entirely and the shift from downloads to streaming has not yet shown a revenue that is replacing what has been lost. (…) This evolution has created an environment where many labels have almost stopped playing their key-role of talent scouting, no longer daring to invest in new talents who deserve to be heard by you! Alfa Matrix is one of the very few record companies in this scene who try to keep the right balance between releasing renowned artists and supporting younger bands who still need to catch the attention and reach your ears.”

61 bands and tracks

The compilation holds the work by 61 label bands who joined hands to deliver you 61 songs representing the label’s most recent singles and albums while giving a preview of some promising forthcoming 2020 productions including announced new releases by POUPPEEE FABRIKK, NEUROACTIVE, ALIEN VAMPIRES, HELALYN FLOWERS, DIE ROBO SAPIENS, IMJUDAS, 808 DOT POP, ACYLUM, ARMAGEDDON DILDOS, PSY’AVIAH, AVARICE IN AUDIO, SIVA SIX, NEIKKA RPM, AESTHETISCHE, KANT KINO, KOMOR KOMMANDO, AD:KEY, H.O.W., CIRCUMPOLAR, SYNAPSYCHE, LLUMEN, ENTRZELLE, LIGHTS A.M, REACTOR7X, FIRST AID 4 SOULS, etc.

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!

side-line.com