Stars Crusaders is a four-piece electronic band from Italy and was founded in 2013. The music of Stars Crusaders combines elements of synthpop, futurepop and EBM with a futuristic and mystical atmosphere.

Out now via the fine SkyQode label (on Bandcamp and on all other digital services) is “The Rising Phoenix”, a very surprising 2-track single collaboration between the Italian futurepop act Stars Crusaders and the Swedish EBM act Cryo.

“The Rising Phoenix” is taken off Stars Crusaders’ upcoming third album “M.A.T.E.R.”, due in early 2022 on SkyQode. In addition to the title track, the single features a remix of the track by the Italian synthpop band Forces Of Light.

Warmly recommended.

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: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Forces Of Light is a ‘new’ Italian trio featuring both members of Stars Crusaders plus an extra member. The band is interested in the exploration of esoteric and occult world, which they transpose into electro-pop songs.

Content: Stars Crusaders already seduced me by their danceable and powerful space-pop and Forces Of Light appears to be another sensation. The music sounds like ‘happy-pop’ electro with a strong 80s approach, which reminds me of bands such as Feargal Sharky, Erasure ao. It sounds poppy and danceable although some cuts are a little bit hard. I also noticed a few guitar parts running through the work.

+ + + : “Darklights” doesn’t sound at all as a debut album. You clearly can hear the musicians behind this project are already experienced, which resulted in mature and masterly crafted songwriting. The electro-pop approach is quite classical and retro-like, but when you get multiple noticeable songs you just will be happy discovering this album. The vocals are passionate and totally matching with the music. It’s a great melodic and danceable work featuring excellent songs.

– – – : Some of the melodies are pretty similar and that’s maybe a point to reconsider on further work.

Conclusion: Forces Of Light is a little revelation, which stands for passion and qualitative electro-pop. An album to discover!

Best songs: “Dr Yeda And Mr Light”, “Too Magical”, “Zodiac”, “Below Zero”, “Hall Of The Blind”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/forcesoflight2016

Label: www.wtiirecords.com / www.facebook.com/WTIIRecords

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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