Fractal &#8211; SIDE-LINE

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!

Fractal – Overload (Album – Digital/CD – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Polish artist Tomasz Lukowicz remains highly prolific. He has released several releases as Fractal in recent years and is now back in action with this new 10-song album. The sound and influences once again take us back to old-school EBM with intelligent sound treatments and an exceptional sound canvas. Deep bass lines, subtle arrangements and a dark atmosphere are supported by slow, danceable rhythms. The ghostly voice does the rest. “Overload” will appeal to fans of Vomito Negro, Mortal Constraint and FLA. (Rate:8)

Listen to “I Cant Deny”:

I Cant Deny by Fractal

About Fractal

On 18 April 2024 Fractal released “Overload”, a digital and CD album which continued the project’s move toward denser, beat-focused material while retaining the minimal production approach heard on earlier records. The album was mastered by Anatoly “TOKEE” Grinberg and packaged as a limited 4-page digipack CD with design by Ryby.

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.

Fractal – Network (EP – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, Cinematic.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Tomasz Lukowicz has released an impressive number of productions under the Fractal moniker in a very short lapse of time; This EP featuring four songs was released by the very last days of 2023. And comes after the “Antidote“-album.

Content: The EP takes off with the title song which is a new, well-crafted and sophisticated piece of EBM featuring ghosty-like vocals. All other cuts are more into a rhythmic Cinematic approach reinforced by the instrumental format.

+ + + : “Network” is a great title song which stands for intelligent EBM; icy sound treatments and a spooky atmosphere empowered by the vocals. I can’t say the 3 songs left are B-side cuts but clearly revealing another side of the artist. These tracks remain well-crafted while the rhythmic make it more accessible. “Drill” is an interesting cut to explore.

– – – : Despite of the great title song the other cuts left aren’t exactly the kind of stuff connected with an EP format.

Conclusion: Cool EBM and modern Cinematic music.

Best songs: “Network”, “Drill”.

Rate: 7.

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

About Fractal

Fractal is the electronic project of Polish-born musician Tomasz Lukowicz, based in Chester, England. The sound draws on Front Line Assembly, Haujobb, Forma Tadre and Noise Unit-style EBM and industrial. Lukowicz released the albums “Last Day On Earth” and “Solar System” in 2023, followed by the limited CD “Antidote” in June 2023 on the Slovak label Aliens Production. The four-track “Network” EP arrived later that year, and “Overload” followed in April 2024.

Fractal Age – Faded Blossom (Album – Scanner / Dark Dimensions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 07:00:00 +0000

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Faded Blossom” is the third full length album in less than four years released by the German trio Fractal Age. This band is now active for a few years and is now driven by Jens Minor (Chainreactor) and Sascha Tümmler.

Content: The debut work of Fractal Age was clearly devoted to Electro/Wave-Pop while the second one saw an evolution towards a harder Future/Body-Pop sound. These influences remain noticeable at “Faded Blossom” which is also revealing EBM elements. The debut part is driven by pumping kicks and carrying leads but quite progressively the band moves into softer fields. The last cuts are moving back to ‘harder’ cuts supported with an extra dark layer.

+ + + : The debut- and last songs definitely are the most noticeable ones. These tracks stand for what this formation does the best; a powerful Electro/Body-Pop sound driven by danceable kicks and solid, melodic, leads. I also like the few passages featuring robotic vocals.

– – – : I between the strong debut- and final part I discovered less inspired, softer, cuts featuring simplistic melody lines. It’s a kind of Dance-Pop sound for teenagers.

Conclusion: I have mixed feelings listening to this album which is switching between really great songs on one side and poorly, inspired and less mature songs on the other side.

Best songs: “Angel Or Bitch”, “Thunderstorm”, “Nicht Mehr Hier”, “We Have Arrived”, “Decisions”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/FractalAge

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

About Fractal Age

Fractal Age is a German Electro-Pop and Body-Pop trio made up of Jens Minor, also known for his work with Chainreactor, together with Markus Horschig and Sascha Tümmler. The project released its debut album in an Electro/Wave-Pop style, followed by a second album that moved toward a harder Future/Body-Pop sound. “Faded Blossom”, released via Dark Dimensions, is the band’s third full-length in under four years and continues that progression while adding EBM elements to the sound.

Fractal – Antidote (Album – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Polish Tomasz Lukowicz has been very prolific in a rather short lapse of time. “Antidote” is already a new work featuring ten songs.

Content: Fractal stands for EBM but not only that genre. “Antidote” however has been deeply infused by EBM elements but still being driven by sophisticated sound treatments and minimal passages. The work features unpolished parts next to harder cuts. You’ll also discover a few instrumental cuts.

+ + + : Fractal is using EBM as a basis to construct a very own style recovered with great sonic, dark, atmospheres. I like the refined, and sophisticated side of the work which is resulting in cool sound treatments. “Paralyzed”, “Erased Memories” and “Awakening” are songs exposing this great approach. There’s an interesting twist running throughout this work between delicate parts and a kind of unpolished production. The ghost-like vocals are perfectly fitting to the work.

– – – : “Antidote” is not exactly the kind of music for dancefloors which is fine to me but a every few dancefloors tracks would be a bonus.

Conclusion: Fractal is a project I especially recommend to EBM lovers who’re still open to discovering bands ‘out of the box’.

Best songs: “Paralyzed”, “Erased Memories”, “Awakening”, “Drowning Promises”, “Unbending Time”.

Rate: 8.

Label: www.label.aliens.sk / www.facebook.com/pages/Aliens-production-label/200028820052578 Read the news on ‘Antidote’.

Antidote by Fractal

About Fractal

Fractal is the one-man EBM project of Polish musician Tomasz Lukowicz, released through the Slovakian label Aliens Production. “Antidote”, the ten-track album reviewed here, was mastered by Anatoly “TOKEE” Grinberg and draws on influences including Front Line Assembly, Haujobb, Forma Tadre and Noise Unit, combining synthetic, pulsating electronics with melancholic instrumental passages.

Polish electro / EBM project Fractal returns with ‘Antidote’ album on the Slovakian label Aliens Production

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 08:32:36 +0000

Out via the Slovakian label Aliens Production is the all new album by the one-man project Fractal. The new album called “Antidote” is out on CD and available also in digital formats.

Behind Fractal we find the Polish EBM musician Tomasz Lukowicz. Tomasz: “The brand new album is a work whose production took place in the previous months, so this is a new direction and view of my musical world. Musically, the project is on a synthetic wave full of pulsating electronics and melodic structures. Of course, the melancholic instrumentals are also included in the new concept, where they are a strong part of the album.”

The 10-track album, mastered by Anatoly TOKEE Grinberg, is heavily influenced by bands such as Front Line Assembly, Haujobb, Forma Tadre, Noise Unit and related acts.

Antidote by Fractal

Here’s the video for “Leaving a dead planet” (Predator mix). Read the review of ‘Antidote’.

Fractal – Solar System (Album – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Experimental, Cinematic, Ambient-Electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Next to the “Last Day On earth”-album we last year also got another ‘old’ work released by Polish Fractal. “Solar System” was originally written in 2009.

Content: Tomasz Łukowicz reveals a totally different sound approach and influences than at “Last Day On Earth”. There’s no single EBM trace here but a deep, space-like Electro sound experiment. The work has been accomplished with the ‘usual’ knowledge revealing elaborated sound sculptures.

+ + + : This work has less in common with the EBM & IDM driven productions. This work rather sounds as an experiment or call it an ‘etude’ for a further Soundtrack. The work remains instrumental which leaves us the opportunity to listen more carefully to the writing of this work. The very last cut “Jupiter” is my favorite for the deeper bass line and subtle bleeps.

– – – : Sometimes a bit too Experimental to my taste.

Conclusion: Fractal isn’t not exactly the most accessible project in its genre and especially this more Experimental work but it remains precision work.

Best songs: “Jupiter”, “Miranda”.

Rate: 7.

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

About Fractal

Fractal is the solo project of Polish musician Tomasz Łukowicz, released through the Slovakian label Aliens Production. “Solar System” was originally written in 2009 and issued digitally alongside the “Last Day On Earth” album. The project later returned with the “Antidote” album in 2023 and “Hide in the light” in January 2026.

Fractal – Last Day On Earth (Album – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, Minimal-Electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Polish Tomasz Åukowicz active as Fractal has released an impressive number of productions during the past few years. “Last Day On Earth'” brings us back to the early days of his Fractal sonic project. Seven songs originally written in 2007 but released in 2022.

Content: You clearly recognize the minimal- but sophisticated sound approach this artist would later on develop. It clearly appeals for lovers of Clock DVA and related bands. It’s a dark approach of Minimal-Electro mixing sung- and instrumental songs.

+ + + : I salute the maturity of these tracks which were originally written in the early days of Fractal. I like this sound intelligence, the artist having a nose for small, sonic, details.

– – – : It’s not the best Fractal work but I think those who know the later work will be ravished to hear how it all started.

Conclusion: This is not the most accessible or successful side of Electronic music but it’s one for fine tasters.

Best songs: “New Hope”, “Contact”.

Rate: 7Â½.

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

About Fractal

Fractal is the dark electronic project of Polish-born musician Tomasz Lukowicz, based in Chester, England, since 2004, releasing primarily through the Slovak label Aliens Production. Fractal debuted in mid-2021 with the albums “Human Error” and “A Unique Hybrid”, followed later that year by “Equilibrium”, released 1 October 2021, and “Access Denied”, which collected material originally written and recorded in 2015. On 21 March 2022 Fractal issued the 14-track album “Hologram”, with artwork by Ryby and mastering by Anatoly “TOKEE” Grinberg.

“Last Day On Earth”, the subject of this review, gathers seven tracks Lukowicz originally wrote in 2007. Fractal went on to release “Solar System” and the digipack CD “Antidote” later in 2023, followed by the four-track “Network” EP, and issued “Overload” as a digital and CD album on 18 April 2024.

Neuroklast – Streetkid (album – ProNoize / Dark Dimensions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Industrial-Trance, Dark-Techno.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: One year after the promising debut album “Beyond The Blackwall” German Neuroklast duo released their new album by the end of 2022. This project is driven by Kay S. (previously involved in Chainreactor) and Markus H. (previously involved in Readjust and Fractal Age).

Content: “Streetkid” is the continuation to “Beyond The Blackwall”. The production is a heavy, danceable, melting pot featuring industrialized sound treatments on top of dark Techno/Trance influences. There are no real vocals but only sampled passages. I also noticed a harder Industrial-Tribal cut reminding to iVardensphere because it’s featuring iVardensphere. Another song is featuring Razorchild. Globally speaking this work will appeal for lovers of Noisuf-X, Chainreactor and related bands.

+ + + : I liked the debut album but I prefer the new work which sounds more constant. This is a powerful production carried by solid bass lines, terrific kicks and irresistible Industrial-like sound manipulations. There are numerous irresistible cuts featured but “Netrun”, “Streetkid” and “Synthesize” are my personal favorites for their blasting effect.

– – – : Neuroklast brings nothing new although a new sonic jewel in the world of Terror-Techno-Industrial music.

Conclusion: Neuroklast confirms their potential and has accomplished a true masterpiece to bring Industrial dancefloors on fire.

Best songs: “Netrun”, “Synthesize”, “Streetkid”, “Forlorn”, “Urban Tribes feat. iVardensphere”, “Never Sleep”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Neuroklast

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

About Neuroklast

Neuroklast is a German duo formed by Kay Schäfer, formerly of Chainreactor, and Markus Horschig, formerly of ReAdjust and Fractal Age. The two had known each other for years before launching the project, inspired by the atmosphere and music of the video game “Cyberpunk 2077”. Schäfer handles the technical, production side of Neuroklast while Horschig composes and arranges.

The duo released its debut album “Beyond The Blackwall” in 2021 via ProNoize / Dark Dimensions, followed by “Streetkid” in 2022 on the same label. “Streetkid” tells the story of a poor citizen in a dystopian cyberpunk megacity determined to become a legend. The album features the track “Urban Tribes” with Scott Fox of iVardensphere, and a collaboration with Annina Melissa of Razorchild, a project Schäfer co-founded with her.

Intent:Outtake – Tic Toc Tod (EP – Scanner / Dark Dimensions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: German based Intent:Outtake released this new EP three years after their last full length album “Days Of Doom” (2019). The EP reveals three new songs plus seven remixes.

Content: Intent:Outtake moves on mixing powerful and well-crafted Electronics mixing influences of EBM and dark-Electro together. The title song was sung in German while both other songs feature English vocals. And here again the band stands for power but also for more moody passages. You next will discover alternative edits and remixes by Eisfabrik, Diverje, Chainreactor, Damascus Knives and Fractal Age.

+ + + : Intent:Outtake is a band I’ve always supported. I like the powerful sound which is often reminding me of In Strict Confidence. It stands for power and intelligence plus charismatic vocals. The title song is a great piece of music but the “Club Edit” sounds even better. I also recommend the heavy, pumping, dancefloor driven remix of “Tabula Rasa” -a song I don’t know, by Chainreactor.

– – – : There clearly is a gap between the title song and the other two new songs which clearly seem to be B-sides -but cool ones!

Conclusion: “Tic Toc Tod” is a punching title song to announce a new album.

Best songs: “Tic Toc Tod – Club Edit”, “Tic Toc Tod – Single Edit”, “Tabula Rasa – Chainreactor Remix”, “Immoral Traitors – Eisfabrik Remix”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: https://linktr.ee/intentouttakeofficial / www.facebook.com/INTENTOUTTAKE

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

About Intent:Outtake

Intent:Outtake is a German EBM and dark-electro duo formed in 2014 in Leipzig by Andreas Engleitner (vocals) and Bastian Polak (music, production). The band builds its releases on Dark Dimensions / Scanner, and its discography includes the full-length album “Days Of Doom” (2019) and “Der Stille Tod” (2023), the band’s second album for the label. “Tic Toc Tod” served as the title-track EP previewing “Der Stille Tod”, pairing the German-language lead song with two additional tracks and remixes from Eisfabrik, Diverje, Chainreactor, Damascus Knives and Fractal Age.

Fractal – Hologram (Album – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 12 May 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: IDM, Minimal-Electro, Experimental, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Polish solo-project Fractal is driven by Tomasz Łukowicz. Last year he released four (!) full length albums by Aliens Production. “Hologram” is the first physical release by this artist featuring fourteen songs. We get a mix of new- and previously released material.

Content: The sound universe of this composer is clearly based upon complex, but minimal Electronics. The songs are carried by deep, resonating, bass lines and mixed with crystalline bleeps and space atmospheres. Most of the tracks are driven by slow rhythms and broken beats. It remains an instrumental composition.

+ + + : Fractal already took me by surprise last year releasing some exciting productions. We now get some of the best cuts from previous albums mixed with new tracks. It’s an intelligent composition which is diversified. Now driven by down tempo cadence and next by dynamic, broken beats. It also is a subtle composition characterized by crystalline bleeps and space atmospheres. Some cuts remind me a bit of the modern approach of Lassigue Bendthaus.

– – – : This work is not the most accessible Electro format and is probably suited for a very restricted and fine tasted number of music lovers.

Conclusion: Fractal is a great new ambassador of Aliens Production; pure Electro-intelligence!

Best songs: “A.I.”, “Sinchronized Clics”, “Gravity Is The Problem”, “Existence”, “Neuron”, “Nest”.

Rate: 8½.

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

“Hologram” was issued on 21 March 2022 as a fourteen-track CD and digital album, with artwork by Ryby and mastering by Anatoly “TOKEE” Grinberg.

Listen to “Hologram”:

Hologram by Fractal

About Fractal

In mid-2021 Fractal debuted with the Aliens Production released albums “Human Error” and “A Unique Hybrid”, followed later that year by the ambient- and IDM-driven album “Equilibrium”, released on 1 October 2021. The 2021 album “Access Denied” collected earlier material originally written and recorded in 2015 and appeared as another digital release on the label.

“Hologram” followed on 21 March 2022 and is the first Fractal title pressed to CD. The fourteen-track set carries artwork by Ryby and mastering by Anatoly “TOKEE” Grinberg, both of whom stayed with the project on later records including the 2023 CD “Antidote” and the 2026 album “Hide in the light”.

Fractal Age – Another Way (Album – Scanner / Dark Dimensions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 07:00:00 +0000

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: German trio Fractal Age strikes back with their second opus. Markus Horschig (Neuroklast, ex-ReAdjust), Jens Minor (Chainreactor) and singer Sascha Tümmler released the debut album “Modern World” in 2019.

Content: Even if this album is driven by Electro-Pop influences, the sound became harder and more future-Pop driven than its predecessor. It’s a catchy production carried by bouncing kicks and revealing a few harder elements like EBM bass lines. There are a few ‘softer’ pieces featured but the main part of the work stands for powerful Electro/Future-Pop music which sometimes reminds me of Neuroticfish. The 3 last songs are remixes by Intent:Outtake, Absurd Minds and Blue Images.

+ + + : There’s an evolution from the debut album towards the new one; it’s more into Future-Pop and I experienced this evolution has ‘harder’ which I prefer. The songs are well-crafted and there are a few noticeable songs featured like “The Beauty Of Truth” and “Sign”. “Another Way” reveals EBM influences and is another attention grabber.

– – – : Fractal Age isn’t exactly setting the world of Electro/Future-Pop music alight. The work even has something predictable but globally speaking it’s a fully enjoyable work. I’ve been less convinced by the softer parts like “Spiegelbild”.

Conclusion: If you like Electro-Pop with a heavier touch and a darker side “Another Way” is an album to discover.

Best songs: “The Beauty Of Truth”, “Sign”, “Another Way”, “Questions”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/FractalAge

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

Scanner released “Another Way” on 28 January 2022 on CD and digitally. The fourteen tracks are “Run”, “Another Way”, “Der Wind”, “Home”, “Questions”, “No Response”, “Spiegelbild”, “Sign”, “Away”, “The Beauty Of Truth”, “Featureless People”, “Another Way (Intent:Outtake Remix)”, “Sign (Absurd Minds Remix)” and “Home (Blue Images Remix)”.

Listen to “Another Way”:

Another Way by Fractal Age

About Fractal Age

Fractal Age was founded in 2017 in Germany and works in synthpop, electro-pop and future-pop. Markus Horschig, also active as Neuroklast and formerly in ReAdjust, and Jens Minor of Chainreactor handle the music, with Sascha Tümmler on vocals.

The debut album Fractal Age – Modern World appeared on Scanner in 2019 and was reviewed by Side-Line in January 2020. The band also features on the label retrospective V/A A Human Scan(ner) – The 20th Anniversary Compilation, released in 2020.

Two further albums followed on the same label: “Faded Blossom” in 2023 and “Energy & Entropy” in 2025.

Neuroklast – Beyond The Blackwall (Album – Pro Noize / Dark Dimensions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Industrial, Industrial-Trance, Techno-Body Music.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Neuroklast is a new German project set up by Kay S. (previously involved in Chainreactor) and Markus H. (previously involved in Readjust and Fractal Age). Their debut full length was released in December 2021.

Content: Neuroklast brings different, but related music influences together. It’s a solid sonic cocktail mixing Industrial-, Techno-Body- and Trance music together. The songs are dark and whipping up featuring robotic/pitched vocal samples. The songs are carried by heavy electronic blasts, driven by aggressive sequences and featuring melodic passages. A few tracks are also featured (sampled?) guitar riffs.

+ + + : Neuroklast isn’t innovating, but will appeal for lovers of Chainreactor, early Combichrist, Noisuf-X and related bands. The debut part of the album sounds powerful and ultra-danceable, but still reveals great songwriting. The last part is also fascinating for its empowered Trance influence and harsh sequences. We can’t speak about true vocal parts, but I like the robotic- fragmented- and pitched samplings -at least it all sounds like samplings.

– – – : Neuroklast doesn’t bring anything new and sounds a bit like a melting pot between different more famous projects, but it doesn’t take away it’s an interesting piece of music. It’s a pity the album isn’t available in physical format.

Conclusion: Pro Noize is the right and only home for Neuroklast revealing a true Electro osmosis between Industrial, EBM, Trance and Dark-Techno.

Best songs: “No Future”, “Corporations (Intro)”, “Chrome Monk”, “Beyond The Blackwall”, “Totentanz Pt 2”.

Rate: 8.

Listen to “Beyond The Blackwall”:

Beyond The Blackwall by Neuroklast

Artist: www.facebook.com/Neuroklast

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

About Neuroklast

Neuroklast is a German duo formed in 2020 by Kay Schäfer, credited as Kay S. and previously in Chainreactor and Epicarmina, and Markus Horschig, credited as Markus H. and previously in reAdjust and Fractal Age. The project name joins the Greek “neuro” and “-klast”, and its lyrics follow a science-fiction storyline in which corporations replace governments.

Pro Noize, part of the Dark Dimensions Label Group, released the fifteen-track debut album “Beyond The Blackwall” on 3 December 2021 and the CD “Streetkid” in 2022, followed by the EP “Digital Ascension” in 2023. The duo then moved on to the EP “Empyrean : Oblivion” (Hybrid Blak, 2024), the darkTunes Music Group singles “Ruina” and “Ignite” in 2024, and the album “Hellfire” on darkTunes Music Group in 2026.

Neuroklast has played WGT, Resistanz and SSM, and has remixed material for Freakangel and others. Side-Line published the Click Interview with Neuroklast in April 2023.

Fractal – Access Denied (Album – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: IDM, Minimal-Electro.

Format: IDM.

Background/Info: The Polish Fractal project this year signed to Aliens Production and already released three albums: “A Unique Hybrid”, “Human Error” and “Equilibrium”. Tomasz Łukowicz is already back on track releasing another album, which was originally written and recorded in 2015.

Content: “Access Denied” clearly has similarities in the sounds and influences with previous productions, but this work sounds a bit more into IDM. There still is this Ambient/Cinematographic approach, but it all sounds like Fractal was more into minimalism a way back. Raw sound treatments, dark atmospheres and broken rhythms are the main ingredients this work has been made of. Industrial sound treatments can be heard as well.

+ + + : “Access Denied” stands for pure, good-old IDM. The work is into reverie, but still a danceable side because of its slow cadence. I like the global production and its bleeping sequences and other refined arrangements, but I also enjoyed the ‘harder’ elements like Industrial noises empowered by heavy blasts. “Abacus” and “Don’t Turn The Key” both are pure sonic jewels standing for sophisticated Electronic music.

– – – : The work would maybe be a bit more accessible by the addition of some vocal lines, but in this case it would maybe lose its IDM effect.

Conclusion: This work brings us back to the ‘origins’ of Fractal and I’ve to admit it clearly already sounded as promising and cool IDM.

Best songs: “Abacus”, “Don’t Turn The Key”, “Impact”, “Pxy 887”.

Rate: 8.

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

Access denied by Fractal

About Fractal

“Access Denied” appeared on 19 November 2021 as another digital release on the label and collected earlier material originally written and recorded in 2015. It holds nine tracks: “Impact”, “Pxy 887”, “Transarctic”, “Access Denied”, “NeST”, “Abacus”, “Dead End”, “Netu” and “Dont Turn The Key”. On 21 March 2022 Fractal issued the 14-track album “Hologram” on CD and digital, again with artwork by Ryby and mastering by Anatoly “TOKEE” Grinberg.

In 2023 Lukowicz released the albums “Last Day On Earth” and “Solar System” followed by the CD “Antidote”, released on 9 June 2023 as a limited digipack edition of 100 copies. Later that year the four-track “Network” EP arrived as a digital release. On 18 April 2024 Fractal released “Overload”, a digital and CD album, again as a limited 4-page digipack with design by Ryby and mastering by Grinberg. The project returned in January 2026 with “Hide In The Light”.

Fractal – Equilibrium (Album – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: IDM, Cinematographic.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Tomasz Lukowicz has released three albums in 2021. The prolific Polish producer already revealed great things with “Human Error” and now strikes back with his third work featuring ten new songs.

Content: “Equilibrium” moves on where previous work(s) stopped; it’s a sophisticated composition, exploring more explicit IDM fields. there still is a dense and overwhelming Cinematographic style, which is constantly driven by rhythms, but the work is clearly evolving.

+ + + : “Equilibrium” is a great piece of music; it’s an intelligent composition built up with great sound treatments like subtle bleeps, heavy blasts and solid bass lines. The mix between IDM and Cinematographic passages sounds in perfect balance. This is without a shadow of a doubt the most accomplished Fractal-opus to date.

– – – : It would be interesting to hear some passages with vocals and/or chants.

Conclusion: Fractal has evolved in a rather fast way, but this album clearly sounds like a strong basis and even a reference to move on with.

Best songs: “Microsphere”, “Hacked Mind”, “Equilibrium”, “Hologram”.

Rate: 8.

Equilibrium by Fractal

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

About Fractal

Fractal is the dark electronic project of Polish-born musician Tomasz Lukowicz, who has been based in Chester, England, since 2004 and releases his work mainly through the Slovak label Aliens Production.

Fractal debuted in mid-2021 with the albums “Human Error” and “A Unique Hybrid”. “Equilibrium” followed on 1 October 2021, and “Access Denied” collected earlier material written and recorded in 2015.

The 14-track album “Hologram” arrived on 21 March 2022, with artwork by Ryby and mastering by Anatoly “TOKEE” Grinberg. “Last Day On Earth” and “Solar System” followed in 2023, along with the limited digipack CD “Antidote” on 9 June 2023 and the four-track “Network” EP. “Overload” arrived on 18 April 2024, and the album “Hide in the Light” in January 2026.

Fractal – Human Error (Album – Aliens Production)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 18:30:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electronic, Cinematographic-EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Behind Fractal is hiding Polish producer Tomasz Lukowicz. Next to “Human Error” he released another album (cf. “A Unique Hybrid”) the same day, both works being Fractal’s debut.

Content: The opening song clearly indicates the inspiration and sound of Fractal. This is an instrumental Electronic composition, which is driven by abyssal atmospheres and overwhelming sound blasts. Some passages remind me of early Delerium so in the end this work sounds a bit like a EBM-Soundtrack.

+ + + : Releasing an instrumental album remains a tricky business. But Fractal masterly succeeded in this exercise; using deep bass lines, achieving overwhelming –and sometimes somewhat Psychedelic, atmospheres, but most of all dealing with an intelligent and elaborated production. The last song brings a true climax to the opus.

– – – : The songs feature a few samplings, but a bit more spoken passages would have been cool.

Conclusion: Fractal is an interesting newcomer, which took me by surprise achieving an exciting instrumental EBM-driven work.

Best songs: “Synasthesia”, “Vox 7bq”, “Gravity Is The Problem”.

Rate: 7½.

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

Human Error by Fractal

About Fractal

Fractal is the solo project of Polish producer Tomasz Lukowicz. “Human Error” was released on 8 June 2021 by Aliens Production and holds nine tracks: “Collision”, “Bio – Security”, “Vox 7bq”, “Nostromo”, “A.I.”, “Perfect tragedy”, “Gravity is the problem”, “Bass hunter” and “Synasthesia”. The label describes the record as a cyber soundtrack built on hybrid beats and minimalist sounds.

The project stayed with the same label afterwards. Side-Line reviewed “Equilibrium” in December 2021, “Access Denied” in January 2022 and “Hologram” in May 2022, then Fractal – Antidote (Album – Aliens Production) in August 2023. “Network” followed in 2024 and “Overload” later that year.

The most recent entry in the discography is Fractal – Hide In The Light (Digital/CD Album – Aliens Production), reviewed in April 2026.

www.facebook.com/woolediscs

Music For Installations – Fractions Of Unity (Album – Wool-E Discs)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Ambient, Cinematographic, Experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Music For Installations is a band name, which reminds me of the legendary ambient artist Brian Eno, and is a Belgian solo-project driven by Pieter Gyselinck. After a few previous works, he joined hands together with Wool-E Discs releasing the thirtieth part of the Ambient-series “Belgian NeuMusik”.

Content: There’s an interesting evolution in the tracklist of this work. The album takes off in a pretty Ambient way and I even dare to say ‘classical Electro-Ambient’. Quite progressively you’ll notice Experimental sound arrangements and darker tones emerging at the surface. The more you enter the universe of the artist the darker it becomes. The second part is driven by icy, sonar-like noises, the hoot of an owl and mysterious, frightening sound atmospheres.

+ + + : Pieter Gyselinck is clearly mixing different although related influences together. It’s not pure Ambient and not entirely Experimental. Some passages are clearly into a Soundtrack approach while the second part of the work –which is definitely the best one, becomes extremely dark and mysterious. This artist conceives a sonic canvas with different atmospheres, but found his most creative side in the darker side of his brain. “Fractal 6” is worthy of examination, but I also have to mention “Fractal 7” and “Fractal 9”. There’s something David Lynch-like in the sound of this work…

– – – : I already mentioned the great second half of this opus, which unfortunately comes to end with a poorly inspired last track.

Conclusion: Ambient music is not only meant as a dreamy moment, but it can be also a way of self-reflection, which in a way is the feeling I got when listening to “Fractions Of Unity”.

Best songs: “Fractal 7”, “Fractal 9”, “Fractal 6”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.musicforinstallations.com / www.facebook.com/musicforinstallations

Label: www.wool-e-discs.be / www.belgianneumusik.be /

“Fractions of Unity” by Music For Installations

About Music For Installations

Music For Installations is the solo project of Belgian musician Pieter Gyselinck. Discogs lists releases including “Dark Side” (2010) and “Scape It Out” (2011) on C-O-L-O-U-R-S, and “Live At The Museum Of Fine Arts” (Databloem, 2015). “Fractions Of Unity” followed in 2020 as part 30 of Wool-E Discs’ “Belgian NeuMusik” series. Gyselinck later released “Haukijarvi One” on C-O-L-O-U-R-S in 2023.

V/A A Human Scan(ner) – The 20th Anniversary Compilation (Album – Scanner / Dark Dimensions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 20:30:00 +0000

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

Format: Digital, 2 CD.

Background/Info: Scanner is a subdivision of Dark Dimensions, which this year celebrates its twentieth anniversary. Set up by Francesco D’Angelo, Scanner has been always and mainly devoted to Electronic genres like EBM, Dark-Electro and Electro-Pop. The compilation features twenty six artists and songs reminding us of the great artists from this label.

Artists: Gin Devo, BhamBhamHara, Autodafeh, Kreign, DSTR, Fractal Age, Destin Fragile, Blue Images, Twins In Fear, Cyan Inc, Vomito Negro, [:SITD:], Eden Synthetic Corps, Mechanical Moth, Centhron, Intent:Outtake, Disorder:Mankind, Das Werk, X-Fusion, Spetsnaz, Grausame Töchter, Epinephrin, Black Heaven, A Spell Inside, Absurd Minds, Straftanz.

Content: This sampler is a perfect way to (re)discover the Scanner label roaster, which features some great EBM names such as Autodafeh and Spetsnaz while other names such as [:SITD:], Vomito Negro + Gin Devo, Eden Synthetic Corps and Absurd Minds were more active in a darker EBM format, getting pretty close with pure Dark-Electro. Centhron and X-Fusion are for sure Dark-Electro! Other bands like BhamBhamHara and Straftanz are more representative of the progressive (Techno)-EBM format. A Spell Inside remains one of the ‘oldest’ bands from the roster and still one of the few to deal with Electro-Pop. And then there’s Grausame Töchter, which remains a very unique experience in sound. The compilation also features a few bands we’ve a bit forgotten like Fractal Age, Destin Fragile, Epinephrin. It’s also a while ago we’ve heard something from Cyan Inc. And there’re new signatures like the promising EBM formation Kreign and the Experimental-Electro Twins In Fear plus a few totally unknown names like Das Werk and Disorder:Mankind.

+ + + : When you take a brief look at the names featured at this compilation you can only, but agree Scanner has been for numerous years one of the leading labels from the Dark-Electro scene. But this compilation becomes really interesting when you’ll know that nearly all of the tracks are exclusive ones and/or rare edits. Frank D’Angelo always has had a nose to sign great artists, Kreign being the new sensation! My favorite cuts from the album are the ones by X-Fusion and Grausame Töchter remixed by And One.

– – – : This compilation doesn’t cover the entire Scanner roster, which says something about the Electronic welfare from the label. Some artists that haven’t been featured (because they’re no longer part of the label) are Amnistia, Stromkern, Distorted Reality, Sleepwalk, Page 12, The Eternal Afflict, Cycloon, Sara Noxx, Re:Work, Spiritual Reality, Inside, Das Präparat.. More than enough to fill an extra disc and they all are still part of this great label’s history.

Conclusion: This compilation is a part of history; 20 years of great underground music by Scanner!

Best bands: X-Fusion, Grausame Töchter, Autodafeh, Straftanz, BhamBhamHara, [:SITD:].

Rate: (8½).

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

A Human Scanner – The 20th Anniversary Compilation by Scanner

About Scanner

Scanner is a label run by Francesco D’Angelo as a subdivision of the Dark Dimensions Label Group, set up in the year 2000 and focused on EBM, Dark-Electro and Electro-Pop.

“A Human Scanner – The 20th Anniversary Compilation” marks the label’s twentieth year. Released in December 2020, it gathers twenty-six mostly exclusive or rare tracks from artists including Autodafeh, Vomito Negro, [:SITD:], Centhron, X-Fusion, Grausame Töchter and Twins In Fear, whose debut album “Unification” appeared on Scanner the same year.

U96 and Wolfgang Flür (ex-Kraftwerk) release collaboration album + new Wolfgang Flür album in the making

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 12:00:31 +0000

German techno/electronic legends U96 will release a new album with former Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flür on September 4th. The album, called “Transhuman”, contains 14 tracks and 2 U96 Bonus tracks. It will be available online, on CD and also on a limited double Red Vinyl edition via the German label UNLTD-Recordings. The New York record label Radikal Records has secured the rights to the album for the US and Canada.

At the frontline of electronic music for many years were the German act Kraftwerk and moost do know the band via their longstanding career. Wolfgang Flür was Kraftwerk’s drummer in the years between 1972 and 1987 and therefore involved in the most seminal albums by the group from Düsseldorf. U96 (Ingo Hauss & Hayo Lewerentz) from its side rose to fame in the 1990s with hits such as “Das Boot”, “Love Sees No Colour”, “Night In Motion” and “Heaven”.

“Transhuman” and an updated version of “Zukunftsmusik (Radiophonique)” will be released as lead singles, including experimental video clips.

The best of both worlds

“Transhuman is a stylistic mélange of our different histories,” says Wolfgang Flür.

Hauss: “Pieces like ‘Zukunftsmusik’ and ‘Transhuman’ don’t tell a story in the classic sense, they articulate emotions and associations in very few words, bringing to mind recordings such as RadioAktivität, Autobahn and Die Mensch-Maschine. In addition Transhuman, features a number of melodies created on the basis of computer algorithms, in other words fractal music which takes us even further back in history, to Klaus Schulze, Stockhausen, the electronics laboratories of the fifties and sixties and the musique concrete compositional technique.”

U96 and Flür met in person for the first time in the early 2000s.

Hayo Lewerentz: “Of course there was no way past Kraftwerk for any German artist who worked with electronic music, synthesizers and creative studio options in the eighties. We were occupied day and night with how that band created their incredible sounds.”

Later Flür offered Lewerentz, who ran the electro label Major Records, new songs for release, and the latter went on to remix Flür’s track “Beat Perfecto”, among others. Subsequent to the creative collaboration between Hauss, Lewerentz and Flür on “Reboot”, the trio exchanged more than forty fragments of ideas online over the past two years, which eventually spawned the 14 songs on “Transhuman”.

Lewerentz: “In addition there are two more tracks, which will feature on Wolfgang’s upcoming album “Magazine” at the end of the year.”

Tour in the making

Joint concerts by U96/Wolfgang Flür are also in the making. Lewerentz: “We’re hoping to do a few shows together next year. There’s definitely been a lot of interest from the promoters.”

14 tracks

Transhuman
Hamburg – Düsseldorf
Zukunftsmusik (Radiophonique)
Specimen
Clone
To The Limit
Zufallswelt
Planet In Fever
Shifted Reality
Kreiselkompass
Data Landscape
Transhumanist
Sexersizer
Maschinenraum

Fractal Age – Modern World (Album – Scanner / Dark Dimensions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 20:30:00 +0000

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Fractal Age is a new German formation set up by ex-reAdjust-member Markus (programming & keys), Jens of Chainreactor (programming) and Sascha (vocals).

Content: I didn’t know what to expect from this trio, but I probably expected something different because of Jens’ from Chainreactor involvement. Fractal Age is not a new sonic ogre, but sounds more inspired by electro-pop formats. It’s a kind of power-pop composition featuring wafting, melodic leads, hopping rhythms and a flavor of melancholia. The title song has been remixes by Chainreactor.

+ + + : If “Modern World” has something pretty electro-pop like it clearly appears to be a unique format revealing songs supported with a dark and melancholic sphere. The work is powerful, but remains melodic through the use of classical leads. “Apart” is a brilliant song resulting in a truly climax thanks to a great melody line. I also have to mention “Glimpses Of Reliance”, which is another major song.

– – – : Fractal Age has accomplished a noticeable debut, but maybe has to inject a little bit more diversity in its future compositions.

Conclusion: I can’t say this album is an absolute must have, but it’s a cool and excellent debut. So I’m really looking forward to see how this new project will evolve.

Best songs: “Apart”, “Glimpses Of Reliance”, “The Credits Of My Life”, “Red”, “Someday”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www .facebook .com /FractalAge

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

About Fractal Age

Fractal Age is a German electro-pop act formed by ex-reAdjust member Markus (programming, keys), Jens of Chainreactor (programming) and singer Sascha. “Modern World” is the trio’s debut album, released via Scanner / Dark Dimensions. Fractal Age continued the same partnership on the albums “Another Way” (2022), “Faded Blossom” (2023) and “Energy & Entropy” (2025).

First Aid 4 Souls – Keep This World Empty (CD Album – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 19:30:02 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark EBM, dark-electro.

Background/Info: Hungarian EBM project First Aid 4 Souls this year joined hands together with Alfa Matrix unleashing the successful digital-EP “Increased Sensory Perception”. István Gazdag (ex-Vacuum) and US-based singer ‘Mortum’ (Human Vault) have now unleashed their new album featuring thirteen songs.

Content: If you know the band’s last EP, you’ll (re) discover 4 cuts from “Increased Sensory Perception”, but in a different edit. The band remains faithful to their old-school sophisticated EBM style reminding me of bands such as Skinny Puppy, FLA, early X Marks The Pedwalk and even Yelworc. The production is dominated by poignant sound atmospheres while driven by menacing bass lines. The production is achieved with harsh and sometimes somewhat experimental sound treatments. The harsh vocals create an artistic symbiosis with the music.

+ + + : First Aid 4 Souls will maybe not become the label’s new flag holder, but I personally consider this band as one of the most talented new signed bands of the label roster. This is not just old-school EBM! This is an intelligent electronic format characterized by solid bass lines, complex sound treatments and multiple noises, an overwhelming atmospheric layer and harsh vocals. They create original sound treatments and I refer to the song “Verdict That Condemns” illustrating the creativity of István Gazdag. This album stands for 13 high-tech dark EBM songs and is without a shadow of a doubt one of my favorite Alfa Matrix releases from this year!

– – – : I think the production of the vocals can be more convincing on a few cuts; the song “Eternity Will Never Remain” is the best example. I already enjoyed the EP and quite curiously, the featured songs from the EP aren’t my favorites from the album.

Conclusion: First Aid 4 Souls is not just inspired by old-school EBM, they reinvent the style! This album won’t leave you unmoved if you’re a fan of intelligent electronic music. This album is maybe just missing ‘the’ hit!

Best songs: “Keep This World Empty”, “Good Men Don’t Bleed Just die (La Horde)”, “Awaken Tomorrow”, “Your Social Skill Demised”, “Phrase Fractal”, “False Devotion”.

Rate: (8½).

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

Label: www .alfa –matrix .com / www .facebook .com /Alfa .Matrix Read the news on ‘Keep This World Empty’.

About First Aid 4 Souls

First Aid 4 Souls is an electronic/industrial project from Budapest, Hungary, started in 2007 by Gazdag Istvan, joined by current member Gyorgy Turoczy. The project mixes noise, trance and new wave melodies with industrial-metal grinding. Gazdag Istvan also runs the related projects Stahlgeist and First Aid Tech. First Aid 4 Souls signed to Alfa Matrix in 2019, releasing the digital EP “Increased Sensory Perception” ahead of the full-length “Keep This World Empty”, which features US-based singer Mortum of Human Vault.

First Aid 4 Souls – Increased Sensory Perception (Digital EP – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 18:30:25 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Hungarian artist István Gazdag (previously involved with Vacuum) is one of the electro-underground references from his country. He released an impressive number of productions as First Aid 4 Souls and now sees all his efforts renowned by joining a bigger label of the electro scene. Together with singer ‘Mortum’ (Human Vault) this EP, which rather looks like a mini-album, reveals five new songs plus two remixes.

Content: If you’re already familiar with this talented formation, the new stuff will sound rather familiar. First Aid 4 Souls deals with an intelligent EBM format reminding me of the sophistication of Frontline Assembly. The songs are raw, elaborated and achieved with impressive sound arrangements. Sometimes into epic treatments, but always characterized by an overwhelming production, this work is mixing danceable passages together with poignant atmospheres.

+ + + : First Aid 4 Souls is the kind of intelligent EBM formation, which was maybe missing at Alfa Matrix. It’s not only about intelligence, but the global production and influences reminding Frontline Assembly is a real addition to the label’s roster. There’s a retro touch running through the songs, but there also is a very personal touch emerging at the surface. Especially the “Acid On Steel”-version of “Mortal Birth” is a phenomenal song. This is a great dance cut, but also revealing great sound treatments. I also have to mention the title song for its overwhelming and orchestral-like arrangements. This is an EP (or mini-album, however you want to call it) with no real B-side songs.

– – – : The so-called “Slow Death”-version of the title song is the single cut that left me unmoved.

Conclusion: Joining an established and leading label such as Alfa Matrix, First Aid 4 Souls will hopefully find an opportunity to reach a wider audience. This formation is a real sensation in intelligent body music!

Best songs: “Mortal Birth – Acid On Steel”, “Increased Sensory Perception”, “Phrase Fractal – Alt Bass Edit”, “Mortal Birth – Old School Version”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: http ://www .firstaid 4 souls .com / 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/industrial project from Budapest, Hungary, started in 2007 by István Gazdag. The lineup has included vocalist George “Mortum” Turoczy, who also performs as Human Vault and leads the Hungarian death-industrial project Stone Wired. The project released the albums “Trashcathedral” (CD Album, Exabyss Records/Electro Arc, 2016) and “Dark Tunnel” (CD Album, Digital Absynthe, 2018) before Side-Line reported the signing to Alfa Matrix in August 2019. “Increased Sensory Perception” followed as the project’s label debut EP.

Increased Sensory Perception EP by FIRST AID 4 SOULS

Electronic / industrial act First Aid 4 Souls signs to Alfa Matrix and launches label debut EP – and it’s a delicious one!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 17:22:12 +0000

“Increased Sensory Perception” is the title of a brand new EP by the avant-garde electronic / industrial act First Aid 4 Souls which is being released first via Bandcamp. Behind this project we find veteran Hungarian artist István Gazdag (ex-Vacuum) and US-based singer Mortum (Human Vault). The 7-track EP “Increased Sensory Perception” shows a musically multifaceted First Aid 4 Souls.

The EP has a mix if tracks going from dark synth pop (“Cold Frozen Arts”), industrial trance (“Dark Horizon”), cold EBM (“Mortal Birth”), percussive harsh industrial (“Increased Sensory Perception”, “Phrase Fractal”) or even acid house dance (The acid on steel mix of “Mortal Birth”).

Judge for yourself below!

Silent Universe – The Infinity Coordinates (CD Album – Cryo Chamber)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 18:30:48 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient.

Background/Info: This Belarus project driven by Pavel Malyshkin (still involved in other projects such as Ugasanie, Polterngeist ao) joined hands with Cryo Chamber to unleash the third full length album of Silent Universe.

Content: The work features familiar dark-ambient ingredients, which are carried by long, dark sound waves. The tracks have been progressively built up revealing low, sound treatments and resonating, humming noises. The album features 5 cuts and the final song ends with an overwhelming apotheosis.

+ + + : The sound universe of “The Infinity Coordinates” makes me think to a spider web that has been patiently constructed. The progression of the composition is slowly evolving reaching a first climax at “Fractal Essence Of The Universe” and an absolute sonic orgasm at “In Cosmic Microwave Background”. The deep tones feel like announcing a nearby disaster while other passages reveal the obscure space-ambient approach of Silent Universe. There where Raison D’Être accomplished his composition with the famous monk chants and other sacred noises, Silent Universe deals with an astral dimension of dark-ambient music.

– – – : The tracks are pretty similar so I would have liked to get a bit more diversity.

Conclusion: Silent Universe has accomplished a misty and somewhat inhibited opus where you get the impression to get lost in a dark whole.

Best songs: “In Cosmic Microwave Background”, “Fractal Essence Of The Universe”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www .facebook .com /silentuniverse .by

Label: www .cryochamberlabel .com / www .facebook .com /CryoChamber

About Silent Universe

Silent Universe is a dark-ambient and cinematic project of Belarusian artist Pavel Malyshkin, who is also known for his Ugasanie project, formed in autumn 2010 and centered on polar and cold-ambient themes drawn from field research on the Yamal Peninsula. As Silent Universe, Malyshkin released “The Infinity Coordinates” in 2018, followed by “Immensity” in 2023 and “Merger” in 2025, all issued via Cryo Chamber.