The Cologne based act Superikone aka Malte Schmidt-Kohl has announced the release of their newest mix, “Aus purem Gold” (“Made of Pure Gold”), which is mixed by Frozen Plasma aka Vasi Vallis. This release also includes additional remixes from other artists including Diar Black, Airman, Vainerz, Michael McCain, Damn Electric Me, and Alivion.

In the words of Malte Schmidt-Kohl, the artist behind Superikone, the song deals with central philosophical questions about life and death with a uniquely captivating lightness and his characteristic eloquence. He dedicates the song as a preemptive thank you to those who will mourn his eventual passing, inviting them to celebrate life in the meantime.

The new single is available digitally now in both a Gold and Black edition, each with different mixes.

Also out on all digital platforms is Superikone’s album “1973” (Deluxe).

Superikone has been around since 2003 debuting with the single “Opiate” and releasing 6 studio albums since then: “Opiate” (2003 + Edition 2017), “Energie” (2006 + Edition 2015), “Endorphin” (2007), “Keep Your Dream Alive” (2010), “Zuckervater” (2015), “Paläste aus Katzengold” (2017). You might remember the band was also featured on our very own “Face The Beat: Session 4” released in November 16, 2016. Coming up in 2023 will be more new material as the project celebrates its 20 years anniversary then.

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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Torben Schmidt gained some experience about label activities working as A&R manager for the legendary Zoth Ommog and Bloodline. He set up Infacted Recordings in 2001 and signed bands like Orange Sector, Namnambulu, Frozen Plasma, Reaper, X Marks The Pedwalk, Prager Handgriff, Heimataerde, Grendel, ES23, Ruined Conflict, Xotox, NZ, Aircrash Bureau, PreEmptive Strike 0.1, Shiv-R, Torul, IC434, Vanguard… but still the own bands he’s involved with Lights Of Euphoria and Binary Park. Twenty years later Infacted Recordings became a reference when it comes to EBM, Electro-Pop and Dark-Electro artists.

(Stéphane Froidcoeur / Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Was there a kind of ‘philosophy’ when you set up your label and did it evolve over the years? How would you define your label activities today?

Torben: My main aim and intention when I started Infacted Recordings back in 2001 was to get independent and release/support the music I love, whenever possible detached from the economical side (which of course is not always possible). I was working for other people/companies before I started my own record company and experienced many good, but  also quite some things, which were to be improved. I  think the big advantage I had from the start was that I knew both sides, working in a record company and being an artist, producer myself.

Q: I can imagine you must have specific and explicit criteria to sign an artist/band. Can you give us more details about this aspect and how important is it for you to know the person(s) hiding behind the ‘artist(s)’?

Torben: Well, to be honest, for me it is basically a matter of personal taste. One rule I  had from the start was to get to know the human behind every band/artist whenever possible to make up my mind about the individuals. If there is a good chemistry in between label and band/artist, that’s the most solid base you can get for a strong work together.

Q: You are already active for numerous years now so you must have seen a lot of things changing and evolving; think about social media, streaming platforms, Youtube channels… but also economic crisis etc. What are the pros and cons of these changes/evolutions and in, which way did you had to adapt/change your strategy and activities?

Torben: I think you already hit the point with the question. Time changes and we, as the motors and creators of this scene had the task to step up with the changes. We are innovators to a certain point, always at the pulse with being DJs, musicians, producers, people who initiate ideas and start projects. For me personal it was always a moving experience to be part of creating something. I think you really have to be where the heart of the scene is, at clubs, at festivals at concerts, meeting fans and supporters and have a good communication.

Q: The ongoing pandemic has affected all artistic life and activities so what’s the true impact on your label activities and do you think it will also affect your long term objectives?

Torben: The main problem we all seek is that one big part of our scene is missing, that’s the live/club thing we have with our bands and our supporting DJs. Many plans we had with touring and release events for 2020 and 2021 had to be shifted. There are fresh ideas with streaming events, but this rarely compensates the feeling most  of  our scene loves and lives. So well, we honestly hope that there will be perspectives again soon. On the other side I am very happy to have so many supporters out there who continuously aid me/us as a label and the bands and DJs directly.

Q: Do you think media (magazines, online platforms etc…) still have an impact and a role to play today? What’s your relationship with ‘journalists’ and how important is their work?

Torben: I can only speak for me personally here, but  I think that print media is losing more and more of its impact due to various factors. Time is running fast and news are spread way more easily digital then in print media. It’s not really blaming, but print magazines concentrate too much on the same bands over and over again (of course often due to demand).

There are exceptions of course and I truly appreciate the support we get and a lot of still really enthusiastic journalists, but I experienced so many people stop buying magazines in the last years and change to digital media to get there information. For me as a label, social media and online media in general is an important key for my promotional work.

Q: What do you consider as your biggest accomplishment(s)? Do you have specific goals/dreams you want to achieve and how do you prepare and see the future of the label(s)? And what are your biggest regret(s)?

Torben: During the years I had the opportunity to work with so many talented artists, known/not so knows, small/big, which is/was truly an honor. So many relationships were started, collaborations occurred and friendships actually did result. My dream to live & work with music did already happen, so I am pretty thankful for this. I have to say that I do not really regret anything. Being in the music scene was great in almost  all time periods and every phase had it great moments. Even on bad experiences you grow and make internal progress.

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: Electro-Pop, Future-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Ego Bliss is a Mexican solo-project set up in 2019 by Mario Monk (also involved with Para/Normal). He claims to be inspired by Electro-Pop and EBM. This is the debut-release featuring eleven songs.

Content: After a dreamy debut song, the album rapidly moves towards a rather classical mix of Electro/Future-Pop. The songs are pretty danceable and refined, but still featuring darker passages. The vocals are sometimes half spoken – half sung. This is an album appealing for fans of Frozen Plasma, NamNamBulu ao.

+ + + : Ego Bliss accomplished a noticeable debut-album. The production is mature, featuring well-crafted songs with delicate sound treatments. It’s a fully enjoyable album, which even features a potential hit entitled “The Savior”. This song is carried by a solid bass line and robotic vocals.

– – – : I’m sometimes missing a bit more passion in the production of the vocals.

Conclusion: Ego Bliss sounds like a promising newcomer to the wider fields of Electro-Pop music.

Best songs: “The Saviour”, “2 Victims Of Deceit”, “The Darkest Hour”, “Strange Belief”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/mario.monk.129

Label: www.sector-industrial.com / www.facebook.com/sector.industrial.producciones

About Ego Bliss

Ego Bliss is a Mexican solo project set up in 2019 in Tijuana by Mario Monk, who is also a member of Para Normal. The project mixes melodic Synth-Pop, Darkwave and EBM, built on club-driven rhythms and cinematic synth textures.

“What The Future Holds”, covered here, is the project’s debut album, released through Sector Industrial Producciones. Ego Bliss followed it with the “Future” EP, also on Sector Industrial Producciones, before signing to the German label Infacted Recordings, which released the album “Afterlife”.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Three years after the debut-album “The Worst Dream” (2018) Rebirth strikes back with a double album featuring twelve new songs and eleven remixes. Rebirth is Bruno Ruch (Sleepwalk) and singer Olivier Moser.

Content: The main disc reveals solid EBM bass lines, powerful rhythms, carrying choruses and harsh-spooky   vocals. “System:Error” reflects a cold production, which is mainly created by icy sequences and -atmospheres. The vocals are in German and English. There’s one instrumental song somewhere in the midst of the work, which appears to be a break.

The second disc reveals remixes by Atropine, Rotersand, Oldschool Union, Covenant, Struck9, Frozen Plasma, Pyrroline, AD:Key, KIFOTH, Deadly Injection and Onenine.

+ + + : I was not a huge fan of Rebirth’s debut album, but this new work sounds definitely more convincing. Bruno Ruch improved most aspects of the production, but the song writing is just better. The album features several great songs, but I especially recommend listening to “Ultimate Sin”, “Teufel In Mir” and “Streets Of The Damned”. The sound treatments reveal a professional approach. I especially like the fusion between power and haunting atmospheres on top.

The bonus disc reveals great names, but also great remixes. I especially want to mention Rotersand, Oldschool Union, Struck9, Pyrroline and KIFOTH as the most inspired cuts. Onenine is a noticeable feature as this is a solo-project of Axel Kleintjes (formerly involved with Page 12, Cyber Axis, Cycloon, Mindware).

 Last, but not least I also want to say a word about the great and artistic digipak format of this work.

– – – : This work is just missing an absolute hit to speak about a real masterpiece, but we get a real great number of songs instead. I expected a bit more from the Covenant remix.

Conclusion: “System:Error” is a work I fully recommend to all lovers of sophisticated dark EBM.

Best songs: “Ultimate Sin”, “Teufel In Mir”, “Streets Of The Damned”, “Letzte Schlacht”, “R.I.P.” + “Streets Of The Damned – Rotersand Rework”, “Teufel In Mir – Struck9 Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: http://rebirth-music.ch / www.facebook.com/Dr.Tinitus

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

About Rebirth

Rebirth is a Swiss EBM and dark electro duo formed by Bruno Ruch, also active as Sleepwalk, and singer Olivier Moser. The project released its debut album, “The Worst Dream”, in 2018 on EK Product. Three years later, Rebirth followed up with the double album “System:Error”, pairing twelve new songs with eleven remixes from acts including Rotersand, Covenant, Oldschool Union, Struck9, Pyrroline, KIFOTH, AD:Key, Atropine, Frozen Plasma, Deadly Injection and Onenine, issued on digital and 2CD formats through EK Product.

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, dark-pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: “Damage Over Time” is the second official full length album by Gasoline Invertebrate. After the “Freak Drive”-album released three years ago, we get ten new songs by Brian Graupner who’s mainly known for his involvement with The Gothsicles. Notice by the way and that’s a real important aspect of this record, nearly all songs have been produced by a different producer!

Content: “Damage Over Time” is mainly driven by dark-electronics, but most of the songs are polished with electro-pop elements. The melodic side of the work is immediately noticeable and especially the song featuring Chris Connelly (cf. “Scarlet Slip”) has something pretty dance-like. Behind this ‘dark’ fusion between the music styles you’ll also notice multiple sound effects symbolizing the elaborated format of this work. The tracklist is progressively evolving towards harder and harsher cuts.

+ + + : “Damage Over Time” is an interesting work for different reasons; it’s not only a danceable and well-crafted composition, but there’s a great fusion between darker, powerful electro and pop-like melodies. It creates something apart from all other bands repeating the same old dark-electro sound formula. Chris Connelly is a noticeable guest on this album and that’s also a good reason to discover this work… although “Scarlet Slip” is not my favorite cut. I think if there’s a potential hit featured on the album it must be “Feast”, which is not only powerful and danceable, but still has a great retro-like melody line. Among the producers you’ll find artists such as Martin Bowes (Attrition), Vasi Vallis (Reaper, Frozen Plasma), Kolja Trelle (Soman), Brant Showers (Aaimon), Steven Archer (Stoneburner, Ego Likeness) ao.

– – – : I know it must be surprising to say that the song featuring Chris Connelly is the single one that can’t totally convince me. It has something more ‘commercial’ and ‘danceable’-like, which doesn’t really fit to the rest of the tracklist.

Conclusion: “Damage Over Time” is a noticeable and alluring second album for Gasoline Invertebrate.

Best songs: “Feast”, “Headschatten”, “Let The Demon Out”, “Boston”, “Rejected Organ Transplant”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/gasolineinvertebrate

Label: www.facebook.com/tigersquawkrecords

About Gasoline Invertebrate

Gasoline Invertebrate is a side project of Brian Graupner, best known for his work with The Gothsicles. “Damage Over Time”, released through Tigersquawk Records in 2020, is Gasoline Invertebrate’s second full-length album, following “Freak Drive” three years earlier, and features a different producer on nearly every track, including Martin Bowes (Attrition) and Chris Connelly.

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: Future-pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Vasi Vallis (music) and Felix Marc (vocals) are recognized as one of the hottest electro/future-pop duos from the German electro scene. This year they strike back with their newest opus “Gezeiten”. Both singles/EP’s taken from this album clearly are some of the best songs ever composed by the duo so I was wondering how this new Frozen Plasma would sound-like.

Content: “Gezeiten” is an album in the truest tradition of the band. The tracklist is mixing harder cuts with menacing EBM lines and elevating, melodic choruses at one side and softer, more melancholic pieces at the other side. Both singles “Gefühlsmaschine” and “Safe.Dead.Harm” definitely belong to the harder side of the band and are dancefloor killers. On top of it all there’s this charismatic, powerful and emotional voice of Felix Marc.

+ + + : Frozen Plasma has already great songs and noticeable albums, but the single feature of both aforementioned singles makes this album essential. “Gefühlsmaschine” and “Safe.Dead.Harm” both are mixing elements of EBM together with electro/future-pop. The verses are hard while the choruses move crescendo and will make you sing along with Felix Marc. Frozen Plasma makes people happy by great danceable stumpers on one side, but still with this sensitive and melancholic touch at the other side. Vasi Vallis remains a talented musician who has a nose to write great melodies carried by solid bass lines.

– – – : The softer, melancholic side of the band has never been my favorite one. It brings a break, but too much softness sometimes becomes a bit boring.

Conclusion: If you like modern future-pop music you for sure like this new Frozen Plasma work.

Best songs: “Gefühlsmaschine”, “Safe.Dead.Harm”, “Sailor”, “Westend”, “Rivers”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.frozenplasma.de / www.facebook.com/FrozenPlasma

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

About Frozen Plasma

Frozen Plasma is a Synth-Pop duo from Hanover, Germany, formed in 2005 by Frozen Plasma members Vasi Vallis (music) and Felix Marc (vocals).

The duo debuted with “Hypocrite” in 2005, followed the next year by “Warmongers”, the “Artificial Club” EP, “Artificial”, “Irony” and “Emphasize”. “Tanz Die Revolution” followed in 2008, then a cluster of 2009 releases (“Artificial Evolution”, “Club Monument”, “Tour Monument”, “Monumentum” and “Earthling”), “Herz” in 2013 and “Crazy” in 2014.

Frozen Plasma now returns on Infacted Recordings with “Gezeiten”, its first album since “Crazy”.

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: Pandoria is a new and rather surprising band. This is a brand new duo featuring Stephan Tesch (Paranoid) and Orange Sector singer Martin Bodewell. We in a way can speak about the return of Paranoid and I guess it’s not a coincidence  Pandoria is an anagram of Paranoid. “Crush” features the title song plus six remixes.

Content: “Crush” sounds like a truly resurrection of Paranoid. The global sound treatments, but especially the bass line brings this 90s German EBM combo alive. The main difference is Martin Bodewell singing, but he of course is a veteran in the genre. The song has a rather catchy tune, you’ll easily keep in mind.

Remixes have been done by Frozen Plasma, Digital Energy, Wellencocktail, Angriffspakt and Rob Dust (with 2 remixes).

+ + + : “Crush” is a great song, which will rapidly contaminate your mind. It also has this good-old Paranoid touch driven by a solid bass line while the catchy chorus makes it simply irresistible. And the more you’ll hear the song, the more difficult it will be to start listen to it again and again. The remixes are adding some diversity to the original edit. I especially recommend the first “Rob Dust Remix” with vocals (the second is an instrumental edit) for the high danceable energy emerging from this version. Another great remix is the one by Digital Energy, which sounds pretty catchy.

– – – : We only get one single song and even if it’s a great one, I prefer waiting for more stuff to really get an idea about Pandoria.

Conclusion: “Crush” is nothing less than an earworm! This is a great debut song for Pandoria!

Best songs: “Crush – Single Version”, “Crush – Rob Dust Remix”, “Crush – Digital Energy Remix”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/pandoriamusic

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

About Pandoria

Pandoria‘s name is an anagram of Paranoid, the German EBM band Stephan Tesch and Michael Formberg ran through the early 90s, releasing the albums “Strain” (1991) and “Sweat Blood & Tears” (1992) before splitting in 1993. More than 25 years later, Tesch teamed up with Orange Sector singer Martin Bodewell to form Pandoria, signing with Infacted Recordings for the “Crush” EP before releasing the debut album “Clean”.

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: Future-pop, body-pop, electro-pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This new EP by the German Eisfabrik is meant as an appetizer to their new full length album. ‘Dr. Schnee’, ‘Der Frost’ and ‘Celsius’ are back on track unleashing a main song plus a bunch of remixes and a B-side cut. The EP also is their first work released by RepoRecords –which has also been joined earlier by Funker Vogt (featuring Gerrit Thomas aka ‘Der Frost’).

Content: The main song “And Nothing Turns” is a somewhat surprising piece by the Eisfabrik gang. It’s a slow cut, which is driven by solid electro-pop arrangements and dreamy passages. It has something of a future-pop song. The “Club Version” boosted the song to a harder dancefloor edit. Remixes have been accomplished by Covenant, Schattenmann (adding guitars), Beyond Obsession, Robotiko Rejekto and Rob Dust. The remixes bring a real diversity to the song.

“White Sheet” is not what I would call a B-side cut, but a solid body-pop song getting you to dance. The arrangements are once more typically Funker Vogt-like –or should I say typically Gerrit Thomas-driven. Frozen Plasma made a remix of the song as well.

Dr. Schnee is still singing a rather clear and charismatic way.

+ + + : I have to admit the title song didn’t convince me with the first listen. It has something surprising, a bit reminding me of these songs the audience spontaneously put their lighters on in the air (today their mobiles) and sing along. But the track has something elevating due to the heavenly lead and the crescendo like music. Most of the remixes are adding a little extra like the minimal version by Covenant or the empowered with guitar remix by Schattenmann. Beyond Obsession injects some reverie, Robotiko Rejekto brings a retro touch to the work while Rob Dust gets you to dance. I can’t say this EP features a B-side as “White Sheet” is a solid body-pop stomper. Eisfabrik remains inspired creating great sound treatments, elevating leads and danceable rhythms.

– – – : “And Nothing Turns” needs a few listenings before you really get into the song and start to sing along.

Conclusion: This is a perfect way to announce a new full length; releasing a great song with cool remixes and an extra danceable cut.

Best songs: “And Nothing Turns – Club Version”, “White Sheet”, “And Nothing Turns – Schattenmann Version”, “And Nothing Turns – Covenant Version”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.eismusik.de /  www.facebook.com/eisfabrikofficial

Label: www.reporecords.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Repo–Records/119590774857404

About Eisfabrik

Eisfabrik is a German future-pop/body-pop act built around vocalist Charly Barth-Ricklefs (‘Dr. Schnee’) and producer Gerrit Thomas (‘Der Frost’), who is also linked to Funker Vogt. The band released its debut album in 2015, followed by “Achtzehnhundertunderfroren” in 2016 and “Null Kelvin” in 2018. The “Rotationsausfall In Der Eisfabrik” EP, reviewed here, served as an appetizer for the band’s fifth full length, “Kryothermalmusik Aus Der Eisfabrik”, followed later by “Automatisierung In Der Eisfabrik” (2020), “Life Below Zero” (2022) and “Götter In Weiss” (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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: This year Mind Machine released their first album in more than twenty years, this way pleasing all lovers of ‘classic’ electro-pop music inspired by bands such as Depeche Mode, New Order ao. This album is revisiting ten from the eleven album songs. Only a remix of “Decade”! We get a total amount of 16 remixes.

Content: This album is a different way to discover the work of Mind Machine; it’s the interpretation of other artists transposing the original electro-pop sound of “Return To The Machine” into their own approach. There’s an interesting twist of remixers featuring familiar, famous names such as Parralox, Frozen Plasma, Eisfabrik and People’s Theatre next to less familiar and/or renowned names such as Darwinmcd, Nature Of Wires, Fused, Provision, Mda, The Frixion, The New Division, Uncreated, Zoon Politicon, Graflex, The Grey Disorder and Circuit3.

+ + + : There’s an interesting diversity featured by the remix artists. It also is another way to get back to the band’s album. My favorite song from the ‘original’ album was the song “Here And There” and here again I have to say it’s a pretty cool track, which has been re-boosted by Parralox into a great retro-styled remix. Another cool song was “We Keep Walking” and here again I discovered a cool remix made by The New Division”.

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the remixes by Eisfabrik and Frozen Plasma.

Conclusion: Remixes are cool for DJ’s and die-hard fans. I discovered some cool remixes, but I prefer the original songs.

Best songs: “Here And There – Parralox Remix”, “We Keep Walking – The New Division Remix”, “The Pain You Feel – Scars Of Anguish by Provision”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/mindmachineband

About Mind Machine

Mind Machine is a Los Angeles-based synthpop duo of vocalist Brian Belknap and multi-instrumentalist Brian Olsen, established in 1989 and originally active through the mid-1990s, a period later collected on “Movement: The Very Best Of Mind Machine 1990-1995”. The band returned in 2019 with the album “Return To The Machine” after a 24-year hiatus, followed the same year by the companion remix set “Remix The Machine” and the EP “Clouds Of Doubt”, reviewed separately on Side-Line.

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: Electro-pop, dance-pop.

Background/Info: Next to the “My Love Is Electric”-single and the “Remixes”-CD EP Dimitri Berzerk also released a vinyl with “Club Mixes”. This disc in neon pink color has been limited to 250 copies and features eight songs.

Content: The title song and the B-side track “Nowhere Girl” has been featured as a 12” Version. We next get remixes by Frozen Plasma, Vyrtual Zociety, Eloquent, Elektrostaub and Modelo De Placer. All these bands were still featured at the “Remixes”-EP, but the remixes here are different and globally speaking more dancefloor/club driven.

We also get a remix of the title song by 89St, which was not featured at the “Remixes”-release.

+ + + : Speaking for myself, I definitely prefer this “Club Mixes”-work, which is more danceable. The remixes aren’t that much different, but the little details make the difference. I like the remixes by Frozen Plasma and Elektrostaub while the 12” Version of “Nowhere Girl” is a cool song. The picture color vinyl looks pretty cool as well and is food for DJ’s.

– – – : “My Love Is Electric” counts an impressive list of remixes, which are spread over both EP’s. I know what to hear more original songs from Dimitri Berzerk.

Conclusion: I personally prefer this EP instead of the “Remixes”-edit. There are a few songs that will move you to dance!

Best songs: “My Love Is Electric – Frozen Plasma Remix”, “My Love Is Electric – Elektrostaub Remix”, “My Love Is Electric – 12” Version”, “Nowhere Girl – 12” Version”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.dimitriberzerk.com / www.facebook.com/dimitri.berzerk

Label: www.sector–industrial.com / www.facebook.com/sector.industrial.producciones

About Dimitri Berzerk

Dimitri Berzerk runs Sector Industrial Producciones from Mexico City and is also active as a DJ, event promoter and remixer under the name DMT Berzerk. “My Love Is Electric”, featuring Argentina singer Franco Doglioli, was released a day earlier as the “Remixes” CD EP; this vinyl “Club Mixes” edition gathers more dancefloor-oriented versions of the same songs. Dimitri Berzerk later released the solo EPs “Resist” (2020) and “A.I.C.Q.T.I.L.” (2021), and the album “Nineteen Eighty Four” (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.

www.side-line.com

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

Background/Info: Dimitri Berzerk is a rather familiar name from the Mexican electro scene. Based in Mexico City he’s running Sector Industrial Producciones next to his activities as a DJ and promoter for events, and of course as a producer/remixer as DMT Berzerk. He did an impressive number of great remixes for famous artists, but he now for the first time released own material. Argentina singer Franco Doglioli (Reflection, Sequencia) has been asked to take care of the vocals.

Content: “My Love Is Electric” has been originally released as single and has been now exposed to the remix skills of other artists. Frozen Plasma (also featured on the single), Vyrtual Zociety, Eloquent, Max Droia, Die-Go, SoftWave, Elektrostaub, Electro Roots, Vox Humana and Modelo De Placer has been asked to remix the title song. There are a few “Extended Remixes” featured, which is a quite familiar edit for DMT Berzerk when he’s remixing other artists.

The EP also features a kind of B-side song entitled “Nowhere Girl”.

+ + + : The original song featuring Franco Doglioli is a cool and danceable electro-pop & dance cut. If you know the remixes of DMT Berzerk and his dance-pop approach this song will not be totally surprising. The other song “Nowhere Girl” is also a cool track and definitely more than simply a B-side track. Among the remixes I was especially convinced by the very club-minded edit of Die-Go, which features a few Front 242 elements. Other noticeable remixes have been accomplished by Vyrtual Zociety and Modelo De Placer. It also is an opportunity to discover less familiar artists. Last, but not least, I also have to say a word about the cool and ingenious package of this CD format.

– – – : I’ve never been a huge fan of EP featuring an endless list of remixes from the same song.

Conclusion: Dimitri Berzerk has finally decided to release his own stuff and that’s a real positive step, which I think will only increase his growing popularity.

Best songs: “My Love Is Electric – Die-Go Remix”, “My Love Is Electric – Modelo De Placer Extended Remix”, “My Love Is Electric – Single Version”, “Nowhere Girl – Single Version”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.dimitriberzerk.com / www.facebook.com/dimitri.berzerk

Label: www.sector–industrial.com / www.facebook.com/sector.industrial.producciones

About Dimitri Berzerk

Dimitri Berzerk runs Sector Industrial Producciones from Mexico City and is also active as a DJ, event promoter and remixer under the name DMT Berzerk. “My Love Is Electric” is his first release of original material, featuring Argentina singer Franco Doglioli, previously of Reflection and Sequencia. A companion vinyl edition, “Club Mixes”, followed one day later. Dimitri Berzerk went on to release the solo EPs “Resist” (2020) and “A.I.C.Q.T.I.L.” (2021), and the album “Nineteen Eighty Four” (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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Johann Sebastian moves back to the last year released album of State Of The Union “Indupop”. It was the fifth album of the L.A. based artist. “Industrial” and “Slither” both were originally released on “Indupop” and now exposed to the remixing skills of other artists.

Content: Both songs have been released as “Original Single Remix” revealing the pleasant and happy-like synth-pop music from this artist. “Slither” has been remixed by ES23 and Assemblage 23 while “Industrial” has been remixed by [SITD], Frozen Plasma and Ruined Conflict.

+ + + : You’ll have to agree that the chosen remixers are quite interesting names for an EP. I especially like the work of Assemblage 23 and Frozen Plasma. Another noticeable cut is the remix of “Industrial” by [SITD], which seem like having accentuated the lead of the song. No doubt about it, this is the kind of EP that will please to the fans of the band.

– – – : Both title songs weren’t exactly my favorites featured at “Indupop” so I’m not totally convinced by the EP.

Conclusion: State Of The Union has already composed better songs than “Industrial” and “Slither”, but the great list of remixes makes this EP interesting.

Best songs: “Industrial – Frozen Plasma Remix”, “Slither – Assemblage 23 Remix”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.facebook.com/StateOfTheUnionOfficial

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

About State Of The Union

State Of The Union is an electronic industrial band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Johann Sebastian. The project debuted in 2002 with the album “Black City Lights” on Accession Records, a label founded by Adrian Hates, before moving to WTII Records and, for the European market, Infacted Recordings.

The second album “Inpendum” followed in 2004, and the debut was re-recorded as “Black City Lights V.2” in 2005. “Evol Love Industry” (2008), “My Time Away” (2014) and “Indupop” (2018) preceded “Industrial / Slither”, an EP gathering remixes of two “Indupop” tracks by ES23, Assemblage 23, SITD, Frozen Plasma and Ruined Conflict. State Of The Union went on to release the “Bad Flower” EP 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.

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Genre/Influences: Dark electro-pop, body-pop.

Background/Info: [:SITD:] which released their last work on Frank D’Angelo own label Scanner has now moved to Infacted Recordings to release this new EP and the upcoming full length “Stunde X”.

Content: [:SITD:] has used to bringing us dark-electronics and now took me by surprise delivering a rather dark-pop electro title song. The song reveals certain club-power. Remixes have been accomplished by label mates Frozen Plasma,  Ruined Conflict and Shiv-R.

The B-side song entitled “Miscreed” is definitely darker and featuring vocals by the one and only Johan Van Roy (Suicide Commando).

+ + + : The title song isn’t exactly my favorite cut from [:SITD:], but I have to admit it has a real strong club-feeling. It sounds danceable and the chorus has been polished by a somewhat pop-like touch. I especially like the remixes by Ruined Conflict, which has something EBM-like on top and the harsher approach of Shiv-R. It’s hard to say if “Miscreed” is a real B-side song, but having Johan Van Roy on board is a real interesting element to catch the attention of the fans –and all Suicide Commando freaks as well.

– – – : As I already said, the title song is okay, but not what I’m used to hearing from this band.

Conclusion: I’m really wondering about the new album, which will give us more information about a possible evolution of [:SITD:] towards dark electro-pop fields.

Best songs: “Sturmlicht – Ruined conflict Remix”, “Sturmlicht – Shiv-R Remix”, “Sturmlicht – Single Version”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/SITDofficial

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

About [:SITD:]

[:SITD:], short for Shadows In The Dark, is an electro-industrial band from Germany’s Ruhr area, formed in 1996 by Francesco D’Angelo, Carsten Jacek and Thomas Lesczenski. “Sturmlicht” is remixed by Frozen Plasma, Ruined Conflict and Shiv-R, and features Johan van Roy of Suicide Commando on guest vocals.

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: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Frozen Plasma strikes back with a particular album; kind of ‘featuring’-releasing on, which the German duo invited 10 guest singers to sing each a favorite Frozen Plasma song.

Content: You’ll easily recognize songs such as “Foolish Dreams”, “MurderousTrap”, “Hypocrite”, “King Of Pain”, but the vocals are different and sometimes surprising. For this concept “Pakt” features Thomas Lecszenski (SITD), Xavier Morales (Ruined Conflict), Paul (The Saint Paul), Casi (Rroyce), Charly-Barth Ricklefs (Eisfabrik), Jimmy Machon (Lights Of Euphoria), Dennis Schöber (Solitary Experiments), Daniel Pad (ES23), André Steinigen (Versus) and Nihls Uppahl (Beyond Obsession).

+ + + : The songs remain driven by the electro/future-pop style of Frozen Plasma. The guest singers inject some extra diversity to the sound. Songs such as “Murderous Trap” feat. Xavier Morales, “Hypocrite” feat. Daniel Pad and “Faith Over Your Fear” feat. André Steinigen work really well. It’s an original way to revisit 10 songs from the band.

– – – : A few songs can’t convince me and that’s maybe because some of them aren’t my favorites. I’m missing some of the band’s biggest hits –like “Herz”, “Crazy”, “Tanz Der Revolution”).

Conclusion: The idea behind this album also is a way to connect people with each other. It’s an original way to bring some old songs back to life.

Best songs: “Murderous Trap”, “Hypocrite”, “Faith Over Your Fear”, “Foolish Dreams”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.frozenplasma.de / www.facebook.com/FrozenPlasma

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

About Frozen Plasma

Frozen Plasma is a synth-pop duo from Hanover, Germany, formed in 2005 by Vasi Vallis and Felix Marc, the latter also known for his self-titled solo project and for his work in Diorama. “Pakt,” reviewed here, revisits ten of the band’s songs with guest vocalists drawn from the wider electro-pop and EBM scene.

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: Electro-pop, future-pop.

Background/Info: We all know Felix Marc as the singer of Frozen Plasma and member of Diorama. But we sometimes forget he also has his own self-named solo-project. After two albums released on Infacted Recordings, Felix Marc started to release his work on his own. “Substance” is the man’s latest exposure featuring twelve songs.

Content: “Substance” is different from Felix’s early work and even starts in a pretty sensitive and melancholic way. He also surprises with the cover version of Cock Robin’s mega-hit “The Promise You Made” featuring Lis Van Den Akker (Misery). Quite progressively the album moves towards more danceable cuts with more future-pop on top. This is a more familiar approach reminding me of  the early works.

+ + + : Felix Marc first of all is a talented singer. He’s a great pop singer and his timbre of voice is totally appropriated for the sensible touch he injected into his work. It has something sensitive and sensual as well. “Our Time” is a great song illustrating this emotional side. “Substance” is a delicate opus with fine piano-like arrangements, but still with a more danceable part. I recommend “Vertigo”, and also the incredibly beautiful song “Omen”. This is the kind of record that will make you feel good!

– – – : The sweetest cuts aren’t my personal favorites. I definitely prefer the danceable side of the album. It’s also surprising to see such an artist self-releasing his work on digital format.

Conclusion: If you’re a pop addict and you have a preference for electro-pop to listen to you definitely have to try “Substance”. And if you prefer electro-pop music you can dance to, “Substance” is worthy of examination as well. Not my favorite Felix Marc-album although an enjoyable experience!

Best songs: “Omen”, “Vertigo”, “Our Time”, “The Promise You Made”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.felixmarc.de / www.facebook.com/felixmarcmusic

About Felix Marc

Felix Marc is the solo project of the singer better known as one half of Frozen Plasma and as a member of Diorama. He released his debut, “Clubways,” on Infacted Recordings in 2008 before moving to self-releasing his work; “Substance,” reviewed here, followed that self-released path digitally.

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: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Slovenian Torul are already back on track unleashing a new title-song that will be probably featured at the next full length album they’re actually finishing. 

Content: “Ausverkauft” is a rather ‘classical’ Torul-song featuring astral bleeps, a slow, danceable cadence, feelings of evasion and a sensual timbre of voice.

The title song has been remixed by Frozen Plasma, Rotoskop, Into The Knot, Rob Dust and Soni Code.

+ + + : There are not many Torul EP’s that have disappointed me. I can’t say “Ausverkauft” is a new ‘major’ song in their discography, but it remains a cool and delicate track. This delicacy is accentuated by the sensual way of singing. Among the remixes I want to mention the great job done by Rob Dust. Frozen Plasma did a cool remix as well, bringing some fragility to the surface. 

– – – : I was never a huge fan of EP’s featuring one title song and a list of remixes. I would have preferred discovering an extra- and why not an exclusive song.

Conclusion: Torul remains faithful to their personal electro-pop style, which is subtle, refined and sensual. Time for the new album now!

Best songs: “Ausverkauft”, “Ausverkauft – Rob Dust Remix”, “Ausverkauft – Frozen Plasma Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.torul–recordings.net / www.facebook.com/torul

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

About Torul

Torul is a Slovenian project originally set up as a solo outlet by Borut Bernik, known as “Torulsson”, in 2010, mixing Dance, Techno and Electro/Indie-Pop; the band’s line-up also includes Borut Dolenec and vocalist Maj Valerij.

“Ausverkauft” was one of several singles Torul released in 2019, ahead of the project’s next full-length albums, “End Less Dreams” in 2023 and “Superposition” on Infacted Recordings in 2025. Torulsson discussed the band’s history and line-up changes in a 2023 Side-Line interview.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

The futurepop / synthpop act Unity One has released the official music video for the track “Leave Me Confined”. The track is taken from their well-received debut album “Awakening” released in April 2018 via SkyQode.

You can watch the video below.

The band is currently actively working on their new album and plan to release a new single later this Spring. In April, they will also join Frozen Plasma and Ruined Conflict for their first ever German shows in Oberhausen (April 5) and Frankfurt (April 6).

You can download Unity One’s debut album right here via all the different platforms or via Bandcamp below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, EBM.

Background/Info: Set up in 2004 by Daniel Pad, ES23 self-released its debut work and released 3 official full lengths on Infacted Recordings. “Taking Me Down” is the German project’s newest EP (or single if you prefer; the work features the title song plus 4 remixes and an alternative version of the latest album title-song).

Content: “Taking Me Down” is less dark-electro driven than what I’m used to hearing from ES23. It remains a ‘cold’ electro driven piece, but it still sounds pretty EBM-like while the vocals are rather ‘clear’ compared to earlier work.

Remixes were made by Frozen Plasma, Ruined Conflict, Synthattack and State Of The Union. The last song is a “Classic Version” of “Erase My Heart”.

+ + + : The title song is the right track for an EP; it’s a perfect danceable cut driven by cool, cold sequences and an efficient lead. The song moves crescendo, which creates a certain feeling of climax. Among the remixes I especially recommend the transcendental approach by Frozen Plasma and the more pop-sounding one by Ruined Conflict. 

– – – : The remixes are okay, but speaking for myself I expected a bit more out of remixes and especially on an EP. The “Classic Version” of “Erase My Heart” is surprising, light and wafting, but doesn’t bring anything really extra to the work.

Conclusion: ES23 strikes back with an efficient song for the dancefloors!

Best songs: “Taking Me Down”, “Taking Me Down – Frozen Plasma Remix”, “Taking Me Down – Ruined Conflict Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.es23.de / www.facebook.com/ES23official

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

About ES23

ES23 is the solo project of German producer Daniel Pad, active under the name since 2004. Its debut album, “Heaven Or Hell”, followed in 2012 on Infacted Recordings, then “Mutatio Ex Machina” in 2014 and “Erase My Heart” in 2017.

“Taking Me Down” is ES23’s newest EP, featuring the title song plus remixes. Pad discussed the project’s evolution in a 2021 Side-Line interview, published around the release of the EP “When I’m Gone” and the album “Only Melodies Remain”. ES23 went on to release the album “Dancing With Clouds” in 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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Future-pop, electro-pop.

Background/Info: The German trio Tom Lesczenski ([:SITD:]), Vasi Vallis (Frozen Plasma, Reaper, NamNamBulu) and Krischan Wesenberg (Rotersand) took us by surprise in early 2018 with the great “Presence”-album released on Infacted Recordings. The trio is already back now with a 5-songs mini-album released on Trisol.

Content: This production is quite easy to review; you get 2 impressive songs, 1 cool track and 2 B-side cuts. Sound-wise this mature and talented trio is once again mixing elements of high-danceable and well-crafted future-pop with rather classical electro-pop tracks. Some songs are pretty Rotersand-like and I especially refer to the sound treatments and some arrangements.

+ + + : I first of all like the format of this record; mini-albums are somewhat forgotten productions, which according to me are far more interesting than EP’s with an endless number of remixes. We here get 5 new songs and especially “Second Lies” and “Blaze In The Dark” both are intelligent and sophisticated cuts. The strength of this music is all about the sound treatments, but still the high degree of dance-ability. The global production process (music and vocals) is totally accomplished and sound high-tech!

– – – : There’s no real reason to complain. After a brilliant debut album, this mini-album simply confirms the endless potential of this formation. The “Fear And Hope”-song is maybe my single regret about this work for being less inspired.

Conclusion: When you bring little geniuses together you only, but can expect a little sonic jewel. I’m really wondering where those sound architects will end!?

Best songs: “Second Lies”, “Blaze In The Dark”, “Break Me Into Pieces”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/futureliedtous

Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol–Music–Group/104166526285471

About Future Lied To Us

Future Lied To Us is a German trio of Tom Lesczenski (SITD), Vasi Vallis (Frozen Plasma, Reaper, NamNamBulu) and Krischan Wesenberg (Rotersand). The project’s debut album, “Presence“, was released on Infacted Recordings in early 2018. The five-track mini-album “Progress”, reviewed here, followed later that year on Trisol.

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: Future-pop, electro-pop.

Background/Info: Future Lied To Us is a project driven by Krischan Jan-Eric Wesenberg (Rotersand), Vasi Vallis (NamNamBulu, Reaper, Frozen Plasma) and Thomas Lesczenski (SITD). After 2 digital singles released in 2017, here comes the debut album of this trio.

Content: When you bring talented and visionary artists together you can only expect something ‘amazing’. Future Lied To Us isn’t reinventing future-pop music, but “Presence” clearly sounds as they bring this music style back on the map of electronic music. “Presence” is a well-crafted album carried by impressive production skills. Some songs might remind Rotersand, but globally speaking the work is not a cheapo copy from one of the member’s bands they’re involved with. The songs are powerful, melodic, and emotional and a real lust for all lovers of professional electronic music.

+ + + : I’m not that surprised the album gets a great response in their homeland. It’s an intelligent and sophisticated electro-pop production, which sometimes evoke a sonic hybrid between Rotersand and Haujobb. Let’s not forget Wesenberg and Vallis both are recognized electro-pop artists. The originality is maybe far to find, but the elaboration of the songs is absolutely phenomenal. The production stands for a high-tech approach. The first- and last songs are more emotional pieces and still beautiful songs.

– – – : I maybe expected more originality from this trio, but in the end they simply composed a meaningful piece of music where there’s no real single song to throw away.

Conclusion: Future Lied To us doesn’t sound at all as a beginning band. I’m just wondering if they’ll go on composing new songs or if “Presence” is just a one-shot experience.

Best songs: “Suffocate”, “Embrace A World”, “Faded Faces”, “Falling”, “Drops Of Silver”, “Born In Silence”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/futureliedtous

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

About Future Lied To Us

Future Lied To Us is a future-pop trio pairing Krischan Jan-Eric Wesenberg of Rotersand with Vasi Vallis, who founded NamNamBulu in 2002 and has also recorded as Reaper and Frozen Plasma, and Thomas Lesczenski of SITD. “Presence” is the project’s debut album for Infacted Recordings, released in 2018 after two digital singles the previous year.

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: Body-pop, EBM, electro-pop.

Background/Info: German trio Schwarzbund features René Müller who you maybe remember from DavaNtage and Future Trail, Dirk Wuttig and Martin Klingemann. This is the third album by Schwarzbund, which also is the first one released on Sonic-X.

Content: Schwarzbund brings different-, but related music influences together creating a sonic cocktail of electro-pop and EBM. The album reminds me to a mix between And One, Frozen Plasma and Patenbrigade: Wolff.  The main part of the album is rather soft and easy-going, but there are also a few harder cuts for the clubs.

+ + + : There’s a nice twist between melodic pop passages and EBM sequences. The German vocals accentuate the link with aforementioned formations although Schwarzbund also tries to create their own approach. I like the songs with great melodic choruses, creating an elevating effect. “Einklang” is a well-crafted and efficient cut illustrating the melodic approach of this work while the EBM touch gives the song more power. But the album is not only about power and danceable cuts, but globally speaking an easy, listening work that will mainly appeal for lovers of electro/body-pop music.

– – – : There are to many ‘soft’ songs featured, which after a while become a little less annoying. I’m missing power in these songs, which can only be heard in a few, rare tracks.

Conclusion: “Aktion, Mensch!” is a well-crafted work, but I get the feeling there’s more potential in this work than what came out of it.

Best songs: “Einklang”, “F66”, “Unser Sein”.

Rate: (6½).

Band: www.schwarzbund.de / www.facebook.com/SchwarzbundOfficial

Label: www.sonic–x.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Sonic–X/223123321069481

About Schwarzbund

Schwarzbund is a German band featuring René Müller, also known for his work with DavaNtage and Future Trail, alongside Dirk Wuttig and Martin Klingemann. The group’s album chronology includes “Irrlicht 2012 a.D.” and “Von Der Suche Nach Wärme Und Licht” (both 2012), “Schatten Im Verstand” (2014) and “Herbstsonne” (2015), before “Aktion, Mensch!” became the band’s first release through Sonic-X.

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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 biggest distributor for the industrial electro scene, Audioglobe, has announced its Top 10 in best selling industrial music labels. The numbers were already out there for the labels to look at it, but here they are also for the regular fans. Note that with 2018, Audioglobe also enters it’s 25th year of existance as the distributor set up shop on 6 December 1993. We will of course have a big extended interview and more with Sebastian Koch regarding this great achievement in a very tough market.

But now the numbers many of you have been waiting for!

The Top 3

First the Top 3. The number 1 label in sales is Trisol which has bands such as Clan of Xymox, Rome, Project Pitchfork, Sopor Aeternus, Nachtmahr, Rotersand, Asp, Mantus etc. under contract. The second label in the list is the Belgian based Alfa Matrix which nurtures the talent of Front 242, Underviewer, Daniel B Prothèse, Metroland, Alien Vampires, Ayria, Leatherstrip, Psy’Aviah, Kant Kino and so many other acts. Note that this label also has a very strong e-shop presence (direct sales are not included in this Top 10 list). The 3rd label is Out Of Line with Blutengel, Combichrist, Hocico, Solar Fake, Heimataerde, Unzucht, Solitary Experiments. Also this label has an own e-shop.

The rest of the Top 10

The 4th label is Fabrika/Dead Scarlet (She Past Away, Lebanon Hanover, Selofan, Kaelan Mikla, M!R!M, Doric…) followed by ArtOfFact (Legend, Frontline Assembly, Haujobb, Psyche, Noise Unit, Dead When I found her, Pankow…) and Metropolis (Birthday Massacre, Aesthetic Perfection, God Module, Lords of Acid, Skinny Puppy, Delerium…). The 7th place is occupied by Rustblade (Morricone, Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin, Leaether Strip, Lydia Lunch, Legendary Pink Dots, Merzbow…). Also Dependent is still in the Top 10, namely on spot 8 with their label roster (Covenant, Mesh, Pride & Fall, Beborn Beton, Seabound, Encephalon, Frontline Assembly, Clicks..). Place 9 and 10 finally are for Manic Depression (Winter Severity Index, Ash Code, Schonwald, Box and the Twins, Sjoblom, Dear Deer…) and Undo (Marsheaux, Girl One and the Grease Guns, Mesh, Fotonovela, OMD, Nikonn, Mikro, Vienna, Liebe…).

And on spot 11 and 12…

2 labels didn’t make the Top 10, namely Hall Of Sermon (Lacrimosa, Snakeskin, Black Moon Secret, Eyes Shut Tight) and Infacted (NamNamBulu, Grendel, Torul, Reaper, Frozen Plasma, Ruined Conflict, Orange Sector, Syntec…). Both labels ended on place 11 and 12.

Here’s the complete list again. The bands next to the label are listed in order of sales results/total turnover per band in 2017 via Audioglobe.

01 TRISOL (Clan of Xymox, Rome, Project Pitchfork, Sopor Aeternus, Nachtmahr, Rotersand, Asp, Mantus…)
02 ALFA MATRIX (Front 242, Underviewer, Daniel B Prothèse, Metroland, Alien Vampires, Ayria, Leatherstrip…)
03 OUT OF LINE (Blutengel, Combichrist, Hocico, Solar Fake, Heimataerde, Unzucht, Solitary Experiments …)
04 FABRIKA/DEAD SCARLET (She Past Away, Lebanon Hanover, Selofan, Kaelan Mikla, M!R!M, Doric…)
05 ARTOFFACT (Legend, Frontline Assembly, Haujobb, Psyche, Noise Unit, Dead When I found her, Pankow…)
06 METROPOLIS (Birthday Massacre, Aesthetic Perfection, God Module, Lords of Acid, Skinny Puppy, Delerium…)
07 RUSTBLADE (Morricone, Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin, Leaether Strip, Lydia Lunch, Legendary Pink Dots, Merzbow…)
08 DEPENDENT (Covenant, Mesh, Pride & Fall, Beborn Beton, Seabound, Encephalon, Frontline Assembly, Clicks..)
09 MANIC DEPRESSION (Winter Severity Index, Ash Code, Schonwald, Box and the Twins, Sjoblom, Dear Deer…)
10 UNDO (Marsheaux, Girl One and the Grease Guns, Mesh, Fotonovela, OMD, Nikonn, Mikro, Vienna, Liebe…)
11 HALL OF SERMON (Lacrimosa, Snakeskin, Black Moon Secret, Eyes Shut Tight)
12 INFACTED (NamNamBulu, Grendel, Torul, Reaper, Frozen Plasma, Ruined Conflict, Orange Sector, Syntec…)

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: Versus is a German electro-pop band, which I remember from the cool album “Different Twilight Places” released in 2010 on Echozone. So we might say that “Freakwaves” is a kind of return for this band claiming to compose ‘AhoiPop’. It stands for ‘catchy melodies, epic hymns, addictive ballads and smart clubhits. AhoiPop stands for honest, poignant and profound lyrics’. I guess that’s not that different from numerous electro-pop bands!

Content: “Freakwaves” is a pleasant and danceable electronic work, which is alternating German- and English vocal parts. Some of the songs sung in German remind me a bit of Beborn Beton while the most danceable and melodic pieces might evoke some Syntec elements. The Syntec-link is quite interesting as I discovered after the listening that Toby Hartwig (Syntec) contributed to one of the tracks. Other noticeable guests are Vasi Vallis (Frozen Plasma, NamNamBulu) and Nils Upahl (Beyond Obsession).

But Versus first of all is a band trying to compose a unique sound. They like diversity, and experiment with a few different influences. Some songs are softer and a bit into electronic ballad style while other cuts are carried by some EBM elements. I also noticed a song with a rather minimal-like approach (cf. “Gloaming”).

+ + + : “Freakwaves” is a successful return for Versus. This is the right work to bring the band back on the electro-pop map. The songs are diversified and well-crafted. There’s a perfect balance between melodies, danceable vibes, German- and English vocals. The album is maybe missing an absolute hit song, but there are several great tracks. Last, but not least Versus also invites interesting guests who contributed to a few songs while Krischan Wesenberg (Rotersand) did the production.

– – – : There are no real minor points about this work. As I already mentioned the album is maybe missing a real hit while the few softer cuts aren’t the main strength of Versus.

Conclusion: Versus is back on track and has accomplished an exciting piece of dance electro-pop music. The right definition for ‘AhoiPop’ is maybe and simply ‘intelligent electro-pop’!

Best songs: “Wir Sind Anders”, “Freakwaves”, “Love2Go”, “Gloaming”, “Immer Dann”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.versus–music.de / www.facebook.com/Versus2

Label: www.darktunes.com / www.facebook.com/darkTunesMusic

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: Industrial-body-music, industrial new-beat, EBM.

Background/Info: Vasi Vallis became a praised and recognition musicians as a member of Frozen Plasma and NamNamBulu. He started Reaper in 2005 as a kind of ‘industrial’ answer to his electro-pop music. The debut album “Hell Starts With An H” became an instant sonic hit, but the past few years we didn’t hear any new work by Reaper. But last year Reaper struck back with a new EP entitled “Der Schnitter” and here’s finally the long-awaited new album.

Content: Vasi Vallis seems to have exorcised his most hidden and evil sonic fantasies. “Babylon Killed The Music” is a varied composition moving from dark-electronics into industrial-techno to next experiment with pure trance leads. And the crazy sonic ride is only at the beginning. Reaper also deals with dance and acid influences while even getting back to new-beat elements.

The work sometimes sounds pretty dance-like, but later on totally minimal and hard EBM to finally reach a rather relaxing and evasive style.

+ + + : Reaper merges an impressive arsenal of influences with each other. Whatever the ingredients are, Vasi Vallis has the skills to transpose it into heavy dark dance vibes. The sound treatments remain one of his greatest talents. Every single song is accomplished with a true passion to create blasting sound vibes. But I don’t know of many underground artists who on the same work can mix new-beat and pure dance/trance influences together with harder industrial elements. Reaper sounds like the offspring between Scooter, Front 242 and Adam X. This album features many potential hits.

– – – : There maybe are one or two songs, which don’t totally work, but globally speaking this album has no real major minus points. I however can imagine that some narrow-minded underground lovers will find this work too versatile and mainly experimenting with music styles they can’t link with ‘dark’ music.

Conclusion: You can really feel Reaper is simply fun project for Vasi Vallis, but the results sound like a supreme new opus, which will be without a shadow of a doubt become one of the best albums of the year. This artist is a sound wizard belonging to a real restricted number of artists like Jan Loamfield and Seb Komor.

Best songs: “We Are Reaper”, “Sechzehn Punkte Plan”, “Neophyte”, “Farewell”, “The Sound Of IDS”, “Sledgehammer”.

Rate: (9).

Band: www.facebook.com/pg/reaperelectro

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690

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

Read the review of ‘Traumatized’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

The Russian synthpop / futurepop project Mental Discipline entered the scene with their debut album “Constellation” featuring collaborations with the vocalists from bands like Frozen Plasma, !Distain, Culture Kultür, Endanger, Pulcher Femina, Spektralized, and many others. The debut was followed by two digital-only EPs, “Fall 2 Pieces” (2013) and “Butterfly” (2014), featuring both new tracks and remixes of the tracks from the debut album.

Finally out via SkyQode now (you can order the release here) is a special CD (“Precious Paradise”) which consists of the tracks from both digital EPs, as well as a couple of previously unreleased tracks. This limited CD edition comes in a 6-panel digipak and contains 13 tracks in all. Among them are the collaborations with Swedish singer Tess Fries as well as remixes from such artists as Assemblage 23, Mind.In.A.Box, [:SITD:], and more.

“Precious Paradise” acts as a warm-up for the band’s upcoming second album “Past Forward” due later this year.

The tracklist:

01. Fall To Pieces
02. Butterfly (Unity One Remix)
03. WDYWFM (feat. Spektralized) (Assemblage 23 Remix)
04. We Are No Machines (feat. Tess Fries)
05. Over Horizon (feat. Pulcher Femina) (Paralyzed Remix)
06. Fall To Pieces (Warmer Mix)
07. God & Devil (feat. Cold In May) (Ginger Snap5 Remix)
08. Precious Paradise (Mind.In.A.Box Remix)
09. Over Horizon (feat. Pulcher Femina) ([:SITD:] Remix)
10. Give Me A Memory (feat. Tess Fries)
11. Pray For Me (feat. !Distain) (Island Chord Remix)
12. Pain & Regrets
13. Until The End

You can check a teaser 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

Out in June is the newest Vanguard album “Never surrender”. The album is the follow-up of the teaser single “I want to live” which was released in late 2015. For their 3rd studio album, Jonas Olovsson and Patrik Hansson asked the help of producer Rob Dust who is probably known to some for his remix and production work for Camouflage, NamNamBulu, Chrom, Frozen Plasma, Visage, Torul, Joachim Witt and so on.

Because of delays the band’s new album “Never surrender” has taken more time than expected so the band told a while back. Not that the band didn’t tease their fans in the meantime as you can see/hear below. The album is now up for pre-order right here!

Pre listening the new album in the car. Soon.. ? #vanguard #synth #synthpop #electropop #neversurrender

A photo posted by VANGUARD (@vanguardofficial) on Feb 18, 2016 at 9:58am PST Read the review of ‘Never Surrender’.

The new album will have 12 tracks and you can view a preview below.

And here’s a video for “I Want To Live” in a KC Killjoy Vs ExoSun Starsign Mix.

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

(By Stéphane Froidcoeur aka Deranged Psyche) 2015 has been already a prolific year for the section Side-Line Reviews. As head of the Side-Line Reviews section I can only, but be extremely satisfied with the huge amount of promo material we got. Over the 700 (!) releases were selected while nearly 550 (!) have been reviewed thus far. I take the opportunity to express my gratitude to all labels, promoters and bands considering and respecting our work and efforts and this for years now.

But I also have to thank all of our readers because for their interest, support, trust and consideration. It’s a very important source of motivation to keep me moving on trying to support our lovely underground scene the best I can.

A review of course remains always ‘subjective’ and a source of discussion, but keep in mind it will be always the perception of the reviewer, but I can assure you we always try to argue our reviews the best as possible. I noticed multiple great releases during 2015; from EBM to dark-electro to IDM to synth-pop to ethereal, to dark-ambient to industrial to gothic and a few related genres I made a TOP 20 of the best albums of 2015! This selection has been made with the promotional material we got while compilations and EP’s were not selected for this ‘best of’.

Stéphane Froidcoeur (aka Deranged Psyche)

01 Irfan – The Eternal Return (CD Album – Prikosnovénie)
02 Neuroticfish – A Sign Of Life (CD Album – NOR)
03 Acylum – Pest (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)
04 Eisfabrik – Eisplanet (CD Album & EP – SPV/NoCut)
05 Senking – Closing Eyes (CD Album – Raster-Noton)
06 Ah Cama-Sotz – State Of Mind (CD Album – Hands)
07 Karjalan Sissit – …Want You Dead (CD Album – Cyclic Law)
08 Alien Vampires – Drag You To Hell (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)
09 Supersimmetria – Kosmogonie (CD Album – Hands)
10 Johan Baeckström – Like Before (CD Album – Progress Productions)
11 Hearts Of Black Science – Signal (CD Album – Progress Productions)
12 Dear Strange – Lonely Heroes (CD Album – Out Of Line)
13 IAMX – Metanoia (CD Album – Caroline International)
14 Legiac – The Faex Had Decimated (CD Album – Tympanik Audio)
15 Grand((Ø))Signal – Aktivation (Digital Album – Grand((Ø))Signal)
16 Encephalon – Psychogenesis (CD Album – Dependent)
17 Noisuf-X – 10 Years Of Riot (DCD Album – ProNoize)
18 Star Industry – The Renegade (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)
19 Chainreactor – Dirt (CD Album – ProNoize)
20 Frozen Plasma – Dekadenz (CD Album – Infacted Recordings)

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

Since their inception in 2006, the Suicidal Romance duo Dmitry Darling (frontman of Freakangel fame) and female vocalist Viktoria Seimar have established themselves within the alternative darkwave / electro scene with well crafted song that stick well in your head.

A few months ago Alfa Matrix already released the “Rêves & Souvenirs” digital album (available here) which selected 15 tracks of the project’s career, but now the band’s back catalogue gets a well deserved bonus extended re-release while the duo is working on new material. 3 releases are now being re-issued via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page with a load of bonus tracks and all-new frontcover designs by Tomoki Haysaka of Sheerheart in Japan.

All 3 releases are immediately available.

The first is “Love Beyond Reach” (available here), originally released in 2007. This was Suicidal Romance’s debut album which got mixed and mastered by Vasi Vallis (Frozen Plasma, Reaper). This extended edition includes bonus tracks from the EP “A Kiss To Resist” with special guest vocals by Jan Moser (Lost Area, Yade) as well as a cover version of Erasure’s classic song “Always”.

The 2nd re-release is “Shattered Heart Reflections” (available here), originally released in 2010, again mixed and mastered by Vasi Vallis (Frozen Plasma, Reaper). This extended edition includes bonus tracks from the EP “A Kiss To Resist” plus remixes by among others Aesthetic Perfection, Syrian, etc..

The 3rd reissue is “Memories Behind Closed Curtains” (available here), originally released in 2011. This time it was mixed and mastered by Jan L. (X-Music Productions). The extended edition includes bonus tracks from the “Burning Love / Remember Me” EP and remixes by among others Wormz, Studio-X, Diversant13, 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

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro, electro-pop, electro-industrial.

Bands: Grendel, Frozen Plasma, Reaper, Pre.Emptive Strike 01, Orange Sector, E-Craft, Menschdefekt, Skyla Vertex, Modulate ao.

Content: More and more labels are promoting digital releases and that’s precisely what this “Digital Infaction”-compilation is all about. You get a total of 16 bands at a so-called ‘discovery price’. It first of all is an interesting selection of some of Infacted’s finest formations. The fans of the label will not exactly discover ‘new’ stuff, but it’s a great tracklist mixing the different electronic genres the label is dealing with. The majority of the songs are remixes, which always remains an opportunity to discover familiar songs in a different version.

The debut part reveals one of the new potential hits of Reaper, which is taken from the latest EP. “Der Schnitter (Mit Der sense Im Club)” is a great piece of electro-body-tech music. Orange Sector is one of the label’s veterans and their “Sturm” song is another smasher. This track was originally released at their last EP and has been remixed by Martin Bodewell in a merciless old-school EBM way.

E-Craft last year took me by surprise releasing the hard and intelligent EBM-driven “Re-Arrested” album. The song “Blast Zone” was not directly the biggest attention grabber and yet the overwhelming power and heavy blasts are simply terrific. It reminds me a bit of FLA-influences.

The final part of the album is absolutely amazing. Skyla Vertex deals with their usual dark-electro genre, which is absolutely remarkable. Frozen Plasma will please to the electro-pop freaks getting us back to their last year released successful song “Crazy”. Grendel takes us back into the realms of dark-electronics. The famous song “Timewave Zero” has been remixed by Modulate in a hard and merciless way. ES23 is another great electro formation experimenting with the coldest paths of electronics. The track “Enjoy The Light” has been originally released at their last year released album “Mutatio Ex Machina” and is a total smasher.

Last, but not least I also have to mention the terrific and electro-industrial driven side-project of C-Lekktor. Circuito Cerrado last year released the promising debut-album “Distortment” featuring the sexy and somewhat rave-like “Bad Girls Go To Hell”. This song is one of the absolute favorites from this great sampler.

The only negative point is the mastering, which could have been much better.

Conclusion: The first volume of this new digital sampler-series is a great summary of the sound Infacted is dealing with. You’ll be not disappointed to (re)discover this amazing selection of great bands and successful songs.

Best bands: Circuito Cerrado, ES23, Frozen Plasma, E-Craft, Orange Sector, Reaper.

Rate: (DP:8½)DP.

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

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

Content:

Read the news on ‘Der Schnitter’.

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: Synth-pop.

Content: This is the first studio album in 6 years for Frozen Plasma and their 3rd opus ever. I was eagerly waiting for this new work as the previously released EP “Crazy” was an absolute pop-smasher and in my opinion one of the best songs of the last year.

“Dekandenz” features 14 songs and a non-stop succession of outstanding synth-pop treatments. Vasi Vallis is, according to me, one of the most talented and open-minded electro artists of the scene. He’s an outstanding melody maker, but more generally speaking an exceptional sound architect. Frozen Plasma is a band with a very personal sound and typical ‘Vallis’ arrangements. Frozen Plasma is not reinventing electro-pop, but clearly has its very own sound-DNA. “Dekandenz” is the most accomplished Frozen Plasma album ever. All the songs are carried by brilliant melodic loops and elevating choruses. Most of the songs reveal a sweet taste of melancholia while a few cuts have been empowered by somewhat EBM-minded treatments and darker sound layers.

But a great synth-pop band also needs a great singer and that’s precisely the perfect match between Vasi Vallis on one side and Felix Marc’s vocals on the other. He has a clear and captivating voice, which totally fits the sound of Frozen Plasma.

To be honest with you I noticed 13 great songs and one final cut, which is a kind of an ‘outro.’ I think I might already confirm that “Dekandenz” will become one of the ‘electronic highlights’ of 2015!
“Crazy” remains one of the absolute smashers, but I also have to mention a few more potential hits like “Age After Age” and “Maniac.” All the songs have been written with a similar formula and that’s probably why there’s a succession of great songs. The biggest surprise, but not the most original song, is the cover version of Trans-X legendary hit “Living On Video.” This song has been covered by numerous bands, but I have to admit that Frozen Plasma’s version is great reworked remix with a darker and harder approach in sound. The vocals of Felix Marc are well-produced (while he also sung the French female spoken words of the original song) and fitting with this song. But the main part of this cover comes in the end when the song turns into trance-minded loops.

“Saving This Moment” is one more potential hit holding on to the main ingredients of Vasi Vallis’ secret sound formula. I once more fully enjoyed the melodic spirit of the song. Notice by the way nearly all songs have been sung in English. “Hertz”, which was previously released on EP as well, is one of the few German sung tracks. But the language doesn’t make any difference when the balance between music and vocals remain that close to perfection.

Notice by the way that the album has been released on CD-format by Emmo.Biz while a special box featuring fan material (including a T-shirt) is available as well.

Conclusion: I think there’re not many albums generally speaking that feature a non-stop succession of outstanding songs next to a few real hits. “Dekadenz” sounds like it is coming from another music planet, but will for sure seduce the synth-pop universe.

Best songs: “Crazy”, “Living On Video”, “Saving This Moment”, “Age After Age”, “Maniac”, “Rain”.

Rate: (DP:9)DP.

Band: http://frozenplasma.bigcartel.com / www.facebook.com/FrozenPlasma

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

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