Genre/Influences: EBM, minimal-EBM.

Background/Info: Belgian electro veteran Tcheleskov Ivanovitch can look back at a considerable discography. Being involved with different projects he now gets back to Grandchaos. This album (kind of mini-album) featuring 8 tracks has been released on an artistic picture disc and strictly limited to 300 copies. It has been released by the Swiss label Urgence Disk Records and Belgian label Lynch Law Records.

Content: Grandchaos stands for electronic minimalism, mixing elements of EBM together with early technoid influences. The production has this little vintage touch, which totally fits with the danceable aspect of the work. Tcheleskov sings with this typical grave timbre of voice and with a cool French accent. Some tracks are clearly reminding me of the work of his good-old friend Jacky Meurisse (Signal Aout 42), with whom he’s involved with Grand((Ø))Signal.

+ + + : I remain totally devoted to the minimal creation of Grandchaos. It has this retro-like approach, but with some extra and personal influences on top. Sometimes moving at the edge of techno music and early new-beat, it is the kind of production that will possibly reach a wider range of electronic lovers. I like the sound treatments and most of the bass lines. There also is a spooky touch created by the vocals. Last, but not least the picture disc really is a great piece of art!

– – – : The B-side features a few cuts, which are less convincing; a bit like having composed in a hurry. If you’re familiar with the “Days + Memories”-release(s), you’ll recognize a few cuts.

Conclusion: Grandchaos never has been the most renowned artist from the Belgian community and yet it remains one of the most original and efficient formations in the genre!

Best songs: “I Hope I Die”, “Alone In The Dark”, “The Light In The Mist”, “The Day Reappears”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.grandchaos.be / www.facebook.com/grandchaos

Labels: www.darksite.ch/urgences/urgences /

www.facebook.com/URGENCE–DISK–RECORDS-101329779912757 / http://lynchlawrecords.com / www.facebook.com/LynchLawRecords

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: Minimal-electronics, EBM.

Background/Info: Belgian based artist Cheleskov Ivanovitch is back on track with a new album full of remixes. Devoted to minimal EBM carried by analogue sound, Grandchaos became a reference in the vintage- and minimal EBM style. The third and so far last album “We Suffer When The World Changes” was released in 2014, and still serves as a source of inspiration to get new remixes.

Content: “Tempest” features 12 remixes plus one new version of “Memories In Poison”. Granchaos again selected a fine list of bands to remix 6 songs from the last album plus one cut (cf. “Ressurection”) that was originally released on the second album “Rumours Of My Life”.

There’s a cool diversity between truly minimal-EBM songs in the vein of the original edits and more personal remixes with some extra ‘dance’ elements on top or techno grooves, and also more ‘classical’ EBM and even experimental cuts. Among the remixes you’ll find bands such as Di*ove, Electro Synthetic Rebellion, Signal Aout 42, kFactor, Bak XIII, 8khz Mono, Akalotz and a few less familiar names such as Fatal Aim, Mechaload, Krawallchuck and Big Toxic.

+ + + : There’s an interesting diversity between the remixes, but especially 2 songs emerge from this remix-orgy. ESR did an impressive and pure minimal-minded work remixing “Man On Fire” while Signal Aout 42 transformed “The Tempest” into a kind of free-electro-dance and body-driven version. I expected Akalotz to transform “The Tempest” into a pure old-school EBM cut, but they still held onto the minimal format of the song achieving a cool remix. The so-called “Storm Cloud Version” of “Memories I A Poison” is another noticeable song that will please the lovers of Grandchaos.

– – – : I know Chesleskov Ivanovitch is simply fond of remixes, but I get the impression he’s a bit abusing from this recipe. After having released the EP’s “Days” and “Memories”, which already were into remixes, he moves on with the same formula. I should say it’s time now for new stuff!

Conclusion: DJ’s will for sure get some new potential dancefloor killers on “Tempest”, which I especially like for its variety and nice cocktail of interesting bands.

Best songs: “The Tempest – Signal Aout 42 Remix”, “Man On Fire – Electro Synthetic Rebellion Remix”, “Memories Is A Poison – Storm Cloud Version”, “The Tempest – Akalotz Remix”, “Tell Me You Love Me – Di*ove Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.grandchaos.be / www.facebook.com/GRANDCHAOS-144968152245744

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

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

Tcheleskov Ivanovitch is already into music since the late 80s. He together with his brother set up the Belgian project Ivanovitch Dans L’Ombre, but gained more recognition during the past few years with his Grandchaos project. Several productions have been released on labels like Urgence Disk Records and EK Product and are pure lust for lovers of good-old vintage and minimal electronics. More recently Tcheleskov Ivanovitch together with Jacky Meurisse (Signal Aout 42) set up a common project Grand((Ø))Signal, which is another minimal electronic experience.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: From the early days of Ivanovitch Dans L’Ombre towards Grandchaos and now Grand((Ø))Signal clearly appears to be a serious move in sound, writing and production as well. What explains this evolution? 

Tcheslov: When my brother Trevosky and I founded Ivanovitch Dans L.ombre in 1982, we were at the beginning of the ‘democratization’” of electronic instruments and recording techniques. The production costs were steep, but making music was an enthralling experience mainly because we both entered uncharted territory. It was a labor of love and a way to take part in politics for most punk acts. For Grandchaos et Grand((Ø))Signal (my collaboration with Jacky Meurisse), I took advantage of the creative possibilities offered by modern technology, but it remains quite difficult to attain a tight rhythm section and ‘solid groove’. Machines are just instruments and you need to find inspiration to write music and create magic moments.

Q: Getting back to the early years of your music career, what have been your main sources of inspiration and references in electronic music? 

Tcheleskov: As a child, I was very fond of Kraftwerk and J.M Jarre, but they were not revolutionary artists by any means. Fortunately, the punk and DIY ethic made good use of synthesizers to create spontaneous and aggressive melodies. In my humble opinion, Suicide and Cabaret Voltaire were the marquee acts of that period. “Frankie Teardrop” and “Nag Nag Nag” are absolute masterpieces that will remain engraved in my mind forever!

Q: Grandchaos clearly reveals a minimal- and somewhat vintage EBM approach, but still a passion for hardware equipment! What does it says about you as a musician/producer and your perception of contemporary electronic music? 

Tcheleskov: I’m irremediably old school! I don’t find digital synths appealing at all. Touching an instrument is essential to me. When I see my synths and drum machines I feel like a kid in a candy store. Music nourishes me. I am always looking out for new bands. Creative musicians continue to explore new sounds and they never cease to amaze me. Record labels continue to play an instrumental role in scouting new talent.

Q: Except the fact that Grand((Ø))Signal is a duo and Grandchaos a solo-project, what are the main differences between both formations and especially when it comes to aspects like sources of inspiration and global production? 

Tcheleskov: Grandchaos is a therapy to overcome my personal problems as it allows me to express how I feel. Dark themes such as suffering and death have haunted me for many years. The loss of loved ones as well as my serious health issues may have accentuated the dark tones of Grandchaos lyrics. With Grandchaos, I feel somewhat close to the ‘EBM United’ movement that gained popularity across the globe. The ‘No Pain No Gain’ slogan resonates well with the human nature. Grand((Ø))Signal, for its part, is a joint project between Jacky and me. We put in practice what we have learned throughout our long musical journey. The sound and image have been purified and geared towards the dancefloor. We would like to make retro-futurist music ‘made in Belgium’ that would appeal to fans of Gesaffelstein or Schwefelgelb. The release of our debut album “Aktivation” on Unknown Pleasures Records will definitely prompt us to pursue this project and play live shows.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the choice of the artists who contributed to the remixes on “Days + Memories” and are there some inspiring remixes for the further work of Grandchaos? 

Tcheleskov: Every time I discover the work of an artist that inspires me, I add his/her name to my address book and I contact them when the opportunity presents itself i.e when I start compiling remixes. For the “Days” and “Memories” EP’s, I ‘ve had the pleasure to work with mega-talented artists such as Nicole & Anne (2XNI), Noamm or Franck Kartel to name just a few.

Q: A new album (cf. “Tempest”) has been just released on EK Product featuring a new list of remixed songs. What do you like about remixes?

Tcheleskov: 2016 was indeed a very prolific year, and 2017 will be even busier! The “Tempest” compilation just came out on the Italian label EK Product. Many friends took part in this project such as Jacky Meurisse (SA42), Vince (ESR), Dada (BAK XIII) or Arthur Plata (Mechaload) to name a few. My last album “We Suffer When The World Changes” was reinterpreted by artists from across the globe and I’m really glad that Amedeo and his label EK Product decided to release this project. Grandchaos has a long story with the remixes. One could even say that Grandchaos took off with the double disc compilation “In Sedens” compiled by the old school electro purist Nader Moumneh who now runs the highly-regarded record label  Electro Aggression Records (EAR) specialized in old school EBM and complex, multi-layered dark-electro. Nader is also the co-founder of the rising synthpop/Italo Disco record label NADANNA with Marc schaffer of Anna Logue Records.

Grandchaos has been remixed over a hundred times and I’m a serious candidate for the Guinness records. On a more serious note, I truly enjoy the reinterpretation of my songs by other artists. It is a formidable sensation and we learn a lot when we listen to the music of other artists with an open mind.

Q: What brings 2017 for Grandchaos and your other projects? 

Tcheleskov: For Grandchaos, a mini-album titled “The Day Disappears Only To Reappear” is slated for a June 2017 release. It will be released as an ultra-limited picture disc via 2 exceptional record labels: Urgence Disk Records (CH) and Law Lynch Records (BE).

Trevosky and I would like to release a compilation featuring unreleased material by IDLO but since the original material was recorded on tapes, it is gonna be a long and daunting task. We will see how it plays out.

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

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

Vince Pujol (Electro Synthetic Rebellion, Diverje) and Tommy T (Diverje, inFused and DSBP label owner) know each other for quite a long time now. They’re not only involved in Diverje, but still in Bio-Mechanical Degeneration. This project got a bit lost from our radar as the debut-album “Exoskeleton” was released 11 years ago now. “Warbeats” is a new and great dark-electronic opus, which will bring this band back on the map. The album has been released on Advoxya Records. Here’s what both mates have to say about their new work.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Let’s take off with the binning, how did you guys ever met and finally set up this common project with this crazy name? What is it all about?

Vince: I was a young artist trying to get in touch with people in the scene so I sent a demo CD-R to Tommy who got into it and brought me support through the Cyberage radio show, this is how we first met. After my debut album “Distorted Vision” got released in Europe, I was looking for a label to release my second album “Corroded Fragments” and Tommy/DSBP signed me. We became friends and since the beginning we share our passion for electronic/industrial music.

In 2004 I had the idea of releasing some dark sci-fi instrumental tracks I had composed. I don’t exactly remember how I came to Bio-Mechanical Degeneration but I was looking for a crazy dark Sci-Fi oriented name!

Then we started talking with Tommy about a possible release and he suggested to sing some of the songs. So I asked him if he wanted to join me and we started our collaboration on “Exoskeleton”. The project is very dark, kind of apocalyptic, it’s all about the degeneration of the human race leading to hybridization with robots.

Tommy T: I have always admired Vince’s work from the beginning and we have made some great tracks together since then and it is always fun!

We were friends from E.S.R. and Cyberage meeting and then DSBP signed E.S.R. and we realized how much we both loved dark-electronic music, and then I asked him if he would collaborate with me in some Diverje tracks too!

We been doing that since 2003 and the first Bio-Mechanical Degeneration-CD came about soon after that as we were wanting to take on a different theme for Bio-Mechanical Degeneration and it has been fun writing together in this way with music and vocals going back and forth…

Q: Why did it take 11 years to compose and release a new full length after the “Exoskeleton”-album and how do you look back now at this debut opus?

Vince: I remember during an interview concerning “Exoskeleton” we said we’ll do another one but then we both get back to our main projects and forget a bit about the project. I have thought about a new album several times, but couldn’t really find the inspriration to start something new and different from our main projects. In 2013 as I was looking for new sample libraries, I found a very interesting one and I asked myself how could I use it and like a sparkle in the night I immediately thought about the rebirth of Bio-Mechanical Degeneration with a more EBM/robotic approach. I composed a few demos and send them to Tommy to see how he felt about them and that’s how we decided to work on that new album.

When I look back and listen to “Exoskeleton”, I like the experimental approach and I like the way we did something different. It was also my first collaboration with someone since a long time and I’m happy we did it with Tommy because it’s important to do things with friends and people you share your passion with. From a technical point of view I think I would mix the songs a bit differently nowadays cause it sounds a bit ‘raw’ when I play it now but I did my best at the time with the gear I had.

Tommy T: I personally LOVE the “Exoskeleton”-CD as it is so unique overall in sound and the way we produced it together… the songs are still very fresh more than 10 years later too!

We have been wanting to do this new “Warbeats” 2^nd album for awhile now, but we are both always busy it seems with work, music and life, we are definitely inspired to make the next album within a couple years. I love how both albums have their own sound and identity, and we will build upon that.

Q: May I affirm that the main difference between both of your albums can be heard in the remixes you made of 2 songs that were originally released on “Exoskeleton”? What did you try to change/improve?

Vince: Yes, that’s right. Studio equipment and techniques have changed in 10 years, there’s nearly no limitations these days so I wanted to take the best songs from the debut album and take them to a new level. I didn’t really want to change the songs but just want to have a better production and add little things there and here. Note that the remix version of “Hybridization” comes from a DSBP compilation, that was not the original version appearing on “Exoskeleton”.

I also think our skills in writing and working on arrangements, effects and mixes have grown over the years and it shows with that new album.

Tommy T: Yes, as Vince said, we wanted to re-release these 2 tracks with a newer sound and mix, as bonuses and to connect the old and new!

Q: You already said a word about the influences running through “Warbeats”, but tell us a bit more about the writing process?

Vince: “Warbeats” was first inspired by a Sci-Fi/robot Fx sample library. I wanted to mix together hard electronic basses with strong beats and lots of Fx samples, that’s how the first demos came out and that’s how the album took shape adding melodies and working on the arrangements. The treatments on the vocals have been pushed to a new level too with lots of different effects. The inspiration here is all about sci-fi, robots and aliens!

Tommy T: I definitely think we are both always progressing as writers and creators and this album was a natural progression for us and more vocal oriented this time around as well..not 50/50 instrumental to vocal tracks like the “Exoskeleton”-album was. We are becoming more diverse in sound and in our Sci-Fi subjects as well, and this album we also deal with the reanimated/zombies as well…lol

Q: What are the main differences between Bio-Mechanical Degeneration and all the other projects you’ve been involved to?

Vince: To me “Bio-Mechanical Degeneration” is a lot more Sci-Fi oriented and ‘mechanical’ than Electro Synthetic Rebellion. It’s harder too with a lot more harsh/tortured vocals.

It’s interesting to have another project in addition to my collaborations with Diverje so I can experiment new things, new atmospheres and sounds. As a composer I think it’s important to have different sources of inspiration and develop different things so you’re not “locked” into one and only project especially when your project is nearly 20 years old.

But obviously some people will recognize some kind of ‘song writing signature’ or even ‘sound signature’ because the gear, the studio and the men are the same.

Tommy T: I really enjoy the differences with Bio-Mechanical Degeneration and my other projects Diverje and in-Fused! Diverje is more of an aggressive industrial, harsh EBM/coldwave mix, with lots of ferocity, and in-Fused is more experimental, IDM, wave, power noise, trance influenced..
Between all 3 projects I feel pretty balanced and doing all kinds of awesome electronic/ industrial music!

Q: Tcheleskov Ivanovitch (Grandchaos, Grand O Signal) contributed to one of the songs. How did you came to work with him and what did he add to the song & album?

Vince: I know Tché for quite a long time now and I think we share the same passion for music. I remember a long time ago we were talking on the phone and we said we should try to collaborate together in the future so when I started working on “Warbeats” I immediately though about inviting Tché.

That was an open process, I sent a few demos to Tché for him to see what the project was all about and asked Tché to start composing and to send me whatever he wanted (sequences, sounds, loops, etc). Then step by step I tried to arrange my parts with his parts and we talked about the direction of the song until the final version of the song.

Tommy T: I love this track with Tché! He added a lot to the sound and I look forward to having him work with us on more music in the future!! Very cool sound and he loves the dark electronic music as we do!

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

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, minimal-body-music, electroclash, new-beat.

Background/Info: One year after their debut album “Aktivation” the Belgian duo consisting of Jacky Meurisse (SA42) and Tcheleskov Ivanovitch (Grandchaos) are back on track. They signed to the French label Unknown Pleasures Records, which is an appropriated choice to release their ‘vintage’-inspired electronic music.

Content: I already fully enjoyed the debut-work of this duo and “Aktivation” only confirms the strong potential of their vintage EBM influences mixed with a few other styles. Jacky Meurisse has been part of the legendary new-beat movement and that’s an aspect that you’ll immediately notice. The minimal EBM sound rules and has been once again accomplished by a great songwriting.

The minimal aspect of the production comes also back in the vocals production. Jacky Meurisse focused on a few and rudimentary lyrics. It all sounds simple and yet very efficient. It sometimes creates an effect of a sampling.

The album features 9 songs plus 1 remix.

+ + + : Grand((Ø))Signal stands for an experienced duo, which knows this magic sound formula to create alluring electronics. This work sounds like an ode to vintage electronics mixing different influences with each other while remaining pure underground-like. But the album also is a quite efficient production revealing several outstanding songs and potential hits. From the technoid and somewhat electroclash-sounding title-song to other new-beat inspired cuts to dark minimal EBM, this opus is a non-stop source of dance and entertainment.

– – – : You can always find minus points and I can imagine some people will dislike the new-beat input while others would have liked to get it more EBM-driven. In the end this album clearly isn’t the most typical release in its genre.

Conclusion: Grand((Ø))Signal seems to be a real band now and that’s great news as there’s a real chemistry operating between Jacky Meurisse and Tcheleskov Ivanovitch.

Best songs: “You Can Dream”, “Aktivation”, “Strange Star”, “Faster/Harder”.

Rate: (8½).

Band: www.facebook.com/GrandSignal

Label: www.unknown–pleasures–records.com /  www.facebook.com/Unknown–Pleasures–Records-566180440115465

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.

Background/Info: Behind Bio-Mechanical Degeneration hides Vincent Pujol (ESR) and Tommy T. Rapisardi (Diverje) plus guest musician Tcheleskov Ivanovitch (Grandchaos, Grand O Signal). The duo Pujol – Rapisardi already released a somewhat forgotten debut album “Exoskelton” in 2005 on Tommy T’s own label DSBP. Vincent Pujol also joined Diverje so both musicians know each other for quite a long time now. “Warbeats” is a comeback album released on Advoxya Records featuring 13 songs plus 2 remixes.

Content: “Warbeats” is clearly into sophisticated EBM. The composition is elaborated and accomplished with great sound sculptures and numerous sound effects and other crashing percussion. The songs are carried by icy synth treatments and Tommy T’s zombie-like timbre of voice.

The elaboration and global approach reminds me of a mix of Frontline Assembly (which remains an important source of inspiration in the work of Vincent Pujol) and Vomito Negro.

Both remixes are interesting as is consists of two tracks that were originally released on their debut album.

+ + + : “Warbeats” is a fully accomplished dark-body music opus revealing amazing sound treatments like deep bass lines, icy sound effects and somewhat industrial like percussions. It’s an elaborate composition, and according to me one of the best productions ever accomplished by this duo. This is not the typical EBM format, but an intelligent songwriting that reveals a passion for sound creation. There’s an efficient twist between danceable vibes and haunting atmospheres. The album reveals several brilliant songs.

– – – : It’s not always that easy to differentiate verses from choruses. The writing is dense and all the layers and structure sometimes feel a bit like melting together, but you don’t hear me complain!

Conclusion: “Warbeats” definitely belongs to this restricted number of absolute ‘best of’ EBM-albums of 2016. I hope this duo will not make us wait  a decennium to unleash a new album.

Best songs: “Invisible Threat”, “Victory”, “Outbreak”, “Lies For Answers”, “They’re Coming”.

Rate: (8½).

Band: www.facebook.com/Electro–Synthetic–Rebellion-115630698473655 / www.facebook.com/diverje

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

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: Minimal-electronics, EBM.

Background/Info: Tcheleskov Ivanovitch is now already active under the Grandchaos moniker for more than 10 years. Based in Belgium this artist is a kind of electro-veteran who was the founder of Ivanovitch DLO while he now also set up a new project together with Jacky Meurisse (SA42) called Grand O Chaos.

This work was originally released as 2 separate 12” vinyls entitled “Days” and “Memories” released on Urgence Disk Records. The main song “Memories Is A Poison” was originally released on the last album “We Suffer When The World Changes” (2014).

This CD format is strictly limited to 100 copies!

Content: We get a total of 8 songs (4 on each 12”), which have been remixed by an interesting selection of artists. The “Days”-EP is more into minimal-electronics and EBM featuring remixes from 2XNI, Franck Kartell, Nomenklatür and Azlack.

The “Memories”-EP sounds a bit different and more experimental, but still technoid-like. We here get remixes by Noamm, Artion, Simon Carter and 14 Anger. Simon Carter and 14Anger transformed the original version into a hard-kicking techno vibe.

+ + + : The remixes from the “Days”-EP are simply devastating. The analogue sound sculptures from Franck Kartell and especially Nomenklatür left me breathless. This is great electro music made of power and magic of sound creation! No presets here, but amazing and overwhelming sound treatments leading the listener into frenetic dance moves. The remix of Azlack reminds me of Nitzer Ebb’s “Murderous”.

– – – : The experimental- and techno-driven side of this work is less convincing. It brings for sure extra diversity to the work, but it feels a bit ‘unnatural’ as it’s far away from the original Grandchaos sound.

Conclusion: This EP features a great diversity in the remixes, but the most EBM-driven ones are absolutely amazing. This is the modern sound of EBM that will for sure make you ‘move your body’!

Best songs: Memories Is A Poison – Remixed by Nomenklatür”, “Memories Is A Poison – Remixed by Franck Kartell”, “The Light In The Mist – Remixed by Azlack”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.grandchaos.be / www.facebook.com/GRANDCHAOS-144968152245744

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 ‘Ad Astra Volantis’.

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: Minimal-EBM, techno-body.

Content: It sometimes incredible to see an artist evolve throughout the years. That’s precisely what happened with Tcheleskov Ivanovitch. If you’re a bit familiar with the electro-experimental work of this artist during his early years (Ivanovitch DLO) you’ll be quite surprised to discover the great, minimal-EBM of Grandchaos.

The last year released work “We Suffer When The World Changes” was pure lust for the body-freaks and an excellent album to pick up some cuts to get remixed. This vinyl features some fine remixers.

The A-side starts off with the remix of “Man On Fire” by Millimetric, which I’m sure will please to all retro-lovers and the somewhat “Geography”-like (Front 242) sound treatments will remind you of really great souvenirs. Equitant is the next artist who remixed “Tell Me You Love Me”. Equitant is one of those artists I find irresistible for its dark and dry bass lines and typical retro kick. This remix is a perfect illustration of chemistry between a great original song and a talented musician.

The B-side reveals two remixes of “The Death Of You Me”. We first get a remix by Orline (a project that got signed by Black Montanas –label of Equitant and Black Leather Records), which is based on some acid-inspired treatments. It sounds fine and subtle, but still ultra minimal. The last remix is the one by Tkuz (Mexican producer who released multiple EP’s at Black Leather Records), which very much reminds me to the EBM style of Signal Aout 42.

Conclusion: If you like the work by Grandchaos and you’re getting wild on minimal-EBM, buy this vinyl without any hesitation!

Best songs: “Man On Fire – Remixed by Millimetric”, “Tell Me You Love Me – Remixed by Equitant”, “The Death Of You And Me – Remixed by Orline”.

Rate: (DP:8½)DP.

Band: www.grandchaos.be / www.facebook.com/GRANDCHAOS-144968152245744

Label: www.darksite.ch/urgences/urgences/ / http://fr-fr.facebook.com/pages/URGENCE-DISK-RECORDS/101329779912757

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