Helix &#8211; SIDE-LINE

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.

Aiboforcen interview: ‘Transcending boundaries between noise and silence…’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 07:28:41 +0000

The iconic Belgian dark electro/future pop act Aiboforcen recently returned with their 7th studio album, “Between Noise & Silence”. Led by Benoit Blanchart and featuring the enigmatic Patrice Synthea (REGENERATOR), this album merges melancholic dark synth/EBM anthems with thrilling collaborations! Notable appearances include EBM/industrial legends like Patrick Codenys of FRONT 242, POUPPEE FABRIKK & IMPLANT (in a duet), and NUMB. The album also features outstanding female vocalists from the pop wave scene, such as Mari Kattman (HELIX), Noemi Aurora (HELALYN FLOWERS), Emke (BLACK NAIL CABARET), and SORROW STORIES… Without forgetting the splendid collaboration with Jan Dieckmann of NORDERNEY who sings on several songs and strongly contributes to crafting the album’s magic through moving lyrics, catchy dark pop melodies, and upbeat EBM sequences that often evoke the melodic and emotional depth of VNV NATION! Benoit gave us more insights on his new album…

You can order the new album now on Bandcamp as download and on 2CD via the Alfa Matrix webstore. Note that the 3CD version was sold out immediately.

Between Noise & Silence (Bandcamp Version) by AIBOFORCEN

S. “Between Noise & Silence” is your 7th studio album and features an impressive 22 tracks. Can you share the journey of creating such a substantial body of work, and what inspired the album’s title?

B. I started working slowly on what would become this new album during the covid period. Like many bands, those very special times allowed me to concentrate and spend much mor time in the studio creating new sequences and sounds. After a few months, what was started with no clear objective became to take shape and I started gathering several demo tracks thinking I could use them for an EP or album. It was a very creative period and also (hopefully for me) the opportunity to learn/improve a bit more the mixing and production side of the aïboforcen sound… I thus also started thinking about the right vocalist for each track. The title track “between noise & silence” is actually a sentence coming from a demo track that Tina from SORROW STORIES was working on for me… it became the title for the track but also for the album. It’s a bit of a special track (a bit more complex) that I really wanted to be on the album but couldn’t find the right vocalist for it… Then Tina did a test and she nailed it down!! 😊 It also has a double meaning because since I’m not considering myself as a musician what I create in a studio probably lies in the grey area between noise and silence! 😉

S. On this album it seems that Patrice Synthea and Jan D. play a key role as vocalists? Tell us more about these collaborations?

B. Well, Patrice (REGENERATOR) has been the main vocalist with aïboforcen for quite a long time now and she helped creating some kind of a trademark for us. But I’m always interested in working for certain tracks with other vocalists, either male or female. Of course it can break a bit the cohesion of the album but for me it’s more like trying to avoid the monotony of the album. I see/hear the different voices as new instruments I can play with, and it can totally change the result of the tracks. I also appreciate the fact that I can offer a broader pallet of sounds and emotions. I was introduced to Jan while working on a remix for our label mates of ELEKTROSTAUB. I knew a bit of his project NORDERNEY that I also appreciated a lot and I thought he would be the right vocalist for a track I was working on at the time. I sent him a demo and after a few days he came up with something really brilliant for me. I was so pleased with the result that I asked him to do a second track and the result turned out to be even better… He has such an emotional voice that it really adds another dimension to the song and brings them to a next level. After a while we started swapping ideas but also sequences and sounds and he eventually became more and more involved in the whole process. He helped me a lot giving advises and also programmed several synth lines, what was totally new and unusual for me… it was surprising, challenging and it contributed in creating a more mature and developed sound. In the end he helped for a great bunch of the album in various forms… Therefore the album is also much more balanced between male and female vocals. He also made a duet with Patrice on the track “everything” and I’m pretty sure that it’s something we should try again in the future…

S. The album indeed boasts collaborations with a variety of other artists too, from EBM/industrial legends to outstanding female vocalists. How did these collaborations come about, and what unique contributions did each guest artist bring to the album specifically?

B. As I said, when a demo is finished I try to think about what would be the right vocalist and what it would add to the sound of it. Of course there are some people/singer I would dream of having on the album but sometimes I have to stick to reality. My choice is influenced by the music I listen to, people I met through remixing, bands I know and so on… I’ve been blessed in the past working with great artists such as Jean-Luc from FRONT 242 and this album also gathers some legend from the scene such as Henrikk from POUPPEE FABRIKK or yet Don Gordon from NUMB who both helped me deliver the most aggressive cuts from the album. Tina from SORROW STORIES was also really involved in the process, contributing to several tracks that we can find both on the EP and the album but also on the special 8cm cd available with the limited edition. I had met her through a remix I had done for PSY’AVIAH actually and I had been mesmerized by her rather delicate and otherworldly vocals. She is also a very passionate and nice person, and meeting and exchanging with people is another aspect of collaborating on tracks. Then there is also Noemi Aurora who helped us with her very characteristic and powerful voice and it helped adding the extra touch to “cycle of life” and “heaven knows” you can find on the album. It was a pleasure working with her and she’s a professional and also involved and more than passionate with music… Also doing a track with Emese from BLACK NAIL CABARET was really an honor for me. She has one of the most distinctive voice from the scene at the moment and the result is a very captivating cut with upbeat sequences. I really hope listeners will like this track as much as I do…

Mari Kattman also lends her voice on the opening track as well as on a remix of “In My Arms” (a track from the previous album) and she also has a very distinctive and beautiful voice. Last but not least I also worked with Len from Implant since he is a long time friend of us and I was glad to have him back in one form or another. With the lyrics of the track he did evoke, it’s like a celebration of a long-time relationship between us (including also Seba, Bernard, Stephan) and how it was when we started this all as students (the magazine, the label, the bands, the gigs).

Patrice Synthea

S. Your sound is often compared to iconic acts like VNV NATION, FRONT 242 or yet COVENANT. How do you approach honoring these influences while still maintaining your own distinct identity as AIBOFORCEN? “Between Noise & Silence” seamlessly weaves between oppressive industrial assaults and catchy synth-pop tunes. Can you discuss the creative process behind balancing these contrasting elements to create a cohesive listening experience?

B. Well, it’s sure that I’ve been listening to those bands a lot (one of my first vinyl was 242’s politics of pressure, along with Kraftwerk radioactivity’s 7”) but I am also influenced by other acts from inside and outside the scene. I listen to a lot of music from the EBM but also to darkwave, gothic, experimental, industrial or yet metal… All this is ingested and some parts/influences appear here and there in my music. Also I hope that with time I manage to create a bit of my own distinctive sound and style.

As far as VNV NATION is concerned, I have to admit that Ronan has a deep sense for great melodies and a very emotional voice and is an example of what soulful music is. So if we sound a bit like this it’s a good point for us! 😊 Remember he remixed one of our track at our respective very beginning! But I always try to balance catchier tracks/tunes with a rougher sound and more complex structures or experimentations. For me it’s kind of logical and it can create a cohesion because some sounds, fx, way of treating things are the same and reflects the different side of one same “machine”. Also I tend to focus on recording an album with highs and lows rather than a succession of single tracks… so this new album (especially the first disc) needs to be explored and listened as a whole, with the tracks kind of merging one into another. I spent hours / days / months working on sometimes very little details of mixing, samples, eq’s to find the best result I could. I like it when it takes several listening to really get all the details included in the tracks and hopefully surprise the listeners…

S. One of the tracks on the album is a cover of DEATH IN JUNE’s “Break The Black Ice.” What drew you to reinterpret this particular song, and how did you make it your own while staying true to the original?

B. We’ve always tried to include at least one cover song on any of our releases, either for fun or to show where our roots are… I was introduced to DEATH IN JUNE’s music more than thirty years ago and the album “The World That Summer” from 1986 has always been a favorite of mine. “Break the black ice” was an obvious choice because it is a rather simple, dark but catchy song, kind of desperate also and I really liked the version sung by Rose McDowall which is a fragile and delicate dark cut. I thought that Patrice could do it as well and recorded a demo. The first version was really slower and darker than the one on the album. We will feature it on a compilation from our label later this year actually. The final version has a stronger beat and an aggressive lead sound while the original one is softer. Both Patrice and I liked the version very much and what was a the beginning more like a “b-side” became one of the main important track from the album… I hope fans of DEATH IN JUNE and AIBOFORCEN will be pleased by this tribute… the structure is rather close to the original version from DEATH IN JUNE but of course it’s 100% electronics and there are some distortions here and there… 😊

S. The album is described as a high-tension dark elektro masterpiece. How did you approach crafting the sound production to achieve this level of intensity and maturity?

B. I always spend a long time editing, changing, mixing, adding details and I hope it can be reflected in the overall sound of the album. I never intend to choose the easiest way while producing the music and I hope I raised the level a bit more on this new release. I spent much more time on the vocals (cutting, eq’s , volumes, …) than on any other previous releases; there are lot of movie samples (hidden or not), lots of different synths and fx… I can sometimes leave a track for one month and then come back with new ideas and Jan also helped me developing as much as possible this new sound which is probably more focused than before. It still goes into any directions but with a common thread and overall atmosphere throughout the numerous tracks. It was exhausting (especially at the end) but it was worth (at least personally) and I really hope our fans will like it…

S. How important is the visual aspect of your music, and what role does it play in enhancing the overall experience for listeners?

B. It is important, not as much as the music, but it sets the tone for the whole album. We always tried to have eye-catching sleeve or at least mysterious ones that will give the envy to enter into the universe of aïboforcen… When I was a kid, I used to go to a place where you could rent vinyls and I would sometimes rent releases just because the sleeve would attract me in a way or another. On this release we obviously used AI to create the graphics but it was intended and assumed. It was our easiest way to express and get the closest to the images we had in mind while creating the music. And since our music relies on techniques, processors, synthetic soundscapes, it makes sense…

S. Lastly, the first 50 orders from the official Alfa Matrix e-shop received a signed version with an exclusive bonus mini-CD. Can you tell us more about the significance of this bonus content and what fans can expect from these exclusive tracks?

B. When the album was completed and sent to the mastering, I noticed that there were a few tracks left without vocals that couldn’t make it on the album but were a good insight of what it’s like being in the studio and working on new tracks. It is more like demo’s but also I had the feeling that they could stand on their own and give another view on our music. The first of those 4 tracks is called “eliza effect” and is a brand new one that maybe will give some infos of how the future sound of aïboforcen will be (or not). The track “pulsions” (with vocals by Tina from SORROW STORIES) arrived too late in the process of the album but was good enough as well. In the end it gives the opportunity to the die-hard fans to have some extra tracks (unreleased) and have a bit more “intimacy” with the band…

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!

Aiboforcen returns with all new EP, ‘Cycle Of Life’, featuring 7 tracks

Eldrina Mich — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:30:59 +0000

The Belgian cult dark electro / future pop act Aiboforcen has announced the release of their 7th studio album in the Spring of 2024, titled “Between Noise & Silence”. But before that they release an all new 7-track EP via Bandcamp revealing 5 new songs as well as the first guests to be featured on “Between Noise & Silence”.

The 7-track EP’s title-track “Cycle Of Life” features a vocal duo between Jan of Norderney and Noemi Aurora. The same line-up is used on “Heaven Knows”. “Cycle Of Life” gets featured in a single and in a club version plus a melodic remix by label mates Elektrostaub. And just like on the previous album, Mari Kattman (Helix) lends once more her voice on “Dead End” which is featured in a remixed version by Aesthetische. The EP also features 2 exclusive non-album songs with Patrice Synthea on the EBM cut “Katarsis” and Tina Forlom (Sorrow Stories) on the dark electro pop tune “Echoes”.

The bandcamp edition is accompanied by a booklet with lyrics and cool artwork design.

Cycle Of Life EP by AIBOFORCEN

Brand new Aiboforcen video

Also included is a video for the track “Heaven Knows”.

Eldrina Mich

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

Mari Kattman releases ‘URGOD.AI’ 2-track single – Out now

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 13:05:46 +0000

Out now is the new single from Cop International signee Mari Kattman called “URGOD.AI”. “URGOD.AI” comes backed by the B-side “Lower Yourself”.

Mari Kattman has been self-recording, writing, composing, and live performing music since 2012. Currently, she operates under the Mari Kattman name as a solo artist and worked with Tom Shear, of Assemblage 23, on a project called Helix.

She has been collaborating with such artists as Mesh, Ivardensphere, Jean-Marc Lederman, Psy’Aviah, Aesthetiche, Neuroticfish BlackCarBurning, Cassetter, This Morn Omina, Solitary Experiments, Mephisto Walz, Aiboforcen, Interface and Comaduster. She also has worked on many other label releases including ones for Metropolis Records, Alfa Matrix, FiXT and will release her solo work on COP International.

You can check out the new 2-track single below.

URGOD.AI by Mari Kattman

Not My God – Obverses (Album – Metropolis Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Industrial, Cinematic, Electronic.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: “Obverses” is the third and final album by Not My God. This American project driven by Tim Skold (Marilyn Manson, KMFDM, Motionless In White, FLA, Skold) and Nero Bellum (Psyclon Nine) has announced a live tour for the end of the year to call it quits. This is the band’s second album released by Metropolis Records.

Content: “Obverses” moves on where the previous opus “Simulacra” (2022) stopped. The sound remains a true sonic enigma although clearly infused by Industrial sound components the duo now mixes together with bombastic sound arrangements and then with surprising Ballad style. Deep bass lines, icy sequences and slow rhythms come together in pure minimalism with the unique vocals of Nero Bellum on top.

+ + + : Not My God is one of these bands which has created a very personal sound, kind of Industrial sound DNA bringing different genres and subgenres together. It sounds heavy and bombastic on one side and still subtle and refined and the other side. The atmosphere supporting the work remains cold and even a bit tormented. It’s not exactly the kind of music that makes people happy although Industrial-minded music lovers are going to like it. I’m fascinated by the composition and the style of the band which resulted in a few new masterpieces like “Unwind The Helix” and “Hyacinth”. “Deus Vult” is another masterpiece I want to mention for its more club-minded approach. This band is driven by a true creative spirit which needs a few minutes till you really catch the genius and potential of the composition.

– – – : The sound of Not My God remains a bit of a challenge but it makes me sad such a unique formation finally decided to stop their activities. Marketing wise it’s maybe not the best choice to announce the end of the band while the album is just out.

Conclusion: If “Obverses” will be really the band’s final album it will be for sure part of a great sonic legacy consisting of 3 fantastic albums.

Best songs: “Deus Vult”,“Unwind The Helix”, “Hyacinth”, “Carnations”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/notmygodofficial

Label: www.metropolis-records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords

Dark synth-pop act CARV.R launches all new single, ‘Deflect’, feat. Mari Kattman

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Sat, 06 May 2023 17:07:10 +0000

CARV.R, the Providence (Rhode Island) based dark synth-pop project from producer Cristian Carver, has recently released their newest single “Deflect” which you can get here.

“This track is personal to me,” states CARV.R, “the single was inspired by individuals who evaded responsibility for their actions and instead portrayed themselves as victims, a frustrating and disheartening experience many can relate to.”

The track includes vocals from Mari Kattman (COP International), who collaborates with Tom Shear of Assemblage 23 on a project named Helix. Regarding the partnership, Cristian Carver comments: “When I composed the instrumental for ‘Deflect,’ I was certain that Mari was the ideal person for the track. Her vocals blend seamlessly with the music, and her lyrics truly encapsulate the original concept of the song.”

Following the release of “Deflect,” a remix of the track is set to launch on Friday, 19th May. The remix was produced by Alex. A video for the single is available, and the track can be accessed now from all download and streaming services.

Click Interview with Supersimmetria: ‘Science And Art, To Be Deeply Meaningful, Need Each Other’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 18:00:00 +0000

Supersimmetria is an Italian solo-project set up and driven by Armando Alibrandi. I always experienced his music as an intelligent composition mixing Industrial and IDM with Techno elements on top. Quite curiously I compared his work to science, this interview revealing Armando indeed is a scientist. His newest work “Double Helix” released by Hands however is first of all a sonic exposure of this artist’s genius.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I noticed your debut album “Chimaera“ was released ten years ago now. That’s an opportunity to look back to what you’ve achieved so far. What did you keep in mind from the past ten years and how did you see Supersimmetria evolving from “Chimaera” towards the newest album “Double Helix”?

Armando: Whenever it happens I’m listening to old material of mine, especially the very early works, my first thought is mostly how sweet, technically unskilled, and young I was when I created that. That material awakes in me memories of my broke, care-free, and happy first years in Berlin.

It´s hard for me to judge my own sound evolution but often I was told that my tunes turned more mature and deep with time. What I believe remained unaltered across the years is the passion for scientific topics and the appreciation for a cold sense of obscurity in my sounds.

That appreciation for those scientific topics though changed with time, especially in the moment I also started to work in science. From a fuzzy and very general interest to something more thought through and related to my own daily work. I work with microbial DNA in the field molecular biology lab investigating deep subsurface microbial ecology. The concept and track titles from “Double Helix” were inspired by my daily job. Prior to this current job I was working for bit more of a year in a research group of astrobiology.. hence the title and concept of the album “Abiogenesis”. At some point in my life, I encountered a very inspiring Venn diagram meme where in one circle was written ‘science’ the second circle ‘art’ and in the intersecting point ‘wonder’. Science and art, to be deeply meaningful, need each other.

Q: But what means music and Supersimmetria to you? Tell us a bit more in your sound- and composing approach?

Armando: Music, as all art forms, is a way to express concepts where words, with exception of poetry, become ineffective. Nailed down to the core, music, in my opinion, is a way to express an emotional message. The message departs from a transmitter and can be felt and trigger the emotions of the receiver or not.

This is what Supersimmetria is to me, a mechanism to socialize at the emotional level with people I don´t know; finding receivers that can process and back inspiring me with new ideas and new aesthetics. Supersimmetria is to me also a pleasure that goes from the moment I sit down at my desk experimenting with sounds to the moments this sounds are blasted at high volume with a crowd dancing to it. Is a passion.

On regard of my composing approach that differs from track to track. Sometimes I listen to something and I want to recreate with my own touch, sometimes I just put myself in front of the machines and I play around until the combinations of sounds are satisfying me. Mostly is the latter.

Q: You clearly like to work with concepts and already revealed information about “Double Helix”? Can you give us more details?

Armando: Yes, I like to work with concepts… I’m not sure myself why I do that… I guess it’s because I like to share chunks of information that trigger my curiosity with my listeners with the hope to transfer my passion to them.

“Double Helix” is the last chapter of the four albums released on hands label. The first chapter was “Kosmogonie” (universe coming to existence), the second “Materia” (where all matter scattered around the universe and formed heavier elements), “Abiogenesis” (where inert chemicals turned into organics) and “Double Helix” (where these inert organic chemicals turned into a life coding system).

“Double Helix” is the album dedicated to the four letters alphabet that code life as we know it (RNA virus excluded lol). The album cover is the phylogenetic tree of life that starts from the center with the simplest common ancestor and evolved to the branches where we can admire the enormous variety of life as we know it. The album is a cheering to the fact that we are part of that tree ourselves and that we gathered the knowledge to figure out how this magnificent system casually evolved from inert chemicals produced in a nuclear fusion of a star until being part of sentient beings.

All these topics are dear to me and are for me highly inspiring.

Q: How do you transpose the concept into sounds and songs? Did you way of working evolved and/or changed throughout the years?

Armando: I don´t have a specific technique, the concept is associated, depending on the track, before, during or after the track is completed. Across time there has been a shift towards associating the concepts a posteriori.

Q: You’re based in Berlin which is a renowned and visionary place when it comes to Techno- and related music genres. What’s the impact of the Berliner scene on Supersimmetria?

Armando: I chose to live in Berlin because I wanted to live in a place that could give me a multifaceted inspiration. I think the Berlin Techno scene, although I’m myself not a particularly hardcore clubber, indeed has influenced my tunes. In which way exactly I cannot pinpoint. Maybe the dark and hazy aesthetics, maybe the deep organic feeling of the kickdrums… hard to say.

Q: How important are live performances to you and what are your criteria to speak about a successful show?

Armando: Live shows are one of the motivations that kept me doing music across all this time. Often after a live show, once I´m back in my ‘cave’, I directly start doing music. Frequently on such occasions I have opportunity to assist to other artist performances and that is often inspiring.

Furthermore, the feeling of being on stage and see a nice bunch of people being driven by my tunes is exceptionally rewarding. A successful show depends on multitude of factors ranging from lack of technical issues to good event organization but generally speaking, if the listeners are caught by my sounds and phase out into my tunes that is for me a good show.

Supersimmetria – Double Helix (Album – Hands)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: IDM, Experimental, Industrial-Techno.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Right from Berlin comes the sixth album by Armando Alibrandi aka Supersimmetria. On “Double Helix” he ‘explores the structure formed by double-stranded nucleic acid molecules, DNA, the core of our very existence.’

Content: The work of Supersimmetria remains sophisticated and covers a wide range of influence which can be easily defined as IDM. The tracks have been constructed by elaborated sound sculptures. But you’ll also notice minimal passages and heavier, danceable, cuts moving on the edge of Industrial-Techno.

+ + + : I’ve always liked the work of this artist who once again reveals to have a nose for great Electronic structures. Call it visionary Industrial music or simply Industrial-Techno for dark heads, Armando feels comfortable now treating with down tempo rhythms and minimal sound constructions and then with harder, up-tempo, Technoid passages. I like the way he built up his tracks reaching a true apotheosis like a sonic-climax.

– – – : Intelligent music isn’t always the most accessible format so it might need time to get into Supersimmetria.

Conclusion: When music meets math… Supersimmetria sounds like science!

Best songs: “Supercoiling”, “Transcription”, “Translation”, “Mobilome”, “DNA Repair”, “Telomere”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Supersimmetria

Label: www.handsproductions.com / www.facebook.com/hands.official

Solitary Experiments return with 3rd single ‘The Great Unknown’ featuring Elena Alice Fossi (Kirlian Camera / Spectra*Paris)

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 14:40:17 +0000

Coming up is the third single of the upcoming album “Transcendent” by the future pop act Solitary Experiments. “The Great Unknown” features Elena Alice Fossi, the Italian singer of Kirlian Camera / Spectra*Paris.

Regarding the upcoming album “Transcendent”, for the first time in the almost 30-year band history, frontman Dennis Schober welcomes guest singers for a Solitary Experiments album.

On the band’s 8th album Dennis Schober invited Kirlian Camera singer Elena Alice Fossil and Dirk Ivens. On the bonus disc we find four new songs with four guests (In Strict Confidence’s Nina De Lianin, Vanguard’s Patrik Hansson, Me the Tiger’s Gabriella Åström and Beyond Obsession’s Nils Upahl). It also holds 5 additional remixes of album tracks plus 3 more remixes of earlier tracks.

Also to be released is deluxe set holding and exclusive bonus CD with further collaborations. We checked the tracklist and found the following guys singers: Helix, Julia Beyer, Adam is a Girl, Schmoun, Omnimar, Foretaste and Distorted Reality.

The new album will be out on October 28th.

Julian Beeston (ex-member of Nitzer Ebb, Cubanate) launches ‘Dicks Incorporated’ single by rock industrial Featured project

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 12:55:14 +0000

Out now is “Dicks Incorporated”, the new single from Featured, the alternative rock industrial project from Julian Beeston (Nitzer Ebb, Cubanate).

English born Julian Beeston is best known for his time in Nitzer Ebb (1989–1992) and Cubanate (1993-2016). He has spent time as a remixing engineer working on artists such as Bob Marley and Billy Idol and more recently has worked as a composer and producer, making music for TV commercials for companies such as Mitsubishi and Ford. Next to this he has also produced trailers for Universal, Miramax and 20th Century Fox.

“Dicks Incorporated” has Steve White (PIG, KMFDM) on guitar and Dean Garcia (Curve, SPC-ECO) on bass and features Chelsea Dawn on vocals.

Taken from the forthcoming album, “All Mouth and No Trousers” which has vocal appearances from Lucia Cifarelli (KMFDM), Rose Garcia (SPC-ECO) and Mari Kattman (Helix) amongst others, “Dicks Incorporated” is a tongue in cheek poke at modern society and has remixes by MESH, Marc Heal and Cyanotic.

Here’s the video for the single.

Solitary Experiments announces new album ‘Transcendent’ for next month

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 19:11:25 +0000

Out on October 28th is the all new Solitary Experiments album “Transcendent”, their 8th so far. The first print of the album comes as 2CD digibook edition. On the album frontman Dennis Schober invited two guest singers, Kirlian Camera singer Elena Alice Fossil and Dirk Ivens.

On the bonus disc we find four new songs with four guests (In Strict Confidence’s Nina De Lianin, Vanguard’s Patrik Hansson, Me the Tiger’s Gabriella Åström and Beyond Obsession’s Nils Upahl). It also holds 5 additional remixes of album tracks plus 3 more remixes of earlier tracks.

Check out the video for the album track “Wonderland”.

Brooklyn-based post-punk artist Ronan Conroy back with all new single and video ‘Double Helix’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 14:13:01 +0000

Brooklyn-based post-punk artist Ronan Conroy presents his new single “Double Helix” featuring vocals by Julie Dicterow of Oh Halo. This is the first taster of his forthcoming album “The Slow Death of the LoveMyth” and comes complemented by a video created by NYC-based artist Hypnodoll.

The new album will also feature vocalists Shannon Brown and Susan Hwang of Lusterlit, and drums by Justin Wierbonski (a.k.a. Demonic Drums).

As with all the music Conroy has released since 2013, this record was produced, engineered and mastered by Charlie Nieland at Capture Sound Studios. Frontman of Her Vanished Grace and Lusterlit, Nieland is known for his work with Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie and Scissors Sisters.

But for now check out the new single “Double Helix”.

Mark Hockings (mesh) goes for October release new Blackcarburning MCD ‘Divide Us’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 17:51:28 +0000

Out via COP International on October 21st is the all new EP for Mark Hockings (mesh) and more precisely for his side-project Blackcarburning.

The opener “Divide Us” is a collaboration with Mari Kattman (of Helix with Tom Shear of Assemblage 23) in a production by John Fryer. The other tracks have Hockings on vocals. All versions are exclusive to this EP and only “Divide Us” will be on his upcoming album.

The project launched its very first release in 2021 with the self-released singles “The Mirror (Shattered Tones)” and “The Mirror”. After signing with COP International the project released the singles “All About You”, “Reset” and “Everything Worked Out”.

Mari Kattman signs with COP International

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 18:33:47 +0000

Mari Kattman has joined COP International. “Is It Really That Bad” will be the first EP on COP International and will be released on the 13th of May and will feature remixes by Neuroticfish, Rotersand and John Fryer.

Christian Petke / Founder COP International: “Mari brings incredible talent and drive to the table. I absolutely adore the fact that she is not just the singer but the principal songwriter and visionary in this project. She is a force to be reckoned with!”

Mari Kattman has been self-recording, writing, composing, and live performing music since 2012. Currently, she operates under the Mari Kattman name as a solo artist and works with Tom Shear, of Assemblage 23, on a project called Helix. In the past she has collaborated with many artists, including Assemblage 23, Mesh, Ivardensphere, Jean-Marc Lederman, Psy’Aviah, Aesthetiche, Neuroticfish BlackCarBurning, Cassetter, This Morn Omina, Solitary Experiments, Mephisto Walz, Aiboforcen, Interface and Comaduster.

She has worked on many label releases including ones for Metropolis Records, Alfa Matrix, FiXT and now she will call COP International her new home for her solo work.

Here’s the track “Objectified”.

Jean-Marc Lederman Experience – The Raven (Album – COP International)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 08:00:00 +0000

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Jean-Marc Lederman has achieved a new work featuring guest singers. In the past few months he released similar albums like “13 Ghost Stories” and “Letters To Gods And Fallen Angels”, and also “Venus Chariot” as a collaboration between him and Emileigh Rohn. “The Raven” is driven by a new concept where Lederman asked his guests to work on old texts from poets like (Byron, Poe, Plato, Shelley, de Froidmont ao.

Content: The guest singers for this album areMari Kattman (Helix, Mari & The Ghost), Christopher Hall (Stabbing Westward), Mark Hockings (Mesh), Elena Alice Fossi (Kirlian Camera, Spectra*Paris), Azam Ali (Niyaz), Dr. Strangefryer (aka John Fryer), Jim Semonik (Red Locust), Lis Van Den Akker (Misery, Psy’Aviah), Ken Mageman, Jean-Luc De Meyer (Front 242, 32Crash), Stefan Netschio (Beborn Beton), Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm), Christina Z.

Sound-wise the work is pretty eclectic, moving in between a free interpretation of Electro-Pop compositions and more pronounced Cinematographic music. The songs feature numerous, typical Cinema music arrangements, which are sometimes bombastic, but also pretty evasive. I also noticed very Minimal-Electro driven pieces. The songs have been sung/performed in English, French and Italian.

+ + + :Each time, Jean-Marc Lederman Experience again sounds like a new and fascinating journey. First there is always an interesting concept and I like this one for mixing old poems together with music, which as an imaginary Soundtrack has been performed by the artist. There’s once again a true symbiosis between music and vocals, seeing Jean-Marc transforming himself into a sonic chameleon. Music and performer are totally complementary, now resulting in a sensual composition like the one with Mari Kattman, then into a kind of Lounge approach with Mark Hockings, becoming totally minimal with Dr. Strangefryer, getting us into a dreamy part with Lis Van Den Akker. But the most surprising- and poignant track is the one with Jean-Luc De Meyer inspired on a poem of Hélinand de Froidmont. It’s an old and tenebrous poem, which has been masterly interpreted by the Front 242 lead singer and adapted into a horror-like music composition. There are several noticeable cuts on this album, which is more an album to listen to instead of dancing.

– – – : The album once more creates the illusion listening to a compilation instead of an album composed by one artist. That’s part of this concept and I’m sure Jean-Marc Lederman still has enough ideas and creativity to move on with it.

Conclusion: Jean-Marc Lederman Experience and his guest singers stand for a true sonic intercourse. This is a new brilliant piece of music and the perfect successor to “Letters To Gods And Fallen Angels”.

Best songs: “The Worms Of Death”, “Invocation”, Frankenstein”, “Smouldering Corpse In The Morning Sun”, “The Cold Heart Slept Below”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.jmlederman.com / www.facebook.com/Music-composer-Jean-Marc-Lederman-1585277635023000 / www.facebook.com/jeanmarc.lederman

Label: www.facebook.com/copint

New EP announced for Helix (A23’s Tom Shear and vocalist Mari Kattman): ‘Bad Dream’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 14:09:15 +0000

On November 5th, Helix will self-release a brand new digital-only EP entitled “Bad Dream”, featuring 4 brand new tracks and remixes from Mark Hockings (Mesh) and Andrew Sega (ex-Iris, Hallowed Hearts). The EP will be available on Bandcamp and the usual digital and streaming platforms.

Helix is the brand new collaboration between Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) and vocalist Mari Kattman (known for her work with Psy’Aviah and Mari & The Ghost). The debut album for the duo was released on August 24 2018, called “Twin”.

Here’s already a trailer.

New project for Mesh frontman Mark Hockings: Blackcarburning

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 18 May 2021 23:35:00 +0000

COP International Records has announced the signing of Blackcarburning, the latest electronic project of Mark Hockings, better known as the frontman of Mesh. Coming up is a first album, “Watching Sleepers” which will be co-produced by John Fryer.

Hockings is responsible for writing, singing and programming and describes the tracks as “electronic music written around songs, emotion and energy.” He further adds, “The album was written to see what I could achieve by working primarily on my own. It’s been a vehicle for exploring new songwriting and programming ideas and to develop some new directions.”

All songs were recorded in Hockings’ personal studio in Bristol, UK that he built right before the pandemic lockdown. For the album, Hockings also worked remotely alongside with Mari Kattman (Helix), Janne Marvannen (Lakeside X) and Howie Venton (newwt), who provided vocals and piano accompaniment, respectively.

A first self-released 3-track single, “The Mirror”, can be heard below.

The Mirror (Single Pack) by blackcarburning

COP International Records founder Christian Petke says this about his latest signing: “Mark Hockings performed with his band Mesh at a festival that I was attending years ago. He walked onto the stage and, 30 seconds later, I was utterly impressed. His voice has that special something that immediately captures your undivided attention. What I didn’t realize at the time is the fact that he is also an incredibly accomplished songwriter and musician. So, when Jean-Marc Lederman introduced me to Mark’s Blackcarburning project I was immediately interested. He brings an unbelievable amount of talent, passion and experience to the table. Mark is exactly the kind of artist we are trying to have in the COP family.”

And Void – And Void (album – Distortion Productions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 18:30:06 +0000

Genre/Influences: Experimental-pop, industrial.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: And Void is a new project featuring some very famous names from the industrial scene. This is the meeting between Scott Fox (iVardensphere, This Morn ‘Omina), Mika Goedrijk (This’Morn Omina, Pow[d]er Pussy, Sygo Cries, Nebula-H…) and singer Mari Kattman (Helix, Mari And The Ghost).

Content: This self-titled album is characterized by the grace of Mari Katmann’s vocals, now injecting sensuality and later on an ethereal touch to the work. Sound-wise the tracks have been mainly written by Scott Fox, but Mika Goedrijk wrote a few songs as well. You can’t really recognize both artist’s trademarks on this album, which has something pretty experimental, driven by down tempo and sometimes moving on the path of cinematographic music. But there also is something pop-like supporting the production, becoming a sort of industrial- or experimental-pop music. Notice that Jamie Blacker (iVardensphere) and Andy Deane have been invited to do some guest vocals on one song each.

+ + + : And Void appears to be a truly challenge! The songs have something avant-garde like, mixing different elements and styles together with on top the graceful vocals of Mari Kattman. The song “Ideal Prey” appears to be the most accessible one and eventually a kind of potential hit. I especially like the slow rhythm mixed with the sensual, somewhat whispering vocals. Mari Kattman definitely remains a great singer, but the duo Scott Fox – Mika Goedrijk has something visionary like. You don’t exactly expect both artists composing this kind of stuff, but they did it!

– – – : The experimental approach of the album is for sure the biggest challenge to catch the attention of a wider audience. This is not the most accessible production and is not something for ‘classical’ electro-pop lovers.

Conclusion: I’ve always liked bands thinking out of the box and this trio definitely belongs to that category; this could be the future sound of electro-pop music!

Best songs: “Ideal Prey”, “Midnight Blac”, “October Lullaby”, “Unsung”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/andvoid

Label: www.distortionprod.com / www.facebook.com/distortionproductions

WED077 – Letters To Gods (and fallen angels) by Jean-Marc Lederman Experience

Collaborative album for Jean-Marc Lederman Experience: ‘Letters To Gods (and fallen angels)’ incl. a massive list of vocalists

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 11:15:20 +0000

Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Fad Gadget, The The, Ghost & Writer, Lederman-Demeyer) has released a new release under the Jean-Marc Lederman Experience moniker. With this project he calls up singers from different niches and countries to write lyrics and sing them on a common theme. The end result is then being packaged in a 2CD 36 pages hardcover art book with artwork and pictures by Erica Hinyot.

2019 saw the release of “13 Ghost Stories”, and now he offers “Letters To Gods (and fallen angels)” including performances from 21 different singers, from the USA to Italy, Mexico or Wales. The concept this time is very topical in this strange reset time: “You can write a letter to a God, or a fallen angel. What do you say?”

This time, the artists are:

Agi Taralas (Our Banshee, Greece)
Emma Barson (Promenade Cinema, UK)
Ghost & Writer with cello by Jo Quail (Germany/Belgium UK)
Mari Kattman (Helix, USA)
JP Aston with backing vocals by Julianne Regan (Gene Loves Jezebel/Wales All About Eve/UK
Coline Wauters (Atome, Belgium)
Christina Z (comics Witchblade writer, Magnesium Burn/USA)
Das Vintage (Mexico)
Lucia Fairfull (Lusca And The Best Boys/ Scotland)
Stefan Netschio (Beborn Beton/Germany)
Hunter S. Thompson (Writer, USA)
Elena Alice Fossi (Kirlian Camera/Stalingrad Valkyrie Italy)
Tom Shear (Assemblage 23/ Helix USA)
Mark Hockings (MESH/ UK)
Jenna Fearon (USA)
Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm/USA)
Miriam Christina (The Other Side Of Who, 580 Miles/ Germany)
Haydn Park-Patterson (The Ninth Wave/ Scotland)
Rodney Orpheus (The Cassandra Complex/ EU)
Louise Fraser (USA)
Lis van den Akker (Holland)
Claus Larsen (Leaether Strip/ Denmark)
Friedrich Nietzsche (Patrimonia Universal de la Humanidad)
With 3 novels by:
Christina Z. (comics Witchblade writer, Magnesium Burn/USA)
Ceratomia (USA)
Philippe Genion (à;GRUMH /Belgium)

Check the previews below.

Synapscape – Still (CD Album – Ant-Zen)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:30:25 +0000

Genre/Influences: Industrial, experimental, industrial-EBM.

Background/Info: Synapscape this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. Set up and driven by Tim Kniep and Philipp Münch the duo decided to rework tracks that were originally released in between 1994 and 1999. These tracks originally appeared on “Synapscape” (1995), “Rage” (1997), “So What” (1999), but also on the single “Helix / Merging” (1997).

Content: If you know the original versions, which clearly deal with an electro-ambient side, you really will be surprised discovering the content of “Still”. The songs have been transposed into a heavy and ultra-danceable fusion between IDM, industrial EBM (which sometimes even reminds me to early Revolting Cocks) and techno. The work also features harsh vocals creating a great match with the music.

+ + + : “Still” is so much more than a poorly inspired ‘best of’ album. This work brings old songs back alive, but especially giving them another dimension. It also reveals the evolution in sound and influences from the German duo. “Still” is an intelligent production and in a way it also has something visionary. It’s not that common a band reinvent its own sound by a total rework of early tracks. “Still” also stands for a modern blend of electronic styles. Last, but not least I also like the effect on the vocals production.

– – – : I can imagine this album also is a kind of challenge. Some fans will maybe get shocked discovering the new edit of early songs.

Conclusion: Recycling is also true in music business and “Still” clearly reveals old tracks that have been totally reworked and transposed into a modern and exciting format. A class-act!

Best songs: “No Fright”, “Helix”, “Rage”, “Dream”, “I Want To”, “No Sin”.

Rate: (9).

Artist: www.synapscape.org / www.facebook.com/synapscape

Label: www.ant-zen.com / www.facebook.com/antzen.official

Helix – Twin (CD Album – Metropolis)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 19:30:50 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: There has been a lot of to do about Helix and that‘s quite understandable. This new duo features one of the all-time future-pop/electro-pop legends Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) and one of the most beautiful- and sensual female voices from the scene Mari Kattman. “Twin” is their debut work featuring 10 songs.

Content: The music is clearly driven by electro-pop influences, but which however has nothing –or less, in common with Assemblage 23. Mari Kattman’s charismatic and sensual timbre of voice creates a smooth twist with the music of Tom Shear. This album has something refreshing, like a sweet reverie. I also noticed a few trip-pop elements and one potential dancefloor hit “Like A Drug”.

+ + + : This work stands for artistic electro-pop reverie, but I especially like the fact that it doesn’t sound like the ‘female’ version of Assemblage 23. Tom Shear clearly has found new influences to compose his music, but I think it’s not that difficult when you imagine Mari Kattman as a muse. She injects her natural grace and sensuality to the work, which brings Tom Shear to compose his most delicate composition to date. Mari Kattman excels on a few songs and I especially refer to “Anymore”. “Like A Drug” brings the essential club song to the work.

– – – : It’s maybe a pity there are no more other potential hits on this album, but “Twin” first of all appears to be work to dream on with.

Conclusion: “Twin” is a styled production revealing a Tom Shear like we’ve never heard before and the transcendental vocals of Mari Kattman.

Best songs: “Like a Drug”, “We are”, “Anymore”, “Bird Of Prey”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www .facebook .com /Helix -744516182407113

Label: www .metropolis –records .com / www .facebook .com /MetropolisRecords

Assemblage 23’s Tom Shear launches new project Helix – check the trailer

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 11:05:35 +0000

Helix is the brand new collaboration between Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) and vocalist Mari Kattman (known for her work with Psy’Aviah and Mari & The Ghost). You can expect tracks featuring trip-hop, dub, dream pop, synth-pop, and lo-fi.

The debut album “Twin” will be released on August 24 and is available now for pre-order. The album will have 10 tracks.

Here’s the preview trailer for the album.

Liquid Trauma – Distorted Memories (CD Album – Wool-E Discs)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 18:30:28 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark EBM, ambient-EBM.

Background/Info: Liquid Trauma is a Belgian formation resulting from the common efforts between old electro-servant Peter van Bogaert (Liquid G, Hydrom Line..) and Peter De Koning (Hybryds, Hedera Helix, Crossvaults, TraumaSutra). “Distorted Memories” is the official debut work of this brand-new project, which has been released on the Belgian label Wool-E Discs.

Content: If you’re a bit familiar with the work of both musicians, you’ll quickly agree to say “Distorted Memories” is the perfect sonic symbiosis between their own influences. The songs mix good-old and pure vintage electronics together with dark, haunted atmospheres and a little experimental flavor on top.

This album brings us back to the early hours of dark EBM. The icy electronics and spooky vocal parts are more than once reminding me of early Klinik stuff. But you’ll also find a few more experimental and instrumental pieces, where the ambient input has been accentuated. The most original song is “Gazelle” for the lyrics in Dutch (which is one of the trademarks from Hedera Helix).

+ + + : This album will appeal to all 80s freaks and early lovers of The Klinik and related formations. The vintage sound remains something unique and that refreshing when you’re used to hear the contemporary dark-electronic productions, which sound all the same. There’s a perfect twist between the coldness of the synth atmospheres, the somewhat industrial rhythms and the ghost-like vocals. Liquid Trauma sounds like the good-old Belgian electro, which conquered the world during the 80s!

– – – : Skeptical minds will say that this album features no real innovation. The album is maybe missing an absolute hit. I guess the main point is that this band should for sure get word-wide enthusiastic feedback during the 80s while it’s quite difficult to get into the spotlight today!

Conclusion: Liquid Trauma sounds like a truly resurrection of old Belgian electronic standards, but it first of all is a successful fusion between both artists. I really encourage Liquid Trauma to move on because this album is ‘too good to be true’.

Best songs: “Ghost Cities”, “Funny Song”, “Don’t Eat Meat”, “Transfiguration”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www .facebook .com /liquidtrauma / www .facebook .com /liquidgarbage / www .facebook .com /TempelKoor

Label: www .wool –e –shop .be / www .facebook .com /woolediscs

Hedera Helix – Pastiche (CD Album – 3RIOART)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 18:13:03 +0000

Genre/Influences: Abstract-electronics, EBM, gothic.

Background/Info: They call their music ‘intellectro’ and definitely remain one of the most atypical bands from the underground scene. Hedera Helix is a somewhat forgotten Belgian band, unleashing their first new album in 13 years! “Pastiche” has been released on the very own label of Hybryds. The band has been characterized by their unique theatre-like live shows and the use of Dutch vocals.

Content: Hedera Helix remains faithful to their anarchistic sound approach, which mixes different influences. It often sounds pretty abstract-like and you can really feel the music totally fits with what they call ‘anarchistic theatre’. Other songs are carried by solid EBM sequences while refined with classical instruments like violin and clarinet. Hedera Helix mixes the extremes, which are often symbolized by electronics at one side and guitar plus classical instruments at the other.

The vocals have been nearly all sung in their Mother tongue (Dutch), which remains a weird experience for non-Flemish music lovers. I don’t know if it creates some frivolity, but it probably sounds as particular as when a Belgian is listening to a Russian or Finnish singing band. The vocals are another element, which makes me think of theatre and other kinds of live performances. The band reminds me now and then of Schwarzblut, but with a less distinguished sound.

+ + + : Hedera Helix is a band like no other. They use familiar influences to create a very own sound DNA, which is impossible to define. “Pastiche” becomes a real sonic patchwork featuring great electronic treatments and surprising vocal parts. The songs have been accomplished with delicate treatments and an artistic touch, which emerges from some clarinet parts.

– – – : Despite of their original approach it is not exactly the most accessible sound. The main point that hurts is maybe the use of the Dutch language and especially because of the lyrical content, which clearly sounds important (although sometimes totally weird), but here again less accessible to many people.

Conclusion: Hedera Helix is a real efficient vaccine to sonic clones and other artists without their own approach. “Pastiche is the only cure to fashion trends and a warning to remind musicians that music has to be an expression from their own instead of copying their idols.

Best songs: “Hypnochonder”, “Comorbitumen”, “Col Cassé”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www .hederahelix .be / www .facebook .com /h .helix

Label: www .3 rioart .be