Genre/Influences: Gothic, dark-wave, post-punk.

Background/Info: This compilation was compiled by Lord Fer and Dimitri Berzerk aka DMT Berzerk (producer, remixer, event promoter and DJ). It’s a fine selection of 32 Mexican bands from the past and today mainly dealing with ‘the darker side’ of underground music and more explicitly with gothic, dark-wave and post-punk music.

Artists: Severance, Aleister, Hoffen, Equinoxious, Dramatic, Los Desterrados, Neue Strassen, Godless Procession, Mekrokiev, Hueco, The Seventh Seal, Orlok, Valeria, Mementut, Prismatic Shapes, Winter Svn, Gorgonas ao.

Content: Welcome to the dark-side of the Mexican scene, which is enlightened by a strong cocktail of artists dealing with gothic-, dark-wave- and post-punk music. It’s first of all an opportunity to discover an impressive list of unknown or less familiar formations. From pure 80s inspired dark-wave songs to minimal-wave to gothic, this sampler has a lot to offer, but will first of all appeal for guitar lovers.

+ + + : Like most productions released by Sector Industrial Producciones, this sampler has a great artistic layout while the inside booklet will give you interesting info about the bands. I also like compilations on, which you can discover ‘new’ and/or ‘less familiar’ names. But I also discovered cool songs by bands such as Das Leiden, Valeria, Capitals and Hueco. 

– – – : I think it’s rather ‘normal’ to discover a few forgettable songs, but globally speaking if you’re into this kind of music you for sure gone hear noticeable cuts.

Conclusion: We’re more familiar with the electro-minded artists from Mexico, but this compilation reveals an interesting canvas of gothic music.

Best bands: Valeria, Capitals, Hueco, Das Leiden, Hoffen, Severance.

Rate: (8).

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

About Sector Industrial Producciones

Sector Industrial Producciones is a label run from Mexico City by Dimitri Berzerk, also active as a DJ, event promoter and remixer under the name DMT Berzerk. This gothic/dark-wave compilation was compiled together with Lord Fer as a companion to “Mexico Underground Vol.02 – The Synthetic Side Of Mexico”, which covers the electro and EBM side of the same scene. The label’s roster also includes Hoffen, whose album “Cold Tears Of An Angel” appeared on Sector Industrial Producciones in 2018.

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, EBM.

Background/Info: Mexican DJ/producer/label owner Dimitri Berzerk is an artist who has remixed an impressive number of artists. He decided to release these remixes as albums in the “Remixes Collection”-series. This is the 3^rd volume featuring 12 remixes.

Content: Dimitri Berzerk has remixed some real famous artists, but this new disc features many less familiar bands. Most of the remixes mix electro-pop and danceable vibes. ‘Electro-pop’ because most of the bands being remixed by this producer originally sound like electro-pop and ‘dance’ because as a DJ he perfectly knows how bringing his audience to move. Most of the remixes are extended versions.

The most familiar names from the tracklist are Syrian, Loewenhertz, Head-Less, Electrostaub, Nordika, Hoffen and Schwarzschild. But Projekt Ich, Shadow Lady, Vantanoir, Microclocks and Rebel Empire are not exactly familiar names.

+ + + : Referring to the bands that have been remixed on this new volume I would say it’s not as interesting, but once you’ve heard the album you’ll definitely agree to say it’s a great –and maybe the best, album from the three. Dimitri Berzerk feels comfortable remixing electro-pop, future-pop and even EBM. He has this magic touch to get people dance. But he also made me curious to discover unknown bands. I can only advise artists in search of a good remix to get in touch with this artist.

– – – : My single regret – and it’s for sure very personal, is that some remixed are a bit too long. That’s why they’re called ‘extended’ and even if it’s good dance stuff, it’s sometimes more efficient to get a shorter version –even for dancefloors!

Conclusion: This is an interesting series; pure dance-fun for electro-pop lovers and club visitors!

Best songs: Head-Less “Punish Your Head”, Shadow Lady “Verloren Passion”, Syrian “Ninja Warrior”, Schwarzschild “Wir Sind Nicht Allein”, Hoffen “Cold Tears Of An Angel”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/dimitri.berzerk

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

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: New-wave, cold-wave.

Background/Info: Hoffen is a Mexican band set up by Dali Lantzeta (who was previously involved with other formations). “Cold Tears Of An Angel” is the official debut album of Hoffen, which has been released in collaboration with Mexican label Sector Industrial Producciones (run by Dimitri Berzerk) and Abstrakt Muzak in the USA.

Content: I will not take you that long to notice the 80s inspiration running through this work. Some songs might remind you of The Cure and Trisomie 21. The songs have been accentuated by melancholia and dark atmospheres. The vocals are pretty sterile, reinforcing the 80s approach. The songs have been sung in English, but you also will discover cuts sung in Spanish.

The last song is a remix by Dimitri Berzerk injecting a huge dose of electronics to the original version.

+ + + : I was rather convinced by this 80s emulation and especially the great guitar playing was worthy of examination. The fuzzy guitar playing running through “Two Headed Hydra” is absolutely great. The songs are supported by beautiful melancholia although I prefer the harder passages from the tracklist. The vocals reveal less emotion and that’s another cool aspect reminding me of the cold approach of 80s new/cold-wave music. The remix by Dimitri Berzerk has less in common with the sound of this album, but it’s a great song.

– – – : Even if I like the way of singing I also think it’s the main aspect of the production that needs to be improved. Some vocal parts can’t totally convince, revealing some hesitation.

Conclusion: I can’t say to have heard an essential production in the post new-wave and cold-wave music, but Hoffen is an interesting formation having accomplished a promising debut.

Best songs: “Two Headed Hydra”, “Purple Light”, “Cold Tears Of An Angel – DMT Berzerk Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Hoffenband

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

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