The German Synth-Pop band District 13 has been active for several years, releasing four albums under KL-Dark-Records. With their latest opus, they have transitioned to the larger and more renowned Infacted Recordings, offering many new fans the opportunity to discover their music. “Pandora’s Hope” delivers a familiar yet refined blend of catchy Electro-Pop, characterized by danceable rhythms and appealing melodies. While the album does include a few weaker tracks, it remains an overall enjoyable listen, though without any standout moments. The vocal production could use some improvement, and it’s unclear if the international Synth-Pop community was eagerly awaiting this release. Nonetheless, the album has its merits. (Rate:6½).

Listen to “It Can’t Rain Forever”:

About District 13

District 13 is a German synth-pop band that released four albums through KL-Dark-Records, including the “Dark Memories” EP (2016) and the album “Life in Chains” (2018). Side-Line previously covered the band’s single “Key To My Heart” in 2022. “Pandora’s Hope” marks the band’s move to Infacted Recordings.

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

After debuting with an album released by Danse Macabre, followed by three more under Infacted Recordings, the German duo The Saint Paul returns with their fifth opus, marking their first release on Scanner. Their signature style continues to blend clear, explicit Electro-Pop elements with harder, more menacing EBM influences, creating a dynamic interplay between the two genres. While I personally gravitate toward the edgier, more danceable tracks, the softer side of the album doesn’t resonate as strongly with me. Overall, the album is an enjoyable listen, featuring some standout tracks, but I can’t shake the feeling that they have even more to offer. (Rate:7).

Listen to “DNA”:

About The Saint Paul

The Saint Paul is a German act built around vocalist Paul, blending EBM and electro-pop. The project debuted on Danse Macabre before releasing three further albums through Infacted Recordings. “Interference” is the group’s fifth album and first release for Scanner.

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

Logiq & Olivia have returned with a new EP released a few months ago. The sound stays true to the Electro-Pop style that the German band developed in their earlier works. The EP is melodic, tinged with a touch of melancholy, yet remains danceable. While the cover of Depeche Mode’s “World In My Eyes” might not have been essential, it adds an interesting twist. Additionally, you’ll find two ‘harder’ remixes of the new songs. Overall, it’s a solid record from a project with the potential to be even better. (Rating: 8)

Listen to “Song Of The Old Man”:

About Logiq & Olivia

Logiq & Olivia is a German electro-pop project releasing through Infacted Recordings. Their sound is melodic and dance-oriented, carried over from earlier releases into the EP “Channel Two (Part Two),” which pairs new original tracks, a cover of Depeche Mode’s “World In My Eyes,” and two harder remixes.

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

Uwe Kanka (Armageddon Dildos) and Martin Bodewell (Orange Sector) are both part of the collective memory of EBM fans. Imagine both guys releasing an album together. They simply called the project Kanka Bodewell and first surprised us with the release of the heavy, retro-EBM-driven EP “Herzblut”. It was released in 2022 by Infacted Recordings. And two years later they hit back with the album “Stroboscope”. The full length is more diversified with, in addition to EBM, also strong Electro-Pop pieces and even a kind of retro-Techno track that takes us back to the 90s in the Frankfurter Techno Club. I contacted both artists to learn more about their collaborative work. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I think this collaborative project was already in the pipeline for a while, but what finally made it happen and what ideas did you have in mind when you decided working together?

Kanka: The idea for the project was born at a joint gig in Frankfurt twelve years ago. Martin suggested a collaboration and I agreed without any reservation. However, years went by and nothing happened. As Martin called me last year and told me that he had some tracks and that he could very well imagine releasing them with me I said yes and so the story went on.

Bodewell: We decided to call our project Bodewell & Kanka. The first ideas were Armageddon Sector or Orange Dildos. It is unbelievable what we think about. The first ideas were not good but very funny.

Q: You both can look back at incredible and successful careers so I guess it must be also exciting and challenging to set up something new. How did you experience this new project, the collaboration itself and what are the expectations?

Kanka: It was from the beginning and still is a very relaxed way of working for me. I liked the tracks straight away and felt very comfortable writing the lyrics and recording the vocals. I immediately had vocal lines for almost all the tracks Martin sent me and plenty of scope to play around with my voice in different styles and quickly realized that vocals and instruments harmonized very well.

Q: I can imagine that you got in touch with each other during the legendary Zoth Ommog years. How did you view each other’s respective bands Orange Sector and Armageddon Dildos and what are the influences from both bands you find back in Kanka Bodewell?

Kanka: As far as I remember, we didn’t have any intensive contact during our time together at Zoth Ommog. Lars and Martin lived in Hanover and Dirk and I lived in Düsseldorf. But we always had a lot of fun at occasional meetings in Frankfurt or at concerts together. I liked the guys’ musical style and energy right from the start. I think the way Martin uses the synths and his understanding of this kind of music has a big influence on the music of Kanka/Bodewell. It also gives me the opportunity to go new ways with my voice and the melodies of the vocals.

Bodewell: We find a good mixture of classic EBM and eighties-influenced Electro-Pop. Everything was allowed, but we didn´t want to sound like Orange Sector or Armageddon Dildos.

Q: Your debut EP “Herzblut” sounded like good, old EBM which can also be heard on the album “Stroboscope” although it is also featuring some Pop elements. Tell us a bit more about the album, the songs and its inspiration? And what have been the different stages to achieve the job?

Kanka: In a nutshell, it was like this: Martin sent me rough version of the tracks, I worked on the lyrics and vocals and sent him back the final recorded vocals. Mixing and mastering took place in Hannover. In my opinion, the work on “Stroboscope” actually took place without too much talking, rather intrusively and, above all, quite quickly.

Q: A very striking track is “Techno Club” which has a strong 90s Electro influence and is especially reminiscent of the legendary Techno Club in Frankfurt. I assume this is not a coincidence, but what have you been trying to express here? And how do you guys remind those unforgettable 90s and the Techno Club located in the Frankfurter airport?

Kanka: The nights at the Techno Club were often insane. Fans and bands from Music Research met up to have fun, exchange news and simply dance the night away. I have an incredible number of images from that time in my head and some of them inspired me to write the text for “Techno Club”.

Martin: The song “Hass Und Liebe” from ECO inspired me a lot for this idea.

Q: Do you consider Kanka Bodewell to be a one-shot project or are there future plans like new songs, remixes, new clips and why not a gig?

Kanka: I can very well imagine a continuation of the Kanka/Bodewell project. However, now is not the time to think about it. I’m in the middle of working on a new Armageddon Dildos-album. Unfortunately, I had a serious knee operation and am currently undergoing rehabilitation. Of course, that sets me back for a while. That’s why my focus over the next few months will naturally be on completing the new Armageddon Dildos-album.

Bodewell: The new Orange Sector will be released in the autumn of 2024. At this moment I work very hard on it. At the end of this year we will talk about the future. But performing the music of Kanka & Bodewell on stage is a very interesting idea.

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, Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: After the debut work (mini-album) “Herzblut” released in 2022 the duo Uwe Kanka (Armageddon Dildos) – Martin Bodewell (Orange Sector) are back on track unleashing the “Stroboscope”-album featuring eleven songs.

Content: Uwe Kanka sings and Martin Bodewell takes care of the music. “Herzblut” was great EBM but the album sounds more diversified and also exploring Electro-Pop fields. It’s quite interesting the way songs are switching from one genre till the other; sometimes reminding me of Pet Shop Boys for the Electro-Pop side and DAF for the harder, and pure, EBM work. The tracklist features 4 album-edits from songs that were already released at “Herzblut”.

+ + + : This is an exceptional project for the collaboration between two of the greatest EBM projects from the German 90s scene. The EBM side of the album remains terrific and definitely the songs I prefer. “Marathon” remains a great song but I also have to mention “Feuer” (also known from the mini-album) and “Strobolight”. “Techno Club” is another cool piece which seems evoking the famous Frankfurter Techno Club while sound wise it reminds me a bit of ECO. The Pop side is less interesting although revealing a few cool and well-crafted pieces always driven by solid bass lines. Uwe Kanka is definitely a talented singer for this kind of music. I here recommend listening to “Sisters & Brothers” which sounds like a hard adaptation of a Pet Shop Boys song.

– – – : As said before I’m less convinced by the Electro-Pop side of the work however it brings diversity.

Conclusion: Kanka Bodewell sounds much more than simply a fun project between EBM mates; those guys rock and have accomplished a cool work.

Best songs: “Marathon – Album Version”, “Techno Club”, “Strobolight”, “Feuer – Album Version”, “Sisters & Brothers”, “Wasteland”.

Rate: 8.

Artists: www.armageddondildos.info / www.facebook.com/armageddondildos / www.facebook.com/OrangeSector

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

About Kanka Bodewell

Kanka Bodewell is the collaborative project of Uwe Kanka of Armageddon Dildos and Martin Bodewell of Orange Sector. The idea for a joint project was born at a shared gig in Frankfurt, but the pair only started working together after Bodewell sent Kanka a set of tracks. The duo debuted in 2022 with the EP “Herzblut” on Infacted Recordings, followed two years later by the full-length “Stroboscope”, which reworks four “Herzblut” songs as album edits alongside new EBM and Electro-Pop material.

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

(Photo by Erik Jarrigeon) Dark Minimal Project is a French electro cold wave act consisting of Ange Vesper and Guillaume VDR, augmented with producer Peter Rainman. They formed in 2022 in Lille (France) and is currently signed to Infacted Recordings.

The band recently released a 10-track strong remix album featuring remixes by People Theatre, Krieg-B, Front 242 / Patrick Codenys, Ruined Conflict, Dominatrix, XMS, Fatherless Child, Dark State, Ethan Wood and Résilience. You can still get the vinyl version on Bandcamp too.

The tracks are taken from the band’s 2nd LP “Ghost Of Modern Times” released in May 2023.

A new video clip was also launched for the track “Ordinary Man” remixed by Ruined Conflict.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Out via Infacted on March 1st is the 2nd album by Alex Braun (singer of the German electro-pop band !Distain), “Dreamland”. The album is the follow-up to his debut album “reCOVER” (ScentAir 2021).

Unlike the debut, “Dreamland” only contains Braun’s own compositions, without any cover versions. Production-wise he teamed up with Gerrit Thomas (Eisfabrik/Funker Vogt). Note that some of the demo material for this release (“I can’t dance tonight” for example) dates back from the !Distain time period, while most others are newly composed and produced with Gerrit.

The album features all digital single releases such as “Traumfänger”, “Der Gedankensammler” and “Room of Silence“.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: After the split of Syntec composer Uwe Kallenbach decided to move on by setting up his own project. He started writing songs which you can find back at Nuquatron’s debut-album featuring eleven songs.

Content: The songs remain driven by good-old Electro-Pop standards. The songs are moving in between powerful passages and slower, dreamy, cuts. You now and then will notice a Depeche Mode touch on top of the melody lines while other cuts are reminding the typical Syntec-arrangements. I also noticed a more explicit 80s touch as well. The songs have been sung in English and German while 2 tracks are featuring guest vocals by Bastian Herrmann .

+ + + : This is an album without true surprises but simply a well-crafted and mature Electro-Pop production. Syntec was a great formation -especially their 90s stuff, but it’s a good to see there’s a new project rising out of their ashes. I like the danceable side of the work which is mainly coming through at “Publicity”. I also want to mention the already familiar “Authentizität” and “Lies” which is driven by a menacing bass line.

– – – : Syntec is gone, but they had a great singer and that’s what I’m missing a little bit at this work.

Conclusion: This album sounds as a real promising debut and will for sure catch the attention of Electro-Pop fans.

Best songs: “Publicity”, “Authentizität”, “Lies”, “Heuchelei”.

Rate: 7½ .

Artist: www.facebook.com/Nuquatron

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

About Nuquatron

Nuquatron is the solo project of former Syntec composer Uwe Kallenbach, set up after Syntec’s split. The project’s debut album, released on Infacted Recordings, carries eleven songs sung in English and German, moving between driving Electro-Pop passages and slower, dreamy cuts, with guest vocals by Bastian Herrmann on two tracks.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, EBM.

Background/Info: After having released five albums on Infacted Recordings and next three albums on Digital World Audio PreEmptive Strike 0.1 moves back to Infacted to unleash their ninth full length to date. The work comes four years after the amazing “Progeny Of The Technovore”-album. George Klontzas left the band and was replaced by Yiannis Chatzakis (Degenerated Sequences) who was a live member. Jim ‘The Blaster’ remains the band’s singer.

Content: The album sounds a bit like moving back to the ‘roots’ of the band; a perfect sonic match between elaborated EBM and Dark-Electronic atmospheres. You however will notice Technoid elements as well and even a few Cinematic parts plus a cover version of a Manowar-song. Kriistal Ann (Paradox Obscur) and Cleopatra Caido have been invited to sing each on one song. Last but not least there’s also a remix accomplished by Seven Trees.

+ + + : This album isn’t exactly a new beginning but there’s a different approach in the writing process and injected influences. I however think that there’s a chemistry between both members and the move back to the roots of the band will be noticed by fans. The songs are elaborate and I like the uplifting and somewhat Technoid sequences running through most of the songs -but especially during the second half of the album. “Pause In Chaos/Stop The Madness” is a true masterpiece but I also have to mention “State Of War – Defcon 1 Edit” and “Resurrective Hunger” featuring the emblematic vocals of Kriistal Ann. “Beyond Reality” featuring Cleopatra Caido sounds more Cinematic but is another attention grabber.

– – – : I still consider “Progeny Of The Technovore” as the band’s magnum opus so it’s not an easy thing moving on after such a blasting piece of music. Some tracks are a little less hesitant but I’m confident for the further evolution of the Greek duo.

Conclusion: PreEmptive Strike 0.1 is back and still stands for attractive EBM.

Best songs: “Pause In Chaos/Stop The Madness”, “Resurrective Hunger”, “State Of War – Defcon 1 Edit”,  “Beyond Reality”, “Lunacy Stimulator”, “Marauders From Earth”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.preemptivestrike01.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046294873850

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

About PreEmptive Strike 0.1

PreEmptive Strike 0.1 is a Greek duo fronted by vocalist Jim “The Blaster”. The band released five albums on Infacted Recordings before moving to Digital World Audio for three further albums, then returned to Infacted Recordings for “Defence Readiness: Condition 1”, the follow-up to “Progeny Of The Technovore”. Yiannis Chatzakis, also active with Degenerated Sequences, joined as a full member after previously performing live with the band, replacing George Klontzas. Kriistal Ann of Paradox Obscur and Seven Trees both contributed to “Defence Readiness: Condition 1”.

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: Indie-Pop, Electro-Pop, Industrial-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Missing In Stars is a music project driven by Dan Guenther. He has been involved with different projects but Blind Faith And Envy remains the most familiar name. A few years ago now he set up Missing In Stars and released the debut album “Echo Point” in 2017 by Splendid Recordings. A second opus has been now released by Infacted Recordings.

Content: Missing In Stars is much more than Electro/Future-Pop which seems to have been the main sources of inspiration. The songs are Electro-driven and definitely into Pop but now empowered by guitar playing and then transformed into a kind of harder, Industrial/Power-Pop style. Bombastic-, orchestral arrangements are quite noticeable elements of the work which is even resulting into a kind of orchestral Cinematic music. There’s also a surprising cover version of a song from The Echoing Green. 

+ + + : This is a diversified piece of music which is driven by Pop but transposed into very different sound formats. I like the Indie-Pop driven “Fight” but also the more Industrial-Pop sounding “The Sinners”. Another similar cut is “Playback” which is boosted by Industrial guitar  while revealing cool electronics. I also like “The Tides” for its progression and passionate vocals. Dan Guenther also is a talented and passionate singer.

– – – : I noticed several, softer, cuts which are dreamy but without real interest.

Conclusion: A fully accessible work although not the most cohesive and accessible album.

Best songs: “The Tides”, “Playback”, “Fight”, “Nothing But Lov’n”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.missinginstars.com / www.facebook.com/missinginstars

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

Listen to “Perfusing The Circuit”:

About Missing In Stars

Missing In Stars is the project of Dan Guenther, also known for his work as Blind Faith And Envy. Guenther released the Missing In Stars debut album, “Echo Point”, on Splendid Recordings in 2017. The second album, “Perfusing The Circuit”, followed on Infacted Recordings.

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

Sad news, again, with the passing on Wednesday evening of Michael Formberg. Aachen-based musician Michael Formberg was the former lead singer of Paranoid, and was also the founder of Paralyzzer. He was just 50 years old.

Michael Formberg and Stephan Tesch formed the rather melodic EBM act Paranoid in 1987. In 1988, Paranoid played their first gig at the Metropol club in Aachen. A first demo cassette was released one year later. In 1990, the band signed to the German music label KM-Musik for the single “I Dominate You”. In 1991 they signed to Animalized (a division of SPV GmbH) and released the album “Strain” which featured several club hits. During 1991 and 1992, they recorded two albums and four singles. Paranoid initially disbanded in 1993, then officially and permanently in 2000.

Formberg returned in 2018 with his solo project Paralyzzer and released two albums. The third album, which he was working on, remains unfinished. Paralyzzer picks up where Paranoid left off bringing a mix of EBM and Electro combined with hard bass lines and driving synth sequences paired with catchy vocals. Stephan Tesch from his side joined Orange Sector singer Martin Bodewell to set up Pandoria.

Paranoid discography.

Albums

• 1991 Strain (Animalized, LP / CD / Cass)
• 1992 Sweat Blood & Tears (Machinery Records, CD)
• 2011 I Still Dominate You (Infacted Recordings, CD)
• 2016 Never too late (Infacted Recordings, CD)

Singles

• 1991 I Dominate You (KM-Musik, 12″)
• 1991 Vicious Circle (Animalized, CD / 12″)
• 1992 Desire (Animalized, CD / 12″)
• 1992 Love And Hate (Machinery Records: CD / 12″)

Paralyzzer discography.

Albums

• 2019 Extatic Instinct (Invincible Spirit Media, CD)
• 2020 Humanized (Invincible Spirit Media, CD)

Paranoid and Paralyzzer videos

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: We welcome the fifth official album of ES23. The German solo-project driven by Daniel Pad brings us ten new songs.

Content: ES23 is a project which feels comfortable with the harder Dark-Electro style but also with a softer exposure like Dark Electro/Future-Pop. “Dancing With Clouds” sounds as an offspring between the different influences Daniel Pad has mixed into his music since the early debut. From harder, Dark-Electronic music reminding me a bit of Funker Vogt to ‘softer’ Electro/Body-Pop with Dance elements on top -featuring previously released singles “Now” featuring Dino Serci and “Never”, will maybe appeal for fans of X Marks The Pedwalk. This work has a lot to offer.

+ + + : As Daniel Pad claimed in an interview I did with him ‘I’m not a huge fan producing the same music over and over again’ this new work stands for diversity. It’s not all about ‘innovation’ rather than a mix of the different influences ES23 has experienced over the years. The debut part stands for solid Dark-Electro power featuring orchestral elements and melody lines. Quite progressively the work moves into danceable Electro/Body-Pop music with robotic vocals on top. These songs are driven by solid bass lines and carrying choruses while holding on a powerful exposure. I like both sides of the work although I have a preference for the ‘Pop’ side revealing an artist in constant progress.

– – – : The album’s diversity, and especially the mix of styles, is not fully cohesive although I’m not shocked about it.

Conclusion: ES23 has released an album without compromises and appeals for a wider audience of underground electro lovers.

Best songs: “Now”, “Never”, “Firefly”, “Storm”, “Feed The Machines”.

Rate: 8½.

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

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

About ES23

ES23 is the solo-project of German producer Daniel Patschkowski, known as Daniel Pad, founded in Bochum, Germany at the end of 2004. The project built a discography of Dark-Electro albums for Infacted Recordings, including “Mutatio Ex Machina” and “Erase My Heart”, before “Only Melodies Remain” moved ES23 toward a more melodic Electro/Future-Pop sound. “Dancing With Clouds” is the project’s fifth album, again released through Infacted Recordings.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: I might easily affirm Xotox is the main project from Andreas Davids. The German artist rapidly gained recognition with his Industrial music since 1998. He released an impressive number of albums -featuring collaborative releases, and now strikes back with his first new opus in three years. You’ll also hear 2 remixes right at the end of the album.

Content: I’ll directly go to the point; this is without a shadow of a doubt, the most diversified work of Xotox. Most of the tracks remain driven by Industrial-Electronics but you’ll also notice dancefloor driven Industrial-Techno pieces, EBM elements and even a kind of Industrial New-Beat cut. The work also features more elaborated cuts driven by cold sound sequences. You’ll notice numerous German- but also English samplings.

+ + + : Xotox is no longer dealing with the harsher, brutal, and unpolished side of Industrial music. Andreas Davids feels comfortable mixing different influences to his Industrial ‘ogre’ project. I like when he’s adding EBM bass lines mixed with surprising, heavy, drum sections(especially at the debut of the album) but I’m still into his ‘classic’ sound. The best cuts are however at the second part of the album. He’s experimenting with Industrial-Techno and minimal sound treatments. One of the most surprising cuts is a remix of “Robotorkrieg” by Sven Phalanx (who’s also releasing work together with Andreas Davids). 

– – – : I can imagine the early die-hard fans of Xotox will maybe be less pleased by the evolution of the project touching ground with Industrial-Techno and EBM.

Conclusion: This is a pretty cool album which also comes as a celebration for the twenty fifth anniversary of Xotox.

Best songs: “Erkenntnis”, “Ich Bin Da”, “Leben und sterben f​ür Musik aus Strom”, “Ich Funktioniere”, “Roboterkrieg  – A Tribute To 25 Years Of Xotox by Sven Phalanx”, “Imaginary City – Bonus”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/xotoxmusic

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

About Xotox

Xotox is the solo-project of German artist Andreas Davids, started in 1998 as a power noise, industrial and EBM outlet. The project signed to Infacted Recordings and built a catalogue of albums moving between harsher rhythmic noise and more dancefloor-driven Industrial-Techno. Side-Line covered the announcement of “Ich bin da / Ich funktioniere”, released as Xotox marked its 25th anniversary, and later spoke with Davids for a Click Interview about the fusion of techno and industrial in his work.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Industrial, Electro-Industrial.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Behind this new project is hiding an experienced German duo. Die Frösche is driven by  DJ Christian Bergmann (<1979>) and Andreas Davids (Xotox, Natura Est). The debut album features eleven cuts.

Content: From the very first notes and seconds of the work you’ll notice the Electro-Industrial approach of this duo. The influences remind me of their respective main project <1979> and Xotox. The structures are quite repetitive now and then joined by a few strings and even simple melody lines. The work remains pretty Industrial but will also appeal for lovers of darker Techno fields.

+ + + : This is the kind of music which will for sure have more impact on stage and/or dancefloors than played -even at loud volume, in your living room. I prefer the tracks with extra elements like “Quak 03” and “Quak 09”

– – – : The work is very, very, repetitive and becomes rapidly predictable. So that’s why it’s more suited for live shows and dancefloors. I think it could have been cool to inject some spoken samplings, shouts and/or a few words to the music so in the end it remains pretty rudimentary and brute.

Conclusion: Speaking for myself I definitely prefer the ‘Industrial’ projects of both artists instead of this common project. There’s definitely more hiding behind Die Frösche than what you can hear at “Sumpflärm 01”.

Best songs: “Quak 03”, “Quak 09”, “Quak 06”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/1979Hands / www.facebook.com/xotoxmusic

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

About Die Frösche

Die Frösche is a German duo formed by DJ Christian Bergmann, from Leipzig, and Andreas Davids, from the Paderborn area and also known for his work with Xotox and Natura Est. The pair share an interest in frogs and started the project roughly a decade before its debut release. The debut album “Sumpflärm 01” was released on 14 July 2023 through Infacted Recordings, and features eleven tracks.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Swedish trio Presence Of Mind strikes back with their first new album in eleven years. It also is the first work ever released by Infacted Recordings. The Swedish formation is driven by Christoffer Lundström, Hannes Ambros and Anders Wallroth and has been active for a while now.

Content: The band has been already inspired by Electro-Pop standards. The influences are easily recognizable at this new opus which is mixing Electro-Pop, Future-Pop and even Indie-Pop. Most of the tracks are very powerful but I also noticed a few minimal-driven passages with a Cinematic appeal. I think the best way to describe Presence Of Mind should be an imaginary hybrid between IAMX, Mesh, and Psyche.

+ + + : This production caught my attention for several reasons. First it’s powerful and dynamic production which sounds a bit different from average Electro-Pop productions. Next there’s the impressive elaboration and achievement of the songs revealing cool sound treatments. Last but not least the band is also driven by a talented singer. “Lonely Like Me” sounds like the ultimate song to illustrate the potential of “Humans”.

– – – : The debut part is cool but maybe a little bit hesitant compared to the second part of the album featuring the best cuts.

Conclusion: This album has the potential to put Presence Of Mind back on the map of Electro-Pop. 

Best songs: “Lonely Like Me”, “Hunting Light”, “Evolve”, “Leave Me Your Weapon”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/PresenceOfMindSweden

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

About Presence Of Mind

Presence Of Mind is a Swedish electro-pop trio made up of Christoffer Lundström, Hannes Ambros and Anders Wallroth. “Humans” marked the band’s first new album in eleven years and was also the first release ever issued by Infacted Recordings, mixing electro-pop, future-pop and indie-pop across ten tracks.

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, EBM, Future-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Xavier Morales strikes back with four new songs of his sonic alter-ego Ruined Conflict. The work comes after the great “God & Sinners”-albums released in 2021 and 2022.

Content: Ruined Conflict moves on from where previous releases stopped; a harder and rougher sound. The debut cut however sounds as a ‘quieter’ intro-cut. We next get pure, danceable songs but especially the more EBM driven “Get In The Epicenter” sounds as the main cut. Last but not least the last track featuring vocals by Fredrik Croona is mixing Metal guitar riffs together with Future-Pop.

+ + + : I don’t know where Ruined Conflict will stop but this artist is taking me by surprise work after work. The sound became harder throughout the years, taking some distance with the Future-Pop sound from the early productions while holding on to a danceable side and melodic choruses. This EP is absolutely phenomenal as there’s something to say about each single track; from the great opening piece with a carrying chorus to the danceable “Artificial Intelligence” featuring great lyrics to the very hard and club-minded “Get In The Epicenter” to the surprising Metal-driven “Amen” featuring Fredrik Croona.

– – – : I don’t see true minus points here. I just can’t get enough of it!

Conclusion: There where renowned Future-Pop artists are somewhat stagnating in their approach or simply lost their inspiration, Ruined Conflict moved on withy time and never stop exploring new sonic horizons while holding on some essential elements of the early productions;

Best songs: “Get In The Epicenter”, “Artificial Intelligence”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.ruinedconflict.com / www.facebook.com/RuinedConflict

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

About Ruined Conflict

Ruined Conflict is the solo electro/future-pop project of Xavier Morales, set up in 2011 and quickly signed to Infacted Recordings. The project’s debut album “Armor” was followed by “Revolutionary Mayhem”, and by early 2019 Morales had released a fifth full-length, “Valediction”. He continued with the “God & Sinners” albums in 2021 and 2022, moving toward a harder, rougher sound while keeping the danceable, melodic choruses of the early productions. “The Experiment” EP follows that pair of albums with four new songs, including a track featuring Fredrik Croona.

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

State Of The Union, the electronic industrial band hailing from Los Angeles (California), is back with their latest single and video release, “Purgatory”.

“Purgatory” is a song that explores the topic of suicide. The band’s frontman Johann Sebastian explains it as follows: “As human beings, we go through the “ups” and “downs”. Some of us have a harder time than others dealing with these emotions. Some of us can even get to the brink of suicide because we want to make it end as fast as we can. In esoteric belief, a person who commits suicide disrupts their karmic flow and goes to a timeless place where one second could feel like a million years! This is very hard to comprehend within our own minds. To experience something like that, we have to have an out-of-body experience and travel to a very low-frequency dimension known as purgatory. In some religions, purgatory is known as the place where spirits go to pay for their sins and burn karma before they move on to their next life experience. All in all, we will never know unless we go there. That’s why it is better to keep making powerful electronic music that makes club-goers dance their nights away to songs like “Purgatory”.”

“Purgatory” is available on all major digital platforms including Bandcamp, you can check it out below.

State of the Union made their debut in 2002 with the album “Black City Lights” on Accession Records, a label founded by Adrian Hates. With the follow-up releases from 2004, State of the Union switched to WTII Records, and to Infacted Recordings for the European market . In 2004 the second album “Inpendum” was released . The debut album was re-recorded and produced in 2005 as “Black City Lights V.2”. In 2008 the third album “Evol Love Industry” was released .

After the single “Dancing in the Dark” in 2010 and a four-year break, the fourth album “My Time Away” saw the light of day in 2014. Another four years later, in 2018, the fifth album “Indupop” was ready.

Here’s the video for the band’s latest single.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Torul is a Slovenian project originally set up by Borut Bernik aka ‘Torulsson’. Several albums have been released over the years mixing elements of Dance music and Techno together with Electro/Indie-Pop. The band went throughout different line-up changes but hold on its ‘non-compromised’ writing approach. The new album “End Less Dreams” released by Infacted Recordings appears to me as the band’s magnum opus; a well-crafted and professional Electro-Pop production with sensual vocals on top. I talked about this master piece with ‘operator’ Torulsson.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Torul has been set up in 2010. Can you draw up the balance sheet of all these years of commitment considering sound, albums, line-up changes etc?

Torulsson: It’s been quite a ride! After some really successful early releases since 2011 we begun to tour wherever possible and/or made sense for us. Our ‘main card’ has always been a wish to be and stay as independent as possible. Meaning, we felt no pressure or obligations to ‘adapt’ to any scene or mimic any style, band. We tried to keep on doing things our way. And we are obviously recognized this way these days, which is kind of fulfilling.

As Torul has begun as my solo project, I could actually work with any talented singer that is willing to work and develop and that’s how we survived a couple of front man changes. So Maj is actually our 3^rd front man. Sticking to our style and direction, there hasn’t been a big gap for our fans and audience. Currently, we enjoy really enthusiastic reviews of our new album and we feel the same about it -might be our best to date.

Q: Let’s talk about this new album entitled “End Less Dreams” which comes four year after your previous full length. So the album has been composed during the pandemic and seems to reflect feelings you encountered during this period. Tell us a bit more about it and how did the album come alive?

Torulsson: This period has been quite challenging for me. So many things have changed in my world -disintegration of a long term relationship, corona restrictions, no gigs, and also important, I sensed so many changes in society due to the new crisis and dynamics. Well, probably many people have. It’s just that it added up to my introspections, re-questioning many things etc. Far from playing a victim or anything, I’m just saying I’ve been having a personal transitional period. I’ve discovered some things that I’m still processing. And at the same time I have begun to see my music explorations even broader, started a couple of new projects that are yet to see light, i.e. Flamingo Revolt, which is a new solo Indie-Pop-Rock project of mine, first single coming out in May.

As for Torul stuff that is on “End Less Dreams”, I got a very clear picture what I wanted and I’m very happy both with how smooth I’ve been writing and producing it, it’s always rewarding when the production of a new full length is effortless in terms of frustration and considering it as work -it was more like my playground, heading to the clear goal.

Q: Music and arts generally speaking have been seriously affected during the pandemic and lockdowns. But music also was a kind of therapy and cure for numerous people to hold on. How did it happen at your side and what’s the importance of arts, music and Torul?

Torulsson: As I’ve already described above, it was very personal and like a time -stamp of a very certain period of mine. I just knew this is like the most important thing to do and the very right time to do it. That part has been one of my few joys during the pandemic. Well, I also improved my routine a bit, doing more sports etc. But at the same time I coped with some weird form of depression, not like just feeling down or something, the sensation of loneliness and sadness crawled up to me and couldn’t get rid of it easily. It’s still there, but I understand it better, I understand it’s a process and try not to fight it, I try to live with it.

Q: What have been the different stages you’d to go through to compose and produce “End Less Dreams”? What have been the influences and eventually references when it comes to writing process and production? And what have been the main challenges and difficulties?

Torulsson: I can’t talk about influences, as usually, it’s a whole broth of them and never think about that -I have an empathy and appreciation of many different kinds of music and I sense music more like mood -boards, than individual isolated pieces. If you listen to our work with some attention, you can discover things that come from different fields, I think and am often recognized as having quite unique and eclectic approach inside of the genre. That is kind of important to me, as I also hear many genre music which is so full of cliches and copying stuff more or less directly. I am really not interested in doing stuff this way for Torul. I need something that will fulfil myself in the first place, not the audience -the audience must ‘understand’, haha… not to get me wrong, it’s just my hope they do.

Q: Torul is playing live again. What does it mean to be back on stage again and how would you define yourself as a live band? How do you transpose the songs from the studio to the stage?

Torulsson: Well, it’s a bit different now for us. I’m singing more than I used to and have more presence on stage, it’s a natural progression and kind of new one to me. I’m discovering myself as a performer more than I have in the past. We really love to play new material, all of us are enjoying it. It’s a very emotional and energetic performance. We are still developing it, gig after gig.

Q: You’re hailing from Slovenia. We for sure all know Borghesia and Laibach but I’m wondering about the underground ‘scene’ in your country. How does it look like considering bands, live venues, festivals, radio broadcasts, media etc. ? 

Torulsson: There’s a lot going on in Slovenia within music, but all the scenes are more or less crumbled. We are only 2 million in total, so not every scene can develop -no critical mass. But audience can be curious and we see many different genres. A lot of concerts take place here, international ones as well. We do get radio play here, but not much on commercial radios, the same as everywhere, we know that on many radios there is no music editors really, there is a ‘model’, playlists that sell most commercial productions. That is the saddest thing for music industry really. So many great bands are overlooked these days. 

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

Out via Infacted is the all new album by the German electropop act Final Selection. “Siren’s Call” is the band’s 4th album, and the first one since “Clockworks” from 2008. A first single (“Beyond my Dreams”) and official video was released some weeks ago. “Siren’s Call” features eleven tracks.

The video itself was made by Alain De Grox for Synth Heaven and contains excerpts from the CGI 3D Animated Short “One More Page” by Jay Stewart, Sam Osborne, Gary Pogue, Matthew A Cooper & Nicholas Deary (Northumbria University, Newcastle).

Final Selection was established in 1993 by Mario Tews (keyboards) and Riccardo Schult (vocals), featuring English lyrics. The band’s initial demo tapes were released between 1993 and 1996. In the past the band has received quite some favorable reviews from Side-line magazine.

Welcome back!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: This EP brings us back to 1989. Scarecrow was a German duo set up by ‘Regan Eracs’ and ‘Sevren Ni-Arb’. “Black Door” was the single, official, Scarecrow work released on ZYX Records. They quickly changed the name into X Marks The Pedwalk which became one of the greatest EBM formations during the 90s.

Content: You definitely recognize the late 80s EBM sound which was dark and even tormented and featuring harsh vocals -however there’s one instrumental song featured. You clearly recognize the early X Marks The Pedwalk sound while it for sure will appeal for lovers of The Klinik and Skinny Puppy.

+ + + : The title song remains a great piece of late 80s EBM. The bass line, the rhythm and the anguishing vocals have something magic. It sounds retro-like and yet timeless. Among both songs left, I also want to mention “Revolting Silence” which sounds a bit similar.

– – – : This EP has already been re-released several times and it would have been cool to discover previously unreleased songs and/or edits but I guess there are none.

Conclusion: Scarecrow clearly had something special which would later on emerge in the X Marks The Pedwalk discography; this EP is part of EBM history!

Best songs: “Black Door”, “Revolting Silence”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.x-mtp.com / www.facebook.com/xmarksthepedwalk

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

Listen to “Black Door”:

About X Marks The Pedwalk

Originally named Scarecrow, X Marks The Pedwalk was the project of Sevren Ni-Arb, or André Schmechta, conceived in 1987. Schmechta undertook the composition, production and engineering of every track. The project’s debut single, “Black Door”, followed in 1988 before the name changed to X Marks The Pedwalk, drawn from Stephen King’s “Danse Macabre”, which references a Fritz Leiber tale titled “X Marks The Pedwalk”. Schmechta went on to release music under several further names, including PAX with Heiko Daniel, the solo project Ringtailed Snorter, Hyperdex-1-Sect with Stefanie Schmechta and Jonathan Sharp of New Mind, U-Tek with Alexis Schaar, A-Head, and the darkwave project Deluga with Thorsten Schmechta, Stefanie Schmechta and Falk Aupers. In 2012 he launched the solo electro-ambient project SN-A. Infacted Recordings reissued the original “Black Door” EP on Bandcamp in digital format in 2022.

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, Indie-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This is the first Torul album in four years and the Slovenian formation’s seventh full length to date. The album deals with the frustration which came through during- and after Covid19 times; a message to take care of ourselves.

Content: Torul moves on composing a very distinctive Electro-Pop sound; a well-crafted opus mixing dark sounds with minimal arrangements and choruses driven by atypical, minimal- and retro, leads. On top there’s a sensual timbre of voice. The last part of the work sounds a bit harder featuring potential dancefloor killers. I also noticed a groovier cut.

+ + + : Torul has already accomplished great productions but maybe never got the deserved international recognition. This new piece only confirms the huge potential and talent of the band. I like this band and their new work for their own sound approach; it’s definitely Pop-like but with a personal touch on top. The sound treatments and some of the leads are quite noticeable. And then there’s this captivating, charismatic, and sensual voice. The work features cool songs but especially the final part is total ecstasy; “Hello Hello” and “Next Generation” both are brilliant tracks but I also want to mention “When I First Saw Her”, “The Only Way” is a great opener and “Resonate” has a retro-like feeling reminding me of Gary Numan.

– – – : The last track which is a kind of outro and rather sounds as a poorly inspired song.

Conclusion: Torul strikes back with a bang; styled, danceable, sensitive and sexy Electro-Pop.

Best songs: “Next Generation”, “Hello Hello”, “When I First Saw Her”, “The Only Way”, “Resonate”.

Rate: 8½.

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

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

Listen to “End Less Dreams”:

About Torul

Torul is a Slovenian project set up in 2010 by Borut Bernik, known as Torulsson. The band mixes elements of dance music and techno with electro and indie-pop, and has gone through several line-up changes, with Maj serving as its third frontman. “End Less Dreams”, released through Infacted Recordings on February 17, 2023, is Torul’s seventh full-length album and the band’s first in four years, written by Torulsson during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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, Indie-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Released nearly at the same time as “Suicidal” this is the second mini-album released by Jimmy Machon, Thomas Gaarn, and Torben Schmidt. “Angels” also features six songs.

Content: The work sounds like it is in the same line as “Suicidal”; catchy, danceable Electro-Pop with Indie-elements on top and alternated with a few softer, moody, songs. I noticed passages with guitar sounds to boost the global production.

+ + + : I think both mini-albums -cf. “Suicidal” and “Angels”, perfectly stand for the evolution of Lights Of Euphoria. The harder EBM elements have been replaced by Indie-elements which makes the band accessible for a wider audience. But you also notice the maturity of the trio running through the writing. This work sounds like a refreshed version of Lights Of Euphoria; maybe a path they can move on with for their next work.

– – – : I’m repeating myself but the soft side of the band isn’t the most attractive one. “Soul Collector” is the illustration of this softer and less inspired side.

Conclusion: 2022 has been a great vintage for Lights Of Euphoria which maybe haven’t delivered their greatest hits to date but for sure their most mature productions.

Best songs: “Strange”, “Form And Matter”, “Puppeteer”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/lightsofeuphoria

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

Listen to “Angels”:

About Lights Of Euphoria

Lights Of Euphoria started in the 1990s as a one-shot project of Torben Schmidt, who was running the Leaëther Strip fan club at the time, with Claus Larsen on vocals for the song “Subjection”, released on a Zoth Ommog compilation. The project continued and released numerous albums and EPs, later joined by Jimmy Machon of Godheads, with guest vocalists including Ronan Harris of VNV Nation, Stephan Groth of Apoptygma Berzerk, Vasi Vallis of Frozen Plasma, Johan van Roy of Suicide Commando and Kay Härtle of Supreme Court. After a twelve-year break, the band returned with the full-length “Traumatized” on Infacted Recordings, joined by Thomas Gaarn. “Suicidal” and “Angels”, both mini-albums of six songs, followed on Infacted Recordings in 2022, with “Angels” released on November 4.

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, Indie-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: 2022 has been a prolific and creative year for Lights Of Euphoria. The German-Danish trio released several singles and two mini-albums by the end of the year. Both mini-albums feature the title-tracks of the singles plus some new songs as well.

Content: This mini-album features 6 songs which are totally representative for the band’s sound they’ve developed during the years. You get a danceable, ‘harder’, side with catchy passages and a ‘softer’, and more melancholic side.

+ + + : The work takes off with the cool Indie-Pop driven “The Sound Of Thunder” which reveals the band at its best. Jimmy Machon’s sexy timbre of voice is a great match with the music. I also like the upcoming cuts “Access Denied”, “Man And Machine” and “Collapsed”.

– – – : Both last songs are softer and once more the ones which couldn’t convince me.

Conclusion: This work reveals Lights Of Euphoria at its best; alluring and danceable Electro/Indie-Pop music.

Best songs: “The Sound Of Thunder”, “Collapsed”, “Access Denied”, “Man And Machine”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/lightsofeuphoria

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

Listen to “Suicidal”:

About Lights Of Euphoria

Lights Of Euphoria started in the 1990s as a one-shot project of Torben Schmidt, who was running the Leaëther Strip fan club at the time, with Claus Larsen on vocals for the song “Subjection”, released on a Zoth Ommog compilation. The project continued and released numerous albums and EPs, later joined by Jimmy Machon of Godheads, with guest vocalists including Ronan Harris of VNV Nation, Stephan Groth of Apoptygma Berzerk, Vasi Vallis of Frozen Plasma, Johan van Roy of Suicide Commando and Kay Härtle of Supreme Court. After a twelve-year break, the band returned with the full-length “Traumatized” on Infacted Recordings, joined by Thomas Gaarn. “Suicidal”, released on Infacted Recordings on October 7, 2022, was the first of two mini-albums the trio issued that year, followed a month later by “Angels”.

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-Wave, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Brigade Enzephalon is a German formation consisting of Kim Hoffmann, Stehen Denny Scheffler and Thomas Winters. This year they released their official debut album featuring eleven songs.

Content: This album stands for the perfect offspring between Dark/Electro-Wave and EBM. The German vocals but especially the growling way of singing might remind you of Till Lindemann (Rammstein). I noticed a few songs empowered with guitar sounds while the songs have been carried by underlying retro-strings.

+ + + : I like the way Brigade Enzephalon have mixed different influences. It doesn’t sound innovative although there’s a refreshing effect. The songs feature cool retro elements. The work reveals multiple cool songs but I have a preference for the harder “Superhelden” featuring a carrying chorus line.

– – – : I can’t say this album brings something new, but who cares when the work is enjoyable.

Conclusion: This work stands for an honest and cool official debut so I’m not surprised they already got a very good response in their homeland.

Best songs: “Superhelden”, “Freiheit”, “Egoman”, “Engel der Lichts”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.brigade-enzephalon.com / www.facebook.com/BrigadeEnzephalon

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

Listen to “Freiheit”:

About Brigade Enzephalon

Brigade Enzephalon is a German electro formation founded in 2016, fronted by Kim Hoffmann alongside keyboardists Denny Scheffler and Thomas Winters. The band mixes atmospheric, low-tempo synth-pop with harder EBM. “Freiheit”, the band’s official debut album, was released through Infacted Recordings on January 27, 2023 and holds eleven tracks, including “Egoman”, “Superhelden” and the title track.

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, Indie-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Morphose is a German project driven by Christoph Schauer. After having released a few singles featuring guest singers like Sascha Klein (Neuroticfish), Victorija Kukule and Lennart A. Salomon, Morphose is now back on track unleashing this album which rather looks like a mini-album. The previously released singles have been featured plus a few more songs.

Content: Morphose stands for Electro/Indie-Pop where the songs have been accentuated by Electro-Wave melody lines and empowered by guitar parts. It’s a danceable and fully accomplished work featuring great singers injecting extra diversity.

+ + + : I like the diversity of the work but even more the great writing skills of Christoph Schauer. The way the songs have been built up creating an uplifting effect is simply magic. “Spin The Wheel” and “Moveout” both are terrific songs resulting in a true sonic climax but I also have to mention “Beneath It All” for its explicit Indie touch.

– – – : I regret this work is only featuring 6 songs. I want to hear more from Morphose.

Conclusion: This is how modern and efficient Pop music has to sound!

Best songs: “Spin The Wheel”, “Moveout”, “Beneath It All”, “Encounter”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.morphosemusic.com / www.facebook.com/Morphoseproject

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

Listen to “The Inexplicable Darkness Of Light”:

About Morphose

Morphose is a German electro-pop project driven by Christoph Schauer. The project released a series of singles featuring guest vocalists including Sascha Klein of Neuroticfish, Victorija Kukule and Lennart A. Salomon, before those tracks were gathered with new material on “The Inexplicable Darkness Of Light”, released through Infacted Recordings on October 14, 2022.

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, EBM

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Canadian Jonathan Kaplan is already active under the For All The Emptiness moniker for a while. After multiple self-releases he signed to Infacted Recordings. “Used And Violated” was released by the end of 2020. It was produced by Sebastian Komor while guest singers Claus Larsen (Leaether Strip), Computorgirl, Gabrielle Gustafson (Eva X) and Daniel Graves (Aesthetic Perfection) joined in.

Content: The EP rather looks like a mini-album featuring 5 different tracks. The songs are diversified, mixing breakbeats with Electro-Pop while there’s also a song with a menacing EBM bass line. It’s a powerful and catchy production with different singers.

+ + + : Jonathan Kaplan isn’t emulating Electro-Pop standards but simply brings different influences together. The way he mixed catchy Pop together with dynamic Breakbeats is a true original idea although still a challenge. I like challenges and especially when it resulted from a creative process -featuring inspired guests, resulting in alluring songs like the title track but also “Sell The Sins” featuring Claus Larsen and Daniel Graves. My personal favorite one however is the powerful and ultra-catchy “Dead Inside” featuring Computorgirl.

– – – : The last song is a poorly inspired cut which serves as the antithesis to the rest of the work.

Conclusion: “Used and Violated” is a creative Electro-Pop production which will get you into a frenetic dance.

Best songs: “Dead Inside”, “Sell The Sins”, “Used And Violated”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/foralltheemptiness

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

Listen to “Used And Violated”:

About For All The Emptiness

For All The Emptiness is a dark electro project from Toronto, Canada, started as an idea by vocalist and composer Jonathan Kaplan. The project released its debut album “Axioms” in 2011, produced by Yone of Decoded Feedback, followed by a 2012 remix version featuring contributions from Assemblage 23, Beborn Beton and Decoded Feedback. The band’s third release, the “mt” EP, was produced and mixed by Sebastian Komor of Icon of Coil in 2017. Komor also produced “Used And Violated”, released via Infacted Recordings on Bandcamp on December 9, 2022.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Berlin trio Any Second released in December 2022 their third album to date. Oliver Senger, Thomas Beschoner and Jan Kluge left Out Of Line and joined hands together with Infacted Recordings to unleash “Enemies”. The opus was preceded by the powerful EP-teaser “Scalpel”. “Enemies” is available as a double disc featuring remixes on the bonus disc.

Content: If you know the band from their previous works you immediately will recognize the perfect mix between EBM and Dark-Electro. Nearly all the songs have been sung in English but there’s also one track with German vocals. Any Second don’t reinvent the music genres they’re inspired by but they mix it in a unique way while adding a catchy touch now and then.

The bonus disc features remixes by Suicide Commando (same one as on the EP), Blutengel, Darkness On Demand, Trensity, Die Braut, Captive Of Society, Digital Energy, Seelennacht, Batavia, Ma=st+er and TerrorFrequenz.

+ + + : The global production has been improved in comparison with previous works. There’s a perfect balance between all the different influences while in the end it remains an ultra-danceable work featuring noticeable songs. My absolute favorite cut is probably the most unusual one; “Cornered” is driven by an irresistible, catchy and Pop-driven lead. I also recommend “I Shout”, “Where Is God” and the Tyske Lüdder-sounding “Subtil 19”.

Among the remixes you’ll find great names like Suicide Commando and Blutengel but my favorite remix is the one by Die Braut.

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the bonus disc. Any Second has made a serious progression while I’m sure they still can do better.

Conclusion: A fully accomplished work featuring several, potential, dancefloor killers.

Best songs: “Cornered”, “I Shout”, “Where Is God”, “Subtil 19”, “Enemies Among Friends” + “Scalpel – Die Braut Remix”, “Me And My Enemy – Suicide Commando Remix”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.anysecond.eu / www.facebook.com/anysecond.berlin

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

Listen to “Enemies”:

About Any Second

Any Second is a Berlin-based EBM and dark-electro project founded in 2009 under a different line-up. Jan Kluge, a founding member, is now joined by Oliver Senger and Thomas Beschoner. The band released “Dein Schicksal” as a self-released debut in 2012 and the double-disc “Sünde: Mensch” through Out Of Line in 2018, before signing to Infacted Recordings for “Enemies”, released in December 2022 as its third album, preceded by the EP “Scalpel”.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: German-Swedish trio Menschdefekt released their fourth full length album by the end of 2022. “Recombination” features twelve songs and four remixes.

Content: Menschdefekt has always mixed different genres together creating a heavy, danceable, melting-pot. It’s not that different on “Recombination” where every single piece appears to be a true discovery. The work features the familiar EP-title song “Secular Days” featuring Jay Tazylor (J:Dead). Remixes were made by Teknovore, MissSuicide, Mechanical Moth and TBA.

+ + + : I like the mix between all these different -although related music genres. It sometimes creates a cool contrast which you’ll also find back in the vocals -switching from rough- to sweet parts. A few songs also feature guitar which only accentuates the diversity. The last song “Giana Sisters” is my favorite one for its ultra-diversity which however sounds balanced.

– – – : I wasn’t totally convinced by this new album which is mainly missing a true substance; I like the diversity but songs are missing an exploding effect leading to climax. The remixes can’t convince me either.

Conclusion: Menschdefekt stands for the meeting between Dark-Electro and Electro-Pop but their new work is not as good as I would like.

Best songs: “Giana Sisters, “The Calling”, “Secular Days Feat. Jay Taylor”.

Rate: 6.

Artist: www.menschdefekt.com / www.facebook.com/official.menschdefekt

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

About Menschdefekt

Menschdefekt is a German-Swedish trio working across Future-Pop, Dark-Electro and EBM, signed to Infacted Recordings. “Recombination”, released at the end of 2022, is the project’s fourth full-length album, featuring twelve original songs plus four remixes and a collaboration with Jay Tazylor of J:Dead on “Secular Days”.

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

Jonas Olofsson and Patrik Hansson (still involved with Uncreated) last year released the fifth official Vanguard-album. “Spectrum” released by Infacted Recordings became a new accomplished, successful work in the band’s history. Vanguard is much more than simply Electro-Pop but a band band with an own, powerful, sound. “Spectrum” is the perfect illustration of the constant progression in writing and production. This work became one of the best Electro-Pop releases of 2022. I asked a few questions about it to Patrik. 

(Picture credits by Peter Engman / Interview courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: The new album “Spectrum” has been released exactly ten years after your debut full length “Sanctuary”. How do you perceive the evolution of Vanguard from the very first album till “Spectrum”?

Patrik: Since the day we started to work together we have always wanted to evolve and find new ways in our music. We have found our own sound and it has been a challenge not to be too comfortable and just walk the same path. Rob Dust has also influenced us and put his sound into our music the last three albums.

Q: I already experienced your previous album “Manifest” as your most mature work to date but “Spectrum” even moves a step further; what an accomplishment! Is it just a growing experience or also the will to experience with new techniques and put more efforts in sound production? Do you think by the way the last album is always the best one and how do you look back at it a few months after the release?

Patrik: I guess it is us getting better writing and producing music as we gain more experience. Then we always fine tune every part of the production together with Rob. Sometimes it feels like we are not moving forward during the process, but in the end all those small steps matters. When it comes to me, I did not have the feeling that “Spectrum” was the best album so far when we released it. It had to do with some personal issues I have been battling. But ever since the release it has been growing and now I can be proud and say that I really like what we accomplished!

Q: What have been the main sources of inspiration when writing “Spectrum” and what do you try to express by its “lyrical content?

Patrik: Our inspiration has always been life and feelings and how it affects us all in different ways. It is a challenge to put it into words and music in new ways but with new experiences and events in life it seems to come out different each time.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the writing of this album? What have been the main stages and difficulties you’d to go through to accomplish this opus?

Patrik: When we started to pick out songs that would actually be on the album we focused all on those tracks. Most of the time the songs are not ready at all at that stage. The difficult part of the songwriting/production starts and turning good and cool ideas into a complete track is one of the big challenges. On an album you want them to be connected to each other in one way or another, which is also something that makes it a bit hard. We have had tracks that are done, but then we feel like it is not suitable for the album and we cut it out.

Q: When listening to Vanguard I often think to Mesh. What I like with both bands is a very own approach and sound DNA which sounds like an antithesis to all Electro-Pop bands driven by Depeche Mode. What makes this sound DNA and how do you perceive the Electro-Pop scene?

Patrik: I have heard before that we have some ‘common things’ with Mesh and I don´t mind that but I leave that up to the listener to decide. Me and Jonas have different backgrounds when it comes to music, although our taste in music cross ways and we have both listened to bands like Depeche Mode, Erasure etc in the 80s and 90s. Since me and Jonas met I have been listening more and more to the ‘harder’ part of the Electronic genre. It shows in the way we have evolved in writing music. Though we are still making melodic Electronic music the foundation of the tracks are a bit darker and harder. I always try to find new acts that inspire me to make new music. That is a good way of not getting stuck in old habits making the same four beats over and over again.

Q: How does it feel to play back live again and how do you transpose “Spectrum” to the stage? What are the further plans for 2023?

Patrik: We have had the privilege and opportunity to play live at good stages and with good bands. We have Markus Schmidt at Epicentre Booking to thank for that. We are really greatful to be able to play live in front of people, let it be they already know about us and our music or just found out about us coming to the gig. We are looking forward to continue the tour with Solitary Experiments and Mental Exile during this spring. “Spectrum” was well received during the autumn leg of the tour and we hope that people that join us for the spring leg will like it too.

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

After more than thirty (!) years of involvement and commitment Stefan Schäfer (vocals) and Volker Rathmann (music) gained a serious reputation as (Der) Prager Handgriff. They became a renowned formation during the 90s but still released noticeable productions since then. They last year released the album “Das Letzte Gefecht” by Infacted Recordings which I personally consider as one of their most accomplished works in time. Somewhere in between EBM and Dark-Electro Prager Handgriff don’t make compromises but simply compose the music they like. I talked about it all with Stefan and Volker.  

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: After the “Roburit”-album (2015) it took you seven years to unleash a new album. After more than 30 years of history I can easily imagine you’ve other things in life to care about than music. But what means Prager Handgriff to you and what incited you to compose “Das Letzte Gefecht”?

Volker: Stefan and I have been making music together as Prager Handgriff for 33 years and all in all even for more than 37 years. That’s a pretty long time. Most marriages don’t last that long. Nevertheless Prager Handgriff still means a lot to us. This mainly because we only ever made the music we liked. We did not let anybody tell us what to do and we did not need to chase after every trend. So we simply carried on as before until we had enough songs for a new album.

Q: I realized you this year will ‘celebrate‘ the 30th anniversary of your official debut album “Arglistige Täuschung”. How do you look back at this legendary album and how much of the young musicians of that time do you still recognize today?

Volker: It is difficult for an artist to judge his own work. I think we just were in the right place at the right time. We were pretty inexperienced back then. We didn’t know much about songwriting and producing. We would do a lot of things differently today. Back then we did it without thinking twice. But maybe this inexperience and carelessness was the key to success.

Q: You’re both committed with Prager Handgriff since the early debut. What makes the chemistry between both of you and how did this partnership evolved throughout the years? What have been your most intense and unforgettable moments in the band’s history?

Stefan: Volker and I know each other from our school days. We both played in a band and also attended various independent concerts together. We certainly have a friendship, even though we don’t spend much time together privately because of our different interests and circles of friends. Nevertheless, we have known each other for such a long time that we often just know how the other person reacts, what he prefers, what his opinion is or how the humor works, practically like an old married couple. Of course, in such a long time there are endless stories, experiences and anecdotes. That would blow up the time here. Only so much; it has always been fun and belongs absolutely to our life. We are grateful for that.

Q: Over now to “Das Letzte Gefecht” (translated “The Last Battle”). What is this title all about  and what did you try to express by the lyrical content? How did the composing happened?

Volker: The title of our album “Das Letzte Gefecht“ is actually a quote from the German lyrics of “The International“ (French: “L’Internationale”). The English translation is ‘the last battle’ or ‘the last fight’.

On the one hand this title reflects today‘s situation in which we are. The present society is becoming increasingly brutal and gets more and more radical. This puts us in a kind of doomsday mood. “The Last Fight“ against these apocalyptic circumstances might bring about a decisive change into something good. Consequently a lot of our songs (e.g. “In Moria”, “Black Friday”, “Einig Vaterland”, “Aluminium”, “Pandemie” etc.) on the album deal with current political and social issues.

On the other hand “The Last Fight“ stands for the final struggle of a person in life. We have grown older and have had experiences with the loss of close persons during the last years. We have processed these experiences in our texts as well (e.g. “Alle Zeit Der Welt”, “Abschied”, “Für Immer” etc.). This time it was unusually easy for us to compose new songs. Because of the Corona pandemic we are forced to stay at home. So we had a lot of time and no distraction. Without Corona we would probably still not be finished today.

Q: Prager Handgriff has been always ‘engaged’; I mean you clearly reflect an opinion about the world we’re living in dealing with politics, social themes ao. How important is it to reflect and/or exorcize these themes by music and does your ‘engagement’ goes further than only music?  

Stefan: We always wanted to make you think with our texts. Since we grew up in the 80s, this is certainly in the tradition of early Punk and New-Wave bands. If you have the opportunity to express something with the lyrics, to move something, so it’s almost obligatory. In addition, of course, it also serves to process their own impressions, worries and problems.

With the last CD it was really a huge amount of negative influences that affected us during the development process, such as global warming, the pandemic, the increasing right-wing pressure in society, dealing with refugees and in the end the Ukraine war. The real thread on the album, however, is the transience of life, which naturally occupies us with increasing age. As Volker already mentioned we have lost very good friends in recent years and these experiences we have certainly also processed. So it’s not always just about politics.

Q: Back to music again. I think it’s nearly impossible comparing the time spirit of the early 90s together with contemporary (r)evolutions like social media, streaming platforms vs. decreasing CD sales and labels closing their doors. How do you perceive all these evolutions? What do you see as pros and cons? And how do you see the future of Prager Handgriff?

Stefan: There has actually been a rapid development. At the beginning of our band history we worked with demo tapes. We sold an amazing number of copies of our debut CD. Then came the time of illegal downloads through the mp3 format, so that the music industry had to reinvent itself. Now there are almost no more illegal downloads because of the streaming platforms. That’s a good development for now, even if you can certainly criticize the distribution mechanisms of the platforms.

The artists now produce their albums in order to be able to go on tour. After the pandemic, this works well for the really big acts, but the smaller bands and also small clubs suffer massively from the lack of advance sales. The big festivals always book the same bands and that’s not good for a subculture at all. Personally it’s not relevant for us, because we both have never lived from music and never had to live from it. It’s still a great journey and if it comes to an end, then it comes to an end.

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

(By Stéphane Froidcoeur for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews) 2022 has been once again a sad, bloody and terrible year. Living in a mad world music once more remains a true therapy to appease pain and frustration. Concerts and festivals came back; the perfect place to meet friends again. Artists remain prolific releasing great studio work. So I’m once more closing the year by a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’-albums of the year.

Over 700 productions have been selected while 540  reviews have been made all over the year. Some productions have been refused because the style of music didn’t fit, while other reviews will be postponed to 2023. I’m really grateful to all labels, bands and promoters considering my work and efforts and I hope you’ll go on providing me new promos next year.

I one again have to express my deepest gratitude to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM) who for years and years now is reading, correcting and improving my reviews. Without Rich there would be no reviews. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker – chief redactor Side-Line Music Magazine – for the successful collaboration. 

Up now to 2023. I already reduced my activities this year and will move on reducing it in 2023. I made my first reviews and interviews back in 1991 (!). Some of the readers and artists weren’t even born when I wrote my first review for Side-Line. So after more than 30 years non-stop activities I think it’s not that strange to move on slowly.

I also want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who don’t realise and appreciate the work I’m doing by making reviews and preparing interviews to get them in the spotlights. The attitude and less of respect shown by those people – luckily a very few number – is just unacceptable… but I’m afraid it reflects the world we’re living in… Behind a genius artist is not always hiding a great person… It’s quite strange to realise the ’biggest’- and long-time established artists from this scene often are the most accessible ones.

Writing reviews remains very ‘subjective’ and always a source of discussion, but keep in mind it will be always the perception of the reviewer. I can assure you I’m always trying to argue my reviews the best as possible. A review will be never objective, but has to be honest!

Like every year I’ve made a selection from the best albums of the year. This ‘TOP 25’ covers different styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Cinematographic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno and a few related genres. It remains an exciting but tough exercise.

This ‘TOP 25’ is taken from the promotional material I got while compilations, ‘best of’-productions, EP’s and singles were not considered.

So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2022 and don’t forget to share it with your friends….

Top 25 albums 2022

1. IVARDENSPHERE: “Ragemaker” – Metropolis Records
2. DIE ROBO SAPIENS : “Robo Sapien Race” – Alfa Matrix
3. EBE04 : “Inrush – Give/Take
4. CALDON GLOVER: “Labyrintia” – Cyclic Law
5. ROME: “Hegemonikon” – Trisol
6. NEIKKA RPM: “Scorpio In The Hourglass – Alfa Matrix
7. VANGUARD: “Spectrum” – Infacted Recordings
8. SUICIDE COMMANDO: “Goddestructor” – Out Of Line
9. ELM: “Penetrator” – Alfa Matrix
10. OBERER TOTPUNKT: “Totentanz” – Danse Macabre Records
11. THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE: “Fascination” – Metropolis Records
12. BLACKBOOK: “Confessions Of The Innocent” – DarkTunes Music Group
13. BEYOND THE GHOST: “Sundown” – Cryo Chamber
14. THEN COMES SILENCE: “Hunger” – Metropolis Records
15. PRINCIPE VALLIENTE: “Barricades” – Metropolis Records
16. DAWN OF ASHES: “Scars Of The Broken” – Artoffact Records
17. MONSTERGOD: “Ozymandias” – Space Race Records
18. STATIQBLOOM: “Threat” – Sonic Groove Records
19. AXIOME: “Field Guide To Alien Planets And Other Disco Balls – Audiophob
20. REICHSFEIND: “Darken” – Alfa Matrix
21. FIRST AID 4 SOULS: “I Am The Night” – Alfa Matrix
22. ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO: “Nihilist Notes And The Perputual Quest 4 Meaning In Nothing” – Out Of Line
23. KILL SHELTER: “Asylum” – Manic Depression Records / Metropolis Records
24. JAGATH: “Svapna” – Cold Spring Records
25. KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND: “Voodoo” – Shyrec

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Future-Pop, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Second mini-album in the “God & Sinners” series by Ruined Conflict, following “God & Sinners Part 1”. We get six new songs, two remixes and one reworked edit from an early song.

Content: This second part moves on in the line of the first one. Ruined Conflict becomes harder, harsher, and colder. It however remains very accessible music reminding the glorious days of Future-Pop. There are songs reminding me of the power of Leather Strip and yet it remains very Ruined Conflict-like. One of the main songs entitled “We’Ve Comde” has been remixed by Anthony H and SpankTheNun. Last but not least there’s a “2022”-edit of “Defiance” which was originally released at the debut album “A.R.M.O.R.” (2013).

+ + + : Where will Xavier Morales stop? I’m simply impressed by the way he non-stop improves his work, the global production becoming harder and more professional. The way he mixes harsh and powerful sound treatments and solid bass lines together with the melodic side of Future-Pop is simply impressive. “Anarchy”, “We’ve Come”, “Switch”, “Defiance 2022” and “Miracle” left me breathless. Power and melody are in pure harmony becoming a true Electronic symphony. On top of this production there still is the captivating vocals of Xavier Morales.

– – – : This is simply the best Ruined Conflict work to date. Both remixes are the less convincing part although these remixes aren’t bad at all.

Conclusion: The point has come Ruined Conflict simply excels in its art becoming one of the leading projects in contemporary Future-Pop music.

Best songs: “Anarchy”, “We’ve Come”, “Switch”, “Defiance 2022”, “Miracle”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.ruinedconflict.com / www.facebook.com/RuinedConflict

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

About Ruined Conflict

Ruined Conflict is a Future-Pop and Synth-Pop project founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 2011 by producer Xavier Morales together with Eric Holzer. The project released its debut album “A.R.M.O.R.” in 2013, followed by “Revolutionary Mayhem” in 2014, “Triumphant” in 2017 and “Valediction” in 2019, moving from its industrial origins toward a more melodic Future-Pop and Synth-Pop sound. Ruined Conflict signed with Infacted Recordings for the “God & Sinners” mini-album series, which opened with “Part 1” and continued with “Part 2” in 2022, featuring new material alongside remixes and a reworked edit of “Defiance” from “A.R.M.O.R.”.

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.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Jonas Olofsson and Patrik Hansson (Uncreated) are back on track already unleashing the fifth full length album of their sonic alter-ego Vanguard.

Content: The fans already had the opportunity to discover noticeable singles taken from the album. “Spectrum” remains in the purest style and tradition of the Swedish duo. A solid Electro-Pop composition carried by strong leads and choruses. I’m still convinced this is the kind of sound appealing for Mesh fans but in the end Vanguard has their own sound and approach so any further comparison makes no sense.

+ + + : Vanguard has already accomplished real great things, but “Spectrum” moves above all expectations. This work reveals a succession of brilliant and accomplished songs. It’s a powerful production carried by overwhelming leads and choruses you immediately want to sing along. Patrik Hansson remains a talented singer. “Defeated”, “Move Out”, “Inside” and “Ragnarök” all are great exposures of this outstanding album.

– – – : Only the last song “When I’m gone” is the single piece of “Spectrum” which couldn’t convince me. It’s a soft and poorly inspired ‘outro’ song but let’s make things clear: this album is brilliant!

Conclusion: The year getting close to its end “Spectrum” is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best Electro-Pop albums of 2022!

Best songs: “Defeated”, “Move Out”, “Inside”,  “Ragnarök”, “Open Sky”, “Unreachable”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.facebook.com/vanguardofficial

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

About Vanguard

Vanguard is an electro-pop duo formed in 2008 in Gothenburg, Sweden, by Jonas Olofsson and Patrik Hansson. The band released its debut full-length, “Sanctuary”, in 2012, followed by “Retribution” in 2014 and “Never Surrender” in 2016, both issued through Infacted Recordings. “Manifest” followed in 2019.

Producer Rob Dust has shaped the band’s sound as a collaborator on the last three albums, according to Hansson. Hansson also runs the side project Uncreated, described as an outlet for material that does not fit within Vanguard. “Spectrum”, released via Infacted Recordings in 2022, is Vanguard’s fifth full-length album, arriving exactly ten years after “Sanctuary”.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Danish-German formation Lights Of Euphoria are back on track. They already this year released a new production every month -mainly singles, and now unleashed a first mini-album in a series of two. “Suicidal” features six songs.

Content: Without repeating themselves Lights Of Euphoria however moves on mixing elements of Electro-Pop and EBM. It in the end all sounds pretty Future-Pop like. The work is mixing soft pieces together with more danceable cuts, the opening cut “The Sound Of Thunder” being the true attention grabber.

+ + + : Lights Of Euphoria delivered a fully accomplished piece of work. I especially like the ‘danceable’ cuts. The progression of the opening song “The Sound Of Thunder” is grandiose. It takes off with piano and progressively moves into groovy, Future-Pop parts. “Access Denied” coming next is another cool cut made by fine tunes. I also like the production of the vocals.

– – – : The softer cuts like “Man And Machine” and “Deeper” aren’t exactly the best part of the work. I would have preferred to get more danceable songs and/or remixes instead.

Conclusion: “Suicidal” is alternating great passages and poorly inspired tracks, but in the end this band remains warrant for cool and modern Future-Pop.

Best songs: “The Sound Of Thunder”, “Access Denied”.

Rate: 7.

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

About Lights Of Euphoria

Lights Of Euphoria began in the 1990s as a solo project of Torben Schmidt, who also runs Suicide Commando and the label Infacted Recordings. The first song, “Subjection”, featured Claus Larsen (Leaether Strip) on vocals and appeared on a Zoth Ommog compilation. The project grew into a full band with the addition of Jimmy Machon, formerly of Godheads, and released material with guest vocalists including Ronan Harris (VNV Nation), Stephan Groth (Apoptygma Berzerk), Vasi Vallis and Johan van Roy (Suicide Commando).

After a twelve-year gap following the album “Gegen Den Strom”, the band returned with “Traumatized” on Infacted Recordings, with Thomas Gaarn joining as a full member alongside Machon. “Suicidal”, released the same year on Infacted Recordings, continues that comeback as the first of two planned mini-albums.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: More than thirty years after their set up and seven years after their last album German EBM duo Stefan Schäfer – Volker Rathmann aka Prager Handgriff strikes back with a new work featuring fourteen new songs.

Content: The sound and global approach plus concept didn’t change. “Das Letzte Gefecht” which can be translated as ‘the last battle’ sounds in the purest German EBM approach of the band. Engaged vocals dealing about the world and politics we’re living in transposed into dark and melodic EBM with deep growls on top.

+ + + : Prager Handgriff is a band you can’t compare to any other. They have this particular sound DNA mixing power and dark melodies with some extra refined treatments on top. Stefan Schäfer cavernous timbre of voice is guiding us through this sonic inferno. Prager Handgriff doesn’t bring anything new although takes me by surprise unleashing great and accomplished songs. The tracks are sophisticated featuring several attention grabbers like “Alle Zeit Der Welt”, “Du Bist Wie Du Bist”, “Enig Vaterland” and “In Moria” which sounds to me as the absolute highlights from the opus. One of the most surprising cuts is “Abschied” which sound-wise sounds as an Electro version of The Cure.

– – – : Definitely one of the best albums of the band from their post-millennium period. Let’s hope the title isn’t prophetic for their own future as a band.

Conclusion: EBM as a critical reflection of the world we’re living in; that’s the trademark of Prager Handgridff!

Best songs: “In Moria”,“Alle Zeit Der Welt”, “Du Bist Wie Du Bist”, “Enig Vaterland”, “Böse Geister”, “Für Immer”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.pragerhandgriff.de / www.facebook.com/pragerhandgriff

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

About Prager Handgriff

Prager Handgriff is a German EBM project formed in 1990 in Witten by Stefan Schäfer (vocals, electronic drums) and Volker Rathmann (keyboards, programming). Initially known as “Der Prager Handgriff”, the duo later shortened the name to “Prager Handgriff”.

The band’s music blends EBM, electro, and electropop, marked by deep German vocals and politically charged lyrics. The debut album, “Arglistige Täuschung”, released in 1993, established the duo in the German electronic scene. It was followed by “Täterschaft & Teilnahme” (1994) and “Maschinensturm” (1995).

Later albums include “Schindluder” (1999), “Fossile Brennstoffe” (2000), and “1000 Feuer” (2002), followed by the best-of compilation “Handarbeiten” in 2005. After a hiatus, Prager Handgriff returned with “Arbeit, Sport und Spiel” in 2011 and “Roburit” in 2015. “Das Letzte Gefecht”, released via Infacted Recordings in 2022, followed seven years later and reflects on contemporary political and social issues.

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-Ambient, Experimental, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Andreas Davids and Sven Phalanx are back on track unleashing a new opus resulting from their common interest for Ambient music. They previously released two albums on Infacted and early this year one more (mini)-album on Mahorka. This work is a tribute to a German sci/fi series “Commander Perkins”.

Content: The work moves on there where previous releases stopped. A totally Space-Ambient driven Electro format with slow rhythms. The songs feature numerous spoken samplings connected with the theme and sound universe of “Dimensionsbrecher”. Pure reverie and Cinematic passages which are no and then alternated with darker parts.

+ + + : There’s a true chemistry between both musicians which is transposed into sound intelligence and diversity. The album is fully accessible through the slow cadences injecting a danceable touch to the work. I like the icy, relaxing, atmosphere this work has been made of.

– – – : Even if the songs are driven by slow rhythms it first of all remains a work just to listen or to mix with a visual content. It remains an atypical release on the Infacted roster.

Conclusion: “Dimensionsbrecher” sounds as a sonic bridge between Ambient pioneers and contemporary productions in the genre.

Best songs: “Frieden”, “Das Tor Zu Einer Anderen Welt”, “Spaceboy”, “Energiekontakt”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/andreas.davids / www.facebook.com/SvenPhalanx76

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

About Andreas Davids & Sven Phalanx

Andreas Davids is a German musician from the Paderborn area, born in 1972, best known for the electro-industrial project Xotox, active since 1998. Under his own name he releases dark ambient, IDM and experimental material on labels including Audiophob, Raketenbasis Haberlandstraße and Mahorka. Sven Phalanx, based in Frankfurt am Main, has worked for more than two decades under the names Schattenspiel (neoclassical/ambient) and Schwarzwald (EBM/industrial) before releasing solely as Sven Phalanx from 2020, with albums including “Inner Demon”, “Phönix” and “S.P.Q.R.” on Mahorka.

Davids and Phalanx began collaborating in 2020, releasing two prior albums via Infacted Recordings before “Dimensionsbrecher”, a 2022 concept album paying tribute to the German science-fiction radio play series “Commander Perkins”.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Berliner trio Any Second strike back with a new EP as a teaser to their second official album. The work features two original songs plus three remixes.

Content: Any Second moves on mixing pure EBM together with Dark-Electronics. The harsh vocals in English and German accentuate rage hanging over the work. Next to both new cuts we get remixes of other songs taken from the upcoming album. Suicide Commando, Chains Of Agony and Error State have been asked to do the job.

+ + + : Any Second strikes back with a strong teaser to their new album. The songs have been well-crafted resulting in a perfect sonic osmosis of EBM and Dark-Electro. The sound might appeal for lovers of Tyske Ludder. Both new, original, songs are worthy of examination while I highly recommend the remix of “Dreamer” by Error Fate -this project was featured on one of the “Face The Beat”-samplers. I prefer “Teufelskreis” to the title song.

– – – : I’m missing power in the remixes and expected a bit more out of the Suicide Commando-remix which however remains a big name.

Conclusion: This is a powerful teaser to the upcoming album; great Dark-Body-Music made in Germany.

Best songs: “Teufelskreis”, “Scalpel”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.anysecond.eu / www.facebook.com/anysecond.berlin

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

Listen to “Scalpel”:

About Any Second

Any Second is a Berlin-based EBM and dark-electro project founded in 2009 under a different line-up. Jan Kluge, a founding member, is now joined by Oliver Senger and Thomas Beschoner. The band released “Dein Schicksal” as a self-released debut in 2012 and the double-disc “Sünde: Mensch” through Out Of Line in 2018, before signing to Infacted Recordings. The label first issued the “Scalpel” EP, a teaser featuring two original songs and three remixes, ahead of the band’s third album “Enemies”, released in December 2022.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Herzblutt” resulted from the common efforts between two living legends of the German EBM scene. Uwe Kanka (Armageddon Dildos) and Martin Bodewell (Orange Sector) released this mini-album featuring six songs.

Content: When you know the work of both protagonists you can only, but expect retro-EBM. And that’s what “Herzblutt” stands for although some passages have been refined with Electro-Pop elements. Martin operating behind the machines and Uwe singing in German this is total fun. You’ll get 5 songs which are progressively getting harder while the last track is a demo-version of the opener “Wilde Herzen”.

+ + + : I first of all salute the collaboration between two great and respected artists from the EBM scene. Both opening cuts reveal solid bass lines although the choruses are a bit softer and Pop-like, but the best is yet to come. “Marathon”, “Bleib Nicht Stehen” and “Feuer” are pure dynamite! Pure retro-EBM achieved with icy sound treatments and powerful bass lines. The last cut is a demo version of “Wilde Herzen” which I prefer to the opener of this work; it sounds rougher and darker.

– – – : Both debut cuts are cool but just appetizers for what’s coming up.

Conclusion: Pure fun, great EBM by two masters of the scene.

Best songs: “Marathon”, “Bleib Nicht Stehen”, “Wilde Herzen – Demo Version”, “Feuer”.

Rate: 8.

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

Listen to “Herzblut”:

About Kanka + Bodewell

Kanka + Bodewell pairs Uwe Kanka, vocalist of Armageddon Dildos, with Martin Bodewell, singer and mastermind of Orange Sector. According to the duo, the idea for a joint project was born at a shared gig in Frankfurt around twelve years before its release, after the two first crossed paths during the Zoth Ommog years. Bodewell wrote and produced the music while Kanka handled lyrics and German-language vocals, with mixing and mastering done in Hanover. The project debuted with the mini-album “Herzblutt” on Infacted Recordings in 2022, followed two years later by the full-length “Stroboscope”, which added Electro-Pop passages and a retro-Techno track referencing Frankfurt’s Techno Club.

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

George Klontzas got recognition being involved in the EBM/Dark-Electro project PreEmptive Strike 0.1. He got also involved with Croona and Cynical Existence. After the last PreEmptive Strike 0.1 album “Progeny Of The Technovore” (Infacted Recordings) he set up Teknovore. The sound reveals a hard mix of EBM, Trance and Industrial with guest singers. This is a modern piece of Electronic music with solid- and fully accomplished songs. I talked about this astonishing debut with George Klontzas.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I can’t start this interview without asking you about a short look back to your involvement with PreEmptive Strike 0.1? What do you keep in mind and what has been the main goal when setting up Teknovore?

George: First of all, I’d like to thank you for reviewing my album and for this interview of course. Taking a look back, PES0.1 was a project that was born in a simpler time in my life. It was just a couple of friends having fun together, making the music we liked. Regrettably, along the way and over the years that slowly changed. I spent 16 years with PES0.1 and it gave me many wonderful experiences and the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. Leaving was definitely not a decision I made lightly, but simply put, it was time to step away and that chapter of my life is now closed and no longer has any bearing on me personally or musically with Teknovore.

As for the second part of your question, Teknovore as a wholly ‘me‘ project has given me the opportunities to make more of the music I want to make for myself, and the option to collaborate with a lot more artists for different types of vocal styles which has really let me be more creative in the sounds I make. Music is something I’ve always done for myself first and foremost because I enjoy the process so there was never any doubt that I would continue to make music. Primarily, it was just about making music as its own reward. For a while, I even toyed with the idea of releasing whatever music I made for free, but in the end I decided to put a label behind it just to give it the best possible chance of cutting through the noise and being heard.

Q: The name of your project is clearly connected with the last album of PreEmptive Strike 0.1 but what does it stand for? Tell us a bit more about the sound you’ve in mind for Teknovore and in which way is it a continuation of previous productions you composed?

George: Between 2016 and 2020 I really got back into Goa-Trance. There were some amazing new-school Goa albums that came out at that time which inspired me to start experimenting with that sound. I just love the pumping, spiraling energy and melodic peaks that Goa-Trance can achieve. At first, I thought I would start a Goa side-project with a dark or Industrial edge and that’s how “Progeny Of The Technovore” was born. Basically, the last PES0.1 album was initially supposed to be the first Technovore album. However, I generally dislike the idea of spreading my focus over different projects and abandoned that idea in favor of bringing those tracks into PES0.1.

Hence the name of the album, “Progeny Of The Technovore” -to signify that those tracks are literally ‘begotten of’ Technovore.  I switched the ‘ch’ to a ‘k’ for aesthetic reasons later on. There’s no deeper meaning to the name itself. Its definition would be ‘one who eats or is sustained by technology’ but I honestly just chose it because I thought it would be eye-catching and easy to remember.

There are clearly elements of what I did with PES0.1 in Teknovore, but I’m not trying to emulate what I have already done before. It’s a new project so, despite any expectations there might have been because of my past work, it was a chance to try new things, experiment with different genres. There are many other Electronic genres that I enjoy, Techno, Psy-Trance, mid-tempo Cyber-Punk-inspired stuff, so tried to bring all those influences into the Teknovore fold into one cohesive whole.

Q: How does the debut opus “The Theseus Paradox” saw the daylight and what did you want to reflect by the album title?

George: “The Theseus Paradox” is a reference to a well-known thought experiment known as “The Ship Of Theseus” which poses the question of whether an object that has had all of its components replaced remains fundamentally the same object or not. If the ship of Theseus were kept in a harbor and every part on the ship were replaced one at a time, would it then be a new ship? Cognitive science would view the Ship not as a thing, or even a collection of parts, but rather as an organizational structure that has perceptual continuity. What mainly interested me is how all this pertains to the Self. What is it that makes us the same person through time? Are we even the same person or are we continuously dying and being reborn through the process of cellular regeneration?

I saw this concept reflected not only in my own life, but also in how I approached making this album. I didn’t want it to be simply a collection of tracks. It had to be a singular, complete entity where each track worked as part of a greater whole in creating that continuity.

Q: You worked with guest singers so did you handle specific criteria to ask the artists you worked with? How did this collaboration happened and what has been the true input of each singer?

George: There are three guest vocalists on “The Theseus Paradox”: Jay Taylor of J:Dead, Jay Ruin of RNZR/Ruinizer and of course Fredrik Croona. I’ve worked with Fredrik on various projects over the last 10 years and we have a great friendship and understanding, so he was a natural choice.

Jay Taylor, in fact, I met in the process of making the last Croona album “Ascend”. We worked on a track for Croona that would however eventually evolve to become the J:Dead vs Teknovore-single “Tearing Me Apart” and I also contributed a remix for his single ‘I’ll Wait’. We really enjoyed working with each other and he is such an amazing vocalist I just had to ask him to take part on the album and thankfully he agreed to record two tracks. I’m sure we’ll work together again in the not too distant future.

Jay Ruin is someone whose work I’ve followed for many years and have wanted to work with for a long time. I was convinced he was a good choice because he often bends genres in his own music much in the same way I do. He also recorded some additional synths for our collaboration track. I think we were very successful in creating a track that is both instantly recognizable as being rooted in Harsh EBM but also sounds fresh. He is currently recording vocals for another track for me.

Finally, I mustn’t forget to mention Z from Siva Six who contributed vocals for a cover of Dark Soho’s “Save Me God”. It ended up being on the “Anachronist”-single, which preceded the album, but he did an awesome job too. I knew he loved Dark Soho as much as I do so there was no other option other than him.

Q: It’s quite fascinating to see the multiple influences running through your work while the songs are carried by impressive, hard kicks. It for sure says something about the music styles you already mentioned, but do you handle specific criteria and/or references when it comes to the production process?

George: Ha ha, yes, the kicks! They were a bit of a talking point in your review. So about those actually, one of the genres I enjoy listening to is Tech-Trance. I especially like the production, a defining characteristic of which is that the tracks are usually driven by a loud kick drum, while the synths and basslines are side-chained to emphasize the kicks even more. This is actually one of the first things I knew I wanted to be a part of the Teknovore sound.

I don’t have specific criteria about what my sources of inspiration will be. I listen to a lot of music for inspiration so if I hear something I like, I’ll experiment with it and see how it works and if I can consolidate it within the context of Teknovore.

Q: I noticed you already made a few noticeable remixes for other artists. How do you proceed when working on it? And what are the further plans about remixes, new Teknovore stuff, concerts ao?   

George: I was a bit surprised by the number of remixes I was asked to do especially when I hadn’t even released anything yet. Last year, I put a couple of tracks up on YouTube just to test the waters and see how they would be received –and almost immediately I got a couple of remix requests. It was quite flattering honestly and it solidified my conviction and belief in what I was doing with Teknovore. Since the release of “The Theseus Paradox” the remix requests haven’t stopped coming. In the past two months I’ve already delivered five remixes and committed to doing another three. Of course I’m also working on new tracks of my own at the same time. The tentative plan is to release another single and an EP by the end of the year hopefully, so, overall, there is a lot more Teknovore coming in the near future.

Finally, I’ll be making my live debut with Teknovore at a very special event later in the year. The announcement should come any day now, maybe even by the time this interview goes live.

Thank you again for this interview.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Nearly thirteen years after their last album, German Dark-Electro combo Supreme Court strikes back. This is the band’s fourth full length and the second one released by Infacted Recordings. The opus was preceded by the singles “We Are Dumb” and “Face Reality”.

Content: The sound of Supreme Court remains extremely dark, carried by menacing bass lines and harsh vocals. The catchy, icy, leads and stumping kicks make it pretty accessible music for dark dancefloors. I also noticed a more EBM driven track (cf. ”Rotten Corpses”) and the more elaborated “Simplify Your Life” featuring Acid-like sequences.

The CD format reveals bonus tracks which are remixes by Feindflug, ES23, Lights Of Euphoria and Pre.Emptive Strike 0.1 which are taken from the previous singles.

+ + + : Back in time I considered Supreme Court as one of the most talented Dark-Electro formations so it’s great to see this band striking back. The sound remains extremely dark but a bit more catchy than in the past. You’ll also discover songs with a different approach which injects extra variety to the work. “We Are Dumb” remains a great and essential cut but there’re other potential singles featured like “Simplify Your Life” and “Rotten Corpses”. I also have to mention “Racheengel” for its extra catchy touch. Among the remixes, Feindflug definitely is a noticeable and surprising project. Their remix of “We Are Dumb” sounds like being mixed with the great melody-line from Simple Minds’ “Theme For Great Cities”. 

– – – : Despite of the great artists that have been asked for the remixes they unfortunately don’t really add a true bonus.

Conclusion: Supreme Court resurrected with a great Dark-Electro piece which only confirms the potential of the early productions.

Best songs: “Rotten Corpses”, “Simplify Your Life”, “We Are Dumb”, “Racheengel”, “Only The World”, “Voice Of Hate”.

Rate: 8½. 

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital.

Background/Info:  George Klontzas -known from his involvement with PreEmptive Strike 0.1 but also with Croona and Cynical Existence, has now unleashed his first solo-work following the “Anachronist”-single. Neon Decay, RNZR and J:Dead (2 songs) contributed as guest singers.

Content: George Klontzas was the main sound architect of PreEmptive Strike 0.1 and you’ll rapidly recognize his sound DNA at “The Theseus Paradox”. The work is driven by ultra-violent boosting beats while different influences like EBM, Industrial, Techno/Trance are constantly joining in. Most of the songs are instrumental edits with spoken samplings but you’ll also discover 4 songs with guest singers.

+ + + : The last album of PreEmptive Strike 0.1 entitled “Progeny Of The Technovore” also was the last album by the Greek formation George Klontzas contributed to. So this project name is not a coincidence while the sound is also driven by this furious fusion between EBM and Techno-Trance. It’s an extremely violent piece of music however refined by melodic, elevating leads. The spoken samplings are cool but the tracks with real vocals are adding a bonus. But my favorite pieces “Olethros” and “Split The Sky” are without vocals and feature sampled chants creating an elevating sensation. Both cuts are pure dancefloor killers!

– – – : The kicks are extremely hard and violent which is a cool for a while but Klontzas is maybe a little bit abusing of it.

Conclusion: The debut album by Teknovore is an impressive and overwhelming piece of modern Electro underground music composed by experienced and talented artists from this scene.

Best songs: “Olethros”, “Split The Sky”, “Relinquish Your Flesh feat. Neon Decay”, “Every Beaten Bone feat. J;Dead”, “Apotheosis”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/TeknoVoreMusic

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro-Pop, Industrial-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Jay Taylor -known as the live drummer for  Tactical Sekt, Tyske Ludder and Harmjoy, strikes back with a new production of his own J:Dead project. “Vision Of Time” features six songs while the CD format includes seven more songs (remixes).

Content: J:Dead remains an artist with his own approach in sound. Some might call it Electro-Pop but the harder and harsher approach rather sounds like a Dark- and/or Industrial Pop format. The vocals are switching from clear, powerful passages to harsh parts. The choruses are melodic.

Remixes have been provided by Teknovore, Lights Of Euphoria, Nature Of Wires, Rotersand, The Saint Paul, Station Echo and Life Cried.

+ + + : I especially like the atypical ‘Pop’ format of this artist. Dark, Industrial and even a bit Punkish mixing enraged sound- and vocal parts together with melodic, carrying, choruses. My favorite cuts are “A Little Time” and “Afraid” both driven by an angry production. Among the remixes I especially want to mention the extra boosting remix of “I’ll wait” by Teknovore.

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the remixes.

Conclusion: J:Dead seems to be one of last months ‘hot’ artists from Infacted Recordings and this rough approach of Electro-Pop shows you why it is.

Best songs: “A Little Time”, “Afraid”, “I’ll Wait – Teknovore Remix”, “Afraid – Nature Of Wires Remix”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/jdeadband

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690 Read the news on ‘Vision Of Time’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Pop, Industrial-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: While Menschdefekt is actually achieving their new full length, we get this EP featuring UK artist Jay Taylor aka J:Dead.

Content: The title song is a harsh approach of Electro-Pop empowered with guitar playing and carried by a solid chorus featuring powerful vocals by J:Dead. We next get two pumping tracks, kind of hard Electro-Pop power. One of the songs features vocals by Fredrik Croona. The last track is a remix of the title track by Rob Dust.

+ + + : The choruses of the songs -but especially the title song, have an elevating effect. This is a cool international collaboration resulting in a complementary production. Next to the original song both other cuts left could be title songs as well. I like the heavy resonating “Not The Hate” featuring a great production of the vocals. Rob Dust did a great job remixing “Secular Days” which sounds even better than the original edit.

– – – : Only cool, danceable songs but maybe not the ‘ultimate’ hit.

Conclusion: This is a successful collaboration which will appeal for lovers of naughty Electro-Pop sounds.

Best songs: “Not The Hate”, “Secular Days – Rob Dust Remix”, “Flames”.

Rate: 7.

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: German EBM cult band Orange Sector strikes back with a new EP following their successful last opus “Alles Wird Gold”.

Content: “The Work Is Done” was one of the most noticeable songs from their last opus; pure old-school EBM reminding me of DAF but also Nitzer Ebb. Orange Sector accomplished a hard remix of the song while Rob Dust and Puppenjungz remixed it. You’ll also notice two remixes of “Angstmann” which is another song from the album and previously released as an EP-title track. One remix has been made by Kreign. “No Justice – No Peace” is one more song taken from “Alles Wird Gold” which has been transposed into a darker edit. The exclusive “Blood Brothers” is an extra-smashing cut of EBM.

+ + + : The EP will bring no surprises for the fans but it however confirms the leading status of the German EBM formation. This is solid and hard-danceable retro-EBM; no tricks but just a pure sound! “The Work Is Done” is a perfect mix of old DAF and Nitzer Ebb with this little extra personal touch on top. I also enjoyed the “Short Aggression Mix”. The previously unreleased “Blood Brothers” is a cool new song holding on to the ‘aggressivity’ of the album stuff.

– – – : Nothing that new, but the fans don’t need innovation!

Conclusion: “The Work Is Done” is an appropriate title for this new release by Orange Sector.

Best songs: “The Work Is Done”, “The Work Is Done – Short Aggression Mix”, “Blood Brothers”, “Angstmann – Angstfrau Club Mix”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/OrangeSector

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Out today is the all new EP, “Vision of time”, by the electro act j:dead aka Jay Taylor. “Vision of time” comes after the release of the album “A Complicated Genocide” in early 2021. The EP holds 6 tracks and includes the single “I’ll wait” plus remixes by Lights of Euphoria and TeknoVore.

“Vision of time” will be released both digitally and physically with the physical edition featuring an additional 7 remixes from acts such as Rotersand, The Saint Paul, Nature of wires, Life Cried and Station Echo.

j:dead explains the concept around the EP: “It covers a range of situations and perspectives on time being the only thing we cannot change. Time itself can change things for the better, worse or for change’s sake.”

As “Vision of time” is released j:dead will already be in the final production stages of their 3rd release, expected to hit the streets in late 2022.

Jay Taylor created j:dead in 2019. After the first release of their song “Haunt” the project got signed to Infacted Recordings and released 2 further singles (“Feeding on me” and “A complicated genocide”) as well as a full length feature album (“A complicated genocide”).

You can check the release below.

Here’s the video for “I’ll wait” Read the review of ‘Vision Of Time’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: German formation N-Frequency released their official debut album “Signs Of Evolution” in 2020 and last year struck back with this totally new work featuring next to the title song three more songs and four remixes.

Content: N-Frequency moves on dealing with ‘classical’ Electro-Pop. The songs are easy listening pieces carried by catchy lyrics and strong leads. Nex to the “Club Version” of the title song they again asked Rob Dust to make a remix. Some passages remind me a bit of Elegant Machinery. Other remixes have been made by Mental exile and Technomancer while there’s also a remix of “Precious Live” (originally released at the debut album) by British formation Promenade cinema.

+ + + : It’s cool to get an EP featuring 4 different new songs plus a couple of remixes. The title song is a cool one -and especially the “Club Version”, which sounds a bit harder, but I prefer “I’m Not Sorry” for its elevating chorus while there are also cool sweeps and bleeps. Among the remixes I have a preference for the ‘power-pop’, boosted version of Technomancer.

– – – : This is a pleasant listening featuring cool songs -which is promising for the band’s next full length, but I can’t get away from the idea there’s nothing really new and original running through this work.

Conclusion: If you like typical, well-crafted Electro-Pop music you for sure are going to like this new N-Frequency work.

Best songs: ‘I’m Not Sorry”, “What I Say – Club Version”, “What I Say – Rob Dust’s New Single Mix”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/nfrequency.de

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Alles Wird Gold” must be the thirteenth full length album by German EBM formation Orange Sector. Lars Felker and Martin Bodewell have been joined by René Nowotny (AD:KeY, Rector scanner) since the previous album “Alarm” (2019).

Content: The sound of Orange Sector brings us back to the early hours of EBM; short and aggressive songs carried by solid bass lines and linear, danceable kicks. The alluring vocals sound like commanding people to dance.

+ + + : Orange Sector has been often linked to DAF, but more than ever before this opus sounds like being touched by the legacy of DAF. I heard the work as an ode to Gabi Delgado and I think wherever he is, he must be reassured EBM will never die. This work sounds like a great vintage production driven by short, but powerful songs. Next to the already familiar “Angstmann”, “Gold” is another terrific piece of EBM. 

– – – : Orange Sector doesn’t reinvent EBM, but is it really necessary when you’ve the skills to compose such a great piece of kicking music. It’s just a pity the album is only featuring more or less 30 minutes of music.

Conclusion: “Alles Wird Gold” reminds us of the essence of EBM; no tricks, no complexity, but just hard-hitting songs to make you dance!

Best songs: “Gold”, “Angstmann”, “Fick Dich”, “The Work Is Done”, “Te Amo”.

Rate: 8½ .

Artist: www.facebook.com/OrangeSector

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: American project Ruined Conflict strikes back with six new songs. Xavier Morales is actually already busy achieving the second part of this work. 

Content: Ruined Conflict brings what the fans expect; powerful and danceable Electro, which is clearly infused by Future-Pop reminiscences. The songs have been achieved with bleeping sequences and carrying melody lines, but I also noticed a naughtier touch featuring more aggressive bass lines, which even have something Martial driven. Both last songs are softer and more into an emotional style. 

+ + + : I like the diversity of this work. It moves from the ‘traditional’ Ruined Conflict style, which I’ve always linked to good-old Future-Pop, to more harder cuts. “Cries Of The Fallen” is definitely one of the hardest cuts I’ve heard from this artist. If you prefer the ‘emotional’ side of the artist I can only recommend “Prayer” although this is not my favorite cut as I prefer the ‘danceable’ side of the artist. Last, but not least –and without again making comparisons with Ronan Harris, Xavier Morales remains a charismatic singer for this kind of music. 

– – – : The work is totally enjoyable, but maybe missing an ‘absolute’ hit. 

Conclusion: Ruined Conflict remains a guarantee for powerful Electro/Future-Pop music. 

Best songs: “Breath Of Life”, “Cries Of The Fallen”, “God And Sinners”. 

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/RuinedConflict 

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: This new EP by German EBM legend Orange Sector was accomplished together with another legend of the genre, Armageddon Dildos. Both bands remind us of the great Zoth Ommog label.

Content: The title song is pure EBM adrenaline, carried by a solid bass line, dancefloor rhythms and charismatic vocals. There also is a cool spoken sampling. The song has been remixed by Rob Dust, TC75 and Puppenjungz. The B-side song is heavier than the “War Of The Religions”, sung in German, but with a less carrying chorus.

+ + + : To see both EBM Grandmasters united is a pretty cool thing and for sure a very good reason for EBM fans to purchase this work. The title song also is a great piece of music, which is the right song as the EP title track. Among the remixes I heard a cool contribution by Rob Dust and a short, but powerful EBM remix by the unknown Puppenjungz.

– – – : The B-side song “Alles Ist Grau” is nothing less than an EP-filler with less substance.

Conclusion: Orange Sector had a great idea to ask Armageddon Dildos to work together; this is good-old EBM.

Best songs: “War Of The Religions”, “War Of The Religions – Puppenjungz Remix”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/OrangeSector

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Indie-Pop, Electro-Pop, Pop-Rock.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Station echo is a French formation active since 2013. This year they signed to Infected Recordings unleashing the successful EP”Say you’re Sorry” followed by the official debut album “Control Voltage”.

Content: Station Echo deals with a well-crafted mix of Electronics and guitar. The sound comes closer to Electro-Pop and pure Indie-Pop, reminding me of formations like IAMX and Placebo. The album takes off with the familiar EP-title song and moves on with 10 more songs featuring other potential EP-title tracks. There are a few softer passages while the last part of the album features 1 song in 3 chapters.

+ + +: Station Echo took me by surprise unleashing a mature and accomplished production. Even if the sound isn’t completely new and you sometimes recognize a clear link with IAMX and even Placebo, this work reveals a few outstanding cuts. Next to the already mentioned “Say You’re Sorry” the biggest potential hit is “You’re Wrong”. This song is driven by a terrific bass line and an irresistible lead, but it also reveals a great balance between guitar and synths. Another noticeable cut is the somewhat harder and guitar driven “Guilty” featuring an elevating chorus.

– – – : The final part of the work features the song “The Magic Place”, which is composed of 3 parts/tracks. It’s not that bad, but rather sounds like an anticlimax compared to the global album.

Conclusion: “Control Voltage” is a surprising album revealing a band with a huge potential. Station Echo seems to be a great French hidden secret that has been now revealed thanks to “Control Voltage”.

Best songs: “You’re Wrong”, “Say You’re Sorry”, “Guilty”, “Spasmodic”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.stationecho.com / www.facebook.com/stationecho

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com