Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: German solo-project has been active since 2008 and has now released its first official album by Insane Records.

Content: The work is clearly driven by hard and merciless Dark-Electro assaults with (mainly) German spoken samplings and vocals on top. The songs are switching from hard-banging and fast-forward pieces to songs with a melodic touch on top. I also noticed a few cuts carried by EBM bass lines. Next to the 10 songs you’ll get 2 instrumental edits as a bonus. 

+ + + : If you’re into Dark-Electro TerrorX will definitely be your cup of tea. This project doesn’t innovate, but follows familiar patterns. It’s a powerful piece of music featuring a few potential dancefloors killers.

– – – : The main strength of the project is the hard style so the very few ‘softer’ cuts aren’t worthy of examination. I’m missing a bit of originality in the global production process. 

Conclusion: TerrorX brings Dark-Electro to the clubs.

Best songs: “Heilbare Wunden”, “My Last Round”, “Raise Your Hand”.

Rate: 7.

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU Read the news on ‘Bereit’.

Listen to “Bereit”:

About TerrorX

TerrorX is a German dark electro solo project that started in 2008 and released its material independently for well over a decade. The vocals are largely in German and the project works with spoken samples alongside hard-edged electro rhythms.

“Bereit” was released on 28 May 2022 through the European label Insane Records and is the project’s first label-based release. The CD edition was limited to 100 copies, with a digital version on the usual platforms. The album holds ten tracks: “Er Ist Wieder Da”, “Dunkelheit”, “Maschinen Dieser Zeit”, “Raise Your Hand”, “Bereit”, “Randgruppe Deutsch”, “Habgierkralle”, “Wolfsliebe”, “Heilbare Wunden” and “My Last Round”, plus instrumental versions of “Raise Your Hand” and “Maschinen Dieser Zeit”.

Describing the record ahead of release, the project said the album offers ten experimental dark electro tracks “full of hate, injustice, darkness and longing”. A lyric video for “Randgruppe Deutsch” accompanied the announcement.

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, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This is album number seven for the Belgian solo-project “Normative Conformity”. It also is the second work released by Russian label Insane Records.

Content: If you’re already familiar with the sound of this artist you’ll be pleased to discover a new dark and haunted production. The songs are switching between EBM and Dark-Electro. Imagine the bass lines of Leather Strip together with the darkness of Vomito Negro and the icy leads of Suicide Commando and you’ll get an idea about this work.

+ + + : Reality’s Despair is progressively growing in writing and global sound production. I like this album for its wider range of influences which are moving in between EBM and Dark-Electro. I noticed great bass lines and overwhelming, cold, melodic leads. The sound perfectly matches with the spooky production of the vocals. I’ll mention “The Other Side” and “A Great Resist” as absolute attention grabbers.

– – – : I’m sometimes missing a bit innovation with this kind of productions, but at the other side Reality’s Despair is simply improving itself in its beloved Dark-Electro & EBM style.

Conclusion: Reality’s Despair remains one of the most underrated bands from the Belgian Dark-Electro scene.

Best songs: “The Other Side”, “A Great Resist”, “Strahlenflught”, “Gulf Breeze”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/realitysdespair

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU Read the news on ‘Normative Conformity’.

Listen to “Normative Conformity”:

About Reality’s Despair

Reality’s Despair is a Belgian one-man EBM and dark electro project run by Tom. It was formed in 1997 and independently released several titles over the following three years, after which the project was put on hold for eighteen years.

Tom picked the project back up in 2018 and self-released three further albums and a single. Insane Records signed him in 2021 and issued the label debut Perfidious Depopulation on 17 April 2021, an eleven-track album with three reworked versions, on CD and download.

“Normative Conformity” followed on 31 May 2022 as the project’s seventh album and its second for Insane Records. The CD edition was limited to 100 copies, with a digital release on the usual platforms. The album holds eleven new dark electro tracks plus three alternate versions of “Gulf Breeze”, “Conformity” and “When Your Eyes Are Closed”.

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.

Background/Info: Colombian Dark-Electro project Alien/Nations strikes back with five new cuts.

Content: The work is mixing ‘traditional’ Dark-Electro cuts together with other pieces injected with Techno vibes. The vocals are harsh, distorted and hard to understand.

+ + + : Alien:Nation composed dance-power; dark music for the dancefloors. The classical dark-Electro cuts are the most convincing ones and I especially recommend “Crypto Goat”.

– – – : Both debut cuts are definitely Dark-Electro driven but still infused with Techno elements which sound a bit blasphemous to me. So the title definitely  appears to be the right one…

Conclusion: If you are a dark soul who likes Electronic music and wants to dance you definitely will be a disciple of “The Age Of Satan”.

Best songs: “Crypto Goat”, “Desvaneciendo”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Aliennationebm

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

Listen to “The Age Of Satan”:

About Alien:Nation

Alien:Nation is a dark electro and aggrotech duo from Bogota, Colombia, made up of ExoPhantom and Hexpyware. The project’s lyrics and imagery draw on science fiction and occult themes, and its output has run through singles, remixes and compilation appearances alongside its albums.

The duo was picked for the Side-Line download compilation “Face The Beat: Session 6” with “Holographic Deathsphere”. The single “Misanthropic Affection” followed on 31 March 2021 via Insane Records, holding the original track, an arcade version and a remix by LA-X. It acted as a teaser for the second full-length, the 2CD set Extraterrestrial BIOS Systemshell, released on 9 July 2021 and limited to 100 copies. Its first disc, “Input Ritual”, collected twelve new tracks with guest contributions from Midian Dite, System Noire, Chamaeleon and Cryptic Dawn, while the second disc, “Output Pact”, gathered the “Misanthropic Affection” material and nine remixes by Croona, Devil-M, LuMyia, Nahtaivel, Nigen, Nohycit, Ultimate Soldier, Wychdoktor and Tekhnogenetika.

“The Age Of Satan” was released on 1 May 2022 on Insane Records as a five-track digital EP. A remix edition, “The Age Of Satan (The Remixes)”, followed in 2023.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

(Photo’s by Patrice Hoerner, Luc Luyten and Karim Hamid) After the split with their record label Insane Records, Pro Patria will now self-release their upcoming sixth full CD “Piercing Through the Armour” later this summer. Whereas their 2021 album “Godless” was bone-hard, the new album will be more experimental, offering a variety of ways to explore new boundaries to the band’s classic EBM style. No official release date is known as of yet for “Piercing Through the Armour”, but the album should be finished by late August or September and made available via the band’s Bandcamp page.

A track taken from their latest album “Godless”, called “Razorblade”, could be heard on our most recent free charity compilation “Face The beat: Session 7”.

Peter: “Although the hard beats certainly won’t be missing, the approach becomes more personal, even intimate at times, through which we try to establish a stronger link with the listener.”

Videos for two tracks of the new album have already been released on YouTube: “Story of a Boy” and “Get Out of the Light”. The former may come as a surprise to many Pro Patria fans as it’s completely different from their previous work.

Peter: “It highlights our desire to look beyond the narrow boundaries of traditional EBM and to express ourselves more artistically, such as with our acoustic album “Naked EBM”. The song was specifically created to convey a strong message about male victims of domestic violence who deserve more attention. In “Get Out of the Light”, on the other hand, fans will recognize a more typical Pro Patria track with its explosive and catchy chorus.”

About Pro Patria

Pro Patria was founded in 1988 and after a number of successful demos (we still have those in the Side-Line archives and they were brilliant) they published their first album “Quod Erat Demonstrandum” in 1997.

The bankruptcy of their record label and personal reasons forced them to withdraw from the scene shortly afterwards, but in 2017 they returned at the Familientreffen festival and since then they’ve published 4 full albums and they’ve performed at various festivals, most notably the W-Festival in 2018 and Dark Balloon in 2019.

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

The German project TerrorX releases an all new album “Bereit” which is also the first label based release for the band since it started in 2008. The album will be released on Insane Records.

The new album offers 10 experimental dark electro tracks “full of hate, injustice, darkness and longing” as the band says, all this accompanied by aggressive vocals.

In addition, there are also 2 of the songs which are offered in their instrumental version as well, namely “Raise Your Hand” and “Maschinen Dieser Zeit”. The new album will be released on May 28. The CD will be limited to just 100 copies. You can order your copy right here.

The release will also be available digitally on all digital platforms. You can already listen to “Randgruppe Deutsch” right below.

Here is the lyric video for “Randgruppe Deutsch”. Read the review of ‘Bereit’.

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

The ‘Russian Dark Community‘ on Facebook has united to raise money for the International Red Cross. Note that the word ‘International’ is a very important detail in this charity. On the compilation you will find 77 bands, half of them signed to Insane Records and ScentAir Records.

The charity itself has been set up as a politics-free initiative, again a very important detail, as tensions are increasingly augmenting worldwide. The ScentAir Records founder said this a few weeks ago, which explains things a bit better: “I have always said and will continue to say that music and politics are not compatible.”

All money donated will go to the International Red Cross.

A very daring project in the current time where words are as dangerous as actions. Let’s hope that in the not so far away future we can all work together again for a positive future.

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

The Colombian dark electro act Alien:Nation is back with the “The Age Of Satan” EP which includes 5 new tracks. The EP will be released on May 1 in digital format on all popular digital platforms.

The tracklist is as follows:

1. The Age Of Satan
2. Mechanical Antichrist Evisceration
3. Crypto Goat
4. Desvaneciendo
5. Cryogenic X-Tasis

You can already order the download EP right below and stream the title track “The Age Of Satan”..

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, Industrial.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Fredrik Croona (Cynical Existence, Croona) is focusing on a new project. After the “Scum”-single he released this debut-EP featuring four songs plus two remixes.

Content: Fredrik Croona moves back to the harsher work he already explored at Cynical Existence. “O.M.G. stands for a true fusion between Dark-Electro influences mainly emerging at the melody lines and Industrial guitar playing. The vocals are harsh and enraged. Next to the “Scum”-song -plus two remixes featuring one by Tekknovore, you’ll also discover 3 other songs. 

+ + + : Fredrik Croona never stops exploring new paths by setting up new projects. Against I doesn’t bring innovative elements but will please Cynical fans. There’s a similar power and rage emerging at the surface, but which has been masterly created by a harmonious twist between guitar and electronics. The title song and “Disgust” both are cool songs but the best cut is for sure the merciless and dancefloor driven Dark-Electro remix of “Scum” by Teknovore.

– – – : I got the feeling Against I has the potential to do better. And that’s a good thing as new releases are in the pipeline.

Conclusion: Fredrik Croona remains a prolific artist feeling comfortable with different music styles. He shows a darker and more aggressive side with Against I.

Best songs: “Scum – Teknovore Remix”, “O.M.G.”, “Disgust”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/againstIband

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

The Peruvian dark electro project Unidad Obscura has released a new LP “Entre La Agonia”. Now based in the USA the band still offers dark electro with vocals in Spanish. “Entre La Agonia” is actually a new version of the 2019 album “No Mas Oscuridad”. The tracks have been remixed, remastered, and new material has also been added to the album in the form of new remixes and guest vocals by Patricia Fortuna.

The album will be released March 30 on CD in a limited edition 6-panel digipak with slipcase, hand numbered to 100 copies. The release will be available on all digital platforms by mid-April.

You can order the release right here.

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

The Swedish industrial act Against I has just released a new EP, “O.M.G.” via Insane Records. “O.M.G.” stands for Obscene Morbid Gore. The four tracks on the EP conceptually bring together the darker parts of humans; death, murder, greed and hate. The red line that goes through all tracks are these things.

Musically the songs continue what the “Scum” single built up, but with some more refinement. The EP also contains remixes by Teknovore and DeathVerified. O.M.G. is available NOW in digital format on all streaming platforms including Bandcamp!

Against I is fronted by Fredrik Croona (Cynical Existence / Menschdefekt).

Here’s the project’s previous single, “Scum”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

By the end of 2021 Mexican formation Sodomy Down The Cross unleashed the gfull length album “Sodomy Down The Cross”. The album was released by Insane Records revealing a powerful and enraged Dark-Electro format. The band introduced their work as ‘Reborn from the ruins of a country consumed by violence where every day crime steals the front pages of the main national newspapers, where people live in fear of being riddled with bullets, where the sound of bullets becomes in the usual aural landscape inside and outside the big cities Sodomy Down The Cross explores through a new sound the reverberation of constant fury and aggression in a corrupt society.’ This is a production I highly recommend to all lovers of great Dark-Electro music. I asked a few questions to ‘BlackNeyton’ and ‘Ivanov Scylla’.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about the origins of Sodomy Down The Cross? How did the band saw the daylight and what have been the main sources of inspiration?

BlackNeyton: The origins of Sodomy Down The Cross are going back to 2001 at the border between Mexico and the United States, Texas and Tamaulipas to be more exact.

My personal influences that in turn gave life to the project initially were bands like Mysticum, Samael, Limbonic Art, Ulver, Burzum, Arcturus, Satyricon, Marduk, Deicide, Aura Noir, Nocturnal Breed, Morbid Angel, Mayhem etc and of course bands like Wumpscut, Skinny Puppy that allowed me to merge styles. I was looking for a new sound that combined the brutal atmospheres and riffs of Metal with Industrial and rhythmic sounds, with a heartbreaking voice, a theme of incitement to violence, the macabre, obscurantism, evil and thus influence the music to the listener.

Ivanov Scylla: Sodomy Down The Cross serves as an opportunity for me to share that dark vision of the world through music, to generate a catharsis and allow a bit of liberation for the alter ego that we all have inside.

The inspiration comes from my observation of the world and reality that often surpasses fiction and invites us to reflect, to annoy each other and shout at the world with the things that we do not agree with, the things that we continue to allow to happen thanks to the selfishness that becomes like the hydra in our consumerist society. My influences are bands like Tactical Sekt, Aslan Faction, Hocico , Suicide Commando , Skinny Puppy , Ministry etc…

Q: The name of the band definitely has something aggressive and provocative, which also comes back in the lyrical themes of the album “The Dead Live The Living Kill”. What do you try to express and what’s the importance to externalize aggressive topics throughout your music?

BlackNeyton: The name itself is a metaphor that can have the meaning each person wants to give it, the image that each one forms in its mind, perhaps something religious, satanic, worldly, sexual or perverse.

For me personally it reminds me of the story of Genesis 18.20.21 of Sodom and Gomorrah, everything that these cities represent in other cultures, starting from there I imagine music taking that place as a reference but besieging it in the present and future.

Ivanov Scylla: The lyrics are a reflection and a projection of human wickedness, that which causes us to continually stay at war, that which allows us as humans to remain stoic in the face of human pain, all that anger that remains imprisoned every time we see the news and we realize the decadence in which we live, it is a scream of fury!

The aggression in our lyrics is an invitation! To know and investigate what each of the stories we want to tell with our music is about.

Q: What kind of album did you’d in mind when starting the writing of “The Dead Live The Living Kill”? What’s your way of working and what’s the input of each member?

BlackNeyton: From the beginning we thought of making an album with Industrial rhythms and EBM overtones, more urban sounds and gloomy atmospheres, focused on the dancefloor as an experiment to give way to a new sound and new releases to come.

My way of working could be said to be that of any composer, on a day-to-day basis I begin to create sounds and melodies in my mind, which later accompany me, I put together like a puzzle and you focus on them in the studio until you create and polish what you imagine. There are sessions of 6 hours per day, non-connective, but most of the composition is mental, I travel a lot and my team always accompanies me, that is my case. I’m in charge of music production.

Ivanov Scylla: Definitely something Industrial!! There is no aspect that represents technological evolution and social involution as much as Industrial music, the automatism of the roar and the creak of the machines, mixed with harmonies, melodies and dark atmospheres, the human part of the band.

I try to contribute in the vocals, lyrics and visuals, everything that the musical part of Sodomy Down The Cross projects to me. It is an intense conversation between the rhythmic and melodic sequences, with the lyrics in each of the songs, my job is to achieve that our visions merge to make the message of the band unify, to enter the same journey.

Q: What elements of the album make you proud and what are the elements you would like to improve?

BlackNeyton: The songs give me a good feeling which makes the music more expressive. It creates emotion and allows you to escape from reality. We try to do something different than the standards so we experiment with other styles. The response of the people has been surprising in such a short lapse of time.

Artem from Sleetgrout mastered the album and did a great job. He managed to give quality and strength to the sounds. His work was very professional and got my my respect.

The improvements like new rhythms and more elaborated atmosphere will be heard at the next album which we are working on.

Ivanovscylla: I love listening to the album over and over again and never got a bored feeling. It makes me think that there is something special and addictive coming through the music.  I can’t help it but I move, dunk, sing… so every time I can it feels exciting to rediscover the album again.

If there was something that I wanted to improve, maybe it would be personal. Sometimes it is difficult to deal with that alter ego that we constantly talk about in our songs and let him allow us to work in peace haha it is a constant internal struggle, the point will be to agree more with us ourselves to be able to express everything we still can, through music.

Q: I noticed there’s a lyrical clip for the song “Die Fünfte Sonne”, which I think is not exactly the most representative song for this aggressive album, but it also is the opening track. Why did you make a clip of this song and what’s the importance of a debut track?

Blackneyton: “Die Fünfte Sonne” is a song that tells a story about our culture. We are part of that ‘Preshispanica Aztec, Mayan, Olmec’ culture. We see it everywhere, we live it, eat it and breathe it, it flows in  our blood and spirit. We wanted to tell the story of the fifth sun, the story of a new beginning. People who know that story will understand the clip as it is a journey, which we were looking for to share.

Ivanov Scylla: “Die Fünfte Sonne” is the door that allows us to enter our musical journey, we try to tell a story about our traditions, our past, one that is often unknown even to our own society that allows us to illustrate how life acts in a cyclical way; create and destroy , remember and forget. It is our metaphorical way of creating a bridge between albums (a new beginning).

Q: The album has been released during the ongoing pandemic so I can imagine it’s not an easy thing considering aspects as promotion and live shows. How do you manage this situation and what are the further plans about shows, remixes, releases etc?

BlackNeyton: The theme of the show, which is something that interests us in the future, as soon as conditions allow us. Without a doubt, we will enjoy that energy that is felt in the live shows, but at this moment our priority is to compose music.

It was because of the pandemic that Sodomy Down The Cross began to work on new music and become interested in new projects. This was possible thanks to meeting interesting and talented people like Vladimir Mironov, who introduced us to Evgeniy Fesslav Vorozheykin from Insane Records, who is a very  professional and good friend.

Insane Records is a very good label doing a professional job. We we are already working on remixes and very soon on the next album.

Ivanov Scylla: The pandemic has reduced on a large scale the way in which society relates and we are not the exception, but in pandemic times we have found new ways of working, of conversing and of meeting again musically, it has not been easy by any means, but we will focus our batteries on new releases, on the visual accompaniment of our music, and continue doing what we like. Sodomy Down The Cross is our revulsive, our way of liberating, our way of putting society in front of a mirror to realize how terrific it can be.

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

Our free download compilation “Face The Beat: session 7” has stormed the Bandcamp industrial music charts in no time reaching the number 1 spot overnight. That’s faster than ever before. This ‘mastodont’ release, as someone put it on Twitter, features no less than 135 tracks featuring the broad spectrum of subgenres in the darkwave music scene and coming from bands from allover the world.

Just like last time Side-Line received a huge amount of submissions hence why it also took a while to complete it. We were at the same time also helped out by several labels who offered material to be included on this compilation including but not limited to darkTunes Music Group, Insane Records, SkyQode, Dungeon Recordings and Alfa Matrix. It thus became again a collection of new and established acts.

The release itself was compiled by our chief editor Bernard Van Isacker in Winter of 2021 during long listening sessions in an Istanbul hotel, an attic in Ypres and a holiday house in Eupen. The mastering & sound adjustment was executed by Erlend Eilertsen (Lights A.M, Essence Of Mind) in Norway. And as it happens, Shane Aungst from Seattle is already working on a next promotional surprise.

All proceedings will again go to the various charities we support and this time we will also donate to humanitarian aid for refugees in Eastern Europe due to the ongoing war there which we truly hope will end soon.

You can download the release right below. Enjoy and thanks to all bands involved!

Eldrina Mich

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

www.side-line.com

The Mexican dark electro project Shinigami IND releases its debut album “Alice In The Borderland”. Out via Insane Records it holds 11 tracks and 3 remixes from label colleagues Godless Cross, Cyberlich and Mechanical Paradise.

Shinigami IND is the solo project of Kira who started the project in 2007 offering an instrumental mix of dark electro, aggrotech, industrial techno, harsh electro. In 2010 Kira took the project to a live stage in the city of Merida (Yucatan Mexico). Between 2013 and 2019 however the project remained dormant. When Shinigami IND was resurrected in 2019 vocals were added into the mix and a first EP, “Dead Man In The Wonderland”, followed in 2021 on Insane Records.

“Alice In The Borderland” is a continuation of this very first EP and lyrically talks about social criticism amongst other subjects. Kira explains: “This album is more transgressive and aggressive than my previous work, the only thing I seeks to express here are the things that I see and that I feel. In this world that is not candy, it is an aggressive and voracious world, with a damaged and sick society that only cares about the banal.”

Next to being out on all streaming platforms the album is also available as a 6 panel CD Digipak with slipcase in a limited edition of 100 hand numbered copies. You can order it right here on Bandcamp. Check the full album below.

Here’s the video for the album track “Sensum Proxy”.

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

The American one-man project Scars Are Soulless has finished work on a second LP called “Resurrection” after last year’s “Vendetta” album which was produced by Ivan Munoz-of the industrial band Vigilante.

Chip, the founder and sole participant of the project, offers a mix of dark electro / industrial sounds adding some old school elements. Thematically the album revolves around the hardships and dark side of life – but also having the strength to carry on and persevere, only the strong survive.

“Resurrection” is out now via Insane Records in digital format on all popular platforms, and the release is also available in a limited CD edition of 100 manually numbered copies which can be ordered via Bandcamp. Note that the title track “Resurrection” features Charles Crowe.

Scars Are Soulless was created in 2009 as a solo project, although live founder Chip works with Mike Pimentel. His first EP was released in 2009 but it took him until 2021 to release “Vendetta” in a final version although it was originally recorded in a demo phase in 2012. Speaking of a musician with patience!

You can check out the full album “Resurrection” right below!

And here’s the lyrics video for “Alter the unreachable”.

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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Against I is the all new project of musician Fredrik Keith Croona who you will know from such projects as Cynical Existence, Croona, Rotncore, Empyres or yet Menschdefekt. In this new project Fredrik focused on the symbiosis of aggrotech and industrial metal styles.

Out now via Insane Records is a first single, “Scum”, which can be downloaded right here on Bandcamp. There is also a video available below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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Khmar is a brand new TBM / techno industrial project by Ivan M. (ex-Distorted World frontman). Out this Friday via Insane Records is the debut LP “Chthon” which continues the line of the “Mrak” EP.

The 8-track album consists of instrumental techno/industrial tracks with distorted analog synths and one remix from the German project Machine Kaputt. As a bonus, the EP “Mrak” was included in the bonus part of the CD version of the album.

 ”Chthon” will be released on February 10, 2022 in digital format and will also be released as a limited edition of 100 handnumbered CDs copies in a 6 panel digipak with slipcase. You can see the artwork below.

The album is also available as download on Bandcamp, where the track “Ghost” is already available as well.

You can also check this videopreview of the album plus the video for the track “Ghost”.

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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CHEM formed in 2005 and recorded two demo albums in 2010 and 2011. Since 2016, the project has been performing live, the same year when a first album was released: “Norma”. In 2020, the project’s second album “Zdani” was released and in parallel, the project released various remixes and participated in various compilations, such as “Face The Beat: Session 6” and “Dark Virus X – Mas”.

CHEM is back now with a new album on Insane Records, their third so far. Titled “Aorta” the new album of this Belarusian project offers dark electro combined with various other genres.

Next to the 11 new tracks on the album you will also find 4 reworks CL-20, Code : Red Core, Portvain and Tomzigota. The album will be out as a 6 panel CD digipak – order it here on Bandcamp – as well with all copies being hand numbered.

You can check out the album via this video preview.

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.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Sodomy Down The Cross is a Mexican project, which by the end of 2021 unleashed its official debut album on the Russian label Insane Records. The work is inspired by violence in the streets of Mexico.

Content: You rapidly notice the ‘Mexican’ touch emerging at the surface. The hopping rhythms are clearly reminding me of Hocico. There also is a similar harsh and terror-like Electro composition, which is carried by some transcendental leads and classical Dak-Electro structures. The ghost-like vocals are sometimes a bit fragmented, creating an efficient effect.

+ + + : I can’t remember to have ever heard of this band before, but Sodomy Down The Cross sounds like a provocative band name for great Dark-Electro music. I like the power and rage running through the work, but still the way the songs are evolving crescendo towards an imaginary climax. There are several attention grabbers like “We’re The Ones”, “Narcosatanica”, “Hatred” and “The Eleventh Key”. There’s a perfect balance between powerful sequences, harsh sound treatments and melody lines.

– – – : I noticed a few hesitant songs, but globally speaking there’s not much to throw away.

Conclusion: Mexico remains a prolific ground for qualitative Dark-Electro music and Sodomy Down The Cross is a name you better can keep in mind.

Best songs: “We’re The Ones”, “Narcosatanica”, “Hatred”, “The Eleventh Key”, “Zurück In Den Wald”, “Mirror”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/sdownthecross

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

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, Aggrotech.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: It took six years for the Greek duo of Chamaeleon to unleash their third full length album.

Content: The album features 10 songs plus 3 remixes. Chamaeleon strikes back with their harsh approach of mixing Dark-Electro and pure Dance/Trance leads. The influences create a true duality, but Chamaeleon is a sonic ogre without mercy. The songs (and vocals) are powerful, rough and brutal, but always danceable. The leads remind me of Culture Beat transposed into an Industrial dimension.

The remixes have been done by W.E.B. (with a remix of a song from the previous album), C-Lekktor and Roy Asylum.

+ + + : The  Aggrotech approach of Chamaeleon can be linked to the sound formula of SynthAttack. I guess it’s not a coincidence that Chamaeleon has remixed SynthAttack in the past. Both projects have this surprising Dance/Trance touch running through their music and I would not be surprised if this work can become a ‘hot’ sensation. A few songs sound like a weird sonic challenge, mixing pure Dance/Trance leads reminding me of the legendary hit song “Mister Vain” with hard and mind-blowing kicks. Chamaeleon sounds crazy, but the tracklist stands for constant dancefloor stuff!

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the remixes. Don’t get me wrong, this album is good stuff, but some of the leads are a bit too cheap… but I’m afraid that’s part of the challenge and Chamaeleon…

Conclusion: Chamaeleon strikes back with a bang; perverted Dance music for Industrial clubs!

Best songs: “Mr Hyde”, “Go F#ck Yourself And Die”, “Rage”, “The Transaction”, “Vibe feat. Maria Xoniki”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/chamaeleonproject

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU Read the news on ‘The Game’.

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.

Background/Info: “Sins Of The Flesh” is the second EP released in 2021 by Blut Reaktor on Insane Records. The American solo-project driven by ‘John Noir” unleashed six new songs -while his previous mini-album “Post Mortem” also featured six tracks.

Content: Compared to its previous work, Blut Reaktor didn’t evolve that much in sound and influences. It remains a mix between elements of EBM and dark-Electro. The production of the vocals has something ghost-like, which matches the dark atmospheres hanging over the tracks. I noticed a more aggressive cut at the final part of the work.  

+ + + : The sound formula and global production of Blut Reaktor sounds simple, but efficient. The melody lines create a dark sphere, but also add a retro-touch to the work, which might remind me of some 90s productions. “Glitch” is one of the hardest, but still one of the best songs I’ve heard from this project. It’s driven by aggressive sequences and a danceable, beating kick.

– – – : Songs like “Only Sin Deep”, “Seeds Of Sodom” and “Abyss” are easy listening, but missing extra elaboration.

Conclusion: I’m still convinced Blut Reaktor can do better than what the different productions have shown so far. But this new work reveals some promising cuts.

Best songs: “Glitch”, “Beneath The Judas Tree”.

Rate: 7½. 

Artist: www.facebook.com/blutreaktor

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

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

“Pantheon” is the third full-length album by Van Roy Asylum to be released on January 22^nd via Insane Records.

The record features contributions by Fredrik Keith Croona (Cynical Existence, Empyres, Menschdefekt, Curse Of Eibon, Agains I, Croona and many others), Alex Tepiskidis (Chamaeleon, Aftereffect) and Ilya Konklever (Freaky Mind, Revelate).

You can order the new album right here as a download or on CD available as a 6 panel digipak with slipcase limited to 100 hand numbered copies.

Here’s the video teaser for the album.

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: Earlier this year the American solo-project Blut Reaktor signed to Insane Records. The project driven by ‘John Noir’ has already self-released a few productions while other ones were released by Underground Industrial Records. “Post Mortem” features six new cuts.

Content: “Post Mortem” takes off with a true fusion between EBM- and Dark-Electro influences with some whispering vocals in the background. The work evolves with a groovy EBM style and other catchy, Dark-Pop influences. The EBM basis remains present but is definitely mixed with other influences. There’s also a more Electro-Wave driven cut while the last track reminds me of the early years of Blut Reaktor for its instrumental edit.

+ + + : Blut Reaktor can’t be compared to any other formation and that’s a positive aspect, which I particularly like. The sound is covering different- although related genres so in the end this EP (or mini-album) tends to reveal this is a project with its own sound. I like the melodic touch of the work. Both debut tracks are noticeable pieces although I’ve a preference for the second one entitled “Scars”, which is darker and harder.

– – – : “Post Mortem” is an easy listening piece of music, but I can’t say I’ve heard potential hits.

Conclusion: Blut Reaktor confirms its potential, but I’m sure the best is yet to come.

Best songs: “Scars”, “Suffer”, “Solitude”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/blutreaktor

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU Read the news on ‘Post Mortem’.

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

Mexico’s Sodomy Down The Cross returns to the underground industrial scene with a new sound offering a mixture of industrial subgenres with dark atmospheres and danceable rhythms, with powerful beats and catchy melodies. “The Dead Live The Living Kill” is Sodomy Down The Cross‘ first album recorded under a record label, Insane Records.

Says the band: “Reborn from the ruins of a country consumed by violence where every day crime steals the front pages of the main national newspapers, where people live in fear of being riddled with bullets, where the sound of bullets becomes in the usual aural landscape inside and outside the big cities Sodomy Down The Cross explores through a new sound the reverberation of constant fury and aggression in a corrupt society.”

Recorded at the Santa Elena ranch in Matamoros Tamaulipas, the LP out now and is available digitally, as well as on CD in a limited 6-panel digipack and slipcase.

You can download the new album right now from Bandcamp.

Below is an album preview on YouTube.

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

It has been a long 6 years since the release of “Evil Is Good”, Chamaeleon’s second full-length album, released in December 2015. During this period, the duo released an EP and a single, as well as were busy in the side project Aftereffect, which released its debut album “Krama” in 2019.

6 years further down the road Chamaeleon now presents “The Game”, a new full-length album which is out now via Insane Records in a limited CD edition of 150 pieces and of course also in digital format.

The album features 10 new original tracks which clearly shows the band’s sonic progression. They also ‘saturated’ some tracks with guitar parts without getting too much alienated from their original sounds they are known for.

On the album you will also find 3 remixes by C-Lekktor, Van Roy Asylum and a metal version of the track “Suppression” by W.E.B.. You can order the CD right here on Bandcamp.

Check out the tracks below. Read the review of ‘The Game’.

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

The Russian dark electro project Van Roy Asylum present a new single called “RIP”, which is the last release before releasing their new album. The two-track single also includes a bonus remix by Portvain.

In support of the song, the project shot their first music video, designed to further develop the tragedy behind the song’s lyrics.

You can download the single below from the Insane Records Bandcamp page.

And here is the video for the track itself.

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

Ahead of our newest compilation mastodont “Face The Beat: Session 7”, we first deliver you a special compilation from Insane Records, “The Insane Vaults“, through which we offer you the opportunity to discover a specific label, in this case Insane Records.

Compiled by label owner Evgeniy Vorozheykin for Side-Line in the Autumn of 2021, it holds a nice overview of what this label has on offer: from industrial, harsh electro, over pure EBM to goth.

You can download the compilation for free via Bandcamp. Just like all other free compilations released via Side-Line, also this one is a charity compilation with all donations going to the projects we support.

The history of Insane Records starts at the end of 2013, but took an official format on the 21st June of 2014 when they released their very first CD.

Here’s what drives Evgeniy Vorozheykin, Insane Records labelowner: “In my youth I had a WarCraft III clan, I was a manager and we participated in leagues, although I didn’t really know how to play it myself. I also created my own industrial/gothic news site (in Russian) back then and made compilations. Apparently I like to organize things so from there on I said, let’s go for it. So I started my ‘career’ as a label owner in 2012 when I launched the Artificial Sun label. But that one closed in 2013 already as it didn’t meet my ‘internal needs’ after which I launched Insane Records with a more complex idea behind it. I hope that it’s not just me who needs all this and that we all contribute to the overall scene. I hope for your responsiveness with the material I release.”

Enjoy this new compilation!

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

Reality’s Despair is a Belgian solo-project, which was set up more than 20 years ago now. The project self-released numerous productions, went through a hiatus of several years and got reactivated again. For the new album “Perfidious Depopulation”, Reality’s Despair got signed to the Russian label Insane Records. The work is characterized by strong retro-elements of EBM and Dark-Electro. I’d a chat with Tom.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Let’s get back to the origins of Reality’s Despair. Who’s hiding behind this project and what did you’ve in mind when setting up the band? What have been your main sources of inspiration?

Tom: Reality’s Despair is a one man’s project, with headquarters just below Antwerp (Belgium), producing music in the genre of EBM and Dark-Electro, with a strong 90’s influence and with heavily processed vocals. The main sources of inspiration I find in the supernatural, the off worldly and the destructive nature of humankind, the misery of being, melancholia etc.

Q: The name of band sounds dark and totally fitting with the reality and the world of today! What did you really try to express and how did you experience the entire pandemic thing thus far? Has it been inspiring for you as musician?

Tom: Reality’s Despair is a reference to the desperation in everyone’s life, the falling and getting up, the reaching for the unattainable, chasing the dream that always will stay just a dream, the pain and loss we meet in our lives, the little to no impact we have on existence…

As for the pandemic, it’s more like a ‘plandemic’ if you ask me. Humanity on this planet is controlled by a small fraction of very wealthy and obsessed people, who advocate a reduction in human population, just to stay in control of things, and to keep possession of earth’s declining resources.

Check the data and think for yourself… sadly some people died, but how deadly is this ‘pandemic’ really? Do we really need those jabs and boosters? Are those so safe? How long will our freedom be limited? Do other opinions regarding this pandemic really need to be censored that hard? Is this proposed great reset really beneficial for us? ‘You will own nothing but you will be happy’?

There are some topics around this issue that I will address further in the coming album, so yes it’s an inspiration I guess 😉

Q: Reality’s Despair is active since the late 90s. You self-released an impressive number of productions while your new album “Perfidious Depopulation” has been signed by Insane Records. How comes it took that long to get a label deal and what does this signing mean to you? What have been your experiences as DIY artist?

Tom: The intent from the start was to completely stay independent with this project, to be able to keep doing my own thing and to evolve on my own pace. Sites like Bandcamp are an ideal place to start for a new DIY band. Bandcamp offers some fine tools to attract a decent fanbase for instance, and offers streaming as well. But after some time DIY artists hit an exposure plateau.

With some releases on the counter, I felt the time was right to scale the project up a little, to gain some more following, attract some more attention in the world of music. So, let’s say it was ‘good timing’ by Insane Records to contract me.

They made it very clear from the first conversation they truly wanted me on board, and offered me the necessary freedom I want and need for this project, so I jumped on board.

This doesn’t mean I will never be DIY again in the future, but for now I’m very happy with the label. The brain behind Insane Records actually is a very nice, respectable and reliable person, so that’s a big surplus and a good base for a stable cooperation.

Q: Let’s talk about “Perfidious Depopulation”. How did the writing and production of the album happened? Did you handle specific criteria and references in the writing/recording/production/mastering process?

Tom: It was entirely written, recorded, mixed and mastered by myself. In the past I mainly used some analog gear, like a Roland synth, sampler and drum computer, but since the restart a few years ago I mainly use the Cubase daw, and some fantastic software instruments and effects. It all happens in the box these days. It’s impressive what current software emulations can do with sound.

As for criteria and references, I just let my emotions flow and try to keep external musical influences out of my head as much as possible. I always say: music is an art, created by your brain and shaped by your heart!

Q: You already evoked your music is featuring elements of EBM and Dark-Electro while there’s a strong and explicit 90s touch running through the work, reminding me artists like Calva Y Nada, DAF, Orange Sector… Do you consider yourself as an ‘old-school’ artist and what’s your perception about ‘contemporary’ Electronics?

Tom: Thank you for the comparison, I totally love the bands you mention. Although I would have liked the name of Cygnosic in that list 🙂 I consider myself an old-school artist for sure.

Nowadays I don’t listen to current Electro often, although there are some great bands around. But I often feel there’s too little emotion put in present day music, not enough drama…

Q: After more than twenty years of involvement, how do you expect the project evolving? Are there specific items you want to improve/change? And what about live shows?

Tom: There are no plans for doing live gigs in the future, cause I don’t like to be placed in the spotlight, but never say never, right?

I always want to keep improving my writing and production skills, and I intent to keep REALITY’S DESPAIR active for some years to come, since I really enjoy the creative process. I am not going to make the mistake of quitting twice!

I feel the best song still needs to be written and there are still many topics Reality’s Despair needs to evoke. There’s still a lot of ‘butt-kicking’ to be done 😉

I am perfectly happy with my small fanbase who support me, who really love the music, and who dig the messages behind the curtains. I don’t feel the need to have thousands of fans. The more fans with certain expectations you got, the less creative freedom you have, you understand? It are the loyal fans who keep this project alive after all.

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, CD.

Background/Info: Belgian solo-project Reality’s Despair was set up more than twenty years ago. After numerous self-released productions and a hiatus of numerous years, Reality’s Despair struck back and even signed a deal with the Russian label,  Insane Records to unleash the official debut album.

Content: “Perfidious Depopulation” features 11 songs plus 3 reworked (older) cuts. This work will appeal to EBM lovers and reveals a quite diversified spectrum of EBM influences. From pure old-school EBM reminding me of DAF, Orange Sector and co towards more sophisticated writing à la Calva Y Nada, the common thread between the songs is the 90s driven source of inspiration. An essential element in the sound is the melodic touch of the strings. The vocals were mainly produced in a ghost-like way.

+ + + : This work will ravish EBM nostalgic from the 90s. “The 509th” is clearly reminiscent of the sophistication of Calva Y Nada. It’s a brilliant song, which according to me reveals a true potential. But “1952 Flyby” is something totally different and into retro EBM à la Orange Sector and co. And here again Reality’s Despair reveals great writing skills. I also have to mention some of the reworked songs, but especially “Cytokine Storm – Club Edit” is worthy of examination.

– – – : A few tracks like “Distance Kills Existence” and “A Shadow In The Fog” have something more inhibited and that’s not exactly the best part of the album. I also get the feeling Reality’s Despair is still in search of its own sound and EBM format, the album being pretty versatile.

Conclusion: This work is an antidote to innovation, but it’s a cool retro-inspired EBM production.

Best songs: “The 509th”, “1952 Flyby”, “Cytokine Storm – Club Edit”, “Our Future Is Cold – Extended”, “Evil Intent”, “Oasphe Collapsing”. 

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/realitysdespair

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU Read the news on ‘Perfidious Depopulation’.

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, 2CD.

Background/Info: Five years after their official debut album, Colombian project Alien:Nation strikes back with a new opus featuring two discs.

Content: The first –and main, disc entitled “Input Ritual” brings us back to the (h)el(l)ectro of this band. The songs are driven by pure rage and typical dark-Electro leads. The harsh vocals –mainly sung in Spanish, accentuate the terror-vision of this work. Three songs feature contributions from Midian Dite, System Noire and Chamaeleon. There also is another song, which is pure hardcore; a kind of metal style with guitar sounds as the final track of the album.

The second disc entitled “Output Pact” features the single “Misanthropic Affection” followed by 9 remixes; Croona, Devil-M, LuMyia, Nahtaivel, Nygen, Nohycit, Ultimate Soldier, Wychdoktor and Техногенетика (Technogenetica) have been asked for the job.

+ + + : If you’re into ‘classical’ Dark-Electro this album will be an opportunity to discover an interesting formation, which clearly reveals a nose for this music genre. The songs are pure adrenaline and rage, although always supported with melodic leads. The album stands for constant power. There’re a few cool collaborations like the excellent “Nothing For Nothing” featuring Midian Dite. Among the remixes I’ll mention the cool remix of Croona and the tormenting edit of Nahtaivel.

– – – : Alien:Nation is somewhat cliché, gut who cares when the sound is cool!? I’m however not a huge fan of the song “Misanthropic Affection”. I prefer most of the remixes to the original edit. Another weird cut featured at the main disc is the Metal/Hardcore-like “Blasphemous Alientech Warfare”, which has nothing in common with the sound of Alien:Vision.

Conclusion: If you think hell is just fantasy, listening to “Extraterrestrial BIOS Systemshell” will be a true shock!

Best songs: “Malignant Malware”, “Nothing For Nothing”, “Vision Reborn” + “Misanthropic Affection – Nahtaivel Remix”, “Misanthropic Affection – Croona Remix”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Aliennationebm

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

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, Electro-Pop, Experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: XXOT is a new Russian name featuring members of Sleetgrout and Fetish’ist. This debut album features eight songs.

Content: It’s not an easy thing defining the sound of this band. They call it ‘Sensual-Industrial’, which is true for the half-like whispering female vocals. The Industrial side emerges from the bombast of the slow rhythms joined by guitar playing although some passages are clearly moving into Pop and even Electro-Rock.

+ + + : XXOt clearly deals with a very own sound and that’s an approach I always appreciate. Together with hot production of the vocals, it clearly reveals an interesting potential. But vocals aren’t nothing without a carrying sound. I like the bombast and some of the Electronic arrangements like the ominous tune emerging at “Дядя Миша”. Another attention grabber is “Там где никто” for the slow progression leading to a climax.

– – – : The Russian language injects a very specific- although hardly accessible aspect to the work.Some parts are a bit too into Electro-Rock to my taste.

Conclusion: XXOt deals with creative ideas, which now have to be elaborated and improved.

Best songs: “Дядя Миша”, “Там где никто”.

Rate: 6½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/XXot8

Label: www.insane-records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

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 now is a new digital EP from the Mexican industrial EBM act Godless Cross, “Listen To The Angels Cry (Insane Edition)”. This release is an extended version of the previously released single of the same name and can be downloaded now from Bandcamp.

The EP includes 5 remixes from Reality’s Despair, Chem, Nova State Machine, Data, Mach Fox as well as a new track “A Heart Of Darkness” for which you can see the video version below.

Here’s the full download release.

About Godless Cross

Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, Godless Cross was formed in 2016 as a solo project of Al Van Bergstein (Vox Humana). The project’s sound was from the beginning based on dark electro, metal, industrial and EBM. In 2019 Xibalba (guitar, synths, live) joins the band, consolidating the project.

The project released its first single in December 2020, “Listen To The Angels Cry”.

This year the project was already featured on the Italian compilation: “E:B:M Nation”, the compilation “We Are Not Safe Yet”, the Mexican compilation “Codex One Vol 3. this is not the end”, and the Russian compilation “Dark Sources”.

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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The Colombian dark electro act Alien:Nation are preparing the release of their second album and this after having completed a huge number of remixes, joint tracks and compilation appearances. The studio work from the past 5 years – collected on the 2CD LP “Extraterrestrial BIOS Systemshell” – will now be released on Insane Records on July 9th.

The double CD has two volumes: on “Input Ritual” we find 12 new tracks that make up the main part of the release. Expect it to be even tougher and more aggressive than before still incorporating other genre ingredients such as trance and techno. We also see some collaborations happening with Midian Dite, System Noire, Chamaeleon and Cryptic Dawn.

The second CD is called “Output Pact” and contains the original tracks from the recently released single “Misanthropic Affection” and 9 remixes by Croona, Devil-M, LuMyia, Nahtaivel, Nigen, Nohycit, Ultimate Soldier, Wychdoktor and Техногенетика.

This 2CD set is limited to 100 copies only, collectors be warned! You can order it on Bandcamp together with the download version.

Below is the video preview of the album.

And you can already listen to two complete tracks below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Insane Records announces the signing of the American dark electro project from New York, Blut Reaktor. This is a one-man formation (John Noir) which started out back in 2008, now has released brand new digital EP, “Post Mortem”. The EP consists of 6 original tracks.

You can expect a very dark sound avoiding dance beats.

Blut Reaktor was formed in 2008 with the first 3 releases from 2008 – 2010 being instrumental ones. In 2013, the “Blut Reaktor” EP was released on which John contributed vocals for the first time. Later that year he released a revamped version of the first release, “In Limbo”. In 2014 together with Monique Decay joining, the band released a compilation album with reworked versions of “Limbo”, “Glitch” and more.

In 2015 “In Vain”, was released, which also was the project’s label debut album “In Vain” on Underground Industrial Records. The following year, the single “Cathartic Angel Complex” was launched on all digital platforms. In 2020 the project released the EP “Tales from the flesh” together with the albums “Imperfecta” and “In Vain Redux”.

The project’s second album on a label will be released later this year on Insane Records.

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: Metal, EBM, Dark-Electro, Industrial.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Mexican band God Destruction released this newest EP during the last days of 2020. “Unholy Trinity” features three songs.

Content: Since the band’s last album “Redentor” released in 2016, God Destruction has already released a few EP’s. This new production brings new songs filled with rage and hate. But it also remains a very particular mix of influences; EBM bass lines have been mixed doom atmospheres while the last song features Suicide Commando-like sequences. This work is a new fusion between Dark-Electronic treatments and furious guitar playing with enraged –and mainly Spanish, vocals on top.

+ + + : God Destruction is a band that has seriously improved the global aspects of their production over the years. This EP reveals 3 different songs featuring a similar power, rage and aggression. The way the songs have been built up is absolutely impressive; the balance between Electro and guitar is perfect. I have a preference for the second song “Carnage”, which is a perfect title to express the listening experience of God Destruction. It’s an overwhelming song with menacing sequences and a mix of Spanish and English vocals. The epic arrangements on top of the production are also an important element of the production.

– – – : The fusion between all different influences might be confusing, but I like it!

Conclusion: “Unholy Trinity” is a great work revealing a band in constant progression; dark and powerful stuff!

Best songs: “Carnage”, “Frankenstein”, “Suicide King”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/GodDestruction666

Label: http://insane-records.com / www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

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: “Genocidio Espiritual” is the second official album by the Chilean project Distoxia. The album features 10 songs plus five remixes.

Content: From the very first notes and sequences you clearly recognize the influence of Mexican leading formations of Dark-Electro. I’m referring to Hocico and Amduscia. The work is characterized by hopping rhythms, haunting atmospheres, cold leads and Spanish vocals. The songs are pretty danceable although the last cut is more into an obscure, dreamy approach. Remixes have been accomplished by Empyres vs. Viscera Drip, Godless Cross, Sector 516, Shinigami IND and CyberLich.

+ + + : Chile already reveals a few interesting and qualitative Electro-underground bands. Among the darkest projects, Distoxia definitely sounds like a promising name. The new work sounds like a powerful exposure, which will definitely appeal for fans of Amduscia and Hocico. I like the switch from powerful cuts into dark-evasive passages. The ghost-like production of the vocals is matching with the sound. “Armadura De Clavos” and “Salvajismo Primordial” both are cool cuts, but I also recommend listening to the last song “Miles De Recuerdos”, which has a spooky, dreamy touch on top. Among the remixes I especially recommend “Contemplador Del Ocaso” remixed by Empyres vs. Viscera Drip. It’s also interesting discovering unknown artists who have been asked to remix.

– – – : Distoxia isn’t exactly what I would call an ‘original’ project although it’s an interesting album.

Conclusion: If you like Dark-Electro stereotypes, this album will definitely catch your attention.

Best songs: “Armadura De Clavos”, “Salvajismo Primordial”,  “Miles De Recuerdos”, “Contemplador Del Ocaso – Empyres vs. Viscera Drip Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/distoxia

Label: http://insane-records.com / www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

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: Scars Are Soulless is a project driven by Chip Calise. He has been involved with different projects (like Vigilante) and is busy with Scars Are Soulless for several years now. “Vendetta” was originally written in 2012, but didn’t get an official release until a deal was found with Insane Records. The songs have been mastered and released, “Vendetta” featuring nine tracks.

Content: From the very first notes you’ll hear the Dark-Electro inspiration emerging from the cold lead and harsh vocals. The album features aggressive sequences, a few Industrial sound treatments and some orchestral arrangements. The work reveals melodic passages and the alternation between harder- and slower songs. You’ll also notice a few instrumental edits featuring the excellent “Final Victory”.

+ + + : It’s a damned good thing “Vendetta” has been finally released. There are some excellent –and even potential hits featured here. The Dark-Electro style sounds rather ‘classical’, but the work is diversified. The previously mentioned “Final Victory” is a great piece of music; melodic and empowered by Industrial sound treatments. But I also have to mention the more orchestral sounding “Never Forgive, Never Forget”, which is also accomplished with Industrial noises. One more attention grabber is “Eyes Of The Deceiver”, which also is one of the most aggressive pieces from the work.

– – – : I’m less impressed by the softer side of the album. It’s however a pity the album only features 9 songs.

Conclusion: Scars Of Soulless is an interesting project, “Vendetta” clearly reveals a true potential, which I hope will incite the artist to release new songs.

Best songs: “Final Victory”, “Never Forgive, Never Forget”, “Eyes Of The Deceiver”, “A Past To Burn”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/ScarsAreSoulless

Label: http://insane-records.com / www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU Read the news on ‘Vendetta’.

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: Peter Vercauteren (PVC) set up Pro Patria in 1988. The Belgian EBM project came back to life a few years ago and started releasing new material. The band now joined hands together with Insane Records to unleash the newest opus “Godless”.

Content: I’ve always linked Pro Patria with EBM in the purest Belgian tradition; Front 242 was never far away in sound and image. “Godless” sounds like a project reinventing itself or at least exploring ‘new’ paths. The work sounds harsher, darker and more elaborated. The songs are more into a Dark-EBM approach and are often reflecting a kind of rage, which you can also notice in the production of the vocals. The first part of the album stands for the renewed approach of the band and features a few great EBM cuts. Some songs in the second part are more into some experimentalism.

+ + + : “Godless” features 14 songs and that’s an interesting amount to realize the evolution and progression of Pro Patria. Especially the debut tracks took me by surprise; aggressive sequences, heavy sound treatments and elaborated structures stand for the well-crafted production. The enraged vocals totally fit the menacing mood hanging over the work. It’s symbolized by great songs like “War! (Till The Day We Die)”, “Tomorrow”, “The Power Is Mine” and “Razorblade”. Globally speaking Pro Patria has evolved in sound and influences, leaving the Front 242 influence to reach a darker EBM style. 

– – – : A few tracks from the second half of the album left me more skeptical. Songs like “Angel” and “The End” are more into some Experimental style and can’t totally convince.

Conclusion: Pro Patria remains an interesting ambassador of the Belgian Electro scene, the new work revealing a band in progression.

Best songs: “War! (Till The Day We Die)”, “Tomorrow”, “The Power Is Mine”, “Razorblade”, “Godless”, “Limits To Madness”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: http://propatria.be / www.facebook.com/propatriaband

Label: http://insane-records.com / www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU Read the news on ‘Godless’.

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

Insane Records have added a new member to their label roster, namely the New York based dark electro project Blut Reaktor. Blut Reaktor is a one-man formation that originated back in 2008, the only member being John Noir.

Out now on all digital platforms is the new digital EP “Post Mortem” which consists of 6 original tracks.

About Blut Reaktor

Blut Reaktor was formed in 2008 by John Noir. The first releases were the instrumental albums “In Limbo”, “Pyro” and “Insomnia”. In 2013 he released “In Limbo” which for the first time had vocals. It was followed by the “Self Titled” EP.

In 2015 Blut Reaktor released a new LP “In Vain”, the first release on a label (Underground Industrial Records) for the project. On the disc we also could hear Monique Decay as backing vocalist. 5 years later Blut Reaktor released the EP “Tales From The Flesh” and a new version of “In Vain Redux”.

For the “Post Mortem” EP the project signed with Insane Records which will also release the project’s newest full length later in 2021. Read the review of ‘Post Mortem’.

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

Reality’s Despair is a Belgian one-man project which has been around for quite some time. The EBM / dark electro project was formed in 1997 and over the next three years independently released several releases, after which it was frozen for an incredible 18 years.

In 2018 the project found a new impulse and Tom began to work on new tracks, releasing 3 more albums and a single on his own. In 2021 Insane Records met up with him and signed the project.

The new full-length album is titled “Perfidious Depopulation” and consists of eleven original tracks, as well as three reworked versions. You can check out the full release below. The album is available on CD and as download right here with a release date of April 17, in a few days that is. Read the review of ‘Perfidious Depopulation’.

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

The name Shane Aungst will ring a bell with many of our readers as he is the brain behind two huge mega mixes released by Side-Line in the past 2 years: “Shane Aungst vs Face The Beat 6 – Megamix” (2021) and “Shane Aungst vs Face The Beat 5 – Megamix” (2019). He now has collaborated with Insane Records and the radio show Terror Night to release the “Murder On The Dancefloor” mega mix as a name your price download via Bandcamp.

The “Murder On The Dancefloor” download release is divided into two parts and is based on the first four parts of the CD compilation “Terror Night” which consists of “Vol. 1 Industrial Madness”, “Vol. 2 Sounds Of The Dead Future”, “Vol. 3 Mechanized Occultism” and “Vol. 4 Digital Prophecy For Cyber Harvest”.

You can check out and download the full mega mix below. Warmly recommended!

Tracks included

1. Xenoreceptor – Biohazarder
2. Animo Stare – The World of Lie and Pain
3. Mordacious – Transcend
4. [aesthetische] – Here Today (Club Shot Mix)
5. Studio-X vs. Simon Carter – Angels Of The Dark (Synapsyche Remix)
6. Nordstaat – Isolation
7. Infectious Contamination – Mind
8. Arian 1 – Spend The Night
9. Siva Six – The Seal (Asdeandare Remix)
10. Dead Inside Effect – The Dead Inside Me
11. Hydra Division V – Hell As Phoenix Rises (Dead Inside Effect Remix)

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 on March 31, 2021 via Insane Records is the brand new single by the Colombian aggrotech project Alien:Nation. The new single “Misanthropic Affection” acts as a teaser for the band’s upcoming second full-length album, which will be released as a 2CD. You can order the single right here.

The single includes the original track, a remix by LA-X, and an arcade version of the track, which you can already check out below.

Tracklist:

1. Misanthropic Affection
2. Misanthropic Affection (Arcade Version)
3. Misanthropic Affection (LA-X Remix)

You can already check out “Misanthropic Affection (Arcade Version)” below.

Alien:Nation was recently also selected for our successful “Face The Beat 6” download compilation with the track “Holographic Deathsphere”.

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

The Chilean dark electro project Distoxia returns after 3 years with a new, 3rd full-length album “Genocidio Espiritual”.

To be released on March 15 via Insane Records (and available here), the album holds 10 original melodic dark electro tracks and 5 different remixes from colleagues such as Empyres & Viscera Drip, Godless Cross, Cyberlich, Sector 516 and Shinigami Ind.

Next to the download and streaming formats you also get a CD version limited to 100 hand numbered copies and released as a 6 panel digipak with slipcase (18 remaining at the time of posting, so be quick).

Below is a video preview.

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

(Picture by Humo Negro) The corona pandemic does push bands to work even harder in the studio. That’s also the case for Jesus Complex who saw a German tour with Clan of Xymox postponed until end of 2021/early 2022.

Instead, the band decided to work on the follow-up of their 4th album, the 2019 released “Welcome to My Nightmare” (Insane Records). The new album should be released later this year if all goes well.

In related news, the band’s Damon is also playing guitar (and eventually performing live) with the Brazilian act Pecadores for their new album out this year.

Jesus Complex is featured with the track “Obey Me” on the “Face The Beat 6” compilation, check out the track below.

There is also video for the track.

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

The fine electro label Insane Records introduced a new member to its roster a while back, Chip Calise who is also the musician and founder of the American project Scars Are Soulless.

Insane Records is now releasing an LP from Scars Are Soulless, called “Vendetta”. Not that it is all that new as far as the recorded material is concerned as the album was supposed to be released 9 years ago, back in 2012!

9 years later “Vendetta” gets a well deserved release offering electro industrial mixed with harsh EBM spread over 9 tracks. You can listen to the release below.

Note that there is also a very limited CD release of just 100 copies available as a 6-panel digipak with Slipcase. You can order this CD version right now on Bandcamp.

To get an idea how the album sounds, check out the “Vendetta” album preview below. Read the review of ‘Vendetta’.

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

To be released on February 24, International EBM-day that is, is the new LP by the Italo-Belgian EBM project Pro Patria. The new LP “Godless” will indeed be released on February 24, 2021 and will count 13 original tracks.

The LP will combine both classic dance tracks and more lyrical ones but remaining faithful to their roots augmented with today’s beats. The digital version will be available on February 24 on all platforms while the CD version is expected in the label’s stock on March 15.

You can already check out “Razorblade” right here which was also the track the band submitted to “Face The Beat 6”, the Side-Line powered mega charity compilation.

The CD will comes as a 6-panel digipak with slipcase, Pit-Art technology as hand numbered copies in a limited edition of just 200 copies. Pre-orders are open now right here.

Track list

1. Razorblade
2. Tomorrow
3. War! (Till The Day We Die)
4. Godless
5. The Power Is Mine
6. One More Time
7. Dignity Under Attack
8. Limits To Madness
9. Ride
10. Landslide
11. Angel
12. The End
13. Fearless

About Pro Patria

The band was formed back in the early ’90s and released 2 demo cassettes, “Spasmaticae” (1993 ) and “In Combat – Veni Vidi Vici” (1995) before releasing their first CD “Quod Erat Demonstrandum” in 1997 on PVC Productions. That label was founded in 1986 by Peter Vercauteren to distribute all Pro Patria and 7th Avenue Revenge releases. These early demos have become real collector’s items by now.

Mostly due to personal reasons and the disappointment after the Celtic Circle bankruptcy the band took quite a long hiatus. Peter continued to work together with David Vallée (Lith) who assisted him during the last Pro Patria concerts (the last they did was in Arlon in 2002).

After the prolonged silence the band finally did return in 2017 to release “Back to Basics” followed by “Executioner” in 2019. Read the review of ‘Godless’.

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

Insane Records is introducing a brand new project: KHMAR. KHMAR is the Techno/Industrial side-project by the Distorted World frontman Ivan M. and was founded in 2020 and now releases its first EP “Mrak” offering aggressive industrial rhythms with elements of mysticism and references to techno. “Cyberpunk aesthetics, coupled with eroticism and dirty wild dance in the dungeon”, as the band calls it.

The EP has four tracks as you can see below in the Bandcamp player.

Below are the YouTube videos for each track.

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

After three years of silence, the Chilean one-man project Distoxia releases the single “Conjurador Astral”. The release is a precursor to the second LP, “Genocidio Espiritual”, which will be released in March this year on CD and in digital format via Insane Records.

Expect melodic dark electro mixed with techno elements, all combined with distorted vocals and dark lyrics. You can already check the download of the single below.

Or check it out on Spotify.

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

(Photo by Ossi Viik) Out now is the newest, their third, full-length album by Finnish electro / industrial act Syncfactory: “Man”. The album is released via Insane Records who returns after a year of silence.

All songs on “Man” deal with different aspects of the human condition. The title track “Man” describes a relationship between two humans, while “Astronaut” describes the relation between a human and god. “Nihil”, “Under The Sun” and “Obey The Strain” scrutinize human existence on this ball while “Whispers” examines the unreliability of human communication. And so on.

Next to 11 original tracks the album also includes 2 remixes from projects such as Distoxia and Cyberlich.

Check out the album below.

Finnish EBM

Syncfactory was formed in late 2009 and self-released its first album in 2010: “Rhymes In Minor”. In 2014 Janne Vilen (known for his work with Finnish EBM band Oldschool Union) joined the band and became the main vocalist. By 2016 the band has signed with Insane Records and released the “Demon” EP and the “Panopticon” album.

In 2018 Janne left the band and Mika Mikkola replaced him as the main vocalist. 2018 also saw the release of the single “Talo” which acted as a teaser for their upcoming second full length album called “Meat Stall” released later that Summer.

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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It has been a while since new bands joined Insane Records, but the label has now picked up the American Swedish project Empyres, the project by Justin Thiele (Viscera Drip) and Fredrik Croona (Cynical Existence, Croona, RotnCore).

Empyres have now launched their debut single “The Immortals”, taken from the upcoming “Cruel Bastards” LP. The single is supported by Syncfactory and 13th Angel remixes.

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: EBM, body-pop.

Background/Info: Peruvian duo Arian 1 strikes back with a new EP featuring the title song plus 5 remixes.

Content: If you’re already familiar with the work of Arian 1 you’ll rapidly recognize the essence of their work. “Spend The Night” is a very efficient piece of EBM with a poppy touch on top. The vocals are rather clear.

Remixes have been accomplished by Reaxion Guerilla, Die Braut, Gunmaker, Bleeding Corp. and Struck 9.

+ + + : The title song is cool and danceable piece of fresh EBM. The carrying chorus creates a little climax. Among the remixes I especially want to mention the very clubby edit of Reaxion Guerilla and Bleeding Corp. which has accentuated the lead of the song.

– – – : I’m always a bit disappointed getting EP’s with one single song followed by a load of remixes.

Conclusion: Arian 1 confirms their potential and simply talent to compose efficient EBM-driven music. This is a band that deserves more recognition!

Best songs: “Spend The Night”, “Spend The Night – Reaxion Guerilla Remix”, “Spend The Night – Bleeding Corp. Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/ARIANUNO

Label: http://insane–records.com /  www.facebook.com/InsaneRecordsEU

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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