Goth/metal band Ludovico Technique will be touring the UK in August of 2024 to coincide with a performance at the Bloodstock Open Air Festival on Saturday August 10th.

Ludovico Technique will be touring in support of the album “Haunted People” released on August 9, 2022. Ludovico Technique is an American industrial gothic metal band from New York City, New York formed in 2011 by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumental artist, Ben V.

Tickets for the tour can be purchased right here.

Ludovico Technique UK tour dates

• 1/8/24 Glasgow
• 2/8/24 Manchester
• 3/8/24 Sheffield
• 4/8/24 London
• 5/8/24 Cardiff
• 10/8/24 Bloodstock Festival

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.

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(Photo by Elemental Eyes Photography) Negative Gain Productions recording artists Bestial Mouths have an all new remix album, “Backbone”, out tomorrow. But you can already stream it exclusively via Side-Line today.

The release is the follow-up (or rather companion) to their latest LP, “R.O.T.T.(inmyskin)” and offers reworks mixing darkwave-industrial with synthpop elements. The remixes were executed by Broken English Club, Actors, Rebeka Warrior, Curses, XTR Human, Modern Men, Lana Del Rabies, IV Horsemen, Crune, Orphx, GenCAB, Trace Amount, Carrellee, Daniel Myer, Maduro, Snowbeasts and Bedless Bones.

“Backbone” will be available tomorrow on all major digital platforms including Spotify and Bandcamp. Stream the full release below.

Fronted by Lynette Cerezo the band formed in 2009 and has mixed a number of elements in their work, from goth, industrial, post-punk, New Wave, noise, metal, to other underground sounds using live acoustic and electronic drums and analog synthesizers.

In their decade-plus existence, the band has worked with myriad of producers and artists including Zola Jesus, Mick Harvey, Rhys Fulber, Egyptrixx, Boy Harsher, Die Krupps, Mater Suspiria Vision, Zanias, The Horrorist, and Ludovico Technique to name but a few.

Here’s the video for the genCAB remix of “iNNARDS”.

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.

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Ludovico Technique, an American industrial gothic metal band from New York City, has unveiled their latest music video for “Live As Myself,” a track from the album “Haunted People.” Formed in 2011, the band is fronted by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Ben V. The additional touring members of the band remain anonymous.

Directed by Ben V., the visuals of the “Live As Myself” music video offer a fresh perspective on the Gothic Alternative/Metal genre. Ben V. aimed to capture the intensity of the song’s lyrics through a visual language that would resonate with audiences: “When directing and filming the music video, my goal was to embody the intensity of the lyrical meaning in a visual language that all could experience.”

The band now presents their newest music video, “Live As Myself.”

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.

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Ludovico Technique release a brand new single and video today, “Noise Is Gone”.

The New York City based act originally drew inspiration from goth industrial acts such as Skinny Puppy and The Sisters of Mercy, yet now, Ludovico Technique have added glimpses of Type O Negative, Rammstein, and Rob Zombie to their own take on gothic music.

Here’s the video for “Noise Is Gone”.

About Ludovico Technique

Named after the drug-assisted aversion therapy found in the novel and film “A Clockwork Orange”, Ludovico Technique launched their self titled debut EP in 2010 followed by their debut album “Some Things Are Beyond Therapy” in 2012 and the follow up “We Came to Wreck Everything” in 2013, both released by Metropolis Records worldwide.

After 2 singles, “Absence” (2010, also their last release via Metropolis) and “Live As Myself” (2020), the band has started 2021 with a string of singles: “Up To The Flames”, “I Was”, “Becoming Numb”, “Burn Everything”, “Poisoned”, “Embrace” and now “Noise Is Gone”.

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.

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Ludovico Technique have released a brand new single, “Burn Everything”, a fast-tempo gothic industrial metal track. You can check out the new single right below.

The New York City based act originally drew inspiration from goth industrial acts such as Skinny Puppy and The Sisters of Mercy, yet now, Ludovico Technique have added glimpses of Type O Negative, Rammstein, and Rob Zombie to their own take on gothic music.

About Ludovico Technique

Named after the drug-assisted aversion therapy found in the novel and film “A Clockwork Orange”, Ludovico Technique launched their self titled debut EP in 2010 followed by their debut album “Some Things Are Beyond Therapy” in 2012 and the follow up “We Came to Wreck Everything” in 2013, both released by Metropolis Records worldwide.

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.

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(Picture by Renee Parkhurst ) Let’s hope this article doesn’t get flagged by Google, Facebook and related because the follow-up of words in the title is rather worrysome (joke aside).

Adult has launched a remix of the Bestial Mouths song “Unshivered”. A video was equally made and can be seen below. The song is included in Bestial Mouths’ remix album “Thousandneedles” that features collaborations with SRSQ, Ash Code, Void Vision, Light Asylum, and more and which dropped earlier this month.

“Thousandneedles” will be available on vinyl and cassette versions this August via Fill-Lex Records and Soil Records.

In a reaction Adult says: “We got this remix request in the summer from Bestial Mouths and it was just the thing we needed to get us back in the studio again. It wasn’t like looking at a blank canvas and it felt more like collaboration in a way, which was much needed during such an isolating time.”

The track’s visual counterpart offers a psychological portrait of a person clawing their way to meaning. Director Jamie Parkhurst, who has previously worked with Los Angeles post-punk outfit, Death Bells, and experimental electronic artist Trevor powers, was helped by producer Yelena Akopian, stylists and designers Bradley Soileau and Elliott Evan, photographer Renee Parkhurst, DP Connor Ellman, and camera operator Alex Van Putten. The video was edited by editing is by Alex Nicolaou (Drab Majesty).

Here is the video.

Tracklist “Thousandneedles”

1. Grendel – Ruins Remix
2. Adult – Unshivered (If I Could Feel Mix)
3. Rodney Anonymous Or 7th Victim (Of Dead Milkmen) – Withiin Remix
4. Plackblague – Heavy Coil Mix (Industrial Waste Remix)
5. Ash Code -The Bleed Remix (Mixed/Mastered By Doruk Ozturkcan From She Past Away)
6. Nnhmn – The Loss Remix
7. Statiqbloom – The Falls Remix
8. Buzzkull – Lain To Rust Remix
9. Srsq – Reimagination (Souls Take Remix)
10. Shannon F /Light Asylum – Industrial Waste Remix
11. Kontravoid – Dry As Dust Remix
12. Void Vision- (A) Siren Calls Remix
13. Crowhurst – 23 Hours Before Resurrection Bestial Mouths Remix
14. Melania – Inshroudss

About Bestial Mouths

From their inception in 2009, the core root of Bestial Mouths has combined Lynette Cerezo’s voice with several genre influences across the spectrum of goth, industrial, post-punk, new wave, noise, metal, and other underground sounds using live acoustic and electronic drums and analog synthesizers. Since 2018, Bestial Mouths has been the sole project of Cerezo.

2019’s “Inshroudss” EP was the first Bestial Mouths release entirely written and conceived by Cerezo. The EP was released on the independent label RuneE & Ruin, which Cerezo formed together with friend and frequent collaborator Alison Lewis (Linea Aspera / Zanias / Fleisch Records).

In their decade-plus existence, Bestial Mouths have worked with a long list of producers and artists. Zola Jesus, Mick Harvey, Egyptrixx, Boy Harsher, Die Krupps, Mater Suspiria Vision, Zanias, The Horrorist, and Ludovico Technique are just a few collaborators, while they’ve shared the stage with the likes of Psychic TV, Austra, Chelsea Wolfe, DAF, 3 Teeth, OAKE, Front Line Assembly, White Ring, Suicide Commando, David J, King Dude, Youth Code, Cut Hands and Light Asylum.

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.

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Gothic/industrial metal artists Ludovico Technique have released their newest single and music video “Becoming Numb”. This is the fourth single released from their forthcoming full-length album “Haunted People”.

About Ludovico Technique

The name for the band itself stems from the drug-assisted aversion therapy found in the novel and film “A Clockwork Orange”, in which the patient is forced to view violent imagery while injected with experimental medication in an attempt to condition the subjects behavior.

The band released their self titled debut EP in 2010 and offered their debut album “Some Things Are Beyond Therapy” in 2012. Both this album and the follow-up “We Came to Wreck Everything” in 2013 were released by Metropolis Records worldwide. This was followed by the single “Absence”.

After a long hiatus the band resurfaced in 2020 releasing “Live As Myself”, the first of 4 singles from their newest album.

Here’s the band’s newest 4th single, “Becoming Numb”.

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.

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The gothic/industrial metal act Ludovico Technique have released their new music video and single “Embrace”. This is the band’s third single released from their forthcoming full-length album “Haunted People.”

The band’s sounds keeps evolving, whereas originally they used influences from industrial bands such as Skinny Puppy, now, Ludovico Technique started also incorporating elements from such bands like Type O Negative and Rob Zombie.

The music video for “Embrace” can be seen below, you can find the track on all streaming platforms right here.

About Ludovico Technique

The band was formed in 2005 and launched it’s first release in 2007, which was a self titled EP. That EP was re-released and extended in 2010. It was followed by their debut album “Some Things Are Beyond Therapy” in 2012 which released by Metropolis Records. The year after they completed and released the follow-up album “We Came to Wreck Everything”.

After that it became a bit silent around the band until 2017 when a new EP “Absence” got released again on Metropolis. In 2020 the track “Live As Myself” was launched followed by the tracks “Up To The Flames” and now “Embrace”. The new material has been self-released.

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.

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Ludovico Technique have released their newest single, “Live as Myself”, 3 years after their last studio output which was the single “Absence”. “Reflecting on our current times, this song is about expressing who you are inside, regardless of how society views you or tries to tell you how you should be,” so the band says.

“Live as Myself” was mastered by Stuart Hawkes (Amy Winehouse, Lorde, Ed Sheeran) and will get a video treatment in 2021. Here’s the single to check out.

About Ludovico Technique

In the beginning, the band drew inspiration from goth industrial bands such as Skinny Puppy and Marilyn Manson. The name itself refers to the drug-assisted aversion therapy found in the novel and film “A Clockwork Orange”, in which the patient is forced to view violent imagery while injected with experimental medication in an attempt to condition the subjects behavior.

The band’s first output followed in 2010 when they released their self titled debut EP.

Both the debut album “Some Things Are Beyond Therapy” (2012) and the follow up “We Came to Wreck Everything” (2013) were released by Metropolis Records. After that we had to wait 4 years before a new single was released, “Absence”, on Metropolis Records.

The new single is self-released.

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.

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Out in June is the charity 6CD compilation set “Electronic Saviors 5: Remembrance”. Out via Distortion Productions, and not via Metropolis this time, this fifth volume this volume was again compiled by cancer survivor and industrial scene promoter and DJ, Jim Semonik aided by Chase Dudley.

The 6CD boxset can be ordered here – note that it only has a limited distribution.

On this 6CD set you’ll find tracks by coldwave and industrial rock greats such as Pig, Mindless Faith and 16Volt next to Psy’Aviah, FIRES, Esther Black, Encephalon, Ashbury Heights, Stoneburner, Ludovico Technique, Red Lokust and so and so on. 105 tracks in total.

The fifth edition will be available in a strictly limited edition boxset run on only 500 copies. It also includes a wristband, bumper sticker and autographed postcard.

Here’s the album teaser:

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.

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The dark electronic act Ludovico Technique has released the official music video for their single, “Absence”. You can watch the video below.

The single itself was already released in October last year and was the first new sign of life in over 5 years. Let’s see if a new album will also materialise.

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.

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Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, industrial-pop.

Background/Info: Ludovico Technique has released their first new stuff after a hiatus of four years. They in the meantime remained active on stage, doing the support for leading formations such as Leather Strip, God Module, Nachtmahr, Grendel. “Absence” has been released in Europe on Infacted Recordings featuring the title song plus 4 remixes. The EP has been released in the US on Metropolis featuring 4 different remixes.

Content: “Absence” is a song mixing dark-electronics and raw industrial-pop elements. The song has been empowered by extra guitar sounds. The vocals have been sung in a somewhat half-spoken, spooky way injecting a dark, moody touch on top of the song.

Remixes have been accomplished by Grendel, Leather Strip, Massive Ego and shiv-R.

+ + + : “Absence” is a cool and efficient title song, which has all required elements to make people dance. It features great dance vibes mixed with a cool chorus. This is without a shadow of a doubt one of my favorite Ludovico Technique-songs ever.

The remixes have been made by noticeable bands, which is an extra way to catch the attention. The most original remix is the more minimal-like one by Shiv-R.

– – – : The American edition features the same title-song, but remixes by The Birthday Massacre, Bestial Mouths, Encephalon and Ghostfeeder. A quite interesting program you can only discover as well, but in the end you’ll be saturated by remixes. I however expected a bit more from the remixes for this European edit.

Conclusion: “Absence” is the perfect song to strike back and put Ludovico Technique back on the map. There’s no better way striking back than getting people to dance!

Best songs: “Absence”, “Absence – Shiv-R Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.ludotechnique.com / www.ludotechnique.com/absence / www.facebook.com/pg/LudoTechnique

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Tragic Impulse is a rather new EBM-minded solo-project set up and driven by Paul M. Graham. The second album “Devil On Your Shoulder” released on Distortion Productions will be for sure an opportunity to discover this American artist dealing with a dark EBM format.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Tell us a bit more about your artistic background and activities, which finally brought you to set up Tragic Impulse?

Paul: I started experimenting with electronic music in the early-mid 2000’s and to be honest, I was pretty bad at. I remember getting a remix kit for one of Informatik’s songs and I gave up on it pretty quickly because I just didn’t have the skills to pull it off. I kept working at it though and in 2012 I submitted the song “Apocalyptic Visions” to the “Electronic Saviors 2”-compilation under the project name Eisengeist. The song had no lyrics/vocals and it was pretty raw from a production standpoint, but it got accepted and appeared on the bonus track section of the compilation.

Gaining confidence from the Eisengeist track, I decided to put more time and energy into making electronic music. However, I wanted to go in a different direction musically so Tragic Impulse was born.

Q: I guess you must notice a serious move in sound, writing and global production from “Machine Parts” (debut album released in 2014) towards the new work “Devil On Your Shoulder”?

Paul: I do feel that “Devil On Your Shoulder” represents a degree of maturation in my overall sound, writing and production. When I was working on “Devil On Your Shoulder”, I remember being very critical of the production value on “Machine Parts” because it felt so inferior to me at the time (still does). I think the biggest reason for this is that between albums I continue to get better at translating my ideas into finished and more refined products. New synthesizers, studio gear, and equipment upgrades always has some impact on this as well. I’ve already started working on the next album and feel that the sound, writing, and production is superior to “Devil On Your Shoulder” as well. I’m excited about it! I see all this as growth so it’s a good thing.

As far as sound goes, I dabbled with things like pitch-shifted vocals on “Machine Parts” (cf. “I’ll Be Your God” & “I Hear Footsteps”) but none of that appears on “Devil On Your Shoulder”. That’s something I probably won’t go back to but you never know. “Devil On Your Shoulder” is more representative of the vocal style/feel I’ll be using going forward. I do love a good vocoder though so that’s not going anywhere LOL.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the new work and especially the kind of album you’d in mind?

Paul: I originally considered making “Devil On Your Shoulder” a concept-album but it never really materialized. Although not electronic, I always loved Queensryche’s concept-album “Operation Mindcrime” and wanted to do something in that vein lyrically (I still might).

Beyond that, I really just wanted to make an album that had good dancefloor appeal. I love knocking back a pint or two at the local goth club to loud stompy music and Tragic Impulse I think reflects that. Otherwise, I tend to mix things up from song to song thematically.

Q: What’s the deeper meaning of the title “Devil On Your Shoulder” and what’s the importance of the lyrical content of your songs?

Paul: The song “Devil On Your Shoulder” is largely about temptation and schadenfreude. People do some horrible things at the expense of their fellow humans and the song explores that metaphorically. As for the title, I like albums with a title/track relationship and I thought “Devil On Your Shoulder” stood out so I went with it.

The rest of the album covers a lot of ground lyrically and thematically. “Flesh And Blood” is about how being different is OK. “Evolution Revolution” is about reinventing yourself  and “Lightstpeed” is about the vastness and wonderment of our universe. Ultimately though, the songs are about whatever the listener wants them to be and I have to say nothing feels better than when a fan tells you a song resonated with them on a personal level. That’s happened more than I expected on this album and it’s always a delight to hear.

Q: Do you have some referential musicians, bands, producers… and what make them ‘special’ to you?

Paul: There’s so many artists and people who have influenced me that it’s a hard question to answer in this limited space. To pick a few though, I would say that Project Pitchfork – particularly their early works – has had a big influence on me. From the music to the lyrics to their live shows, everything that band does just resonates with me. I also love the way Daniel Graves (Aesthetic Perfection) works a stage. I’ve seen him play to both small and large crowds and he brings the same amazing energy and intensity each time. Claus Larsen is also a big influence. One of the highlights of my burgeoning musical career has been sharing a stage with him. He’s an incredible artist and an even better person.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Jim Semonik (Distortion Productions/Red Lokust) as a big influence as well. I don’t think I’ve met a person with as much perseverance, passion, and dedication to the EBM/Industrial scene as him. I feel pretty lucky to have him as a friend as well.

Q: Referring to live performances, Tragic Impulse doesn’t have a real live experience so far. How comes and what kind of show might the audience expect during the next months? How do you transpose the studio work on stage and will you get some help from extra members?

Paul: Although it’s taken a while to get going, the live show is actually up and running. Over the last year I’ve shared the stage with Leaether Strip, Ludovico Technique, and Kite to name a few. The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive and future live performances, such as a “Distortion Prod”-tour in Summer and “Danse Macabre 2” in Pittsburgh around Halloween, are being planned.

The big reason the live show took a while to get going is that I wanted finished music I could put into the hands of people who wanted it after a live performance. I know a lot of bands get started doing live music before moving on to recording but I’ve always found this counter-intuitive. I’ve had people buy my music after every gig I’ve done so I think the strategy works. Another reason the live show took a while to get going was just translating the studio work to the stage. I had to invest in new portable gear and this took some time and money to sort out. It was time well spent however and I’m pretty happy with the results.

I’m definitely looking to add more people for live performances. At a minimum, I’d like to have someone on keys and maybe add a drummer for bigger gigs. I’ve talked to a few people about that so we’ll see how it goes. Other than that, I’d love to catch on with a festival or two as well. I went to WGT in Germany for the first time last year and all I could think about – other than Schwarzbier and bratwurst (yum!) – was how awesome it would be to perform there.

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, wave-pop.

Background/Info: Set up during the 90s, “Beautiful Suicide” stands for the return of Massive Ego. It’s not that really about a come-back although they didn’t release any new album since 2008. But during the past few years Massive Ego stroke back with noticeable EP’s “I Idolize You” and “Noise In The Machine”. They joined hands with Out Of Line, which will for sure give them a wider exposure.

Content: “Beautiful Suicide” is an album that moves towards electro-wave-pop music. The work has been mixed by Mixed by Chris Pohl and Mario Rühlicke (Blutengel), which for sure got an impact on the sound. Massive Ego composes a naughty electro-pop sound, which is carried by solid bass lines and great leads. The sound however is pretty diversified and still pretty sexy through the vocals of Marc Massive. Diversity comes from different influences and featured guest singers. There also is a funny sampling featuring Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran).

The bonus disc features remixes by noticeable names like Blutengel, Ashbury Heights, Chrom, Ludovico Technique, Nature Of Wires, Ash Code and NeroArgento. But you also get a few exclusive songs.

+ + + : Massive Ego has a very own sound DNA. It’s a rough and raw electro-pop style, which sounds a bit retro-like, but still exciting and sexy through its charismatic vocalist. “I Idolize You” remains an absolute hit, but I have to mention other noticeable tracks such as “She Uses Sex”, “Kate’s In A State” and “Haters Gonna Hate”. This band mixes efficiency, originality and image!

The list of remixes is quite impressive and I here especially want to mention the retro-like approach of Ash Code. The best cuts from the bonus CD are the extra songs from Massive Ego.

– – – : I’m a bit disappointed about the extra disc. I like the extra songs, but I expected much more from the remixes.

Conclusion: Massive Ego confirms the potential revealed at previous EP’s. This is a great album with multiple potential hits. This is electro-pop with attitude!

Best songs: “I Idolize You”, “She Uses Sex”, “Kate’s In A State”, “Haters Gonna Hate”, “Drag Me In, Drag Me Under”, + “Public Disorder”, “Dead Silence Rising”

Rate: (8½).

Band: www.massiveego.co.uk / www.facebook.com/massiveego

Label: www.outofline.de  / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel

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 British act Massive Ego returns with the electro pop album “Beautiful Suicide” out in 2 weeks from now. The material was mixed by Chris Pohl and Mario Rühlicke, the team behind the Berlin-based act Blutengel, and contains the Boy-George-penned hit “Let Go” and their club-smasher “I Idolize You”.

The new album is released as a deluxe double disc (you can order it right here) with an exclusive bonus album containing 5 more new songs, plus remixes from Blutengel, Ashbury Heights, CHROM, Ludovico Technique, Nature Of Wires, Ash Code and Neroargento.

The material on the album was inspired by the personal battles against depression and anxiety, as well as by the suicide of a close friend and ex-bandmate. The album features collaborations with Chris Pohl, Gene Serene, Maggie K DeMonde (Scarlet Fantastic) and rapper Belzebub.

Here’s the promo video 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.

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Industrial-dance, techno-body music, industrial-techno.

Background/Info: Lawrie Bayldon (Studio-X, Cryogenic Echelon), Ayax (Ascension Ex, Cryogenic Echelon) and Gerry Hawkins are back on track unleashing the 2^nd full length of Avarice In Audio. Two years ago now this Australian combo took the electro scene by surprise releasing their promising debut album “Shine & Burn”.

Content: “Apollo & Dionysus” sounds more open-minded than their debut full length, but still appears to be very challenging. Avarice In Audio experiments with solid techno blasts mixed with harder and industrial-minded sound treatments. The songs are powerful and reveal multiple sound manipulations. There’s a perfect balance between the different influences, but in the end I would say it clearly sounds more into techno and dance music instead of industrial.

The harder industrial treatments make it all more underground-like and darker while the beating kick will bring dancefloors on fire. There’s certain bombast running through the songs while a few other cuts are softer and more into a kind of reverie. Most of the vocals are rather powerful and passionate.

One of the main particularities of the work is the contribution of guest artists like Damasius Venys (Mondträume) and Mr. Kitty performing guest vocals, Chris Anderson and Mixe1. The last song of the regular album is an interesting new version of “The Cassandra Complex”, which was originally released on their debut album.

The 2^nd disc features 13 remixes by an interesting list of artists. Studio-X, iVardensphere, Nitro/Noise, Alter Der Ruine, Panic Lift, Ludovico Technique, Biomechanical, Freakangel, Terrolokaust, Die Sektor, Sirus and less familiar [Snuff] and Kult Of Red Pyramid clearly are a nice selection of promising remixes. Speaking for myself I have a preference for the remixing skills of iVardensphere, Alter Der Ruine and Sirus.

+ + + : This album reveals a great progression in sound and global production featuring impressive sound manipulations. The industrial-dance style is powerful and carried by passionate vocals. The extra disc features a nice cocktail of cool remixes.

– – – : The techno input is cool, but I regret some cheaper techno blasts, which are a bit cliché. The softer tracks aren’t the most convincing ones. I’m also missing a real great hit.

Conclusion: “Apollo & Dionysus” is an accessible and well-crafted work although not exactly the most evident release to please a darker audience, which is not always that wild of techno experiments. This work is not for purists, but for open-minded souls in search of great, danceable vibes.

Best songs: “World Without Song feat. Chris Anderson”, “Anthracite Nights”, “Juvenile Desires feat. Mr. Kitty” + “Her Fire – iVardensphere Remix”, “
Crystal Tears – Alter Der Ruine Remix”, “The Cassandra Complex – Sirus Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/avariceinaudioaus

Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix

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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In 2014 the Australian act Avarice In Audio released the “Shine & Burn” album showcasing the band’s mix of dark electronics and EDM infused influences combined with frontwoman Jade’s and Gerry’s vocals. Side-Line was already quite charmed by the band, hence why they also feature on our “Face The Beat : Session 3” free download compilation.

Out now is the band’s second album “Apollo & Dionysus”, this time also featuring guest vocals by Mondträume and Mr Kitty adding both a synth pop and techno touch to the Avarice In Audio material.

The album is released now as a CD and 2CD boxset (available here for ordering) next to the download via Bandcamp (and other download stores).

The deluxe carton box edition holds a second disc which is actually a full track by track remix album called “Dreamers Never Prosper” featuring reworks by such fine artists as Freakangel, Die Sector, Ludovico Technique, Panic Lift, Alter Der Ruine, Ivardensphere, Kult Of Red Pyramid, Studio-X (of course!), Nitro/Noise, Snuff, Terrolokaust and Biomechanimal. The list is topped by a bonus remix by fellow Australian act Sirus.

Anno 2016 the project features founding members Gerry Hawkins and frontwoman Jade Pegg next to Lawrie Bayldon (Studio-X, Cryogenic Echelon) and Ayax (Ascension Ex, Cryogenic Echelon) who have joined most recently.

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.

side-line.com

In 2014 the Australian act Avarice In Audio released the “Shine & Burn” album showcasing the band’s mix of dark electronics and EDM infused influences combined with frontwoman Jade’s and Gerry’s vocals. Side-Line was already quite charmed by the band, hence why they also feature on our “Face The Beat : Session 3” free download compilation.

But out by mid-March will be the band’s second album “Apollo & Dionysus”, this time also featuring guest vocals by Mondträume and Mr Kitty adding both a synth pop and techno touch to the Avarice In Audio material.

Alfa Matrix already made 3 tracks available from the new album on their Bandcamp page, where you can also pre-order the HQ download of the album including a lot of bonus versions. You can stream those 3 tracks below too.

The album will be released as a CD and 2CD boxset (available here for ordering) next to the download via Bandcamp (and other download stores in the future).

The deluxe carton box edition holds a second disc which is actually a full track by track remix album called “Dreamers Never Prosper” featuring reworks by such fine artists as Freakangel, Die Sector, Ludovico Technique, Panic Lift, Alter Der Ruine, Ivardensphere, Kult Of Red Pyramid, Studio-X (of course!), Nitro/Noise, Snuff, Terrolokaust and Biomechanimal. The list is topped by a bonus remix by fellow Australian act Sirus.

Anno 2016 the project features founding members Gerry Hawkins and frontwoman Jade Pegg next to Lawrie Bayldon (Studio-X, Cryogenic Echelon) and Ayax (Ascension Ex, Cryogenic Echelon) who have joined most recently.

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.

side-line.com