(By our Norwegian correspondent Jan Ronald Stange / Techomancer press release. Photos: Tarjei Krogh) Out now is the new album from the Norwegian synthwave act Technomancer a.k.a. Alexandria “Alyxx” Digre (she/her). She debuted with the album ‘System Failure’ in 2013, and now, almost 10 years later, the second album ‘Hyperfuel’ is finally being released!

Originally from the Northern town of Mo I Rana, Norway, Alyxx moved to Sarpsborg in 2014 and had already started working on the album at that point. Realizing that the next album had to be of much higher quality than the debut album, Alyxx started working on honing her production skills, getting plenty of practice on her side projects Zone Tripper and Laboratory 5, as well as doing numerous remixes for bands/artists such as Die Krupps, Nitzer Ebb, Anne Clark, Naked Lunch, Attrition, Robert Marlow (RIP), Apoptygma Berzerk and several others.

After ‘System Failure’, a departure from the former sound was set almost immediately. The sleek futurepop style was cast aside in favour of a heavier influence from the 80’s, with The Sisters Of Mercy providing a strong influence on the new sound. Together with Zone Tripper, Technomancer adopted very much an early synthwave sound which since then has become a signature sound for Alyxx’ productions as a whole. The new album relies heavily on sampled guitars and drum machines to give a much heavier retrowave feeling, which should please fans of synthwave acts such as Dance With The Dead and Scandroid.

The album has been co-produced by Stephan L. Groth (Apoptygma Berzerk) and his brother Jonas Groth (Piston Damp, Apoptygma Berzerk) who both have also provided guest vocals on the album. Frequent collaborator Per Aksel Lundgreen (Angst Pop, Cronos Titan, Chinese Detectives, Shatoo) has also been involved.

Ole-Espen Kristiansen (OK Minus, Elec This!) has mastered the album and also mixed a couple tracks. Ole-Espen has also done mastering and live mixing for Apoptygma Berzerk and Piston Damp.

Wanting to know more about this release, we contacted Alyxx to have some questions answered.

S-L: You’ve gone from furutepop to synthwave – what’s the next step in your evolution?

Alexandria Digre: Well, I really don’t know. I’ve been listening to harder stuff lately. I especially loved REIN’s album, ‘Reincarnated’ and really loved that kind of old school EBM sound making a comeback. I also finally got around to listening to some Nitzer Ebb stuff, especially their legendary ‘That Total Age’ album. Some of my recent demos have been more in the vein of that, combined with some influences from Empirion.

I also saw Sierra in Gothenburg this summer and really loved the harder synthwave sound she had going. I’m definitely still in the synthwave scene and been listening to a lot of stuff there lately, so that might still be an influence going forward. I don’t think the next album will take a decade to make so I also doubt it will be as much of a new direction. But we will see, it all depends on where my writing takes me.

Right now I have some ideas for a new album but nothing solid, as I rarely do in the early stages. I actually wrote a few futurepop/techno tracks at the start of making ‘Hyperfuel’ that ended up not really fitting in, but I might use some of that for the next album if I can find a new sound they would fit in. But so far I’ve been wanting to draw more on early 90s EBM influences like Front Line Assembly and that early EBM sound.

S-L: How has the feedbacks on the album been so far?

AD: Well, even as the singles came out, it was usually positive. But as for the album, it really seems people are loving it. Everyone I’ve sent it to has enjoyed it and hasn’t really had much bad to say about it. Which is both flattering and a bit concerning. I really hope someone really goes into depth on the album at some point. I love praise and knowing people are connecting with the music, but I also love to know where I can improve going forward. After all, ‘Hyperfuel’ wouldn’t be the album it is without the criticism I got from ‘System Failure’.

S-L: You got some covers here – tell us more about how they came to life!

AD: ‘Puppets’ came to life as I was invited to contribute to a Depeche Mode tribute project. I made the original version on my own in my studio and on a journey with Stephan (Apoptygma Berzerk) I played it for him and Per Aksel (Angst Pop) and Stephan really loved what he heard. He not only advised me to release the cover myself, but also allow him to do it together with me. I was floored by the fact Stephan straight up asked to work with me on something, so naturally I agreed.

He spent a few days in his studio recording some additional synth riffs on his Korg MS-20 and recording the vocals, which we then added to the mix. We then spent a while in my studio producing the track with Per Aksel.

So yeah, very glad I didn’t just release it as a tribute album track. It ended up becoming a lot more than that, and I have so many good memories with ‘Puppets’. Only downside is I doubt I could perform it live without Stephan. It wouldn’t feel right, haha!

‘Ecstasy’ was a song I’ve wanted to cover for a long time. I’ve been a fan of Black Lab since I heard their cover of the Transformers Theme from their ‘Technologie’ EP, where ‘Ecstasy’ was also featured. I immediately connected with the song and it has always been my favourite Black Lab track.

‘Ecstasy’ was actually always intended to be on the album. I think it was on the first demo I brought Per Aksel right after I had moved to Sarpsborg. On the demo version, I did all the vocals myself, but I always wanted someone with me on it. Per Aksel suggested Stian Joneid as a candidate, and we also considered Dag Brandth (Shatoo) to do it with me. Honestly, Dag might have been perfect for it, but due to circumstances that never worked out, so I ended up choosing Jonas Groth (Piston Damp) since I was recording my final vocals in his studio for the song and he’s the best singer I know.

Jonas’ vocals really helped bring the song to another level and I am so happy we got to work together on it. Him and Truls Sønsterud did an amazing Piston Damp remix of it by the way that you can find on the single.

‘The Outsider’ was a song I originally did for a Psyche tribute album, ‘Unforgotten Rhymes’. It was also the second music video I did after moving to Sarpsborg, with Per Aksel directing and shooting it. It sort of became the first single from the album actually, featuring the signature sound I would be going for. It’s always been a song I connected with on a personal level, so having it on the album felt natural to me.

S-L: What’s next up for you?

AD: Working on a new Zone Tripper album and some other side projects. Lab5 has been dormant for a while and I am itching to get some of our material out there. Also working on a synthwave project called Neo Hyperdrive together with Hexebyte and Max Static from Lab5. There will also be a 2CD Deluxe Edition of Hyperfuel that will also be available on my Bandcamp. I’ll announce a release date for that later on.

The album was released digitally worldwide on November 4^th 2022, with a Deluxe Edition also available on 2xCD via Sector Industrial (www.sector-industrial.com) and digitally exclusive via the Technomancer Bandcamp, which includes 5 additional tracks and remixes by Machinista, Echo Image, Piston Damp, Substaat and Christian Espeland of Code 64. Release date for the Deluxe Edition will be revealed later.

Get it at Bandcamp along with more of the discography, or have a listen at Spotify!

Jan Ronald Stange

Sometimes – when I’m not cooking, biking, listening to music or attending concerts, I write stuff for Side-Line.com. Mostly about Norwegian bands, but it’s been some Swedish, English, American, Danish, German and others too… 😉

www.facebook.com/jrstange

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Patrik Hansson (Vanguard singer) released the second album of his solo-project Uncreated in November 2021. The opus was released right after a few singles featuring guest singers.

Content: Patrik Hansson got some good company to achieve this work. He asked guest singers to join in. Mark Hockings (Mesh) and Björn Marius Borg (Xenturion Prime) were already featured on the previously released singles while Louise Marchione (Planet R/Thermostatic), Mikael Engström (Covered In Snow), Richard Flow (Machinista) and Arielle Andersson (Octolab) completed the list. Patrik is singing on a few songs as well. The music remains pure Electro-Pop -and still more poppy than Vanguard, driven by hopping sequences, retro sound treatments and danceable beats.

Nite did a remix of “Hand Grenade” featuring Mark Hockings. The CD version features 2 bonus songs which are extended versions.

+ + + : The concept of working with guest singers is not new but rather surprising for Patrik Hansson who’s a talented singer himself. It however resulted in extra diversity while the artist could probably focus more on songwriting and production. “Hand Grenade” remains an outstanding song, but I also have to mention the other single “Rebuild The Future” featuring Marius Borg and the more aggressive “Alive” featuring Richard Flow. I also enjoyed “One Night In Blue” featuring Louise Marchione’s delicate timbre of voice. Nite also accomplished a cool remix of “Hand Grenade”.

– – – : I only noticed a few ‘softer’ songs which couldn’t convince me but which injected a break to the work.

Conclusion: Uncreated only confirms its immense potential, being next to Vanguard, another great Electro-Pop project of Patrik Hansson.

Best songs: “Hand Grenade”, “Rebuild The Future”, “Alive”, “One Night In Blue”, “Hand Grenade – Nite Remix”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/uncreatedofficial

Label: www.conzoomrecords.de / www.facebook.com/conzoomofficial

Conzoom Records released “Symbiosis” on 12 November 2021, digitally and on CD. The eleven tracks are “In Harmony”, “One Night In Blue”, “Rebuild The Future”, “Embracing Your Ghost”, “Rush”, “Hand Grenade”, “Flaws and Mistakes”, “Alive”, “Find Your Way”, “Bleeding Out” and the NITE remix of “Hand Grenade”. The guest vocals come from Louise Marchione of Planet R, Björn Marius Borg of Xenturion Prime, Mikael Engström of Covered in Snow, Mark Hockings of Mesh, Richard Flow of Machinista and Arielle Andersson of Octolab.

Listen to “Symbiosis”:

About Uncreated

Uncreated is the solo project of Swedish musician Patrik Hansson, who also sings in the electropop band Vanguard. The project started in 2017 with “You Know Nothing”, followed by “Evolve” in 2018.

Conzoom Records began working with the project on the “Eternal” EP in 2019. The “Break Free” EP with Robert Enforsen of Elegant Machinery arrived in June 2020, the remix set “My Core Is Remixed” the same year, and the singles “Hand Grenade” and “Rebuild The Future” in 2021 before the label collected them on a CD EP.

“Symbiosis” followed in November 2021. Hansson set out the difference between his two projects in the Click Interview with Uncreated in May 2022, and had earlier guested on the Elektrostaub EP “We Are Dreamers” in March 2021.

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

Joel Rydström and Magnus Fransson set up Cat Rapes Dog in 1984. The Swedish duo got world-wide recognition in the 90s. The albums “Maximum Overdrive” (1989) and “God, Guns & Gasoline” (1990), both  released on KK Records, rapidly became references. The mix of harsh EBM and a truly punk attitude resulted in legendary hits such as “Motorhead”, “American Dream, “God, Guns & Gasoline” ao. The band went on releasing more albums such as “The Banzai Beats” (mini-album 1991), “Moosehair Underwear” (1993), “Biodegradable” (1995), “The Secrets Of God” (1998) and “People As Prey” (1999). After a long break, the album “Life Was Sweet” (2013) also is the last album of the band. Throughout the years some line-up changes happened; Annelie Bertilsson became an extra member. Later on Joel Rydström got replaced by John Lindqwister while Jonas Avertoft completed the band. Cat Rapes Dog is still doing live shows and is actually busy remastering the early works “Columna Vertebralis” (EP) and both debut albums “Maximum Overdrive” and “God, Guns & Gasoline”. A good reason to get in touch with Jonas to ask him a few questions about the band.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: What’s your feeling about the Covid 19 pandemic and its global impact on all artistic activities?

Jonas: I’s an awful situation and it destroys the things you love the most. Live music, meeting friends/family and drinking Absinthe in public… All gigs have been postponed to 2021.

Q: What does Cat Rapes Dog stand for in 2020? Are there further plans and a new album in the make?

Jonas: We’re actually sending demos to each other. Who knows? John is quite busy with his Machinista project. 

Q: You’re busy remastering the early works of the band. How does it feel bringing these productions alive

Jonas: You can’t polish a turd they say. But once in a while it works. Great! 

Q: Listening back to the song “American Dream” -which was released in 1990 (!), I get the feeling the lyrics still make sense today. How do you look back at this early hit and its content?

Jonas: To own a gun because you are afraid of guns? To protect yourself? That is like trying to scare an atheist with hell.

Q: Cat Rapes Dog was originally set up in 1984! The band went through a few line-up changes (or evolutions), but you’re all involved with the band and music for years now. A lot of things have changed so how do you perceive the (r)evolution in the music scene?

Jonas: Social media/streaming is so much better than before. It’s like flyers that you can distribute worldwide. You can basically organize a tour from your bed if you want to. Sure, sales go down maybe, but you have the world in your hands. Be creative!

Q: I can easily imagine there must be a chemistry between all of you, but probably also moments of disagreement and frustration. How does it all happen(ed)?

Jonas: We know each other quite well. No big dramas. We usually sort it out with wrestling nude or fist fighting.

Q: Cat Rapes Dog is a live band with a great reputation so what do you think about all those artists doing live streams during the pandemic?  

Jonas: Anything can happen live. If we’re having fun you might be sure it will be reflected on the audience. Live-streams are bullshit. No magic, no interaction, no, nothing!

Q: What have been the most memorable moments/facts in the band’s history and the most forgettable ones?

Jonas: I can’t remember anything….everything is a blur.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

(By our Norwegian correspondent Jan Ronald Stange / Tatra Records, Pitch Black Drive pressrelease) Apoptygma Berzerk have been very active in the recent years, and in 2016 we saw the release of the instrumental album “Exit Popularity Contest”, a hommage to Stephan Groths musical heroes and inspirations. Between doing remixes for Machinista, Peter Heppner and Page, APOP have also been playing concerts and festivals every year.

In 2018 APOP amazed everybody with the fantastic 25th Anniversary of their debut album, “Soli Deo Gloria”, and the reworked album “SDGXXV” that accompanied it, filled to the brim with legendary artists from the electronic scene doing stunning reworks of the old APOP classics!

The analogue instrumental album and the work with classic electronic artists inspired APOP to take the analogue sound into their traditional “pop” songs, enhancing them with the golden sound of electronic pop from the late 70’s and early 80’s, while also wrapping them in an electronic blanket covering your aural senses like a comfortable shroud.

Now the time has come for a new release in the form of an EP titled “Nein Danke!”.  It includes three brand new tracks; “Atom & Eve”, “A Battle For The Crown” and “Soma Coma”, and also several remixes, giving a total of seven tracks.
Estimated release date: end of September 2019.
Formats: CD EP, 12” EP and Digital EP

The teaser for the EP can be heard now from iTunes, Spotify, Tidal etc., and the tracks may also be purchased in high quality from Bandcamp!

PS! Don’t miss out on the following live dates if you’re able to attend!

August 15: Hannover (Capitol) (DE)
August 16: Dresden (Reithalle Strasse E) (DE)
August 17: Köln (Essigfabrik) (DE)
August 18: W-Festival / Waregem (BE)
August 24: Oslo (Parkteatret) (NO)
October 26: DarkMad Festival / Madrid/Pinto (ES)

Jan Ronald Stange

Sometimes – when I’m not cooking, biking, listening to music or attending concerts, I write stuff for Side-Line.com. Mostly about Norwegian bands, but it’s been some Swedish, English, American, Danish, German and others too… 😉

www.facebook.com/jrstange

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Swedish Machinista duo is back on track unleashing their third full length in history. The first album “Xenoglossy” was released in 2014 on Juggernaut Music Group, the second one “Garmonbozia” in 2015 on Analogue Trash Records while they now joined hands together with Infacted Recordings.

Content: Machinista remains faithful to their electro-pop sound formula, which they demonstrated with real talent on songs such “Arizona Lights” and “Salvation”. If you’re familiar with the band’s discography you’ll easily recognize this efficient and danceable electro-pop style. But I also noticed a few ‘harder’ cuts revealing bass lines reminding me to Eisfabrik. Next to the most danceable cuts, “Anthropocene” also brings a few softer, reverie-like songs.

+ + + : Machinista has for sure gained some maturity. The song writing remains interesting and even efficient at different songs, but the global sound production is much better now. The work reveals several beautiful songs for their emotional aspect –which is also noticeable in the vocal parts, but especially for their power to get people dancing! If you like Eisfabrik I highly recommend discovering “Let Darkness In” and “The Scare – Version”. The title song is also worthy of examination and reminds me a bit of early Apoptygma Berzerk. And if you prefer ‘traditional’ Machinista songs you for sure are going to like “Seconds Minutes Hours” and “Pain Of Every Day”.

– – – : I’m not that fond and less convinced by the softer passages from the album. There’s nothing wrong with softer cuts, but songs such as “Astrid” and “Universe Is Here” don’t belong to the band’s best exposures.

Conclusion: Machinista has signed a deal with a major label from the electronic alternative scene and that’s for sure an opportunity for this interesting band to gain a wider recognition.

Best songs: “The Scare – Version”, “Let Darkness In”, “Anthropocene”, “Seconds Minutes Hours”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.machinistamusic.com / www.facebook.com/machinistamusic

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

About Machinista

Machinista is a Swedish synth-pop duo of John Lindqwister and Richard Flow. Lindqwister also records as Cat Rapes Dog, while Flow is also a member of Vision Talk. The duo’s discography includes the album “Garmonbozia” (2015, AnalogueTrash) and the “Black Tide” EP (2018, Infacted Recordings), which preceded “Anthropocene”.

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.

Background/Info: This is the next EP/single released by Patrik Hansson (Vanguard) and another song that will get featured on Uncreated’s debut album “Eternal”.

Content: The title song is totally devoted to electro-pop music. It sounds catchy and just like on the “Evolve”-EP driven by dance beats. “Not Your Soldier” has been remixed by Machinista, Rotersand, DNTR and Random Starlight. The B-side track “At The Front” will not be featured on the full length and is another danceable and melodic song.

+ + + : “Not Your Soldier” features the requested elements to speak about a successful electro-pop song; it’s catchy, melodic, dance and featuring a talented vocalist. I like the remix made by Machinista while the one by Rotersand will for sure catch wider attention. The B-side track sounds definitely more than simple filler.

– – – : Compared to the “Evolve”-EP this one is less ‘sexy’ and convincing although it remains an honest EP. I also expected a bit more from the remixes.

Conclusion: “Not Your Soldier” is a cool song, but it’s not that evident to release a new potential ‘master hit’ after the phenomenal “Evolve”!

Best songs: “Not Your Soldier – Machinista Remix”, “Not Your Soldier”, “Not Your Soldier – Rotersand Remake”. 

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/uncreatedofficial

Label: www.conzoomrecords.de / www.facebook.com/conzoomofficial

About Uncreated

Uncreated is the solo project of Swedish musician Patrik Hansson, previously known for his main act Vanguard. “Not Your Soldier,” reviewed here, is one of two 2019 Conzoom Records EPs – alongside “Evolve” – that fed into Uncreated’s debut album, “Eternal.”

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.

Background/Info: John Lindqwister (also involved with Cat Rapes Dog) and Richard Flow (also member of Vision Talk) are back on track with this new 4-track EP. “Black Tide” is an appetizer to welcome this Swedish duo’s third full length album planned for the end of this year.

Content: Machinsta stands for pure synth-pop music in the purest Swedish tradition. Next to the title song, which is also featured as ‘demo’-version you’ll discover 2 remixes of the song “Dark Heart Of Me”, which was originally released on their previous album “Garmonbozia” (2015). The remixes have been accomplished by Apoptygma Berzerk and DNTR.

+ + + : The title song is cool and I especially like the chorus, but the real attention grabber is the old-styled 80s sounding remix of “Dark Heart Of Me” by Apoptygma Berzerk. It injects an exciting vintage flavor to the work.

– – – : As I already said “Black Tide” is a cool song, but definitely not the best Machinista-song I’ve ever heard. I expect a bit more from the new album.

Conclusion: Except a great remix from an ‘old’ song by Apoptygma Berzerk, this EP is an honest, but not a groundbreaking production.

Best songs: “Dark Heart Of Me – Apoptygma Berzerk Remix”, “Black Tide”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.machinistamusic.com / www.facebook.com/machinistamusic

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

About Machinista

Machinista is a Swedish synth-pop duo of John Lindqwister and Richard Flow, also known respectively for Cat Rapes Dog and Vision Talk. The band released “Xenoglossy” (2014), “Garmonbozia” (2015) and “Let Darkness In” (2017) before “Black Tide”, a 2018 EP previewing the album “Anthropocene” (2019). The EP revisits “Dark Heart Of Me” from “Garmonbozia” in remixes by Apoptygma Berzerk and DNTR.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

(By our Norwegian correspondent Jan Ronald Stange) In the aftermath of the Electro Spectre remix contest, I had a chat with one of the remixers about… remixing! SnifferGod, aka Alex Møklebust from Zeromancer and Seigmen, produced one of the best remixes of the 20-something tracks that Electro Spectre received, and I thought it would be interesting to hear what he had to say about remixing in general, the creative process behind, his analogue gear, and other things related to remixing other peoples music.

As I was working on this interview, I was tipped that another fellow Norwegian musician, also probably most known abroad, had recently done a couple of remixes himself. Read what Stephan Groth, the main force behind Apoptygma Berzerk, had to say about remixing after Alex’ part.

Side-Line: What’s your incentive for remixing?

Alex: The main – and fun! – thing about remixing is the freedom to do what you want! And most times there’s no high pressure to deliver, but with everything else going on at the same time one usually ends up feeling there’s little time to do it anyway. On this particular occasion I did it all by myself, often I remix as Zeromancer and are joined by one or two of the other guys, adding a guitar, bass or something else to make a recognizable connection to the Zeromancer sound.

S-L: When starting a remix you are receiving the original version – do you often listen to it and immediately thinks “I would’ve done this and that different”?

A: No, not really, I don’t think as a producer when starting a remix, not thinking about arrangements. Its more about breaking all the rules, but if course there’s one exception to breaking the rules; if its destined for radio there’s considerations to be made. If I’d had more time on this particular remix I’d make it longer. I’m 47 years old, grew up when the 12” singles started arriving with those extended versions and long remixes of songs.

The first thing I do is to listen to the various part of the track, to hear if a verse, refrain, bridge or an interlude triggers something I want to work with and program my own version from. What I kept from the original (except the vocal) is their pad, but made it a bit thinner, and I used a melody line underneath my own too.
Then I started with the bass and drums, and work on a sequence until I need another part to build on. Usually I get an idea from a sound I get a kick off and build on that, sometimes I import all the stems (separate sound files of vocals, bass, drums, etc) and search for ideas there, but that often depends of what I actually receive. Some send all the files of the track, some just the vocal.

S-L: You asked for the vocal stems without any effects for your version of the Electro Spectre remix – why?

A: I wanted to make a hall reverb effect on the vocal myself and pitch it higher, so it was easier for me to that with the raw vocal, and added some vocoder too at the start. I also like it a bit dirty, so there several noisy elements added.
The arrangement comes later; first I have bits and pieces of ideas for verses and refrains, moving them back and forth until I find what’ll move the track forward.

I use a lot of modular synths, and also some soft synths – depending on what’ll fit the track. But of course, working with the modular synth are always more fun, even playful. Sometimes I wish I had an education within low current electricity, maybe still not to late? Then I could’ve fixed synths when they break, and thus be able to spend even more time nerding with them.

S-L: Are there any configurations or settings on your synths that you have kept, thinking “this is for Zeromancer” or something else?

A: No, I mostly use the modular synths for ideas and random stuff to add some mobility to other sounds using filters and so on. Fiddling about with my modular gear is often a big part of getting inspiration, both when doing remixes and getting ideas for new songs, even without a plan you get results.
The most important parts when remixing: don’t assume its to be played on the radio or try to make it that way, don’t lose that boy-in-the-bedroom feeling – and keep it fun!

S-L: You also been busy with producing and mixing Ljungblut recently?

A: Yes, I’ve been recording them during live sessions, did some overdub afterwards and then mixed the upcoming album this summer. Will also be doing some programming for other artists in the coming months. Not yet decided what to do with Zeromancer after Dan have left, started on some new songs, but put them on pause, the same with the announced new single that was supposed to be releases in 2018.

For those who still haven’t heard this gem of a remix – here it is with the rest of the EP:

Sniffergod/Zeromancer remixes available on Spotify right now:

Stephan Groth also had a lot of thoughts about remixing:

S-L: What’s your main driving force for doing remixes?

Stp: I always enjoyed remixing. It is a lot of fun, as well as a great promotion tool. I experiment a lot when remixing, testing out new hardware and software, new styles, grooves, sounds and techniques that I will later integrate in my own songs.

S-L: When starting a remix you are receiving the original version – do you often listen to it and immediately thinks “I would’ve done this and that different”? Or consider other options?

Stp: Yes, I instantly hear If I can make the song “better” or make a different and interesting version or not. If I don’t get ideas right away, after listening to the song once or twice, I rather not remix the track.
My approach to remixing was always trying to make the song “mine” in a way. I`ll try to rearrange the song so that it sounds like it’s an APOP song. I want to leave my vibe/feel all over it, and hopefully create something that is unique and interesting. When remixes are too close to the original it often gets boring, unless it adds something unique that the original version lacked.

S-L: You ever add own voices or other elements instead of or in addition to the original stems/raw material?

Stp: Yes! I try to add as many of my own elements as possible, and try to use as few of the original sounds as possible. Normally I only keep the vocals and other important lead elements. I record my own vocals quite often as well, but most of the time I “cover them up” or bury them in the mix so that no one can really tell. I do this only if
I want to add certain harmonies, or if I feel that the vocal arrangement is lacking something.

S-L: What gear do you use? PC, Mac, software, (modular) synths, other stuff?

Stp: I have always only used Mac, except for in the very beginning when I used Atari. I am using Cubase and a few soft-synths and samplers, but 90% of what you hear in an APOP remix is from my modular synths and from my analog hardware synths. I used to use soft-synths a lot back when they were new and exciting, but I have a very nice collection of vintage synths, so I rather use them.

S-L: Are there any configurations or settings on your gear/synths that you have kept, thinking “this is for an Apop remix”, “this is for an Apop track”, or something else?

Stp: I used to never save my presets, because I did not want to use the same sounds again and again. That has changed over the years, lol!
I guess I have gotten more lazy with age.

S-L: What’s your most recent remixes?

Stp: Mortiis – “Sins of Mine”, Page – “Krasch”, Machinista – “Dark Heart of Me” and Peter Heppner – “All Is Shadow” (all included in the playlist below).

S-L: And what’s your all time favorite remixes, both your own and others?

Stp: I think the remix I did for Tobias Bernstrup, “Moments Lost (Apoptygma Berzerk remix)” turned out really good, and then there is an old remix that I did on an Icon Of Coil song called “Repeat It” that I think really stood the test of time.

One of my all-time favorite remixes is Hardfloor’s remix of Mory Kante’s “Yeke Yeke” – the perfect remix! 

While we are on the subject of remixes and collaborations… I would like to mention our upcoming 2xLP/CD/Cassette release “SDGXXV”  that will be out spring 2019 via Tatra Records and Artoffact Records. The album is almost done, and it will feature remixes and collaborations with electronic acts and artists that I admire.
As soon as we have a release date planned, we’ll give you all the names of the bands involved, but for now, that’s all I can tell you 🙂

Listen to a lot Apop remixes here – thanx to Per Aksel Lundgreen for adding to my list!

For more on seigmen, see Seigmen crowdfunding exceeds all expectations – 102% funded in just 4… on Side-Line.

Jan Ronald Stange

Sometimes – when I’m not cooking, biking, listening to music or attending concerts, I write stuff for Side-Line.com. Mostly about Norwegian bands, but it’s been some Swedish, English, American, Danish, German and others too… 😉

www.facebook.com/jrstange

The Swedish act Machinista are working hard on the final tracks for their upcoming album “Anthropocene”. But you won’t have to wait that long to hear new material from the band as they have now released a brand new single, “Let darkness in”.

“Let darkness in” features Dirk Scheuber (SCHEUBER, Project Pitchfork) on guest-vocals and is backed by the b-side “Universe is here” taken from the upcoming album. You can listen to it 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

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Machinista strikes back with a brand-new song entitled “Pain Of Every Day”. The Swedish electro-pop formation gained some recognition with their two full length albums and a few hits like “Arizona Lights” and “Salvation”. Next to the digital format there also is a cassette available. Next to the title song you get 6 remixes.

Content: The title song sounds pretty Machinista-like. It’s pure electro-pop music carried by a carrying lead and a solid chorus. Remixes have been made by Assemblage 23, Cyborgdrive, Raw Nerves, Antibody, Oren Amram and W Trebor.

+ + + : “Pain Of Every Day” is a honest title song, which will please the fans of the band. I was impressed by some of the remixes. Raw Nerves did a great instrumental job while I also have to mention the clubby and simply beautiful remix by Oren Amram. In a more 80s spirit I recommend the remix by Antibody.

– – – : “Pain Of Every Day” is a cool song, but not what I would call a new hit by Machinista. I’m missing some extra volume in the production and especially the vocals could have been better. The remix of Assemblage 23 is cool as well, but I expected a bit more from such a great artist.

Conclusion: “Pain Of Every Day” is a nice collector’s item and confirms the resurrection of cassettes. It’s pretty old-school for a band that sounds definitely into modern electro-pop music.

Best songs: “Pain Of Every Day – Raw Nerves Mix”, “Pain Of Every Day – Oren Amram Club Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.machinistamusic.com / www.facebook.com/machinistamusic

Label: www.analoguetrash.co.uk / www.facebook.com/analoguetrashofficial

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, body-pop, electro-ambient.

Background/Info: Based in Manchester (UK), AnalogueTrash Records is one of the few growing labels from the past few years. The label is mainly devoted to electronic-pop music and has already released multiple cool releases and at the same time made us discover promising new bands. This label sampler mixes familiar label bands and a few, new discoveries as well.

Bands: Machinista, IIOIOIOII, FoxxyNewPort, Advance, Neonsol, SYD.31, Atomzero, Def Neon, Vain Machine, Vieon, Needle Factory, Factory Acts ao.

Content: This label sampler clearly reveals the taste of the label, which is mainly centered on electro-pop driven standards. The label roster features world-wide formations, but mainly British and American bands.

AnalogueTrash is not exactly into the ‘traditional’ synth-pop standards, but opens a window upon bands mixing elements of pop with dance music and groovy sequences. There also is an interesting number of space-ambient-like minded bands while others are more into darker pop formats and even a kind of electro-rock and pop music.

The sampler reveals a selection of already familiar tracks, but still an interesting number of remixes.

+ + + : A label sampler always is an opportunity to get a better view of their roster and AnalogueTrash definitely features great ‘pop-troops’ driven by carrying pop of Machinista, the sexy dance-pop of FoxxyNewPort, the dark dance-pop of Neonsol, the heavier and into power-like SYD.31 and a more experimental and minimal-sounding remix of Atomzero. Among the few bands, which aren’t (yet) signed on the label I discovered the interesting Tregenza, which also made the aforementioned remix of Atomzero.

– – – : This label sampler is fully enjoyable although the bands aren’t always featured with their best cuts… even if this is a question of taste. The label also seems to be mainly focused on finding new bands while they’re maybe missing an already recognized and more famous band, which could increase the fame of the label.

Conclusion: AnalogueTrash Records is a label is fully respect and support, not only because they’re revealing promising new bands with a great taste of music, but also because it’s one of the few, new labels from the past years bringing us something extra.

Best bands: FoxxyNewPort, Factory Acts, Machinista, SYD.31, Neonsol, Atomzero.

Rate: (7½).

Label: www.analoguetrash.co.uk / www.facebook.com/analoguetrashofficial

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 in a few weeks – and available here – is the massive tribute album “Heresy – A Tribute to Rational Youth”. The release features 19 artists from 6 countries reinterpreting the legendary electronic group’s best loved songs across 3 vinyl records packaged in a double gatefold sleeve.

Contributors to Heresy include several familiar faces from the electronic music scene: Robert Enforsen (Elegant Machinery), Psyche, Parralox, Machinista or Technomancer Feat. Angst Pop. Two former members of Rational Youth, Kevin Komoda (Rekk) and Dave Rout (Datafreq/The Beautiful Spies) also are present rebooting the classic tracks.

Rational Youth also feature on “Heresy” with “This Side of the Border”, a track taken from their recent EP, “Future Past Tense”.

No digital download is available, and the full album will not appear on any streaming service – “Heresy” is being released as a physical product only. The limited edition package includes 2 LPs in heavy-grade 180gm vinyl, a 12” single (also in 180gm vinyl), and 2 CDs with all of the vinyl content. You can check the full track list right here.

Here’s another look at what you can expect!

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

UPDATE: The ‘blue version’ was sold out, but our mail-order partner succeeded in securing 25 more copies, order it right here if you want one.

While Front 242 is reigning the Bandcamp charts with their free EP “Detix Static” a small German label has announced the release of a 3CD tribute to Front 242. The first edition comes in a blue design and is limited to just 242 copies (you can order it right here).

The 3CDs feature 16 bands on each CD for a total of 48 bands (you’ll recognise various more well known bands such as Leather Strip, PNE, Kant Kino, Machinista, etc). In total you get 48 covers of Front 242 classics. The brain behind this project is Stefan Rukavina whom you might know from the German Radio Body Music, a label and radio station entirely dedicated to the genres EBM, Anhalt EBM, dark electro, synthpop, futurepop, N.D.W., electronic 80s, industrial and experimental music.

You can order this limited edition set right here.

Artists/ Tracks CD2:

01 OVERGAMENT–Body to Body
02 MECHATRONIC–Operating Tracks
03 THE PAIN MACHINERY – U-Men
04 MRDTC-Least Inkling
05 D-F-O-W–He runs too fast for us
06 LEAETHER STRIP – Don’t crash
07 KANT KINO–Lovely Day
08 EUFORIC EXISTENCE–No Shuffle
09 HUMAN NIHIL – Quite unusual
10 SUBSTAAT-Circling overland
11 RHESUS FACTOR & RIO BLACK-Headhunter
12 VAINERZ-Sacrifice
13 NEOTEK feat. MACHINE SOLDIER-Moldavia
14 BICHROM-Gripped by Fear
15 POST MACHINERY ENVIRONMENT-Tragedy for You
16 GIMME SHELTER–Soulmanager

Artists/ Tracks CD2:

01 TOLCHOCK-U-Men
02 KAPITAL-Kinetics
03 SHARON NEXT-GVDT
04 PLASTIC NOISE EXPERIENCE-Operating Tracks
05 SYSTEM 84-No Shuffle
06 56 DEGREES NORTH-Don’t crash
07 EVO-LUTION-Controversy between
08 VAYLON feat. LEAETHER STRIP-Quite unusual
09 747 FEDERALES-Circling overland
10 TRILOGY-Im Rhythmus bleiben
11 AD:KEY-Work 242
12 WERKSFRONT-Never stop
13 IN GOOD FAITH-Masterhit
14 VUDUVOX-Headhunter
15 STERIL-Animal
16 PATENBRIGADE: WOLFF-Mutilate

Artists/ Tracks CD3:

01 LES BERRTAS-U-Men
02 reADJUST-Take One
03 MACHINISTA-No Shuffle
04 26Z-Until Death (us do Part)
05 NINE CIRCLES-U-Men
06 THE FORCE DIMENSION-No Shuffle
07 MORTAL MEMORIES-Quite unusual
08 R.B.M.K.-Punish Your Machine
09 SCHRAMM-Headhunter
10 NAKED TEARS-Moldavia
11 DKDENT-No Shuffle (Electone Mix)
12 K-BEREIT-Together
13 DPOINT-U-Men
14 AUDIOTHERAPIE-No Shuffle
15 LASTRAX-Circling overland
16 DROID SECTOR DECAY-Neurobashingc

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

UPDATE: The ‘blue version’ is almost sold out, 5 copies left, order it right here if you want one.

While we are all waiting for news from the Front 242 front (update: the news is live now, there’s a new free downloadable remix EP) a small German label has announced the release of a 3CD tribute to Front 242. The first edition comes in a blue design and is limited to just 242 copies (you can order it right here).

The 3CDs feature 16 bands on each CD for a total of 48 bands (you’ll recognise various more well known bands such as Leather Strip, PNE, Kant Kino, Machinista, etc). In total you get 48 covers of Front 242 classics. The brain behind this project is Stefan Rukavina whom you might know from the German Radio Body Music, a label and radio station entirely dedicated to the genres EBM, Anhalt EBM, dark electro, synthpop, futurepop, N.D.W., electronic 80s, industrial and experimental music.

You can order this limited edition set right here.

Artists/ Tracks CD2:

01 OVERGAMENT–Body to Body
02 MECHATRONIC–Operating Tracks
03 THE PAIN MACHINERY – U-Men
04 MRDTC-Least Inkling
05 D-F-O-W–He runs too fast for us
06 LEAETHER STRIP – Don’t crash
07 KANT KINO–Lovely Day
08 EUFORIC EXISTENCE–No Shuffle
09 HUMAN NIHIL – Quite unusual
10 SUBSTAAT-Circling overland
11 RHESUS FACTOR & RIO BLACK-Headhunter
12 VAINERZ-Sacrifice
13 NEOTEK feat. MACHINE SOLDIER-Moldavia
14 BICHROM-Gripped by Fear
15 POST MACHINERY ENVIRONMENT-Tragedy for You
16 GIMME SHELTER–Soulmanager

Artists/ Tracks CD2:

01 TOLCHOCK-U-Men
02 KAPITAL-Kinetics
03 SHARON NEXT-GVDT
04 PLASTIC NOISE EXPERIENCE-Operating Tracks
05 SYSTEM 84-No Shuffle
06 56 DEGREES NORTH-Don’t crash
07 EVO-LUTION-Controversy between
08 VAYLON feat. LEAETHER STRIP-Quite unusual
09 747 FEDERALES-Circling overland
10 TRILOGY-Im Rhythmus bleiben
11 AD:KEY-Work 242
12 WERKSFRONT-Never stop
13 IN GOOD FAITH-Masterhit
14 VUDUVOX-Headhunter
15 STERIL-Animal
16 PATENBRIGADE: WOLFF-Mutilate

Artists/ Tracks CD3:

01 LES BERRTAS-U-Men
02 reADJUST-Take One
03 MACHINISTA-No Shuffle
04 26Z-Until Death (us do Part)
05 NINE CIRCLES-U-Men
06 THE FORCE DIMENSION-No Shuffle
07 MORTAL MEMORIES-Quite unusual
08 R.B.M.K.-Punish Your Machine
09 SCHRAMM-Headhunter
10 NAKED TEARS-Moldavia
11 DKDENT-No Shuffle (Electone Mix)
12 K-BEREIT-Together
13 DPOINT-U-Men
14 AUDIOTHERAPIE-No Shuffle
15 LASTRAX-Circling overland
16 DROID SECTOR DECAY-Neurobashing

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 synthpop band Vision Talk is back on track with a brand new song and with the original lineup that started the band in 2008, namely Krister Pettersson and Richard Flow. The band decided to split up in 2013 and since then they have both been busy with other bands. Krister started the solo-project SwedIt that is synthpop/italo
where he works with different singers on each track while Richard has been busy with the electronic/alternative pop band Machinista that currently has started to work on their album nr 3.

The first sign of life from Vision Talk in many years is the new track “Come with me” that the band has put up on soundcloud:

There are no concrete plans for the future but Richard seems confident enough that more material will follow: “We will record some more stuff so we have new material for a little party-gig we will do this spring. If this ends up with a new album or EP later on, let´s see! But we are definitely back! There were a lot of members coming and going in Vision Talk back in the days but now we have this smooth thing with just me and Krister. Just like when we formed the band 8 years ago.”

For the latest news, follow Vision Talk on their facebook.

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 now is a brand new free download compilation compiled by Synth Radio: the Camouflage tribute compilation “The Great Compliment”. “The Great Compliment” holds 20 tracks in total and you can preview it below, and download it right here.

The 20 bands included are Substaat, Intent Outtake, Sad January, Parralox, WANTed, Edenfeld, Spreading Point, Machinista, Модуль, Vaylon, deZeption, 56 Degrees North, Supercraft, Rayphonic, Equatronic, Fate Creator, Last Phase, TourDeForce, Radiomun, Halovox.

These acts have been covering the following songs: “Love Is a Shield”, “Sooner Than We Think”, “Helpless”, “Stranger’s Thoughts”, “Me and You”, “Where Has the Childhood Gone”, “They Catch Secrets”, “I Can’t Feel You”, “Spice Crackers”, “That Smiling Face”, “The Great Commandment”, “Here She Comes”, “Feeling Down”, “Crime”, “One Fine Day”, “Motif Sky”, “Conversation”, “X-Ray”, “Suspicious Love”, “Together”.

Here’s a preview of the 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

Genre/Influences: Industrial-rave, breakbeats.

Content: Operating from Manchester (UK) Syd.31 unleashed its 2nd EP to the world. The least I can say is that this formation set up by Dr Magic can be simply one of the hottest new sensations in electro land.

“Drowning In Air” features 4 new songs plus a surprising cover version. One of the main sources of inspiration clearly appears to be The Prodigy. Syd.31 experiments with breakbeats injecting a great dynamic and power into the songs, but also some of the sound treatments remind me of the raw and techno-industrial style of The Prodigy. Some other technoid elements remind me to Ultraviolence, which is a somewhat forgotten British master of electronic underground. All those elements have been mixed with a hard industrial-rave style creating a merciless and exciting sound.

It’s not really a surprise that Noisuf-X did the mastering of this EP while contributing to the most surprising song of the EP. The cover version of “Mr. Vain” (originally performed by Culture Beat) is not exactly the kind of song you expect to be covered by a dark-electro formation. It’s fun, it’s totally weird, but ultra danceable and you clearly ill recognize the hard and dry, stumping kick of Noisuf-X.

But this is of course not the main song of this EP. The songs “Disorder” and “Hate” are more appropriated to get an idea about this formation. It all reassembles the aforementioned influences resulting in a dangerous sonic bomb. “Hate” appears to be a potential hit, perfectly illustrating the modern technological approach of this band.

But there’s more to enjoy and I here refer to the song “No Fear”, which is driven by d’n’b inspired rhythms while the sound treatments remain pretty raw and technoid-minded. The song “Revolution” is the one that reminds me a bit to the sometimes hard-core driven Ultraviolence.

Notice by the way that multiple guest artists have been invited to accomplish this EP. I already mentioned Jan L (Noisuf-X), but you’ll also discover names like Kommand + Kontrol and Paresis & Beinaheleidenschaftsgegenstand while Grendel’s J.D. Tucker produced 4 from the 5 songs (“Mr. Vain” being produced by Jan L).

A last element consists of the vocals, which mix numerous samplings and a rather harsh way of singing.

Conclusion: AnalogueTrash Records already have a few cool bands like Machinista, Atomzero, Advance, Neonsol ao, but Syd.31 could rapidly become their biggest sensation. This is a real astonishing release.

Best songs: “Hate”, “Disorder”, “Revolution”.

Rate: (DP:9)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/Syd31

Label: www.analoguetrash.co.uk / www.facebook.com/analoguetrashofficial

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: Synth-pop.

Content: While the new album (cf. “Garmonbozia”) of Machinista is still in the flow, this new release is a look back to the band’s debut album “Xenoglossy”. This great piece of synth-pop music was originally released in 2014 by Juggernaut Music. This re-edition features the original album plus an extra disc with 13 remixes.

AnalogueTrash did a similar release for Atomzero’s “Symbiosis”.
Speaking for myself, I am more into the work of “Xenoglossy” revealing the great synth-pop approach of ex-Cat Rapes Dog member John Lindqwister and ex-Vision Talk member Richard Flow. Some of the finest cuts remain the ones you maybe discovered at the EP “Arizona Lights”. Songs like “Salvation”, “Pushing The Angels Astray”, “Wasted” and “Arizona Lights” belong to the best of synth-pop music.

The sound of this band is characterized by melancholic sequences and ultra, carrying and melodic leads. Lindqwister is a talented and charismatic singer so in the end we have to admit that all requested ingredients to obtain a great synth-pop release have been assembled.

But next to the familiar songs originally featured at the “Arizona Lights”-EP this work reveals a few more surprises. “Molecules And Carbon” is one more sonic illustration of the great writing skills of the band. Efficient synth-pop music is precisely what emerges from this track, which is melodic and danceable.

“Xenoglossy” is filled with multiple catchy passages. The danceable aspect is quite present on this album although a few quieter pieces are featured as well. This is not exactly their most sexy side although it brings a nice twist between ‘harder’- and ‘softer’ cuts.

The last track is a noticeable one as well. Machinista realized a cover version of the legendary Bowie song “Heroes”. The song is quite recognizable and I think this is the kind of cut that would be especially praised during live shows.

The 2nd disc reveals 13 remixes. This is maybe an unlucky number, but we here can speak about an exception to the rule. There are 5 remixes of “Molecules And Carbon” plus remixes of songs like “Take Comfort In Being Sad”, “Salvation”, “Pushing The Angels Astray”, “Crash” and “The Blues And The Reds”.

A nice twist of more recognized- and upcoming bands have been invited to show their skills in remixing. I heard excellent remixes from bands like Tolchock and Spacebuoy, but I also have to mention Vogon Poetry and the minimalism of Judas plus 2 remixes by Erotic Elk.

Conclusion: “Xenoglossy” remains a brilliant piece of synth-pop in the purest Swedish tradition while the bonus disc reveals a few cool remixes. There are several hits on this debut full length!

Best songs: “Salvation”, “Molecules And Carbon”, “Arizona Lights”, “Pushing The Angels Astray” + “Molecules And Carbon – Spacebuoy Glam dance Mix”, “Salvation – Mostly harmless Remix by Vogon Poetry”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.machinistamusic.com / www.facebook.com/machinistamusic

Label: www.analoguetrash.co.uk / www.facebook.com/analoguetrashofficial

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

Machinista has been on our radar for quite some time and the Swedish duo have proven quite well they deserve their spot in the electropop scene. Machinista are now set to release a special two disc edition of their debut album “Xenoglossy” this November (orders are available here).

Originally released in 2014 on Juggernaut Media Group in limited quantities, “Xenoglossy” is the precursor to their well received second album “Garmonbozia” which debuted this June via UK-based label AnalogueTrash.

The 2CD set, called “Xenoglossy [Expanded Edition]”, is officially released on the 6th of November as a double disc, 6 panel digifile CD edition with 13 brand new remixes by the likes of IIOIOIOII, Vogon Poetry and Spacebuoy and exclusive artwork from the band.

Pre-orders are available now directly from AnalogueTrash. A highly recommended release! Below is a video for “Molecules And Carbon” as featured on Machinista’s debut 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: Synth-pop.

Content: It all started with the impressive “Xenoglossy”-full length, released by Juggernaut Music Group during 2014 revealing a few outstanding synth-pop songs like “Salvation” and “Arizona Lights”. The Swedish duo joined hands with the growing AnalogueTrash Records to unleash their new album.

“Garmonbozia” reveals similar synth-pop ingredients and a well-crafted work. John Lindqwister and Richard Flow both are experienced artists who perfectly know how to make good pop music. From the very first notes and arrangements you’ll notice this kind of typical ‘Swedish’ synth-pop sound reminding you of some of their most famous compatriots in the genre. “Dark Heart Of Me” is a well-crafted song revealing fine bleeping treatments and a somewhat new-wave like bass line. It’s a rather catchy song with some moody passages.

The next attention grabber is “The Bombs” for featuring guest vocals by Mårten Kellerman (Statemachine). The song has nothing in common with the power-pop of Statemachine, but seems to accentuate a kind of moody atmosphere running through most of the songs.

The 2nd part of the “Garmonbozia” reveals several different cool songs although I can’t say that there’s a new “Salvation” among the tracklist. I’m missing a kind of absolute ‘hit’ with a catchy climax although I fully enjoyed songs like “Battered” and “In Between And Above It All”. Both songs are totally danceable and accomplished with some nice vintage touch (especially at “Battered”). We here for sure get the best part of “Garmonbozia”.

I still have to mention the final song “Train”, which is an interesting one for the injection of guitar playing (by an artist called Judas) adding an extra moody element to the music. It all remains pretty pop-like, but it still adds an interesting indie flavor, which eventually can be a new path to explore.

Conclusion: While I became totally addicted to the “Xenoglossy”-album this new work reveals multiple cool songs, but no absolute highlights.

Best songs: “Battered”, “We Are Rockets”, “In Between And Above It All”, “Dark Heart Of Me”.

Rate: (DP:7)DP.

Band: www.machinistamusic.com / www.facebook.com/machinistamusic

Label: www.analoguetrash.co.uk / www.facebook.com/analoguetrashofficial

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