Genre/Influences: Minimal-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: French-Spanish Pedro Peñas Robles is a renowned artist who has been involved with different sonic projects but he’s also a DJ, performer, author and label owner (Unknown Pleasures Records). This work is getting us back to his most ‘famous’ music project HIV+ featuring a fine selection of twenty nine songs he released all over the years with other artists.

Content: Robles collaborated with very famous artists like The hacker, Millimetric, Chris Shape, Blind Delon, Adriano Canzian, Maman Küsters ao. The album is featuring original songs, cover versions (from Liaisons Dangereuses, DAF and The Normal) and remixes (by bands like Absolute Body Control, Radical G, Equitant, Marc Hurtado, Cruise [CTRL] ao) but also songs from one of his side-projects Adan+Ilse. The work brings us back to Minimal-Electro/EBM on which Pedro added his vocals.

+ + + : I first of all salute the artwork of the CD-edit but next there’s the content. I think it totally stands for the EBM-style the artist has often revealed by different releases on his own label. Solid bass lines, danceable beats, and a few, harsh, Industrial elements, bringing 80s EBM alive. On top of it all there’s the powerful and sexy voice of Robles. The list of ‘friends’ he has worked with is impressive and often resulted in a great symbiosis between music and vocals.

– – – : I’m less convinced by the different cover versions (cf. “Warm Leatherette”, “Los Niños Del Parque” and “Der Mussolini”). It’s always tricky covering legendary songs which I think are more suited to live performances instead of an album.

Conclusion: This is a great opportunity to re-discover HIV+ (which seems to be no longer active) and his collaboration with great, Electronic, artists.

Best songs: The Hacker & HIV+ “Novö Diskö – Remix by Alek Drive”, Dave Inox & HIV+ “Miss Conceptual – Remix By Raul Parra”, Oliver & HIV+ “Neither Wise Nor”, Radikal Kuss & HIV+ “Ça Suffit!”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/havoc2027

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

Listen to “Spanish Electronic Body Music”:

About HIV+

HIV+ is a project of Pedro Peñas y Robles, a French-Spanish artist native to southern Spain and based in France. He began working as a DJ in 1987 and started an experimental music career in 2000, citing Esplendor Geometrico, SPK and Throbbing Gristle among his influences. He also runs the label Unknown Pleasures Records. “Spanish Electronic Body Music”, a double-CD collection of twenty nine songs released on Zoharum on October 30, 2023, gathers scattered singles and collaborations from across his catalog.

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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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Genre/Influences: Minimal EBM, Dark-Techno.

Format: Digital, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Established in Barcelona (Spain) this Ukrainian female artist has already released several albums and EP’s. She’s also running Endorphin.es Production, which is the perfect platform to release her work. “Industrial Symphony” was released in 2020 and features seven songs. The album has been mixed by Gaël Loison from Maman Küsters for, which Julia sung a song on their last album “L’Extase De La Terreur”.

Content: Julia Bondar defines her sound as ‘modular techno’, which mainly indicates the approach of her work. The magic of analogue synthesizers are rapidly coming through, creating an icy feeling. The tracks are driven by slow Techno kicks mixed with Julia’s sensual timbre of voice –which is sung a whispering way. There’s also a rather experimental approach, which you’ll notice in the impressive palette of noises running through the last part of the work. The very last track has something pretty ambient-driven, which has nothing to do with any Techno format.

+ + + : More and more artists are getting back to modular synths, creating something apart and unique. There’s magic running through this album and that’s not only because of the synths, but also the inhibited atmosphere created by the artist. Julia Bondar creates intelligent music and especially the 3 first tracks are simply brilliant for their danceable aspect and icy sound treatments.

– – – : Julia Bondar is not exactly the kind of artist easy to label. She’s composing somewhere in between EBM and Techno and that’s maybe not the most accessible sound although great for underground parties.

Conclusion: This work is divided between great, danceable cuts right in the opening part and a more Ambient approach in the final part. It however sounds like an album you have to discover!

Best songs: “Fire”, “Running With The Wolves”, “Strength In Softness”, “Power Of Presence”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: https://linktr.ee/juliabondar /

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003721049223

Label: https://endorphin.es /

www.facebook.com/theendorphines

About Julia Bondar

Julia Bondar is a Ukrainian electronic artist based in Barcelona, Spain. She runs the label Endorphin.es Production, through which she releases her own work, and has contributed vocals to a track on Maman Küsters‘ album “L’Extase De La Terreur”.

“Industrial Symphony”, released in 2020 on digital and vinyl formats, features seven tracks mixed by Gaël Loison and describes its own sound as “modular techno”.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, minimal-electro.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: The French duo Maman Küsters is back on track and has released their new album earlier this year. Gaël Loison (music) and Cyril Pansal (vocals) got some help from famous contributors like Franck Kartell (synths) and Julia Bondar (vocals). Notice by the way the vinyl edition has been released by  Oràculo Records featuring only five songs while the digital and CD edits are featuring twelve tracks.

Content: The album features 6 new songs and 6 remixes. This album is once again inspired by the good-old minimal-EBM connected with the 80s. This is pure analogue music driven by deep bass lines and intriguing French vocals. Remixes have been accomplished by Marc Caro, Franck Kartell, Chris Shape, Years Of Denial, Marc Collin (Nouvelle Vague) and last, but not least The Hacker. The remixes –except the title song of this album, are mainly made from ‘older’ songs.

+ + + : This work totally fits with the philosophy of the French label Unknown Pleasures Records. This is good-old EBM driven by the magic of analogue gear. There’s this typical 80s spirit hanging over the work, but the production also has something refreshing. The songs are carried by solid bass lines and danceable vibes. The vocals are adding something extra; a bit intriguing. I also have to mention some exceptional remixes, and especially the one by Italian producer Chris Shape (who last year released the cool EP “Fake Truths” together with Dave Inox). The other noticeable remixes are the ones by Franck Kartell, Years Of Denial and The Hacker. 

– – – : I was less convinced by the remix of Marc Collin, which is just a smooth last ‘outro’-cut made by a famous artist.

Conclusion: Maman Küsters strikes back with style and the magic of minimal-EBM, which clearly inspired other artists to accomplish brilliant remixes.

Best songs: “L’Extase Et La Terreur”, “L’Alpiniste Au Sommet De Son Art feat. Julia Bondar, “MK Ultra” + “Transat En Kit – Chris Shape Remix”, “La Dernière Maison Sur La Gauche – Franck Kartell Remix”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/maman.kusters

Label: www.unknown-pleasures-records.com /  www.facebook.com/Unknown-Pleasures-Records-566180440115465

About Maman Küsters

Maman Küsters is a French duo formed of Gaël Loison (music) and Cyril Pansal (vocals). “L’Extase Et La Terreur” was released through Unknown Pleasures Records, the French EBM and industrial label that had announced its closure after seven years just months before this album came out.

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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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The French label Unknown Pleasures Records, run by Pedro Peñas y Roble aka HIV+, stops its activities this summer. They are currently emptying their last stocks before closing for good. The label which started in 2013 was based in the south of France was dedicated to the production of material from the post-punk, minimal wave and EBM scene. Their final release is a Tribute to Death In June.

In the past the label has released albums of bands like Norma Loy, David Carretta, Blind Delon, Adan & Ilse, Hausfrau, Black Egg, European Ghost, Ono Scream, Antipole, Kill Shelter, Vogue Noir, Ohota, Wendy Bevan, Alek Drive, Art Kinder Industrie, Baroque, Maman Küsters, Japan Suicide, Follow Me Not, Der Himmel über Berlin, Dave Inox, Mr Nô, None, Velvet Kills, Selfishadows, Container 47, The Shyness Of Strangers, Secret Sight, La Main, Fluxus, Grand((Ø))Signal, Neon Electronics, Hardlab, Judith Juillerat, Monolog and Love In Prague.

The label has also worked and collaborated with several musicians such as Alan Vega, Gabi Delgado, Dirk Da Davo, Eric Van Wonterghem, Jurgen Engler, Richard 23, Patrick Codenys, Marc Hurtado, Arturo Lanz, The Hacker, Dirk Ivens, The Horrorist, Haujobb, Position Parallèle, John Lord Fonda, Dominique Nicolas, Marc Collin, Michaël Theis, Radical G, Növö, Millimetric, In Death It Ends, In Aeternam Vale, Sonic Area, Adriano Canzian, Alice Botte, Versari and many more.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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Genre/Influences: New-wave, dark-pop.

Background/Info: After a few self-released production French formation La Main (translated ‘The Hand’) joined hands together with Unknown Pleasures Records to set free their first official full length. La Main has been introduced by their label as ‘the best what happened to France since Taxi Girl’, which is a rather ambitious quote.

Content: La Main definitely has found their right home at Unknown Pleasures Records. It’s a pure vintage-like formation inspired by the 80s. The sound is pretty minimal while all of the lyrics have been sung in French (except one song featuring Italian parts). Some of the bass lines will remind you of The Cure, but I also have to mention Indochine and there indeed is a minimal electronic touch reminding me of Taxi Girl. The minimalism also emerges from the lyrics. There’s a kind of poetry format dealing with tormented love songs and other sad visions of life.

It’s an old-styled composition carried by good-old synthesizer parts. Most of the songs are melodic while a few cuts are more into experimentalism. The final cut is the title song from their previous self-released full length remixed by Maman Küsters (another great formation on Unknown Pleasures Records).

+ + + : I know there’s a long-duration twist between lovers of analogue instruments at one side and digital- plus software freaks at the other. One thing is for sure, the magic of analogue gear is something really apart and that’s precisely what makes the splendor of this album. “L’Heure De Salir” is pure nostalgia and for sure an album that will appeal to all fans of French electro/new-wave music, but it still is an accomplished production revealing many great songs. I like the global atmosphere and the minimal electronics. “Le Sol Gelé” is my absolute favorite cut coming pretty close to the spirit of Indochine.

– – – : You don’t hear me complaining about the content of this album. I’m just not that fond of the front cover although it’s an easy noticeable one.

Conclusion: I have some reservation about La Main becoming the natural heir to Taxi Girl, but I have to admit that this work brings good-old souvenirs back to life. It feels a bit like travelling back in time and awakening somewhere in the midst of the 80s where La Main could have become a referential band.

Best songs: “Le Sol Gelé”, “La Carne”, “Les Contours”, “Le Soleil Blanc”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/ecoutelamain

Label: www.unknown–pleasures–records.com /  www.facebook.com/Unknown–Pleasures–Records-566180440115465

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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Genre/Influences: EBM, minimal-EBM.

Background/Info: I never heard before of this French duo from Brest. They however released some digital stuff on the Colombian label Black Leather Records. Gaël Loison and Cyril Pansal, both are experienced artists who have joined hands with Unknown Pleasures Records to unleash their official debut CD featuring 16 tracks.

Content: The sound totally fits to the minimal approach of the label. Maman Küsters clearly moves throughout the wider fields of EBM, but with this little extra touch making the difference with the usual EBM standards. The sound is clearly inspired by 80s EBM formats like DAF, but there also is this typical and fascinating analogue creation making for the particularity of the work.

Some passages are exploring other sources of inspiration as well and I’m referring to a punk flavor and even psychedelic/experimental aspects. A few cuts have been reinforced by real bass and guitar playing. Some guest musicians joined in and I have to mention Franck Kartell and Pedro Peñas Robles as most familiar names.

Another particularity of this band is the use of mainly French lyrics dealing with totally weird themes. Maman Küsters are telling you little, crazy stories in a somewhat sterile and 80s approach.

The final cut of the album is a pretty cool remix accomplished by David Carretta.

+ + + : Great sound treatments and minimal EBM vibes. The sound treatments are absolutely great while the album features multiple genius cuts.

– – – : The rare instrumental cuts are not adding a bonus to the work, but globally speaking there’s not much to improve!

Conclusion: “Sous La Peau De Maman Küsters” is a refreshing production based upon 80s EBM and achieved with a fine taste for sound treatments. This is an irresistible production.

Best songs: “Le Retour De L’Alpiniste”, “15 Minutes De Gloire”, “La dernière Maison Sur La Gauche”, “L’alpiniste”, “Liebe Hat Keine Preis”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/maman.kusters

Label: www.unknown–pleasures–records.com /  www.facebook.com/Unknown–Pleasures–Records-566180440115465

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