Out via Out Of Line Music is the all new single from Massive Ego, “In Your Own Darkness”. For the British band led by Marc Massive, it’s their comeback after a two-year hiatus, marked by Marc’s mental health journey and a departure from public life.

Joining Marc and drummer Olly Frost are new member Porl Young, a former member of the goth band Rosetta Stone, and returning keyboardist Lloyd Price.

The comeback single symbolizes Massive’s cathartic return to songwriting. Marc shared that it was a transformative experience to create music again, shedding the past and the persona that once defined him. “Lyrically, the new single is a somewhat personal song,” singer Marc Massive shared, “I realised if I was to come back, I needed to do everything differently this time. And that meant leaving the past behind, and no longer feeling like I needed to hide behind the ‘wig and make-up’ that I’d become known for, and ultimately became a prison of my own making”.

Watch and stream “In Your Own Darkness” 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.

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Marc Massive of Massive Ego has resurfaced solo, presenting an EP and a short film entitled “Idol Lies”. Massive had to part ways with Massive Ego, the band he had spearheaded since 1996, due to a breakdown.

Marc assures us that it’s not the end of his career, stating: “However, time is a healer and creativity never ceases. Reinvention and rejuvenation emerge from self-help, therapy, and the exploration of one’s inner spirit through meditation, manifesting, reading, and writing. Leaving the past to rest while crucially allowing new ideas to flourish.”

Below, you can find the four-track EP.

There’s also a short film for “Idol Lies”. Here’s Marc’s take on the film: “Imagine dark pop surrealism intersecting with a fond 50’s B-movie tribute, a surprising tone considering the sombre story that sparked it. Presented as ‘the naked truth’ and situated amidst the decaying attractions of a derelict seaside pier. It portrays a personal journey, filled with hidden symbolism that accentuates a declining musician’s descent into paranoia, forced into retreat while his critics celebrated his downfall. ‘Idol Dies’ through ‘Idle Lies’. All against a backdrop of formidable mental health challenges and catastrophic thinking, to confronting his inner demons on the arduous journey back from the edge. The story unfolds as a continuous musical narrative through the rides and attractions of the pier. Removing the disguise, the self-imposed chains of a once-admired alter ego. Finished off in a ‘Ziggy’-worthy finale, the pretences of a contrived facade laid to rest, eventually disclosing his true self, newfound spirit and a yearning to forgive, appreciate and rise anew.”

Marc is currently working on his memoirs, running, bird-feeding, and composing songs.

You can find the short film “Idol Lies” 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.

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Marc Massive and his gang strike back with “The New Normal” featuring five new songs.Unfortunately the band has stopped its activities because of health issues.

Content: The EP is quite diversified, although featuring a familiar Electro/Wave-Pop thread from this British formation. The opening song sounds a bit more Rock-Pop driven but you next will discover a catchy composition mixing power and darkness.

+ + + : Marc Massive first of all is a great and charismatic singer. The vocals have a strong impact on the composition. Massive Ego also has a very personal approach in Electro-Pop music. I can’t find a better description than dark, catchy and also powerful. The last song “Not Without Consequence” is my personal favorite one but I also have to mention “Fake Star” and “Dead Eyes Black”.

– – – : Five cool songs but maybe not an ultimate new hit among this tracklist.

Conclusion: The Massive Ego fans will not be disappointed with this new Dark-Pop work.

Best songs: “Not Without Consequence”, “Fake Star”,  “Dead Eyes Black”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.massiveego.co.uk 

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.

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Massive Ego is back with a new EP, “The New Normal”, which is out on February 11th on Out Of Line. The 5-song EP will also be released on CD next to being made available digitally.

The new EP comes after a long period of forced isolation, distanced from a pandemic weary society, which is basically ‘the new normal’. The band takes a clear stand in what that meant for people, it suffices to check out the first track “You Will Comply” to know what they mean. The track was also released as a single on the 1st of October.

Marc Massive: “It certainly wasn’t anti-vac as some seemed to think, instead it asked that we remember to question authority instead of being silenced for fear of being coined ‘tin foil hat wearers’ or being shut down by a public that’s quick to jump on those who speak up in today’s cancel culture. The lyrics are ambiguous to open dialogue, and not just accept being under the rule of corrupt Governments, the powerful and global pharmaceutical companies.”

Here’s the video for the opening track.

Other tracks include “Fake Star” which “reflects on an ever-changing night sky overpopulated with Elon Musk’s man-made machines circling above our heads questioning mankind’s interference with the solar system given our track record here on Earth” so Marc adds. Also included is “Dead Eyes Black” revisiting a familiar subject matter for the band. Also this track (and previous single) got the video treatment (by Javier Gallego Escutia).

And the EP is rounded up by the tracks “The Vampires Wife” and “Not Without Consequence”.

The new songs on the EP are characterised by catchy synth-pop melodies, but with a sprinkle of darker 80’s sounds. Not that that 80s links is all that surprising since Marc Massive also made a cameo appearance in the latest video for Duran Duran for their single “Anniversary”.

What’s next for Massive Ego?

Massive Ego has already began working on a new album for 2022 with a new line-up and a returning familiar face in the form of Lloyd Price who was a major contributor to the sound and production of their first album on Out of Line. A fourth new member in the shape of Porl Young comes with a healthy goth-pop history behind him as an ex member of the 90’s UK goth band Rosetta Stone, and guest appearances on tracks by The Mission, bringing a guitar element to the Massive Ego sound ahead of a string of festival appearances in 2022.

The band is expected to play at Plage Noire (Germany 6-7th May), Out of Line Weekender (Germany 12-14th May), Castle Party (Poland 8-10th July) alongside other European festivals to be announced and a European tour later in the year.

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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Massive Ego return after a long period of forced isolation, distanced from a pandemic weary society, starved of any interaction with their fellow earthlings with a new single called “You Will Comply” to be released 1st October 2021.

Frontman Marc Massive explains: “The pandemic made us look at ourselves with an introspective eye, and as a band, assess what had gone before, what wasn’t working, what could work better, where we want to go next, and what we want to achieve in this new world. We return with a new line-up, sound, logo and outlook.”

And drummer Oliver Frost adds: “The song is an observation on how we have very little say in our destiny or freedoms at the moment, and before the lynch mobs come for us and we’re accused of being tin-foil hat wearers, the song is not an anti-vaccine statement. We’re at the mercy of our governments. Unable to travel without our DNA/medical details being inputted into an app, we might as well be implanted with microchips. With the rights of protest being lawfully removed, undemocratic and rigged voting in favour of the elite and the UK coming out of the EU it feels like we’re under the thumb now more than ever and this is what You Will Comply is about.”

The single sees original Keyboard player Lloyd Price returning to the band again for the first time in 4 years at the recent HRH Goth Festival shows in the UK.

Here’s the trailer for the new single.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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It was written in the stars this would happen some day after Blutengel singer Chris Pohl and Massive Ego frontman Marc Massive went on tour together. The duo has now collaborated on a new single/EP, “Nothing but a Void” to be released on November 13th.

Chris: “Marc and me are not only colleagues. On our tour together we realized that we have a lot of interests and views in common. Plus he became one of my favorite singers. So it was just a matter of time to create something together, and the time was just right now.”

Marc: “Whilst we’ve all been unable to play live it was cool to be contacted by Chris who suggested we work together as a way to beat the pandemic blues with creativity. And it is this creativity that brings together the punching Future Pop of Massive Ego with the dark romantic of Blutengel – a collaboration on one level unifying the best of two worlds.”

Tracks:

1. Nothing but a Void (Original)
2. Nothing but a Void (Alex VRT Remix)
3. Nothing but a Void (Auger Remix)
4. Nothing but a Void (Alternative Version)
5. Nothing but a Void (Omnimar Remix)
6. Nothing but a Void (Rob Dust Remix)
7. Nothing but a Void (Scot Collins Remix)

About Massive Ego

Massive Ego are a British darkwave musical group formed in 1996 by singer and ex-model Marc Massive (also the owner of the Public Disordar label) and Andy J Thirwall. The band has changed its sound and image since its formation. The original releases being mostly covers in a Eurodance, Hi-NRG style.

Massive and Thirwall later parted ways, and Massive searched for a new musical direction for the band. Collaborations with Empire State Human and Lia Organa & Electric Prince were the start of a darker sound for the band. The band joined alternative German label Out of Line Music in 2015 with the line-up; Marc Massive, Oliver Frost, Lloyd Price and Scot Collins.

Their debut album for Out of Line was released on 17 February 2017. In 2017, the band became a trio due to Lloyd’s departure.

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: Dark electro-pop, wave-pop.

Background/Info: UK band Massive Ego centered on the charismatic ‘Marc Massive’ is already active for several years now, but the real breakthrough happened two years ago. The band joined hands together with Out Of Line and released the successful album “Beautiful Suicide” featuring their ‘old’ hit “I Idolize You”. Massive Ego is now back on track revealing 14 new songs. The album is also available as DCD featuring an extra disc with remixes and fan-stuff.

Content: The new work moves on there where “Beautiful Suicide” stopped. The influences are pretty similar, mixing elements from good old 80s wave-pop together with a darker and more contemporary touch. Some (sampled?) guitar riffs can be heard now and then like injecting an extra boost to the electronic composition. I also noticed a more EBM-driven song, which is a cover version of And One’s famous “Military Fashion Show”. Two more noticeable songs are “Kill The Conspirary” for featuring Chris L.  (Agonoize, Sexorcist, Darkness On Demand ao) and “Point Of No return” featuring Auger.

+ + + : Massive Ego is a band with a great and charismatic singer! Marc’s particular, captivating timbre of voice is a real lust for all electro-lovers. But Massive Ego also is a band with a proper sound, mixing 80s influences together with dark-pop and an EBM touch. The songs have been accomplished with great, carrying leads and perfect, danceable kicks. A good song needs a great chorus and here again Massive Ego has found the secret formula to entertain the masses. There are several noticeable songs featured, but I want to mention “Fallen From Grace”, which has been empowered by some guitar riffs. Another attention grabbers are “Digital Heroin” and “Killing For Gods”. Last, but not least, it also is a real tour de force to release an album featuring 14 (!) captivating cuts!

– – – : My only regret is that this new work doesn’t feature a new “I Idolize You”! This song had a huge impact on me and it will be not easy for Massive Ego to compose a ‘bigger’ hit!

Conclusion: “Church For The Malfunctioned” confirms the talent of Massive Ego; they have the look, but also a great sound!

Best songs: “Fallen From Grace”, “Digital Heroin”, “Killing For Gods”, “Point Of No Return”, “The Last Sunrays In June”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: 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

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