UK-based electro-darkwave act Massive Ego has released their new single “Man Become Monster” today via Out Of Line Music. The track is the fourth to be revealed from the band’s forthcoming full-length album and is accompanied by a new music video.

Thematically “Man Become Monster” confronts themes of authoritarianism, war, and ecological collapse. The band explains it like this: “The lyrics point to the role of global political leaders in the escalating instability. There’s no kind in Man. Mankind loses humility. Man lusts over greed, power and control. Man Becomes Monster.”

Frontman Marc Massive explains it further: “It’s important that we, as artists and musicians, use our platforms to speak out about societal issues, and none is more prevalent than the plight we face now as a species. If that steps into political territory, then we shouldn’t be afraid to go there.”

The band describes the single as a warning and call for unity in the face of rising global threats: “If you silence the freethinker, are we too far gone for our recovery?”

The release follows nearly three decades of activity for the group. As Massive Ego approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026.

About Massive Ego

Massive Ego was founded in London, UK, in 1996 by former model and dancer Marc Massive (Marc Vickers). Originally a solo vehicle for club-oriented covers, the project evolved into a darker electronic act over time. Early works included covers like “Planet Earth” and the debut single “You Think You’re a Man”.

In the early 2010s, Massive Ego shifted direction, incorporating darkwave, synthpop, and EBM elements. This transformation coincided with their signing to Out Of Line Music in 2015. The label debut EP “Noise In The Machine” featured new material and remixes from Aesthetic Perfection, Leæther Strip, and others .

Their first full-length album for the label, “Beautiful Suicide“, followed in 2017. It was a 20-track release that featured collaborations with artists such as Chris Pohl (Blutengel) and Maggie K DeMonde. In 2019, Massive Ego released “Church For the Malfunctioned“.

Throughout the years, the lineup expanded to include Olly Frost (drums), Lloyd Price (synths, formerly of Sigue Sigue Sputnik), and Porl Young (guitar/production, also associated with Rosetta Stone).

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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UK dark synth band Massive Ego have released their new single “Hit the Kerb Running” via Out Of Line Music on 24 April 2025. The track follows their previous single “(My) Death Song,” released in February 2025.

“Hit the Kerb Running” presents a fusion of darkwave and post-punk influences. According to the band, the track offers “a commentary on facing life’s challenges head-on, crashing and colliding, but finding the strength to keep running.” Massive Ego describe it as reflecting the spirit of 1976 punk with “a positive spin on adversity.”

The release includes two remixes. German artist XTR Human delivers a harder club version, while Portuguese duo IAMTHESHADOW provide a vocal-led dark remix.

The official music video for “Hit the Kerb Running” features fast cuts, quick edits, and a consistent red color palette. The visuals are designed “to match the track’s themes of danger and survival,” so the band states.

Downloads and streaming are available through the band’s official channels.

About Massive Ego

Massive Ego is a dark synth band from London, United Kingdom, formed in 1996.

Founded by vocalist Marc Massive, the group originally emerged from the glam-pop scene before evolving towards a darker electronic style. Their early works include the cover-based album “Nite Klub Skewl” (2007), followed by a significant stylistic shift with “Beautiful Suicide” (2017) and “Church for the Malfunctioned” (2019).

After several lineup changes, the current formation features Marc Massive (vocals, lyrics), Olly Frost (drums), Lloyd Price (synth, production), and Porl Young (guitars, production).

Massive Ego is signed to Out Of Line Music, based in Berlin, Germany. In 2025, the band is preparing for festival performances at M’era Luna in Germany and Hellsinki Industrial Festival in Finland, while working on their next full-length 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!

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Out on August 9th via Out of Line is the all new album from Swedish electro/synth-pop act Ashbury Heights, “Ghost House Sessions – Vol. 1”. “Ghost House Sessions – Vol. 1” is the band’s first new album since 2018’s “The Victorian Wallflowers”.

The new longplayer contains 25 tracks of which 15 will be also available on a limited edition ‘glow in the dark’ double vinyl and 25 on a double CD including 10 bonus tracks which are previously released digital only singles.

The album also contains a number of collaborations with singers and projects such as Massive Ego, Ulrike Goldmann (Blutengel), Corlyx, Madil Hardis, Alia Synesthesia and others.

“The past years have been incredibly inspiring. There have been incredible highs and devastating lows. That roller coaster is now being shaped into music”, says the band’s founder Anders Hagström.

Check out the video for “Ghosts Electric” below, followed by “Wild Eyes“.

About Ashbury Heights

Ashbury Heights is a Swedish electronic music duo from Sundsvall, Medelpad, and formed in 2005. The original lineup consisted of Anders Hagström (vocals, songwriting, music, and programming) and Yasmine Uhlin (vocals). Uhlin left after their EP “Morning Star in a Black Car” and was replaced by Kari Berg, who featured on their album “Take Cair Paramour” in 2010. The band faced a temporary disbandment due to disputes with their label, Out of Line, but reformed in 2011 with Hagström and a new vocalist, Tea F. Thimé.

Ashbury Heights’ sound is characterized by a mix of synthpop, futurepop, and electropop. Their discography includes several studio albums, such as “Three Cheers for the Newlydeads” (2007), “The Looking Glass Society” (2015), and “The Victorian Wallflowers” (2018).

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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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. 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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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. 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: Indie-Wave, Wave-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: After two self-released albums and a first official opus (cf. “Together Apart”) released in 2020 by Negative Gain Productions the UK act Corlyx signed to Out Of Line and unleashed “Blood In The Disco”.

Content: Caitlin Stokes and Brandon Ashley take off with  a pure Indie/Wave/Pop track featuring a sexy chorus sung by Caitlin. The song in a way perfectly symbolizes the sound of the opus. 80s like inspiration mixed with an Indie touch and sexy parts. You’ll notice a duo with Massive Ego and another with Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost). The last song is a remix by Nero Argento.   

+ + + : Corlyx don’t really innovate and yet it sounds different than most of the productions from the ‘Industrial’ scene. There’s this cool and unique British style which is hard to explain but which I often describe as ‘f*** off’. The sound is mixing different influences; from Pop to New-Wave to Industrial while in the end it has something Indie-driven. The choruses are often carrying and elevating. I like the duo with Massive Ego on “Raindrops” but favorite cuts are “The Echo” which clearly has a solid 80s touch and “The Threshold” for the powerful and perfect balance between guitar and electronics.

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the duo with Chris Harms.

Conclusion: Corlyx have the look and the sound!

Best songs: “The Echo”, “The Threshold”, “Raindrops”, “Atrophy”, “Raindrops – Nero Argento Remix”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/CORLYXOFFICIAL

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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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.

www.side-line.com

The darkwave post-punk duo Corlyx has released the third single and video from their upcoming album “Blood In The Disco”. The single “Raindrops” features Massive Ego’s Marc on guestvocals.

Note that this will probably be the last time you will have heard a bit of Massive Ego because the band broke up earlier this month “due to health issues and personal circumstances”.

Corlyx is the duo consisting of Caitlin Stokes and Brandon Ashley and although they initially formed in Los Angeles, the duo now resides in Brighton (UK) after a stop in Berlin.

Here’s 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. 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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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. 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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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. 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: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: The song “Control” definitely was one of the best tracks from BlakLight’s debut album “Music In A Time Of Uncertainty”. The song has already been released as a single and is now offered to other artists to get remixed. The EP features six remixes plus two hidden bonus cuts. 

Content: I’ll take off with the hidden bonus songs of this EP, which both were originally released on the “Control”-single. It’s an opportunity to (re)discover a song, which wasn’t released on the album, but sounds in the same danceable, melodic Electro-Pop vein. The remixes of “Control” have been made by Scenius, Promenade Cinema, Beyond Border, Lloyd Price and Mind Machine (another project of the band’s singer Brian Belknap). Last, but not least there also is a so-called “Stripped”-edit, which has been adapted into a guitar-pop song without electronics.

+ + + : “Control” remains a great song released on a great album. It clearly inspired some remixes to achieve a cool job. My favorite remix is the one by UK producer Lloyd Price (previously involved with Massive Ego). This edit is more elaborate and features a true elevating effect. Another attention grabber is the remix by Mind Machine, which sounds pretty dynamic. The “Stripped”-edit is not my favorite one although it’s a cool and totally reworked version. It’s also cool that both songs from the single-format have been featured.

– – – : BlakLight has clearly chosen to ask less familiar names for the remixes –which is a great idea although I’m missing a few ‘hotter’ names. That could have been a better strategy to reach a wider audience, what this band deserves.

Conclusion: This EP is a cool addition to a great album. BlakLight have announced they are working on their second full length, so I’m really wondering how they’ll evolve after such a great debut.

Best songs: “Control – Lloyd Price Remix”, “Control – Mind Machine Remix” + “Control – Broken Mix”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.blaklightband.com / www.facebook.com/BlakLightband

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: Electro-Wave, Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This EP is the result of a friendship collaboration between Chris Pohl and Mark Massive. Blutengel and Massive Ego went on tour together; the front men became friends and finally wrote a song together.

Content: The title song is a catchy, danceable Electro-Pop/Wave cut with both artists singing together. The chorus has something elevating. We next get six remixes by Alex VRT (Omnimar), Auger, Omnimar, Rob Dust and Scot Collins (Massive Ego). There also is an “Alternative Version” accomplished by Blutengel and Massive Ego.

+ + + : I have endless respect for Blutengel and Massive Ego so seeing both front men working together can be only result in a great song. That’s also what happened on “Obscured”; an EP released earlier this year as collaboration between Blutengel and Hocico. “Nothing But A Void” is a catchy, danceable song with a cool chorus. Chris and Mark create a perfect duo singing. Among the remixes Rob Dust is once more the one that caught my attention, boosting the original edit to a harder and somewhat Trance-like remix. I personally prefer the “Alternative Version” instead of the original edit; this version is also a bit harder and clubbier.

– – – : “Nothing But A Void” is a good song that you’ll easily keep in mind, but it’s absolutely not what both artists have done as best thus far. It sounds a bit easy and the chorus line has something predictable. I also expected a bit more from the remixes.

Conclusion: I have some mixed feelings with this EP; it’s an honest song, but it doesn’t stand for the real talent of both artists. I’m afraid friendship is not enough to create great music.

Best songs: “Nothing But A Void – Rob Dust Remix”, “Nothing But A Void – Alternative Version”.

Rate: (7).

Artists: www.blutengel.de / www.facebook.com/BlutengelOfficial / 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: EBM, Body-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Greek duo George Sofianos – Nick Von Karma last year released their debut album “Karma Reloaded”. It was an honest debut work featuring a fusion between EBM and Electro-Pop. Prometheus Flame is now back with this EP featuring the title-song “Magic Spell” originally released on their album. The work has been released in different formats featuring a limited 7” Vinyl with only two songs. The CD and Digital formats are featuring two extra songs.

Content: “Magic Spell” was not exactly my favorite song from “Karma Reloaded”. It has something EBM driven, but there’s also something more evasive and Pop-like running through it. The way of singing reminds me of Jean-Luc Demeyer (Front 242). We next get a “Club Mix” plus remixes by Rotersand and Massive Ego

+ + + : Quite honestly “Magic Spell” caught more my attention than on the album. It’s maybe because of the different versions/remixes while the essence remains the same. It’s a cool track for the natural osmosis between EBM and Electro-Pop. The song is well-crafted and clearly inspiring Krischan Wesenberg (Rotersand) and Scot Collins (Massive Ego) who both did a great remix. The Rotersand-remix has something icy-like while Massive Ego injected cool, refreshing bleeps to the song.

– – – : I expected a bit more punch and power from the “Club Mix”, which is a bit disappointing.

Conclusion: This EP is a nice addendum to the debut album “Karma Reloaded” and once more revealing a Greek band we better keep an eye on.

Best songs: “Magic Spell – Massive Ego Remix”, “Magic Spell”, “Magic spell – Rotersand Rework”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.prometheusflame.eu / www.facebook.com/Prometheus-Flame-402883157167543

Label: www.digitalworld.audio /   www.facebook.com/DigitalWorldAudio

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

The ‘Electrostorm’-sampler is back. On volume 9 Out Of Line unifies the best of its dark electronic acts on one CD including 17 partly brand-new and exclusive tracks (new songs, limited remixes, and rarities). The sampler also holds 2 newcomers on the label, namely Kiberspassk and Yellow Lazarus.

Here is the video of the new Kiberspassk track “Derevna”.

Tracklist:

1. Solar Fake “I Despise You”
2. Too Dead To Die “Tropical Gothic”
3. Blutengel “Wir Sind Unsterblich”
4. Ashbury Heights “Wild Eyes (feat. Madil Hardis)”
5. Solitary Experiments “The Struggle (Midnight Resistance Remix)”
6. Blutengel+Hocico “Obscured (Club Version by Hocico)”
7. Suicide Commando “Bunkerb!tch”
8. Amduscia “Just Feel And Enjoy”
9. Dive “Death Machine”
10. Kiberspassk “Derevna”
11. Yellow Lazarus “Vicious Memories”
12. Massive Ego “Digital Heroin”
13. She Hates Emotions “Don’t Leave Me”
14. Rummelsnuff “Interkosmos”
15. Hocico “Cross The Line (Remixed by Zardonic)”
16. Combichrist “Last Days Under The Sun (Fear Of Domination Remix)”
17. Ost+Front “Sex, Schnaps und Gewalt (Dickpik Remix by Yellow Lazarus)”

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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It 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. 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: Dark-pop, wave-pop.

Background/Info: Blutengel started the year with the “Un:Gott”-album, which by the way was a truly masterpiece, and now ends the year with already another new opus! Mastermind Chris Pohl assisted by Ulrike Goldmann, remain ultra prolific and this After twenty years of Blutengel success stories. The album has been divided in two parts; the “Damokles”-chapter featuring six songs plus one remix and the “Un:Gott – The Lost Chapters”-chapter featuring five more songs and one remix.

Content: Let’s start with the main part of the album, the “Damokles”-part, which is revealing a rather classic Blutengel sound formula. Blutengel stands for a kind of sweet darkness, mixing melancholic electro-pop together with carrying choruses. The main evolution probably is the empowering guitar playing, which especially comes through in the choruses. Chris Pohl remains the lead singer while Ulrike Goldmann sings a heavenly way. A remix has been accomplished by Caisaron.

The “Un:Gott – The Lost Chapters” can be understood as songs that didn’t get featured at the “Un:Gott”-album. It remains pure Blutengel music. The album ends with a remix of Massive Ego.

+ + + : Blutengel holds on to its good-old sound formula, which is carried by strong leads evolving in captivating choruses and the charisma of singer Chris Pohl joined by the grace of Ulrike Goldmann. This album will not enter into history as the band’s major work although it reveals a new brilliant song entitled “Disobedience”. This is a genius cut featuring a solid chorus on, which electronics and guitar create a sublime fusion. Another noticeable song is “Fire And Ice”, which catches the attention for its melody. I also have to mention the cool remix of “Hourglass Of Life” by Massive Ego.

– – – : This album has something weird; it’s filled with new stuff, but it feels a bit like a less inspired version of “Un:Gott” featuring a few exceptions. It appears to be an album for the die-hard fans, but not a masterpiece!

Conclusion: I have some mixed feelings with this work; it features a few outstanding songs next to tracks, which sound like having been composed in the automatic pilot mode!

Best songs: “Disobedience”, “Fire And Ice”, “Hourglass Of Life – Massive Ego Remix”, “Hourglass Of Life”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.blutengel.de / www.facebook.com/BlutengelOfficial

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

Background/Info: The Spanish Mondträume duo strikes back with their second full length, which comes five years after the promising debut “Empty”. In the meantime front man Damasius Venys also started with a solo side-project Mental exile, which released its debut-EP in 2018.Notice by the way this new album was preceded by the singles “Still Beating” (2014) and “Free” (2016).

Content: Pikotto Vond Mond and Damasius Venys remain faithful to their electro/future-pop style they introduced on “Empty”. The influences remain identically the same, but the global writing- and production process have been seriously improved. The songs are featuring danceable beats and melancholic, but melodic leads and choruses. I however noticed a fewer ‘happy’-like passages (cf. “Nothing”) and even a simply beautiful song (cf. “Let Me Go”), which has something sensible and poignant.

The limited edition features a bonus disc with remixes by Crytek, Massive Ego, Kant Kino, X-O-Planet, Avarice In Audio, Headzor, Evo-Lution, Octolab, Any second and Elektrostaub. Both previously released single-songs are the main songs exposed to the remix skills of other artists.

+ + + : I already talked about the impressive evolution in sound and composition. If Mondträume was announced by their label as a ‘hot’ newcomer in 2013, they for sure confirm this potential with this great work. The album brings a perfect twist between danceable songs and softer, deeply melancholic pieces. Most of the choruses have an elevating sensation, and I especially want to mention the title song, the already known “Free”, “Nothing” and the beautiful “Le Me Go”. A good ‘pop’ band needs a talented singer and here again Damasius Venys confirms to be the right man in the right place. I think it’s not a coincidence he has already been asked by numerous bands to do some guest vocals. Among the remixes I’ll mention the great contribution by X-O-Planet (featuring male-female duo vocals), Octolab for the groovy approach and Crytek for their punching remix.

– – – : This album also features a cover version of The Cure’s “Lament”, which is not my favorite song from the tracklist.

Conclusion: This album sounds as an invitation to dance to melancholia and it’s weird to say, but it will make you feel good!

Best songs: “Lovers, Sinners & Liars”, “Free”, “Nothing”, “Let Me Go”, “The Center Of Your World” + “Still Beating – X-O-Planet”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Mondtraeume

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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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: EBM, dark-electro, future-pop, electro-pop, gothic, industrial-rock, industrial-metal.

Background/Info: The latest volume of the Out Of Line compilation “Awake The Machines” brings us 3 CD’s for a total of 45 artists.

Artists: Blutengel, Solar Fake, Rummelsnuff, Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, Heimataerde, Rave The Reqviem, Fear Of Domination, Davey Suicide, Combichrist, Rabia Sorda, Ost-Front, Solitary Experiments, Melotron, Hocico, Signal Aout 42, Accessory, Dive, Suicide Commando, Amduscia ao.

Content: The first disc is the most eclectic one although more focalized around gothic-inspired formations. The second disc reveals the ‘newest’ direction of the label, which is inspired by metal-related formations. This is an opportunity to discover different bands that aren’t (or not yet) signed to Out Of Line. Finally we get the last disc revealing electronic bands that have made the name and reputation of Out Of Line.

+ + + : This new edition is quite fascinating for its diversity revealing a label, which has seriously enlarged its sonic horizon throughout the years, but especially during the past few years. The tracklist is impressive and confirms the leading status of the label. When a label has bands such as Blutengel, Suicide Commando, Hocico, Dive, Solitary Experiments, Ost-Front, Combichrist, Ordo Rosarius Equilbrio, Client ao flying under their wings you only, but agree this is a major company.

– – – : From a very personal point of view I’m not totally convinced by the metal direction of the label although it clearly will catch the attention of a wider -and different audience. But my main regret is that the familiar bands have been featured with known songs. I even noticed Angels & Agony with a song from 2015!

Conclusion: This is a colossal compilation, which is really interesting if you’re not that familiar with Out Of Line and/or simply you’re a die-hard fan of the Berlin-based label.

Best bands: Blutengel, The Ritualists, Heimataerde, Rave The Reqviem, Rabia Sorda, Solitary Experiments, Massive Ego, Chrom, Dive, Amduscia.

Rate: (7).

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

Helalyn Flowers fans, rejoice, “Kamikaze Angel” the newest single by the female fronted Italian electro-rock/electro-metal duo Helalyn Flowers, has hit iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon MP3 etc.. “Kamikaze Angel” was already available via Bandcamp as we reported before.

The single holds 4 very different remixes of the title track which were made by acts like the Italian aggrotech artist Adam Kult, German synth-pop act Six Faces (with a remix produced and mixed by Mario Ruhlicke, acclaimed producer from the Berlin based Fear In Motion – Blutengel, Massive Ego…), Funksista (the Funk alter ego of electro-punk act Junksista), and long-time label mates Psy’aviah.

Also present on this release is a second brand new song, “Beyond”, showcasing the more synth pop catchy side of the band’s classic sound-style. The EP is a first teaser for the band’s new album “Nyctophilia”, and if it is as good as this first single/EP then we have the winner for the best electro-rock album for 2018 by far.

Check the release below on Spotify or Bandcamp.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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The female fronted Italian electro-rock/electro-metal duo Helalyn Flowers have issued a brand new single “Kamikaze Angel” via Bandcamp where it is available for immediate download. And you are in for an excellent treat.

The industrial infested “Kamikaze Angel” is one of the best tracks the duo has recorded if you ask us, and that’s also what one of our correspondents seems to think when we mailed her the material: “This is genius! Very addictive bassline and excellent melodic vocals by Noemi!” Short but to the point.

Now let’s have a look at the rest of the EP (or single as you can also call it). 4 extra very different remixes were made by acts like the Italian aggrotech artist Adam Kult, German synth-pop act Six Faces (with a remix produced and mixed by Mario Ruhlicke, acclaimed producer from the Berlin based Fear In Motion – Blutengel, Massive Ego…), Funksista (the Funk alter ego of electro-punk act Junksista), and long-time label mates Psy’aviah.

All of the bands did an excellent job keep the spirit of the song alive but still re-arranging it to their own style. F(J)unksista even rendered the song into a very radio friendly pop tune, a chameleon doesn’t even get this achieved!

Also present on this release is a second brand new song, “Beyond”, showcasing the more synth pop catchy side of the band’s classic sound-style. The EP is a first teaser for the band’s new album “Nyctophilia”, and if it is as good as this first single/EP then we have the winner for the best electro-rock album for 2018 by far.

Check the release below. For now only available on Bandcamp and in a few weeks also on other platforms. Highly recommended.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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The 8th instalment in the Electrostorm electro-sampler-series will be released in early May.

This new volume will hold 17 tracks by the following bands: Hocico, Combichrist, Agonoize, Dive, Too Dead To Die, Solitary Experiments, Blutengel, Massive Ego, Melotron, Rummelsnuff & Asbach, The Juggernauts, Cephalgy, CHROM, Ashbury Heights, Solar Fake, The Sexorcist and Any Second. The latter is the brand new Agonoize-side project.

You can already order the compilation right here.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rate: (8½).

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

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

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

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

Here’s the promo video for the album.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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The new 4-track single “Complete” by the German band Blutengel is close to hit the stores. The limited Maxi-CD comes in a digipak and contains the title track in a single-edit and a Massive Ego remix, as well as two more exclusive new songs: “Nowhere” and “Dusk”.

The limited CD-single can be ordered right here.

Below is the tracklist for the new music output from Blutengel-singer and mastermind Chris Pohl:

1. Complete (Single Edit)
2. Complete (Massive Ego Remix)
3. Nowhere
4. Dusk

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

Massive Ego are offering Side-Line readers an exclusive free mix download of “I Idolize You”, the lead track of their recently released debut EP “Noise in the machine”, and this to celebrate the video for the original version of the track was has hit 50k views on You Tube.

Remixed by Benjamin’s Plague the free download brings a more electro dance floor feel to the proceedings. The band are currently writing and recording their debut album for Out Of Line, which already features a track written especially for them by Boy George. Next year they take to the stage with a recently announced appearance at the Out Of Line Weekender 2016.

Check Massive Ego out on Facebook or at www.massiveego.co.uk and Benjamin’s Plague can be found on SoundCloud. The Out Of Line records act anno 2015 consists of Lloyd Price (synth), Oliver Frost (percussion), Marc Massive (vocal), Scot Collins (synth).

If you haven’t yet seen the official video for “I Idolize You” watch 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!

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

Content: Massive Ego is one of the new and probably hottest bands joining the Out Of Line roster this year. The UK-band was set up in 1996 and went throughout multiple changes in the line-up. The current line-up consists of singer Marc Massive (who’s an ex-stage dancer of Boy George and ex-model) plus Lloyd Price, Scot Collins and Olly Frost.

The main song of this EP is one you might have discovered on the 6th volume of “Electrostorm”. “I Idolize You” is a terrific piece of music featuring rather hard verses, which are a bit into EBM and a sexy, captivating chorus. There also is a radical switch from charismatic vocals during the verses towards great, sensual parts in the chorus. Massive Ego is not exactly a band that has widespread recognition, but “I Idolize You” definitely is a song that will have its success at the dancefloors.

The main song features 4 different mixes. The so-called “Modification Mix” and “Modification Extended Mix” both are quite similar and absolutely superb. Leather strip and Aesthetic Perfection both made a remix of “I Idolize You”. Claus Larsen reinforced the EBM-touch and accomplished a great remix.

“Noise In The Machine” also features 2 remixes from 2 other songs. I especially recommend the “Frixion Mix” and “Frixion Extended Mix” of “Generation V”, which both reveal a powerful exposure, which mixes elements of EBM and pop music together. About the remixes of “Dead Silence Rising” I recommend a new “Frixion Remix”, which again accentuates the EBM spirit.

Last, but not least there’s an interesting collaboration on “Low Life” featuring Empire State Human. I can’t say this is the most noticeable song of the EP, but it sounds like a wafting finale to a noticeable EP.

Conclusion: “I Idolize You” is an absolute smashing piece of music and I hope the full length will reveal a few similar music jewels.

Best songs: “I Idolize You – Modification Mix”, “I Idolize You – Modification Extended Mix”, “I Idolize You – Leather Strip Remix”, “Generation V – Frixion Extended Mix”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

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

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

The Ex-stage dancer for Boy George and ex-model, Marc Massive, has landed a new EP for his Massive Ego project. The album also features Empire State Human on the track “Low Life” and remixes from Aesthetic Perfection and Leaether Strip next to alternative versions. You can order the EP right here!

Below is the video for “I Idolize You”, a rather interesting project.

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

UK based industrial act Massive Ego have just signed to OutOf Line records. With a new line-up, sound and label the band launch their debut EP “Noise in the machine” in early July 2015 featuring the lead song “I idolize you”, for which a video is available too (you can watch it below). Remixes of the track have been executed by Aesthetic Perfection and Leather Strip alongside 3 new tracks. Note that “I idolize you” is also present on the May released “Electrostorm 6” which you can order right here.

Massive Ego anno 2015 consists of Lloyd Price (synth), Oliver Frost (percussion), Marc Massive (vocal), Scot Collins (synth).

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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