Genre/Influences: Techno-Body.

Format: Digital, Vinyl.

Background/Info: “World Clash” is the debut work by the collaborative production Max And Max. The project features Maxime Fabre (Crystal Geometry) and Max Durante.

Content: The EP features 3 songs plus 2 remixes. The sound is driven by menacing bass lines appealing to EBM lovers and Industrial sound treatments carried by a danceable kick. I also noticed a few Acid sequences. Remixes have been made by both artists as Crystal Geometry and Max Durante. Notice by the way they each remix a song, which hasn’t been featured as an original edit.

+ + + : This is a fully successful collaboration between both Maxs’. The tracks have been meticulously built up and injected with murderous bass lines and heavy Industrial arrangements. I also like the mysterious kind of flute sound running through “Art & Entertainment”. “Wings” is a heavy piece and definitely a great dancefloor cut. I’m also addicted to the remix of “World Clash” by Crystal Geometry. This artist remains a sound wizard when it comes to exploring the endless possibilities of modular synths.

– – – : The EP is maybe not featuring an ultimate dancefloor cut, but we still get cool and fully enjoyable pieces instead.

Conclusion: This is a great collaboration and I can only encourage Max & Max to renew this experience!

Best songs: “Wings”, “Art & Entertainment”, “World Clash – Crystal Geometry Mix”.

Rate: 8.

Artists: www.facebook.com/crystalgeometry / www.facebook.com/MAXDURANTE

Label: www.sonicgroove.com / www.facebook.com/Sonicgrooverecords

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: Industrial-Techno, Experimental-Techno.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Berlin based Italian DJ/producerMassimiliano Durante aka Max Durante has been in the music business since the 80s. He has been involved with numerous projects and now strikes back with a new Max Durante album. After having worked together with labels such as Sonic Groove, Aufnahme + Wiedergabe… he now joined Hands.

Content: Max Durante is clearly driven by the Techno sound of Berlin; a different- and somewhat visionary approach of Techno music. This boosting Techno basis has been supported with darker and harsher Industrial sound treatments, which also reveal some Experimental passages. This music is not just driven beats –as you’ll also discover tracks with slower tempos, but still featuring a true arsenal of dark sound and Industrial noises with now and then some spoken samplings on top. Some of these samplings have a somewhat political dimension.

+ + + : I like the underground format of this record, which totally fits with the approach of Hands. It’s for sure Techno-minded, but featuring explicit Industrial components. I also like tracks driven by slower and broken rhythms.

– – – : This is not the most accessible Techno format because of the Experimental touch on top. It however seems to be more suited for Industrial happenings.

Conclusion: “Der Graue Geruch Nach Metall” is a true sonic bridge between Techno and Industrial music.

Best songs: “In Den Augen Der Revolution”, “Der gedanke Hinter Den Gedanken”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/MAXDURANTE

Label: www.handsproductions.com / www.facebook.com/hands.official

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: Techno-Body, Industrial-Techno, Dark-Techno.

Format: Digital, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Sonic Groove is celebrating its 25^th anniversary with a compilation featuring 12 tracks. Set up by Adam Mitchell –better known under the Adam X moniker, the American label –now based in Berlin (Germany) became a visionary company mixing Techno music with darker/underground genres like EBM and Industrial music.

Artists: The Source Experience, Max Durante, Orphx, Diagenetic Origin, Panacea, Meadon, Rhys Fulber & Portion Control, Crystal Geometry, Monolith, Adam X, Dasha Rush, Realmz.

Content: The compilation brings familiar projects from the label together; from ‘earlier’ artists such as Max Durante, Orphx, Diagenetic Origin, Dasha Rush and Realmz… to artists who joined Sonic Groove during the past few years like Rhys Fulber, Crystal Geometry, Maedon… The common thread between all artists is Techno music, which they each mixed with a darker influence. The most surprising track is a collaboration between Rhys Fulber (Frontline Assembly, Delerium, Conjure One ao) and Portion Control.

+ + + : This compilation first of all is a way to discover the great label roster of Sonic Groove while it remains one of the very few labels, which welcomed artists mixing Techno music with darker genres. Sonic Groove has been a pioneer and still remains a reference today. When you hear Rhys Fulber together with Portion Control composing a true Techno-Body-Music song with harsh vocals on top, you get an idea what this label stands for. So far I can see the featured artists have composed an exclusive song for this sampler, which makes it only more interesting. I have a preference for the Industrial-Techno style of Crystal Geometry (one of the newest projects on Sonic Groove), but I also have to mention the rough exposure by Diagenetic Origin, the Dark-Techno approach from Panacea and a more explicit track by Dasha Rush. Adam X remains another attention grabber and who better than the label owner he stands for the sound of his label: Industrial-Techno!

– – – : I don’t have real regrets, but some extra artists and tracks would have been cool.

Conclusion: This sampler serves as a perfect shop window to give you an idea about the sonic strength and visionary style of the label. I can only express respect for what this label has accomplished so far.

Best bands: Crystal Geometry, Rhys Fulber & Portion Control, Diagenetic Origin, Panacea.

Rate: (8½).

Label: www.sonicgroove.com / www.facebook.com/Sonicgrooverecords

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