‘Toxic Razor’, best known from the duo Paradox Obscur but also active in numerous other projects, returned last year with a new opus of Metal Disco.

The Greek artist stays true to his modus operandi, recording everything in real time. Musically, Metal Disco remains recognizable, yet it also functions as a kind of laboratory where diverse influences converge. The most surprising development on this release is the inclusion of a guest guitarist, adding a distinctly sharper edge to a few songs. That said, I remain particularly drawn to his ‘pure’ Electro—where older, somewhat ’90s-inspired Techno elements merge with EBM. Toxic Razor once again demonstrates his craftsmanship here, resulting in several strong tracks, some of which are further intensified by his own vocals.

This new work reveals another side of Metal Disco, though the Body-Techno tracks ultimately remain the most compelling. (Rating:7½).

Listen to “Crooked”:

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the solo project of Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, who records as Toxic Razor and is also a member of Paradox Obscur. He runs the Werkstatt Recordings label and builds Metal Disco entirely from hardware, recorded in real time, mixing EBM, minimal electro, and electro-wave. He described that hardware-only method in a Side-Line interview. “Power Hunter” continues the project in digital, CD, and cassette formats on Werkstatt Recordings.

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 Greek project of Toxic Razor returned at the end of 2024 with a new release that once again showcases the project’s distinctive sound. The four tracks remain rooted in a minimalist production style, striking a balance between Minimal-Electro and Dark-Pop. The vocals are clear and captivating, drawing the listener in from the first note.

Above all, this is an EP made for the dancefloor—rhythmic, infectious, and emotionally charged. The final track, in particular, stands out with its powerful, Trance-infused sequences that left a lasting impression on me.

Metal Disco has never let me down, but this release easily ranks among the best in its already rich discography. (Rating:8).

Listen to “Déjame Bailar”:

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the solo project of Greek producer Kostas Stavropoulos, known as “Toxic Razor”, who also owns the Werkstatt Recordings label and is involved with Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery, Resistance Of Independent Music, and Hardware Pulse. Metal Disco’s sound is built entirely on hardware equipment, mixing EBM, Minimal-Electro, Electro-Wave, and Electroclash influences.

“Wild Dog” follows a prolific run of releases for the project, continuing the punchy, dirty-bassline approach that has defined Metal Disco’s output since its inception.

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

Kostas Stavropoulos aka ‘Toxic Razor’ is back with a new album from his Metal Disco solo-project. “Hellion Reaper” has been released on his own label Werkstatt Recordings. It brings a new Electro mix of EBM and Electro-Pop with a space-like Techno touch on top. The louder vocals create a dark atmosphere. This new album represents a fresh yet retro-like sound. (Rate: 7½).

Listen to “Bio Skull Phaser”:

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the solo-project of Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, who also owns the Werkstatt Recordings label and is involved with Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery, Resistance Of Independent Music and Hardware Pulse. The project is composed entirely on hardware equipment, mixing EBM, Minimal-Electro, Electro-Wave and Electroclash influences.

“Hellion Reaper”, reviewed here, continues the string of releases Metal Disco has issued on Werkstatt Recordings.

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

“Speed Riders, Spacechips & Synthesizers” is a new album released by ‘Toxic Razor’ (known from Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco, Hardware Pulse ao) on his own label Werkstatt Recordings. The modus operandi continues to be supported by the use of only hardware synths. The genre and influences also remain quite space-like with elements of Electro-Pop and EBM. The biggest difference from previous works is the addition of vocals and that brings a real bonus to the work. (Rate: 7½ )

Listen to “Tele-Synthesized”:

About Beatbox Machinery

Beatbox Machinery is one of several projects run by Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, known as ‘Toxic Razor’, who also owns the Werkstatt Recordings label and is involved with Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco, Resistance Of Independent Music and Hardware Pulse. The project’s modus operandi relies solely on hardware synthesizers.

“Speed Riders, Spacechips & Synthesizers”, reviewed here, adds vocals to the hardware-only approach for the first time in the project’s catalog.

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

Emerging from Athens, Hardware Pulse is the brainchild of musician Toxic Razor, known for his work with Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco, and Beatbox Machinery. This project celebrates the rich textures of hardware synthesizers and drum machines, with a commitment to authentic, virtual-free performances and recordings.

Their latest offering, “Tech-Noir”, serves as a teaser for their forthcoming album, which shares the same title. Fans can anticipate the album’s official launch on October 6th, 2023, available in both digital and physical formats, including CD and Cassette.

Catch a glimpse of what’s to come with the promotional video for “Tech-Noir”. Read the review of ‘Tech-Noir’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Minimal-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD, cassette.

Background/Info: Greek Kostas Stavropoulos aka ‘Toxic Razor’ is involved with numerous projects. Paradox Obscur is for sure the most familiar and successful one while Metal Disco remains the most prolific ones. The artist brings a fine selection together of songs that were released in between 2021 and 2022 on EP’s and singles. There’s also a previously unreleased song.

Content: Metal Disco stands for retro-electronics mixing minimalism and elements of EBM with rough vocals on top. You now and then will notice extra influences like Acid sequences and Techno vibes on top. The songs are short, cold, and dark. The new song “Marauder” is the last cut from the work.

+ + + : Metal Disco is a project I’ve always liked for its global approach in sound. This album features recently composed and released songs mixing different influences together but always remaining minimal, dark, cold, and into pure underground. The Greek sung “Μοιραία Στιγμή” featuring a great, cold, tune and “In Motion” featuring female guest vocals by Incirrina both are my favorite cuts. Other attention grabbers are “Metal Muscle”, the new cut “Marauder” and the retro Techno like “Acid Lord”.

– – – : As I’m always saying, I regret the tracks aren’t a bit more extended.

Conclusion: Metal Disco has got a damned good idea to compile most songs from the past two years as a full length; cool EBM minimalism.

Best songs: “Μοιραία Στιγμή”, “In Motion”, “Metal Muscle”, “Marauder”, “Acid Lord”, “Detest”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is a solo project of Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, known as ‘Toxic Razor,’ who also owns the Werkstatt Recordings label and runs the projects Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery, Resistance Of Independent Music, and Hardware Pulse. Metal Disco is composed entirely on hardware equipment, mixing EBM, Minimal-Electro, Electro-Wave, and Electroclash.

Prior full-length “Sex, Drugs & Hardware” featured guest vocals by Irini of Incirrina, who returned for the “In Motion” EP. 2021 was a prolific year for the project, with one compilation and three EPs released, including the “Καμία Εξουσία” EP, Stavropoulos’ first use of Greek lyrics in Metal Disco, and the “Misbehave” EP.

“Technoid Electronics II 2021-2022”, reviewed here, compiles that run of EP and single material together with one previously unreleased track, “Marauder”, via Werkstatt Recordings.

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: Cold-Wave, Minimal-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info: Incirrina is a Greek duo driven by George K. and Irini Tiniakou. I discovered this formation -at least the singer Irini T. as a guest on an EP of Metal Disco. They however released a few productions and last year joined hands together with Cold Transmission Music to unleash this opus.

Content: The work is reflecting feelings we all felt during the pandemic and its lockdowns. This desolation and solitude is totally appropriated for the icy, electronics of Incirrina. It’s a pure Cold-Wave production which is sometimes reinforced with harder, EBM, elements. The work remains however retro-like. 

+ + + : Incirrina is another amazing new coming band signed on Cold Transmission Music. The retro Cold-Wave approach is danceable and supported with melancholic moods. The numerous string parts accentuate the desolate atmosphere while Irini’s passionate vocals let you feel different kinds of emotions running through the work. I prefer the harder and danceable cuts instead of the more evasive, melancholic pieces but the entire album is worthy of examination.

– – – : “Lip Led Scream” is maybe missing an absolute hit but trust me, you get only cool songs instead.

Conclusion: This is a well-crafted and fully enjoyable work without any single cut to throw away.

Best songs: “I Lick Rain”, “Dance Of The Dark”, “Hatred”, “Not Live”, “My Only Land”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: https://incirrinaband.wixsite.com/incirrina /

www.facebook.com/Incirrinaband

Label: www.coldtransmission.com / www.facebook.com/coldtransmissionmusic

About Incirrina

Incirrina is a Greek duo of George K. and Irini Tiniakou. Irini Tiniakou first appeared on Side-Line’s radar as a guest vocalist on a Metal Disco EP. The duo released several earlier productions before signing to Cold Transmission Music for the album “Lip Led Scream”, a Cold-Wave record reinforced with EBM elements and shaped by the isolation of the pandemic years.

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, Cassette.

Background/Info: Not sure if there’s a more prolific artist active in the Greek Electro underground fields than Toxic Razor. His most familiar and successful project is for sure Paradox Obscur but he’s also involved with numerous other projects like Metal Disco. Four new cuts have been recorded for this new EP.

Content: Metal Disco remains driven and inspired by Minimal-Electro; good old vintage sound treatments played and recorded in real time and now resulting in EBM vibes mixed with other influences like electroclash and good-old Electro-Wave featuring host-like vocals on top.

+ + + : Retro-Electronics can be refreshing and in a way innovating. It’s a bit paradoxal and yet it works. I like the accentuated EBM approach which comes mainly through on the title song. There’s also a cool and more groovy touch emerging on “Metal Muscle” which sounds more 90s like.

– – – : Mike most songs composed by Toxic Razor and for all of his projects I regret the songs aren’t a bit longer.

Conclusion: Minimal-EBM made by the Greek King of minimalism.

Best songs: “EBM Workout”, “Metal Muscle”, “Body Machine”

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the solo project of Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, who records under the name Toxic Razor and also runs the Werkstatt Recordings label. In a 2021 interview with Side-Line, Stavropoulos described Metal Disco as his most stripped-down and direct project, built around punchy drum rhythms and dirty basslines composed entirely on hardware synthesizers and drum machines rather than software. He released one compilation and three EPs as Metal Disco during 2021 alone, alongside a collaboration EP with Incirrina, while continuing to record as Paradox Obscur, Hardware Pulse and Beatbox Machinery. The “EBM Workout” EP continues that pace into a mix of EBM, electroclash and Electro-Wave.

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: Minimal-Electro, EBM, New-Beat.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Nearly together with the new EP’s of Metal Disco and Beatbox Machinery, Toxic Razor (Greece) releases the second work under the Hardware Pulse moniker.

Content: “Neo-Synthetik Diskotek” features 3 instrumental songs carried by dry kicks and a fusion between EBM, new-Beat and Electroclash. The last song evokes 90s familiar Dance/House influences with an Acid touch above.

+ + + : Hardware Pulse sounds simple and efficient. Retro music with a powerful production resulting from hardware equipment. The title song is cool but I prefer “Can You Swing To This?” featuring an irresistible, cold, tune.

– – – : It’s not that easy to differentiate all the projects by Toxic Razor.

Conclusion: Back to basics of Electro-Underground stuff.

Best songs: “Can You Swing To This?”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/hardwarepulsemusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Hardware Pulse

Hardware Pulse is a solo project of Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, also known as Toxic Razor, who runs the Werkstatt Recordings label and records in parallel as Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco and Beatbox Machinery. As with his other projects, Hardware Pulse is built entirely on hardware synthesizers and drum machines played and recorded in real time, here leaning toward EBM and New-Beat rather than the Minimal-Electro of Metal Disco. “Neo-Synthetik Diskotek” is the project’s second release, and Hardware Pulse went on to release the single “Tech-Noir” in 2023.

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, Italo-Disco.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Werkstatt Recordings label owner Toxic Razor -still involved with Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco, Hardware Pulse ao, strikes back with a new EP of his Beatbox Machinery project.

Content: The common thread between all the projects of this artist remains the devotion to vintage sound treatments and techniques; pure hardware equipment recorded in real time. This new EP sounds groovy and danceable while experimenting with Italo-Disco passages. Other parts remind me of old video games animation and New-Beat music.

+ + + : Every release by Toxic Razor and all of his projects sound different -maybe with the single exception of Paradox Obscur. And here again I like the sound minimalism and retro influences featuring cool effects. Both debut cuts are my favorites but especially “Star Warrior” has this cool Italo-Disco touch.

– – – : I think the vocals would have a little extra with vocals on top.

Conclusion: Pure fun on retro-danceable tunes and effects.

Best songs: “Star Warrior”, “Synthetic Heart”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/BeatboxMachinery

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Beatbox Machinery

Beatbox Machinery is one of several projects run by Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, known as Toxic Razor, the owner of the Werkstatt Recordings label. Alongside Beatbox Machinery, he records as Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco and Hardware Pulse, all built around hardware synthesizers and drum machines recorded in real time rather than software production. Beatbox Machinery leans toward Electro-Pop and Italo-Disco, distinguishing it from the more EBM and Minimal-Electro-driven Metal Disco and Hardware Pulse projects, and continues the label’s retro-focused release pace with the “Synthetic Heart” EP.

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: Dark Dance-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This single by Greek solo-project Metal Disco is an appetizer for the next EP “Acid Lord”.

Content: The title song is an instrumental piece driven by cool electronic sequences and ending into a dark Dance-Pop cut. The “Dub Mix” sounds a bit Kraftwerk-like and the “Club Mix” is empowered by dance vibes.

+ + + : It’s fascinating to see how Toxic Razor accomplished 3 very different versions of one track. I like the “Dub Mix” for the ‘Robotic-Pop’ touch.

– – – : I can already tell you this is not the best song from “Acid Lord” and even a rather surprising choice as single.

Conclusion: This is not exactly a song meant to be released as a single. There’s much better work from Metal Disco.

Best songs: “A Constellation Of Synthesizers And Its Wondrous Waves – Dub Mix”.

Rate: 6.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the solo project of Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, who works under the name Toxic Razor. He also runs the Werkstatt Recordings label and is involved with Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery, Hardware Pulse and Resistance Of Independent Music. Metal Disco is composed on hardware only. In a Side-Line interview Stavropoulos stated: “sitting in front of a screen making music is not my cup of tea, I have tried it in the past and had absolutely no fun”.

The project debuted with the album “Unearthly Vices” on Werkstatt Recordings in 2015. “Vade Mecum” followed on Detonic Recordings in 2018 and “Sex, Drugs & Hardware”, featuring Irini of Incirrina, on Werkstatt Recordings in 2020. 2021 brought a compilation and three EPs, among them “Καμία Εξουσία”, the first Metal Disco release with Greek lyrics, and “Misbehave”. The collaborative EP “In Motion” with Incirrina appeared in 2022, and the album “Hellion Reaper” in 2024.

The full background is set out in the ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco. This single precedes the EP “Acid Lord”, also released by Werkstatt Recordings.

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: Dark Dance-Pop, Trance.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Toxic Razor (Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery, Hardware Pulse, Werkstatt Recordings owner) is back on track unleashing a new EP featuring five songs. Right before this release we got the single “A Constellation Of Synthesizers And Its Wondrous Waves” which was meant to be a teaser to the EP.

Content: Every single Metal Disco work sounds different or at least revealing another focus. I got the impression the Greek artist is now exploring Dance-Pop fields mixed with darker spheres and tones while accomplished with a raw sound production. The main part of the EP remains instrumental although the title song features vocals. There are other passages with robotic vocals and fragmented, sampled pieces.

+ + + : I deeply respect this artist who’s non-stop writing and releasing new stuff. And each new work always features cool surprises. The title song is a cool piece of raw, underground, Dance stuff. “Rave Kick” is another noticeable cut for its great Dance lead while “Transespacio Analogico” contains great analogue-like sound effects.

– – – : I’m still a bit wondered about the “A Constellation Of Synthesizers And Its Wondrous Waves”-song which compared to other cuts of the EP is a poorly inspired cut that has been released as single.

Conclusion: Metal Disco remains driven by a ‘no compromises’-approach which is refreshing and efficient.

Best songs: “Acid Lord”, “Rave Kick”, “Transespacio Analogico”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the hardware-only solo project of Greek musician Kostas Stavropoulos, who releases under the name Toxic Razor. He owns Werkstatt Recordings and also works in Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery, Hardware Pulse and Resistance Of Independent Music.

The first Metal Disco album, “Unearthly Vices”, came out on Werkstatt Recordings in 2015. “Vade Mecum” followed on Detonic Recordings in 2018, and “Sex, Drugs & Hardware” on Werkstatt Recordings in 2020, with Irini of Incirrina on vocals. In 2021 the project issued a compilation and three EPs, including “Καμία Εξουσία”, its first release with Greek lyrics, and “Misbehave”. The EP “In Motion”, again with Incirrina, arrived in 2022, and the album “Hellion Reaper” in 2024.

Stavropoulos discussed his working method at length in the ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco, where he stated: “Inspiration comes mostly after jamming in the studio”. “Acid Lord” follows that approach across its five tracks.

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: Gothic, Electro-Wave, Minimal-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette. 

Background/Info: Werkstatt Recordings owner Toxic Razor made a selection of nine bands from the label’s roster. Notice by the way he’s involved with several of the featured projects.

Artists: Ceremonial Doom Hex, Eerie Sopor, Body Expander, Harsh Aesthetics, Paradox Obscure, Beatbox Machinery, Vanity Drum, Metal Disco, Geometry Combat.

Content: The common thing between all these bands is the minimal approach of the composition. It’s that characteristic for the label’s owner and some of his most renowned projects like Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco and Beatbox Machinery. Minimalism is the red line throughout the compilation while the influences are moving  from Gothic and Dark-Wave to EBM and Minimal/Electro-Wave. I also noticed all the songs featuring male singers (even for Paradox Obscur with a song Kriistal Ann is not singing).

+ + + : This is a perfect compilation to get more familiar with the Greek label which has already released an impressive catalog. But it also is a way to realize this pure underground label has some great bands which don’t always get the deserved recognition. And it also is a way to discover some unknown projects like Ceremonial Doom Hex and Harsh Aesthetics.

– – – : My only regret is that there are only 9 bands featured while Werkstatt Recordings has much more to offer.

Conclusion: If you like underground music and especially Electro and you would like to discover cool artists you better get in touch with Werkstatt Recordings.

Best bands: Paradox Obscur, Vanity Drum, Eerie Sopor, Metal Disco.

Rate: 7½.

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Werkstatt Recordings

Werkstatt Recordings is an Athens label started in 2009 and run by Toxic Razor. Its catalogue covers minimal electro, synth wave, EBM and related electronic music, issued on digital, CD and cassette.

Several projects on this compilation are run by the label owner, among them Paradox Obscur with Kriistal Ann, Metal Disco and Hardware Pulse. Side-Line covered his hardware-only working method in the 2022 ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco.

“Toxic Razor Selections” gathers nine acts from that roster and was released on digital, CD and cassette.

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: Minimal-Electro, Nu-Disco, Electro-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: This is one more production from the hands of Werkstatt Recordings owner Toxic Razor. He strikes back with five new songs from his Beatbox Machinery project.

Content: The cover of the EP reminds me of the legendary “Knight Rider”-series which totally matches with the sound. We’re once more getting back to distant times, Beatbox Machinery mixing elements of Nu-Disco, Electro-Space-Minimalism and EBM. The songs are mixing instrumentals and vocals which have been produced with a robotic effect.

+ + + : The endless creativity of Toxic Razor never affects the quality and diversity of his work. I sometimes get the feeling this project is a kind of sound laboratory for some of his other projects (Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco) but it also is something on its own. I like the EP for its original mix between good-old Nu-Disco influences, EBM and Ambient atmospheres while the minimalism of the production remains the essence of the artist’s approach and sound philosophy.

– – – : Some songs might have been a bit more elaborated but in the end it’s not really a point.

Conclusion: Pure Electronic entertainment for vintage lovers.

Best songs: “Battlestar Galactica”, “Vicious Pleasures”, “Dangerous”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/BeatboxMachinery

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Beatbox Machinery

Beatbox Machinery is one of several projects Toxic Razor runs from Athens, Greece. He started it in February 2010 and records it on hardware synthesizers and drum machines.

His other work includes Paradox Obscur with Kriistal Ann, Metal Disco and Hardware Pulse. All of it comes out on Werkstatt Recordings, the Athens label he has run since 2009.

“Night Vision” was released on digital, CD and cassette, alongside the EP “Mega City Hunters”. Toxic Razor set out his hardware-only approach in the 2022 ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco.

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: Minimal-Electro, Electro-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: And here’s another EP by the Greek project Beatbox Machinery which is driven by Toxic Razor (Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco, Hardware Pulse ao).

Content: The work features 4 different songs which are instrumentals. None of the songs go over the 3 minutes. Sound-wise this is a danceable mix of space atmospheres, Minimal-Electro and Trance passages.

+ + + : The vintage sound treatments have something magic and especially when carried by a solid bass line like at “Electronic Birds Turning The Sky”. The title song is another noticeable cut for its analogue effects.

– – – : I’m missing a few vocal lines and it remains a damned pity the songs are that short.

Conclusion: Toxic Razor convinced me for years now with his projects Paradox Obscur and Metal Disco but Beatbox Machinery is just another of his sonic brainchilds to discover.

Best songs: “Electronic Birds Turning The Sky”, “Mega City Hunters”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/BeatboxMachinery

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Beatbox Machinery

Beatbox Machinery started in February 2010 in Athens, Greece, as a project of Toxic Razor. The material is recorded with hardware synthesizers and drum machines, without software instruments.

Releases appear through Werkstatt Recordings, the Athens label Toxic Razor has run since 2009. “Mega City Hunters” came out on digital, CD and cassette, as did the companion EP “Night Vision”.

Toxic Razor described his hardware-only method in the 2022 ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco.

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, Italo-Disco.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Greek project Metal Disco already has a new work out. ‘Toxic Razor’ (still involved with Paradox Obscur) joined hands with the singer of the Greek project Incirrina, Irini Tini to achieve this EP.

Content: Every new work by Metal Disco brings a different sonic focus. The main influences remain driven by raw Electro-Pop and EBM but we now get elements of Italo-Disco on top. It sounds refreshing retro like with great female vocals on top. The last song is a remix by Stutter Monk.

+ + + : Metal Disco has probably achieved one of its most elaborated works although it remains very accessible. The mix of Electro-Wave and Italo-Disco with the sensual vocals on top creates a great sonic symbiosis and the perfect music to dance. The pure vintage sound treatments inject this little touch of magic resulting in cool songs.

– – – : I still regret the songs remain pretty short. The Stutter Monk-remix doesn’t really sound like a bonus.

Conclusion: Metal Disco never stops to take me by surprise. This is a great retro-like Electro/Wave-Pop and Italo-Disco production.

Best songs: “Tension”, “Heavy Rain”, “In Motion”.

Rate: 8.

Artists: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic / www.facebook.com/Incirrinaband

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

“In Motion” was released on 20 March 2022 through Werkstatt Recordings. Metal Disco produced, mixed and performed the EP and wrote the music and lyrics, with vocals by Irini Tini of Incirrina and a remix of “Tension” by Stutter Monk. Nikolas “TheMute” Chalntoupis mixed the vocals and mastered the release at SoundCave Studios in Athens.

Listen to “In Motion”:

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the solo project of Athens-based musician Kostas Stavropoulos, who works under the name ‘Toxic Razor’ and runs the Werkstatt Recordings label. He is also involved with Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery, Resistance Of Independent Music and Hardware Pulse. Metal Disco is composed entirely on hardware equipment, and the sound mixes EBM, minimal-electro, electro-wave and electroclash.

Stavropoulos set out the reasoning behind that hardware-only method in Side-Line’s ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco in March 2022, weeks before this EP was reviewed. He described the starting point for the project as “having punchy drum rhythms with dirty driven basslines in a kinda more minimal approach with not many instruments/sounds involved.”

“In Motion” pairs the project with Incirrina, the Athens electro and synth-wave act fronted by Irini Tini. Metal Disco continued the sequence in 2023 with the album Metal Disco – Technoid Electronics II 2021-2022, while Incirrina went on to release “Lip Led Scream” in 2023 and Incirrina release new album ‘Trace’ on Cold Transmission Music in 2026.

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

In a rather short lapse of time Greek solo-project Metal Disco has released an impressive number of productions. Driven by Werkstatt Recordings label owner -and involved with other music projects like Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery, Resistance Of Independent Music, Hardware Pulse… Kostas Stavropoulos aka ‘Toxic Razor’, the sound of Metal Disco is composed by only hardware equipment. The sound features different influences mixing EBM, Minimal-Electro, Electro-Wave, Electroclash ao. 2021 has been an extremely prolific year for Metal Disco while a new EP has been already released this year. Time for an interview and introduction in the world of this great project. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: You’re involved with multiple projects so what makes the specificity of Metal Disco in comparison with all others? What kind of sound and production did you have in mind when setting up Metal Disco?

TR: Metal Disco delivers a more darkened electro sound especially in the first releases. What I had in mind when starting this project was having punchy drum rhythms with dirty driven basslines in a kinda more minimal approach with not many instruments/sounds involved.

Q: The way of composing your music is very important and especially the use of hardware equipment! Tell us a bit more about your way of working? And does it mean you have something against software equipment and tools?

TR: Indeed hardware instruments is more fun to work with and play, feels like becoming one with a synth or a drum machine when recording or rehearsing and that is something that I can’t find in the virtual software world. The sound is much more richer and breathes like a living entity unlike the sterile virtual instruments which no matter how good they sound it’s like something’s missing..  sitting in front of a screen making music is not my cup of tea, I have tried it in the past and had absolutely no fun but I don’t have something against software as for other people might work better.

Q: Metal Disco has been very prolific during the past few years. Where does this inspiration come from and what’s the usual way of composing when working on Metal Disco?

TR: Inspiration comes mostly after jamming in the studio, synthesizers can offer a wide palette of sounds and mood, sometimes feels like these waveforms devour me, luring me into their deep endless spiral of synthesis.

When starting a new track I mostly give emphasis and work on the bassline parts along with some basic drum rhythm, from there I try to find a fitting lead/melody and later come back to the drums again in order to build the main groove, fills, changes etc. But once the main idea is set the song drives me by itself until it takes the final shape.

Q: You clearly like to release EP’s while each EP sounds like having a different focus and own influences. Tell us a bit more about the most recent productions and how did you see the project evolving throughout the years?

TR: 2021 was a very busy year with one compilation and 3 EPs released, while also working in the collaboration EP with Incirrina and trying to put together ideas for the next full-length album.

In the “Καμία Εξουσία”-EP I also tried for the first time Greek lyrics in the Metal Disco project since I had the self-titled track sitting for around a decade in my studio, so I thought why not record a few more tracks in Greek.. this how “Καμία Εξουσία”-EP was born.

The recent “Misbehave”-EP delivers a more Electronic sound with groovy basslines and I feel it turned out more melodic than what I expected and had in mind when started composing it.

As for evolving this is something I could say for my other band Paradox Obscur since we always try to explore new paths, but for Metal Disco things are simpler, music is more raw, stripped and direct.

Q: You already mentioned the new EP entitled “In Motion” featuring Incirrina. How did this collaborative work happened and what has been the input of Incirrina?

TR: I have collaborated with many other artists for the Metal Disco project in the past and Irini from Incirrina was also part of the latest full-length album “Sex, Drugs & Hardware”.

Since I was looking for someone to take over the vocals in the new EP I thought Irini would fit great in these new songs and all evolved very naturally.

She has taken over the vocal parts in all songs of the “In Motion”-EP and I think this must be the more melodic work for Metal Disco so far..

Q: I can’t get away from the idea you’re devoted to 80s Electronics. What made the magic of this decade and what are your personal ‘masters’ when it comes to musicians?  And do you have contemporary ‘masters’ or simply musicians/producers you respect for their way of working?

 TR: The 80s was a rather obscure weird era in many aspects but had a great renaissance in the music scenery in various genres It’s impossible to mention all the artists I listen but names like Mylene Farmer, Sandra, Jean-Michel Jarre, Pet Shop Boys, Yello etc are on my top preferences together with some Metal acts like Venom, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Slayer, W.A.S.P. which are not Electronic but evolved and experimented over the years and always has been a great inspiration to my musical ventures.

Concerning the contemporary scene I listen a lot to Electro, Tech-House, Progressive Techno, Trance, EBM, Future-Pop, Synth-Wave, Italo and artists like Motor, Arnaud Rebotini, Black Asteroid, John Dahlbäck, Mind.In.A.Box, Soman, Juno Reactor, Apoptygma Berzerk is always a pleasure to listen their work.

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, Electro-Wave, Minimal-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Werkstatt Recordings label owner ‘Toxic Razor’ has been very prolific with his different projects during the past year. But Metal disco has been clearly one of the most active projects, releasing multiple EP’s and a compilation album. “Misbehave” was the last recording from 2021 and features six new tracks.

Content: Metal Disco remains driven by the power of hardware equipment, which creates a powerful sound production. The tracks are once more mixing EBM, Electro-Wave and pure Minimal-Electronics. I however have to say there’s a song (cf. “Invert”) featuring an icy, Technoid tune on top.

+ + + : Metal Disco has never disappointed me, but this new EP is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best releases in history. I remain addicted to the minimalism of the production, but especially the icy sound treatments and dark bass lines are emerging at this work. “Invert” is a brilliant cold song, but I also must mention “Trans-Doll” and “Crack”. “The Trance That Veils The Mind” is driven by a sublime lead and “Void” will definitely appeal to lovers of Fad Gadget.

– – – : My single regret is the pretty short during time of the work; only 18 minutes of joy for 6 songs.

Conclusion: The more prolific Metal Disco is the more inspired and efficient the releases are.

Best songs: “Invert”, “Trans-Doll”, “The Trans That Veils The Mind”, “Crack”, “Void”.

Rate: 8½.

Listen to “Misbehave”:

Artist: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is an electronic project run by the Greek musician Toxic Razor, who is also half of Paradox Obscur and owns the Athens label Werkstatt Recordings. The project keeps its personnel undisclosed and records with hardware synthesizers and drum machines.

Early releases include “Unearthly Vices” and “Fetish Club Anthems” in 2015, “Tease” in 2016, “Devil Explicit” in 2017, the single “The Tyger/Obnoxious” on Detonic Recordings and “Vade Mecum” in 2018, and the “Banger EP” on Werkstatt Recordings in 2019. “Sex, Drugs & Hardware” and the “Clublife EP” followed in 2020. In 2021 the project issued “Καμία Εξουσία”, the compilation “Technoid Electronics 2015-2020” and the “Misbehave” EP, which came out on December 3, 2021.

Toxic Razor discussed the hardware-only working method in a Click Interview with Metal Disco published in March 2022. Later titles include “In Motion” and “EBM Workout” in 2022, “Technoid Electronics II 2021-2022” in 2023 and “Hellion Reaper” in 2024.

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-Wave, Electroclash, Technoid.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Greek composer Toxic Razor -still involved with Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco and Beatbox Machinery, last year unleashed a new project called Hardware Pulse. The global approach of composing music with only hardware equipment remains the common thread between all of his projects. “Techno Valkyrie” is the debut album of Hardware Pulse featuring eight songs. 

Content: All songs are instrumental edits. The songs are driven by danceable rhythms while bringing different, but related music genres together. There’s a touch of Body-Pop music, which has been mixed with pure old-school Electro with some Electroclash influences and other passages revealing a Technoid approach.

+ + + : The creativity of this artist seems to have no limits, but Toxic Razor isn’t only a prolific artist, but also a true talented one. This new project reveals different aspects although the global approach and some of his arrangements are easily recognizable with his work for Metal Disco and Paradox Obscur. I like the solid sound treatments, which especially excel at “Mainframe Isolator”.

– – – : I regret there are neither vocals nor spoken samplings, which could inject a little extra here and then. Like all of his projects, the songs are still pretty short and that’s sometimes a pity when you’re just listening to a great piece.

Conclusion: “Techno Valkyrie” is a promising debut for Hardware Pulse, which I can only, but encourage to pursue this path.

Best songs: “Mainframe Isolator”, “Club Raiser”, “Techno Valkyrie”.

Rate: 7.

Listen to “Techno Valkyrie”:

Artist: www.facebook.com/hardwarepulsemusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Hardware Pulse

Hardware Pulse is the solo project of Greek musician Toxic Razor, who also works in Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco and Beatbox Machinery. The project is based in Athens and is dedicated to hardware synthesizers and drum machines, performed and recorded without virtual instruments.

“Techno Valkyrie” is the debut album, released in 2021 through Werkstatt Recordings, the label run by Toxic Razor.

The project returned with the single “Tech-Noir” in September 2023, taken from an album of the same name that was issued on October 6, 2023 in digital, CD and cassette formats.

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, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: ‘Toxic Razor’ (Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco) seems to be a musician who never sleeps. When you consider the endless discography of Beatbox Machinery next to his involvement with his other projects and running Werkstatt Recordings, you can only, but declare that music is his life! “Nuclear Devastation” is a new EP featuring four songs.

Content: There’s a similar approach between all the projects this artist is involved with; less equipment, and only great, analogue gear. The influences are different from project to project, but always connected to the 80s. “Nuclear devastation” sounds like pure nostalgia, driven by alluring synth lines and danceable rhythms. The project is more melodic than the others while this work also has something pretty crazy. There’s a cover version of Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law”, which reminds me of Fad Gadget and a cover version of Mötorhead’s “Ace Of Spades” with sound treatments reminding me of Felix Da Housecat. Among the other songs I noticed rather surprising guitar playing –by Megahammer, at “Hot Heels Tonite”. All songs have been sung in English.

+ + + : I like this new work by Beatbox Machinery; it sounds old-school like and definitely appealing to all lovers of old Electro-Wave, but it’s also fun to make cover versions of bands like Judas Priest and Mötorhead. Both songs sound like they were originally written by Toxic Razor, which to me simply confirms the talent of this artist. The guitar playing running through “Hot Heels Tonite” is something unexpected, a bit weird as well and yet it creates a great fusion with the Electro style.

– – – : The reason Toxic Razor is that prolific maybe is because of the very short length of his songs.

Conclusion: This EP is fun and an excellent work for Electro-parties.

Best songs: “Ace Of Spades”, “Breaking The Law”, “Nuclear Devastation”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/BeatboxMachinery

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Beatbox Machinery

Beatbox Machinery is the electro project of Greek musician and producer Toxic Razor, who also runs Werkstatt Recordings and works with Paradox Obscur and Metal Disco. Discogs lists the project from 2010, when Werkstatt Recordings issued the CD EPs “Factory Of The Godless Recoil” and “Destroy The Art Of Construction”, followed by the album “Drone Electricity” in 2011 and a long series of EPs and cassettes through the same label.

Later entries include the albums “Mercury Land” in 2012 and “Panther Vehicle” in 2013, the cassette “Retrospective 2010 – 2012” in 2015, the “Canadian Metal” CD EP in 2019 and the limited CD “Hours” in 2020.

“Nuclear Devastation” was released on 26 September 2021 through Werkstatt Recordings. It holds four tracks: “Nuclear Devastation”, “Breaking The Law”, “Hot Heels Tonite (feat. Megahammer)” and “Ace Of Spades”. Music and lyrics on tracks one and three are by Toxic Razor, track two was originally written by Judas Priest and track four by Motorhead. Toxic Razor performed, mixed and mastered the EP, the guitars on “Hot Heels Tonite” were recorded and mixed by Megahammer, and the label states the record was made exclusively with hardware synthesizers and drum machines.

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-Wave, EBM, Electroclash.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Greek musician/producer and Werkstatt Recordings owner Toxic Razor has been extremely prolific this year. He not only released several Metal Disco productions, but also releases for his other projects like Paradox Obscur and Beatbox Machinery. This new EP features three songs and has been released the same day as the EP “Rough & Dirty”.

Content: The approach and way of production remains exactly the same; composing songs with fewer instruments, which are all analogue. The main difference is that this EP featuring 3 songs has been sung in Greek. It creates a rather exotic effect while the music is moving in between Electroclash –the opening song reminding me of Miss Kittin & The Hacker, and harder plus darker EBM.

+ + + : The EP only features 3 short songs, but I definitely enjoy the minimal fusion between all the different influences. The opening Electroclash piece reveals great sound treatments while the last track is a heavier production in sound and vocals.

– – – : As for the “Rough & Dirty”-EP the songs are pretty short and even a little bit too short, the longest track is 2”22’.

Conclusion: Metal Disco is a project I’ve always liked for its sexy vintage sound as an ode to 80s electro-Wave.

Best songs: “Καμία Εξουσία”, “Μοιραία Στιγμή”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the solo project of Greek musician and producer Toxic Razor, who runs Werkstatt Recordings and is also behind Paradox Obscur and Beatbox Machinery. Discogs lists the project from 2015 with “Unearthly Vices” and “Fetish Club Anthems”, then “Tease” in 2016, “Devil Explicit” in 2017, “The Tyger/Obnoxious” and “Vade Mecum” in 2018, the “Banger EP” in 2019 and “Sex, Drugs & Hardware” together with the “Clublife EP” in 2020.

“Καμία Εξουσία” was released on 25 July 2021 through Werkstatt Recordings, the same day as “Rough & Dirty”. It was produced, mixed and performed by Metal Disco, with music and lyrics by Metal Disco, and holds three tracks: “Μοιραία Στιγμή”, “Σκιές” and “Καμία Εξουσία”.

Toxic Razor set out his working method in the ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco in March 2022, where he stated: “Sitting In Front Of A Screen Making Music Is Not My Cup Of Tea”.

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-Wave, Minimal-Electro, EBM, Electroclash.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: After having released the album “Techno Electronics 2015-2020” earlier this year Greek artist and label owner Toxic Razor strikes back with a new EP of his Metal Disco project.

Content: Metal Disco remains driven by the power and magic of good-old analogue equipment. The music is clearly evoking some distant although still inspiring 80s Electro-Wave. The songs are mixing different other influences like EBM while the main approach remains pretty minimal. All vocals have been sung in English.

+ + + : If you like the good-old analogue sounds, Metal Disco clearly is a project you’re going to like. Neither complexity nor tricks, but songs that go with the flow and the inspiration of the artist. I however like the somewhat more elaborated last song “Thrust” while “Rotten To The Core” is another attention grabber for the metallic sound treatments and cool extra effect on the vocals.

– – – : The tracks remain pretty short; each song is about approximate 3 minutes.

Conclusion: Metal Disco brings us back to the 80s and yet this project sounds refreshing.

Best songs: “Thrust”, “Rotten To The Core”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the solo project of Greek musician and producer Toxic Razor, who also runs the Athens label Werkstatt Recordings and works with Paradox Obscur and Beatbox Machinery. Discogs lists the project from 2015 with “Unearthly Vices” and “Fetish Club Anthems”, followed by “Tease” in 2016, “Devil Explicit” in 2017, the single “The Tyger/Obnoxious” on Detonic Recordings and “Vade Mecum” in 2018, the “Banger EP” in 2019 and “Sex, Drugs & Hardware” plus the “Clublife EP” in 2020.

The 2021 retrospective referred to above appears on Discogs and Bandcamp under the title “Technoid Electronics 2015-2020”. “Rough & Dirty” was released on 25 July 2021 through Werkstatt Recordings, digitally and in a limited cassette edition in a clear shell with a double-sided printed j-card. It was produced, mixed and performed by Metal Disco, with music and lyrics by Metal Disco, and holds four tracks: “Vile”, “Rotten To The Core”, “To The Beat Of Her Heart” and “Thrust”.

Toxic Razor discussed the hardware-only method behind the project in the ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco in March 2022.

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-Wave, Electroclash, EBM, Minimal-Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Greek label owner Toxic Razor is also involved with several projects like Paradox Obscur, Beatbox Machinery and Metal Disco. This ‘new’ album is a fine selection of songs released in between 2015 and 2020.

Content: The common element between all projects of Toxic Razor is a true love and passion for vintage Electronics. Metal Disco sounds harder than Beatbox Machinery and less Electro-Wave than Paradox Obscur. There’s a constant mix between 80s related influences, now EBM powered and then more Electroclash & Electro-Wave like. The last songs are definitely harder and driven by low, resonating bass lines.

+ + + : These songs were originally released on several EP’s so this is an opportunity to get them together on one disc. I like the global approach of Metal Disco, which is maybe best illustrated at the “Metal Disco”-track, which is carried by an icy, metal-like lead and a solid bass line. The power of the bass line comes back on other tracks as well, “Devil Explicit” remaining a great piece of this artist. But I also have to mention the retro-EBM “Flux Decadence” and the extremely powerful sound treatments of “Blackened”.

– – – : A similar remark as for Beatbox Machinery, I think some songs could be a bit more elaborated and extended.

Conclusion: This album is a perfect compilation to discover the fascinating retro-Electro universe of Metal Disco. Read the ‘Click Interview’ with Metal Disco.

Best songs: “Devil Explicit”, “Flux Decadence”, “Blackened”, “Orchard”, “Banger”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is a project of the Athens-based producer Toxic Razor, who founded Werkstatt Recordings and also records as Beatbox Machinery, as one half of Paradox Obscur with Kriistal Ann and, since 2023, as Hardware Pulse. The Discogs profile for Metal Disco states that the project discloses nothing about its members.

The first releases appeared in 2015 on Werkstatt Recordings: the cassette album “Unearthly Vices” in August and the CDr EP “Fetish Club Anthems”. “Tease” followed in 2016, the “Devil Explicit” EP was issued on cassette by Detonic Recordings in June 2017 and “Vade Mecum” came out in 2018. Werkstatt Recordings released the “Banger EP” in 2019 and the album “Sex, Drugs & Hardware” on 8 September 2020, with Irini of Incirrina among the guests. The “Clublife EP” followed the same year.

“Technoid Electronics 2015-2020” was released on 11 April 2021 as a download and as a CDr limited to twelve copies. It collects ten tracks from the EPs of that period plus the exclusive track “Orchard”. Later releases include the Greek-language EP “Καμία Εξουσία” (2021), the “In Motion” EP with Incirrina (2022), “EBM Workout” (2022), the second compilation “Technoid Electronics II 2021-2022” (February 2023) and the album “Hellion Reaper” (March 2024). Toxic Razor discussed the project in the March 2022 Side-Line interview linked above.

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

Background/Info:

About Metal Disco

Metal Disco is the Greek solo-project of Kostas Stavropoulos, also known as Toxic Razor, who runs the label Werkstatt Recordings and is also involved with the projects Paradox Obscur and Beatbox Machinery. Metal Disco’s releases are built entirely from hardware equipment, a working method behind a sound mixing EBM, minimal-electro, electro-wave and electroclash.

“Vade Mecum” stood as the project’s second full-length album. By 2021, a Side-Line Click Interview with Stavropoulos found Metal Disco in a particularly prolific stretch, with a new EP already released that year.

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: Electroclash, EBM, wave-pop.

Background/Info: Behind this funny band name is hiding Greek artist Toxic Razor. If the name of this artist doesn’t make ring a bell, you maybe know Paradox Obscur in, which he’s involved together with Kriistal Ann. Metal Disco has already released a few productions on Werkstatt Recordings, which is the label of Toxic Razor and on which he also released several productions as Beatbox Machinery. This EP rather looks like a mini-album featuring 6 songs.

Content: The main link between Paradox Obscur and Metal Disco is the ‘love’ and passion for retro-electronics. The sound is totally devoted to the 80s spirit, somewhere in between good-old wave-pop music and electroclash with some extra EBM elements on top. The vocals are quite sterile-like, which appears to be a cool match with the music.

+ + + : Metal Disco is a pretty cool discovery. It sounds old-school like and yet refreshing. This is because of the great sound treatments featuring dry bass lines and analogue melodies. The EBM touch on top of the work injects a naughty, danceable touch. I also like the tracks for their melodic approach. “Destroyer” is a potential hit for dancefloors.

– – – : The main difficulty with such a fascinating release is to catch the attention of a wider audience. Promotion will be really important, but the band gets my full support!

Conclusion: “Devil Explicit” sounds sexy and retro, but it first of all reveals a new promising project featuring Greek artist Toxic Razor.

Best songs: “Destroyer”, “Serial Killer”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/metaldiscomusic

Label: www.detonicrecordings.com / www.facebook.com/detonicRecordings

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-pop, wave-pop.

Background/Info: Werkstatt Recordings is a small and independent Greek label active since 2009. Kriistal Ann definitely is the most famous artist of the label, but I also have to mention one of her side-projects Paradox Obscur while the label owner’s own band Beatbox Machinery is another familiar name. This compilation is a perfect opportunity to get a bit more familiar with the independent label. Seven bands have been selected each featuring  two songs.

Bands: Kriistal Ann, Resistance Of Independent Music, Paradox Obscur, Metal Disco, Geometry Combat, Obsidian Radioactive, Dawnrazor.

Content: The featured bands move from EBM elements into dark and minimal pop, to electro-wave and pop. There clearly is a fascination for vintage electronic music, but the common element between all of the bands is their pure underground addiction. We don’t get famous bands with ultra professional productions, but a fascinating underground sound that will appeal to lovers of retro electro sounds.

+ + + : Kriistal Ann and Paradox Obscur both are for sure the most mature and ‘advanced’ formations, which will remind you of late 80s music. Kriistal Ann has a unique timbre of voice, which sometimes reminds me of Kirlian Camera. Another interesting band is Metal Disco, which sounds more inspired by EBM, but adapting the body style into an own approach. Another name to keep in mind is Geometry Combat, which is also inspired by EBM ideas.

– – – : I mostly mainly regret there’s no info available about the bands on this CD version. That’s a pity especially because it consist of lesser known bands. Production-wise the mastering could have been better, but let’s keep in mind it all remains an independent and pure underground work.

Conclusion: If you’re in search of less familiar bands dealing with vintage electronics this sampler can be worthy of examination.

Best bands: Metal Disco, Kriistal Ann, Paradox Obscur.

Rate: (6).

Label: www.facebook.com/werkstattrecordings

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