The Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix releases the twelfth volume in its “Matrix+ Downloaded” series to coincide with the label’s 24th anniversary. The digital-only set collects 69 tracks across the label’s current spectrum – EBM, dark elektro/industrial, synth pop – and newer Spleen+ additions spanning post-punk, goth rock and coldwave. The compilation is offered as a free/pay-what-you-want download via the label’s Bandcamp page and also includes a PDF booklet.

On the cover you will recognize Erica Dunham from Unter Null.

Artists included on this free download compilation include: Studio-X (feat. Kyoko Baertsoen), Rector Scanner, Aesthetische, Cut.Rate.Box, Kant Kino, Frontal Boundary, C-Lekktor, Acylum, Diffuzion, Implant, Neikka RPM, First Aid 4 Souls (feat. Aux Animaux), Noemi Aurora, Suicidal Romance, Llumen, Hanging Freud, Lederman/De Meyer, The Ultimate Dreamers, Aiboforcen, Digital Factor, Armageddon Dildos, Helalyn Flowers, Krystal System, The True Union, Freakangel, Totem Obscura, Lovelorn Dolls (feat. Dero Goi), The Breath of Life, The Names, ImJudas, Synapsyche, Miseria Ultima, Unter Null, Alien Vampires (feat. Dani Divine), Venal Flesh, Helle9, To Avoid, Pouppée Fabrikk, Stahlgeist, Nigra Nebula, Aengeldust, Circuito Cerrado, Matthew Creed, Cubic, Metroland, The Psychic Force, Komor Kommando, First Aid Tech, Die Robo Sapiens, ELM, Plastic Noise Experience, AD:Key, Elektroklänge, 808 Dot Pop, Avarice in Audio, Elektrostaub (feat. Echo Image), Cryogenic Echelon, Entrzelle, Neuroactive, Technoir, Mondträume, Star Industry, Stray, Psy’Aviah (feat. Sorrow Stories), Zombie Girl, Darkness on Demand, Circumpolar, Dunkelwerk, and Lights A.M.

A&R manager, Sebastien Dolimont says: “In 2025, Alfa Matrix proudly celebrates 24 years of existence. Nearly a quarter of a century fighting for dark alternative music, discovering new talents, and keeping the underground alive. This anniversary is not just about us and our artists – it’s about you, our fans. Because without your constant support, there would be no label, no releases, no future for the scene we all love.”

And he add: “In a world where indie labels are disappearing, streaming revenues collapse, and risks of signing new talents are higher than ever, we are proud to still stand strong — but we can only do it with you by our side. By downloading this compilation, you are not just enjoying music — you are actively supporting 69 artists and helping keep our scene alive, fresh, and forward-looking. From all of us at Alfa Matrix and Spleen+, and on behalf of all our artists: thank you for 24 years of loyalty, passion, and support. Together, we’ll keep writing the future of the dark underground.”

About Alfa Matrix

Alfa Matrix is a Brussels-based independent label founded in 2001. The catalogue focuses on electronic subgenres including industrial, EBM, dark elektro, and synth pop, later expanding into post-punk/coldwave via the Spleen+ division. The label’s team includes label & artists manager Seba Dolimont, promo manager Bernard Van Isacker, and head of design Benoît Blanchart.

From the early 2000s, Alfa Matrix used series-based releases to build international reach. Notable strands include “Sounds From The Matrix” (label samplers), “Re:Connected” (digital label overview), and the club-oriented “Endzeit Bunkertracks” multi-CD anthologies (first “Act” released 21 March 2005, featuring 60 tracks with 50 exclusives).

In 2023, Alfa Matrix inaugurated Spleen+, a division centred on post-punk and adjacent styles, and followed with multi-artist projects and catalogue building, including the “Resurgence” 7-CD box that assembled 133 contemporary bands from the post-punk family.

The label has since the very start focused on a direct contact with its fans and customers via their online webstore and Bandcamp.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

The German duo Acylum, Nadine and Pedro Engel, are back with an all new album, “Zuchthaus”, which is the follow-up release to 2021’s “Kampf Dem Verderb” and the 2023 EP “Kalashnikov“.

The initial release of the album emerges as a limited 2CD digipak edition, featuring remixes by formidable bands including :Wumpscut:, Supreme Court, Diffuzion, Darkness On Demand, Studio-X, Neikka RPM, Rroyce, Project Erratic, Winterhart, Say Just Words, Human Vault, Alien:Nation, Dyskolia and Deadly Injection.

You can order this limited 2CD edition right now via the Alfa Matrix webstore and as download on Bandcamp. Below are two videos from album tracks.

The German electro industrial project was founded in 2004 in Chemnitz by DJ Pedro Engel and he was joined in 2008 by Nadine “Cooraz” Engel. Read the review of ‘Zuchthaus’.

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

Referring to the events that unfolded globally, 2023 has again been a bloody, terrible year. Music continues to be a true therapy for soothing pain and suffering, though it seems to have a diminishing impact on the ongoing horror. Therefore, I’m once again wrapping up the year with a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’ albums.

Throughout the year, over 700 productions were selected, and 450 reviews were conducted. Some productions were declined because the style of music didn’t fit, others weren’t reviewed for not being ‘good enough’, while a final portion of reviews will be postponed to early 2024. I am immensely grateful to all the labels, bands, and promoters for considering my work, and I look forward to collaborating again in 2024.

I extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM), who has been reading, correcting, and improving the reviews for many years. Without Rich, these reviews would not exist. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker, chief editor of Side-Line Music Magazine, for our ongoing, successful collaboration. Last but not least, I thank my lovely wife, Katja, for giving me the time and freedom to pursue my passion.

However…

Looking ahead to 2024, I’ve been scaling back my activities for a few years and plan to reduce them further. Having started with my first reviews and interviews back in 1991, I feel the end drawing near. My aim is to reach 2025, but nothing is certain. I’ve grown a bit tired and disillusioned with how things are evolving.

That’s why I want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who fail to realize or appreciate the work I do in creating reviews and preparing interviews to spotlight them. Guys, I do this for free and in my free time! The attitude and lack of respect shown by some – fortunately a very few – is very, very sad. But, I’m afraid it reflects the world we live in. Behind a genius artist doesn’t always stand a great person. It’s odd realizing that the ‘biggest’ and long-established artists in this scene are often the most accessible.

Writing reviews remains highly subjective and a source of discussion. Remember, it’s always the reviewer’s perception. I assure you, I always strive to substantiate my reviews as best as possible. A review is subjective but must be honest!

Like every year, I’ve selected the best albums of the year 2023. This ‘TOP 25’ encompasses various styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Ritual, Cinematic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno, and a few related genres. It’s always an exciting yet challenging task.

This ‘TOP 25’ is based on the promotional material I received, excluding compilations, ‘best of’ productions, EPs, and singles. So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2023, and don’t forget to share it with your friends…

Stéphane Froidcoeur (for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews)

Top 25 albums of the year 2023

1. CERULEAN VEINS “Black” Cold Transmission Music
2. LIEBKNECHT “Fabrikat” Ant-Zen
3. FRONTIER GUARDS “Colony” Aliens Production
4. SOPOR AETERNUS & THE ENSEMBLE OF SHADOWS “Alone At Sam’s – An Evening With…” Apocalyptic Vision / Trisol
5. WAVESHARD “Waveshard” Corvus Records
6. THE EMPATH “Black Hole” Audiophob
7. VNV NATION “Electric Sun” Metropolis Records
8. EFF DST “Incarnate” Ant-Zen
9. ENZO KREFT “XL” Enzo Kreft
10. DELEYAMAN “The Sudbury Inn” TTO Records
11. GIRLS UNDER GLASS “Backdraft” Dependent Records
12. ALIEN VAMPIRES “Return Me To Hell” Alfa Matrix
13. SUN’S SPECTRUM “The Silence After The Fall” Cold Transmission Music
14. DANIEL MYER “Hingab” Sonic Groove
15. SHROUDS “Shrouds” Hands
16. DIARY OF DREAMS “Melancholin” Accession Records
17. MONO INC “Ravenblack” NoCut / SPV
18. ROME “Gates Of Europe” Trisol
19. OHNE NOMEN “The S-Witch” Cold Transmission Music
20. THE SEVEN WHORES OF THE APOCALYPSE “All Through The Waste” Scanner / Dark Dimensions
21. SPANKTHENUN “The Bunker Tapes Vol.3” SpankTheNun
22. BLACKCARBURNING “Watching Sleepers” COP International
23. GOD BODY DISCONNECT “The Weight Of Regression” Cryo Chamber
24. MILDREDA “Blue-Devilled” Dependent Records
25. PASCAL SAVY “Simulacra” Cyclic Law

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

Alfa Matrix, the renowned Belgian label, commemorates its 22nd anniversary with yet another mastodont compilation on Bandcamp. The latest installment in the acclaimed “Matrix Downloaded” series, titled “Matrix+ Downloaded 011”, is now available as a free download on their Bandcamp page. Packed with 60 tracks, including new signings and a preview of the upcoming Spleen+ label releases, this compilation showcases Alfa Matrix’s diverse music repertoire.

“Matrix+ Downloaded 011” soared to the top of the industrial Bandcamp charts within hours of its release, claiming the coveted number 1 position.

The collection holds 60 tracks in total including several new signings. These are the bands present on this brand new free download compilation: Hanging Freud, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Breath Of Life, Psy’Aviah Feat. Sorrow Stories, ImJudas, Star Industry, Halo In Reverse, Lovelorn Dolls, The True Union, Freakangel, Avarice In Audio, Siva Six, Alien Vampires, Synapsyche, Helalyn Flowers, Neuroactive, Elektrostaub Feat. Stefan Netschio, Technoir, Entrzelle, Llumen, Noemi Aurora, Aiboforcen Feat. Jan D., Reichsfeind, Mondträume Feat. N-Frequency, The Psychic Force, Digital Factor, Implant, Darkness On Demand, Aesthetische, Komor Kommando Vs. The True Union, Matthew Creed, C-Lekktor, First Aid Tech, Pouppee Fabrikk, ELM, Die Robo Sapiens, Plastic Noise Experience, Armageddon Dildos, Stahlgeist, AD:keY, Kant Kino, Suicidal Romance, Miseria Ultima, First Aid 4 Souls, Neikka RPM, Circumpolar, Venal Flesh, Helle9, Diffuzion, Acylum, Circuito Cerrado, Aengeldust, Studio-X, 808 Dot Pop, Cubic, Metroland, Rector Scanner, Elektroklänge, Cosmic Armchair, Lights A.M.

You can download “Matrix+ Downloaded 011” for free via Bandcamp.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Nine years after the release of their first tribute to The Cure, titled “A Strange Play – Tribute to The Cure“, Alfa Matrix and Spleen+ have joined forces to create a follow-up tribute album. The second volume in the series, “A Strange Play (Vol. 2) – Tribute to The Cure“, features 27 tracks, including electro, synth pop, EBM acts from Alfa Matrix and cold wave, post-punk, and gothic rock bands from their Spleen+ division and is out now via Bandcamp, the label’s webstore and all other platforms.

The album includes reinterpretations of classic hits and lesser-known B-sides, shedding new light on the original tracks or giving them an entirely different sonic perspective. The tribute album itself this time is a collaborative effort between both established and emerging artists from the Alfa Matrix and Spleen+ rosters.

Compiled by and for The Cure fans, this new tribute adventure brings together a growing roster of Spleen+ artists, including Noemi Aurora, Star Industry, Imjudas, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Breath of Life, and Lovelorn Dolls. Additionally, the album features synth and electro cult acts, as well as upcoming Alfa Matrix artists, such as Neuroactive, Armageddon Dildos, Implant, Darkness on Demand (formerly Dance or Die), Helle9 (an Alien Vampires side-project), Metroland, Aesthetische featuring Zombie Girl, Aiboforcen, Technoir, Kant Kino, Digital Factor, Regenerator, Lights A.M (an Essence of Mind solo project), Neikka RPM, First Aid 4 Souls, Diffuzion, Avarice in Audio, Elektroklänge, Circumpolar, and Cosmic Armchair.

In conjunction with the release of “A Strange Play (Vol. 2),” goth-metal/darkwave act Lovelorn Dolls has released a single and accompanying video clip for their cover of “Lullaby.” The music video, created entirely using artificial intelligence, tells the story of a girl pursued by a mysterious, threatening, yet alluring man. The video’s creator, Kristell, was inspired by her own childhood experience of being both fascinated and frightened by The Cure’s original “Lullaby” music video.

Here’s the track list for the new volume which is available now on 2CD via the Alfa Matrix webstore and as download via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page and the Spleen+ Bandcamp page.

Here’s the first volume.

Side-Line also covered The Cure’s ‘s ’.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

It is always something very special and confusing when doing an interview with artists you know a bit more personally. I can’t say we’re close friends but Rich- and Dominique Bova are two great persons I’m in touch with for years. So it’s not that easy making a fully objective review of people you know although it became really easy once I heard “Scorpion In The Hourglass”. The fifth full length opus released by the New-Yorker (USA) based duo is a heavy, bombastic, and ultra-danceable piece of Industrial/Techno/Electro stuff. Hard-hitting sequences carried by devastating drum sections plus Dom’s ultra-sensual but still ghost-like vocals on top. I’d a very interactive chat with ‘diva Dominique’.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Hello Dominique! It’s been eleven years between your previous album “Chain Letters” and the new one “Scorpion In The Hourglass.” We missed you! 

Dominique: I missed you guys, too! Eleven years, wow, I honestly don’t think we noticed the time passing. 

Q: You’ve been doing remixes all this time, and you released the EP “Battle Scars” in 2017, but what took you so long between albums? 

Dominique: As you said, over the past few years, we were really active in the remix scene. Working with other artists, collaborating, being exposed to new ideas… It’s really something special to crossbreed with so many different bands. And that alchemy led to new sonic paths in our own sound. Our time on the remix front was truly a great experience to grow.

Q: Your sound has evolved, but still, it’s pretty easy to pick out a Neikka RPM remix.

Dominique: I think bands know what they can expect from us!

Q: So after all this time, how does it feel to have a new album out?

Dominique: So satisfying! It feels good to be back and, honestly, it’s both humbling and rewarding to still have this opportunity. The ability to release our music without any compromise, and then for it to be launched with the unwavering support of Alfa Matrix. It is still and will forever be an artist’s dream come true. 

Q: Talk to us about the album title “Scorpion In The Hourglass.” What is it all about? 

Dominique: I think of the album title as a primer, it creates the mood, and evokes a certain mystique. I think of it as a sort of warning sign, that you’re coming to ’the point of no return.’ The titles of all of our albums are chosen to set the stage for what you the listener is about to hear. 

Q: It’s also a reference to the New York underground club scene of the past, right?

Dominique: Yeah, that’s a nod to the sonic alchemy on this album. The huge bass and deafening beats pulsating through dark cavernous spaces filled with sweaty people completely lost in the moment, literally in a trance. That was the signature vibe of the NYC scene.

Q: The new songs are much darker and harder than before; especially the drum sections are overwhelming and bombastic. You’ve said it’s part of your never-ending quest to make an electronic band sound like a post-punk garage band. Tell us a bit more about the evolution in sound and this particular quest.

Dominique: We just love the raw gritty sound of stacked amps in a warehouse, with everything at full volume. I’m so impressed by so many artists and producers in the scene, with their mind-bending mixes, unbelievable fidelity, and sonic transparency, but it just isn’t us. A brutal mix with messy bass is more our brand.

Q: Speaking of a brand, Neikka RPM is one of those bands with a very own and distinguishable sound DNA. I mean, when listening to one of your songs or remixes, there’s a definite Neikka RPM stamp. Tell us a bit more about this sound and the production of your sexy, mysterious vocals.

Dominique: We definitely have a signature sound palette in addition to the vocals. Every one of our songs is heaping with whispers of submission, lust and seduction… and mixed with dominating beats just pumping through the veins of all of our songs. It’s a slinky ride. As Richard, my co-conspirator, points out, I’m sure most of you analog instrument connoisseurs will recognize the Juno 106 synth and the TR-909  drum machine in nearly all of our tracks. Both are workhorses and deliver shattering power. Our mixing board begs for mercy!

Q: And your vocals and lyrics, what are those whispers telling us?

Dominique: It’s completely up to the listener to decide. Everyone occasionally has that argument with a voice of temptation in their mind and it goes, ‘I shouldn’t do it… but I want to do it… I know I shouldn’t do it… I think I’m gonna do it.’ Or maybe it’s the voice whispering next to you after an intimate moment? A lost lover who reconnects, but only in your dreams? It’s the voice of the girl across the room that you made eye contact with… but now she’s gone? Maybe you can tell me?

Q: Oh! I think what you’re saying is that the listener’s imagination is the third member of Neikka RPM?  

Dominique: Yes, absolutely. Neikka RPM is only complete when we’re together with YOU.

Q: Okay, well after this interview, I’ll listen to one of your songs… and see what comes to mind.

Dominique: Are you flirting with me? 

Q: Heheh, well I think that’s the main point here. Your music… seduces its listeners. And this is without even mentioning the alluring photos and artwork that come with the whole Neikka RPM package.

Dominique: First, thank you! And again, we are so appreciative to have the opportunity to share the idea and concept of Neikka RPM.  

Q: So what are your 2023 plans for remixes, singles/EP, etc. And how do you see Neikka RPM’s long-term evolution? 

Dominique: There is no pause, Neikka RPM is still so hungry and on the hunt. We’re already working on a track for a cover song compilation and, I can’t believe it myself, but we already have the beginnings of five new tracks already up on the board. As far as evolution goes, it just flows… and we’ll see where inspiration takes us.

Q: Very cool, we can’t wait to hear it all. Thanks for the chat!

Dominique: Thank you for having me! 

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

As we reported last month, Alfa Matrix has launched the sublabel Spleen+, which is created to accommodate more post-punk/minimal synth related releases. We already talked about the Belgian post-punk act The Ultimate Dreamers, who launched their label debut with the “Polarized EP”, and now we will present you the newest EPs from the Italian new wave act ImJudas.

ImJudas presents us 2 new EPs in one go, “So Untrue” and “People Of The Blame”, each featuring these songs as an exclusive edit, remix, or even demo versions.

The rock-wave ballad “So Untrue” is for instance completely remixed by Phil of Belgium’s cult ethereal darkwave band The Breath Of Life while the German electro pop act Elektrostaub turned the title track into a more future pop club tainted track. You also get to hear the 2016 demo version of “So Untrue” and “Outcast”.

On “People Of The Blame” Madil Hardis offers a dark ethereal version of “People Of The Blame”, while the Swedish duo Octolab turns it into an upbeat mix featuring female backings by singer Arielle Andersson. Neikka RPM from their side give a break beat dimension to “Ritual”. And also on this second EP we find two demo versions from 2016, the title track “People Of The Blame” and “Tulsa”.

You can check the rest of the back catalogue of ImJudas right below.

• Tulpa EP
• Ritual EP
• Yrjudas (album)

And here are the official videos for “Ritual” and “People Of The Blame (canned anger)”

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: Industrial-Electro, Industrial-Techno.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: New-York (USA) based Neikka RPM strikes back releasing their first new album in eleven years! This is Dominique and Rich Bova’s fifth album to date. The album was preceded by the EP “Battle Scars” which was already released in 2017. Notice by the way the CD edit features “Battle Scars” as a bonus.

Content: Neikka RPM moves on where previous productions stopped; an unpolished and heavy dark sound driven by furious and unique drum patterns injecting an Industrial style to the work. As a contrast to the harsh Electronic sound you’ll (re)discover the half-whispering and sensual vocals of Dominique. The album features raw, Techno-like tunes and arrangements making the production ultra-danceable.

+ + +  : Neikka RPM took me by surprise for several reasons. They finally achieved a new album which stands a bit like a new start but it doesn’t really sound this way. This is their heaviest and most elaborated production to date. The Industrial drum sections remain the band’s sound DNA which they now seriously boosted. The sound treatments are also revealing irresistible, icy and raw Technoid tunes emerging on “Some Kind Of Hell”, “Raven” and “No Flow”. Nevertheless the unpolished production -which clearly sounds intentional, the work also reveals sound intelligence bringing different influences like Industrial and Techno together in a smashing accomplishment. Last but not least the hot and sexy vocals  remain another essential aspect of the production like an angelic -or demonic sensation. I also noticed a kind of mysterious chant in the background accentuating the sexy, dungeon atmosphere of the work.

– – –  : I regret most of the songs remain pretty short and that’s a pity when the songs are that good. This is maybe an item the band might consider when doing alternative edits/remixes. Quite curiously the already familiar “Battle Scars” -which remains a cool song, is not exactly one of my favorites.

Conclusion: Neikka RPM remains a very unique sound experience for their signature sound you immediately recognize through the hard and explicit drum patterns and the bewitching female vocals.

Best songs: “Some Kind Of Hell”, “Raven”, “No Flow”, “Vengeance Is What You Want”, “Serpents Seduce Your Angels”, “Bloodline”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.neikkarpm.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046370024672

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Scorpion In The Hourglass’.

About Neikka RPM

Neikka RPM is a New York-based, female-fronted industrial club act built around Dominique and Rich Bova. “Scorpion In The Hourglass” is the duo’s fifth album, following the 2017 EP “Battle Scars” and marking their first full-length in eleven years. The album mixes industrial and club sounds across twelve tracks, released via Alfa Matrix on digital and CD formats, the CD edition adding the “Battle Scars” tracks as a bonus.

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

(By Stéphane Froidcoeur for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews) 2022 has been once again a sad, bloody and terrible year. Living in a mad world music once more remains a true therapy to appease pain and frustration. Concerts and festivals came back; the perfect place to meet friends again. Artists remain prolific releasing great studio work. So I’m once more closing the year by a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’-albums of the year.

Over 700 productions have been selected while 540  reviews have been made all over the year. Some productions have been refused because the style of music didn’t fit, while other reviews will be postponed to 2023. I’m really grateful to all labels, bands and promoters considering my work and efforts and I hope you’ll go on providing me new promos next year.

I one again have to express my deepest gratitude to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM) who for years and years now is reading, correcting and improving my reviews. Without Rich there would be no reviews. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker – chief redactor Side-Line Music Magazine – for the successful collaboration. 

Up now to 2023. I already reduced my activities this year and will move on reducing it in 2023. I made my first reviews and interviews back in 1991 (!). Some of the readers and artists weren’t even born when I wrote my first review for Side-Line. So after more than 30 years non-stop activities I think it’s not that strange to move on slowly.

I also want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who don’t realise and appreciate the work I’m doing by making reviews and preparing interviews to get them in the spotlights. The attitude and less of respect shown by those people – luckily a very few number – is just unacceptable… but I’m afraid it reflects the world we’re living in… Behind a genius artist is not always hiding a great person… It’s quite strange to realise the ’biggest’- and long-time established artists from this scene often are the most accessible ones.

Writing reviews remains very ‘subjective’ and always a source of discussion, but keep in mind it will be always the perception of the reviewer. I can assure you I’m always trying to argue my reviews the best as possible. A review will be never objective, but has to be honest!

Like every year I’ve made a selection from the best albums of the year. This ‘TOP 25’ covers different styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Cinematographic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno and a few related genres. It remains an exciting but tough exercise.

This ‘TOP 25’ is taken from the promotional material I got while compilations, ‘best of’-productions, EP’s and singles were not considered.

So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2022 and don’t forget to share it with your friends….

Top 25 albums 2022

1. IVARDENSPHERE: “Ragemaker” – Metropolis Records
2. DIE ROBO SAPIENS : “Robo Sapien Race” – Alfa Matrix
3. EBE04 : “Inrush – Give/Take
4. CALDON GLOVER: “Labyrintia” – Cyclic Law
5. ROME: “Hegemonikon” – Trisol
6. NEIKKA RPM: “Scorpio In The Hourglass – Alfa Matrix
7. VANGUARD: “Spectrum” – Infacted Recordings
8. SUICIDE COMMANDO: “Goddestructor” – Out Of Line
9. ELM: “Penetrator” – Alfa Matrix
10. OBERER TOTPUNKT: “Totentanz” – Danse Macabre Records
11. THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE: “Fascination” – Metropolis Records
12. BLACKBOOK: “Confessions Of The Innocent” – DarkTunes Music Group
13. BEYOND THE GHOST: “Sundown” – Cryo Chamber
14. THEN COMES SILENCE: “Hunger” – Metropolis Records
15. PRINCIPE VALLIENTE: “Barricades” – Metropolis Records
16. DAWN OF ASHES: “Scars Of The Broken” – Artoffact Records
17. MONSTERGOD: “Ozymandias” – Space Race Records
18. STATIQBLOOM: “Threat” – Sonic Groove Records
19. AXIOME: “Field Guide To Alien Planets And Other Disco Balls – Audiophob
20. REICHSFEIND: “Darken” – Alfa Matrix
21. FIRST AID 4 SOULS: “I Am The Night” – Alfa Matrix
22. ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO: “Nihilist Notes And The Perputual Quest 4 Meaning In Nothing” – Out Of Line
23. KILL SHELTER: “Asylum” – Manic Depression Records / Metropolis Records
24. JAGATH: “Svapna” – Cold Spring Records
25. KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND: “Voodoo” – Shyrec

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-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: After three self-released and four official albums C-Lekktor breaks the silence after a hiatus of five years. Mexican Dark-Electro head Marco Barientos aka ‘Markko B’ signed to Alfa Matrix. He’s already familiar with the Belgian label having released music from his side project Circuito Cerrado. The last album of this side-project “Furious Basslines” might have inspired him for the slogan of this new C-Lekktor work ‘Are You Ready For The Bass?’

Content: The album stands for pure C-Lekktor Electro-terror and yet I noticed a little evolution in sound. The mix between Dark-Electro and EBM has never been so perfect. The songs are driven by hopping rhythms and sequences while carrying leads are pushing the songs to a higher dimension. Markko B is singing like a possessed creature.

The bonus disc features remixes by Xperiment, Centhron, ESA, Nevel, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Skynthattack, Venal Flesh, Neikka RPM, Chamaeleon, Nano Infect, FabrikC, Third Realm, Aesthetische, Miseria Ultima and Circuito Cerrado.

+ + + : C-Lekktor stands for power and terror; a violent Dark-Electro experience which became the trademark of this artist. C-Lekktor definitely belongs with projects like Hocico and Amduscia to the best Mexican bands in the genre. Markko B knows how to compose pure dance-terror. I like the way he created a perfect symbiosis between Dark-Electro and EBM resulting in great songs like “God Killer”, “Me”, “Death Dealer” and “Are You Ready For The Bass?”. Among the remixes featuring great names I especially like the job done by Neikka RPM industrializing “Obsession” in a true masterpiece with female backing vocals by Dominique. Other essential remixes are these by The Psychic Force and Chamaeleon.

– – – : The first part of the album sounds okay but the best cuts are definitely featured on the second part. I however have already heard better stuff from C-Lekktor.

Conclusion: ‘Are you ready for the bass?’ No doubt about it C-Lekktor will take dancefloors by force!

Best songs: “Me”, “Are You Ready For The Bass?”, “God Killer”, “Dearth Dealer” + “Obsession – Neikka RPM Remix”, “House Of Pain – The Psychic Force Remix”. 

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Clekktor

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

Listen to “New World Disorder”:

About C-Lekktor

C-Lekktor is a Mexican dark-electro project led by Marco Barientos, known as Markko B, who also records as Circuito Cerrado. After three self-released and four official albums, the project signed to Alfa Matrix and returned with “New World Disorder” following a five-year hiatus, released October 28, 2022 as a 2CD and digital bonus-tracks edition with remixes by Xperiment, Centhron, ESA, Nevel, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Skynthattack, Venal Flesh, Neikka RPM, Chamaeleon, Nano Infect, FabrikC, Third Realm, Aesthetische, Miseria Ultima and Circuito Cerrado.

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

C-Lekktor expands, the duo consisting of Markko and Jamie, welcome a 3rd member to their line-up: Dj/Producer Dimitri Berzerk aka d·b. The news was announced on Facebook last night as you can see below.

C-Lekktor has a new album out since last week, the 2CD “New World Disorder” which is also available as download via Bandcamp and all other services. With “New World Disorder”, the band breaks 5 years of extended silence. The release offers a fusion of classic dark hellektro with upbeat industrial EBM.

Note that this 2CD is a limited edition first pressing including a 16-track bonus disc featuring remixes by ESA, Centhron, Xperiment, The Psychic Force, Fabrikc, Aesthetische, Neikka RPM, Venal Flesh, Nano Infect, Circuito Cerrado, Llumen, Nevel, Synthattack, Chamaeleon, Miseria Ultima and Third Realm.

Below is the Facebook announcement.

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

The New York based female fronted industrial club act Neikka RPM returns with an all new album, “Scorpion In The Hourglass”, to be released in early December. The album sounds much harder than their previous material as you will notice below.

The album will hold 12 tracks which mixes industrial and club sounds and will be available as download and on CD (which you can pre-order now from Alfa Matrix). Notice that the CD will hold a few extra tracks as a bonus which will not be available on the download version. The bonus tracks on the Cd consist of the previously released digital-only 5-track EP “Battle Scars” including remixes by Xotox, Cut_Off Sky and M.O.D..

You can already listen to two tracks right now, “Battle Scars” and “No Flow”. As said in the intro, these tracks sound much much harder than their earlier work. Read the review of ‘Scorpion In The Hourglass’.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

One of the leading bands from the Mexican dark elektro scene, C-Lekktor, has landed a record deal with the Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix. After having been focused on some side-project activities (for instance the excellent Circuito Cerrado) and other collaborations over the last years, Markko B. has concentrated his attention back on C-Lekktor.

Alfa Matrix announced today that they will release the new C-Lekktor album “New World Disorder” later in October. With this new release C-Lekktor breaks 5 years of extended silence (and pandemic struggle).

The first pressing of this “New World Disorder” album comes out as double-CD digipak limited edition with extended artwork and a 16-track bonus disc featuring remixes by Esa, Centhron, Xperiment, The Psychic Force, Fabrikc, Aesthetische, Neikka Rpm, Venal Flesh, Nano Infect, Circuito Cerrado, Llumen, Nevel, Synthattack, Chamaeleon, Miseria Ultima and Third Realm.

You can already check two tracks on Bandcamp (they are yours for immediate download if you pre-order the download release). The 2CD limited edition can be pre-ordered now from the Alfa Matrix webshop.

The project debuted in 2004 with the self-released album “Re-A-Gression”. It was followed by “Cloned And Mutated” in 2007, again self-released. The same year the project offered “Refusing The Paradise” after which they got picked up by COP International. On that label they released 3 albums, “The Silence Procession” (2008), “X-Tension In Progress” (2012) and “Final Alternativo” (2014). The band’s last album was the 2017 release “Out Of My Way” re-released in an anniversary edition in 2019.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Two weeks ago we announced that the Finnish dark electro duo had signed a record deal with the Belgian label Alfa Matrix. Out now is the band’s label debut, namely the 10-track EP “Witch Heart Apparition”. The EP is a teaser for the release of their forthcoming 3rd studio album “In Colors of Void”.

On the new EP Aleksi Martikainen (vocals) and Kimmo Huhtala (synths) offer 2 brand new songs presenting their trademark sound merging cold melancholic atmospheres and poignant sorrowful melodies with harsh aggressive distorted vocals and powerful dark elektro assaults. In addition to the release of a video clip of the title song, which you can view below, their track “Caressing The Pale” was reworked by 8 diverse electro/industrial bands each offering a totally different reinterpretation of the song. In the rework seats we find Acylum, Siva Six, Ad:Key, Neikka RPM, Venal Flesh, Avarice In Audio, Ocean Black and Teknovore.

Here is the full EP available for download on Bandcamp with other platforms to follow soon. We have been following this band for quite some time, good to see they are back with a very strong EP!

Here is the official video for the title track “Witch Heart Apparition”.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Body-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: The last year released album “A Chemical Process” was the comeback of German EBM project Digital Factor. Mike Langer is now back on track unleashing three new songs plus three remixes from label mates.

Content: All songs are perfect stuff for an EP -or single. Two cuts are mixing Electro-Pop and EBM while “Sometimes We Are A Little Bit Closer” is pure EBM adrenaline carried by solid bass line à la Pouppée Fabrikk. All songs have been remixed by Psy’Aviah, Cubic and Neikka RPM. 

+ + + : The title song opening the EP plus the EBM driven “Sometimes We Are A Little Bit Closer” both are great pieces reminding us of the great writing skills of this project. “What?” sounds a bit catchier while “Sometimes We Are A Little Bit Closer” is driven by evil forces. The remixes are pretty interesting as well but especially “I Wanna Taste” where Neikka RPM injected something extra thanks to sensual and mysterious chants of Neikka RPM’s singer.

– – – : The original version of “I Wanna Taste” is the only cut which couldn’t convince me. Well that’s not that bad for an EP!

Conclusion: Digital Factor confirms to be back into business. This is great EBM-driven stuff for retro-lovers and open-minded fans.

Best songs: “Sometimes We Are A Little Bit Closer”, “What?”, “I Wanna Taste – Neikka RPM Remix”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/digitalfactor

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘What?’.

The “What? EP” was released on 30 March 2022 through Alfa Matrix.

Listen to “What?”:

About Digital Factor

Digital Factor started in Altenburg, Germany, in 1993, formed by Mike Langer, Torsten Heise and Tino Schmidt, with later line-up phases including Guido Litke and Leo von Leibnitz. The project mixes EBM and electro, and added synth-pop, techno and crossover elements over time.

The first release was the 1994 EP “F.A.L.L.I.N.G.- Down” on Hard Records. A move to Hyperium / Hypnobeat brought “Relationchips” in 1995, “On Demand” in 1996, “De Facto” and “Countercheck” in 1997 and “Over One Million Times” in 1999. After a quieter period the band returned with “One More Piece” in 2006, “Look Back To Go Forward” in 2009 and “Trialog” in 2011.

Alfa Matrix signed the band in 2020 and issued the single “Come With Me”, followed by the album “A Chemical Process” in 2021, several back-catalogue reissues and this EP in 2022. The singles “I Am What I Am” and “Ouvre” and the charity album “G.B.A. – General Behavior Abrogate” followed in 2023, and in 2026 the band previewed a new album with Digital Factor preview new ‘0.8’ album with ‘They Will Forget You (When You Die)’ 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-Techno.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Auspex is a New York (USA) producer and DJ. He already released a few EP’s during the past few years and now strikes back with the EP “Bloodlines” featuring five tracks released on his own label.

Content: I wasn’t familiar at all with Auspex. The sound and influences are clearly driven by Dark-Techno fields with some Industrial- and EBM elements on top. The bouncing rhythm reminds me a bit of Neikka RPM, which is another New York formation, but involved with Industrial/EBM music. Next to the rhythm, the songs are driven by dark grooves and -atmospheres.

+ + + : Auspex stands for hard and merciless, pumping kicks. I especially like the atypical approach of the project, which is much more than simply Techno music. There’s an evil, Industrial dark side hanging over the production. There’s something to say about every single cut, but I’ve a preference for the harder “Mother May I” and “Never Is A Long Time” and “Seven Sisters” (inspired by the books of Lucinda Riley?), which are both featuring a raw, repetitive sonar bleep.

– – – : All songs are cool, but it’s just a pity the last track sounds a bit as an antithesis to the other ones.

Conclusion: If Auspex is Techno music, it clearly will appeal to a wider audience who are also familiar with darker music fields like Industrial and EBM.

Best songs: “Mother May I”, “Never Is A Long Time”,  “Seven Sisters”, “Bloodlines”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/djauspex

Label: https://oath-label.com / www.facebook.com/oathlabel

About Auspex

Auspex is a producer and DJ based in New York, United States, working in dark techno with industrial and EBM elements. The project had released several EPs in the years before “Bloodlines”.

“Bloodlines” holds five tracks and was issued on Oath, the label Auspex runs. Neither Discogs nor Bandcamp lists a profile for this Auspex, so founding year, earlier release titles and dates could not be verified at the time of writing.

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

Over the past 12 months Inferno Sound Diaries‘ Stéphane Froidcoeur selected nearly 750 productions of which 600 also got a review on Side-Line. Some productions have been refused because the style of music didn’t fit, while a lot of reviews are still to be published in 2022.

Stéphane: “I’m really grateful to all labels, bands and promoters considering my work and efforts and I hope they’ll keep on providing me new promos next year. My greatest gratitude and thank goes once again to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM) who for years and years now is reading, correcting and improving the reviews. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude and without Rich I simply would have to stop this job. No need to say I’ve been once again disappointed by a few so-called ‘artists’ and label owners. The attitude and lack of respect shown by those people -luckily a very few number, is just disgusting… but I’m afraid it reflects the world we’re living in… Behind a genius artist is not always hiding a great person…”

2021 has been also a very special year for Stéphane as he celebrated his 30th anniversary of journalism with an impressive series of interviews featuring very different people from this scene. Stéphane : “Big thanks to Séba Dolimont, Suicide Commando, Juno Reactor, Raison D’Être, Jürgen Vanvlasselaer, Rich Bova, Armageddon Dildos and Bernard Van Isacker who kindly accepted to contribute to this celebration.”

Here are the interviews conducted:

• Celebration Interview with Bernard Van Isacker (Side-Line & Alfa Matrix)
• Celebration Interview’ with Uwe Kanka / Armageddon Dildos
• Celebration Interview’ with ‘Music Lover’ Jürgen Vanvlasselaer
• Celebration Interview’ with Rich Bova / Neikka RPM
• Celebration Interview’ with Peter Andersson / Raison D’Être
• Celebration Interview’ with Ben Watkins aka Juno Reactor
• Celebration Interview’ with Johan Van Roy (Suicide Commando)
• Celebration Interview’ with Seba Dolimont (Alfa Matrix)

Like every year Stéphane has made a selection from the best albums of the year. This Top 25 covers different styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Cinematographic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Dark-Techno and a few related genres and is taken from the promotional material we got while compilations, ‘best of’-productions, EP’s and singles were not considered for this ‘best of’.

But now, here are the 25 best albums!

1. Rome – “Parlez-Vous Hate?” – Trisol
2. Circumpolar – “Awaiting The Dawn” – Alfa Matrix
3. Clicks – “Goth” – Dependent Records
4. Of The Wand And The Moon – “Your Love Can’t Hold This Wrath Of Sorrow” – Heidrunar Mykrunar
5. Crystal Geometry – “Distressing Visions” – Sonic Groove
6. Mechanimal – “Θόρυβος” – Inner Ear Records
7. Raison D’être – “Demonum“ – Cyclic Law
8. Zwaremachine – “Conquest 3000” – Phage Tapes
9. Eclipsed – “Holyiens” – Electro Frequent
10. Nattskiftet – “Stamplar In” – Progress Productions
11. Nnhmn – “Deception Island 2” – Zoharum
12. This Morn’omina – “The Roots Of Saraswati” – Dependent Records
13. Skrika – “Fifth Nature” – Cryo Chamber
14. Llumen – “Polygon Heart” – Alfa Matrix
15. Not My God – “Simulacra” – Metropolis
16. Seasurfer – “Metropolis” – Reptile Music
17. Ps Stamps Back – “Au Bout De La Nuit” – Ant-Zen
18. The Illusion Of Silence – “Gardens In The Dark” – Shadowplay
19. She Spread Sorrow – “Huntress” – Cold Spring Records
20. Blutengel – “Fountain Of Destiny” – Out Of Line
21. Agonoize – “Revelation Six Six Sick” – Reporecords
22. The Force Dimension – “Mortal Cable” – Sonic Groove Experiments
23. Cubic – “The Cubic Alphabet” – Alfa Matrix
24. Pyrroline – “Struggling” – Electro Aggression Records
25. Beckahesten – “Tydor” – Cyclic Law

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

“Jab # 3​,​1415926535​.​.​. [Ain’t gonna fuck with my brain]” is the title of an all new 8-track strong EP by the female fronted dark electro pop act Diffuzion.

Lead singer Xev explained the title as this: “‘Ain’t Gonna Fuck With My Brain!’ is a quite usual expression we use in Russian language when somebody annoys you with repetitive and unnecessary information. So why not make a song out of it.”

Combine that with the the highly frustrating Covid19 lockdown situation with a physical separation of over 7000 km across the Atlantic ocean between both members and you get the idea where this comes from. The whole resulted in an excellent cut!

Besides the title track we also get an excellent, but really an excellent, rework by Aesthetische of “The Blessed”. The title track was reworked by First Aid 4 Souls, Cubic, Aesthetische, Matthew Creed, Neikka RPM and Acylum vs. Aengeldust.

You can download this rather attractive release below, first on Bandcamp, later on on all other services.

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

Rich Bova definitely is an artist I had to interview for this ‘celebration interview’-series. He’s the operator/machinist of Neikka RPM, which I consider as a band with a very particular and unique sound; bombastic Electro-Industrial-Pop music mixed with icy, sensual female vocals of his wife Dominique Bova. But Rich also is a long-standing member of Side-Line. He’s editing the reviews, which means he’s reading and correcting hundreds of reviews a year. Without Rich’s work and involvement I probably would have stopped writing reviews years ago now. Rich is my first reader and first critic, but he first of all is a very humble and great person; an artist without star attitude and a precious collaborator. This interactive interview is a way to thank Rich Bova because without him, Side-Line would be not the same.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: How did you get in touch with Electronic/Industrial music and do you have a music background?

Rich: It was a winding path to Electronics. Back in junior high school, I knew I wanted to write music and be in a band.  I  walked into a guitar shop and came home with the cheapest bass I could find.

Q: A bass guitar? Why not a keyboard?

Rich: I played viola in the school orchestra. Four strings on a viola, four strings on a bass. I figured, close enough for teenager logic, heheh. I messed around with the bass over a summer, made new friends who played guitar and drums, and we put together a garage band. Literally in a garage, totally Lo-Fi, instruments barely in tune, everything way too loud, and definitely annoying to the neighbors.

Q: Like Punk, or Rock music?

Rich: It was hard to describe, somewhere between Shoegaze and Goth Alt-Rock. But the band had only a singer, guitar, bass, and drums. No keyboards.

Q: That’s interesting, no Electronics in the early days of your influences, considering what NEIKKA RPM sounds like. Although I definitely get the Goth angle for that dark mystic vibe in all your tracks. And certainly in Dominique’s appearance and the look of the band, but more about that later.

Rich: Yeah, I get that, but I definitely hear the connection, especially in the percussion and the overall sonic tone of Neikka. 

Q: Can we hear this for ourselves, did you make recordings?

Rich: Fortunately no! Back then it was all about playing live shows, and it was great at that time there were a lot of small clubs and venues to play in New York.

Q: How did you evolve away from a garage band? I’ve never heard guitar in any of your tracks.

Rich: In time, I picked up the guitar and then drums… and then I started substituting the bass and drums with Electronics using sequencing software. But it was only to emulate ‘real’ sounding bass and drums.  I was basically a one-man band.

Q: So then the door was open to Electronics, let’s circle back to the live music roots. How does that influence your music now?

Rich: Oh, I can tell the influence… whether I like it or not.  I absolutely hear a ‘Lo-fi cavernous -vibe’  in all of my mixes. To my ears, the typical Neikka RPM track sounds like it’s a brash-blasting garage mix right off the board, as opposed to a super clean, crisp studio recording. 

Q: So you started with live instruments and progressed towards Electronics, how did you finally ditch the guitars and start using more aggressive synth sounds?

Rich: It wasn’t until I met an ‘Industrial’ singer, who would ultimately become a great friend. Jay also happens to have a doctorate in musicology and is now a V.P. at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jay introduced me to a new world that included Skinny Puppy, Front 242…and anyone who reads Side-Line knows what happens after your mind gets blown away by the masters…. 

Q: People know you as the ‘machinist/operator’ behind Neikka RPM, but I remember you initially used a different more Ethereal-sounding name, right? Tell us a bit more about your personal course of music, this early project(s) and how you set up Neikka RPM?

Rich: Dominique and I  were first involved with music production for TV, film.  But soon we felt like we had evolved into a band.  I thought we had an Electronica kind of sound mostly because of Dominique’s sultry take on the vocals.

Q: Really? I received your first demo, you thought that was Electronica?

Rich: Stef let me tell you, I didn’t know what to make of it. I wasn’t really thinking of how to fit into a specific genre. But yeah, it was pretty off-base to think a lofty-cerebral sounding band name would make sense for the Industrial’n’Beat-Heavy Electronic music we were making.

Q: Speaking of ‘Industrial’n’Beats”, It was Seba (A&R Alfa-Matrix) who coined ‘Industrial’n’Beats’ to describe the Neikka RPM sound. And also, what’s the meaning behind the name Neikka RPM?

Rich: Yes! It was all thanks to Seba who is the ultimate oracle of the scene’s landscape, and also to Benoit for the art direction, and to Bernard for the marketing campaign leadership. Talk about a solid team! Especially for newcomer bands. Looking back at  it now, I think I was focusing on Dominique’s vocals which got me caught up in the ‘Electronica’ vibe. But that’s the thing, Dominique’s voice is captivating, sexy, very hypnotic. ‘Neikka’ comes from  a nickname back in college. Dominique was, ‘Domi-Neikka’ to a bunch of friends.

Q: So let’s talk about Industrial’N’Beats for a minute. Sound-wise NEIKKA RPM has always been a truly sonic enigma to me; Electronic, dark, bombastic drums, sensual female vocals… but hard to label and so I get the ‘Industrial’N’Beats’ tag. But set that aside and tell me what does your style say about your personal sources of inspiration and your own perception of Electronic music?

Rich I think it all goes back to the garage band days, amps blasting in a sweaty packed warehouse, you know that brash, loud, crashing drums and sloppy reverberating bass bouncing off the walls. It’s just locked into my brain to mix Electronics to sound like a live garage band. But I very much admire the sonic-perfection of some of the scene’s music producers with amazing clarity and fidelity, but that’s just not me, I can’t erase my ‘chaotic live-sound’ DNA.

Q: Yep, it’s all about a band’s DNA. There are some bands that  you know exactly who they are before the first measure ends.

Rich: In all of your music reviews, I’ve always appreciated it when you used your experience and knowledge to identify and perfectly describe a band’s sonic DNA, and I think you originated that perfect way of describing musical uniqueness as ‘DNA’. We definitely have a signature sound palette in addition to Dominique’s voice. I’m sure most of the scene’s Analog connoisseurs will recognize a well-known drum machine in nearly all of our tracks… At the heart of nearly all Neikka RPM tracks is a beating TR-909. This beast is nearly 40 years old AND still delivers speaker-destroying power…channel ‘1’ on my mixing-board has been abused!

Q: Let’s switch gears. I realized it’s already ten years ago now you released the last NEIKKA RPM-album. I know you’re working on new songs, but how come it takes so much time to release a new work and how are things evolving?

Rich: Geez it’s been that long?! Stef, honestly I really don’t feel the time gap between full lengths, I guess it’s because we’re always so active between our more recent “Battle Scars”-EP and a steady stream of remixes for other bands. Plus copyediting reviews always keeps me in the loop, I never feel like I’m off the radar. 

Q: Aside from remixes, any new songs in the pipeline?

Rich: Yes, we are nearly complete with our next full length album. In terms of evolution, I think the new tracks work big analog layered basslines into the fold. 

Q: What’s the sense of composing a full length album today when people are mainly listening to single cuts on streaming platforms? How do you perceive this (r)evolution?

Rich: I think about how fast the average person scrolls through their feed? Maybe spend a second or two on a picture, maybe read the first two sentences of a headline? And so it’s no surprise to me that fast consumable music would follow in-suit, but it is evolution, people want on-demand music and so bands have to deliver with firing off singles to stay in the race. But despite all that, I believe that the Side-line scene is not interested in fast disposable music. I think there is real symbiosis between the bands, artists, and the listener. There is relevance for a complete album, a collection of songs with purpose. Personally I approach an album as a complete story with an intro, rise, climax, and conclusion.

Q: I often get the feeling Neikka RPM is a kind of antithesis to bands with ‘star’ attitude, but also to artists where image looks are more important than the music. Is it something you recognize and what does it reveal about yourself; the ‘man’ hiding behind  the  ‘musician’?

Rich: Oh yeah, I totally recognize the imagery of Neikka RPM and its impact.  Simultaneously hitting the senses of sight and sound is all part of the complete Art package. Everything about Neikka RPM is delivering a message of allure, seduction and mystery, colliding with muscled-physical beats. 

Q: How would you paint this picture?

Rich: It’s a soft voice whispering in your ear, maybe you’re lying side-by-side in a bed, or maybe a seductive voice whispering to you in a dark hallway…the point is that it’s an intimate moment between NEIKKA and her prey…. a sensual interaction. She holds you there gently in her hand for a moment… and then you experience utter destruction, complete annihilation. Seduced and destroyed.

Q: Nice! And what about you?  This sounds like a movie, where are you in this scene?

Rich: Eh, I’m just some random guy hovering in the background, heheheh. That’s the intention, a story playing out in your mind.

Q: So Dominique is the singer of Neikka RPM… and also your wife. How is it working together in a music band/project and who’s taking the final decisions?

Rich: It is, and always has been a collaboration, both with the music and in ‘regular life.’ But yes we work together on NEIKKA RPM, everything from the music, lyrics and photos.

Q: Most of the readers probably don’t know you’ve been involved with Side-Line for numerous years. How did you get in touch and what does this involvement mean to you?

Rich: From the very beginning, I wanted to help support the scene.  So I’ve been copy editing Side-Line reviews for years and years now. I think it all started with making suggestions for album press releases of bands on the Alfa-Matrix roster. From that point Seba suggested that I help out with Side-Line interviews and reviews, this was when the magazine was still hardcopy, I loved it. I’m thankful to still be helping out over the years and seeing the paper magazine transform into an all-encompassing  music information platform.

Q: So what happens if I find a typo in this interview?

Rich: Oh man….that would be embarrassing.

Q: One thing is for sure, you’re my most faithful reader for years now 😉 More seriously, what you’re doing is simply incredible and requires a lot of patience, tolerance, discipline… How do you hold on and do you get a kind of satisfaction by correcting reviews?

Rich: ‘Patience, tolerance?’ Those are some pretty tough words! Seriously Stef,  I definitely don’t see it that way. Side-Line is an education.

Q: Do you sometimes feel the need to discover an artist/album after having read a review? Are there some bands you discovered this way?

Rich: Absolutely! And you make it easy by providing the web links in the reviews. You can go down the rabbit hole. I’ve clicked on countless links after reading a review.  And it’s more than new discoveries,  I also like to catch up with bands that I know from the past, and not just the legends, a great band I recognize, or maybe an artist I collaborated with, or remixed.

Q: Like checking in on friends?

Rich: It’s good to see what bands are up to, what realms they’re exploring and of course the new discoveries let you know the scene is alive and thriving.

Q: During the years there has been a serious decline of printed- and online music magazines. In your opinion, how important is this kind of ‘specialized’ press and what’s the impact on artists?

Rich: Maybe out of date thinking, but albums have a purpose of telling a story. I think bands need time to slow down, articles online certainly reach way-more people… but the problem is online lifespan is only seconds.  Think about how fast people scroll through a page, or feed,  a band has a fraction of a scroll to catch someone’s attention, where a magazine stays on someone’s table, bookbag for weeks, months,  think about all that contact time!

Q: What do you consider as your biggest accomplishment in your music career and what are your secret dreams?

Rich: The biggest accomplishment has been successfully finding, and sticking around with like minded people.  I’m not sure people realize just how fragile a scene can be. I’ve seen the New York City dark-club scene go from completely raging several nights a week at so many venues to nearly nil. Thankfully there are still solid labels and of course Side-Line is a strong hub, but people need to support the scene to keep the machine rolling. I can tell you that the ‘secret dream’ comes true every day. How great is it for any artist to have a music outlet over all these years and to be part of the Side-Line community?

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 dark techno act Matthew Creed returns with another 3-track EP, “Hidden”. The new track represents the Estonian techno subculture at its best with companion remixes from local techno diva Merimell and the resident DJ from Hall, Artur Lääts.

Behind Matthew Creed we find none other than the Estonian artist Dmitry Darling who made a name with his industrial project Freakangel and with the electropop act Suicidal Romance. He recently signed this new project to Alfa Matrix who released a first 4-track EP as well, “Love Is Just Another Stab In The Back”.

But here’s the news single which will in a few weeks land on all other platforms. For now it’s exclusively available on Bandcamp.

And below you can check out the first 4-track single “Love Is Just Another Stab In The Back” which besides the title track also holds 2 remixes, by Neikka RPM and Aesthetische, and an instrumental mix of the title track.

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: Industrial-Pop, Experimental.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Five years have passed since Entrzelle last album “Total Progressive Collapse”. Preparing the third full length album “Dust On A Razorblade” David Chamberlin delivers this EP as an appetizer.

Content: The title song is a well-crafted piece of intelligent Electronics, which once again reminds me of Haujobb. The “Club Edit” sounds as the title indicates; pure dancefloor driven Electro. Remixes have been accomplished by label mates Aesthetische and Neikka RPM. We also get another new song (cf. Tax On Modern Life”) and another new one (cf. “Let Me Be A Memory”) remixed by another label mate, Llumen.

+ + + : I have to admit Entrzelle is a project I lost touch with, but this EP is a stunning comeback. The title song is a great piece of music, revealing the intelligent approach in sound. It’s hard to define, but accomplished with cool sound treatments and a great atmosphere supporting the song. There’s also something to say about the rather clear production of the vocals. The “Club Edit” is a true attention grabber. Among the remixes I like the familiar bombastic drums created by Neikka RPM.

– – – : I was less convinced by “Tax On Modern Life” and Llumen’s remix, “Feeling Heavy These Days” being the true title song from the EP.

Conclusion: This EP stands for a great comeback of Entrzelle and I’m really wondering how the new album will sound like.

Best songs: “Feeling Heavy These Days – Club Edit”, “Feeling Heavy These Days”, “Feeling Heavy These Days – Neikka RPM Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.entrzelle.com / www.facebook.com/entrzelle

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Feeling Heavy These Days’.

About Entrzelle

Entrzelle is the electronic project of David Chamberlin. Five years after the album “Total Progressive Collapse”, Chamberlin released the “Feeling Heavy These Days” EP on Alfa Matrix as a preview of the planned third full-length, “Dust On A Razorblade”, pairing the title track and “Tax On Modern Life” with a club edit and remixes from label mates Aesthetische, Neikka RPM and Llumen. Alfa Matrix continued to feature Entrzelle on its free label sampler releases in the years that followed.

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

Alfa Matrix has signed a brand new dark techno project, Matthew Creed. Behind Matthew Creed we find none other than the Estonian artist Dmitry Darling who made a name with his industrial project Freakangel and with the electropop act Suicidal Romance.

A first 4-track single “Love Is Just Another Stab In The Back” has now been released together with a video. Besides the title track on the single we also find 3 remixes by Neikka RPM and Aesthetische. The single is completed with an instrumental mix of the title track.

You can check out the single below and download it now from Bandcamp.

Below is the video for “Love Is Just Another Stab In The Back”.

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

The US based cinematic synth industrial project Entrzelle is back with an all new EP, “Feeling Heavy These Days”. With this new release Entrzelle aka David Chamberlin breaks the silence also announcing a first teaser for the upcoming album, “Dust On A Razorblade”.

The EP is available for immediate download via Bandcamp with other platforms to follow.

The EP features the single “Feeling Heavy These Days”, complete with an alternate club version and remixes by Aesthetische and Neikka RPM. Next to this the EP also reveals two more new songs “Let Me Be A Memory” in a remix by Llumen, and an original remix of “Tax On Modern Life”.

The EP also introduces a stylistic evolution for Entrzelle. In contrast to the complex, experimental, and IDM-inspired sound of previous albums, the new material holds a more straightforward approach. Expect upbeat electro sequences and noisy disturbing synth pop melodies.

You can check out the full EP below. Read the review of ‘Feeling Heavy These Days’.

Previous releases

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

It has been a hectic year, also for Alfa Matrix, but luckily their bands took the time to work in their studio to record new material. Out now via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page is the label’s 10th edition in the “Matrix Downloaded” compilation series, again offering you a – free – insight in what the Belgian label is all about. You can discover 64 tracks right here on Bandcamp.

The download holds tracks from Cubic, Psy’Aviah, Aesthetische, Digital Factor, Reichsfeind, Llumen, Zombie Girl, Diffuzion, Matthew Creed, Circuito Cerrado, Circumpolar, Venal Flesh, Mentallo & The Fixer, Freakangel, Alien Vampires, I:Scintilla, Schwarzblut, Totem Obscura, Reactor7X, First Aid 4 Souls, Lederman / De Meyer, Implant, AD:keY, Kant Kino, Die Robo Sapiens, ELM, Pouppee Fabrikk, Armageddon Dildos, Plastic Noise Experience, Synapsyche, Avarice In Audio, Elektrostaub, Junksista, First Aid 4 Souls, Benestrophe, Mental Exile, Star Industry, Halo In Reverse, Lovelorn Dolls, Helalyn Flowers, Essence Of Mind, Rector Scanner, Elektroklänge, Metroland, Lights A.M, Cosmic Armchair, Aiboforcen, H.O.W., 808 DOT POP, Suicidal Romance, Entrzelle, Technoir, Neuroactive, Mondträume, The Psychic Force, Studio-X, Studio-X Vs Simon Carter, Neikka RPM, Komor Kommando, Siva Six, Aengeldust, Acylum, Dunkelwerk and Növö.

Exclusive face masks

Next to that you can also get the download together with a face mask, out in a very limited series. You can either buy them separately or get all 3 in one. Check the set of 3 Face Masks (Blue Matrix + Endzeit + Red EBM Alert) or the separate masks.

Note that EVERY face mask order comes with a free compilation CD on top: “Sounds from the matrix 022” with 20 extra tracks.

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: Dark electro-pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: H.O.W. (Her Own World) is a Polish duo featuring the front man of Reactor 7x ‘Ad-X’ and female vocalist ‘Yu’. Some of you might have discovered this band on the latest issue of the famous 3endzeit Bunkertracks”-compilation series. Just like Reactor7x this duo got signed to Alfa Matrix to deliver their first official EP.

Content: The title song is the already familiar “Happiness Imperative”, which got featured on “Endzeit Bunkertracks”. It’s a dark electro song featuring a carrying lead and the sensual, somewhat ethereal timbre of Yu’s voice. This song sounds like the offspring between dark-electronics and dark-pop music. The other song “Stalker Girl” mixes the same ingredients, but still has a technoid touch on top.

Both songs have been remixed by several artists. Neikka RPM and Aesthetische, both label mates, are for sure the most familiar names from the list. Other remixes have been done by Inva//id, Jeremiah Kane, Switchface and Freaky Mind (known from some productions released by SkyQode). 

+ + + : “Happiness Imperative” is a cool song and for sure the main song from this EP. It’s a cool mix between different influences, like a sonic yin and yang. At one side you get a darker, angry sound and at the other side a more refined and catchy one with sensual female vocals on top. Inva//id did a great remix, injecting some extra club vibes to the song. Neikka RPM did a great job as well, injecting its usual bombast and punch. The Aesthetische remix is also a noticeable one so in the end I should say “Happiness Imperative” is a good song and for sure inspiring for remixes.

– – – : “Stalker Girl” sounds a bit like the B-side song of the EP, but that’s not totally true. It’s a cool song as well, but the remixes are a bit disappointing here.

Conclusion: H.O.W. doesn’t bring that new, but this debut EP is however a promising production so I’m really looking forward to hearing more from this band.

Best songs: “Happiness Imperative – Inva//id Remix”, “Happiness Imperative”, “Stalker Girl”, “Happiness Imperative – Neika RPM Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: http://herownworld.eu / www.facebook.com/howherownworld

Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘A Different Kind Of Reality’.

About H.O.W.

H.O.W. (Her Own World) is a Polish dark electro-pop project built around Reactor7x front man Ad-X, joined by vocalist Yu. The duo was signed to Alfa Matrix and released the “A Different Kind Of Reality” EP in 2020, featuring the tracks “Happiness Imperative” and “Stalker Girl” alongside remixes by Aesthetische, Neikka RPM, Inva//id, Switchface, Jeremiah Kane and Freaky Mind. The project later continued under the name Her Own World, releasing the album “Tales From Another Life” on darkTunes Music Group 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

Reactor7X frontman Ad-X has launched a brand new project featuring the female vocalist Yu: H.O.W. which stand for Her Own World. Signed to Alfa Matrix, the song “Happiness Imperative” was released a while ago and featured on multiple compilations offering already a good insight on what the band is about.

Out now via Bandcamp (and other services to follow in the next days) is the debut single “A Different Kind Of Reality”, actually an EP holding 8 tracks. On this EP the Polish duo offer a mix of dark elektro, synth pop and industrial dance with a touch of trance.

The 2 tracks on this single “Happiness Imperative” and “Stalker Girl” appear in their original versions plus in remixes by Aesthetische, Neikka RPM, INVA//ID, Switchface, Jeremiah Kane and Freaky Mind.

Check out the EP below.

You can also watch the lyrics video for “Happiness Imperative” on YouTube. Read the review of ‘A Different Kind Of Reality’.

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

Available now for free (or pay-what-you-want) via Bandcamp is the 9th volume in the “Matrix Downloaded” compilation download series by the Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix. In the past these compilations have been downloaded by ten thousands of fans around the world and we don’t expect it will be different this year.

The label also announces that it will invest all donations in nurturing new bands and getting their careers launched.

Here’s what Seba Dolimont, A&R at Alfa Matrix, has to say about it: “The music market has shifted a lot over the years and in many ways losing its solid footing. CDs sales are collapsing entirely and the shift from downloads to streaming has not yet shown a revenue that is replacing what has been lost. (…) This evolution has created an environment where many labels have almost stopped playing their key-role of talent scouting, no longer daring to invest in new talents who deserve to be heard by you! Alfa Matrix is one of the very few record companies in this scene who try to keep the right balance between releasing renowned artists and supporting younger bands who still need to catch the attention and reach your ears.”

61 bands and tracks

The compilation holds the work by 61 label bands who joined hands to deliver you 61 songs representing the label’s most recent singles and albums while giving a preview of some promising forthcoming 2020 productions including announced new releases by POUPPEEE FABRIKK, NEUROACTIVE, ALIEN VAMPIRES, HELALYN FLOWERS, DIE ROBO SAPIENS, IMJUDAS, 808 DOT POP, ACYLUM, ARMAGEDDON DILDOS, PSY’AVIAH, AVARICE IN AUDIO, SIVA SIX, NEIKKA RPM, AESTHETISCHE, KANT KINO, KOMOR KOMMANDO, AD:KEY, H.O.W., CIRCUMPOLAR, SYNAPSYCHE, LLUMEN, ENTRZELLE, LIGHTS A.M, REACTOR7X, FIRST AID 4 SOULS, etc.

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: Dark-electro.

Background/Info: Set up in 2009 Polish duo ‘Ad-x’ (synths, composing, programming) and ‘Blackjack O’Hare’ (lyrics, vocals) Alfa Matrix to unleash their new work. After having released two albums and a few EP’s there’s a new full length in the pipeline while “Are You My Bitch?” has been served as an appetizer.

Content: The EP reveals 3 new songs and 11 remixes. The new songs hold on the dark-electro inspiration reactor7x at previous work. The songs are rough and unpolished while carried by typical dark-electro leads. This is the kind of stuff that will appeal for fans of Suicide Commando, C-Lekktor, Agonoize and related bands.

The “Circus Of False” has been remixed by Eexee, Syncfactory, Stahlnebel & Black Selket, Antibody and Restriction 9. “The Cycle Of Life” got exposed to the remixing skills of Neikka RPM, Third Realm,  00tz 00tz, Amorphous and At0shima 3rr0r. The song “Acid Symphony” has been remixed by Kilmarth and also is the opening track of the EP.

+ + + : Reactor7x has joined a leading label of the dark-electro scene and that’s for sure a real consecration for this promising band. They confirm their potential by 3 new songs, but especially “The Circus Of False” appears to be a potential hit. This is total electro-terror driven by enraged vocals and a rough production process. The remixes bring diversity, but also reveal a great canvas of established- and upcoming formations. Syncfactory gets my personal award for the best remix, transposing the ‘hit song’ into a brilliant exposure. Stahlnebel & Black Selket also did a great job on the same song. 

– – – : Even if there’s some diversity in the remixes, it mainly remain dark-electro driven formations. I regret that there are no more ‘atypical’ remixes like the opening piece by Kilmarth.

Conclusion: This EP is the perfect appetizer to welcome the new full length of this Polish dark-(h)el(l)ectro sensation and will serve as club food for many DJ’s.

Best songs: “The Circus Of False”, “The Circus Of False – Syncfactory Remix”, “The Circus Of False – Stahlnebel & Black Selket Remix”, “The Cycle Of Life”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: https://reactor7x.com / www.facebook.com/reactor7x

Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Are You My Bitch?’.

About Reactor7x

Reactor7x is a dark-electro duo from Poland formed by Ad-x (synths, composing, programming) and Blackjack O’Hare (lyrics, vocals) in 2009. Side-Line first introduced the project in a 2016 profile piece, and the band went on to release the album “Illusion Of Chaos” (CD Album, Advoxya Records, 2016) and the EP “And Chaos Became The New Order” (CD EP, Blackened Art, 2018). Reactor7x then signed to Alfa Matrix, and “Are You My Bitch?” served as the appetizer for the new full length the duo had in the pipeline at the label.

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-electro.

Background/Info: Stefano ‘Mannequinetik’ and Marco ‘Katatronik’ (vocals) better known as the Italian formation Synapsyche joined Alfa Matrix last year to unleash the EP “Mirror Terror” as an appetizer to this new album. It’s the band’s third full length, which has been released as a limited edition as well.

Content: Synapsyche remains faithful to their sound exposed at the previous album “The Abyss Effect” released in 2016 on SkyQode. The songs are driven by pumping dance kicks, harsh vocals and the unavoidable cold-trance like leads. It’s an ultra danceable piece of music, which however contains a few ‘softer’ cuts such as “Diva Paranoia” sung in Italian and featuring guest vocals by ‘Noemi Aurora’ (Helalyn Flowers).

The second disc is the remix section. We get 13 remixes by Venal Flesh, Nano Infect, Complex Mind, Technoid, Neikka RPM, Pax Sono, Marcoda, H.O.W., Aiboforcen, Shades Of Hell, UCNX, Tolchock and Avarice In Audio.

+ + + : If you like ‘dark’ dance music Synapsyche will be a perfect company to get you on the dancefloor. Hard and pumping, but still elevating and well-produced. This is the perfect dark-electro cliché without any pretension to innovate, but just to give people fun on the dancefloor. I’ve been impressed by the list of remixers featured on the bonus disc. I here especially like the somewhat surprising remix of “Mirror Terror” by Venal Flesh, which has something psy-trance driven. Last, but not least, I also have to say a word about the cool, artistic digipak.

– – – : Alfa Matrix definitely pushes Synapsyche to the forefront, releasing a double disc for their debut album on the label. I’m sure this is the perfect ‘dancefloor’-album, but the songs all sound pretty similar and are just as on their previous album dominated by the same kind of easy-trance leads. The work becomes rapidly predictable and that’s why I definitely prefer the bonus disc.

Conclusion: “In Praise Of Folly” would have been a possible class-act 10 years ago, but ano 2019 I’ve heard too much similar albums.

Best songs: “Mirror Terror”, “Paraphiliac”, “Diva Paranoia feat. Noemi Aurora” + “Mirror Terror – Venal Flesh Remix”, “Who The Fuck Are You? – Complex Mind Remix”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/synapsyche

Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘In Praise Of Folly’.

About Synapsyche

Synapsyche is an Italian dark-electro duo whose members perform as Mannequinetik and Katatronik, the latter handling vocals. The project’s second album, “The Abyss Effect”, appeared in 2016 on SkyQode before Synapsyche signed to Alfa Matrix in 2018 with the EP “Mirror Terror”, a precursor to “In Praise Of Folly”. Synapsyche went on to release a fourth studio album, “Anti”, in 2024, a concept record centered on a 21st-century-born Messiah that the band discussed in a Side-Line interview, and the EP “Muteness” in 2025 as the second installment of a “Miscommunication” trilogy.

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

Italian duo Synapsyche has signed with the Belgian electronic label Alfa Matrix. And the label immediately also announced the release of the band’s 3rd full length studio album: “In Praise Of Folly”, for which pre-orders are accepted now.

The new album will hold 13 new songs and a special 2CD limited edition (which is available here) will come with a bonus disc featuring a diverse selection of some 13 remixes by bands in the likes of Aiboforcen, Tolchock, Avarice In Audio, Venal Flesh, H.O.W., Neikka RPM, UCNX, Nano Infect and many more.

Here’s what the label says about the concept album “It brings us on a freaky journey through the somber corridors of a psychiatric hospital, allowing us room after room to penetrate into the weirdest corners of the human sick minds of the psychiatric patients. Each track brings us step by step to the alarming but obvious conclusion that we are all a bit mad in some way or another…”

You can already listen to 2 tracks below!

Check also the following videos on YouTube: Read the review of ‘In Praise Of Folly’.

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

A large crowd was gathered in front of New York’s famous Metropolitan Museum of Art for last week’s opening of the Play It Loud Instruments of Rock & Roll.

The exhibit, co-curated by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers an amazing collection of instruments that helped shape the history of music. Among the collection was a unique piece of equipment (three ARP 2600 model synthesizers mounted together as a single instrument) used by Depeche Mode on the albums, “Songs of Faith and Devotion” (1993), “Ultra” (1997), and “Exciter” (2001).

Richard from the NY based Industrial N’ Beats act, Neikka RPM, was a guest at the event and reported to us that the exhibit was literally mind-blowing: “I just stared at the Depeche Mode synth rig, I examined it from top to bottom while the very songs it was used to create ran through my mind. I know I’m being over dramatic, but damn! It was like being completely awestruck by a religious relic!”

Neikka RPM are at the moment in the studio completing their much anticipated new album after completing a cover of the Depeche Mode song “More than a party”.

You can check out the complete Depeche Mode cover album right below.

For more on Depeche Mode, see Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) to receive 2019 Moog Innovation Award on Side-Line.

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

With the 8th edition of their now classic free “Matrix Downloaded” label digital compilation, Belgium’s Alfa Matrix label presents a selection of 55 songs via Bandcamp.

The 55 songs represent the label’s most recent singles and albums while giving a preview of some promising forthcoming 2019 productions including announced new releases by Helalyn Flowers, Synapsyche, Avarice In Audio, H.O.W., Llumen, Mental Exile, SD-KRTR, Diffuzion, Reactor7X, Aesthetische, Armageddon Dildos, Die Robo Sapiens, Junksista, Imjudas, Alien Vampires, Mondträume, Aiboforcen, Dunkelwerk, Komor Kommando, Neikka RPM, Acylum, etc.

You can download it for free or as a what-you-want-to-pay from 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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Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘Mirror Terror’.

About Synapsyche

Synapsyche is an Italian EBM/industrial duo of Stefano “Mannequinetik” and Marco “Katatronik” Mantovani, active since 2008. Following a self-released debut and “The Abyss Effect” (2016, SkyQode), the duo signed to Alfa Matrix. “Mirror Terror”, reviewed here, previewed the then-upcoming third album, “In Praise Of Folly”, released on Alfa Matrix in 2019. Synapsyche has continued on the label through later EPs and the 2024 album “Anti”.

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

Read the review of ‘Mirror Terror’.

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: Industrial-pop, dark-pop, EBM.

Background/Info: Belgian project Aiboforcen is back on track with a new work, which has been released 7 years after the “Dédale”-album. “Dédale” also saw the daylight 7 years after the previous full length (cf. “Kafarnäum”). Benoit Blanchard remains the single operator when it comes to music, but he again was joined by several guest singers. Patrice Synthea (Regenerator) is somewhat presented as the band’s singer although she only sings a few songs. Other vocalists are Jean-Luc De Meyer (Front 242, 32 crash, UnderViewer), Mari Kattman, Damasius (Mondträume), Jan Dewulf (Mildreda, Diskonnekted), Lars Bass (Kant Kino) and Dan Barrett (Venal Flesh).

Content: Globally speaking “Sense & Nonsense” remains in the purest tradition of Aiboforcen. This band always has composed a very personal sound, which is dark, sophisticated and covering different influences. I can easily affirm that the new songs are more ‘pop’ than ever before, but don’t expect to hear traditional electro-pop. “Sense & Nonsense” features many melodic passages and catchy arrangements, but the sound is also dark and has something vicious. A few other cuts are a little bit harder and walking on EBM paths.

Patrice Synthea might be considered as the main vocalist although Jean-Luc De Meyer sings on 3 songs. One of these cuts entitled “Loud” is a real special one as it’s a cover version of Front 242!

The limited edition features a bonus disc with a few new songs (featuring the title cut), and also songs featuring a few extra singers such as Diana (Junksista) and LadyHell (Lovelorn Dolls)  plus the usual load of remixes by Diffuzion, Aesthetische, Neikka RPM, Daniel B/Prothèse, Implant, Psy’Aviah and Kilmarth.

+ + + : Aiboforcen remains a unique sound project, with an intelligent electronic approach. It has something pop-like, but definitely an antidote to the classical electro-pop standards. This is darker, even somewhat tormented, but still EBM-driven. The songs are featuring great strings and the usual amount of endless bleeps and filtered sound sequences. The female singers inject fragility (Patrice Synthea) and grace (Mari Kattman) creating a delicious contrast with some orchestral arrangements. Jean-Luc De Meyer stands for the harder (male)  vocal touch while Damasius is probably one of the most talented vocalists featured. The cover of Front 242’s “Loud” (“Pulse”-album) sung by Jean-Luc De Meyer is one of the most surprising songs, but it simply confirms Belgium remains the country of surrealism. I like this pop approach running through different songs and reminding some of the band’s most legendary cuts.

Last, but not least the bonus disc features multiple noticeable remixes. Daniel B/Prothèse did an amazing job remixing “We Woke Up The dragon” sung by his old band mate Jean-Luc De Meyer. I also want to mention the remixes by Implant, Psy’Aviah and Aesthetische.

– – – : The songs featuring the most legendary singer of the EBM scene (cf. J-L De Meyer) aren’t exactly the best songs from the album and that’s a pity. The main point about this album is probably its eclectic aspect. Some songs are really too different from each other so you sometimes get the impression two hear different bands on the same disc. That’s only accentuated by the different guest singers.

Conclusion: Aiboforcen is back on track, but feels like the band has never been away. It gets you a feeling of ‘coming home’ revealing multiple brilliant songs. Let’s no hope we’ll not have to wait 7 more years to get a new album.

Best songs: “In My Arms feat. Mari Kattman”, “Etching Herself In acid feat. Lars Bass/Kant Kino”, “Ritual Control”, “Life In The Valley Of Death”, “Caresse”, “Ablation A Vif feat. Dan Barrett/Venal Flesh” + “We Woke Up The dragon feat. Jean-Luc De Meyer – Daniel B/Prothèse Remix”, “Come Clean – Implant Never Comes Clean Remix”, “Lost In Translation feat. LadyHell/Lovelorn Dolls”, “Sense & Nonsense”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Aiboforcen

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

About Aiboforcen

Aiboforcen is the project of Belgian producer Benoît Blanchart, also a co-owner of the Brussels label Alfa Matrix; Discogs lists the project’s discography back to 1995. “Sense & Nonsense” arrived seven years after the “Dédale” album and features Jean-Luc De Meyer (Front 242) and Mari Kattman among its guest vocalists. Blanchart discussed the writing process and the guest line-up in a Click Interview published the following month.

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

It was Record Store Day this past weekend and for the occasion the Belgian label launched a special 30% discount code ( RSD2017 ) which is available to use until the end of this week. You can apply the code in the label’s webshop or on the label’s Bandcamp page. You will get 30% off on everything that is added in your basket (except on the forthcoming Metroland and Alien Vampires box sets).

Happy hunting!

Included in this massive discount action are releases by 32CRASH, Acylum, Aengeldust, Aesthetische, Agonised By Love, Aiboforcen, Alien Vampires, Ambassador21, amGod, Armageddon Dildos, Avarice In Audio, Ayria, Bruderschaft, Cosmic Armchair, Crisk, Cynical Existence, Depeche Mode (the tribute releases), Diffuzion, Diskonnekted, Dive, Dream Recall, Dunkelwerk, Elektroklänge, ELM, Entrzelle, Epsilon Minus, Essence Of Mind, Freakangel, Front 242, Gaytron, Glis, Halo In Reverse, HausHetaere, Headscan, Helalyn Flowers, Hungry Lucy, I:scintilla, Implant, Internal, Inure, Junksista, Kant Kino, Klutæ, Komor Kommando, Krystal System, Leaether Strip, Lovelorn Dolls, Malakwa, Male Or Female, Mari Chrome, Mentallo and the Fixer, Metroland, Mind:State, Mnemonic, Mondträume, Monolith, Nebula-H, Neikka RPM, Nitzer Ebb, Növö, O.V.N.I., Plastic Noise Experience, Pouppee Fabrikk, Prozium, Psy’Aviah, Razorfade, Recoil, Regenerator, Saeldes Sanc, Schwarzblut, Sebastian Komor, Seize, Sero.Overdose, Shaun F, Simon Carter, Siva Six, Star Industry, Stray, Studio-X, Suicide Inside, Tamtrum, Technoir, The Cure (tribute), The Psychic Force, Totem Obscura, Trisomie 21, Unter Null, Venal Flesh, Virgins O.R Pigeons, Virtual Embrace, XMH, Zombie Girl, … plus a long list of compilations.

And in order to save on shipping costs, it’s recommended to combine this with the label’s 2 newest releases although they are not discounted.

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

Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘Battle Scars’.

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 50th track on our free download compilation “Face The Beat: Session 4” (featuring 92 tracks) is by the New York based industrial n’ beats duo Neikka RPM.

Neikka RPM first appeared on the scene in 2001 with their smashing debut “The Gemini Prophecies” fuelled by their international club mega-hit “Here’s Your Revolution”. “Rise of the 13th Serpent” was Neikka RPM’s second full-length album wand as released in the fall of 2006. A few years later the band offered “Chain letters”.

After a prolonged silence, the band recently returned with the surprisingly very dark industrial driven download EP “Battle Scars”. And it’s from that excellent EP that we offer you the track “Deep Dive (All You Devils)”. Check out the band’s facebook page for more info.

Listen to “Deep Dive (All You Devils)” below and download it right here.

Check our “Face The Beat: Session 4” page on Bandcamp to discover the other 91 bands. All donations will go to charity.

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

“Today he has no means He’s alone and anonymous, but written in his cells he’s got the marks of a genius”, with these Front 242 lyrics (“Headhunter”) the Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix has launched quite an impressive EBM day action offering no less than a 30% discount on all of it’s physical (and download releases) including the much wanted Front 242 vinyls sets.

All you need to do is use the code ebmday242 to get 30% off on all of the labels releases (ltd editions, boxsets, t-shirts, vinyls, …) purchased via the Alfa Matrix webstore and the official Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page.

The code ebmday242 is only valid today and this weekend and will be applied on all products you have added in your basket.

And that’s not all! the label has also added a huge list of VERY low priced compilations right here.

Included in this massive discount action are all physical and download releases by 32CRASH, Acylum, Aengeldust, Aesthetische, Agonised By Love, Aiboforcen, Alien Vampires, Ambassador21, amGod, Armageddon Dildos, Avarice In Audio, Ayria, Bruderschaft, Cosmic Armchair, Crisk, Cynical Existence, Depeche Mode (the tribute releases), Diffuzion, Diskonnekted, Dive, Dream Recall, Dunkelwerk, Elektroklänge, ELM, Entrzelle, Epsilon Minus, Essence Of Mind, Freakangel, Front 242, Gaytron, Glis, Halo In Reverse, HausHetaere, Headscan, Helalyn Flowers, Hungry Lucy, I:scintilla, Implant, Internal, Inure, Junksista, Kant Kino, Klutæ, Komor Kommando, Krystal System, Leaether Strip, Lovelorn Dolls, Malakwa, Male Or Female, Mari Chrome, Mentallo and the Fixer, Metroland, Mind:State, Mnemonic, Mondträume, Monolith, Nebula-H, Neikka RPM, Nitzer Ebb, Növö, O.V.N.I., Plastic Noise Experience, Pouppee Fabrikk, Prozium, Psy’Aviah, Razorfade, Recoil, Regenerator, Saeldes Sanc, Schwarzblut, Sebastian Komor, Seize, Sero.Overdose, Shaun F, Simon Carter, Siva Six, Star Industry, Stray, Studio-X, Suicide Inside, Tamtrum, Technoir, The Cure (tribute), The Psychic Force, Totem Obscura, Trisomie 21, Unter Null, Venal Flesh, Virgins O.R Pigeons, Virtual Embrace, XMH, Zombie Girl, … plus a long list of compilations.

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

Read the review of ‘Battle Scars’.

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

We enter the final few hours to enjoy a 50% reduction on all of your purchases via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page. You get a discount of 50% when using the discount code january50432. Just enter it when checking out. The code is valid on ALL of the releases on the label’s Bandcamp page.

Included in this massive discount action are releases by 32CRASH, Acylum, Aengeldust, Aesthetische, Agonised By Love, Aiboforcen, Alien Vampires, Ambassador21, amGod, Armageddon Dildos, Avarice In Audio, Ayria, Bruderschaft, Cosmic Armchair, Crisk, Cynical Existence, Depeche Mode (the tribute releases), Diffuzion, Diskonnekted, Dive, Dream Recall, Dunkelwerk, Elektroklänge, ELM, Entrzelle, Epsilon Minus, Essence Of Mind, Freakangel, Front 242, Gaytron, Glis, Halo In Reverse, HausHetaere, Headscan, Helalyn Flowers, Hungry Lucy, I:scintilla, Implant, Internal, Inure, Junksista, Kant Kino, Klutæ, Komor Kommando, Krystal System, Leaether Strip, Lovelorn Dolls, Malakwa, Male Or Female, Mari Chrome, Mentallo and the Fixer, Metroland, Mind:State, Mnemonic, Mondträume, Monolith, Nebula-H, Neikka RPM, Nitzer Ebb, Növö, O.V.N.I., Plastic Noise Experience, Pouppee Fabrikk, Prozium, Psy’Aviah, Razorfade, Regenerator, Saeldes Sanc, Schwarzblut, Sebastian Komor, Seize, Sero.Overdose, Shaun F, Simon Carter, Siva Six, Star Industry, Stray, Studio-X, Suicide Inside, Tamtrum, Technoir, The Cure (tribute), The Psychic Force, Totem Obscura, Trisomie 21, Unter Null, Venal Flesh, Virgins O.R Pigeons, Virtual Embrace, XMH, Zombie Girl, … plus a long list of compilations.

The discount code only lasts till January 31st midnight, so make sure to use it asap!

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

For its 15th anniversary, the Belgian record label Alfa Matrix also celebrated the 35 years of existence of Front 242 and this with the Front 242 tribute album “Recovery >for you<” uniting 32 fellow label bands who have each covered one song from Front 242’s music repertoire.

The release is available on the Alfa Matrix webstore as a 2CD plus also on their Bandcamp page as a download.

You can preview the tracks right below:

The bands who collaborated to “Recovery >for you<” include Metroland, Komor Kommando, Ad:Key, Plastic Noise Experience, Imjudas, Sin.Sin, Cosmic Armchair, Neikka Rpm, Alien Vampires, Ayria, Implant, Avarice In Audio, Acylum, Schwarzblut, Star Industry, Regenerator, Elektroklänge, Elm, Kant Kino, Technoir, Diffuzion, Aesthetische, Circuito Cerrado Vs. C-Lekktor, Növö, Totem Obscura, Venal Flesh Feat. Chase Dobson, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Helalyn Flowers, Essence Of Mind, Armageddon Dildos and Xmh.

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

With the 6th edition of the now classic free “Matrix Downloaded” label digital compilation, Belgium’s Alfa Matrix label prepared the perfect industrial / electro soundtrack for your end of year season holiday. If you like what you hear, then don’t hesitate to support the label with a few euros.

“Matrix Downloaded 006” represents the label’s most recent singles and albums while giving a preview of some promising forthcoming 2017 productions including new releases by Alien Vampires, Pouppée Fabrikk, Metroland, The Psychic Force, Kant Kino, Mondträume, Neikka RPM, Aiboforcen, Sin.Sin, Elektroklänge, Llumen, Diffuzion, Cosmic Armchair, etc. as well as from the label’s recent recruits: the German EBM duo Ad:Key and Imjudas (the new synthwave pop-rock project of Helalyn Flowers’ Maxx).

This free (or pay as you wish) compilation is once again downloadable in mp3/flac quality via the label’s extremely successful Bandcamp page where you can also still find the 5 previous editions in case you were trapped in another universe for the last few years and did not catch these yet: “Matrix Downloaded 001” / “Matrix Downloaded 002” / “Matrix Downloaded 003” / “Matrix Downloaded 004” / “Matrix Downloaded 005“.

Check and download 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!

side-line.com

With “Recovery >for you<”, the Alfa Matrix label is closing this double-celebration year 2016 in beauty. For its 15th anniversary, the Belgian record label also celebrated in many ways the 35 years of existence of Front 242. Therefor the Alfa Matrix label family decided to pay homage to the band.

32 fellow label bands have each covered one song from Front 242’s music repertoire, picking songs from the full discography of the band, from “Geography” to “Pulse”. The release is already up for pre-order on the Alfa Matrix webstore plus also on their Bandcamp page.

“Recovery >for you<” resulted in a collection of 32 songs reflecting the Alfa Matrix band roster’s high diversity by bands such as Metroland, Komor Kommando, Ad:Key, Plastic Noise Experience, Imjudas, Sin.Sin, Cosmic Armchair, Neikka Rpm, Alien Vampires, Ayria, Implant, Avarice In Audio, Acylum, Schwarzblut, Star Industry, Regenerator, Elektroklänge, Elm, Kant Kino, Technoir, Diffuzion, Aesthetische, Circuito Cerrado Vs. C-Lekktor, Növö, Totem Obscura, Venal Flesh Feat. Chase Dobson, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Helalyn Flowers, Essence Of Mind, Armageddon Dildos and Xmh.

Classic Front 242 tunes covered include amongst others “Headhunter”, “Happiness”, “Lovely Day”, “U-men”, “Commando Mix”, “Masterhit”, “No Shuffle”, “Tragedy for You”, “Take One”, “Funkhadafi”, “Moldavia”, “Operating Tracks”, “Don’t Crash”, “Body To Body”, “Welcome To Paradise”, and many more. The full tracklist can be viewed here.

Below is a first exclusive preview which Front 242 have posted on their Instagram account earlier this evening.

#Front242 #tribute “Recovery>for you<” now available via www.alfa-matrix-store.com 32 tracks, this is an exclusive preview! @alfamatrix #alfamatrix

A video posted by Front 242 – Official (@front242official) on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:49am PDT

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

All new orders going via the Alfa Matrix webstore will be including volume 17 of the label’s popular free Sounds Of The Matrix compilation series. It’s again an excellent way to discover what this Belgian label and more precisely its bands are up to. The compilation will be added to all orders including physical products.

This time you’ll find 20 tracks from the following bands, including the label’s latest new addition, the Swedish act Elektroklänge. Here’s the complete list of bands on the compilation presenting their newest work: Junksista, Diffuzion, The Psychic Force, Psy’Aviah, Ayria, Zombie Girl, Kant Kino, Avarice In Audio Feat. Mondträume, Entrzelle, Sin.Sin, Studio-X Vs. Simon Carter, Elektroklänge, Metroland, ELM, Neikka RPM, Schwarzblut, Venal Flesh, Helalyn Flowers, Pouppee Fabrikk, Alien Vampires.

You can also get the compilation separately from Bandcamp as a low-priced 20-track standalone download compilation. Listen 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!

side-line.com