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.

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“The Breaking Waves” is the title of the new Llumen album which comes as a 2CD set / Bandcamp download and which is available now. The album was already teased in November with the EP “Die Stille Totgeschwiegen”.

Llumen is the project by Belgian artist Pieter Coussement who brings a very updated EBM blending it with influences from old-school EBM, techno, and future pop. Influenced by acts like Front 242, Haujobb, Diorama, Assemblage 23, Suicide Commando or yet Covenant, Pieter has been able to develop an own mature sound.

Following the 2017 debut album “The Memory Institute” and the 2021 release “Polygon Heart”, “The Breaking Waves” is his 3rd album to date.

The accompanying CD holds remixes, edits, reinterpretations plus collaborations with Grendel, Aesthetische, Aiboforcen, Neuroactive, Implant, Mind.Divided, Dimethoxy, J Wølf, Nacht Nackt and The Saint Paul.

You can check out the full album below. Recommended!

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

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.

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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.

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.

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The post-punk scene has a new recordlabel with Alfa Matrix launching a sublabel created to accomodate this specific genre and its varieties including coldwave or even minimal synth. Called Spleen+ you can already find 2 bands signed to it, the Belgian post-punk act The Ultimate Dreamers, who launched their label debut with the EP “Polarized”, and the Italian new wave act ImJudas who presents 2 new EPs, “People Of The Blame” and “So Untrue”.

We sat together with Seba Dolimont who is the A&R behind Spleen+ (and Alfa Matrix).

SL: Congratulations Seba with the new endeavour. Why start a side label next to Alfa Matrix?

SD: Since 2001, Alfa Matrix has been showing a quite eclectic approach of our music repertoire and label artist roster. We release EBM music from FRONT 242, POUPPEE FABRIKK, ELM or DIE ROBO SAPIENS, but also harsh dark elektro with ALIEN VAMPIRES, ACYLUM or C-LEKKTOR, minimal vintage synth with METROLAND, future pop with REICHSFEIND, NEUROACTIVE, MONDTRÄUME, BRUDERSCHAFT… Modern avantgarde electro with RECOIL, IMPLANT, KOMOR KOMMANDO, PSY’AVIAH or yet CUBIC! But also without forgetting our darker acts merging industrial with goth darkwave guitars like STAR INDUSTRY, HELALYN FLOWERS or FREAKANGEL.

We have been toying with this idea for this Spleen+ division for many months. It’s not something that comes out on the spur of the moment, you need to prepare such additional activity within our whole Alfa Matrix Label Group concept. We have been following and enjoying this continuous resurgence of the cold wave / post punk / minimal synth scene for some time. We also noticed that new sub-scene walls started emerging from the ground where the fans do not look much over the walls. Dedicated events and festivals get organised. Dedicated blogs, playlists, etc. start gathering more and more dark souls… So the idea from our side is to simply contribute to this movement offering it some structured and more targeted approach cos there are so many talented artists out there in need of support in their DIY efforts. This focused approach should allow us better supporting artists playing this kind of sound and reaching out to a boiling sub-scene, enlarging our scope of activities and bringing complementary fanbases together because eclecticism remains a core value for our work… And this without bringing us too far away from our roots cos the label team is made of 3 friends born in the early 70’s who were fed on JOY DIVISION, THE CURE, SIOUXSIE, SISTERS OF MERCY and other GHOST DANCE, X-MAL DEUTSCHLAND and SKELETAL FAMILY and not only on 80’s synth pop and the Belgian Electronic Body Music movement!

SL: What (new) signings can we expect?

SD: The very active Belgian act THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS is our first new signing in the genre (see the number of concerts they already played this year only! They are amazing! Their new album comes out in March…) while some current Alfa Matrix artists are potential candidates for a next release on Spleen+ including IMJUDAS or yet STAR INDUSTRY for example. Together with Frédéric Cotton (known for decades of activities as concert & party promotor in Brussels behind the famous “Fantastique Nights” but also as lead singer of THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS) we will also release this year a mega compilation devoted to the cold wave/post punk genre showing how prolific this scene can be anno 2023! We are working on it as we speak…

Since the announcement of this new label division, I am also quite happy and positively surprised by the number of proactive connections we got from very great bands who showed interest in working with us. That’s really exciting. Of course some of them are cool Belgian bands, some being living legends, cos it’s always easier collaborating with a local label speaking your language, but we are also in contact with artists from the UK, Italy, South America, etc. Nothing I want to reveal yet, but we will do this on due time. Keep an eye on our pages at https://www.facebook.com/spleen.plus and https://spleenplus.bandcamp.com . A website will follow soon as well.

SL: Will this also mean extra vinyl releases?

SD: The vinyl format is part of the equation on today’s music market. A portion of music fans who are collecting physical products do prefer the vinyl format but not all of them. So already with Alfa Matrix we have been issuing vinyls for some time for selected bands with own fanclubs and/or who are touring a lot. The vinyl format is also very appropriate to the cold wave/post punk genre that is uniting past, present and future. So my answer is a big YES. Absolutely!

Below are the first releases from the brand new label:

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: Body-Pop.

Format: Digital, Vinyl + CDR.

Background/Info: Finish Huminoida, a project driven by ex-Neuroactive member Kimmo Karjalainen, strikes back with a new EP. This is a new chapter in the ‘seasons-series’ which was preceded by “Mystic Summer” (2013) and “Intoxicating Spring” (2014). Huminoida of course released other EP’s and two albums. We get three new songs and three remixes from earlier cuts. The vinyl format is strictly limited to 50 copies and also features a CDR.

Content: Karjalainen remains faithful to his familiar sound formula. It sounds as the perfect offspring between solid, EBM-driven, bass lines and polished, Pop-injected, choruses. The production of the vocals remains half whispering-like injecting a warm and sensual touch to the work. Among the remixes you’ll get one by Neuroactive and another one by NYX plus an EP-version of “Ghosts On Photos” -a track that originally appeared on the last album “The Grey Area” (2018).

+ + + : The debut song “The Lights Are Going Out” is a true sonic jewel and pure Body-Pop music with a clear connection to Neuroactive. The Neuroactive-remix of “Just By Wishing” is another masterpiece. The song is outstandingly composed and driven by a carrying and catchy chorus. Humanoida deals with irresistible vintage sound treatments and a personal approach in the merge of EBM together with Electro-Pop.

– – – : One great new song -the aforementioned “The Lights Are Going Out”, but both new tracks left are less inspiring. Especially “Lunar Lullabye” sounds as a slow running Halloween-pop song.

Conclusion: I was not convinced by the entire work, but the best cuts are truly accomplished and refreshing Electro-Body-Pop songs.

Best songs: “The Lights Are Going Out”, “Just By Wishing – Neuroactive Remix”, “Ghosts On Photos  – EP Version”.

Rate: 7½.  

Artist: www.huminoida.com / www.facebook.com/huminoida

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Mario Monk aka Ego Bliss strikes back with the “Future” EP featuring four new cuts plus eight remixes getting us back to songs from the debut album “What The Future Holds”.

Content: The new songs sound a bit harder than the debut album. The composition is empowered by EBM elements while holding on to the Electro-Pop touch. Both debut songs remind me a bit of Neuroactive -and also in the production of the vocals. The remixes are bringing us back to the debut album and have been accomplished by C-Lekktor, FCH, DMT Berzerk, Elektrovot, JP90, Art Deko and Vyrtual Zociety while the first remix has been done by Ego Bliss and is featuring Marian G.

+ + + : The new songs reveal an interesting evolution for being harder and more personal. The songs are well-crafted and create a perfect sonic bridge between Electro-Pop and EBM. There’re several cool remixes featured which are adding diversity. I especially recommend the hard and Dark-Electro remix by C-Lekktor and the refreshing remix by FCH.

– – – : I get the feeling Ego Bliss still has more potential than what came out at this EP. I regret there are no remixes from “The Saviour” which was my favorite track from the album.

Conclusion: Ego Bliss remains a band to keep an eye on; this is alluring Electro/Body-Pop.

Best songs: “Elysium”, “Suicidal” + “Asylum – C-Lekktor Remix”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/monk1981

Labels: www.subculture.no / www.facebook.com/norwegiansubculture

www.sector-industrial.com / www.facebook.com/sector.industrial.producciones

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Behind The Last Hour is hiding Italian composer Roberto Del Vecchio. He received some recognition with some of his other projects like Gothica (which released albums on Cold Meat Industry) and Les Jumeaux Discordants. He now strikes back with a new album of The Last Hour which is the first one in seven years.

Content: The Last Hour has less in common with Del Vecchio’s other projects. This music is driven by 80s influences getting us back to Electro-Wave. The songs are rather rudimentary and into dreamy atmospheres. Passages remind me of Neuroactive and also for the vocals’ production. There are a few short songs on the tracklist which also has a Cinematic feeling.

+ + + : The Last Hour has an own style of Electro-Wave/Pop. I personally prefer the darker part of the work and especially recommend listening to “The Dead Of Night” -which might appeal for Neuroactive fans. The somewhat whispering style of singing is also a cool aspect of the work.

– – – : The production needs a bit more elaboration.

Conclusion: This album is an easy listening but without true ups.

Best songs: “The Dead Of Night”, “Black Eyes”.

Rate: 6.

Artist: www.facebook.com/thelasthour04

Label: www.facebook.com/thewhiteroomnetlabel

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Hungarian project First Aid 4 Souls driven by István Gazdag started a series of ‘reworked’ albums. The first one “Beyond The Galaxy” was originally released in 2013 by Electro-Arc. The artist completely reworked the songs.

Content: I can’t compare with the original album -which I can’t remember to have ever heard and which seems not available on digital platforms, but you rapidly recognize the elaborated EBM format of the project. It’s a sophisticated and detailed composition evoking Frontline Assembly, but still reminding me of Neuroactive. Guest singers were invited for the vocal parts. It brings a diversity of mainly male- and female vocals while István Gazdag is doing backings.

+ + + : Being re-released on Alfa Matrix this album will definitely get more exposure than its original edit, but it also is a way to re-discover a great piece of music. First Aid 4 Souls remains a talented project with an open-minded EBM spectrum. The work reveals great songs like the opening piece “The Thirteenth Floor” (there’s also another version of the song), which sounds a bit minimal-like. “Alien Implant” is the most surprising ‘rework’ reminding me a bit of the energy of The Chemical Brothers. I also recommend “Chaos Cultist”” for its overwhelming production mixed with minimal sound treatments. “Gemini”, “Visitors” and “Nebula” sounds like hard-bouncing EBM cuts for FLA fans.

– – – : I’m always a bit reticent with bands revisiting their back catalogue, but I’ve to admit this is a cool production.

Conclusion: Definitely an album for the fans of First Aid 4 Souls while it’s also an opportunity to (re)discover a somewhat forgotten opus.

Best songs: “The Thirteenth Floor”, “Alien Implant”,  “Chaos Cultist”, “Gemini”, “Visitors”, “Nebula”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/First-Aid-4-Souls-180876236297

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Body-Pop, Industrial.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Gravity Corps is a Denver (USA) based solo-project set up by  Mark Sousa. “Zero Grav” is the debut-EP featuring five songs. 

Content: The sound of Gravity Corps is mixing different influences. There for sure is an EBM-driven input, which has been now empowered by Industrial sound treatments and next refined with a hard-Pop driven approach. The vocals are sometimes reminding me of Neuroactive. 

+ + + : I like EP’s with different songs and not the typical title song with an endless load of remixes. “Zero Grav” reveals an elaborated approach in writing, but still a powerful production. I like “Another Day” for its great, carrying chorus and the noticeable production of the vocals. The harder “Decadent Is Dangerous” is another attention grabber. 

– – – : I can’t say this EP is hiding a potential hit, but there for sure hides a true potential inside this project. 

Conclusion: “Zero Grav” is an honest debut, which might serve as a solid basis to move on with. 

Best songs: “Another Day”, “Decadent Is Dangerous”. 

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Gravity-Corps-105399414986875 

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Finnish Neuroactive last year released the album “Minor Side-Effects”, which saw the band getting back to the original line-up “Minor Side-Effects”: Jarkko Tuohimaa, Vesa Rainne and Ville Brusi. Thirty years after the band’s set up they have now revisited their very first album “Morphology”, released in 1994 by Cyberware Productions.  

Content: The tracklist is somewhat different than the original album. The songs have been seriously boosted, some passages being recorded while the work has been remastered. “Morphology” doesn’t exactly suffer from the weight of time, but remains a great work driven by a mix of EBM and cold Electro-Pop with ghost-like vocals on top. Sometimes into minimal passages (cf. “Wrecked”) and also featuring sensual parts (cf. “Logic”), the album is first of all featuring some of Neuroactive’s biggest hits ever like “Burning” and “Obsession”.

+ + + : I first thought ‘oh no’: not again one of these bands re-releasing their back catalogue. But I invite you to take the original album and once you’ve listened to a song you go to the redux-edit. The result is unbelievable! Thanks to technology, but also thanks to the band, which had the will to improve the sound and recording of their debut opus. It sounds like a different work and yet the tracks are exactly the same, but I’m wondering how contemporary “Morphology” sounds. “Burning” and “Obsession” both remain great songs, but I was more impressed by the harder and EBM driven “Manipulator”, which also has an elevating chorus.

– – – : I definitely prefer this ‘old’ work instead of Neuroactive’s last album. “Morphology” had something magical and visionary resulting in great hits. 

Conclusion: Unbelievable to see how an album of nearly thirty years can be still accurate today; great Electronics from Finland!

Best songs: “Manipulator”, “Burning”, “Obsession”, “Wrecked”, “Logic”, “Clone”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/neuroactive.band

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Right on the heels of their new studio album “Minor Side-Effects” (available here on Bandcamp) with the original line-up of the band, Jarkko Tuohimaa, Vesa Rainne and Ville Brusi from Neuroactive are now revisiting their cult debut album “Morphology” that was initially released in 1994 on Cyberware Productions.

“Morphology (redux)” is available for immediate download from Bandcamp with other services to follow in the next weeks.

The material was instead of being simply remastered completely re-recorded using today’s technologies and the artists accumulated studio experience and know-how over the last 27 years.

“The project started with the original multitracks. We went through old masters and decided what we wanted to keep and what we wanted to record again and we ended up with good mashup of old and new”, says Jarkko Tuohimaa.

On this new album you’ll hear the more banging EBM approach of Neuroactive from the early days with metallic beats, punchy analog basslines and smooth long lead vocals.

You can check it out below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Finnish Neuroactive last year struck back with their first album in several years. “Minor Side-Effects” saw the band reforming in its original line-up featuring Jarkko Tuohimaa plus Ville Brusi and Vesa Raine. “In Rust We Trust” is the third song taken from this album and released as the EP-title piece.

Content: The title song has been reworked and edited as 3 different versions; a “Club Mix”, “Retro Mix” and “Corrosion Mix”. The titles say enough about the approach of each remix. The good news is we also get 2 previously unreleased songs, which both sound in the true spirit of the last album. Neuroactive deals with Electro-Pop which has something atypical; space-driven and not carried by simple melody lines, but a minimal approach with a very recognizable sound.

+ + + : What I’ve always liked in the work of Neuroactive is the sound DNA; you simply recognize the band’s sound among numerous other Electro-Pop bands. It’s not that different from this EP. The different edits of “In Rust We Trust” are original. I’ve a preference for the “Retro Mix” revealing some good-old effects and the “Club Mix”. Getting 2 new songs is a cool gift for the fans.

– – – : The title song is not the one I would have chosen from the album, but that’s all about personal taste. Both new cuts are sweet, but not exactly adding a true bonus.

Conclusion: This new EP is not exactly the most successful one in the band’s history and a rather poorly inspired exposure of “Minor Side-Effects”, which has much more to offer…

Best songs: “In Rust We Trust – Retro Mix”, “In Rust We Trust – Club Mix”.

Rate: (6 ½)

Artist: www.facebook.com/neuroactive.band

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Industrial-Pop, Electro, Experimental.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Belgian Implant duo is back on track, unleashing their eleventh album in history. Len Lemaire and Jan D’Hooghe have been inspired by the ongoing pandemic and the impact on humans. It resulted in a double disc featuring numerous remixes on the second disc. Noemi Aurora (Helalyn Flowers) contributed to some songs of the album.

Content: Implant already revealed a different approach in sound on the previous –and great, album “Oxynoxe-X” while the last year released EP “Phantom Pain” confirmed this evolution although getting more into Electro-Pop fields. It’s quite significant for this new opus, which is bringing elements such as Minimal-Electro and a kind of Industrial-Pop together. The ‘Trance’ roots of the band are far away, but still present on a few cuts. The main evolution of the sound is due to the use of analogue gear, which becomes pretty explicit at a few shorter, instrumental pieces. Noemi Aurora is singing on 3 songs, creating a weird, but cool match with the growls of Len Lemaire.

The work features remixes by Suicide Commando, Signal Aout 42, Aiboforcen, Q’Pnz, 808 Dot.Pop, Növö, Armageddon Dildos, AD:Key, Neuroactive and Helalyn Flowers. The second disc also features a few extra songs by Implant. Last, but not least The Breath Of Life simply covered one of the songs instead of making a remix.

+ + + : I truly respect the global evolution in sound Implant has made during the past years. It still sounds Implant-like, but the Belgians seem to have found new sonic paths to explore. The analogue sound treatments create this minimalism, but also very original sequences emerging at the shorter ‘intermezzo’ cuts. Noemi Aurora remains to me one of the most talented singers in this scene and she adds a graceful-, sensual- and artistic touch on top of the songs. “Phantom Pain” remains a cool track, but she also sings on “The Last Record”, which clearly appears to be a potential hit –and has been remixed by several artists. One of my favorite songs however is “The Room” for its extra robotic dimension plus deep, resonating bass line and “Nutshell” for its minimalism. The opening song “I Don’t Trust The Machine” is another attention grabber with a strong dance/club appeal and driven by an amazing lead.

The list of remixers is also a noticeable aspect of the album. I here want to mention the work by Suicide Commando and Trance-driven remix by the Belgian producer Q’Pnz. The Breath Of Life did a great job covering “The Last Record”; this is a beautiful and sensitive version. Last, but not least Implant put 2 more great pieces on this disc (cf. “Censorship Through Noise Part III” and “Lied 13”.

– – – : I regret some short, instrumental cuts from the main disc haven’t been more worked out; “Nutshell” is not only one of the best tracks, but unfortunately it’s just a kind of break. Despite the impressive list of remixers, I definitely expected a bit more.

Conclusion: Implant is now active for nearly 30 years and has already found new new horizons to explore.

Best songs: “The Room”, “I Don’t Trust The Machine”, “Nutshell”, “The Devil Made Me Do It”, “The Last Record”, + “The Last Record – Cover by The Breath Of Life”, “Run To The Lights – One Messed Up Mix by Suicide Commando”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.implant-music.be / www.facebook.com/Implantmusic

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Out now on Bandcamp Friday is the 3rd and final download EP release taken from Neuroactive’s 2020 “Minor Side-Effects” comeback album in its original line-up. “In Rust We Trust” (available here) closes the series and is featured in three brand new different versions made by Jarkko Tuohimaa himself, with a shorter and more upbeat “club mix”, an 80’s synth pop flavored “retro mix” plus an even softer and moodier ‘corrosion mix” with long legato synth strings.

Next to this you’ll get two exclusive and previously unreleased songs: “Driven” and “Fire”. You can check out the new EP below.

Available as well

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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Aeronaut V, the synthpop act from Tampere (Finland) are back after the EP “Late Departure” and the singles “Discovery” and “Into two”. Arttu Korppivuori and Ville Brusi (also known as co-founder of the Alfa Matrix signed synthpop act Neuroactive) have now signed with the Italian label EKP (EK Product) to hopefully release an album pretty soon.

The first releases however will probably be the continuation of the “Into two” single series featuring remixes by local Tampere (Finland) area electronic artists. These should be released one by one over the course of this year.

More info soon!

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

Out now is a brand new single – counting 5 tracks – by the electropop act Suicidal Romance, the project of Estonian artist Dmitry Darling (frontman of Freakangel and Matthew Creed) and female vocalist Viktoria Seimar.

“Runaways” comes in 5 different edits, the single edit and 4 remixes by bands such as Aiboforcen, Neuroactive, Reichsfeind and 808 Dot Pop. The mixing of this excellent electropop single was handled by Pjotr Latosev while the mastering was completed by Max Gerasyonov (the single edit) and Ocean (all of the remixes). You’ll also notice the special artwork by Gobotoru.

You can download the single right now from Bandcamp, while other platforms will have it on April 15th.

A video can be viewed below.

About Suicidal Romance

Suicidal Romance is a Tallinn / Estonia based band that is creating electro pop/dark pop music since 2006. All started with the track “Cold Kiss” that was written and recorded just for fun. After it received more than the just the regular positive feedback it was decided to start a whole project. Viktoria Seimar joined the band as the female vocalist in august of 2006 at the same time with Maarja Korstnik and the first and only demo CD was released.

One month later Suicidal Romance was signed to Infacted Recordings.

The debut CD “Love Beyond Reach” was released on June 8, 2007. The CD contained 11 original tracks and two remixes from Blutengel and Lost Area. “Love Beyond Reach” was also released in Russia via Gravitator Records under exclusive license from Infacted Recordings. In 2008 the band recorded a follow-up EP, “A Kiss to Resist”. Despite a turbulent 2 year the band completed a new album in 2010: “Shattered Heart Reflections” followed the year after by “Memories Behind Closed Curtains” and 2 singles: “Burning Love – Remember Me” (2012) and “Whisper Goodbye” (2013).

In 2015 the band signed to Alfa Matrix which by then had also become the safe harbor for Freakangel, DD’s industrial electro project. The first release for Alfa Matrix was the compilation “Rêves & Souvenirs” uniting the band’s best work. It was followed by an all new single, the 10-track “Your Name”, in 2016.

The band also re-released all of its back catalogue in extended versions (as you can see below). While the focus was put on Freakangel for the past few years, the project is now back up and running with an all new single “Runaways” and a forthcoming album to be released later this year.

Electro pop at its very best to say the least!

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!

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Besides being active again in Neuroactive (the band recently released a very well received comeback album “Minor Side​-​Effects”) the Finnish artist Ville Brusi is also active under the Aeronaut V moniker. For a brand new release they have now asked their local Tampere (Finland) area electronic artists to create remixes of some of the project’s tracks. They will now be releasing them one by one over the course of this year.

The first remix is from the Finnish electro pioneers Advanced Art.

This is what they said about the remix: “Made a remix, how about that. We dragged the cool, smooth synthpop of Aeronaut V through that grimy Advanced Art machinery (that has loads of rusty jagged egdes) and got out a remix that sounds like both the original artist and the remixer. Or that’s what we think, you be the judge. The guys asked for an Advanced Art remix and Vince said it’s not an Advanced Art remix unless both him and Jana are involved. We like these guys so we happily obliged, and the result is the first remix in ages in which both core members were involved. (It’s like old times i.e. Vince did the actual work while Jana provided unprofessional comments but let’s not get stuck in details.)”

Check out “Into Two (Advanced Art Remix)” 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

Implant’s 11th album is a fact and officially out since this morning! The Belgian electronic act recently released the “Phantom Pain” EP and video clip as a teaser for what was to come, and now the band has finally released the full length “Cognitive Dissonance” in 2 physical versions: CD and a very limited 2CD.

You can expect an array of sounds on the new album, from industrial dance over dark elektro and melancholic chanson (“The Last Record”) to upbeat future pop and techno pop. For the album Implant could count on vocal contributions by Helalyn Flowers’ front woman Noemi Aurora on several songs.

The limited deluxe double-CD digipak edition of the album (available here) holds the “When Prophecy Fails” bonus disc featuring 2 exclusive tracks and an eclectic selection of remix collaborations with such artists and bands like Breath Of Life, Suicide Commando, Armageddon Dildos, 808 Dot Pop, Signal Aout 42, Aiboforcen, Helalyn Flowers, Neuroactive, AD:keY, Q’pnz and Növö.

You can check the tracks from the album below on Bandcamp (where you can also pre-order the release).

About Implant

Implant was formed in 1992 when Geert Machtelinck and Len Lemeire attended the same university. It took them till 1996 to release the first CD album (“Soft flesh / Hard steel”) which was followed by 2 MCD’s (“Fun” and “Brain FX”). The band then took a swing in unexplored territory of psy-trance, becoming one of the first psy-electro bands. They later on returned to a more eclectic electro approach incorporating various electronic influences in their work.

Since 2004 Implant is signed to Alfa Matrix for which Len Lemeire has also been mastering quite a lot of 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: Electro-pop, body-pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Finnish formation Neuroactive this year struck back with their newest opus “Minor-Side Effects”, which also was their first album ever released on Alfa Matrix while getting back to the original ‘early’ line-up of the band. The song “Dances” is taken from the album and got exposed to the familiar treatment of remixes.

Content: Neuroactive opens the ‘remix battle’ with their own “Club Mix” boosting the power and dance beats followed by the “Bitter Fruit Mix”. We next get 6 remixes by some familiar names such as Assemblage 23, Aesthetische and Aiboforcen plus the excellent Wave In Head and 808dotpop plus the totally unknown Aeronaut V, which is a side-project of Ville Brusi.

+ + + : “Dances” is an appropriate title for an EP although it was not exactly my personal favorite track from the album. So I was a bit skeptical about this choice, but the “Club Mix” is an efficient opener followed by great remixes by Assemblage 23 boosting the original edit into pure dancefloor power, 808 Dot.Pop realizing a great progression in a remix with cool bleeping sequences and Aesthetische injecting some power and coldness in their remix. So in the end I should say this EP reveals much more efficient edits of “Dances” than its original version.

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the remix by Wave In The Head while the unknown to me Aeronaut V plus the “Bitter Fruit Remix” didn’t exactly add any bonus.

Conclusion: “Dances” is an EP, which will ravish the fans of this formation, but it also is a work filled with variety!

Best songs: “Dances – Assemblage 23 Remix”, “Dances – 808 Dot Mix”,  “Dances – Aesthetische Reworx”. 

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/neuroactive.band

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

The Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix is launching 8 new Bandcamp exclusive releases today from AD:keY, Aesthetische, Die Robo Sapiens, First Aid 4 Souls, Helalyn Flowers, Neuroactive, Psy’Aviah and Studio-X vs. Simon Carter. At the same time the label also officially releases the new albums by 808 DOT POP and Avarice In Audio today.

Good to know, if you want to support artists and labels to survive during this Corona crisis, Bandcamp is again waiving its revenue share on all sales today. All the purchases placed on that day will therefore support the bands and labels present on the platform.

The new releases can be found 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

Finnish electro/EBM/pop formation Neuroactive this year released its seventh studio album entitled “Minor Side Effects”. I think we might consider this new album as a real special one as master mind Jarkko Tuohimaa reunited with his two original band mates Vesa Raine and Ville Brusi. It also is the first album released on the Belgian leading electro label Alfa Matrix.  “Minor Side Effects” is a mature production revealing multiple noticeable songs with a very own sound DNA. Jarkko Tuohimaa answered a few questions about the new work.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Whilst reading this interview, you can check out the album below.

Q: The new album “Minor Side Effects” is for sure a special one and even a milestone in Neuroactive’s history as all original- & core members have been reunited. How did this happened and how did it feel to work back again after all these years?

Jarkko: First of all I must say it’s been really fun working with all of them again after all these years. And it’s great if it raises some interest among listeners too. That said I have been in contact with them most of that time. During these past years I have done some remixing and mastering work for their music projects: Huminoida, Flux Fin and Aeronaut V.

Biggest difference on working with them is: everything is now done separately. We communicate thru web and send back and forth audio files. We used to record all stuff in my studio. I think it gives vocal recordings more privacy to concentrate on performance.

Q: Neuroactive no longer release albums at regular basis, but we now had to wait for six years on the new work. I can imagine there’re other things in life than only music, but how does it feel as a musician/artist to remain all these years without holding a new album in your hands? When did you finally start the writing and recording of the new work?

Jarkko: I must say it’s always intriguing feeling to have a new album in your hand. There is a very special feeling about this one. I feel it holds some legacy ingredients of Neuroactive thrown in a new bag.

When you have done as many albums as I, you end up having quite a lot material in the drawer. There are many songs which are quite old and refreshed for this album. Newest material is the songs Vesa is singing. In my head I’m always working on a new album; never really stopped doing new music. I have just said to myself: don’t push it. It will be ready when it’s ready. There isn’t really a point trying to make an album every year. That’s not something I want from music. There is certain beauty over a long period music creation. You must know when it’s done.

Q: Tell us a bit more about “Minor Side-Effects”? What is this album all about? What did you try to reflect by the title of the album and the explicit link with the artwork?

Jarkko: There has been a lot of connection with Neuroactive releases to medical things and human anatomy. That’s kind of history speaking there. First connection you can draw from the album title is: there are Neuroactive drugs which might have some minor side-effects (probably quite big ones -I assume). Artwork was made from that initial idea. Second bit ironic idea of the title is that these tracks should create some sort of addiction (as good music usually do). The album was at first titled as: “Side-effects”, but after one doctor prescribed me some drug and said: ‘this drug is known to have only minor side-effects’. I ended having quite serious side-effects. So there is a real life connection to this title. It’s funny that way…

Q: Two songs from the album have been sung by guest singer John Peverieri from Halo Effect. How did you came in touch and what did John added you don’t have? How did this collaboration happened?

Jarkko: I came in contact with John when I did a remix from Halo Effects ”Again”. I was really fond of his vocal style. So I asked him if he could sing a song for the next Neuroactive album. John agreed to work with me. John did really a great performance and lyrics on both songs. I have enjoyed working with him. This is quite common for me to work with people whom I worked in the past.

Q: Neuroactive is a band you can directly recognize because of the typical sounds and arrangements. What makes this particular sound DNA? Can you reveal specific tricks and maybe some criteria when it comes to production? What about specific equipment?

Jarkko: There are certain things in sound that intrigue me: Clarity, Crispiness, Some Saturation, Punctual Clear Bass. That is the essence of my sound. That’s what I seek for in mix. I have worked as a professional sound designer over 2 decades now. So mixing is quite important to me and comes with the profession. During the recent years I’ve been interested in modular synths. It’s the uniqueness of these self built and collected systems that makes it interesting. The latest album is made with hybrid setup. There is some hardware and some software. Mixing is done in the box with Logic Pro.

Q: The new album also is your first album released on Alfa Matrix. After having worked with smaller –and unfortunately defunct labels like Cyberware Productions and A Different Drum, you’re now (finally) signed to leading label. How do you look back at label experiences and what’s the importance of a label today?

Jarkko: Call me old-fashioned, but I see lot of relevance working with a label. Importance is same as it has always been. Usually the biggest pros are connections and client base that already exist. I see Alfa Matrix as a movement… it draws like minded. I’m very glad to be on this label… it’s been amazing.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop. 

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Alex Tibaldi and Robert Tibaldi are already busy for quite a long time. “Connected” is their third opus released at the end of 2018 (and has been lately promoted. The previous album “Touching The Void” was released on ScentAir Records in 2015. 

Content: “Connected” smells like pure synth-pop music. The Depeche Mode influence is clearly noticeable, but there also is a space-like touch reminding me of early electronic pioneers like Van Gelis. Some other –and more ‘modern’ cuts might appeal for lovers of Neuroactive.

+ + + : “Connected” is a well-crafted work where you can notice the band’s maturity. It’s not what I would call an ‘original’ album, but the main strength is emerging from the retro-like sound treatments and the production of the vocals. Among the most noticeable cuts I’ll mention “Still Alive” for its astral-driven sequences, “Burning” which is somewhat evoking Van Gelis and “Trapped” for the Depeche Mode style.

– – – : “Connected” sounds sweet, but is missing some substance and especially a potential hit.

Conclusion: “Connected” is an enjoyable listening, but not exactly setting the world alight. I expected a bit more from this work. 

Best songs: “Burning”, “Still Alive”, “Trapped”.

Rate: (6).

Artist: www.techniquebr.com / www.facebook.com/technique.synthpop

Label: www.waverecordsmusic.com / www.facebook.com/waverecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Minor Side-Effects” is Finnish electro-pop project Neuroactive’s eight album to date. It however is a special one as it marks the comeback of the project after a silence of six years, but it also is a move back to the roots as mastermind Jarkko Tuohimaa asked core members Ville Brusi and Vesa Raine to rejoin the band. After having released their three first albums on the defunct Cyberware Productions and the other albums on the also defunct A Different Drum, Neuroactive signed to Alfa Matrix.

Content: The album takes off with the title track, which is an instrumental piece carried by a solid bass line and irresistible electro-space sound treatments. It in a way characterizes the sound of Neuroactive, which has always been apart from average electro-pop formations. Neuroactive has this very own sound DNA featuring a kind of space-pop driven by danceable rhythms. The clear-like vocals are perfectly matching. The album is also featuring the previously released single “Night flights”, which is the ‘club’-song from the album.  The song “Climate Is Changing” has something more minimal. Notice by the way two songs are featuring guest vocals by Halo Effect singer John Peverieri.

+ + + : Neuroactive is back and that’s a rather good thing and especially the input of the early members is something extra. The songwriting remains elaborated, even sophisticated and definitely something special. Neuroactive has always dealt with a different sound than the rest; it’s pretty electro-pop, but not in the truest sense of the meaning. That makes this band easily recognizable. It’s hard to say if this album is the best one in the band’s history, but it for sure stands for a mature production featuring essential cuts. There’s a perfect balance between music and vocals.

– – – : I can’t say if it’s a regret, but the album is maybe missing an absolute hit in the vein of “Space Divider”.

Conclusion: This is an interesting come back for electro-pop lovers in search of something different.

Best songs: “Night Flights”, “Minor Side-Effects”, “Climate Is Changing”, “Dances”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/neuroactive.band

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.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

After the recently released 2-track download single “Night Flights”, Neuroactive now announces a full blown studio album: “Minor Side​-​Effects”! The album will be out on March 20. Important detail, Neuroactive recorded this album in its original line-up.

Leadvocals by Kimmo Karjalainen, Vesa Rainne… and Halo Effect’s singer John Peverieri

For the album Jarkko Tuohimaa reunited with his 2 original bandmates Kimmo Karjalainen and Vesa Rainne and decided to go for a harder edge through punching electro sequences and kicking beats compared to the band’s most recent softer dance pop releases through the US-based A Different Drum label. This new 7th full length studio album is a logical and natural evolution in the band’s impressive music repertoire. Invited as well is Halo Effect’s singer John Peverieri performing guest vocals on 2 songs.

The album is available in 2 versions, a CD version (available here in pre-order) and a download version (via Bandcamp and other services once it’s released). Note that the Bandcamp pre-order comes with an immediate download of two tracks: “In Rust We Trust” and “Night Flights” (the album version).

For those who haven’t yet downloaded the 2-track download single “Night Flights”, you can do that right here, or via Spotify of course.

Neuroactive, delivering outstanding synth pop since 1991

It’s back in 1991 that Vesa Raine, Ville Brusi and Jarkko Tuohimaa created the now cult synth pop / EBM band Neuroactive. Signing their first album, “Morphology”, in 1994 with Cyberware Productions, the group went on to produce “Phonic Trace” in 1997. Shortly thereafter, Brusi and Rainne left the group, and Kimmo Karjalainen came on board to sing for the next two albums “Fiber Optic Rhythm” and “Transients”. Note that “Fiber Optic Rhythm” also featured Geoff Pickney of The Nine on guest vocals.

“Fiber Optic Rhythm” was a huge breakthrough for Neuroactive, and they gained new fans worldwide. The album’s popularity also attracted the attention of U.S. Synthpop record label A Different Drum who signed them, and released “Transients” in 2001, “N-Gin” in 2005, “Antidote” in 2009; and “Electra” in 2014.

“Transients” was the final album to feature Kimmo Karjalainen as vocalist for the band. The albums “N-Gin” and “Antidote” both included several guest singers, including Christopher Anton (Information Society), Kirk Taylor (The Dignity of Labour), Marcus Fellechner (Rename), and Albert Martinez (Neuropa) just to name a few. “Electra” featured all female vocals by Sonja Myers.

Neuroactive signed with A Different Drum in 1998, and continued to release material under that label until its closing in 2014. Now they are on board of one of the most prolific labels in the electronic scene, Alfa Matrix.

Welcome back guys!

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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Neuroactive, the cult synth pop, futurepop band from Finland is back! For the comeback headmaster Jarkko Tuohimaa joined hands with long time vocal collaborator Kimmo Karjalainen and the duo signed up with the Belgian electronica label Alfa Matrix.

Out now is a 2-track download single (available via Bandcamp), “Night Flights”, which offers a harder edged electro style through punching sequences and kicking beats compared to the band’s most recent softer dance pop releases through the US-based A Different Drum label.
 
The “Night Flights” single also announces a forthcoming new album “Minor Side-Effects” announced for a Spring release.

You can download the single right now from Bandcamp.

Video teaser new single

Here’s the video teaser for “Night Flights”.

Neuroactive, delivering outstanding synth pop since 1991

Neuroactive was formed in 1991 by Jarkko Tuohimaa, Ville Brusi, and Vesa Rainne. Signing their first album, “Morphology”, in 1994 with Cyberware Productions, the group went on to produce “Phonic Trace” in 1997. Shortly thereafter, Brusi and Rainne left the group, and Kimmo Karjalainen came on board to sing for the next two albums “Fiber Optic Rhythm” and “Transients”. Note that “Fiber Optic Rhythm” also featured Geoff Pickney of The Nine on guest vocals.

“Fiber Optic Rhythm” was a huge breakthrough for Neuroactive, and they gained new fans worldwide. The album’s popularity also attracted the attention of U.S. Synthpop record label A Different Drum who signed them, and released “Transients” in 2001, “N-Gin” in 2005, “Antidote” in 2009; and “Electra” in 2014.

“Transients” was the final album to feature Kimmo Karjalainen as vocalist for the band. The albums “N-Gin” and “Antidote” both included several guest singers, including Christopher Anton (Information Society), Kirk Taylor (The Dignity of Labour), Marcus Fellechner (Rename), and Albert Martinez (Neuropa) just to name a few. “Electra” featured all female vocals by Sonja Myers.

Neuroactive signed with A Different Drum in 1998, and continued to release material under that label until its closing in 2014. Now they are on board of one of the most prolific labels in the electronic scene, Alfa Matrix.

Welcome back guys!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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

Background/Info: Reliant is the solo-project of Ole Ulrich Jensen who you might know from his involvement with Vaylon. This album is the debut work of the Danish artist. It has been mixed and mastered by Rob Early (Retrogramme).

Content: “Songs From The Heart Of Solitude” takes off a rather delicate and sensual way, clearly reflecting electro-pop influences. The album is filled with melancholic passages, but still harder EBM-inspired cuts. The album doesn’t sound like a stereotypical electro-pop release, but brings a refreshing touch to the genre. The songs are worked-out, sometimes reminding me of Neuroactive.

+ + + : This work is not a new electro-pop stereotype, but mixes the best of electro-pop together with some harder EBM-driven bass lines. Some of the songs are pretty sensual-like while others reflect a darker and melancholic taste. The sensuality is mainly emerging from the vocals’ production. The songwriting reveals maturity and diversity.

– – – : I don’t have any doubts about the mixing and mastering skills of Rob Early, but I get the feeling some of the opening songs could have been more efficient. The sound is rather unpolished although it might be intentional. I also noticed a song with a fade-out, which I never have considered a great trick. 

Conclusion: Reliant has accomplished a noticeable debut album. There are several pretty cool songs featured at the album and even a few potential hits.

Best songs: “My Entangled Soul”, “Self-Preservation”, “Shield Of Shame”, “In The Morning”, “High Hopes And Disappointments”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/ReliantBand /  www.facebook.com/ole.u.jensen

Label: www.spaceracerecords.com / www.facebook.com/SpaceRaceRecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Kimmo Karjalainen got some recognition as member of [Active] Media Disease and Neuroactive. In 2007 he set up Huminoida and started to release his own music, which reveals an atypical synth-pop approach. Earlier this year he released the album “The Grey Area” revealing a quite eclectic electro-pop release carried by a strong lyrical content.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Kimmo, you gained some experience in music as member of [Active] Media Disease and Neuroactive. What did you learn and keep in mind from this experience with both bands and what incited you to set up Huminoida?

Kimmo: I have fond memories of both of those bands and I learned something about the recording  process and gigging also, but after all these years I think the camaraderie between band members is the thing that I value the most. There are some good points of making music together, and the times when everything clicks into place are just wonderful. But Neuroactive slowed down (we both had very time consuming jobs at that time), and I had always wanted to write and release my own stuff, so I eventually set up Huminoida.

Q: Huminoida was originally set up in 2007 as a duo. What have been the main facts in the band’s history and how does it feel to move on as a solo-project?

Kimmo: Yes, I was determined to set up this slightly skewed synth band (first single was an instrumental and the  B-side was carved by hand!), and AugM had his own record label (Plastic Passion) and some connections, so he joined in.

After a while it became clear that he really hadn’t time to contribute, so he left after two singles and I started to make the first full-length album which was released 2011. After that there were two EP’s and the second album “The Grey Area”, released in 2018. This kind of solo working suits me well, I love the  freedom of it.

Q: All Huminoida productions have been released on Out Of Range Records, which I think is your very own label. So in the end it all looks like you’re taking care of every single aspect of the production; from composition to recording to production to manufacturing… What does this D.I.Y. approach mean to you and why is it important?   

Kimmo: Well, maybe I’m just a control freak… 😉 I love the D.I.Y. aspect because it’s direct, fast and fun. Straight from the artist to the audience, there are no  middlemen filtering out the odd bits and telling what can or cannot be released. I’ve always loved records  where the artist’s personality shows through, and this is the way to do it. It’s also very fast and easy to  upload a new track to the net whenever you want.

The visual aspect is also an important part of the Huminoida releases. I like to make an effort to offer something extra with the music: paintings for the record sleeves, booklets, posters, little bits & pieces to make the whole package interesting. That’s the fun part, and I’m intrigued with the idea that the whole release is made by an artist including the artwork. (‘Gesamtkunstwerk’, like they used to say)

Q: What have been the main ideas you wanted to accomplish when starting the writing of the new album “The Grey Area”?

Kimmo: Musically “The Grey Area” is in the line of the other Huminoida releases. It’s varied, and I think a strong collection  of songs with nice pop tunes (“Just By Wishing”, “Beneath The Empty Skies”), harsher material (“Contradictator”, “Trying Times”, “Thoughts Like Insects”), plus the ‘difficult’ bits and some beautiful tracks also.

Lyrically it’s a whole different thing, it became clear very soon that this isn’t going to be a party record. I started the songwriting in 2015, and since then the news from the world and from my home country Finland haven’t been pleasant reading with all the hate-mongering, terrorism, wars, influx of refugees, racism, the relentless greed and short-sightedness of the business world and politicians. Not to mention the end of the world… It’s finally seeped into the common consciousness that this isn’t going to end well, and the problems  are so big that we can’t deal with them, or more likely don’t want to deal with them.

I wanted the lyrics reflect the anxiety of the the times, and I’m also venting my frustration and anger in these  lyrics. But I definitely wanted to avoid preaching or the ‘Fuck you fucking cunts’-type of argumentation,  because there’s enough moronic shouting on the Internet already. I think I managed to handle the difficult  topics well, and I’m happy with this set of lyrics, although they’re pretty heavy, depressive even.

Q: One of Huminoida’s main characteristics is the ‘atypical’ electro-pop approach. It’s hard to describe, but your music clearly is an antidote to all electro-pop clones and Depeche Mode copyists! Tell us a bit more about this ‘sound’ and ‘approach’?

Kimmo: Oh yes, I’ve had difficulties with this also…  I sometimes call it ‘uncomfortable synthpop’:)

The style of Huminoida is hard to describe mainly because it’s musically varied, there are some nice  synth-pop tunes, some beautiful tracks and then some dark, heavy stuff as well. To me it’s electronic music  mainly to listen to, there are the danceable tracks, but it’s not club-friendly at all. Lyrics are also an important part of Huminoida. This may sound odd, but I see myself more as a singer-songwriter than an electronic music  maker anyway.

When it comes to sounds I don’t have any rules. I’m a music lover and I’ve taken lot of influences from lot of  different genres, but naturally I try to maintain some degree of originality in the work. There has to be that ‘personal touch’, otherwise the whole thing pointless. (I don’t quite understand bands who want to copy  some other band exactly – there’s a tragic lack of ambition there.) So, I’m not so keen on following some current song writing style or ‘trend’ or imitate certain era in music. But I love those late 70’s / early  80’s synth sounds, and that’s why some Huminoida tracks have a very strong ‘retro’ feel.

Q: There’s a hiatus of 7 years between both Huminoida albums. How would you analyze your own evolution as musician from the “Whiter Album” towards “The Grey Area” and what brings the future?

Kimmo: Well, actually I don’t call myself a musician, because I’m not exactly a virtuoso.. I guess the new one is more refined soundwise, and the production/mixing is clearer (not too crisp or light though – I like my  synth-pop dark and heavy).

The future brings new records, next will be the “Autumn” and “Winter”-EP’s to complete the “Seasons” series. I’ve also thought of adding some other instruments along the synths to some tracks, trying some new tricks etc..  Lately I’ve had this growing urge to make some really insane, out-there release (in the same vein as the first hand-made single), but these are now just in my head, let’s see what comes out.

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