Genre/Influences: Crossover, industrial, dark-electro. 

Background/Info: Canadian formation Nitro/Noise gained some recognition releasing a few EP’s and three albums on Deathwatch Asia and Digital World Audio. After a hiatus of a few years they now joined hands with major company Trisol to unleash this new EP featuring four songs. 

Content: After a rather orchestral-sounding intro, Nitro/Noise reveal a merciless, heavy electro-industrial-metal sound. There’s a perfect twist between guitar and dark-electronics with enraged vocal parts on top. “Love Hate Love” and “I Won’t Back Down” both stands for powerful compositions announcing the return of this formation.  

+ + + : I like EP’s featuring different songs and without any single remix. And the least I can say is that the songs blew me away. There’s such an overwhelming power emerging from the songs that you can’t remain unmoved. Nitro/Noise has found the right balance between menacing guitar riffs and icy electronics. The EP features two master cuts, but especially “Love Hate Love” is a brilliant piece of sonic madness. 

– – – : The opening song, which is a kind of intro-cut is the single song that can’t totally convince although it creates a particular, freaky atmosphere. 

Conclusion: I don’t want to compare Nitro/Noise with any other formation, but I can easily imagine this is the kind of EP that will appeal to Combichrist fans. 

Best songs: “Love Hate Love”, “I Won’t Back Down”. 

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/nitronoisemusic 

Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol-Music-Group/104166526285471 

About Nitro/Noise

Nitro/Noise is a Canadian formation that released its debut album, “Total Nihilism”, in 2012, followed two years later by “No Cure For Apocalypse”, which came out alongside the band’s first European tour. “Censorsh!t – The Remixes” arrived in 2015, an eight-track companion EP gathering remixes from Zardonic, Dope Stars Inc., Faderhead, Rotersand, Raimon and Seraphim System, pressed on a limited vinyl edition with artwork by Estonian artist Darius Alas.

After a few quiet years, Nitro/Noise signed to Trisol for “NN: Echoes”.

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, indus-pop.

Background/Info: Extize started out as a real hot and promising newcoming band revealing a great body-techno sound and a cyberpunk look. “Redneck Industrial” is their fifth full length album to date, which has been released on a new label.

Content: The sound of Extize has simply evolved with the years, but remains strongly inspired by dark-electronics and EBM standards. The main innovation is a totally weird addition of ‘country’ and especially ‘Western’ sound influences, which both explain the title of the album. It’s really funny to hear hard electronics mixed with some (sampled) banjo riffs, but it simply makes sense because it works.

Next to the aforementioned influences “Redneck Industrial” also reveals some groovy industrial passages and even a kind of industrial-pop touch. I also noticed a kind of electro-ballad. But the craziest part consists of a few phone hoaxes by one of their members (Bill).

Last, but not least the final chapter of the album features remixes by Pete Crane (Shiv-R), Synthattack, Binary Division, Nitro/Noise and Omniwar.

+ + + : The sound is perfectly reflected in the artwork of this opus. Extize will have a serious chance to win the award for the weirdest electro-underground band, but you know what, I like those guys. They not only make great and original music –their ‘redneck industrial’ music sounds irresistible, but they also make me laugh. Those guys don’t take themselves too serious, but they’re serious in what they’re doing. The music mixes numerous influences and Extize has progressively reached a much more personal and mature sound.

I also noticed great remixes and I especially want to mention the ones made by Pete Crane, Synthattack and Binary Division.

– – – : I can imagine some people will absolutely not laugh with the hoaxes. The only song that couldn’t really convince me is the more ballad-inspired “Back To Home”.

Conclusion: “Redneck Industrial” is a work mixing fun and several potential hits so in the end we can speak about a sexy band… although I’m not sure John Wayne would have loved those guys!

Best songs: “Ride To The Dark”, “Redneck Industrial”, “Lawless Gringo”, “Guns, Gasoline & Cowbell”, Hillbilly Rage”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.extize.de / www.facebook.com/EXTIZE666

Label: www.darktunes.com / www.facebook.com/darkTunesMusic

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-dance, techno-body music, industrial-techno.

Background/Info: Lawrie Bayldon (Studio-X, Cryogenic Echelon), Ayax (Ascension Ex, Cryogenic Echelon) and Gerry Hawkins are back on track unleashing the 2^nd full length of Avarice In Audio. Two years ago now this Australian combo took the electro scene by surprise releasing their promising debut album “Shine & Burn”.

Content: “Apollo & Dionysus” sounds more open-minded than their debut full length, but still appears to be very challenging. Avarice In Audio experiments with solid techno blasts mixed with harder and industrial-minded sound treatments. The songs are powerful and reveal multiple sound manipulations. There’s a perfect balance between the different influences, but in the end I would say it clearly sounds more into techno and dance music instead of industrial.

The harder industrial treatments make it all more underground-like and darker while the beating kick will bring dancefloors on fire. There’s certain bombast running through the songs while a few other cuts are softer and more into a kind of reverie. Most of the vocals are rather powerful and passionate.

One of the main particularities of the work is the contribution of guest artists like Damasius Venys (Mondträume) and Mr. Kitty performing guest vocals, Chris Anderson and Mixe1. The last song of the regular album is an interesting new version of “The Cassandra Complex”, which was originally released on their debut album.

The 2^nd disc features 13 remixes by an interesting list of artists. Studio-X, iVardensphere, Nitro/Noise, Alter Der Ruine, Panic Lift, Ludovico Technique, Biomechanical, Freakangel, Terrolokaust, Die Sektor, Sirus and less familiar [Snuff] and Kult Of Red Pyramid clearly are a nice selection of promising remixes. Speaking for myself I have a preference for the remixing skills of iVardensphere, Alter Der Ruine and Sirus.

+ + + : This album reveals a great progression in sound and global production featuring impressive sound manipulations. The industrial-dance style is powerful and carried by passionate vocals. The extra disc features a nice cocktail of cool remixes.

– – – : The techno input is cool, but I regret some cheaper techno blasts, which are a bit cliché. The softer tracks aren’t the most convincing ones. I’m also missing a real great hit.

Conclusion: “Apollo & Dionysus” is an accessible and well-crafted work although not exactly the most evident release to please a darker audience, which is not always that wild of techno experiments. This work is not for purists, but for open-minded souls in search of great, danceable vibes.

Best songs: “World Without Song feat. Chris Anderson”, “Anthracite Nights”, “Juvenile Desires feat. Mr. Kitty” + “Her Fire – iVardensphere Remix”, “
Crystal Tears – Alter Der Ruine Remix”, “The Cassandra Complex – Sirus Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/avariceinaudioaus

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

In 2014 the Australian act Avarice In Audio released the “Shine & Burn” album showcasing the band’s mix of dark electronics and EDM infused influences combined with frontwoman Jade’s and Gerry’s vocals. Side-Line was already quite charmed by the band, hence why they also feature on our “Face The Beat : Session 3” free download compilation.

Out now is the band’s second album “Apollo & Dionysus”, this time also featuring guest vocals by Mondträume and Mr Kitty adding both a synth pop and techno touch to the Avarice In Audio material.

The album is released now as a CD and 2CD boxset (available here for ordering) next to the download via Bandcamp (and other download stores).

The deluxe carton box edition holds a second disc which is actually a full track by track remix album called “Dreamers Never Prosper” featuring reworks by such fine artists as Freakangel, Die Sector, Ludovico Technique, Panic Lift, Alter Der Ruine, Ivardensphere, Kult Of Red Pyramid, Studio-X (of course!), Nitro/Noise, Snuff, Terrolokaust and Biomechanimal. The list is topped by a bonus remix by fellow Australian act Sirus.

Anno 2016 the project features founding members Gerry Hawkins and frontwoman Jade Pegg next to Lawrie Bayldon (Studio-X, Cryogenic Echelon) and Ayax (Ascension Ex, Cryogenic Echelon) who have joined most recently.

Side-Line also covered Avarice In Audio’s ‘Crystal Tears’.

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

In 2014 the Australian act Avarice In Audio released the “Shine & Burn” album showcasing the band’s mix of dark electronics and EDM infused influences combined with frontwoman Jade’s and Gerry’s vocals. Side-Line was already quite charmed by the band, hence why they also feature on our “Face The Beat : Session 3” free download compilation.

But out by mid-March will be the band’s second album “Apollo & Dionysus”, this time also featuring guest vocals by Mondträume and Mr Kitty adding both a synth pop and techno touch to the Avarice In Audio material.

Alfa Matrix already made 3 tracks available from the new album on their Bandcamp page, where you can also pre-order the HQ download of the album including a lot of bonus versions. You can stream those 3 tracks below too.

The album will be released as a CD and 2CD boxset (available here for ordering) next to the download via Bandcamp (and other download stores in the future).

The deluxe carton box edition holds a second disc which is actually a full track by track remix album called “Dreamers Never Prosper” featuring reworks by such fine artists as Freakangel, Die Sector, Ludovico Technique, Panic Lift, Alter Der Ruine, Ivardensphere, Kult Of Red Pyramid, Studio-X (of course!), Nitro/Noise, Snuff, Terrolokaust and Biomechanimal. The list is topped by a bonus remix by fellow Australian act Sirus.

Anno 2016 the project features founding members Gerry Hawkins and frontwoman Jade Pegg next to Lawrie Bayldon (Studio-X, Cryogenic Echelon) and Ayax (Ascension Ex, Cryogenic Echelon) who have joined most recently.

Side-Line also covered Avarice In Audio’s ‘Apollo Dionysus’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-EBM.

Content: “Nations Reborn” was simultaneously released with the re-issue of the “As Nations Decay”-album featuring an extra disc with an impressive load of remixes. The original album was released in 2013 and now gets a new boost with the extra remixes.

Notice by the way that the digital release features 3 extra songs. The main attraction of this album is the 9 previously unreleased remixes by mainly label mates. Other famous and recognized formations like Noisuf-X, Chainreactor and Alien Vampires contributed to this remix orgy as well.

I’m not a big fan of albums filled with remixes, but “Nations Reborn” is the exception to the rule. I think it’s mainly due to the great original songs by BlakOPz and the fine selection of talented formations. The remixers all tried to inject a personal note to the original song, which resulted in a fascinating listening.

The concept of this release (set up by the label) also consists of remixing all of the original songs of the album. The only exception at “Nations Reborn” is the absence of 2 songs that were composed together with another band (Sleetgrout and Nitro/Noise).

A few remixes like the ones by Aesthetic Perfection, Cryogenic Echelon and Alter Der Ruine were already previously released as bonus songs on the album. I have to admit that both remixes by Aesthetic Perfection and Cryogenic Echelon belong to the ultimate list of favorites.

But I also have to recommend the powerful astral vibes of the “#culturedelete”-remix by Cyferdyne. Another real smasher has been accomplished by Chainreactor, injecting a huge and irresistible ‘00ntz’ doses to “Turn Key Tyranny”.

Noisuf-X surprised me with a less powerful, yet intelligent electro-industrial remix of “Behind The Curtain”. “Business As Usual” has been remixed a rather enraged style by Cygnosic. Last, but not least I’ll end with the debut song of the album entitled “The Beginning”, which has been transformed by Sirus into a violent and somewhat hard-core version.

Ruinizer added their complex touch to “Thick As Thieves” while I globally expected a bit more out of the remixes by Alien Vampires and ESA”.

Conclusion: “Nations Reborn” stands for a rather ‘hard’ work featuring multiple great remixes, which are mainly dealing with EBM-related music. It might have been cool and really innovative to discover remixes by bands from totally different music genres, but that’s just my personal taste.

Best songs: “#culturedelete – Cyferdyne Remix”, “Before The Rust – Cryogenic Echelon Remix”, “As Nations Decay – Aesthetic Perfection Remix”, “Turn Key Tyranny- (Chainreactor Remix”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/BlakOPzBAND

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Out now via DWA’s Bandcamp page is an 8-track digital EP by Canada’s Nitro/Noise featuring remixes from Zardonic, Dope Stars Inc., Faderhead, Rotersand, Raimon and Seraphim System. The track is taken from Nitro/Noise’s second album “No Cure For Apocalypse” which came out last year in conjunction with the band’s first EU tour.

A heavyweight 12″ vinyl version holding 4 tracks per side is also in the making (and can also be pre-ordered here) and will be released in a couple of weeks. Good to know, for the vinyl edition Krischan Wesenberg’s Rotersand rework, which first appeared on the CD2 of the now sold out 2CD edition of “No Cure For Apocalypse”, was remastered – alongside the different Rotersand redub version which was subsequently released on the special DWA compilation available with Orkus! Magazin’s summer edition last year. Bass metal act Zardonic offers the opening track, plus an instrumental version for DJs pressed on the B-side of the record.

The vinyl is strictly limited to 100 units only and comes complete with hand-numbered black outer sleeve screen-printed in yellow and white, matching black poly-lined inner sleeves for maximum protection, plus of course a download code for all 8 tracks. Front cover artwork comes, like the “No Cure For Apocalypse” album itself, from Estonian artist Darius Alas.

You can preview the release 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

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro.

Content: Terrolokaust is a band I kept an eye on since their very first album (cf. “Gas”) released in their homeland by Mutant-E Records. They afterwards joined DWA releasing a few more albums and EP’s.

The digital edit of “Mix The Poison Up” and the CD-re-release of the album “Spit The Poison Out” (featuring the bonus CD “Mix The Poison Up”) got simultaneously released featuring 8 new remixes by iVardensphere, Phosgore, C-Lekktor, Retrogramme, Seraphim System, ESA, Ruinizer and Chainreactor.

The CD edit of “Mix The Poison Up” features 12 remixes while the digital version features a total amount of 15 remixes. It’s all a bit confusing when you realize that Vendetta Music released “Spit The Poison Out” for the American scene in 2013 with 3 remixes, but accomplished by other bands. The 3 extra remixes on the new digital edition originally appeared at the CD format of “Mix The Poison Up” released by Deathwatch Asia in 2013.

Terrolokaust got remixed by interesting names unleashing a quite diversified result. Rotersand remains a ‘Master’ when it comes to accomplish a remix and it’s one of the most noticeable bands. The remix of “Reversing In Circles” is a noticeable song.

My favorite remixes are those of Chainreactor, FGFC820, Phosgore, C-Lekktor, Modulate and ESA. “Pointless” was remixed by Chainreactor in a rather expected electro-industrial-rave featuring the harsh vocals of Javi Sasgittar on top. A somewhat similar remix is the one of “Two-Faced Leader” transposed by Phosgore into another great industrial-rave piece, which sounds hard and merciless.

FGFC820 remixed “The Way It Must Be” in a dark-EBM style, which is really boosting and reminding me a bit of early Inertia. C-Lekktor is once more convincing me that this project is slowly becoming one of the best dark-electro bands of the past few years. The remix of “Reversing In Circles” got a hard adrenaline injection, which is a real dancefloor killer.

Modulate did a great job as well remixing “The Way It Must Be” (a remix that was originally released as B-side of a 7″ vinyl single taken from the album) and I here especially want to mention the cool dark sequences running through the song.

Last, but not least there’s a more rough and industrial-orientated remix of “Addicted” by ESA.

Other remixes from bands like iVardensphere, Nitro/Noise, Sirus, Retrogramme, Ruinizer and Blackopz are not bad at all, but they can’t really compete with the aforementioned remixes.

Conclusion: This digital edition of “Mix The Poison Up” is interesting for all the fans of the band. There’s a great diversity in influences and an impressive selection of talented and established dark-electro acts.

Best songs: “Two-Faced Leader – Phosgore Remix”, “The Way It Must Be – Modulate Remix”, “Pointless – Chainreactor Remix”, “Reversing In Circles – C-Lekktor Remix”, “The Way It Must Be – FGFC820 Remix”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/Terrolokaust

Label: http://dwa-digital.com / www.facebook.com/DigitalWorldAudio

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com