The Dutch duo Palais Ideal, led by John Edwards and Richard van Kruysdijk, returns with their fourth album. After a debut full length on Dark Vinyl Records followed by two albums released by Cold Transmission, they present ten new songs on “Here And Now.”

The band remains true to their founding principles in terms of influences and style. They linger somewhere in the dark magic of 80s New-Wave and transform this into a quite accessible production where the guitar plays a prominent role. The inspired guitar work guarantees some great passages. It sounds dark in some ways, yet lively at the same time. At times, it reminds me of a dark version of Aztec Camera, the whole thing finished with electronic arrangements.

Palais Ideal has never been entirely convincing, but “Here And Now” does contain some beautiful songs. (Rating:7).

Watch the clip “Here And Now”:

About Palais Ideal

Palais Ideal is a duo from Eindhoven, Netherlands, founded by John Edwards (guitar, vocals, synths, programming) and Richard van Kruysdijk (bass, baritone guitar, synths, programming). The band mixes post-punk, darkwave and new wave. Its debut album appeared on Dark Vinyl Records, followed by two albums on Cold Transmission. “Here And Now”, released in 2026 on Dark Vinyl Records, is the duo’s fourth album and runs ten tracks.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Set up at the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic Dead Lights features two producers; one based in the The Netherlands and the other in England. Richard Van Kruysdijk (Palais Ideal, Phallus Dei ao) is one of those members. After the excellent self-titled debut album, the duo is back on track unleashing this EP.

Content: After a short intro Dead Lights clearly reveal their EBM style characterized by impressive, low, resonating bass lines. Male- and female vocals are essential to the production. You’ll discover 4 new cuts and a remix of “The Raven” (opening song of the album).

+ + + :  The main strength of the composition is hiding in the heavy, carrying, bass lines. Even the softer pieces are carried by the power of the low, resonating, bass lines. “Run” sounds like a terrific exposure to this very own EBM approach. The “Video Mix” of “The Raven” is another attention grabber with a noticeable chorus.

– – – : Softer passages like running through “Follow Me” aren’t exactly the best part of the work.

Conclusion: Dead Lights confirm to be an EBM project with innovative elements and a true potential.

Best songs: “Run”, “The Raven – Video Mix”, “Vile”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.deadlights.band / www.facebook.com/officialdeadlights

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

About Dead Lights

Dead Lights is an electronic duo based in London. The two producers, one working in the Netherlands and the other in England, started the project at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Richard van Kruysdijk, also active in Palais Ideal and Phallus Dei, is one of the two members. On Bandcamp the band describes its music as “Electronic glam goth with an industrial edge”.

The earliest entries in the band’s Bandcamp discography are “Hex Death Pop” and the self-titled “Dead Lights”. “Doom Doom Trash”, reviewed here, followed on 11 March 2022 through Cold Transmission Music. The duo wrote and produced the EP and Uwe Teichert mastered it at Elektropolis in Brussels. The CD edition is a four-panel gatefold digisleeve with a lyric booklet and adds the bonus track “The Raven (video mix)”.

Later releases listed on the band’s Bandcamp page include “Receiver”, “I Am Electric”, “Into The Night”, “Let The Ugly Out”, “Glitterspit”, “Grind”, “Take The Algorithm”, “Gravity”, “Break Out” and “Killing Time”. “Resonate” arrived in January 2026, “(The Edge Of) Dusk” in March 2026 and “Lash” in May 2026.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

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

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: The third full length by the duo John Edwards – Richard van Kruysdijk was released a few months ago. The work features twelve new cuts.

Content: Palais Ideal moves on composing a sound mixing 80s elements clearly evoking the Dark-Wave style mixed with a more personal touch. The songs are mainly driven by dark reverie. Some guitar parts might remind you of The Cure.

+ + + : My favorite passages are the hardest ones ”No Sign Of Danger” and “Anything For A Thrill” both are exposures of this ‘harder’ approach. I also enjoy listening to “Age Of Intransigence” which is a cool last track reminding me of The Cure. Last but not least I also have to say a word about the great, styled, artwork of the CD.

– – – : Palais Ideal seems to like composing dreamy songs. I like their dark approach but they never reach a true climax. It’s a pity there are no more ‘harder’ cuts which I’m sure reveals the band at its best.

Conclusion: I have some mixed feelings with this album because I think the duo has the potential to do better.

Best songs: ones ”No Sign Of Danger”, “Anything For A Thrill”, “Age Of Intransigence”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.palaisideal.net / www.facebook.com/palaisideal

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

About Palais Ideal

Palais Ideal is a duo from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, made up of John Edwards and Richard van Kruysdijk. Van Kruysdijk is also a member of Dead Lights and Phallus Dei. The pair describe their music as progressive post-punk.

“Negative Space”, the third full-length and the album reviewed here, was released on 5 November 2021 through Cold Transmission Music. Edwards and Van Kruysdijk wrote the record, which was recorded at Studio 37, POM and Poème Electronique in Eindhoven, produced by the duo with Pete Burns, mixed by Burns at The Shelter in Glasgow and mastered by Jason Corbett at Jacknife Sound in Vancouver. Van Kruysdijk also made the artwork.

The band’s Bandcamp discography lists “The Future Has Been Cancelled”, “No Signal”, “Context Collapse”, “The Programme”, “Pressure Points” and “The Art Of Crashing”, which appeared in June 2021 ahead of “Negative Space”. “Here And Now” followed in January 2026.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-wave, cold-wave, minimal-electro, post-punk.

Format: 2CD.

Background/Info: In a rather short lapse of time Cold Transmission Music has released an impressive number of qualitative bands and productions. The German label based near Frankfurt am Main released this label compilation as a double album featuring a total of twenty seven bands. The label is devoted to post-punk, cold-wave, shoegaze, new-wave and dark-wave.

Artists: SYZYGYX, ELZ And The Cult, Kiss Of The Whip, Hallows, Bedless Bones, La Mécanique, Dilk, Iamnoone, Icy Men, White Mansion, Iamtheshadow, Clone Culture, Control Room, The Gathering, Palais Ideal, Mark E Moon, Mary, The Bluebeard’s Castle, The Secret French Postcards, Vastron Vulture, Silent Runners, Pusu Button Press, Carlo Onda, Rosi, Monographic, Paradise Cove, Reconverb.

Content: “Spotlight” covers a rather diversified-, but related number of music styles. The main source of inspiration brings us the dark hours of the 80s music. This is an opportunity to discover young and upcoming talents in the genre while some other artists are composing a more contemporary- and personal sound, but still connected with new-wave music.

The album has a lot to offer and will therefore appeal to a wider audience; from minimal-electronics to pure post-punk and dark/cold-wave, “Spotlight” will for sure ravish all 80s lovers.

+ + + : A label compilation always is a kind of sonic window to discover the real potential and scope of a record company. I already discovered some talented artists on the German label (SYZYGYX, Mark E Moon, Bedless Bones ao), but this compilation also is an opportunity to discover some bands you maybe didn’t get the chance to hear before. The album’s diversity also is one of the main strengths. I especially want to mention the great opening, minimal-electro/wave cut by SYZYGYX and the more EBM-wave work of Bedless Bones –both confirming their potential. From the first disc I also recommend the powerful song by Elz And The Cult and the guitar-wave by Dilk. At the second disc I discovered great songs by Mark E Moon (also confirming to be one of the newest dark-wave sensations), the speed of Mary, the melancholia exposed by Push button Press and the brilliant cold-wave from Paradise Cove. Notice by the way that several songs are previously unreleased.

– – – : I don’t have any real minus points about this compilation, which perfectly illustrates the welfare of talented bands of this label.

Conclusion: I can only, but highly recommend buying this compilation, which will not disappoint you giving you the chance to discover a very international label roster!

Best bands: Paradise Cove, SYZYGYX, Mark E Moon, Bedless Bones, Mary, Dilk.

Rate: (8).

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

About Cold Transmission Music

Cold Transmission Music is an international record label and music promotion service based near Frankfurt am Main, Germany, focused on post-punk, cold-wave, shoegaze, new-wave and dark-wave. “Spotlight” is a double-album label compilation bringing together twenty-seven acts from its roster on one release.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Cold-wave, rock-wave.

Background/Info: Last year I discovered the German duo John Edwards (guitars, vocals, synths, programming) – Richard van Kruysdijk (bass, baritone guitar, backing vocals, synths, programming) aka Palais Ideal by their debut album “No Signal” released by Dark Vinyl. Hailing from The Netherlands they now joined hands with the German label Cold Transmission to unleash their second opus, which has been produced by John Fryer.

Content: If you know their debut work you’ll easily recognize the dark sound approach running through the new songs. There’s a nice twist between elements of cold-wave and rock music. They get us back to the 80s, but also inject some modernism on top. Somewhere in between The Sisters Of Mercy and The Editors, Palais Ideal are dealing with a refreshing post-wave-rock style.

+ + + : The songwriting and global production are professional. This band doesn’t spare any effort to improve the different levels of production compared to their debut work. The songs have been perfectly accomplished while the vocals are quite charismatic. I especially like the atmosphere of this work, which has been mainly created by the guitar playing. I recommend listening to “Die Stadt” and “Everything Will Be OK”, which both are worthy of examination.

– – – : I would like to hear the songs even darker, but despite several noticeable songs I’m missing a total climax to speak about an ‘essential’ release.

Conclusion: Palais Ideal clearly try to purchase a very own sound identity and the least I can say is that they’re on the right way to succeed.

Best songs: “Die Stadt”, “Everything Will Be OK”, “Shot By Both Sides”, “The Programme”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.palaisideal.net / www.facebook.com/palaisideal

Label: www.facebook.com/coldtransmissionmusic

About Palais Ideal

Palais Ideal is the Dutch duo of John Edwards and Richard van Kruysdijk. The pair debuted with “No Signal” on Dark Vinyl Records, before moving to Cold Transmission Music for this second album, produced by John Fryer. Cold Transmission also released the duo’s third album, “Negative Space”, in 2022, and Palais Ideal returned to Dark Vinyl Records for a fourth album, “Here And Now”, in 2026.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: New-wave, rock-wave, rock-pop.

Background/Info: Palais Ideal is a ‘new’ formation set up by an experienced duo. John Edwards (guitars, vocals, synths, programming) and Richard van Kruysdijk (bass, baritone guitar, backing vocals, synths, programming) have already worked with an impressive list of ‘big’ artists such as Bauhaus, Christian Death, Coil, Clan Of Xymox, The Legendary Pink Dots, swans ao. Palais Ideal is inspired by post-punk and new-wave music.

Content: The 80s influences are rapidly coming through and are sometimes pretty explicit. But Palais Ideal is not just emulating the magic of new-wave music, but still has a more personal touch, which sounds in between rock- and pop music. Guitar and electronics are pretty complementary. The songs are sung by a great and charismatic singer, which directly reveals his deep timbre of voice on the opening cut while excelling on “Funtime”.

+ + + : Palais Ideal seduced by great guitar playing injects power and emotion. The low and resonating bass lines are in perfect harmony with the guitar and reinforcing the new-wave inspiration. I already mentioned the great vocalist of this band who’s a real essential element of this band’s sound. “No Signal” is clearly influenced by several 80s bands; now darker and then more pop-driven. One of my favorite cuts is “A Black Noise” evoking some aspects of the legendary “Alice”-song from The Sisters Of Mercy.

– – – : The album is well-crafted, but is maybe missing that ‘absolute’ hit that would bring the band into the spotlights.

Conclusion: “No Signal” is a noticeable debut for this duo. The album has this good-old vintage appeal, which will get new-wave nostalgic fans out of their sleep.

Best songs: “A Black Noise”, “Invisible Eye”, “Deity”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.palaisideal.net / www.facebook.com/Palais–Ideal-1587769398199336

Label: www.darkvinyl.de / www.facebook.com/darkvinylrecords

About Palais Ideal

Palais Ideal is a duo from Eindhoven, Netherlands, founded by John Edwards (guitar, vocals, synths, programming) and Richard van Kruysdijk (bass, baritone guitar, synths, programming). The band mixes post-punk, darkwave and new wave. “No Signal”, released in 2018 on Dark Vinyl Records, is the duo’s debut album, followed by “Pressure Points” (2019) and “Negative Space” (2022) on Cold Transmission Music, and “Here And Now” (2026) on Dark Vinyl Records.

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