Mark your calendars for November 10th, as the iconic Dutch post-punk band Mecano unveils a 45th-anniversary album, “Waving Goodbye,” exclusively through Brazil’s Wave Records. This limited-edition CD is limited to only 200 copies, making it a must-have for die-hard fans.

The commemorative album serves as the grand finale for Mecano’s farewell tour, which culminated in a ‘Goodbye’ concert at São Paulo’s renowned Madame Club on September 9, 2023. The album boasts a curated selection of seven tracks, including four classic hits from their early years (1978-1982) and three exceptionally rare tracks from their later discography.

The whole was re-mastered in 2023 by Marcelo Gallo of Pitch Yarn of Matter.

Founded in Amsterdam in 1978 by Dirk Polak and Pieter Kooyman, Mecano initially emerged as a punk ensemble. Their musical journey began with a 7″ single in 1978, but their style evolved into a blend of new wave and art rock, heavily influenced by Joy Division, after the addition of Tejo Bolten, Cor Bolten, and Ton Lebbink in 1979.

Active until 1983, the original lineup released three albums under their independent label, Torso, which later evolved into a prominent Dutch indie label. Despite shifting his focus to art and painting, lead singer Dirk Polak led the band to cult status, particularly in Brazil, Israel, and Greece. Their influence even extended to a split Flexidisc collaboration with Fad Gadget.

The band reunited in the ’90s, releasing three additional albums and seeing multiple re-releases across various labels, including Greece’s Undo Records. Over the years, the band has operated under various names, such as Mecano Ltd., Mecano, Mecano Unlimited, and Mecano Un-Ltd.

These are the tracks included on this limited release.

1. Links (Mecano 1980)
2. Meccano (Mecano 1980)
3. Noble Bliss (Mecano Un-Ltd. 2020)
4. Robespierre Re-Marx (Mecano 1980)
5. Statement of the artist as an old Man (Mecano Un-ltd. 2016)
6. Tabou d’Esprit (Mecano Un-Ltd. 2013)
7. To Life’s Reunion (Mecano – 1986)

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-Wave, Dark-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/info: Last year Brazilian Individual Industry celebrated the 25^th anniversary of their second full length “Ice-Water”. Driven by core members Alex Twin (Wave Records owner) and Maurizio Bonito, “Ice-Water” was originally released by the legendary Cri Du Chat. The record was produced by Roberto Verta (still involved with Harry) while Danyela Rocha was the vocalist. The album has been remastered and features a few extra songs/remixes.

Content: You can quickly tell that this album was produced several years ago now. It stands for a sweet and somewhat intimate Electro/Wave-Pop style. The compositions have something minimal, even a bit rudimentary. There’s an interesting cover version of French legends Kas Product and another song featuring Opera Multi Steel.

The bonus songs are remixes made by Marcelo Gallo (Pitch Yarn Of Matter) revealing a Trip-Pop approach.

+ + + : This reissue evokes to me good-old souvenirs as I especially liked the Cri Du Chat label roster. You’ve to place this album in its context; 90s Electro/Wave-Pop driven by great synth lines. The cover version of Kas Product’s “Tina Town” is a pretty cool track. I also have to mention the sweet and intimate opener “Cubic” for which the band made a clip to promote this reissue. I also have to say a word about the great work -which is a true transformation, by Marcelo Gallo who injected a somewhat sensual Trip-Pop touch to the work. It sometimes reminds me of Everything But The Girl.

– – – : While the remixes are bringing some modernism, the original songs are a little bit suffering from the weight of time. The songs are missing a bit of elaboration.

Conclusion: This album is a must have for the fans and pure nostalgia for Cri Du Chat fans.

Best songs: “Tina Town”, “Cubic” + “Primer – Marcelo Gallo Tripping 97 Remix”, “Abbot – Marcelo Gallo Iceland 97 Remix”.

Rate: 7.

Listen to “Ice-Water (25th Anniversary) Remaster”:

Artist: www.facebook.com/individualindustry

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

About Individual Industry

Individual Industry is a Brazilian electronic project that started at the end of the 1980s, mixing ethereal, electro and pop elements. Alex Twin and Maurizio Bonito have remained the core duo. Lilian Vaz was the first singer and left in 1995, after which the project worked with guest vocalists.

Early tracks appeared on the Cri Du Chat compilations “Minimal Synth Ethics” (1991) and “Minimal Synth Ethics 2 – Brazilian Electronic Compilation” (1993). The album “Templum Probus” arrived in 1993 and “Ice-Water” in 1996. Wave Propaganda released the limited box set “The Box (1988-2003)” in 2003 and the CD mini-album “Amy” in 2007, followed by “Twenty Years In One Hour” in 2010 and “Dreams Never End” in 2011.

The anniversary edition of “Ice-Water” adds remixes by Marcelo Gallo of Pitch Yarn Of Matter. Alex Twin also runs Wave Records, the Brazilian label behind this remastered reissue.

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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Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Set up in the early 90s by Marcello Gallo, Brazilian Electro-Pop project P.Y.O.M. (Pitch Yarn Of Matter) released two albums in the 90s on German label Subtronic Records. After a long break the project came back to life, releasing a new opus in 2016 on Wave Records. “Legacy” was released by the end of 2020 and features eleven new songs.

Content: The influences and style haven’t changed that much. P.Y.O.M. remains devoted to Electro-Pop music and the 80s definitely remain a source of inspiration. The influences have been transposed into a very own sound, which has this retro feeling and yet it sounds a bit refreshing. The songs have been supported with good-old strings while some of the snares still have this old-school sound. All the songs have been sung in English.

+ + + : I’m still convinced this solo-project didn’t get the deserved recognition –especially in Europe. P.Y.O.M. has something of its own; a rather familiar sound, which you however can’t compare to another band. The songs are well-crafted and the global production resulted from a mature process. The synth lines bring us back to the magic of the 80s. Some tunes –like at “The Stranger”, are pretty simple, but efficient.

– – – : The album is missing a true hit and that’s maybe part of the reason why the band never became more famous… 

Conclusion: I often link Brazilian underground electro with harsh productions, but Pitch Yarn Of Matter reminds us there are also talented Electro/Wave-Pop formations there.

Best songs: “The Stranger”, “Control”, “Devotion”, “A Little Less Of You”, “Like Diamonds”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/pitchyarnofmatter

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

About Pitch Yarn Of Matter

Pitch Yarn Of Matter, also credited as P.Y.O.M., is a Brazilian electro-pop project built around Marcelo Gallo. Discogs lists Dárcio Fabri and Tatiana Pajero G. Brandão among the other people involved. According to Discogs, Gallo was invited to record the project’s first album in Germany in 1994 by the proprietor of the Subtronic Records label, during a tour by a German band.

The chronology opens with the self-released cassette “Overpass” in 1994, followed by “Signs In Our Minds” in 1995 and “Strange Body” in 1996, both on Subtronic Records. Gallo then set the project aside to concentrate on his other act, Nude. Pitch Yarn Of Matter returned two decades later on Wave Records, and Side-Line reviewed that comeback album as Pitch Yarn Of Matter – It’s New, Sounds Old And I Love It (CD Album – Wave Records).

“Legacy” followed on Wave Records at the end of 2020, in digital and CD formats, and carries eleven songs, all sung in English.

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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“Cathédrale” was the very first studio album of Opéra Multi Steel, originally released in 1985. Based on sounds of nowadays mythical analog synths and rhythm boxes (Elex E, Roland TR606, Yamaha MR 10, Casio VL 1 among others…) the band mixed these electronic ingredients with acoustic instruments such as guitars or flutes and powerful melodic vocals. The mix has sometimes been qualified as Medieval Minimal Wave and is audible throughout the band’s catalogue.

This album includes several classics of the band, “Cathédrale” of course but also “Un Froid seul”, “Frantz est mort” or “Du Son des Cloches”.

This reissue is the opportunity to rediscover those songs in their original versions on the medium that saw them born, packed in a sleeve designed in order to respect the atmosphere developed at the time of original release. The special 35th anniversary edition, was mastered by Marcelo Gallo (Pitch Yarn of Matter) and comes in 2 different versions on vinyl, ultra clear with black splatters and ultra clear with black marbles.

All of the version come in limited quantities of 100 copies each.

Check out these very old official music vdeos.

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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Internet is getting artists closer, giving birth to new bands. Before the new millennium it was nearly impossible to imagine a duo featuring the singer living in Germany and the musician living in Brazil. Wintry was the daylight thanks to the internet. Anne Goldacker (ex-Obsyre) and Alex Twin (3 Cold Men, Individual Industry, and still owner of Wave Records) joined hands together. They released a debut album “Atmosphere Around Us” in 2009 and struck back in 2017 with the single “Ausweg”. “Timeline” has been released as a collaboration between Wave Records and Young And Cold Records, but also got released in the US by Cleopatra Records. Their music reminds the golden years of 4AD and will appeal for lovers of X-Mal Deutschland, Cocteau Twins, Bauhaus and others. I got in touch with Anne and Alex. (Picture credits by Falk Scheuring).

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Wintry has been set up in the 90s as a solo-project and became a duo when Anne Goldacker joined in for the debut album “Atmosphere Around Us”. How did this meeting happened and what did Anne brought to Wintry expect her beautiful timbre of voice?

Anne: Alex and I met thanks to Bruno Kramm. Alex was looking for a singer and Bruno recommend me. The main part is my voice, the second part are the lyrics, which I write myself.

Q: The single “Ausweg” has been released in 2017, but it took you ten years to release a successor to the album “Atmopshere Around Us “. How do you explain this long absence and what motivated you to start again?

Anne: For me, music is an important part of my life. But first of all I have a demanding profession, which takes me lot of my attention. As a dentist you certainly need to get a balance and I found it in music. But time goes fast and it takes a little longer to finish an album.

Alex: I’m involved with many others projects, so I can write new music when there is some free time. But I also have to take care of the label and the e-shop. It’s not that easy when you’re doing this all alone while it takes much time.

Q: When did the writing of the new album “Timeline” started and what kind of album did you try to accomplish?

Anne: I don’t know exactly when. For me the work started with the musical basis from Alex. I got my ideas for singing when writing the lyrics. And the result is an album giving us satisfaction after a long period of creation.

Q: How did the writing-, recording- and production of the album happened? And how did it happened for the vocals as you don’t live in the same country? And what has been the real input of both guest artists?

Anne: In times of internet, the distance is no problem. I went to a friend‘s studio to record my vocals and send it to Brazil. Alex did the rest.

Alex: I compose the songs and send them to Anne. After getting back the vocals, I sent it all to our guest musicians, Franck from Opera Multi Steel on bass and Audret from Scarlet Leaves to play guitars. The final production has been done by Marclo Gallo (Pitch Yarn Of Matter), who’ s doing mixing, production and mastering for years now here in São Paulo.

Q: Wintry is often linked to some bands from the legendary 4AD roster. What did this label mean to you and what do you consider as the real sources of inspiration?

Alex: I think the main bands active in the dark scene and dealing with post-punk, dark-wave, ethereal and related genres are influenced by the 4AD era. These bands were the pioneers of dark music.

Things are a bit different today. Bands no longer  compose music like 4AD artists did. We have these bands in mind, but there also is the influence from ‘new’ bands. We must move ahead and listen more to new music than only to the ‘old ones’, at least that’s how it works for me. Actually I listen much more to new stuff than old work. Wave Records get many demos every week and trust me, I have heard numerous great new bands since 2010.

Q: “Timeline” has been of course released on your own label, Wave Records, but still here in Europe on Young & Cold Records and in the US on Cleopatra. Why releasing an album on three labels when we all know the CD format no longer sell? What are the further plans for Wintry?

Alex: After I had finished the Wintry master, I got a message from A&R from Cleopatra, and he asked me about some bands I released. So I sent him the new Wintry and we got a deal for North America exclusively. Young & Cold Records are partners for selling recrods via the e-shop, but Wintry also has 70% of the tracks in German, so we just found a deal for the vinyl release exclusively for Europe. The CD edit features bonus tracks and Wave Records sell it worldwide.

About the CD sales, I can tell you this format is still  selling, but not like in the 90s. But we have many customers only buying CD editions. Of course vinyl is growing the last years, but the main people at least in Brazil just buy CD’s. I think releasing 3 different formats is a good way to reach all kind of customers.

The plans for Wintry are to compose more tracks next year so a new album will be probably released for 2021/2022.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Wave-pop, goth-pop.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Wintry resulted from the collaborative efforts between German singer Anne Goldacker (ex-Obsyre) and Brazilian musician and label Wave Records label owner Alex Twin (3 Cold Men, Individual Industry). They released a debut album “Atmosphere Around Us” in 2009 and struck back in 2017 with the single “Ausweg”. “Timeline” has been released as a collaboration between Wave Records and Young And Cold Records, but also got released in the US by Cleopatra Records. Notice by the way the digital and CD edits are featuring four bonus songs.  

Content: Wintry is a project that clearly sounds devoted to the 80s new/cold-wave spirit. The songs remind me of X Mal Deutschland –also because of Anne Goldacker’s timbre of voice, but also to Bauhaus for some of the guitar parts. Most of the songs are sung in German, but you’ll also discover two English sung cuts. The album opens with the single title song “Ausweg” while the last song is the single’s B-side “Auch Ohne Dich”.

The bonus cuts feature two remixes by Marcelo Gallo (who produced the album and who was previously involved with Pitch Yarn Of Matter) and 2 other ones by Pieter Nooten (Clan Of Xymox).

+ + + : If you’re nostalgic of the 4AD golden years, Wintry will sound as a relief. There’s a similar spirit in the writing, mixing dark 80s atmospheres mainly accentuated by the guitar playing and refined with electronic arrangements. I like some of the electronic parts for their minimalism. The global production stands for delicacy and dark, evasive songs. Anne Goldacker is a truly talented singer who put her stamp on this work. Last, but not least I also have to recommend the album for its artistic artwork –at least for the CD format!

– – – : The album is fully entertaining, but I’m missing this kind of hit to speak about a total successful release.

Conclusion: Wintry evokes some real good souvenirs, getting me back to some legendary 4AD bands such as X Mal Deutschland, Cocteau Twins, Bauhaus… while the contribution of Clan Of Xymox member Pieter Nooten is also a wink. 

Best songs: “Dependence”, “Sehnsucht”, “Ausweg”, “Schmerz – Remix by Marcelo Gallo”, “Sehnsucht –  Remix by Pieter Nooten”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/wintryofficial 

Labels: www.waverecordsmusic.com / www.facebook.com/waverecords  / https://youngandcold.de /

www.facebook.com/youngandcoldrecords

About Wintry

Wintry pairs German singer Anne Goldacker with Brazilian musician Alex Twin, who also runs Wave Records and has worked on Individual Industry and 3 Cold Men. The two connected through a recommendation from Bruno Kramm and released a debut album, “Atmosphere Around Us”, in 2009, followed by the single “Ausweg” in 2017. Goldacker records her vocals separately and sends them to Twin, who composes the music; guest musicians Franck of Opera Multi Steel and Audret of Scarlet Leaves contributed bass and guitar to “Timeline”, produced by Marcelo Gallo of Pitch Yarn Of Matter.

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.

Background/Info: Pitch Yarn Of Matter (P.Y.M.) is a Brazilian formation that was active during the 90s releasing a cassette on the legendary Cri Du Chat label while they next got signed in Europe by Subtronic Records. Twenty years after the second full length (cf. “Strange Body”) the band is now back on track. Master mind Marcello Gallo remains the single member on board although got assistance from a few guests (featuring early members of P.Y.M.).

Content: This is for sure a new start and the title of the album clearly indicates what this new work is all about. We get a 100% electronic album composed by good-old analogue gear that brings us back to the magic of the late 80s electro-pop music.

Electro-pop is definitely the main basis of the work, but you’ll also notice a few EBM sequences, wafting atmospheres and even a kind of nu-disco touch. On other cuts you clearly can recognize a Kraftwerk influence running through the songs and/or robotic vocal parts.

Both final ‘bonus’ cuts are remixes. You first get a “2016 Mix” of “Shadow Of Time”, which was originally released on the debut album “Signs In Our Minds” plus a remix by former P.Y.M. member, Darcio Fabri, of the early song “Alles Schwarz” (originally released on cassette in 1993).

+ + + : This album is more than simply a comeback, it’s a new and successful start. The work has been accomplished with the magic of good-old analogue equipment. The electro-pop style has been joined by different influences getting it all varied while featuring multiple cool songs and even a few potential hits (cf. “Full Of Nothing” and “Plastic Girl”). The remix of “Alles Schwarz” is another pretty cool cut!

– – – : The main difficulty for P.Y.M. will be for sure –and especially here in Europe, to get their name back on the map! The front cover could have been a bit more creative and rather looks like a picture you should have placed inside the cover.

Conclusion: It’s new, Sounds Old, And WE love it!

Best songs: “Full Of Nothing”, “Plastic Girl”, “Lies”, “Alles Schwarz – Ugly Machine Remix”, “It’s New, Sounds Old And I Love It”, “Second Chance feat. Dani Nathan”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/pitchyarnofmatter

Label: www.waverecordsmusic.com / http://pt–br.facebook.com/pages/Wave–Records/110635789015082

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