Psychic Force – SIDE-LINE

Side-Line offers DJ Shane Aungst’s ‘Electronic Bodies’ Mega-Mix as free download

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:28:54 +0000

Out now via Bandcamp as a free download is DJ Shane Aungst’s “Electronic Bodies – Nightside Sessions” mega-mix. The Seattle (United States) based DJ produced this 2-part megamix including 23 tracks (and 2 intros) from “Electronic Bodies” during long evening sessions in October 2023. Note that the intros were created by Viscera Drip.

As you will know the original “Electronic Bodies” compilation (available here on Bandcamp) focused on EBM and its offspring. The proceedings of this mega-mix will equally go to charity.

Shane’s mixes mainly deal in the EBM/Aggrotech/Industrial genres, and come with heavy layers of sampling and edits. He has been doing studio work, working on sampling, mixes, edits, remixes, as well as putting together some original material. We will soon also publish an interview with Shane on his current and future work. Check his Instagram page for more info.

Electronic Bodies – Nightside Sessions by Shane Aungst

The tracklist is as follows:

Part 1

Night side sessions – Intro 00:00
Diffuzion – Ain’t Gonna Fuck With My Brain 00:49
Rabbits Wear Boots – Cyborg 04:54
Him+He – Dr Jones (Ocult Mix) 09:42
ELM – Vessel Of Violence (Weaponized Cardio Mix) 14:06
Ars – Thanatophobia 17:18
UCNX – Burning Slowly Down 21:54
Llumen – You Can Have It All (Matrix Edit) 25:41
The Psychic Force – Lockdown Lovers 29:50
Kant Kino – Frontline (Edit) 34:22
Raudadler – Sexual Deviants 37:15
First Aid 4 Souls – Anger 41:58
Miseria Ultima – Yet Shivering Profound 46:30

Part 2

Viscera Drip – Night side sessions Intro 00:00
Human Vault – Flesh And Bone (Void You Are Edit By Nadragea – Side-Line Cut) 00:52
Digital Factor – What 05:18
Aiboforcen – Cycle Of Life (Short Edit) 08:35
Aesthetische – Boiling Over (Celsius Version) 12:30
Diverje – Numb (EBM Remix By Psychosomatik) 16:50
Venus In Disgrace – Generation Commodore 20:25
Kreign – Don’t Force The Hand 23:13
Fuckware – Combat 27:22
Stahlgeist – Infected Colony (Alternate Version) 31:10
Sinthetik Messiah – Know Your Enemy 35:39
Töt – Mon Nom Est Personne 39:14

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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Alfa Matrix unleashes new free massive download compilation – Dominates industrial Bandcamp charts overnight!

Eldrina Mich — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 12:28:25 +0000

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.

Matrix+ Downloaded 011 by Various Artists

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

C-Lekktor – New World Disorder (Album – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Clekktor

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

C-Lekktor adds new member to line-up: DJ & producer Dimitri Berzerk

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:39:27 +0000

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

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

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

Below is the Facebook announcement.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

side-line.com

C-Lekktor signs to Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix and announces brand new album for October – in pre-order now

Eldrina Mich — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:14:46 +0000

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

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

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

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

New World Disorder (Bonus Tracks Edition) by C-LEKKTOR

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

Eldrina Mich

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

www.side-line.com

30 Years Of Journalism – Celebration Interview with Bernard Van Isacker (Side-Line & Alfa Matrix): ‘Consider Us As An Incubator For Talents’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 18:00:00 +0000

Back in 1991 I started writing my first reviews for Side-Line magazine. I would have never thought to go on writing reviews and making interviews non-stop for 30 years. So 2021 is a special year to me, a kind of ‘celebration year’. I got the idea to celebrate this special event by interviewing people from the scene who all have a special meaning to me. The last interview in this series is one with Bernard Van Isacker. I definitely had to close the circle with this interview. Being active as Side-Line’s chief redactor and as one of the Alfa Matrix label owners, Bernard and I became close friends. We didn’t always agree on some topics, which finally brought me to leave Side-Line as staff member in 2016. We remained in touch and decided to move on working together, but in a different format. A lot of things have been said and written about Bernard -not always kind things – but I got the privilege and opportunity to see how he’s working and all what he’s doing. I can only, but deeply respect his involvement. Time to ask him some questions.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: Lots of people from this scene know who you are, but how would you introduce yourself and how did you get in touch with the Electro/Industrial/Gothic scene?

Bernard: My name is Bernard Van Isacker, 47 years old, and I have 2 kids. Magnus, 4 years old, and Sebastian, 16 years old, from my first marriage. I work currently as a social media manager, web developer and CRM admin for a multinational. I also run 2 holiday houses, but for the past 2 years they have been empty due to the corona pandemic. That was a big blow to our budget, so I had to take extra work to keep on paying our bills. But we survive.

I sleep basically 5 hours per night, take a small breakfast and lots of coffee at 6 in the local Panos –both the owners Mario and Hannelore are sweethearts -before I start work at 7:30 until, 10, 11 at night. I’ll probably die working (laughs).

I first got introduced to the Dark-Wave scene when I was 14 years old and was sitting next to a guy in class who said he had heard a really sick tape. That was Nitzer Ebb’s “That Total Age”. But you have to know that I was already heavily into Depeche Mode and New-Beat (yes!) so the ‘move’ to more industrial sounds was not really a surprise. Anyhow, Nitzer Ebb had more or less the same BPM as new beat so that was easy (laughs). By the time I was fifteen I was listening to Cat Rapes Dog. Their “Maximum Overdrive” remains legendary as far as I am concerned. And after that I got hooked to Inside Treatment, Pouppée Fabrikk, and other bands from Scandinavia. I only started to listen to German acts when I went to university, and that included bands such as Fortification 55, Project Pitchfork, Psychic Force, Trial, etc..

As we speak I’m in the middle of compiling our newest volume in the “Face The Beat”-series for Side-Line. The 7^th so far. But shoot with the questions Stephane!

Q: I guess less people know you graduated in journalism so what did you try to add/change when joining Side-Line? And how did you happen to join Side-Line magazine?

Bernard: That’s correct, I graduated in journalism and worked at a couple of newspapers before diving into the startup world of ecommerce. That was pre-Google so SEO was still something very rudimentary and traffic was basically created via price comparison sites and massive mailings, you can call it pure spam (laughs).

But I worked for 4 years as a journalist, was able to write a lot of solid articles, but I got fed up with the easy way things were covered (while we all knew it were lies) and the easy way things were NOT covered (because some bishop threatened to sue the newspaper –and me, for defamation). I left that world disgusted. Add to that it is one of the worst paid jobs ever.

I got fed up with the easy way things were covered in the press

Anyhow, whilst studying one of my friends, Yves Van De Veken, told me there was this magazine that was going to be published with an attached CD compilation full of Dark-Wave music and that they would have the first issue with the sampler later that week in the Metrophone cellar, in Antwerp that is, where I studied. I got the magazine, which was in a very stylish layout, liked the CD sampler and was hooked on the review section to read about new bands. I was at that time already working part-time as journalist whilst studying, and I got access to bigger bands which I thought could fit Side-Line pretty well, so I sent a mail to Seba (who I thought was a girl) and told ‘her’ that I could arrange bigger interviews for them. Seba wanted to test the waters I guess, and I told that I could do Hooverphonic, but could also check with Dirk Da Davo in the next week to show what I was capable of. Apparently ‘she’ really liked what I wrote and asked for more. Paradise Lost, Marc Almond, Bel Canto, … the list of interviews I did for Side-Line grew by the day.

But I had never met any of the team. The first time I met someone from the Side-Line team back then was actually you, but I can’t recall where that was, I think it was in Brussels, but for what exactly?

A few weeks later I met Seba –who you told was NOT a girl, at a Die Form concert in Ghent I think. If I’m not wrong Cédric and Benoit were also there. Since then we were like a band of brothers who went to concerts, either together or with one or two others. Sweet times I must say, we were all very young, had not yet lived ‘real’ life with all its hurdles and accidents.

Q: Early 2008 was a turning point in the magazine’s history. Former chief-redactor Séba Dolimont decided to stop his involvement so you became the new chief-redactor. The printed magazine definitely stopped and Side-Line remained only active as online magazine. How do you look back at the loss of the printed magazine and how did the transition happen?

Bernard: I basically had always pushed to keep the magazine alive as a print magazine, but at the same time I had launched www.side-line.com in 1999 because the initial Side-Line website –on a different url, was basically just a page, looked bloody awful and served no purpose –no offense Ronan Harris. So when Seba told me that he had decided to stop with the printed magazine, my mental switch was fast and I decided to focus on the online magazine which by then was attracting a tenfold of the printed magazine anyhow. It was a no-brainer.

Going online only? It was a no-brainer.

With Seba stopping, we also lost most of the external contributors, which is logical since a print magazine has a more loose team whereas a news website has to work with a very productive small team, as Side-Line.com was by then already producing daily news updates. A small team is always easier to work with, and I had seen that with the print version of Side-Line I was already doing most of the interviews, delivering 99% of the news, while you already did most of the reviews. So, we had a winning team anyhow, why change that?

In short, yes, it had an emotional impact, but not a practical one. We had a good run, but the times were changing. And I for sure was not planning to miss the online train as you know.

Q: I think there’re significant differences between a printed magazine and an online page. Can you give us the pros and cons especially from your perspective?

Bernard: Yes, the differences are there for sure and I think you will agree with me, but tell me if you don’t! I will give you the pros and cons as far as online is concerned, the cons will largely cover the pros for print.

Pros:

Write, enter it in the CMS, add a picture and post. Simple. In short: it’s fast.
The news goes out instantly via a wide array of tools. One post on Side-Line reaches around 5000 people in the next few minutes via our different channels, above and under the hood. By the end of the day –when syndication and newsletters have kicked in, we have a 10.000 reach per item. This doesn’t mean people have read it, it means that they have at least seen the picture and title.
The articles can be as long or as short as you want.
We can add multimedia, which is a good way to add metadata to your articles. This was limited back in 1999 when we went online though.
A small team can move mountains.

Cons:

There is a strict daily deadline to maintain each day.
The rapidness also gives room to errors you might not have noticed or simply wrong info (although we only had a few incidents with that).
Getting decent daily news is sometimes difficult, other times you get inundated by news,
Some labels and bands have no clue how to write press texts and fill it with promo blabla. If there are no 4 lines of good solid facts, I usually do not publish it.
In our case I have to be technically savy, have seo skills and have IT skills. And I know how to write. That’s a lot if something goes wrong, and we have had times when it really went wrong.
Online income generation as a news website is not easy. Most of the labels still have no clue what online means and still think in an old school way.
A small team means problems when one leaves or falls sick.
A magazine accept slow reading, a website not.

Q: Do you’ve an idea who’s reading Side-Line and is there a kind of reader’s profile?

Bernard: Actually I do, thanks to a combination of datasets, which are limited as I hate being followed myself. The last dataset of November shows that 31% is female, 67% is male and 2% identifies not as male or female. Most readers come from the USA, followed by the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Mexico, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Poland, Holland, Greece and Denmark. We got data from 45 countries in total once we filtered out the accidental and spam traffic.

When it comes to the profiles, we have data of a survey that happened a few months ago on our website. 8200+ respondents later we see that half (51%) has an office job, 36% has an outside or factory job and 11% is unemployed and 2% is enjoying their pension.

The same survey also showed us info regarding age and it goes synchronically with the data from our Facebook page: 4% is between 18-24, 34% is between 25-34, 25% is between 35-44, 27% is between 45-54, 5% is between 56-64 and 3% is older than 64. That info again corresponds more or less with the survey we did.

It shows we have mostly a very active public between 25 and 54 years old.

Q: Back in time the Side-Line forum was quite ‘popular’, but unfortunately also a place for bullshit and conflicts. Did you expect this evolution and was it the main reason to stop the forum?

Bernard: The Side-Line forum was indeed very popular and at times had 20 to 50.000 visits a day. It was so popular that it had become a full time task to keep the spammers out, to keep things civilized, etc.. The discussion there were legendary. Some were in it for the fun, others to learn something new, and others just to anonymously troll. It was the graveyard of subtleness though (laughs).

The Side-Line forum was the graveyard of subtleness…

It ran its course, but I was so glad I could kill that baby. Just with one click: bye bye! By the end it had become uncontrollable and we had to delete 90% of all posts because the trolling really went overboard. No loss, it’s part of history, but I still have to laugh when I think of the silliness of it all.

Do you know that we once launched a T-shirt line where you could have your nickname printed on it? We sold a few hundred of those… really fun times!

Q: In the meantime, you also became one of the owners of Alfa Matrix, which became one of the leading labels of underground Electro music. What’s your input and impact in the label activities?

Bernard: I take care of the IT, web dev, communication and digital distribution. I leave the A&R to Seba, as we each have our own department. But we do have to agree all 3 for signing a band or not. I also often am abroad and try to hook up with the bands in real life.

Q: Let’s go on with a rather tricky question. I think it’s very confusing for a lot of people to understand you’re chief-editor of Side-Line and still one of the Alfa Matrix owners. That sounds pretty incestuous, don’t you think? How do you manage both activities without too much conflict of interest?

Bernard: Nothing tricky at all. I have never hidden the fact that I’m also behind Alfa Matrix and I am proud of it. Actually, I am not the only label guy behind a magazine, check Blabbermouth for instance, it is also successfully run by label people, possible because we have intel on both sides of the medal.

As far as conflict of interest is concerned: there is none. I don’t intervene in the reviews at all, and that’s where there could be a conflict of interest because reviews are subjective an sich. When it comes to news articles, Alfa Matrix gets as much attention as for instance Metropolis, and I bring it as dry as I do with all the other articles: facts, facts, facts and no promo speech.. Actually, sometimes Alfa Matrix bands complain because they have not gotten a good score on Side-Line. I then have to explain that reviews are completely out of my control to keep a healthy balance in the magazine.

I have a very clean conscience.

That other people claim otherwise on Facebook or so is their problem. I have a very clean conscience regarding this.

Q: It’s also interesting to see next to Alfa Matrix, Side-Line is actually releasing digital compilations; the magazine also became a kind of label! The “Face The Beat”-series became a real success story. What’s the main goal of this compilation series and how do you select the artists?

Bernard: Well, the move is not so strange I must say. In the early days there was Side-Line Records, some kind of precursor to Alfa Matrix. Then Side-Line produced compilations to go with the magazines. I just brought it to the 21^st century when I took over and compiled and launched the first “Face The Beat” as a Facebook compilation, hence the name, 10 years ago.

The main goal is reflected by what Side-Line has all been about even when Seba first launched it: get people to know music from established and new bands. It’s a vision I embraced since the start. I added an extra touch and that is that all revenue goes to charity.

The compilations are compiled like this: I do a call for submissions on all channels we have, there is one reminder and then I lock myself up for weeks with the material that I have received, usually thousands of demos and completed tracks. Once a first selection is made, I go through the material again that is selected and do an extra selection to make sure the best tracks are included. After that I send out the necessary paperwork and then usually almost everyone responds quickly. There are usually only 2 or 4 bands that are too late or never respond. It’s always a race to meet the deadline I have in my mind, but I usually make it on time. In the meantime, I usually have worked on the artwork and worked through the material with Erlend Eilertsen from Essence Of Mind and Lights A.M to make sure the tracks get the best possible sound on the compilation.

After that I launch it on Bandcamp basically and the platform does its work, with some help of me (laughs). It’s all a very intuitive process where clear communication is king.

A lot of labels and bands still haven’t learned from ecommerce.

Q: You definitely were one of the first from this scene to have understood the impact streaming platforms would have. I remember you got a lot of hard reactions about it, but today you can tell to all of your critics you were right! How do you look back at this period and how do you expect things evolving during the next few years?

Bernard: Yes, I must say that the short sight of a lot of people in the record business was reflected in the harsh attacks I got in interviews, on radio programs and on social media. Some even went so far to send me mails accusing me of killing the industry, that I was a traitor. One of my biggest critics in the end contacted me back years later saying that he was wrong and that I was right. I still appreciate him till the day of today. Only great people can apologize and say they were wrong.

The thing is, it’s not that I like this or that evolution, it is that I just can see what is going to happen and where our music industry is heading towards. Some new techniques will never take off, but it is my job at Alfa Matrix to keep an eye on what is happening in the industry and what is going to happen and see if we should invest time and money in it.

My hunch that propriety was going to be over and done with except for a solid and loyal base has proven to be correct. The success of both Spotify and Bandcamp show that my theory on mixed digital music consumption was spot on and that my critics didn’t have a clue what was going to happen.

It’s actually not the first time that I have had a conflict with my colleagues in the music sector. Back when I worked at an ecommerce startup, some shop owners said that we were killing their business. But when I once worked together with such a critical shop owner annex distributor he was unable to deliver the goods… because we sold tenfold of what he was able to get (laughs). One of the biggest channels of sales for that ecommerce shop was actually Side-Line. To give you an idea, when Depeche Mode released their single boxes, Side-Line single handedly sold all, but literally all of the stock available in Belgium in just a few days. They had to restock with copies from all over Europe because they were in limited supply. The same for the Erasure single boxes. And as far as the Covenant boxset “Synergy: Live In Europe” is concerned. That is the release we sold 10 times what the Belgian distributor had promised he was able to get… (laughs). And still we were the bad guys (laughs even louder).

I have to thank Warren Harrison from Hungry Lucy for that way of forward thinking. He opened my eyes as far as digital music is concerned and taught me to dissociate my own wishes from that of a public’s wish, and to open my eyes for new technologies. I doubt he realizes the impact he had on me. Now he knows (smiles). A good guy he is, a pity we lost contact a bit.

And the future will continue, but more in the propriety field where things are moving rapidly, think of NFT’s. Len Lemeire planted that seed in my head actually. Add to that that we will sooner or later be faced with cryptocurrency payments on a larger scale. I have a few other new technologies in mind that might be big in the near future.

One thing though that will remain key, is data. A lot of labels and bands still haven’t learned from ecommerce –namely that it is an opportunity to know who your fans are, and they are now again missing the boat as they have put all their money on Facebook and other platforms that lock their fans into their platform without offering you any way to communicate except via their own platform. Deadly on the long run.

There is a story to this actually. I was approached by at least 2 major Indie labels in the past few years asking if I would be willing to –listen well, sell all of Side-Line’s data in order to set up an own label of Electro-Pop music. And these are indies who have had BIG artists on their roster. But they have never ever gathered data, never had a decent newsletter, in short they were flying blind once things went sour.

Having said that, I also see bad evolutions, the platforms work more and more via AI to push releases to people in order to keep them as much as possible on their platforms. It unfortunately also leads to tracks, which are made to trigger these AI powered algorithms. The first automatically generated tracks are very ‘promising’ and they have been released for quite some time now. I personally am not happy with this evolution, as it removes the human genius from it, but like I said, we risk to see this more and more.

Q: It all looks like ‘younger’ people show less interest to write for a magazine. Why is it and how do you expect things evolving?

Bernard: If we look across the board, most print magazines from our scene are gone, and when we look to the online press, most online magazines from our scene are gone or are unable to keep up with the daily news pace like we do for instance. I often get requests from people if they can start writing for us, but their mail always ends with this question: ‘How much do you pay?’ Knowing that we have never received any money, it’s rather cynic that people who have never proven a thing think they can ask money… So I will repeat it again, THERE IS NO MONEY TO MAKE with an online magazine about Dark-Wave.

As far as contributors is concerned, I am happy with the team I work with now. I can count on you and Jan-Ronald, basically the main contributors next to me. You both have a very professional attitude and we are friends most and first of all.

The evolution will depend on the fact if there will be more people willing to invest money and time in these kind of projects like running a magazine. We all know that nowadays you will not earn a living from it, on the contrary, you need some financial backup to keep a website up and running, pay the licences for plugings, data storage, and so on. And that’s without the hours of unpaid work on top each day.

Q: I already had discussions with people –including label owners, who no longer belief in the real impact of magazines today because of streaming platforms and other channels like YouTube. What’s your point of view and do you think magazines are enough taking care to adapt and renew themselves?

Bernard: Well, this is not a problem for us honestly. Side-Line online is still about kickstarting new and young bands. And that’s mainly why people check Side-Line as we have the finger on the pulse to know what might become hot and what not. Remember Suicide Commando, Apoptygma Berzerk, etc..? They got pushed by Side-Line back in the days when they were largely unknown. Once we give these small bands an initial push they have to continue and work from their side as well and that’s when they get in the flow of things with the streaming platforms for instance nowadays.

Side-Line online is still about kickstarting new and young bands.

Take a magazine like Side-Line away and many small bands will never ever get a platform to develop. The same goes for our compilations, they serve to push smaller bands to a wider public. Consider us as an incubator for talents.

Know that I also regularly get contacted by the biggest bands in the scene directly with news, because they know we will publish it and they know we have a very good reach on a daily basis.

The AI used by streaming companies is a very big part in the music consumption and trying to trigger it is not something that is easily done especially with smaller bands on indie labels like I said earlier. The streaming Ais therefore still leave a lot of pearls untouched. Roughly 5 to 7 million songs on Spotify have never been played you know… That is HUGE.

That’s where magazines enter. Take me for instance, I basically have no time to start looking for new music, and I always look into our own review section for new material. So as a gatekeeper a magazine still has its purpose, at least from my point of view. I once did a test and played a few tracks and checked what the services would deliver as suggestions. They didn’t offer anything extra that interested me compared to what I got from your reviews, but instead offered a lot of junk extra so that I would have to weed out anyhow. It kinda proves that these Ais are still not capable of matching the human ear and feeling. Maybe that will happen in the future, I think so, or I would be really disappointed in our human genius (laughs).

That is of course as far as my own consumption goes.

Now, I talked about the gate keeping function which has been the purpose of a good magazine. It’s my belief that a niche magazine which has a steady output of well selected news and articles will keep that gatekeepers function intact. Let me explain, most music magazines have over the years changed their focus on more popular bands, new music styles, added games, clothes, TV and showbiz in their mix just to get traffic. Look at NME for instance that is now ruled by clickbait articles and rubbish content. It has nothing left that reminds of the good old NME. All of its roots have been removed for the sake of clicks.

Another example is Techcrunch. This online tech magazine was the best back in time, but then it got taken over, and suddenly they started to pour out tons of clickbait articles, which had nothing to do with what the magazine was about in its early days and that was: talking about startups. I used to be a daily reader, I stopped simply because I couldn’t keep up with all the extra news being posted that was way out of the scope they had in the past.

Less is often more, also for magazines.

It comes to this, stick to your roots and make sure you have a continuous and regular number of articles posted.

From a label’s point of view, I have always worked on both. Now, since I usually work with new bands, it’s not always easy to have them launched rapidly like we could in the past. It now takes time. And I also understand the labels when they no longer see clear. There are roughly 1500 journalists out there that claim to have a magazine that handles Dark-Wave. 80% of which basically has a blog that has 10 visitors a day. Good for them, but I don’t believe in them. Basically, and we have to be very honest, there are close to no magazines left in this scene with a wacky team like ours that is day in day out constantly working to get a certain number of articles online.

Those left still reach around 50.000 people daily on their websites and socials combined per day. And that’s a rough estimate but I’m very close, I think. Not exactly peanuts in a scene this small like ours. And quite a good crowd to for instance push smaller, unknown bands to.

In short, yes, I do believe in our future, as long as we stay loyal to our vision and mission. The numbers show it, we are reaching more people than ever, and not thanks to Facebook, but thanks to our daily newsletter, push notifications and all the other channels combined.

Q: Next to Side-Line and Alfa Matrix you’ve been also involved as organizer -and later as organizer ad hoc, of the now defunct famous Belgian underground festival ‘Eurorock’. A lot of things have been said about that festival. How do you look back at this event(s) with hindsight?

Bernard: A bit like SABENA, such a bad experience never again (laughs).

I’m still unable to talk about the first 2 editions I invested money in, due to some legal matters, but suffice to say you always have to look out who to trust. I lost a lot of money there, and evicted myself right on time from that very toxic situation. The 3^rd time, I was contracted – as I never wanted to be an investor again- but never got paid. In the end I had to solve most of the shit together with the stage managers who just like me were contracted and never paid. The shit thrown at us afterwards by people who have no clue is exemplary yet not exceptional in this or any other scene.

I made sure that every single band I had placed there was paid correctly. Most were grateful I made this happen, others cashed in and badmouthed me in public. So far for the thanks (grins). But I never forget… nor forgive (laughs).

Q: I know you prefer avoiding the question, but next to music you’re also politically engaged. What can you tell us about the subject?

Bernard: I’m not really trying to avoid it, I just think it’s not part of my work for Side-Line or Alfa Matrix, period. I always have tried to never mix it with both although some people are trying to frame me one way or another, usually because they don’t get my sarcasm. But now that you ask about it, yes I’m politically active in one of the biggest elected and ruling parties here in Flanders. That has been an excuse from extremists and activists to attack me in public, call my employer and frame me as ultra conservative, ultra catholic or even a pur-sang fascist. Well, sorry for those lunatics, but I’m as much a nationalist as any Norwegian hanging the Norwegian flag in their garden (that’s roughly every Norwegian with a garden) and as catholic as Macron. And as far as the other words used by ‘my’ critics, I don’t like the woke culture that is being pushed in our faces. Period.

For the rest I’m happily married with a Mexicana, one of my best friend is a Turkish Muslim, one of my closest friends is transgender, and in my scarce free time I help people with learning disabilities to learn social skills. That should say enough. For the rest, I keep politics out of Side-Line and far away from Alfa Matrix because it’s basically not music. I don’t ask our readers about their political ideas either and I frankly don’t care.

However, I must say that over the years we never had remarks from readers when we post reviews or news from hardcore communist bands, but that we always get harassed by a very tiny group when a more conservative band is being covered. That’s a pure fact. I never discriminate, but I see some others discriminating people because they don’t agree with the ideas of this or that band. Rather disturbing…

I have a very good story actually regarding this. I once got an email from a guy, who started a rant because we had posted a review of a certain band on Side-Line. He called them fascists, racists, etc, etc.. But when I went checking his Facebook profile, I immediately understood why he was specifically attacking that band. His Facebook was filled with anti-semitic and anti-Israel rants… and the band he talked shit about had a Jewish singer. Shocking, but reality.

The same for some BLM activists who have been attacking Side-Line in the past because we talk about –and I quote: ‘White men bands’. It is the same as attacking Motown Records because they have a black repertoire. Most of the criticism can be explained by checking who is saying what about whom.

I know 2 famous bands in this scene who have made anti-semitic rants behind closed doors, I was shocked and told them this was really not right. One band member –member himself of a communist party, has since then been talking shit about me whenever and wherever he can, I guess in order to cover himself in case I make his name and emails with rants public. I also know bands who are very homophobic, but for the sake of things pretend they are pro LGTB-rights. In short, if I would write a book about the dirty wash I have witnessed over the years I think I would have a bestseller (grins).

I personally don’t believe in left or right. I believe in doing good or doing bad.

Anyhow, I personally don’t believe in left or right. I believe in doing good or doing bad. I prefer doing good, under what political umbrella that may be. I also believe in taking responsibility for your own actions, and hard work. Locally I’m quite appreciated because I talk and listen to everyone, what their skin color, political belief or sexual orientation may be. And if they have a legitimate claim or need, I will try to help.

Q: Quite recently the Side-Line server crashed and you started a crowd funding to pay the costs. Your action was quite successful and Side-Line has been reactivated, which seems to prove Side-Line still means a lot to labels/artists and readers. How do you look back at this stressed period?

Bernard: I was like ‘NOT AGAIN!’ when I realized it was not just an issue of rebooting the server when the server didn’t fire up as planned. We already had lost our previous site years ago due to a server issue and lost years and years of data… so you can imagine I was kinda stressed (laughs). But luckily enough, I had been working with this software engineer (editor’s note: Martin Rosselle) in another IT project. He is working for some of the biggest companies I know and he literally has made a name as being somebody who solves problems, a Winston Wolf in the software sector as you wish. I contacted him and told him we really needed the site back operational pretty fast and if he could help out. He canceled all his freelance work he had planned and asked me to come over so I could follow closely and help with the work. The error we had, was even for the engineers at our hosting company quite a real conundrum. Hell, they even asked us to please keep them informed as to how we would solve it because they had run out of options.

I took a 5 days unpaid leave, jumped in my car at 5 in the morning and drove 3,5 hours to set up shop at Martin’s place. In the car I was thinking of how to finance this endeavor… I’m already pumping thousands of Euros into Side-Line each year, but corona made that a lot of my income had completely vaporized so an extra financial blow like this was just very, very difficult.

Then while I was having a coffee at a motorway restaurant, somebody sent me a WhatsApp message saying: ‘Hey Bernard, I saw your message that the site is down and that you guys are working on it. If you set up a crowdfund, I’ll gladly help!’ I was like, ‘really would people help out?’ So whilst doing the last hundred kilometers I was thinking ‘why not, if it gathers enough to pay half of the bill then that would already help a lot ‘.

But it turned out to be really overwhelming… I’m still emotional when I think of it really… I saw the donations pouring in, from readers, bands, small labels, small PR companies, artists. I was actually very positively surprised that it were the smaller labels and bands next to lots of readers that came forward to support this crowdfund. I haven’t heard a word from the big labels… One of the biggest label bosses in this scene did send me an email… asking when their news would be up… no help, no question, nothing. It strengthens me in my vision that we have to stay an incubator for new talents and new and smaller labels, as they are definitely more connected with us…

I did learn another lesson from this though, and that is that I need to delegate more. Jan-Ronald Stange has been helping with design, and I contracted Martin for our server maintenance and security so that we can intervene directly with the right people when needed.

Q: What have been the best and worst memories from all the years you’ve been involved with Side-Line?

Bernard: The worst: seeing others suffer. You know what I mean.

The best: it is wonderful to stay friends for all these years with people with such different characters inside the team. And Side-Line also opened the gate towards other people I respect, I got in contact with Jan-Ronald Stange thanks to a lunatic groupie, so that ended well (laughs). And I shouldn’t forget Anne-Laure, Erlend, Marianne, Leydi, Simon and so many other people who have become close and reliable friends thanks to Side-Line.

Basically, working at and with Side-Line is the proof for me that one doesn’t need to stay in his/her own echo chamber to respect and be respected. You know that as well, I have told you that in a recent text message remember?

Q: Are you sometimes thinking about the end of Side-Line and also the end of Alfa Matrix? What should be the best way to say goodbye?

Bernard: I have a pretty compulsive character, however, Side-Line has been a constant element in my life for the past 30 years. I always dedicate 2-3 hours per day to the magazine, writing articles, working on the site’s cms and machinery behind it, answering a ton of emails… It survived 2 marriages so far as well (laughs)! So no, it’s a part of me, and I haven’t really thought about stopping although there have been moments that I think, who the hell am I doing this for… But then you get a big thank you mail from a band or reader or label and that’s enough to kill off those negative feelings.

But if we would close shop, I guess it will be with a big bang (smiles). But so far so good.

If we would close shop, I guess it will be with a big bang.

The same goes for Alfa Matrix, as long as we can find good bands to push, we’ll continue.

Q: You and I have had some personal issues, but I think that thanks to Side-Line, we became and still are good friends. Any specific souvenir or anecdote you want to share?

Bernard: Ah yes, we have gone through some turmoil you and me. I guess that is just part of good friendships, it’s like a marriage I guess, either you make up or you go to a lawyer (laughs). I guess we both learned from our private wars and have learned to respect each other. And that is what counts, we learned to see what unites us, not what divides us. And we never had to hire a lawyer (laughs)!

But speaking about the special moments… Well, racing on a German motorway at 200 km/h in a BMW to get home in time to drop of some equipment and then realize we could have delivered it 2 days later as well…. That was quite a memorable and especially dangerous moment we shared (laughs). Honestly, it was completely irresponsible, and I would never do it again, whatever the reason. Had we crashed, a magazine would have disappeared, a label and a few bands would never have seen the light of day and my sons would for sure never have existed and most importantly this: some others could have been injured or killed. I never drive fast nowadays, if I’m too late for a meeting so be it, but usually I start on time, it also avoids unnecessary stress and gives me the option to also have a coffee underway.

I also remember some sectarian veggie restaurant somewhere in Brussels where we ended up via John Sellekaers I think? That was quite weird for me… the food was ok though, but I’m not really into sects (laughs). But aside from that, I kinda miss sitting in a restaurant with all of us, you, Seba, Benoit, Cedric, and a few others which are still part of my inner circle, but who I don’t see enough. Luckily at least you and me did a good restaurant now !

Inferno Sound Diaries

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New Depeche Mode tribute album expected on NoCut label: ‘Music for Constructions’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 18:01:42 +0000

Out via the Köthel (GER) based label NoCut on December 3rd is the 2CD Depeche Mode tribute album “Music for Constructions”. NoCut invited 31 bands, including MONO INC, AD:keY, MajorVoice, Crematory, Heimataerde, Psyche, Plastic Noise Experience, Beyond Obsession, DMK, Evo-Lution and many more for this tribute release.

All bands submitted rare tracks, most of them specially recorded for this compilation.

The tracklist:

CD1

MONO INC. – I feel You
MajorVoice – It’s no Good
Crematory – Black Celebration
Beyond Obsession – The Bottom Line
Vainerz – Insight
Blind Passenger 80s Express feat. Nigel Wheeler – Photographic
Love? – In your Memory
Darkness on Demand – Behind the Wheel
Evo-Lution – Stripped
Julian Shah Taylor – In your Room
Psyche – Lie to Me
Any Second feat. Iggi – To have and to hold
Scheuber & Wollank – Heaven
Electronic Frequency – Ice Machine
Strangelove The Depeche Mode Experience – Sister of Night

CD2

Heimataerde – Ice Machine
Plastic Noise Experience – Get the Balance right
ADkeY – Nodisco
The Promise – But not Tonight
The Psychic Force – Blasphemous Rumors
DMK – Black Celebration (2021 Poly Gore Remix)
Mauricio Tamblay – Rush
Superikone feat. Puppekopp – The Things you said
Monsmeg – Where’s the Revolution
Blue Forge – Waiting for the Night
Stage Of Theed – My Secret Garden
White Noise TV – World in My Eyes
Ha[a]rp – The Sun and the Rainfall
District 13 – The Bottom Line
Twilight-Images – Fly on the Windscreen
Diarblack – But not Tonight

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

side-line.com

Alfa Matrix releases brand new free download compilation + exclusive face masks

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 16:19:31 +0000

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.

Matrix Downloaded 010 by Various Artists

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

side-line.com

Digital Energy – Nostalgia (EP – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 19:30:08 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: German duo Digital Energy last year struck back with their first album (cf. “Tempest”) in eleven years. I have to admit I wasn’t that impressed by the album. They now move back to the album with the “Nostalgia”-EP featuring mainly remixes.

Content: Digital Energy is one of those Synth-Pop bands clearly inspired by Depeche Mode. The global approach and some of the treatments are clearly emulating the masters of the genre. Five songs from the last album have been exposed to the remix skills of other artists while there also is a remix of a song from their debut album (cf. “Interemotional”) and one exclusive song.

Remixes have been accomplished by Rob Dust, Wave In Head, Croona, People Theatre, The Psychic Force, AD:Key and S.E.Pell. Notice by the way the band made some alternative edits of a few songs as well.

+ + + : There’s an interesting diversity of remixes thanks to the different artists. One of the best songs however is the exclusive “Take A Ride” revealing a club-orientated format; danceable and catchy Electro-Pop! Another club-friendly song is the remix of “Nostalgia” by People Theatre. In an EBM driven direction you’ll hear the AD:Key remix of “Trust”. Another attention grabber is the “Club Version” of “Unite!”, which sounds much more convincing than on the album. The last song, which is a remix of “Nostalgia / Disease” is an original work by S.E.Spell featuring bombastic treatments and the perfect final song for the EP.

– – – : I’m less convinced by the melancholic pieces/remixes, which are closer in the vein of the original edits. I also expected a bit more out of the remixes from Rob Dust who’s normally featuring great, clubby remixes.

Conclusion: This EP reconciles me a bit with Digital Energy, “Nostalgia” being much more exciting than the album.

Best songs: “Take A Ride”, “Nostalgia – People Theatre’s Mirror Mix”, “Trust – AD:Key Remix”, “Unite! – Club Version”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/digitalenergymusic

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

Inferno Sound Diaries

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Aesthetische – Co3xist3ns3 (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 19:00:32 +0000

Genre/Influences: Techno-body music, IDM.

Background/Info: Brazilian duo Guilherme Pires – Fabricio Viscardi were known in a previous sonic life as Aghast View. They next moved on under the Aesthetische moniker, which saw the early dark-EBM of Aghast View being transposed into a more progressive tech no-body sound. This new work is their first album since “HybridCore” (2014).

Content: The regular album features 10 songs, which are mixing intelligent techno music –as main basis of the composition, with EBM and IDM. The result is an up-tempo work with sophisticated composition featuring an interesting guest on the song “Barking Up The Wrong Tree”. Sascha Klein (Neuroticfish) was asked to contribute and he did with a surprising ghost-like way of singing. This album features 6 songs plus 4 remixes. Among the remixers you’ll find label mates Psychic Force and AD:Key.

The second disc brings us 10 more songs. It’s an interesting disc as all songs were previously released on digital format and are now on CD for the very first time. There’s an interesting selection of extra songs featuring interesting guest singers such as Mari Kattman, Diana S (Junksista) and Simon Carter. Neuroticfish is also featured with a remix of “We Follow Blindly” (previously released on EP). The songs are once again mixing technoid influences, but still some dance-pop passages. The song featuring Simon Carter is for sure one of the hardest ones from the album.

+ + + : Aesthetische stands for ‘modernism’; a sonic exorcism of techno, EBM, electro-pop and IDM. The sound formula reveals a well-crafted and styled composition, which most of the time is driven by hard, danceable beats. The Brazilian duo were one of the most talented EBM formations from Brazil (as Aghast View) and now became real sonic architects transposing techno music towards a higher dimension. Just pay attention to “What Year This Is?”, which is a brilliant exposure to their writing skills. The presence of Sascha Klein is another noticeable element, but the guest singer who real had the greatest impact on me is the unavoidable Mari Kattman singing on 2 songs. I also recommend “Dirt”, which has been remixed by Simon Carter in a harsh and violent edit.

– – – : If you want to discover new stuff by Aesthetische, you’ll maybe be a bit disappointed. The main album only features 6 new songs and that’s not enough for a so-called ‘new’ album. The album also appears to be a real challenge, the techno element being very explicit.

Conclusion: Aesthetische is a band breaking the codes; they simply make the music they like without following trends!

Best songs: “What Year Is This?”, “Barking Up The Wrong Tree featuring Sascha Klein – Clubmix”, “Berlin” + “We Follow Blindly featuring Mari Kattman”, “Blue Print featuring Mari Kattman”, “Dirt – Simon Carter’s Club Edit”, “An End In Itself”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www .facebook .com /aesthetische

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

www.side-line.com

Brand new Aesthetische ltd 2CD set ‘Co3xist3ns3’ out now – feat. Neuroticfish

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 11:22:32 +0000

Out now is the all new album by the Brazilian dance electro duo Aesthetische. CD1 of “Co3xist3ns3” holds 10 new tracks, including a track featuring nobody else but Sascha Mario Klein from German electro stars Neuroticfish. This song is also featured here as a club mix and as a remake by label mates Psychic Force.

The bonus disc offers a selection of 10 more songs which were featured on previous digital-only releases. You can order this limited 2CD set right here.

On this club oriented bonus disc you’ll get remixes by Neuroticfish, DK Simon Carter and the duo itself. You can also expect collaborations and featurings with singers in the likes of Mari Kattman, Noemi Aurora (Helalyn Flowers), Diana S. (Junksista) and Xev (Diffuzion).

You can already listen to the album below (the bonus disc is ONLY available on CD and not as download).

Co3xist3ns3 by AESTHETISCHE

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

side-line.com

Armageddon Dildos – Herbstzeitlose (CD EP – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 29 May 2018 18:57:33 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Set up in 1990 Armageddon Dildos definitely became one of the major EBM bands from the 90s. They released several groundbreaking albums and numerous EBM hits. After the band’s split singer Uwe Kanka struck back during the early millennium years. New work got released on irregular basis, but this EP is the first new work since the rather disappointing “Untergrund”-album (2011). “Herbstzeitlose” is meant as a solid teaser to the upcoming full length.

Content: The EP features 4 new songs plus 7 remixes. The sound remains pure EBM-like, but once again less comparable with the early successful releases of the band. Since Uwe Kanka is the single member on board the ‘Dildos’ have found a different EBM direction. The new songs are more elaborated revealing multiple effects and even sophisticated arrangements. The vocals no longer express the rage Uwe sung with during the 90s.

The most noticeable song definitely is “Resist (2.0)”, which remains one of the biggest hits of the band, but which has been reworked in a total new and different song only holding on the famous lyrics from the original chorus.

Remixes have been made by Plastic Noise Experience, Kant Kino, Tolchock, Hell:Sector, The Psychic Force, Venal Flesh and Technoir.

+ + + : I first of all have to say that the new songs are more convincing than the last album of the band. Uwe Kanka hasn’t reconsidered his sound and influences, but simply became a better musician. Some of the songs maybe became too elaborate, but you don’t hear me to complain. The ‘new’ and totally different version of “Resist” is a great cut. Among the remixes I especially like the job done by Plastic Noise Experience and Kant Kino both empowering the EBM basis of the original songs. I also have to mention Hell:Sector for the guitar riffs injecting some metal-touch to “Resist”.

– – – : It’s probably because Armageddon Dildos remains to me one of the ‘best’ EBM acts from the 90s, but I still expect a bit more from this band! Don’t get me wrong, this EP reveals interesting ideas, but no real mega-hit! It could maybe interesting to see Uwe Kanka working with an extra EBM member to bring the ‘old’ power of the band back alive!

Conclusion: Armageddon Dildos is back and I can only hope the new full length will surpass all expectations. This EP is honest, but not ‘hot’!

Best songs: “Resist (2.0)”, “Mandy Crash”, “Resist – Old School Mix By Plastic Noise Experience”, “Resist – Hell:Sector Mix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www .armageddondildos .info / www .facebook .com /armageddondildos

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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AD:Key – Reanimator (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 20:00:37 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Rene and Andrea Nowotny are back on track unleashing the fifth opus of AD:Key. The German duo stands for 100% true EBM and have released albums on Electric Tremor Dessau and Emmo.biz. Alfa Matrix has caught a big fish, this band definitely belonging to the top level of EBM over the past few years.

Content: If you know what this band is able to produce you for sure expect a new great piece of ‘body music’. AD:Key remains faithful to their sound formula, which is driven upon solid bass lines, danceable rhythms, meticulous sound treatments and mainly duo vocals sung in German. The link and comparison with Armageddon Dildos is once again a fact, but it especially remains me to early work of the ‘Dildos’ with some extra power and contemporary production tricks on top.

The limited edition features an extra disc with only remixes. AD:Key accomplished 2 remixes leaving the rest of the work to Orange Sector, Aggrezzior, Decoded Feedback, Amnistia, The Psychic Force, Robotiko Rejekto, Trilogy, Pseudokrupp Project, Zweite Jugend and Stockholm Wrecking Crew.

+ + + : AD:Key is much more than simple EBM. It’s a well-crafted and powerful sound accomplished with noticeable little bleeps, carrying bass lines and elevating choruses. There’s a cool match between the sterile, but sexy female vocals and the harder male ones. I also like a kind of funny aspect running through their work. Just pay attention for the song “never Enough” featuring simplistic English lyrics with a little wink to The Rolling Stones universal rock hit “Satisfaction”. “Reanimator” stands for non-stop EBM power and multiple cool songs.

Among the remixes I especially want to recommend the groovy version of “Mein Weg” remixed by Robotiko Rejekto. Other noticeable cuts have been featured by The Psychic Force, Amnistia and Decoded Feedback.

– – – : The only regret I have with “Reanimator” is that the album is missing the ultimate hit. We get an impressive number of cool songs instead so in the end you don’t hear me complaining.

Conclusion: AD:Key reinforces the EBM troops of Alfa Matrix, but it first of all is one of the most successful contemporary bands in the genre. “Reanimator” will make your body move, that’s for sure!

Best songs: “Du Bewegst Dich Nicht”, “Shameless”, “Eskalation”, “Mein Weg”, “Hater” + “Mein Weg – Remix by RaHen of Robotiko Rejekto”, “Ich Reanimiere Dich – Remix by The Psychic Force”.

Rate: (8½).

Band: www .facebook .com /ADkeY –offical -106750002700971

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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Alfa Matrix has handed out more than 4000 (!) free ‘Sounds From The Matrix 019’ compilations during Front 242’s double concert in Brussels

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 18:30:42 +0000

Speaking of a big promotion campaign, the Belgian electrolabel Alfa Matrix has handed out over 4000 copies of the CD-sampler “Sounds From The Matrix 019” at the double concert of Front 242 this past weekend in Brussels. Also playing as support act were the electropop label mates of Front 242, Metroland.

On the CD sampler you find no less than 20 bands from the label’s roster with mostly new and/or exclusive material.

For those who missed the event, the compilation also comes as a free CD which each order that is placed on the label’s CD/DVD/vinyl webstore or as a download compilation at album price on Bandcamp. Each volume of the compilation series is a much sought after item as it regularly pops up on online auction sites reaching ridiculously high prices, especially when no longer available.

On this new volume you’ll find material from Elektroklänge, Metroland, Ad:Key, ELM, Mildreda, The Psychic Force, Star Industry, Crytek, Mondtraüme, Kant Kino, Junksista, Psy’aviah, Helalyn Flowers, Lovelorn Dolls, Sin.Sin, Imjudas, Komor Kommando, Mentallo & The Fixer, Implant and Schwarzblut. A very diverse compilation which showcasts very well the current line-up of the label.

You can stream the release below, or get it right here on Bandcamp. But if you place an order for a physical product, you’ll of course get it for free on CD!

Sounds From The Matrix 019 by VARIOUS ARTISTS

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Alfa Matrix launches 19 volume in ‘Sounds From The Matrix’ series on Bandcamp (and on a free CD)

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 13:00:45 +0000

The Belgian electrolabel Alfa Matrix has launched it’s 19th (!) volume in their popular ‘Sounds From The Matrix’ series. On “Sounds From The Matrix 019” you find no less than 20 bands from the label’s roster with mostly new and/or exclusive material. The compilation comes as a free CD which each order that is placed on the label’s CD/DVD/vinyl webstore or as a download compilation at album price on Bandcamp (and if you use the code november84546 you’ll instantly get 30% off on top).

Each volume of the compilation series is a much sought after item as it regularly pops up on online auction sites reaching ridiculously high prices, especially when no longer available.

You can stream the release below, or get it right here on Bandcamp. But if you place an order for a physical product, you’ll of course get it for free on CD!

Sounds From The Matrix 019 by VARIOUS ARTISTS

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Out now, 5th album by German cult EBM duo AD:keY – ‘Reanimator’ available in 3 versions

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:00:51 +0000

The German EBM act AD:keY has released their newest studio album. On the new 13-track album “Reanimator” the Berlin-based duo stays faithful to its characteristic EBM style while broadening its sonic spectrum. You can listen to the album below or order the download. The CD/2CD is now available via the band’s label webstore.

The limited double-CD fan edition comes with 12 bonus remixes featuring the remix work of artists like AD:keY themselves and also, Orange Sector, Agrezzior, Decoded Feedback, Psychic Force, Robotiko Rejekto, Amnistia, etc..

For AD:keY it’s their 5th studio album since forming the project in 2007. Behind the project we find Armageddon Dildos keyboarder Rene Nowotny and Andrea Nowotny, which explains the musical style of course. Earlier this year the band already released the download single “Shameless” which you can check below, right under the 2 preview tracks from the upcoming “Reanimator” album. Highly recommended!

Reanimator (Deluxe Edition) by AD:KEY

Shameless EP by AD:KEY

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Side-Line introduces The Psychic Force – listen now to ‘Still Walking (Framework Mix)’ (Face The Beat profile series)

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:00:52 +0000

The 79th track on our free download compilation “Face The Beat: Session 4” (featuring 92 tracks) is by the German dark electro cult act The Psychic Force.

The Psychic Force is one of those cult dark electro acts which the generation born in the 1970s grew up with. Twenty one years after their last album they earlier this year unleached their third full length album “Welcome To ScarCity” on Alfa Matrix (including a limited 2CD boxset). Set up by Jörg Charnowski and Michelle Christiansen the band became a respected and praised EBM act during the 90s. The albums “Mutilation” (1992) and “Traces” (1994) both released on KM-Musik became praised underground items and today fetch ridiculously high prices on eBay and the sort.

The track we offer here was released on the band’s “Reset” EP. You can find the project back on Facebook, make sure to check it out.

Listen to “Still Walking (Framework Mix)” below and download it right here.

Face The Beat: Session 4 by The Psychic Force

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

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Datacode Division – Dissections (CD Album – Underground Industrial Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 30 May 2017 18:30:43 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, dark EBM.

Background/Info: American formation Datacode Division was set up in 2001, but it took years to achieve this official debut work. The album has been released on the Greek label Underground Industrial Records, which is a subdivision of Werkstatt Recordings.

Content: Datacode Division clearly doesn’t reinvent dark-electronics, but simply emulates some familiar elements from the 90s. The work is unpolished, harsh and clearly evoking good-old EBM acts from the 90s. The repetitive icy sequences and distorted vocals might remind bands like Nuclear Error, The Psychic Force and related bands.

+ + + : “Dissections” has a retro-feeling, which I personally like. The icy sequences and rough, somewhat electro-industrial sounds are elements that have been lost all over the years. Datacode Division remains faithful to the true spirit of dark-electronics and don’t experiment with cold, but trance-like leads. This work sounds a band getting back to its roots. A few songs feature epic-like arrangements, which is not exactly innovating and yet the most original aspect of the work.

– – – : It might have been voluntary, but the rough and unpolished sound is somewhat under-produced. That’s maybe the major element this band has to improve.

Conclusion: “Dissections” bring us back 20 years ago; somewhere right in the midst of the growing dark-electro and EBM movement from the 90s. Therefore this album will please to numerous lovers of this other great decade.

Best songs: “Misery In Industry”, “Crisis”.

Rate: (6½).

Band: www .facebook .com /pg /DatacodeDivisionOfficial

Label: www .facebook .com /werkstattrecordings

Inferno Sound Diaries

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Alfa Matrix launches Record Store Day 30% discount on webstore and Bandcamp – get your code here

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 18:00:14 +0000

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

Happy hunting!

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

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

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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‘Click Interview’ with The Psychic Force: ‘We Don’t Need A Professional Production To Sound Polished And Commercial Like Tons Of Other Bands’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 19:15:53 +0000

The Psychic Force is back alive! Twenty one years after their last album they earlier this year unleached their third full length album “Welcome To ScarCity” on Alfa Matrix. Set up by Jörg Charnowski and Michelle Christiansen the band became a respected and praised EBM act during the 90s. The albums “Mutilation” (1992) and “Traces” (1994) both released on KM-Musik became praised underground items. This new opus is maybe the start pf a new and successful chapter.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: What incited you to reactivate The Psychic Force after more than 20 years of silence and did you keep an eye on the evolution of electronic-underground music during this long break?

Michelle: After our second album in 1993, I started a DJ career and up to today I have played in a lot of scene clubs all around Germany. So I have naturally kept an eye on electronic-underground music all the time.

Actually Jörg and I only stopped making music for a few years. The work on the current album and on the EP which was released in 2015 started already around 2003, but we didn’t release the music back then.

We adopted a completely new workflow with software music production, which is a contrast with the 90s when we used mainly hardware. But to be able to produce, mix and master music professionally enough, which was our goal, it nearly took a decade. We had to build a new studio from ground up and learn all the skills to make it better this time than in the 90s.

Q: So it seems that the main changes/evolution concern technical elements, right?

Michelle: Actually the process of getting the sounds, melodies and rhythms somehow stayed the same, only the technical methods to achieve this changed dramatically. In the early days we used an Atari ST 1024 with Cubase and lots of hardware. Nowadays we make music on a Mac with software daws, but the soft synths still act like hardware instruments. So yes, it was and still is fun plus a great satisfaction to compose music and we still feel a big desire to create music.

Q: What can you tell us about the potential sources of inspiration (music & lyrics) behind “Welcome To ScarCity”?

Michelle: Well over the years we gathered a lot of inspiration from various music we listened to. In our early days we listened a lot to The Klinik and Skinny Puppy. Then over the years we also liked the sound of newer bands like Suicide Commando, Hocico, VNV Nation or Combichrist and so many more. This has surely influenced our way of making music, too. Sometimes we also feel inspired by film music and classical music. There are really lots of influences and I guess I can’t mention them all in this frame.

Q: Compared to your debut work I noticed a serious evolution in the global sound writing and the way of singing, but I’ve the feeling the album could have been even better with the involvement of a producer. Any reaction about this point?

Michelle: During the beginning phase of the new production we sometimes thought about that too. But we decided that we were better off doing everything by ourselves. First because we have much more control over every aspect this way and also because we want to be independent from any third person as a producer.

Finally, the financial aspect also played a role in our decision not to go that path. The Psychic Force was always a more or less non-profit project and so we don’t want to invest in anything else than in our own equipment, merchandise and things like that. This even means that we do not intend to go into an external studio as we don’t expect making money with our music anyway. It’s fun and it should stay fun. And so we don’t need a professional production to sound polished and commercial like tons of other bands.

Q: While your previous work got released on a small label (KM-Musik) you now joined hands with one of the leading formations of underground electronics (Alfa Matrix). It all looks like a late consecration don’t you think? What are your expectations?

Michelle: As I have already indicated, we don’t expect to be the next Skinny Puppy or The Klinik. We are really happy that Séba of Alfa Matrix took us under contract and that we’re now on one of the greatest labels in the electronic underground music genre, together with Front 242 and so many other great artists. We always liked the Belgian scene and a Belgian label really fits great to us. Alfa Matrix distributes their releases worldwide and as we already had an international fan base in the 90s, this also fits very good. So I hope we can manifest this great cooperation even more and become one of the well known artists of Alfa Matrix in the future so that everybody can listen to our music.

Q: Next to The Psychic Force I also remember some other projects you’ve been involved with like Nuclear Error and the more industrial-like Systemfehler. Do you have any plans to reactivate these bands as well or rework some songs?

Michelle: As Systemfehler consists of the same members as The Psychic Force, namely Jörg and I, we may also produce and release some more industrial-like music again in the future. But not under the name Systemfehler, because this name has now been taken by another music project for a movie in Germany. We might release it under a different name though.

Nuclear Error also involved Marc Ilsemann who is deeply into cycling sports nowadays and we don’t think he is interested in continuing the project. But who knows. Maybe some time this will still happen anyway.

Thank you a lot for your interview!

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

Inferno Sound Diaries

www.side-line.com

The Psychic Force – Welcome To ScarCity (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 20:50:17 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro.

Background/Info: The Psychic Force is one of the numerous 90s bands, which after a hiatus of more than 20 years has been reactivated. Michelle Christiansen and Jörg Charnowski gained some recognition during the 90s. They released two albums on a small, but interesting label (KM-Musik) and even had some hits like “Mutilation” and “Twilight Zone”. They came back to life in 2015 with the EP “Relapse” and have now accomplished their third full length “Welcome to ScarCity”. Joining hands with Alfa Matrix is already a successful comeback and a consecration for The Psychic Force.

Content: I get the impression that the German duo went on where they left off. The music became more elaborate, but remains faithful to the dark-EBM style they created during the 90s. The opening (title)-song gives me the feeling of entering a surreal universe of dark themes. “Twilight Zone” coming next is a new version of their legendary hit and perfectly represents the ‘new’ sound of the band.

The influences remain the same and you can feel this good-old 90s touch supporting the tracks. The vocals are more spooky, sometimes whispering and less harsh than in the past.

The limited edition reveals a great cover version of “Someone Somewhere” originally composed by The Klinik. We next get remixes by Eisfabrik, Intent:Outtake, Ad:Key, Attacke, RaHen, ReAdjust, Acylum, Akalotz, Alphamay, D-F-O-W and Silicon Avatar.

+ + + : The work of The Psychic Force is enjoyable and will appeal to lovers of dark-EBM. I noticed an interesting progression in global songwriting and a more open-minded approach to experiment with other influences. I’m referring to the somewhat groovy-like “Teach Me”, the more robotic-pop driven “Accelerate” and the well-crafted “Blowback”, which reminds me a bit of Aiboforcen. I also have to mention “Vater EBM” for its funny lyrics referring to electronic body music and some of the genre’s major bands in history.

The extra disc features a great cover of The Klinik and multiple great remixes. My personal favorites are the ones from Eisfabrik, Intent:Outtake, RaHen, ReAdjust and Akalotz.

– – – : “Welcome To ScarCity” is a cool album featuring several interesting songs, but I’m missing a climax in the global production. I’m missing some power that could elevate the songs to an extra volume and that’s maybe what a producer could have added to this album. I imagine this album having been produced by Seb Komor and it would have got extra power and volume.

Conclusion: The Psychic Force is filling a hiatus of more than 20 years with a new dark EBM driven work. It sounds pretty 90s with a more contemporary touch on top. The songs are more polished and sophisticated, but I’m sure this band can do better on their next opus.

Best songs: “Accelerate”, “Welcome To ScarCity”, “Drive”, “Vater EBM” + “Someone Somewhere”, “Die In The Clinic – Eisfabrik Remix”, “Accelerate – Intent:Outtake Remix”, “Die In The Clinic – Remix by HaHen”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www .facebook .com /thepsychicforce

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

Inferno Sound Diaries

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It’s EBM day at Alfa Matrix! Use code ebmday242 and get 30% of on all releases (incl. Front 242 vinyls)

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 10:20:47 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Final hours to enjoy 50% off on Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 19:10:19 +0000

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

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

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

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Toxic Visions, an art project studio based in Italy – an interview

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 19:30:04 +0000

Over the past few months we have noticed quite a lot of releases that featured artwork by the Italian artist Noemi Aurora under the Toxic Visions umbrella, who many will also know as frontwoman of the electro goth metal act Helalyn Flowers. The Psychic Force, Elyose, The Wet, BlackCore, Sin.Sin, these are just a few bands who have teamed up with this young graphic artist (check her official website).

We hailed Italy for an interview.

SL: When did you decide to found your factory Toxic Visions? What did push you to express a part of yourself into art?

N: The art project Toxic Visions borns from the need to express dissociative moods, emotions and feelings by combining different forms of visual arts and photography. I’ve always been into creative arts since my childhood. I started as a dancer, when I was about 6 years old, and I used to design a lot.;I first approached design through analogue means like black and white drawing, acrylic painting and mixed media.

Originally, it was more a therapy, a way to self-expression rather than commercial purpose or for publicity. As time passed by, I felt I had to unite my passion for both music and art, so I embarked on my career of band designer and visual merchandiser, with a special focus on band photography. What led me to focus on my work as a band designer is the conceptual relationship of the visual arts with the music. I conceive Toxic Visions as a double-sided project. You can figure it as a moon of arts, where one side is completely obscured and unknown to the world. It’s made of artworks, pics and paintings I create only for myself, driven by a very intimate mental situation. These works are kept apart, hidden, and I never use to watch them. Then there’s the public side, which includes my commissioned works, fine art, artworks for sale, photography and all the works you can see published.

SL: What’s ‘toxic’ in your visions? Do you see yourself like a visionary?

N: The name Toxic Visions was born back in 1999, during my years at the high school of arts and is inspired by my own way to conceive my subjects. May it be painting, digital artwork or photography, they are visions inspired by the intoxicating life, fragments of experiences and emotions that appear before my eyes like flashes. I even define my inner self ‘toxic’, as the contamination between the abstract idea and the physical realisation of my visions.

SL: What about Noemi – the persona?

N: I’ve always been a silent girl, thoughtful and a careful observer of the surrounding world, though my personality is chaotic, reluctant to the superficiality of the contemporary world but extremely bond to the mystery of industrial and metropolitan realities.

SL: You’re also a contributing photographer of Getty Images Germany next to working with other companies. Some of your photographic opus is also vailable on EyeEm, your gallery is quite an impressive one. Do you consider yourself more of a photographer than an artist, or vice versa?

N: I don’t use to define myself a photographer but a visual artist because I use photography as a means of expression and I adapt it to my own creative needs. I reserve the technical approach to commercial and editorial photography, its purpose is to faithfully reproduce reality.

SL: Your works are often perceivable like fragments of a big visual story with lots of cinematic influences. Is film direction a field that you wish to explore one day as well?

N: My way of conceiving an artwork is definitely cinematic indeed. I idealise my subjects like paused frames in a scene of a movie, arranging elements like on a stage. My artworks are born from the union of a photographic realism, for which I use subjects photographed by me during my daily life, and pictorial irrealism, that may be digital or analogue. During the process of an organic painting, I use mixed media, favouring acrylic, oil, watercolour, inks, lipstick and even my own blood. I’d love to explore the field of short films, getting inspiration from Italian horror movies. Some kind of dark psychological steamy tales, dealing with surreal scenarios, blood and lust. It’s been fascinating me for years, but I never had the chance to approach it so far.

SL: What about upcoming projects? Maybe a book? Could be great!

N: Yes, I’d love to release a concept book collecting my main artworks and photography. Actually, the project that I have in mind would be to collect boards and audio tracks inspired by different abstract locations. I’ve also started to work on a series of dark t-shirts and accessories inspired by the esoteric and modern design. I expect to realise it somewhere in 2017.

SL: In today’s world of social networks where everything gets old so fast, how do you try to stand out? What’s the actual compromise between strategy and true artistic needs?

N: I prefer to stay in the background and move only when it’s worth it because I want to respect and honour my work and myself. So, I don’t think that being present at any cost is necessary for me, in my art as in my music. It would be a violence to yourself and to what you do to spread your art in uncomfortable and reduced situations that are only blocking your ideas and your self-expression.

SL: Is there a work of yours that you’re particularly fond of?

N: One of the works that signed my artistic experience is definitely my painting ‘Pan’. This canvas is a mixed media painting representing the god of the wild and of the nature. The colours are warm and meticulously mixed. I used oil on dried brushes, inks and my blood and I created the frame using raw wood and nails. My aim was to arouse some kind of panic with the viewer. The subject is claustrophobic, chaotic and magnetic. This work was selected and exposed at the Contemporary Art Gallery of Savona, for the Espoarte exhibition back in 2003.

SL: You have worked with bands like The Psychic Force, Elyose, The Wet, BlackCore, Sin. Sin, Delirium Age, have taken care of the whole artwork of the Alfa Matrix tribute to The Cure as well as always managed visual for your main band – Helalyn Flowers. How should a band approach you for your art contribution?

N: Every band can ask for my collaboration, no matter how famous they are or what genre they’re playing. What I ask them is dialogue and an open mind. I’m not a technician but an artist. They will find in me a personality able to suggest, interpretate and revolutionise basic ideas. I’m not interested in simply executing other’s requests. I do need to do my own. Those who ask me must have the heart to rely on me. Usually, I ask for some previews of the band’s music, especially some from the new album which artwork I’m taking care of. This allows me to enter their own world, taking a byte of it and recreating the most appropriate mood.

SL: What can you tell us about your official site? We noticed that there is an ‘audio section’ in your factory!

N: Yes, everyone can contact us for both visual arts and music production (mixing, mastering, restoration and so on). You know, I’ve always had a complementary conception of music and visual art. In fact my Toxic Visions factory covers both the audio production of the albums, with the collaboration of Max from the AzTech Room audio division, and the realisation of the entire visual aspect.

Toxic-Visions.com is essentially a point of reference for those who are showing some interest in my factory, although it shows only a highly concentrated selection of my works. Most of them are exclusively addressed to art exhibitions and/or printed media. Also, it includes selected news and interesting backstage reports. I love to reserve a little exclusive world to those who run into my exhibitions and publications.

SL: Thanks for the chat, keep up with the good work!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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The Psychic Force’s newest album ‘Welcome To ScarCity’ out now on CD/2CD + download and streaming – preview here in its entirety

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 20:20:00 +0000

The German cult dark electro duo The Psychic Force earned a huge reputation in the early nineties in the dark elektro scene next to bands like Yelworc, AmGod, PNE and Placebo Effect. Michelle Christiansen and Jörg Charnowski resurfaced only recently when in Summer 2015 they released the EP “Relapse” followed by the album “Traces”.

With their new full length album “Welcome To ScarCity“ the band again offers old school EBM with a modern and melodic touch. You can listen to the album below or download it right here.

Next to the normal version of the album, there is also a 2CD boxset holding 12 bonus tracks including an exclusive cover version of The Klinik’s classic “Someone Somewhere” hit as well as remix works by such fine bands as Eisfabrik, Ad:Key and Acylum.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Stream the Front 242 tribute ‘Recovery >for you<‘ right now from Side-Line : 32-tracks by Front 242’s label mates on Alfa Matrix

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 17:00:31 +0000

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

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

You can preview the tracks right below:

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

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Free download compilation from Alfa Matrix available now: ‘Matrix Downloaded 006’ – 45 tracks including lots of exclusive ones

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 08:30:04 +0000

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

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

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

Check and download below:

Matrix Downloaded 006 by VARIOUS ARTISTS

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Free download mega-compilation ‘Face The Beat: Session 4’ is now available – 90 tracks from the absolute industrial underground!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 20:00:14 +0000

Side-Line Magazine has launched the 4th volume in the popular free ‘Face The Beat’ series: “Face The Beat: Session 4” via the official Side-Line Magazine Bandcamp page. “Face The Beat: Session 4” features no less than 90 tracks (!) from the worldwide industrial underground.

During the past few months Side-Line Magazine has been completing this brand new volume again focusing on getting as many unsigned bands as possible on board. And what a ride it has been… as we have again been inundated with thousands of submissions. The quality was so high this time that we have increased the number of bands that could participate this time.

Like has been the case in the past with our previous volumes, we are again supporting a charity work with donations received for this new volume. More precisely we will help build a sanitary installation for a public hospital (based in the Mexican state of Veracruz).

Why Mexico? Our chief editor Bernard Van Isacker explains: “When I was in Mexico to get wedded earlier this year, I was rushed to a public hospital (where usually the poor people go) with a serious back injury. I was so incredibly well-received and helped out even though it was very clear that the hospital was very much underfunded. The doctors, the nurses, they have done a splendid job in caring for me. But one thing struck me during this period and that was that the poor people waiting outside (sometimes for hours) had no toilet facilities or a place where they could take care of their babies. The hospital had no funds to build this, so I decided to help them out financially. But what I gave isn’t sufficient to finish the construction and complete the sanitary facilities. That’s when I realised that the charity project to be supported this time by Face The Beat should be this. You know, we are so damn lucky with our public health service here in Europe. So, if you want to help out, then please donate, you’ll make the life of so many people a lot easier and comfortable.”

“Face The Beat: Session 4” – available via Bandcamp – features lots of new talents, and several familiar ‘faces’, from the electro, wave, industrial, dubstep, dark folk scene who wanted to put their shoulders under this release. You’ll find well known acts such as The Psychic Force, Kant Kino, Antibody, and many more next to a huge lot of new talents which caught our attention in the past few months, many of these bands don’t have a label contract or have just been signed recently.

The material was carefully mastered by Erlend Eilertsen (Essence Of Mind) for your best audio pleasure. You can preview the 90-track release below.

Face The Beat: Session 4 by Various Artists

Many thanks to all of the bands and labels that have sent material, too many to name (over 2400 this time), and congratulations to all the bands that have made our selection! United we can show that we have our heart at the right place!

The other 3 free charity download compilations are still available:
– Various Artists – Face The Beat: Session 1
– Various Artists – Face The Beat: Session 2
– Various Artists – Face The Beat: Session 3

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Front 242 gets unexpected 32-tracks tribute from their label Alfa Matrix – listen to the first exclusive previews!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 19:10:31 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Helalyn Flowers – Sonic Foundation (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:42:34 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-metal, cyber-goth-metal.

Background/Info: Helalyn Flowers are back on track unleashing their 4^th full length album, which has been released 9 years after their successful debut “A Voluntary Coincidence”. The band became one of the most successful formations of the impressive Alfa Matrix roster and their last year released “Beware Of Light”-EP featuring Chris Pohl (Blutengel, Terminal Choice) has only increased their popularity.

Content: The new work moves on where they left off from the previous album “White Me In Black Me Out”. Three years have passed and the Italian duo clearly took their time to reconsider their global production. The influences mixing violent and somewhat metal-minded guitar passages and electronic sequences haven’t changed nor the charismatic vocals of N0emi Aurora. The main evolution is hiding behind a judicious harmony between guitar and electronics and the symbiosis MaXX has realized bringing metal, gothic and electronics together like they have been always related to each other. The songs are filled with adrenaline and the arrangements accomplished with bombast and epic influences.

Over the years the guitar riffs became more violent while the electronics got injected with more power and more unique sound blasts. The songs are aggressive and the choruses are hard and punchy. Helalyn Flowers became more open-minded than before, yet more aggressive. It all feels like a super-sonic speed train annihilating everything in its path.

The regular album features Chris Pohl singing on “Beware Of Light – Version 2”, and there is also a song with Angelspit.

The “Bonus Tracks Version” features multiple remixes, which have been mainly accomplished by label mates. I especially recommend the great contribution of Schwarzblut and The Psychic Force plus a terrific and somewhat FLA-remix by Helalyn Flowers themselves.

+ + + : Helalyn Flowers is one of these unique bands, which never stops to increase their writing skills while the global production and mixing is ultra professional. This band is driven by the creative spirit of a genius producer (MaXX) and the sensual charisma of a talented vocalist (N0emi). The duo together with Chris Pohl is a pure sonic orgasm!

– – – : I’m not as convinced with a few softer and somewhat naughty-pop like songs while globally speaking I expected a bit more out of some remixes.

Conclusion: The “Sonic Foundation” accomplished by Helalyn Flowers sounds like a fist of steel that hits you right in the face. It’s a violent and furious production revealing many powerful songs.

Best songs: “Beware Of Light feat. Chris Pohl”, “Synthetic Paranoia”, “Karmageddon”, “Eerie” + “Frozen Star – Push Against New Fakes Feat. Ms Larsen Remix”, “Shadow Complex – Fallen Blackened Boys Mix By Helalyn Flowers”, “New Days Of Babylon – Schwarzblut Remix”, “Synthetic Paranoia – The Psychic Force Oldskool Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www .helalynflowers .com / www .facebook .com /helalynflowers

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

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Alfa Matrix starts distributing its free ‘Sounds Of The Matrix 017’ CD with all online orders

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:58:32 +0000

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

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

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

Sounds from the matrix 17 by VARIOUS ARTISTS

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Alfa Matrix webstore goes in International EBM week mode and starts sales 25% off on normal prices

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 16:44:49 +0000

It’s International EBM-day tomorrow and the Belgian label is celebrating this all week long. From today on everyone using the EBM242 coupon code on the label’s online webstore and the label’s Bandcamp page will get 25% off the normal price.

In the label’s CD/DVD webstore the discount applies from a minimum order of 20 Euro and does not include products released in 2016 (not that this should be a problem since it includes hundreds of other new releases, from Alien Vampires, The Psychic Force, over Star Industry to Front 242 and Acylum). In the Bandcamp store it counts on all products.

International EBM-day refers to the date of 24/2 (February 24th) which has a clear Front 242 connotation. Since Front 242 is considered as THE cult EBM band, 24/2 has quickly been adopted as such.

Electronic body music, EBM or Industrial dance emerged in the early 1980s. The genre’s early influences range from industrial music (Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire), European synthpunk (DAF, Liaisons Dangereuses, Portion Control), and pop-oriented electronic music (Kraftwerk). The style is characterised by hard and often sparse danceable electronic beats, clear undistorted vocals, shouts or growls with reverberation and echo effects, and repetitive sequencer lines. Typical EBM rhythms are based on 4/4 beats, mainly with some minor syncopation to suggest a rock music rhythm structure.

Although EBM is mainly linked to Front 242 the term electronic body music was coined by Ralf Hütter of the German electronic band Kraftwerk in 1978 to explain the more physical sound of their album “The Man-Machine”.

Oh, and expect a special announcement tomorrow…

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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Amorphous – Behaviourism (CD EP – Semantics Productions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:12:17 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-body music.

Background/Info: New solo-project by ex-Morgue member Gil O. Santos. “Behaviourism” is the official debut-EP revealing 6 songs plus 10 remixes.

Content: Amorphous composes a sophisticated and fully EBM-inspired sound covered by dark synth layers and well-produced, distorted vocals injecting a spooky touch to the work. You can hear all the experience and production skills of this artist who likes to treat his songs with multiple effects while the global work sounds a bit minimal-like as well.

The tracks remind me of dark-body standards from the 90s with a modern approach on top.

The remixes have been made by some good-old EBM formations that were mainly active during the 90s like Serpents, Psychic Force and Homicidal Feelings, but also new EBM bands like Cardinal Noire and other less familiar- and new bands contributed to this part as well. Aesthetische (ex-Aghast View) is the most noticeable band from the list.

+ + + : Sophisticated production revealing a fascinating minimal EBM style.

– – – : It’s a pity that there are only 6 original songs on this EP, which is mainly dominated by a real remix orgy.

Conclusion: Amorphous is a promising new name in the wider fields of EBM, which definitely belongs to the most inspired and intelligent bands in the genre.

Best songs: “Wolf & Lamb”, “Lucid Dreams”, “Four Paths”, “Lucid Dreams – Aesthetische Remix”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band & Label: www.facebook.com/amorphous.sound

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Serpents – State Of War (DCD Album – Electro Aggression Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:52:34 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-EBM.

Content: Serpents is a rather familiar name for lovers of EBM and especially those who were into the 90s movement. It was a wonderful decade revealing an impressive list of great EBM-bands. Serpents was an established name and released a few noticeable productions.

Set up by Kazim Sarikaya and often getting the help of Claus Kruse (Plastic Noise Experience) the band made a come-back in 2010 releasing a new and remarkable album (cf. “Immer Voran!”). The work was badly promoted and didn’t get the deserved exposure as it was a real cool work. Five years later the band is already back with a new album featuring new material on the 1st disc and a re-release of “Immer Voran!” on the 2nd disc.

“State Of War” remains pretty faithful to the cold EBM style of Serpents. It reminds me of their earlier work although there’s a fresh and more contemporary touch on top. I can’t get away from the feeling that there also is a kind of refined touch running through the work, which sounds pretty PNE-like. Kazim and Claus clearly are the operating souls behind this band. They’ve written a dark-body minded opus revealing a strong 90s sound, but with a unique approach. This is a sophisticated EBM format constructed with captivating sound treatments (like deep bass lines, icy sequences) and a spooky-minded vocals’ production.

The songs are pretty minimal-minded, but still very accessible for lovers of body music. I especially like the transposition from the initial Serpents sound into a modern approach. Last year the band self-released the “Violence”-EP featuring 3 songs. These tracks are also featured on the album and the “Resistance”-song even is one of the best cuts for its cool dark-EBM touch with some noticeable Plastic Noise Experience-arrangements. Another song you have to keep in mind is the minimal-driven “You Hide”.

The album also features 7 remixes by bands like Plastic Noise Experience, Ad:Key, The Psychic Force, Pyrroline, Cyber and label mates kFactor and Astma. I was impressed by the remix of “Resistance” by Plastic Noise Experience and the Cyber-remix of “Violence”. Cyber was another cool band from Hamburg, which was a rather prolific EBM ground during the 90s.

The 2nd disc features a re-edition of the “Immer Voran!”-album revealing fresh versions of some of the original songs. The opus was written by Kazim Sarikaya and I’m still convinced it was his best album in history. It all sounds like a real metamorphosis. You can recognize some ‘old’ influences, but the new songs are fresh and modern! “Steh Auf” is an absolute gratifying track. The bass line sounds a bit goa-like while the dark, refreshing electronics are doing the rest. The vocals are rough like in the past.

“Komm Noch Naeher” coming next perfectly symbolizes the new Serpents. There’s a strong EBM touch running through the song, which are mixed with terrific bleeps and sound treatments à la Plastic Noise Experience.

The title-song is a bit quieter and space-like revealing the diversity of Serpents. EBM elements are coming back on “Folge Mir”, “Glaub An Mich” and “Zeig Dig”. These 3 songs are pretty well-crafted and efficient dance assaults as well. “Zeig Dich” is for sure one of the highlights of the album. The sound might remind you of bands like Die Krupps and Dance Or Die.

I remain totally seduced by the impressive and refreshing sound arsenal of Serpents. It all sounds like Kazim Sarikaya has reinvented his band with this album.

The final part features 5 remixes by Plastic Noise Experience. This is the main difference with the original version of the album which featured 4 remixes by other bands.

I like the remix by Plastic Noise Experience (no other band could be more fitting) of “Erwache”, which is the only remix that was featured at the original album. The other remixes bring us back to the debut album (cf. “Terminal Breath”) with noticeable remixes of “Kill What Kills You”, “Killer Agency”, “Protection” and “Second Life”.

Last, but not least the song “Wings Of Darkness” that was originally released on the album “What Is Fear” (1999) has been added to this track list.

Conclusion: Serpents strikes back with style unleashing a rather old-school new album and a new version of the somewhat unknown previous work, which is more into modernism.

Best songs: “Resistance”, “Violence”, “I’m Near”, “You Hide”, “Resistance – Plastic Noise Experience Remix” + “Komm Noch Naeher”, “Das Zweite Leben – V2015”, “Zeig Dich”, “Kill What Kills You – Plastic Noise Experience Remix”.

Rate: (DP:8½)DP.

Band: www.serpents.de / www.facebook.com/serpents.de

Label: www.electroaggressionrecords.com / www.facebook.com/ElectroAggressionRecords

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Astma – 600 Pounds Of Body (DCD Album – Electro Aggression Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 23:48:37 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Content: Astma is a familiar name at the wider fields of EBM. This Swedish formation is not what I would call a leading band in the genre although an interesting combo dealing with hard EBM since 2001, which gained some reputation from their live performances.
Electro Aggression Records gave them the opportunity to release an official full length featuring 23 (!) songs plus an extra disc with some great remixes.

If you’re not familiar with Astma, you can imagine an hybrid between Orange Sector and Pouppée Fabrikk. This is a rather classical ‘hardcore’ version of EBM, which sounds in the purest tradition of the genre. There’s no real innovation, but this kind of EBM definitely appears to be vaccinated against any new element. You better prepare yourself to ‘move your body’ with the 23 (!) songs of the main disc. The tracks are pretty short – in the 2- 3 minute range, but driven by maximum injection of testosterone.

The sound formula is no longer a secret for EBM lovers. You get a fast cadence joined by dry bass lines and some extra metallic percussion plus heavy shouting vocals. It’s as simple as that and it still works. I however can’t say that Astma has the potential to become a new sensation in the genre, but they have the power to make you move. In the end I would say that this is exactly what we expect from this kind of music, isn’t it?

Behind the ‘cliché’ Astma tries to put their own stamp on the EBM sound. It’s not exactly about their sound, but some of their funny lyrical parts, which are more into punk. “Cut It Short” is one of these songs, where they sing about wanting to cut the hair of hippies. One of the hardest cuts is the so-called “New Version” of “A Global Game” featuring a weird chorus about football. Another funny cut is “Body In Japan” for the mishmash of Japanese words. It doesn’t mean that much, but it’s pure fun and it works.

One of my favorite songs is also one of their most elaborate. Astma added a cool, raw lead on “Suffer And Pain”, which adds more elements to the song although it still remains a pretty simple and efficient. I just regret there are no more variations in the songs like on this track.

The 2nd disc will definitely catch your attention if you’re a real EBM freak. Nineteen bands have been asked to make a remix and you’ll discover bands like Signal Aout 42, Armageddon Dildos, The Psychic Force, Plastic Noise Experience, MRDTC, Autodafeh, Invoke The Insult, Cardinal Noire, Serpents, DRP, Brigade Werther, kFactor ao. This is a truly sonic orgy resulting in several great remixes.

In my opinion, one of the best remixes is the one of “Mr. Miller” by Full Contact 69. This is not exactly the most famous name on the list, but maybe the most creative one revealing a minimal EBM touch reminding me a bit of PNE. Other noticeable remixes have been accomplished by Plastic Noise Experience, Autodafeh and Invoke The Insult. The bands injected their own touch to the work, which brings more diversity to this disc.

Conclusion: A stereotypical-, but solid EBM release with an impressive list of remixes.

Best songs: “Suffer And Pain”, “Cut It Short”, “Tune In The ESP”, “Body In Japan”, “A Global Game – New Version” +” Mr. Miller – Full Contact 69 Remix”, “Suffer And Pain – Autodafeh Remix”.

Rate: (DP:7½)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/Astma-164850410224999

Label: www.electroaggressionrecords.com / www.facebook.com/ElectroAggressionRecords

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Alfa Matrix launches massive free compilation ‘Matrix Downloaded 005’ including a new Front 242 remix and much more!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:25:15 +0000

Alfa Matrix was the first industrial label to launch free label compilations on Bandcamp and is now back with the 5th edition of their now classic free “Matrix Downloaded” label digital compilation. The release is one of many releases ahead that will celebrate the label’s 15th anniversary in 2016.

This free (or pay as you wish) compilation is downloadable in MP3/FLAC/WAV/… quality via the label’s Bandcamp page where you can also still find the 4 previous editions (“Matrix Downloaded 001“, “Matrix Downloaded 002“, “Matrix Downloaded 003” and “Matrix Downloaded 004“).

The compilation counts 61 tracks including material from Front 242 (with a brand new remix of “Take One”), Suicidal Romance, Venal Flesh, Plastic Noise Experience, Diffuzion, The Psychic Force, Dunkelwerk etc.. Expect previously unreleased mixes or new songs, but also a look into the recent additions to the Alfa Matrix family members with the melodic retro e-pop of Elektroklange, the new hardcore EBM one-man army of ELM, the cult Swedish body pop act Restricted Area and the break pop of Sin.Sin.

A compilation you can download right now on Bandcamp. Warmly recommended!

Matrix Downloaded 005 by VARIOUS ARTISTS

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Acylum – Venom (Digital EP – Alfa-Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 18:58:52 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, electro-industrial.

Content: The earlier this year released album “Pest” is still taking the electro underground planet by storm, but Acylum is already started on a new deadly road. This new assault is made of 2 EP’s that have been released nearly simultenuously.

The first strike is called “Venom” revealing a completely new song. This song features the brutal and merciless electro-industrial approach of Pedro Engel. It’s a tortured piece of electronics, which once again will not leave you unaffected. Acylym more and more sounds like the new and contemporary version of :Wumpscut:. But if this band will move on taking the scene by surprise releasing new masterpiece they’ll rapidly leave :W: far behind becoming one of the hottest formations in the genre.

“Venom” indeed is a new masterpiece, which sounds a bit in the line of the mega-hit “Zigeunerjunge” (released on “Pest”). It sounds hard and merciless featuring a perfect twist between dark-electronics and distorted industrial sounds plus passages revealing great mystical chants. The production has been accomplished by spooky vocals sung in English and refined by icy, tormenting bleeps and arrangements.

We next get 8 remixes of “Venom” by very different formations offering a rather diversified interpretation of the title song. The most noticeable remixes have been accomplished by the totally unknown DJ Ele transforming “Venom” into a hard piece of clubby-sounding electro-industrial music and a remix by Bewitched. This band is a Scandinavian metal formation, which reworked “Venom” a furious and tormenting way –and not at all in a metal way, while accentuating the mystic passage of the song.

New label mates The Psychic Force made a cool remix as well. One of the most noticeable bands is Advent Resilience, which sounds like a direct link with the great :Wumpscut: as well. This band indeed already accomplished multiple remixes for Rudy R and the least I can say is that the last remixes I’ve heard were pretty efficient. The remix of “Venom” sounds a bit minimal- and experimental-like as well, but it’s a great and creative exposure made by a talented artist.

I can’t say that the few remixes left are not interesting, but they remain in the shadow of the aforementioned versions. So the last song to pay some attention to is an exclusive song featuring Carlos Ruiz (formerly active in Dioxyde and now running Asseptic Room). “Sueños Rotos” sounds like another hard-industrial sounding electro cut driven by Spanish vocals.

Conclusion: Acylum already accomplished a successful new EP revealing one great new title-song, one cool exclusive B-track and multiple efficient remixes. Acylum simply is one of the hottest dark-electro formations of the moment.

Best songs: “Venom”, “Venom – DJ Ele Remix”, “Venom – Bewitched Remix”, “Sueños Rotos”, “Venom – Psychic Force Remix”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/Acylum.Music

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

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Acylum launches double EP ‘Hate’ & ‘Venom’ – watch the video teaser now

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:13:21 +0000

The German endzeit act Acylum returns with no less than 19 tracks in total split across 2 simultaneously released complementary EPs: “Hate” EP & “Venom” EP. The EPs can be downloaded right now from Bandcamp (tip: use the 25% discount code september5236584 during checkout).

“Venom” is a brand new track – and title track of the 1st EP – which gets augmented with 8 alternative remixes including a club version by DJ ELE and a rework by the legendary German duo Psychic Force. Add to this the other exclusive cut “Sueños Rotos” featuring guest vocals by Carlos Ruiz (frontman of Dioxyde, Aseptic Room, …). On “Hate” you’ll get “Born To Be Hated” delivered in 5 new versions. Add to this two remixes each of “My Knife” and “Pest”.

Available via Bandcamp (and soon on other download / streaming platforms):

Check them out below:

Venom EP by ACYLUM

Hate EP by ACYLUM

You can watch a teaser for the Acylum double EPs here:

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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