The German duo Arnte and Schmoun—formerly active together as Nordschlacht and Ugh, but having operated as Pyrroline for years—are releasing their fifth album, “Ambiguity”. The work appears inspired by the world we live in and, above all, by the impact of various events on the human psyche.

Musically, this translates into 12 tracks that immediately reveal the signature Pyrroline sound. The group remains closely linked to the musical legacy of early Skinny Puppy. Hovering somewhere between sophisticated EBM and atmospheric Dark-Electro, this new opus once again succeeds in captivating the listener. A dark, frenzied atmosphere is established, underpinned by complex percussion. At times, the mood is somewhat tormented, yet that is precisely the strength of certain tracks. The polished production features a wealth of sounds and subtle effects, layered with ghostly vocals. Here and there, female vocals appear, adding a touch of cold sensuality. One of the tracks also features a collaboration with TC75.

“Ambiguity” may not be the band’s strongest album—their previous release, “Struggling”, was a masterpiece, after all—but it remains a powerful record from a group that, in my opinion, continues to be somewhat underrated. (Rating:8).

Side-Line reported on the album when Pyrroline announced “Ambiguity” in June 2026. The label lists twelve tracks and issued the record as a Digipak CD and digitally.

Listen to “Eventually”:

About Pyrroline

Pyrroline is a German electro-industrial and old-school EBM project built around Arnte on vocals and Schmoun on synths and chants. Discogs lists the duo as a dark electro group based in Germany. The project records for Electro Aggression Records, the label founded in 2011 that concentrates on old-school EBM and electronic body music.

The recorded run starts with “Behind The Horizon” in 2010 and “Ruins Outlast” in 2013. Side-Line reviewed the CD album “In The Dawn Of Freedom” in September 2017 and the double CD “Struggling” in May 2021. The single “Relentless” followed in 2023 and a remix collection in 2024.

“Ambiguity” runs twelve tracks and shipped on 17 July 2026. Tino Claus of TC75 contributes guest vocals to “Relentless”, and the duo wrote, produced and performed the album themselves. The label released the video for “Day 45”, the ninth track, on 25 August 2026.

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

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Pyrroline released the video for “Day 45” on 25 August 2026, the ninth track on the electro-industrial and old-school EBM duo’s sixth album “Ambiguity”, out since 17 July 2026 on Electro Aggression Records as a Digipak CD and digitally. The label describes the track as addressing the war in Ukraine.

“Ambiguity” runs twelve tracks: “Ambiguity”, “Transition Fault”, “Ulysses”, “Britzelgritzel”, “Eventually”, “Already Defined?”, “Crossroads of Progress”, “It’s all for Nothing”, “Day 45”, “Relentless (feat. TC75)”, “Stay Away” and “Inner Resonance”. Pyrroline wrote, produced and performed the album themselves. TC75‘s Tino Claus contributes guest vocals to “Relentless”, and the lyrics of “Stay Away” draw on Dylan Thomas, James Whitcomb Riley and Lord Alfred Tennyson.

The album follows the double CD “Struggling” by five years, and moves through transition, doubt, technological change and the effects of war. The label describes the record as combining “cold synthetic textures, driving rhythms and atmospheric soundscapes with lyrics that remain deliberately open, fragmented and tense”.

About Pyrroline

Pyrroline is an electro-industrial and old-school EBM duo built around Arnte on vocals and Schmoun on synths and chants. The project records for Electro Aggression Records, the label founded in 2011 that concentrates on old-school EBM and electronic body music, and has stayed with it across its full-length run.

Side-Line covered the CD album “In The Dawn Of Freedom” in September 2017 and the double CD “Struggling” in May 2021, the latter the duo’s fifth album. The sixth album “Ambiguity” was announced in June 2026 and shipped the following month. “Day 45” is the latest clip taken from it.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

Pyrroline‘s “Ambiguity” is the electro-industrial project’s sixth album, announced for release on Electro Aggression Records as a Digipak CD. The label has opened pre-orders and lists the album as twelve tracks. “Ambiguity” is also available digitally through the Electro Aggression Records Bandcamp page.

“Ambiguity” arrives five years after the double-CD “Struggling”. Across twelve tracks, the album moves through themes of transition, doubt, technological change and the effects of war. Named tracks include the title song, “Eventually”, “Ulysses” and “Already Defined?”.

“Ambiguity” combines cold synthetic textures, driving rhythms and atmospheric soundscapes “with lyrics that remain deliberately open, fragmented and tense”. The label has shared a video from “Ambiguity” on YouTube. The CD edition is a Digipak; pre-orders are handled through the label.

About Pyrroline

Pyrroline is an electro-industrial and old-school EBM project made up of Arnte on vocals and Schmoun on synths and chants. The duo records for Electro Aggression Records, a label established in 2011 that focuses on old-school EBM and electronic-industrial music.

Side-Line has covered the project’s earlier Electro Aggression Records releases, including “In the Dawn of Freedom” and the double-CD “Struggling”, the latter the project’s fifth album. With “Ambiguity”, Pyrroline returns to the label for a sixth full-length.

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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Out via Dependent Records on 6 September is a collection of the two first self released albums from the German dark electro act FÏX8:SËD8, “humanophobia:dormicum”.

FÏX8:SËD8 was founded by Martin Sane and started with two self-released albums. The debut “humanophobia” arrived in 2006 and was produced by Haujobb’s Daniel Myer, while the sophomore full-length “dormicum” that came out in 2009 was self-produced. “humanophobia” was inspired by the Cambodian killing fields and former internment camps of the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-79) under Pol Pot.

The release comes as an artbook collecting both titles in a remastering by Pyrroline’s Arnte who had already produced and mixed the band’s “The Inevitable Relapse”. “humanophobia:dormicum” will be available as a 36-page artbook with 2 CDs including 3 bonus tracks.

Below is the official single “Killing Field”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Released by the end of 2023 this is the third full length album of German solo-project Synaptic Defect. Driven by Marc Tater (previously involved with Evil Sermon this is the first new album since 2008.

Content: This work takes us back in time awakening somewhere in the midst of the 90s. This is old-school EBM appealing for fans of bands like Skinny Puppy, Mortal Constraint and even Cat Rapes Dog. The songs are well-crafted, sometimes moving into a minimalistic approach. The second features a few more songs in the same vein plus remixes by Second Disease, Sleepwalk, Plastic Noise Experience, Serpents, T.A.N.K., Terminal State, R010r, Trilogy, tEaR!doWn and 2 remixes by Pyrroline (which co-produced and mastered the album).

+ + + : Synaptic Defect isn’t maybe the most renowned project although it deals with good-old EBM built up with elegance and knowledge. This project is part of an imaginary ‘Skinny Puppy’-academy and will please the fans of haunting Electronics. The bonus disc features cool songs as well plus a great selection of artists for the remixes. I especially recommend the remixes of Sleepwalk and Plastic Noise Experience.

– – – : The album is maybe missing a real ‘potential’ hit.

Conclusion: This album stands for an appreciable come-back and will be pleased by old-school EBM supporters.

Best songs: “Morphine”, “Sniper”, “Killing Tides” + “Man Is Machine”, “Tacky Games – Sleepwalk Remix”, “Combat War – Plastic Noise Experience Remix”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/marc.tater.14

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

About Synaptic Defect

Synaptic Defect is the solo project of German musician Marc Tater, founded in 1996. Tater started out in 1994 with the dark EBM duo Evil Sermon, which released a split tape, “Godfeeler / Psychological Warfare”, with LPF12 before splitting up in late 1997. He then began releasing solo material as Synaptic Defect, issuing “Mechanical Oppression” (BLC Productions, 2004) and “World-Wide Life & Death” (Advoxya Records, 2008). The project went quiet until 2020, when Tater started recording new songs, a process that led to “Initializing Insanity”, released through Electro Aggression Records at the end of 2023.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: After a silence of a few years Michael Renfield -who you might know from his involvement with Noise Process, strikes back with a new opus featuring sixteen songs and four more songs plus twelve remixes at the bonus disc. 

Content: The album deals with an elaborated and intelligent approach of EBM/Dark-Electronic music. The sound is totally retro-like, reminding me of bands like The Klinik, Skinny Puppy and Mortal Constraint. On top of the icy sequences and dark strings you’ll notice harsh, haunted, vocals. The second disc features remixes by tEaR!doWn, Pyrroline, Index AI, Trilogy, Serpents, G.O.L.E.M., Terminal State, Second Disease, Testube, T.A.N.K., Sleepwalk and Synaptic Defect.

+ + + : I salute the intelligent approach in the global production of this work. Even if it sounds cliché and evokes the sound of some legendary formations, it has been meticulously built up resulting in several outstanding songs. “Litany Of Greed” is my absolute favorite one but there’s more stuff to enjoy like a few extra cuts at the second disc. There also is a cool selection of remixers and I especially like the Serpents-one.

– – – : Some might say the album sounds too stereotypical but I don’t care. It’s good to see this artist is back on track. I expected a bit more from the remixes.

Conclusion: “Total Disinformation Awareness” is a fully achieved piece of retro-EBM.

Best songs: “Litany Of Greed”, “Memory Palace”, “Scorched Path”, “Body Politic” + “Total Enslavement”, “Was Carbon-Based”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/R010RNOISE

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

About R010r

R010r is the solo project of Michael Renfield, a musician originally from Phoenix, Arizona, and also half of the Harsh EBM duo Noise Process. After Noise Process ended in 2007, Renfield launched R010r, releasing the albums “Gradual Destabilization” (Dark Vision Media, 2007) and “Unyielding” (Basic Unit Productions, 2016) along with several digital EPs. He has been part of the Electro Aggression Records roster since the label’s founding in 2011, a run that continues with “Total Disinformation Awareness”.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Ambient-Electro, IDM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Czech artist Martin Pavlik strikes back with the seventh full length album of his sonic brainchild Frontier Guards. He got help from Patrick Lev (Cydonia 2056) while a female singer ‘Mia Bohemia’ sings on one track.

Content: “Colony” has been announced as a ‘new sound and concept’ and that’s true. You immediately notice a very explicit space-like sound atmosphere which is reminding me of Ambient pioneers but Frontier Guards also holds on its very own sound identity. So in the end you get a fascinating mix between Tangerine Dream and Clock DVA. Evasive passages have been driven by slow, sophisticated, rhythms while other passages are more into bombast and Industrial sound treatments featuring icy, menacing, elements. Both last tracks are remixes featuring one by Pyrroline.

+ + + : Seven is the final state of accomplishment in alchemy… and this is exactly how I would define the seventh album by Frontier Guards. I’ve always supported this project from the very first work and each new album revealed new discoveries. But I now get the feeling the project’s Pandora’s box has been really opened, creating new sonic paths while holding on to the intelligent Electronics from the past. A deeply, astral, sonic travel created by outstanding sound treatments and arrangements mixing bombast and refinement. The way the composition has been accomplished makes me think of an imaginary sonic surgery; meticulous and precise.

– – – : Both remixes are great but just a level below the original tracks; no reason to complaining!

Conclusion: Frontier Guards has already accomplished great works but “Colony” might be considered as one of the absolute references. It’s just a pity this project never got more recognition!

Best songs: “Moon Landing”, “Phobos”, “Space Race”, “Cydonia 2056”, “Artefact”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.frontierguards.eu / www.facebook.com/frontierguardscz

Label: www.label.aliens.sk / www.facebook.com/pages/Aliens-production-label/200028820052578

About Frontier Guards

Frontier Guards is the electronic project of Czech musician Martin Pavlik, known for a sound blending ambient-electro, IDM and industrial elements. Pavlik has released albums via Aliens Production, UTSC and Advoxya Records, returning to Aliens Production for his fifth album “#You#” in 2019 and continuing the partnership since. “Colony” is his seventh full-length under the Frontier Guards name, again released via Aliens Production, and features a collaboration with Patrick Lev on the track “Cydonia 2056” and a guest vocal from Mia Bohemia.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: German duo Arnte and Schmoun aka Pyrroline doesn’t release new albums on a regular basis, but they now strike back with the fourth album to date. Both protagonists were also involved with Nordschlacht, which unfortunately only released one single album in 2007.

Content: Four years have passed since the previous album, but nothing has really changed when it comes to influences. Pyrroline doesn’t innovate, remaining faithful to their old-school EBM reminding Skinny Puppy and Mentally & The Fixer. The work has a strong déjà-vu feeling, but globally speaking Pyrroline has seriously improved little details of the global production. The songs have been supported with haunting synth atmospheres while accomplished by Industrial sound treatments. I also noticed a few delicate passages. Arnte’s vocals are totally fitting to the ghost-like EBM while Schmoun is now and then injecting a female touch to the vocals.

The bonus disc features a few extra songs, which sound in the same vein as the main disc. But we also get an impressive number of remixes by The Opposer Divine, G.O.L.E.M., Sleepwalk, Amorphous, Fix8:Sed8, Jihad, Terminal State and 2 remixes by Placebo Effect.

+ + + : No doubt about it, “Struggling” is Pyrroline’s opus magnum! The production never has been that elaborated, revealing a great songwriting with dark and Industrial sound treatments. There’s a right balance between the sound and the vocals. Especially the 3 debut songs left me breathless; Pyrroline here reveals its harder side, but every single note and synth sound at the right place. I like when an album gives me the feeling of mathematics… The work is powerful, but also very atmospheric, the band here again reminding me to music from Benestrophe, Noise Unit ao.

Among the bonus disc I also discovered 2 excellent extra songs (both debut cuts) while there’s an interesting list of remixers. Most of the bands are dealing with a similar sound, but it’s great to see Fix8:Sed8 (definitely the new Master when it comes to composing Skinny Puppy-inspired Electro) and Placebo Effect. My favorite remixes are however these by G.O.L.E.M. and and especially Terminal State.

Last, but not least I also have to say a word about the cool digipak format of the album. Electro Aggression Records doesn’t release that much stuff, but each time again, it’s a very artistic and professional layout!

– – – : A very few songs couldn’t totally convince me, but you don’t hear me to complaining. I just can imagine some Electro heads will consider this band as inferior to the real masters in the genre… but it’s quite a long time ago since Skinny Puppy achieved such a masterpiece!

Conclusion: If you like intelligent old-school driven EBM, Pyrroline is for sure a great addition to your collection!

Best songs: “Song Of Deliverance”, “Battleground”, “This Dusky Faith”, “What Might Have Been”, “The Divine Image” + “State Of Things”, “Atelier Complex”, “Stop Acting So Small – Remixed by Terminal State”, “Song Of Deliverance – Remixed by G.O.L.E.M.”

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/arnteANDschmoun

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

About Pyrroline

Pyrroline is the German duo of Arnte (production, vocals) and Schmoun (composition, arrangement, vocals). The project debuted with “Behind The Horizon” (2010), followed by “Ruins Outlast” (2013) and “In The Dawn Of Freedom”, reviewed by Side-Line in 2017 (Discogs).

“Struggling” is Pyrroline’s fourth album for Electro Aggression Records, released 14 February 2021. Its limited 2CD digipak bonus disc carries remixes from Placebo Effect, Jihad, Sleepwalk, Terminal State, The Opposer Divine, Fix8:Sed8, G.O.L.E.M. and Amorphous, according to the album’s Bandcamp credits.

Pyrroline went on to announce a sixth album, “Ambiguity”, in June 2026, followed by a “Day 45” video in August 2026 and its own Side-Line review later that month.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Three years after the debut-album “The Worst Dream” (2018) Rebirth strikes back with a double album featuring twelve new songs and eleven remixes. Rebirth is Bruno Ruch (Sleepwalk) and singer Olivier Moser.

Content: The main disc reveals solid EBM bass lines, powerful rhythms, carrying choruses and harsh-spooky   vocals. “System:Error” reflects a cold production, which is mainly created by icy sequences and -atmospheres. The vocals are in German and English. There’s one instrumental song somewhere in the midst of the work, which appears to be a break.

The second disc reveals remixes by Atropine, Rotersand, Oldschool Union, Covenant, Struck9, Frozen Plasma, Pyrroline, AD:Key, KIFOTH, Deadly Injection and Onenine.

+ + + : I was not a huge fan of Rebirth’s debut album, but this new work sounds definitely more convincing. Bruno Ruch improved most aspects of the production, but the song writing is just better. The album features several great songs, but I especially recommend listening to “Ultimate Sin”, “Teufel In Mir” and “Streets Of The Damned”. The sound treatments reveal a professional approach. I especially like the fusion between power and haunting atmospheres on top.

The bonus disc reveals great names, but also great remixes. I especially want to mention Rotersand, Oldschool Union, Struck9, Pyrroline and KIFOTH as the most inspired cuts. Onenine is a noticeable feature as this is a solo-project of Axel Kleintjes (formerly involved with Page 12, Cyber Axis, Cycloon, Mindware).

 Last, but not least I also want to say a word about the great and artistic digipak format of this work.

– – – : This work is just missing an absolute hit to speak about a real masterpiece, but we get a real great number of songs instead. I expected a bit more from the Covenant remix.

Conclusion: “System:Error” is a work I fully recommend to all lovers of sophisticated dark EBM.

Best songs: “Ultimate Sin”, “Teufel In Mir”, “Streets Of The Damned”, “Letzte Schlacht”, “R.I.P.” + “Streets Of The Damned – Rotersand Rework”, “Teufel In Mir – Struck9 Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: http://rebirth-music.ch / www.facebook.com/Dr.Tinitus

Label: www.ekproduct.com / www.facebook.com/EKProduct

About Rebirth

Rebirth is a Swiss EBM and dark electro duo formed by Bruno Ruch, also active as Sleepwalk, and singer Olivier Moser. The project released its debut album, “The Worst Dream”, in 2018 on EK Product. Three years later, Rebirth followed up with the double album “System:Error”, pairing twelve new songs with eleven remixes from acts including Rotersand, Covenant, Oldschool Union, Struck9, Pyrroline, KIFOTH, AD:Key, Atropine, Frozen Plasma, Deadly Injection and Onenine, issued on digital and 2CD formats through EK Product.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, Double CD.

Background/Info: Three years after the astonishing album “Assailant” Norwegian EBM combo Atropine is back on track unleashing this double album featuring twelve new songs and thirteen remixes. Atropine is already active since 1994 and has released several full lengths. After a break the band has been active again since 2014.

Content: Atropine is doing what they do the best; composing a sophisticated EBM format, which rapidly evokes the atmosphere of early Skinny Puppy. But it’s much more than simply a new emulation of an EBM Godfather; it’s a well-crafted composition mixing harsh vocals together with tormented spheres and danceable passages. It also evokes to me the genius of Mortal Constraint. The power is rather emerging from the icy, horror-like atmospheres instead of the BPM’s. There’s also a trace of minimalism running through a few songs.

The second disc brings a nice selection of artists who for sure had some pleasure remixing Atropine. This is an opportunity to discover the remix skills of Miza[r], Kant Kino, Tourde Force, SWG, Amnistia, 11grams, Substaat, SKL, Impulskontroll, Amorphous, How Green Is My Toupee, Hexadiode and Pyrroline.

+ + + : If you think that EBM is easy music, you should listen to Atropine who reveal the most sophisticated and definitely intelligent EBM format. This is an elaborated writing composed with the magic of analogue equipment. Songs like “Missile Missive” and “Mutual Demise” definitely belong to the best exposures of this Norwegian formation. But I also have to mention the minimal sounding “Flesh Wreath” and the tormented “Dub Sermon”. If you pay attention to the explicit and horror-like front cover of the album you’ll get an idea about the universe inspiring this work. Among the remixes I heard excellent tracks, but will especially recommend the work by atropine’s compatriots Kant Kino and Substaat. And one more I’ve to add is the less familiar Norwegian artist SKL.

– – – : This is a great album so no real minus points. It remains a pity this band doesn’t get more recognition!

Conclusion: If you’re waiting for a new Skinny Puppy work in the good-old vein of the early years, you better listen to Atropine’s “Human Emulsion”. I promise you’ll not be disappointed!

Best songs: “Missile Missive”, “Mutual Demise”, “Flesh Wreath”, “Dub Sermon”, “Bulwark”, “Knife Vision” + “Missile Missive – Monotow Mix by Substaat”, “Knife Vision – SWG Remix”, “Bulwark – Kant Kino Disco”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/AtropineEBM

Label: www.ekproduct.com / www.facebook.com/EKProduct

About Atropine

Atropine is a Norwegian EBM and industrial-experimental band active since 1994, releasing several full-length albums before going on hiatus and returning to activity in 2014. The 2020 double album “Human Emulsion” follows the band’s prior release “Assailant” and pairs twelve new songs with thirteen remixes from artists including Kant Kino, Substaat, SKL, Amnistia, Hexadiode, Pyrroline, Amorphous and 11grams, released via EK Product.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Set up in the late 80s and split in the 90s, Frame Of Mind got reactivated in 2017 and released the full length album “At The End Of Your World” in 2018. This EP is taken from the album and got released by the end of 2018.

Content: “Nothing Else To Do” was not exactly a song that caught my attention on the album. It however perfectly stands for the sound and EBM approach of this German project. It’s pretty retro-like and mainly carried by dark atmospheres. It’s more EBM to listen to instead of a heavy club-track.

Remixes were done by Antibody (raw technoid driven remix), Bathead (quite sophisticated approach), Netz (pretty minimal-like) and Pyrroline (intelligent version).

+ + + : Frame Of Mind remains an interesting formation for old-school electro-lovers. This song is driven by 90s influences. I especially like the remixes. Antibody did a great job transforming the original version into a raw-technoid edit. I also have to mention the great and inspiring work of Pyrroline. But globally speaking all the remixes make sense!

– – – : I know it’s all a question of taste, but I think there were more interesting songs featured on the album to get released as EP-title song.

Conclusion: This EP merges an old-school title song together with more contemporary electro-formats. I think everyone will find a suitable match.

Best songs: “Nothing Else To Do – Antibody Remix”, “Nothing Else To Do – Pyrroline Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/frameofmindband

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

About Frame Of Mind

Frame Of Mind is a German EBM, industrial and dark electro band. After the singles “Murderous Thoughts”, “Resurrected” and “We’re Not Alone” in 2017, the band released its debut album, “At The End Of Your World”, in 2018.

“Nothing Else To Do” is taken from that album. Frame Of Mind went on to release the albums “Devil In Disguise” in 2019 and “Erode” in 2020, both on Infacted Recordings.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, EBM.

Background/Info: tEaR!doWn is Charly (also involved with Sleepwalk) and singer Oliver Spring (Nine Seconds and former singer of.. Sleepwalk). This album is the successor to “Clouds Over The Sun”, released in 2013.

Content: The sound mixes different elements, which are covering EBM bass lines, dark electronic atmospheres, industrial bombast arrangements, but still melodic passages. One of the main characteristics, which is clearly evoking Sleepwalk are the vocals of Oli Spring. His very typical timbre of voice will always be linked to Sleepwalk.

The album features 12 songs and 3 remixes by The Psychic Force, Pyrroline and kFactor.

+ + + : I think it’s the kind of album that will appeal to early Sleepwalk lovers while the sonic canvas might appeal for EBM freaks and dark-elector heads. Sound-wise I especially like the bombast running through this album and the synth lines, which are probably the most noticeable aspect from the writing process. I also enjoyed the choir’s passage at “Shades”. The remix of Pyrroline is my personal favorite one.

– – – : “Shades Of Apathy” is an easy listening album featuring a few cool cuts, but I’m missing a real climax while I can’t find any real potential ‘hit’. I don’t want to compare this album to the new Sleepwalk opus, but as both bands are clearly related with each other, I think this album is missing the accomplishment and intelligence of the Sleepwalk album.

Conclusion: This album is more special to me for the members instead of the accomplishment. It’s an easy listening production, but I’m missing a true spirit and an apotheosis.

Best songs: “Skin”, “My World – Rmx by Pyrroline”.

Rate: (6).

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

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

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

Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘Tempus Vincit Omnia’.

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

Electro Aggression Records (EAR) welcomes the veteran Swiss electro act Sleepwalk to its roster of artists. After 5 years of silence, Sleepwalk return with a double disc to celebrate the band’s 25th anniversary.

With “Tempus Vincit Omnia” revisits its old school electro roots resulting in a mix of EBM and dark electro. The album is the follow-up to the concept album ”Nibiru” (2012) and reconnects with its trademark sound which consists of atmospheric accessible melodies, heavy beats, and angry shouts.

The bonus disc of “Tempus Vincit Omnia“ is called “Addendum Est” and includes 4 bonus Sleepwalk tracks and 11 remixes by such acts as Pyrroline, Second Disease, kFactor, Terminal State, Trilogy, Tri-State, Seven Trees, KIFOTH, Atropine No Sleep By The Machine and Amorphous.

You can preview 2 trailers below, for CD1 and CD2. Enjoy! Orders are accepted here.

Read the review of ‘Tempus Vincit Omnia’.

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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Read the review of ‘Confront’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark EBM.

Background/Info: Pyrroline has released their second official album. Four years after “Ruins Outlast”, Arnte & Schmoun are back on track with a kind of conceptual album dealing about the war in Croatia during the 90s.

Content: “In The Dawn Of Freedom” is a kind of sophisticated EBM sound. The main focus clearly is not to composer hard and powerful songs, but a more elaborated and complex writing, which might remind you of Mentallo & The Fixer and even Skinny Puppy. The songs have been constructed with multiple bleeps and crystalline sequences mixed with harsher and somewhat bombastic rhythms. The vocals are quite spooky, which fits with the atmospheric side of the work.

Some (instrumental) cuts are even moving on the edge of cinematographic music and I here would make a comparison with Benestrophe. But Pyrroline is a band with many ‘faces’ and also deals with a few more ‘traditional’ EBM cuts.

Both last cuts are remixes by One Eye Wanders and kFactor.

+ + + : The diversity of the songs definitely is one of the main characteristics of the album, but it also reveals that Pyrroline is open to different influences. I personally prefer the main part of the album revealing sophisticated and elaborated cuts. The ambient side hanging over the songs is more important than power. You should (re)listen to these songs with headphones to fully distinguish the little bleeps and icy sequences. I also discovered another side of Pyrroline, which sounds somewhat harder and into ‘classical’ EBM fields. “Succeed” is a great piece in the genre, reminding me of Plastic Noise Experience.

– – – : Despite of the diversity and the well-crafted songs, Pyrroline doesn’t really add anything new in the wider fields of EBM. I rapidly got a ‘déjà-vu’ effect although you don’t hear me complaining. Both remixes aren’t exactly adding a bonus to the album!

Conclusion: Pyrroline transforms EBM into a moody, ghost-like creation. It’s an intelligent composition although I’m missing some innovative elements.

Best songs: “Succeed”, “Nothing To Lose”, “Fellow Passenger”, “Vukovar”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/Pyrroline-168370663180474

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

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

Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘Confront’.

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

Content:

Read the news on ‘State Of War’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro.

Content: kFactor is a Brazilian solo-project inspired by the good-old EBM sound from the late 80s and especially the 90s. This band totally fits to the retro-EBM taste of Electro Aggression Records.

I didn’t know what to expect from kFactor except a pure old-school EBM production. The opening tracks clearly reveal a typical 90s electro format, which is driven by a typical kick and cold synthesizer sounds. The spooky vocals inject a dark and mysterious element to the work. I can’t say that the opening cuts are essential ones, but they give an indication about the dark-atmospheric style of this EBM project. I was a bit afraid to discover an old stereo-type without real creativity, but the album rapidly evolves into more elaborate songs featuring sounds à la Cabaret Voltaire and even more intelligent treatments reminding me of Clock DVA.

The sound is clearly old-styled EBM, but I progressively get into the mysterious and obscure sound creation of Junior kFactor. One of the main sources of inspiration appears to be the good-old Belgian EBM school. That’s for sure an element I recognize in the global sound production, but if I really have to make a link with another formation it would be without a shadow of a doubt early X Marks The Pedwalk and the early EP’s “Arbitrary Execution” and especially “Disease Control”. A few other cuts remind me of early Frontline Assembly as well. It becomes rapidly clear that kFactor is a band taking us back to the sources of EBM. There’s a perfect mix between 80s and 90s body music.

The work is pretty minimal and bringing good-old tricks to life like spoken samplings, icy synth-lines and other choir synth passages, typical spooky vocals and the familiar 4×4 structures. “Ghastly Monolith” avoids any innovation, but brings a well-crafted emulation of retro EBM music. You don’t hear me complaining as the more I got into the work of this artist the more I really started to like it. I also like the global concept featuring 2 discs each with 15 songs. The 2nd disc features a few remixes by bands like Pyrroline, Astma, Serpents and few others.

I have a little preference for the main disc but both CDs reveal a high quality level and several attention grabbers. Some cuts are carried by a somewhat heavier, bombastic rhythm and a few songs are more complex in their global writing. That’s precisely the reason why I like a song like “Lobotomy”, which is one of the cuts reminding me of the more sophisticated work of Clock DVA. The “Jihad Remix” of “Dead Place” is another fascinating cut in the genre. This album is not only revealing intriguing, cool songs, but also accomplished remixes as well.

kFactor is not exactly the kind of furious EBM but rather a slow tempo sound joined by poignant, dark atmospheres and great vocals.

Conclusion: This is a fascinating work bringing elements of 90s EBM to life. kFactor moves back to the sources and can be considered as an accomplished ode to some legendary bands, which helped EBM get a name!

Best songs: “Lobotomy”, “Iron Tree”, “Prototype”, “Chrome”, “Casting Shadows”, “Take A Chance” + “A Dead Place”, “The Right Course”, “Auto-Darwin”, “A Dead Place – Jihad Remix”, “A Blind Spot – Factory Automatic by Soillodge”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/kFactor.ebm

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

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