Following up on his previous single (“I Love You”) as ImJudas, Maxx Maryan (male half of the Italian electro rock industrial duo Helalyn Flowers) now releases a new wave ballad, “Stjudas”. The EP is out now via the Alfa Matrix sublabel Spleen+.

The EP, includes the previous single as well and a dark cover version of The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry”. This EP is another teaser for the upcoming ImJudas album “Viscerheart” which will offer melancholic 80s pop-wave mixed with post-punk ingredients.

ImJudas was initially started as a noir-dyed electro-pop project in 2016 and has since incorporated a rough guitar component. The project’s debut album, “Yrjudas”, showcases a blend of electronic dark wave and a few rock elements. You can read a full interview with Maxx on ImJudas right here.

ImJudas discography

Albums

• Yrjudas: Released in 2022 under Alfa Matrix

Singles & EPs

• Tulpa (2017): This EP, consisting of 5 trackd files, was released under Alfa Matrix
• Ritual (2021): Another release under Alfa Matrix, “Ritual” is a 6-track EP
• People Of The Blame (2023): Released by Spleen+ holding 7 tracks
• So Untrue (2023): On Spleen+, “So Untrue” holds 6 tracks
• I Love You (2023): A single release under Spleen+
• Stjudas (2023): 3-track EP

Compilations

• Sonic Seducer Cold Hands Seduction – Vol. 246 – Various – Sonic Seducer (2023)
• Matrix + Downloaded 011 – I Love You – Alfa Matrix (2023)
• A Strange Play.2 – Tribute To The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry – Spleen+ (2023)
• Anthologies 4 – Ritual – Je M’en Fish (2023, JMF202302)
• The Zombietapes (Face The Beat 7 Megamix) – Various – Side-Line (2022)
• Gothic File 22 | 1 – People Of The Blame – Alfa Matrix (2022)
• Sonic Seducer Cold Hands Seduction – Vol. 237 – Various – Sonic Seducer (2022)
• The Dark Hits Of Tomorrow Vol. 4 – Ritual – Orkus (2022)
• Face The Beat: Session 7 – Ritual (Reichsfeind Remix) – Side-Line (2022)
• Sounds From The Matrix 21 – Apostatik – Alfa Matrix (2020)
• Matrix Downloaded 009 – Apostatik – Alfa Matrix (2020)
• matrixx – 20 Years Of Alfa Matrix (Best Of Electro, Synthpop, EBM, Darkwave) – Without Us You Are Nothing – Alfa Matrix (2021)
• Face The Beat: Session 5 – Various – Side-Line (2019)
• Endzeit Bunkertracks [Act VIII] – Tulpa (AD:Key Remix) – Alfa Matrix (2019, AM1276FCD, [Act VIII])
• Alfa Matrix Re:Covered Vol.3 (A Tribute To Depeche Mode) – Various – Alfa Matrix (2019)
• The Other Face Of Evil – Zombie – EK Product (2019, EKPCD062)
• Sounds From The Matrix 20 – Without Us You Are Nothing – Alfa Matrix (2018)
• Matrix Downloaded [008] – Without Us You Are Nothing – Alfa Matrix (2018)
• Matrix Downloaded [007] – Tulpa – Alfa Matrix (2017)
• Sounds From The Matrix 19 – Tulpa – Alfa Matrix (2017)
• Orkus! Compilation 127 – Tulpa – Orkus (2017/12-2018/01, 127)
• Matrix Downloaded [006] – People Of The Blame (Alfa Edit) – Alfa Matrix (2016)
• Recovery>For You< (An Alfa-Matrix Tribute to Front 242) – Various – Alfa Matrix (2016)

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

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.

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

German synth-pop band Reichsfeind has released a new free download single, “The Beauty of Blur”. The track is a rework of a song from the project’s second album, “Chasm Walk”, which was launched on November 22, 2019. “The Beauty of Blur” can be streamed and downloaded in various formats including a high quality download from Bandcamp.

On “The Beauty of Blur” Timo Revna is joined by Ginny on vocals. You can download it for free via the Alfa Matrix Bandcamp page.

Here’s what our editor Eldrina Mitch says about this new single: “‘The Beauty of Blur’ is a testament to Reichsfeind’s continued growth and potential. It is a track that manages to stand out, not only in their discography, but also in the broader synth-pop landscape. With this track, Reichsfeind continues to showcase their depth and versatility, proving once again that they are well-versed in their craft. This is a project that has much to offer to the synth-pop genre in the future.”

Founded in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2011, Reichsfeind is signed to the Belgian label Alfa Matrix. Before “The Beauty of Blur”, they released an EP in September 2022 and the album “Darken” in May 2022. Other releases include the “Persona” EP in October 2020, and the debut album “Living In Space” in November 2017.

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

The post-punk scene has a new recordlabel with Alfa Matrix launching a sublabel created to accomodate this specific genre and its varieties including coldwave or even minimal synth. Called Spleen+ you can already find 2 bands signed to it, the Belgian post-punk act The Ultimate Dreamers, who launched their label debut with the EP “Polarized”, and the Italian new wave act ImJudas who presents 2 new EPs, “People Of The Blame” and “So Untrue”.

We sat together with Seba Dolimont who is the A&R behind Spleen+ (and Alfa Matrix).

SL: Congratulations Seba with the new endeavour. Why start a side label next to Alfa Matrix?

SD: Since 2001, Alfa Matrix has been showing a quite eclectic approach of our music repertoire and label artist roster. We release EBM music from FRONT 242, POUPPEE FABRIKK, ELM or DIE ROBO SAPIENS, but also harsh dark elektro with ALIEN VAMPIRES, ACYLUM or C-LEKKTOR, minimal vintage synth with METROLAND, future pop with REICHSFEIND, NEUROACTIVE, MONDTRÄUME, BRUDERSCHAFT… Modern avantgarde electro with RECOIL, IMPLANT, KOMOR KOMMANDO, PSY’AVIAH or yet CUBIC! But also without forgetting our darker acts merging industrial with goth darkwave guitars like STAR INDUSTRY, HELALYN FLOWERS or FREAKANGEL.

We have been toying with this idea for this Spleen+ division for many months. It’s not something that comes out on the spur of the moment, you need to prepare such additional activity within our whole Alfa Matrix Label Group concept. We have been following and enjoying this continuous resurgence of the cold wave / post punk / minimal synth scene for some time. We also noticed that new sub-scene walls started emerging from the ground where the fans do not look much over the walls. Dedicated events and festivals get organised. Dedicated blogs, playlists, etc. start gathering more and more dark souls… So the idea from our side is to simply contribute to this movement offering it some structured and more targeted approach cos there are so many talented artists out there in need of support in their DIY efforts. This focused approach should allow us better supporting artists playing this kind of sound and reaching out to a boiling sub-scene, enlarging our scope of activities and bringing complementary fanbases together because eclecticism remains a core value for our work… And this without bringing us too far away from our roots cos the label team is made of 3 friends born in the early 70’s who were fed on JOY DIVISION, THE CURE, SIOUXSIE, SISTERS OF MERCY and other GHOST DANCE, X-MAL DEUTSCHLAND and SKELETAL FAMILY and not only on 80’s synth pop and the Belgian Electronic Body Music movement!

SL: What (new) signings can we expect?

SD: The very active Belgian act THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS is our first new signing in the genre (see the number of concerts they already played this year only! They are amazing! Their new album comes out in March…) while some current Alfa Matrix artists are potential candidates for a next release on Spleen+ including IMJUDAS or yet STAR INDUSTRY for example. Together with Frédéric Cotton (known for decades of activities as concert & party promotor in Brussels behind the famous “Fantastique Nights” but also as lead singer of THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS) we will also release this year a mega compilation devoted to the cold wave/post punk genre showing how prolific this scene can be anno 2023! We are working on it as we speak…

Since the announcement of this new label division, I am also quite happy and positively surprised by the number of proactive connections we got from very great bands who showed interest in working with us. That’s really exciting. Of course some of them are cool Belgian bands, some being living legends, cos it’s always easier collaborating with a local label speaking your language, but we are also in contact with artists from the UK, Italy, South America, etc. Nothing I want to reveal yet, but we will do this on due time. Keep an eye on our pages at https://www.facebook.com/spleen.plus and https://spleenplus.bandcamp.com . A website will follow soon as well.

SL: Will this also mean extra vinyl releases?

SD: The vinyl format is part of the equation on today’s music market. A portion of music fans who are collecting physical products do prefer the vinyl format but not all of them. So already with Alfa Matrix we have been issuing vinyls for some time for selected bands with own fanclubs and/or who are touring a lot. The vinyl format is also very appropriate to the cold wave/post punk genre that is uniting past, present and future. So my answer is a big YES. Absolutely!

Below are the first releases from the brand new label:

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

(By Stéphane Froidcoeur for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews) 2022 has been once again a sad, bloody and terrible year. Living in a mad world music once more remains a true therapy to appease pain and frustration. Concerts and festivals came back; the perfect place to meet friends again. Artists remain prolific releasing great studio work. So I’m once more closing the year by a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’-albums of the year.

Over 700 productions have been selected while 540  reviews have been made all over the year. Some productions have been refused because the style of music didn’t fit, while other reviews will be postponed to 2023. I’m really grateful to all labels, bands and promoters considering my work and efforts and I hope you’ll go on providing me new promos next year.

I one again have to express my deepest gratitude to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM) who for years and years now is reading, correcting and improving my reviews. Without Rich there would be no reviews. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker – chief redactor Side-Line Music Magazine – for the successful collaboration. 

Up now to 2023. I already reduced my activities this year and will move on reducing it in 2023. I made my first reviews and interviews back in 1991 (!). Some of the readers and artists weren’t even born when I wrote my first review for Side-Line. So after more than 30 years non-stop activities I think it’s not that strange to move on slowly.

I also want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who don’t realise and appreciate the work I’m doing by making reviews and preparing interviews to get them in the spotlights. The attitude and less of respect shown by those people – luckily a very few number – is just unacceptable… but I’m afraid it reflects the world we’re living in… Behind a genius artist is not always hiding a great person… It’s quite strange to realise the ’biggest’- and long-time established artists from this scene often are the most accessible ones.

Writing reviews remains very ‘subjective’ and always a source of discussion, but keep in mind it will be always the perception of the reviewer. I can assure you I’m always trying to argue my reviews the best as possible. A review will be never objective, but has to be honest!

Like every year I’ve made a selection from the best albums of the year. This ‘TOP 25’ covers different styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Cinematographic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno and a few related genres. It remains an exciting but tough exercise.

This ‘TOP 25’ is taken from the promotional material I got while compilations, ‘best of’-productions, EP’s and singles were not considered.

So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2022 and don’t forget to share it with your friends….

Top 25 albums 2022

1. IVARDENSPHERE: “Ragemaker” – Metropolis Records
2. DIE ROBO SAPIENS : “Robo Sapien Race” – Alfa Matrix
3. EBE04 : “Inrush – Give/Take
4. CALDON GLOVER: “Labyrintia” – Cyclic Law
5. ROME: “Hegemonikon” – Trisol
6. NEIKKA RPM: “Scorpio In The Hourglass – Alfa Matrix
7. VANGUARD: “Spectrum” – Infacted Recordings
8. SUICIDE COMMANDO: “Goddestructor” – Out Of Line
9. ELM: “Penetrator” – Alfa Matrix
10. OBERER TOTPUNKT: “Totentanz” – Danse Macabre Records
11. THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE: “Fascination” – Metropolis Records
12. BLACKBOOK: “Confessions Of The Innocent” – DarkTunes Music Group
13. BEYOND THE GHOST: “Sundown” – Cryo Chamber
14. THEN COMES SILENCE: “Hunger” – Metropolis Records
15. PRINCIPE VALLIENTE: “Barricades” – Metropolis Records
16. DAWN OF ASHES: “Scars Of The Broken” – Artoffact Records
17. MONSTERGOD: “Ozymandias” – Space Race Records
18. STATIQBLOOM: “Threat” – Sonic Groove Records
19. AXIOME: “Field Guide To Alien Planets And Other Disco Balls – Audiophob
20. REICHSFEIND: “Darken” – Alfa Matrix
21. FIRST AID 4 SOULS: “I Am The Night” – Alfa Matrix
22. ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO: “Nihilist Notes And The Perputual Quest 4 Meaning In Nothing” – Out Of Line
23. KILL SHELTER: “Asylum” – Manic Depression Records / Metropolis Records
24. JAGATH: “Svapna” – Cold Spring Records
25. KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND: “Voodoo” – Shyrec

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

The German electropop/futurepop act Reichsfeind is back with a new extended play, “This” on the Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix. The title track is taken from the recently released 3rd album “Darken”.

The EP holds 6 tracks, the tracks “This” and “Darken” plus remixes by Timo Revna himself, plus a remix of “This” by VDOC (who added additional female vocals) and a remix of “Darken” by Amnistia.

You can check the full EP below on Bandcamp.

Below are the videos for both “Darken” and “This”.

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

Timo Revna this year released the third official full length album of his sonic alter-ego Reichsfeind. He once more brings different influences together. Techno- and Pop elements have been merged while a darker touch is hanging over the songs. The vocals are robotic-like, but you’ll also notice multiple spoken samplings. “Darken” definitely sounds as Reichsfeind’s magnum opus, but it first of all confirms the visionary approach in the way different influences have been mixed together. I talked about it with Timo Revna.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: You set up Reichsfeind in 2011 and already released several albums plus EP’s. How do you perceive the evolution of your sonic alter-ego and what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishments?

Timo: It’s already more than ten years since I self-released my first demos. When I look back I am really satisfied with how things developed over time. Listening to my old demos is quite an experience for me. Comparing them to my official albums starting with “Living In Space” (2017), I get the impression that there’s always been a certain emotional depth to my lyrics and melodies, whereas the overall sound quality as well as a certain catchiness still had to be developed. In that respect the first album was a big milestone for me. As for now I would consider my latest album “Darken” as well as this year’s performance at WGT Leipzig to be the greatest accomplishments so far.

Q: You signed to Alfa Matrix so what does it mean to you to get signed to one of the leading labels of this scene? As a German project would you not have preferred to get signed on a German label?

Timo: Getting signed to Alfa Matrix has indeed been a great honor! My first two albums were released via German label Equinoxe Records. It was a nice deal and I really liked the label mentality. However with Alfa Matrix it was clear that they would have the capabilities to introduce Reichsfeind to a bigger audience so I considered it to be the next logical step. There has never been any kind of thought on limiting possible deals with new labels to the German market.

Q: In a previous interview I asked you about the significance of Reichsfeind and you said that ‘As history repeats its darkest times over and over again, I find it of greatest importance to emphasize and preserve the inter-human qualities that make us equal in the first place. Through my music I try to reveal that behind all these walls we build around us, we’re still united by the same pleasures of love and friendship, similar joys and sorrows.’ When you see what’s actually happening in our world and society today I should say you still have to compose a lot of music to fulfill your goal… What’s your perception of the world we’re living right now and how do you transpose it to your music?

Timo: Broad levels of the population are being left behind, leading to frustration and resentment. Capitalistic driven western moral is increasingly contradicting itself in the face of a war-ridden international situation that finally appears on our doorstep. On top of that, progressing climate change is already taking a heavy toll on human lives. How do we fix all this? I don’t want to switch places with politicians who have to deal with tremendous decisions these days.
Music alone can’t change the world, we need conscientious politics and comprehensive international cooperation to change things for the better. However music still functions as a sanctuary, where you can free your mind from the overwhelming chaos surrounding us −at least temporarily. I’m proud if I can somehow contribute to that through my music.

Q: What have been your main sources of inspiration when writing the “Darken”-album? Did you’ve something like a plan and/or did you focus on specific elements during the production process?           

Timo: The songs on “Darken” are mostly inspired by real life events that happened either to me personally or to people around me. There’s been a lot of stuff going on in the last couple of years so I never really ran out of material to write about. There was no such thing as a polished plan for this album. It was more about staying in the flow over a long period of time, creating new authentic material without too much overthinking. However, I definitely had the plan to emphasize on the Pop elements this time.

Q: What have been the biggest challenges when composing/producing “Darken”? What have been your greatest satisfactions and what are the points you still want to improve?

Timo: “Darken” was produced over a timespan of 2 years. At the same time my taste in music seemed to change a bit more drastic than usual, making it kind of a challenge to maintain some sort of recognizable unity from the beat-making perspective. Fortunately I got two talented and experienced studio musicians who again proved being able to keep sight of the big picture. In general I definitely want to further improve my beat-making skills.

Greatest satisfactions during the production phase of “Darken” have always been situations where things just seemed to work out without interruption or setback, such as a whole song being completely finished in almost a day. To me that happens very rarely but when it does it’s more than satisfying.

Q: You already played a few live gigs this year and there’s more to come. How do you transpose the energy from the studio recordings to the stage –and especially as a solo-project?

Timo: I’ve loved presenting things in front of an audience since I was a kid. Having the opportunity to perform your own music in a room full of people is simply amazing so the main thing for me is to enjoy the moment. I always have a great time being on stage and hope that I can transpose this feeling to the crowd. On stage I am being supported by live musician Tom S. who does a great job in additionally heating up the audience.

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: Techno-Pop, Dark-Pop.  

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Timo Revna has been active under the Reichsfeind moniker since 2011. He released two noticeable albums before joining hands with Alfa Matrix. He re-edited both albums plus the new EP “Persona” (2020). “Darken” is his first new album released by Alfa Matrix.

Content: Reichsfeind moves on mixing different influences together. The work is constantly carried by Electro-Pop arrangements while carried by Techno elements and recovered with a darker touch. The vocals are pretty robotic while you’ll also notice female backings and multiple spoken samplings. The work sounds danceable and catchy.

+ + + : The main strength of this German project is the atypical Electro-Pop format. Electro-Pop and Techno elements have been mixed creating a visionary approach which might appeal for lovers of Faderhead and X Marks The Pedwalk. I like the darker touch supporting the songs but also the solid Techno boost. The songs are well-crafted and the tracklist reveals several potential singles. I however have a preference for “Red Pills” driven by a cold and solid lead which is more suited for Dark-Electro music. But that’s precisely the point where the artist shows his talent and visionary approach transforming this solid lead into a heavy, danceable, Electro-Pop driven song. I also recommend songs like “Wish There Was A Drug” for its elevating chorus plus “Desire” and “Darken” both carried by catchy choruses.

– – – : There’re a few ‘softer’, dreamy, pieces featured which aren’t exactly the best exponents of the work although injecting a few breaks.

Conclusion: There where too many electro-Pop artists remain inspired by the past and especially 80s productions, Reichsfeind opens a window upon Electro-Pop music for further generations.

Best songs: “Red Pills”, “Wish There Was A Drug”, “Desire”, “Darken”, “This”, “Frontiers”, “Moth”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Reichsfeind

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Darken’.

About Reichsfeind

Reichsfeind is the solo project of Frankfurt-based German musician Timo Revna, who set it up in 2011. The project mixes electro-pop and techno-pop with a darker undercurrent, robotic lead vocals and spoken samples. Discogs also lists Destroy Me Again as an alias and gives his name as Timo Cromm.

Revna released two albums independently before signing to the Belgian label Alfa Matrix, which re-edited both of them together with the 2020 EP “Persona”. Alfa Matrix issued “Darken”, his first new album for the label, on May 27, 2022 as a twelve-track download and CD. The six-track EP “This”, with remixes by VDOC and Amnistia, followed in September 2022, and the free download single “The Beauty of Blur” appeared in May 2023.

Revna discussed the writing of the album reviewed here in the ‘Click Interview’ with Reichsfeind, published on Side-Line in September 2022.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Experimental.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: American project Entrzelle strikes back with a new work which is also the first new album since 2016. The opus features twelve songs plus four remixes.

The gap was bridged by the EP “Feeling Heavy These Days”, released on Alfa Matrix in 2021 and announcing this album.

Content: The global approach in sound and production remains in the line of the previous album “Total Progressive Collapse”. There’s a sophisticated side with an IDM touch on top. These songs are danceable. And there’s a ‘softer’ side which even sounds like ‘electro-slow dance’. Remixes have been done by Psy’Aviah, Reichsfeind, Elektrostaub, and Simon Carter.

+ + + : I especially like the hardest side of the album which reveals all the intelligence of the project. It stands for Electro-Pop but injected by influences of Clock DVA, Haujobb ao. The title track is an absolute masterpiece and even the best cut I’ve heard from this project. I also like the icy, transcendental, approach running through “Everyday Criminal”. Among the remixes I especially recommend the ones by Reichsfeind and Simon Carter. 

– – – : The ‘softest’ cuts are ruining all the good aspects of the work and especially the production of the vocals is too bad here.

Conclusion: I have mixed feelings listening to this album which is mixing great parts and forgettable passages.

Best songs: “Dust On A Razorblade”, “Everyday Criminal”, “Tax On Modern Life”, “Everyday Criminal – Reichsfeind Remix”, “Everyday Criminal – Simon Carter Remix”.

Rate: 6½.

Artist: www.entrzelle.com / www.facebook.com/entrzelle

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Dust On A Razorblade’.

About Entrzelle

Entrzelle is the electropop and noire futurepop project of American musician David Chamberlin, based in Los Angeles, California. Discogs also lists Malice Vext as a member. The project mixes upbeat electro sequences with noisy synth pop melodies and an IDM edge.

Chamberlin self-released the album “Part Of The Movement” on his Entrzelle Music imprint in 2012, followed by the singles “Biotic Shift” and “Outlive” in 2013. He signed to the Belgian label Alfa Matrix, debuting on the free compilation “Face The Beat: Session 2” in June 2015 and issuing the download EP “Set These Walls On Fire” the same month, alongside a re-release of the 2012 album with extras.

The Alfa Matrix debut album “Total Progressive Collapse” arrived in 2016. Chamberlin also worked outside his own project, remixing for llumen on the 2021 EP “The Dark In Her Eyes” and appearing on several Alfa Matrix label compilations. The EP “Feeling Heavy These Days” followed in 2021 and “Dust On A Razorblade” in 2022, released on Bandcamp and on CD through the Alfa Matrix webstore. Chamberlin described the record as an album “about hope and perseverance, letting go and moving on”.

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

US based electropop / noire futurepop artist David Chamberlin strikes back with the 3rd full length album by Entrzelle. The release is available now from Bandcamp and on CD via the Alfa Matrix webstore, and of course from all other digital music services.

David explains the concept: “The songs deal with subjects ranging from personal conflict to social commentary, from loss to euphoria. This is an album about hope and perseverance, letting go and moving on. Writing these songs has helped me in my own life, and I hope that listening to them can help someone else too.”

The experimentation on this album has been kept to a minimum, instead focusing on songwriting and production. The tone is darker and the songs are more direct. Expect a mix of upbeat electro sequences and addictive noisy synth pop melodies.

Next to the 12 new songs you also get 4 bonus remixes by label companions in the likes of Psy’Aviah, Reichsfeind, Elektrostaub and DJ Simon Carter. Advised for fans of Rotersand, Covenant, Seabound, Imperative Reaction, Aesthetic Perfection, VNV Nation, Etc.

Check out all the new tracks below plus the album teaser.

Here’s the videoteaser. Read the review of ‘Dust On A Razorblade’.

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

After two strong albums, Frankfurt-based Timo Revna aka Reichsfeind joined the Alfa Matrix label releasing the single “Persona” as a teaser for a forthcoming new album called “Darken” which is out today.

The new Reichsfeind album is called “Darken” and features 12 tracks of electro / techno pop which will please fans of bands like Covenant, VNV Nation, De/Vision, Mesh, Icon Of Coil, etc. with a stress on great melodies, fat beats and cold and strict vocals.

The new album is out as a download via Bandcamp and on CD (available here).

Check out the tracks from this excellent release! Read the review of ‘Darken’.

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

(Picture by Jasyn Bangert – God Module) Out now via Bandcamp is Shane Aungst’s “The Zombietapes (Face The Beat 7 Megamix)”.

Seattle (United States) based DJ Shane Aungst produced this monster megamix featuring a total of 38 tracks from “Face The Beat: Session 7” during long evening sessions in February and March 2022. He soon talked about the zombietapes, hence the title of this megamix. The original compilation is available here. Expect an interview with Shane Aungst in the next days

The release holds 3 parts being just over 49 minutes each totaling just over 147 minutes and holds extensive remix and sampling work by Shane Aungst. The full remix is available for free with all donations going to charity like every release on our Bandcamp page. This is the 3rd time already that Shane Aungst has produced a remix for Side-Line’s infamous compilation series. The two previous megamixes were “Shane Aungst vs Face The Beat 5 – Megamix” and “Shane Aungst vs Face The Beat 6 – Megamix“.

Tracklist

SIDE A

1. Intro By Viscera Drip
2. Midian Dite – Hermosa Sumisa
3. Histeria – Proceso Inquisición
4. Suppressor – Schweigen
5. Sapphira Vee – What Is This
6. Dance My Darling – Love & Hate (Centhron Remix)
7. Preemptive Strike 0.1 – Preemptive Strike (2021 Version – Face The Beat Edit)
8. Khmar – Dampfkraft
9. Reality’s Despair – The Other Side
10. Empyres – The Sirens Call
11. Blut Reaktor – Beneath The Judas Tree
12. Chem – Cieni
13. Sodomy Down The Cross – Zurück In Den Wald

SIDE B

1. Helmynthe – Aromat Ammiaka
2. Ctrl+Cmd+Destroy_Alternis (Oot Mix)
3. Eric Dillon – Come Closer (Soulchasm Mix) Instrumental Master
4. Shadow System – Smile Before The Bullets (Sitd Remix)
5. Fatherless Child – Share If You Like Shave If You Lick
6. Psychosomatik – Damage Done (Original)
7. MATT HART – I Am Overlord
8. Imjudas – Ritual (Reichsfeind Rmx)
9. Sun’s Spectrum – Intrusion
10. Last Activity – Shadows
11. Doktor Foxx – Cold On
12. LCM – Bodies Collide
13. R.I.P. (Roppongi Inc. Project ) – Bazooka

SIDE C

1. Scars Are Soulless – Eyes Of The Deceiver
2. Distoxia – Legiones Invertidas
3. Unidad Obscura – Ni Un Minuto Atras
4. Deadjump – Save Me From My Fear (Burnout Mix)
5. Notstandskomitee_Bitcrash
6. Waijdan – Rotting Gardens
7. John Bérb-Eluha – Fantômas
8. Shinigami Ind – Quiero
9. Atonal – Crash Feat. Anna Soares
10. Escupemetralla – Maldacena Duality
11. Rabbits Wear Boots – We Will Not Become A Number
12. Against I – Scum

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

Since the release of the “Tulpa” EP in 2017, ImJudas has appeared on various compilations, including our very own “Face The Beat 5” with the track “Without Us You Are Nothing”. With the 6-track EP “Ritual”, Italian artist Maxx Maryan – male half of the electro rock duo Helalyn Flowers – launches the last EP before the launch of his debut solo album “Yrjudas” scheduled for an early 2022 release.

Besides the title track we also find an Aiboforcen remix of the B-side “So Untrue” featuring Noemi Aurora, and 4 remixes of “Ritual” by 808 Dot Pop, Cubic, Reichsfeind and Acylum.

You can download the EP right now from Bandcamp, check the previews below.

And this is the debut EP which was released in 2017, “Tulpa”.

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

Out now is a brand new single – counting 5 tracks – by the electropop act Suicidal Romance, the project of Estonian artist Dmitry Darling (frontman of Freakangel and Matthew Creed) and female vocalist Viktoria Seimar.

“Runaways” comes in 5 different edits, the single edit and 4 remixes by bands such as Aiboforcen, Neuroactive, Reichsfeind and 808 Dot Pop. The mixing of this excellent electropop single was handled by Pjotr Latosev while the mastering was completed by Max Gerasyonov (the single edit) and Ocean (all of the remixes). You’ll also notice the special artwork by Gobotoru.

You can download the single right now from Bandcamp, while other platforms will have it on April 15th.

A video can be viewed below.

About Suicidal Romance

Suicidal Romance is a Tallinn / Estonia based band that is creating electro pop/dark pop music since 2006. All started with the track “Cold Kiss” that was written and recorded just for fun. After it received more than the just the regular positive feedback it was decided to start a whole project. Viktoria Seimar joined the band as the female vocalist in august of 2006 at the same time with Maarja Korstnik and the first and only demo CD was released.

One month later Suicidal Romance was signed to Infacted Recordings.

The debut CD “Love Beyond Reach” was released on June 8, 2007. The CD contained 11 original tracks and two remixes from Blutengel and Lost Area. “Love Beyond Reach” was also released in Russia via Gravitator Records under exclusive license from Infacted Recordings. In 2008 the band recorded a follow-up EP, “A Kiss to Resist”. Despite a turbulent 2 year the band completed a new album in 2010: “Shattered Heart Reflections” followed the year after by “Memories Behind Closed Curtains” and 2 singles: “Burning Love – Remember Me” (2012) and “Whisper Goodbye” (2013).

In 2015 the band signed to Alfa Matrix which by then had also become the safe harbor for Freakangel, DD’s industrial electro project. The first release for Alfa Matrix was the compilation “Rêves & Souvenirs” uniting the band’s best work. It was followed by an all new single, the 10-track “Your Name”, in 2016.

The band also re-released all of its back catalogue in extended versions (as you can see below). While the focus was put on Freakangel for the past few years, the project is now back up and running with an all new single “Runaways” and a forthcoming album to be released later this year.

Electro pop at its very best to say the least!

Previous releases

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

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.

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

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

side-line.com

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

Reichsfeind-1-150×150.jpg” alt=””/>

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: “Chasm Walk” is the second full length album from German solo-artist Timo Revna. The work was released late 2019 on CD format by E-Noxe Records. Reichsfeind now signed to Alfa Matrix, which after the digital re-release of the debut album “Living In Space” now recovered “Chasm Walk” from dust. The album features the fourteen original songs plus four extra remixes, which already appeared on the original digital edit. 

Content: “Chasm Walk” is an interesting work, which tries to buy a sonic bridge between Dark-Electronics (the roots of the project) and a more Pop & Trance orientated style. The songs are carried by hopping rhythms and omnipresent astral electronic arrangements. The somewhat robotic effect on top of the vocals is totally fitting with the global atmosphere supporting the songs. The album features 14 songs plus 4 remixes by Kennedy, Maneater, KayFabe LaNoise and Chadouze Airplay.

+ + + : There’s a noticeable evolution in sound and efficiency between the band’s debut album and this one. This is an artist who clearly dares to push electronic boundaries to an extreme. It’s not an easy thing to mix all of these influences together and especially composing a mix of Dark-Electronics and Trance-Pop. I’m not saying Reichsfeind has invented a new style of music, but this work clearly has a very proper sound DNA. It’s an unique sound, but also revealing multiple attention grabbers; I especially like the opening part of the work while most of the remixes are quite interesting as well –and especially when you realize the remixers aren’t exactly the most familiar names. I also like the fact the album features 14 songs plus 4 bonus cuts (remixes).

– – – : Mixing all these styles is truly a challenge. I’m less convinced by some of the softer songs, which are missing the punch of the debut cuts.

Conclusion: You might see this album as a challenge coming from a visionary artist. I fully support this kind of production, which clearly sounds out of the box.

Best songs: “Chasm Walk”, “Anti”, “Retox”, “Dervish”, “Stalker”, + “Dervish – Club Mix By Maneater”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist:  www.facebook.com/Reichsfeind

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

About Reichsfeind

Reichsfeind is the solo-project of German artist Timo Revna. The project released “Daydream” in 2014, followed by “Living In Space” in 2017 (with “Living In Space – The Remixes” in 2018) and “Chasm Walk” in late 2019 on CD via E-Noxe Records.

Reichsfeind subsequently signed to Alfa Matrix, which reissued “Living In Space” digitally and then brought “Chasm Walk” back with four extra remixes by Kennedy, Maneater, KayFabe LaNoise and Chadouze Airplay. The album “Persona” followed in 2020, “Darken” and “This” in 2022, and “The Beauty Of Blur” on Alfa Matrix in 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-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: The Belgian label Alfa Matrix recently signed Reichsfeind. The German project driven by Timo Revna is already active for a couple of years now. “Living In Space” was the German artist’s debut album released in 2017 on E-Noxe. Alfa Matrix is now releasing the back-catalogue of the band at their Bandcamp site. So this is an opportunity to (re)discover the twelve original songs plus four remixes of this work.

Content: There’s a manifest difference –or should I say evolution, between this debut album and the later released “Chasm Walk”. “Living In Space” sounds definitely more electro-Pop like, although always moving on the edge of darker sounds and effects. The sound production has something overwhelming, sometimes moving into harder cuts, which become more Aggreppo-like. But you’ll also notice a few softer pieces.

Remixes have been made by Rob Dust and Maneater while Kayfabe LaNoise made two remixes.

+ + + : The opening cut is the title song characterized by a true overwhelming production and a cool chorus. The tracklist is switching between Dark-Pop songs and a few heavier pieces moving on the edge of Aggreppo. “Detox” remains one of the absolute smashers of this work and in a way, showing the sonic path Reichsfeind should hold on its second album. Another attention grabber is “Carrousel”, which remains danceable, but still evasive. But the main strength from the album is for sure the very own approach in Electro-Pop music by this artist.

– – – : I’m not into the softer pieces of the album while the remixes don’t exactly add a bonus.

Conclusion: This work is a way to get an idea about how it all started for Reichsfeind, but I can already tell you that the best is yet to come…

Best songs: “Detox”, “Living In Space”, “Carrousel”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Reichsfeind

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

About Reichsfeind

Reichsfeind is the solo project of German musician Timo Revna, set up in 2011. The project self-released demos before the debut album “Daydream” in 2014, followed by “Living In Space” in 2017 on E-Noxe and the companion “Living In Space – The Remixes” EP in 2018.

Later releases include “Chasm Walk” (2019), the “Persona” EP (2020) and, following the 2020 signing to Alfa Matrix, “Darken” (2022), the “This” EP (2022) and the single “The Beauty Of Blur” (2023). Alfa Matrix’s reissue of “Living In Space” makes the back-catalogue of Reichsfeind’s 2017 debut available again.

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-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Reichsfeind recently joined hands together with Alfa Matrix. While the new EP “Persona” is meant as an appetizer to announce the new album, this EP is part of the back-catalogue that will be released on Alfa Matrix. “Living In Space / The Remixes” is the complementary EP to the same-titled album released in 2017 by E-Noxe, reissued the same day by Alfa Matrix as “Living In Space”. The EP was self-released in 2018.

Content: The EP takes off with the previously unreleased “Mute”-song, which is carried by a hopping rhythm. The chorus reveals the Pop approach, which is more pronounced than what we’ve heard from Reichsfeind at the “Chasm Walk”-album.

We next get 3 remixes from songs that were originally released on “Living In Space”. Remixes have been accomplished by Desastrous, Chiasm and Kennedy.

+ + + : “Mute” is a cool song opening this EP revealing the Electro-Pop side of Reichsfeind or shall I dare to say the ‘early’ influences of the project. Together with the remix of “Detox” by Desastrous both songs are characterized by danceable vibes and cool melody lines. You also can hear the well-crafted writing of the songs.

– – – : I’m not sure bringing this older stuff alive is the best way to promote the new work of Reichsfeind. The remixes by Chiasm and Kennedy are soft and less exiciting.

Conclusion: I’m not a huge fan of this EP, which has less to do with what Reichsfeind is composing today. This is an EP for the fans and collectors.

Best songs: “Mute”, “Detox – Desastrous Remix”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Reichsfeind

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

About Reichsfeind

Reichsfeind is the solo project of German musician Timo Revna, set up in 2011. The debut album “Daydream” followed in 2014, then “Living In Space” in 2017 on E-Noxe, with “Chasm Walk” (2019), the “Persona” EP (2020), “Darken” (2022), the “This” EP (2022) and the single “The Beauty Of Blur” (2023) completing the project’s discography after its 2020 signing to Alfa Matrix.

“Living In Space / The Remixes” was self-released in 2018 as a companion to the “Living In Space” album and gathers a previously unreleased track alongside remixes of songs from that record.

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-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Timo Revna set up Reichsfeind in 2011. Two albums were released thus far, but especially the self-released second one “Chasm Walk” caught my attention for its Electronic eclecticism. The German artist from Frankfurt now joined hands together with Alfa Matrix to unleash his new album. “Persona” is the first teaser to announce the upcoming opus.

Content: The title song featured as “Single Edit” reveals a great duality between rough sound treatments and a carrying chorus. It’s an ultra danceable song with the particularity of robotic vocal effects. Rob Dust accomplished a more pronounced ‘dance’ remix.

We next get remixes from songs that were originally released on the “Chasm Walk”-album. The “Club Mix” of “Retox” remains a smasher driven by a hopping cadence. This song has also been remixed by [Aesthetische] and Hydroxie. Last, but not least there also is a remix of “Anti” by ES23.

+ + + : The title song confirms the strong potential of the “Chasm”-album. It remains hard to define, but Reichsfeind sounds more like the fusion between different influences instead of belonging to a proper music genre. I like the rough sound treatments of “Persona” mixed with a solid chorus. It creates a heavy Dark-Pop effect symbolizing the very personal sound approach of this artist. But there’s also something to say about the great “Club Remix” of “Retox” and the harder edit by [Aesthetische].

– – – : It’s hard to find a minus point here; this is the perfect EP to get dancefloors on fire!

Conclusion: Reichsfeind is a very promising new comer to the Alfa Matrix roster and the great “Persona”-song will for sure become a hit!

Best songs: “Persona – Single Edit”, “Retox – [Aesthetische Remix]”, “Retox – Club Mix”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/pg/Reichsfeind

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

About Reichsfeind

Reichsfeind is the solo project of German musician Timo Revna, set up in 2011. The project self-released demos before the debut album “Daydream” in 2014, followed by “Living In Space” in 2017 on E-Noxe and the companion “Living In Space – The Remixes” EP in 2018.

The self-released “Chasm Walk” album followed in 2019, catching Side-Line’s attention for its electronic eclecticism, ahead of the December 2020 signing to Alfa Matrix. “Persona”, reviewed here, is the debut Alfa Matrix EP and first teaser for the album that followed on the label.

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, CD.

Background/Info: God Module last year unleashed the successful opus “The Unsound”, which has been now revisited by an impressive list of artists remixing most of the songs from the album. “The Unsound” was God Module’s eighth official album.

Content: From the 10 original songs of the album only 2 (cf. “Behind The Curtain” and “One Last Wish”) haven’t been remixed. We get a total of seventeen (!) remixes by Iris, Amnestic, ESA, Baby Magick, Ruined Conflict, ES23, System Syn, Wolftron, Reichsfeind, Absynthe Of Faith, “Finite Automata, Ghostfeeder, Invalid, Velvet Acid Christ, Funker Vogt, Aircrash Bureau and Rodney Anonymous.

The selection of remixers is pretty diversified resulting in a true sonic cocktail. It’s pretty surprising to hear God Module being remixed by Iris for example. But I can also mention the heavier and industrial work by Amnestic and the melancholic Pop of System Syn. The album ends with heavy dance cuts by Funker Vogt and Aircrash Bureau.

+ + + : It’s cool to nearly get all songs from the album being remixed. It creates a cool diversity and I’m sure we all will find some favorite cuts. I have to mention ES23 transforming “Cross My Heart” into a powerful, melodic edit. Funker Vogt did a great job remixing “Unconscious” while I also have to mention “Déjà vu” remixed by Aircrash Bureau. Ruined conflict is another great name and the remix of “Display” definitely belongs to the best of this opus. So in the end it’s quite interesting to see that some of the best songs from the original album didn’t become my favorites now.

– – – : When you get 17 remixes you for sure will always have a few forgettable ones; some of the less famous artists unfortunately also deliver the less inspired remixes.

Conclusion: This album is a perfect item for die-hard fans and DJ’s, but I still prefer the original album.

Best songs: “Cross My Heart – ES23 Remix”, “Unconscious – Funker Vogt Remix”, “Display – Ruined Conflict Remix”, “Déjà Vu – Aircrash Bureau Remix”;

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.godmodule.org / www.facebook.com/godmodule

Label: www.metropolis-records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords

About God Module

The project began in 1999 in Orlando, Florida, founded by Jasyn Bangert with original collaborator Andrew Ramirez. Other long-time live/studio associates have included Andrew Pearson (also in Bangert’s side-project Hexheart) and earlier member Byron C. Miller. The name references an X-Files episode about a theoretical “god module” in the brain. The project relocated to Washington state by 2006.

The first album, “Artificial” (2000), appeared on Inception Records after an initial 1999 CDr; Bangert co-ran Sector 9 Studios, which issued the “Perception” EP (2002) and “Empath” (2003). European partnerships later included Infacted Recordings and Out of Line, with Metropolis Records handling North America.

Following “Artificial” and “Empath”, the project consolidated its club presence with “Viscera” (2005) and “Let’s Go Dark” (2007), then moved into the 2010s with “Seance” (2011), “False Face” (2014), and “Prophecy” (2015). “The Unsound” arrived on July 12, 2019, God Module’s eighth album, and “The Unsound Remixes” followed in August 2020 with seventeen reworkings of its tracks by artists including Iris, Funker Vogt, System Syn and Velvet Acid Christ.

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

After the well received second album “Chasm Walk”, Frankfurt-based mastermind Timo Revna aka Reichsfeind has joined the well-known Belgian electronic music label Alfa Matrix. Immediately available via Bandcamp is the brand new electro pop single “Persona” which is an instant ear worm as you can hear below.

Many readers will also remember Reichsfeind from his participation on our most recent Face The Beat compilation with the track “Mute”.

But that’s not all, next to a new single, the label has also made available the entire back catalogue of Reichsfeind via Bandcamp exclusively which will please fans of bands like Seabound, X-Marks The Pedwalk, Elderbrook, Beborn Beton or yet De/Vision.

First of all there’s the new single “Persona”. The 6-track EP holds the title track next to an upbeat remix by Rob Dust, reworked mix of the project’s club hit “Retox” and a selection of remixes of “Anti” and “Retox” by artists in the likes of Aesthetische, ES23 and Hydroxie.

Additionally there’s also a video launched for the single’s leading track.

Entire back catalogue also released on Bandcamp

For the occasion of the arrival of Reichsfeind in the Alfa Matrix roster of artists, the Belgian label is releasing the band’s back catalogue exclusively on its Bandcamp page.

“Daydream” EP

Initially released in July 2014, “Daydream” is the first official self-released EP by the German act Reichsfeind. It holds 6 tracks which set the sonic foundations of the band revealing synth melodies layered across darker electro arrangements with upbeat rhythm patterns with vocoded male vocals. The label perfectly describes it as “synth pop music with an edge and a darkish dimension.”

“Living in space” download album

Initially released in November 2017, “Living In Space” is not only the first official full length CD of Reichsfeind but it’s also their breakthrough album. The album includes club hits like “Soulpaint” and “Detox”. The album features bonus remixes by Rob Dust, Maneater and Kayfabe Lanoise.

“Living in space (the remixes)” EP

Initially released in January 2018, “Living In Space (the remixes)” is the complementary EP release of Reichsfeind’s debut album. Opening with the exclusive non-album track “Mute”, this 4-track EP showcases 3 selected album songs from a different sonic perspective going from the upbeat club mix of “Detox (Desastroes remix)” to the more laid-back version of the “Soulpaint (Kennedy remix)”.

“Chasm walk” download album

The 14-track album “Chasm Walk” was originally released in November 2019. With his second album, Reichsfeind showed a matured songwriting and production level merging modern electronics, driving rhythms, dark atmosphere, meaningful lyrics, rolling basslines and addictive melodic sounds.

The album is also released with 4 bonus remixes by Kennedy, Maneater, Kayfabe, Lanoise and Chadouze.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

side-line.com

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

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Six years have passed since the last Menschdefekt-album “Touch Of Madness”. “Cursed” might be seen as the comeback for this German-Swedish formation featuring Fredrik Croona as singer. This album comes as an appetizer to the new opus “Empty World”.

Content: “Cursed” takes off with the title song as “Single Version”, which is a kind of dark-electro song accomplished with a catchy, poppy chorus. The vocals are harsh, but the melodic lead has something elevating. This is a song to all together sing and dance to.

We next get 8 remixes by Ruined Conflict, Frame Of Mind, Reichsfeind, X-Horize, BloodConnek7ion, DV8R, Nine Seconds and Mechanical Moth. 

+ + + : There’s no better way announcing a new album by such a sonic bomb! “Cursed” is a song you’ll rapidly keep in mind and before you realize it, you’ll be contaminated. You’ll spontaneously start to sing the chorus again and again to finally repeat the song again. I also heard several cool remixes like the more poppy- and minimal like one by Ruined Conflict. I also like the job done by Frame Of Mind, DV8R and Mechanical Moth.

– – – : It’s just a pity this EP only features one song and an endless list of remixes; good for the DJ’s, but I’m expecting a bit more so let’s wait for the album.

Conclusion: Menschdefekt strikes back with a dancefloor killer!

Best songs: “Cursed – Single Version”, “Cursed – Ruined conflict Remix”, “Cursed – Frame Of Mind Remix”, “Cursed – DV8r Remix”, “Cursed – Mechanical Moth Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.menschdefekt.com / www.facebook.com/official.menschdefekt

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

About Menschdefekt

Menschdefekt started in Aschaffenburg, Germany in 2004 as the solo project of Dominik R. In February 2009 Swedish vocalist Fredrik Croona, also active in Cynical Existence, Croona and Project Rotten, joined as permanent singer and lyricist. Signed to Infacted Recordings, the project issued the digital single “Cursed” reviewed here on 8 May 2020, followed by the album “Empty World” on 19 June 2020, which held nine new songs plus seven remixes and a track featuring German forensic biologist Dr. Mark Benecke. Menschdefekt went on to release the EP “Secular Days” in 2022 and the fourth studio album “Recombination” the same year, before Croona announced his departure in October 2022 after fifteen years with the band.

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

Timo Revna set up Reichsfeind in 2011 somewhere in the hinterland of Frankfurt Am Main (Germany). He started to compose dark-electronic music and got in touch with the German label E-Noxe. The official debut album “Living In Space” has been released in 2017. Two years later Reichsfeind, which in the meantime made a few clips and remixes for other bands, released its new opus “Chasm Walk”, again on E-Noxe. It’s a fully accomplished work mixing elements of electro-pop, EBM and trance. The album sounds a bit out of the box, but it’s a great electronic experience. I talked about it all with Timo Revna.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I noticed you set up Reichsfeind already a while ago. What incited you to set up this project and what have been the initial purposes and sonic ideas you’d in mind? 

Timo: That’s right, I already started Reichsfeind in 2011 by the age of 17. In the beginning there was no greater plan. All I knew is I had chosen music to handle overwhelming feelings and emotions. Back then I didn’t care that much about a high quality sound or reaching a bigger audience. My focus was entirely based upon creating dense atmospheres and meaningful lyrics. Music as therapy, nothing that special.

Q: I think the name ‘Reichsfeind’ is important to explain as it clearly says more about your perception of our society and the world we live in. Tell us a bit more about it and how do you try to transpose these ideas into sounds, lyrics, songs and finally albums? 

Timo: ‘Reichsfeind’ signifies zero tolerance towards any kind of totalitarism, especially in regards to vicious racial ideologies. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said ‘We learn from history that we do not learn from history’. As history repeats its darkest times over and over again, I find it of greatest importance to emphasize and preserve the inter-human qualities that make us equal in the first place. Through my music I try to reveal that behind all these walls we build around us, we’re still united by the same pleasures of love and friendship, similar joys and sorrows. 

Q: Reichsfeind is a solo-project although you like to work with guest musicians. How does it generally happen and what do you see as the limits of working/composing alone? 

Timo: Taking in advice and a second opinion has actually become quite a valuable habit for me over the last years. When it comes to producing I mainly work with KayFabe LaNoise (Wynardtage/Hydroxie). His long-standing experience contributes as a vital part to the sound of Reichsfeind. Lyrics however are all written and performed by myself. In general I would say that it’s quite important to be aware of the fact that no one can master every craft. So when it comes to making music, it is always a great advice to work together with people who grasp your vision and can bring in what they do best.

Q: About the music, it’s not an easy job to find the right description as your sound rather sounds as the fusion between multiple influences! It’s of course electronic, but I noticed different influences moving from pop to trance to EBM. What makes this diversity and eclecticism and how did the writing and production of “Chasm Walk” happen? 

Timo: I simply make the music I want to hear without caring too much about man-made genre limitations. On “Chasm Walk” you can clearly hear a strong trance influence, especially regarding the spherical atmospheres and rolling basslines which I always loved about this kind of music. I also like the simplicity of pop so I always aim for a certain catchiness. 

Q: One thing is for sure, you’re not what I would call a ‘copyist’ but rather a visionary artist who dares to experiment with new ideas and mixing different influences together. I can only, but fully support this approach, but don’t you think it’s easier to compose more ‘fashionable’ music? What’s your perception of the electro-underground scene? 

Timo: Thank you for that! Sure thing it would be a lot easier to just stick to whatever is trending and most prominent at the time. I wouldn’t consider this approach being artistic though. Art is supposed to challenge yourself. You shouldn’t make art to please others anyway. If you really care for what you do, there will always be people who will notice and value your work. It turns out to be quite difficult however to establish oneself in this scene being a newcomer, speaking of playing live gigs in particular. 

Q: 2020 is just started so what’s in the pipeline for Reichsfeind this what are the further plans? 

Timo: We are currently working on our live show and looking for gig opportunities. Besides that there’re already a couple of brand new songs finished and we are eager to give them a go in front of an audience! 

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, trance-pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Chams Walk” is the second full length album from German solo-artist Timo Revna. The debut album “Living In Space” was already released on E-Noxe Records in 2017.

Content: “Chasm Walk” is an interesting work, which tries to buy a sonic bridge between dark-electronics (the roots of the project) and a more pop & trance orientated style. The songs are carried by hopping rhythms and omnipresent astral electronic arrangements. The somewhat robotic effect on top of the vocals is totally fitting with the global atmosphere supporting the songs. The album features 14 songs plus 4 remixes by Kennedy, Maneater, KayFabe LaNoise and Chadouze Airplay.

+ + + : This is an artist who clearly dares to push electronic boundaries to an extreme. It’s not an easy thing to mix all of these influences together and especially composing a mix of dark-electronics and trance-pop. I’m not affirming Reichsfeind has invented a new style of music, but it clearly appears to be a project with a very proper sound DNA. It’s an atypical sound, but also revealing multiple attention grabbers; I especially like the opening part of the work while most of the remixes are quite interesting as well –and especially when you realize the remixers aren’t exactly the most familiar names. I also like the fact the album features 14 songs plus 4 bonus cuts (remixes).

– – – : Mixing all these styles is truly a challenge. I’m less convinced by some of the softer songs, which are missing the punch of the debut cuts.

Conclusion: You might see this album as a challenge coming from a visionary artist. I fully support this kind of productions, which clearly sound out of the box.

Best songs: “Chasm Walk”, “Anti”, “Retox”, “Dervish”, “Stalker”, + “Dervish – vClub Mix By Maneater”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist:  www.facebook.com/Reichsfeind

Label: www.e–noxe.de / www.facebook.com/enoxeRecords

About Reichsfeind

Reichsfeind is the solo project of German musician Timo Revna, combining dark-electronics with pop and trance elements. The project’s debut album, “Living In Space,” was released via E-Noxe Records in 2017. “Chasm Walk,” reviewed here, is Reichsfeind’s second album, released on November 22, 2019. The project’s third album, “Darken,” followed in 2022 via Alfa Matrix, supported by the EP “This,” and, in 2023, the single “The Beauty of Blur.”

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-pop, EBM, dark-electro.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Daniel Pad ended 2019 with a new EP from his sonic brainchild ES23. While waiting for this German artist’s fourth official studio album, he brings three new songs plus three remixes from the title track.

Content: ES23 once started with pure dark-electro music and progressively evolved towards hard electro-pop. This EP sounds like the symbiosis between both influences, unleashing a powered electro where melodies and harder EBM bass lines plus dark, carrying leads are inciting the listener to dance. Among the new cuts there’s one instrumental. Remixes have been accomplished by Reichsfeind, Intent: Outtake and Desastroes.

+ + + : The title song appears to be a potential new club-hit for ES23. It’s the perfect fusion between dark-electro and electro-pop. There’s a great lead carrying this song. “Not Your Enemy” is another cool song, which is driven by a solid EBM bass line and a spooky lead. Among the remixes I especially want to mention the pumping adaptation of “When I’m Gone” by Reichsfeind. 

– – – : This EP makes me really wondering how the new ES23 will sound-like. I’ve never been disappointed by this project and a possible return to darker influences would be a cool step.

Conclusion: Some EP’s still make sense and especially when you get a great title song, a cool B-side and one or more noticeable remixes.

Best songs: “When I’m Gone”, “When I’m Gone – Dungeon Remix by Reichsfeind”, “Not Your Enemy”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.es23.de /   www.facebook.com/ES23official

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

About ES23

ES23 is the solo project of German artist Daniel Pad, based in Bochum and founded at the end of 2004. The project’s discography runs from “Born” (2008) and “God 23” (2009) through “Heaven Or Hell” (2012), “Mutatio Ex Machina” (2014), “Erase My Heart” (2017) and “Taking Me Down” (2018), before ES23 joined Infacted Recordings for “When I’m Gone”. Later releases on the label include “The Remix Files” (2020), “Now” and “Never” (both 2022) and the album “Dancing With Clouds” (2023), with the instrumental single “Fairytale” following in 2026.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com