“Forms of Hands” is now in its 23rd edition, showcasing 14 tracks from some of the most esteemed names in modern Industrial music who have long been associated with the German label. This installment is notably intense, featuring a robust selection of Rhythmic-Noise that often blends with hard Techno elements and IDM. At times, Breakcore rhythms cut through the sonic landscape, creating a dynamic and powerful auditory experience. Among the merciless tracklist, S.I.N.A. offers a unique yet understated moment of rest. This edition features exclusive tracks from legendary artists such as Esplendor Geometrico, Sonar, and Greyhound, alongside prominent figures like ICD-10, MS Gentur + Sven Phalanx, Heimstatt Yipotash, 13TH Monkey, Saturmzlide and SKET. Additionally, emerging names like Anarchotech, Hysteresis, Strobo.Lolita, and Supersimmetria contribute to this extraordinary collection. “Forms of Hands” Volume 23 is truly a grand cru of the genre. (Rate:9).

Listen to “Urgencia” from Esplendor Geometrico:

https://handsofficial.bandcamp.com/track/urgencia

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: Experimental, dark-ambient, noise.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Chaotalion is a project set up in 1997 by Alexander Marco. This German artist earned some reputation in the industrial scene with his project  SaturmZlide (known by the Hands fans). “Asabjaris” is his second full length album and the first one released on Krater Recordings (Audiophob subdivision).

Content: Chaotalion has nothing in common with the industrial work of SaturmZlide. It sounds more abstract and definitely experimental. Some passages feel like pure improvisation featuring an assemblage of field recordings and noise manipulations. The last part of the work moves into a dark-ambient creation supported with dark synth layers.

+ + + : The work takes off with impressive, overwhelming sound waves.  This work will definitely catch the attention of all lovers of heavy sonic manipulations, but I prefer the dark-ambient approach to the last tracks. “Z7000RAIN0027Z” and “Z7000DARK0007Z” both have a strong visual appeal, which will please the dark-ambient fans.

– – – : The experimental side of the album is not easy to seize and not really my cup of tea. It sometimes sounds like pure noise chaos. This is not really an accessible record.

Conclusion: Krater Recordings definitely appears to be a more ‘extreme’ division of Audiotrauma and that’s precisely where this project belongs.

Best songs: “Z7000RAIN0027Z”, “Z7000DARK0007Z”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/chaotalion

Label: http://krater.audiophob.de /

www.facebook.com/KraterRecordings

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: Industrial, IDM.

Background/Info: German artist Alexander Marco strikes back with the fourth full length album of his SaturmZlide project. SaturmZlide always has been a guarantee for heavy industrial sound assaults while this work has been announced as a ‘reinvention’ of the band’s sound.

Content: “Human Art Engines” still sounds very industrial and this definitely driven by this influence. But the global sound production has considerably evolved towards more sophisticated arrangements, great sound treatments –created by analog gear and dark grooves. You still can hear big kicks carrying the composition while being the perfect cure to make you dance.

+ + + : I totally agree the affirmation that Alexander Marco has reinvented his own sound. The composition became more elaborated and artistic. Notice by the way that some cuts have been mixed and engineered by Matthias Schuster (who worked with bands such as Bal Paré, In Namen Des Volkes, Das Institut ao). The result will take you by surprise. I like the IDM approach mixed with rough industrial bombast. The dark and somewhat technoid inspired grooves totally fits with the heavy industrial rhythmic. I also noticed some acid-like treatments, which have been exposed to a few sounds. There also is a great progression running through this work, which is slowly gaining a great climax during the final cuts.

– – – : A few short duration tracks can’t totally convince me. It feels like they remain unaccomplished compared to the main part of this work.

Conclusion: SaturmZlide strikes back with a sonic bomb, which is made of power and sound intelligence. This is one more great production from the 2017 Hands vintage!

Best songs: “Radio 2.0”, “Education”, “Phantom Foyer”, “aZsid Tunnel”, “Six O’Clock & Hysteria”.

Rate: (8½).

Band: https://about.me/alexandermarco / www.facebook.com/saturmzlide

Label: www.handsproductions.com / www.facebook.com/hands.official

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