The Hamburg-based German new wave/pop act Sea Of Sin has released “The Shape Of A Lonely Soul“, an independently released eight-track album. The album was preceded by the singles “Faith!”, “No Excuse”, “Bang Bang Bang”, “Save Me”, “Renegades” and “Dark Revelations”.

“The Shape Of A Lonely Soul” is available as a CD digipak with a 16-page booklet, as a limited 12-inch black vinyl edition, via Poponaut and as a digital release through Bandcamp and other platforms.

Klaus Schill handled mixing and production, while Thomas Banse engineered the vocal recordings at Studio B in Stuttgart. Norman Nitzsche mastered the record at Calyx Mastering in Berlin.

About Sea Of Sin

Sea Of Sin are a German new wave/pop duo from Hamburg built around founding members Frank Zwicker and Klaus Schill. The band first emerged in the 1990s and launched with the 1995 debut album “Watch Out!” on Subtronic Records. Zwicker handles vocals and lyrics, while Schill is responsible for synths, guitars and production.

They followed in 1997 with the EP “Illuminate”, produced by Heiko Maile of Camouflage, who also handled arrangement, mastering and backing vocals on that release. Sea Of Sin then released “Urban Chemistry” in 2000 with Heiko Maile of Camouflage again contributing backing vocals.

After a long hiatus, the duo returned in 2018 with “Future Pulse”, a comeback album largely built from re-edited earlier material. In April 2019 they issued “Unbroken”, described by the band as their first album of new songs after the break. Later that same year they released “The Remixes”, which collected remix work from the 2018-2019 period and added the previously unreleased track “Only The Memory Remains”.

The release pace increased again from 2020 onward. Sea Of Sin issued the singles “Unspoken Words”, “Floating Away”, “Turn Back Time” and “Immaculate”, and then gathered that period’s remix activity on “The Remixes II” in March 2021, followed with new singles in 2022, including “Synchronize”. The album “Tired of Chasing Ghosts” arrived on April 21, 2023. In 2024 the duo marked its 30-year anniversary with live dates, and the singles “Faith!”, “No Excuse”, “Bang Bang Bang”, “Save Me”, “Renegades” and “Dark Revelations” which led into the March 13, 2026 album “The Shape Of A Lonely Soul”.

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.

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Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: The ongoing pandemic inspired German Synth-Pop duo Sea Of Son to release a bunch of singles. Most of the songs were taken from the band’s last studio album “Unbroken” released in 2019, but there was also a single/EP featuring the new song “Turn Back Time”. This EP brings a fine selection from these Single/EP songs together featuring a total amount of seventeen tracks.

Content: Sea Of Sin stands for ‘classical’ Electro-Pop featuring well-crafted songs and carrying choruses. They selected songs like “Naked”, “Immaculate”, “Floating Away”, “Unspoken Words” and “Valentine”, which were all originally featured on the “Unbroken”-album. We here get “Single”- and “Radio”-edits plus a few alternative mixes, but also remixes by Rob Dust, Man Without Country, Nature Of Wires, Mesh, Covered In Snow, Paralyzed, Nite, Blume, Soni Code, Mindbeat, Rotoskop and Promenade Cinema.

+ + + : This EP is an opportunity to rediscover some of the “Unbroken”-songs reworked/remixes by other Electro-Pop artists. Mesh has remixed “Turn Back Time” and you’ll rapidly recognize the unique stamp of the British Masters of Electro-Pop. This is a terrific remix. I also have to mention the remix of “Floating Away” by Paralyzed and the boosted remix of “Floating Away” by Blume.

– – – : The remixes of “Unspoken Words” couldn’t really convince me. I also expected a bit more from Rob Dust’s work, which nearly always guarantees great remixes. I personally regret that all remixes have been made by Electro-Pop artists; even if they all inject their own touch it would have been cool to get remixes by bands from other music genres.

Conclusion: Electro-Pop freaks will for sure discover some cool songs/remixes at this EP.

Best songs: “Turn Back Time – Mesh Remix”, “Floating Away – Paralyzed Remix”, “Floating Away – Blume Remix”, “Immaculate – Nature Of Wires Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/seaofsinGER

Label: www.facebook.com/7usMusic

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: The American duo Brian Belknap – Adam Collier last year released the debut album “Music In A Time Of Uncertainty”. This production by the American BlakLight was one of my favorite Electro-Pop releases from 2020. “Unknown Love” is a song taken from this album. The CD format features ten remixes plus one extra untitled song.

Content: “Unknown Love” was not exactly my favorite song from the album although it’s a great Electro-Pop track with a carrying chorus. The song has been remixed by Nite, Matthias, Sea Of Sin, Darwinmcd, Obsession Of Time and Hallowlove –who made 4 remixes. There’s a great diversity between the different remixes, but all edits remain pretty Electro-Pop driven. The untitled song is a cover version of David Bowie’s “Ashes To Ashes”, which has been transposed into a pure Electro-Pop dimension.

+ + + : The opening remix by Nite is a first attention grabber for its overwhelming and blasting sound production. Another cool cut is the dreamy remix by Darwinmcd. But my favorite cut is without a shadow of a doubt the remix of Obsession Of Time, which is more club-orientated and mixed with retro-Pop influences. There’s also something to say about the Bowie-cover; it’s not an easy job to cover such a legendary track, but BlakLight did it with style.

– – – : I’m still convinced “Unknown Love” is not the best song taken from “Music In A Time Of Uncertainty” and I also expected a bit more from the remixes. I’m still not a huge fan of EP’s with an endless list of remixes from one and the same song. 

Conclusion: BlakLight remains to me a hot newcomer, but I should recommend discovering the band by their great album instead of this EP.

Best songs: “Unknown Love – Obsession Of Time Remix”, “Unknown Love – Nite Remix”, “Unknown Love – Darwinmcd Remix”, “Unknown Love – Matthias Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/BlakLightband

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Covered in Snow have recently released a new single called “Romeo”. A remix of “Romeo” done by German synthpop legends Sea of Sin has been released today, and an EP with 5 new original songs will be released in April or May.

Here’s what the band has to say about the new single: “Almost everyone gets badly affected by the pandemic. Perhaps the most affected are the ones who were in really a bad place even before it broke out. When you’re stuck behind great walls they’re getting even bigger when you get cut off from the small connections you have. This song is for them. In the writing we have tried to combine the electronics and the vocal style that is Covered in Snow’s trademark with post-rock influences. It takes you to places neither we nor you have visited before.”

Below is the new remix.

The Stockholm based act Covered in Snow consists of Mikael Engström and Tom Hedlund. They are also featured on our free “Face The Beat 6” compilation with the track “Hurry Up To Love Here” which you can hear/download below.

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.

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Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: German synth-pop duo Sea Of Sin were mainly active during the 90s, but struck back during the past few years, re-releasing their earlier work plus a new opus entitled “Unbroken” in 2019. Several EP’s were released as well. This new EP is a fine selection from the remixes that were originally released on these EP’s, but some little extras.

Content: “The Remixes” features 15 songs, but especially “What Are You Waiting For” has been put in the spotlights. The “Single Edit” is a fully enjoyable electro-pop track driven by a catchy chorus you can easily sing along. Remixes have been accomplished by Mesh, Paralyzed, Khibou, Oren Amram, Rotoskop and Mindbeat. Another song that has been featured is “You” that has been remixed by Blume, The New Division and Uncreated. You also will recognize older cuts from the early period like the unavoidable “I Live My Life” in a so-called “Neo Remix” and “Star” in an alternative edit. There also is a “Club Edit” of “Truth” (also originally released on the band’s debut album “Watch Out!”) and the new song “Only The Memory Remains”, which confirms the electro-pop skills of this band.

+ + + : The main strength of this EP is the diversity of the remixes. Sea Of Sin has chosen a very eclectic selection of bands so you don’t get the feeling all songs are similar. The contribution of Mesh is a nice little extra while their remix is pretty cool, but I also have to mention the club-friendly remix by Paralyzed and the groovy-one by Khibou. I also like the funky edit of Oren Amram. Sea Of Sin has a nose to compose catchy, danceable songs with great choruses so I can imagine it’s pretty inspiring to remix them. They also revealed a great new song “Only The Memory Remains”.

– – – : Luckily, this EP is a special fan edition because I became a bit saturated from all these remixes.

Conclusion: Sea Of Sin has made a noticeable comeback and this new EP only confirms their potential; this is fully enjoyable, classical electro-pop music.

Best songs: “What Are You Waiting For – Single Edit”, “Only The Memory Remains”, “What Are You Waiting For – Mesh Remix”, “What Are You Waiting For – Paralyzed Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/seaofsinGER

Label: www.sevenus.de/7music  / www.facebook.com/7usMusic

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

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Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Klaus Schill and Frank Zwicker are active as Sea Of Sin since the 90s. The German electro-pop formation released a noticeable debut-album  “Watch Out” (1995) on Subtronic Records. Sea Of Sin stopped their activities during the early millennium, but resurrected last year with the EP “Twilight”. This EP featured 5 re-edited songs from their debut work plus a new cut. “Future Pulse” featured the same songs as on “Twilight” plus 5 more re-edited tracks from “Watch Out”.

Content: “Future Pulse” is the ultimate opportunity to (re)discover Sea Of Sin. I’m sure younger fans will never have heard of the band, but if they’re into electro-pop music, this is a work that will catch their attention.

This is pure nostalgia and ‘classical’ electro-pop music. This is the kind of production that will remind you of De/Vision and co. It’s filled with melancholic reverie, but still a few more danceable cuts. The song “I Live My Life” might be considered as the band’s anthem while “Last Day In Paradise” is the right song to dream away on.

+ + + : This album doesn’t innovate at all, but is just a way to recover Sea Of Sin and the “Watch Out”-album from dust. The songs have been reworked remaining pretty credible. I don’t want to make comparisons, but I personally prefer this re-edited album instead of the last De/Vision opus. It’s classical electro-pop music carried by strong choruses, nice and catchy sound treatments and captivating vocal parts. “Afterworld” is more club-minded and definitely a nice surprise.

– – – : I can’t say this is a totally new release, but probably the right way to get the band back in the picture. It remains stereo-typical electro-pop music like we’ve heard hundred times before, but I personally prefer an old-styled album instead of an original work leaving me skeptical and unmoved. The new song “Star” is not exactly the most successful one from the album.

Conclusion: I really hope this “Future Pulse” will give this band a push and especially inspiration to work on new songs and release a totally new full length.

Best songs: “Afterworld”, “I Live My Life”, “Last Day In Paradise”, “Ride The Sky”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/seaofsinGER

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Some of the ‘older’ synth-pop lovers and especially German people will probably remember Sea Of Sin. I remember their debut album “Watch Out!” released in 1995 on Subtronic Records. A next full length entitled “Urban Chemistry” got released in  2000 on Synhtphony Records. The band was pretty close to Camouflage (Heiko Maile producing some of their work). After a hiatus of more than 15 years Sea Of Sin has been recovered from dust and delivered this new EP.

Content: The songs aren’t totally new as Frank Zwicker and Claus Schill revisited their early albums, reworking 3 songs from “Watch Out!” and 2 cuts from “Urban Chemistry”. They added one new cut. The influences are pretty German electro-pop like; which means inspired by Depeche Mode, but transformed into an electro-pop approach reminding German giants such as De/Vision and Camouflage. The songs are elaborated, sometimes revealing a little flavor of melancholia and carried by strong choruses. The new song “Star” is somewhat different and more into a reverie sensation.

+ + + : The old songs have been perfectly reworked and transposed into a refreshing electro-pop format. The production is fully accomplished revealing harmony between verses and choruses. There also is a perfect balance between music and vocals featuring an appropriated and talented singer for this kind of music. The ‘old’ cuts remain excellent synth-pop that will appeal for fans of the aforementioned bands.

– – – : My only regret is the rather poorly inspired new song, which more sounds like a song that has been never released and here serves as a break between the songs from the first- and the second album. Sea Of Sin doesn’t bring anything new, but will please the synth-pop community.

Conclusion: Even if this EP avoids any innovation in a music genre that already counts an endless list of similar bands, this adaptation, from songs that were originally released in the 90s, is quite refreshing and pleasant. Let’s now wait for the real ‘new’ work!

Best songs: “Last Day In Paradise”, “I Live My Life”, “Truth”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/seaofsinGER

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