Genre/Influences: Dark-Techno, Industrial-Techno.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: John Stancil moves on with a new chapter of his “Mutant Mthrfckr”-installment. The sixth volume reveals five new cuts.

Content: Stancil brings dark and aggressive Techno together with Industrial elements. The Industrial style is however a bit more in the background, this work sounding more Technoid than ever before. You’ll still notice the pitched, spoken, samplings running throughout the tracks.

+ + + : If you know the early stuff of this American project and you compare it to this “Mutant Mthrfckr”-series, you clearly will get the feeling listening to different projects. Well, I like the way this project evolves and experiences with Techno ideas. This is pure dancefloor stuff.

– – – : As I already said before this EP sounds less achieved with Industrial sound treatments and that’s an essential element from past productions I’m now.

Conclusion: Total terror for the dance floors!

Best songs: “Cut Throat”, “No Benefit”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/seraphimsystem

About Seraphim System

Seraphim System is an American industrial and techno project driven by John Stancil. Releases attributed to the project span Dark-Electro and Aggrotech through to Industrial-Metal, Hip-Hop and hard Techno, including the albums “Deadly Force”, “Riots In Progress”, “Luciferium” and “Obsidian Frontline”.

Stancil has continued the “Mutant Mthrfckr” series across several volumes, with the sixth installment reviewed here pushing the project further into Technoid territory.

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: Industrial-Techno.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: John Stancil strikes back with the fifth installment of his “Mutant MTHRFKR”-series featuring five new cuts.

Content: This is a new hard-danceable production where Seraphim System brings Industrial sound treatments and Dark-Techno/Trance influences together. There’s fragmented, pitched vocals running through a few cuts but the essence of the work remains instrumental.  The tracks are characterized by a constant danceable tempo and have been mixed into a long cut for the dancefloor.

+ + + : I don’t want to compare Seraphim System with any other band/artist but I’m sure this stuff will appeal to lovers of Noisuf-X and related projects. I like the hard and raw fusion between Electro/Industrial sounds and Techno/Trance music. Seraphim System has found the right formula to create an irresistible sonic elixir. My personal favorite cut is “The Chosen” although there’s something to say about all cuts.

– – – : The sound formula is somewhat repetitive but it’s not a point if you like this stuff. And I like it so I just regret the tracks aren’t a bit more extended.

Conclusion: Seraphim System moves on to compose music to conquer dancefloors.

Best songs: “The Chosen”, “Life Is Too Short”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/seraphimsystem

About Seraphim System

Seraphim System is the solo project John Stancil, who works under the alias BL4KJ4K, started in 2013 after playing in technical metal and punk bands. The productions move between dark-electro, aggrotech, industrial-metal, hip-hop and hard techno.

Digital World Audio released the four-track single “This Is Invasion” in 2015 with remixes by Noisuf-X and Iszoloscope, followed by the albums “Luciferium” in November 2016 and “Kelevra” in 2017. “Beast(s)” appeared in April 2017 and “Obsidian Frontline” in July 2019.

The self-released “Mutant MTHRFKR” series runs alongside the albums: the third part arrived in December 2019 and the fourth in October 2020, the year Digital World Audio also issued Phoenix, whose limited edition carried the first three “Mutant Mthrfkr” EPs as a bonus disc. “Cyberpunk & Chill Vol. 1” followed in January 2021, the fifth series instalment reviewed here in 2022, and Mutant Mthrfckr 6 later that same year.

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-techno, dark-techno.

Format: Digital, DCD.

Background/Info: Setup in 2013 by John Stancil aka ‘Bl4kj4k’, Seraphim System has released a considerable number of productions so far. “Phoenix” (spelled “Pho3n1x”) features the new album plus a bonus disc entitled “Mutant Mthrfkr” featuring the three digital EP’s released under the same title and numbered from one till three.

Content: Seraphim System likes to switch music genres and experiments with different influences. “Phoenix” brings us back to electro-industrial music and is maybe the most techno-driven work from the project. The songs are instrumental edits featuring a very few sampled-like vocals. This is hard-banging stuff, which has something hardcore like and yet still featuring dark-electro influences like some icy tunes and dark sequences. A few cuts are driven by broken beats, but globally speaking the hard techno-industrial kicks are bouncing like hell.

The 13 songs from the 3 “Mutant Mthrfkr ” EPs are moving in a similar way and yet there are some little differences. There’re more spoken samplings featured while globally speaking this music is more dark-techno orientated. It however remains an industrial production, like revealing a truly sonic osmosis between industrial- and techno music.

+ + + : Seraphim System strikes back with a bang; a truly sonic cataclysm! This is music to bring dancefloors on fire although this kind of production remains a true challenge… sometimes too techno-like for dark-electro and industrial die-hard freaks. I’ve always supported artists who don’t repeat themselves, but dare to innovate and walk at new paths. And that’s precisely what the Seraphim System is doing… although the “Mutant Mthrfkr”-EP’s clearly were an indication about the sound approach. I personally prefer the bonus disc for being more elaborated and diversified. There’re a few outstanding cuts featured like “No Escape”, “Monsters”, “Lightbringer”, “Burn It Down” and “Gods And Demons”. It’s such a great idea to get the “Mutant Mthrfkr”-EP’s assembled on one single disc!

I can’t say there’s a similar potential ‘hit’ featured at “Phoenix”, but songs like “Po1ym0rph”, “Runy05h17” and “0nur6” however will get you into dance!

– – – : Some of the “Phoenix”-songs are a bit too repetitive, but are sounding a bit too similar-like after a while. That’s a feeling I didn’t get at “Mutant Mthrfkr”.

Conclusion: Seraphim System has accomplished a murderous sonic raid, which has the power to get industrial- and hard/dark-techno heads into dance.

Best songs: “No Escape”, “Monsters”, “Lightbringer”, “Burn It Down”, “Gods And Demons” + “Po1ym0rph”, “Runy05h17”, “0nur6”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/seraphimsystem

Label: www.digitalworld.audio /   www.facebook.com/DigitalWorldAudio

About Seraphim System

Seraphim System is the aggrotech project of American producer John Stancil, known as “Bl4kj4k”, who set up the project after a history playing in technical metal and punk bands. The debut release, “Excessive Force”, came out in 2013, followed by a steady run of self-released and Digital World Audio EPs including the three-part “Mutant Mthrfkr” series (2018-2019).

“Phoenix” (styled “Pho3n1x”) collects the new album alongside a bonus disc gathering the three “Mutant Mthrfkr” EPs.

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, industrial-metal.

Background/Info: The Italian combo First Black Pope is clearly not the most renowned band active in the wider fields of dark-electronic music and yet I’ve always been seduced by this formation. “Post Mortem” is the third full length of the band, which was already released several months ago now.

Content: “Post Mortem” became a heavy and merciless fusion between quite typical dark-electro music and heavy guitar riffs. The haunting electronic style for some of the leads  might remind you of Suicide Commando and to Leather Strip for some of its sequences. The empowering guitar playing clearly injects an industrial-metal flavor, which makes the characteristic of this band, but not from the music genre. The vocals are somewhere in between rage and a ghost-like expression.

+ + + : “Post Mortem” is a violent production, which will appeal for dark-electro freaks, and also to a ‘harder’ audience listening to bands such as Freakangel, Seraphim System and related bands. The sound is not innovating although First Black Pope has something on their own. I like the power running through the work, which is sometimes accentuated by a few epic arrangements.

– – – : The only –and important element from the album I was a bit disappointed with is the mixing. The sound is pretty compressed and has a dirty production. This album is maybe missing an ‘absolute’ hit, but globally speaking this is a great tracklist.

Conclusion: If you don’t know yet First Black Pope, I can only, but recommend you to put your hand on this work to discover the ultra-violent work of this formation.

Best songs: “Collector”, “Human Sacrifice”, “Fallen Star”, “I Invoke”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/FIRSTBLACKPOPE

Label: www.advoxya–records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya–Records/265765706059

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: Electronic, electro-industrial, industrial-techno, d’n’b.

Background/Info: Seraphim System has been very prolific during the past few years. The American project is already back on track unleashing this new opus featuring 8 new tracks.

Content: “Kelevra” is not only a new work, but also an exploration of new influences. If previous work was more into crossover and industrial-metal music “Kelevra” moves back to explicit electronic influences. Most of the tracks are pretty electro-industrial like, but you also will notice other influences such as harsh techno-industrial elements and d’n’b. Furious electronics and bombastic drums have been mixed together with spooky vocals and samplings. The harsh approach has been sometimes mixed with finer bleeps.

+ + + : Seraphim System is a band of many talents covering an impressive spectrum of influences. “Kelevra” is already a new experience, each new album becoming a kind of sonic voyage. I like this electro-industrial approach revealing raw, but great sound treatments. The songs are furious and will definitely appeal for all lovers of hard electronics. The song “Insanity_X” is an absolute masterpiece!

– – – : The sound formula is pretty diversified and yet it starts to become a little less predictable after a while. I can imagine some fans of the industrial-metal side of this band will be disappointed hearing “Kelevra”.

Conclusion: Seraphim System feels comfortable exploring different music styles, but each style has been successfully accomplished.

Best songs: Insanity_X”, “Bag Fulla Guns”, “Menticide”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/pg/seraphimsystem

Label: www.digitalworld.audio /   www.facebook.com/DigitalWorldAudio

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, metal, crossover.

Background/Info: The new Seraphim System album was released at the end of 2016. After the two self-released albums “Luciferium” is the third official full length by this American formation.

Content: Digital World Audio likes crossover bands and Seraphim System in a way matches with bands such as Rave The Requiem and the new-signed Deconbrio. I’m not saying that they all sound the same, but there’s a similar taste to mix electronics and metal guitar riffs. “Luciferium” sounds pure crossover and potential sources of inspiration might be Skinny Puppy, Ministry and related bands.

The work is powerful although sometimes driven by slow rhythms. But the real power is hidden in the guitar and the dark, tormented atmosphere hanging over the songs. The vocals feel a bit like an ambassador of evil forces. I guess the title of the work is not really of a coincidence.

+ + + : “Luciferium” sounds like a modern crossover production. The oppressive guitar riffs and dark, haunting atmospheres create a fascinating and somewhat disturbing sensation. You get the impression awakening in hell. I’ve a little preference for the slower cuts, on which the atmospheric side comes really through. The final part of the work is absolutely well-crafted and successful. The last song “Alive” evolves towards an amazing final revealing outstanding sound treatments and total power. Last, but not least I also want to mention the great and artistic artwork of this digipak format.

– – – : Seraphim System is not the most accessible band for a wider audience although they can convince electro- and metal fans. The sound formula is nothing new and in the purest good-old crossover style.

Conclusion: Seraphim System became an established and recognized formation in their genre. “Luciderium” is devilishly good!

Best songs: “Alive”, “Chaos”, “Serpent”, “Undoing”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/seraphimsystem

Label: www.digitalworld.audio /   www.facebook.com/DigitalWorldAudio

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Content:

Read the news on ‘This Is Invasion’.

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

Read the review of ‘This Is Invasion’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

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

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Out now via DWA’s Bandcamp page is an 8-track digital EP by Canada’s Nitro/Noise featuring remixes from Zardonic, Dope Stars Inc., Faderhead, Rotersand, Raimon and Seraphim System. The track is taken from Nitro/Noise’s second album “No Cure For Apocalypse” which came out last year in conjunction with the band’s first EU tour.

A heavyweight 12″ vinyl version holding 4 tracks per side is also in the making (and can also be pre-ordered here) and will be released in a couple of weeks. Good to know, for the vinyl edition Krischan Wesenberg’s Rotersand rework, which first appeared on the CD2 of the now sold out 2CD edition of “No Cure For Apocalypse”, was remastered – alongside the different Rotersand redub version which was subsequently released on the special DWA compilation available with Orkus! Magazin’s summer edition last year. Bass metal act Zardonic offers the opening track, plus an instrumental version for DJs pressed on the B-side of the record.

The vinyl is strictly limited to 100 units only and comes complete with hand-numbered black outer sleeve screen-printed in yellow and white, matching black poly-lined inner sleeves for maximum protection, plus of course a download code for all 8 tracks. Front cover artwork comes, like the “No Cure For Apocalypse” album itself, from Estonian artist Darius Alas.

You can preview the release 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. 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

Content:

Read the news on ‘World Without Song’.

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.

Content: Terrolokaust is a band I kept an eye on since their very first album (cf. “Gas”) released in their homeland by Mutant-E Records. They afterwards joined DWA releasing a few more albums and EP’s.

The digital edit of “Mix The Poison Up” and the CD-re-release of the album “Spit The Poison Out” (featuring the bonus CD “Mix The Poison Up”) got simultaneously released featuring 8 new remixes by iVardensphere, Phosgore, C-Lekktor, Retrogramme, Seraphim System, ESA, Ruinizer and Chainreactor.

The CD edit of “Mix The Poison Up” features 12 remixes while the digital version features a total amount of 15 remixes. It’s all a bit confusing when you realize that Vendetta Music released “Spit The Poison Out” for the American scene in 2013 with 3 remixes, but accomplished by other bands. The 3 extra remixes on the new digital edition originally appeared at the CD format of “Mix The Poison Up” released by Deathwatch Asia in 2013.

Terrolokaust got remixed by interesting names unleashing a quite diversified result. Rotersand remains a ‘Master’ when it comes to accomplish a remix and it’s one of the most noticeable bands. The remix of “Reversing In Circles” is a noticeable song.

My favorite remixes are those of Chainreactor, FGFC820, Phosgore, C-Lekktor, Modulate and ESA. “Pointless” was remixed by Chainreactor in a rather expected electro-industrial-rave featuring the harsh vocals of Javi Sasgittar on top. A somewhat similar remix is the one of “Two-Faced Leader” transposed by Phosgore into another great industrial-rave piece, which sounds hard and merciless.

FGFC820 remixed “The Way It Must Be” in a dark-EBM style, which is really boosting and reminding me a bit of early Inertia. C-Lekktor is once more convincing me that this project is slowly becoming one of the best dark-electro bands of the past few years. The remix of “Reversing In Circles” got a hard adrenaline injection, which is a real dancefloor killer.

Modulate did a great job as well remixing “The Way It Must Be” (a remix that was originally released as B-side of a 7″ vinyl single taken from the album) and I here especially want to mention the cool dark sequences running through the song.

Last, but not least there’s a more rough and industrial-orientated remix of “Addicted” by ESA.

Other remixes from bands like iVardensphere, Nitro/Noise, Sirus, Retrogramme, Ruinizer and Blackopz are not bad at all, but they can’t really compete with the aforementioned remixes.

Conclusion: This digital edition of “Mix The Poison Up” is interesting for all the fans of the band. There’s a great diversity in influences and an impressive selection of talented and established dark-electro acts.

Best songs: “Two-Faced Leader – Phosgore Remix”, “The Way It Must Be – Modulate Remix”, “Pointless – Chainreactor Remix”, “Reversing In Circles – C-Lekktor Remix”, “The Way It Must Be – FGFC820 Remix”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/Terrolokaust

Label: http://dwa-digital.com / www.facebook.com/DigitalWorldAudio

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

Read the review of ‘Decimation In H.D.’.

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