She Hates Emotions &#8211; SIDE-LINE

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.

Chris Pohl (Blutengel) to launch 3rd LP by She Hates Emotions: ‘Future unknown’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 06:39:22 +0000

Out October 4th via Out Of Line is “Future unknown”, the 3rd album of that other Chris Pohl (Blutengel) project She Hates Emotions. The album follows the earlier released albums “Melancholic Maniac” (2020) and “Happy Pop Music” (2022).

The 11-track strong album also features Marc of Massive on one song (“Lowest of the Low”).

Pohl launched She Hates Emotions in 2019 as a way to explore his love for 80s synthpop and minimalistic electronic music in a more focused and nostalgic manner.

You can already check out two videoclips below.

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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.

She Hates Emotions – Happy Pop Music (Album – Out Of Line)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Wave-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Happy Pop Music” was released two years after the debut album “Melancholic Maniac” (2020). This German solo-project driven by Blutengel front man Chris Pohl brings us an album featuring eleven songs plus 3 alternative versions.

Content: She Hates Emotions remain totally devoted and inspired by the 80s Electro/New-Wave music the artist was listening to through his childhood. The songs evoke numerous famous artists like Alphaville, Camouflage, Gary Numan, The Human League and even Michael Cretu. All songs have been sung in English revealing typical 80s effects and arrangements -which are mainly coming through in the drum sections. The songs are full of catchy and melodic parts.

+ + + : Blutengel of course remains Chris Pohl’s leading project but we have to recognize all the other projects he has been involved with -think of Terminal Choice, Miss Construction, Tumor… were pretty successful as well. She Hates Emotions sounds like pure fun but with a very precise and judicious 80s emulation. Chris Pohl transposed the New-Wave legacy into an alluring, contemporary, production. The already familiar singles “Space & Time” and “This Ain’t Good” both remain excellent tracks featuring great melody lines, superb effects and refined arrangements. But I also have to mention “Meant To Be Alone” which is more reminding me of Gary Numan and “No Time To Waste” which is one of the catchiest cuts.

– – – : Originality is hard to find but who cares when the result is fully enjoyable.

Conclusion: The 80s remain a very inspiring period for genius artists like Chris Pohl.

Best songs: “This Ain’t Good”, “No Time To Waste”, “Space & Time”, “Meant To Be Alone”, “Ich Will Hier Weg”, “She Takes Control”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/SheHatesEmotions

Label: www.outofline.de / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel

Chris Pohl electropop project She Hates Emotions launches ‘Space and Time’ single and video

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 11:56:05 +0000

(Photo by Caitlin Stokes) Out now via Out Of Line Music is the all new single from the Chris Pohl powered electropop project She Hates Emotions. “Space and Time” is the first new single/video from the upcoming album “Happy Pop Music” which is the follow-up album to the project’s debut “Melancholic Maniac”.

Chris comments about the first single: “‘Space & Time’ was the first song I wrote for the new She Hates Emotions album. It’s about the incessant search for your soulmate… The person you want by your side. You know that this person exists, but you haven’t found him or her yet and you’ll keep searching…. On the album “Happy Pop Music”, I continue to combine 80s sounds with melancholic lyrics. Not as bombastic as Blutengel, rather very minimal. The lyrics are, as always, very personal. It’s about love, pain, fear, becoming older, depression… Everything that has occupied me in recent years. Therefore, the album title is also meant to be absolutely ironic!”

Here’s the video for “Space and Time”.

Interview with BlutEngel: ‘Everything Is Better Than Digital Music’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:00:00 +0000

Chris Pohl set up BlutEngel in 1998. The project got rapidly signed to Out Of Line and became an instant success. More than twenty years later BlutEngel is a long-time leading formation from the Electronic underground scene. The German Electro/Wave Pop project has released countless hits and never stopped releasing great albums. The new album “Erlösung – The Victory Of Light” only confirms the leading status of BlutEngel. I even experienced the new work as one of the most accomplished productions to date. Chris Pohl answered a few questions about this new masterpiece.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: You’ve been extremely prolific during the ongoing pandemic. You last year released the debut album of She Hates Emotions and this year already unleashed two BlutEngel-albums. What has been the true impact of the pandemic on your artistic activities and how did you experience this situation as human being?

Chris: Well, my output would have been just as high even without the pandemic:-) I had planned the debut of She Hates Emotions for a long time, and it came about before the pandemic. The regular album was supposed to come out in February 2021, but without the chance of a tour, I pushed the cover album, which was supposed to be released at the end of 2020, to February 2021. I was hoping that when the regular album comes out in summer, I can go on tour in fall. But the reality is still different. Otherwise, nothing has changed for me as a musician during the pandemic. Not even in my private life, as I rarely go out and tend to live in isolation. The only thing I missed sometimes was meeting friends.

Q: Over now to the new album “Erlösung – The Victory Of Light”. How did you apprehend this new work? Did you’ve specific themes in mind and did you focalize on explicit elements in the writing and production process?

Chris: This album was created differently than the previous albums. I did everything alone. Since “Tränenherz” I have worked with producers who have been able to influence the songs a little here and there. A sound has already been changed and thus influenced the song. This time I finished producing everything myself, and the producer just made the overall sound a little nicer. It was primarily about the mix. Of course, there were small additions, but nothing was changed. That makes it so special to me, and it was somehow a very liberating process and reminded me of my beginnings.

Q: The title of the album sounds intriguing and rather metaphoric, so it can be understood in different ways, but what’s its deeper significance? And is there a possible link with the dark times humanity is actually going through?

Chris: This album is close to a concept album. It wasn’t planned in the beginning, but since I’m in a not-so-great situation at the moment, I wanted to write a very personal album. I wanted to describe my feelings and fears, but at the same time give me and my fans hope. It was a kind of self-therapy. Many songs are about loss, fear and hope. The light plays the role of redemption here. Everything gets better, brighter, friendlier or everything goes in the direction of eternity, so to death. You can see the light shortly before you die. Either way, it’s a release. Of course, the lyrics also fit very well with the pandemic. That wasn’t intended, but I don’t want to say that the situation didn’t affect me a little subconsciously.

Q: What have been the different stages you’d to go through to achieve the new work? Did you experience specific difficulties and/or challenges in the accomplishment of some songs?

Chris: No… As I mentioned before, it was the fact that I did the album all by myself that had a big impact on the result. What was very exhausting were the vocal recordings with Ulli. Not because she sang badly -on the contrary. But she was so busy because she works in the hospital and then that distance when recording… wearing masks in the studio (except when she was on the mic^^) and always having us tested before we could start… That was weird…

Q: The regular album features 14 songs, but you composed 13 extra songs for the limited/box format. What makes the difference to you between the songs of the regular album and the others? Do you handle specific criteria to know when a song is finished?

Chris: All songs are equally good for me. But when I put the main album together, I pay attention to the division and the variety. Not too many fast songs, enough ballads, the relationship between German and English songs… every song that doesn’t get on the main CD will find its place on the bonus CD. And I composed the 6 instrumentals especially for this little bonus CD, which is only in the box.

Q: I noticed the album is also available as cassette format. I know cassettes today are mainly collector’s items, but I can imagine it must have something nostalgic as your first Terminal Choice songs were ever released this format. What does it evoke to you and what’s your perception about technical (r)evolution?

Chris: You are absolutely right. This tape reminded me of my early days. I released 5 or 6 tapes before I got my first record deal. I just think it’s great that you can offer such formats. Unfortunately, I don’t have a cassette recorder, but the idea is just great and makes my old heart happy.

For me, everything is better than digital music. The soul is lost with it. You need to have something to touch, to look at… It all looks nicer, and so the music gets more attention. But I have to go with the flow even though it’s always with tears in my eyes…

Q: How much of the ‘young’ Chris Pohl releasing the first BlutEngel albums do you still recognize in the way you achieved “Erlösung – The Victory Of Light”?

Chris: When it comes to my music, I’m still the Chris I was 20 years ago. I still make music the same way. The technique has gotten better, but HOW I write and record songs -it’s the same as before. My mind and ideas are also the same. In fact, I don’t feel that much has changed for me. I only notice that when I look in the mirror^^

Q: Clips have been always a very important aspect in the work and career of BlutEngel. What did you try to express in the newest clips and what’s your own input in the creation and release of the clips?

Chris: We have always been a band putting a lot of emphasis on show and style. Our stage show, our artwork… of course that should also be reflected in the clips. All four clips are quite different. From beautiful and romantic to weird, disturbing, or sexy… Even if video clips don’t get the attention they used to, they should be made and fit the band.

Q: Live shows also are an important part of the band -and the fans, so how does it feel to go back on stage again? And how do you expect festivals and live events evolving because of the pandemic?

Chris: I am even more grateful to be on stage these days. We were never a band that gave a lot of concerts. Maybe 20 a year… Then a couple of festivals… But I’ve had 4 concerts since the pandemic and there are probably only 2-3 more to come. That’s weird. When I’m on stage now, I’m so happy and want more normality back. I hope that I will soon be able to stand in front of 25,000 people at a festival again and not have to worry about a virus… even if it is still there.

Blutengel – Erlösung / The Victory Of Light (Album – Out Of Line)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 19:49:15 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave, Dark-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD, 2CD, Box, Vinyl, Double Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info: Chris Pohl remains pretty prolific during the ongoing pandemic. While he last year unleashed the debut album of his new side-project She Hates Emotions, he this year took off with a special Blutengel album featuring 80s covers “Fountain Of Destiny” and now strikes back with the brand new album “Erlösung – The Victory Of Light”. The regular album features fourteen songs, but the double album features an extra disc (cf. Erlösung – In The Shadows”) with seven more songs. Last, but not least there also is a Box-set featuring one more bonus disc (cf. “Erlösung – A World Beyond”) with six extra songs. Notice by the way it also is the very first time there’ll be a Blutengel-album released on cassette.

Content: Blutengel didn’t really change its familiar sound formula. The songs remain driven by a Dark/Wave-Electro-Pop style mixing hard kicking bass drums and melodic choruses. The songs are still sung in German and English featuring Chris Pohl and Ulrike Goldmann. Some tracks have been empowered and achieved with guitar riffs. I now and then noticed some good-old 80s aspects. The softer tracks have this melancholic touch on top. The album features the already familiar singles “The Victory Of Light”, “Wir Sind Das Licht” and “Wie Sand”.

+ + + : Chris Pohl never stops to take me by surprise. Considering the impressive Blutengel discography featuring the same-old influences you might expect an artist who’s repeating himself. I should say the music style hasn’t changed, but he each time again finds the trick to create great melody lines resulting in elevating choruses. Next to the aforementioned singles, this album reveals a few more potential singles. “We Are Not Dead”, “I Am The Darkness”, “Erlöse Mich” and “Darkness Awaits Us” all are potential hits mixing power and melody, charismatic vocals by Chris Pohl and vocals that express both sensuality and grace by Ulrike Goldmann. I like this work for its menacing bass lines and dreamy atmospheres, but it also is one more totally accomplished opus by Blutengel.

– – – : When you get a regular album featuring 14 songs and you get the feeling nearly half of the tracklist could be potential singles and dancefloor hits, you can’t complain. I’m however less convinced by some of the very few softer –and even ballad-like tracks.

Conclusion: The Blutengel fans will all have their favorite albums and songs, but I’m sure this new opus will quickly become one of their favorites.

Best songs: “We Are Not Dead”, “Darkness Awaits Us”, “I Am The Darkness”, “Erlöse Mich”, “Illuminate My Soul”, “The Victory Of Light”, “Wir Sind Das Licht”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.facebook.com/BlutengelOfficial

Label: www.outofline.de / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel

Blutengel – Fountain Of Destiny (Album – Out Of Line)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 10 May 2021 18:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro, Electro-Wave.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: While Chris Pohl last year released the debut album of his side-project She Hates Emotions, which was devoted to the 80s, he now strikes back with this new Blutengel album featuring cover versions of legendary 80s songs. The album is available in different formats, but I here review the classical CD version featuring ten covers plus two extra songs.

Content: Blutengel transposed the original Electro-Wave/Pop songs into a very personal interpretation. You always recognize the original songs, but also the typical –and rougher, but melodic Blutengel touch. Chris Pohl remains the lead singer while Ulrike Godmann sings a few songs as well.

The bands that were covered include Duran Duran, Alphaville, Ultravox, Gary Numan, Steinberg & Kelly, Mike & The Mechanics, Yazoo, Propaganda, A-Ha and Erasure. Last, but not least we also get two extra songs written by Blutengel featuring the instrumental “Journey To The Edge Of The Night”.

+ + + : Covering legendary songs such as “Wild Boys”, “Forever Young”, “Nobody’s Diary”, “Dr. Mabuse”, “The Sun Always Shines On TV” or yet “Ship Of Fools” remain a tricky business. It’s an exercise, which is often more efficient when the songs are played live instead than releasing a ‘special’ album. But there’s a reason if Blutengel is recognized as one of the absolute leading formations from this scene and that probably explains why these interpretations have been accomplished with passion and knowledge. It sometimes feels like Blutengel is the original writer of the songs, this way realizing a sonic bridge between the 80s and Blutengel’s sound. The production of the vocals is absolutely great. We probably all have our favorites, but the way Duran Duran’s “Wild Boys” has been reworked is brilliant. I also have to mention Yazoo’s “Nobody’s Diary sung by Ulrike Goldmann. Blutengel takes their fans by surprise by this new opus. And as a little bonus you get a great song entitled “Unsere Zeit”, which is a typical, but efficient Blutengel piece.

– – – : I definitely prefer original albums, but I can live with this one.

Conclusion: I think this album has been a way to bring homage to legendary 80s artists, who probably inspired the work of Chris Pohl.

Best songs: “Nobody’s Diary”, “Wild Boys”, “Dr. Mabuse”, “Alone” + Unsere Zeit”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.blutengel.de / www.facebook.com/BlutengelOfficial

Label: www.outofline.de / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel

9th volume in the ‘Electrostorm’ series out now

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:28:40 +0000

The ‘Electrostorm’-sampler is back. On volume 9 Out Of Line unifies the best of its dark electronic acts on one CD including 17 partly brand-new and exclusive tracks (new songs, limited remixes, and rarities). The sampler also holds 2 newcomers on the label, namely Kiberspassk and Yellow Lazarus.

Here is the video of the new Kiberspassk track “Derevna”.

Tracklist:

Solar Fake “I Despise You”
Too Dead To Die “Tropical Gothic”
Blutengel “Wir Sind Unsterblich”
Ashbury Heights “Wild Eyes (feat. Madil Hardis)”
Solitary Experiments “The Struggle (Midnight Resistance Remix)”
Blutengel+Hocico “Obscured (Club Version by Hocico)”
Suicide Commando “Bunkerb!tch”
Amduscia “Just Feel And Enjoy”
Dive “Death Machine”
Kiberspassk “Derevna”
Yellow Lazarus “Vicious Memories”
Massive Ego “Digital Heroin”
She Hates Emotions “Don’t Leave Me”
Rummelsnuff “Interkosmos”
Hocico “Cross The Line (Remixed by Zardonic)”
Combichrist “Last Days Under The Sun (Fear Of Domination Remix)”
Ost+Front “Sex, Schnaps und Gewalt (Dickpik Remix by Yellow Lazarus)”

She Hates Emotions – Melancholic Maniac (Album – Out Of Line)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 19:30:59 +0000

Genre/Influences: Wave-pop, electro-pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: With She Hates Emotions, the Blutengel front man Chris Pohl wanted to pay homage to the 80s, a decade he has known as teenager and which has inspired him throughout bands such as Depeche Mode, Camouflage, Human League, Alphaville ao. It also is a new project set up by Christina Pohl who next to Blutengel got renowned for being involved with Terminal Choice, Tumor, Miss Construction, Seelenkrank ao.

Content: She Hates Emotions has nothing in common with Blutengel expect it is the same artist and operator so you for sure will recognize similar elements, but globally speaking this indeed is something completely different. Chris Pohl injected typical 80s elements, which you’ll hear emerging from some effects, snare drums and of course the melody lines, but there also is something more personal. This artist has been never a copyist so the songs rather sound as a personal interpretation of 80s influences or the transposition of new-wave elements into a contemporary version.

All songs –except the last ‘bonus’ track, have been sung in English revealing lyrics about love, loss and some rather familiar pop- and 80s subjects. The songs are danceable and definitely melodic, which is one of Chris Pohl’s trademarks.

+ + + : We already knew the EP-title song “See The Light”, but there’re clearly other potential singles featured. What I like in this artist is his ability to invent new projects with a different focus. The 80s inspiration is something he had never done before and he accomplished with a real devotion. I especially like the songs with explicit 80s aspects, “The Final Dance” being a little jewel. But I also have to mention “Turn Back The Time”, which is somewhat different for its melody line reminding to Kraftwerk. The production of the album is also an essential element. There’s a great sound based upon well-crafted songs with the right melody line and catchy choruses.

– – – : Blutengel definitely remains the artist’s best project ever! It all sounds like his other projects are just living in the shadow of Blutengel…

Conclusion: This debut is refreshing tribute to the 80s new/electro wave style!

Best songs: “The Final Dance”, “Don’t Leave Me”, “Turn Back The Time”, “Cry Wolf”, “See The Light”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/SheHatesEmotions

Label: www.outofline.de / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel

Blutengel’s Chris Pohl reveals new project She Hates Emotions – first single, video & debut album announced

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:04:22 +0000

Out now is the very first video from the brand new Chris Pohl (Blutengel) project She Hates Emotions. The video released now is for the single “See The Light” which is out today. The single acts as a teaser for the album “Melancholic Maniac” (out on 15. May).

She Hates Emotions is Phol’s way of paying tribute to his musical roots being new wave and dark wave. Expect minimalist synth music with an 80’s touch. “The focus is not on the bombast or production, but rather on the catchy, melancholic melody,” comments Chris Pohl.

The video for the single was shot primarily on location in Berlin, on the Kudamm.