The goth/gloomgaze punk Babel Map premieres its newest video for the track “Pazuzu” on Side-Line. The track is taken from the album “Teeth” to be released via Lost Future Records on November 1st.

The single is also available via Bandcamp.

“Teeth”, Babel Map’s forthcoming 3rd album, was recorded by Kurt Ballou (God City Studio, Converge) and mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna) in the spring of 2024. Prior to beginning the writing of Teeth, the group describes this chapter as an evolutionary time for them as a change in lineup allowed for a progressive increase in experimentation with song structure.

About Babel Map

The band originally began in 2011 as a trip hop/electric solo project of Jessica Drummer based out of Philadelphia, PA. She then relocated to Harrisburg, PA and began playing live in 2015 where she was able to begin networking and playing with others. After a few changes in lineup, Steph Werner (guitarist since 2018 and Michael Stipe (bassist since 2019) quickly became a collaborative band where the sound changed into a Shoegaze/post-metal mix.

They recorded their first album, Raw Tomato, My Heart (released 2020) with Ian Scheila at Headroom Studios Philadelphia while building their live show experiences until the shut down of Covid-19. During this time, “Cancel This!” (released 2022) was written, and quickly recorded right after the world rise from the pandemic.

Due to change of lineup, the band began to write Teeth with electronic drums (produced by Michael Stipe) in 2023 as a trio. Brian Doherty later joined and began writing and producing percussion for the album and continues to play live today.

“Teeth” will be available on LP, CD and streaming on November, 1st, 2024 via Lost Future Records.

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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(Photo by Karin Johansson) LA-based shoegaze psychedelic rockers Tombstones In Their Eyes are back with the single “I Like to Feel Good”. The single is the follow-up to the two earlier singles “Sweet as Pie” and “I’m Not Like That”. The singles preview the band’s new “Asylum Harbour” album, slated for release on November 19 via Kitten Robot.

Tombstones In Their Eyes is made up of long-time members John Treanor (vocals & guitar), Stephen Striegel (drums), Courtney Davies (vocals) , Phil Cobb (guitar) and Paul Boutin (guitar), along with new band members Joel Wasko (bass) and Clea Cullen (vocals).

Recorded at Kitten Robot Studios in Los Angeles and co-produced by John Treanor, this album was produced and engineered by Paul Roessler (TSOL, The Screamers, Nina Hagen), also known for his work with Josie Cotton, Hayley and the Crushers and Gitane Demone.

Tombstones In Their Eyes began a decade ago as a demo-swapping exercise between two childhood friends separated by geography (John Treanor in LA and James Cooper in NYC).

As of October 8, “I Like to Feel Good” is available everywhere online, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full “Asylum Harbour” album will be released on November 19.

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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(Photo by Barney Steel) Electro-pop band Ladytron are set to release “Time’s Arrow Remixed”, a reimagined version of their seventh studio album “Time’s Arrow”, on October 25 via Cooking Vinyl. The remix album features new interpretations of every track by a diverse group of remixers, ranging from seasoned collaborators to emerging talent.

The first single, DJ Slow’s remix of “We Never Went Away”, launches today. DJ Slow (Vellu Maurola), co-founder of Pepe Deluxé, brings what the band says “a cinematic touch” to the original. Describing his approach, DJ Slow said, “I wanted to maintain the ethereal beauty of Ladytron’s sound while adding a new auditory layer that would transport listeners into a fresh soundscape.”

Following DJ Slow’s release, “Time’s Arrow Remixed” will see Vector Lovers rework the album’s title track on October 11, followed by Stealing Sheep’s remix of “The Night” on October 18, leading up to the full remix album drop on October 25.

Tracklist for “Time’s Arrow Remixed”:

1. City of Angels (Blakkat’s Made in Los Angeles Mix)
2. Faces (Georgi Remix)
3. Misery Remember Me (Shiny Toy Guns Remix)
4. Flight From Angkor (Jamie Myerson Remix)
5. We Never Went Away (Quinquis Remix)
6. The Night (Pato Watson Remix – Radio Edit)
7. The Dreamers (Lee K’s Sunrise Dub)
8. Sargasso Sea (Maude Vôs’ Submerged Remix)
9. California (Blakkat Remix)
10. Time’s Arrow (Vector Lovers Mix)
11. Faces (Lucas Frota Remix)
12. Flight From Angkor (Spatial Awareness Remix)
13. We Never Went Away (DJ Slow NYC1980 Remix)
14. The Night (Stealing Sheep Remix)
15. City of Angels (Blakkat’s City of Lost Angeles Ambient Mix)

About Ladytron

Ladytron is a British electronic band formed in Liverpool in 1999, blending synth-pop, electronic, and darkwave elements into their sound. The group’s original lineup consists of Helen Marnie (vocals, synthesizers), Mira Aroyo (vocals, synthesizers), Daniel Hunt (synthesizers, guitars), and Reuben Wu (synthesizers, keyboards).

Their debut album, “604” (2001), marked their entry into the emerging electroclash scene, with hits like “Playgirl” introducing audiences to their mix of icy synthesizers and dreamy, yet dark, melodies. However, it was their sophomore album, “Light & Magic” (2002), that gained them broader acclaim, especially with the standout single “Seventeen”.

Their third album, “Witching Hour” (2005), represented a shift in their sound, incorporating more shoegaze and rock elements while still retaining their electronic roots. “Velocifero” (2008) followed, and offered a harder, industrial-inspired sound, while “Gravity the Seducer” (2011) took a more ethereal, atmospheric direction.

After a hiatus, Ladytron returned with their self-titled album “Ladytron” in 2019.Their latest project, “Time’s Arrow” (2023) is now followed by a remix album set to release in October 2024.

Here’s one of the tracks from the 2023 album.

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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Premiering now on Side-Line is the brand new Suburban Spell video for “When I Die”. “When I Die” is about euthanasia and the ability for oneself to choose to die with dignity. Peter Endall explains that “it’s a first person view of reaching the final stages of life and is what I think you would be thinking about when you have to make that decision.”

And he adds that lyrically “the track offers a mixture of pathos, humour, confusion and perhaps the fear and hope that your years of dedicated atheism is about to be tested (…) the song has a very dark theme, but I didn’t want it to be too turgid or dour, I wanted the music to be in contrast with this and lift the overall message to another place with a wry sense of humour. There is also reference to the life partner and recognition of the difficulties that they will have to face when presented with this scenario, hopefully this somber message is balanced with the decent pop song sensibilities.”

The video clip for this song was shot at an old Nun’s convent, apt for the song’s central theme. The Video was filmed and edited by Dingo Cross Films.

Suburban Spell is the project of the Melbourne, Australia-based artist Peter Endall who was the keyboardist for 1980s Melbourne synthpop band Schizo Scherzo. He recently took up songwriting again after a long hiatus. Influenced by 1970s and 80s synth pop and electronica, Suburban Spell is an instrumental project merging modern electronica through the lenses of Kraftwerk and Jean-Michel Jarre with edges of shoegaze guitar pop.

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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genCAB, the industrial-electro act led by David Dutton, has just released a new EP titled “Let It Rip”. “Let It Rip” serves as a precursor to their upcoming album “III I II (Third Eye Gemini)”, set for release on September 20, 2024, through Metropolis Records. The EP features three tracks: “Six Hits”, “Down Where We Belong”, and “Cancer Causes Life (Recycled)”.

For their new album the band has revisited and reworked some of the material from their 2008 debut album “II transMuter”. The EP is a teaser for the upcoming album, which will feature both these reworked classics and entirely new songs inspired by the re-recording process.

About genCAB

Founded in 2006 by David Dutton, genCAB (Generation Cable) gained attention with its debut album, “II transMuter” (2008), which blended elements of electronic body music, synth-pop, and aggressive rock.

Despite the early success, genCAB was put on hiatus after the release of their debut album. During this time, Dutton and drummer Tim Van Horn kept busy, performing live with industrial act Aesthetic Perfection. After a long break, genCAB re-emerged in 2022 with the album “Thoughts Beyond Words”, followed by the EP “Everything You See Is Mine”. The band supported these releases with a US tour alongside Aesthetic Perfection.

In 2023, genCAB signed with Metropolis Records and released “Signature Flaws”, an album that delved into themes of mortality and self-reflection, and and album that introduced elements of shoegaze and post-hardcore.

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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“Alive” is the third album from the Australian duo The Cold Field, and from the very first notes, it transports listeners back to the vibrant heyday of the 80s. The album weaves a soundscape that oscillates between Dark-Wave and Shoegaze, with a growing resemblance to the ethereal style of The Cocteau Twins. The guitar work is nothing short of magical, offering moments of melodic brilliance that glide effortlessly over deep bass lines and resonant vocals. Released by Cold Transmission Music, “Alive” stands as yet another masterpiece in The Cold Field’s discography. (Rate:8½).

Listen to “Tiny Beads Of Light”:

About The Cold Field

The Cold Field is the Australian post-punk and dark-wave duo of Ian Messenger and Heath Newberry, formed in 2019. Built on drum machines, bass guitar, synthesizers, electric guitars and distorted vocals, the band’s sound mixes early 80s post-punk and Joy Division with contemporary acts such as Lebanon Hanover and Soft Kill.

The duo released their full-length debut “Black River” in 2020, followed by “Hollows”, on Cold Transmission Music, in 2021. The Cold Field went on to discuss their work in a Side-Line interview, before returning with the third album, “Alive”.

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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On August 16th, Principe Valiente will release a remix EP, “In This Lights (Remixes)’, in collaboration with fellow artists from Metropolis Records.

This project features contributions from Girls Under Glass, Paradox Obscur, Magic Wands, Winter Severity Index, and Sean de Winzer from Clan Of Xymox, each offering their take on the singles “Something New” and “Inspired By Me”. You can already pre-order the new EP on Bandcamp.

Earlier this year, the band already released a remix for Clan Of Xymox in May and is set to reveal another remix for Magic Wands later this year.

Principe Valiente, a band from Stockholm, Sweden, brings a blend of dark pop, post-punk, and shoegaze influences. Formed in 2005, they have released several albums under Metropolis Records, including “Barricades” and their latest, “In This Light”.

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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Pacific Northwest shoegaze group Tears Run Rings has released their latest single and video, “Helios Helada”, from their forthcoming album “Everything In the End” out on Shelflife Records on September 6th, 2024.

Formed 15 years ago, Tears Run Rings consists of Matthew Bice (vocals, guitar), Laura Watling (vocals, bass), Ed Mazzucco (guitar), and Dwayne Palasek (drums). The band returns after a six-year hiatus since their last album.

“Everything In the End” is the result of the band’s renewed collaboration following their first live show in a decade back in 2018 and retains Tears Run Rings’ shoegaze roots. The double LP was conceptualized over several years with much of the album having been recorded in Portland and San Francisco home studios, making it a long-distance collaborative effort.

Below is the video for “Helios Helada”, the leading single.

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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The Colorado-based postpunk-shoegaze outfit A Shoreline Dream will release their eighth album, “Whitelined”, on July 19. Ahead of the album release, the band has previewed the upbeat track “Hollow Crown”, featuring Ride frontman Mark Gardener.

“Whitelined” showcases the collaboration between Gardener, founding producer and vocalist Ryan Policky, and long-standing collaborator Erik Jeffries. Three tracks on the album involve Gardener, marking the fifth time A Shoreline Dream has collaborated with UK music legends, including Ulrich Schnauss, Engineers, and Chapterhouse.

A Shoreline Dream formed in 2005 and has released numerous albums under their own label, Latenight Weeknight Records.

The album will be available on 180-gram white vinyl and digitally on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.

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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Shhadows and Small Planets reunite to deliver a cover of Ned’s Atomic Dustbin’s classic track, “Grey Cell Green”. This new release, out via Re:Mission Entertainment, sees both bands blending their distinct sounds to create a shoegaze and darkwave hybrid.

Small Planets, hailing from Los Angeles, bring dark, ethereal music that is reminiscent of Cocteau Twins, The Cure, and Slowdive. Shhadows from their side are based in Denver and bring a blend of darkwave and post-punk witch house influences.

This is the second collaboration between Shhadows & Small Planets. Their previous collaboration was an original track called “E” on the 2022 Shhadow’s album, “Bloodwork”. For their rendition of “Grey Cell Green”, they decided to move away from the punk vibe of the original and instead focus on crafting a slower, more ethereal sound and we quote from their press release: “Transforming ‘Grey Cell Green’ into a shoegaze and darkwave blend was an exciting challenge. We wanted to retain the emotional core of the song while giving it our unique twist.”

The new single is out now. You can download it below from Bandcamp.

And this was the previous collaborative track, “E”.

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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Kansas City, Missouri-based darkwave band, Reviser has dropped two new tracks via all major digital outlets: “Assassins” & “Burn It Out”.

“Assassins” and “Burn It Out” are twin singles that address two sides of the same coin: “Assassins” addresses fighting the imposition of external power that wants to control us as individuals, and “Burn It Out” addresses finding power within ourselves, and to wield it wisely. The two singles were produced by Paul Malinowski of Shiner and are available now from Bandcamp.

You can download “Assasins” from Bandcamp.

As well as “Burn It Out”.

Reviser was formed in the Winter of 2023 by baritone guitarist and vocalist Krysztof Nemeth (Kansas City’s Post-Punk / Shoegaze stalwarts Emmaline Twist). In the band we also see Dedric Moore on second guitar (his musical collaborator in Kansas City’s electro-dance outfit Monta) and Tom Romero on synths, a past-and-fellow Monta member as well. Musically they combine post-punk and shoegaze guitar voices with dark keyboard textures and drum machines.

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 is the video for “Pleromantic” from the Estonian outdustrial band Forgotten Sunrise. The track is taken from their latest album “elu” released last year in August and is also the opening song of the album.

Hailing from Estonia, Forgotten Sunrise formed in 1992. The band has over the years experimented with many different genres from dark electro to trip-hop and shoegaze to death metal throughout their 32 year career, and stylistically identify themselves as outsider industrial – or ‘outdustrial’. Released on the label Ohm Resistance, “elu” is the group’s first full-length in ten years and starts off their upcoming trilogy “Hallelujah!” in the middle. Forgotten Sunrise today are Anders Melts (the only constant member), Kadri Sammel (also known under the moniker Bedless Bones) and Jaan “Suva” Pullerits.

Here’s the video for “Pleromantic”.

You can get the full length release from Bandcamp.

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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Genre/Influences: Dream-Pop, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: The Vacant Lots strike back with their fifth studio album to date. The American duo is driven by  Jared Artaud and Brian MacFadyen.

Content: “Interiors” sounds diversified but always getting back to a strong Dream-Pop and Shoegaze basis which is reinforced by Cold-Wave elements. This work reminds me of bands like New Order, The Neon Judgement and The Jesus And Mary Chain.

+ + + : I praise this work for its eclectic approach. The songs have been composed with great guitar playing -especially for the Shoegaze cuts, while featuring sexy vocal parts -excelling at “Evacuation”.

– – – : I regret the work is only featuring 8 cuts while I didn’t hear a true, potential hit. 

Conclusion: “Interior” is a fully enjoyable work bringing different influences together.

Best songs: “Evacuation”, “Amnesia”, “Endgame”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.thevacantlots.com / www.facebook.com/THEVACANTLOTS

Label: http://fuzzclub.com / www.facebook.com/FuzzClubRecords Read the news on ‘Interiors’.

Listen to “Interiors”:

About The Vacant Lots

The Vacant Lots is the minimalist post-punk/synth-pop duo of Jared Artaud and Brian MacFadyen, formed in Burlington, Vermont in 2010 and now based in Brooklyn, New York. The pair signed to Mexican Summer in 2011 before releasing its debut album, “Departure”, on Sonic Cathedral in July 2014, followed by “Endless Night” on Metropolis Records in April 2017. The closing track on “Endless Night”, “Suicide Note”, featured vocals by Alan Vega of Suicide, one of the last collaborations Vega took part in before his death in 2016.

The duo also recorded two EPs with Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, “Berlin” (2016) and “Exit” (2019), both on A Recordings. In 2021, Jared Artaud co-produced and mixed “Mutator”, a posthumous Alan Vega album released on Sacred Bones Records. The Vacant Lots signed to Fuzz Club for “Interzone” (2020) and “Closure” (2022), and returned with their fifth studio album, “Interiors”, on October 13, 2023, also via Fuzz Club.

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

Principe Valiente have announced the release of their new single “Something New”, set to be part of their fifth album “In This Light”, expected to drop in May 2024 via Metropolis Records. The upcoming album “In This Light” is said to feature a mix of mellotrons, samplers, analog synths, Rickenbacker 12-string and Gretsch guitars, alongside melodic piano and distorted bass, all complemented by Honorato’s voice.

Below is the video for the new single.

Principe Valiente, originating from Stockholm, Sweden, has carved a niche within the alternative music scene with their blend of dark pop, drawing from post-punk minimalism and shoegaze. The band was formed in 2007 and has included members Fernando Honorato (vocals, bass), Jimmy Ottosson (guitar), Rebecka Johansson (keyboards), and Joakim Janthe (drums) over the years. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2011 and lead to extensive touring across Europe.

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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The Italian ambient duo ILUITEQ has collaborated with Bologna-based producer Lorenzo Montanà to create the Greek Mythology-inspired album “Katà Métron”. The album is set to be released by the Oakland based label n5MD on March 8th. It will be available on limited edition white vinyl and is now preordering at n5MD’s Bandcamp as well as their global presale partners Norman Records (UK), Deejay.de (EU), and Linus Records (JP).

ILUITEQ is an ambient music project founded by Sergio Calzoni and Andrea Bellucci. They have released several albums under various monikers and bands such as Red Sector A, Subterranean Source, Orghanon, and Colloquio. They use a mix of of sampling and synthesis techniques with parts of electric guitar, acoustic piano, and field recordings.

Lorenzo Montanà is an Italian soundtrack composer, sound engineer, and producer. His 2019 “The Threshold of Beauty” collaboration with Alio Die was Projekt’s most successful release of 2021,. Montanà started in the 90s, producing and arranging more than 40 albums across the electronic, ambient, IDM, jazz, classical, and rock genres. He released his first solo album (“Black Ivy”, 2009) and the 5-CD Labyrinth collaboration series with Pete Namlook on the label FAX +49-69/450464. His work as soundtrack composer landed in the trailer of “The Hunger Games 1 & 2”, “Blade Runner 2049”, “Coriolanus”, and more.

n5MD is an independent record label based in Oakland, California . The label primarily releases electronic music which focuses more on melody and emotion but also now releases music in compatible genres such as shoegaze, post-rock, IDM and electro-acoustic.

Check out a first preview 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!

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Genre/Influences: Dream-Pop, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info:  Medejin is a Seattle (USA) based formation which at the end of last year released their official debut-album. “The Garden” is inspired by themes of grief, loss, death and motherhood.

Content: “The Garden” features 11 songs which from start on clearly reveal a strong Dream-Pop inspiration. Some parts are moving into a Cinematic experience although the Dream-Pop approach always comes back with an extra melancholic touch on top. Front woman Jenn Taranto’s fragile timbre of voice accentuates the evasive feeling.

+ + + : The album is driven by elevating guitar playing which truly injects the spirit into this dreamy sound experience. It also matches with the vocal parts, Taranto being a talented singer. This work might appeal to lovers of The Cocteau Twins but maybe also to fans of The Smiths and Prefab Sprout.

– – – : Cool songs but I’m missing a few, real, highlights.

Conclusion: “The Garden” serves as an interesting discovery to a band with potential.

Best songs: “January”, “Shell”, “The Garden”.

Rate: 6½.

Artist: www.medejin.com / www.facebook.com/MEDEJINMUSIC

Label: www.facebook.com/icycoldrecords

About Medejin

Medejin is a Seattle, Washington dream-pop project led by singer, guitarist and keyboardist Jenn Taranto, with Rebecca Gutterman on guitar, Ramsey Troxel on bass and Matthew Cooke on drums, percussion and backing vocals. The band describes its sound as lush, ethereal dreamwave. Debut album “The Garden” was released on 20 October 2023 through Icy Cold Records, recorded across several Seattle-area studios and mastered by Rachel Field at Resonant Mastering. Its eleven songs explore grief, loss, death and motherhood.

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

Bay Area post-punk outfit Topographies will deliver their sophomore LP, “Interior Spring”, via Dark Entries on February 2. On “Interior Spring”, Topographies explore themes of guilt, inherited trauma, and recovery. But first you get the lyrics video for “Chains of Days”.

Formed in 2018 in San Francisco by Justin Oronos, Jeremie Ruest, and Gray Tolhurst, Topographies mixes early coldwave with classic shoegaze.

While the work of Tolhurst’s father – Laurence Tolhurst from The Cure – provides a clear influence, Topographies clearly also were influenced by acts like Asylum Party or The Chameleons.

Here’s the video for “Chain of Days”.

Topographies EU tour dates

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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(Photo by Cal McIntryre) The shoe gaze act Ride have announced a seventh studio album, “Interplay”, out 29th March via Wichita Recordings / PIAS. The new record is the Oxford four piece’s third since reforming in 2014. The announcement is accompanied by the album’s first single, “Peace Sign”, out now.

The album is the follow-up to 2017’s “Weather Diaries” and 2019’s “This Is Not A Safe Place”. The new album was produced by the band with Richie Kennedy and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer inspired by 80’s pop bands like Tears For Fears, Talk Talk and early U2.

Thematically, it pairs classic Ride lyrical hallmarks such as escapism, dreams, and the dissatisfaction of modern life with a sense of resilience and perseverance that come from imploding, then reforming and finding a way forward to their second peak, as guitarist and singer Andy Bell explains: “This album has taken a long time to make, and has seen the band go through a lot of ups and downs; maybe the most of any Ride album. But it has seen us come through the process as a band in a good place, feeling able to shake off the past, and ready to celebrate the combined musical talents that brought us together in the first place.”

Speaking on the new “Peace Sign” single, Andy says: “‘Peace Sign’ started life as a jam recorded at Marks’ OX4 studio, in early 2021. We called it ‘Berlin’ and initially it featured Loz on drums, Steve on bass and myself on a prophet 5 synth. About six months later I got hold of the recording and wrestled it into song form. Lyrically I was inspired by a film called ‘The Alpinist’ about the visionary free climber Marc-André Leclerc. Soon after I’d finished working on the song I remember I was raving to my bandmates about Leclerc at OX4, and a good memory of that time was us all watching that film at Mark’s studio.”

Here’s a video for “Peace Sign” to check out.

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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Genre/Influences: Dream-Pop, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Estonian formation Pia Fraus has been active since the late 90s and this year (self)released their seventh full length album.

Content: The band remains driven by the beauty of Dream-Pop and shoegaze music. Wafting, fuzzy, guitar playing and female vocals create a delicious match which has been totally achieved by drums and synths.

+ + + : If you’re into Dream-Pop and Shoegaze you definitely gone like the new Pia Fraus. It sounds evasive while composed with a great delicacy. I prefer the second part of the work but especially “Regret Everything” is a phenomenal piece for the way it progressively evolves. There also is a harder rhythm running through this song.

– – – : A few songs remain a bit too evasive for my taste, becoming a little less soporific after a while.

Conclusion: Pia Fraus remains a great ambassador of Shoegaze/Dream-Pop music which is again illustrated by this new opus.

Best songs: “Regret Everything”, “Another Artichoke”, “Confidential Information”, “Cloud Winterland”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/piafrausband    

Label: www.seksound.com / www.facebook.com/seksound

About Pia Fraus

Pia Fraus is a dream pop and shoegaze band from Tallinn, Estonia, formed in 1998. The name is Latin for “pious fraud”. Current members are Kristel Eplik and Eve Komp on vocals, Kärt Ojavee on synth, Rein Fuks on guitar, synth and percussion, Reijo Tagapere on bass, and Joosep Volk on drums.

The band debuted with the album “Wonder What It’s Like” in 2001, followed by “In Solarium” (2002), “Nature Heart Software” (2006), “After Summer” (2008), “Field Ceremony” (2017), and “Empty Parks” (2020). In 2022, Pia Fraus released “Now You Know It Still Feels the Same” on the band’s own SekSound label, re-recording material to mark the 20th anniversary of “Wonder What It’s Like”. “Evening Colours”, the band’s seventh studio album, follows on the same 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.

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The Vancouver-based post-punk act Spectres is back with another new single from their upcoming album: “AM Gold”. The single acts as a teaser for the band’s new album “Presence“, which is set for worldwide release on March 15th, 2024. It’s the band’s first release since 2021’s “Hindsight”.

Emerging originally from the DIY Punk underground in 2005, overtime the band’s vocalist and founder Brian Gustavson wanted to blend anarcho-punk with 1980’s post punk and death rock. and though the band’s output has matured with time to embrace a wider range of new-wave and shoegaze influences their ethos remains rooted in anarcho punk.

After working with several different DIY labels over their first 12 years, as a band Spectres signed with Artoffact records in the summer of 2018. Spectres is Brian Gustavson (vocals), Zach Batalden (guitar), Mitch Allen (drums), Adam Mitchell (guitar) and Jason Renix (bass).

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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Genre/Influences: Shoegaze, Post-Punk, Psychedelic-Rock.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: This is a live recording featuring seventeen songs from Scottish formation The Jesus And Mary Chain. The recordings happened during December 2018 shows at Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles (USA). The Reid brothers and their gang were doing a support tour for NIN. That’s quite interesting as back in 1990 NIN were doing the support for The Jesus And Mary Chain. Trent Reznor has been influenced by them and asked them as a sign of respect to do it the other way round nearly thirty years later.

Content: The Jesus And Mary Chain became famous for their Noise-like approach of Rock and Dark-Wave music. It has been called Shoegaze, Psy-Rock, Noise-Rock, ao but it was rather innovative and influenced numerous bands. The tracklist brings a true melting pot featuring tracks from the early years until the last album. Now dreamy and then powerful all tracks remained driven by this unique fuzzy guitar noise and the vocals of Jim Reid.

+ + + : You can easily recognize the live sound and interaction with the audience. This band remains unique while “Psychocandy” remains a legendary album released38 years ago now. The show also started with a famous song from that album (cf. “Just Like Honey”). Two more major tracks of the album and “Psychocandy” remain “The Living End” and “In A Hole” both reminding us the essence of Shoegaze-sound. I also recommend “Far Gone And Out” and “Reverence” both originally released in 1992 on “Honey’s Dead”  which was the band’s fourth full length. One thing is for sure, The Jesus And Mary Chain haven’t lost their original energy and magic. 

– – – : I regret there are no more songs from the “Psychocandy”-era featured. It remains the greatest work of this legendary band.

Conclusion: This album is a great gift for all fans of this unique band in history.

Best songs: “The Living End”, “In A Hole”, “Just Like Honey”, “Far Gone And Out”, “Reverence”, “Sometimes Always”, “Some Candy Talking”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: https://themarychain.com / www.facebook.com/JesusAndMaryChain

Label: www.fuzzclub.com / www.facebook.com/FuzzClubRecords Read the news on ‘Sunset 666’.

Listen to “Sunset 666”:

About The Jesus And Mary Chain

The Jesus And Mary Chain is a Scottish band formed in East Kilbride in 1983 around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim Reid and William Reid, the only consistent members throughout the band’s history. The original lineup added Douglas Hart on bass and Murray Dalglish on drums, with Bobby Gillespie later taking over on drums. The band signed to Creation Records and released the debut single “Upside Down” in 1984, followed by the debut album “Psychocandy” in 1985. Further studio albums followed with “Darklands” (1987), “Automatic” (1989), “Honey’s Dead” (1992) and “Stoned & Dethroned” (1994), before the band split in 1999 after “Munki” (1998). The Reid brothers reunited in 2007 and released “Damage and Joy” in 2017 and “Glasgow Eyes” in 2024. In autumn 2018, the band opened for Nine Inch Nails’ North American tour, and shows recorded that December at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles form the live album “Sunset 666”.

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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Out via Amour Records is solo project by Marsheaux member Sophia Sarigiannidou. Now active as Aspra her debut single “Velvet/Anoint” now comes re-released as a limited edition 7 inch single (300 copies) on white vinyl. The set also holds a (folded) A2-sized colour poster, the whole comes inside an outer plastic bag.

“Velvet” is a rework of the shoegaze track by Big Pink and was released already last year. “Anoint”‘,” is originally by The Field Mice.

Both tracks were written and recorded during the lockdown at Sarigiannidou’s studio in Athens, Greece. This is the first ever new material by (one half of) Marsheaux, after their split. The Greek electro girl duo released their fifth (and last) studio album “Ath.Lon” in June 2016.

Aspra recently also collaborated with the veteran electronic composer Lena Platonos, resulting in the releases of “Markos” and “Kymata”.

In related news, Sarigiannidou also curated the release “Play for Tomorrow Vol. 1” holding a collection of rare and obscure post-punk and minimal synth pop tracks from the period 1977-1985.

Tracklist “Play for Tomorrow Vol. 1”

1. The Gadgets – U.F.O. Report N°1 (1980)
2. Michael Rother – Karussell (1977)
3. Amin Peck – Love Disgrace
4. Car Crash Set – Fall From Grace (1983)
5. Alan Burnham – Music To Save The World By (1981)
6. Blaine L. Reininger – Mystery and Confusion (1984)
7. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Of all the Things we’ve made (1981)
8. Ruth – Polaroid/Roman/Photo (1985)
9. Chrisma – Black Silk stocking (1977)
10. Buggles – On TV (1981)
11. Electronic Circus – Direct Lines (1981)
12. I Start Counting – Still Smilling (1985)
13. Chris & Cosey – October Love Song (1983)
14. Ultravox – Just for a Moment (1978)

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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Bay Area post-punk outfit Topographies will release their sophomore LP, “Interior Spring”, via Dark Entries on February 2, 2024. And the whole has a The Cure link as well, as you will see.

Formed in 2018 in San Francisco by Justin Oronos, Jeremie Ruest, and Gray Tolhurst, Topographies mix early coldwave with classic shoegaze. While the work of Tolhurst’s father – Laurence Tolhurst from The Cure – provides a clear influence, Topographies also has influences from such acts as Asylum Party or The Chameleons. The band debuted in 2018 with the 2-track single “Topographies”. A few more singles followed before the band released its debut album “Ideal Form” on December 4, 2020.

On “Interior Spring”, Topographies explore themes of guilt, inherited trauma, and recovery. The album holds 10 tracks of which you can already check the opening track “Night Sea”. You can check it below on Bandcamp.

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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(Photo by Ashley Alvarez) Los Angeles-based darkwave artist Caress has announced details of her debut album “Night Call” and also releases the first single “Mortal Flaw” today. “Night Call” was written and produced by Caress and will be released on Negative Gain Productions November 24.

Caress explains the new single’s theme like this: “‘Mortal Flaw’ is a song about destruction. I was inspired musically by goth industrial and dark pop. It’s packed with a lusting obsession to destroy and danceable pulsating rhythms I hope people can enjoy.”

Listen to “Mortal Flaw” on YouTube.

About Caress

Caress is the solo darkwave electronic project from Tara Jane, inspired by dreamy vintage 4AD goth as well as more contemporary dark pop artists such as TR/ST, Kontravoid and Boy Harsher. Jane also fronts the LA-based shoegaze act Blood Candy and with Caress. Her solo-project focusses more on eighties dark wave, industrial and modern synth pop.

Talking about the album, Caress says: “For the album ‘Night Call’ I wanted to explore different themes of being drawn to the dark. Each song on the album explores a unique subject of interest: heartbroken love spells, cold city nights, obsession, destruction, vampires and my relationship with myself and experiences as a queer woman.”

Her solo work first got some attention during the pandemic with her rework of Patti Smith’s “Dancing Barefoot”.

“For the production, I used a variety of synths mainly my vintage 80’s Korg Poly-800 and Casio CZ-101 which created this cohesive sound. I wrote and recorded all of the songs in my old apartment called ‘The Dungeon’ where I had only one barred window in this little loft in Echo Park with these crazy high ceilings and my home studio was built underneath the loft bed where I tracked and recorded everything in this pretty confined space.”

And she adds: “I’ve always been drawn to darkness in multiple forms if it’s humor, aesthetic, interests and the album so reflection of that, so I wanted the compositions to be energetic, dark and tender but wrapped in this like cloak of mystery and sensuality which really resonates with my personality and the whole essence of Caress. So it’s exciting to share this whole goth party that’s the ‘Night Call’ album.”

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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Based between NYC and Raleigh, postpunk outfit The Veldt present the single “Angel Heart”, previewing their Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) produced album “Illuminated 1989”.

The recording was supposed to be their debut record before Capitol Records shelved it in favour of what ultimately became their debut Lincoln Fong produced “Marigolds” album in 1993. Here released for the first time, “Angel Heart” was recorded during the 1989 sessions and not re-recorded for the 1993 album.

Here’s the new single video.

Formed in the 1980s during the first-wave of shoegaze bands, The Veldt surrounds identical twins Daniel and Danny Chavis, whose music is influenced by Cocteau Twins, Marvin Gaye, Sun Ra and Pharaoh Sanders, referencing post-punk while embracing modern hip-hop.

The Veldt initially signed with Mammoth Records. This led to tours across Europe and the U.S., sharing stages with notable bands. After relocating to New York, they briefly performed as Apollo Heights before reverting to The Veldt. The band later welcomed bassist-programmer Hayato Nakao.

The Veldt Tour Dates

• Fri 10/27 Dallas, TX – TBA
• Sat 10/28 Austin, TX – The Far Out Lounge (Levitation Festival)
• Mon 11/27 Atlanta, GA – 529
• Tue 11/28 Birmingham, AL – TBA
• Wed 11/29 New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa
• Thu 11/30 Houston, TX – 1810 Ojeman
• Fri 12/1 Austin, TX – Hotel Vegas
• Sat 12/2 Silver City, NM – Whiskey Creek Zocalo w/ Tremours
• Sun 12/3 Phoenix, AZ – Linger Longer Lounge w/ Tremours
• Mon 12/4 San Diego, CA – Soda Bar w/ Tremours
• Tue 12/5 Los Angeles, CA – Gold Diggers w/ Tremours
• Wed 12/6 San Francisco, CA – Kilowatt w/ Tremours
• Thu 12/7 Portland, OR – Show Bar w/ Tremours
• Fri 12/8 Seattle, WA – The Central Saloon (TremoloFest) w/ Tremours
• Sat 12/9 Vancouver, BC – TBA
• Sun 12/10 Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown w/ Tremours
• Mon 12/11 Eugene, OR – Old Nick’s w/ Tremours
• Tue 12/12 Olympia, WA – Le Voyeur w/ Tremours
• Wed 12/13 Tacoma, WA – TBA
• Thu 12/14 Seattle, WA – KEXP

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 on December 15 are 3 vinyl reissues of the Lycia album “The Burning Circle and then Dust”. Each vinyl edition is limited to strictly 100 copies only on black, 200 on gold and 200 on neon orange triple vinyl, coming inside a deluxe tri-fold gatefold sleeve.

Apart from the vinyl the album also gets reissued regular double-CD digipak editon. The double-CD and also the vinyl versions contain all the original tracks.

“The Burning Circle and Then Dust” is Lycia’s fourth studio recording, originally released on double CD via Projekt Records in 1995. Save for a very small CD re-release in 2006 by Silber Records, the album has never been reissued since – and never before on vinyl.

Mike VanPortfleet himself commented: “After several years of doing more synth oriented material I wanted a return to my guitar roots (in particular English post punk and 4AD). Lycia started as a guitar based band and I wanted to reaffirm that with disc one, which was originally going to be the release. I was also listening to a lot of shoegaze then, which inspired a return of making the guitars, as opposed to the synths, the focal point of the atmospherics.”

The album also marked the first collaborations between Mike VanPortfleet & Lycia members David Galas & Tara Vanflower.

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: Punk-Rock, Rock-Wave, Dream-Pop, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Fir Cone Children is one of the numerous projects Alexander Donat (Vlimmer, Assassun ao) is involved with. Since 2015 he released one Fir Cone Children-album a year. The new one is inspired by his daughters’ ‘enchanting world’.

Content: This is totally different to Dark-Wave of Vlimmer, Fir Cone Children being more diversified and open-minded. The album brings a mix between different styles; between Punk , Shoegaze, Dream-Pop and Rock. It’s a dynamic piece of music but is also revealing a kind of ‘happy’ feeling.

+ + + : This project confirms the diversity of Alexander Donat who clearly appears to be a true chameleon when it comes to music. Most of his projects are related to each other but Fir Cone Children is probably the most atypical one. It sounds eclectic while this album is driven by dynamic drum sections and guitar play sometimes reminding me of The Housemartins.

– – – : I has a happy feeling listening to this album which is however hard to define and definitely not the most significant project of the artist.

Conclusion: The artist calls this album ‘Dream-Punk’ which is maybe hard to figure and yet perfectly defines the content.

Best songs: “Another You”, “Fills Up Every Inch”.

Rate: 6.

Artist: www.facebook.com/FirConeChildren

Label: www.facebook.com/Blackjack.Illuminist

About Fir Cone Children

Fir Cone Children is one of several projects run by German musician and label owner Alexander Donat, alongside Vlimmer and Assassun. Since 2015 Donat has released one Fir Cone Children album per year, moving between punk, shoegaze, dream-pop and rock in contrast to Vlimmer’s dark-wave sound. “The Urge To Overtake Time”, released 14 July 2023 on Blackjack Illuminist Records, was inspired by his daughters and is described by the artist as “Dream-Punk”.

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-Wave, Gothic, Post-Punk, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Vlimmer is the main project of German musician and label owner Alexander Leonard Donat. After having released a unique series of 18 (!) EP’s in between 2015 and 2020 he since then released two albums. “Zerschöpfung” is Vlimmer’s third full length featuring nine songs about dark, existential, themes.

Content: The concept sounds dark and the album takes off this way as well. After a poignant, Gothic-like intro cut Vlimmer explores the darkest corners of Dark-Wave music. The album moves in a similar way although not always featuring a similar darkness. Guitar and electronics parts create a melodic but tormented sphere which might remind you of the 8os spirit. All songs are still sung in German.

+ + + : The debut part of the album sounds like Vlimmer at its best. I especially enjoy the tortured atmosphere emerging at “Flurfall”. You literally feel a kind of painful expression there. Other tracks like “Platzwart” are more melodic although still exploring the dark side of life. “Fatalideal” sounds pure 80s like and even evokes the imaginary hybrid between X Mal Deutschland and Cocteau Twins.

– – – : Speaking for myself I regret the album doesn’t sound as dark as “Flurfall” which sounds to me as a true referential song for this artist.

Conclusion: This is probably my favorite Vlimmer-album thus far which sounds as a production for dark souls.

Best songs: “Flurfall”, “Platzwart”, “Fatalideal”, “Losigkeit”, “Austrocknung”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/VlimmerMusic

Label: www.facebook.com/Blackjack.Illuminist Read the news on ‘Zerschöpfung’.

About Vlimmer

Vlimmer is the main project of German musician and label owner Alexander Leonard Donat, who also records as Fir Cone Children. Donat built the project through an 18-part EP series released between 2015 and 2020, followed by the albums “Nebenkörper” (2021) and “Menschenleere” (2022). “Zerschöpfung”, released via his own label Blackjack Illuminist Records, is Vlimmer’s third full-length album.

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, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Viola Travels is the sonic alter-ego of Swedish female artist Camilla Karlsson (It’s For Us). The first EP “Bloodline” features four songs about ‘the difficulties in life while still being amazed by its beauty.’ “Bloodline” was preceded by two singles which are still featured in this work.

Content: “Bloodline” reveals a very accessible production which is moving somewhere in between the darker side of Electro/Indie-Pop and Shoegaze. The darker atmosphere is accentuated by the bass.

+ + + : I like the heavenly vocals of Camilla Karlsson which are totally matching with the mood of this music. There’s something to say about each song but especially “Blue-Eyed Boy” is a great piece of music carried by an outburst chorus. The other attention grabber is “LA Baby”. I think this work might please lovers of Ladytron.

– – – : “Bloodline” isn’t maybe hiding an absolute hit although we get 4 cool songs instead. I really hope to hear more stuff from this artist.

Conclusion: Viola Travels is a talented solo-project filled with sensibility and refinement.

Best songs: “Blue-Eyed Boy”, “LA Baby”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091253076424

Label: www.novoton.se / www.facebook.com/Novoton Read the news on ‘Bloodline’.

About Viola Travels

Viola Travels is the solo project of Swedish artist Camilla Karlsson, originally from Stockholm and now based in Ludvika, Dalarna. Karlsson is also the frontwoman of post-punk band It’s For Us. Under the Viola Travels name she moves into dark-pop and shoegaze territory, debuting with the “Bloodline” EP on Novoton 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: Shoegaze, Cold-Wave, Rock-Pop.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Hailing from London (UK) This Is Radio Silence is now active for a while. This album is a fine selection from singles and EP’s released between 2019 and 2021, live songs and previously unreleased material. We get a total of twenty four songs.

Content: The album is eclectic which is probably because of the material that has been released over different years and releases. There’s a noticeable Rock-Pop influence with some Indie elements on top but This Is Radio Silence is also driven by good-old Dark-Wave / Post-Punk music. Several songs are also into pure Shoegaze mixing guitar playing and electronics. The vocals create a shimmering effect which is fitting to the sound. The six last songs are live edits.

+ + + : If you never heard about this band the self-titled album is a great opportunity to get familiar with a talented formation. I personally prefer their Shoegaze driven work excelling at “There Is No Time” and “Disappointed”. In a similar vein but a little bit harder I highly recommend “Impermanence”. Other noticeable cuts are the darker, powerful “Empty Mirrors”, the uplifting “The Yellow House” and the Indie-Pop/Rock like debut song “Fallen Men”.

– – – : The live songs are rather cool but not exactly adding a bonus to this double disc.

Conclusion: This Is Radio Silence definitely deserves more attention; this album being a perfect chance to discover the diversified Post-Punk & Shoegaze universe of the band.

Best songs: “There Is No Time”, “Disappointed”, “Impermanence”, “Empty Mirrors”, “The Yellow House”, “Fallen Men”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.thisisradiosilence.com / www.facebook.com/thisisradiosilence

Label: www.disconnectedmusic.co.uk / www.facebook.com/disconnectsmusic

About This Is Radio Silence

This Is Radio Silence is a London, UK alternative band. According to the band’s own Bandcamp profile, the lineup includes Ben McLees, Hunter Barr, Geoff Courts, Adrian Giddings and Julian Perris. The project also shares its Bandcamp page with associated artists Disconnects and Earth Loop Recall. The self-titled album on Disconnected Music gathers singles and EPs released between 2019 and 2021, together with live recordings and previously unreleased material, spanning the band’s Dark-Wave, Post-Punk and Shoegaze range.

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

Philadelphia’s genCAB has just released “The Badge”, the debut single from their upcoming album “Signature Flaws” available for pre-order via Bandcamp from Metropolis Records with a release date of October 20th. “The Badge” also includes a remix from Flesh Field, who are also returning this fall with a new album on Metropolis.

Musically you can expect a style that alternates from industrial to synthpop with touches of IDM, darkwave and shoegaze.

David Dutton started genCAB (generation cable) in 2006 and debuted in 2008 with the album “II transMuter” on Hive Records. The second album was 2022 release “Thoughts Beyond Words”, out on Negative Gain Productions.

You can download the 2-track single right 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!

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Genre/Influences: Dream-Pop, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: American formation Magic Wands has already been busy for a while. Based in Los Angeles the band is driven by Chris and Dexy Valentine. They released several albums on different labels and now joined hands together with Metropolis Records to unleash “Switch”.

Content: The album features 12 songs plus 5 remixes while the digital format has a bonus of 5 remixes. After an intro track we rapidly dive into the Dream-Pop and Shoegaze universe of the band. The guitar creates this magic, Shoegaze, spirit which has been carried by deep bass playing. The album is mixing pure reverie together with harder cuts. Shadow Mirrors remixed 3 songs while 2 other remixes have been accomplished by Stargods.

+ + + : This is a great work for its balance between Dream-Pop and Shoegaze music while the female vocals are often reminding me of  Ladytron. It all together creates a sensual, dreamy, music travel. The previously released single “Time” remains one of the master tracks and also is one of the hardest cuts from the album. Other attention grabbers are “Dream ‘92” achieved with delicate sound treatments and electronic arrangements. “Joy” is a perfect title for a cool Dream-Pop experience reinforced by shoegaze guitar parts.

– – – : There’s only one cut going over the 4 minutes. Short cuts are perfect to me but I regret some of the best cuts aren’t a tiny bit more extended.

Conclusion: Magic Wands confirm their great potential while getting signed to Metropolis will probably bring new fans to the band. This is good-old, dark, Dream-Pop music.

Best songs: “Time”, “Dream 92”, “Joy”, “Falling Trees”, “Daylight”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.magicwandsband.com / www.facebook.com/themagicwands

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

About Magic Wands

Magic Wands is a dream-pop duo formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2008 by Dexy Valentine (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Chris Valentine (guitar, vocals), later relocating to Los Angeles. The band’s sound blends dream-pop, shoegaze, post-punk and gothic influences, built on textured guitars, synthesiser arrangements and ethereal vocals. Magic Wands released its debut album, “Aloha Moon”, in 2012, followed by “Jupiter” in 2016, “Abrakadabra” in 2018 and “Illuminate” in 2020. The album “Switch” followed in 2023, the band’s first release on Metropolis Records.

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

Out today on all digital platforms is the second single by the Italian shoegaze / noisepop act Human Colonies, “Wawwwa”. “Wawwa” is taken from the upcoming album “Kintsukuroi” out on 22th September via Custom Made Music (USA), Shore Dive Records (UK) and Waddafuzz Records (IT).

About the new song, the band comments: “The track was inspired by Luca Guadagnino’s series ‘We Are Who We Are’, ‘Wawwa’ is all about self-acceptance. Embracing who you really are is the only way out.”

Formed in Bologna in 2013 and currently based between Valtellina and Mantua, Human Colonies have since the very beginning played with shoegazey sounds and post-punkesque lyrics, resulting in a short demo released in 2013. After performing several live gigs throughout Italy, they recorded a bunch of new songs at VDSS Recording Studio run by Filippo Strang. That’s how “Big Domino Vortex” came to life.

Their first full-lenght album “Midnight Screamer” followed in 2018. The same year the band toured in various clubs and festivals around Italy. In November 2019 Human Colonies released the new EP “Cloudchaser and Old Songs” for MiaCameretta / Lady Sometimes.

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 is the 3rd Vlimmer album, “Zerschöpfung”, the title is a blend of the German words for “exhaustion” and “destruction”.

On “Zerschöpfung” the listeners follow the Berlin-based darkgaze band on a journey through the depths of exhaustion, destruction, and identity crisis; an emotionally charged exploration of the human psyche. Musically you will hear that Vlimmer weaves together darkwave, post-punk, shoegaze and new wave spiced with tribal drums.

A lot has happened since Alexander Leonard Donat started the shoegaze/darkwave project Vlimmer. After completing an 18-EP series (2015-2020) the music went into a post-punk direction which led to the debut album, “Nebenkörper” (2021) waving goodbye to the 80s inspired synths and adding industrial and noise rock to the bill. A year later, the Berlin producer released the follow-up album, “Menschenleere” (2022), including a more catchy and dancefloor-related style.

Here’s the album which is also out on CD (incl. also a limited magnetic CD box) and as a limited edition cassette. Read the review of ‘Zerschöpfung’.

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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(Photo by Jon DeRosa) Projekt Records has announced the September 15 release of the remastered and expanded edition of Aarktica’s “Morning One” album, which was originally released in 2001. For the first time, the album will be available digitally. “Morning One” was released shortly after Aarktica’s debut “No Solace in Sleep” (2000) and marks a transition from pure guitar ambient to the atmospheric drone pop hybrid sound that has since become the project’s trademark.

In addition to the original 2001 release, Aarktica (aka Jon DeRosa) has added three previously unreleased tracks. Included among these is a 2002 remix by Aaron Spectre (also known as electronic artist Drumcorps), who offers a downtempo version with danceable beats.

“In many ways, ‘Morning One’ is the ‘missing link’ in the catalogue,” says DeRosa. “This album is an important release for me; it represents a transitional phase, from a time when I was really feeling out what I wanted Aarktica to become. I was influenced by bands like Flying Saucer Attack, Slowdive, and Mogwai. Simultaneously, I was a composition student studying Indian classical music with La Monte Young, becoming increasingly interested in creating ambient textures in a compositional way. I was listening to composers like Ingram Marshall, and I was in awe of his ability to bridge the ambient/electronic world with that of modern classical music. In much the same way, I was listening to bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor, who were achieving very much the same effect, but in reverse.”

Jon DeRosa is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He has been involved with several acts, including Dead Leaves Rising, Pale Horse and Rider, as well as his solo project known as Aarktica.

Here’s an idea how this project sounds like.

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-Wave, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Leaching is an Australian project which once started as an instrumental project driven by the work of John Carpenter. The approach slowly evolved and the result can be heard on “End Themes”.

Content: The album takes off in a pure Dark-Wave style driven by guitar and synth. Quite progressively the songs are moving in between harder cuts and dreamy Shoegaze parts featuring passionate vocals on top.

+ + + : Leaching has achieved a remarkable and efficient, creative, twist between Dark-Wave and Shoegaze. The guitar playing injects the true spirit to the album while electronic arrangements create a more evasive, dreamy, touch. The songs are easily listening pieces with “Octobrain” as highlight.

– – – : The album is missing a few more highlights with some songs ending into flatness.

Conclusion: This is a noticeable work and it feels as if there’s more potential hiding inside this project. So let’s keep an eye on Leaching.

Best songs: “Octobrain”, “Radiate”, “End Theme”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: https://linktr.ee/leachingband

Label: www.spookyrecords.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100048668568503

Listen to “End Themes”:

About Leaching

Leaching is the Melbourne, Australia-based project of musician and recording/mastering engineer Steven Smith. It began during Melbourne’s Covid-19 lockdowns as an instrumental project inspired by John Carpenter, the “Mandy” and “Blade Runner” scores and the “Streets of Rage” game soundtrack, before Smith incorporated stream-of-consciousness vocals. After musician friends joined to perform the material live, Leaching became a full band. The debut album, “End Themes”, was released on Spooky Records in 2023 as a limited purple/black splatter vinyl edition of 150 copies.

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 Portland, Oregon-based post-punk act Princess Ugly has just released a brand new track called “Break Every Room”. Princess Ugly is influenced by post-punk, goth, shoegaze, and new wave, but this new track has a bit more electronics in the mix than we are used from the band as you will notice. It follows the recent singles “An Individual Soul”, “Start Below”, “Hunger”, and a cover of Tones On Tail’s “Go!”.

As for the track itself the band adds this: “Our anger and frustration can seem distant, reserved and soft-spoken, but it’s there. Discontentment and bitterness fueled up to the breaking point. Self-control maintained on a tightrope. The calm before the storm.”

“Break Every Room” was written and recorded by Princess Ugly at Drop Dead Ugly Recording Studio in Portland, Oregon, mixed by Princess Ugly and MIDICANCER, and mastered by Kevin Nettleingham in Vancouver, Washington.

Princess Ugly consists of J. Christopher-Rome (lyrics/vocals) and Christopher Moncrieffe (music/instruments), with additional vocals by Cat Powell-Hoffmann. Princess Ugly formed in 2004 as a recording side-project for J. Christopher-Rome. In 2006, Princess Ugly released their first album, “We Knew It Was Perfect.” Later describing it as an identity crisis of an album, it was deleted from the catalog and re-released as an EP with a new tracklist that fit more with their subsequent albums.

In 2008, multi-instrumentalist Christopher Moncrieffe teamed up with J. Christopher-Rome to become the definitive line-up under the Princess Ugly moniker, and together they released Princess Ugly’s second album, “The Past, One Second at a Time”, in 2010 followed in 2012 by “It Should Be Clear By Now”. In 2021 the duo released the vampire-themed single “Hunger” and a cover of Tones on Tail’s classic “Go!”.

Here’s the video for the new single.

You can also download the track from Bandcamp.

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: Dream-Pop, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info: “Days Of Distortion” is the official debut album by Parisian (France) formation Pam Ristourié. The album comes as a collaboration between labels Icy Cold Records, Shore Dive Records, Stellar Frequencies, Hidden Bay, Araki and Pyrrhic Victory Recordings.

Content: From the very seconds you immediately notice the Dream-Pop inspiration of the band. The songs remain dreamy and sweet sometimes with an elevating passage. You’ll also discover a harder and darker song but the main part of the travel remains wafting ending into a catchy track with a great guitar apotheosis.

Listen to “Days Of Distortion”:

+ + + : Dream-Pop music is the truest sense of the meaning featuring a great debut- and last song. The guitar playing creates a lifting sensation this way brings the album to an absolute, sensational, last part. I also have to say a word about the sensual, androgenic, vocals which are perfectly matching with the music creating a true osmosis.

– – – : Great and promising songs are alternating with a few, poorly, inspired cuts but let’s keep the best part in mind.

Conclusion: “Days Of Distortion” stands for a promising and I should say elegant debut album.

Best songs: “You Are The Sound”, “Disappear For Me”, “A Star Among The Candles”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/pamrisourie

Label: www.facebook.com/icycoldrecords

About Pam Risourié

Pam Risourié is a Dream-Pop and Shoegaze project based in Paris, France. “Days Of Distortion” is the project’s official debut album, released jointly across six labels: Icy Cold Records, Shore Dive Records, Stellar Frequencies, Hidden Bay, Araki and Pyrrhic Victory Recordings.

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

Strasbourg-based post-punk / shoegaze act trio Hermetic Delight is back with a series of singles in 2023. “Inci” was released digitally yesterday and it is the band’s second track since the release of their album “F.A. Cult” in 2020. The track has Turkish vocals.

Watch the music video below.

Hermetic Delight was formed in 2010 following the arrival of singer Zeynep Kaya. At the crossroads of shoegazing, post-punk, and pop, the band is influenced by My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

The band has produced four EPs: “Universe Like Thousands of Red Alternatives”, “Heartbeat”, “To the Grave to the Rave!!!”, and “Vow”, all signed by the October Tone label.

Their first album, F.A. Cult, was released in 2020, produced by Charles Rowell of the band Crocodiles with artistic advice from Anna Calvi.

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 is the all new Lights A.M album “Stories Without Words vol. 2“, the 2nd installment of the project’s instrumental concept album series that takes off where volume 1 ended. It’s the first album on CD for the project which goes accompanied by the reedition of the first 2 albums on CD for the first time.

As a result out now as well is the re-release on CD (for the first time) of the 2021 album “Stories Without Words vol. 1” which is the debut album of Lights A.M after a couple of digital EP’s. Also originally released on digital format only in July 2022 was “Clouds”, the 2nd album of the project and now also that 2nd release get s a CD version. Both albums get rereleased on physical format in a limited carton sleeve edition.

Here’s the all new album already on Bandcamp.

Available formats

Below are the various formats.

• Lights A.M – Stories Without Words vol. 2 CD
• Lights A.M – Stories Without Words vol. 2 (Download)
• Lights A.M – Clouds CD
• Lights A.M – Stories Without Words vol. 1 CD

Interview

The Norwegian cinematic ambient electronic project was formed by Erlend Eilertsen of Essence Of Mind. We talked with Erlend regarding these albums.

SL: How come “Clouds” was released in between?

EE: I tend to work on both vocal based tracks and instrumentals in parallel actually, so most of the SWW1 tracks were written in the same time as I did the first two vocal based Lights A.M EP’s. The same has to be said about SWW2 and Clouds, but I wanted to finish the vocal based album before the next instrumental. So in a way, they are connected, but the «Stories Without Words» series stands for itself.

SL: Lights A.M is not an instrumental project from the start on, are these two albums intermedium albums or how do you see it?

EE: When I started Lights A.M I did want to make a lot of instrumentals, but wanted vocals as well, so I thought a lot about how to do it actually. My initial idea was to release vocal based 4-5 tracks EP’s and instrumental concept albums, but after SWW1 I changed my mind and wanted to do regular albums as well. So basically, the SWW series is just a way for me to make instrumental concept albums with total freedom to keep my creativity flowing.

SL: You are a big Vangelis fan I think, but at the same time you have incorporated some by now typical Lights A.M sounds in it. How would you define that specific LAM sound compared to that of a Vangelis?

EE: You are correct about that, but I also have a lot of other musical influences for sure 🙂 . To me, the music is not that similar, but I see the connection, mostly for the passion for melodies and the mood in the music. I think the most obvious difference is my incorporation of elements from both shoegaze, kraut and post rock as well as my somewhat darker soundscapes.

SL: What’s in the air in the nordics that you guys come up with such great electronic music?

EE: Hehe, hard to say, but it could be as simple as our surroundings, nature and the big difference between winter and summer up here. The days are short and dark in the winter, but very long and bright in the summer, and maybe our senses pick it up in some way and channel creativity? Or it could be completely random? 🙂 One thing that keeps getting mentioned is the nordic melancholia, so maybe that is the source?

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 cult shoegaze act Cranes is set to return with a new release, “Peel Sessions 1989-1990”, a seven-track collection slated for release on June 2nd. This marks the band’s first album in 15 years, following their self-titled 2008 release, “Cranes”, and will be released as a download, on CD and on vinyl.

The “Peel Sessions 1989-1990” album is a compilation of two recording sessions with John Peel, the renowned British radio presenter. The first session, recorded in 1989, features four tracks and sees the band performing as a trio, including newly added multi-instrumentalist Mark Francombe. The second session, recorded in 1990, introduced another significant member of the early Cranes line-up, guitarist Matt Cope. This session consisted of three tracks, with “Da Da 331” leading the pack. Both sessions were produced by Dale Griffin, the veteran member of Mott the Hoople.

This release is part of hopefully more than one new initiative from Cranes, which includes a one-off sold-out performance in London. This event, set to take place later this year, is a celebration of the 30th anniversary of their second full-length album, “Forever”. Notably, both Francombe and Cope are slated to join the Shaws on stage for this event, marking their first joint performance since the 1990s.

About Cranes

Cranes was formed in Portsmouth, England, in 1986, consisting initially of siblings Alison and Jim Shaw, who remain its core members to date. The band’s music has been described as a combination of gothic rock, dream pop, and shoegaze, with some albums leaning more into one style or another.

Cranes’ first full-length album, “Wings of Joy”, was released in 1991 and achieved significant recognition, marking their debut on the international stage. This album was distinctive for its fusion of ethereal soundscapes and heavier gothic elements. As the band evolved, their music style gradually softened, resulting in less harsh and more melodic songs in their later work.

Alison’s distinctive high-pitched vocals became a defining characteristic of Cranes’ music, while Jim was responsible for much of the songwriting and production. The band’s lyrical themes often explore existential and philosophical topics, contributing to their unique appeal.

Despite first achieving success in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Cranes have continued to record and perform continuously, maintaining a devoted fanbase. One noteworthy detail about Cranes is their relationship with The Cure. The band supported The Cure on tour around the globe, which significantly elevated their visibility on the international stage.

In 2008, the band released their last studio album, “Cranes”, signifying a period of less activity. The band relocated to Southwestern France in 2004, where they continue to make music.

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-Wave, Shoegaze, Dream-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Italian formation Karma Voyage strikes back unleashing their debut full length which has been released as a collaborative production between Shyrec (Italy) and Icy Cold Records (France).

Content: Just as for their previously released and self-named EP the band mixes different influences together. From Dark-Rock/Wave to Shoegaze and Dream-Pop the songs are driven by impressive guitar play, now and then injecting a Psychedelic touch to the work. The vocals create a heavenly sensation which is perfectly matching with the sound production.

+ + + : Karma Voyage has seriously improved most details of the production. The album takes off in a terrific way featuring a succession of great, accomplished, songs. The guitar injects a true spirit which is merging 80s elements together with a Dark-Wave touch. I even got the sensation to get in a trance when listening to “Em”, “Circles Sides” and “New Foundations”.

– – – : Just the very last part of the album can’t convince me a similar way; the songs becoming a bit more predictable for being linear.

Conclusion: Karma Voyage brings a great and creative work of 80s influences they adapted into a personal production.

Best songs: “Em”, “Circles Sides”, “New Foundations”, “Shine”, “Branches Of An Old Ash”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Karmavoyageband

Labels: www.shyrec.it / www.facebook.com/Shyrec / www.facebook.com/icycoldrecords

About Karma Voyage

Karma Voyage is a dark-wave and shoegaze project from Venice, Italy, formed at the end of 2019 by Luca Castellaro (guitars, vocals) and Giuseppe Brunetti (guitars). Alvise Scarpa (bass), Leonardo Sebastiani (synth) and Stefano Anoè (drums) joined later, and the band mixes 1960s-rooted psychedelic textures with 1980s dark-wave. Karma Voyage released a self-titled EP before signing to Shyrec (Italy) and Icy Cold Records (France) for the debut full length “Lights In Forgotten Places”, issued January 27, 2023 on CD, vinyl and digital formats.

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

Magic Wands is a US dark pop outfit originally formed in Nashville by guitarists and vocalists Chris and Dexy Valentine, but now based in Los Angeles where they have been joined by drummer Pablo Amador.

Having released a single in late March entitled “Joy”, the group have now followed it with “Time”. Complemented with a pair of remixes apiece, both are also included on “Switch”, a brand new album set for release on 12th May. The album also holds 5 remixes by Shadow Mirrors and Stargods.

The group have released three albums over the last decade on which they a dark pop / dream pop sound that incorporates elements of shoegaze, post-punk and goth.

You can check out the album preview 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

Out today on all streaming and download platforms is “Not Ready For This“, the first new single from the Norwegian synth wave / experimental electronic act Lights A.M. The track is taken from the band’s forthcoming “Stories Without Words vol. 2” album which will be out on June 23rd via Alfa Matrix on CD (in a limited carton sleeve edition) and as download.

“Stories Without Words vol. 2” is the 2nd installment of the band’s instrumental concept album series that takes off where volume 1 ended.

Also out on June 23rd is the re-release on CD (for the first time) of the 2021 album “Stories Without Words vol. 1” which is the debut album of Lights A.M after a couple of digital EP’s. Also originally released on digital format only in July 2022 was “Clouds”, the 2nd album of the project and now also that 2nd release get s a CD version. Both albums get rereleased on physical format in a limited carton sleeve edition.

The Norwegian cinematic ambient electronic project was formed by Erlend Eilertsen of Essence Of Mind. Time to hail Norway and ask Erlend a few questions.

SL: How come “Clouds” was released in between?

EE: I tend to work on both vocal based tracks and instrumentals in parallel actually, so most of the SWW1 tracks were written in the same time as I did the first two vocal based Lights A.M EP’s. The same has to be said about SWW2 and Clouds, but I wanted to finish the vocal based album before the next instrumental. So in a way, they are connected, but the «Stories Without Words» series stands for itself.

SL: Lights A.M is not an instrumental project from the start on, are these two albums intermedium albums or how do you see it?

EE: When I started Lights A.M I did want to make a lot of instrumentals, but wanted vocals as well, so I thought a lot about how to do it actually. My initial idea was to release vocal based 4-5 tracks EP’s and instrumental concept albums, but after SWW1 I changed my mind and wanted to do regular albums as well. So basically, the SWW series is just a way for me to make instrumental concept albums with total freedom to keep my creativity flowing.

SL: You are a big Vangelis fan I think, but at the same time you have incorporated some by now typical Lights A.M sounds in it. How would you define that specific LAM sound compared to that of a Vangelis?

EE: You are correct about that, but I also have a lot of other musical influences for sure 🙂 . To me, the music is not that similar, but I see the connection, mostly for the passion for melodies and the mood in the music. I think the most obvious difference is my incorporation of elements from both shoegaze, kraut and post rock as well as my somewhat darker soundscapes.

SL: What’s in the air in the nordics that you guys come up with such great electronic music?

EE: Hehe, hard to say, but it could be as simple as our surroundings, nature and the big difference between winter and summer up here. The days are short and dark in the winter, but very long and bright in the summer, and maybe our senses pick it up in some way and channel creativity? Or it could be completely random? 🙂 One thing that keeps getting mentioned is the nordic melancholia, so maybe that is the source?

The new single is also available from Bandcamp for immediate download.

Available formats: Read the reviews of ‘Stories Without Words’ and ‘Stories Without Words Vol.2’.

• Lights A.M – Stories Without Words vol. 2 CD
• Lights A.M – Stories Without Words vol. 2 (Download)
• Lights A.M – Clouds CD
• Lights A.M – Stories Without Words vol. 1 CD
• Lights A.M 3CD package + A strange play vol.2 – Tribute to The Cure 2CD

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.

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(Photo by Johan Lundsten) The new darkwave / shoegaze duo Terzo, which we covered already on Side-Line regarding their “Cymbeline” single, has just released its self-titled 6-track debut album. You can check out the full album below.

Behind Terzo we find Karl Clinton (former bassist in post-punk act Diskoteket, plus co-founder of improvisational project Tsantsa) and Billie Lindahl (lead singer and guitarist in dream pop/dark folk act Promise and the Monster). “Terzo was born out of a discussion about songs we mutually liked and a wish to try a different work process to our then current projects,” they state. “We wanted to do whatever we wanted without restrictions, using our obsession and gut feeling as guidance.”

Their debut album holds 6 tracks including the 10+ minute “Cymbeline” which is a cover of a 1991 song by the Celtic/world music singer-songwriter and composer Loreena McKennit. The song was recording during the band’s very first studio session. You can see the video for this track below. “Cymbeline” was released as their debut single in February 2023. The duo followed it up with the Cocteau Twin-ish “Eve Seven”.

You can check out the full album 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!

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Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave, Post-Punk.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Fourth official album by Swedish formation The Secret French Postcards. The work was released by the end of 2022 and deals with troubles perturbing our daily life.

Content: The work brings us back to 80s Dark-Wave / Post-Punk influences which might remind bands like The Cure and early The Mission. The songs have been recovered by dark, melancholic, moods accentuated by deep bass lines, guitar and synth play. The band’s inspirator, Olli Ohlander, sings with a deep, timbre of voice creating a perfect match with the sound of the work.

+ + + : I like this melancholic side which is never boring but accentuated by harder, powerful passages. The guitar play and bass lines bring this plaintive impression alive. The work features a few irresistible cuts like “Strain”, “Complete Confusion” and “Go away” but I also have to mention “Sides” which is also driven by Shoegaze elements.

– – – : The work is featuring 10 songs and only the very last cut (cf. “A Searching Kiss”) is the single piece which can’t totally convince me and serves as a minus end.

Conclusion: If you’re into 80s Dark-Wave nostalgia “Life Got Claws” definitely is a work to discover.

Best songs: “Sides”, “Strain”, “Complete Confusion”, “Go away”, “Parasite”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/mukosound

Label: www.coldtransmission.com / www.facebook.com/coldtransmissionmusic

About The Secret French Postcards

The Secret French Postcards is a Swedish band founded in 2016 by Olli Ohlander, who returned to music after a decade-long break. The band’s name comes from a set of Art Deco-style photographs Ohlander found at an online auction, titled “Secret French Postcards” and depicting two brothers whose work and fate caught his attention. “Life Got Claws” is the band’s fourth full-length album, released in late 2022 via Cold Transmission Music.

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: Shoegaze, Dream-Pop, Dark-Wave.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Italian formation Æsthetic Will has already released several songs in a rather short lapse of time. This work features six tracks.

Content: The work only features 6 tracks and yet there’s an impressive diversity running through the work. The influences are however related; moving from Shoegaze to Dream-Pop to Dark-Wave. The songs are mainly driven by guitar while featuring passionate female vocals. The male vocals remind me to Brian Molko (Placebo).

+ + + : This work features different great and well-crafted songs. There’s a great diversity in the songwriting resulting in brilliant exposures carried by magic guitar playing and the charisma of their female singer. “Scent Of Light” has a true elevating effect but I also have to mention “Jealousy” which is the perfect offspring between Shoegaze and Dark-Wave resulting in a true sound climax.

– – – : I only have one regret with this work; we only get six songs!

Conclusion: Æsthetic Will was totally unknown to me but “What Do You Say” is a true revelation featuring a succession of great songs.

Best songs: “Jealousy”, “Scent Of Light”, “Gate”, “Manifesto”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/aestheticwill

Listen to “What Do You Say”:

About Æsthetic Will

Æsthetic Will is based in Milan, Italy. The project describes itself as born “from a pure and indescribable need of artistic expression dedicated to the ‘here and now’”, with a post-punk and new wave atmosphere used as a catalyst for experimentation. “What Do You Say” is a six-track mini-album released independently.

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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(Photo by Johan Lundsten) Out now is the debut single from the darkwave/shoegaze/post-rock duo Terzo. The single is taken from their debut album which you can expect on April 21st.

“Cymbeline” is actually a unique cover of a 1991 song by the Celtic/world music singer-songwriter and composer Loreena McKennit, which has a lyric lifted from the William Shakespeare play of the same name. “We had a feeling that we could make something interesting with it,” says Lindahl. “Karl did most of the instrumental work, guitars and programming, while I recorded my vocal in one take. This song means so much to us because it was the first thing we did as a duo and I think we just sort of understood that we could do great things together.”

Terzo – referring to the Italian word ‘the third’ – consists of the duo Karl Clinton (former bassist in post-punk act Diskoteket, plus co-founder of improvisational project Tsantsa) and Billie Lindahl (lead singer and guitarist in dream pop/dark folk act Promise and the Monster).

“Terzo was born out of a discussion about songs we mutually liked and a wish to try a different work process to our then current projects; we wanted to do whatever we wanted without restrictions, using our obsession and gut feeling as guidance,” the band says.

Below is the official video for “Cymbeline”.

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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Genre/Influences: Cold-Wave, Shoegaze.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Hailing from the Isles of Scilly (England) West Wickhans are now active for a few years. They last year released two EP’s featuring “Magenta”.

Content: Five songs bring us back to the 80s Cold-Wave and shoegaze music styles. The songs remind me of an imaginary, crazy, offspring between The Housemartins, Joy Division and The Cure.

+ + + : I like the personal interpretation of retro 80s style. Especially both debut tracks are noticeable cuts driven by cool guitar play.

– – – : I regret the songs are a little too short.

Conclusion: Nothing groundbreaking but I like this dark 80s melting pot.

Best songs: “This Is Hang Up”, “Swear Above Suspicion”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/westwickhams

Label: https://linktr.ee/goldenbelieversrecords / www.facebook.com/GoldenBelieversRecords

Listen to “Magenta”:

About West Wickhams

West Wickhams is a duo of Jon Othello and Elle Flores, originally from Tresco on the Isles of Scilly and later based in Richmond, Surrey. The band released the “Consider Her Way” EP in 2022, followed the same year by the “Magenta” EP on Golden Believers Records, a limited-edition CD release with a five-track lineup including “Swear Above Suspicion” and “This Is A Hang Up”.

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: Dark-Electro, Industrial.

Format: Digital, Cassette.

Background/Info: Zenau is a Parisian (France) based project driven by Gaël Durieux. After having been involved in Post-Punk and Shoegaze formations Gaël set up Zenau unleashing his debut EP on Soil Records.

Content: Zenau must be the antithesis to what this artist did before. The sound is 100% electro driven taking off with a harsh cut reminding me Dive. Industrialized sound treatments and ghost-like vocals. The work is progressively evolving and getting harder. EBM bass lines have been mixed with cold leads and pumping kicks. The vocals remain harsh and spooky.

+ + + : This is an astonishing debut! Zenau doesn’t reinvent any music genre but has accomplished a true tour de force. The way the songs have been crafted with icy sound treatments and harsh Industrial noises is simply terrific. I also like the string parts adding a true bonus to the songs.

– – – : My only regret is that there are just 4 songs featured.

Conclusion: Zenau is an absolute discovery and I hope a new sensation in the world of Dark-Electro/Industrial music. I hope this artist will get a great promotion as he really deserves to become renown.

Best songs: “Unsatisfied Desires”, “Realm Of Nothingness”, “Dying Away”, “Strap Me Up”.

Rate: 9.

Label: www.facebook.com/DearSoil

Listen to “Unsatisfied Desires”:

About Zenau

Zenau is a Paris-based project driven by Gael Durieux, who was previously involved in post-punk and shoegaze formations before setting up Zenau as a dark-electro and industrial outlet. The debut EP, “Unsatisfied Desires”, was released on September 1, 2022 via Soil Records as a four-track digital and cassette release, featuring “Dying Away”, “Unsatisfied Desires”, “Strap Me Up” and “Realm Of Nothingness”.

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