“Cute” is the fourth album by British duo Kevin Tomkins and Paul Taylor, also known as Sutcliffe No More (formerly Sutcliffe Jugend). The album evokes the raw energy of early ’80s Industrial music, blending it with more abrasive Noise elements, often categorized as Power-Electronics. The sound feels Experimental, at times even improvised, but that uncompromising approach is what makes it so engaging. The standout tracks recall the early works of Throbbing Gristle, SPK, and their contemporaries. The vocals are delivered in a possessed, intense manner, adding to the album’s distinct, idiosyncratic style. “Cute” is strange, unsettling, and a must-listen for fans of Industrial music. (Rate:8).

Listen to “Unholy Poem”:

About Sutcliffe No More

Sutcliffe Jugend was formed in England in 1982 by Kevin Tomkins as a Power-Electronics act. The project’s first run lasted less than a year before Tomkins joined Whitehouse, and it was revived in 1994 with Paul Taylor, who had already played on some of the early material.

After Sutcliffe Jugend ended in 2019, Tomkins and Taylor released one album as Slaves No More and then continued as Sutcliffe No More. Under the new name the duo issued “Domestic” (2021, 4iB Records), “Consenting Adult” (2022, 4iB Records), “Normal” (2023, Klanggalerie) and “Campaign 2024” (2024, Old Europa Cafe).

“Cute”, released in 2024 on Zoharum, was followed by “Diving Board” (2025, Klanggalerie) and “For Those About To Die” (2026, Old Europa Cafe).

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-ambient, industrial, power-noise, experimental, noise, ritual, cinematographic.

Background/Info: A label sampler always offers an opportunity to familiarize with the different bands from the roster. I noticed that Cold Spring is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year so you can imagine this British label and distributor has a great history. “Pyre” got released end 2016 and features a sonic spectrum from the latest- and forthcoming release on the label.

Bands: Troum, Khost, La Breiche, Skullflower, Penny Rimbaud’s L’Académie Des Vanités, Tunnels Of Ah, Sutcliffe Jugend, Tenhornedbeast, Sun Ra/Merzbow, She Spread Sorrow, Coil, Common Eader King Eider, Trepaneringsritualen, Henrik Nordvargr Björkk, Dave Ball + Jon Savage.

Content: This sampler featuring 15 bands confirms the fine nose of label owner Justin Mitchell to sign original- although often ‘extreme’ artists. Cold Spring is a label for experienced fans of experimental-, noise-, power-noise-, drone-, dark-ambient- and other related genres. This sampler is an exciting mix of different genres, but still a mix between long-time established and recognized artists on one side and a few new, upcoming talents on the other.

+ + + : It all depends of your personal taste and favorite music styles, but globally speaking I like the great diversity on “Pyre”. The tracklist has been progressively built up and finally moving into a brilliant final part with tracks from Troum, She Spread Sorrow, Common Eider King Eider, Henrik Nordvargr Björkk and Dave Ball + Jon Savage. It also remains a particular and I dare to say emotional experience to re-discover the genius of Coil.

– – – : There’s no real minus on “Pyre”, but it for sure remains the kind of music you can’t share with everybody.

Conclusion: Cold Spring is a label that has no longer real surprises for all music lovers familiarized with the label roster, but “Pyre” clearly proves 2016-2017 will be remembered as being a great vintage!

Best bands: Troum, She Spread Sorrow, Common Eider King Eider, Henrik Nordvargrg Björkk, Coil, Dave Ball + Jon Savage.

Rate: (8).

Label: www.coldspring.co.uk / www.facebook.com/coldspringhq

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Industrial, noise, power-electronics.

Background/Info: Sutcliffe Jugend aka Kevin Tomkins and Paul Taylor belong to the pioneers of an avant-garde industrial sound. It’s a sonic trip that took off during the early 80s. The British duo is now back on track and 2016 seems to be a prolific year as they’ve released different albums on different labels.

Content: “Offal” reveals for long-duration cuts, which directly bring the listener into the half-industrial and half-noise universe of the duo. Taylor manipulates and experiments with sounds and guitar, creating noise loops on, which Tomkins is singing. This is not the usual and familiar way of singing, but a kind of enraged and tormenting format. It sounds a bit like a reflection of a psychotic mind or an insane universe wherein a poor mortal soul starts to question himself. It creates a totally mad production, which moves quite progressively into more noise-orientated fields resulting in a kind of apotheosis created by an imaginary noise rotor merged with half screaming vocals and resonating, industrial drones.

+ + + : The work reveals a dangerous fusion between tormenting noise parts and weird vocal parts. This album reflects a great and possessed production, but once again a totally avant-garde piece of music, which mixes different influences.

– – – : The tracks are sometimes a bit too similar in their global formula. The experimental format is not always the most accessible one. Sutcliffe Jugend clearly has the sound for a selected audience.

Conclusion: “Offal” is an apocalyptic vision, but still a solid sonic bridge between industrial standards and noise.

Best songs: “Cleave”, “Crawl”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/sutcliffejugend

Label: www.coldspring.co.uk / www.facebook.com/coldspringhq

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