The dark atmospheric synthpop band, IIOIOIOII, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has unveiled a new 3-track single titled “Frozen Sea”.

This single has been released through Distortion Productions and is accompanied by a music video. It offers a glimpse of their upcoming album, “Dreaming”, set to launch in autumn 2023 via the same label.

Pronounced as IO or eye-oh, IIOIOIOII has been producing music since 2012. Their most recent album, “Chroma + Chromatic”, came out in 2019 under AnalogueTrash Records.

Distortion Productions, the band’s current label, initially aimed to spotlight both national and local talents within the Pittsburgh Industrial/Goth community. By 2013, it transitioned into a record label, featuring artists such as En Esch, Dope Stars Inc., Tenek, Am Tierpark, Null Device, and others.

You can watch the “Frozen Sea” video below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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Out on January 28th 2022 via Dependent in a box-set is the Mesh live show release “Touring Skyward (A Tour Movie)” featuring an extended (3 ½ hours playing time. Released on blu-ray with 2 exclusive live-CDs holding 23 tracks, recorded in various places during the band’s last tour.

All 3 discs are coming inside a large-sized hardcover book, featuring 60 pages with exclusive artwork and tons of live pictures, various crew member liner notes and much more.

The video footage – shot and produced over a period of 4 years – also holds backstage material shot on the tour-bus, and other usually restricted or private locations. You also get interviews with the two founding members of the band, Mark Hockings and Richard Silverthorn next to detailed depictions of the stage set-up of all musicians involved, fan interviews, and many more insights.

The live material was shot during gigs in Hamburg, Königsstein and Köln (Cologne).

About Mesh

Mesh formed in 1991 after lead singer Mark Hockings and Richard Silverthorn (keyboards) met each other at a concert where Richard Silverthorn’s band was playing. Soon afterwards, Neil Taylor, Silverthorn’s former bandmate, joined the band on keyboards. The creative writing was split between Richard Silverthorn, who composes the music, and Mark Hockings, who writes the lyrics.

Mesh were signed by the Swedish label Memento Materia and an EP, “Fragile”, was released in 1994. This was followed by a full album, “In This Place Forever”, in 1996. In 1997 the band released an extended version of “Fragile”. A compilation album, “Fragmente”, was released in 1998, and a new studio album, “The Point At Which It Falls Apart” in 1999. By then the Side-Line readers already had gotten to know the band via the attached CD-sampler that was released with the printed magazine.

In 2002, Mesh were picked up by Sony Records, and released a new album “Who Watches Over Me”. In 2006 a new album, “We Collide”, was released, produced by former Depeche Mode producer, Gareth Jones.

On 13 September 2006 Taylor announced he was leaving the band after 15 years to pursue other interests. Hockings and Silverthorn decided to continue as a duo, using an augmented line-up for live shows. Initially, Geoff Pinckney replaced Taylor at live shows.

The new line-up signed to Dependent Records as their European record label. Metropolis Records represents them in the US and South America. “A Perfect Solution” was released in 2009. It was produced by the German dark electro producer Olaf Wollschläger. Olaf has continued to work with Mesh on subsequent releases. In 2011 the band followed up “A Perfect Solution” with a remix of the album, entitled “An Alternative Solution”.

On 26 August 2011 the band announced via Twitter that Geoff Pinckney would no longer be playing live with Mesh as he wished to focus on his other musical project, Tenek. He was replaced by Richard Broadhead. Live drummer Sean Suleman also joined the line up around this time.

In 2013 the band released “Automation Baby”. “When Looking Skyward” followed in 2016. In 2015 the band played with a classical orchestra at the ‘Gothic meets Klassik’ festival in Leipzig. The show was recorded and initially scheduled for release in 2016 but the release got delayed to late 2017 to expand the live recording with some additional studio tracks recorded at Tonscheune Oleak.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: After their astonishing official debut album “Evolve” (2016) the Bristol (UK) Sinestar gang is back on track unleashing their new full length. Iain Brownlie (vocals), Mark Trueman (synths, programming), Mathew Mohangee (drums & percussion) and James Skuse (bass guitar) have been joined by Tenek’s member Peter Steer (synths, guitar, backing vocals) to accomplish this new work.

Content: The sound and inspiration clearly remains identical to “A Million Like Us” although you rapidly hear Sinestar didn’t try to accomplish a ‘copy-paste’ from their debut work. The songs reflect more maturity and an impressive harmony between all different sound layers and instruments. It’s melodic electro-pop music, which will make you feel good. Some passages are quieter, inviting the listener to close his eyes and dream away.

Some of the most noticeable cuts from the album are “Smiling On The Inside” for the dubby bass line, “Erotic Hypnotica” for being the potential hit of this work and “The Preacher”, which sounds pretty Tenek-like.

+ + + : Sinestar doesn’t compose easy electro-pop music, but a sophisticated production where every single part is fitting with the next one. It feels like an impressive electro-pop puzzle with a great singer on top. I was impressed by the synth leads carrying some of the songs, but I also have to say a word about guitar parts reinforcing the global sound. The song “Erotic Hypnotica” appears to be the new potential hit of this album.

– – – : I was less convinced by some of the few softer cuts, but that’s just a very personal point of view. After having composed the precious and successful “Evolve”-album it has been a kind of challenge to hit back with a new masterpiece. Speaking for myself I prefer the debut album although this opus appears to be more mature although missing the innocence of the debut work.

Conclusion: Sinestar definitely is a talented electro-pop band hitting back with a styled and high-tech production. Even if I have a preference for “Evolve” this album features multiple great moments of music.

Best songs: “Erotic Hypnotica”, “The Preacher”, “A Second In Your Arms”, “Lie On Lie”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.sinestar.co.uk / www.facebook.com/Sinestarmusic

Label: www.conzoomrecords.de / www.facebook.com/conzoomofficial

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: Synth-pop.

Background/Info: Geoff Pinckney (in a previous life member of The Nine and Alien#Six13) and Peter Steer are back on track unleashing an EP of 8 songs. The tracks are taken from their latest album “Smoke & Mirrors” (2015), which was Tenek’s third full length.

Content: In fact this EP features 2 EPs. There are 2 parts each featuring the title song plus 2 remixes plus one extra song. The songs of Tenek are carried by solid melody lines, catchy sequences, danceable vibes and a talented vocalist.

The remixes reveal less familiar names like Nik Hodges, Ghostlights, Matt Jessup, Andy Gray and Martin Swan, but add cool alternatives to the original versions. The last song (cf. “Sombre Friday”) is a so-called “Alternative Mix” by Geoff Pinckney. The original edit has been featured on the debut album of Tenek “Stateless” (2009).

+ + + : Next to the original songs of “Imitation Of Life” and “What Kind Of Friend?” I heard real great remixes. There’s a cool and catchy remix of the song by Nik Hodges, but especially the remix of “What Kind Of Friend?” by Andy Gray is absolutely phenomenal. This song is into pure power-pop, driven by a menacing bass line and great guitar playing. I also have to mention the dreamy and intimate “Piano Version” of “A New Foundation” by Matt Jessup.

– – – : I expected at least one new song, but “Imitation Of Life” is more an EP to bring the fans back to the latest album.

Conclusion: I always have supported Tenek and this new EP will not change my point of view. This is definitely one of the most underestimated electro-pop bands from the scene. This EP features a few great and styled remixes.

Best songs: “What Kind Of Friend? – Grayedout Remix”, “What Kind Of Friend? – Radio Edit”, “Imitation Of Life”, “Imitation Of Life – Pre-Midi Remix”, “A New Foundation – Piano Version”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.tenek.co.uk / www.facebook.com/tenekinfo

Label: www.alien6.net

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

Three years in the making, tenek’s newest 11-track album “Smoke and Mirrors” will finally be hitting the American shores too and this by mid-April, you can order your copy right here.

For the recordings the band enlisted musicians such as Paul Jackson (bass player from the well-known 80’s British pop band T’Pau), Australian-based Sam Morrison (bass), Michael Steer (bass) and newly added band member Steve Clark (drums/vocals).

It’s the first new material from the band since their second album “On The Wire” (2010) and the 2 recently released EPs “Another Day” and “What Kind of Friend?”. The Devon/Essex based electropop act tenek (aka Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer) debuted in 2007 and toured two albums and 9 singles/EP’s.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, indie-pop.

Background/Info: Geoff Pinckney (The Nine, Alien#Six13) & Peter Steer (mainly known for his work as a producer) are back on track unleashing their 3rd full length to date. Five years have passed since the previous album (cf. “On The Wire”) although the band released several EP’s in the meantime.

Content: Tenek remains to me one of the most underrated electro-pop bands in the scene. “Smoke & Mirrors” only confirms their great writing skills, and also their unique sound. Tenek sounds like pure electro-pop music, but with a little rock-flavor on top. A few more little funky elements can be noticed as well. It sometimes reminds me a bit of 80s influences, but with this fresh and typically Tenek touch on top.

Tenek moves on the edge of indie-pop music. It’s a styled and danceable production based upon alluring electronic treatments, carrying choruses and subtle arrangements. The work is accomplished with grace and finesse. “Smoke & Mirrors” features multiple danceable cuts while a few more melancholic and reverie-like songs can be heard as well.

A last and essential element remains the outstanding and alluring vocals by Geoff Pinckney and here again I would say he probably is one of the most underrated singers in the pop scene. This guy has a great and charismatic voice, which totally matches with synth-pop music.

+ + + : The main strength of Tenek’s new work appears to be the mix of a solid electro-pop basis mixed with a few funky influences and a sweet, but carrying rock touch on top while brilliant vocal parts are fully accomplishing this opus.

– – – : Despite of many cool songs this album maybe doesn’t feature an absolute hit.

Conclusion: “Smoke & Mirros” is a beautiful and styled piece of modern electro-pop. I’m still convinced that Tenek is one of the best and most creative electro-pop bands of their time.

Best songs: “Headlights”, “What Kind Of friend (Album Version)”, “Imitation Of Life”, “Everything Lost”, “Sunlight”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band & Label: www.tenek.co.uk / www.facebook.com/tenekinfo

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

Three years in the making, tenek’s newest 11-track album “Smoke and Mirrors” will be hitting the stores by the end of November via Distortion Productions, you can order it right here.

For the recordings the band enlisted musicians such as Paul Jackson (bass player from the well-known 80’s British pop band T’Pau), Australian-based Sam Morrison (bass), Michael Steer (bass) and newly added band member Steve Clark (drums/vocals).

It’s the first new material from the band since their second album “On The Wire” (2010) and the 2 recently released EPs “Another Day” and “What Kind of Friend?”. Pre-orders for the album on CD or as download will startFriday 16th of November. Friday 8th January 2016 will see the digital distribution to all other online stores.

The Devon/Essex based electropop act tenek (aka Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer) debuted in 2007 and toured two albums and 9 singles/EP’s.

An album launch party will take place November 28, 2015 at The Garage, London with special guests The Last Cry and Gary Le Strange. Here’s a video trailer made for the occasion.

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.

side-line.com