Originally formed in 1996, Swedish band Scheitan began its journey blending Black-Metal with touches of Gothic-Rock, creating a sound both intense and haunting. They released three notable albums in the late ’90s. This year, Scheitan has returned to the scene, unveiling their first full-length album in 25 years. Titled “Songs For The Gothic People” and released by The Circle Music, the album leans into Post-Punk influences, layered with melodic elements that build to an exhilarating crescendo. I had the chance to speak with Pierre Törnkvist, the sole driving force behind Scheitan, about the band’s resurrection and this impressive new opus. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: “Songs For The Gothic People” marks Scheitan’s first new album in 25 years. It seems to represent not just a comeback, but a complete metamorphosis in genre and the evolution into a solo project. Could you share more about this revival and the shifts in genre and influences?

Pierre: Scheitan was a musical project that already back in the late 90’s shifted in style, and to be honest, I think what changed most from our 1999 “Nemesis” album and the new are the vocals. The rest was already there in 1999, maybe not in a clear form like this -and it’s certainly also a musical development but to me there was melodies, lyrical darkness, some slow songs, some up-tempo ones already back then.

Our first album in 1997 one could call a ‘Black-Metal’ album, at least musically but we already shifted gears in 1998 with the 4 more Gothic songs that were on “Berzerk 2000”. And for “Nemesis” the furious tempo was all gone. So, a part of the transition was already made. This was just the finishing touch. 

Q: When did you begin working on “Songs For Gothic People” and how did the album ultimately take shape?

Pierre: Well, I was experimenting in the studio, tired of doing the usual screaming stuff and decided to try to sing properly. This was not an easy task since I am 75% deaf since the age of 5 so singing in tune is a challenge. But things got better with time, I practiced a lot and at the same time I wrote the song “Lost In Time”. At first I did not know what to do with the song and was thinking of what to name this ‘project’. But the more I thought about it I felt that this would be a natural continuation of Scheitan, this would be the logical next step.

As I said, the music was already there and now the vocals would be in place. I did not have the opportunity to work with my singing like this back in the day so it could not happen then, and instead it happened now. I was always a fan of the Greek underground scene and when The Circle Music released the last Thou Art Lord-EP I sent the label-boss Maria an e-mail together with the song. She liked it a lot and asked if I wanted to do an album, and the rest is history. 

Q: The title is quite explicit, suggesting a clear target audience. Is there a deeper meaning behind it? Can you elaborate on the lyrical themes and influences that shaped the album?

Pierre: About the title, it’s not necessarily aimed at ‘Goth’ people. But rather at people who feel that they do not belong to this world and all the madness that is going on. That, to me, is what goth really represents, not how you look but how you feel. To look at all this insanity from the side, feeling and realizing it’s all wrong. Other than that, the lyrics are very dark and existential. I think this comes naturally with age, when you start experiencing the death of your friends and your parents combined with war and misery everywhere. Age teaches us to see the world from another perspective. And also realizing that life is not a clock spinning around and around but rather an hourglass running out of sand sooner than later did have an impact on the lyrics. 

Q: Transitioning from a band to a solo project is a significant change. How did this shift impact your process of composing and producing the songs? What were your greatest challenges and opportunities, as well as your most significant sources of satisfaction and pride?

Pierre: Well, Scheitan was never a ‘band’ anyway. Scheitan was me and Oscar, and that meant it basically was me writing songs and Oscar playing drums. He wrote music in many other musical projects, like The Everdawn and Helltrain but with Scheitain he trusted me 100% with the writing. Of course he did a few riffs here and there but he was usually happy with what I wrote and rarely had any wishes to change anything. And I think that if Oscar had been alive today he would have liked the new album a lot. He was the one introducing me to bands like Fields Of The Nephilim and Sisters Of Mercy from which I obviously have drawn inspiration to create this music.

But what really differs now from back in the day is that I have a studio in my own home, I have such better possibilities to create and record music, that is a huge change. The biggest challenge was the vocals, no doubt, but once I gained the self confidence that I could do it, very much coached during the process by Daniel Bergstrand who mixed the album, I think it moved on quite smoothly. The biggest opportunity is definitely the fact that I have infinite amounts of time in the studio as it is my own. And yes, I am really proud of this album, I have said it before, when I listen to it now there are times that I find it hard to believe that I did this all by myself, that I had this album in me.  

Regarding the solo project/band definition I would say that the ‘band’ feeling of Scheitan has never been as strong as it is today after me and Axel started playing live shows together. In the beginning I think both of us just tried to do our best to perform the songs but this has developed into a real project where we continuously improve our performance and discuss new ideas for the future. Axel has contributed a lot to both the visual identity as well as the contact with the audience during this short period of time. 

Q: How would you describe yourself as a musician, and what was your approach to creating the songs for this album? Were there any key moments or influences that significantly shaped your development as a musician?

Pierre: I think it’s more of a collection of things that made all this happen. Firstly of course the fact that I built the studio a few years ago. Then all the stuff I learned along the way, how to record, how to arrange the songs better, how to use the software, vocal practice… a lot of different things. I spent a lot of time the last few years listening to completely different music, like EDM, Pop stuff -really anything but Metal just to learn from songwriters with a different approach. I think this helped a lot to make me better at writing and arranging songs.

So I would not say there are key moments, rather persistence and the will to constantly keep going, keep evolving, staying curious with a will to learn new things. A lot of people talk about inspiration, they look to be ‘inspired’ to get something going. If there is one thing to pinpoint in all this I think it’s the lie of ‘inspiration’, there is no such thing. Just get in the studio, and start somewhere, after five minutes you will be lost in the flow and come out a few hours later. I think this approach is applicable to any kind of artist, it doesn’t matter if you write books, do paintings or whatever.

Q: What can fans look forward to in the coming months in terms of performances, new music videos, remixes, and other potential projects?

Pierre: Well, Scheitan recently released the new single “Fury Flow” which is a re-recording of a song from the “Nemesis”-album. Really just done out of curiosity and to prove the point that the songs on that album were not very far from what Scheitan is today. By the end of November there will be another single titled “Love n’ Death”, it will probably be released earlier on YouTube. Then by the end of January there will be another single, “Carry Me Home”. We also hope to book some more shows.

And yes, we are looking for a booking agency, so if anyone out there would be interested in working with Scheitan, just get in touch. Also, check out the website at www.scheitan.se 

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 Circle Music announces the return of Greek-German dark electro act Schatten Muse with a new single, “Transzendenz”, which you can check out below exclusively. The track is taken from the new album “Schicksalsweg” to be released via The Circle Music in December 2024 and which can be ordered now.

The Greek-German duo mix Neue Deutsche Todeskunst (New German Death Art) with dark, electronic soundscapes, inspired by electronic underground music of the 80s and 90s.

Regarding the new album, the band said: “The fading splendour of transience is lost in the silence… in secrecy a transcendent soundscape becometh unveiled. The second Schatten Muse album is haunting, mysterious, melancholic, spiritual and powerful. Feel the vastness and freedom in the sound of ” Schicksalsweg “! The album is mainly influenced by the electronic underground sounds of the 1980s and 1990s, especially Neue Deutsche Todeskunst/New German Death Art.”

The band members of Schatten Muse are no strangers to the gothic and dark music scenes. Schatten (Shelmerdine) is also a founding member of Dark Awake with which he has released over 20 albums and EPs. Muse (Sylvia Fürst) has co-founded a german deathart project, Egotragik, and is credited for translating the song “Gott Ist Tot” (Antichrist War Mix) by Impaled Nazarene on the “Ugra – Karma” album released in 1993.

“Schicksalsweg” is the follow-up to the debut album “Vergänglichkeit” (2022, The Circle Music) and will be released on a digipak CD and in digital formats. Pre-orders are available now via The Circle 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!

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The dark electronic act Virgin Vampires have released their next single and video “The Silent Witness” following the release of their self-titled debut album on 16th September. You can order debut self-titled album right now via The Circle Music and Marian Whores or stream the album via digital platforms such as Bandcamp.

Virgin Vampires previously released videos to the tracks “Virgin Vampires”, “Butterfly on The Moon”, “Electric Pulse” and “The Strange House”.

Watch the video for “The Silent Witness” below.

The band says this about their self-titled debut album: “We’ve poured our hearts and souls into this album and we’re excited to be sharing the first single with you all. As you’ll hear, we wanted to push the boundaries of gothic and EBM genres and explore new sonic territories. For us, this isn’t just another album; it’s a testament to respecting tradition while pushing the boundaries of modern music. This is just the beginning of our journey, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.”

About Virgin Vampires

Born in 2023 from the minds behind Pink Panther Project, Virgin Vampires is the first music collaboration between Ether, Alex and Uela. While initial collaborations between the trio yielded promising results, Uela’s true vocal range performed better in a darker, more electronic direction – a stark departure from the band’s initial vision. With renewed focus on Pink Panther Project, Virgin Vampires returned to its roots, crafting powerful demos centered on male vocals.

This creative detour led to a prolific year and a half, with both bands recording a staggering 32 songs across two albums, out now.

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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Scheitan is a Swedish music project that emerged in the ’90s, primarily known for its involvement in the Black-Metal scene. Twenty-five years after their last album, Scheitan resurfaces as a solo-project driven by Pierre Törnkvist. The album’s title hints at the style and influences shaping its eight tracks. While it doesn’t fit neatly into the Gothic genre, the music is rooted in a blend of Dark-Rock accomplished with melodic synth lines. A sense of melancholy permeates the powerful yet melodic compositions. The album’s closing track features a female vocalist, adding an ethereal, almost heavenly dimension to the sound. Rather than labeling this a comeback, it feels more like the resurrection of a band with a significant contribution; one I highly recommend. (Rate:8½).

Listen to “Lost In Time”:

https://scheitanthecircle.bandcamp.com/track/lost-in-time-2

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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After more than 30 years and countless released productions, the magical Italian Ataraxia is far from over. Under the masterful leadership of Francesca Nicoli who makes the emotions flare up with her fragile voice, her companions Vittoria Vandelli and Giovanni Pagliari accompany her on a new, dreamy and Ethereal sounding trip. The work exudes simplicity combined with grace leading to an artistic masterpiece. Everything feels like a caress although some passages sound somewhat darker and into melancholia. Poetry and especially guitar shine like the reflection of water in the moonlight. On several numbers Francesca is accompanied by the male voices which ultimately results in a sacred experience. Refined arrangements make way for a more bombastic finish here and there but everything remains dreamy and full of emotions. (Rate:8).

Listen to “Ignis Pater”:

https://ataraxiathecircle.bandcamp.com/track/ignis-pater

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 now is “Electric Pulse” the brand new single by Virgin Vampires. The track is taken from the band’s debut self-titled album out soon via The Circle Music and Marian Whores on 16 September 2024 (pre-order now on CD and digitally). “Electric Pulse” is the 3rd single by the dark electronic trio following “Butterfly on the Moon” and the self-titled “Virgin Vampires”.

The band says this about the upcoming Virgin Vampires album: “We’ve poured our hearts and souls into this album and we’re excited to be sharing the final single with you all ahead of the album’s release. As you’ll hear, we wanted to push the boundaries of gothic and EBM genres and explore new sonic territories. For us, this isn’t just another album; it’s a testament to respecting tradition while pushing the boundaries of modern music. This is just the beginning of our journey, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.”

You can watch the video to “Electric Pulse” right below.

About Virgin Vampires

Born in 2023 from the minds behind Pink Panther Project, Virgin Vampires is the first music collaboration between Ether, Alex and Uela. While initial collaborations between the trio yielded promising results, Uela’s true vocal range performed better in a darker, more electronic direction – a stark departure from the band’s initial vision. With renewed focus on Pink Panther Project, Virgin Vampires returned to its roots, crafting powerful demos centered on male vocals.

This creative detour led to a prolific year and a half, with both bands recording a staggering 32 songs across two albums, scheduled for release in September 2024.

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 self-titled debut single by the dark electro project Virgin Vampires. The track comes off the band’s upcoming self-titled debut album set for release on 16 September via The Circle Music and Marian Whores.

We can exclusively premiere this new single today via Side-Line Magazine. Watch the video to “Virgin Vampires” below.

The project was formed in 2023 by the members of the Pink Panther Project, the first music collaboration between Ether, Alex and Uela. It was only when Uela’s voice was combined with a darker, more electronic direction that the Virgin Vampires project direction really took shape. What followed were demos centered on male vocals.

During the past year and a half, both bands recorded 32 songs across two albums, both scheduled for release in September 2024. You can already pre-order the Virgin Vampires album via Circle Music. Or pre-save the album via digital platforms.

The band adds: “We’ve poured our hearts and souls into this album and we’re excited to be sharing the first single with you all. As you’ll hear, we wanted to push the boundaries of gothic and EBM genres and explore new sonic territories. For us, this isn’t just another album; it’s a testament to respecting tradition while pushing the boundaries of modern music. This is just the beginning of our journey, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.”

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 London-based industrial-electronic act Pink Panther Project will be releasing their debut album in September. But before that we can offer you an exclusive premiere of their debut single “Morticia Addams”, inspired by the iconic Addams Family character.

“Morticia Addams” serves as a first taste of the band’s forthcoming double album, “Intoxicating Embrace”, scheduled to be released on 16 September 2024 via Marian Whores and the Greek label The Circle Music.

You can watch the video for this German-language track right below, and you can also already pre-save the album on digital platforms.

About Pink Panther Project

Born in London in 2023, Pink Panther Project is the brainchild of Uela. With the addition of Alex K. and Ether Mu. The project quickly solidified their sound blending EBM, industrial, and dance music with a touch of pop.

“The basic concept was to create something fun and new, special,” says Uela. “We wanted to make a varied record, with danceable and melodic songs, a little crazy if you like, and we succeeded.”

Regarding the band’s name, Uela explained: “The name recalls the world of cartoons perhaps but it’s a coincidence, a joke, in reality pink is a colour very dear to me and I certainly feel like a panther or an eagle, some don’t find it dark enough, but we are not “dark enough”.

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 neoclassical act Ataraxia has released a new lyric video for the track “Ignis Pater”, from their 29th studio album, “Centaurea”.

“Ignis Pater” explores the element of fire, symbolizing knowledge, ardor, will, passion, and the spirit that vivifies everything. The band explains as follows: “Fire represents knowledge, ardour, will, passion, the Spirit that vivifies everything. This song emanates the colours of Fire always in movement. We perceive its ability to create and destroy, to heat and burn, to blind or bring inspiration. In Chinese medicine (and not only), Fire represents the heart organ at the centre of the chest also in a metaphysical sense, it represents courage which is the action mediated by the intelligence of the heart.”

The lyrics also invoke the element of water, leading to an alchemical union that produces wisdom and life. The band adds: “In the lyrics, the element of water is invited to union. The two elements marry in an alchemical marriage that produces wisdom and life. We soar between deeper singing and choral voices accompanying this alchemy.”

You can watch “Ignis Pater” below.

Stream the new Ataraxia album

“Centaurea” is available in a variety of formats, each featuring unique artwork. You can order the album now via The Circle Music.

“Centaurea” is the second chapter in a trilogy that began with “Pomegranate.” It features eight original compositions and two previously unreleased bonus tracks, available exclusively in the CD version.

To celebrate the release of “Centaurea,” Ataraxia will embark on a Latin American tour this August, following a double concert in their homeland, Italy.

Ataraxia Tour Dates:

• August 11 – Roccapelago, Modena, Italy: “On the wings of the past”, a double concert performed in a church featuring Medieval and Celtic soundscapes by Ataraxia and Gregorio Bellodi (uilleann pipes) followed by an Ataraxia concert.
• August 17 – Chile
• August 18 – Argentina
• August 21 – Peru
• August 23 – Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
• August 24 – Guadalajara, Mexico

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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Italian neoclassical and darkwave veterans Ataraxia have released a new song and music video entitled “Viriditas”. The track will be a part of the 29th studio album “Centaurea” which will be released on 22 May 2024 via The Circle Music. The album will contain eight original compositions and two previously unreleased bonus tracks (CD version only).

Watch “Viriditas” below.

Ataraxia explains the meaning behind the new song: “‘Viriditas’ is a Latin word much loved by Hildegard Von Bingen. The semantic root of the term refers to ‘viridis’ – ‘green’ from which ‘vis’ – ‘strenght’ derives, then ‘vir’ – ‘man’, ‘virgo’ – ‘maiden’, ‘ver’ – ‘springtime’, ‘virtus’ –‘ value’, ‘vita’ – ‘vital principle’. They are all words referring to an energetic principle that is inherent in nature and is transmitted to humanity. The symbolism also refers to spiritual vigour as a green mantle wet with fruitful rain. “

And they add this regarding the video: “The video is a tribute to México and Latin American friends and listeners that, along our musical journey, hosted us with warmth, affection and enthusiasm. The video is also dedicated to the mastery of Vittorio Vandelli who, every time he picks up his classical guitar, channels and brings us sublime melodies.”

Previously, Ataraxia released music videos for “The Source” and “Galen”.

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 Italian neoclassical and darkwave veterans Ataraxia have released a new song and music video entitled “Galen”. The track will be a part of the 29th studio album “Centaurea” which will be released on 22 May 2024 via Greece-based The Circle Music label. The album will contain eight original compositions and two previously unreleased bonus tracks (CD version only). Pre-orders are available here.

The album will be preceded by three singles with three related videos portraying places and rituals of “Centaurea”.

Previously, Ataraxia released a music video to the first of the bonus tracks “The Source”, which will comprise part of the CD version. “The Source” introduces uilleann pipes (played by Gregorio Bellodi) to Ataraxia’s music for the very first time.

Watch “Galen” below.

Ataraxia explains the meaning behind the new song as follows: “Galen is a forest surrounding a sacred site where a druidess and some druids still operate thanks to their connection to the soul of the trees and animals living here. In this and other sites, ritual magic is practised to protect “Centaurea”, an uncontaminated island that is still experiencing its Golden Age. This place is also our soul/in our soul, a subtle part of us. Where our body goes our soul goes, where our soul is our body is. Earth, mud, ponds, high clouds, fury and beauty, grass and stars groove our skin in a nocturnal embrace as blue as underwater bluebells. This song, sinuous, hypnotic and mysterious, is a fragment of precious stone reflecting light and shadow.”

“Centaurea” is the 29th album from Ataraxia and is part of a trilogy which began with the previous album “Pomegranate”, a hymn to the elemental spirits, and which will end with a work inspired by the Elysian Fields passing through the Golden Age brought to light by “Centaurea”.

The lyrics of the songs are sung in several ancient and modern languages and are poems by Francesca Nicoli and Mara Paltrinieri who had already collaborated on the lyrics of the band’s first albums.

Totem Bara will also once again contribute to Ataraxia’s sound with his cello on three songs.

Each album format will have a different layout done by Nicolas Ramain. They each have their own imaginative history, therefore, the vinyl artbook contained in the limited box and the CD graphics are unique, original and not the same. Insetti Xilografi designed the Sacred Oak represented on the box and on the hoodie and Mary Vareli created the hieratic priestess present on the T-shirt.

The luxurious box embossed in gold is limited to 200 copies, the gold vinyl is limited to 500 copies, and the A5 digipak CD is limited to 1.000 copies.

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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Swedish gothic rock act Scheitan have released a music video for their next single “Believe”. “Believe” is taken off their upcoming album “Songs for the Gothic People” and the single is available on all digital platforms.

Scheitan have recently returned following a 24-year hiatus, and will release a new album “Songs for the Gothic People” on 22 May 2024 via the Greek label The Circle Music. The new album further explores the gothic vibe that was present on their ”Nemesis” album, released by Century Media Records in 1999.

The music video for “Believe” can be viewed right below.

Guitarist, multiinstrumentalist and vocalist Pierre Törnkvist comments on the new single: ““Believe” was one of the earlier tracks I wrote for the new album. Ghost had just released their song “My Little Sunshine” and I was inspired by the tempo of the track, I think it has a certain groove to it. Mr. Forge is one of the most prominent songwriters of our time so catching a bit of inspiration from him can’t do any harm. To me, the lyrics have a double edge. At first glance, they could be seen as written from a pure “I” perspective, what “I believe”. But one could also interpret it as a general “I believe” followed blindly by many people. They all claim to believe in some kind of “god” and “goodness” but there is more fire than ever in the world, look at Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and all acts of terror constantly committed in the name of “god”. Maybe your “gods” are not the gods they claim to be?”

Pre-orders for the LP and CD version of “Songs for the Gothic People” are available now via The Circle Music.

About Scheitan

Scheitan emerged in 1996, founded by Pierre Törnkvist on guitar, bass, and vocals, alongside Oscar Karlsson on drums. Initially a black metal ensemble, the group transitioned into gothic/ambient rock over time. Both Törnkvist and Karlsson, were already quite seasoned in death and black metal through bands like The Moaning, Defleshed, The Everdawn, and Gates of Ishtar.

The band’s debut “Travelling in Ancient Times” was unveiled in 1996 through Invasion Records, featuring eight tracks of intense black metal, with the closing piece, “Portals of Might,” hinting at Scheitan’s evolving musical direction. Their sophomore effort, “Berzerk 2000” (1998, Invasion Records), showcased a mix of styles: the first half revealed a gothic/ambient sound, while the latter part marked Scheitan’s departure from black metal. A segment of “Berzerk 2000” was digitally reissued as the “Deathgoth” EP in 2021.

Post-Invasion Records, Century Media welcomed Scheitan, leading to the 1999 release of “Nemesis”. This album fully embraced a gothic/ambient/dark aesthetic, though Törnkvist’s vocals retained their initial harshness. The creation of new material post-“Nemesis” led Törnkvist and Karlsson to form Helltrain, diverging from the Scheitan project.

After a 24-year break, Scheitan returned in 2023 with “Lost In Time”, a single echoing the gothic rock of Sisters of Mercy, Fields of The Nephilim, and The 69 Eyes. Shortly before “Lost in Time”, the band joined Greek label The Circle Music, planning a full-length album release in 2024.

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 neoclassical and darkwave veterans Ataraxia will release their 29th studio album “Centaurea” on 22 May 2024 via The Circle Music. The album will contain eight original compositions and two previously unreleased bonus tracks (CD version only). You can place your pre-orders already right here from The Circle Music.

A music video to the first of the bonus tracks “The Source”, which will comprise part of the CD version, is available to watch now. “The Source” introduces uilleann pipes (played by Gregorio Bellodi) to Ataraxia’s music for the very first time.

Ataraxia explains the meaning behind the lyrics and the music video: ““The Source” is the origin from which everything flows, the focal point of the island of Centaurea, the energetic centre of that dimension. That place can only be accessed through a dimensional portal protected by three guardians of the threshold, three Priestesses who sway among the ice and snow-covered plants, looking into your eyes to understand if you are ready. “Viator – inquam – dignabere?” “Traveler – I say – are you worthy?”. Beyond the ice and snow, opens up the space of the sea in which everything turns purple and gold, dawn and dusk and the Mediterranean climate welcomes us, taking us on a white boat, in silence, to the sacred shores. As we access the dimensional spiral of the portal, the three Goddesses look at us with ineffable faces.”

About the “Centaurea” album

“Centaurea” is the 29th album from Ataraxia and is part of a trilogy which began with the previous album “Pomegranate”, a hymn to the elemental spirits, and which will end with a work inspired by the Elysian Fields passing through the Golden Age brought to light by “Centaurea”.

The lyrics of the songs are sung in several ancient and modern languages and are poems by Francesca Nicoli and Mara Paltrinieri who had already collaborated on the lyrics of the band’s first albums.

Totem Bara will also once again contribute to Ataraxia’s sound with his cello on three songs.

Each album format will have a different layout done by Nicolas Ramain. They each have their own imaginative history, therefore, the vinyl artbook contained in the limited box and the CD graphics are unique, original and not the same. Insetti Xilografi designed the Sacred Oak represented on the box and on the hoodie and Mary Vareli created the hieratic priestess present on the T-shirt.

The luxurious box embossed in gold is limited to 200 copies, the gold vinyl is limited to 500 copies, and the A5 digipak CD is limited to 1.000 copies.

The album will be preceded by three singles with three related videos portraying places and rituals of “Centaurea”.

Francesca Nicoli of Ataraxia explained the background behind the album: “On a Greek island of impressive neoclassical beauty, I lived and wrote the concept of the new Ataraxia album “Centaurea”. “Centaurea” is an island beyond the columns of time, still immersed in a golden age, it is a new Mediterranean Avalon whose name is a hundred times brighter than gold and that can only be accessed by dreaming and from which one leaves just sleeping.

Crossing the dimensional waters that lead to this magical circle, always immersed in the gold of the light of twilight and the flaming magenta of the dawn, we reach a dimension in which the principles of the Sacred Feminine and Masculine are embodied by heroes and maidens, priestesses and bards. The qualities of Courage, Audacity, Hospitality, Trust, Grace, intense spiritual values and the earthly representation of Beauty become flesh and accompany us while listening to the songs.

We participate in nocturnal rituals, dances at dawn, races across prairies and woads, flights overlooking the sea, celebrations of the primeval Sun, we meet wolves and Goddesses, we speak lunar alphabets, we cross woods of wild loves, enchanted bays where sweet scents are released, we sail wild blues and listen to the myths of the Oak. The beings who animate these places live destinies on a strand of splendour.”

About Ataraxia

Ataraxia is an Italian neoclassical dark wave band founded in 1985. Fronted by vocalist Francesca Nicoli, it combines modern technology with archaic instrumentation. Its lyrical themes are frequently drawn from nature and ancient cultures.

The band was founded by Francesca Nicoli and Michele Urbano in November 1985. In the first five years there were many musicians in the band, until finally Francesca Nicoli, Vittorio Vandelli, and Giovanni Pagliari became the basic line-up until today.

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 Swedish gothic rock act Scheitan has recorded a cover of the Billy Idol track “White Wedding”.

Scheitan have recently returned following a 24-year hiatus, and will release a new album “Songs for the Gothic People” in Spring 2024 via the Greek independent label The Circle Music. The new album further explores the gothic vibe that was present on their ”Nemesis” album, released by Century Media Records in 1999.

Check out the lyric video below.

Guitarist, multiinstrumentalist & vocalist Pierre Törnkvist comments on the new recording: “Billy Idol has always been one of my favourite artists. It was the same for Oscar, Scheitan’s drummer who tragically passed away some years ago. And I think Oscar would have approved of this version of “White Wedding”. We talked many times about recording “Rebel Yell” with our other band Helltrain but I think this one will do equally good. I tried to go for a bit more “goth” than “rock” in the soundscape and vocals. Billy is an excellent singer so it would just have been stupid to try to replicate some of the stuff he does in the track. I know my place and capabilities. I’ve spent a lot of time with his newer material like “Bitter Taste” and “Running from the Ghost” and have to say it´s equally good as the tracks he delivered as a young artist. I will now keep working on the upcoming album and perhaps throw in one or two more cover tracks along the way.”

Listen to the singles “Fire at Dawn” and “Lost in Time” which were released earlier this year.

About Scheitan

Scheitan was formed in 1996 by Pierre Törnkvist (guitar/bass/vocals) together with Oscar Karlsson (drums). The duo started out as a black metal band but transformed during the musical journey into the fields of gothic/ambient rock. Both members had previous musical experience mainly from death and black metal such as The Moaning, Defleshed, The Everdawn and Gates of Ishtar to name a few.

Scheitan released its first album “Travelling in Ancient Times” on Invasion Records in 1996. The album was an 8-track black metal album except for the last track “Portals of Might” which was the first indication of Scheitan wanting to explore other musical realms. The second album “Berzerk 2000”, also released on Invasion Records in 1998, was divided into different styles. The first four tracks show a gothic/ambient Scheitan while the last three saw Scheitan bid a final farewell to its black metal roots. The first four tracks of “Berzerk 2000” saw a digital re-release in 2021 as the “Deathgoth” EP.

Century Media signed the band after the contract with Invasion was finished and in 1999 the band recorded and released “Nemesis”. The musical style was now completely devoted to the gothic/ambient/dark domain except for the vocals of Pierre Törnkvist who were still kept in the harsh style present on earlier albums. When it was time to write new Scheitan material after “Nemesis” both Pierre and Oscar felt that it did not fit into the project and therefore Helltrain was started, which is a completely different story.

Scheitan went on a 24-year hiatus but was brought back to life in 2023 with the single “Lost In Time”, a gothic rock track in the veins of Sisters of Mercy, Fields of The Nephilim and The 69 Eyes. A few weeks prior to the release of the single “Lost in Time” Scheitan signed to Greek label The Circle Music and is set to release a full-length album in 2024.

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 Swedish band Scheitan, originally rooted in black metal but now embracing gothic rock, has released a fresh single and accompanying video titled “Fire at Dawn” which today exclusively premieres on Side-Line. This track serves as the second single from their forthcoming album, “Songs for the Gothic People,” slated for release in Spring 2024 by the Greek indie label, The Circle Music.

Scheitan went on a 24-year hiatus but was brought back to life in 2023 with the single Lost In Time, a gothic rock masterpiece in the veins of Sisters of Mercy, Fields of The Nephilim and The 69 Eyes. A few weeks prior to the release of the single “Lost in Time” Scheitan signed to Greek label The Circle Music and is set to release a full-length album in 2024.

“Fire at Dawn” is also now available on all digital platforms. Below is the lyric video.

Songwriter, guitarist & vocalist Pierre Törnkvist comments on the new song: “I feel that this became a nice follow up to the last single, “Lost in Time”, almost like two siblings of songs that each have their own identity but have a connection somehow. Not all songs on the album will have this traditional mid-tempo gothic rock style but these two turned out that way. I have never liked to speak about lyrical themes but it has almost become a necessary evil these days. The song speaks to the heart of those of us who do not feel like a part of contemporary society, those of us who feel the fire from within, the instinct to defy all that is wrong in this world. If you have the fire inside, you already know, for sure. I will now keep working on the rest of the tracks for the album, a lot of ideas are already in progress and I am basically spending time in the studio 4-5 days a week, a bit here and there. We hope to have another single released after the birth of the new year and then we will celebrate the new album in the spring of 2024. I think it will be one of the best post-rock efforts in a long time, I am quite sure of that.”

Founded in 1996 by Pierre Törnkvist (guitar/bass/vocals) and Oscar Karlsson (drums), Scheitan initially pursued a black metal style. Both members had prior experience in death and black metal bands like The Moaning, Defleshed, The Everdawn, and Gates of Ishtar.

The band’s debut album, “Travelling in Ancient Times,” released in 1996 under Invasion Records, comprised eight tracks of intense black metal, though its final track hinted at Scheitan’s future musical direction. Their sophomore album, “Berzerk 2000,” also under Invasion Records, showcased a split personality, with the first half leaning towards gothic/ambient and the latter part serving as a farewell to their black metal origins. Some tracks from “Berzerk 2000” were digitally reissued in 2021 as the “Deathgoth” EP.

In 1999, after parting ways with Invasion Records, Scheitan joined forces with Century Media and released “Nemesis,” an album that fully committed to the gothic/ambient/dark genre, albeit retaining Pierre Törnkvist’s signature harsh vocals from earlier records. Following “Nemesis,” both Pierre and Oscar felt their new material didn’t align with Scheitan, which led them to initiate a separate project called Helltrain—a tale for another time.

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-Pop, Wave-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: “Bliss” is the debut album from the Italian project My Absence By Now. The band is driven by Emiliano Santoro -who’s also involved with Doom-Metal music, and female vocalist Graziana Oddo.

Content: This album is clearly mixing different sound universes. Driven by slow, downtempo rhythms and delicate electronic sound treatments you’ll notice sensual vocals of Graziana Oddo mixed with Doom-like growls of Emiliano Santoro.

+ + + : This is a fascinating opus which sounds a bit like a challenge. You  don’t exactly expect elements of Pop and Metal as a sonic fusion. The work has been achieved with delicate sound treatments and strings. I like the duality in the vocals. “An Old Love” is a great song illustrating the sonic universe of this duo.

– – – : Several tracks are maybe a bit too short.

Conclusion: An interesting experiment as a fusion between different music styles.

Best songs: “An Old Love”, “Vapour”, “Just Leave Me Then”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/myabsencebynow

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 now is a brand new video from Autumn Tears featuring Francesca Nicoli of Ataraxia fame on vocals. “The Pulse In The Sky” is a new song off the band’s upcoming album “Guardian of the Pale”, which will be released by The Circle Music on March 24th 2023 and features a fully orchestrated, rich classical ensemble and full choir with 70+ musicians.

Here’s the video.

The band’s 70+ musician and vocalist lineup includes composer, pianist, lyricist Ted Tringo; classical opera duet and composers Caroline Joy Clarke and Darren Clarke (Trovatori); composer, arranger, producer and sound designer Soroush Abedi; vocalist and songwriter Ffion Elisa Williams, singer, songwriter Tamar Singer (Zeresh, Cruel Wonders, Necromishka); vocalist and songwriter Dawn Desireé Smith (ex-Rain Fell Within) and violin/viola/cello duo Severndeo, together with a massive ensemble of musicians and vocalists.

Special guests include Francesca Nicoli from Italian neoclassical band Ataraxia (who also recently released a new album via The Circle Music), Agnete Mangnes Kirkevaag from Norwegian progressive metal act Madder Mortem and opera singer Ann-Mari Edvardsen Alexis (ex-The 3rd and the Mortal).

“Guardian of the Pale” is Autumn Tears’ ninth studio album, and will be available as a digital download, 2CD jewel case package and a Limited 2CD digipak, both with a CD exclusive bonus track as well as a limited double vinyl gatefold package with a 16-page illustrated lyric book and vinyl exclusive bonus track. Pre-orders are available now via The Circle Music.

The album cover artwork was completed by award-winning artist Marcela Bolívar. The album was mastered by Peter Bjärgö (Arcana, Sophia).

There will be 4 versions available:

• Double Jewel Case CD with 20-page booklet
  
• Double Digi CD (Limited to 500 copies) with 20-page booklet
  
• Double LP (Gold vinyl & Green Vinyl) with 16 pages booklet (Limited to 500 copies)
  
• Luxurious Forest Green Box embossed in Gold including: Double LP (Gold vinyl & Green Vinyl) with 16 pages booklet + Double Digipack CD + Forest Green Zip Hoodie (Limited to 100 copies)

The band has also previously released a music video to the track “As If We Were Never There”.

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 a reissue of the debut album by Lisa Hammer who is the former Requiem In White/Mors Syphilitica vocalist. The album, “Dakini”, originally released via Projekt Records in 2009 is out now with extra tracks and on vinyl. The three previously unreleased tracks are “Chant Nr. 5”, “Hurdy Gurdy Gavotte” and “Alte Clamat Epicurus”, offering a seven minute prelude.

The release is out on gold vinyl (250 copies) and on purple vinyl (250 copies).

Lisa Hammer is currently writing and recording the next Radiana album (with Steven Deal), and a second solo album to be released by The Circle Music.

Here’s the video for the bonus track “Alte Clamat Epicurus”.

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 21 September via The Circle Music is Ataraxia’s upcoming 28th album “Pomegranate – The Chant Of The Elementals” as we reported already. The Italian neoclassical darkwave band has exclsuively reveales via Side-Line the brand new lyric video for the track “Aura Magi”. The video was created by Wampyrion and offers lovely landscapes.

You can view the video right below.

“Pomegranate – The Chant Of The Elementals” will be released in five formats: luxurious boxset, gold vinyl, A5 Digipack CD, Jewel Case CD and digital. The band’s line-up in the studio consisted of frontwoman Francesca Nicoli and musicians Vittorio Vandelli and Giovanni Pagliari. As guest musician they invited Totem Bara who plays the cello and timpani. The album was recorded, mixed, mastered by Vittorio Vandelli between November 2021 and May 2022.

In the review posted about the album Side-Line’s Deranged Psyche aka Inferno Sound Diaries had this to say: “Ataraxia is a band I don’t only respect for their longevity, but also – and mainly – for their delicacy in composing beautiful songs. They’re mixing different styles, moving from Ethereal into Cinematic and from Neo-Classic into Dark-Wave, but every single song sounds like it is touched by the hand of a supernatural force. The use of authentic instruments always empowers the global sensation while the Ethereal vocals create a delicious symbiosis. “Ode Ad Afrodite” is a new masterpiece and definitely my favorite one from the opus.”

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 21 September via The Circle Music is Ataraxia’s upcoming 28th album “Pomegranate – The Chant Of The Elementals”. The Italian neoclassical darkwave band has now released a new music video to the track “Hlara Aralh”, the second single from its new studio album.

In a reaction the band says: “The video was shot on the Apennines in Italy where the genius loci that inspired the new album lives. Fire, Air, Water and Earth lead us hand in hand till we receive an initiation into the Quintessence. The new Ataraxia album is a poetic race through the essence of the elements constantly inspired by the elemental spirits of nature.”

The music video can be viewed below.

“Pomegranate – The Chant Of The Elementals” will be released in five formats: luxurious boxset, gold vinyl, A5 Digipack CD, Jewel Case CD and digital. The band’s line-up in the studio consisted of frontwoman Francesca Nicoli and musicians Vittorio Vandelli and Giovanni Pagliari. As guest musician they invited Totem Bara who plays the cello and timpani. The album was recorded, mixed, mastered by Vittorio Vandelli between November 2021 and May 2022.

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: Ethereal, Neo-Classic, Cinematic.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Ataraxia strikes back with their twenty eight album to date.Francesca Nicoli (vocals), Vittorio Vandelli (classical & electric guitars, programming, backing vocals) and Giovanni Pagliari (keyboards, piano, back vocals) composed the album while getting help from guest musician Totem Bara playing cello and timpani.

Content: The sonic universe of this Italian formation remains pretty faithful to what they composed during their early years. It remains a world of reverie accentuated by delicate sound treatments and evasive atmospheres while the Ethereal singing of Francesca Nicoli remains a very unique sensation. I however noticed a few songs with a different approach like the Enigma-like “Aura Magi”.

+ + + : Ataraxia is a band I don’t only respect for their longevity, but also -and mainly, for their delicacy in composing beautiful songs. They’re mixing different styles, moving from Ethereal into Cinematic and from Neo-Classic into Dark-Wave, but every single song sounds like it is touched by the hand of a supernatural force. The use of authentic instruments always empowers the global sensation while the Ethereal vocals create a delicious symbiosis. “Ode Ad Afrodite” is a new masterpiece and definitely my favorite one from the opus.

– – – : When you’ve released 28 albums in a career it’s really hard to say which one is your favorite. I can’t say “ Pomegrenate, The Chants Of The Elementals” is the best I’ve heard, but it perfectly stands for the work of Ataraxia.

Conclusion: Close your eyes and dream away guided by the fine songs of Ataraxia.

Best songs: “Ode Ad Afrodite”, “Ozoonhas”, “Aura Magi”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.ataraxia.net / www.facebook.com/AtaraxiaFB

Label: https://thecirclemusic.gr / www.facebook.com/The-Circle-Music-109161897443413

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

(Photo by J. Williams) The Greek label, The Circle Music, has announced the first-ever reissue of one of the most iconic releases of Jarboe, the album “Sacrificial Cake” on double vinyl.

The 16-track strong album was originally released in 1995 and came out four years after the solo album “Thirteen Masks”. Jarboe who was at the same time working in Swans, recorded the album “Sacrificial Cake” in New York’s East Village at the analog home-studio of multi-instrumentalist Lary Seven. Swans founder, Michael Gira simultaneously releases his album, “Drainland”.

The Circle Music label says this about the re-release: “We are proud to release this legendary album for the first time on vinyl – on its own – and with new mastering, new lay out, luxurious packaging and of course in the color of lavender dedicated to the ‘Lavender Girl’.”

Commenting on the upcoming release, Jarboe says: “‘Sacrificial Cake’ is one of my most popular albums. The song, ‘Lavender Girl’ on this album, is the song fans tell me is one of their favorite songs, ever. As this album was never available on its own, I am thrilled for The Circle Music to have it be available and especially on lavender vinyl in homage to the beloved song.”

The double vinyl reissue is coming out on November 18th and is limited to just 500 copies. Note that the material was newly mastering by George Emmanuel (Pentagram Studio) with all new lay out by Riccardo Isolabella.

You can pre-order the record here.

About Jarboe

Jarboe La Salle Devereaux, known as Jarboe, is an American singer and musician who came to prominence as a member of the New York City experimental rock band Swans in 1985. Jarboe and Michael Gira, the founder of Swans, were the two constant members of the group until it broke up in 1997.

Although absent from the group’s lineup when the band reformed in 2010, Jarboe contributed background vocals and voice collage for the band’s 2012 album, “The Seer”. She has released numerous solo albums and collaborations, many of which have been self-published. She also co-composed the soundtrack of the 2009 psychological horror game “The Path”.

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 Estherton) Faith And The Muse have announced that their 1994 debut album “Elyria” will be released on vinyl for the very first time. The release – originally released by TESS Records in 1994 – will be available from The Circle Music in Greece.

The release has been remastered specially for vinyl and comes as a double gatefold release. Also included on the last side are 3 bonus live tracks (“Sparks”, “All Lovers/Arianrhod”, and “The Trauma Coil”) recorded during Convergence XIII 2007.

“Elyria” will be available in gold vinyl and in purple vinyl right here.

About Faith And The Muse

Monica Richards met William Faith in 1992 when her band, Strange Boutique, opened for Shadow Project in Norfolk, VA. Faith and the Muse was started in 1993 with Richards and Faith exchanging tapes while Richards was still living on the east coast. Shortly thereafter she moved to Los Angeles where the duo was based.

They recorded their debut album “Elyria” in March 1994, following it in 1995 with the concept album “Annwyn, Beneath the Waves”, based around Welsh mythology. The band followed this up with an extensive touring schedule, playing with both guest musicians as a full line-up and as an acoustic duo – the latter tour documented on the “Vera Causa” album in 2001.

After their third album, “Evidence of Heaven” (1999), the band modernized both their image and their overall sound. That change was clear on their 2003 album “The Burning Season”, their first on Metropolis 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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