Genre/Influences: EBM, IDM, Cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Boris Mutina (still involved with other projects like Terminal State, Minor Float ao) reactivated The Opposer Divine and unleashed eight new songs. The title of the album refers to the instrumental edits of the songs.

Content: The work reveals a sophisticated sound approach, mixing multiple influences like EBM bass lines reminding me of Front Line Assembly, IDM elements and a Cinematographic input accentuated by the instrumental format. I however noticed one song featuring vocals. Some songs have been carried by heavy, transcendental rhythms and even guitar riffs. 

+ + + : If you like intelligent Electronics you’d better listen to this new production by The Opposer Divine. The sound isn’t that new, but the different elements together create a fully accomplished work; imposing  sound treatments with empowering blasts and solid bass lines, overwhelming atmospheres and heavy, complex drum sections. The song “Prophecy” features vocals adding a true bonus to the work.This production also confirms the great taste of the Slovakian label Electrofrequent, which is a small, but interesting company. 

– – – : I would like to hear a bit more vocal parts

Conclusion: The Opposer Divine strikes back with an intelligent piece of modern Electronics.

Best songs: “Pulse Integration”, “Prophecy”, “EEE”, “Renegade”, “Contagious”.

Rate: 8½. 

Artist: www.facebook.com/TheOpposerDivine 

Label: www.electrofrequent.com / www.facebook.com/Electrofrequent-102179464888936 

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-Electro, Industrial, Gothic, EBM, Electro-Pop, Electro-Wave, Ethereal, Ritual.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: This is the second volume in the series “Dark Tunes From Czech & Slovak Caves”, which was released last year –three years after the first volume. The compilation is mainly featuring Czech artists and we get a total amount of twenty five songs.

Artists: Bratrstvo Luny, Decent Ruins, Novi Lidé, Tear, Love My Science, Stereo Songbird, Das Funus, Výsměch?, Dave Von Tenebrae, Cathedral In Flames, Epadun, Nemuer, Vespertine Soul, Schwarzprior, Mean Meme, The Opposer Divine, Projekt 203, Bolehlav, Isiolia, Project Jara-J, KIFOTH, GoLeave, Last Influence Of Brain, Skrol, Fuj Kluk.  

Content: This is an interesting cocktail of very different underground music genres. From Gothic and Post-Punk to multiple artists dealing with different Electronic formats like Electro/Wave-Pop, Dark-Electro, EBM and Industrial to refined Ethereal-minded and even Ritual-driven artists, this album has a lot to offer.

+ + + : I’ve always been very enthusiast when discovering this kind of compilations; it’s an opportunity to get a better idea about underground scenes we’re not familiar with. So it also becomes an opportunity to discover new and/or unfamiliar bands. And there’s a lot to discover on this album. I was impressed by the icy Electro-Wave of Das Funus. Epadun stands for heavenly female/ethereal voices mixed with artistic violin parts. It also has something Gothic and cinematographic-like and definitely appears to be a band to keep in mind. The Ethereal inspiration comes back at Nemuer, which also deals with Ritual elements. The Opposer Divine is a more familiar name and still warrants sophisticated Electronics. Another established formation is KIFOTH dealing with an efficient Dark-Electro format. A last surprising song comes from another familiar project Skrol. They deliver a kind of old-school inspired Industrial track. I also want to say a word about the great digipak format of the CD edition, which includes an informative booklet featuring brief information about each band. 

– – – : When you get twenty five artists featured at a compilation it’s quite normal you’ll always find a few less interesting cuts.

Conclusion: This is a compilation I can only, but fully support as you’ll discover some new –and maybe upcoming, talents.

Best bands: Das Funus, Epadun, Nemuer, The Opposer divine, Skrol, KIFOTH, Bratrstvo Luny, Cathedral In Flames.

Rate: (8).

Label: www.sanctuary.cz / www.facebook.com/sanctuarycz 

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: Gothic, Minimal-Electro, Electro-Pop, Wave-Pop, EBM.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: The title of the album speaks for itself; this is Electronic music made in Slovakia! A first compilation was already released a few years ago while we now get a fine selection of eighteen bands hailing from Slovakia… and the Czech Republic.

Artists: Eight Chances, Adrian Ulik, 580 Miles, Eclipsed, Gladia Moony, Lightune, Grawlix, ImiAFan, BisTros, Havran228, IAmNot, MFLS feat. Milan Monte Bartalsky, Montage, Love My Science, The Silence, The Opposer Divine, The Roben, Chebeaff feat. Key Head feat. Solo.

Content: I have to admit I wasn’t familiar at all with most of the featured bands. I only knew ImiAFan, Eclipsed and The Opposer Divine, which both are great projects. But I now got the opportunity to discover numerous ‘new’ names. The bands are dealing with much diversified genres, but as the title of the compilation indicates it’s mainly Electro! A lot of songs have been sung in the artists’ Mother tongue while others sung in English.

+ + + : This is the kind of compilations I particularly like and support. This is a way to discover new artists from countries we’re not used to hearing Electronics… although I have to confess Aliens Production remains one of my favorite labels while 4mg Records is another (smaller) interesting label. So there’s a scene in Slovakia and thanks to this compilation I got the opportunity to hear a few cool songs. I want to mention the Minimal-Electro from Adrian Ulik, the somewhat harder Lightune, the instrumental track from Grawlix, the Front 242-reminiscent IAmNot, the intelligence of Montage and the Wave-Pop of Love My Science. ImiAFan remains another sensation if you’re into Minimal-Electro treatments.

– – – : There’re a few forgettable songs, but you don’t hear me to complaining as I truly like this kind of samplers.

Conclusion: Buy a sonic Electro ticket to discover unknown, but promising names from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Best bands: ImiAFan, Grawlix, IAmNot, Montage, Love My Science.

Rate: (8).

Label: www.synthslovakia.sk / www.facebook.com/SYNTHSLOVAKIA

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: EBM, Dark-Electro.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: German duo Arnte and Schmoun aka Pyrroline doesn’t release new albums on a regular basis, but they now strike back with the fourth album to date. Both protagonists were also involved with Nordschlacht, which unfortunately only released one single album in 2007.

Content: Four years have passed since the previous album, but nothing has really changed when it comes to influences. Pyrroline doesn’t innovate, remaining faithful to their old-school EBM reminding Skinny Puppy and Mentally & The Fixer. The work has a strong déjà-vu feeling, but globally speaking Pyrroline has seriously improved little details of the global production. The songs have been supported with haunting synth atmospheres while accomplished by Industrial sound treatments. I also noticed a few delicate passages. Arnte’s vocals are totally fitting to the ghost-like EBM while Schmoun is now and then injecting a female touch to the vocals.

The bonus disc features a few extra songs, which sound in the same vein as the main disc. But we also get an impressive number of remixes by The Opposer Divine, G.O.L.E.M., Sleepwalk, Amorphous, Fix8:Sed8, Jihad, Terminal State and 2 remixes by Placebo Effect.

+ + + : No doubt about it, “Struggling” is Pyrroline’s opus magnum! The production never has been that elaborated, revealing a great songwriting with dark and Industrial sound treatments. There’s a right balance between the sound and the vocals. Especially the 3 debut songs left me breathless; Pyrroline here reveals its harder side, but every single note and synth sound at the right place. I like when an album gives me the feeling of mathematics… The work is powerful, but also very atmospheric, the band here again reminding me to music from Benestrophe, Noise Unit ao.

Among the bonus disc I also discovered 2 excellent extra songs (both debut cuts) while there’s an interesting list of remixers. Most of the bands are dealing with a similar sound, but it’s great to see Fix8:Sed8 (definitely the new Master when it comes to composing Skinny Puppy-inspired Electro) and Placebo Effect. My favorite remixes are however these by G.O.L.E.M. and and especially Terminal State.

Last, but not least I also have to say a word about the cool digipak format of the album. Electro Aggression Records doesn’t release that much stuff, but each time again, it’s a very artistic and professional layout!

– – – : A very few songs couldn’t totally convince me, but you don’t hear me to complaining. I just can imagine some Electro heads will consider this band as inferior to the real masters in the genre… but it’s quite a long time ago since Skinny Puppy achieved such a masterpiece!

Conclusion: If you like intelligent old-school driven EBM, Pyrroline is for sure a great addition to your collection!

Best songs: “Song Of Deliverance”, “Battleground”, “This Dusky Faith”, “What Might Have Been”, “The Divine Image” + “State Of Things”, “Atelier Complex”, “Stop Acting So Small – Remixed by Terminal State”, “Song Of Deliverance – Remixed by G.O.L.E.M.”

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/arnteANDschmoun

Label: www.electroaggressionrecords /  www.facebook.com/ElectroAggressionRecords

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: Electro-ambient, IDM, experimental.

Background/Info: Peter Rybar commonly known as ‘Ryby’ not only is involved into great electronic bands like Disharmony and Oxyd, but he also runs Aliens Productions. The label based in the Czech Republic has often familiarized us with the most intelligent and sophisticated forms of electronic music. It has often been a pleasure to discover new and talented bands dealing with genres like IDM, down-tempo electronics, experimental electronics and related genres. This new sampler reveals 16 bands dealing with progressive electronic music. The first 50 copies feature an extra CDR with 4 bonus songs, which are also available in the digital format.

Bands: Disharmony, Headdreamer, Stendeck, Polygon, Seneptika, The Opposer Divine, Conjecture, Xsodect, LPF12 ao.

Content: “Hypotaxia” mainly features bands from the label roster, but the common element between all selected bands for sure appears to be their fine and intelligent taste for progressive electronic compositions. It always sounds a bit in the experimental fields, but rapidly moves into more accessible formats like IDM, ambient-electro and intelligent exposures of EBM.

The sampler is characterized by genius artists in search of unique sound treatments. That brings a few tracks on the edge of experimentalism and glitch, but it all remains accessible and just fascinating. From dreamy ambient passages towards icy sequences to broken rhythms and a few bands dealing with vocals on top “Hypotaxia” stands for electronic modernism.

+ + + : There’s a nice twist between different sources of inspiration, but first of all an impressive number of great songs. Label bands Polygon and Seneptika will definitely go for the award of ‘best band’, but I also have to mention the bombast and refinement of Disharmony and the subtle approach of ISH. One of the most promising bands and for me a real discovery is Zetatech while I’ll also keep an eye on 3,14.

– – – : You definitely have to be into this kind of music and get familiar with the label, but on the other side it also is an opportunity to discover a great label and some genius bands. Aliens Productions is a label deserving much more recognition!

Conclusion: I can’t remember to have been ever disappointed by an Aliens Productions release. “Hypotaxia” only confirms the fine taste of this label!

Best bands: Polygon, Seneptika, Disharmony, ISH, LPF12, Conjecture, Zetatech.

Rate: (8).

Label: www.label.aliens.sk / www.facebook.com/pages/Aliens–production–label/200028820052578

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

Behind The Opposer Divine (T.O.D.) is hiding Boris Mutina (Minor). He also is a live member of Terminal State, which is the project of his brother. T.O.D. started releasing a few digital productions at the Netlabel AmaCreedO Records “11” while he next got signed at Aliens Production. This Slovakian label has a nose for intelligent electronic formations dealing with IDM, minimal electronics and related genres. The last year released opus “Barb Wire Around Your Neck” took me by surprise revealing a fine and well-crafted electronic composition. The new album “Reverse//Human” sounds maybe less complex, but still driven by the passion for beautiful atmospheres and creative sound sculptures. Now a bit more details about this great piece of music.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: What incited you to set up T.O.D. and what kind of sound did you’ve in mind?

Minor: At the start The Opposer Divine was intended to be an ambient or IDM or even experimental sound project, just for fun, but later on I realized it would be better limiting the project into some ‘sort of borders kill the creation’. So, there’s lot of freedom and it’s still fun. And when I am reading the review saying ‘the sound is like…’ I say ‘really?’ I do not want to copy anyone, but yes, I got inspiration from this scene. I actually do listen almost everything listenable except the mainstream which I avoid because it’s not creative at all.

Q: But your music clearly reveals a real fascination and passion for sound research and creation. Tell us a bit more about your way of working and the sound creation?

Minor: Thanks for the compliment. It’s about feeling the sound as a single sound and as a result when joined with another sound. As most of musicians dealing with electronic music I am also surrounded by tons of sound banks and samples, but I try to reconstruct what I hear, tweak it, whatever… and when I am half the way round sometimes it happens that I like the result even more than what I am trying to achieve. For example, I am trying to explore the sound after the attack phase, the decay sometimes brings so many unexpected surprises. But you can hit the keys and turn the knobs and the result will be nothing.

Songs also come alive through my personal state of mind and I will not forget to mention Peter from Aliens Production (my label). When I delivered the new material, he said: ‘man, do something with this sound’. So, cheers mate and thanks.

Q: How do you analyze your own evolution as musician from your early beginning towards the “Reverse/Human”-album?

Minor: I got a real good response and critic on the previous album and I immediately got an invitation to play on ‘Dark EBM Souls’-festival in Bratislava. I was like ‘huh what should I play?.’ Of course I’ve had already something half done but I wasn’t satisfied with it. I decided to move forward and put even more emotions in my music. I created compositions with rhythms while holding on ambient structures. The first song with this element in mind was “Deceit Of The Saints” which by the way is not very danceable. Some consider it as a very heavy IDM/ambient structure, a mind-killing thing. I am very proud about this one.

“Reverse//Human” turned out to be a good opportunity while I know there’re still unexplored areas. And I’ve created the compositions which could be played also live.

Q: I think you’re already working on new material so what are the sources of inspiration and sound direction for the further production(s)?

Minor: There’s a remix album in my hard drive, which needs to get completed, but you’re right, I am already working on “Changing Into The Wasteland”. It will not be released before the end of this year, maybe even later. I am taking my time to find the good direction for this one. You can already hear the song called “Earth Divided” on “Hypotaxia”-sampler by Aliens Production.

For me, it has a typical T.O.D. trademark featuring the touch of the old days.  But I can already tell you know that “Changing Into The Wasteland” will be much more different from what you have heard on previous releases. Regarding the inspiration, it’s life in all its forms and happenings. There’s also a lot of music, I mean, good music which is inspiring me. The main tool is to get a never ending inspiration. I’ve recently met the guys from La Santé at ‘Front Fabrik’-Festival in Krakow and found their music very inspiring in the quality of the sound.

Q: You’re still working with your brother in Terminal State, so how does it feel working together as brothers and what are the main (musical) differences between you and him?

Minor: He is my brother and a part of my inspiration. What else should I say? I thank him, because he pushed me into having fun with T.O.D. You can hear it’s different from Terminal State and not only because the flow of our work is that much different. The rhythms and composition of Terminal state both are more complex, but it does not go that far into ambient waters. I remember the days when he decided to continue with Terminal State on his own. After “Unline Codes” came the “Strange Horizons”-album, which I’m still considering as a masterpiece. This album is my brothers signature, the way he deals with music. There is no compromise, but just perfection. Working with him is always a pleasure and I look forward to the next jam session. Hopefully soon.

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

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: Electro-ambient.

Background/Info: Boris Mutina aka The Opposer Divine (TOD) is back on track unleashing the 4^th album (and 2^nd CD album) of his project. Boris remains involved as the live keyboardist in Terminal State, which seems to have new work in the pipeline.

Content: The previous work “Barb Wire Around Your Neck” was an accomplished and intelligent piece of work. “Reverse//Human” moves on a similar path although the global composing becomes a bit more electro-ambient like. The tracks are supported by great and overwhelming astral atmospheres while a low tone percussion carries the songs. The composition remains pretty sophisticated and built up with numerous layers. I sometimes get the impression of hearing a sonic hybrid between Frontline Assembly and Haujobb. But the ambient aspect might also remember of earlier Delerium work.

The main strength of this album is the true passion of the artist for sound creation. The work reveals multiple manipulation featuring scratching sounds, dark treatments, heavy blasts, guitar samples and delicate arrangements. The whispering production of the vocals brings an extra intriguing and somewhat spooky aspect to the production.

+ + + : This album reveals a high level of sound intelligence. This work has been clearly composed with patience and passion. The mix of ambient atmospheres and low rhythms is well-balanced.

– – – : The complexity of the work might be an obstacle for music freaks fascinated by the usual dark standards and cheap clichés.

Conclusion: “Reverse//Human” is the kind of album belonging to electro-ambient music for future generations. It’s an avant-garde composition revealing an impressive number of fascinating pieces.

Best songs: “War”, “Human//Animal”, “Magnetic Shield”, “Last Messiah”, “Deceit Of The Saints”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/TheOpposerDivine

Label: www.label.aliens.sk / www.facebook.com/pages/Aliens–production–label/200028820052578

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: Minimal-electronics, electro-ambient, ritual.

Content: The Opposer Divine is not exactly what I what call a familiar name active in the scene. But behind this solo-project hides Boris Multina (live keyboardist of Terminal State).

After 2 previous digital albums The Opposer Divine (T.O.D.) joined hands together with Aliens Production to unleash this first CD-album featuring 11 songs. We got the digital format featuring 3 extra cuts. From the very first notes it becomes clear that T.O.D. deals with minimal electro structures and intelligent treatments. The work is sophisticated, sometimes a bit complex and filled with multiple haunting sound atmospheres. There’s a mysterious atmosphere hanging over the album, which even makes it pretty ritual at some parts. Some extra spooky, whispering like vocals only empower the haunting flavor hanging over this work.

The first part of the album is absolutely magnificent. The mixture between different styles is absolutely remarkable. One of the absolute highlights is a remix of “Proxima” by Terminal State. It’s not that usual to discover a remix right in the beginning of an album, but there’s no real rule about it. The original version of this song is pretty cold and I dare to say sexy while the remix reflects an interesting ritual touch. There are a few more remixes (2 of them in the digital format), but I especially recommend the somewhat industrial-like and IDM-minded remix of the title track by Pyrroline.

The original version of “Barb Wire Around Your Neck” is quite noticeable as well and reveals a fascinating minimal-electro style.
“Fire On The Wings” is another noticeable cut. This song perfectly reflects the different influences running through the work, but it mainly shows the great sound arrangements this work has been made with. There also is a cool guitar-like sound running through this cut. “False Divinity” is another track to watch out for. Most of the songs have been driven by a low cadence, which injects this kind of sexy touch to the work. I like the twist between this sensual element and the darker, somewhat mysterious atmospheres emerging from the work.

Conclusion: Aliens Production remains a real reference when you want to discover intelligent electronics. The Opposer Divine has now become a member of this restricted, but quality circle.

Best songs: “Proxima – Overload Remix by Terminal State”, “Proxima”, “Barb Wire Around Your Neck – Pyrroline Remix”, “Fire On The Wings”, “False Divinity”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/TheOpposerDivine

Label: www.label.aliens.sk / www.facebook.com/pages/Aliens-production-label/200028820052578

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