(Photo by Chris Ruiz) In advance of their upcoming North America Tour 2024, synth pop trio Beborn Beton drop the first single “American Girls”, taken from their forthcoming new EP “To the Stars”, which is scheduled for release on November 22, 2024.

Beborn Beton’s Stefan Netschio comment: “The track ‘American Girls’ honours the strength and perseverance of women and acknowledges the ongoing struggle for true equality all around the globe. Despite the progress made, humankind still has a long way to go before women are valued and treated as equals in every aspect of life. We can hardly wait to perform this song live for the first time on our upcoming 10-date tour in North America this October.”

The EP “To the Stars” follows directly in the wake of their ninth album “Darkness Falls Again”. The EP holds three new tracks and four remixes. Here is the tracklist from the upcoming “To the Stars” EP.

1. Ticket to the Moon
2. American Girls
3. Progeny
4. I Watch My Life on TV (Club Mix)
5. My Monstrosity (EMMON Remix)
6. I Watch My Life on TV (Black Light Odyssey Remix)
7. My Monstrosity (Control Mix by Blac Kolor)

Beborn Beton North America 2024 Tour

• 03 OCT 2024 Chicago, IL (US) LiveWire Lounge
• 04 OCT 2024 Detroit, MI (US) UFO Bar
• 05 OCT 2024 Toronto, ON (CA) Ground Control
• 06 OCT 2024 Montreal, QC (CA) Cabaret Foufs
• 08 OCT 2024 Boston, MA (US) ManRay
• 09 OCT 2024 Arlington, VA (US) The Renegade
• 10 OCT 2024 Amityville, NY (US) Stimulate, Amityville Music Hall
• 11 OCT 2024 Wilmington, DE (US) Bar XIII
• 12 OCT 2024 Tampa, FL (US) Absolution Fest
• 13 OCT 2024 Los Angeles , CA (US) Cold Waves

About Beborn Beton

Beborn Beton was founded by vocalist Stefan Netschio, keyboard player and drummer Stefan Tillmann, and keyboard player Michael Wagner in 1989. Their first signs of life were three self-released tapes, “Pyre” (1989), “Scythe” (1991), and “Die Stahlbetontour” (1992).

Following their first two regular albums “Tybalt” (1993) and “Concrete Ground” (1994),the band joined renowned acts such as Wolfsheim and De/Vision on the Strange Ways Records label. In 1996 the full-length “Nightfall” was released, followed by “Truth” in 1997, and “Fake” in 1999.

“Rückkehr zum Eisplaneten” was released in 2000, Beborn Beton followed by the exclusive US release of a best-of double-album entitled “Tales from Another World” in 2002, which was followed by extensive touring in North America with Apoptygma Berzerk in the same year.

After the release of “Tales from Another World” (2002) and the associated touring, the band went on an extended hiatus.

It took 13 years, until the trio returned with a new album on Dependent Recordings: “A Worthy Compensation” (2015).

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 Atlanta-based witch house, synth punk act Suffer Ring have a new album out, “Book of Miracles” via Re:Mission Entertainment.

Behind Suffer Ring we find the producers Kyle McCanna (Dead Fe†us) and Corey Davenport (Cairn Elan). “Book of Miracles” is the 4th full-length album for the band following 2021’s “Hauntology”, 2020’s “Reverentia” and 2018’s “Wishing Well”.

The album is out now on all major digital platforms and as a limited edition CD, including 3 previously released digital only singles, and their cover of “Not In Love” by Crystal Castles/ Platinum Blonde as bonus tracks.

About the album the band says this: “In the early 2000’s an illuminated manuscript called the Book of Miracles detailing portents of doom from various periods of history ranging from The Old Testament to the 16th century was discovered in Augsburg, Germany. It stands as a record of people’s fear of powers greater than themselves throughout history, whether they be forces of nature or God’s punishment. Our 4th album is a Book of Miracles for today. In the wake of dead gods and demystified forces of nature, the powers with apocalyptic potential are more mundane and more horrifying than anything god could dream of. Bitter, resentful, gun toting losers, proxy wars, opioids, poverty, genocide, and nuclear weapons…”

You can check out the album below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Ahead of the forthcoming limited edition 5th anniversary release of “Damage”, Kill Shelter has launched an official video for “In Decay [ V ]” featuring Antipole and Delphine Coma. The new version is taken from the “Damage [ V ]” CD which features new versions and remastered tracks.

The original debut CD release was launched in November 2018. Released again on Unknown Pleasures Records, “Damage [ V ]” features vocal contributions and collaborations from a host of global underground artists including; Hante. (FR), Buzz Kull (AUS), Delphine Coma (US), Antipole (NOR), undertheskin (PL), Killjoi (US), The Shyness of Strangers (CA), Iamtheshadow (PT), Ultrviolence (CA), New Haunts (UK) and Bragolin (NL).

“Damage [ V ]” is slated for release on 1st December 2023 with pre-orders starting on 27th October 2023.

Below is the official video for “In Decay [ V ]” featuring Antipole and Delphine Coma.

Kill Shelter is UK based alternative artist and producer Pete Burns. His work blends elements of darkwave and contemporary electronica with processed guitars.

His debut album “Damage” (2018) was originally released by Unknown Pleasures Records. This was followed up by the 2021 release, “A Haunted Place” with Antipole. His 2022 release “Asylum” is currently available via Metropolis Records and Manic Depression Records. In 2023 Kill Shelter released “The Sex Tape Sessions” EP and VHS with Death Loves Veronica on Cold Transmission.

Following a series of remixes including She Past Away’s “Soluk” for their tenth anniversary release “X” on Metropolis and Fabrika Records, The Wake’s “Emily Closer” and “Spectre (Love is Dead)” by Christian Death on Cleopatra Records amongst many others, Kill Shelter is currently working on new material.

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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“Quanticode” is the debut album from 2 Forks: a brand-new dark electro-industrial project from Cleveland, Ohio, featuring past and present members of US goth rock act The Wake, among others. A concept album, “Quanticode” tells the story of the hunt for a fictional serial killer. “Quanticode” from 2 Forks is out now in CD and download formats from Bandcamp, and streaming from Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and all other major digital music platforms.

Daniel C. explains the concept of the album as follows: “The songs are not so much about the acts of a serial killer or the agents trying to apprehend the criminal, but are more about the thoughts and feelings behind these deeds.”

The new album follows on the heels of the band’s first two video-singles: July’s industrial rock track “Take It”, and the latest atmospheric dark synth offering, “I Feel Lost” from September. You can watch both videos for the tracks below.

About 2 Forks

2 Forks revolves around the central duo of frontman and multi-instrumentalist ‘Danny 2 Forks’ alias Daniel C – best-known as longtime drummer for The Wake (1989-present); alongside engineer, co-writer, programmer, and instrumentalist Gil Singer: a producer and beatmaker for local Cleveland bands at Compound Studio, including his own studio project Scrapdata. The project is augmented by guitarist Mark Gamiere, a former live member of The Wake (1996-2000), whose later credits also include Urban Needle and ( SIC ).

Daniel C, Gil Singer, and Mark Gamiere share a musical friendship stretching back to Daniel and Mark’s first high-school band together in the early 1980s, when both were just 14, which also featured Gil’s brother Guy Singer on vocals. Following a stint of ‘cover band’ gigs at local schools and community events, and with the addition of more “seasoned” players from their immediate circles, the band morphed into Midnight to Midnight (1985-86), who enjoyed some popularity in Cleveland, winning local talent contests and receiving regular airplay on local access TV.

Daniel and Mark would next go on to play together in K-9 Fire (1986-1988), who released one album and enjoyed marginal success via college radio and the local indie music scene. Daniel meanwhile departed Cleveland for Columbus in 1987, where he befriended members of what was then an up-and-coming local goth rock band, The Wake. Daniel was invited to join the group in 1989, and has played drums with them ever since. He was rejoined in The Wake by old bandmate Mark Gamiere in 1996, who took over from outgoing original guitarist Rich Witherspoon for live shows. Daniel C and Gil Singer later collaborated on ashort-lived studio project, Clair 63, around the early 2010s.

Fast-forward to the pandemic: The Wake’s scheduled European tourdates were being cancelled or postponed, leaving Daniel with time on his hands, and lots of it, for the first time in decades. Needing an outlet, Danny reached out to his childhood friend and former collaborator Gil Singer, and between them they conceptualised the new project. Once Daniel and Gil had written and recorded 11 tracks, their old friend Mark Gamiere was enlisted for additional guitars, completing the circle. In all, the new album “Quanticode” was created in under a year.

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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Today we offer you the new video single, “Take It”, from the Cleveland, Ohio-based dark electro / industrial rock project 2 Forks. 2 Forks consists of Daniel C (The Wake), Gil Singer (Scrapdata), and Mark Gamiere (The Wake, SIC, Urban Needle) and “Take It” is the first single lifted from the forthcoming 2 Forks debut album, “Quanticode”.

You can view the video for “Take It” right below. The black and white video was produced by Chariot of Black Moth.

About 2 Forks

Though 2 Forks is a newly formed entity, Daniel C, Gil Singer, and Mark Gamiere share a longstanding musical history and camaraderie that dates back to their high school days in the early 1980s. During that time, Daniel and Mark, both just 14 years old, were part of a band that also featured Gil’s brother Guy Singer on vocals.

Reflecting on those early days, Daniel recalls that like many bands at the time, they formed before mastering their instruments, still figuring out their roles. Daniel had a background as a classically-trained pianist and had experience singing in choirs, while Gamiere was playing an electric guitar he acquired from a garage sale. Eventually, Daniel purchased a drum set, which became his true passion. This is how the band started—a mere idea without instruments or funding, but fueled by their desire to make music.

The band later evolved into Midnight to Midnight (1985-86), which gained some popularity in Cleveland. Daniel and Mark went on to play together in K-9 Fire (1986-1988), releasing an album and achieving modest success through college radio and the local indie music scene. In 1987, Daniel left Cleveland for Columbus to attend Ohio State University on a scholarship. There, he crossed paths with members of a rising local goth rock band called The Wake. In 1989, Daniel was invited to join the group as their drummer, a position he has held ever since. Mark Gamiere rejoined The Wake in 1996, replacing the original guitarist for live shows. In the early 2010s, Daniel C and Gil Singer collaborated on a studio project called Clair 63, albeit for a short duration.

With The Wake’s European tourdates being canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Daniel found himself with an unprecedented amount of free time for the first time in decades. Seeking an outlet, he reached out to his childhood friend and former collaborator, Gil Singer. Together, they conceptualized a new project where Daniel would step out from behind the drum kit and take on the role of frontman, writing songs, playing various instruments, singing, and leading the project. Gil, who also works at the local Compound Studio, would act as the main engineer, co-writer, and programmer, in addition to contributing guitar and bass. Once Daniel and Gil had written and recorded 11 tracks, they enlisted their old friend Mark Gamiere to add additional guitars, completing the circle.

In less than a year, the new album was created. “Take It” by 2 Forks is the first of several video-singles from their upcoming debut album, “Quanticode.”

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 Anton Corbijn) The new Depeche Mode album, ‘Memento Mori,’ has been hailed by some as their best work in the past 20 years. However, this praise might be attributed more to the lack of strong releases in recent times rather than the actual merit of the album.

Dave Gahan, the first Depeche Mode member to experience a near-death encounter, survived a severe overdose in 1996 after two minutes without a heartbeat. Tragically, Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher wasn’t as fortunate; his arterial rupture on May 26, 2022, left Depeche Mode as a duo. The unexpected passing of Fletcher added a layer of depth to “Memento Mori” and takes listeners on an emotional rollercoaster through its various tracks.

The album does have its strong points, such as Gahan’s return to a more subdued singing style and a shift towards subtler electronic sounds. The evident influence of Kraftwerk can be both a strength and a weakness, as Depeche Mode has long been known for their distinct sound. While it’s refreshing to hear these influences, one cannot help but question if the band is losing their own originality.

What about the production on this new Depeche Mode album?

While the production quality is polished, it falls short of the standard set by Alan Wilder during his time with the band. Some tracks, like “Caroline’s Monkey,” have potential but could benefit from a more refined touch. Other songs, such as “Before We Drown” and “People Are Good,” serve as reminders of the band’s former glory.

The album concludes with 2 quite powerful tracks like “Never Let Me Go” – which has a bit of a post-punkish attitude – and the epic “Speak to Me,” leaving listeners wanting more of this. However, one can’t help but wonder what these tracks would have sounded like under Wilder’s guidance. Especially “Speak To Me” has a lot of potential.

In conclusion, “Memento Mori” is a respectable attempt by Depeche Mode to create a memorable album in the wake of Fletcher’s passing and amidst challenging times. We actually enjoyed it quite a lot. However, it also serves as a reminder that their post-Alan Wilder output has yet to reach the same heights as their earlier work, but the ship has turned in the right direction. Hopefully it will get to the harbour pretty soon.

PS: No thanks to Sony, they didn’t provide a promo of the release.

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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US goth rock act The Wake return to the stage for two shows only this year, in New Jersey, USA, and Madrid, Spain. These are The Wake’s first live shows since 1999, and the first time the band’s classic line-up has been reunited live onstage since 1994.

Frontman Troy Payne says: “If what Violet Fane said is true, and “all things come to those who wait” – then surely, we are all in for one hell of a good time. This has been so long in coming that, by the time we step on stage, I expect to be sweating venom.”

The two dates are:

• New Jersey, USA – 22 October 2022: QXT’s Nightclub, Newark, New Jersey, USA (With special guest: Caroline Blind)
• Madrid, Spain – 4 November 2022: NAZCA Music Live, Madrid, Spain (With special guests: NU:N)

About The Wake

The Wake is an American gothic rock band from Columbus, Ohio, United States, and should not be mistaken with the British post-punk act with the same name.

Formed in 1986 by vocalist Troy Payne and guitarist Richard Witherspoon in Columbus, Ohio USA – The Wake made its first studio recording “Procession” using session musicians on drums and bass in 1987. Bassist James Tramel and electronic drummer Scott Rozanski were recruited later the same year. This lineup quickly recorded first versions of tracks like: “Burial”, “Shelia”, and “Locomotive Age”, creating a rough template for what would become The Wake’s signature sound.

Acoustic drummer Daniel C. replaced Rozanski early in 1989. Driven forward by Daniel’s acoustic drum sound, the band moved substantially towards the rock and roll end of the sonic spectrum. Hoping to add yet another dimension to their sound, keyboardist Robert Brothers was added to the mix in 1990.

In a move to gain exposure, the band started Blaylox Records, named after the band’s mascot cat. The label released their demo cassette and the 7” vinyl single “Harlot” in 1990. Following on the success of “Harlot”, the band released a second 7”, “Sideshow”, on their Blaylox Records label in 1992 which led to the band signing with Cleopatra Records in 1993. The Wake’s debut album “Masked” was released in October 1993. After the completion of the “Masked” tour, the band parted ways with bass player James Tramel and a new bassist, Steven Creighton, was brought into the fold before the release of the “Christine” EP in 1995 with re-mixes supplied by Rosetta Stone.

In 1996, The Wake joined forces with former Ministry engineer “Fluffy” on their third CD, “Nine Ways”. The album was recorded and mixed at both Chicago Trax, and the Chicago Recording Company. Just before the release of “Nine Ways”, guitarist and co-founder Rich Witherspoon left the band and former MCA recording artist Mark Gamiere was enlisted to take over at guitar. Though no studio recordings were made with this lineup, Gamiere provided live tour support from 1996 to 2000. Other lineup changes include the late J.T. Murphy replacing Steven Creighton on bass in 1998. The band turned bass playing duty over to a hard-disk recorder in 1999 before giving way to a hiatus in 2000.

In 2008 “Blacklist” was released on MVD/Cleopatra, it was a ‘best of’ compilation DVD with bonus unreleased material, rare tracks and video. In 2010 Blaylox Records released The Wake’s single “Emily Closer” featuring the reunited lineup of Payne, Witherspoon, Tramel, Brothers, and Daniel C.. In December 2013, The Wake announced the release of a new single, “Rusted”, remixed by John Fryer. Released on Blaylox Records, the single features the lineup of Troy Payne, Rich Witherspoon, and Daniel C..

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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Taken from Kill Shelter’s sophomore album “Asylum” is the brand new single “The Necklace” (featuring Agent Side Grinder).

Pete Burns, Kill Shelter, explains: “The new single with Agent Side Grinder is very reflective of the overall tone of the forthcoming album. All the tracks delve into different interpretations of the word asylum and highlight challenging themes such as human trafficking, domestic abuse, seeking refuge, disillusionment, bedlam and redemption. It definitely has a dark energy.”

Johan Lange, Agent Side Grinder, from his side says: “The Necklace is a metaphorical vehicle for building personal resilience when dealing with violence and abuse on a daily basis. We had a shared vision for both the song and the video and it is a collaboration in the truest sense of the word.“

“Asylum” celebrates over 40 years of alternative and underground music and includes collaborations with Ronny Moorings (Clan of Xymox), Agent Side Grinder, Ash Code, Stefan Netschio (Beborn Beton), William Faith (The Bellwether Syndicate / Faith and the Muse), Valentina Veil (VV & the Void) and Antipole.

“Asylum” is available now in pre-order in 2 versions: via Metropolis Records in North and South America, and Manic Depression Records in Europe and the rest of the world , both on vinyl and CD and download, and will be officially released on July 15th.

Here’s a video for “The Necklace” featuring Agent Side Grinder.

About Kill Shelter

Kill Shelter is UK based alternative artist and producer Pete Burns. His work blends elements of darkwave and contemporary electronica with heavily processed guitars.

He debuted with “Damage” and collaborated on Antipole “A Haunted Place”. His remix portfolio includes cult names such as Christian Death, The Wake and Aleister Crowley as well as She Past Away, Agent Side Grinder and many more. He is currently working at The Shelter on two full length albums and a series of new collaborations.

About Agent Side Grinder

Agent Side Grinder is a Swedish electronic band formed in 2005. The band consists of Johan Lange, Peter Fristedt and Emanuel Åström and their music has been described as a mix of post-punk, industrial and dark electro. They have released five albums to date.

They are currently in the studio recording material for a new full length release.

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: Electro-Wave, Electro-Pop, Indie-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.

Background/Info: Such Beautiful Flowers is a Belgian solo-project driven by Donny Woestenborghs. He was previously involved with a Hard-Core formation and reconverted himself into Electronic music. This debut EP features four songs that were released a while ago now (at the end of 2019).

Content: The opening song reveals a kind of Indie-Pop approach featuring an extra poppy chorus. The title song is somewhat harder and darker, but still melodic and danceable. The vocals are getting a bit harder as well. Both songs left feel a bit like the B-side of this work. They sound softer although “Purest Light/Blackest Curse” is driven by a menacing bass line.

+ + + : Four songs are not that much to get a real idea about this band’s potential. But we get 4 songs, which I always prefer instead of a title track, numerous remixes and a poorly inspired B-side cut. The title song reveals a strong potential; a refreshing Electro-Wave cut with some Indie touch on top. I like this harder and rougher exposure, which also comes through in the production of the vocals.

– – – : Both last songs are less inspired and reveal some aspects to improve.

Conclusion: Such A Beautiful Flowers has realized an honest debut-work. You can hear there’s potential hiding inside this artist so let’s wait for the next step(s).

Best songs: “Neon Gloom”, “In The Wake Of Life”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/suchbeautifulflowers

Label: www.wool-e-discs.be / www.facebook.com/woolediscs

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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Loma Vista Recordings has dropped Marilyn Manson from his artist roster in the wake of abuse allegations made by Evan Rachel Woods and four other women (Ashley Walters, Sarah McNeilly, Ashley Lindsay Morgan and Gabriella).

Manson was not signed directly to the label; he instead owns the rights to his last three albums, and licensed them to the label. Loma Vista issued a statement which said they would “cease to further promote his current album effective immediately. Due to these concerning developments, we have also decided not work with Marilyn Manson on any future projects.”

In further fall-out news, he was also axed from the TV shows “American Gods” and “Creepshow”.

On February 1, 2021, Manson’s former partner and fiancée Evan Rachel Wood accused him of abuse. Writing in a statement on Instagram, she said: “He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years. I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail. I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives.”

Manson from his side has denied the accusations, and describes them as “horrible distortions of reality… my intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners. Regardless of how – and why – others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth.”

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: Gothic rock, cold wave, post-punk

Background/Info: Third release (but first full album release on Danse Macabre Records) for the Belgian gothic rock band from the mining area in Limburg that was formed in 2016.

Content: Opener “Litany” is an uptempo catchy song that has all typical gothic rock ingredients to make it a dancefloor-filler. “Jabez” sounds a bit calmer but very melancholic and full of nice synth soundscapes. Track 3, “Ball & Chain” is full of sadness and bitterness, for me one of the lesser tracks. The next 2 songs “Heaven Sent” and “Divergence” are especially vocally very strong and reminded me strongly on other bands in the goth-scene like The Wake, Love Like Blood and The Merry Thoughts, in a positive way. The dark atmosphere created on “Savannah” is very special because of the nice guitars and different way of singing. “Alacrity” sounds very bombastic but has a good combination of synths and guitars. And then it’s time for the best track of the album: “Today No Day” that has a sinister voice, nice guitar-riffs and danceable beats, a club-hit for the goth scene? More of this on “They Knew”, another uptempo song driven on a catchy synth melody and a very different voice. “Kitezh – The Path” is the last song, full of melancholic dark soundscapes.

+ + + : “Divergence” keeps the listener interested until the very end, especially the last 3 songs are very nice compositions. You can hear that a lot of efforts were put into creating this album.

– – – : There are not many new musical elements on this album, which is typical for this genre, although the traditional dark and doomy atmosphere is well represented.

Conclusion: The deep voice of singer Guido (Gwijde) Wampers combined with the gothic guitarplay of Nomad and the pumping bass of Peter Philtjens make from Ground Nero a fixed value in the Belgian goth scene.

Best songs: “Litany”, “Heaven Sent”, “Divergence”, “Savannah”, “Today No Day”, “They Knew”.

Rate: (8½) WH.

Artist: www.ground-nero.com / www.facebook.com/Groundnero
Label: www.dansemacabre.de / www.facebook.com/dansemacabrerec

Genre/Influences: Gothic rock, Post-punk.

Background/Info: This is a re-release of the original album of 1993, in a limited edition of 600 copies only. The Wake, from Columbus – Ohio (USA), always had an own typical ’90s goth-sound existing of the deep voice of singer Troy Payne and the mesmerizing guitar-riffs of Richard Witherspoon.

Content: The deep voice of Troy on the pumping bass in “Harlot” comes out very well, while the second more uptempo track “Nazarene” has the typical ’90s goth guitar-sound. Unfortunately “Locomotive Age” sounds less interesting and convincing. “Sideshow” needs no explanation, it’s a dancefloor-classic in the goth-scene, if you don’t know that one, shame on you! “Masked” is a downtempo song that reminded me very much, vocally, on Andrew Eldritch of The Sisters Of Mercy. The sublime guitars make “Silent Siren” a very nice goth song, one of the best of this album. Although the guitars on “Audrey” sound very nice, the way of singing sounds a bit monotone. Watchtower” is driven on percussion and guitars that reminded me a bit on “Floorshow” of The Sisters Of Mercy, but it’s well done! The very danceable “Sheet Metal Eyes” is also a nice track, including high-voice screams of Troy. The tenth and last song “Submerge” reminded me (again) a bit on The Sisters Of Mercy (“Afterhours”). Disc 2, the special bonus disc, contains unreleased mixes, demos and versions released for the first time ever! I especially enjoyed the demo versions of “Masked”, “Nazarene” and “Watchtower”!

+ + + : Well, hopefully some songs of this album will be played to the new generation “goths” who might re-discover the old school sound again.
Also nice to know that because of this re-release (also on purper color vinyl and high-quality digital format) the ridiculous high prices of the original release on some websites can now be skipped.

– – – : The atmosphere on all tracks is almost everywhere the same and might bring some monotony after a while.

Conclusion: The Wake is for sure one of the most underrated goth-rock bands from the ’90s. This is obliged stuff for fans of old-school gothic rock bands such as Play Dead, Rosetta Stone, Nosferatu, The Merry Thoughts and The Sisters Of Mercy.

Best songs: “Nazarene”, “Sideshow”, “Masked”, “Silent Siren”, “Watchtower”, “Sheet Metal Eyes”.

Rate: (8) WH.

Artist: www.thewake.com / www.facebook.com/thewake

Label: www.cleorecs.com / www.facebook.com/CleopatraRecords

Genre/Influences: Dark-cinematographic, dark-ambient.

Background/Info: Tom Moore active as Dead Melodies remains very prolific, unleashing his fifth full length album since 2016. The British artist invites the listeners to embark on a mysterious sci-fi journey.

Content: “Primal Destination” doesn’t sound that different from previous releases. The opening cut creates the illusion to awake among the stars and the astronauts. Quite progressively the work becomes darker, and especially mysterious. Deep, vibrating sound waves together with multiple aquatic field recordings are leading the listener into a sonic black hole. Some passages feel like Tom Moore has injected real acoustic instruments.

+ + + : Dead Melodies is the kind of project that totally fits with the Cryo Chamber approach. The cinematographic sound creation is dark and mysterious creating an imaginary film in your brain. The visual strength of the work is reinforced by the field recordings and I especially like the kind of crispy noises running through the title track. The last cut, “The Wake Of Man” also creates an impressive apotheosis to this opus.

– – – : The tracks are pretty similar to each other. It sounds more like a long duration piece separated in different chapters. I would have liked a little bit more diversity in between the tracks.

Conclusion: “Primal Destination” has something relaxing and chilling. You get the impression of getting lost in an endless space corridor.

Best songs: “The Wake Of Man”, “Somatic Mutation”, “Encounter”, “Glades”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/thedeadmelodies

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com /  www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

Inferno Sound Diaries

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

www.side-line.com

The Cure have announced 4 live shows at the Sydney Opera House in May to mark the 30th anniversary “Disintegration”, originally released in 1989. The band will play the album in full as a world premiere of these performances.

In further news, the band should have finished their new album by now with a release later this year, their first in a decade (“4: 13 Dream” was released in 2008). “It’s the 40th anniversary of the first album in 2019. I thought, if I don’t have something out new that year, that’s it for me,” Smith said in a previous interview. So let’s hope for the best.

The Cure first began releasing music in the late 1970s with their debut album “Three Imaginary Boys” (1979). It placed the band as part of the post-punk and new wave movements that had sprung up in the wake of the punk rock revolution in the United Kingdom.

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-ambient.

Background/Info: This new opus by Norwegian Svartsinn also is the first new studio album in 8 years. In the meantime Jan Roger Pettersen released a split album together with Northaunt and earlier this year the album “Collected Rarities”, which as the title indicates was an album filled with rarities. On “Mørkets Variabler” Pettersen got the company of cello player Amund Ulvestad. Notice by the way the album is also available on vinyl format as a double disc.

Content: Svartsinn bring us back to the essence of dark-ambient atmospheres characterized by the vision of abandoned landscapes and other endless sound corridors. Long and monotonous vibrating sound waves are leading the listener into a universe of discomfort. And when resonating screams of horror are suddenly disturbing the nihilistic mood hanging over the work you really get shocked. The cello adds an extra touch of sadness. The last cut is a remix by Kammarheit.

+ + + : “Mørkets Variabler” is an album without real surprises and I can’t affirm it’s innovating. But as I already say it brings us back to the essence of qualitative dark-ambient music, which is constructed with chilling sound, deep vibrating sound waves, elements of horror like screams, ghost-like voices and even some passages with percussion. It all together creates a strong visual appeal reaching its climax at “Where No Other Can Follow (Demon Stalker)” and “Echoes Of Silent Cries – Among The Sea Of Trees”.

– – – : This is a great album, which will hold you in its grip from start till finish, but it doesn’t bring anything new. But is it really necessary when you get such a great result?!

Conclusion: Svartsinn opens a gate to an imaginary vision of horror and hell. Forget the beauty of life and get ready to embrace the magic of darkness.

Best songs: “Where No Other Can Follow (Demon Stalker)”, “Echoes Of Silent Cries – Among The Sea Of Trees”, “In The Wake Of Azathoth – A Lovecraftian Epilogue”, “And In This Cloak Of Darkness I Cast My Shadow Short – Ghost Boy”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.svartrsinn.com / www.facebook.com/svartsinn1

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw

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

Pankow’s Maurizio Fasolo has sent us his TOP 10 albums from the period 1981-1984. The TOP 10 comes hand in hand with the re-release of Pankow’s first cassette “Throw Out Rite”, originally released in 1983. It’s nowadays sold for over 100 Euros on Discogs and is very rare.

Artoffact is releasing a CD and vinyl editions (EU orders are available here) of “Throw Out Rite” for the first time ever. The audio is remastered from the original tape.

And that’s not all, we also offer you an exclusive FREE download of the remastered version of “Das Wodkalied”! Get it below:

Here is Pankow’s TOP 10 albums from 1981-1984 with additional comment by Pankow’s Maurizio Fasolo.

1. Duet Emmo ‎– Or So It Seems – 1983

Maurizio Fasolo: “The Masterpiece… so layered and so rich in contrasts that you never get tired of it, the presence of Daniel Miller brings a geometric sheen to it.”

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

a-ha had an exclusive release party gig for their new album “Cast In Steel” yesterday, on 9 September. Tickets for the event could be won during a signing session which took place on 8 September at the Oslo City Platekompaniet store.

The release party took place at Union Scene in Drammen where the band has recently done tour rehearsals.

Although photos/videos were not allowed during the event, a Side-Line correspondent was able taking a few pictures of the live show which consisted of 11 tracks surprisingly including the fan classic “Soft Rains of April”. For the rest the tracks were taken from the bands complete repertoire.

The setlist:

• The Wake
• I’ve Been Losing You
• Cry Wolf
• Hunting High and Low
• Forest Fire
• Early Morning
• Sycamore Leaves
• Soft Rains of April
• Under the Makeup
• The Sun Always Shines on T.V.
• Foot of the Mountain

a-ha’s new album “Cast In Steel” is out now can be ordered on iTunes (including 6 bonus tracks). If you prefer the CD format, then head here on Amazon Germany to get hold of the “Cast in Steel” fanbox set.

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