Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro, Industrial.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Nathan Reiner is active for more than twenty years under the Third Realm moniker. The American has released multiple works and moved back to Distortion Productions to unleash his newest opus.

Content: Third Realm remains faithful to its dark approach of Electronics although the songs have been boosted with heavy, Industrial guitar play. The hardest parts are possibly appealing for KMFDM-fans but you’ll also discover a ‘softer’ although powerful Dark-Pop touch.

+ + + : There’s a well-balanced production between electronics and guitar sounds. Reiner is a talented and experienced musician who has accomplished his Electro sound with great sequences and solid bass lines. The vocal production is totally matching with the power of the sound.

– – – : The album is maybe missing an absolute hit song although you get several cool tracks instead.

Conclusion: Third Realm strikes back with one of its most powerful productions so far.

Best songs: “Hell On Earth”, “Blow & Kissing”, “Be Mine”, “Where Shadows Speak”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/ThirdRealm

Label: www.distortionprod.com / www.facebook.com/distortionproductions Read the news on ‘Into Oblivion’.

About Third Realm

Third Realm is the dark electronic project of Nathan Reiner, founded in 2000 in Buffalo, New York. The project signed to Distortion Productions for the albums “The Suffering Angel” (2017) and “Dystopian Society” (2018), before returning to the label for “Into Oblivion”, reviewed here. The current line-up features Reiner on vocals, production and songwriting, alongside Arrow Fitzgibbon on guitar, keyboards and backing vocals, Melanie Beitel on keyboards and backing vocals, and Mike Reiner on live drums.

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 dark electro act Third Realm is back with an all new album, entitled “Into Oblivion”. Out via Distortion Productions it is available now as a limited edition CD and through all digital and streaming platforms.

The prolific Buffalo, New York-based project first began in 2000. Third Realm first signed with Distortion to release both “The Suffering Angel” (2017) and “Dystopian Society” (2018).

After reconnecting with label owner, Jim Semonik, the two decided to partner up again for the new album. Third Realm mastermind, Nathan Reiner explains: “We got to chatting, and it was a no-brainer to return to the Distortion family. The loyalty, transparency and dedication Jim demonstrates is unmatched, so I am highly grateful to be releasing the new album with his support.”

As far as what the album is about Nathan says: “Darkwave Industrial is all about pushing the boundaries of sound and emotion. With ‘Into Oblivion’, I’ve delved deeper into the shadows to create a musical landscape that immerses the listener in a hauntingly beautiful and thought-provoking experience.”

You can check out the album on Bandcamp. Read the review of ‘Into Oblivion’.

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-Electro, EBM.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: After three self-released and four official albums C-Lekktor breaks the silence after a hiatus of five years. Mexican Dark-Electro head Marco Barientos aka ‘Markko B’ signed to Alfa Matrix. He’s already familiar with the Belgian label having released music from his side project Circuito Cerrado. The last album of this side-project “Furious Basslines” might have inspired him for the slogan of this new C-Lekktor work ‘Are You Ready For The Bass?’

Content: The album stands for pure C-Lekktor Electro-terror and yet I noticed a little evolution in sound. The mix between Dark-Electro and EBM has never been so perfect. The songs are driven by hopping rhythms and sequences while carrying leads are pushing the songs to a higher dimension. Markko B is singing like a possessed creature.

The bonus disc features remixes by Xperiment, Centhron, ESA, Nevel, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Skynthattack, Venal Flesh, Neikka RPM, Chamaeleon, Nano Infect, FabrikC, Third Realm, Aesthetische, Miseria Ultima and Circuito Cerrado.

+ + + : C-Lekktor stands for power and terror; a violent Dark-Electro experience which became the trademark of this artist. C-Lekktor definitely belongs with projects like Hocico and Amduscia to the best Mexican bands in the genre. Markko B knows how to compose pure dance-terror. I like the way he created a perfect symbiosis between Dark-Electro and EBM resulting in great songs like “God Killer”, “Me”, “Death Dealer” and “Are You Ready For The Bass?”. Among the remixes featuring great names I especially like the job done by Neikka RPM industrializing “Obsession” in a true masterpiece with female backing vocals by Dominique. Other essential remixes are these by The Psychic Force and Chamaeleon.

– – – : The first part of the album sounds okay but the best cuts are definitely featured on the second part. I however have already heard better stuff from C-Lekktor.

Conclusion: ‘Are you ready for the bass?’ No doubt about it C-Lekktor will take dancefloors by force!

Best songs: “Me”, “Are You Ready For The Bass?”, “God Killer”, “Dearth Dealer” + “Obsession – Neikka RPM Remix”, “House Of Pain – The Psychic Force Remix”. 

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/Clekktor

Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix

Listen to “New World Disorder”:

About C-Lekktor

C-Lekktor is a Mexican dark-electro project led by Marco Barientos, known as Markko B, who also records as Circuito Cerrado. After three self-released and four official albums, the project signed to Alfa Matrix and returned with “New World Disorder” following a five-year hiatus, released October 28, 2022 as a 2CD and digital bonus-tracks edition with remixes by Xperiment, Centhron, ESA, Nevel, Llumen, The Psychic Force, Skynthattack, Venal Flesh, Neikka RPM, Chamaeleon, Nano Infect, FabrikC, Third Realm, Aesthetische, Miseria Ultima and Circuito Cerrado.

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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C-Lekktor expands, the duo consisting of Markko and Jamie, welcome a 3rd member to their line-up: Dj/Producer Dimitri Berzerk aka d·b. The news was announced on Facebook last night as you can see below.

C-Lekktor has a new album out since last week, the 2CD “New World Disorder” which is also available as download via Bandcamp and all other services. With “New World Disorder”, the band breaks 5 years of extended silence. The release offers a fusion of classic dark hellektro with upbeat industrial EBM.

Note that this 2CD is a limited edition first pressing including a 16-track bonus disc featuring remixes by ESA, Centhron, Xperiment, The Psychic Force, Fabrikc, Aesthetische, Neikka RPM, Venal Flesh, Nano Infect, Circuito Cerrado, Llumen, Nevel, Synthattack, Chamaeleon, Miseria Ultima and Third Realm.

Below is the Facebook announcement.

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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One of the leading bands from the Mexican dark elektro scene, C-Lekktor, has landed a record deal with the Belgian electro label Alfa Matrix. After having been focused on some side-project activities (for instance the excellent Circuito Cerrado) and other collaborations over the last years, Markko B. has concentrated his attention back on C-Lekktor.

Alfa Matrix announced today that they will release the new C-Lekktor album “New World Disorder” later in October. With this new release C-Lekktor breaks 5 years of extended silence (and pandemic struggle).

The first pressing of this “New World Disorder” album comes out as double-CD digipak limited edition with extended artwork and a 16-track bonus disc featuring remixes by Esa, Centhron, Xperiment, The Psychic Force, Fabrikc, Aesthetische, Neikka Rpm, Venal Flesh, Nano Infect, Circuito Cerrado, Llumen, Nevel, Synthattack, Chamaeleon, Miseria Ultima and Third Realm.

You can already check two tracks on Bandcamp (they are yours for immediate download if you pre-order the download release). The 2CD limited edition can be pre-ordered now from the Alfa Matrix webshop.

The project debuted in 2004 with the self-released album “Re-A-Gression”. It was followed by “Cloned And Mutated” in 2007, again self-released. The same year the project offered “Refusing The Paradise” after which they got picked up by COP International. On that label they released 3 albums, “The Silence Procession” (2008), “X-Tension In Progress” (2012) and “Final Alternativo” (2014). The band’s last album was the 2017 release “Out Of My Way” re-released in an anniversary edition in 2019.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

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Out via COP International on March 5 is the Chiasm & John Fryer debut album “Missed The Noise” for which a new single has been released: “Intertwined”. The full-length – available here for pre-ordering – will include 11 tracks including the previously released singles “Away” and “Are You Okay?”.

“Missed The Noise” comes on the heels of a busy 2020 for Chiasm, which saw her release the “Away” EP in June and the “Are You Okay?” single and remix EP in August, which also featured John Fryer and contributions from label mates Stabbing Westward and Jean-Marc Lederman (Front 242, The Weathermen, Lederman / De Meyer) as well as Third Realm and Glass Apple Bonzai.

But for now check the new single “Intertwined”.

For more on John Fryer, see COP International Records announces signing of Stoneburner (aka… on Side-Line.

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

Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro, dark-wave.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Nathan Rainer is active under the Third Realm moniker since 2000. He released multiple albums on labels such as Radio-Active Music and Distortion Productions plus self-released different works as well. He last year joined hands with darkTunes to unleash this new work.

Content: Third Realm moves on mixing EBM and dark-electro music. The album takes off with hot female moans while the harsh vocals of Nathan Rainer are joining in. This song is one of the two cuts featuring Chiasm, but is pretty representative of the album, revealing a hot and club-driven sexy EBM format. Some songs are darker and more dark-electro orientated while other passages are getting back to the dark-wave style of the project. Songs with clearer vocals are once again reminding me of Diary Of Dreams; there’s a natural power and charismatic interpretation of the songs.

The final part of the work features remixes by Aesthetic Perfection, Subliminal Code and Panic Lift.

+ + + : Third Realm moves on experimenting with different –although related, influences, but this album reveals a truly cohesive result. There’s a harmony between all songs, which naturally resulted in a few brilliant songs such as “Passion” and the dance-wave driven “Gazing At The Stars”. Third Realm has found the right balance between catchy choruses, danceable kicks and EBM power. Both songs featuring Chiasm are also noticeable parts revealing a hot balance between both singers. Last, but not least there’s also a great remix by Aesthetic Perfection.

– – – : Third Realm remains a project mixing multiple genres together so in the end you often get the feeling of hearing different bands, but I have to admit it’s not really the point of this work. 

Conclusion: It’s hard to say if this is the best work ever composed by Third Realm, but it for sure is a very efficient mix between different, although related genres.

Best songs: “Passion”, Bipolar Pop feat. Chiasm”, “Gazing At The Stars”, Tides Of The Sea feat. Chiasm”, “Bipolar Pop feat. Chiasm – Aesthetic Perfection Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: https://thirdrealm.org / www.facebook.com/ThirdRealm

Label: www.darktunes.com / www.facebook.com/darkTunesMusic

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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(Photo courtesy of Chiasm) Chiasm has announced a brand new EP: “Away”. Released via the COP International label it’s a teaser for the upcmong full-length album “Missed The Noise”. For those who don’t know the project, Chiasm is Emileigh Rohn’s musical output augmented here by collaborator John Fryer (Black Needle Noise).

Here’s what Detroit-based musician says about her collaboration with Jon Fryer: “The COP team, along with John Fryer, really knew what I needed. It was absolutely a new adventure. This EP is much more accessible than previous works because we made it so quickly (John moves fast!) so there wasn’t a lot of room for total introspection and intense analysis, which is unusual for me. John makes everything sound beautiful, and I’m so eager for everyone to hear it,” says Rohn. “I also need to acknowledge my home team, including the cats, for the inspiration and encouragement.”

The “Away” EP follows a long line of notable releases from Chiasm which was established in 1997. Older readers will for sure remember the 2001 album “Disorder” with the track “Isolated” that was featured in the television show “NCIS” as well as in the “Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines” computer game. Rohn has also collaborated with genre stars Attrition, Carphax Files, Jean-Marc Lederman, Third Realm, :10:, and Acclimate.

Here’s a preview:

Side-Line also covered John Fryer’s ‘She Talks to Angels’.

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 alternative music festival Absolution has announced their festival dates and artist lineup.

After the success of the inaugural edition of the Absolution Festival in 2019, the festival announces it’s return this year as an annual event. Absolution features a line-up of Dark Electronic artists from across globe and will take place again in Tampa, Florida in the historic section of Ybor City on October 8th-10th.

Kicking off the festivities will be a pre-party headlined by Austin,TX based artist Mr.Kitty on October 8th. On October 9th French synthwave artist Hante. will headline day one of Absolution. Day two of the festival features Los Angeles, tragic wave artists Drab Majesty headlining. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.

The full festival lineup

• Drab Majesty
• Hante.
• Mr.Kitty
• Traitrs
• The Bellwether Syndicate
• Astari Nite
• Rosegarden Funeral Party
• S Y Z Y G Y X
• Sonsombre
• Third Realm
• DIe Robot
• The Purge
• The Kentucky Vampires
• Pass/ages
• Mother Juno
• Cold Medicine
• Gulf Blvd

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

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro.

Background/Info: Set up in 2009 Polish duo ‘Ad-x’ (synths, composing, programming) and ‘Blackjack O’Hare’ (lyrics, vocals) signed to Alfa Matrix to unleash their new work. After having released two albums and a few EP’s there’s a new full length in the pipeline while “Are You My Bitch?” has been served as an appetizer.

Content: The EP reveals 3 new songs and 11 remixes. The new songs hold on the dark-electro inspiration reactor7x already showed at previous work. The songs are rough and unpolished while carried by typical dark-electro leads. This is the kind of stuff that will appeal for fans of Suicide Commando, C-Lekktor, Agonoize and related bands.

The “Circus Of False” has been remixed by Eexee, Syncfactory, Stahlnebel & Black Selket, Antibody and Restriction 9. “The Cycle Of Life” got exposed to the remixing skills of Neikka RPM, Third Realm,  00tz 00tz, Amorphous and At0shima 3rr0r. The song “Acid Symphony” has been remixed by Kilmarth and also is the opening track of the EP.

+ + + : Reactor7x has joined a leading label of the dark-electro scene and that’s for sure a real consecration for this promising band. They confirm their potential by 3 new songs, but especially “The Circus Of False” appears to be a potential hit. This is total electro-terror driven by enraged vocals and a rough production process. The remixes bring diversity, but also reveal a great canvas of established- and upcoming formations. Syncfactory gets my personal award for the best remix, transposing the ‘hit song’ into a brilliant exposure. Stahlnebel & Black Selket also did a great job on the same song. 

– – – : Even if there’s some diversity in the remixes, it mainly remain dark-electro driven formations. I regret that there are no more ‘atypical’ remixes like the opening piece by Kilmarth.

Conclusion: This EP is the perfect appetizer to welcome the new full length of this Polish dark-(h)el(l)ectro sensation and will serve as club food for many DJ’s.

Best songs: “The Circus Of False”, “The Circus Of False – Syncfactory Remix”, “The Circus Of False – Stahlnebel & Black Selket Remix”, “The Cycle Of Life”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: https://reactor7x.com / www.facebook.com/reactor7x

Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Are You My Bitch?’.

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, dark EBM.

Background/Info: The EP “Space Force” marks the return of Tragic Impulse. It’s a teaser to the third full length “Echoes Of The Unseen”.

Content: The EP takes off with the title track, which is a terrific piece of hard & dark-electro-body-music. This song is driven by icy sequences, an aggressive bass line and pumping kick. You’ll notice some spoken samplings from Donald Trump and the powerful charismatic vocals of Paul M. Graham.

“Space Force” has been remixed by Panic Lift, Third Realm, nTTx and Red Lokust. The B-side cut is a surprising cover version of Beborn Beton’s “Another World”.

+ + + : The least I can say is that the title song is the right track to get released on an EP. It simply is the best tragic Impulse-cut I’ve heard so far and I’m sure it will set dancefloors on fire! It’s an accomplished and sophisticated piece of modern dark-electro/EBM. Among the remixes I especially enjoyed the one made by Third Realm while red Lokust did a cool job as well.

– – -: I expected a bit more out of the remixes. None of the featured artists can really compete with the original version. The Beborn Beton cover is surprising, but not exactly a successful edit. It all feels like Paul M. Graham doesn’t feel comfortable singing on this track.

Conclusion: What I especially keep in mind from this EP is the impressive title track!

Best songs: “Space Force”, “Space Force – Third Realm remix”, “Space Force – Red Lokust Remix”.  

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.tragicimpulse.com / www.facebook.com/tragicimpulse

Label: www.distortionprod.com / www.facebook.com/distortionproductions

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, EBM, electro-wave.

Background/Info: Third Realm is an American formation, which has already been active since the early millennium years. Driven by the creative spirit of Nathan Reiner, the band gained some recognition through a few productions released on Radio-Active-Music. The band also self-released a few more albums and now joined hands together with Distortion Productions to unleash this new opus.

Content: Third Realm is a band dealing with different genres. The opening cuts reveal a harsh and alluring dark-electro format mixed with some EBM elements. The vocals are harsh and distorted. But quite progressively the influences evolve towards other music fields, becoming more electro-wave and feature clearer vocal parts. There are several cuts in this genre, which remind me a bit of Diary Of Dreams. And just at the point I got the impression this album become more gothic, Third Realm again experiments with harder electro-driven cuts.

One of the last songs is a remix by label mate Tragic Impulse.

+ + + : This is an album featuring 2 different sides. Speaking for myself I was more impressed by the harder and dark-electro/EBM style, which doesn’t bring that much new, but clearly reveals an accomplished and intelligent writing. The songs have been composed with cool sound treatments and carrying leads. I also like the hard, spooky vocals running through the songs. But Third Realm also feels comfortable experimenting with dark-wave music. One of the biggest potential ‘hits’ (cf. “Neon Lights”) is a song in this genre.

– – – : You quicky get the impression that there are 2 bands hiding in Third Realm. This versatility is somewhat schizophrenic and a bit like a challenge as I can easily imagine all listeners will not necessarily love both sides.

Conclusion: “The Suffering Angel” is an album switching from dark-electro and EBM driven cuts into electro-wave/gothic pieces. It’s all about a choice and artistic freedom, but I think it could be an idea to simply run 2 separate bands instead of one album with 2 faces.

Best songs: “Neon Lights”, “Bringer Of Evil”, “Command And Conquer”, “Prisoners Of Life”, “Closing Time”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/ThirdRealm

Label: www.distortionprod.com / www.facebook.com/distortionproductions

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