Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Ambient-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Stefan Poiss has taken some of the best cuts from the latest Mind.In.A.Box album “Black & White” and remixed them himself. “Shades Of Gray” is also featuring one exclusive song.

Content: This EP comes as a ‘club’-addition to the latest album. Four songs have been remixes in a harder, club-friendly approach. “New Wave Propaganda” has been remixed in two different versions. “Fire And Lace” is a new song which serves as a cool gift.

+ + + : “Integrate” and “New Wave Propaganda” both were some of my favorite tracks of the album and has been adapted into great, danceable, Space-Pop with again the great vocals of Stefan Poiss on top. The remix of “Lost And Alone” is another great work and a strong debut to this EP. This EP features great dancefloor adaptations and brings Mind.In.A.Box back in the spotlight.

– – – : A new song is always a bonus to an EP but “Fire And Lace” isn’t exactly the best cut from this artist. 

Conclusion: This EP is an essential addition to the “Black & White”-album.

Best songs: “Integrate – Club Mix”, “New Wave Propaganda – Club Mix”, “Lost And Alone – Master Mechanic Remix”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist & Label: www.mindinabox.com / www.facebook.com/mindinabox.official

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-Pop, Ambient-Pop. 

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Black & White” took a while to get achieved. Six years after the previous opus Stefan Poiss released “Black And White” in 2023 as the eighth album of the Austrian project. This is a new sci/fi story transposed into music.

Content: The album sounds like Mind.In.A.Box hasn’t been away for too long. This album sounds like the perfect offspring between Electro-Pop and space-like atmospheres. The tracklist alternates ‘harder’, danceable, songs and sweet, dreamy, cuts. On top you’ll Stefan singing while two guest singers joined in now and then.

+ + + : What I’ve always liked by this project is the very own sound DNA. Mind.In.A.Box deals with a sound you directly recognize. It’s a perfect offspring between danceable- and dreamy-like songs. But the main strength remains the unique sound treatments which have an elevating effect during the choruses and mixed with the vocals. Stefan Poiss is a talented and especially passionate singer. It’s impossible comparing this artist to another one but occasionally there’s a touch of Michael Cretu emerging at the surface. Speaking for myself I prefer the more ‘danceable’ cuts of the album.

– – – : I would have liked to get a few more danceable tracks but globally speaking this album sounds like ‘mission accomplished’.

Conclusion: It’s good to have this talented artist back on track; no true innovation although it remains a great and sexy sound experience composed by a visionary artist.

Best songs: “Integrate”, “Just Like You Always Wanted”, “New Wave Propaganda”, “Vertigo”, “Activate”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist & Label: www.mindinabox.com / www.facebook.com/mindinabox.official

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

Scheduled for a 30th August 2023 release through THYX Records is the latest album from the Vienna-based electronic act, mind.in.a.box. “Black and White” emerges nearly six years after their last studio venture “Broken Legacies”, marking the seventh album for the duo, Markus Hadwiger and Stefan Poiss.

The CD edition of the album is accompanied by a 20-page booklet, which encompasses lyrics as well as the seventh instalment of their cyberpunk narrative.

This chapter unfolds as follows: Mr. Black, an erstwhile agent of the “Agency” and now a rebel, is tasked with thwarting the designs of the machine that Mr. White crafted to penetrate the Dreamweb. Armed to the hilt, Mr. Black ventures to see his former ally in the development lab, setting the stage for an ultimate face-off.

A teaser video for the “Black and White” album is already available for viewing.

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: IDM, electro-ambient.

Background/Info: Hailing from the Czech Republic the Frontier Guards duo has released its fourth full length album. The audio-visual project featuring master mind Martin Pavlík (still involved with Beamship and H.E.E.L) and visual artist Tomas Galle (still involved with H.E.E.L) joined hands with Advoxya Records for their new work. I’ve been following this band since the very first album “Predestination” (released in 2008 on Aliens Production), which revealed a great and progressive electro-sound close to IDM.

Content: Frontier Guards hasn’t lost their initial taste for sophisticated electronics, which sometimes reminds me of Clock DVA, and has elaborated their work with dark-electronic influences. The evasive atmospheres and bombast also remind me of THYX. The vocals are more important on this album although the great final part of the work features several instrumental songs. The IDM touch is more present in this epilogue while the influences are moving towards technoid treatments and trance passages.  Both last songs are remixes by the Russian project Mirum Mulier.

+ + + : The sound intelligence of Frontier Guards remains the same, but the sound became more diversified throughout the years. They’ve created a very own sound approach and well-crafted song structures, which might be described as the offspring between Clock DVA and THYX. This band clearly strives for a very own sound approach based upon numerous little details, great sonic effects, evasive atmospheres and refined arrangements.

– – – : I still remain nostalgic of the debut-album, which was maybe less mature, but more into the Clock DVA sound intelligence.

Conclusion: Frontier Guards is one of those bands not a lot of people are probably familiar with and yet I’m nearly sure they have a sound that will catch the attention of a wider audience like music fans listening to Clock DVA, Mind.In.A.Box, THYX, Haujobb and related bands.

Best songs: “Seeker”, “Voyager Past”, “Voyager Eternity”, “Hashima”, “Madman”, “Ritualistic”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.frontierguards.eu / www.facebook.com/frontierguardscz

Label: www.advoxya–records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya–Records/265765706059

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

Mind.In.A.Box has released its new album “Broken Legacies” on their own label THYX Records. It’s a new sonic voyage throughout futuristic- and psychedelic electronic-pop fields. The Austrian band set up and driven by the creative spirit of Stefan Poiss became an instant success after their debut work (cf. “Lost Alone”) released in 2004. Every new production only increased the recognition of the critics and the enthusiasm of the fans. I got in touch with Stefan Poiss to know a bit more about the new work.

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

Q: “Broken Legacies” is the newest Mind.In.A.Box album, which took 2 years to get achieved. Can you tell us a bit more about the procedure and the way it all happened to compose this work?

Stefan: There was no need to rush anything. I mean in the end only the quality counts. It just has to be as good as we can make it. So we really spend a lot of time fine tuning the album till we felt it was done.

For this album Josh Kreger wrote all the lyrics and also the story and I’m extremely pleased with it. He did a phenomenal job. But I expected nothing less from him if I’m honest.

Q: Are there some aspects of the production you wanted to improve? Or maybe change? And are there innovating elements running through the album as well?

Stefan: Some time ago I invested in new speakers and thats the first mind.in.a.box album I could mix on them. They are just amazing and they helped me a lot. Productionwise I still work like always. Adding stuff and removing what sounds bad.

Q: “Broken Legacies” has been introduced as ‘an album clarifying several major themes from previous albums’. It only becomes more confusing to me, so what is it all about?

Stefan: Yeah its not easy isn’t it? If you really want to understand it you have to read through all the stories we published, maybe several times. But even then I guess you have to ask me some questions.

“Broken Legacies” goes back in time about 20 years ago. It was even before “Lost Alone”. The Friend is this time our protagonist. He was the guy Mr. Black killed on the “Lost Alone”-album in the song “Forever Gone”. But he is not really gone. Don’t tell it to anyone.

Q: What does the title of the album reflect and how did you transpose this content into the artwork and the music?

Stefan: The Friend designed a system what the Agency is using to control everything. At that time he thought it was a good thing, but then he realized what he has done and joined the Rebels. Since then he is trying to repay his dept.

All the artwork was painted by Polina Sofronova. She is an unbelievable good painter. I Was very glad to had her onboard.

Q: You clearly are not a ‘typical’ electro-pop band so what’s your perception on electro-pop and where do you place M.I.A.B. on the map?

Stefan: Mind.in.a.box is more like an electronic music-movie for your mind. It’s more complicated but it still has some electro-pop elements. Its more soundtrack orientated.

Q: I don’t want to compare M.I.A.B. to another band because you simply are incomparable, but for the very first time I hear atmospheres, arrangements and even the vocals reminding me of Michael Cretu (Enigma). What makes your sound that ‘special’ and ‘different’ from other bands and did you find inspiration in the work of Cretu and/or other artists/genres?  

Stefan: Cretu is for sure an amazing producer. I liked a lot the album what he released with Peter Cornelius, a famous Austrian singer years ago. I think our understand for music is like everything else branded in our childhood. And I listened mostly computer music from the demo scene at that time. Thats the reason I think why mind.in.a.box sounds different. You want to arrange the music-puzzle pieces like you learned it in your childhood.

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-pop.

Background/Info: Stefan Poiss is back with his ‘Mother ship’ project Mind.In.A.Box for a new voyage throughout sci-fi electro-pop fields. “Broken Legacies” has been presented as an album clarifying several major themes from previous albums. This album also is the first M.I.A.B. work released on Poiss own label Thyx Records.

Content: M.I.A.B. remains a very particular and rather unique experience in electro-pop music. This new album moves on there where previous work stopped. It’s a styled and somewhat complex pop format carried by great sound treatments and recovered with space-like atmospheres. I now and then also noticed a psychedelic touch, which is more familiar in Thyx (side-project).

The vocals of Stefan Poiss once more remain an essential aspect of the production. Next to the familiar robotic effects, he once more reveals great vocal capacities.

+ + + : “Broken Legacies” is a diversified piece of work, which remains one of the main characteristics of this formation. M.I.A.B. moves from danceable cuts to pure evasive tracks to pop-rock approach. The progression of the songwriting is absolutely impressive. This work sometimes reminds me to Michael Cretu (Enigma). There’s a similar genius emerging from the production characterized by an evasive/astral sound dimension and composed with great sound treatments. The ambient- and somewhat psychedelic touch is another element reminding me of Cretu’s work. But M.I.A.B. first of all remains a band taking some distance with the ‘familiar’ electro-pop standards. The final part of the album reveals the most danceable cuts, which I personally prefer. There are many noticeable songs such as “World Of Promises”, “Don’t Sleep” and “Arcade” featuring delicious female vocals.

– – – : This album needs a few listening before you really get into the sound universe of this band. It’s not a classical electro-pop album and that might be an obstacle for electro-pop lovers in search of new Depeche Mode clones.

Conclusion: While electro-pop music often is a genre that will make you dance and make you happy, Mind.In.A.Box more sounds as a voyage throughout new electro-pop paths. It remains one of the most atypical- and visionary projects dealing with electro-pop and therefore one of the few artists who dares to innovate.

Best songs: “World Of Promises”, “Don’t Sleep”, “Arcade”, “Icebox”, “Attack”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.mindinabox.com / www.facebook.com/mindinabox.official

Label: http://thyxmusic.com/store

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-pop, body-pop, experimental.

Background/Info: Massiv In Mensch has already been active since 1993; but the German electro formation disappeared a bit from the radar during the past few years. This new opus stands for a ‘symbolic’  new beginning and the first album they ever released on Swedish label Katyusha Records.

Content: Massiv In Mensch moved a bit towards ‘classical’ electro-pop with a typical German flavor on top. The band has used to familiarize us with trance-driven electro-techno music, but now comes closer to the ‘nintendo’-pop of Welle: Erdball. I guess it’s not really a coincidence if ‘Honey’ (from Welle: Erdball) contributed to one of the songs.

Massiv In Mensch accomplished their work with several ‘guests’ while the second album reveals a festival of remixes by new label mates Trakktor and other artists such as Stefan Poiss (Mind.In.A.Box, Thyx), Kontrast, Ginger Snap5, Tritoxin and a few more less familiar names.

+ + + : This is probably one of the most versatile productions by Massiv In Mensch. I like their move towards a more ‘classical’ electro-pop sound, which is however strongly inspired by a typical German sound, which will appeal to lovers of Kraftwerk, Welle: Erdball and co. The work features great sound treatments accentuated by cool bleeping sequences and a few alluring choruses. I like most of these songs and especially the ones featuring male- and female vocals. Other cool cuts are the ones with great narrating voices (like the opening track).

The second disc is much more than simply an extra disc with remixes. There’s a cool diversity running through the songs and especially the song “Hamburg” appears to be a great source of inspiration for remixes. But my favorite track of the album is the “Altlast-Maschinen-Boss-Mix” of “Aggressive Leader” by Mirco Osterthun… who’s an ex member of the band.

– – – : I get the impression that Massiv In Mensch deliberately moved from their trance-techno music to get back to pure electro-pop. I didn’t have anything against their previous work and even believe it also made their originality. That’s a bit what I’m missing on “Am Port Der Guten Hoffnung”.

Conclusion: Not sure if “Am Port Der Guten Hoffnung” is announcing a new era for Massiv In Mensch, but it clearly sounds as something different and a kind of rupture with the past.

Best songs: “Hamburg”, “Türkis Ist Das Neue Schwarz”, “Port der guten Hoffnung”, “Le-Rav II” + “November – Tritoxin Remake”, “Aggressive Leader – Altlast-Maschinen-Boss-Mix”, “Telespiel Am Timmendorfer Strand – Bonus Track”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.massivinmensch.de / www.facebook.com/massivinmensch

Label: www.katyusha.se / www.facebook.com/katyusharecords

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

Stefan Poiss got some recognition as the mastermind of Mind.In.A.Box. although his side-project THYX is gaining more and more recognition. THYX originally was a song written by Stefan Poiss about 15 years ago. THYX became an established name at the wider fields of electro-pop music. The new album “Headless” is the fourth opus revealing a new exploration of pop fields mixed with bombastic drum sections and psychedelic atmospheres. “Headless” probably is the most accomplished and sophisticated THYX-opus to date.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: “Headless” is the fourth THYX-album so far. How would you introduce and define the new full length?

Stefan: Slightly harder and more drum orientated then usual; social critical and a bit end time feeling.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the way you manipulate and create your sounds?

Stefan: In the end it’s just turning some knobs till it sounds right to my ears. For sure it’s a lot of work. This is also the first album mixed on new speakers and everything seems a bit easier on them.

Q: I’ve been often intrigued by the ‘psychedelic’ atmospheres running through your work. Can you reveal some sources of inspiration and the kind of sound you’ve in mind when working on THYX?

Stefan: I think we all have our special type of sound and what you describe is the sound that is me and what is in my DNA. Inspiration can be anything, a rhythm what you detect suddenly in a noise or if you see something and imagine a soundtrack to it.

Q: THYX will be always linked to your other band (cf. Mind.In.A.Box). What are the main differences for you working on THYX and M.I.A.B.?

Stefan: THYX has no real rules. I will do whatever I want with that project. Mind.In.A.Box is related to the cyberpunk background story. I would say this is the main difference.

Q: What are your further plans for 2016?

Stefan: I try to enjoy life more than in the past. I have this need to do and create always something and I’m fighting against it and try to be lazy.

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-pop, psychedelic-electro-pop.

Background/Info: Stefan Poiss will always be linked to his main project Mind.In.A.Box, but it’s now evidence THYX became much more than simply a side-project. “Headless” is the 4^th full length of the Austrian electro maker and a new exploration of very personal sound fields.

Content: The new work features a wide spectrum of electronic influences, which have been merged with the familiar basis of THYX. The work once more deals with precise astral electro bleeps joined by similar atmospheres and a kind of rhythmic bombast. The vocals are often robotic, this way reinforcing the space element running through the work. Another noticeable and still familiar aspect is the kind of psychedelic electro approach. I get the impression that Stefan Poiss is playing guitar with his electronic gear. That’s why I once more get the impression of hearing Pink Floyd going electronics.

This efficient sound formula has been joined by some fine retro-electro elements, but with some harder and surprising dance elements. The song “Forgotten II” is one of these little surprises and sonic treasures as well. The kick is somewhat psy-trance orientated, which injects an extra dynamic to the song.

I also have to mention the great production of this opus. Stefan Poiss remains one of those intelligent sonic alchemists transforming a song into a sophisticated and still very accessible piece of music. The arrangements and unique treatments are sometimes reminding me of M.I.A.B. although the final result reveals differences.

+ + + : One of the main strengths of THYX remains the global sound intelligence of this new album. I still like the psychedelic effect running through the song, which are one of the most essential elements to seize to THYX sound.

– – – : “Headless” is a beautiful album, but maybe with a lack of potential hits.

Conclusion: It’s hard to say if this is the best work of THYX to date, but it probably is the most sophisticated and accomplished work. Stefan Poiss is a real ‘artist’ in electronics. He’s a kind of sonic Picasso, playing and manipulating sounds like a painter with a brush and colors.

Best songs: “Forgotten II”, “Doomed”, “Not My Deal”, “Gravity”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.thyxmusic.com / www.facebook.com/thyxmusic

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