Tolchock &#8211; SIDE-LINE

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.

Synapsyche – In Praise Of Folly (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 20:00:12 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro.

Background/Info: Stefano ‘Mannequinetik’ and Marco ‘Katatronik’ (vocals) better known as the Italian formation Synapsyche joined Alfa Matrix last year to unleash the EP “Mirror Terror” as an appetizer to this new album. It’s the band’s third full length, which has been released as a limited edition as well.

Content: Synapsyche remains faithful to their sound exposed at the previous album “The Abyss Effect” released in 2016 on SkyQode. The songs are driven by pumping dance kicks, harsh vocals and the unavoidable cold-trance like leads. It’s an ultra danceable piece of music, which however contains a few ‘softer’ cuts such as “Diva Paranoia” sung in Italian and featuring guest vocals by ‘Noemi Aurora’ (Helalyn Flowers).

The second disc is the remix section. We get 13 remixes by Venal Flesh, Nano Infect, Complex Mind, Technoid, Neikka RPM, Pax Sono, Marcoda, H.O.W., Aiboforcen, Shades Of Hell, UCNX, Tolchock and Avarice In Audio.

+ + + : If you like ‘dark’ dance music Synapsyche will be a perfect company to get you on the dancefloor. Hard and pumping, but still elevating and well-produced. This is the perfect dark-electro cliché without any pretension to innovate, but just to give people fun on the dancefloor. I’ve been impressed by the list of remixers featured on the bonus disc. I here especially like the somewhat surprising remix of “Mirror Terror” by Venal Flesh, which has something psy-trance driven. Last, but not least, I also have to say a word about the cool, artistic digipak.

– – – : Alfa Matrix definitely pushes Synapsyche to the forefront, releasing a double disc for their debut album on the label. I’m sure this is the perfect ‘dancefloor’-album, but the songs all sound pretty similar and are just as on their previous album dominated by the same kind of easy-trance leads. The work becomes rapidly predictable and that’s why I definitely prefer the bonus disc.

Conclusion: “In Praise Of Folly” would have been a possible class-act 10 years ago, but ano 2019 I’ve heard too much similar albums.

Best songs: “Mirror Terror”, “Paraphiliac”, “Diva Paranoia feat. Noemi Aurora” + “Mirror Terror – Venal Flesh Remix”, “Who The Fuck Are You? – Complex Mind Remix”.

Rate: (6½).

Artist: www .facebook .com /synapsyche

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

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.

Synapsyche signs to Alfa Matrix and announces 3rd album ‘In praise of folly’ – pre-orders available for CD and 2CD (ltd edition)

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 06 May 2019 17:15:05 +0000

Italian duo Synapsyche has signed with the Belgian electronic label Alfa Matrix. And the label immediately also announced the release of the band’s 3rd full length studio album: “In Praise Of Folly”, for which pre-orders are accepted now.

The new album will hold 13 new songs and a special 2CD limited edition (which is available here) will come with a bonus disc featuring a diverse selection of some 13 remixes by bands in the likes of Aiboforcen, Tolchock, Avarice In Audio, Venal Flesh, H.O.W., Neikka RPM, UCNX, Nano Infect and many more.

Here’s what the label says about the concept album “It brings us on a freaky journey through the somber corridors of a psychiatric hospital, allowing us room after room to penetrate into the weirdest corners of the human sick minds of the psychiatric patients. Each track brings us step by step to the alarming but obvious conclusion that we are all a bit mad in some way or another…”

You can already listen to 2 tracks below!

In praise of folly (Bonus Tracks Version) by SYNAPSYCHE

Check also the following videos on YouTube:

Synapsyche – Mirror Terror (Digital EP – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 21:00:13 +0000

Genre/Influences: Dark-electro.

Background/Info: Set up in 2008 Italian duo Stefano ‘Mannequinetik’ (machines) and Marco ‘Katatronik’ Mantovani (vox) joined hands with Alfa Matrix to unleash their third full length album. After a first self-released opus and a second album (cf. “The Abyss Effect”) released in 2016 on SkyQode, this EP serves as teaser to the announced “In Praise Of Folly”.

Content: The EP features 2 new songs plus 7 remixes. Synapsyche moves on dealing with dark and bouncing dancefloor electronics. Hard kicks, cold trance leads and harsh vocals remain the main ingredients of their sound. The rough and unpolished approach reminds me once again of early Combichrist.

Remixes have been accomplished by Neikka RPM, Avarice In Audion Eggvn, UCNX, H.O.W., Tolchock and Vested Serpent.

+ + + : Synapsyche has released the right EP to introduce their next album, but also their sound to all of those who never heard of them before. It’s a dark, aggressive and I should say ‘classical’ dark-electro format made for the dancefloors. The main song “Mirror Terror” is an accomplished piece of music, which will incite you to dance. Among the remixes I would recommend Neikka RPM (for their very unique sound DNA), Eggvn (an interesting and unfamiliar name to discover) and H.O.W. (another less familiar band) for their ultra-hard remix. The remixes bring a little extra and I especially like the diversity of the bands and also the less famous names featured here.

– – – : I can’t get away from the idea that there numerous bands in the Synapsyche-style. They don’t bring anything new –except dealing with cool and clubby ‘endzeit-electronics’, but they’ve been the lucky ones to become one of Alfa Matrix newest signings.

Conclusion: Let’s wait for the announced album to really get an idea about this band’s maturity and evolution in sound. This EP is an interesting production, which will easily finds its way to dancefloors.

Best songs: “Mirror Terror”, “Mirror Terror – Neikka RPM Remix”, “Mirror Terror – Remix & featuring by H.O.W.”, “The Ghost DNA – Eggvn Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www .facebook .com /synapsyche

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

Mirror Terror EP by SYNAPSYCHE

Synapsyche joins Alfa Matrix and releases label debut single ‘Mirror Terror’ to announce 3rd album – watch the video for the title track

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 12:32:36 +0000

The electro industrial Italian band Synapsyche has joined the Belgian electro industrial label Alfa Matrix. The band’s label debut is the single “Mirror Terror” – out now as download via Bandcamp – which announces the duo’s forthcoming 3rd full length album “In Praise Of Folly”. “In Praise Of Folly” will deal with the difficult but intriguing themes of psychological and mental diseases.

You can listen to the single/EP below and download it from Bandcamp.

On the single/EP the duo Stefano ‘Mannequinetik’ and Marco ‘Katatronik’ Mantovani offer two new songs which hold a perfect balance between melodic synths and massive heavy beats, between addictive catchy pop choruses and harsher vocal outbursts. The two new songs are called “Mirror Terror” and “The Ghost DNA” and they come backed by remixes from Neikka RPM, Vested Serpent, Avarice In Audio, UCNX, EGGVN, the cult Swedish act Tolchock and the Polish dark elektro wave act H.O.W. with additional backing vocals by their female singer.

The band also released 3 video’s, an official music video for “Mirror Terror”, a teaser for the EP and a making of. You can watch them below.

‘Click Interview’ with Tolchock: ‘Tolchock 14 Was A Crazy And Limitless Playground’

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 17:00:19 +0000

This interview could be entitled ‘from Tolchock 14 towards Tolchock’! Tolchock 14 was set up in 1986 by Swedish duo Christer Lundmark – Jens Persson. They became a renowned EBM formation belonging to the early and successful Swedish EBM. Like it often happens the band split, but resurrected under the Tolchock moniker. The sound became somewhat different, a bit more indie-like. New work got released and especially the last- and self-released studio album “Elements Of Rage“ (2015) took me by surprise. Christer and Jens got joined by Jenny Runa and have now released the album “World Of Tolchock 1997 – 2017”, which is a kind of retrospective from the Tolchock-years. Jens Persson talks about the past, the present and further plans…

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: The new album “World Of Tolchock 1997 – 2017” is a retrospective of 20 years of Tolchock, but still of the band’s second period in history. What have been the main facts from this period and the main differences with the early period as Tolchock 14?

Jens: When we in 1998 released our debut album after a 10 year period of Tolchock 14, and some cassette-releases, we realized that we have developed something new. From being a two person act going wild in the studio, we did some radical changes. First of all we became a trio, when Michael came in as a permanent member on guitar. Then we started to look in other directions for inspiration. The live-thing became very important, and we got a lot of inspiration from the industrial scene, like NIN, KMFDM etc. We also started to integrate techno-elements into the sound, still with the elements from Tolchock 14, but we wanted to emphasize the difference by changing our name…

Maybe when we look in the rear-view mirror we should have taken a total new name to get rid of all the comparison. When Tolchock 14 was a crazy and limitless playground, TOLCHOCK turned into a more physical machine music industry.

Q: Tolchock makes me think of a band following its instinct; you’re not jumping on fashion trends and aren’t the x-emulation of a bigger band. But what is Tolchock really about and what means music to you?

Jens: TOLCHOCK is psychotherapy for us…ha ha. Its running in our veins! And it’s an important channel to express our self. Maybe we have to produce our songs… to remain sane. The music is obviously a big and important part of our lives. The theme of the songs; the lyrics are also very important.

Q: I consider your latest (and self-released) studio album “Elements Of Rage” (2015) as the most accomplished work you ever did, but which maybe didn’t get the deserved recognition! That must be really frustrating, but how did it really feel for you?

Jens: That was one of the main reasons why we did this compilation. To give our music one more chance… to reach out. When we released “Elements Of Rage” we were seriously quite insecure to how the album would be received. We were overwhelmed by the fantastic reviews and reactions we got on the album.

It was kind of breaking point for us. It was a relief and it felt natural to keep doing our thing. We are really proud of that album. When we started to work with “Elements Of Rage” Jenny also became a permanent member of Tolchock. She makes a big and important difference to the sound.

Q: “World Of Tolchock 1997 – 2017” has been released on Energy Rekords. I guess it must be something special for a Swedish formation to get your album released on this legendary label, but what does a label stands for in times CD sales are going downwards?

Jens: We had a plan to release this retrospective-album… When we contacted Energy about the rights for our older stuff, they asked us to release the album. It was perfect for us… It’s nice to have a record company taking care of the distribution. Energy Rekords is also an important piece of our history. We also planning to release a limited edition on vinyl.

Q: Would you ever consider releasing a ‘best of’ from Tolchock 14, which back in time definitely was one of the most promising and recognized Swedish EBM bands? What does these early years evoke to you?

Jens: It feels kind of exciting thinking about releasing the earlier stuff. Just thinking about Tolchock 14 and our history really brings back some good memories. It would of course be cool to give that forgotten, exclusive and rare material a second chance to… It depends on the interest out there…

Q: If this ‘new’ album is a look back into the past, how do you imagine Tolchock’s future and what might we expect?

Jens: We´re full of expectations! For the first time we are going to produce our music separated. We are splitting our studio in two and we will focus more at the production when we meet. The main reason is that we no longer living in the same city. But we have chosen to see that as a good thing that hopefully will double up our production speed. Finally we hope that we get the opportunity to do some nice festivals during 2019. So you might expect some new TOLCHOCK-songs and some live shows. We hope so…

Tolchock – World Of Tolchock 1997-2017 (CD Album – Energy Rekords)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 19:30:08 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM, crossover, aggreppo.

Background/Info: Tolchock once started in the late 80s as Tolchock 14. They rapidly became one of the early Swedish recognized EBM bands. Together with Cat Rapes Dog, Scapa Flow, Inside Treatment, Pouppée Fabrikk they belong to the Swedish history of EBM. After a break the band got back to business under the Tolchock moniker. The second period of the band has been featured on this album, which can be seen as a ‘best of’.

Content: Tolchock developed a different sound than Tolchock 14. It all became more crossover like, revealing a furious mix between electronics and guitar. The music is still driven by EBM elements, but some songs also moves into aggreppo reminding me Dance Or Die while heavier cuts are even touching ground with metal. The cover version of “I Kissed A Girl” originally performed by Katy Perry sounds a bit Marilyn Manson-like.

A few songs have been remixed and this is an opportunity to discover already new elements. “Kiss Of Death” is carried by technoid grooves. The song “Power Money Salvation” is one of the cuts reminding me the early years of Tolchock 14. So in the end I would say there’s enough diversity featured at this work.

+ + + : This album is a fine selection from songs originally featured at the albums “In The Name Of Tolchock”, “Wipe Out – Burn Down – Annihilate”, “Elements Of Rage” and the EP “Rewind” featuring only cover versions. It’s an opportunity to discover a great band, which has never reached the success and recognition from the Tolchock 14 years and that’s something I can’t understand. It’s maybe because the sound is harder to define, revealing different influences. I’ve been deeply impressed by the power of their work and especially the album “Elements Of Rage” remains a great piece of music. Tolchock has created a perfect fusion between all their influences, which they transposed into a powerful production driven by charismatic vocals and cool female backing vocals. This is a great compilation featuring numerous brilliant songs.

– – – : Tolchock has written several cool songs and noticeable albums, but they maybe haven’t composed ‘the absolute hit’. I think they don’t care and simply compose what they like.

Conclusion: If you never have heard of Tolchock this album will be for sure the right opportunity to discover a talented and efficient band, which definitely deserves more recognition. This is modern crossover.

Best songs: “Man Is Evil 2017 Rmx”, “Kiss Of Death – Rmx”, “Wipe Out – Burn Down – Annihilate”, “Time To Breathe”, “Kicks – Rmx”, “I Feel Sick”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www .facebook .com /tolchock

Label: www .energy –rekords .se

Armageddon Dildos – Herbstzeitlose (CD EP – Alfa Matrix)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 29 May 2018 18:57:33 +0000

Genre/Influences: EBM.

Background/Info: Set up in 1990 Armageddon Dildos definitely became one of the major EBM bands from the 90s. They released several groundbreaking albums and numerous EBM hits. After the band’s split singer Uwe Kanka struck back during the early millennium years. New work got released on irregular basis, but this EP is the first new work since the rather disappointing “Untergrund”-album (2011). “Herbstzeitlose” is meant as a solid teaser to the upcoming full length.

Content: The EP features 4 new songs plus 7 remixes. The sound remains pure EBM-like, but once again less comparable with the early successful releases of the band. Since Uwe Kanka is the single member on board the ‘Dildos’ have found a different EBM direction. The new songs are more elaborated revealing multiple effects and even sophisticated arrangements. The vocals no longer express the rage Uwe sung with during the 90s.

The most noticeable song definitely is “Resist (2.0)”, which remains one of the biggest hits of the band, but which has been reworked in a total new and different song only holding on the famous lyrics from the original chorus.

Remixes have been made by Plastic Noise Experience, Kant Kino, Tolchock, Hell:Sector, The Psychic Force, Venal Flesh and Technoir.

+ + + : I first of all have to say that the new songs are more convincing than the last album of the band. Uwe Kanka hasn’t reconsidered his sound and influences, but simply became a better musician. Some of the songs maybe became too elaborate, but you don’t hear me to complain. The ‘new’ and totally different version of “Resist” is a great cut. Among the remixes I especially like the job done by Plastic Noise Experience and Kant Kino both empowering the EBM basis of the original songs. I also have to mention Hell:Sector for the guitar riffs injecting some metal-touch to “Resist”.

– – – : It’s probably because Armageddon Dildos remains to me one of the ‘best’ EBM acts from the 90s, but I still expect a bit more from this band! Don’t get me wrong, this EP reveals interesting ideas, but no real mega-hit! It could maybe interesting to see Uwe Kanka working with an extra EBM member to bring the ‘old’ power of the band back alive!

Conclusion: Armageddon Dildos is back and I can only hope the new full length will surpass all expectations. This EP is honest, but not ‘hot’!

Best songs: “Resist (2.0)”, “Mandy Crash”, “Resist – Old School Mix By Plastic Noise Experience”, “Resist – Hell:Sector Mix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www .armageddondildos .info / www .facebook .com /armageddondildos

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

Herbstzeitlose EP by ARMAGEDDON DILDOS

Armageddon Dildos prepare new album, but first… the ‘Herbstzeitlose’ EP – listen to 2 brand new tracks

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 19:00:24 +0000

In the middle of the recording process of their forthcoming new album, the band’s first since 2011’s “Untergrund”, Armageddon Dildos’ Uwe Kanka decided to release the EP “Herbstzeitlose” on MCD (available here) and as download (available here on Bandcamp).

The MCD itself reveals 4 brand-new tracks plus 7 bonus remixes. You can already listen to 2 tracks below.

The bonus remixes were executed by fellow German cult acts PNE and The Psychic Force, next to reworks by Tolchock, Hell:Sector, Venal Flesh, Kant Kino and Technoir (about time we also hear something new from Steffen Gehring now that we think of it!).

Fans will love this new 11-track EP. Warmly recommended!

Armageddon Dildos formed as a duo (Uwe Kanka and Dirk Krause) in 1988 in Kassel, Germany and debuted 2 years later on the legendary Zoth Ommog label with the single “Never Mind / Pressure” followed up by “East West”. In 1991 they launched their very first album “That’s Armageddon”. Since then the band conquered the EBM hearts and minds despite having slowed down their output over the years.

As of 2011 the band is signed to the Belgian industrial label Alfa Matrix where they released “Undergrund”.

Tolchock returns with new single ‘Rage – Love – Fear’ – listen here

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 19:00:32 +0000

The Swedish act Tolchock is back among the living. It was Jens Persson who tipped us off that a new Tolchock single is out now, namely the 4-track single “Rage – Love – Fear” featuring the original track plus 3 reworks including remixes by Aesthetische and Obsession of time. A first track can already be discovered in our playlist on Spotify.

You can listen to the single below.

Tolchock was formed in 1996 and released their debut album “In The Name Of Tolchock” in 1998 on Energy Records. In 2000 they released the maxi CD singel “A practice for hell – Kicks remix”. After that single they took a 6-year hiatus before returning on COP International with the “Wipe Out Burn Down Annihilate” album. “Rewinded” followed in 2009 before they again entered total silence for 4 years. That silence was broken when they released the “Down in the hole” single in 2013. In 2015 the album “Elements of Rage” saw the light of day.

Last copies Front 242 tribute ‘Im Rhythmus Bleiben (A Tribute To Front 242)’ blue edition 3CD set available now

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:03:44 +0000

UPDATE: The ‘blue version’ was sold out, but our mail-order partner succeeded in securing 25 more copies, order it right here if you want one.

While Front 242 is reigning the Bandcamp charts with their free EP “Detix Static” a small German label has announced the release of a 3CD tribute to Front 242. The first edition comes in a blue design and is limited to just 242 copies (you can order it right here).

The 3CDs feature 16 bands on each CD for a total of 48 bands (you’ll recognise various more well known bands such as Leather Strip, PNE, Kant Kino, Machinista, etc). In total you get 48 covers of Front 242 classics. The brain behind this project is Stefan Rukavina whom you might know from the German Radio Body Music, a label and radio station entirely dedicated to the genres EBM, Anhalt EBM, dark electro, synthpop, futurepop, N.D.W., electronic 80s, industrial and experimental music.

You can order this limited edition set right here.

Artists/ Tracks CD2:

01 OVERGAMENT–Body to Body
02 MECHATRONIC–Operating Tracks
03 THE PAIN MACHINERY – U-Men
04 MRDTC-Least Inkling
05 D-F-O-W–He runs too fast for us
06 LEAETHER STRIP – Don’t crash
07 KANT KINO–Lovely Day
08 EUFORIC EXISTENCE–No Shuffle
09 HUMAN NIHIL – Quite unusual
10 SUBSTAAT-Circling overland
11 RHESUS FACTOR & RIO BLACK-Headhunter
12 VAINERZ-Sacrifice
13 NEOTEK feat. MACHINE SOLDIER-Moldavia
14 BICHROM-Gripped by Fear
15 POST MACHINERY ENVIRONMENT-Tragedy for You
16 GIMME SHELTER–Soulmanager

Artists/ Tracks CD2:

01 TOLCHOCK-U-Men
02 KAPITAL-Kinetics
03 SHARON NEXT-GVDT
04 PLASTIC NOISE EXPERIENCE-Operating Tracks
05 SYSTEM 84-No Shuffle
06 56 DEGREES NORTH-Don’t crash
07 EVO-LUTION-Controversy between
08 VAYLON feat. LEAETHER STRIP-Quite unusual
09 747 FEDERALES-Circling overland
10 TRILOGY-Im Rhythmus bleiben
11 AD:KEY-Work 242
12 WERKSFRONT-Never stop
13 IN GOOD FAITH-Masterhit
14 VUDUVOX-Headhunter
15 STERIL-Animal
16 PATENBRIGADE: WOLFF-Mutilate

Artists/ Tracks CD3:

01 LES BERRTAS-U-Men
02 reADJUST-Take One
03 MACHINISTA-No Shuffle
04 26Z-Until Death (us do Part)
05 NINE CIRCLES-U-Men
06 THE FORCE DIMENSION-No Shuffle
07 MORTAL MEMORIES-Quite unusual
08 R.B.M.K.-Punish Your Machine
09 SCHRAMM-Headhunter
10 NAKED TEARS-Moldavia
11 DKDENT-No Shuffle (Electone Mix)
12 K-BEREIT-Together
13 DPOINT-U-Men
14 AUDIOTHERAPIE-No Shuffle
15 LASTRAX-Circling overland
16 DROID SECTOR DECAY-Neurobashingc

Expected in March: the Front 242 tribute ‘Im Rhythmus Bleiben (A Tribute To Front 242)’ 3CD set

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 15:00:56 +0000

UPDATE: The ‘blue version’ is almost sold out, 5 copies left, order it right here if you want one.

While we are all waiting for news from the Front 242 front (update: the news is live now, there’s a new free downloadable remix EP) a small German label has announced the release of a 3CD tribute to Front 242. The first edition comes in a blue design and is limited to just 242 copies (you can order it right here).

You can order this limited edition set right here.

Artists/ Tracks CD2:

Artists/ Tracks CD3:

Tolchock – Elements Of Rage (CD Album – Tolchock)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 26 May 2015 18:52:30 +0000

Genre/Influences: Agreppo, EBM.

Content: I discovered Tolchock 14 in the late 80s on the phenomenal vinyl sampler “Trans Europa (A Swiss – Swedish Techno-Compilation)” on, which they were featured by other promising Swedish EBM bands like Cat Rapes Dog, Scapa Flow, Dead Eyes Opened and Sepülche Inc. It all was during the golden years of early EBM music where it all sounded magic and unique.

Tolchock 14 became Tolchock during the 90s and went on releasing new stuff at irregular basis. The sound became more eclectic and often empowered by furious guitar parts. It leads the band to define their work as ‘industrial-rave’ while they recently call it ‘physical machine music’. Nine years have passed since their previous opus, but Tolchock is back… maybe for the last time. Well, that’s what they say, but it clearly sounds unpredictable and honestly I hope that they’ll go on releasing new stuff because this work is f****** amazing!

“Elements Of Rage” sounds a bit like a move back to EBM roots, which have been empowered by powerful guitar riffs. It sounds like a mix of different elements and we might speak about agreppo influences merged with EBM elements and industrial guitar parts.

The global power of their work reminds me somewhat of early Dance Or Die, but with a heavier approach. The songs reveal terrific sound treatments and you definitely can hear that this work was not accomplished in a hurry. It is the result of a passionate studio work masterfully lead by the creative mind of Jens Persson and Christer Lundmark, both remaining the ‘brains’ of the band completed by Michael Forslund (guitar) and Jenny Runa (backing vocals).

The vocals of both singers were produced with a real great harmony. Both singers are totally complementary. The sexy and sometimes enraged male vocals are perfectly fit with the somewhat rough and cold female vocal parts. Tolchock is not dealing with the usual sensual female backings and that’s precisely what makes them different from other bands. The vocals are a real important aspect of this album.

Musically, this album features 8 new songs plus 4 remixes. All tracks are essential pieces and it’s really hard to give you favorite ones. The quality of the songs is reaching a real high level. Most of tracks are elaborate and very accessible. I maybe have a little preference for “Day Of Rage”, which is a great power-electro composition. I also want to mention the more into EBM-sounding “Selfextractor” and “Firecell” for its irresistible bass line and great outbursting chorus.

Among the different remixes Machinista did a fantastic job with “Time To Breath.” Biomekkanik for sure is one of the hottest revelations of the past few months and they also made a cool and somewhat groovy remix of “Down In the Hole.” Both remixes left were made Red Mecca and the promising Blipp.

Conclusion: I won’t be surprised if I find this album back in our so-called ‘best of’ albums of 2015. The only thing I want to add is a kind of message for this great band: ‘keep going on guys, keep composing great music’!

Best songs: “Day Of Rage”, “Selfextractor”, “Down In The Hole”, “Firecell”, “Time To Breath – Machinista Remix”.

Rate: (DP:8½)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/tolchock