Genre/Influences: Cinematic, Experimental, Electro.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer, Gene Loves Jezebel ao)is back on track with a new and already conceptual work. The album title speaks for itself. The Belgian Electro pioneer has been assisted by Tom Shear (Assemblage 23), Christina Z, Jim Semonik (Red Lokust), Mari Kattman, Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm), Ken Magerman, Daz Sharp, Julianne Regan, Jim Marcus (Die Warzau) and Sapphira Vee.

Content: Lederman composed the music for the impressive list of guest singers. The music is filled with explicit astral sound treatments and -atmospheres. The slow rhythms together with the different singers make it more accessible while a few passages are more into Electro-Pop and danceable passages. The main characteristic of the work is the narrating format of the singers interpreting extracts of sci-fi stories.

+ + + : Jean-Marc Lederman moves on exorcizing his endless creative thoughts and concepts with one of his most creative and ambitious works ever. It’s not only about music -which totally stands for the concept of the album revealing a ‘space’-like dimension but also the accomplishment of a wider- and higher artistic goal. There’s a kind of cyber-puzzle wherein the listener/visitor has to unlock every single track.You really have to experience it on your own to realize what it’s all about.

– – – : The importance of the concept is maybe undermining a tiny bit the music itself.

Conclusion: Jean-Marc Lederman revisited sci-fi themes which must have been a piece of cake as he’s for sure the one and only sci-fi musician from the Electronic scene.

Best songs: “The Eyes Have It​!​ Feat. Ken Magerman”, “Titanium Aegis feat. Christina Z”.

Rate: 7½. 

Artist: www.jmlederman.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100056370733178

Label: www.facebook.com/copint

Side-Line previously covered “Sci-Fi Revisited”, an audiobook and puzzle-game package accompanying the album, released via COP International.

Listen to “Sci-Fi Revisited”:

About Jean-Marc Lederman

Jean-Marc Lederman is a Belgian electronic musician known for his work with Fad Gadget, The The, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer with Frank Spinath of Seabound, and Rohn-Lederman with Emileigh Rohn of Chiasm. Released under the Jean-Marc Lederman Experience name via COP International, “Sci-Fi Revisited” was produced, arranged and played by Lederman and features Tom Shear, Christina Z, Jim Semonik, Mari Kattman, Emileigh Rohn, Ken Magerman, Daz Sharp, Julianne Regan, Jim Marcus and Sapphira Vee, accompanied by a 12-page micro comic book and a computer puzzle game.

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

Jean-Marc Lederman, known for his work with Fad Gadget, The The, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer (with Frank Spinath from Seabound), and Rohn-Lederman with Emileigh from Chiasm, presents an audiobook of short sci-fi tales, “Sci-Fi Revisited”. The book is narrated by various singers and musicians, and it is accompanied by a computer puzzle game. The package also includes a 12-page micro book with 11 pulp covers.

Released under the The Jean-Marc Lederman Experience moniker, “Sci-Fi Revisited” features Tom Shear (Assemblage 23), Christina Z, Jim Semonik (Red Lokust), Mari Kattman, Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm), Ken Magerman, Daz Sharp, Julianne Regan, Jim Marcus (Die Warzau), and Sapphira Vee.

This release is a co-production between Les Disques De La Pantoufle and COP International. It was produced, arranged, and played by Jean-Marc Lederman. The images for the website and cover were prompted by Kevin B. Lederman. The lab/vault website and video game were developed by Kevin B. Lederman, courtesy of https://blackfoot.io/.

The album is available through COP International and on their Bandcamp page. Note that the CD version comes in a limited edition of just 100 hand numbered copies. It holds a 12-page micro book on 230 gram paper. You also get access to a puzzle game to unlock the tracks.

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

Out now is the new single from Cop International signee Mari Kattman called “URGOD.AI”. “URGOD.AI” comes backed by the B-side “Lower Yourself”.

Mari Kattman has been self-recording, writing, composing, and live performing music since 2012. Currently, she operates under the Mari Kattman name as a solo artist and worked with Tom Shear, of Assemblage 23, on a project called Helix.

She has been collaborating with such artists as Mesh, Ivardensphere, Jean-Marc Lederman, Psy’Aviah, Aesthetiche, Neuroticfish BlackCarBurning, Cassetter, This Morn Omina, Solitary Experiments, Mephisto Walz, Aiboforcen, Interface and Comaduster. She also has worked on many other label releases including ones for Metropolis Records, Alfa Matrix, FiXT and will release her solo work on COP International.

You can check out the new 2-track single 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!

side-line.com

CARV.R, the Providence (Rhode Island) based dark synth-pop project from producer Cristian Carver, has recently released their newest single “Deflect” which you can get here.

“This track is personal to me,” states CARV.R, “the single was inspired by individuals who evaded responsibility for their actions and instead portrayed themselves as victims, a frustrating and disheartening experience many can relate to.”

The track includes vocals from Mari Kattman (COP International), who collaborates with Tom Shear of Assemblage 23 on a project named Helix. Regarding the partnership, Cristian Carver comments: “When I composed the instrumental for ‘Deflect,’ I was certain that Mari was the ideal person for the track. Her vocals blend seamlessly with the music, and her lyrics truly encapsulate the original concept of the song.”

Following the release of “Deflect,” a remix of the track is set to launch on Friday, 19th May. The remix was produced by Alex. A video for the single is available, and the track can be accessed now from all download and streaming services.

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

Out via COP International on October 21st is the all new EP for Mark Hockings (mesh) and more precisely for his side-project Blackcarburning.

The opener “Divide Us” is a collaboration with Mari Kattman (of Helix with Tom Shear of Assemblage 23) in a production by John Fryer. The other tracks have Hockings on vocals. All versions are exclusive to this EP and only “Divide Us” will be on his upcoming album.

The project launched its very first release in 2021 with the self-released singles “The Mirror (Shattered Tones)” and “The Mirror”. After signing with COP International the project released the singles “All About You”, “Reset” and “Everything Worked Out”.

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

Mari Kattman has joined COP International. “Is It Really That Bad” will be the first EP on COP International and will be released on the 13th of May and will feature remixes by Neuroticfish, Rotersand and John Fryer.

Christian Petke / Founder COP International: “Mari brings incredible talent and drive to the table. I absolutely adore the fact that she is not just the singer but the principal songwriter and visionary in this project. She is a force to be reckoned with!”

Mari Kattman has been self-recording, writing, composing, and live performing music since 2012. Currently, she operates under the Mari Kattman name as a solo artist and works with Tom Shear, of Assemblage 23, on a project called Helix. In the past she has collaborated with many artists, including Assemblage 23, Mesh, Ivardensphere, Jean-Marc Lederman, Psy’Aviah, Aesthetiche, Neuroticfish BlackCarBurning, Cassetter, This Morn Omina, Solitary Experiments, Mephisto Walz, Aiboforcen, Interface and Comaduster.

She has worked on many label releases including ones for Metropolis Records, Alfa Matrix, FiXT and now she will call COP International her new home for her solo work.

Here’s the track “Objectified”.

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

Out now is the newest Stabbing Westward single “Ghost”. Included on the single is also the reimagined version of “Why” from their 1996 album “Wither Blister Burn & Peel”, their second album released on Columbia Records.

The single is rounded out by the Assemblage 23 / Tom Shear “Ghost” remix and Christopher Hall’s own reinterpretation of the title track. The single acts as a teaser for the band’s fifth studio album “Chasing Ghosts”. The original version of the title track was mixed and produced by John Fryer.

Besides the download, the single is also available as a limited CD release in a 4 panel digipack with signed postcard and magnet.

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: Future-Pop, Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Twenty years ago Assemblage 23 released the successful opus “Failure”. Today this legendary album by Tom Shear got a new mix and mastering plus an extra disc featuring remixes.

Content: “Failure” has to be considered as an album that was originally released in the early years of Future-Pop. I know Tom Shear doesn’t care that much attention about the label of his music, but he was often linked with VNV Nation, Neuroticfish and co. With some recoil this album was a hard-banging Pop format, a kind of evil Electro-Pop sound infused with Industrial components, but still melodic and ultra danceable.

The second disc features exactly the same tracklist, but all of the tracks have been remixed in chronological order by DTSR, Interface, Antiscion, Mari Kattman, Rotersand, Clan Of Xymox, The Gentry, Suicide Commando, patrick codenys and Assemblage 23.

+ + + : “Failure” remains a ‘great’ piece of music. The original magic of songs like “Naked”, “House On Fire”, “Disappoint”, “Divide” and “Awake” hasn’t really changed. It’s even a wonder to see how songs of twenty years old still have this effect. It simply reveals the talent and genius of Tom Shear who’s not only a great musician, but also an artist who is writing intelligent and touching lyrics. I think a band like Assemblage 23 brought us a different kind of Electro-Pop, miles away from the established standards and Depeche Mode-clones. “Failure” can be easily seen as a true reference in this genre.

Among the remixes there’re not only great names, but also a very diversified number of artists. It’s also cool to see Tom’s wife (cf. Mari Kattman) remixing one of the songs. My personal favorite is the most unknown project from the list; UK project Antiscion boosting “House On Fire”. Tom Shear did also a great job remixing “King Of Insects”, which sounds definitely better than the original version.

– – – : I’m not sure this remixed and remastered edition will have a similar effect and impact than 20 years ago, but it’s a homage to a great artist and an essential work in his career.

Conclusion: “Failure” has been brought back to life and it still sounds up to date!

Best songs: “House On Fire”, “Naked”, “Disappoint”, “Awake” + “House On Fire – Antiscion Remix”, “King Of Insects – Assemblage 23 Remix”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.assemblage23.com / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044546464584

Label: www.accession-records.de / www.facebook.com/accessionrecords

About Assemblage 23

Assemblage 23 is the electronic project of Tom Shear, who began writing under the name in 1988 in Exton, Pennsylvania. The project mixes futurepop, electro-industrial, synth-pop and EBM. Early demos and compilation tracks were later gathered on “Early, Rare, and Unreleased 1988-1998”, and the debut album “Contempt” appeared in 1999 on the Canadian label Gashed!.

“Failure” followed in 2001 and opened a long partnership with Metropolis Records in North America and Accession Records in Europe. “Defiance” came in 2002 and “Storm” in 2004, followed by “Meta” in 2007, “Compass” in 2009 and “Bruise” in 2012. “Endure” was released on 28 August 2016 and “Mourn” on 11 September 2020.

Shear also records as Nerve Filter and Surveillance, and since 2017 as Helix with vocalist Mari Kattman. Side-Line reported in August 2021 that Assemblage 23 sees ‘Failure’ released as a 20th anniversary edition on 2LP and 2CD. The next full-length, “Null” on Metropolis Records, arrived on 7 November 2025.

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

On November 5th, Helix will self-release a brand new digital-only EP entitled “Bad Dream”, featuring 4 brand new tracks and remixes from Mark Hockings (Mesh) and Andrew Sega (ex-Iris, Hallowed Hearts). The EP will be available on Bandcamp and the usual digital and streaming platforms.

Helix is the brand new collaboration between Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) and vocalist Mari Kattman (known for her work with Psy’Aviah and Mari & The Ghost). The debut album for the duo was released on August 24 2018, called “Twin”.

Here’s already a trailer.

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

After her work with Chiasm and John Fryer’s album ” Missed the Noise”, Emileigh Rohn has jumped right into her next adventure with Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen / Fad Gadget / Front242 / Ghost & Writer with Frank Spinath from Seabound) to launch a new band: Rohn-Lederman.

Their first offering is an EP named “Watch Out!” Which comes in 4 reworked versions on the EP. Remixers on duty include Claus Larsen (Leaether Strip), Tom Shear (Assemblage 23), Mark Hockings (Mesh, Black Car Burning) and an own Rohn-Lederman remix. Also Krischan Jan-Eric Wesenberg (Rotersand) made a remix which will be released later this year.

Here’s the video for the remixed version of “Watch Out!”.

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: Electro-Pop, Body-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: This new EP by the Australian duo Avarice In Audio is a song taken from their last album “The Rib Of Adam” (2020). The particularity of the song is that Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) joined in to sing. The EP features next to the title track four remixes plus one extra song. Side-Line reported on the collaboration when it was first announced.

Content: “I Pray” already was one of the best cuts from the band’s last album. The sound reveals the familiar beating Dark/Electro-Pop from the band while the vocals are mixing rough parts by the clearer and charismatic vocals of Tom Shear. Remixes have been accomplished by Synapsyche, Malcaar, Angel Theory and Elektrostaub. “Thanatos drive” is the single song left, which is a kind of dynamic sound Experiment featuring D’n’B influences.

+ + + : The title song is a right choice to get released as an EP and especially because of Tom Shear. It will for sure catch the attention of a wider audience. So it will be for sure an opportunity to gain new fans. “I Pray” is a solid piece of raw, beating Electro-Pop. I also like the more Techno remix by Synapsyche and the groovy exposure from Angel theory.

– – – : The remixes don’t really add a bonus to the EP, the original edit remaining the best one! The B-side cut is just forgettable.

Conclusion: Good and judicious idea to release “I Pray” as an EP-title song, but I expected a bit more from the remixes.

Best songs: “I Pray”, “I Pray – Synapsyche Remix”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/avariceinaudioaus

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

About Avarice In Audio

Avarice In Audio is an EBM/synthpop duo from Melbourne, Australia, formed in early 2013 by Gerard Hawkins, Jade Pegg and Lawrie Masson. The project released the album “The Rib Of Adam” in 2020, from which “I Pray” is taken, and later continued with releases including “Our Idols Are Filth”, the “Drowning One” EP (2024) and the album “Tear Heaven In Half” (2024). For the “I Pray” EP, Assemblage 23’s Tom Shear joined the band on vocals, with remixes contributed by Synapsyche, Malcaar, Angel Theory and Elektrostaub.

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

Avarice In Audio has returned with a second and final single from their latest album “From The Rib Of Adam”.

The title track “I Pray” originally started out as the very first instrumental made under Avarice In Audio and was originally a remix for another band.

Since then the track has undergone numerous rewrites but it was eventually defined by the chorus, written by Gerry, and performed by Ben alongside Assemblage 23’s Tom Shear.

The EP comes augmented with remixes by Synapsyche, Elektrostaub, Angel Theory and Maalcar. You can download the EP right now from Bandcamp with other platforms to follow in the next weeks.

Below are the first single, “Trojan Horse”, and the album, “From The Rib of Adam”, itself.

Side-Line also covered Avarice In Audio’s ‘The Language Of Violence’.

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

For more than twenty years now Tom Shear is bringing Electro heads to dance. ASSEMBLAGE 23 has released such an impressive number of essential songs and brilliant albums. ASSEMBLAGE 23 will be always linked to Future-Pop music nevertheless on recent productions the early influences are sometimes hard to find. The new full length “Mourn” released on Metropolis Records is a very personal and sensible work, mixing danceable vibes with pure melancholia.  Time for an interview with this great and humble artist.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: “Mourn” not only sounds as your most intimate album to date, but it also feels as part of a very personal process struggling with depression, right? So the title seems to be appropriated, but how did the writing of the album helped you to chase your demons?

Tom: I’d wager that the reason most musicians (or creative types in general) are so driven to make music is because of the cathartic quality it has. It’s certainly always been that way for me and I feel very fortunate for that. But yeah, this album was inspired by a difficult period in my life where I just realized I needed to change a lot of stuff in my life if I was going to be happy. Change is difficult, but so is being miserable. The album was made after I had already made those changes, so in a sense, it’s a bit of a post-mortem, so I guess it was more helpful to me in digesting those major changes after the fact rather than getting through the difficult time itself. But all catharsis is valuable, I think.

Q: A friend musician of mine once told me ‘we musicians are lucky to get our music to transpose our feelings and thoughts into songs’. Is it something you recognize in the catharsis you’re talking about, but how does it happen? It’s easy to understand for the lyrics, but what about the music?

Tom: I don’t know how to describe it, actually! Music is just something I have to do every day. It’s a bit like an addiction. If I don’t get at least a little studio time every day, I start to get cranky and everything feels off. I guess it’s a bit of an escape. No matter what is going on in your life, you can lose yourself for a little while in the worlds you create with your music… It’s probably hard to explain to someone who isn’t a musician, but I bet any musician you talk to would say something similar. There’s something incredibly gratifying about the process of creating something from nothing.

Q: Can you give us more details about the writing process of “Mourn” and what have been the main chapters you’d to go through to finally achieve this work?

Tom: My general process is to keep a folder on my computer where I collect musical ideas as they come to me. When I have a bunch of them, I start to go through them and try to separate the ideas that have the most promise from the less inspiring ones. At that point, I start to flesh these initial seeds into a full song. Sometimes it doesn’t work and it gets abandoned, and sometimes it comes out great. Usually when I’m a good part of the way finished with the music, I’ll start on the lyrics. That’s the most difficult part, so I almost always put it off until last.

I will almost always have at least 2 or 3 songs I am working on at the same time so that if I get stuck on one, I can just start working on another one and stay productive.

Q: You’re now involved with Assemblage 23 for more than 20 years; you’ve released numerous successful albums and now struggled with personal troubles, but how much of the young Tom Shear do you still recognize in your work and global approach of making music today?

Tom: I’d like to think that the older Tom Shear is wiser and less naive than younger Tom Shear, but if you ask me another 20 years from now, I’ll probably chuckle at how far I still had to go. I think the passion for music has never changed, no matter my age, but the ability and confidence to do it has grown from those early days.

Q: Impossible today to make an interview without a question about the Covid-19 pandemic. I think there also is a new song dealing with the subject, but how do you as artist expect things evolving –considering aspects such as festivals, tours, labels and promo agencies ao?

Tom: That’s kind of the big unknown right now, isn’t it? I have no doubt that we will get through this pandemic and things will eventually get back to some semblance of normalcy, but I think the landscape is going to look a lot different by then, especially if this stretches late into 2021. The fact is, venues and promoters can’t hang on forever with no ability to pay their bills. We’ve already lost a lot of venues and I know some promoters who decided to pack it in.

When touring becomes possible to do safely and travel restrictions are lifted, everybody and their mother is going to want to tour. So we may have a situation where a lot of bands are fighting for opportunities to play in a landscape where there are less venues and promoters than there were before this whole thing started. I guess we’ll see. It’s been inspiring seeing bands adapt and do online performances, but if we’re being honest about it, it’s really not the same for the performer or the audience. We’re all itching to get out there and play live in a real venue on a real sound system in front of an audience that’s in the same room.

Q: You recently posted a real interesting quote at your Facebook page: ‘If you’re new to making music, pay no mind to the elitists. Whatever works best for making music for you is fine. No one listening to your song gives a shit if you made it in Garageband or ProTools, so neither should you. It’s not a dick-measuring contest, it’s about the song’. I think that’s an important message to young musicians, but what’s the deeper meaning and maybe experience(s) behind this quote?

Tom: There can be a lot of elitism, especially in electronic music, and it doesn’t really service any positive purpose. You can see it in any online music forum. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen someone get made fun of because they used Fruity Loops to make music. Or people scoffing because someone uses software synthesizers instead of a rack of vintage analog gear. And it’s all useless. Literally no one aside from the elitists themselves cares how you made your music. They care if your song makes them feel something -happiness, sadness, a desire to dance, etc. The tools you use to make music are not what matters. So long as it works for you, that’s all you should worry about. Let the elitists wring their hands over having the latest, greatest DAW or $3,000 synth. That’s why they rarely seem to have much finished music. Their focus is in the wrong place. A good song is a good song whether you recorded it through a $30,000 mixing console or on your phone in Garageband.

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.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Tom Shear is back on track unleashing the new Assemblage 23 album after a hiatus of four years. It seems the work has been released after a bad period of depression. The work is also available as a double CD and –Vinyl featuring remixes by other artists.

Content: Tom Shear has been always linked with Future-Pop music and even if this influence got a bit lost on the previous releases, he together with VNV Nation and Neuroticfish probably belong to the ‘Godfathers’ in the genre. But I can’t say “Mourn” sounds Future-Pop-like, Tom Shear taking his fans by surprise composing a more intimate and sometimes very emotional work. This is pure Electro-Pop with a dark edge on top. Some passages are reminding me of Depeche Mode, but other parts reveal some minimalism like a new path that has to be explored. 

+ + + : There’s no better way taking off with a strong song and that’s precisely how sounds “Epiphany”. It’s a well-crafted and extremely emotional song carried by a catchy chorus. I can’t say Tom Shear has reinvented Assemblage 23 sound, but “Mourn” sounds like one of his darkest, most intimate and personal albums to date. But I also like the diversity of the tracklist. From the harder and dark sounding “Anxiety” to the minimal-driven “Confession” to the pure melancholic “Welcome, Apocalypse” this work appears to be the right exorcism to chase personal demons. Assemblage 23 also remains a project inspired by great melody lines. Last, but not least I also have to say a word about the production of the vocals. A singer’s timbre of voice is also in constant evolution and has been produced in perfect harmony with the music content.

– – – : “Mourn” is maybe not the album that will feature the greatest Assemblage 23 hits although there are many cool songs featured.

Conclusion: Assemblage 23 is striking back with his probably his most personal work to date. I’m not saying it’s the best album in Tom Shear’s wide discography, but definitely the most authentic one.

Best songs: “Epiphany”, “Welcome, Apocalypse”, “Confession”, “Factory”, “Tragedy”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.assemblage23.com / www.facebook.com/Official-Assemblage-23-138651156153800

Label: www.metropolis-records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords

About Assemblage 23

Assemblage 23 is a US electronic project founded in 1988 by Tom Shear in Exton, Pennsylvania. The project mixes futurepop, electro-industrial, synth-pop, and EBM. Early releases appeared through Gashed! Records before a long-term partnership with Metropolis Records in North America and Accession Records in Europe.

Shear built the project as a one-person studio act, circulating demos through the 1990s that were later collected on “Early, Rare, and Unreleased 1988-1998”. The debut album “Contempt” arrived in 1999 on the Canadian label Gashed!. “Failure” (2001) began the long relationship with Metropolis and Accession, followed by “Defiance” (2002), “Storm” (2004), and “Meta” (2007).

Shear also records as Nerve Filter and Surveillance. “Mourn” appeared on Metropolis Records on September 11, 2020, following “Meta” (2007), also released as a double CD and vinyl edition featuring remixes from other artists.

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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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Genre/Influences: Dark-electro, industrial-pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: “From The Rib Of Adam” is the fourth full length album by the Australian trio Gerry Hawkins, Lawrie Bayldon and Ben Barwick. The work was originally meant as a conceptual album based on the famous “The Divine Comedy”, but it seems that it turned out in a different way.

Content: If you’re familiar with Avarice In Audio you won’t be disappointed. This band indeed has something versatile, but always linked with dark-electronics. Some songs are accomplished with hard-pop elements so it’s not a coincidence Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) sung on one of the tracks, “I Pray” becoming a kind of industrial future-pop cut. There always is a kind of duality running through this band’s work and it’s not that different now. But the songs will first of all appeal to dark-electro lovers.

+ + + : Avarice In Audio definitely deserves more recognition. This band has something special; it’s not the usual dark-electronic cliché, but there’s something more because of some extra influences. Songs are now accomplished with pop elements and others with some trance arrangements. But the power remains constant. The opening song is a great way to take off, but I also have to mention the song together with Tom Shear and the pumping “Prescription Of Paradise” featuring Studio-X (aka Lawrie Bayldon). Aside from all the different elements I also have to say a word about the great sound production. 

– – – : The album features 14 songs so you will definitely find one or more cuts to your taste. I just regret a few songs that simply sound like album fillers so in the end I sometimes prefer a shorter album instead of an endless tracklist.

Conclusion: Avarice In Audio moves on and simply confirms their huge potential. This band has a nose to compose original dark-electronics.

Best songs: “Prescription Of Paradise”, “Destroy My Faith”, “I Pray”, “Taste The Ambrosia”, “Blame”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/avariceinaudioaus

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

About Avarice In Audio

Avarice In Audio was, at the time of “From The Rib Of Adam”, an Australian trio of Gerry Hawkins, Lawrie Bayldon and Ben Barwick; the band later continued as the duo of Hawkins and Bayldon, the latter also active as Studio-X. Avarice In Audio remained on Alfa Matrix in the years that followed, releasing the single “Wicked Die Alone” (2024), the EP “Drowning One” (2024) and the album “Tear Heaven In Half” (2024), with Hawkins discussing the band’s genre-crossing approach in a 2025 Side-Line interview.

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: Cinematographic, electro, wave-pop, experimental.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: After his last year released album “13 Ghost Stories” Jean-Marc Lederman strikes back with a somewhat similar concept album. He asked an impressive number of guest singers to write lyrics about the theme ‘letters to gods and fallen angels’. The ‘old’ Weathermen protagonist took care of the music composition and he also wrote a few lyrical parts. The double CD features twenty four songs while twenty two singers contributed to the album plus Jo Quail playing cello on one song.

Content: This album is quite diversified, mixing very different genres. Jean-Marc Lederman transforms himself into a sonic chameleon who now moved back to the 80s and next experimenting pure soundtrack music. But I also noticed a song with a jazzy-like atmosphere while others are more into a kind of dreamy pop music. I also noticed some electronic minimalism and even a very personal cover version of Nick Cave’s “Into My Arms”.

The real tour de force is the impressive list of singers featuring names such as Tom Shear, Mark Hockings, Rodney Orpheus, Elena Alice Fossi, Frank M. Spinath, Stefan Netschio, Claus Larsen, Mari Kattman ao. Most of the singers also wrote the lyrics for their song.

+ + + : I like conceptual albums, but I have to admit, this one by Jean-Marc Lederman is a true original idea. He once again brought an impressive number of great names together, and also a few unknown names. The album sounds as a compilation, but it first of all reveals a musician who feels comfortable dealing with very different music genres. I noticed several jazzy-driven cuts, but also cool ‘film-noir’ compositions. It’s hard to give a favorite song, but I’ll go for “Heaven” featuring Scottish artist Lucia Fairfull on vocals. It’s also quite surprising to hear Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) singing on “Answer Me” in a different way we’re used to hearing from this artist. By the way, this song could be the perfect EP-title track. The very personal interpretation of Nick Cave’s “Into My Arms” sung by American singer Jenna Fearon is also worthy of examination for its intimate mood. 

– – – : If there’s one single point you can discuss about is the feeling you might be listening to a compilation.

Conclusion: This album even touches me deeper than “13 Ghost Stories”; it’s not an album with ‘hits’, but simply a genius concept featuring a great and renowned musician joined by a great selection of singers. Respect for this work Mr. Lederman!

Best songs: “Letter from Lucia Fairfull: Heaven”, “Letter from Tom Shear: Answer Me”, “Letter From Mark Hockings: Don’t Collect Me”, “Letter from Emma Barson: Under A Glass Sky”, “Letter from Rodney Orpheus: Sophisiticated Evening”.

Rate: (9).

Artist: www.facebook.com/jeanmarc.lederman

Label: www.wool-e-discs.be / www.facebook.com/woolediscs Read the news on ‘Letters To Gods [And Fallen Angels]’.

About Jean-Marc Lederman Experience

The Jean-Marc Lederman Experience is the vehicle of Belgian musician and former Weathermen member Jean-Marc Lederman, built around rotating guest vocalists. The concept album “13 Ghost Stories” preceded “Letters To Gods [And Fallen Angels]” by a year; the newer double-CD again pairs Lederman’s own music and lyrics with contributions from twenty-two singers, including Tom Shear of Assemblage 23, plus cello from Jo Quail. Lederman signed to COP International later in 2020.

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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Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Fad Gadget, The The, Ghost & Writer, Lederman-Demeyer) has released a new release under the Jean-Marc Lederman Experience moniker. With this project he calls up singers from different niches and countries to write lyrics and sing them on a common theme. The end result is then being packaged in a 2CD 36 pages hardcover art book with artwork and pictures by Erica Hinyot.

2019 saw the release of “13 Ghost Stories”, and now he offers “Letters To Gods (and fallen angels)” including performances from 21 different singers, from the USA to Italy, Mexico or Wales. The concept this time is very topical in this strange reset time: “You can write a letter to a God, or a fallen angel. What do you say?”

This time, the artists are:

• Agi Taralas (Our Banshee, Greece)
• Emma Barson (Promenade Cinema, UK)
• Ghost & Writer with cello by Jo Quail (Germany/Belgium UK)
• Mari Kattman (Helix, USA)
• JP Aston with backing vocals by Julianne Regan (Gene Loves Jezebel/Wales All About Eve/UK
• Coline Wauters (Atome, Belgium)
• Christina Z (comics Witchblade writer, Magnesium Burn/USA)
• Das Vintage (Mexico)
• Lucia Fairfull (Lusca And The Best Boys/ Scotland)
• Stefan Netschio (Beborn Beton/Germany)
• Hunter S. Thompson (Writer, USA)
• Elena Alice Fossi (Kirlian Camera/Stalingrad Valkyrie Italy)
• Tom Shear (Assemblage 23/ Helix USA)
• Mark Hockings (MESH/ UK)
• Jenna Fearon (USA)
• Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm/USA)
• Miriam Christina (The Other Side Of Who, 580 Miles/ Germany)
• Haydn Park-Patterson (The Ninth Wave/ Scotland)
• Rodney Orpheus (The Cassandra Complex/ EU)
• Louise Fraser (USA)
• Lis van den Akker (Holland)
• Claus Larsen (Leaether Strip/ Denmark)
• Friedrich Nietzsche (Patrimonia Universal de la Humanidad)
• With 3 novels by:
• Christina Z. (comics Witchblade writer, Magnesium Burn/USA)
• Ceratomia (USA)
• Philippe Genion (à;GRUMH /Belgium)

Check the previews below. Read the review of ‘Letters To Gods [And Fallen Angels]’.

For more on Jean-Marc Lederman, see COP International has announced the signing to their artist roster of… 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!

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Florida based post-punk artists Astari Nite have released a brand new single, “Dearly Beloved”. The track is the first song off Astari Nite’s new album “Here Lies”, which is expected in the Winter of 2020 on the dark electronic label Negative Gain, (also home to Mr. Kitty, Goo Munday, Curse Mackey and Panic Priest).

You can download the track right now from Bandcamp.

Vocalist Mychael explains the inspiration behind “Dearly Beloved”: “This friend of mine sure has a way with words, I’m intrigued by her capability to explain sorrow from afar. I quickly realized that sometimes there isn’t a diary left behind to follow when letting go of someone in the afterlife. I’m understanding that love / affection can pour down at any moment, kind of like the summer rain, in essence “Dearly Beloved” can be described as a funeral – holiday song.”

“Dearly Beloved” was produced by Astari Nite and mastered by Jason Corbett of Actors at Jacknife Sound.

You can check out the song below.

Upcoming Shows

• September 8th Los Angeles,CA – Part-Time Punks with Ash Code and Tearful Moon
• October 5th Tampa, FL – w/ Assemblage 23, Actors, Twin Tribes and more

Who are Astari Nite?

Astari Nite formed in 2007 and released their self-titled debut EP shortly after they emerged onto the local new wave scene. Their debut EP was followed up by EPs “Winter’s Gone” and “Requiem Mass” and established them as a regular live act resulting in opening acts for Peter Murphy (Bauhaus), Cold Cave, Modern English and Apoptygma Berzerk.

After joining up with producer Stephen Thompson (Whitney Houston, Blues Traveler, Korn) Astari Nite hit the studio for months on end to record “Stereo Waltz” which was released in 2013. The band’s first full-length album featured their best known single so far, “Pyramids”.

In 2018 the band released “Midnight Conversations” which was produced by Tom Shear of Assemblage 23.

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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Background/Info:

About Helix

Helix paired Tom Shear of Assemblage 23 on music and production with vocalist and lyricist Mari Kattman for “Twin”, the duo’s ten-track debut album on Metropolis Records.

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: Post-punk, gothic rock.

Background/Info: Third full-length album for Mychael Ghost (vocals), Illia Tulloch (drums), Howard Melnick (guitar) and Danny AE (keyboards) from Miami – Florida, including a cover of ‘Til Tuesday (“Voices Carry”). The first 5 tracks were produced and mixed by Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) while the last 4 tracks were earlier released as an EP “Dreams Of Majesty”, mixed by Rees Bridges.

Content: Highlights: first track and previously released single “Sunday Queen” is a worthly opener full of dark atmospheric vibes. The very danceable and melodic “Unfulfilled Promise” could become for sure a dancefloor classic in goth clubs. “I Am Nothing” is built on a nice synth-bass with a very melancholic and bombastic chorus including piano. The uptempo “Rosary Society” is another dancefloor filler in the traditional gothic rock style. On “Divination” Mychael’s voice sounds very good and deep while on “The Girl Who Tried” especially the synth-melodies play an important role.

+ + + : The sweet and warm voice of Mychael Ghost directly reminded me on the voice of Rozz Williams (Christian Death) and also of Sean Brennan (London After Midnight).

– – – : You might get the impression that after a while all songs start to sound a bit the same because of the way Mychael sings.

Conclusion: Astari Nite brings modern post-punk/gothic rock songs full of sensitive lyrics about love and despair in a soft and fragile way.

Best songs: “Sunday Queen”, “Unfulfilled Promise”, “I Am Nothing”, “Rosary Society”, “Divination”, “The Girl Who Tried”.

Rate: (8) WH.

Band: www.officialastarinite.com / www.facebook.com/astarinitemusic

Label: www.cleopatrarecords.com / www.facebook.com/cleopatrarecords

Helix is the brand new collaboration between Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) and vocalist Mari Kattman (known for her work with Psy’Aviah and Mari & The Ghost). You can expect tracks featuring trip-hop, dub, dream pop, synth-pop, and lo-fi.

The debut album “Twin” will be released on August 24 and is available now for pre-order. The album will have 10 tracks.

Here’s the preview trailer for the album.

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: Future-pop, electro-pop.

Background/Info: Behind Wiccid is hiding Erie Loch who got some recognition for his songwriting, video, remix and studio work with bands Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Prong, Pig, Faith No More, Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, NIN, Marilyn Manson, Lords Of Acid, Velvet Acid Christ, Gary Numan, Peter Murphy and many more. “By Design” is the debut album of Erie Loch as Wiccid featuring 11 songs.

Content: “By Design” sounds pretty future-pop like and sometimes reminds me of Assemblage 23. But the sound is more powerful than the work of Tom Shear. The songs are carried by solid, pumping kicks. The choruses are powerful and melodic and sometimes revealing icy sound treatments. I also noticed a few softer cuts.

+ + + : “By design” is an accomplished production, clearly revealing the work of an experienced musician. The songs are well-crafted and accomplished with cool sound treatments. It’s a dark exposure of future-pop music, but still a kind of power-pop sound featuring furious beats and solid bass lines. Erie Loch also has a nose to compose alluring choruses. The song “Lights” is a little pearl and definitely one of the main potential hits of this work.

– – – : The few softer cuts aren’t exactly the best ones, but they’re more like bringing a break in the tracklist. Erie Loch is a talented singer, but I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of his timbre of voice. He has a particular and powerful voice, but I’m not a huge fan of it and that’s my single and very personal frustration about this work.

Conclusion: Wiccid simply confirms future-pop is alive and kicking!

Best songs: “Lights”, “Torn”, “Inhuman Nature”, “The grand Comedian”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.wiccidband.com / www.facebook.com/WiccidBand

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

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

Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘Endure’.

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

Frank M Spinath (Seabound/Ghost & Writer), Froxeanne (The Frozen Autumn), Tom Shear (Assemblage 23) and Julianne Regan (All About Eve) are just a few of the 13 singers which have collaborated on the exquisite new album by Belgian electronic music pioneer Jean-Marc Lederman. The album is available as a digipak, a free app with a videogame and a virtual jukebox. Add to that a dedicated website with all parts of a sonic idea spread over several platforms (IOS/Android/PC/MAc) for different experiences.

The track list is as follows:

1. Schau Mit Liebe with Frank M. Spinath
2. DJ Kling Klang intervention with Bertrand Burgalat
3. So Long with Jay P. Aston
4. The Last Love Song with Anna Domino
5. Never Take Fire by Ghost & Writer
6. The Reassuring Undertone with Dark Poem
7. L’amour c’est la mort with Jacques Duvall
8. Funky Town
9. Intervention from Matt Johnson (The The)
10. The Killing Woods
11. The Last Phone Call by The Weathermen
12. Yumemite Aino (I Was Dreaming Of You) with Takeko Akamatsu
13. No Regrets with Froxeanne
14. Into My Arms with Jenna F.
15. Wolves by Mari & The Ghost
16. I Love You, Sandy with Tom Shear
17. Good Night with Sam Devos
18. Dreams Are All Faded Away with Julianne Regan
19. …

Below you can enjoy the album trailer. The release is out on the Belgian OFF label.

Side-Line also covered Jean-Marc Lederman’s ‘Spoken’.

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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