Frozen Plasma - Tour Monument EP

Frozen Plasma -
Tour Monument EP
(2009) Infacted

I'm continuing the Infacted Records feature with one of my all time favourite futurepop bands. This is a very limited EP that were exclusivly sold at the Frozen Plasma / Rotersand / VNV Nation Tour 2009. If I remember it correctly, Frozen Plasma quit the tour afrter just a few shows. I don't really know why... Luckily I was able to get hold of a copy through the excellent Storming The Base web shop.
The EP contains six live tracks and two awesome remixes, "Murderous Trap (Emblaze My Desire)" and " The End - Deliverance (Moriturus)". Frozen Plasma's remixes are always an improvement on their album tracks. Therefore I urge you to collect as many as you can get!

Felix Marc – Parallel Worlds

Felix Marc – Parallel Worlds
(2011) Infacted

First of all, sorry I'm a bit late with this update. I didn't have the time to write this before christmas, so it's actually one day late. Anyway, this means it'll be two updates this week. Yay!
In my last update I recognised that I hadn't wrote about Infacted Records releases in this blog. So I have now decided to have a bit of an ongoing Infacted feature for some weeks.
Felix Marc is, as you might know, the singer of Frozen Plasma. He's also a member of my all time favourites Diorama. "Parallel Worlds" is his second solo album. It's a really good synthpop record with some futurepop themes here and there. I really like the single "The Muse" and the instant futurepop classic "The Garden Of Light".

Torul - In Whole

Torul - In Whole (2011)
Infacted

Finally, the first full lenght CD by Torul, released by their new label Infacted Records. It's funny, or maybe not funny, strange then - one of the record labels I buy most releases from these days is, in fact, Infacted Records:/ But I couldn't find a label tag in Blogger's settings for them. This means I haven't wrote about a single one of their releases since I began with this blog in September 2009.
Anyway, this was supposed to be about Torul, wasn't it? I really liked the two EP's released prior to this album, "Try" and "Partially Untamed". Some of the songs of these EP's are featured here. This is synthpop at it's best! One of the top releases of 2011!

Aesthetic Perfection - All Beauty Destroyed

Aesthetic Perfection -
All Beauty Destroyed 2CD
(2011) Metropolis

And the list of great EBM/electronic albums this autumn just continues.
This is the third Aesthetic Perfection CD, and definately their best work to date. I just wish that Daniel Graves would continue releasing albums under the Necessary Response moniker. This album has some Necessary Response elements, though. I really like that!

Acretongue - Strange Cargo

Acretongue - Strange Cargo
(2011) Dependent

This has been an exciting autumn for all the lovers of quality electronic music. Just these last few weeks I've been praising Haujobb, Encephalon and System Syn. And now it's time for South Africa's Acretongue first proper album. The self released debute album is still freely available at the bands Bandcamp site. Be sure to check it out!

Haujobb - New World Order

Haujobb - New World Order 2CD
(2011) Tympanik

I've never been a big fan of Haujobb's twisted electronics, but this album's really got me hooked! I haven't had the time to listen to the bonus CD yet, but it has all the songs of the main disc in remixed versions. If you're tired of 4 on the floor club hits, this album is the way to go. I can't praise the production enough!

Encephalon - The Transhuman Condition

Encephalon - The Transhuman Condition
(2011) Dependent

Finally, the first full lenght album from Canada's Encephalon. I really liked their 2009 self released EP "Drowner" and I dig this album even more! I think it's great that Dependent records are releasing some newcomers, and not only going for the safe releases. This album contains almost all elements of the current electronic scene. Trancy elements, distorted vocals, clean vocals, filter sweeps, ebm, futurepop, synthpop, vocoders - you name it! A great and varied release.

System Syn - All Seasons Pass

System Syn - All Seasons Pass
(2011) Metropolis

This is surely Clint Carney's year. He's involved in three great industial albums released almost simultaneously this autumn. First the Imparative Reaction "Imerative Reaction" CD and God Module's "Seance" CD and then this, his solo project System Syn's sixth album. I believe the three bands also are touring together. Wow! I think this is a really strong album, maybe System Syn's best, but I can't find any stand out tracks. I think that's intentional, though, as it's supposed to be a concept album of sorts.

Plastique Noir - Affects

Plastique Noir - Affects (2011)
Wave Records

These Brazilian post punk/goth rockers really made my autumn. They have a couple of mp3 compilatins/Ep's available, and if you search the internet real good you may also find this CD and the 2008 CD "Dead Pop". Get both CD's before they are gone for good.

16 Horsepower - Yours, Truly

16 Horsepower - Yours, Truly 2CD
(2011) Glitterhouse

This is an awesome 2CD best of kinda collection. The first CD is called "People's Choice" and consists of twelve of their best songs, selected by the fans. The second CD consists of, and is called, "Rarities". It holds thirteen b-sides, remixes, radio-sessions and so forth. If you haven't heared 16 Horsepower before I urge you to get this collection.

Henric De La Cour - Henric De La Cour

Henric De La Cour -
Henric De La Cour 2CD
(2011) Progress

A bit of a hard one to categorise ,this debute solo album from former Yvonne and Strip Music singer Henric De La Cour. I've read reviews stating it to be goth-pop, rock/electronica and simply low-fi electronics. I don't care much for genres, but I can understand if you don't know what to expect if you're not familiar with Henric's former bands. I was a bit disappointed at first by this album. I had expected better choruses than simply chanting "Show me my machine" over and over. But I think that this may be a "grower". The first 200 copies comes with a limited bonus CD, so get it now!

God Module - Seance

God Module - Seance 2CD (2011)
Out Of Line

This years Halloween party soundtrack is out! The new God Mudule CD is all about ouija boards, rituals and the occult. And with the addition of Clint Carney (System Syn's mastermind) they sound better than ever. The european 2CD edition includes the american "Rituals" EP as a bonus CD. Get it now and you're all set for Halloween!

Fernthal - Universal Lover

Fernthal - Universal Lover 2CD
(2011) Premium

This is a tricky one to write about. But let me first state that I absolutely love this album, but there's no need to buy the limited 2CD edition. The second CD includes a couple of remixes and (old) demos. The Rotersand remix of "Believe In Love" is of course better than the original, but aren't they always?
If you haven't heared about Fernthal before their music is a very nice blend of 80ies pop, electronics and melancholy guitars. The album is very varied, sometimes I think of Depeche Mode and even Modern Talking! But when I listen to my favourite song of the album, "Kings And Queens (A Sailor's Melody)", the neofolk band Ostara comes to mind. This is a grower! Get it now and appreciate it fully by the end of the 2020's!

Deadbolt - Shrunken Head

Deadbolt - Shrunken Head (1993)
Headhunter

If you haven't heared of Deadbolt before, they can be descibed as a dark surf/rockabilly band. There's no fast and happy songs to be found here. It's kind of strange, I usually don't like slow paced music. But Deadbolt are special, and they have a uniqe sound. The "Scariest band in the world" they like to call themselves!

VNV Nation - Automatic

VNV Nation - Automatic (2011)
Anachron Sounds

Now, this is a band that should've disbanded the album format years ago. VNV Nation has always been one of my absolute favourite bands, but since "Empires" back in 1999 thay haven't done a great job with their albums. Sure, there's always about 3-4 songs on the albums that I really love - but why all the fillers? They should release EP's instead! The stand out track for me this time is "Streamline", but I also like "Space & Time", "Resolution" and "Gratitude". Check it out if you like VNV's sound, the album sounds exactly like their two previous albums.

Diary Of Dreams - Bird Without Wings

Diary Of Dreams -
Bird Without Wings
(1997) Accession

This is my all-time favourite Diary Of Dreams album. It doesn't sound like any of their other releases. The songs are long and dreamlike. After this album Adrian began to write shorter and more straight forward songs. Too bad, I would like more albums to sound like this!

Twisted Sister - Under The Blade

Twisted Sister - Under The Blade (1982)
Secret / Demolition / Armoury

Even though 1983's "You Can't Stop Rock'n'Roll" is my favourite Twisted Sister album, this is the one I've been listening the most to. There are a couple of different editions of this release. The one on the album cover is the most recent (Armoury, 2011), and in my opionion, the best. It's a remastered version of the 1982 original mix. It also features the "Ruff Cuts" EP and a live track as bonus, plus a bonus live DVD.
The 2006 Demolition edition features the 1985 re-mix and bears no note on being remastered.
The real gem is the 1985 Secret edition including the1982 original mix. But I think the Armoury edition sounds way better!

Diary Of Dreams - Ego:X

Diary Of Dreams - Ego:X 2CD
(2011) Accession

This album is available in at least four different editions, one regular CD, two different 2CD editions and one 2LP version. But none of this matters a bit for me. Just get any of these editions! Diary Of Dreams have finally made some good music again. I haven't enjoyed any of their albums after 2000's "One Of 18 Angels". But this one is sounding good!

Nitzer Ebb + Die Krupps - Join In The Rhythm Of Machines EP

Nitzer Ebb + Die Krupps -
Join In The Rhythm Of Machines EP
(2011) Major

Limited edition tour EP sold during the "Join In The Rhythm Of Machines" Tour 2011. The EP contains two Nitzer Ebb songs re-arranged by, and with additional vocals from, Die Krupps singer Jürgen Engler and two Die Krupps songs re-arranged by Nitzer Ebb's Bon Harris and with additional vocals by Douglas McCarthy. Well worth bying if you happen to come across it!

The Fields Of The Nephilim - From Gehenna To Here / Laura

The Fields Of The Nephilim -
From Gehenna To Here /
Laura
Jungle / Contedisc
2001 / 1991

Both these CD's feature The Nephilim's first two Ep's, "Burning The Fields" 1985 and "Returning To Gehenna" 1986.
I know that some people don't like these two EP's, but I can't find anything wrong with them (except maybe for the saxophone!). This is just as classic as the "Dawnrazor" album.

Sisters Of Mercy - Floodland

Sisters Of Mercy - Floodland
(1987/2006)
Merciful Release

I don't know why I haven't mentioned this album on my blog. There's always a week for "Floodland". Everybody and their mother already own this album, so I don't need to mention how it sounds. I think the 2006 reissue is worth buying, if not for the improved sound - get it for the fantastic bonus track "Emma"!

VA - Another Gift From Goth

VA - Another Gift From Goth
2CD (2011) Strobelight

I've been writing alot about samplers on this blog the last couple of months. There haven't been as many good album releases as I would like, and sadly I'm a bit bored of my music collection right now. Hopefully this will change soon. But there's nothing wrong with a great compilation album. And this one is surely great!
This is a sort of "who's who" of the '90's gothic rock scene. You can almost find all my favourite bands on this disc. And I'm glad that they haven't featured the most obvious hit songs. This is a fresh take on the often too nostalgic genre samples. It's been a joy rediscovering all these bands and songs. A must buy!

Apoptygma Berzerk - Black EP

Apoptygma Berzerk -
Black EP (2006)
Metropolis

I know that this is not a new EP, but with the "Black EP Vol.2" in the pipeline I had to listen to this once again. It's basically a companion EP to the 2005 album "You And Me Against The World". And I think it's so much better than that album. Almost no guitar, it's basically a cool electronic remix album. I hope the second volume will be just as good!

Necessary Response - Blood Spills Not Far From The Wound

Necessary Response -
Blood Spills Not Far From The Wound
(2007) Out Of Line

I don't know much about this project, but it seems that the man behind it is Aestethic Perfection's main man Daniel Graves. I think this album is way better than anything Aestethic Perfection ever released. It's futurepop, but in a odd way. I think of old Assemblage 23 and sometimes Seabound when I listen to this album. Great stuff!

Juno Reactor - Inside The Reactor

Juno Reactor - Inside The Reactor
(2011) Metropolis

If you want a new Juno Reactor album this is not it. It features no new songs, just a couple of remixes. A sort of remix companion to the 2002 best of compilation "Odyssey 1992-2002". It features new remixes of songs like "Conga Fury", "Pistolero", "Hotaka", "Children Of The Night", "Guardian Angel" as well as a couple of remixed songs from the different Matrix movies soundtracks.

VA - Born Evolve Progress 3

VA - Born Evolve Progress 3
(2011) Progress

Swedish label Progress Productions is back with their third label-sampler.
It features unrealesed or tracks from most of the labels bands. Highlights are a Leaether Strip remix of Kite's "Ways To Dance" and Spark!'s "Popkomplex". New or unreleased tracks from Henric De La Cour, Red Cell and Cryo is also worth mentioning.

Rational Youth - Cold War Night Life

Rational Youth -
Cold War Night Life (1982/1997)
October


This is a really classic synth pop album. Actually it's just as classic as Depeche Mode's debute "Speak And Spell". Maybe not as well known, but just as good! 10, or in my case 11 (as I've got a re-issue), classic synth pop songs!

Patenbrigade: Wolff - Der Schallplattenunterhalter EP

Patenbrigade: Wolff -
Der Schallplattenunterhalter EP
(2011) Zweieck

Patenbrigade: Wolff is back with yet another great EP. I have listened a lot to Patenbrigade the last year, and I think the EP format is very fitting for this band. I'm not to keen on their full lenght CD's, with the exception, of course, for the "Demokratischer Sektor" compilation. If you haven't heared this band, start with that compilation CD or the "Feind Hört Mit!" or "Stalinallee" EP's. And of course this one "Der Schallplattenunterhalter" EP!

She Wants Revenge - Valleyheart

She Wants Revenge - Valleyheart
(2011) Five Seven Music

I really liked the first She Wants Revenge, "She Wants Revenge", album, it was one of the better albums released in 2006. The follow up, 2007's "This Is Forever" wasn't nearly as good. Nor is this, but it's way better than "This Is Forever". They've moved on from the sound they had on the debute, and I'm guessing they took their time writing good songs for this album. Check it out, but if you're new to She Wants Revenge - get the debute album first!

VA - Das Bunker: Choice Of A New Generation

VA - Das Bunker: Choice Of A New Generation
(2011) Das Bunker

If I've understand this right Das Bunker's an Industrial/EBM club in Los Angeles. This is the fifth compilation CD they've released. This CD is a bit special because it contains exclusive industrial/EBM/futurepop covers of songs popular in the eighties. It features bands like Modcon Feat. Leaether Strip, Combichrist, God Module, Straftanz, System Syn, Northborne and my favourite "Don't Change" by Assemblage 23.

Jerusalem Syndrome - The Book Of Days (Re-issue)

Jerusalem Syndrome -
The Book Of Days (Re-issue)
2CD (2011)
Nile

Jerusalem Syndrome was a on-off collaboration between Ikon's mastermind Chris McCarter and Subterfuge/Razorfade singer Clifford Ennis. They released one album "The Book Of Days" and some compilation tracks back in 1997.
I have only one problem with this remastered re-issue. It contains the previously unreleased first mix of the album. The 1997 Apollyon release have a far superior mix. Otherwise it's perfect. The CD contains the rare "Without Shadows" in two versions as well as a lot of unreleased demos and alternative mixes. Now, I'm only hoping for a re-release of Clifford's old band Subterfuge's EP "Darkland Awakening", packed with lot's of extras!
This is one of my all time favourite albums. Get it now! And try to get hold of the Apollyon version as well.

Mesh - An Alternative Solution 2CD

Mesh - An Alternative Solution 2CD
Dependent

This is not a new Mesh album, it's an album of remixes and some rare tracks from 2010's "A Perfect Solution". Some of these remixes are really good. Zeromancer's "If We Stay Here" remix and Iris Feat. Julia Beyer's "Is It So Hard?" are the stand out tracks for me. Parralox's "Hopes, Dreams" remix are really cool and interesting. Get this album if you liked "A Perfect Solution" and want more. 

Icon Of Coil - Serenity Is The Devil

Icon Of Coil -
Serenity Is The Devil (2000)
Tatra

I can't figure out how I missed to mention this album. It's one of my all time favourite albums, and I think it got me even deeper into the futurepop scene!
I still love this record immensely, especially the drums. A true masterpiece!

Beth Ditto - EP

Beth Ditto - EP (2011)
Sony

Ah, I love a good EP! This isn't a big step away from Gossip's sound for Beth. I wonder why she decided to try solo? Ok, it's a bit more electronic sounding and maybe not so punk-ish. Check out both Beth and Gossip if you're not familiar with any of them!

IAMX - Volatile Times

IAMX - Volatile Times (2011)
BMG


I'm sad to say that this is IAMX's least good album. I adored "The Alternative" and "Kiss And Swallow". I didn't like "Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction" as much, but this is much worse. Uninspired. But it's still IAMX and it's better than most electronic pop albums released nowadays.

VA - Kinetik Festival Volume Four

VA - Storming The Base Presents:
Kinetic Festival Volume Four 2CD
(2011) Artoffact

This is the official album for the Kinetik Festival, held in Montreal, Canada between May 19-23, 2011. I soo wish that I could afford going there! The CD is filled with tracks from industrial bands like Aesthetic Perfection, Front Line Assembly, VNV Nation, Assemblage 23, Mind.In.A.Box, Covenant. But that's not all. It also includes the third Bruderschaft song ever to be released, "Trigger (Edge Of Dawn Mix)"! And, by the way, Storming The Base is one of the best online shops for industrial music there is. Check them out!

KYPCK - Nizhe

KYPCK - Nizhe (2011) 

Yellow House Recordings

KYPCK are back! And yet again they deliever the perfect soundtrack to a post nuclear holocaust movie. I'm going to enjoy this Russian-singing doom metal album together with Dmitrij Gluchovskij's praised post holocaust novel "Metro 2033". I hope they will be a perfect match!

Mental Discipline - Fallen Stars DDEP

Mental Discipline - Fallen Stars
DDEP (2011) Synthematik

My first digital download! Of course it's not, but it's the first download only album I've payed for. No, that's not true either. I've bought a download only Pride And Fall EP back in 2005. But this is a different story. I've never even heared of this band before I saw a short article about them in the excellent Blackvector Magazine. Apparently this one man band had gathered two singers to write lyrics and melody for the instrumental version of  "Fallen Stars", and released both versions! As I'm a big fan of one of the singers, Felix Marc (Frozen Plasma, Diorama), I bought this EP as soon as it was released. The other singer is Peter Rainman (People Theatre). The EP is available in a free download version, without some of the remixes, from Synthematik. I bought the Flac version for only $3.99 from Bandcamp's Synthematik shop.

VA - Dependent Club Anthems

VA - Dependent Club Anthems
(2011) Dependent

This is a great introduction to the electro/industrial world of Dependent records - or to the scene in general. I like 13 of the 15 featured songs, but sadly I didn't find any new favourites - which is the main reason for me to buy compilation albums. But it's a hell of an album! Get it immediately (it's available on midprice, so there's really no reason for not buying it).

Mirrors - Lights And Offerings

Mirrors - Lights And Offerings
(2011) Skint Records

This is a both retro and modern sounding electronic album with lots of analogue synthezisers. The album cover suggests it's going to sound like Kraftwerk, but I don't really think they do. Sure, you can hear the influences but I think the songs sounds more like an electronic version of post rock.

Ikon - Lifeless EP

Ikon - Lifeless EP (1999)
Apollyon


I love EP's! And this is Ikon's best EP, although they've made quite a few.
All exclusive tracks from Ikon's post "This Quiet Earth"-era. Don't forget to check out the "Reality Is Lost 1999" EP as well. This is probably my favourite part of Ikon's discography!

Ikon - In The Shadow Of The Angel

Ikon - In The Shadow Of The Angel
(1994) Apollyon

Ikon's debut album "In The Shadow Of The Angel" is one of my all time favourite goth albums. The list of awesome songs never seems to end; "Condemnation", "Lord Of Darkness", "Secrets Within", "Fall Apart", "Hallowed Ground", "Black Roses" and "Love Is Colder Than Death" are all classics in my book! This album is soon going to be re-released as a remaster with a bonus disc. I can't wait!

White Lies - Ritual

White Lies - Ritual (2011)
Fiction

Maybe I should listen a bit more to this CD before deciding I like it a lot?
There's always a chance I will lose interest in a record. And I think, maybe, that there's a strong chance I will stop to like this CD soon. But for now it's perfect. Nice post-rock, alternative rock or whatever you will call it. Much better than their previous album!

VA - Dependence 2011

VA - Dependence 2011 (2011)
Dependent

A taste of this years artist roster of Dependent records. The only thing this record's missing is some Mind.In.A.Box updates. Otherwise it has it all; A great new song from Encephalon, a new Stromkern song, some cool remixes and the excellent Urcerous Exit remix of Edge Of Dawn's "All The Time" previously only available as download. If I'm correct this record should be sold as mid-price, so there's really no excuse not picking this up!

Underworld - Dubnobasswithmyheadman

Underworld - Dubnobasswithmyheadman
(1993) V2

Apparently this is Underworlds third album. I always though this was their debute. It doesn't really matter because this the two earlier albums are supposed to be some sort of synthpop, and I'm not too fond of that genre. I have some more Underworld albums like "Second Toughest In The Infants",
"Beaucoup Fish" and "Oblivion With Bells" but this is their masterpiece!

Ghost & Writer - Shipwrecks

Ghost And Writer - Shipwrecks (2011)
Dependent

This is Frank M. Spinath's (Seabound, Edge Of Dawn) third active band. I don't know how he finds time for all those projects. The songs "Hitman" and "From Hell" have been around some time now. They we're first released on the "Fourplay" compilation back in 2006. And the song "Capsized" was released on last years Edge Of Dawn album "Anything That Gets You ThroughThe Night". This is a peculiar album containing 8 songs plus 8 remixes. In other words, if you buy this album you'll also get a free remix-album!

Colony 5 - Buried Again

Colony 5 - Buried Again (2008)
Memento Materia

It's time for some synthpop. This is by far the best Colony 5 album. The single "Knives" is the best track, but there are other great songs too. Get this if you're into synthpop/light EBM with good vocals.

Culture Kultür - Spirit

Culture Kultür - Spirit (2010)
Caustic

In the beginning of January this year I wrote that I hadn't bought this record yet, although I thought it was great. And I was right. I really like Culture Kultür's take on futurepop. I think this album is even better, as an album, than "Reborn". But "Reborn" has the better songs. Get both those records now!