Douglas J. McCarthy - Kill Your Friends

Douglas J. McCarthy - Kill Your Friends
(2012) Pylon

After a year of listening to this album I've finally come to appreciate it. I didn't like it at all when it was released back in November of 2012, but it has been growing on me ever since. I think that the outstanding remixes on the 2013 "Move On" EP made me listen to it with a more "open" mind - or maybe with a new set of ears?
It's not Nitzer Ebb, but it's the great voice of Nitzer Ebb with an utdated new sound. Maybe you'll like it, too?

Ikon - Requiem 3CD

Ikon - Requiem 3CD (2013)
Not On Label

This is a compilation of 3 hard to get Ikon sampler CD's featuring rare tracks from 1994-1998. If you like the old Ikon sound, before Chris McCarter began singing, this is definately worth checking out. I like all Ikon eras, but maybe I favour the "This Quiet Earth" sound. I can't wait for the 2013 re-issue to reach me. It should be in my mail box any day now!
The first CD of this compilation "Other Side Of The Angel" was released as a bonus CD on the vinyl reissue of "In The Shadow Of The Angel" in 2011.
The second CD "Requiem" was released as a bonus CD on the vinyl reissue of "Flowers For The Gathering" in 2012. And the third CD, Crimes Of Passion - "Rites Of Burial Complete" was previously only available on the limited edition "This Quiet Earth" 2CD (released exclusivly for the European Tour Sept-Oct 2009).

Aaimon - Aaimon

Aaimon - Aaimon (2013)
Artoffact

Yes! The album of the year is here! I haven't gotten my limited 2CD yet, but the nice people at Storming The Base provided me with a Bandcamp download code for the album. I don't really know what to write about this album. All has already been written, by other bloggers and in reviews all over the net. If you're not yet familiar with Aaimon's sound, you need to check them out! This is so much better than ordinary witchhouse! Aaimon has progressed tremendously since their earlier releases.

Schwefelgelb ‎– Dunkel Vor Den Augen Uns DDEP

Schwefelgelb ‎– Dunkel Vor Den Augen Uns
DDEP (2013) Enfant Terrible

The awesome rhythms and the cool, strange and funny noises makes this EP a favourite of mine! Sure, the vocals are kind of weak, but that doesn't make this release less enjoyable. Listening to it on max volume, while driving on the highway, makes you never want to reach your destination. Essential!

Dead When I Found Her - Fingerprints Vol.1

Dead When I Found Her - Fingerprints Vol.1
(2013) Artoffact

This is the first cassette release I bought since the 80's. I'm not particularly happy with it. Don't get me wrong. I like the songs. And I love the fact that I got all the songs as freely downloadable wav files. But why release a cassette?
Maybe I got it wrong? I bought this just to get the wav files. Perhaps the files are available as a separate purchase? Anyway, all these songs are cover versions that DWIFH has recorded through-out the years. Some of them were available to download on Soundcloud and some of them were available on the bonus disc of the 2012 album "Rag Doll Blues".

Patenbrigade: Wolff ‎– Freunde Der Technik EP

Patenbrigade: Wolff ‎– Freunde Der Technik EP
(2013) Zweieck

The latest Patenbrigade: Wolff is a real gem. Sometimes reminiscent of Kraftwerk on steroids, but full with surprises and cool sounds. I really like how they have evovled on their latest releases. The psysical CD haven't arrived yet, but I got a Bandcamp download code which included a 20 minute promo/trailer of the songs, as well as the complete EP. The trailer is really neat. Well worth checking out. But nothing beats hearing the individual tracks!

System Syn - No Sky To Fall

System Syn - No Sky To Fall
(2013) Metropolis

Another System Syn album enters the "worst album cover ever" awards. I do think that the european version of "Strangers" is slightly more unpleasing to my eyes...
Just like last weeks Solar Fake album and System Syn's 2011 album "All Seasons Pass", this is an album that's supposed to be enjoyed from start to finish, without stand-out hit songs. Buy the album, but consider taking a nice picture of your girl/boy friend or maybe a nice sunset to replace the hideous artwork with! I'm just kidding, of course. Clint makes the artwork himself, and I really like that he's such a complete artist. Maybe I would like to have some different themes on his art - but this what he chooses to do. Respect!

Solar Fake - Reasons To Kill

Solar Fake - Reasons To Kill (2013)
Synthetic Symphony

Third album from the solo project of Sven Friedrich (from Dreadful Shadows, Zeraphine). This is a better album all-together, than the previous albums; "Broken Grid" (2008) and "Frontiers" (2011). But it lacks of stand out tracks. Immediate hit songs like "The Shield" or "No Apologies" are nowhere to be found. But that doesn't matter. I really like to listen to this album from start to finish. Well done, Sven!

Bruderschaft - Return 2CD

Bruderschaft - Return 2CD
(2013) Alfa Matrix

After ten years of waiting, the first full length release of this massive futurepop all-star charity project is finally released.
Some tracks on this album has been released beforehand. I have enjoyed both "Trigger (Edge Of Dawn Remix)", "Return (Imperative Reaction Remix)" and a single version of "Falling" for a long time. There's also a new version of "Forever", called "Forever 2013", with Tom Shear on vocals, featured here. That leaves just four new songs (as the track "Goodbye" is present in two versions. One Ien Oblique Vocal version and one Colony 5 Vocal version) on disc one. Three if you don't count the The Human League cover "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of". Disc two has 12 remixes of varied quality. If you're just a tiny little bit interested in futurepop, this is the release to get - and to win you over!

Blume - Autumn Rains

Blume - Autumn Rains DD
(2013) WTII

Just like last weeks album, I got the flac version. But this tim mostly because I was lazy. The CD is still available, and maybe I'll buy it, as well... This download is awailable on Bandcamp, together with their stunning "Western Rust" EP. The album is just as good as "Rise From Grey", and I still now just as little about this band. Check it out! Support Bancamp and the band!

Blume - Rise From Grey

Blume - Rise From Grey DD
(2010) A Different Drum

I don't know anything about this great band, except that they're (supposedly) from Italy and that they have released two full lenght albums and an EP. "Rise From Grey" is their first album and it was already sold out when I found out about them. Thanks a lot to the great mail order service CD Baby for having this available as a Flac download. The music is kinda synth-popish, with a bit of futurepop hear and there. Support CD Baby, and the band, buy it now!

VNV Nation - Transnational

VNV Nation - Transnational (2013)
Anachron Sounds

I've hit a futurepop streak! Last week there was a new Covenant album, the week before that a new Cryo EP (well, that one wasn't maybe futurepop? - but the KLF samples were!), the new Pride And Fall album a week further back and now the masters are back.
I really like this new VNV Nation album. Sure, there's far too many instrumentals (3!) and not as much of the hard, angry'ish club stompers I love them for. But sometimes a happy, uplifting album filled with VNV Nation's familiar anthemic post-"Empires" sound is all my ears need! Instant buy!

Covenant - Leaving Babylon

Covenant - Leaving Babylon 2CD
(2013) Dependent

Covenant are back on Dependent Records again. Sadly, Daniel Myer aren't. He left the band before this album was released, but some of his compositions are featured. This album is much better than "Modern Ruin" (2011). Heck, I even like some of the slower songs! But please don't waste your money on the limited 2CD edition. The bonus CD is one 74 minute "song" filled with background noise and the reading of some poem - in Swedish!

Ruined Conflict - Justified DDEP

Ruined Conflict - Justified DDEP
(2013) Not On Label

I can't understand how they manage to release a 14 track album plus two EP's, 7 and 9 tracks respectively, in just 6 months. This is a hard working band, and maybe it's really clever of them to release a bunch of stuff now - just days before the next VNV Nation album will hit the stores? Anyhow, this is a great EP with some new songs and a remixed song of the, soon to be released, second album. More releases? Hell yeah! Why stop now?

Cryo - In Your Eyes EP

Cryo - In Your Eyes EP (2013)
Progress

I got this new Cryo EP in the mail today. It's a great little teaser for the, soon to be released, "Retropia" album. If this is the new direction Cryo is heading I can't wait for "Retropia" to be released!
The sound is more in the vein of Martin's pre-Cryo project SoundSequence. This is really promising because the two SoundSequence compilations "Climbing The Mountain (1997-2007" and "Top Of The Mountain: 1997 - 2012" are huge favourites of mine. Also thumbs up to Progress Productions for delivering a never ending stream of quality releases.

Pride And Fall - Of Lust And Desire

Pride And Fall - Of Lust And Desire
(2013) Dependent

Finally a new Pride And fall album! It's been six years since the fabolous "In My Time Of Dying". Was it worth the wait? I really don't know. This new album sounds like Pride And Fall, but it lacks in both the songs and arrangements. Some songs, like the fantastic "Reborn", are really well executed, with great sounds and twists, and then there's songs that seems to be no more than demos. So, all in all, this record is a bit of a disappointment to me. But it has it's moments. And some fantastic songs.

Henric De La Cour - Mandrills

Henric De La Cour - Mandrills 2CD
(2013) Progress

I was a bit disappointed by Henric's debute album, "Henric De La Cour", back in the autumn of 2011. That album has now become a big favourite of mine. I like it so much, that this new album is the current disappointment. But have no fear - I'm sure this album is going to grow just as much on me as the last one. I'm pretty sure the 2CD version is sold out by now. The regular CD version is still available. Get it now!

Westbam - Götterstrasse 2CD

Westbam - Götterstrasse 2CD
(2013) Vertigo

I'm not particulary into techno, but there are some exeptions, like Juno Reactor. But they're maybe more of a trance/world music/goa band, aren't they? This Westbam album isn't a techno record either. I was told that Westbam's supposed to be a techno project. That's not true with this record. The first disc, the actual "Götterstrasse" album, is a minimalistic synthpop record with lots of guest vocalists. It's a great synthpop album. But it's the deluxe version's second disc, with the instrumental dub mixes, that makes this album a winner for me!

Ikon ‎– The Echoes Of Silence (Re-issue)

Ikon ‎– The Echoes Of Silence
(Re-issue) 2013 2CD/Box
Nile

This is a chance to get one of Ikon's earliest (1994) releases in an upgraded and expanded (of course it's remastered!) edition. Sadly, the ultra limited box is already sold out. You had to place a pre-order to get one of these. The USB-stick in the box holds 10 additional tracks, a promo video and som information pdf's.
The excellent sound quality of this release makes it an essential purchase. The bonus tracks are mostly hit and miss. You don't have to feel unlucky for not being able to get hold of the box. But hurry, the 2CD edition is also limited.

Unitary - Safe From Harm

Unitary - Safe From Harm (2011)
Infacted

This project started out as Cyanide, back in the early 2000's. I don't know what happened with that band, maybe Johan simply didn't like the name? Cyanide put out an EP in 2002, "Desolate Ways". In 2003 it was Unitary's turn to release something, the "Second To None" album. And then it was quiet for a long time...
Now Johan is back again, "Safe From Harm" is by far the best of his releases. If you like melancholy Swedish/Scandinavian futrepop/EBM, then this is for you!

Blank - Impact Zone

Blank - Impact Zone (2008)
Artoffact

I bought a couple of Blank CD's a while back, but I never had the time to listen to them. As a matter of fact, I tried listening to them, but I disliked the vocals. Now I'm prepared to give them a new chance. I'm still not too fond of the vocals, they sounds like some sort of whisper, but the music is really good! The more I listen the more I like it. Give it a try, maybe you'll like it?

.com/kill - .com/kill

.com/kill - .com/kill (2013)
Accession

9 Diary Of Dreams songs without melody. Yeah, that's a kind of a harsh description to this album/project. And the funny thing is, I think Adrian Hates is trying to get a harsh album out - to reach new markets, maybe? But the valium overdose of being almost 20 years in Diary Of Dreams doesn't allow him to make this album any angrier, just less melodious. Don't get me wrong. I like Diary Of Dreams, even though I think they are in desperate need of some new ideas. And I like this album, too. It's not the best CD on the market, but it is fairly enjoyable.

Syrian - Death Of A Sun

Syrian - Death Of A Sun (2013)
Infacted / A Different Drum

The best version of this album is the US version, released by A Different Drum, in just 300 copies - and probably sold out by now.
The European version is also OK, I guess. But I don't like the bonus remixes as much as those on the US version.
If you're not familiar with Syrian, they sound like a mix of Italo/Synthpop/Futurepop. Check them out!

Queens Of The Stone Age ‎– ...Like Clockwork

Queens Of The Stone Age ‎– ...Like Clockwork
(2013) Matador

A new, laidback, CD from Queens Of The Stone Age. And it's a grower! No immediate hit songs, but a great record to listen to. I like both Josh Homme's unique kind of riffing and strange song structures.

Mental Discipline - Fall 2 Pieces EP

Mental Discipline - Fall 2 Pieces
DDEP (2013) skyQode

My favourite Russian future pop band Mental Discipline surprises me a bit with this new remix EP. "Fall To Pieces" was easily the best song on their 2012 debute album "Constellation", much thanks to the excellent vocals delievered by Felix Marc. On this EP though, the song is sung by Alex Mental himself. And I enjoy this version too! The EP also features one new track (with female vocals this time. Finally!) and some great remixes by Assemblage 23 and SITD, among others.

Nitzer Ebb - Basic Pain Procedure

Nitzer Ebb - Basic Pain Procedure
1983/2013 Pylon

The legendary 1983 Nitzer Ebb "Basic Pain Procedure" is finally released on CD, thanks to Pylon Records. The soundquality isn't that great - but it's certainly good enough to get a pleasant listening time! Most of the songs didn't make it onto Nitzer Ebb's regular albums or singles. So if you want to hear some really primitive proto-body, this is a good choice.

The Rope - The Rope EP

The Rope - The Rope EP (2011)
Late Century

Yes! More good goth. And somewhat fresh, too. Six tracks of America's finest post punk/goth (actually five tracks and a live number). I don't know why I haven't heared about this band earlier. It's been two years since they released this excellent EP, two truly lost years...

Juno Reactor ‎– The Golden Sun Of The Great East

Juno Reactor ‎– The Golden Sun Of The Great East
(2013) Metropolis

This is maybe the first album ever that I recommend against buying the CD - get the download instead! The reason for this is that the tracks on the CD are mixed together, forming one long song. I hate that! If you buy the download you get stand alone tracks.
"The Golden Sun Of The Great East" is the Juno Reactor album I've been listening to most, lately. Not because I think it's their best album, but because of this mixing bullshit! There's three good, stand out, tracks. But they sound awful outside of the mix, missing a proper beginning and end. Fortunately I recently bought the download album as well, so now I can enjoy the songs however I want.

Black Sabbath - 13 2CD

Black Sabbath - 13 2CD (2013)
Vertigo

I didn't think much of this reunion album. Sure, Black Sabbath was always best with Ozzy on vocals. But it's not the 70ies now. Old men shouldn't try to rock!
Much to my surprise I've found that I like it nevertheless.
I don't think it's a good idea to buy the limited 2CD edition of this album. The first six songs on the original album are good, the rest of the songs are just fillers.

Subterfuge - Reflect << Rewind

Subterfuge - Reflect << Rewind
(2013) Strobelight

Subterfuge was never my favourite Australian goth band. I even Bought their first and only proper release "Darkland Awakening" EP when it was released, back in 1994. But I sold it... That proved to be an expansive mistake, because in 1998 I found the exclusive track "Curses" on an Australian compilation box - and fell in love with it. Then the hunt for the, then deleted, "Darkland Awakening" EP started. Eventually I found it again and it has been a dear friend ever since!
Now Strobelight Records releases this compilation of hard to find and previously unreleased songs together with a couple of tracks from the EP. And yes, "Curses" are featured on this CD!

Polaroid Kiss - The New Coliseum [Expanded]

Polaroid Kiss - The New Coliseum [Expanded] DD
(2013) Zzyzx

I preordered this album on CD yesterday, and because I bought it on Bandcamp I also got it as a Flac download (plus three bonus tracks, I think).
I've been waiting since this time last year for Polaroid Kiss' debute album, and I'm sad to say that I have to wait a bit longer. This album is a kind of EP and odd tracks compilation. But it works great as a teaser for the real album.

The National - Trouble Will Find Me

The National - Trouble Will Find Me
(2013) 4AD

The new The National album is on par with 2010's "High Violet", it's really good. But just like that album, The National isn't even close to the greatness of the 2007 album "Boxer". No worries, though, you only get to release an album like that once in a career.
If you like The National you're sure to like this album as well!

She Past Away ‎– Belirdi Gece

She Past Away ‎– Belirdi Gece
2013 Dead Scarlet

Listenable goth released in 2013? From Turkey? No, it's not a joke. And, in fact, it's not just listenable - it's a great album! The only bad thing on this album is the vocals. But they're not really that bad, just very cliche. Dark mumblings that makes the lyrics impossible to figure out (maybe the fact that they sing in Turkish has something to do with it, too?). Act fast if you're interested - the CD was released last week and it's limited to 500 copies.

Thyx - Below The City

Thyx - Below The City
(2013) Thyx Records

More of the same. I'm beginning to grow a bit tired of all mind.in.a.box/Thyx releases of late. Sure, there's some good songs on them. This album is even better than the last Thyx album! But I'm sure Stefan Poiss could do so much better. Maybe he needs a break and then a real producer? Nothing to see here - move along!

Kite - V EP

Kite - V EP (2013)
Progress

The fifth EP in six years. Kite doesn't release an awful lot of songs, but their releases is always excellent. I really like the EP format, and I wish other bands had the curage to just release real good EP's instead of 78 minute CD's with two or three good songs on them!

Ruined Conflict - Treason DDEP

Ruined Conflict - Treason DDEP
(2013) Not On Label

Almost as good as last weeks post, the A.R.M.O.R. album. This EP holds one the album's better tracks in four versions, two good remixes and two not as good. The EP also features three new, exclusive, tracks. Get it for $4.00 on the bands Bandcamp site.

Ruined Conflict - A.R.M.O.R.

Ruined Conflict - A.R.M.O.R. DD
(2013) Not On Label

Yet another Bandcamp find. If you can't stand the wait for the next VNV Nation album, make sure to give this band a listen! This album is packed with great future pop songs. There's nothing new to be heared here, except maybe for some stompy Rotersand beats merged with the usual VNV Nation moods. I really like this album. Although, at first I found it bland - much because of the uninspired drumming. But the songs have grown on me (sadly the drums have not). Support this band!

Seven Trees - Expanding The Unknown

Seven Trees - Embracing The Unknown
(1997) Energy / Expanding The Unknown
(Re-issue 2013) Infacted

"Expanding The Unknown" is a remastered and expanded (obviously!) re-issue of Seven Trees only album, the classic "Embracing The Unknown". The new remastered sound is incredible! I loved the original album, but this version is so much better. Too bad I don't think the bonus tracks (old demos, mostly) are anywhere near the album's quality. Luckily I don't have to listen to them, the remastered album songs are making the album worth

purchasing even if you already own the original CD.
I've always thought that Seven Trees sounds like Diary Of Dreams'
evil twin brother, and I don't think it's impossible that they enjoyed Adrian's 1996 album "End Of Flowers" as much as I did.
Get this album before it's gone. Infacted's Classic Collection releases are all limited to 1000 copies.

Torul - Tonight We Dream Fiercly

Torul - Tonight We Dream Fiercly
(2013) Infacted

Torul is back. This album is a bit more mellow than their 2011 Infacted debute "In Whole". Of course that wasn't their real debute album. Torul has been releasing music since 1999, but it was the debute on a record label I'm familiar with. I also own the 2010 album "Dark Matters", but I'm sure that there's more records available by Borut Torul Bernik. For example, check out the great 2003 CDM "Waterproof Theme" released under the Torul W moniker.

Ghost & Writer - Red Flags

Ghost & Writer - Red Flags
(2013) Dependent

Yet another new album featuring Frank M. Spinath on vocals. He's everywhere nowadays. Always relevant with Seabound, Edge Of Dawn and his new all-star band Radioaktivists. This album is a real gem, especially if you buy the CD. The album features 8 original tracks plus 8 remixes. Included in the CD booklet is a download code for "The Black Album", featuring 8 additional remixes. Great value for money!

Mesh - Automation Baby

Mesh - Automation Baby 2CD
(2013) Dependent

It's time for Mesh to release the follow up to their stunning 2009 album "A Perfect Solution" and it's remixed twin, "An Alternative Solution", released in 2011. The new album isn't as good as "A Perfect Solution". But it's ok, with some outstanding tracks - like the first single "Born To Lie" and the album opener "Just Leave Us Alone". I bought the limited 2CD version, but there's no need for that. The bonus disc is not worth the extra money. Maybe I would've liked the album better if I hadn't bought the limited editon?

Diary Of Dreams - Psychoma?

Diary Of Dreams - Psychoma?
(1998) Accession

Last weeks record, VNV Nation "Praise The Fallen", was a jump 15 years back in time. And it was so pleasant that I decided to check out another album released the same year. This is how I want Diary Of Dreams to sound. Layer upon layer of sounds and percussion, and that dreamy, emotional voice of mastermind Adrian Hates. I don't have much more to add. If you like Diary Of Dreams you should already own this, if don't - check it out!

VNV Nation - Praise The Fallen

VNV Nation - Praise The Fallen
(1998) Off Beat

Now it's time for a real classic. VNV Nation's second album. I've been enjoying this album ever since it was released, but somehow I forgot to write about it. If you're only familiar with VNV's later albums this is much harder and more industrial sounding. Although, the monumental melodies and choruses are already present here. There's also a great deal of instrumental tracks on this album. If you don't own it - buy it now!

Alan Vega - Collision Drive

Alan Vega - Collision Drive
(1981) Celluloid

Now we head back all the way to 1981 and Alan Vega's (former Suicide singer) second solo album. First, let's get this straight - this album doesn't sound anything at all like Suicide. It's rockabilly with a bit of dub effects and Alan's own kind of singing. I like it a lot. It's easy to see were Sigue Sigue Sputnik got their sound and much of their ideas from. An essential piece of music history!

Ien Oblique - Drowning World

Ien Oblique - Drowning World
(2012) Infacted

Infacted records brings us another totally unknown masterpiece in the synth pop/future pop vein. First they brought us Torul and now this. Ien Oblique's debute album is more rhythmic than you might expect from a synth pop record. Definately one to look out for!

Diorama ‎– Even The Devil Doesn't Care

Diorama ‎– Even The Devil Doesn't Care
(2013) Accession

Diorama's eighth album, and boy, this one shows progression!
As of late, I've been a bit tired of Diorama's calm mid-tempo songs. They always make great songs, but I've been wanting something more. And here it is. This album has the best use of guitars in electronic music I've ever heared. Usually I don't want guitars in my electronic music. But when executed as well as on these song I can only bow my head in awe! Great album, and I really mean album. I don't think there's any succesful singles to be found here.

Sigue Sigue Sputnik Electronic - Flaunt It

Sigue Sigue Sputnik Electronic - Flaunt It
(2011) Not On Label

This is, of course, an electronic re-recording of  Sigue Sigue Sputnik's legendary "Flaunt It" album, made by the original singer Martin Degville. There may have been other musicians involved, for instance I don't really know what "re-recorded by Lloyd Price" means? But never mind, it's a great update of the original master piece. Sputnik for the 2010's!

Trust - TRST

Trust - TRST (2012)
Arts & Crafts

It takes a brave man to actually purchase a record this ugly in a record store. Fortunately for Trust, most record sales nowadays, at least for me, is made on-line. But don't judge the record by the cover. This is excellent dark synth-pop. Dark and not especially melodic or poppy, more in the way that Continues makes synth-pop. Maybe not for everyone, but I really like this album. And in case you don't like it right away - give it some time to grow on you. It certainly did on me!