Solar Fake - Another Manic Episode

Solar Fake - Another Manic Episode 3CD Box
(2015) Out Of Line

Yey, the fourth Solar Fake album is already here! It's released in a lot of different versions, including vinyl (I still don't understand why anyone would like new music, recorded with the latest equipment, on an old crappy vinyl record? But everyone seems to be ok with lossy mp3's as well...) and this overpriced box. I'd say the 2CD version is the album to go for. Then you'll get the album plus the two cover songs as well as a collection of really good remixes. The seven piano versions included on the third disc are just so-so. Great album, too many versions to choose from!

Ashbury Heights - Take Cair Paramour

Ashbury Heights - Take Cair Paramour 2CD
(2010) Out Of Line

Listening to, and writing about, Ashbury Heights latest album "The Looking Glass Society" two weeks ago made me re-explore their second CD "Take Cair Paramour". And what an album it is. I don't care that much for the remixes and demos on the bonus CD, the main album is where the magic's at. I guess this is some kind of synth pop, maybe with some gothic influences? I like it a lot!

Ashbury Heights - The Looking Glass Society

Ashbury Heights - The Looking Glass Society
(2015) Out Of Line

I had completely forgotten about this band. I remember liking their first album, the 2007 "Three Cheers For The Newlydeads", but then my mind goes blank. It seems the band is quite popular despite all the drama regarding both the record label and different female vocalists. I wasn't really optimistic about this album when I bought it, but I'm glad I did. Thumbs up! 

Angels & Agony - Monument

Angels & Agony - Monument
(2015) Out Of Line

After a lengthy 8 year hiatus Angels & Agony are finally back with a new album. Not much has changed, but maybe the quality of the songs have improved a bit? I get the feeling that there's more good songs, and less fillers on this album, than on previous albums. But I don't think this record will make Angels & Agony to be considered one of the top future pop bands. The VNV Nation heritage/curse is still going strong on this one. Better than expected, but still not as good as I want it to be.

VA - Electostorm Vol.5

VA - Electostorm Vol.5 (2014)
Out Of Line

Sadly, the years of the great electronic/industrial compilation series seems to be over. I haven't heared anything about a new compilation in the Septic and Dependence series for quite some time. The Advanced Electronics series seems to have ended. One of the few series that's still going is Electrostorm and the massive Electronic Saviors. This fifth Electrostorm CD features all the usual Out Of Line stuff; a great Client song (remixed by Chrom), a new Ashbury Heights song, some Melotron, Combichrist, Hocico, Suicide Commando, Blutengel and Rummelsnuff. All in all, a pretty decent compilation. Especially considering it's low price.

The Parallel Project - Fusion

The Parallel Project - Fusion
(2004) Out Of Line

Parallel Project is, of course, a project. Negative Format main man
Alex Matheu has gathered a couple of singers and together they've recorded a really good future pop album. The best songs are "Explicit" featuring Tom Shear and "Motive" featuring DJ Devi. Both of these songs are also featured on the "Explicit" single, but there's a lot of other great songs on this album that is not to be missed. Check it out!

Chrom - Synthetic Movement

Chrom - Synthetic Movement (2012)
Out Of Line

This is one of my latest discoveries thanks to the awesome Violent Playground forum. Chrom might just be the future of futurepop! Or at least a band to look out for, I think they're going to be huge within the scene real soon. "Synthetic Movement" is their second CD, the first one "Electroscope" is really nice too. Right now I'm trying to locate their self released debute EP "Manufactured". I hope it's worth the effort!

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!

Culture Kultür - Reborn

Culture Kultür - Reborn (2005)
Out Of Line

I haven't bought the new Culture Kultür album "Spirit" yet. Even though I think I will like it. I'm in futurepop mode right now, but I don't know what to listen to. I'm fed up with VNV Nation and Apoptygma Berzerk and stuff like that. I'm even bored of Rotersand and Frozen Plasma. Recently I've been listening a lot to Angels & Agony. The only problem is that they're not as good as the before mentioned bands. The same goes for Culture Kultür - they're simply not as good as I want them to be. But the biggest problem with this album are all the (too) obvious thefts from Apoptygma Berzerk. I can't understan what they were thinking?

Angels & Agony - Avatar

Angels & Agony - Avatar 2CD
(2004) Out Of Line

I recently re-discovered this album. I didn't like it when it was released back in 2004, but now I think it's the best Angels & Agony-album to date! Sure, 17 tracks on the regular CD is at least 10 songs too much. And then add another 3 bonus tracks on disc 2. There's a couple of real futurepop classics on this album. And it's worth getting the limited edition for the instrumental version of "Lethargy" alone (this track was later recorded with vocals and released as "Lethargy (Rise)" on the bands 2007 album "Unison").