Garmarna - 6

Garmarna - 6
(2016) BMG

Totally out of the blue someone told me that the old swedish folk rock band Garmarna was about to put out a new, electronic soundning, album. I checked out some previews and I was very inrigued by the sound. I've been a fan of some of their previous stuff, but this album is simply amazing. Maybe not that electronic sounding, after all, I think most of the sounds are coming from home made and traditional instruments with lots of effects and tweaks. Gloomy and cold melodies with cool sounds. Buy now!

Rein - Rein EP

Rein - Rein EP
(2015) Cold School

I've been looking for this EP, in decent quality, since december last year. I finally found a flac version on Klicktrack, and now I'm able to check out what all the fuss was about. There's nothing here to go bananas for, but it's certainly an enjoyable EP. Neanderthal EBM with somewhat aggressive female vocals - of course it works! In this kind of music who's singing isn't as important as the quality of the basslines. Try to remember that!

Espermachine - 3RD

Espermachine - 3RD
(2016) Not On Label

This blog is slowly turning into "Bandcamp Record Of The Week".
I pledged for a copy of this album the minute the Indiegogo campain started. I love Espermachine's quirky take on EBM + futurepop. My CD copy seems to have been lost in the mail. While waiting for a new CD to arrive I've been enjoying the Bandcamp download. The songs are generally shorter and more focused than on Espermachines earlier albums. A must buy!

Ari Mason - Creatures

Ari Mason - Creatures
(2016) Negative Gain

I'm still waiting for the actual CD to arrive. In the meantime the Bandcamp download works perfectly fine. This album is amazing! All the rough edges of the debut album are gone (it wasn't rough sounding, though, just not polished into perfection!), and the song writing is excellent! You need to have this!

Patenbrigade: Wolff - Im Eis

Patenbrigade: Wolff - Im Eis EP
(2016) Zweieck

A single off a single? Yeah, or maybe it's an offspring of the "Die Brücke" EP? All four songs on this release originated on "Die Brücke" back in 2015. I liked the songs then, and I'm liking them even more now. Get it on Bandcamp!

Metroland - Things Will Never Sound The Same Again

Metroland - Things Will Never Sound The Same Again
(2016) Alfa Matrix

This album is supposed to be a thank you to the bands sound engineer and very close friend Louis Zachert (Passenger L), who recently passed away. As a personal tribute, Passengers A and S created a complete new album from scratch, where every song, every note and the featured cd art is their way of saying thank you and goodbye to their close friend and fellow passenger.
As a side note, this is also my favourite Metroland CD so far.

Faderhead - FH-X

Faderhead - FH-X (2016)
Not A Robot

Yeah, I know. How low can my music taste sink, right? I've actually liked Faderhead since his first record was released, back in 2006.
This new piece of music is by far his best yet. It's possible that I like the new Kickstarter EP, "The Universe Has Spoken" (not yet on Discogs), even more. I can't really tell were the album ends and the EP starts, when putting them both on the same playlist...

Ari Mason - Neuropathy

Ari Mason - Neuropathy
(2014) Danse Macabre

I bought this album immediately after hearing the "Dim The Lights" and "Brother" singles. Buy them now! This album is a bit older, and maybe not as good. But I don't think it's fair to compare albums with singles. However, I really like her moody, synthpop-y sound - not far from a female Mr.Kitty. I want more!

Kirlian Camera - Radio Music A

Kirlian Camera - Radio Music A
(2015) Norton North

What? A best of album on this blog? Yeah, it happens from time to time. Especially when an artist has made as many albums as Kirlian Camera. They've been active since the beginning of the 1980's, and I simply can't catch up with that. This compilation album does a good job at presenting a lot of different kind of sounds from this very diverse and interesting band. Maybe I'll continue to investigate Kirlian Camera's back catalogue? We'll see!

Covenant - Sequencer: Beta

Covenant - Sequencer: Beta (1997)
Off Beat

A 20 year old album to kick off the new year, you ask? Yes, the original "Sequencer" album was actually released in 1996. The "Beta" upgrade was released a year later. You want this version for the outstanding "Luminal" bonus track, one of the best electronic songs ever released! If you're a collector, you probably also know about the completely different "Luminal (Test Version)" available on the "Septic" compilation. Both versions of "Luminal" are favourites of mine. "Sequencer" is also a really good album. In fact, it's one of the best albums I own. Don't stream - Buy!

Factice Factory - The White Days

Factice Factory - The White Days
(2014) Manic Depression

I know almost nothing about this France band. They've made two albums, this one being the first - and best! The music is maybe a hint of the cold wave/post punk crossover that seems to be so popular nowadays. You can get this album for free at Bandcamp (where else?). I liked it so much after freeloading it, that  I had to buy the CD, too!

Dead When I Found Her - All The Way Down

Dead When I Found Her - All The Way Down 2CD
(2015) Artoffact

I belive the 2CD version of this excellent album has already sold out. Fortunately there's always Bandcamp! The second CD is called "The Bottom" and is yours for just $6 (+ tax, if you live in Europe).
I've been a fan of Dead When I Found Her from the early beginning, but this time Michael A Holloway has really outdone himself. The album is well put together, it feels almost like a movie score. Buy before you try!!!

Hearts Of Black Science - Signal

Hearts Of Black Science - Signal 2CD
(2015) Progress

I generally don't like Heart Of Black Science's music, but there's something about this record. The mood, the beauty of it... I really don't know. Everything's not great, though. For starters, you don't need to hunt down the limited 2CD edition. The bonus tracks are uninspired and boring, absolutely not worth it! Try before you buy!

Aesthetic Perfection - Blood Spills Not Far From The Wound

Aesthetic Perfection - Blood Spills Not Far From The Wound
(2015) Metropolis

I thought I already had covered this album on this blog. Because I really liked it when it first came out, back in 2007! But I didn't start this blog until 2 years later. Anyway, the original album put out in the name of Necessary Response is an absolutely stunning album. This remix/re-boot/rename thingy is also good, but utterly soulless.
I really like the sound of all Aesthetic Perfection newer recordings, but they're totally hollow. Almost like music made by an algorythm(!)...

Diary Of Dreams - Grau Im Licht

Diary Of Dreams - Grau Im Licht (2015)
Accession

It's nice to see that Diary Of Dreams are still going strong on this, their 15th, album. Sure, it's not as good as the 1997 to 2000 period, which I think produced their top three albums "Bird Without Wings", "Psychoma?" and "One Of 18 Angels". "Grau Im Licht" does, however, contain mostly good songs and a fair bit of experimenting with sounds and song structures. I like it more and more for each time I listen to it, but it will never be as good as the aforementioned albums.

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!

IAMX - Metanoia

IAMX - Metanoia (2015)
Caroline

A bit worse for every new record. But IAMX is still one of the best and most interesting electronic projects around. I just feel a bit tired of Chris Corner's music. I think it needs a change of direction. Yes, I know that this album is much more electronic than "The Unified Field". But I don't feel that's enough, going backwards seldom is. This project has the ability to go anywhere - so why stay home?

Unitary - Unafraid EP

Unitary - Unafraid EP
(2015) Off Label Productions

The only bad thing I have to say about this excellent EP is; Why 7 versions of the same track? I feel cheated. The second track is called "Subversion 12"", but it's essentially just another remix of "Unafraid". This EP picks up on the momentum Unitary has been building up since the last EP "Torching Utopia", earlier this year.
I can't wait to hear more!

Luciferian Light Orchestra - Luciferian Light Orchestra

Luciferian Light Orchestra - Luciferian Light Orchestra
(2015) Adulruna

I really like some of the older orchestrated Therion albums, like "Vovin". Oh yeah, maybe it wasn't obvious - Luciferian Light Orchestra is essentially Therion jumping on the "occult rock" bandwagon. And I'm enjoying it far more than I thought I would. This album is so good I had to import a second copy from Japan, just to get the exclusive bonus track!

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!