Out on December 9th, Fiction 8's new full lenght 11 track CD "Forever, Neverafter", is a well balanced compromise between ebm-dance and synth-pop. The trio throws male and female vocal pop hooks into a melange of synth-electro with some darker and harsher parts here and there. I personally prefer the songs with the female vocals, because for some reaons they sound less corny and darker... There is also a violin helping out here and there. It's dark pop song with dancefloor-friendly beats for all of those of wanna dance to it but don't wanna give the melody and would rather do without the angry distorted ebm vocals.

Old jails' walls sweat desolation and pain. By looking to the cover of the Atrium Carceri's debut album CELLBLOCK, you can feel it and you can almost smell it. Also the other photos of the booklet make you feel a sour taste into your mouth while you watch them and this is a good starting point, if you think that you haven't listened to the music yet. When you put the disc inside your CD player, the walls of your room start to rot and you begin to understand what was that certain look painted on the doll's face, that is looking to you by the rear cover... Simon Heath (member of Za Frûmi) made an impressive debut album by recording twelve tracks full of pathos and diversified atmospheres. Simon wanted to expand the concept of darkwave music by creating well done sick soundtracks, packed with interesting samples (whispers, gates creaking, Japanese voices, metal percussions, etc) and tense moments. Fortunately all the cure he put into the recordings and into the composition won't allow you to get bored or to get relaxed. Warders are coming to get you... this is your new nightmare!

WORLD OF DREAMS is the second full lenght album for Beltane, which come back after three years from the release of "The Fire Of Becoming". From what I can remember the previous CD was more various respect this new one as Beltane used also ethnic sounds on some tracks while the tracks of the new album are based on electronic sounds and strings. WORLD OF DREAMS presents twelve new tracks influenced by electronic goth which someway are catchy but I feel that something is missing, because I can't feel that certain something that makes me wanna move. The melodies, as on the previous album, aren't immediate and the vocals are still the thing I like less. The best tracks of the lot are "World Of Dreams", "Foreign Shore" and "Tomorrow's Creation" (based on a good upbeat tempo and a different use of the female voice).

After touring with Haujobb and Hocico, collaborations with :W: and a discography under the Death Industry alias, the experienced Mike Orgillon is now back with a new full-lenght S.L.M;I album that offers instrumental soundscapes of sophisticated and refined electronics mixed with raw and aggressive noise and a bunch of vocal samples here and there to spice it up (which by the way seem to have some political connotations that would probably be worth further exploring). The overall approach to the music is dark and almost haunting and the production is remarkable so if you are into ebm/dark/noise try to check this out.

PSYCHE-"Babylon Deluxe"Recalling a ChainDLK.net interview I did with these guys a while back, I recalled they mentioned the theme for this then upcoming CD being based around modern day sexuality and it’s influence by the internet. Then listening to the CD, it’s pretty obvious though not entirely so on the surface, influenced by how people act once they are connected to the internet and it’s rather seedy underbelly. To think of it, it’s kind of brought back to mind how people act completely different once the allure of internet recognition comes about, sometimes in the guise of porn, sometimes in more subtle yet profound ways like how some people tend to get overly narcissistic (most are those people are obviously withdrawn who act like that) on places like Live Journal (not to insult the LJ users out there, of course, but you know these people). For the music, the music is tried and true Psyche, complete with their looming yet melodic dark synthpop patterns. Since the introduction of keyboardist Remi to the group a few years back, the sound has become more and more modern, adding up tempo dance beats and brilliant synth lines to the tune of Darrin Huss’ ala Soft Cell white boy soul’ vocals, which make for a very interesting clash of old and new influences. Some of my favorites from the CD are "X-Rated" (very Kraftwerkian on the chorus line), "Gods And Monsters" (a rather club friendly tune without getting all 4/4), and "Snow Garden" (the best track on the CD and some incredible sequencing). This is a great little Cd for those interested in the more intellectual side of electronic pop, as well the band in general is good for that effect. A brilliant mix of the old and new, both for Psyche and their influences as a whole. And one of the more innovative synthpop acts out there. Rating: 10.