If one of the oldest and best known Russian Goth-/Dark Wave-bands like PURPLE SIDE FOG (2 albums available on Shadowplay Records) decides to collaborate with Synthematik ' in no negative meaning a pure net-label ' then there must be growing a kind of sensible sensation in the minds of the responsible band-members. The certainty, that the days of the physical product, the CD, are counted, may can be taken as a reference, that this formation has documented the will to collaborate. On the other hand, Synthematik has made themselves a good name during the last half year, to be an excellent promoter by using multiple kinds of online resources to gain a maximum of attention, so why not to give it a try? This freely downloadable album consist of an experiment of PFS ' they have recorded all featured tracks in kind of a real-time mode, which means, that they have produced song by song in a strictly declared time window of 1 ½ months, starting all compositions completely from scratch. The band has used online communities and has uploaded any raw demo version of these tracks for their fans and listeners to start a mutual interaction. Completely remixed and mastered after this experimental phase, this 10 all new tracks (plus 3 remix contributions by ALPHA POINT, X-TI, and ELEKTRONNOE OBLAKO, plus an alternative radio version in Russian language on 'My Secret friend') are far away from being demos or uninspired stuff established out of a short expiration time. I am unable to draw comparisons to their Shadowplay recordings, as I am unfamiliar with them, but especially tracks like the already mentioned 'My Secret Friend', or 'Crystal Castle' offer enough potential to impress Goth-, Wave, and Electro-minded listeners completely. Especially the intended contrast between the raw- and dark-sounding male vocalist to the compelling, nearly angelic vocals of the female counterpart can be called exceptionally well-done. This album may needs 2 ' 3 spins more to disclose all good elements, but it is definitely worth to invest it. So there's only one thing I would like to know from the band: what is a 'PVC Slut'?

I don't know, how often I wrote this phrase, but: it is the year of comebacks! LPF 12 is a Northern-Germany-based one-man-project which has been highly active with its musically assaulting efforts somewhere between DIVE and harsher MENTALLO & THE FIXER in the years between 1993 to 1995. Those have been the days, where bands had to record demo tapes as being the most affordable medium, and LPF 12 has entered a lot of stock lists of tapes labels like Obscura Records, Side-Line, Catkiller, Crewzine, or Crippled Abortion Tapes. Also a few CD compilation appearances became reality and Sascha could enter a free slot on such highly recognized releases like 'An Ideal For Living (Gothic Arts Records)', 'Neues Elektro Blut Vol. 1 (Khazad-Dum/Side-Line)', or the 'Vertigo Compilation Vol. 1/1996 (magazine + CD comp./Celtic Circle Prod.)'. In 1996 Sascha stopped abruptly his musically path and he set LPF 12 in hiatus. It has at least taken 14 years, until he decided to re-animate his beloved project with a bang. He's seemingly a hyperactive musician, who isn't able to take off his nervous fingers away from his equipment to relax for a while, because since early 2010 he has now produced music to fill 5 (!!!) different releases available on different labels. After an own released downloadable EP entitled 'Vicious Circle' via his bandcamp website, he presents his album 'Inhibition Level' signed to the Abstrakt Reflections netlabel, and so his official second release during this year. Compared to his previously discovered label colleagues like APPARENT SYMMETRY and IN A MINDSET, Sascha's LPF 12 acts a bit like a bird of paradise. His rather classic Electro-/EBM-related background can be easily recognized, because Sascha's tracks are focusing for the most part on abstract produced rhythm patterns, while his above named colleagues are stronger in producing luscious and haunting Ambient-like moods. Another obvious ability contrary to his label colleagues is his usage of vocals with real composed lyrics. Sascha's tracks are straight and rhythmic-oriented arranged, although his stuff isn't compatible to any Harsh-EBM/Hellectro dancefloor attitudes ' he rather offers stuff which creeps over the eardrums into the brain. I tend to point out 'Break My Core' as being an awesome example, how to install experimental rhythm pattern with a handy composition line and raspy vocals ' a tiny masterpiece, which balances well on the thin line between Dark Electro and Noise. With the haunting 'The White Room' he also proves a good sense to produce a different sounding, rather Dark Ambient-related tune ' while he still can develop in some things in this playing field. Some remixes and collaborations with MISSRATENER SOHN, MC1R (Hey Nick!), MENSCHLICHE ENERGIE, or DECI?HER are featured too on this album, and especially the remix of the German fellow IN A MINDSET on 'Towards Nowhere' charms the ear-channel with intensely produced synth sweep sounds. 13 tracks in all and a lot of good things to report from ' LPF 12 hasn't reached any end of rope and will continue highly productive path.

1992 was the year when Europop crossed the borders of the Old World and stormed the music charts worldwide (with the exception of especially Islam-oriented countries). That was the founding year of Culture Kultür, a Spanish act that celebrated its success equally worldwide (with the exception of especially Islam-oriented countries). A couple of songs from CK's previous album which was released not less than five years ago are still to be heard in the clubs. In my personal opinion CK is a band that in spite its presence in the charts and clubs is still underestimated by the majority of the people in the darker electro scene. 'Spirit' is an album that has a good shot to change this situation. By the way, to prevent any potential misunderstandings of the title; 'Spirit' is not about alcohol consumption.
The act follows here the same musical direction it took on its previous album 'Reborn'. Namely, the so called Underground Electropop, as many people call it. CK wrote an album full of totally danceable beats and beautiful melodies that bear a somewhat sullen touch with rather real life-oriented lyrics. It is an electro album about real feelings and not cyber wars in another galaxy a thousand years later from now.
The album has got a number of good tracks, each being a good reason to purchase 'Spirit': the opener 'Sieged', 'Drum Machine' is an optimistic song not about advantages of a healthy heart, 'Toxic Pulse' revives the club vibe of the first years of the current century. 'Love will tear us apart', as you may have guessed, is a cover of the undying (undead?) number by the British Joy Division. The album may remind you of VNV Nation in some places, especially the 'ballads' such as the dreamy 'Silence'.
'Spirit' is predominantly conceived as music for your feet; however it has something to offer for your head, too, if you are ready to take a closer look at the lyrics.

Opened by the upbeat epic main track, HUMAN BEYOND is the debut album by a Finnish duo called Blastromen. With a past as techno music producers, the two mysterious men behind this project, started they adventure into electro music in 2004 with their first EP "Robot Aggression" released by the Finnish label X0X Records. The EP, which now is out of print, presented four tracks which already alerted the lovers of the genre (the CD edition has from this release, as bonus tracks, "Space Trader" and "Le Nucleaire Civile"). "Blasteroids EP" released two years ago created a certain hype thanks to the main track which was been included into the first volume of the Street Sounds "Nu Electro" series the year after. Everyone was waiting for their debut album but the moment was never arriving. The wait ended in September 2010 when Dominance Electricity (the most renowned label of the genre) delivered HUMAN BEYOND, making it available in CD (along with the aforementioned bonus tracks you can also find "Blasteroids" from their second EP) and double vinyl album (available in black and blue transparent vinyl) with an extra poster. The characteristic of Blastromen is to write catchy futuristic electro tunes with fast electro funk rhythms, spatial atmospheres and a bit of dark flavor (the same feeling you have when you are watching a spy story from the future). On tracks like "Computer simulator" the influences of the fathers of modern electronic music (a.k.a. Kraftwerk) are evident but there's so much more to notice that the blasting sounds, the vocoders and the intricate rhythm pattern (bass lines, leads, arpeggiators and drum sounds) aren't only special effects but are part of a special formula that make of Blastromen a great news for electro scene. It is impossible to keep your feet still while listening to "Space Trader" or "Battlenet" (you already had the chance to check this one on the second volume of the "Nu Electro" series) and with an imaginary of world wide wars of the future, scientific experiments, robotic humanity where we can uploading consciousness, enhancing capabilities, reconstructing entities and exceeding possibilities, Blastromen are there for your sci-fi parties.

Another awesome release on Rome's Mannequin Records, this time it is a split EP that puts together French cold-wave (or brutal-wave) heroes Frank (Just Frank) and Soviet Soviet, Italy's most alienated postpunkers. FJF in a few months became a pillar of the new new-wave scene and personally i think that they are in a state of grace. The 5 tracks presented here are very close to perfection with a painstaking attention to details. Their 15 minutes side departs from the bleak and tipically cold-wave sounds of their debut album ('The Brutal Wave' on Wierd Records) towards a seamless fusion of analogue machines with an intricate guitar work. The vocal parts improved and reveal more of the emotional side of Chris and Kirti's lyrics. There are two astounding instrumentals, placed as intro and outro of their side - 'Saint' is my favourite and made me think about those simple and devastating Sisters Of Mercy's first instrumental sketches. 'Valerie' is a highlight here and the finest moments of Little Nemo come to mind. 'Do The Soviet' is dancey and steers away from the melancholic mood that usually pervades their compositions. The track is dedicated to Soviet Soviet's gig in Nice, at the beginning of this year and celebrates the friendship between the two bands. With Soviet Soviet is an entirely different affair as they deliver a personal take on the pitch-black side of post-punk and draw inspiration directly from the first Wire and Kiling Joke. In their side of the split, they take you by the hand in a modern tale of urban psychosis. Their sound can be described as howling guitars over a skull crushing-rhythm section, actually one of the best i've heard in years.'Lokomotiv' is the track that made me fall for them, an unstoppable aggression that gets everyone moshing, when played live . 'S.Y.' is a one-way trip to Death Valley 69, if you get what i mean. 'Cobretto' will suddenly make you dance and tighten your jaw. Be sure not to miss their live shows, some of the best in Europe. Limited edition of 500 copies ' Silkscreen ultra limited edition of 50.