Since the label Psycho Dynamics with the responsible man behind, the Belgian cult-musician and producer Eric van Wonterghem (MONOLITH, INSEKT), has ended the cooperation with Alfa-Matrix, the Italian label Rustblade could score immense to have him on board. At least Eric has done several additional studio work like mastering in his legendary Prodam studio, he has built the BAHNTIER/MONOLITH side-project DETUNE-X and his past MONOLITH-discography will be re-released in a special boxset through Rustblade soon. You ask, what this story has to do with ADAM X? Well, the last ADAM X album got released through the now defunct Psycho Dynamics/Alfa Matrix collaboration, and Eric of course provided the mastering also on this "State Of Limbo"-album. No matter how much bucks, praise and fame ADAM X Mitchell has earned before with his rather commercial-oriented Techno side of music, this new album hasn’t got anything to do with light-hearted chill-out Electronica. "State Of Limbo" is globally a beasty and ominous sounding Dark Electro/Industrial album, which features several excursions into the rhythmically Powernoise genre. What surprises is the fact, that ADAM X now sings on one or another track ("Programmed To Win", "Shape Takes Form" or "State Of Limbo"), quite unusual for this genre, but I like to encourage him to continue so. This album is an ideal addition for people having a fable for hammering steel rhythms ("Steel Shredder"!!!) and percussive moments, even more if the chosen sounds offer such a diversity and experimental background like on "State Of Limbo". Congrats also to Mr. Mitchell for the providing of a much better album than the last one at Alfa Matrix. Special thanks also to our Chain D.L.K. vice chief in person, Mr. Maurizio Pustianaz, for filling my heap with this great Rustblade release.

After releasing on early 80's one track (the famous "Are kisses out fashion" on EP compilation "Europe in the Year Zero", record which featured also Yazoo) plus the "Kindergarten" E.P. on Illuminated Records the English Duo Sudeten Creche reformed in 2006 and started to work at new songs. The Anna Logue Records 7" include two demos of tracks coming from their forthcoming album "A kiss from the Creche" plus "Rogues" an adaptation of a Robert Burns writing (1790) with music coming from a traditional melody (I dunno if Scottish or English but I think it is the first case as the lyrics start with the words "Farewell to all our Scottish fame"). Too bad the single length is about 10 minutes and the main tracks will be released with a definitive mix this year. In any case, if you want a taste of what it will sound, "Glorious treason" and "Wounds" are two nice upbeat synthpop tunes (I don't know why but the second one recalled me Classix Nouveaux) with a little melancholic mood but with good melodies and lyrics ("I want to part his flesh / just to make him see / these wounds that you cause / are made real in me).

Compiled by Jay Shepheard (here present with two of his tracks), this third volume of tracks coming from the Black Label series of Compost Records (series focused on a more house and techno sound) gathers fourteen of them starting with "Bikini" by Phreek Plus One (a good 4/4 mid tempo instrumental with some 80's electro intuitions) and fading into Alex Attias pres Mustang's Quarion dub version of "Finding who we are" (a sensual dub ambient). With the following Muallem and Manuel Tur &Dplay we are again diving into the house techno pool (two tracks which create a good ambience but that sounds a little static). Motor City Drum Ensemble with "Stripped down to the bone", instead, sound more psychotic and nervous (and to me, interesting) while Phreek Plus One, with their second track, explore the techno field blending it with a little of ambient and funk. Motor City Drum Ensamble, instead, present some more of their techno house (I preferred their previous track but this one is a nice one). "4NC" by Jay Shepheard is the first of his tracks (the other one is "Pipes n sneakers") but both are based on minimal tech house variations which tend to create an soft warping sound. Of the remaining one I'd like to name TJ King & Nuno Dos Santos feat. Robert Owens and their Wild Glitch Dub version of "Merging" (after a smooth beginning the track start to develop a certain catchy melody) and the following "Break it down" by Shahrokh. Most of the tracks of this compilation are dance floor oriented and I found them a little too hypnotic for a home use so approach to them if you are a hard core fan of the genre.

Tonal Y Nagual is a Bavarian band and their second album THE HIDDEN OASIS sounds like a middle way from neo-folk and pagan experimentation with acoustic sounds (see the opening "Lafayette, à l'aube" and its ritualistic percussions). Mixing chants, medieval melodies, a bit of electronic synths and acoustic guitars, the German combo created a particular album which recalled me the musical concept of the 70's hippie culture, where music was lived like a cathartic event. The whole album atmosphere is permeated of mystic moods (see "La figlia della morte" which means "The death's daughter" and its blend of chants, strings and percussions) and the band offers also some powerful neo-classical orchestration based tracks like "Midday calling" and "Fiumente". Execution perfectionism isn't the main thing here but Tonal Y Nagual in this way are able to make you feel better their musical vision. You have just to let you loose senses and abandon yourself to the flow...

This debut album by BLAME was originally released under the flag of the small Serbian label Cold Trinity. But since BLAME-mastermind Boris Posavec has moved a few years before completely to Germany, the German label Klangdynamik has picked up this very limited edition and has brought it out as a re-release. Of course with the knowledge to hold something special in the hands, since the Klangdynamik-roster grows with demanding Dark Electro-acts. BLAME are a bit lighter minded than the usual Dark Electro-sound, the label sheet has explained with a mixture of COVENANT and DIORAMA. Well, the sound of Boris’ voice can be related to DIORAMA for sure, but I would also add some earlier STROMKERN works as a possible comparison. Musically BLAME plays in the field between Futurepop and EBM/Dark Electro, here and there some additional influences of some Techno/Trance-like productions are complimenting this. The programming abilities of Boris are indeed the winning point of this beautiful and varied album. The arrangements and chosen sounds are witnesses of an experienced musician, although Boris’ daily life is leaded of his being as a computer game programmer (he’s a quite good one, just check: www.3d-io.com). Solid stuff to invade the dancefloors is surely enough featured here, "I Hate Your Evolution", Legions – Across These Oceans" or "Evolution" have to be named. Boris’ duet with Jelena Kevic on the track "Unless (Violent)" has to be mentioned to be one of the outstanding pieces of work, even if Jelena’s good female timbre offers that featured special melodic content. "Waterside (Hypergeum)" then is the nearest example to the Dark Electro genre and another favorite. Jelena Kevic is also responsible for the cover art, showing a bluish drawing of a winter time area, which fits to the main theme of this album. For a debut already a very matured piece of work and worth to check out.