'Introspection ~ Extrospection' is the latest release by Belgium's Psy'Aviah. Despite having an overall milder sound than 2010's 'Eclectric,' right out of the box, this record throws some hard industrial right at you. Very modern in sound and production, but has a distinctly vintage industrial feel to certain elements, i.e. the vocoders, distorted, screamed vocals, and throbbing, four on the floor beat coupled with a thick, buzzing bass. The song is 'SOS Overdose' and it is a great opening track, and if you've gotten the limited edition 2CD (the 2nd disc being referred to as 'Retrospection') then you'll eventually be treated to a Leæther Strip cover of this song, which is, needless to say, also quite the listen.

From the harder edge of the opener, we make our way through a variety of sounds and styles and feels. Most of the rest of the album has female vocals as opposed to those harsh male vox on the onslaught. These smooth, sensual vocals weave and slither their way through more plenty more industrial, though more often than not, a much more pop oriented version. The harder edge of that first piece softens considerably for several songs, some of which seem to have an almost industrial-reggae feel to them, an odd, but surprisingly successful fusion.

Through industrial dance pop, to that industrial-reggae, to high energy dance anthems and even a pseudo lullaby this album is pretty solid from front to back. The only possible misstep, is 'Nouveau Quiche,' a very reasonable song, dotted with lackluster guest rap verses, and even opens with an obligatory 'Roll out the red carpet!' sample. It's not just the simple fact that the rap is quite out of place on the record, but its just rather drab all around. That being said, the choruses are quite nice and again the music itself is fine.

Overall Psy'Aviah cross a lot of boundaries while maintaining that core industrial sound yet with serious pop sensibilities. Great for a night at the club, great for dimly lit night at home.

This Electro/Industrial duo founded by Andreas F. (machines) and Peter H. (vocals) works hard since years in the Swedish underground scene, but internationally they are almost unrecognized. A few compilation appearances became reality during the last five years switched to already vanished labels (Plutonium Records / Hypervoxx Recordings), but at least this hasn't been that content, which brought them higher attraction. This 4-track, downloadable-only release finally collects the few tracks produced during this time and it raises hope, that this duo sticks more often together to produce new stuff. Because their music is an attractive and appealing form of Dark Electro music, maybe a bit influenced by a veteran Swedish project like Inside Treatment. Out of these four tracks available on this EP, 'MILF (Or maybe don't)' is to name as being the most unusual track with its ballad-like composition and the melodic, but sad sounding piano drops all over the track. This tiny EP offers good and well-produced Dark Electro all in all, and it is quite worth a recommendation to fans of the genre. So let's keep the fingers crossed for more inspiration and more output from them hopefully soon to be released.

I have to confess, that I've never been that much into the music of one of the pioneers with such an enormous meaning for everything, which can related to EBM and its finding. UK's Portion Control, active since the early 80s, have been often pronounced as being an inspiration for so well-known projects like among others Front 242, Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, or Front Line Assembly. Okay, in my vinyl collection you'll find a 'Raise The Pulse' 12-inch single, but that's it - no further stuff, also nothing after their triumphant return in 2009. Therefore to receive this complete new studio-album has surprised. After checking and giving it some first spins, I was quite blasted by its quality and became more and more clear, that this album is additionally a kind of reward. Under the sub-title 'Electronic dissonance for Techno Industrial pilgrims' you'll get 14 new tracks, from which some of them will leave you completely breathless. The reason is simple: Portion Control are able to integrate best programming abilities to present you an album, which even doesn't start to bore after the 47 + spinning. First and foremost, this album is a raw and pummelling, very EBM-inspired piece of work with its strongest moments presented in its diverse drum pattern programming. Tracks like 'Deadstar', 'Katsu' or 'Skins' are promising stuff to cause an intense pogo-movement on the floors of the darkest clubs. Above of these fine tracks thrones with 'Point Blank' the most outstanding produced track, which takes your brain into an acid bath. John Whybrew and Dean Paviani, the both protagonists behind this tiny masterpiece offer from the first to the last, the 14th track, a diverse sounding Electronica-experience in its finest kind. Surprising tempo changes are also a useful tool for them; with a track like 'Chosen Seed' they at least represent one of the most unconventional tunes by integrating drastic white noise-like textures into the mix. It astonishes, how easy this productive duo expresses different moods in their tracks, the float and authenticity of this amazing album just celebrates highlight after highlight also with those mysterious sample-driven interludes like 'Something Fierce' or the last track, 'Chrono Form'. A fat produced, rather old-school-minded Electro/Industrial onslaught not at all to be missed - Portion Control are regaining ground of that territory they've in between left in hiatus. This album represents their triumphant return on top of the scene - buy it!!!

This release from Zoharum marks the fifth anniversary of this label, so it compiles samples from the most interesting release of the last two years. I've already reviewed on this site some of the artists featured on this release (Inner Vision Laboratory, Ab Intra, Ouroboros, Rapoon, Hybrids), however this album is interesting because some tracks are remix taken from single or compilation and, so, not included in albums.
Psychomanteum remix the track "frozen resonance" by Inner Vision Laboratory and, stated that they are two of the best act from this label, this is a bloomy atmospheric track based on subtle sound processing. "Bonus 1" by Different State marks a depart from the usual label's sound being an almost trip-hop (and enjoyable) tune. "System xx-entend" by Zenial is another almost pop track stating the open mind of the compiler and "Noto i'm ready" by K. Stanislavsky is perhaps even more explicit in searching atmospheres closer to soundtracks than dark ambient territories. While M.X.Marchoff and Mj Caroline Rider with "voxfield 6" are in the classic dark ambient territories loved by this label, "Passage Wright" By Orryelle & Hermaphoditic Chaorder of the Silver Dusk is an almost irresistible pop tune.
This compilation is a surprise for the connaisseurs of this label and a colourful prism for the primer. A truly enjoyable release.

Even if this band is considered, in the press notes, "one of most popular dark independent acts in Poland. The band has recorded 3 albums so far" this is the first release of this band that I've heard. Being a dark act these days means something close to Vnv Nation and Katatonia than Sister of Mercy.
So "Bring In All" opens the album with synth, a dancey beat and a catchy vocal line, "Desdream" is another track made from the same elements while "Poison" with a slower rhythm and heavier guitar lines is more reminiscent of dark metal, Katatonia style, and has also a good athosphere. "Jealous Sky" return to territories closer to dancefloor as "Devil's Game" that is even more closer to EBM territories. "Sorrow" featuring an highly curated vocal line is one of this release's surprises. So "Let's Play Love" is another dance-oriented track and "In Flames" is more metal oriented. "Euphoria" is an almost pop track and "XXX" closes this releases with metal guitars over an almost EBM beats.
Honestly speaking this album is enjoyable if is not approached as a dark release (it doesn't fit my parameters for this genre) but, considered as an EBM or dancefloor oriented release, even is not groundbreaking it's a well written album enjoyable in most situation. Nice but only for fans.