The Alter-X Promotion group has buried out once again a promising newcomer act out the Russian Electronica underground. IN[TOXIN] is the name of this producing DJ working under his pseudonym ToxicRain, who hails out of the city Rostov on Don. Applause also and once again for the traditionally awesome cover artwork, which continues with the mysticism of some astronomical and/or Alien-related themes. "UFO Rave" is globally a hard-hitting and speedy forward-moving Electro/Industrial-album heavily inspired by works of acts like S.A.M. or the latest ANIMASSACRE-recordings. It is nearly impossible, to sit still to this kind of music, as this project forces its audience to some wild pogo-related movements with their crafty and pummeling rhythm work. Their multiple sequencing works I tend to rate as being a standout attitude, although I would recommend to shorten one or another tune. It simply becomes a bit strenuous, if too much tracks range over 6 minutes of a pure hammering beat inferno without a noticeable break. Also to rely too often on the hypnotic effect of their multiple sequencing work does seldom replace a constant and well-thought compositional effort. But however, the hyper-active Hellectro/TBM-infected masses will praise this act quite well and their work is additive. Quite good in its kind, quite surprising for X-Line, if you have discovered other acts earlier.

Second release for this mysterious Czech one-man project, again brought to us by the small, but highly addictive and hard working Aliens label out of Slovakia. A lot of things in the sound of ANHEDONIA are reminding to the later works of their Slovakian label-mates DISHARMONY – too much indeed, that this happened by chance. Where DISHARMONY have started as a true authentic Dark Electro act inspired by early KLINIK/MORTAL CONSTRAINT works, ANHEDONIA has always been based in the modern IDM/Ambient-Electronica field. But since DISHARMONY opened themselves to a more different and IDM-related outfit, but projects nowadays are staying nearly side-by-side in a comparable sound outfit. Though this all doesn’t alter anything, ANHEDONIA deliver with a fine worked out album, which too impresses through several collaborations with friend artists like SOMBRA, UNICODE and of course DISHARMONY – especially the last mentioned mutual track marks a pearl of this fantastic IDM/Dark Electro-release. Other highlights I tend to name with the catchy, but also icy tunes "Emitter Junction" and "Empty Visions". Similar to any DISHARMONY-release, ANHEDONIA scores extremely well with a skillful synth play, dense moods, and a dark, but tasteful arranged sound outfit. It’s music to listen to under a pair of headphones, rather seldom to move to. Thumbs up also for the awesome cover art with its rotten maritime look.

Maybe quite late, I nevertheless would like to reflect this last year latest album of Estonia’s leading Electro/Industrial act, since permanent readers of our site have surely discovered them on here. CB, as Igor and Rad have shortened their band name, have produced with "Evil" a quite complex and atmospheric more thicker outfit than expected. It has been taken nearly 3 years in the making after their last EP "Demolished", and this time was filled with some internal member problems too, to come back with this new album. "Evil" acts for the most part as a typical Dark Electro-minded album in the tradition of Canadian-based patterns like FLA or NUMB. Already the multiple layered intro tune "Sun" is a reflection of this tradition, which focuses lyrically and with the usage of voice-, noise- and environmental-samples on a drastically end time scenario. With "Place Of Nothingness" this duo also reanimates a tune already discovered on the above mentioned EP, here completely revamped. "Sect" may wins the imaginary contest of the most catchiest tune on here, while their beloved usage of vocoder effects on the lead vocals got reanimated with "Negative". No review without a word of criticism – quite often, and with "Restore Point" as being the negative highlight, their inserting of the lead vocals needs definitely some improvement and polishing work. The FX-driven music is that flawless and precise produced, but the vocals play a too important role in the whole mix, that this part seems to be the weakest of these Estonian duo. I would recommend them, not to allow their style of vocal performance alters the complete sound outfit. However the good moments win on this album, which is far away from any TBM- and Hellectro-attributes.

With one track on the Enfant Terrible compilation "Radio resistencia" at their active, Distel are now releasing, always for the same label, the debut limited to 300 copies 7". Already active as drone/experimental act Hadewych, the guy behind Distel bring on the turntable two great tracks of slow anxious electronic. Whispered vocals and hypnotic loops are the main elements of "Mrk" and "Regn" which, in balance from cold wave and electro industrial, are able to give to minimal pop a new meaning by adding tension and mystery. Great release!

Those of you who got a chance to hear Revenge" (2005) and Ignorance" (2007) by Alien Produkt are familiar with their rather unique EBM sound; very club oriented, the beats are comfortable for your feet, nice melodies and some emotional touch is there too. AP changed to another label but did not change its sound. Honour vs Falsehood" is the first EP from the planned two to mark the return of the band that was founded 12 years ago back from their break. In total there are 14 track and over 70 minutes of music here. Two of the compositions have never been released before.
One of the best things about this EP is that it features a relatively high number of remixes of numerous songs instead of boring the listener with 3 tracks remixed in 10 versions each. The only exception from that is "Oscilacion Parasita" presented in 4 versions. Make no mistake the track is good, but listening to it 4 times in an hour is rather tiring as it would be the case with any song, no matter how much you like it.
The remix of "Slender" by Mechanical Moth and "Reality - Out Of Control (blood room remix by asseptic room) are certainly among the most intriguing compositiond on the CD.
To sum it up; this is a solid EBM work that would work just fine in clubs, (also while driving, working out and whenever you may want a kick.)