Assemblage 23 - Compass(2009)

Tom Shear began constructing music at home under the moniker Man On A Stage in the late 1980's. While working on Man On A Stage, Tom Shear also was playing bass live for a punk-influenced band collectively known as the Advocates. In 1988 at a Depeche Mode concert, Assemblage 23 was born. Tom was amazed by the industrial dance music that the opening DJ was spinning. His love of the electronic synth-pop sounds mixed with heavier darker aggression proved to be an turning point for him. At first, Assemblage 23 was more of a hobby for Shear rather than a permanent project. Arts Industria released the first 'official' Assemblage 23 song "Graverobber" on their Construction No. 009 compilation. Finally in 1998, the Canadian label, Gashed Records signed Assemblage 23 and released their first album, Contempt in 1999, and the follow-up, Failure in 2001. Shortly after the release of Failure, Assemblage 23 had a falling out with Gashed Records and left the label to sign with Metropolis Records, who later that year re-released both Contempt and Failure. With only those two albums, Contempt and Failure, Assemblage 23 became one of the biggest names in industrial and EBM music today. 


Compass starts off fantastically with Smoke, its danceable, the synths are awesome, the layering works really well and catchy. Its probably one of my personal favourites on the album and one of the best first tracks I've heard in a long time. My other personal favourite is Angels & Demons as its used some different synths also it combines Toms brilliant vocals with a female accomplice which compliment each other really well. the lyrics are strangely beautiful, something just draws me to it.
Collapse is another really good track with its grittier synths contrasted by some lighter synths and vocal melody make it really enjoyable. Along with its easily danceable beat, its got a fresh feel to it making it thoroughly enjoyable.
Impermanence has a kind of optimistic feeling about it but the lyrics however depict an image of a relationship breaking down which I believe everyone can relate to sooner or later in their lives. It also touches on the point that nothing in life, even life its self, isn't permanent. Things are constantly changing in nature, people, technology and science, always evolving.
The most mellow track on this album is beautiful. How Can You Sleep is lyrically and musically beautiful as well as  full of emotion. Its so stunning.


5*!

I don't think I can fault it. Its got the classic A23 flare were used to but with some different twist to it that make it work really well. Its a thoroughly enjoyable album, Id definitely label is as a must have. Toms excellent ability to portray emotions in his songs is a rarely seen in modern times.

Tracklist:

1. Smoke
2. Spark (Album mix)
3. Collapse
4. Impermanence
5. How Can You Sleep
6. Leave This All Behind
7. Alive
8. Greed
9. Angels & Demons
10. The Cruelest Year

The Crystalline Effect - Identity (2008)

 Emerging from Australia, The Crystalline Effect have been called "a genre bending icestorm", combining elements of electro, EBM and trip hop with female vocals. The band is a duo comprised of Elenor Rayner (vocals and lyrics) and Pete Crane (music) who met in 2002. 
The Crystalline Effect have reached the dance floor globally with remixes by internationally renowned artists such as Ivory Frequency, Negative Format, Implant, Neikka RPM, Blank, Urceus Exit, Dunkelwerk and many others. The Crystalline Effect have also been featured on well-known compilations such as "Fxxk The Mainstream" from VampireFreaks/Alfa-Matrix and "Interbreeeding" from BLC Productions, among many other appearances. 
In 2008, The Crystalline Effect hit the European stages in full force with several concerts in Holland, Hungary, Estonia and Latvia in support of bands such as Hocico and Snog. 


Some of the songs that stand out to me on Identity are How I Get Out as the beginning of it is really pretty and has a dance beat tinged with a grimy, darker synths. The melody is enjoyable along with the energy its got to it and combined with the flickers of different synths.
Life Has Failed You is strangely beautiful with contrasting dark lyrics yet bright melody and synths. Its got a chill-out feel to it as well but on the more upbeat side of the spectrum which makes it enjoyable.


Unfortunately there isn't really much else I can say about this album. Even though it does have some beautiful synths, melodies and lyrics the same formula makes it repetitive and I really wanted to hear them do something different in some of the songs. The songs on their own like in a play list would be fine but to listen to them all together can make them seem a little flat. They've already got the synths and the vocals down but they needed to be a lot more creative with them for my liking. 


3*


Track list:

1. Blue Sea
2. How I Get Out
3. Ialundra
4. Researching Us
5. Life Has Failed You
6. When The World Ends
7. When You're Asleep
8. Five Ways To Run
9. One Time In Life
10. Radio Waves
11. Right
12. Researching Us (lee Bulig Remix)
13. When The World Ends (Endif Remix)
14. Nothing Warms This Room (Tazman Module Remix By Impact Pulse)

Angels On Acid - The curtain(2007)

Angels on Acid was founded by Michael Banks in early 2003 with a heavy influence in everything from EBM, industrial, metal, synthpop, psychedelic, and old school goa. Michael began working with metal guitarist The Omen in the fall of 2005 and released The Dominate E.P. in the spring of 2006. In June of 2007, Angels on Acid successfully released their first full length album Eyes Behind The Curtain and began distribution with DSBP Records shortly thereafter. After successful international sales, Angels On Acid signed with DSBP in December 2007 officially re-releasing the album on the label.


Eyes Behind The Curtain has different and interesting dark synths with piano/keys. When it kicks in there's seductive vocals, eerie harmonies and various different synths. its a brilliant introductory track to their style and its brilliant! The Vile carries on the dark eerie feeling with the synths and vocals style but with an added layer of harsh vocals as well in a brilliant balance. Misery Loves Company is probably one of my favourites on this album. It has brighter synths, great layering, and its catchy.


They show some of there more psychedelic/ goa influences in Hellion and No Where To Run with their funky bright synths good beats and energy. they're both very danceable and layered really well but still keeping the AOA balance between harsh and normal vocals. I Am The Future has the same funky synths and energy but the vocal style is more seductive and has a kind of vampiric feeling to it, or at least it'd fit well into a vampire film(where they don't sparkle).
My other personal favourite on this album also is one of the tracks with funky synths called Shadow Dance. I don't know why exactly but there's just something I LOVE about this song and works really well for me.


4.5*
Its so easy to get the balance between normal and harsh vocals right and where other bands have failed these guys have most definitely succeeded. There's guitars, synths/keys and good beats...In other words there's a bit of something for everyone who enjoys a good bit of industrial/EBM and other dark independent genres and its very enjoyable.


Tracklist:

1.  Eyes Behind The Curtain
2. The Vile
3. Misery Loves Company
4. Dominate
5. Hellion
6. No Where To Run
7. This Present Darkness
8. Shadow Dance
9. Leviathan
10. I Am The Future
11. Salvation
12. Fall Of Angels

Nachtmahr And Uberbyte Live in London 02 academy Islington 5 feb 2011

Method Cell

Saturday.830am and im awake getting ready to go to London for a very good reason. Nachtmahr and Uberbyte playing at the O2 Academy in Islington. When I found the venue after getting lost a couple of times as I'd never been there before, in the queue I met a lovely bunch of people. Inside I bought my self an Uberbyte top (as I already have a Nachtmahr one from buying the collectors pack) and made my way into the hall where I met a couple of other lovely people.

The atmosphere was tense with anticipation as the small crowd that was gathering were waiting for the first band to come on stage. To be honest I wasn't really expecting much from them but I was pleasantly surprised by Method Cell, who I hadn't heard any of their music before. They should be better known then they are as they sound great live, there danceable and they give out a great vibe. Its a shame there weren't more people there at the time but with the doors opening at six I can understand why even if a little disappointing. These guys are worth looking out for in the future they're going places. It's great to know Britain has talent in this scene.

Kommand + Kontrol how ever I wasn't a fan of their vocal style. there instrumental pieces are enjoyable. something for me didn't quite work. Saying that though they used the stage well and tried to get crowd interaction. It just wasn't my cup of tea but it was clear to see they had some fans in the small audience.

Uberbyte(Rich Pyne)

By this point the room was filling out very quite nicely as the stage was being prepared for Uberbyte to grace the stage. The excitement was building and the atmosphere was electric.When they came on they kicked off the set with Last Human which was one of the songs I really hoped they would play and it was a fantastic way to start it. They sounded fantastic their stage presence was brilliant, they got the crowd involved and dancing. they mixed it up a bit with a few new tracks which were equally as good, the energy coming from the crowd was amazing. Other songs in their set which I hoped they would play were Industrial Bitch, Stand Up(For Uberbyte), and finishing the set off with Money Shot which for me made it... well that and the mini dance off I had during their set with someone. All together their brilliant showmen(and woman), how to make the crowd dance, great audience participation and they sound awesome.

Nachtmahr

Next is the band everyone's been waiting for Nachtmahr. After seeing them at Infest 2010 I had some idea of what to expect, how ever they were even better then then. The tracks off their new album are astounding live and of course there was the old classics like Madchen In Uniform and El Cupacabra. The energy in the room was massive. Thomas has brilliant stage presence and is undoubtedly a brilliant show man. Ubeugsam was amazing and it being my favourite on the album(or at least one of them) I was thrilled to hear it live. Dues Ex Machina was chucked in the set and the massive club classic BoomBoomBoom! Everyone was dancing, singing along to the songs and enjoying ABBA based jokes.

It was an incredible evening flowed by a fantastic after party where I got to meet the Uberbyte guys(and girl) and Thomas Rainer(yet again), as well as one of the Swarf members and Deb and Steve from System-fx. I will most definately see them again next time around!

The Exposed - In The Face Of Resistance(2010)

We take a break in our usual broadcasting schedule of oontz and noise to venture into the punk/ska scene. A local band in fact formed by 4 young lads called The Exposed is formed by Tony Corrales (Vocals/Bass), Sim Williams (Guitar/Vocals), Dark Mevitt (Guitar/Vocals) and Owen Paulls(Drums). They have had successful tours including The Warped Tour and their own UK ones, played with bands such as The Bouncing Souls and their soon set to be going on tour again. Mid 2010 they released In The Face Of Resistance and are set to write and realese the next one.

The album kicks off with RCP, at the start we hear radio broadcast briefly then bursts into a song thats full of energy with a funky breakdown in the middle. This raw, energetic, fun feel is continued through the album. MY favourite tracks on it are Rebel City Rockers which gets stuck in my head so so easily! If I listen to it I find myself singin it for the rest of the day I love it. My other favourite is Passion & Pride, it reminds me a little of mad caddies in a totally good way. All the tracks between such as Where I Belong and Whirlwind are all very very well written all very catchy, fun and uplifting.

Undoubtedly 5*s
This album picks up pace through out it and gets better and better. I cant really fault it. Its extremely enjoyable, very very catchy and most definitely fun! With anthems that are garentee'd  to get stuck in your head its bands like this that are worth keeping an eye on the punk and ska scene. They've got a raw element to them like old school punk and ska which is refreshing when so many miss this element. These lads are definitely worth looking out for and if they play near you CHECK THEM OUT! This album has left me most certainly wanting to hear more.

Track list:

1. RCP
2. Long Time Coming
3. Rebel City Rockers
4. The Fire
5. Dead End Stories
6. College Park Rules
7. Whirlwind
8. Passion & Pride
9. Living Dead (Not Yet Deceased)
10. Believe Me
11. Red Alert
12. Soulless
13. Away We Go
14. Broadcast Revolution
15. Where I Belong