Issue 13


Reviews of:
ODDBALL, BALAAM GALANG, PAN PIPES
, PARAISO HOLOCAUSTO, SYEVAD,
CIRCUMSPECT, RO, GREGS, WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND ANIMALS,
KRANKHEIT DER JUGEND, A NICE DERANGEMENT, HEIST, GROOP DOGDRILL,
BOWERY ELECTRIC, HEAVEN AND HELL, SAMSA TRAUM, SANGUIS ET CINIS,
Z.E.T.A.X, CINEMA STRANGE, DIE FORM, YENDRI, SIECHTUM, MANTUS, ASP,
FLESH FIELD, JANUS, ARTEMIY ARTEMIEV, SCREAMING DEAD, MOISTEN BEFORE USE, LADY MORPHIA, ALAN MOORE & TIM PERKINS, FINALITY JACK, THIS GENTLE FLOW, CANDLES AND INTRIGUE, TRANCENDANCE, BILL HORIST, M&E AUDIOZINE, NEROS ACOLYTES, SILBERNACHT, LLUVIA ACIDA, ETSETERA, SILVER SERFER, NEBULA MANIFESTO, LLUVIA ACIDA, GUERRAETERNA, RAS.AL.GHUL, DREIST, KUROI MORI, FLYING DUTCHMAN, ANGEL SELF DISTRUCT, DIPARTIMENTO SCUOLA EDUCAZIONE


MUSIC REVIEWS

ODDBALL - CRACKER (CD SINGLE - DROID)

Formed in 1988 after rejecting Britpop's retrovirus, they want you to download the culture.
A brave manifesto based on critical magazine acclaim from 'Making Music' and supports to 'Asian Dub Foundation'. This, their debut has a lot to do to convince the post Britpop audience awash with 'worthy' bands. Skipping beats and hard grooves somewhere between Rage Against the Machine and The Pop Group does help them to stand out. Taught guitar lines and dual male - female vox draws us into a paranoid world of unease.

Contact: DROID, 24 Osborne Grove, Nottingham, NG5 2HF.
Web-site: www.oddball.freeserve.co.uk

BALAAM GALANG - WE RAN OUT TO URANUS (CD - OWN LABEL)
Features composer and arranger Francois Landry who's been releasing DIY music since 1987, this is his debut album.Reviews have mentioned the likes of SPK, Psychic TV and Panasonic as points of reference. Think ambient spacescapes played in some techno chill out style, and you'll be touching only part of what's occurring. I'd also include in the above list European electronic artists like Jean Michel Jarre and Kraftwerk's mesmerizing rhythms. Minimal industrial surges driven by punk electro like a collision between 80's experimental and 90's electronica.

Contact: CHARRUE PAR LES CORNES, PO BOX 494, Lac Carre, JOT 1JO CANADA.

PAN PIPES - TRANSMISSION FORM (CD - AC)
Debut release from this five-piece band led by Taba who were formed in 1998. The novel 'Nova Express' and alien contact inspire their name. Having had previous experience with other combo's including Sinnerdolls, Unable and even a connection with Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix Experience)! Out there guitar ambiences and psyche influences put me in mind of Pink Floyd and more recently Spiritualised. Hypnotic Beats a la Space Rock and other worldly vocals like Lou Reed in the ether.
Then it gets all Manchester along with sitar lounge to give your head more to get round.

Contact: PAN PIPES, Via Lume 30/c, Bubano (Bo) 40020, ITALY.
E-mail:TOTY@LIBERO.IT

PARAISO HOLOCAUSTO - COMPILATION (CD - GENITAL PROD.)
A collection of new industrial, hard dark electronic bands from Latin America.

This features ANUBIS (Mexico, Power electronics like Merzbow meets E. Geometrico), CORNUCOPIA (Puerto Rico, Extreme waves of distortion), CENOBITA (Mexico Rhythmic industrial), HARD BOILED (Spain, metal meets Industrial via the likes of Biohazard and Fear Factory), MESIAS (Mexico, more industrial - metal), LLUVIA ACIDA (Chile, rhythmic metallic electro), BIOGRAVE (Mexico, Hard electronics in Front Line Assembly mode), ECODALIA (Spain, European EBM), CORROSION (Mexico, guitar driven electro), MALDICION ( Uruguay, Tribal metal - industrial), FABRICA DE QUIMERAS ( progressive electronic), INSUMISION ( Peru, hardcore, electronic), OXOMAXOMA ( Mexico, Punky electro), HIJOS DE CAIN ( Puerto Rico, Pounding electro meets gothic), LA FUNCION DE REPULSA ( Mexico, Primal - industrial), ASTROVAMP (Mexico, gabba - techno), CROMAFACTOR (Puerto Rico, Industrial - techno), OGO (Mexico, more industrial) and ARMENIA (Ecuador, Power electronics).

Contact: GENITAL PRODUCTIONS, IO Y II Anaya Y O. Ramirez no. 736, Cd. Victoria, Tamaulipas CP 87050, MEXICO.
E-mail: genitalp@hotmail.com

SYEVAD - SCARBEAT (CD - SELF RELEASE)
Project named after the individual Alex Syevad, beyond that the info is minimal. Electronics of one form or another, from Orb like ambiences to uptempo trance seems to be covered here. Some of the material veers into more industrial / EBM territory but all of which is instrumental. Difficult to pin down all these various styles, maybe next time he'll maybe get a theme going.

Contact: ALEX SYEVAD 020 77003149

CIRCUMSPECT - UNLUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD (CD - CLASS ACT)
Their fourth release features on bass and vocals Nick Nedzynski from 'Lady Morphia'. They have toured extensively in London and Southeast and built up a loyal fan-base. Musically they've drawn on many influences but have a close affinity with the sixties Britpop scene. Melodic harmonies and jangly guitars is this bands trademark. I hear touches of the Jam, House of Love and some of the bands from the Sarah label.

Contact: CLASS ACT, North Park Cottage, Paddock Wood, Little Walden, ESSEX CB10 1XE.
E-mail: Classactrecords@yahoo.com

RO - ROBOT - LAND (CD - RO - R)
Founded in '98 this Dutch band have a penchant for eighties cold wave AKA Joy Division and the Cure.
Angst ridden songs that have a sharp post - punk cut reminiscent of the sound of early wire. Minimal art - rock that draws on that moody quirky period of the likes of Television, Talking Heads and even Nasmak (cult Dutch band). Moody and melodramatic, but the melodies do cut through the gloomy atmosphere. With the current flirtation of all things 80's this could be the bands chance to get wider recognition.

Contact: RO - ROBOT, Lansinkstraat 10, 7481 JP Haaksbergen, HOLLAND.
E-mail: europrom@wxs.nl

GREGS - OFFICE PARTY (CD SINGLE - CRIPPERTY )
From the guitar rock mecca 'Isle of Man' ? Well always expect the unexpected.
Blurry, catchy distorted pop like early Jesus and Mary Chain or more recently Super Furry Animals or Ash. They've got the odd quirk that makes them stand out from the plethora of bands in this genre.
Melodic guitars entwined with violin and drifty vocals all drenched in reverb work well in a My Bloody Valentine kind of way.

Contact: GREGS, 27 First Avenue, Douglas , ISLE OF MAN IM2 6AZ.
E-mail: thegregs@rainyday.co.uk

WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND ANIMALS - COMPILATION (CD - WASP FACTORY)
A new label run by those 'Chaos Engine' stalwarts dedicated to industrial, darkwave and alternative electronic rock.

Artists featured include THE CHAOS ENGINE (New electronica meets techno / rock with the tune still intact), ARKHAM ASYLUM (White powder driven electro grebbos), LEECH WOMAN (Industrial muscle and metal guitars from renowned band), GOTEKI (New project from 'Sneaky Bat Machine' member, in cyber - mutant style), TARANTELLA SERPENTINE (Fetish disco meets Sheep on Drugs), HYDRA (Distorted EBM, harsh metal bashers like Test Department), SQUID (Loved by the nu-metal press, these dark darlings have electro teeth), SKINFLOWERS (Melancholic melodic electro melodramas) are all sewn together with the musical needle of warped Italian horror flick fans FREUDSTEIN.

Contact: WASP FACTORY, Unit 1, 65 - 67 High Street, Cheltenham, Glos. GL50 1DU.
E-mail: enquiries@waspfactory.com
Web-site: www.wasp-factory.com

KRANKHEIT DER JUGEND - ILMENAU / BAD RAPPENAU (CD - KRANKEKUNSTVERLAG)
First album for nearly two years and related musically and lyrically to the material on 'Schnittstellen'.
A mix of not only musical styles taking in psychedelic, jazz and electro but languages including German, English, Italian and French. This 'concept' album is lyrically built around a journey made by persons unknown taking in India, Italy, France and Germany. Intriguing! Sub - poetic spoken word pieces give this a speaking diary feel, along with occasional sample snapshots. Very 'artrock' throughout from progressive via Krautrock to experimental and electronic. Outhere sonic ambiences give the songs a psychedelic tinge to go with the ever-changing musical landscape.

Contact: KKV, Haupstr. 75, 44206 Bad Wimpfen, GERMANY.
E-mail: werk512@aol.com
Web-site: www.betonbruch.de

A NICE DERANGEMENT - A NICE DERANGEMENT (CD - AIRSOUND)
This represents the tip of the iceberg material wise from this project based around the music of John Kelly. There's a definite singer/ songwriter axis, which puts me in mind of the likes of Paul Weller and Ray Davies. Urban takes of the modern world that has a melancholy atmosphere throughout, but all done with a certain English quirkiness that the above artists are renowned for.

Contact: AIRSOUND, Lane Cottage, Old Mill Lane, Mertsham, SURREY RH1 3BE.

HEIST - FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE TRABI RACES (CD - SUPER 8)
Formed in '98, going on to win NME's band of the year, they feature Callina de la Mare who has worked with the likes of Tindersticks, Nick Cave and Marc Almond. If that wasn't pedigree enough, Allison Thomson's credits include Trashcan Sinatras and Primal Scream. They've also toured with the likes of The Fall, Buzzcocks and Happy Mondays, along with releasing the 'Defectors' EP and an experimental film noir / dance album 'Berlin Express'. I think the titles give away their fascination with Iron Curtain era subjects. This, their debut album is imbued with 'cold war' atmospherics and kitsch spy theme motifs. Like an upbeat Portishead mixed with a touch of the Tindersticks and 'The Third Man' soundtrack thrown in for good measure. Back in the USSR, yeah!

E-mail: super8recordings@yahoo.com

GROOP DOGDRILL - EVERY SIX SECONDS (CD - MANTRA)
Inspired by masculinity, sex and relationships, this post-small town hate machine has experienced much. Now they are ready to look at their past hedonism with a more sober eye and see it for what it really is. This musical wake up call charges like a tornado ready to draw everybody into the mosh pit maelstrom. Their brand of guitar rock draws on grunge a la Nirvana along with Motorhead's headbanging riffs. Beneath all the bravado the band show a sensitive side, catch it while you can.

BOWERY ELECTRIC - LUSHLIFE (CD - BEGGARS BANQUET)
Following on from the '97 second album 'Beat', which received great critical acclaim, even described by 'Wire' as a 'benchmark' release. This Brooklyn based band have soaked up hip hop, Philly soul, Mancini and Shire to produce emotive soundtracky trip-hop. Obvious contemporaries would include Portishead and Massive Attack's dabbling with melancholy soul. Their explorations into chill out grooves seem to conjure cinematic images. Perhaps Hollywood beckons.

BIS - MUSIC FOR A STRANGER WORLD (CD - WIIJA)
Never a band to be tied down to a particular sound on this mini-album, they've flirted with electronica.
From the catchy melodic pop reminiscent of St. Etienne to the Teutonic beats of Kraftwerk. Drawing also on 80's synth bands like Depeche Mode and Human League to be in tune with the current fascination with that period. But their brand of electronics has always had a spikey punk tinge that gives it a bit more bite. An interesting pre-cursor to the full-length album to see whether they explore or ditch this sound.

Contact: BEGGARS BANQUET.


HEAVEN AND HELL - COMPILATION (CD - TRISOL)
A special 50th release from this unique label which features exclusive, unreleased and rare tracks, along with the crème de la crème of club hits from some of the best known acts from these genres.
A veritable who's who of the scene which includes GARDEN OF DELIGHT, SANGUIS ET CINIS, WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW, BLACK TAPE FOR A BLUE GIRL, MOTHER DESTRUCTION, DIE FORM, ESPLENDOR GEOMETRICO and ATTRITION. This is a definitive guide to the current European scene and a must for the curious out there.

SAMSAS TRAUM - OH LUNA MEIN (CD - TRISOL)
Follow up to the widely tipped 'black metal' opera album 'Die Liebe Gottes', which was critically well received in their native Germany. Mixing gothic and black metal along with a heavy dose of romantic melancholy, that draws on many influences. Yes, we do have grinding guitars and growling vox to satisfy the satantic masses but they shift from dark to light like the waning moon. Classical keys and strings pierce the gloom and lift the proceedings in a Dead Can Dance way. But even with all the pounding, there is always a melodic element to save the music from turning into a dirge. The dual vocals and an ear for a catchy black opus aimed at the darkly clad hordes will certainly get the dancefloors heaving.

SANGUIS ET CINIS - AMNESIA (CD - TRISOL)
Another release from this exotic and eccentric band, that has a strong sense of musical and visual drama. Their brand of romantic death rock puts me in mind of the likes of Christian Death, the March Violets and Sisters of Mercy. This, their fourth album continues where the others left off, and was produced by Bruno Kramm of Das Ich. Electronic elements help drive the songs and give them an 80's synth feel a la Depeche Mode. But then they get darker with sub-Marilyn Manson type riffing just to confound us. An eclectic mix of songs that will appeal to both gothic / electronic audiences.

Z.E.T.A.X - FEOH (CD - TRISOL)
This lies in the hard electronic field bordering on techno and doesn't pull any punches.
Don't be fooled by the sub-ambient classical interludes, this material is intended to fill dance floors. Pounding beats sampled guitars and angst-ridden vocals that would shame even Cubanate or Sheep On Drugs. We not only get a lesson in musical prowess but also a look at history to enlighten us.
They certainly fit in with the current mode for dancey electronic music like Mesh, Covenant and VNV Nation.

Contact: M.O.S, Altenbach 24a, 94900 Vaduz F. LIECHTENSTEIN.
E-mail: mos@rec.lol.li

CINEMA STRANGE - CINEMA STRANGE (CD - TRISOL)
A new band to me, this is their debut album after critical praise for their self produced singles.
Another American band that's carrying on in the death rock tradition a la Christian Death.
Add to that the post-punk howl of the likes of Sex Gang Children and that brief 'Batcave' embryonic era. Their brand of graveyard romanticism puts me in mind of a darker London After Midnight or even a spookier version of Specimen. Doom laden vocals have uncanny similarity to Varney from Soper Aeternus ghostly Goth cries. New World critical praise has been enthusiastic and it'll be interesting to see what European audiences make of them.

DIE FORM - EXTREMUM (CD - TRISOL)
A new album from this established ritual S/M band from France; t's been a while. The artwork is as provoking as ever, female forms mixed with images of machines reminds me of some of Geiger's more erotic work. Pulsing electronics that probe the subconscious overlaid with ethereal female vox that calls us like the proverbial 'sirens'. Dark male vox growl orders of discipline with hidden menace towards the listener. Dungeon dancescapes that repulse and intrigue in even measures depending on your viewpoint. They have managed to carve their own niche in this area, along with the likes of Sleep Chamber and material released by Ant Zen.

YENDRI - BREAKDOWN OF REALITY (CD- TRISOL)
Second album from this 'machines in decay' obsessed individual from Germany. The androgynous Yendri seems to have a love-hate relationship with technology and its effect on society. Then using the same technology in the form of electronic music to promote these ideas a nice paradox. Putting these issues aside, the music works on many levels and appeals both in a cerebral and emotive way. Melodic electronics with spoken-sung vocals full of hooks, that draws on the likes of Visage, Kraftwerk and Nine Inch Nails.

SIECHTUM - GESELLSCHAFT: MORD (CD - TRISOL)
This is the debut release from Thomas Rainer from the band L'Aime Immortelle.
It's in the vein of his own band but also draws on other harsh industrial artists such as Dive and Esplendor Geometrico. I can see the connection with Geometrico's distorted rhythmic tribal electronics that mesmerize the listener. Then, think of the harder end of techno via gabba, which puts me in mind of Ultraviolence. Unrelenting power electronics and totalitarian beats take no prisoners.

MANTUS - LIEBE UND TOD (CD- TRISOL)
Debut release from this German Gothic band that might have been compared to London After Midnight.
They share the same neo-romantic psyche but Mantus employ a lot more electronics in their sound.
Dramatic gloomy atmospherics and sub-sisters guitar, along with dual male and female vox draw on classic Goth bands. Heart wrenching strings and melancholic voices pull us into a web of despair. Dealing with subjects like 'Love and Death' (the title of the album) their view is bleak indeed.

ASP - HAST DU MICH VERMISST? (CD - TRISOL)
Project of a famous fantasy comic artist whose name will remain a mystery? They've received good press in Germany being touted as one of the best releases of 2000. Influences include early Sisters of Mercy, Rammstein also And One, calling on Goth, Industrial and synth. Reminiscent in places of the sequencer driven DAF but not as Teutonic as their fellow countrymen. Vocally very much in classic Goth mould a la Eldritch's moody dark invocations. They mix classic Goth with catchy hooks that hang around in the brain like Rosetta Stone and Rose of Avalanche. Everything feels and sounds familiar so they'll find a welcome in most dark hearts but beyond that we'll have to wait and see.

FLESH FIELD - VIRAL EXTINCTION (CD - TRISOL)
Hailing from the States where they've received rave reviews in the elektro/ industrial press. Power electronic rhythmic surges a la Esplendor Geometrico put together with EBM, think Front 242 and Front Line Assembly. Dancefloor orientated industrial electro that's got the hooks of Sheep on Drugs and the pace of Nitzer Ebb. Then draw on both old and new electronic genres but also add touches of techno and gabba. It's difficult in this genre to come up with an original sound but I think Flesh Field is half way there.

JANUS - SCHLAFENDE HUNDE (CD - TRISOL)
Follow up to the 'Vater" album, also with production stints with the likes of Sopor Aeternus, L'Ame Imortelle and Samsas Traum. Again, visually strong with a gloomy comic strip to accompany the ominous electronics. Atmospheric interludes give you a feeling of unease before the sampled guitar kicks in very Rammstein. Spoken word passages give a pervasive feeling of melancholy to this story of woe. The more up-tempo pieces have a metallic edge with a mix of electro/ metal, think Die Krupps, Fear Factory and Young Gods.

Contact: TRISOL, AHORNWEG 19, 64807 DIEBURG, GERMANY.
E-mail: info@trisol.de

ARTEMIY ARTEMIEV / PETER FROHMADER - SPACE ICON (CD - ELECTROSHOCK)
Another release from this pioneering and prolific label led by the ever-present Artemiev, one of the leading lights in the international electro-acoustic genre. Ominous space inspired electronic soundscapes that wouldn't sound out of place in the film '2001'. A soundtrack looking for a film, I can see this Russian composer's strength is in conjuring images in the mind. This time he has collaborated with German composer Frohmader, sharing studio time in Munich and Moscow. This work is less ambient than previous outings and has more movement in emotions and atmosphere.

ELECTROACOUSTIC MUSIC 5 - COMPILATION (CD - ELECTROSHOCK)
An international selection of artists. If you're into the kind of music that the likes of 'Wire' write about, then this might mean something to you. This compilation features CLAIRE LARONDE (France, spacey ambiences), PEETER VAHL (Estonia, classically inspired electronics), ROBIN JULIAN HEIFETZ (USA, discordant drones and distorted ambiences) ANATOLLY PERESELEGIN (Russia, violin led disconcerting ambiences), DIETER MOEBIUS (Germany, ambient murmurs from space), HARDA ESTRA (UK, neo folk distortions), and CHRISTOPHER DE LAURENTI (USA, other worldly emanations).

SCREAMING DEAD - DEATH RIDES OUT (CD - RESSURECTION)
Cult band from the mid-80's who've been revived via Resurrection (the label) and the great success of Inkubus Sukkubus. You can hear the embryonic Inkubus in these tracks, a skeleton of ideas that would be fleshed out by the later project. Driving drums are very Killing Joke, and grinding guitars all have a post-punk feel. Pounding tracks that all have the give away Inkubus keyboard lines interwoven in the melee. Rousing songs that demand your attention, it's like Bauhaus, March Violets and the Sisters have never been away.

Contact: RESURRECTION, 228 Camden High Street, London NW1.
Web-site: www.screamingdead.homepage.com

MOISTEN BEFORE USE - AWKWARDNISITY (CD - FRAGMENT)
The return of Clive Richard's wayward label and one of his many incarnations, which includes the sublime Erixma. Unusual percussive instruments have been used to give this a very South East Asian and Polynesian feel. Very reminiscent in places of rhythms used in Thai dances, but brought into a modern context with various cut ups and samples. Industrialised world music would be my nearest genre to hang this post - cocktail chic kitsch on. Not that this is not profound material; it's just that there always seems to be an element of play involved in the proceedings. But with the above, we have elemental drones and ambiences that wouldn't sound out of place in a Tibetan monastery.

Contact: FRAGMENT, PO BOX 4065, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4WH.
Web-site: www.fragmentmusic.com

LADY MORPHIA - RECITALS TO RENEWAL (CD - SURG)
Follow up to the mini album 'Pangoea' which came out in '98, and now they have spread their wings in this full-length opus. Like a flag unfurling in the wind, this album shows strongly where their lineage comes from - the likes of Death In June, In the Nursery, and Dead Can Dance. Epic neo folk and melancholic militaristic beats draw us into an ancient world full of myths and legends. Choral ambiences re-affirm this connection with a more pagan heart and its closeness to nature. Already garnering plaudits from various critics, this album looks set to push Lady Morphia into a wider arena.

Contact: LADY MORPHIA, North Park Cottage, Paddock Wood, Little Walden, Essex CB10 IXE.
E-mail: Lmorphia@aol.com

ALAN MOORE & TIM PERKINS - HIGHBURY WORKING (CD - RE)
Features cult comic guru Alan Moore's spoken word 'beat' poetry with the musical backdrop provided by Tim Perkins of Finality Jack. Moores obsession with historical events based geographically in London, he constantly flits in time and place. He digs through the layers of words to expose the darker heart of this sprawling metropolis. With speech, he interweaves the modern and ancient world joining different events together into a vocal ley line. Discordant sub-industrial distortions provide the stage for these observations, like an avant-garde version of Anne Clarke. We fast-forward through murders, intrigue, Crowley, Arsenal and sewers, which are all drawn into this montage.

Web-site: www.stevenseverin.com

FINALITY JACK - PEASANT GOURMET (CD - NORTH STAR)
Featuring the omnipresent Mr. Perkins, along with Becky Price and Tim Harris, all who have had involvement in various degrees in folk, acoustic, and world music. European folk traditions, from Celtic to Eastern and beyond, are called upon for inspiration. A melting pot of cultural sources with a penchant for classical, all done with a modern slant. Think Phillip Glass, Enya, Pognes, Kate Bush and even Peter Gabriel's dabbling in world music. These purely instrumental tracks will evoke many feelings, mostly of distant landscapes.

Contact: NORTH STAR, PO BOX 868, Cambridge CB1 6SJ.
E-mail: info@northstarmusic.co.uk
Web-site: http://www.northstarmusic.co.uk

THIS GENTLE FLOW - THIS CAGE (CD SINGLE - LEFT AS IN SINISTER)
Features Valerios from the now defunct cult gothic band 'Left Avenue', who have released material on the same label. This project is altogether more electronic but still has strong gothic ambiences.
Industrial rhythms, ethereal keys and droning bass are the backbone to this conjunction between the Sisters and Dead Can Dance. Add to that classical elements, there's a lot going on in this cauldron. It'll be interesting to see what happens when they make a full album.

CANDLES AND INTRIGUE - COMPILATION 2 (CD - LEFT AS IN SINISTER)
Titled as 'the next wave of Australian music' albeit within dark wave/ gothic/ electronic/ industrial genres. This 'downunderground' compilation features BRILLIG (hypnotic electronics), IKON (gothic between Sisters/ Death in June, released material via Apollyon), THIS GENTLE FLOW, REDRESSER (reminiscent of Bauhaus), SHINING VRIL (ominous soundscapes), ONE (EBM from the album 'Mercy Mile' via Nightbreed), RECUR (gothic/ electronic), LEMON AVENUE, IONA (hard electronic), SCISSOR PRETTY (weird atmospheric electronics meets the Banshees), UNSAID (post punk meets Led Zep), SEVENTH DAWN (Depeche Mode sounding), and NICHOLAS OGBURN (industrial ambient sound-scape).

Contact: LEFT AS IN SINISTER, PO BOX 1769, Collingwood, 3066 Victoria, AUSTRALIA.
E-mail: valerios@rabbit.com.au

TRANCENDENCE - DARK CULTURE SAMPLER (CD - DOPPLER EFFECT)
A compilation of electronic bands mostly from Washington and Oregon areas in the States.
This features SMP (EBM in Front 242/ Front Line Assembly mode), NOXIOUS EMOTION (hard electronic reminiscent of Young Gods), PARALLAX 1 (industrial), PET OF THE FUTURE (classical inspired Depeche Mode), TRIPLE POINT (minimal 80's electronics), LATERAL TENSION (dancey in Sheep On Drugs vein), OMNIBOX (more EBM), TRI STATE KILLING SPREE (melodramatic gothic/electronic), WRITTEN IN ASHES (Gothic Rock), IXI (industrial), FIERCEN (industrial dance), THINE EYES (sound-scape), LANDSCAPE BODY MACHINE (pulsing electronics in Kraftwerk mode) DIAO (world music influenced electronics), ALTENUATED EUPHORIA (brooding electronics), and MFD (dark ambient murmurs).

Contact: DOPPLER EFFECT, PO BOX 6417, Beaverton, OR 97007, USA.
E-mail: dfx@sonic-boom.com
Web-site: www.sonic-boom.com/dfx

BILL HORIST - SONGS FROM THE NERVE WHEEL (CD - UNIT CIRCLE RECORDS)
Follow up to the 'Soylent Radio' album, which also revolved around treated guitar sound-scapes.
After a period of activity which has included touring in the USA and Europe along with many collaborations. This solo artist seems to have matured with these experiences culminating in a more focused piece of work. Whirling rhythmic ambiences that float in and out of focus are mixed with guitar tremors. Pulsing otherworldly emanations of unease glide past like out-takes from some sci-fi horror not unlike Alien.

Contact: UNIT CIRCLE, PO BOX 20352, Seattle, WA 98102, USA.
Web-site: http://www.unitcircle.com/

M&E AUDIOZINE - COMPILATION (CASSETTE - MUSIC & ELSEWHERE)
Features a sprinkling of current releases available via the above label, and more seriously dedicated to Kate Twilight (1968-99) RIP. As always, it's an eclectic mix of artists from the international underground. This sampler features SISTER SINISTER (moody folky melancholy like All About Eve), SIRENEE (Austrian neo folk), SABOTAGE (well regarded pervy-electronics from their CD 'Acoustic Costumes' via nightbreed), WERK (more from Austria, this time in Depeche Mode territory), UNCLE ID (Welsh Chilli Peppers Funky Stylee weirdness), SILVERSPOON (prog with jazzy overtones from Germany), GURUS FROM THE NEW MILLENIUM (mantric guitars in Spacemen 3/ Sundial mode), SLEEPY PEOPLE (proggy Talk Talk meets Porcupine Tree), MAGIC MOMENTS AT TWILIGHT TIME (the omnipresent 'Hawkwind on a budget' band, masters of Guilford), TOSHIYUKI HIRAOKA (Japanese Kraftwerky - electro), RAS.AL.GHUL (ritual industrial from Portugal), MOTION CONTROL (weird electronic/ breakbeat mix), CAPTAINS LOG (space rock feedback ambiences), and ARTEMIY ARTEMIEV (Russian composer's otherworldly ethereal soundtrack).

Contact: MICK MAGIC, 6 Farm Court, Frimley, Surrey GU16 8TJ.
E-mail: magic@underground.fsnet.co.uk
Web-site: http://music-elsewhere.hypermart.net

NEROS ACOLYTES - ALBATROCITY (CASSETTE - EXOTERIC), MARTOC - TRAFFIC IS PSYCHOSOMATIC (CASSETTE - ESOTERIC)
Both projects feature the wayward talents of Martoc, along with countless other musicians.
Although 'Albatrocity' is a band effort, we hear Martocs strange sensibilities shine through. Reminiscent of Hawkwind and Syd Barret, with the quirky humour of the likes of The Bonzo's.
His solo efforts are not too dissimilar in style and content but more reliant on electronics.

Contact: EXOTERIC/ESOTERIC, 46 Kennett Road, Oxford OX3 7BJ.
Web-site: http://www.martoc.demon.co.uk

SILBERNACHT - NACHT OHNE STERNE (CASSETTE - SELF RELEASE)
Debut release from this esoteric artist from Germany is imbued in melancholy. Imagine the musical soundtrack to a silent black and white horror film such as 'Phantom of the Opera' or 'Nosferatu'. This conjures those images in my mind through atmospheric church organ dirges, all covered in a layer of cobwebs.

Contact: SILBERNACHT, Kempener 108, 47803 KREFELD, GERMANY.

LLUVIA ACIDA/ ETSETERA/ SILVER SERFER/ NEBULA MANIFESTO (CASSETTE - ONCE UPON A TIME) LLUVIA ACIDA/ GUERRAETERNA (CASSETTE - SELF RELEASE)
Two different releases split between five bands representing electronic music from Latin America.
The bands featured include SILVER SERFER (Argentina - politically fuelled atmospheric electronics interspersed with TV cut ups), NEBULA (pumping EBM, think Front 242/ Nitzer Ebb), LLUVIA ACIDA (Chile - off kilter experimental electro. Released material on the Harijan label), ETSETERA (Argentina - more electronics in avant style), and GUERRAETERNA (Cabaret Voltaire inspired weirdness).

Contact: HARIJAN, Mario Toledo V.326, Punta Arenas, CHILE.

RAS.AL.GHUL - SONIC YONIC (CD - AQUATICA)
The duo of Cerequeira and Rodrigues has a long history of being involved in alternative culture stretching back to 1985. This fifth release reinforces their standing on the international ambient/ electronic scene. Hypnotic trancey electronic rhythms with touches of Arabic/ Indian influences transport the listener to another world. From Eno-esque mindscapes to sub Gabriel world music electronics and Eastern drones reminiscent of muslin gauze. Whether you're into Tangerine Dream or the Aphex Twin, this band bridges the gap between them.

Contact: RAS.AL.GHUL, R.S.Marcal, 75 R/C 1200-419, Lisbon, PORTUGAL.
Web-site: www.symbiose-pt.com

GUNTER SCHROTH - BARCODE MUSIC (CD - ARCHEGON)
Inspired by the sounds produced by Individual products as they are passed over the scanner. Each item has a hidden melody or sonic structure that is unique to that item. An obtuse premise as inspiration to a musical project, but ideas can come from the most obscure places. Abstract bleeps and blips processed and re-structured to form some kind of melodic machine language. There is an Internet music project based in Germany where you can hear this and other sound structures.

Contact: ARCHEGON, Muhlgasse 31, 60486 Frankfurt - Main, GERMANY.
Web-site: www.monoseuche.de
E-mail: ARCHEGON@t-online.de

DREIST - DREIST (CD SINGLE - SELF RELEASE)
Formed in '97 in the North East of Germany where they've become well known, this is their debut release. Angst ridden vocals lead the charge of riffing guitars with strong metal overtones all held together by pounding drums. The band is full of youthful zest which spills over into their 'go get 'em' view. Enthusiasm is great but needs to be tempered with a touch of realism. Once they've dumped their obvious influences, it'll be interesting to see what develops.

Contact: DREIST, Dorfstrasse 2, 17291 Ropersdorf, GERMANY.
E-mail: dreist@web.de

KUROI MORI - DAWNING (CD - TONE CASUALTIES)
The solo project of Japanese musician Hiroki Furutani, who has been producing avant- garde/ jazz music since the mid-eighties. Imagine minimal experimental trip hop mixed with Portishead's atmospherics and you'll get close to what is happening on this album. Sub cinematic sound-scapes and uptempo cocktail jazz themes all shaken and stirred to produce a heady brew. Touches of kitsch, schmaltz and sub-exotica all add to the late night chill club or bar atmospherics. Post-jazz and sleazy porn flick background sounds make this a must for anyone into the likes of Stereolab or the 'Vampiros Lesbos' film.

FLYING DUTCHMAN - TRIP TO THE CORE (CD - TONE CASUALTIES)
Debut release from producer Hanyo Van Oosterom with the help of the members of the band Spot.Cool rhythmic backbones overlaid with shimmering electronics and punctuated by funky bass.This puts me in mind of artists like Grace Jones, Talking Heads, Propaganda and even Julie Cruise.All have strong production elements involved, which comes as no surprise with this artist's material. Add trip-hop, electronica and disco to this melting pot of eclectic musical notions and you still won't cover it.

Contact: TONE CASUALTIES, 6353 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028, USA.
Web-site: www.tonecasualities.com

ANGEL SELF DESTRUCT - BASEMENT (CD SINGLE - ASD)
Follow up to the debut cassette release 'Kitsch and Chaos' which came out last year. This material has far better production values and comes across as a 'coming of age' for this duo. Dark wave electronics with influences that include Joy Division, Virgin Prunes and early Black Sabbath. Take the above ingredients and include the likes of the Young Gods and This Mortal Coil into the melting pot.
The new material has a more European minimal discordant feel that reminds me of Xmal Deutschland.

Contact: ASD, 22 Bis Rue De L'Yveline, 78790 Septeuil, FRANCE.
E-mail: albert78790@aol.com

CROOK'D FINGER - AFT/ FZZY PMPR-FDGYBTNS (VUZH/ BIZARRE DEPICTION), SAMARKAND - PITCH WHEEL/ CLOUD - WANKER (BIZARRE DEPICTION / SEMPER LOFI)
Two split cassette releases from experimental/ electronic bands/ artists from various parts of the States. Includes CROOK'D FINGER (veer between structured electro and off the wall experimental pieces), FZZY PMPR (lo-fi distorted big beat like Chrome meets Zappa mixed by Fat Boy Slim), SAMARKAND (soundtracky Philip Glass like ambiences), and CLOUD (world music influenced rhythms mixed with guitar nuances).

Contact: BIZARRE DEPICTION, PO BOX 3488, Dublin, OH 43016, USA.
E-mail: stewart@netwalk.com
Contact: VUZH, PO BOX 1204, Lyons, CO 80540, USA.
E-mail: vuzhmusic@autoreverse.net

DIPARTIMENTO SCUOLA EDUCAZIONE - DSE (CASSETTE - SELF RELEASE)
Second offering from this Northern Italian early 80's influenced band. Melancholic atmospherics, minimal esoteric guitar and skeletal bass reaffirm these links. Think stark stripped down music produced by bands like Joy Division, Section 25, early Siouxsie and early cure.

Contact: F.GELMINI, Via 4 Novembre 74, 24030 ALMENNO S.B, BERGAMMO, ITALY.


PUBLICATIONS

MASTOCK 1/ 2
This one covers 'experimental music' including reviews and interviews with the likes of HOLOSKANKS, ATMOSPHEH - RHYCXX and a dictionary of musical terms.

Contact: MASTOCK, 7375 Louis Hebert, Montreal, Quebec, H2E 2X5 CANADA.

ORIGINAL SIN 27/ 28/ 29/ 30.
Prolific 'zine covering most genres including Wave, Goth, Indie, Punk, EBM and beyond.
Interviews include CLAN OF XYMOX, WOMB, LLAMA FARMERS, MOLOTOVA, KIRLIAN CAMERA, RO - ROBOT, DYNAMIC MASTERS and loads of music and 'zine reviews. Essential.

Contact: ORIGINAL SIN, Jozef Guislainstraat 6, 9000 Gent, BELGIUM.

MAFIA 4
Gothic music inspired 'zine which features MIDNIGHT CONFIGURATION, BLUBBERHEADS, VENUS FLY TRAP, MIMETIC FIELD, OBERON, L'AME IMMORTELLE and lots of related reviews.

Contact: MAFIA, PK 58 Bakirkoy, 34711 ISTANBUL, TURKEY.

RHYTHM & BOOZE
Monthly regional based music magazine covering the various goings on around the West Midlands. Has reviews including SPUNGE, SPITBOX, MODICUM and LLAMA FARMERS.

Contact: RHYTHM & BOOZE, PO BOX 271, Worcester, WR4 9ZU.
E-mail: com/group/rhythmandbooze

MONAS HIEROGLYPHICA 10
Fiction, poetry and more, including features and interviews on the likes of AZTEC GODS, JOI BROZEK, OWAIN GLYNDWR and EDGAR A. POE.

Contact: MH, 58 Seymour Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet, ESSEX SS7 2HL.

EXCLUSIVE 6
Lots of reviews and interviews featuring MUSE, BILLY CHILDISH, MICHAEL J. SHEEHY, MERZ and RIMA.

Contact: EXCLUSIVE, 53 Birches Head Road, Hanley, STOKE ON TRENT ST1 6LH.

PSYCHE OUT
The last issue of this 'zine which features interviews with LEGENDARY POPTONES, VENUS FLYTRAP, SPOUT and scene reports from CZECH REPUBLIC and BULGARIA.

Contact: PSYCHE OUT, Via Gallesi 20/ 32, 16163 San Quirico, GENOVA, ITALY.

KITSCH KITTY 3
Indie music and rant based 'zine that has stuff on the likes of MIGUAL BALL, STAR WARS, REVISION, VOW and lots of music reviews.

Contact: KITSCH KITTY, 21 Ashton Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 7AP.
E-mail: kitschkitty@hipplanet.com

LES ENFENTS DU SILENCE 38
Mostly review based, with interviews from BUZY and FANTASTICORAMA.

E-mail bonnet.erik@wanadoo.fr

DARKLIFE 4/ 5
The premier music 'zine that covers the international Gothic/ Industrial scene.
Packed with reviews and interviews with bands that include VNV NATION, IN THE NURSERY, NEW MODEL ARMY, FRONT 242, MIRANDA SEX GARDEN, ATTRITION, ALPHAVILLE and loads more. Essential.

Contact: DARKLIFE, PO BOX 29071, LONDON WC1H.
E-mail: aquat@students.bbk.ac.uk

ANALOG PLENUM 39
Covering Fetish, Acidcore, Industrial and Teknoise, with articles, reviews and artwork on Taboos and Transgressions, History of Electro, Gigolo Records and Armageddon 7.

Contact: A.P, 10 Impasse Henri IV, 64110 GELOS, FRANCE.
E-mail: khylvyh@free.fr

CRACKED MACHINE 1
Great debut issue packed with interviews and reviews with the likes of LABRADFORD, SHELLAC, PAVEMENT, BRAINIAC, MAIN, COLIN NEWMAN, SWANS, TRANS AM, PANASONIC, SONIC YOUTH and MERZBOW.

Contact: C.M, 64 Demesne Road, Whalley Range, MANCHESTER, M16 8PJ.
Web-site: www.webinfo.co.uk/crackedmachine

TOTEM 16
Contains all things Gothic with reviews and interviews including NEW CREATURES, FAITHFUL DAWN, NAEVUS, TORTURE TEKK, ONE and the WHITBY WEEKEND.

Contact: TOTEM, POSTFACH 440139, 12001 BERLIN, GERMANY.
E-mail: totem-magazin@01019freenet.de
Web-site: www.people.freenet.de/totem-magazin

GLAM PUNK SUICIDE 6
Again, another last issue. This time, lots of 'zine and music reviews and featured bands NEUROTIC POP THRILL, PIGFISH and REVOLVER.

Contact G.P.S, 44 Warwick Road, Failsworth, MANCHESTER M35 0QQ.

WORST 7
Alternative based, packed with reviews plus interviews with KOVENANT, QUEEN ADREENA, MACHINE HEAD and GRABESMOND.

Contact: WORST, 1 Crake Way, Emerson, Washington, TYNE AND WEAR NE38 ODR.
E-mail: psi40@hotmail.com

MAUL 11
Berlin scene based, covering Literature, Fanzines, Clubcheck, Comicstrip, Dark Lifestyle and interviews with GOETHES ERBEN and SOKO FRIEDHOF.

Contact: SONIC MALADE, PO 440 107, 12001 BERLIN, GERMANY.
E-mail: sonicmalade@transmedia.de