Axodry – You [DE125]

July 1, 2016April 16, 2024 hipodromeandreas tomalla, axodry, dark entries records, italo-disco, ralf henrich, razormaidLeave a comment

Axodry was the duo of Andreas “Talla 2XLC” Tomalla and Ralf ”Ra/Hen” Henrich, who formed in Frankfurt, Germany in 1982. The two met at City Music record store where Talla 2XLC worked, supplying the local DJ scene with dance 12”s. From 1984 to 1991 they released six maxi 12” singles. Both members were leading figures in the European electronic scene during the 80’s and 90’s, forming bands like Bigod 20, Tribantura, Micro Chip League, Moskwa TV, Pluuto and Robotiko Rejekto. In 1988 they released the maxi 12” single “You” on ZYX Records/Combeat. Influenced by Depeche Mode, Gary Numan and John Foxx, the duo crafted high impact Industrial, Synth Pop and Electronic Body Music. Their basic set up for recording at RaHen’s home studio was a Moog Rouge, Roland SH-101, Teisco synthesizer, Linn Drum and Fricke sequencer. Ra/Hen performed dramatic vocals, which tell of a lost love found in dreams. Included here are the Beauty & The Beat Mix and the Beasty Dub Mix from the 1988 single. On the flip is the Razormaid Remix, performed by Art Maharg and Joseph Watt, that originally appeared on the ”Welcome To The Technodrome” compilation in 1989. Also included is “Mechanic”, originally released in 1991 as the B-side for their final single “Losing You”.

Cute Heels – Third Skin EP [DE123]

June 30, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromecute heels, dark entries records, electro, industrial, steffi, techno, the hacker, victor lenisLeave a comment

Cute Heels is the solo project of Victor Lenis, a contemporary artist living in Barcelona, Spain. He grew up in Bogotá, Columbia during the 1990s, surrounded by the radial punk scene. “Third Skin” is a 4-track EP that connects the dots between Detroit techno, early Chicago house and Belgium electronic body music. Inspired by equal parts Liaisons Dangereuses, Drexciya and Black Devil Disco Club. On the A-side are two fresh compositions recorded in 2015. “Third Skin” kicks things in a metallic EBM funk with a pounding bottom end. “Lipstick Information” takes the listener on a dark, psychedelic and twisted journey through thrillingly intense arpeggiations. On the flip we present two remixes. The first is from Steffi and the second remix comes from Michel Amato aka The Hacker.

Space Art – Nous Savons Tout [DE124]

June 27, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromecosmic disco, dark entries records, dominique perrier, if records, re-release, reissue, roger rizzitelli, space art, synth popLeave a comment

Space Art was the French electronic duo of Dominique Perrier (keyboards, vocoder) and Roger Rizzitelli (drums, percussion). Between 1977 and 1981, they released three albums of comsic synth pop, in which they laid much groundwork for French electronic music to follow. Space Art’s third single “Nous Savons Tout” was released in 1978 on IF Records. Their sound was similar to Jarre’s early analog albums, but with the addition of real drums. Dominique plays an ARP Odyssey, Clavinet, Eminent, and Minimoog, maximizing their warm textures. Roger plays the drums in an intricate fashion, influenced subtly by jazz fusion. “Nous Savons Tout” features an early prototype of the Vocoder, which the band used to create the chorus. On the flip is the slower ”Melodie Moderne”, an electronic take on classical rock songs of the 1970s. Both tracks were recorded at Studio Ferber Paris in June 1978. Like Richard Pinhas/Heldon and Yellow Magic Orchestra, Space Art created their own brand of dark space disco, paving the way for bands like Air and Mellow.

Lunapark – Gefangene Voegel LP [DE113]

May 30, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, burkhard ballein, dark entries records, klaus gebauer, lunapark, new wave, reinhard benisch, synth popLeave a comment

Lunapark is the trio of Burkhard Ballein, Klaus ”Schlips” Gebauer, Reinhard ”Zoppen” Benisch from Wuppertal, Germany. Formed in 1981 when the boys were dissatisfied with their surrounding musical environment. They packed their instruments and a cassette recorder and set off to create their own brand of Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW ‘New German Wave’). Their influences included The Beatles, Colloseum, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa as well as Sex Pistols, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Blondie and The Cure. “Gefangene Vögel’ (‘Prisoner Birds’) is their debut album released by Intakt Records, Stuttgart in 1982. Utilizing a simple set up of guitar, bass, drums, drum-computer, Korg MS-10 and Korg MS-20 they recorded 10 tracks that make up the album. Songs bridge the Belgian-type industrial and cold sounds with NDW quirkiness. In the vein of Sad Lovers and Giants, and Schleimer K they blend post-punk and new wave music with electronic influences. All songs are sung in German with monotone vocals and epitomized the urban Zeitgeist of the Cold War. All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in a replica of the original jacket design, which features a drawing of birds on a grid. There are 4 different color versions of the screen printed jacket: blue, yellow, magenta and turquoise. Each LP includes a copy of the double sided 11×11 insert that was included with the original pressing with lyrics and photos.

VA – Household Shocks LP [DE114]

May 9, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromecompilation, dark entries records, defectors, fault 151, juveniles, minimal synth, mystery girls, new wave, one gang logic, post punk, product of reason, sinking ships, stark products, thunderboys, urbantechLeave a comment

Dark Entries present “Household Shocks”, a 16-track compilation of UK DIY/Synth/New Wave/Post-Punk originally released in 1980. The album showcases 9 bands from the thriving post-punk scene in Scunthorpe and the North of England. Operating on a shoestring budget, co-producers Chris Leaning and Paul Singleton (both of One Gang Logic), released “Household Shocks” on Stark Products, a label they founded in 1979. At almost 50 minutes of music, the album took four weeks to produce at the Studio Playground in Lincoln. It was supported heavily by the late Radio 1 DJ John Peel.

ZYX – Trust No Woman [DE112]

May 9, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, inge graf, minimal synth, rca music, re-release, reissue, walter zyx, zyxLeave a comment

ZYX are the duo of Inge Graf and Walter Zyx. They formed in Vienna, Austria in 1977. Committing themselves to the “aestheticisation of everyday life” in all fields of art, their works with video, photography, graphic design, and music are visually influenced by Pop Art, Constructivism, Futurism, Dadaism, Beat culture, and the electronic rock of the 60s and 70s. They are considered pioneers of multimedia art worldwide, and continue to remain active to this day. ‘Trust No Woman’ is the debut album from ZYX, and was released in 1981 on the label RCA Music. It was recorded, mixed and mastered from March to August 1981 at their own Sun Moon & Stars Studio Vienna. They designed short, punchy songs around a barrage of analogue synths, rock-solid electro beats and tempered, low-key vocals. Cold and claustrophobic atmospheres collide with mechanical rhythms The songs are sung in English with a heavy German accent, and lyrics channel obscure existentialist dialogues. Despite the sombre tone, there lingers a touch of the enthusiasm that accompanied the influx of affordable technologies and new media of the era.

Some Bizarre – Don’t Be Afraid [DE117]

April 26, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromedark entries records, il discotto productions, italo-disco, marino scarabelli, re-release, reissue, some bizarre, stefano brignoli, synth pop, tiberio scarfoneLeave a comment

Some Bizarre are a trio formed in Bergamo, Italy in 1983. The line-up is Marino Scarabelli (music, producer), Tiberio “Tyber” Scarfone (arrangement, producer) and Stefano Brignoli (lyrics, vocals). “Don’t Be Afraid” was their first composition, recorded in Milan in 1983 and released on Il Discotto the same year. Stefano, sitting on a sofa in the studio, wrote lyrics while Marino composed the music. They developed their sound with a Mini Moog, Prophet 5, Korg Synthesizer, and Linn Drum. Stefano sings of a romantic night with a lover, dancing into a dream world. Heavy percussion serves as counterpoint to the infectious melodies, which were inspired by Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Backup vocalist Enrica Danesi adds a powerful call-and-response for the chorus, elevating the dramatic tension. The B-side features an instrumental version.

Brand Image – Are You Loving? [DE118]

April 21, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromebrand image, dark entries records, il discotto productions, italo-disco, marino scarabelli, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

Nice 12″ made available through Dark Entries again – originally out on Durium / Il Discotto Productions n 1983.

Ghibli – I’m Looking For You [DE116]

April 21, 2016July 31, 2023 hipodromealfredo baraldi, dark entries records, ghibli, italo-disco, synth popLeave a comment

Dark Entries has always been rather canny when it comes to their Italo-disco reissues, often unearthing obscurities from one-shot artists who disappeared just as quickly as they arrived. Ghibli was one such artist. He only ever released one single, I’m Looking For You, back in 1985. That it still sounds fresh, despite its’ obvious period features – bubbling, Bobby Orlando style synthesizer sequences, bold chords and a heavily accented Italian vocals – is testament to the skill of the record’s original producer, Alfredo Baraldi. As with the original pressing, this Dark Entries edition comes back with the superior Instrumental version.

Sad Lovers & Giants – Lost In A Sea Full Of Sighs LP [DE115]

March 24, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, cliff silver, dark entries records, david wood, garce allard, new wave, nigel pollard, post punk, sad lovers & giants, tristan garelLeave a comment

Sad Lovers & Giants are a post-punk band from Watford, England who formed in 1980. The original lineup included vocalist Garçe (Simon) Allard, guitarist Tristan Garel-Funk, bassist Cliff Silver, drummer Nigel Pollard, and keyboardist/saxophonist David Wood. In 1981, they released the 3-song 7” EP “Clé” and the ”Colourless Dream” single. The “Lost In A Moment” 7” single followed in 1982. They released two studio albums, “Epic Garden Music” and “Feeding the Flame”, before disbanding in 1983. The band reformed in 1987. “Lost In A Sea Full Of Sighs” is a collection of 9 songs recorded between 1981 and 1982. Seven songs from their first three 7” singles plus one demo and one song recorded for a John Peel Session in 1981 are compiled here. The music is moody and cerebral, awash with synthesizer swirls and sax interjections.

Dario Dall Aere – Eagles In The Night [TUONO04/DE119]

March 7, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromedario dall aere, dark entries records, frastuono, italo-disco, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

Another one of the many aliases and side-projects from pioneering group Fockewulf 190, Dario Dell’Aere’s “Eagles In The Night” is a truly iconic Italo disco record. Coated with gutsy vocals from Fred Ventura, it’s kitsch without being too theatrical and rolls with such a hook and detailed melody that you’ll be hooked beyond the big, stadium-filling yearns. Naturally the instrumental is also included for those who find the croons a touch too much.

listen1 / listen2

Frak – Sudden Haircut EP [DE109]

March 3, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromeacid, bjorn isgren, dark entries records, electro, frak, house, jan svensson, johan sturesson, technoLeave a comment

Frak are Björn Isgren, Johan Sturesson and Jan Svensson, a trio of synthesizer lovers from Sweden. The band was formed when Svensson and Isgren’s older sisters were best friends and they introduced their little brothers to each other. Inspired by Severed Heads, DAF, Human League, Devo, Skinny Puppy, the boys began collecting analog equipment and started Studio Styrka. While the band were still in their early teens they released the first FRAK cassette album in 1987 on their own record label Börft. Almost 30 years later, FRAK continue to release their bizarre brand of Scandinavian techno with their debut release on Dark Entries.

The Frozen Autumn – Time Is Just A Memory [DE108]

February 3, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromeclaudio brosio, dark entries records, diego merletto, synth pop, synth wave, the frozen autumnLeave a comment

The Frozen Autumn is an Italian darkwave band, formed in May 1993 in Turin, Italy. Originally the solo project of singer, keyboardist and synth programmer Diego Merletto, guitarist Claudio Brosio joined on during early studio sessions and live performances. Together they recorded and released two albums, “Pale Awakening” in 1995 and “Fragments of Memories” in 1997. In 1998, Claudio left the band and Diego recruited Arianna (aka Froxeanne) who sings, programs and composes. After 18 months of work, The Frozen Autumn’s third album, “Emotional Screening Device”, was released in April 2002. “Time Is Just A Memory” is a 6-track overview of songs from The Frozen Autumn’s first three albums. Characterized by a blend of melancholic vocals, atmospheric gothic-wave and 1980s-style electropop, the duo call their style ”frozen wave”. The Frozen Autumn have stated that labelmates Clan of Xymox have been their main source of inspiration over the years. Other influences include Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, The Sisters of Mercy, Xmal Deutschland, David Sylvian and Depeche Mode. These six tracks stand out for their rich melodies, from the guitar-laden early tracks “Dusk Is Like A Dagger”, “Wait For Nothing”, “There’s No Time To Recall”, and “This Time,” to the electronic sheen on later songs “Is Everything Real?” and “Silence Is Talking”.

Wolfsheim – The Sparrow And The Nightingales [DE107]

February 3, 2016July 17, 2024 hipodromeancient methods, dark entries records, markus reinhardt, peter heppner, synth pop, synth wave, wolfsheimLeave a comment

Wolfsheim are a synthpop duo from Hamburg, Germany consisting of Markus Reinhardt (music) and Peter Heppner (lyrics and vocals). The band was founded in 1987 by Markus Reinhardt and Pompejo Ricciardi and was named after Meyer Wolfsheim, a fictional character from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’. Ricciardi soon left the band and was replaced by Peter Heppner, a childhood friend of Reinhardt’s. Together they produced their first demo tape, ‘Ken Manage’, in 1988. After making a second demo tape, ‘Any But Pretty’, in 1989, Wolfsheim applied at various labels until they caught the attention of independent record label Strange Ways Records. They are best known for their debut breakthrough single, ”The Sparrows and the Nightingales”, the first single to be released on Strange Ways in 1991. The band’s musical style takes cues from the 1980s New Romantics, new wave, synthpop, and darkwave. The track’s sombre synths were produced by Carlos Peron of Yello. Reinhardt says the lyric was inspired by ‘The Great Gatsby’, ‘in the ‘onomatopoeic tension’ between predator and security.’ Over six minutes, the narrator describes being lost, unsure of where his life is heading, using highly metaphorical language. On the flip is a brand new remix by German producer Ancient Methods, a pseudonym of Michael ‘Trias’ Wollenhaupt, who provides a driving, EBM-leaning, amphetamine-laced club ready cut.

Crash Course In Science – Jump Over Barrels [DE102]

January 13, 2016September 16, 2019 hipodromecharles manier, crash course in science, dale feliciello, dark entries records, electro, industrial, mallory yago, michael zodorozny, post punkLeave a comment

Crash Course In Science are a post punk band that formed in 1979 in Philadelphia. “Jump Over Barrels” was recorded at the Third Story Studio in Philadelphia in 1981, one year after “Signals From Pier Thirteen”. The song remained unmixed and unreleased at that time for a proposed album titled “Near Marineland”. Lyrically the song tackles overcoming obstacles, self imposed or otherwise, with vocal interplay between Michael and Mallory. On the A Side is the original mix and a demo mix from 1981. Then on the flip is a brand new remix by prolific Ann Arbor producer Charles Manier, a pseudonym of Tadd Mullinix, who toughens up the track. Also included is an unreleased demo version of the song from 1980, accentuating the raw and skeletal nature of the track.

Severed Heads – Petrol [DE104]

November 13, 2015July 17, 2024 hipodromedark entries records, garry bradbury, minimal synth, post punk, severed heads, tom ellardLeave a comment

Dark Entries digs deeper in to the archives of Severed Heads, one of the longest surviving bands to emerge from the Australian post-punk independent music scene. “Petrol”, originally titled “Lamborghini”, was written by Garry Bradbury and Tom Ellard in 1981.

Patrick Cowley – Muscle Up [DE106]

November 11, 2015August 9, 2021 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, disco, experimental, honey soundsystem, italo-disco, patrick cowleyLeave a comment

COWLEY, Patrick - Muscle Up

Dark Entries and Honey Soundsystem Records have teamed up again to release another volume of gay porn soundtracks by San Francisco-based musician and producer, Patrick Cowley. Perhaps one of the most revolutionary and influential people in the canon of disco music, Cowley created his own brand of Hi-NRG dance music, ”The San Francisco Sound.” Born in Buffalo, NY on October 19, 1950, Patrick moved to San Francisco at the age of 21. He studied at the City College of San Francisco where he founded the Electronic Music Lab. During this time, Patrick, along with his classmates Maurice Tani and Art Adcock, would create radio jingles and electronic pieces using the school’s equipment: first a Putney, then an E-MU System, and finally a Serge synthesizer. He would make experimental soundtracks by blending various types of music and adapting them to the synthesizer.

Boytronic – Bryllyant EP [DE101]

October 4, 2015October 10, 2019 hipodromeboytronic, dark entries records, holger wobker, italo-disco, james knights, synth popLeave a comment

Boytronic is a synthpop group from Hamburg, Germany founded by by Holger Wobker and Peter Sawatzki in 1982. Dark Entries presents a reissue of their most important works. “You” being their biggest hit across Europe, is an openly gay love song, and this openness flows throughout the entire release. Instantly danceable. Extended mix of “You” is previously unreleased on vinyl.

Shoc Corridor – Experiments in Incest [DE100]

September 24, 2015January 4, 2022 hipodromealbum, chris davis, dark entries records, minimal synth, nogi prass, post punk, re-release, reissue, shoc corridorLeave a comment

SHOC CORRIDOR - Experiments In Incest

Dark Entries Records reissuesthe LP ‘Experiments in Incest’ from the 80s UK-based Minimal Synth band Shoc Corridor. The founders of this project, Chris Davis and Israel-born Nogi Prass, who eventually had to leave the band because there were problems with her Visa, started making music in 1979, influenced by German electronic bands Kraftwerk, Neu! and recent developments in UK Post Punk like Public Image Ltd., and formed a band, adding by Paul O’Carroll, Paul Humphries and Andy Garnham to the line-up. The departure of Nogi and Chris, who left with her, from the UK in late 1982 made it virtually impossible to continue with Shoc Corridor, but despite that, they released two LPs in 1983 and 1984 (Experiments in Incest and Train of Events). The band eventually disbanded after the suicide of bass player Paul Humphries following the release of Train of Events.

Liquid G – Liquidation [DE099]

September 24, 2015July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, electro, kim de laet, liquid g, liquid garbage, peter van bogaert, post punkLeave a comment

“Liquidation” is the first ever vinyl compilation of Liquid G.’s cassette recordings, taking you on a journey through the underground of the Belgian Electro Industrial scene. Each song was written, produced, recorded and performed by solely by Peter Van Bogaert between 1987-1989. Liquid G. captures the DIY synth-punk ethos of Cabaret Voltaire, The Screamers, and Nervous Gender. Six of the eleven songs on the album are instrumentals, and full of disturbing drum machines, stratified synthesizers, and deep, distorted bass-lines. The core of Liquid G.’s home studio included the Korg Poly-800, Roland TR-505, Roland MT-32, and Boss flanger and delays.