After a brief hiatus, Synapsis Records returns triumphantly with a captivating 12″ release by Iranian artist Siamak Amidi, accompanied by reinterpretations from hm505. Synapsis-019, titled “Crack A Love Ball,” showcases two original tracks from Amidi on the A side, while the B side features two mesmerizing reinterpretations by hm505.
The project “GǼG” was started by Disko Klubb boss Monkey Timers, who leads Tokyo’s underground disco scene, and Keita Sano. Using a variety of sampling and unique FX, thier music has created a unique GǼG sound that is psychedelic and anarchic, dance music for the open-minded and genre-free crews. Optimo Music unleashes now their second volume from Anarcho Disco into the world.
Lab Personnel is an electro / EBM producer team from from Zagreb, Croatia, including Ivona Ivkovic, Marijan Katic, Nikola Kos, Luka Kurjan, Goran Lautar, Jasmin Mahmic, Dominik Sesek and Paul Genetik. Sons of Traders present “Break Apart”, an improvisation recorded live at “Synth Jam” improvisation session in Zagreb at Surogat Club, December 2023.
Dark Entries picks up Severed Heads yet again for Ear Bitten, a double LP reissue of some of the band’s earliest material. As originary Aussie industrial legends – although founder Tom Ellard would balk at being branded as such – Severed Heads shaped the continental subcultural sound with their kitchen electronics, chaotic tape loops, and quietly infectious nursery-rhyme-esque melodies. In 1979 Ellard, Richard Fielding, and Andrew Wright abandoned the moniker Mr. and Mrs. No Smoking Sign and adopted the edgier name Severed Heads “to pretend to be an industrial band such as Surgical Penis Klinik & Throbbing Gristle.” Noise-rockers Rhythmx Chymx had placed an advertisement in a local shop looking for a band to share the costs of pressing an LP. The Heads set about recording a Dadaist racket on a pair of open reel dictaphones and a cassette deck using a TRS-80 computer, Kawai Synthesizer 100F and Korg Mini Pops drum machine. Ear Bitten was released in 1980; original copies now fetch obscene sums, in part due to most of Severed Heads’ copies perishing in a fire at Richard’s home. The band’s next endeavor was a cassette titled Side 2, a collection of free-form experiments fashioned as Ear Bitten’s second side. For this reissue, Dark Entries has collected both Ear Bitten and Side 2 on the first disc, presenting the album in its full form. Disc two includes the original first version of Ear Bitten, which was only unreleased because it was recorded in a format not suitable for pressing.
As the world got even worse in the past ten years, Mujahideen’s songs from 2014 about greed, vengeance, culture slaves and the human factor are more relevant than ever in 2024, as it seems that the world is trapped in a vicious circle, which summons new dawn of Fascism. Therefore, Dead Language still sounds like a prophecy of wrath accompanied by a shivering crossover of post punk, dub and industrial, inspired by bands like Suicide, P.I.L, The Fall, Mark Stewart & The Maffia, Section 25, Psychic TV, The Young Gods and The Chameleons, which offers a captivating but desperate introspection into the abyss of humankind.
Confused Machines presents another 808 day release. 7 Electro cuts using Roland TR-808, Roland SH-09, Korg MS-20, Korg MS-2000, Verbos Electronics modules and a few FX processors.
Data Desire Disorder is Roberto Auser’s upcoming EP on the Dalmata Daniel label, part of their lathe-cut series. This four-track EP showcases Auser’s deep engagement with analog sound, blending noir, industrial, minimal synth, dark wave, and electro influences. Created largely during the lockdown era, it features vintage hardware and modular synths, crafting a sound that is both raw and meticulously detailed. Data Desire Disorder continues Auser’s exploration into dark, atmospheric soundscapes, offering a blend of cinematic tension and rhythmic pulse.
Legowelt worked as a sound designer for the factory presets of Mirror, which ended up as Muse which is an 8 voice polyphonic bi-timbral synth. The entire album was recorded with an early prototype of of Moog Mirror.
Coral Morphologic’s first album took us on a journey through space. Now with their sophomore LP we arrive at our destination, an aquatic world teaming with life. Across the vast expanse of the cosmos we approach a shimmering satellite globe. Entering its orbit in a hypnotic swirl our eyes peer closer and closer to the glowing sea below. We land near an intertidal zone wondering what enchants this world and its waters. Coral Morphologic 2 is inspired by the corals’ cosmic ability to synchronize their lives to Earth’s daily rotation upon its axis, the Moon’s monthly trip around Earth, and Earth’s yearly orbit of the Sun.
Mannequin Records present the official reissue of Caroline K’s outstanding 1987 album, “Now Wait For Last Year.” This haunting, wistful work of post-industrial synthesizer music sees the late Nocturnal Emissions co-founder only solo record. The music on “Now Wait For Last Year” seems to exist firmly outside of it. Tags like industrial, minimal synth or proto-techno can’t really do justice to the richly cinematic sound-world that Caroline K describes: from the sustained ambient tension of sidelong opener “The Happening World” to the future-primitive rhythms and stately piano flourishes “Animal Lattice”, and the melancholic, deep-frozen synth sequences of “Cheart”.”
‘The Eyewitness’ reveals a habitual pattern in the way it symbolizes a mirror reflection of mankind in our most vulnerable moments. The new album of Jeff Mills and it is composed from the perspective of an unknowingly complicit bystander and it is at the very least, psychologically pathological in nature. What this release is essentially proposing is an admission to the diagnosis that no one is immune to shock and trauma. Not the accuser or the accused. And this abnormality s culturally and generally transmittable – handed down and passed over to one another disguised as righteous theatre. As an artist, what Mills is notoriously known for is the perspectives and paths he chooses to approach hefty, complex, and sometimes, awkward subjects. The best way to recognize the narratives of his mostrecent album works such as “The Clairvoyant”, an eerie transcending album that plays through like a Seance for creating a bridge to reach another dimension or “Mind Power Mind Control”, a cautionary warning about the consequences of supporting deceit, mind control and mass mental persuasion is to start by first taking a moment to look at yourself in a mirror. He’s suggesting sound as a reflection and what we might be able to see in ourselves. Proposing that we might be the problem and a solution. In the same vicinity of his recent solo albums, the direction, scope or target of The Eyewitness is first about us, then about it.
This is a truly gem for darkwave collectors. Noah Renolds is the Australian behind Second Sight, a hidden project reminiscent of // Tense // , Valis or Ortrotasce. Pulsating beats, a peculiar use of short samples á la Wax Trax and amazing minimal synth compositions makes the perfect combo.
“These are challenging times in the middle east. As the situation in Gaza gets worst daily, we are committed to doing what we can to end this conflict, and provide aid to the residents of Gaza, as well as all Palestinians in the west bank.
All proceeds from Confused Machines’ digital sales will go directly to Physicians For Human Rights – Israel (PHRI) www.phr.org.il, which continues its medical work and humanitarian aid in the West Bank despite the difficult circumstances.
Since October 2023, PHRI has doubled its activity in the West Bank and is sending two weekly mobile clinic visits to help communities that are cut off from medical treatment due to the severe wave of settler and military violence, movement restrictions, and the financial crisis in the West Bank.
PHRI is currently unable to operate in Gaza due to restrictions by the Israeli authorities, and have been barred from delivering aid to the strip. PHRI is constantly working to resume these activities and will do so as soon as the circumstances allow.
We urge for an immediate ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and a peaceful future for all inhabitants of this troubled land.”
Annechoic, the force of consciousness behind the acclaimed cult label Audiofugitives, steps out of the shadows once again to present her latest sonic endeavour, ‘Eclectic Sugar’. Ana De Giles, whose career has been shrouded in secrecy since the early 2000s, continues to captivate audiences with her eclectic mix of electro, techno and the ethereal sounds of ambient, leaving a trail of enchanted listeners in her wake. “Eclectic Sugar” represents an exciting new chapter in Annechoic’s musical adventure, demonstrating her unparalleled ability to traverse sonic environments with sophistication and refinement, the EP’s emotional depth and strength resonates profoundly.
Voluntary simplicity. A long-standing philosophical tradition that advocates a form of limitation of needs to achieve happiness. Does this apply to music? I think this music is distinguished by its simplicity and freedom. Here, the sound of machines is presented in its simplest form. For “MACON”, as the name not implies, deconstruction means trying to approach music in an ever-renewed way. This cassette brings together MACON’s first attempts at rhythmic electronic music.
Synth wizard, soundtrack composer, and Zombi member, Steve Moore expands further on his stark and drama filled cosmic sound with a new six track lp. These tracks call to mind to his early-L.I.E.S. releases, where Moore focused on cold arppegations and basic beat constructions to fuel his epic productions which center around pristine soaring synthscapes. A master of the genre, Moore gives us an equal mix of explosive, creepy home at the end of a dark street floor fodder as well as slower tempo cosmic headcrushers, all capable of getting your head or niteclub in a frenzy.
Florian Kupfer presents a new Ambient mini LP caller Way Home. Kupfer says “Piercing thru the ever more present turmoil and dissonances in our daily life i am trying to find refuge in these sounds. This release offers a refined auditory experience, perfect for deep introspection and reflection.” All proceeds from this mini LP will support Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah’s Children’s fund. The purpose of this Fund is to treat injured children, rebuild the destroyed medical infrastructure, and establish a sponsorship program for 20,000+ orphans from the conflict.