Ancien Régime – The Position LP [MNQ032]

March 19, 2013March 26, 2014 hipodromealbum, alessandro adriani, alessandro gavazzi, ancient regime, bad news, mannequin records, post punk, synth popLeave a comment

The Italian band Ancien Régime with theoir first album on Mannequin Records. “The Position” evokes new wave and synth-pop memories, delivering epic vintage sounds and wrapping them all with catchy riffs and melodies. Still, despite this fascination with the past, the band’s work stands out as a distinctive, highly personal take on the genre. The album is opened by the single “Negative”, with its dark gloomy vocals and war-like drumming. “Negative” is, in fact, the quintessential Ancien Régime composition: wave, biting snare, interweaving synths and guitars, reverbs, delays.

Fall Of Saigon – Untitled EP [DE038]

February 18, 2013June 29, 2019 hipodromedark entries records, fall of saigon, florence berthon, minimal synth, pascal comelade, post punk, re-release, reissue, synth wave, thierry denLeave a comment

Dark Entires Records is honored to re-issue the debut EP by Fall Of Saigon. The band was born in 1981 when Florence Berthon (Vocals), Pascal Comelade (Organ, Synthesizer) and Thierry Den (Guitar, Vocals) met at a concert in Montpellier, France. They chose to the name the project Fall Of Saigon after a song by UK post-punk act This Heat. They self-released their debut EP in 1983 citing Nico & The Velvet Underground, Suicide and James Joyce as influences. The 6 songs on the EP were recorded in two stages. “She Leaves Me All Alone” and “On The Beach At Fontana” were sung by Thierry and recorded at Pascal’s home on a Revox 2-track in one shot. The four songs sung by Florence – “Visions”, “Blue Eyes”, “So Long” and “The Swimmer” – were recorded and mixed at the Montpellier Languedoc Video Animation Center by Jean Alain Sidi on two ReVox A77 reel to reels and a small mixer. On “Visions,” “Blue Eyes” and “So Long,” the group employed a drum machine that could only play four or five rhythms with a single slider to increase or decrease the tempo. The songs were minimal: verse, chorus, no bridge, no intro. Built on a simple spine, they create a feeling of space with just a voice and an organ or synthesizer melody. Full of class and inventiveness, Fall Of Saigon are often compared to Young Marble Giants due to the fragile, ephemeral quality of the songs.

Informatics – Dance To A Dangerous Beat [DE037]

February 18, 2013July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, informatics, michael trudgeon, post punk, ramesh ayyar, steve adam, synth pop, synth wave, valek sadovchikoffLeave a comment

Informatics were a post-punk electronic band from Melbourne, Australia formed in 1981. Michael Trudgeon, Valek Sadovchikoff, Steve Adam and Ramesh Ayyar met in the experimental sound studio while attending the same art school. Philip McKellar later joined the band in 1983. They came to work together through a shared fascination in electronic music and the capabilities of analogue synthesizers. In early performances, long before the advent of samplers, the Informatics used a collection of synthesizers and other analogue and hand built equipment. These were patched together to create a unique battery of sounds. Informatics early songs have a brittle, cold, disconnected feel made by a Roland SH-101, Korg MS-20 and a lot of processed guitar. The later songs utilize newer technology and ambient, synthesized melodies closer to their country mates Severed Heads.

VA – The Thing From The Crypt [DE036]

February 18, 2013February 15, 2013 hipodromecompilation, dark entries records, exhibit a, image in ruin, new wave, post punk, sad lovers & giants, soft drinksLeave a comment

Dark Entries is proud to present “The Thing From The Crypt,” a 16-track compilation of UK DIY/Synth/New Wave/Post-Punk originally released in 1981. Showcasing the thriving post punk sound of Watford, a town in Hertfordshire, England, located 20 minutes northwest of central London. “‘The Thing From The Crypt’ neither attempts to sell a ‘Wotford sound’ nor claims to be a comprehensive guide to the area’s best beat bands. Like all good compilations, its essence is variety: some tracks will make you come whilst other will make you vomit.” – original liner notes by Robert Dellar.
This compilation features 8 bands with two songs included by each group.

Der Noir – A Dead Summer (Remixes) [MROME023]

February 6, 2013October 12, 2017 hipodromealessandro parisi, der noir, electro, heinrich dressel, luciano lamanna, mick wills, minimalrome, newclear waves, post punk, techno, teslasonicLeave a comment

“A Dead Summer” is the highly recommended first album by Der Noir , a Roman trio offering a dark and gloomy sound reminiscent of early Bauhaus and the Sisters of Mercy. This is the remix album, released by MinimalRome and featuring Heinrich Dressel, Mick Wills, TeslaSonic, Newclear Waves and Alessandro Parisi.

Smersh – Cassette Pets [DE035]

December 13, 2012July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, chris shepard, dark entries records, dark wave, industrial, mike mangino, post punk, smersh, synth waveLeave a comment

Dark Entries has dug deep in the New Jersey basement of Smersh to release the double LP compilation “Cassette Pets”. Smersh was the duo of Mike Mangino and Chris Shepard, who started writing music together in the late 1970s. They were uninterested in traditional notions of songwriting or live performance. Everything they needed was in Piscataway NJ: a basement full of musical toys and instruments, novelty space microphones, a TR-606 (the same “Roland” who was listed as a member of Big Black), a SH-09 (Cabaret Voltaire’s favorite synth), and — perhaps most importantly — a couple of tape recorders. By 1981, this dedication to spontaneous creativity had already produced countless recordings, and the duo began releasing cassettes as Smersh via their own Atlas King label. On “Cassette Pets” are 17 songs, featuring some of the many highlights from Smersh’s vast discography, spanning 1981-1994. Smersh’s sound is a lush hybrid of techno, industrial, dance, and experimental. Sometimes easy, sometime not. Most songs revolve around driving EBM style beats, intricate industrial noise manipulation and synth melodies. The Smersh sound has so many faces it doesn’t fall into any one category.

The Product – Alive Again LP [DE034]

December 13, 2012July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, dan stielow mortazavi, dark entries records, dark wave, electro, kenneth neuhaus, post punk, synth pop, synth wave, the productLeave a comment

The Product were a duo from the small villages Kvistgaard and Espergaerde, in the north of Denmark. Dan Stielow Mortazavi wrote the lyrics and sang while Kenneth Neuhaus composed the music and played the instruments. They met in the Autumn of 1982 and recorded their sole album “Alive Again” over a weekend. The LP features 11 songs recorded in two short live takes directly onto one cassette. The Product employed a basic set up of Micromoog, Roland JX-3P and TR-606 Drumatix. Nine of the songs employ only these two synthesizers and drum machine while two songs feature a guest bassist. With these three instruments they crafted melodic, icy electronic rhythms with detached vocals. Lyrics revolve around growing up in broken homes, alienation and romance.

Soviet Soviet – Summer, Jesus LP [MNQ033]

December 13, 2012April 26, 2016 hipodromealbum, mannequin records, new wave, post punk, re-release, reissue, soviet soviet, tannen recordsLeave a comment

MNQ 033 Soviet Soviet - Summer, Jesus LP cover art

Mannequin label from Rome release the “Summer, Jesus” LP by Soviet Soviet, first released on Tannen Records. This post punk LP includes 6 tracks and is burning mix of new wave and dark geometric linear reflections that are then.

listen1 / listen2

Profligate – Videotape [NNF265LP]

December 13, 2012October 19, 2015 hipodromeelectro, industrial, noah anthony, not not fun records, post punk, profligate, synth waveLeave a comment

The retirement of Noah Anthony’s Night Burger alias dovetails fluidly into his latest / greatest burned-mind industrial vehicle, Profligate. Anthonys new musical operational model retains the eerie bleakness and concrete atmospheres of his previous project but sculpts them into more maximal, dynamic constructions. Videotape is his vinyl debut, and lays out the agenda with stark, menacing clarity. The title track is a pummeling ascent of chugging drum machines, flatliner synth electricities and strobe light sequencer detailsa digital bloodrush to the head one can (almost) dance to. “Conditioning Trench” rides a buzzing, dystopian bass-pulse strafed with vintage Roland claps, while a paranoid synth melody runs through a dubbed-out void into an exquisite vanishing point. Shadows of Sandwell District-ish negative techno flash forth here and there, but it’s refracted through a rawer, more physical post-noise basement worldview.

Nancy Fortune – Remain Human [NAT012]

December 12, 2012August 1, 2019 hipodromealbum, electro, nancy fortune, nation records, new wave, post punk, synth waveLeave a comment

Cover art - Nancy Fortune: Remain Human

Minimal wave album by Nancy Fortune on Chicago label Nation. Its about times of change and transformation, where we feel odd, lost or alienated. Life comes and goes, people in our life come and go, emotions come and go. we have a limited time on this planet and nothing stays the same and everything is in constant change.

Nite Fields – Vacation [LRR004]

December 12, 2012January 21, 2015 hipodromechris campion, danny venzin, dark wave, felte records, liza harvey, lost race records, michael whitney, new wave, nite fields, post punk, shoegazeLeave a comment

Vacation 7" cover art

Nite Fields are Brisbane new-wave electro band who make cold, hypnotic tracks swimming in grim atmospherics. Recorded and mixed entirely by themselves, the new single “Vacantion” was released on Lost Race Records. The EP includes two tracks “Vacantion” and “Hell/Happy”.

Eraas – Eraas [FELTE002]

November 19, 2012January 21, 2015 hipodromealbum, austin stawiarz, eraas, felte records, post punk, robert toherLeave a comment

New Brooklyn label Felte will be opening for business with the debut LP from doom-mongers ERAAS. ERAAS, aka Robert Toher and Austin Stawiarz, emerged last year from the remains of Noughties post-rockers Apse. The pair’s aim is purportedly to explore more occult territory than their previous gig allowed them. Fittingly, their self-titled debut – recorded in a “rambling, atmospheric mansion” in Massachusetts – is a gloomy affair, setting murky harmonies over the sort of percussion death-rattle you’d expect from a Vatican Shadow record.

Tropic Of Cancer – I Feel Nothing [SHP#5.2]

November 19, 2012April 20, 2021 hipodromeabstract, camella lobo, dark wave, post punk, sleeperhold publications, tropic of cancerLeave a comment

This year has seen Tropic Of Cancer stealthily plot a successful course for total infiltration of our affections, with some well chosen releases laying down the foundations of expectation for the band’s much vaunted debut album, slated for release on Blackest Ever Black next year. This eminently collectable three track release for Belgian imprint Sleeperhold will no doubt jostle for first place with that wonderfully atmospheric 12″ on Mannequin and split HTRK release on Ghostly for best Tropic Of Cancer release of 2012. It’s “Children Of A Lesser God”, the final exquisite track that will floor most people, capturing Camella Lobo and company at their most powerful. Spartan drum machines and nerve tingling guitars form the backbone of this stunning seven minute track as Lobo’s undeniably plaintive delivery sinks ever deeper into the murky recesses.

HTRK / Tropic of Cancer – Part Time Punks Radio Sessions [GI168]

October 11, 2012April 24, 2026 hipodromeabstract, camella lobo, dark wave, ghostly international, hate rock, htrk, post punk, tropic of cancerLeave a comment

The Part Time Punks Radio Sessions 12″ by HTRK and Tropic of Cancer holds six sublime songs of desire. Comparable to a fly-on-a-wall Peel Sessions, the critically acclaimed Part Time Punks radio show is the sound of the LA underground, run by local icon Michael Stock. The limited split captures both bands live at the radio headquarters during HTRK’s first 2011 tour of the USA, accompanied by comrades in minimalism and melancholia, Tropic of Cancer. Flipping this vinyl sounds like two sides of the same cursed coin, and mirrors a high school dance playing an endless lustful waltz. BPMs bumped down to a psychic stalk. It’s a broken and beautiful memento.

ADN’ Ckrystall – Jazz’Mad LP [DE030]

September 29, 2012June 29, 2019 hipodromeadn' ckrystall, album, dark entries records, erick moncollin, krautrock, new wave, post punk, synth popLeave a comment

Dark Entries is excited to release the 30th anniversary edition of ADN’ Ckrystall’s debut album “Jazz’Mad.” ADN’ Ckrystall is the moniker of synthesizer wizard Érick Moncollin from Tarbes, France. In 1977 Moncollin spent time in Paris experimenting with synthesizers, jamming alongside composers Vangelis and Tim Blake. It was here that he obtained a prototype of the Korg MS-20, a legendary synthesizer. The entire album was recorded over a 4 day period in 1980. The sound of “Jazz’Mad” revolves around the synthesizer, utilizing the instrument to all its capacities. ADN was Influenced by New Wave bands that incorporated keyboards into their songs like Gary Numan/Tubeway Army, and Simple Minds, as well as Prog Rock and Krautrock bands such as Hawkwind, Heldon, Gong, and Neu!. The result is an unconventional and discordant conglomeration of synthesizers, drum machines, and vocals that cradle the edge of the brain. Most of the songs are long instrumental pieces but when Érick sings his lyrics favor love, drugs, and science fiction themes.

The KVB – Secret Thirteen Mix 033

September 20, 2012March 4, 2024 hipodromekat day, nicholas wood, podcast, post punk, shoegaze, synth pop, the kvb, the secret thirteenLeave a comment

http://official.fm/tracks/Y9Op?control=1&width=400&height=40&skin_bg=000000&skin_fg=FFFFFF

secret thirteen

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Sumerian Fleet – Sturm Bricht Los EP [CREC012]

September 20, 2012October 20, 2023 hipodromealden tyrell, creme eclipse, creme organization, dark wave, electro, industrial, ingmar pauli, jeroen warmenhoven, mr. pauli, post punk, sumerian fleetLeave a comment

New release from Sumerian Fleet on Creme Eclipse. Big Menacing Darkwave with an industrial tinge from this mysterious West Coast super group, like someone finally removed those damn sunglasses from the Sisters of Mercy dude and showed him the world was an even sadder place than he imagined. Little was heard of him since.

Lives of Angels – Elevator to Eden LP [DE032]

September 17, 2012July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, gerald o’connell, lives of angels, minimal synth, new wave, post punk, synth popLeave a comment

Dark Entires is honored to reissue the long out of print debut album “Elevator to Eden” by Lives of Angels. Lives of Angels was the brainchild of Gerald O’Connell from London, England. In 1974 he worked at CBS studios mastering recordings from tape to disc. By 1977 he joined his first band Mystery Plane, led by school mate Mark Harvey and later joined by his soon-to-be wife Catherine. Gerald branched off in 1980 forming Lives of Angels as an outlet for his own compositions. He recorded, produced and played all of the instruments on “Elevator to Eden” between 1981 and 1983, using a primitive set up of drum machines, one keyboard, guitar and a tape echo. Influenced by the Krautrock sounds of Neu! and Amon Duul II as well as US psychedelic rock, Lives of Angles crafted their own unique post-punk sound. “Elevator to Eden” was originally released in 1983 on cassette by Color Tape Records, the label started by Gary Ramon of Modern Art. Then in 1986 Fire Records remixed and re-released the album on vinyl but the band was not happy with the mixes. This reissue features the original 4-track cassette mixes of “Elevator To Eden” on vinyl for the first time ever. The LP includes 9 songs featured on the original Color Tapes release. All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley directly from the original master tapes.

Stress – Conspiracy Theory LP [DE027]

August 9, 2012February 13, 2026 hipodromealan rider, album, dark entries records, electro, minimal synth, new wave, phil clarke, post punk, stress, synth popLeave a comment

Stress is the duo of Alan Rider and Phil Clarke from West Midlands, England formed in 1981. Stress combined electronic rhythms and keyboards with bass guitar, vocals, percussion, and cut-up samples. They created catchy electronic pop songs that fused accessible & experimental elements with a pointed lyrical edge. “Conspiracy Theory” is an 11-song ‘best of’ compilation album featuring tracks from the first two cassette albums with “The Prayer Clock” from Third Mind Records, ‘Life At The Top’ compilation LP and “Tear It Down” from the ’Compulsory Overtime’ compilation LP. Each song has been carefully remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley.

Torn Hawk – Tarifa [LIES011.5]

July 22, 2012July 24, 2012 hipodromedeep house, disco, l.i.e.s., long island electrical systems, luke wyatt, post punk, torn hawkLeave a comment

Shimmering VHS haze from NYC’s Torn Hawk aka Luke Wyatt. The world of Torn Hawk lies somewhere in-between slo-mo cosmic balearic sunrise/sunset music, kraut experimentations. All around though, Wyatt’s music feels like getting busted watching scrambled static ridden cable porno in your aunt’s wood paneled basement while smoking a pack of stolen Newports. Four amazing tracks on this limited debut release.