I seldom paste and copy complete phrases taken out of the label info sheet, but for this latest Experimental-Electronica compilation album of the Russian label Lagunamuch, I have to make an exception: 'It took us two years to finish this monolithic release. The result was worth the effort. Unfortunately during these two years many unexpected things have happened. One year ago, an excellent musician and creator of this project, Alexander Matrosov, passed away. One year later we are dedicating this compilation to him. It is exactly the way he wanted to see and hear it.' There isn't that much to add, since Alexander Matrosov has been one of the leading forces of the Lagunamuch community and his passing is still a shock for all involved. We send our deepest condolences in the name of the whole Chain D.L.K.crew. Regarding the tragic happenings, this compilation deserves respect. Since this release acts like a requiem, it is nearly forbidden to alter any component of it with a review. Be assured, that you'll get an awesome looking (digipack- and artwork-design by Arthur Berent ' that dark and bluish city in between some mountains is his best work so far'¦), and heavily Industrial-minded compilation, which is an ideal introduction to several artists of this Russian Underground-Electronica scene. I have to name some favourites, although this is rather based on personal preferences: Speyer ('¦ that is one of the projects with Alexander Matrosov involved'¦) impresses with a straight and linear IDM-track named 'Dust', which offers a hypnotic rhythm pattern and grows on opulent synth-layers. Arthur Berent has his own project Abstract Avenue taking part with two tracks, from which 'Oxid' gets my vote especially regarding the cutting snare drum in use. Riverz End, also featured on here with two tracks, has received the 'honour' to compose the title track of this compilation, which is an Experimental-minded Downtempo-tune with several foiled recording quells.
Life and business somehow goes on, but this compilation is a great pearl, if you like to check out some alternative IDM/Modern Ambient-/Electronica artists. That shall not sound disrespectful, but I am sure that Alexander Matrosov wanted to see us and all involved from the side of the Lagunamuch community to continue with normality. Make your contacts and purchase this awesome looking and sounding compilation.

Tracklist

01 Indu Mezu vs Flagra - The Game
02 Speyer - Dust
03 Riverz End - Triangle Man
04 Abstract Avenue - Oxid
05 Autopilots - Machine
06 Nightech - Grey Strata of Subways
07 L.F. - Delta-Foxtrot
08 Abstract Avenue - Kolkster
09 Speyer - Connecting to You
10 Riverz End - Main Control Board
11 Egofriend - Condition Rock
12 Alexandroid - Station MIR

'Polymer Matrix' is the first MetaComplex release for Binalog Productions. For this single, Tamas Olejnik included three good tracks which have robotics rhythms and sidereal atmospheres. The single opens with the title track "Polymer Matrix". The tune has a Detroit flavor thanks to its spacey leads and powerful analog bass lines. "Implanted Soul" showcases robotic rhythms, sidereal pads and bouncy fat bass lines. "Polymer Matrix II" closes the single with more syncopated rhythms and ice-cold melodies. MetaComplex did a great job with all of these tracks and they are all very enjoyable. If you love Detroit and Miami electro be sure to check this out!
(Proofread by Johan Sebastian Bot)

The musicians Adriano Orru' (double bass), Silvia Corda (on prepared piano) and Simon Balestrazzi (electronics and amplified objects) drag in the great American poet Emily Dickinson to baptize their project - "A Sphere Of Simple Green" is the second verse of the little poem "the Grass so little has to do" - and as you can easily imagine, my personal research has been immediately oriented to find out some reason for such a choice by digging into musical grounds. An attempt of stylistical recording could lead this project in some empty place between improvisational jazz and electroacoustic experiments, but it's amazing the way they let tunes grow lively since the beginning whereas amplified objects and the heavy piano chord seem to assert themselves over some mumbling voices in order to bore a hole in the sound space which gradually seems turning into a vortex where instrumental tunes looks like being swallowed - while piano tunes sound falling headlong by heavy thuds, double bass ones looks like trying to cling to the sliding sides of the chasm... -. The one I tried to describe is the first of the three "untitled soundscape"; in the second after some double bass hoeing, an electronic piercing sound introduces to an impressive alternation between choral gurgling where this combo manages to give their sound an hypnotic gear without resorting to loops and flirts with silence, a conjuration, the last mentioned, which is more evident in the third untitled soundscape. Their skils in resulting hypnotical without recurring structures (many think green is an hypnotical color as well), the lack of symmetry in sound structures, some bombastic digressions, the preference for an unconventional musical language and certain performative togetherness which doesn't scratch the regularity of their sound (appearing perfect and compact like a sphere in spite of the uneven grounds they're moving on) could be a set of possible intersections with Dickinson's art.

This Chemical Sweet Kid isn't at all that sweet, but rather a relative new rising star out of the Harsh EBM/Hellectro-camp. It's too bad, that this specific genre offers new and/or undiscovered additions nearly on a daily base, since this can be finally being a reason of getting unrecognized. While I don't think, that this will count for this album too. The Chemical Sweet Kid, or short CSK, is the musically brainchild of Julien M. out of Metz, France, who can look back on a DJ-career under the moniker Xanax. CSK has been established in 2008 and in 2009 Julien has added with Coralie a female counterpart. The right drive to push forward the musically career can be surely named with the participation on the Alfa Matrix 4-CD box-set 'Endzeit Bunkertracks (Act V)', while CSK have been also active as remix contributors for those notorious fellowmen like Dolls Of Pain or Schultz.
Finally CSK could release this first album, which is seemingly self-produced. The Hungarian-based label Advoxya Records acts only as a distribution partner to ensure world-wide availability to purchase this album. Starting with the first track "Tears Of Blood" as being the opener for this album, I wasn't at all too much fond of it. The sequences in use and the style of the chosen synthesizer-sounds are too obviously influenced by the Belgium (sound-) slaughter of all Harsh EBM-relations, Mr. Johan van Roy. Another colourless SC-clone, well, that would be another unnecessary addition out of the Hellectro-camp.
Luckily things get better with tracks like 'Human' or moreover with the straight 'Six Feet Under'. If CSK concentrate to keep the speed high of their tunes (Six Feet Under', 'No Longer', 'Ergo Sum'), they can easily fill in the niche, which their countrymen Tamtrum have left open, after their horrible last album. The hatred energy to reach this target can be extracted through Julien's energetic vocal performance, which doesn't need FX elements to sound that angry. That's raw and a rather Punk-driven form to express the ominous lyrical content.
Thumbs up also for the will to add breaks in between the tracks: 'Identity' is a fine example, how to completely interrupt a straight oriented tune with totally different sounding interceptions. The will to produce also darker and more creeping stuff can be additionally discovered with tracks like 'So Many Things', or 'Face To Pain', which feature mystic and ominous synth-layers to embrace a Dark Electro-related attitude.
Also note that hidden tracks placed at track position 26, which is a cover of the self-explanatory 'Paint It Black' ' surely that kind of track to animate a reserved audience during gigs! This all is well-thought to take care for diversity, which can unfortunately too seldom discovered in this music genre. CSK can also score through some of the used synthesizer- and drum pattern sounds, which differ from the usual formula.
All of this pressed on a silver circle featuring a fine looking cover artwork which includes all lyrics; this debut satisfies all expectations of the Harsh EBM listener. It's far away from being named musically innovative, but who seriously expects this from a newcomer project in this music genre? The potential behind this duo is recognizable, and that counts. Good job done so far, kids, now move on to your next!

Another goody I received several months before and which was well hidden under my huge heap of still-not-reviewed releases ' again, I am very sorry for these awful delays. This full-length album is sort of a surprise, as I was eagerly awaiting new stuff to listen from Flaque. This modern-IDM/Electronica-project has been quite too long in hiatus after the excellent debut 'Mindscapes' (also released by Wycombe Music...), which has been one out of three parts of the last Concise box-set release 'Revive'.
Also Concise, featuring the compelling vocal performance by the Austrian female singer Katrin Segert, stands for subtle Electronica music with demanding arrangements and abstract sound designs. Both projects, Flaque and Concise, have additionally collaborated in the past, not only with the 'Revice' ' CD box-set. The mutual course started somewhere in 2006, when Concise released their 'The Power Of Love'-MCD, which included a remix of Flaque of this remarkable Frankie Goes To Hollywood classic hit song.
Now both projects have united again, but there is a strictly separation of the track listing on this new album available. Concise, meanwhile grown to 4 official band members in its formation, are starting here with the first seven tracks providing us an attractive form of Synthpop-Electronica, which picks up here and there glimpses of different influences like House, Jazz and Experimental. The Electronica elements installed here draw intentionally relations to the kind, which can be discovered with the label comrade High Wycombe. That shouldn't wonder you, since the High Wycombe-mastermind Christian Grass is next to Katrin Segert the founding member of Concise and responsible for the Electronica components. Christian's sounds are as expected very mechanical, cold-sounding, but crystal-clear mixed and tasteful installed, so it is quite enjoyable to listen him creating and placing one or another yet unheard sound idea.
Katrin's warm-sounding vocals are of course out of any doubts or discussions; she offers the 'human' factor and provides the optimal contrast in the sound environment of Concise. Best track, because the most accessible, is 'Voyager', which follows a clear song structure and catchy elements to remain into the ear-channel of their audience already after the first listen.
Flaque invades the scenario starting track 8, 'Reflections', and the influence of Florian Ziller is recognizable from the very tone. Flaque's talent fits pretty much to those high prolific artists of the Tympanik Audio label, who are capable to produce compare IDM/Ambient/Electronica-music, such as Geomatic, Candle Nine, or the Swiss Stendeck. Opulent and moody synth-layers, experimental rhythms and subtle environmental/field recordings thrown into the mix are the trademarks of Florian's music. The layered programming of Florian then turns out to be the leading element of the 7 minutes clocking masterpiece 'Reflections', which turns out to be the purest audio entertainment. Florian continues to add his skilful arrangements on the following tracks, maybe a bit lesser accessible than on 'Reflections', but still intensely enough to amaze and satisfy the listener.
If it sounded initially like a contrast, to let these talented musicians unite their shills, works out to be a matured, quality Electronica album. I don't know, if it's allowed to ask for, but: when will they unite again to produce the follow-up album to 'Ingénue'?