On August 30th the world will finally be able to welcome the new release by Conjure One, the personal side-project of critically acclaimed Canadian-born producer Rhys Fulber (of Front Line Assembly and Delerium fame). I remember loving his first self-titled album, and this second one, altough different, doesn't disappoint and meets all expectations. As in the debut, he makes use of a number of different (and great sounding!) female vocalists (Jane, and Chemda Kalili -also to be found on the previous record- and new voices Tiff Lacey and Joanna Stevens; as well as collaborations with Ashwin Sood, Sean Ashby from McLachlan's band, Leah Randy of Pink and ex-Abandoned Pools and string arranger Chris Elliot). The focus is still heavily on melody, altough the formula has shifted away from the middle eastern flavors and slightly more towards pop (acoustic guitars etc). Obviously everything is supported by a solid and consistent electronic music structure that carries along creating beautiful bass lines, great layered atmospheres and visionary landscapes. "Extraordinary Ways" is nothing short of what you would expect from a skilled and experienced top producer such as Fulber, so go for it without a question! It's a great sounding, relaxing, enticing, rich, dynamic, full, harmonious, gorgeous record!

This is already the second release of this one man project hailing from Rostock, Germany. Like on his first CD, Michael Senft presents here his version of harsh EBM/Electro music with already heard distorted vocals, rough and steady beats and overdriven sequencer bass lines. Comparable to older SUICIDE COMMANDO stuff like the "Critical Stage" era is surely a possible reference, but unfortunately are HIOCTAN not able to play in the same league like his alter ego act. Here is a lot of repetition on almost all tracks, a lift up in song structuring wouldn’t be bad at all. Also the choice of synth sounds cannot really convince me, most bass line and melodic strings are sounding careless and old. It is a pity that here isn’t too much interesting stuff which would help this project to gather a higher level than average. If you look out for some stuff with an edge, with a musically demand, you are wrong with HIOCTAN. This album (excellent cover artwork with nice photos by the way...) is only dedicated to harsh EBM short-cut-hair rivetheads.

A new EP for currently Netherland’s finest Dark Electro acts GRENDEL which avoids to follow the trend to release too much of remixes done by some dear colleges with some payments here and there, that’s indeed a good initiative. Grendel do offer here mostly new tracks which are all very well worked out with a rich melodic content combined with the usually distorted male vocals and the driving Dark Electro bass lines comparable to synonymous acts ala SUICIDE COMMANDO. The idea to use voice samples taken from "Full Metal Jacket" is surely not new at all. On the other side I have never heard a music project which uses this samples that fine and rhythmically well placed like GRENDEL here on their title track. So we have finally three fine new tracks, 2 remix works done by OBSZÖN GESCHÖPF and Mr. Mike Johnson himself, AGONOIZE, a new version of the rare to get track "Zombienation", which was only available on the limited and long sold out DCD "Prescription: Medicine", plus finally a more atmospheric track named "Dream II (feat. ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO). This last track surely is the strangest piece here, it goes to a musically different direction with the use of some melodic piano sounds, undistorted vocals and a really dark mood. I have noticed also – as far as recognizable through the use of FX on the vocals – the use of some engaged and socio-politically lyrics here and there. So the music of GRENDEL is not new at all, but it features an almost perfect combination between the roughness and the remarkable melodic synth layers. I would rate their stuff to be authentic and this EP will totally please you.

Crash Frequency is the name of a new community of bands out of Down Under, Australia. Force through unity, so could maybe the motto sound. It is target to help each out, sharing opportunities, organizing gigs, doing promotion – simply to speak with a mighty voice of a whole Electro/Industrial scene – no matter if and where the bands are signed or not. So this 10 tracks represented by the members of this community is a first mutual sign of life, I must say, a musically very diverse one. ANGELSPIT, opener on this comp and a driving force of this community start with a danceable, classic Industrial inspired track, distorted female vocals and some guitar riffs, comparable somehow with an act like MMTM. ANGEL THEORY is surely one of the most acclaimed and known act here, signed to Australia’s Ground Under Productions, and here present with a good remix done by New Zealand’s THE MERCY CAGE (signed now to DSBP) of their track "Ease the Pain". Next remarkable piece comes from THE CRYSTALLINE EFFECT which combine beautiful female vocals with Electro and some Trip-Hop elements. Globally nice done and finally no wonder, that the Polish label Black Flames picked them up. Australia’s Gothic-Rock legend IKON is also available here and can satisfy with good vocals and a rich amount of electronics. LUX VOLTAIRE prove that there is enough humor in Down Under with a track name in German "Ich liebe mein Oberheim" – well, music seems to produced with synths of this manufacturer. Best track to me – obviously following trendy hypes like Futurepop – is the piece of RESURRECTION EVE, also signed to Ground Under Productions. Well worked out sequences, no minimal structures, good vocals made an easy to following track of this mentioned genre which deserves a wider recognition. Also TANKT offer a good and diverse piece with "Bush on Fire" – be sure that they do not referring on forest fire. Unfortunately this comp stops after 10 tracks and almost 49 minutes. I can see on the members list that there are a lot of more bands involved, and especially my personal favorite STARK is missed hard here. Anyhow, there are a lot of different music styles here and a nice proof of activity and life still to come from Down Under. Next releases in co-operation of this community are already in plans, look out for this comp as well as for new releases by ANGEL SPIT, TANKT, IKON or THE CRYSTALLINE EFFECT.

Track listing:

1.ANGELSPIT – Head Kult (Head Fuck Mix)
2.ANGEL THEORY – Ease the Pain (Placebo Mix by THE MERCY CAGE)
3.THE BOM – Machine Men
4.THE CRYSTALLINE EFFECT – Why Do I Hate Myself?
5.DANDELION WINE – Begin Journey (Rejiggered)
6.DOMINO THEORY – Kill You
7.IKON – Psychic Vampire
8.LUX VOLTAIRE – Ich liebe mein Oberheim (Electrolux Mix)
9.RESURRECTION EVE – Wine
10.TANKT – Bush on Fire (John Von Ahlen’s Leather Mask Mix)

Behind this modest name we have a duo which hails from Berlin and Schwedt, Germany, and consists of Daniel Lemke (music) and Rico Ferenc Piller (vocals), who was active in a well known band like D.-PRESSIV (3 albums released on Maschinenwelt...r.i.p.). P24 are producing music somewhere between Synth- and Future-Pop with some harder efforts up to EBM. Extraordinary is the fact that all of their lyrics are written and sung in German – you won’t find any English lyrics here. This debut CD offers 5 original tracks plus tons of remix works by more (HAUJOBB or Marc Werner of SABOTAGE) or lesser (their label comrades of FP or ORPHEÉ for example) known acts – so in all 14 tracks and a long playing time with more than 73 minutes. With the exception of the German vocals you wont find too much surprises here, because musically the band follows similar ideas and styles like big names out of the Futurepop-genre have already presented. I wouldn’t count this a flaw, moreover I would say that the vocals could need some refreshing production. I like really the sound of the vocals but a bit lesser use of reverb effects on it could help. So it is no wonder, that he best and strongest moments this duo offers with melodic refrain of "Offenheit". Best track overall is to my taste the melancholic remix of the track "Niemand", done by Nico of CONDITION ONE. This is indeed a decent debut, which seems to get some interest in Poland (a little wonder, as I said, they sing in German...) in the official charts. Well, good luck to the next superstars...