DJ Faccia di Merda (DJ Shitface for non-Italians) is Jacopo Andreini, one of Italy's most relevant independent musicians and tireless cultural agitator; you can hear him, mostly as a drummer and sax/trumpet player, in Nando Meet Corrosion, Bz Bz Ueu, L'Enfance Rouge, Arryngton de Dionyso Quartet, Ovo, NEM, Bron y Aur and literally dozens of other projects. This is his solo dj/electronic creature and another witness of his visceral approach to sound. Tons of samples, lots of black music (freejazz on top), cheap dialogues and impossible rhythms all mixed in a crazed melting pot. Some tracks make you sweat just by listening to them (Getting excited, Mantilla), some seem to be frozen in a perpetual wait (Wait, of course) – some have no beat at all and play with rhythm on a different level (Classics, Contemporary Beat). I put this cd in the "rhythmic" section, but bear in mind that this is highly toxic and experimental material: it can shake alternatively your butt or your guts, or both at the same time, with arbitrary whim.

An excellent debut for this London-based label, run by people behind Knifeladder and Shining Vril. The cd is quite varied, but with a constant high quality throughout and a kind of underlying cohesion – which is rare in a compilation. Antichild League (featuring Gaya Donadio of London's premiere industrial venue Hinoeuma) and Antivalium respectively open and close the cd with their abrasive power electronics/industrial. Along with Muffpunch (ear-crushing harsh electronics) they're the noisiest projects here. Leisurehive offer an ok dark-wave track, while Naevus are a noir-folk duo in the vein of Death In June and Sawns; nothing new from both bands, but they're good at what they're doing. Knifeladder impressed me with a menacing mix of tribal drumming, free-jazz sax and bleak vocals/noises disturbances. John Murphy (SPK, Death In June etc.) at drums is a warranty of good quality. Knives present an interesting improvised instrumental, leading to the core of the cd, which is more or less isolationist ambient with remarkable soundscapes by Ruse, Shining Vril (Murphy's solo project) and Andrew Liles. Emblem's "Azazel", instead, is recited lyrics over a tranquil electronic background leading to an orchestral crescendo, which reminded me of some Current 93 or Coil moments. All in all, a very pleasant selection – I'm now curious of listening to some full-length releases by these acts...

Lilac Ambush is the name of this duo coming from Gluchester, Massachusett. Their second E.P. titled BREATHE DEEP contains four good dark pop (they name their music that way) songs and two radio edit versions of the first two "Breathe Deep" and "One Good Reason". Even if their music is dark new wave they did a good thing by renaming it "dark pop". This because their songs have good really enjoyable melodies and sounds: "One Reason", above all, is the one I prefer even each songs' refrain has got something that makes you remember it. Lilac Ambush is a good band for sure and one that is better of the tons of goth clones that unfortunately don't even try to make their own music! Hey, you can get their CDs for 5 bucks, contact them...

Lilac Ambush is a duo coming from Gluchester, Massachusetts and BREATHE DEEP is their second E.P. containing four tracks and two radio edit versions of "Breathe Deep" and "One Reason". They name their music dark pop and even if they have got goth and new wave influences I think they did a good thing by categorizing it that way. This because the four track have got good melodic parts and each songs' refrain has got something original that you can remember easily and even humming, but the main thing is that they are original. Something that too many goth bands tend to forget easily... After the first listening you'll find yourself listening again songs like "One Reason" or "Masquerade". If you love dark sounds and melodies you can get this one for 5 bucks only. Contact them...

Well, it's difficult to put these two CDs under a category, because I really should put them under ambient experimental and under industrial metal because of the kinda metal songs like "Freedom To Fly" (which remember some solutions used by our old friend Paul Chain) or "Timeless". Fortunately the work of the one man band that hides behid the name of VLE is more multifaceted that a mere classification. Tracks like "3 in 5" or "Stark" of the first Chapter of the BOOK OF ILLUSIONS and the other nine new tracks of the second Chapter (nine because the first one is, as on the first part, "Kano") are intimate composition with classical instrument sounds along with synth pads. The atmospheres create on both the kind of tracks (metal and dark ambient) is intriguing and even if sometimes the drum seems to miss a beat VLE is capable of catch the attention with a good work permeated of mistery and mysticism. At his mp3.com website you can listen to his work: try it!