PTI- S.O.S. EP long awaited. This is by far one of the coolest EPS i have heard, liked this band so much I booked them right away from just downloading one track from their website. This is one of the better Chicago based bands. Consisting of Eric Dusik and Phil Fox who share equally in PTI's vocals and song writing. Eric Lucke rounds out the live performances and is given the high title of Live Eye Candy, these are the counterparts that make up this great band. We begin with Track two, "Icons" that is going to be a worldwide dance hit in the near future. Icons breathes life into the lifelessness of the same mediocrity we are used to with newer music. This track goes way beyond to keep your interest going. Hard agression wrapped around witty lyrics, singing, "you worship your false icons." with clever samples and a nonstop break beat that feeds your soul. We see this track having the potential of becoming an new electronic anthem for the near future. We proceed next with "Core" singing, "gave my life to the bottom line, no more lies as I make it mine", set to laser beams screaming at you denoting war is everywhere. The next track "Tunnel Vision (track five) was remixed by the one and only Tom Shear from Assemblage 23. Very moving track, nice electro soundscapes flowing as Eric sings, "My eyes tunnel vision, raging violence as far as I can see, what strength will pull me away." I found myself dancing in my chair typing this to this catchy tune and you will find youself dancing in motion, no matter where you are. Track 7, Smoke was the one that truely poked at my psyche. Phil sings, " one day the skies will clear, i'll find you , trust me, i'm sure you'll find me," a very dark love song sung under deep dark sequences that pull you in like a undertow, into another time dimension. This band was designed to put ideas in your head, never let you forget them and let them out sometime to try them out. By far one of the most innovative newer bands that are working towards becoming something truely great. Look for a full length album coming out soon and they will be playing at The Bottom Lounge, 3206 W. Wilton in Chicago, Illinois on February 11th, 2004 with 12 Stitches and Dixie Flatline. 4 stars

Glis is at it again. They just played in Chicago and opened for The Razed in Black show. It was the first time they have played in Chicago and they put on one of the best synthpop shows ever. Everyone danced and had the best time. They gave me their new cd Balance and here's the review. We start out with Track two called Resolution, which is the most danciest track on the album. Synthpop beats junping out everywhere at you drawing you to dance til you drop. Sean sings, "Every time i ask for truth you tell me lies and every time i want the answers you run and hide, something seems to be getting closer, we need a resolution." Great ryhmes with atmospherics everywhere. Then we progress to a new version on Track 3 called Nightvision that was on the last album Extract, which is much more sped up and highly produced sounding. Sean sings, " In the night, i won't come back tomorrow, I won't returrn again." It's a total nuclear assault on the dance floor. Things change when we get to Track 10 called, Descending, this song has hard break beats with slow sad lyrics, singing, " I've been here all night, descending into darkness, just turn around and walk away and forget your name." Wierd computer tones in the background with his sad melodic voice speaking in sorrow. I believe this is the slowest song on the album. The rest of it is all dancy and good. For a 2 person band from Seatlle, Sean Frandsen and Jennifer Parkin they do enough in this band to make up for two other standard people. Glis is going to take over the dancefloors soon, worldwide, prepare, if you want bliss check out Glis, 4stars!

Just met Carsten at the Razed in Black show and he gave me this cd of his band Tau Factor. Carsten is Tau Factor and really you don't need anyone than him. This cd is a pure jem, it shines over many. I found myself listening to this over and over again and hopefully you will too. We begin with Track one, All that Remains, which is the most diverse track on the cd. It starts out witih, samples from movies all about dying. Synthy melocholy beats with a very Project Pitchfork feel. This is by far the closest thing to sounded like Pitchfork. Since Pitchfork is one of my favorites, I felll in love with this track right away. Carsten sings, "The lights are going out." overdubbed, once again with samples, saying he would have lived. Very heavy, emotional feel, set to dance in the emotion of death. We proceed on to Track 5 called, Retrospection, which is by far the most danciest track on this cd. A true dance track serenading the apocalypse in space. Carsten sings, in a metallic voice, " systems are not working, its all from these conditions." "So many memories, to keep me awake, the things I see, it makes me stay awake." If youre a fan of Skinny Puppy, youre truely going to want this cd. Let's proceed to Track 6, called Relative Motion, this is one of my favorites on the whole cd. It got me off this seat to full fledge hard dancing till my feet hurt. Tube sounding beats with drum machines pumping hard, pumping out every beat that you feel, matching with his vocals as he sings, "there is nothing you can say, i will remain alone." The vocals sound like ogre on acid falling from a distant planet. Every tone is programming you to move. The rest of this album continues on with dark electronic beats and lyrics we will never forget. One person created this, but the work involved is like a 100 other people included. Excellent production, very well though out and is going to hit the dancefloors hard and burn a hole right through them! 4 stars!

Just saw Razed in Black in Chicago and they put on by far one of the best shows I have ever seen in a long time. Truely one of the most best dark electronic synthpop acts out. Hailing all the way from Honolulu, Hawaii, these guys are amazing. Rommell Regulacion is the vocalist and is one of the coolest guys I have ever met. He is the brains behind this band and they are receivng worldwide recognition everywhere and when you listen to this cd you will understand just why they are. Let's begin with my favorite track, Track two, Share the Poison, first of all one of the most danciest and in genuis tracks on the over all double cd boxset. Rommell sings, " I can't stand the thought of life," set with vnvish background and beautiful electro waves hitting you hard. Then it gets quiet for a minute and disapears into the darkness. Builidng up and then descending, truely anazing. Let us proceed with Track six, Am I two blame?, which is a very familiar track to all. These track has been played all over the dancefloors worldwide and is acclaiming great fame. Rommell key words singing, "U Say that I , am I 2 blame? These words will always be the key words that Razed in Black will be known for. Singing dark words about the one that got away with synthy poppers bobbing to this from afar. Truely one of the most known tracks for this band and truely the most dancy. Next we proceed to Track 7 Visions, a very familar track and another dancefloor hit. Electro heaven, with a beautiful women singing in the background, "visions." Rommell sings on , 'why can't we bring things back, just like they were before." So much is going on in this track from every which way you look, even the audience is participating. The most obvious track that got Razed in Black the most successful is yes, you guessed it, "Oh my goth!", also on this album and truely a gem. The rest of the album is truely pure genuis and should be owned by everyone. 4 starts and then some...It doesn't get any better than this!

VK Doom- VK Doom is the most diverse album I have heard in a long time. Viktor is the brains behind this industrial project. A plethora of diversions for the soul. Track 4- Dr. Doomed starts out with operatic vocals overlapped by intense hard lyrics saying, what will you do when they come for you, with revelation references spewing out at you. Industiral vocals mixed with horror samples reminscent of old Skinny Puppy. Track 7- Animals has a little of early 80's vocals, tongue in cheek and moving with style and grace. Ongoing signals and sounds dancing in your head, programmed to rise the dead. The rest of the album is full of virtual soundscape imagery of taking over barren lands and filling them with substance. This band is full of surprizes, not one track sounds the same leaving you guess what will come next. There even is a little of acoustic guitar thrown in there for measure. VK Doom is here to stay and will stay till the end of time. 4-stars No website yet, contact Viktor at (630) 964-5446 cell-(773) 575-1542