First full length also for this act from Poland, which could already satisfy with pre-released SiCD "Electric Chair Song". Especially their astonishing cover version of Porcupine Tree’s "Every Home Is Wired" gets still some rotations here. Surprisingly especial the kind how Jaroslaw Pawlik and Michal Bieniek arranged this cover can be taken as a pattern also for several tracks here on this full length CD. This music was composed without the try to better this world, without the need to ramble down some empty phrases on the daily madness called mankind – no, this band simply produces music because they like to do so – and this already active since 1997. Everybody is currently hailing the new DEPECHE MODE efforts, well – that’s fine with me. But this is a constant alternative into the dark Pop/Electropop genre and you will be surprised. This is not the cheesy Synth Pop with some remembrances to the 80’s done by uncountable similar sounding acts mostly hailing from Sweden. This is a refreshing alternative from which I hope it will get the attention it deserves. CABARET give us here and there some danceable tracks like "Devil Is Dancing" or the title track, but they seem to be stronger with their heart- felting pieces with piano assistance like "Butterfly With No Address" or "Song For Berlin". The vocals are warm and smooth and very well placed. Other outstanding pieces I have found here in "Be On Standby", "Rain On My Skin" and "Check Point Charlie" – all of them feature an excellent instrumentation and will invade your ears and mind with an unforgettable melodic content. I only find it quite strange that they released "Electric Chair Song" and "Dawn Mist Glowing" in different versions on the mentioned SiCD. The songs are great – but all mentioned on the full length CD are way back better! My favorite release of the last quarter 2005!!!

A companion release for the in May 2005 released full length CD "Overkill" - yes, the success of this German solo effort by Alex P. is growing in constant manners. "Storm of Impermanence" consist of four new PAINBASTARD tracks and several remix works done by friends and label comrades based on two of the best tracks taken from "Overkill", "Nervenkrieg" and "Todesengel". Of course the new tracks receive the most attention, especially the opener "Hidden Game Of The Devil". An excellent and memorable synth layer, harsh bass line sequences, a steady rhythmic torture and vocals in style of Rudy R. of :WUMPSCUT: - ready done is the next club smasher! A different and lesser distorted effect on the vocals on the second track "A Kingdom For A Life" gives an impressive result, especially in the refrain I get some remembrances to some old-school acts ala CAT RAPES DOG and POUPPEE FABRIKK. But definitively more impressed I am with the slower "Breakdown", which feature some excellent broken beats and again a thick melodic content. The track "Don’t Ask Me Why" is a remake of an older PAINBASTARD track done in the early years of this band. Then we have four different remixes for "Nervenkrieg", done by good names like LIGHTS OF EUPHORIA, REAPER, CONETIK and Mr. PAINBASTARD himself. But all don’t give any impressive further elements to the strong original version available on "Overkill". Way back better is the remix of "Todesengel" done by [:SITD:], which only reminds from the vocal content to the original version. The music and sounds from [:SITD:] are of their finest efforts, very nice, clear and majestic. 9 Tracks with a playing time of more than 42 minutes – well, reasons enough to pick up the efforts by Germany’s coming leader of dark and hard Electro/EBM/Industrial music. PAINBASTARD’s own new recordings are promising enough for further more efforts by this talented act.

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF EROTICISM IN THE SUBURBS is the debut album by Scottish producer Matthew Aldworth but this record doesn't sound at all a debut album and Matthew uses all his skills to make of this album a treasure for every electro addicted. Creme De Menthe music sum up new wave electronic a la John Foxx as well as Felix Da Housecat disco impulses passing through the astonishing simplicity of modern acts, just like Dopplereffekt. All this making it sounds like he couldn't make no other music. Tracks like "Do you want my love" (which features Bree McMasters) sounds like Kraftwerk visiting a sexy shop while the following "Elektrobas" it sounds so 'Metamatical'. All the CD sounds sensual in its 4/4 rhythm structure and the melodies used by Matthew are so catchy and retro that you'll ask yourself if this is a reissue. After the listening of all the twelve tracks you'll release that this is more modern than the lastest Madonna record. Where lady Ciccone fails into her seach for a perfect dance hit Creme De Menthe succeed by sounding genuine without forcing the eye to wink to the old days and I think this will be enough for you to want to check this out! Believe me, this is a good advice...

Primes is the new project of JJD/Jack Duckworth (Radio Berlin, A Luna Red) and Miss X/Michelle Synnot, both hailing from Vancouver, Canada. This self-titled album is their debut full-length release, following their popular self-released Life in the Pit demo.

Primes S/T is a high-energy album that fuses the sounds of noisecore, punk, IDM, and EBM into something new and much more listenably dynamic than any particular genre by itself. Primes’ sound favors bands like My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Atari Teenage Riot, and Error; all the while not sounding like any of the previously mentioned bands at all. It’s both refreshing and confusing to my sensibilities, which is something I definitely appreciate in new music.

Primes’ sound is just about as difficult to describe as it is to categorize. This is a release for anyone who is tired of listening to the same genre sound over and over again. Every track has a new sound and edge to it, challenging preconceptions without challenging the listener’s ear. I’ve never heard anything else by JJD and Miss X, but based on this album alone I’m convinced they can do no wrong.

Global Surveyor: Phase Two is a compilation of electro funk artists featured on the German label, Dominance Records. Though I don’t speak the language to read the liner notes, this release appears to be futuristic in theme, based in the electro-funk-punk wastelands of 3004. An odd concept, but a concept that works out to be a lot of fun, for sure.

The basic sound of Global Surveyor: Phase Two falls somewhere between upbeat Kraftwerk mixed with 80’s beat-box, meshed together by trance and IDM. Of all the bands on this release my definite favorites are Dagobert, E-Control, and Mandroid. These three bands seemed to be especially versed in what this genre is trying to accomplish, while also going that extra mile and creating dynamic, envelope pushing sounds. The rest of Global Surveyor: Phase Two is good, as well, as there is rarely a lull in quality or sound, but those three are the ones that cried out for repeated listens.

I’m not a fan of compilations at all, but since I’d never heard anything from this corner of electro this actually wound up being an interesting and enlightening journey. While the end times probably will not include an electro-funk-punk movement, Dominance Electricity’s Global Surveyor is a promising thought, and an enjoyable listen.