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The Essence- A Monument of Trust CD

Posted in 1987, coldwave, netherlands, new wave, post-punk, sad lovers and giants, snake corps, The Essence on November 18, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Real quick post today, folks, but here’s the second Essence record, released in 1987 via Midnight Music. The band were still a three piece at this point in time, featuring the same lineup as their debut, so the sound doesn’t stray too far. I do happen to prefer this record to Purity though, by a hair!

Otherwise, this particular upload contains two bonus tracks plucked from the A Mirage 12” (the extended mix and “Lollipop”), as well as “The Happiness” another b-side from the This Cat 12”. Perhaps the band couldn’t fit these tracks on one LP record, but it’s nice to have them in a cleaner format, for sure! On that note, here’s the information for the record. Enjoy!

The Essence- A Monument of Trust CD
1. A Mirage
2. Drifting
3. In Tears
4. Nothing…
5. The Waves of Death
6. The Happiness
7. Lollipop
8. Years of Doubt
9. Fire
10. The Death Cell
11. A Monument of Trust
12. A Mirage (Extended Version)

*download it here*

8 Comments »

The Essence- Purity CD

Posted in 1985, coldwave, netherlands, new wave, post-punk, sad lovers and giants, snake corps, The Essence on November 17, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop


I’ve got a pair of early Essence records to upload for you folks. Here’s the first of the lot, the band’s 1985 debut, Purity. The band originally formed as a three piece in 1984, hailing from Rotterdam, a region in the Netherlands. Over the course of time, the band grew in both popularity and personnel, releasing four full length LPs and several 12” singles before their demise in the mid-nineties. Most of the band’s material was released on Midnight Music, the label who also were responsible for Sad Lovers and Giants and The Snake Corps, two of the band’s closest sonic peers.

Speaking of which, it’s difficult to avoid comparing The Essence to The Cure, as the band walk similar sonic territory, straight down to the melodies, lyrics, and even the chimes in the instrumentation. For those who can’t avoid the comparison, the touchstones are close enough to consider it a lost record from The Top/Head on the Door era! Otherwise, it’s a rather solid guitar record from the mid-80s, with a hint of gloom and doom thrown in for good measure.

A surprising fun fact about this record: It was recorded in Alaska, of all places! Perhaps it was the allure of the near darkness and hopes of bringing the state’s icy edge to the record. Did they succeed? You decide. Here’s the information below.

The Essence- Purity CD
1. The Last Preach
2. A Reflected Dream
3. The Cat
4. The Blind
5. Never Mine
6. Endless Lakes
7. Forever in Death
8. Salivation
9. The Waving Girl
10. Purity
11. Confusion*
12. From My Mouth**
13. The Swaying Wind**

*bonus track from The Cat 12”, 1986
**bonus track from Endless Lakes 12”, 1986
both bonus tracks included on the 1996 CD reissue of Purity.

*download it here*

Stay tuned for the band’s sophomore record, which I will be uploading shortly!

11 Comments »

Xeno and Oaklander’s "Freak Scene" mix

Posted in coldwave, led er est, minimal, minimal synth, sleep museum, wierd records, xeno and oaklander on July 21, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Just two years ago, I kicked off Systems of Romance in a more track-oriented/review format. My second post was on Wierd Records artists Xeno and Oaklander, consisting of the musical talents of both Sean McBride (Martial Canterel) and Liz Wendelbo (Xeno and Staccato). The band, a personal favorite on the roster, is gearing up to release their first official LP sometime this year, and have been performing heavily in the New York area, much to my great enjoyment.

Over the past few months, it seems as if both Wierd Records and Xeno and Oaklander’s following has grown exponentially. The label has been featured in several prominent magazines and blogs as of late, and The Fader has just published a post featuring a fantatic “mixtape” as plucked by Xeno and Oaklander. The mix features several obscure minimal wave cuts alongside Wierd Records favorites (including a new track from Led Er Est and an untitled number from Sleep Museum).

A proper post will follow this one momentarily, but in the meanwhile, please divert your attention **HERE** to read more on Xeno and Oaklander and to download these great minimal synth mp3s. To further entice you, here’s a list of their selections:

Cleaners from Venus- “This Rainy Decade”
Jon St. James- “Trans-Atlantic”
Epee Du Bois- “Misery”
Lister- “The Boogabe”
Ann Summer- “Ann Summer III”
Xeno and Oaklander- “Celeste”
Twilight Ritual- “Somewhere in My Heart”
Resistance- “The Gash”
Led Er Est- “Unkept Area”
Nagamatzu- “Magic”
Automelodi- “Schema Corporel”
Sleep Museum- “Unknown Song”
Glenn Winter- “Herrens Svar”
Martial Canterel- “Shrapnelle”
Staccato Du Mal- “Addiction”
Magic de Spell- “And the Burned Puppet”

Again, click here for the good stuff.

3 Comments »

November Group- NG89 Cassette

Posted in 1980s, 1989, boston, cassette, coldwave, k7, november group, synthpop, US on May 26, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Meanwhile, thanks to a generous donation and a quick home conversion this morning, I am pleased to offer the final piece in November Group’s discography, the oft-coveted NG89 Cassette, released only in this format in 1989, shortly before the group disbanded.

I was only able to take a photo of the tape’s cover before leaving this morning, but I will add further images over the next day or so. In the interim, here’s the information for this last piece of the November Group puzzle!

November Group- NG89 Cassette
1. Ahoy Ivan
2. Hardtimes
3. This is Not Heaven

*download it here* (reuploaded @320kpbs on 8.30.2016)

Otherwise, for the remainder of this fantastic band’s discography, click here!

8 Comments »

7/12” grab bag #3

Posted in 12'', 1980s, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1988, 7'', coldwave, grab bag, kuruki, minimal, minimal synth on February 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Last year, I made a point to upload a few rare 7” recordings in one post, offering a few new sounds for folks to pick up on. These proved to be rather popular, so I’ve decided to bring the series back. Here’s a blurb about each of the following releases:

Land of Giants- Cannibal Dolls/Seven Men 12”
Land of Giants were a Candian minimal wave band who released this one 12” single in 1982. The single topped the college charts in its day, and was praised by John Peel. No further release would appear until recently, when the band issued a CD featuring several new and unheard demo tracks recorded between 1982 and 1985, which can be purchased via paypal here.

1. Cannibal Dolls
2. Seven Men

Chromagain- Any Colour You Like Mini-LP
Once uploaded by Ale at the sadly defunct 7” From the Underground blog, this particular gem is one of the best wave recordings of its time. The three piece band hailed from Italy, and released this one five track record in 1985. “Satisfied” is easily one of my favorite tunes from the entire wave spectrum, so be sure to give this one a spin. *NOW REISSUED VIA ALESSANDRO’S OWN MANNEQUIN RECORDS!*

1. Satisfied
2. Spot
3. Killing Dome
4. After The Clouds
5. Season of Steel

Body 11- Mind 7”
Lone 1988 release by this German industrial/ebm collective. Nice and hard-hitting, with a few dance grooves thrown in for good measure. If anyone has any further information about this German duo’s whereabouts, feel free to pass it along!

1. Wasteland II
2. Fire
3. Hearts
4. Attack

Kuruki- Such a Liar 12”
Belgian new wave/italo-flavored duo known for their underground hit “Crocodile Tears,” released as a one-off single in 1981. That particular track also appears on this particular 12”, released just a few months later. A handful of singles followed over the next few years, and a full length appeared in 1984. Currently, vocalist Gerry D’Haeyer is in cahoots with Roland Van Campenhout, a Belgian blues artist.

The full length, TV Scape is available on Mutant Sounds, while 7” From the Underground has featured their debut single.

1. Such a Liar
2. Crocodile Tears
3. Yack Yack

*DOWNLOAD ALL FOUR RELEASES HERE*

18 Comments »

Excès Nocturne- 7” & 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1989, 2000s, coldwave, Excès Nocturne, french on February 10, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Two frozen coldwave treats for you folks today, both early releases by Excès Nocturne, who formed in 1984 and split in 1989. At their peak, Excès Nocturne were a five piece, with alternating male and female vocals, but began and concluded as a quartet.

Excès Nocturne would reform in 2006, seventeen years after their initial demise, and remain active to this day. The band currently consists of Remy Lozowski (guitars), Richard Horon (bass), and Ariane-Corine Zimny (vocals). An EP of new material appeared just last month.

Uploaded below are the band’s original vinyl releases. The first, the Evacuation Immédiate 7”, was released in 1985, while their second, a self-titled 12”, appeared in 1989. These two releases were supplemented by several cassette releases (including a separate self-titled cassette, not to be confused with the 12”). The band’s entire discography has remastered and re-released by Infrastition, which coincidentally led to the band’s reformation, so be sure to click below to pick up a fresh CD copy. Meanwhile, here’s the info for these two fine vinyl releases:

Excès Nocturne- Evacuation Immédiate 7”
1. Evacuation Immédiate
2. L’ennemi

Excès Nocturne- Excès Nocturne 12”
1. L’Echo Des Lumières
2. L’Or A…
3. La Passion Des Jours
4. Le Soleil S’Est Noyé

*download both here*

Also, click below for the official video for ‘Cauchemars Blafards,’ the lead-off track from their self-titled 1988 cassette:

Again, be sure to pick up a copy of 86-06, Excès Nocturne’s full discography (excluding their 2009 release) on Infrastition.com! Click below for ordering info:

Purchase 86-06 on Infrastition.com
Excès Nocturne on Myspace.com

5 Comments »

Vox Dei- De Profundis LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, coldwave, france, vox dei on January 26, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

A request post for the day, ladies and gentlemen. This one’s for Curious Guy over at Phoenix Hairpins, a fantastic post-punk blog that many readers should already be familiar with, but should scour if not.

Anyway, I’ve stumbled upon Vox Dei’s De Profundis LP, the band’s lone LP, released in 1982. A fantastic slab of gritty, French coldwave, a little more experimental than some of their counterparts. There’s also an Argentinian band that shares the same name, mostly active in the 1970s, but this band is vastly different, though little information is available about this particular one. Given those circumstances, let’s get down to the nitty gritty:

Vox Dei- De Profundis LP
1. Escadrille 43
2. Connu De Personne
3. Le Démon
4. Lord’s Mélancolie
5. Vortex Androgyne
6. Requiem
7. Q.H.S.
8. Terroriste
9. Tokyo Boy

*download it here*

Fun Fact: “Terroriste” also appears on the fantastic BIPP: French Synth-Wave 1979/85 collection, which is worth finding for any fan of the genre.

12 Comments »

The Snake Corps- Smother Earth LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990, british, coldwave, dreampop, post-punk, sad lovers and giants, shoegaze, snake corps on January 9, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Tossing another quick request out there for your weekend enjoyment. I covered UK post-punk act the Snake Corps back in August of 2007, so take a peek at this post for all proper information on the band and their biography. Otherwise, enjoy this record, the band’s second, released in 1990.

The Snake Corps- Smother Earth LP
1. Seagull’s Eye
2. Calling You
3. Careful…
4. Everything Turns Blue
5. I’m Not Afraid
6. Colder Than The Kiss
7. Testament
8. More Than The Ocean
9. Come The Glorious Day
10. The Sky In Your Eyes
11. Possession
12. “This Is Seagull…”
13. Seagull’s Eye (Ext.)

*download link removed* – Now available on iTunes!

8 Comments »

Neutral Project- Comme Un Oiseau De Proie K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, 1990s, coldwave, france, little nemo, neutral project on November 19, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry about the lack of reuploads folks, haven’t had much time to attend to the back logs of the blog. Anyone looking for January-June/July, hang tight just a little longer.

In the meanwhile, I’ve uploaded a treat today, a coldwave record for the first actual cold wave in New York. Formed in France in the mid 1980s, Neutral Project released a handful of cassette and CD releases until the mid nineties. The band began as a two piece, and expanded to a three-piece outfit in 1991. Also around this time, members of Neutral Project banded together with members of the like-minded Endraum to form A Foamy Project In Neutral Days, who released a handful of songs in 1991.

Otherwise, Neutral Project released their final effort in 1994. Vocalist Yvon Million passed away in 2001. Soon after, members Kristian Dernoncourt and Dominique Oudiou formed No Tears, who are active to this day.

Below lies a link for Neutral Project’s first first cassette release, Comme Un Oiseau De Proie…, which was produced in part by Olivier Champeau of Little Nemo. Here’s the relevant info:

Neutral Project- Comme Un Oiseau De Proie… K7
1. Soleil De Nuit (2ème Eclipse)
2. J’Appelle…
3. A Vision In Your Eyes
4. Enigmatic Dream
5. La Mer Des Sarcasmes
6. Reviens!
7. Future
8. Nuit D’Automne
9. Révolte De L’Amour
10. Et Le Rêve Devint Légende

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Comix- Comix LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, coldwave, comix, france, french, synth on August 26, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

First of two posts today, been meaning to upload this one for some time. Not much information to be found about French coldwave/synthpop act Comix, and this seems to be their one and only full release.

Records show Comix formed as a duo in 1979, consisting of members André Demay and Natan Hercberg. They released two singles and one full length record before their split, and have since been compiled on the stellar BIPPP: French Synth-Wave 1979/85 compilation.

Here’s the info for the 1981 release:

Comix- Comix LP
1. Walkman Video
2. L’amour C’est Magique
3. Le Jeu de la Vérité
4. Touche Pas Mon Sexe
5. L’été de Mes 14 Ans
6. Top Model
7. Toi et le Petit Prince
8. L’amour C’est Gratuit
9. Pomme D’api

*download it here*

17 Comments »

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