Archive for the ebm Category

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Pitch Black – Suspiria/Renee 12”

Posted in 1990, Claude Raines, darkwave, ebm, New York, pitch black, synthpop, US on February 3, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Can’t stop/won’t stop!

Keeping with the theme of the last post, this single is a perfect compliment, featuring a series of dancefloor-friendly remixes of darkwave tracks, also released in 1990. Our friend Goutroy turned me on to this one some weeks ago, tipping me off that this NY-based trio consisted of three members of Red Violet Red, who, which you may recall, also shared a key member with Eleven Pond. The remaining members, bassist Jerry Dellapietra, guitarist Lyle Wells (RIP), and vocalist/synth player/programmer Cedric Herrera (who also formed this project after recording with Claude Raines) and recorded two killer darkwave songs that at their core, sound similar to their previous project, but run through a very dance culture filter. There’s quite a bit of acid/new beat influence, as well as nods to hip-hop, freestyle, and house music, but the vocals and songs themselves cut deep with dark energy that make this single a true hybrid success.

A quick note that there’s a hidden remix of “Suspiria” buried on the “Renee” side of the 12”, which is unlisted on the record itself. I’ve labeled it simply with the name of the track, but if anyone knows the title of this mix, feel free to leave a comment!

Otherwise, hope you enjoy!

Pitch Black – Suspiria/Renee 12”
1. Suspiria (College Radio Edit)
2. Suspiria (12″ Mix)
3. Suspiria (Hip Hop Remix)
4. Renee (College Radio Edit)
5. Renee (Acid Dance Remix)
6. Suspiria*
7. Renee (Stringapella)

*download it here*

2 Comments »

Various Artists- Faces and Images LP

Posted in 1990s, 1991, ebm, minimal, minimal synth, Schmaalhans Weltraumm, swedish, synth, synthpop on January 23, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Straight out of the mailbox, onto the turntable, and to your ears all within the span of a weekend, here’s a rip of the wonderful Faces & Images compilation, which features a slew of lo-fi EBM, synthpop, and minimal treats.

This comp. hails from Sweden and was released in 1991 on Limur, who also released the Schmaalhans Weltraum 7”. Their signature track appears here, as well as an amazing lo-fi synthpop cut from Sidewalk Cindy. Other highlights include the Bites-esque band + Christ (their only known track), Kiethevez’s “Female Trouble” (which is heavily indebted to Depeche Mode’s pre-Music For the Masses era), Art Domination’s “Remember,” which channels D.A.F.’s electro period, and the killer Pet Cemetery tune “Set Right All Right,” which also owes a lot to early Skinny Puppy. There are also a few experimental cuts by Grönlandsbruttan and Verschwende Deine Jugend, which remind me of Factrix and a more out there Nitzer Ebb, respectfully.

Despite all the traceable influences and genres, there’s not really a dud on this comp., so please press play and enjoy!

Various Artists- Faces and Images LP
1. The Outcast- White Coat Compassion
2. Boiling Brain- Real World
3. + Christ- Filtering Vision
4. Grönlandsbruttan- Häxans Otäcka Dröm
5. Kiethevez- Female Terror
6. Schmaalhans Weltraum- Montagne De Boeuf
7. Pet Cemetery- Set Right All Right
8. Sidewalk Cindy- A Hundred Things To Say
9. Verschwende Deine Jugend- Source Of Conflict
10. Art Domination- Remember

*download it here*

5 Comments »

The Severance- Dreams Of Youth 12”

Posted in 12'', 1990, 1990s, ebm, synth, synthpop, the severance on June 24, 2015 by Frankie Teardrop

Sometimes I forget just how much I love synthpop. We’re talking giant beats, huge hooks, almost shameless use of electronics and a tremendous command of melody. Mostly I just love stuff that sounds like classic-era Depeche Mode. Meanwhile, I picked this one up in a cheap-o bin in the bowels of NYC, and with just one glance to both the front & back covers, I knew exactly what to expect and knew it would hit that sweet spot…

This particular German 12” kicks off with a killer four-on-the-floor track. This track could have fit nicely in a set with “Strangelove,” Cetu Javu, Few Boys, Secession, Celebrate the Nun, and so on and so forth. While hearing three tracks of solid synthpop without any variation would have suited the works just fine, there’s a bit more to this record than meets the eye. While “Dreams Of Youth” will satisfy even the most thirsty of palates, the second track is the clear winner in my book, a more aggressive track with a little EBM flavor. Fans of The Arch, Aimless Device, and A Split Second should adore this one. The third track falls back to the synthpop sound, but is just as catchy as the A-side, with a slower tempo and a chirpy arpeggiator running throughout.

This is the first of three releases from The Severance, released in 1990 (arguably the peak of this sound), and I haven’t heard their 1994 LP to see how the band evolved over the years. Two members would reconvene as Winterkälte in the mid 90s, with a harsher, more industrial/ebm sound.

That all said, hope you enjoy!

The Severance- Dreams Of Youth 12”
1. Dreams of Youth
2. Electrocult
3. Crying Child

*download it here*

In other news, I just returned from San Francisco, which after a few days of record digging with Goutroy, I found some more gems to share, as well as a few to re-rip in higher quality. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for some West Coast goodies and some other surprises!

6 Comments »

THX- Luv ‘N’ Trust 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1990, 1990s, ebm, german, new beat, thx, voyou on December 1, 2014 by Frankie Teardrop

A few weeks ago, I posted an excellent New Beat 7” from Iconoclass, an obscure, but solid genre classic. You guys wanted some more of that sound, so I’m happy to deliver! Thanks to Andi, fellow DJ and co-author of the excellent Some Wear Leather, Some Wear Lace book for originally turning me on to this one, which has been an obsession ever since.

THX were a German New Beat/EBM duo consisting of Andy Düx and Peter Schmidt. Düx gets credit here as a member of Jack U Rebels, a techno collective, but I know him best as a member of Voyou, who released one of the best tracks in the genre just a few years prior. This particular 12” was released in 1990 and features three mixes of tracks otherwise available on the band’s full length LP. While the full length is available on CD (and is generally easier to find), the mixes here are exclusive to this 12”. The real winner is the title track, a 7-minute romp chock full of thundering EBM beats, haunting synth melodies, and gritty, almost whispered male vocals with just the right mix of sensuality and distortion (see also: Tricky, though the comparison only extends to the vocal effects). It definitely never fails to get the blood going, and I hope you guys dig it as much as I do!

THX- Luv ‘N’ Trust 12”
1. Luv ‘N’ Trust (Trustworthy Mix)
2. Luv ‘N’ Trust (Devon Mix)
3. Sedation (Call 3-4-8…) (Euthanasia Mix)

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Bloody Ice- Bloody Ice 12”

Posted in 1990s, 1993, bloody ice, ebm, electro, electronic, industrial, placebo records on November 18, 2013 by Frankie Teardrop

Second post in one day, this one as a request from Goutroy over at A Viable Commercial, who featured one track off this scarce 12” on his latest various artists compilation.  The song “Dying in Arms” was my favorite from the compilation, and I’ve since tracked down the full 12”, which employs the same bleak industrial/ebm sounds throughout.  If you like Front Line Assembly and the Klinik, this one is definitely for you…

Bloody Ice was the moniker for German musician Eini, who co-founded Placebo Records in 1993 to release his own recordings.  The label is also responsible for the amazing New Dimension 12” (which has since disappeared from the blogosphere).  This appears to be the only Bloody Ice release, though “Dying in Arms” also appears on the Nyctalopia Compilation from the same year and an “Intro” track appears on To Be Stun, a CD compilation.  Eini was also involved with Kabelbrandt, who were even less prolific.  You can find a track of theirs on Strange Sounds Vol. 2.

According to a website run by Eini, The Bloody Ice tracks were recorded in a span of two years before being released in 1993.  At this point in time, vinyl was on the decline, and with only 300 copies pressed, this one is hard to come by.  The LP was released on Blood Red vinyl (naturally), and both sides of this 12” have different playback aspects, depending on where you drop the needle.  Side A only has the first two songs back to back, and you can only listen to the “Senses in Crossfire” and “French Girl” by placing the needle elsewhere.   Meanwhile, Side B is a double groove, so there’s a 50/50 chance of hearing either “Dying In Arms” or “Firehouse.”

The question here is, “do you feel lucky…?”

Bloody Ice- Bloody Ice 12”
1. Bloody Ice
2. Rullas Gyros
3. Senses In Crossfire
4. French Girl
5. Dying In Arms
6. Firehouse

*download it here*

1 Comment »

Batz Without Flesh- No Memory LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 1991, ebm, electro, industrial, synth with tags on May 13, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one I see around every now and then, but I’m surprised hasn’t been posted yet.  Here we have a LP from EBM/electro band Batz Without Flesh, released in 1991.  This is their third release, their last on vinyl.  The first two (A Million Bricks and their debut self-titled EP) are worth hearing as well, and were pressed to CD in 1994.

Pretty rough pressing here so I’ve gotten the best sound possible out of my personal copy.  There’s another rip floating around that has similar flaws, so my guess is that most of the copies sound like this (recycled vinyl?).  There’s just a little noise during the quiet bits, not that there are many on this LP.  Classic industrial/ebm in the vein of Klinik, Advanced Art, Data-Bank-A, etc.  The album kicks off with its best moment, the dancefloor ready “Repunish,” which is worth the price of admission alone.  “Electro Slut” is another clear winner.

Batz Without Flesh- No Memory LP
1. Repunish
2. Splinter
3. Priviledge To Kill
4. Single Stare
5. The Notion
6. Fenpor
7. Electro Slut
8. Can’t Speak
9. Bite It
10. Equinox

*download it here*

1 Comment »

Vono- It’s Time LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, ebm, german, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, vono on September 28, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve had this on deck to post for a bit, but what better time to post it than now? Mr. Goutroy of A Viable Commercial has dusted off and uploaded Vono’s quirky and charmingly amateur first LP over at his space, so in true blogger camaraderie fashion, here’s their final LP. Bookends for your listening pleasure, if you will.

Whereas Dinner Für 2 is a simple, yet detached record, this 1986 entry is anything but. Four years later, the duo grew as musicians and fleshed out their sound from their humble beginnings. It seems that one day, someone must have pissed in their Cheerios, as the band developed a more aggressive EBM-esque sound in the vein of Body 11, Bigod 20, Front 242, and other such bands with numbers. However, this is not a play-it-by-numbers EBM record as you might expect from that description. The vocals are a little more palatable than most EBM bands of the time, organic tones in lieu of the overdriven vocals that would become a genre staple into the 1990s. If anything, the LP is harder to pin down, stylistically. Other touchstones I’m hearing here include mid-period Wire (The Ideal Copy is my favorite, in case you were wondering) and the atmosphere of Peter Gabriel’s third and fourth records (cool!). Also hard to deny the Public Image crib on track six. No samples, but well, let’s just say it sounds like a response track.

There’s no real standout hit a la “Headhunter” or “Sensoria” here, but this album functions well as a whole. Besides, there are plenty of deep, funky synth grooves packed that make this LP worth a peek for any fan of the wave spectrum.

Vono- It’s Time LP
1. It’s Time
2. This Door
3. Geh Deinen Weg
4. Zerstoert
5. Here Comes
6. Love Song
7. Lebe Heute
8. Das Wars

*download it here*

I’ll be on hiatus for a little bit here, as we’re gearing up for a big move, and it’s likely we won’t be setting up the turntables for a few weeks. I may have a few things loaded in the queue to bring out here and there, but I’ll be loaded for bear when I get back to full functionality!

3 Comments »

Quantom 1+3- Memoires Alchimiques K7

Posted in 1990s, 1993, coldwave, darkwave, ebm, france, french, k7 on April 8, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Cassettes, the final frontier. This particular tape has been on constant rotation over at SOR headquarters since receiving it on a generous loan. Not a lot of information on the web about this release, but there’s quite a bit of info on the cassette itself, so I’ll do my best to explain.

This particular cassette was released in 1993. The band were a three piece darkwave act from France (Axel Evigiran and the above pictured Lydia on vox and Orphee Hangiclist on guitar and programming) flirting with hints of EBM and coldwave. The sound should be right at home for fans of Babel 17, Neutral Project, Nagamatzu, and Peche Mortel (whose demos are some of the best treasures uncovered on the internet). Nice and dark, gritty, yet with catchy electronics permeating the mix.

While this is their first cassette, the band released two more tapes into the mid-90s. Perhaps those may see the light of day in time… For now though, enjoy this excellent slice of pure French coldwave.

Quantom 1+3- Memoires Alchimiques K7
1. Celeano
2. Post Mortem
3. Sombre Muse
4. V.I.T.R.I.O.L.
5. 7eme Cimetiere
6. I’ll Never Forget You
7. Pohjola Land
8. Bleuts
9. Puta Nostra
10. Narcisse
11. Rendez Vous
12. Nordeste Mystique
13. Dusang Sur Le Marbre
14. Venise Nocturne

*download it here*

11 Comments »

Monty Cantsin- Ahora Neoismus LP

Posted in 1980s, 1988, ebm, monty cantsin, neoism, neoist, new wave on April 6, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I have to admit, I always have fantasies of finding extremely rare and valuable records tossed away in the dollar bins. I’ve had my fair share of luck over the years, as I’m sure many have as well, but today’s post was an unexpected gem, unearthed from one of my favorite record shops here in New York City. I have seldom seen a copy of this one for sale, and it’s usually expensive when it creeps up.

This LP has been on my radar for ages, as I’ve only heard two tracks from this artist. One earlier track from the debut 12” can be found on Nick’s excellent VA comp, and I included an alternate version of a track from this LP on one of my own.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of Monty Cantsin, the original artist (who I believe was Canadian) was a firm believer in Neoism, a musical practice with a highly underground philosophy. The original artist in question encourages any and all to perform under the same moniker, and many have. You can read more about Neosim here, and read more of the history of Monty Cantsin here.

This LP comes with this message among the credits:

We encourage you to copy, reproduce, and spread these songs and ideas by any possible means. Call yourself Monty Cantsin. Do everything in the name of Neoism.

Neoists live to initiate revolution and to find Akademgorod, the Promised Land of Neoism. In this land, all mechanisms of logic are broken, control is impossible. The Great Confusion rules.

The basis of Neoism is, was, and always will be the song.

March 24th is international Neoist Day

As for the music, this LP has quite a lot going for it. Aside from being a springboard for Neoist ideas, full of rhetoric, this LP toys with an experimental sound with hints of EBM and minimal synth scattered throughout. Can’t really put my finger on this LP, but I do know I enjoy it very much! Here’s the information:

Monty Cantisn- Ahora Neoismus LP
1. I Am Monty Cantsin
2. I Believe In Neoism
3. Every 6 Minutes
4. My Blood Keeps Flowing
5. In The Swamp Of Neoism
6. Mass Media
7. Love And Joy
8. Headquarters
9. Long Live Neoism
10. Gloria Victoribus

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Signal Aout 42- Pleasure and Crime 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, currently active, ebm, electro, new beat, sa42, signal aout 42 on March 1, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Just nabbed this fantastic EBM/New Beat 12” from the local shop, and surprised not to see it shared anywhere else. Here we have the debut single from Signal Aout 42, aka SA42. Released in 1986, this precedes their debut album Pro Patria, which followed three years later. The band started as a three piece, changing members several times over their tenure. I do believe they’re still active to date, playing shows across Europe and releasing music in a similar vein.

Fans of the aggressive new beat sound should love the hell out of this two track single. Both tracks have that nasty, powerful stomp that hits the spot on the dancefloor. The A-side was re-released two years later in heavily remixed form, most likely due to club success.

Here’s the details. Enjoy!

Signal Aout 42- Pleasure and Crime 12”
1. Pleasure and Crime
2. Lovely Trees

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 1.14.14)

3 Comments »

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