Solution .45 - Nightmares in the Waking State - Part II

2016-08-17 (News)

When Christian Älvestam (Miseration, Torchbearer, Unmoored, ex-Scar Symmetry) and Jani Stefanovic (Miseration) got together to write some modern-metal jams in 2007, nobody expected that only a few years later would yield the avalanche that is Solution. 45.
"Nightmares In The Waking State - Part II' is in fact not a 'new' album, in the strict sense of the word. Both Part I and II were actually recorded at the same time, as 'one' long album, but since we didn't want to release it as a regular double album, we decided to split it into two separate releases instead, to make it a bit more interesting. Compared to Part I maybe Part II has a slightly more melodic touch. Lyrically it's core matter is based around 'struggle' and the art of fighting your way through the tough times in life. We've all been there and we will all most likely end up there again some day. Life is often a really dark and nasty place and we'd like to see 'Nightmares In The Waking State - Part I & II' as our soundtrack to that!" – Solution. 45

Skinny Puppy - Weapon

2016-08-16 (News)

It its nearly three decades of existence, Skinny Puppy has established itself as a groundbreaking innovative voice in the world of electronic music. Fearless in both its musical experimentation and voicing a stance on the issues of our times, the new album, "Weapon", is no exception. "Weapon" stands as a commentary on that which it is named after, or more specifically, to the concurrent glorification of the gun culture and simultaneous horror at the devastation the gun can cause. Given this view, the pop undertones of the albums opening “"Wornin"” and the compelling counterpoint of the vocals and lyrics seem to reflect our mass media homogenization of an instrument of death into an entertainment centerpiece.

Soilwork - Death Resonance

2016-08-15 (News)

Even though visionary Swedish metallers Soilwork are still heavily supporting their most recent masterpiece, »The Ride Majestic«, the sextet compiled a must have for every fan out there.
The special collection of rarities under the monicker »Death Resonance« is nothing like your average best-of output, it delivers two brand new tracks as well as rarely released songs of the past 11 years, going back until their opus magnum, »Stabbing The Drama«.
Commented singer Björn "Speed" Strid: "The cover for »Death Resonance« is made by Mircea Eftemie and in many ways he managed to capture what we went through while recording »The Ride Majestic«: the sorrow, the close encounter with death, the aftermath and also the existential cogitation that came with it. It links those albums together, even though »Death Resonance« contains unreleased material from 2005 and forward. The cover almost seems like a link between life and death and not only captures where the band is right now, but also where we've been and what lies ahead."

Front 242 - No Comment / Politics Of Pressure

2016-08-14 (News)

Front 242 now re-release their second classic release "No Comment + Politics Of Pressure" on CD digipak format with the original album design in a fully remastered version by Daniel B.
"No Comment" and "Politics Of Pressure" were originally released in 1984 and 1985, at a moment when Front 242 reached its full force line-up made of Daniel B., Patrick Codenys, Jean-Luc De Meyer and Richard "23" Jonckheere; and really started attracting true cult-following. They had become the solid leaders of the newly born EBM movement in reference to their high-tech and hard edged electronic punk dance music.
Since day one, Front 242 have always been employing the use of the most current technology available to keep their music fresh, groundbreaking and up to date, non-stop pushing their sound to its logical extreme. The unique cold and synthetic brand of electronic dance music displayed on "No Comment" and "Politics Of Pressure" instantly became the band’s signature sound for the following decades… It’s a true sensational pleasure for the ears rediscovering these great classic tunes in their fully remastered versions.

Steve Roach - This Place to Be

2016-08-13 (News)

Steve Roach on "This Place to Be" is evoking the stillpoint of now, this 2016 long-form piece was born in the spirit of Invisible, Bloodmoon Rising and other soul tone zones of pure immersion, deep atmospherics and textural healing. After a long run of concerts and the wide range of dynamic releases over the past few years, the return to home gave birth to this place to be. Released digital-only on Bandcamp on the day it was completed, 27 May 2016, it immediately ranked on the front page best-seller list.
The listener feedback and numerous requests for a physical release led to the creation of this 500-copy limited-edition CD.
This 74 minute piece was mastered by Howard Givens revealing even more subtlety down inside this place to be.

Black Tape For A Blue Girl - These Fleeting Moments

2016-08-12 (News)

Given where Black Tape for a Blue Girl began over a quarter of a century ago with founder Sam Rosenthal’s exploration of brooding, extended electronics and strings meshed with deeply revealing lyrics and darkly textured, melodramatic vocal performances, it’s striking to see his muse and inspiration reach a new peak on their 11th album, "These Fleeting Moments". The ethereal, gothic and dark ambient stylings that made them one of the originators of American darkwave are offered on this release which coincides with the band’s 30th anniversary. Rosenthal reinvigorates their classic sound with the return of original vocalist Oscar Herrera, absent from music for 17 years.
The band emerges from the studio with 70 minutes of powerful, gorgeously yearning tracks born from the same place as their 90s classics "Remnants of a Deeper Purity" and "A Chaos of Desire".
Sam’s lyrics explore the existential predicaments of time’s passage, choices questioned, and loves lost.
Oscar’s darkly dramatic vocals are complemented by Dani Herrera’s emotional and heartfelt voice, Nick Shadow’s visceral viola, Brian Viglione's (The Dresden Dolls) driving drums, and Rosenthal’s pensive electronics and revelatory songwriting.