Mina Harker - "Bittersüß"
Release date: June 27th 2011 / Label: Out Of Line Music
On their second outing “Bittersüß” (meaning bittersweet in German), MINA HARKER effectively merge the lively feel inherent to German Alternative Rock with powerfully catchy electronic Pop music and a carefully added dark note. The album sports a much more mature sound than the singer’s debut, with arrangements that have been watered down to their very essence for maximum impact. Lyrics are highly emotional, often very direct and, at times, provocative, destined to do more than just scratch the surface. On “Bittersüß”, MINA HARKER dances a stirring high wire act, balancing the scales between teenage “Sturm & Drang” and the tackling of big feelings. Versatile vocalist Mina plays out her full spectrum of emotions, alternating between childlike and innocent, steamy lascivious and powerfully raw, making “Bittersüß” a hit-laden summer storm that is bound to go under your skin. The world is bittersweet!
Pale Horse Named Death - "And Hell Will Follow Me"
Release dates: June 17th (DE), 20th (EU), 14th (US) / Label: Steamhammer, SPV
A Pale Horse Named Death, the new band formed and lead by Life Of Agony’s Sal Abruscato, have signed a worldwide recording contract with Steamhammer / SPV to release the band’s debut album ‘And Hell Will Follow Me’, on June 20th. The album will be released in high class digipak CD format, containing a 20 page booklet (with artwork for each individual song), and as a double gatefold vinyl album, containing an exclusive bonus track plus CD. All artwork is by Sam Shearon, who has previously worked with the likes of Rob Zombie, Fear Factory and Cradle of Filth.
www.apalehorsenameddeath.comAccessory - "Underbeat"
Release date: June 13th 2011 / Label: Out Of Line Music
German Electro Heroes ACCESSORY are back with brand new album “Underbeat”, out on 13th June via Out Of Line Music. On “Underbeat” the duo fires up its full arsenal of synthetic sound devices to press forward in twelve versatile tracks clocking in at about an hour of massive playtime. The result is electrifying dance floor culture of the finest variety, sporting thudding EBM onslaughts, lascivious “sexy robot” voices, an effective nod towards German electronic music history, hyper-saturated club grooves, catchy melodies and well-targeted bursts of aggression. “Feel the bass and let yourself go!” – that is ACCESSORY's dance command in a nutshell… “Underbeat” is the perfect vehicle for doing just that.
www.accessorymusic.deDance Or Die - "Nostradamnation"
Release date: June 13th 2011 / Label: Out Of Line Music
Dark Electro legends DANCE OR DIE return with new album “Nostradamnation”, out on 13th June via Out Of Line Music. With “Nostradamnation”, Wagner and A.N.G.O. (joined by Chris L. from Agonoize live) manage to combine a dark atmosphere with massive beats, deep vocals with dance floor infernos plus aggression and melody in the unique way that has become their trademark. And yet again, the group’s sinister, yet very disco-compatible visions of impending apocalypse stands out from the faceless crowd of bland carbon copies that make up the Electro scene. “Nostradamnation” marks the impressive return of a band that, in the Nineties, provided a link between the Gothic- and Electro-scenes like no other and whose unique fusion of styles left its distinct imprint on the club scene. Even now, two decades after the group’s debut, DANCE OR DIE’s sound is fresh, original and unmatched.
www.dance-or-die.deSOMBRE PRINTEMPS - "Ambient & Film Music II"
Release date: June 13th 2011 / Label: Out Of Line Music
The intriguing music project SOMBRE PRINTEMPS, which Philippe Fichot (Die Form) created in 1991 to commemorate the German author and graphic designer Unica Zürn (the project’s name has been taken from one of her books), is undergoing a spectacular renaissance, 20 years after its inception. On “Ambient & Film Music II“, exceptional artist Fichot yet again takes us on a journey into playful, experimental and surreal tinged sonic worlds. Intricate grooves meet ingenious compositions, wild vocal samples and highly creative sound design in eleven tracks that invade the ears in a disturbing, yet otherworldly beautiful manner. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of SOMBRE PRINTEMPS, the new album receives a classy double-CD-release that also includes the rare and long-deleted first release “Ambient and Film Music”, on which Philippe Fichot created aural experiments that were way ahead of their time, two decades ago. It has been way too long since the creative mind behind Die Form has last allowed us to glimpse into one of the most interesting facets of his creative oeuvre. For fans of Die Form and for aficionados of creative electronic aural art, “Ambient & Film Music 1 & 2” is an absolute must!
www.dieform.netKirlian Camera - "Ghlóir Ar An Oíche"
Release date: June 13th 2011 / Label: Out Of Line Music
Grand Italian cult band KIRLIAN CAMERA return with a mesmerizing new single that sports the Gaelic title “Ghlóir Ar An Oíche” (Glory Of The Night). The main track “Nightglory” is a trip to pure KIRLIAN CAMERA heaven featuring a heady, catchy and anthem chorus supported by a pulsing sequencer design and forceful electric guitars. Driven by a solid beat, infused with a good dose of innovative elements and sung by an inspired and soulful Elena Alice with what is one of her best vocal performances, ever, this title track of the upcoming KIRLIAN CAMERA album is destined to become a future classic. It is featured as an electronic version and a highly intense, piano-driven, chamber-music-like “Camera Version”. The single also contains an exclusive, new instrumental track titled “I Gave You Wings - I Gave You Death” (a vocal version will be included on the upcoming album) and a massive reworking of 1998’s “After Winter”, re-recorded and rewritten in a darker, more exciting, electronic vein. This is KIRLIAN CAMERA at its very best and the ideal appetizer for the upcoming album, scheduled for release later in 2011.
www.kirliancamera.comV/A - Alfa Matrix re:covered vol. 2 - a tribute to Depeche Mode
Release date: 10th June 2011 / Label: Alfa Matrix
Although the first volume of this Depeche Mode cover album received a more than successful echo from both indie and mainstream worlds, this project would have definitely remained a one-off project if some of our label bands had not insistently pressed us to launch a second volume. Once we got to hear some of the first written versions, we were sold! They were too good to be left laying around. We then touched base with several other Alfa Matrix artists and in no time, a second volume was born featuring the label’s “classic renowned bands” (Leaether Strip, Ayria, Kant Kino, Komor Kommando, I:Scintilla, Technoir, Helalyn Flowers, Plastic Noise Experience, Implant, Krystal System, Acylum, etc.), as well as the work from the newly arrived label artists and others who did not make it on time for the previous edition: Armageddon Dildos, Malakwa, amGod, Razorfade, Alien Vampires, Studio-X, Unter Null, Diskonnekted, Gaytron… Two years further down the road and here we are with a second volume of the Alfa Matrix label roster covering what has to be the best synthpop band in pop history. Since 2008, a lot has happened in the Depeche Mode camp, tours, a new album and the band celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of their first single. It's all in the spirit of being a Depeche Mode fan, specifically reflected in the selection of the covered songs... Compiled by and for Depeche Mode fans, "Alfa Matrix Re:covered - a tribute to Depeche Mode vol.2" will offer you once more a very own insight in what makes the Depeche Mode songs so special. Enjoy these interpretations and re-discover the beauty of all those classic Depeche Mode songs re:covered by the Alfa Matrix stable offering a diverse sound panel going from synthpop, over old-school electro to melancholic electro rock.
www.alfa-matrix.com/shop