Nitzer Ebb & related artists

out now: Fixmer/McCarthy – Chemicals [Sonic Groove Records]

Artist:
Fixmer/McCarthy

Title:
Chemicals

Label:
Sonic Groove Records

Cat#:
SG 1777

Release Date:
15th March 2017

Format:
12″ & digital

Tracklist:
01.
Chemicals

02.
Chemicals
(Instrumental)

03.
Wrong Planet

Press Info:
Sonic Groove Records further ignites 2017 with the label’s second release of the year by FIXMER/MCCARTHY titled ” Chemicals.” The legendary Douglas J. McCarthy, founder and frontman of the seminal and pioneering EBM project Nitzer Ebb, continues his alliance with Contemporary Techno producer Terence Fixmer together lending to the electronic music landscape with their combined artistic initiative.

The A side of this 3 track e.p. presents the title track ” Chemicals ” in two forms; the original version and an instrumental version. The evolution of the sound that first surfaced in 2003 on Terence Fixmer’s own, Lille, France based imprint Planet Rouge is apparent on this new installment in the FIXMER/MCCARTHY discography. ” Chemicals ” original version is a triumphant echo of EBM/Techno fusion constructed with current innovative electronic music production that retains the aesthetic of the original sound of EBM combined with the power of Douglas J. McCarthy’s defining vocal style. The fine auditory balance is all the neural support needed to effectively compliment McCarthy’s deep and thunderous vocals. This track is reminiscent of the classics ” Murderous ” and “Join In The Chant ” by Nitzer Ebb but clearly light years beyond. The lyrical content references topics relevant to the forward thinking sect of the electronic underground, appropriately titled and are delivered with the magnified intensity McCarthy has draped the planet with for well over 30 years and for what he has become very well known for. The Instrumental version stands extremely strong on it’s own and is, for all intents and purposes, a defining example of EBM proto Techno of the futuristic kind.The inclusion of this version expands the releases appeal and will serve the desires of any twilight excursion through dark sonic techno domains.

Side B continues this transmission with another gem titled ” Wrong Planet ” that has been polished to near perfection in every way imaginable. This is a new development in sound that expands the horizon for this specific genre exponentially. Everything else happens from here on out specifically because this magnitude of output is truly unprecedented and expands beyond crossover range. Fixmer completely demonstrates his expertise while McCarthy’s inspired voice of fueled and cryptic conviction carries forth, a combination of perfect elements that give birth to an anthem for the rooms that deserve and can appreciate this. For DJ’s of this legion, it’s the perfect tool for peak time injection of auditory dissonance and streamlined cadence. For producers, has subtleties, production technique and sophistication that will have one back in the studio with their inspired hands challenged.

This is a unique and advanced release for Sonic Groove and in current dystopian and bleak times it is comforting to know that there are still possibilities such as this to deliver us from it all.

* Editors note: The releases artwork was designed by Douglas J. McCarthy inspired by a logo used for Industrial/EBM events throughout Spain during the early part of the 80’s.

Listen:

Video:

Recommendations:
Fixmer/McCarthy EP “Many Lies” on Planete Rouge
Fixmer’s remix EP “Aktion Mekanik Theme (Versions)” on Ostgut Ton
Fixmer’s album “Depth Charged” on CLR
Nitzer Ebb’s album “Basic Pain Procedure” on Pylon
Fixmer’s EP “Depth Charged (Remixes)” on CLR
McCarthy + Cyrusrex’s EP “DJMREX EP1” on Fold Press

Buy Vinyl:
Sonic Groove @ Bandcamp
Juno
Deejay
more soon

Buy Digital:
Sonic Groove @ Bandcamp
soon

Websites:
Fixmer/McCarthy
Sonic Groove

out now: Fixmer/McCarthy – So Many Lies [Planete Rouge]

Artist:
Fixmer/McCarthy

Title:
So Many Lies

Label:
Planete Rouge Records

Cat#:
PLR1601

Release Date:
April 2016

Format:
12″ & digital

Tracklist:
01)
So Many Lies

02)
So Many Lies
(Instinct Mix)

Press Info:
After spending his formative years crafting a unique take on Techno, French musician Terence Fixmer released his debut album ‘Muscle Machine’ in 1999. Forging a path with tracks like ‘Electrostatic’ and ‘Body Pressure’ that became instant classics re defining the Techno scene.

For his follow up album Fixmer recalled one of his early influences and enlisted the legendary voice of Douglas J McCarthy, the lead singer from the cult band Nitzer Ebb and 2003 saw them join forces for the first time in the unlikely spot of Lille. Initially Fixmer wanted McCarthy to work on just one or two tracks as a guest vocalist but within merely a few days in the studio their collaboration proved so fruitful that they decided to make an entire album. Thus Fixmer/McCarthy was born.

McCarthy’s musical journey actually began in 1982 as a teen proto synth punk in the UK. Nitzer Ebb self released three 12” singles before signing to the bastion of electronic music, Mute Records, in 1986. Touring extensively with Depeche Mode on the ‘Music For The Masses’ and ‘Violator’ tours they cut a jarring trail through the music scene both in Europe and the USA. After five albums, McCarthy took a hiatus from music to pursue filmmaking. It was during this break that Fixmer was asked by Mute Records to remix the Nitzer Ebb classic ‘Let Your Body Learn’ which led him to invite McCarthy to participate with his new album.

Fixmer/McCarthy became the precursor to a new breed of Techno artists managing to traverse between the scene specific genres of Techno and EBM without being tied to either.

Now, after 13 years of writing and touring the world together, they return with their signature raw sound and delivery. ‘So Many Lies’ is quintessential brooding Techno whilst dispatching the cold steel aggression of EBM.

Snippets:

Recommendations:
Fixmer’s remix EP “Aktion Mekanik Theme (Versions)” on Ostgut Ton
Fixmer’s album “Depth Charged” on CLR
Nitzer Ebb’s album “Basic Pain Procedure” on Pylon
Fixmer’s EP “Depth Charged (Remixes)” on CLR
McCarthy + Cyrusrex’s EP “DJMREX EP1” on Fold Press

Buy Vinyl:
decks.de
Juno
deejay.de
Red Eye Records
more soon

Buy Digital:
Planete Rouge @ Bandcamp
Boomkat
more soon

Websites:
Fixmer/McCarthy
Planete Rouge Records

out now: Headman feat. Scott Fraser & Douglas McCarthy – Noise [Emotional Relish]

Artist:
Headman feat. Scott Fraser & Douglas McCarthy

Title:
Noise

Label:
Emotional Relish / Relish Recordings

Cat#:
ERL001 / RR068

Release Date:
21st June 2013

Format:
vinyl & digital

Tracklist:
01)
Noise
(Vocal Version)

02)
Noise
(Dub)

03)
Noise
(Daniel Maloso Remix)

04)
Noise
(Hardway Bros. Axis Forces Dub)

Info:
Swiss label Relish Recordings presents the new single from Headman featuring Scott Fraser and Douglas McCarthy giving a taster of his artist album due later in the year…

Robi Insinna aka Headman has a long history in electronic music and most often trades in the sounds of raw, machine driven funk. Here he pairs up with former Relish producer Scott Fraser of the so-called Scrutton Street Axis (along with likeminded tunesmiths Andrew Weatherall and Timothy J Fairplay who all work in the same basement studio) and Nitzer Ebb’s Douglas McCarthy who provides vocals. The idea behind the new material is for Robi to work with artists he likes and simply to see what happens…

The original of ‘Noise’ is a fierce and prickly brew of synthetic sounds, gurgling acid and heavyweight dubbed kick drums. The vocals of McCarthy add a nineties feel as he asks over and over if you “want some noise” and there’s a very real post-funk attitude imbued deep within the multi-layered track. Sweaty, smoky, dirty basement disco might be a good way to describe it.

As well as a dub version there are two more remixes. The first comes from Daniel Maloso of Cómeme fame. He has just released a solo album at end of last year and turns the track into a more electrified, John Carpenter style version laced up with raw and frazzled arpeggiated synths and plenty of libidinous vocal cries.

The final remix comes from Sean Johnston aka Hardway Bros – a DJ partner in crime with Andrew Weatherall in their A Love From Outer Space party project and revered producer in his own right. He speeds things up a little and adds a bit of retro style dancefloor darkness to ensure the package offers something for every moment of a night.

There is also a video by Douglas and Robi that will accompany the track and the release comes with a cover image by Photographer Horst Diekgerdes taken somewhere during the late 90s that seemed to fit the project perfectly. The package will also be released on Emotional Relish as a limited run vinyl complete with an exclusive Revocal version.

Listen:

Videos:
“Noise”

“Noise (Hardway Bros Axis Forces Dub Remix)”

“Noise (Daniel Maloso Remix)”

“Noise (Dub)”

Recommendations:
Douglas McCarthy’s solo album “Kill Your Friends”
single “The Knife” by Motor feat. Douglas McCarthy

Buy Vinyl:
Rough Trade
Juno
Phonica Records
Deejay.de
Piccadilly Records
decks.de
HHV
more soon

Buy Digital:
Beatport
iTunes
Amazon
more soon

Websites:
Headman
Douglas McCarthy
Relish

out now: Nitzer Ebb – Basic Pain Procedure [Pylon Records]

Artist:
Nitzer Ebb

Title:
Basic Pain Procedure

Label:
Pylon Records

Cat#:
Pylon 30

Release Date:
December 2012 (vinyl)
June 2013 (CD, cassette)

Format:
Vinyl, CD & cassette+USB

Tracklist Vinyl:
A1)
Faded Smiles

A2)
Tradition

A3)
The Home

A4)
Star

B1)
The Passage

B2)
The Book

B3)
Crane

B4)
Trust Ran In Colours

Tracklist CD:
01)
Faded Smiles

02)
Tradition

03)
The Home

04)
Star

05)
The Passage

06)
The Book

07)
Crane

08)
Trust Ran In Colours

09)
Tradition
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

10)
The Home
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

11)
Star
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

12)
The Book
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

13)
Crane
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

14)
Violent Playground
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

15)
Whiter Shade Of Pale
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

16)
Smear Body
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

Tracklist Cassette+USB:
CassetteA1)
Faded Smiles

CassetteA2)
Tradition

CassetteA3)
The Home

CassetteA4)
Star

CassetteA5)
The Passage

CassetteA6)
The Book

CassetteA7)
Crane

CassetteA8)
Trust Ran In Colours

CassetteB1)
Tradition
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

CassetteB1)
The Home
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

CassetteB1)
Star
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

CassetteB1)
The Book
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

CassetteB1)
Crane
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

CassetteB1)
Violent Playground
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

CassetteB1)
Whiter Shade Of Pale
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

CassetteB1)
Smear Body
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB01)
Faded Smiles

USB02)
Tradition

USB03)
The Home

USB04)
Star

USB05)
The Passage

USB06)
The Book

USB07)
Crane

USB08)
Trust Ran In Colours

USB09)
Tradition
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB10)
The Home
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB11)
Star
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB12)
The Book
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB13)
Crane
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB14)
Violent Playground
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB15)
A Whiter Shade Of Pale
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB16)
Smear Body
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB17)
Smear Body
(Live at CIHE, December 9, 1983)

USB18)
a previously unreleased live concert from the same era

Info Vinyl:
Available Now for the first time ever is Nitzer Ebb’s Basic Pain Procedure on vinyl, which many fans consider, the holy grail of their catalogue. This release which comprises some of their earliest material ever, was a cassette-only release that was primarily a tool to attract attention from record labels but was also available for purchase at the time. It was recorded in the Essex countryside in 1983, a year after the band played their first ever show at the Chelmsford YMCA, and was virtually the extent of their then live set. After this initial recording a slew of new songs were written that eventually went on to form the debut album, That Total Age, and, with the exception of Home which was reworked into KIA for the Belief album, the Basic Pain Procedure tracks were replaced never to be heard again. Here they are re-mastered and pressed on very special half white and half red split colored vinyl.

The release also contains a double sided insert with the alternate black & white cassette cover and rare photos and flyers from that era.

Only 600 copies are pressed in total with 200 of them on Red/White color split and the rest on black vinyl.

Info CD:
This recording comprises some of the earliest Nitzer Ebb material ever, Basic Pain Procedure was a cassette-only release, until 2012 when Pylon Records released it on vinyl. This recording was primarily a tool to attract attention from record labels, but was also available for purchase at the time. It was recorded in Essex countryside in 1983, a year after the band played their first ever show at the Chelmsford, YMCA and was virtually the extent of their then live set.

The live recording from December 9, 1983 at the Chelmer Institute of Higher Education. What is featured here are two live songs which have not been released before, A Whiter Shade of Pale, and Smear Body.

Info Cassette+USB:
This limited edition cassette will contain everything that is on the CD release plus a 4 Gig, Credit Card styled USB, which is housed in the cassette tape. This USB will contain everything on the CD, plus a previously unreleased live concert from the same era. The USB will also contain a continuous high resolution 24 bit/96 Khz audio transfer from the original master reel with no processing and no track identification. This can be played on high resolution DVD players or digital work stations, for optimum detail in the sound recording. The USB will also contain high resolution photos and posters of the band and the original contract for their December 9, 1983 gig, quiet interesting!

You will also want to keep this USB for future downloads of Videos and concerts from the Pylon website , which will be from that era. This USB will be your Nitzer Ebb Produkt 1983.

Listen:
Studio Tracks