Sonic Groove Records | NovaFuture Blog

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: Orphx – Pitch Black Mirror [HANDS | Sonic Groove Records]

Artist:
Orphx

Title:
Pitch Black Mirror

Label:
Hands Productions | Sonic Groove

Cat#:
HANDS239 (CD) | SGLP02 (Vinyl & Digital)

Release Date:
04th November 2016

Format:
CD, Vinyl (2×12“) & Digital

Tracklist:
01.
Unknowing

02.
Sever The Signal

03.
Blood In The Streets

04.
Molten Heart

05.
Undying

06.
Zero Hour

07.
Transmutation

08.
All Rivers At Once

09.
Walk In The Broken Night

10.
Pitch Black Mirror

Press Info:
Pitch Black Mirror is the new full length album from industrial techno veterans Orphx, co-presented by Sonic Groove (2xLP + Digital) and HANDS (CD).

Rich Oddie and Christina Sealey have created a diverse and distinctive body of work over the last 23 years and this album may be their most definitive statement yet.

Pitch Black Mirror foregrounds the duo’s unique fusion of techno and industrial but also demonstrates their ability to continually push their sound in new and challenging directions by drawing on elements of electro, post-punk and EBM.

The human voice is a central element here, ranging from subtle layers of samples and location recordings to the more prominent vocals of Rich Oddie and guest vocalist Marie Davidson. The album is also notable for its detailed sound design, courtesy of Sealey’s modular synthesizer systems, Oddie’s percussion and synth work, and software mutations from founding Orphx member Aron West.

With its sonic and lyrical imagery of watery depths, lost love, and transmutations, Pitch Black Mirror offers a sonic landscape that is clearly inspired by personal and social turmoil but points towards the possibility of creative transformation.

Listen:
@ Deejay

Full Track Streaming:
“Sever The Signal”

Videos:
“Zero Hour”

“Molten Heart”

Video “Molten Heart” created by the29nov films.

Special:
“Juno Plus Podcast 59”

Recommendations:
live album “Berghain: Live in Berlin (April 2012)”
“Eschaton EP” by Ancient Methods & Orphx aka Eschaton

Buy CD:
HANDS Shop
Amazon
WOM
more soon

Buy Vinyl:
Sonic Groove @ Bandcamp
Juno
Deejay
decks.de
Clone
Hardwax
Red Eye Records
more soon

Buy Digital:
Boomkat
Amazon
JunoDownload
Google Play
more soon

Booking:
Acheron Agency for Orphx

Websites:
Orphx
Sonic Groove
HANDS

out now: Monolith – Time Running Out EP [Sonic Groove Records]

Artist:
Monolith

Title:
Time Running Out EP

Label:
Sonic Groove Records

Cat#:
SG 1672

Release Date:
16th February 2016

Format:
12″ & digital

Tracklist:
01)
Construct

02)
De-Construct

03)
Ghost Cities

04)
Time

Press Info:
Eric Van Wonterghem, the man behind Monolith, is one of the most important figures to come out of Belgium‘s electronic music scene. Dating back to the start of the 1980‘s, Eric started off as the composer for legendary minimal synth act Absolute Body Control alongside lyricist Dirk Ivens. In 1984 Absolute Body Control would join forces with Marc Verhaegen and Sandy Njis. The band would change musical direction, veering into much darker and more experimental-driven industrial territories, altering their band name to Absolute Controlled Clinical Maniacs and soon settling on shortened version “The Klinik”. The Klinik would explode on the underground electronic industrial scene in mainland Europe throughout the 80‘s and would go on to be recognized as one of the all time most influential acts from the European industrial/EBM scene.

Eric left The Klinik in the late ‚80‘s and would form another highly respected Belgium EBM band with vocalist and drummer Mario Vaerewijck, “Insekt”. The band would go on to release several albums and singles throughout the late 80‘s into the mid 90‘s on the famed KK Records imprint.During the early to mid 90‘s a new industrial sound with an emphasis on heavily distorted drums and percussions would emerge under the name “rhythmic noise”. Eric, at the forefront of this sound, would soon create his solo artist project “Monolith”, releasing the full length “Compressed Form” in 1997 on his old partner Dirk Iven‘s Daft imprint. Eric would then also take up position in “Sonar” a very popular rhythmic noise project helmed by Dirk Iven‘s. If not already having his hands full with both projects, Eric and Dirk, driven by the popular demand arising from the resurgence of minimal synth music, would go on to reactivate the legendary Absolute Body Control in the early 2000‘s. Eric continues to be highly active in the industrial/EBM/minimal synth music scene, playing major events and festivals, the likes of Mera Luna, Wave Gotik Treffen and Maschinenfest and regularly traveling around the globe to perform as part of one of the many projects he is involved in.

In 2003 Eric became close friends with techno producer and label owner Adam X of Sonic Groove Records. A bond was formed and over the years, they have both released music on the other‘s respective label. In the past years, the techno scene has taken a strong interest in industrial music and with Adam being one of the very first pioneers of the merging between both genres on Sonic Groove and Eric being one of the top innovators of the industrial rhythmic, forces are now joined for the second time in two years with the new Monolith release, “Time Running Out”.

“Time Running Out” is cutting edge, post contemporary industrial-techno music with highly percussive drum programming and infectious sound design set to overrun dance floors. Besides his busy production schedule, Eric also works as a highly skilled mastering engineering for many a famous industrial/EBM acts as well as for classic 90‘ Belgium techno labels like R&S and Re-Load. With over three decades experience, his engineering skills shine crystal clear with razor sharp production on his latest four cut EP for Sonic Groove. “Time Running Out” is an absolute must for anyone into Rhythmic Industrial and techno.

Listen:

Full Track Streaming:

Video:
“Construct”

Recommendations:
Monolith’ album “Crashed” on Hands Productions
Monolith’ “Near Crash EP” on Sonic Groove
ADMX-71’s “Second System” on Sonic Groove Experiments

Buy Vinyl:
Sleepless Store
deejay.de
Juno
decks.de
Hardwax
HHV
more soon

Buy Digital:
Boomkat
Bleep
WhatPeoplePlay
Google Play
Beatport Classic
iTunes
more soon

Booking:
Neuwerk for Monolith

Websites:
Monolith
Sonic Groove

out now: Henning Baer – In Pursuit Of Myself [Sonic Groove Records]

Artist:
Henning Baer

Title:
In Pursuit Of Myself

Label:
Sonic Groove Records

Cat#:
SG 1570

Release Date:
22nd June 2015

Format:
12″ & digital

Tracklist:
01)
Say Nothing To No One

02)
Empire Down

03)
On Craft
(SFT Mix)

04)
Everyday Life

Press Info:
The head of Grounded Theory Berlin returns to Sonic Groove with his strongest outing on the label to date. Henning Baer brings forth a rough and tough diverse four cut EP of chunky rhythmatic techno. Recording the songs during live jams and using a previously decided pool of hardware this EP has a nice old school vibe. The sound production however is very much in the modern day with it’s well crafted mix downs. This release has strong mass appeal for the purist techno connoisseur!

Listen:

Video:
“On Craft (SFT Mix)”

Video created by the29nov films.

Special:
“FABRICLIVE x Hessle Audio Mix”

Video Special:
“Tales From The Underground” (a documentary by DJBroadcast)

Recommendation:
“Drop Out EP” on Sonic Groove
“Seltene Erden EP” on Sonic Groove

Buy Vinyl:
Hardwax
Deejay.de
Decks.de
Juno
Red Eye Records
Clone
Techno Import FR
TripleVision
HHV
Rush Hour
more soon

Buy Digital:
Boomkat
more soon

Booking:
Triangle Agency

Websites:
Henning Baer
Sonic Groove

out now: Adam X – Irreformable [Sonic Groove Records]

Artist:
Adam X

Title:
Irreformable

Label:
Sonic Groove Records

Cat#:
SGLP01

Release Date:
21st October 2014

Format:
CD, vinyl & digital

Tracklist:
01)
Interchanges

02)
Catenary

03)
Binary Possession

04)
On The Verge Of Decimation

05)
Sheer Insanity

06)
Irreformable

07)
In A Race Against Time

08)
Tornado Warning

09)
It‘s All Relative

10)
Small Black Object

Track 10 is digital only

Press Info:
It‘s been nearly six years since the release of „State Of Limbo“. The last full length album from Adam before he started work on his successful side projects „Traversable Wormhole & ADMX-71“.

In around the start of the Millennia. Adam was one of the first and very few producers & dj‘s to cross pollenate the sounds of Industrial and EBM music into techno music. Branding his style as Industrialized Techno. It was a move that went against the grain to what was popular in techno of the time. The harder edged styles of techno music which saw its heyday in the mid 90‘s became entangled in loop mode. Continuing to exist more for functionality purposes then for exploring and developing creativity. The genre became redundant and would pretty much cease to exist with the rise and popularity of the much softer & slower sound of minimal techno.

Adam refused to conform to this light weight based sound which had now taken hold of the techno audience. Instead he would become actively involved within the Industrial/ EBM music scene by way of production, gigs, label owner and event organizer. On the production side he would go on to record three full lengths into the end aught‘s for well respected Industrial based music labels.

At the end of the decade a new generation of techno lovers emerged with an interest in harder and rugged techno sounds. Adam already having success with Traversable Wormhole took note to the changes taking place. Pushing his signature Industrial sound further on this fast growing audience with several singles on various labels. As interest in this style continued to gain popularity, Adam would finally start receiving accolades for his pioneering efforts. Including from his peers from the earlier years who often slighted his switch over to an Industrial/EBM sound back in those dismal and boring days of minimal techno .

Enter the present, Adam has spent nearly a year crafting his latest full length excursion. Aptly entitled “Irreformable“. His latest endeavor is sculpted in innovative sound design and mixed in full dynamic range. Spanning a theme of diverse styles from start to finish „Irreformable“ refuses to reform or conform to commercialism. The term “All killer no filler“ applies here.

“Interchanges” opens the album with a crunchy bassline and an array of hi-hats building tension as the track develops. Many of the albums tracks are peppered with short vocal samples and spoken phrases which add to the atmosphere and energy as the album develops. We hear this in third track “Binary Possession” with its layers of detuned synth noises and whispered Adam X vocals and in “Sheer Insanity” which is filled with sweeps and noise, combined with an unnerving vocal. Title track “Irreformable” comes full of noises reminiscent of a factory boiler room, chugging along to the noise of broken pipes and alarms, backed by an underlying snare drum and repeated spoken phrase. The latter half of the record continues to build on the overall tension and evokes an almost chaotic feel it. Irreformable is a refined industrial sounding album that broods with dark energy that twists and turns as Adam X takes us on a journey of sound.

File under Industrialized Techno, Rhythmic Noise , Futurism, Purism, Desolation.

Listen: