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October 18, 2011

The Cruxshadows – “Valkyrie”: Viva Music Album Review

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Tracklist: “Valkyrie” * “Valkyrie (Radio Edit)” * “Anthem” * “Valkyrie (Rise of the Valcyrge –The Dreamside Remix)” * “Strange Skies”

Read about The Cruxshadows’ performance at Amphi Festival 2010 here | See the photo gallery from The Crxushadows’ performance at Amphi Festival 2010 here.

About The Cruxshadows “Valkyrie”:

Following the success of their most recent Billboard #1 single “Quicksilver”, international darkwave sensation The Cruxshadows return to the spotlight with the powerful new club anthem “Valkyrie”. The mixture of dark electronic dance elements, classical elegance, and new wave sensibility compound to produce The Cruxshadows unmistakable signature sound in this five track maxi-single.  The disc features three uniquely targeted versions of their newest track “Valkyrie”, as well as two new bonus tracks. Always a favorite across several genres, the boys and girls of The Cruxshadows have produced yet another song sure to become a fan favorite.  “Valkyrie” is presented as a digipack with cover art by lead singer Rogue. (source: label site)

The Cruxshadows “Valkyrie”: Viva Music Album Review:

The Cruxshadows’ newest single, “Valkyrie” to be released by Wishfire on Nov-08 includes alongside the title track in various version, two new preview tracks, “Anthem” and “Strange Skies” from their forthcoming album “As the Dark against My Halo”.  The source track for the single release, “Valkyrie” borrows heavily and charmingly from the old Norse myth of the supernatural beings who decided the fate of warriors on the battlefield, transporting the reason and the progression of the battle in the realm of contemporariness and, what is more, in real life. Except for the general release version, which we had the chance to listen to in July this year, and the radio edit, a third excellent version of the track is provided, and we are talking about “Valkyrie (Rise of the Valcyrge –The Dreamside Remix)”, which has a definite edge and carefully transposes the listener into a different realm, inspired by hazy dreams and the same essence of myth, rendered in beautiful music. Added depth comes also with the other two tracks from the compilation, generously released as a sneak preview into what their forthcoming album is going to look like. The definite feel brought over by “Anthem” is not at all vain, it is heartfelt, energetic, and curiously serene, despite its overall dark shroud. Very much in connection with its 1980’s side, the other track, “Strange Skies” is a relevant addition to the single release, and in a more confrontational manner than the preceding “Anthem”, it provokes sheer enthusiasm, encapsulated in great soundscape and perfectionist instrument. It would be a great thing if “As the Dark against My Halo” sounded in its entirety like that, and this is something that’s not only feasible, but also highly probable. For the time being, enjoy the single release of “Valkyrie”!

The Cruxshadows – Official Website | on Facebook | Discography on Discogs

October 17, 2011

Cause and Effect – “Happiness?”: Viva Music Album Review

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Trackist: “Happiness Is Alien – Ecotek & James Egbert Club Mix” * “Happiness Is Alien – Opencloud Remix” * “Happy? – Jeff T Club Mix” * “Happy – Jeff Barringer Club Mix” * “Buried – Bonus Track”

Cause and Effect – “Happiness?” – Viva Music Album Review:

Cause and Effect are Rob Rowe and Keith Milo. With a rich past and a richer present, very relevant for today’s scene, they keep in touch constantly with their fanbase of 20 years, and have in late Sep-11, released with Liquefaction their new EP “Happiness?”. The question mark in the title is relevant because happiness is beside the point, like a mirage or a known ghost, but not a reality per se. With the exception of the two core tracks of the compilation, namely “Happiness Is Alien” and “Happy?”, a bonus track called “Buried” is provided, which really adds value to the tempo of the album. With “Happiness Is Alien”, which can be equally read like an outer space denizen or something that is exterior, not pertaining to the individual, the good vibes are in, however questionable the notion of happiness, in itself, is. Erupting forth like a miniature volcano set by time itself in one’s heart, in both versions, “Happiness Is Alien” beckons you closer and sends you away at the same time, in varied movements of self-abandonment. Not unlike “Happiness Is Alien”, the second star of the EP is “Happy?”. Lighter in approach, but with a sound vein of nonchalant teasing, “Happy?” sets out to cleave the universe between the ones who are always happy and the one/s who do/es not cope with happiness in the same easy-going manner. Not judging either perspective on life, the track is a dance asset and a really good tune. The two tracks of the EP in their dual versions are complemented by the bonus track “Buried”. The latter sounds a bit intriguing in the complex of the EP, since even if the same Cause and Effect trademark is felt, it is a fresher, and more distinct track. We are looking forward to new material from Cause and Effect, since their presence in our playlists always brings a superior atmosphere and a decent amount of musicality. Enjoy!

Cause and Effect – Official Website | on Facebook | Discography on Discogs

August 11, 2011

The Birthday Massacre – “Imaginary Monsters” – Viva Music Review

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Tracklist:  “Forever” * “Burn Away” * “Left Behind” * “Pale [Kevvy Mental & Dave Ogilvie ‘Rubber Unicorn’ Mix]” * “Control [tweaker Mix]” * “Shallow Grave [Combichrist ‘Good For Her’ Mix]” * “Pins And Needles [SKOLD Mix]” * “Shallow Grave [Assemblage 23 Mix]”

“Imaginary Monsters” (release date: Aug-09) is a followup material from The Birthday Massacre after their successful 2010 album “Pins and Needles”.  The EP, comprising 8 tracks, includes three original tracks, as well as five fantastic remixes of tracks from their latest album.

Order The Birthday Massacre’s “Imaginary Monsters” from Metropolis Records here | Read the official release information from Metropolis Records from May-26 here.

About The Birthday Massacre:

The Birthday Massacre is from Toronto, Canada. Combining their interests in various musical and artistic styles, the band has successfully accumulated an impressive international fan base, press accolades, and defied categorization with their unique sound and visuals.

The band was formed in 1999 and independently produced and recorded their first two albums, “Nothing and Nowhere” and “Violet”. Through both of these high-demand releases, as well as their highly acclaimed and beautifully atmospheric website, the band obtained a large and loyal fan base throughout the world. Due to their independent success, in 2005 they were approached by European and North American record labels and the band began its steady climb to reaching a much wider audience with the 2007 release of the acclaimed and wildly popular “Walking With Strangers”.

In the last few years, the band has been performing internationally, traveling extensively across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Australia, the U.K. and Europe. They have become renowned for their high-energy live performances, drawing large, mixed crowds through their appeal to fans of a surprisingly wide range of genres. Their fourth full length album “Pins And Needles” was released on Sep-14, 2010 accompanied by a video for “In The Dark“.

The Birthday Massacre – “Imaginary Monsters” – Viva Music review:

With the release of “Pins and Needles” and the 100% positive feedback they received, The Birthday Massacre accomplished a new stage in their career – full sound, charismatic voice, well arranged musical landscape. Therefore, it is no wonder that they came up with new material within less than a year from their latest album release. “Imaginary Monsters” is a fresh deal and a disc bound to be played in a loop! Not only it comes packed with beautiful remixes for already famous tracks, but it also gives a glimpse of previously unreleased material, which definitely thrills the band’s 150k fanbase (according to Facebook). (more…)

May 26, 2011

Birthday Massacre “Imaginary Monsters” Out August-09 + Pre-Order Info

Filed under: International News — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:38 am

Tracklist:

01. Forever * 02. Burn Away * 03. Left Behind * 04. Pale [Kevvy Mental & Dave Ogilvie ‘Rubber Unicorn’ Mix] * 05. Control [tweaker Mix] * 06. Shallow Grave [Combichrist ‘Good For Her’ Mix] * 07. Pins And Needles [SKOLD Mix] * 08. Shallow Grave [Assemblage 23 Mix]

Following up on the success of the most recent album “Pins And Needles“, The Birthday Massacre returns with “Imaginary Monsters“, a new EP consisting of three all new songs and five remixes. The three new songs, “Forever”, “Burn Away”, and “Left Behind” find the band at its creative apex. Dark, personal, and atmospheric, The Birthday Massacre builds on its compelling blend of gothic, rock and electronic music into a sound that is all their own. To give the fans another perspective on the aforementioned sound, The Birthday Massacre has had five colleagues offer their unique perspectives on tracks from “Pins And Needles“. SKOLD, Combichrist, tweaker, Assemblage 23, and Kevvy Mental & Dave Ogilvie add their own spin to TBM’s distinctive style. As a bonus, the EP also features the video for “In The Dark“!

PRE-ORDER: Order now, and we will ship this item to you when it is released on August 9, 2011.

(source)

May 20, 2011

mind.area “means to an end” Out May-24!

Filed under: International News — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 12:00 pm

mind area‘s new ep “ means to an end” consequently keeps the way, which was chosen with the debut album ‘long distance side trip’ and the ep “stagnaton//death” released shortly after that. Though the ep is a further evolution of the dark-ambient sound with distorted industrial sound, it also is a hint to the upcoming album: more uncompromising the different stylistic devices of electronic music become a dangerous and at the same time fascinating soundrack. Not at last the vocals of friendly singers give the songs the life, which aims constant change.

mind area prove again, that the creativity of this genre is far away from reaching the end with this appetizer. The ep will be available as a free download on Ionium Records (DE), X-Line (RU) and Aphotic Audio (AU), released on the 24th of May 2011. (more…)

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