This Friday the renowned Belgian Independent Music Festival 2017 (BIMFEST XVI) will kick-Off!
Like every year, BodyBeats Productions have succeeded in compiling a layered and varied, but always fitting within the true BIMFEST spirit, line-up.
After last year’s nearly sold-out 100% Belgian and 15th anniversary edition, BodyBeats went looking abroad again for this year's line-up. But, because there’s no BIMFEST without at least a few quality homegrown products, IMPLANT (with a brand new album!) and PARADE GROUND will represent Belgium this year.
Loyal BIMFEST-goers will immediately spot a couple of returning BIMFEST acquaintances like NO MORE (D), THE INVINCIBLE SPIRIT (D) and PSYCHE (CAN) on the poster but also some less obvious names (to Belgian standards) such as rhythmic and industrial act XOTOX from Germany or the Techno / EBM crossover project of the NYC electro producer and performer Oliver Chesler, THE HORRORIST (LIVE!).
They also succeeded to get KIRLIAN CAMERA, from the warm but dark North Italy, fronted by the stunning and charismatic Elena Alice Fossi, who will undoubtedly bring the temperature in the front rows to boiling point. Also CRASH COURSE IN SCIENCE (US) will easily get the crowd moving and warmed-up with their New Wave Club classic songs like 'Cardboard Lamb' and 'Flying Turns' but they will be performing also some brand new songs from their recently released album 'Situational Awareness'. Check the brand new single/video 'Drive' here!
But one of the main catches of BIMFEST 2017 is undoubtedly the pleasant deranged British Electro combo BLANCMANGE, who almost everyone should know from their 80s mega-hits like "Don't Tell Me," "Blind Vision ',' Feel Me 'and' Game Above My Head '... to name but a few!
The two lucky ones to open BIMFEST this year are; The Swedish/Belgian one-man EBM act ELM (on Friday 15th) and Swedish electro-Industial terrorists ALVAR (Saturday 16th). These two bands were selected by the audience present on the 2017 Dark Demons Night where both bands gave a stunning live show.
Now, if you are still doubting if you should go to BIMFEST, click some of the inserted hyperlinks above (music inside) and discover what great bands & tunes you will be missing out on! Highly recommended!
American electro-industrial pioneers Crash Course In Science, responsible for club classic tracks like Cardboard Lamb and Flying Turns, have put a brand new video online for Drive, a track taken from their latest album Situation Awareness, released both digitally and on vinyl by Electronic Emergencies in October 2017. (Read the album review here)
The video was directed by Rob Powers and Michael Zodorozny. Animation by Robert Powers, artwork and design by Michael Zodorozny. 'Drive' written by John Wicks and Michael Zodorozny, produced by John Wicks.
Crash Course In Science will play a one-off European exclusive show at the second day of the renowned BIMFEST 2017 (De Casino, St- Niklaas, Belgium) on Saturday 16th December. They will share the stage with Blancmange, Psyche, No More, The Invincible Spirit, Implant, Parade Ground & Alvar.
Full line-up of both days can be found here: www.bimfest.be
In Strict Confidence releases HERZ & FROZEN KISSES, a two-in-one single release with remixes and more!
“The Hardest Heart”, our latest album, managed to convince both old and new fans and closed the gap between last years’ style and the band’s early musical beginnings. “Herz” and “Frozen Kisses” - two of the album favourites - are today offered to our fans as a double single pack, completed with remixes and previously unreleased material. The 80s classic “You Spin Me Round” by Dead or Alive is a real hit. The remix/cover version is completed vocally with Thee Flanders & Bela B, and is available only on the CD, not online. A new version of the top 10 Trance hit “The Darkside” (The Hypetraxx) and the ISC typically long extended versions of the main tracks are also to be found on the new release.
Tracklist:
01 Herz (Extended Version)
02 Herz (Binary Park Remix)
03 You spin me round (feat. Thee Flanders & Bela B)
04 Herz (Cardiogenic Shock Mix)
05 The Darkside (ISC Version)
06 Herz
07 Frozen Kisses (Extended Version)
08 Frozen Kisses (RecFrag Remix)
09 Frozen Kisses (Lights of Euphoria Remix)
10 Frozen Kisses (In Black Lights Remix)
11 Isolation
12 Frozen Kisses (Album Version)
THEY CALLED HIM ZONE to release entire catalogue remastered on EROMEDA RECORDS
Manchester's (UK) Eromeda Records are delighted to announce to you the re-mastered versions of the entire catalogue of 'They Called Him Zone' - February 2016 - September 2017.
The music of The Called Him Zone combines sultry electronica with chewed-up, modulated guitars, evoking rain-drenched, neon-daubed streets, prescribed chemicals, and black-clad malcontents wearing mirror shades after dark. And it’s always dark where they come from… Formed in Bradford, UK in 2016 the band is Mik Davis (vocals, programming) and Steve Maloney (guitar, programming, vocals). Live they are joined onstage by John Bradford, who performs on keyboards and percussion. Their approach combines a love of post-punk abrasiveness and electronic experimentation with a pop sensibility, albeit one at the darker end of the spectrum.
The band confirm they are also working on the finishing touches of a new album, which will be available via CD/Digital sometime in early 2018.
'It's nice to see our early releases out and available via all public platforms - re-mixing and mastering the tracks has allowed us to add a few extra touches to each track - the re-release is a must for diehard fans, who I'm sure will notice not only the new parts, but also the sonic difference. It is also an opportunity for us to showcase our debut single 'Gonna Have A Cool Time' as without this track, we would have never come to the attention of Eromeda Records'. Mik Davis - They called Him Zone
Antwerp triphop / indiepop band Psy'Aviah announces its new album "Lightflare" today ready for pre-order and official worldwide release on 9th February 2018.
14 tracks that take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. From utter despair and darkness towards joy and happiness. From triphop to synthpop, with influences of jazz and indiepop – from electroclash to electrorock with roaring guitars and breakbeats in typical Psy’Aviah fashion!
Collaborations with Ellia Bisker (Sweet Soubrette), Marieke Lightband (KOALA) and Psy’Aviah Live Band singer), Kyoko Baertsoen (KYOKO, Hooverphonic, etc..), Mari Kattman, Michael Evans (MiXE1), Fallon Nieves, David Chamberlin (Entrzelle), Addie Nicole (Halocene), KONER, Phoebe Stone and Lofthill. Remixes by SD-KRTR, rool, Assemblage 23, Chaos All Stars, People Theatre, Alter Future, Isserly, Cyborgdrive, Jean-Marc Lederman and 4 exclusive meditative / contemplative tracks inspired upon both triphop/ambient and more ethereal Indian and Yoga sounds.
“This album is my testament to hope!”, says Yves Schelpe (aka PSY’AVIAH). “It’s a journey from utter despair towards joy and happiness. With “Lightflare”, I leave behind those bitter moments in life, the album is a beacon, shining, standing tall like a lighthouse in a rough ocean storm, waiting to be a guide for all those lost at sea… For those wandering souls, for you, and perhaps – and more than likely – even for the “future me””.
Lightflare is a 14-track album that retraces the Belgian artist’s music therapy efforts and his emotional ascension from the darkest thoughts towards more joyful moments of enlightenment. While PSY’AVIAH’s sound remains quite focused on his characteristic style range hovering somewhere between the synthpop, electropop and triphop melange, with sometimes heavier electronic dance tracks, we clearly perceive the switch of atmosphere and moods from the more torturous and self-questioning songs (e.g.: “The Great Disconnect”, Lost At Sea”, “Lonely Soul”, “Plan B”, “Aftermath”, “Heavy Heart”, “Under The Rain” or yet “Ghost”) towards more dynamic, shining and positively charged compositions (e.g.: “Sound Of New”, “Game Changer”, Reboot Reset Relay”, "Mr. Vanity", “In The Sound”, “For Myself”). Compiled across one full length album, these beautiful, sincere and touching songs make a whole and reveal PSY’AVIAH at his best, expanding his musical spectrum from jazzy trip-hop to electro rock and break beats while staying faithful to his modern electro / EBM roots.
Yves Schelpe is also perfectly surrounded here by carefully selected male and female vocalists who each brilliantly render the poignant intimacy of these lyrics everyone can easily relate to. We first of all have PSY’AVIAH’s award winning live vocalist Marieke Lightband who sets the emotional bar very high with “The Great Disconnect”, just like Ellia Bisker and Kyoko Bartsoen (ex-HOOVERPHONIC, LUNASCAPE) respectively do it on “Aftermath” and “Plan B”. Other highlights are also reached through the collaboration with Michael Evans (MiXE1) who brings PSY’AVIAH closer to a band like MESH as well as the energetic feature together with KONER. Some other infamous ”usual” partners in crime are also part of the game again including the unmatchable voice of Mari Kattman, Fallon Nieves, David Chamberlin (ENTRZELLE), as well as the incisive guitar parts signed by Jürgen Brischar of JUNKSISTA and by live member Ben van de Cruys, the meticulous mixing work of Mitia Wexler, the mastering touch of Geert de Wilde (IC 434) and the unique design of Japanese artist Tomoki Haysaka.
“Lightflare” starts as a cry for help to progressively turn into a symbol of hope. Rich in sparkling emotions and melodic freshness, this inspiring and shining album is bound to become a classic in its genre and is a golden milestone in PSY’AVIAH’s impressive discography.
There is light at the end of every tunnel, let this album shine on you and become your beacon whenever darkness sets in…
“Lightflare” also comes out as a double-CD carton-fold edition with a bonus disc featuring 4 exclusive meditative / contemplative tracks inspired upon both triphop/ambient and more ethereal Indian and yoga philosophies & sounds; plus remixes by ASSEMBLAGE 23, Jean-Marc Lederman, SD-KRTR, PEOPLE THEATRE, CHAOS ALL STARS, ALTER FUTURE, ROOL, CYBORGDRIVE and ISSERLEY.
