NITEFALL - Rainfall

After a one year break and some problems with several record labels Nitefall were able to enter the Synth/DancePoP Scene with their debut single "RAINFALL". SynthPoP and DancePoP fans had previously downloaded Rainfall about 30.000 times from their server! The single was fully produced by Nitefall and was recorded at their own Studio called "Dancepool Production".
Nitefall made the right decision to make this song their first single as it exactly represents the kind of music Nitefall is going to compose and produce in future.
With "Rainfall" Nitefall were able to create a symbiosis of Synth- and DancePoP that is based on melodic singing (featuring a very clear voice) combined with playful, fast melodies interwoven with lots of effects. The additional remixes demonstrate the flexibility of Nitefall, as the well-tried 80s-styled "Extended Version" is in contrast to the dance floor-styled "Golden Child Cut" remix.

On the whole this single release is a break from a lot of today's boring, depressing SynthPoP and delivers a high fun factor - ENJOY IT!

MARINA SIRTIS - View From An Intergalactic Star

This is a Promo EP for Marina Sirtis's debut full-length album which will be released this spring.
Marina Sirtis swears by minimalistic and melodic SynthPoP. The songs create a deep, far-reaching atmosphere. The singing comes across very balanced and unobtrusive and does not dominate their music.
The compositions are really challenging and sometimes create a thrilling atmosphere (for example in Essential Voice, where the strings create a mystic, thrilling texture in the background - GREAT!!!).
Some will miss the more aggressive and dynamic singing but in my opinion it perfectly fits with the instrumentals.

On the whole this EP delivers smooth, well-tried romantic SynthPoP - very demanding but maybe not to everyone's taste.

MERGE - Lost Heroes

This debut album let us know that Merge is a very competent band. The songs on this release are very demanding and varied, based on firm, serious SynthPoP. Merge make use of electric and acoustic guitars and understand how to combine these elements with their melancholic melodies to create a deep atmosphere without laying it on thick. What I like most are the very melodic refrains, which let each song become a real treat and are suitable for dancing. No wonder that 'Lost Eternity' reached a high position at the American Underground Dance Charts. The beginning of 'Lost Eternity' reminds me of 'Eisbaer' by Grauzone and is one of the highlights on this release. 'Lost Heroes' is a dark but melodic album that is able to create a warm, sensitive atmosphere without leading to lengthiness or depression. One of my favorites at the moment and maybe for eternity!

VNV NATION - Futureperfect

VNV Nation are back with a powerful, 100 percent synthetic album that comes with excellent dynamics, no noise in excellent recording quality. The songs create a mystique atmosphere based on ribald beats and powerful basses. The monotonous singing is accompanied by partially playful and very varied melodies (for example on 'Genesis' or 'Epicentre'). On the whole it's a masterpiece in this genre (EMB, FuturePoP), even if the singing could be more melodic. But I think singing does not play an important part in EBM or FuturePoP music. In addition to some 'Gothic-Dancefloor' tracks the album also includes two ballades and a wonderful synthetic string arrangement. As 'FuturePerfect' sounds more commercial as 'Empires' they really have understood and embraced the balance between the alternative and the commercial.

PLAY LOUD and don't worry about the neighbors!!!

I also have to recommend the MAXI-CDs 'Beloved.1' and 'Beloved.2' (limited edition) which can convince with excellent alternative mixes of several album songs!