Back in the early 80’s, Controlled Bleeding were one of the pioneers of dark, electronic music on this side of the Atlantic. The group’s extensive body of work encompass three distinct styles; aggressive, electronic dance music, gothic, soundtrack-like work, and harsh, wall-of-noise compositions. While Controlled Bleeding were between labels, members Paul Lemos and Chris Moriarity … Read more
Twenty-four-year-old Oliver Lieb truly represents the future of electronic music. Under the name Spicelab, the German musician has created “Lost In Spice,” a collection of long, instrumental electronic tracks that don’t really fit into an existing genre. The songs have definite elements of ambient, but there is also heavier, more industrial-like sonic experimentation. Most importantly, … Read more
Since they emerged in 1987, the Stereo MC’s have proved to be masters at fusing together a variety of styles of dance music. On their latest LP, Connected, the Stereo MC’s take this even further by getting away from using breaks from other people’s music and using more live instruments. Like groups such as Massive … Read more
When 808 State toured America in 1991, techno and rave music was still very much underground here and the group’s shows provided many people with an introduction to the music. But when the group returned this spring, headlining a package tour with Meat Beat Manifesto and Supreme Love Gods, it was a different situation entirely. … Read more
Sunscreem have become known as one of the strongest live dance acts, thanks to the heavy gigging they’ve done around their native England. But this past summer, they put their performance skills to the test by doing four American dates with New Order. It’s a big jump from clubs to large seated venues, but Sunscreem … Read more
By incorporating the sounds of homemade instruments into his brand of electronic dance music, Richard James has become the rave generation’s newest hero. The music James makes ranges from atmospheric ambient to intense hardcore techno, with the consistent thread being the unique, often eerie sounds created by his own musical gear. James stresses that he … Read more
Probably the most interesting strain of dance music to emerge in recent years has been ambient sound of The Orb. Who would have thought that long, slow tracks fusing natural sounds with classic analogue synths but virtually no drums would appeal to the club crowd? But Britain’s The Orb have proved that this can work. … Read more
As anyone who has seen them live can attest, there are few bands that can come close to matching the intensity and innovativeness of Big Catholic Guilt. The Boston-based group has often been compared to Ministry because of their combination of thrashing guitars and samplers, but that comparison is not really accurate. Big Catholic Guilt … Read more
On their latest album, “United Kingdoms,” Ultramarine truly bridges the gap between two musical generations. The group has always been known for creating a sound that combines very synthetic electronic sounds with traditional instrumentation and elements of jazz, folk and progressive rock music. But this time out, the group has collaborated with one of the … Read more
On his 1993 album “Cyberpunk” Billy Idol re-defined his approach to creating music. The album was created in Idol’s home studio, which is controlled by a Macintosh computer and makes extensive use of other electronic gear. But despite the samples, dance beats, and strange electronic noises, “Cyberpunk” is musically more in tune with Idol’s early work … Read more