Hitting release number three, Slush Records remaster and reissue Spacer IV aka James Zeiter’s sought-after 1997 EP on Pleasure Records. The man behind a slew of lauded records under a variety of different aliases, his sound is one that is cherished for orbiting the spheres of progressive trance and atmospheric dub techno. This four-track EP, however, saw James venture into unchartered territory, exploring a more melodic, house-tinted spectrum, before flipping back into the progressive techno-trance underbelly.
Having started life in 1995, Spacer IV had already gone from the leagues of limited white labels, to being the name stamped on one of Pleasure’s biggest-selling records by the time this EP came out. With only 195 white labels of his first record ARC 1/ARC 2 pressed, a copy was passed to Pete Robinson at Robs Records. ‘ARC 2’ was plucked from that release, supplemented with a new cut ‘ARC 3’ and given a proper pressing on Robs Records offshoot label Pleasure to notable success.
Fast forward to 1997 and James chose to depart the trance-infused techno sound of those first releases. Absorbing elements by osmosis, this EP sees James dipping his toes into fresh waters. Using what limited hardware he had available, including an Akai S950 sampler, Ensoniq ESQ-1 and Novation Bass Station 1, James laid down four distinctive and versatile club cuts.
‘Sirocco’ opens the EP, a tingling hit of endorphins that only the most timeless of tracks can elicit. Echoing pads feed acid murmurings, that sit atop dusty breakbeats and rattling sub-bass. An aural exploration, that is equal parts ethereal and empowering, taking cues from breaks, ambient, chill out and house. It’s one of those rare tracks that has the power to float you away or fuel your buzz, giving a healthy tug on the heartstrings in the process.
‘Mono’ follows, merging heads-down dancefloors with the embrace of warmer climates. It’s deep and Detroit-infused yet bolstered by a dream house bassline straight out of the Italian riviera. A dose of eyes-closed euphoria that hits just right.
The flipside sees James in more familiar territory with ‘Jetson’ and ‘Dust’. The former is a hit of space-age progressive house. Trippy, hypnotising, driving goodness, showcasing James’ ability to lock your body into a groove, yet send your mind to another world. The latter rounds out the EP, serving up an acid-swirling club stomper, forever building in intensity before dropping you into the vacuum of deep space.
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One of Europe's most popular alternative / dark wave bands. Lebanon Hanover have over one million monthly listeners on Spotify. Following their first US tour in over a decade, Lebanon Hanover returns with a soul-stirring double A-side single release, marking their first new material since the captivating 2020 album, 'Sci-Fi Sky.' Now, the enigmatic duo of William Maybelline and Larissa Iceglass beckons listeners into unventured sonic domains, intricately weaving folk-driven acoustic dream pop with the vulnerable essence of post-punk in a contemplative exploration of life's ephemeral yet profound nature. Embarking on a Cure-like sonic voyage reminiscent of the 'Head on the Door' and the 'Kiss Me’ era, title track 'Better Than Going Under' manifests as a romantic, sombre daydream. William Maybelline's brooding baritone intertwines with sighing back vocals, narrating an ode to life's fleeting yet boundless vistas. The acoustic strums initiate a folk-driven narrative which, when coupled with a celestial choir, crafts a contemplative soundscape of cautious optimism, reminiscent of Echo and the Bunnymen or The Church.. KYIV: Bearing the name of Ukraine's capital, 'KYIV,' voiced by Larissa Iceglass, delves into a narrative reflective of the sorrow and despair entwined within war-torn regions like Ukraine and beyond. The acoustic guitar and drum machine create a Cocteau Twins' 'Treasure'-esque soundscape, evoking a melancholic yet beautiful auditory journey. Iceglass's voice, transitioning from her husky baritone to a more resigned lament, embodies a poignant reflection on the harsh realities faced by those embroiled in conflict-ridden landscapes.
"Acid Floresta" is the result of a process of sonic recognition and translation. A term that has taken shape over the past few years to name a search that, in reality, began more than a decade ago: the intersection between foreign rhythms and the music that inhabits the streets, with its social dynamics and its irreducible vitality.
This album is born from the observation and listening of the everyday sounds that shape the sonic identity of the neighborhood: the corner store, the metro, the billiard hall, the street corner. Spaces where music is not a choice but a constant pulse of life. The percussion of the street, the echo of a distant radio, the spontaneous phrasing of a conversation—these become raw material. From there, the process moves to the studio, where bass, synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers serve as tools of translation: what begins as a documentation of reality transforms into a musical interpretation.
At this point, a tension emerges between what is learned and what is felt. For years, tropical music and vallenato were part of a sonic landscape that coexisted with external influences, generating both distance and affinity. But within that push and pull—between the familiar and the unknown—a common thread was revealed: sabor. Not as a genre, but as an essence, a vital and irreplace able force.
"Acid Floresta" is structured in three and the performative stage, where music returns to the streets, closing the cycle. It is in this final moment that its true nature emerges: in the shared vibration, in danceability, in what connects beyond geography and context.
The album proposes a dialogue between intimacy and collective experimentation, between latineo and electronic music, between the raw and the processed. A space where the music of the streets and the music of the floresta converge to create a new sonic memory.
Repress! Limited to 100 Copies
Garage Hermétique, returns with a new EP of music from Views, presenting the ‘Kyoto Love’ EP. An alias of Atilla Fidan - producer & live performer, founder of the Berlin label Tape Archive, and also known for releases as Waitress/ASWA - each of the four tracks hits a naturalistic groove driven by vintage Chicago-esque rhythms and warm, acidic tones.
On opening and title-track ‘Kyoto Love’, charming bird song flourishes into a rubbery bassline. ‘Go Well (Part 2)’ embarks on a similar tip, before loosening up into a soaring, somewhat new-age atmosphere, while never sacrificing it’s watertight drums.
On the flip, ‘Kimura’ and ‘Systems (Last Mix)’ move in deeper directions still; The former is a sparkling, detailed cut that rolls out nocturnal dance floor depth, while the latter rounds off the release with transcendent choral breaks.
Joel “Pibo” Márquez is a renowned Venezuelan percussionist, who specializes in salsa and Latin jazz. He has been part of projects of artists such as Chico Free-man, Arturo Sandoval, David Valentin, Dominic Miller, Cheick Tidiani Seck, Juanes, Alfredo De La Fe, Guayacán Orquesta and Aterciopelados. 5to Aniversario
This album draws inspiration from the sounds of 1970s New York salsa and en- gages with the contemporary language of Colombian salsa. Featuring a four-trombone arrangement, it showcases solo performances and musical inter-ludes. The album also includes collaborations with prominent figures in today's salsa scene, such as Ray Bayona, Eliazar Medina, Marcial Istúriz, and Wason Bra-zobán, among others.
DMF is proud to present the K-llab series, a new collaboration project where label head Kerrie partners with some of her favourite artists. The debut release in the series features an original track and a remix by each artist, offering a fresh take on both the sounds and creative processes of each collaboration.
K-llab-01 sees Kerrie teaming up with Italian duo Dynamic
Forces, known for their heavy, old school leaning, industrial influenced techno. After hosting their UK debut at a DMF event in 2024, the connection between Kerrie and the duo was immediate, leading to the creation of the series.
The duos killer original track Moralism sets the tone as the A1, followed by Kerries grooving, steppy broken-beat remix. The B side features Kerries funk-infused Good Intentions and a slamming Technasia-esque style remix from Dynamic Forces.
This release delivers four tracks that merge gritty, industrial influences with futuristic sound design all underpinned by the signature Dark Machine Funk energy, the first K-llab release offers a powerful start to this new series for DMF.
This first Adam Beyer x Eli Brown collaborative release has been feverishly anticipated by fans keeping tabs on their growing friendship and further excited by the pair’s first official B2B at Lisbon’s Brunch Electronik in September. Now ‘Overdose of Bass’ EP is here, a power-packed techno two-tracker enriched by diverse elements, on Beyer’s Drumcode.
It also marks Eli Brown’s welcome return to the label after his massive collaboration this January ‘When I Push’ with Layton Giordani and OFFAIAH following Brown’s 2022 EP ‘Deep Down’. The EP ‘Overdose of Bass’ combines recent developments and past influences of both techno giants.
‘Overdose of Bass’: the title track has rattling snares and a breaksy beat ushering in a spoken vocal layering different levels of processing, for a half sensual, half robotic riff – ‘there it goes/ overdose/of bass’ – with the doppler siren builds, giving a spacey, mysterious call and response. Hypnotic, disturbing, and edgy.
‘Living In The Moment’: an urgent techno beat, a Moroder-esque bass synth, and a recurrent riff like a signal becoming ever more high and desperate, are counterpointed by an ethereal, quavering, sweet female vocal, strengthened by the melodic build in the huge central breakdown. Urgent, demanding, hyper, this is dancefloor heaven.
Back in stock due to popular demand, the 33rd release in our signature Brazil 45’s series. A spellbinding pairing of Marcio Lott’s rarer than hen’s teeth, sun-soaked groover ‘Tema de Baby’ and the samba-rock fusion flavours of Silvio Cesar ‘A Festa’.
Marcio Lott’s ‘Tema de Baby’ is a REALLY rare one. We spent a long time trying to license this and were delighted to be able to release it as part of this series. Laid back sunshine samba-rock/funk/MPB, laced with Ramsey Lewis-esque piano and wah-wah guitars and lovely vocals top it off. Originally released on 7” by Tapecar in 1974.
Silvio Cesar’s ‘A Festa’ was brought to our attention - like many others in this series - by the almighty duo Brazilian Beats Brooklyn. A firm favourite here with everyone at Mr Bongo it’s a certified stormer from the opening beat. Jazzy, samba-rock fusion that touches on disco when the hi-hats open up. Floating synth lines, tough drums and crowd noise throughout add to the scintillating vibe. Taken from his LP ‘Som E Palavras’ released in 1977, as also featured on our Brazilian Beats Brooklyn compilation.
Mind Against and Sideral join forces for the latest Afterlife intermission.
A new drama unfolds as ‘Colossal’ lands on Afterlife. Punchy beats drive the momentum on this powerful cut while deep pulsating frequencies occupy the low end. This is all complemented by jagged synth stabs and soaring trance-esque pads.
Trees Speak are releasing their new album TimeFold worldwide on 15 Nov 24 on Soul Jazz Records.
Trees Speak return with TimeFold, their sixth release on Soul Jazz Records, further expanding their ever-evolving sonic universe. This new album builds on their signature blend of hypnotic krautrock rhythms, post-punk angularity, and experimental soundscapes while venturing into new terrain by blending influences from avant-garde electronics to ceremonial sound forms.
On TimeFold, Trees Speak (comprised of the Tucson-based duo Damian Diaz and Daniel Martin Diaz) push their musical boundaries from expansive, intergalactic landscapes to eerie, imagined 1970s Italian and French sci-fi horror film scores. The album seamlessly weaves John Carpenter-esque synthesizer motifs with ambient sound sculptures, conjuring immersive worlds that are both cinematic and otherworldly.
The album also incorporates the duo’s deep-rooted influences, which span across electronic pioneers like Jean-Michel Jarre (Oxygene), Tangerine Dream, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Drawing on the revolutionary techniques of Musique Concrète, TimeFold features experimental track splicing, looping, and collage work that harkens back to the golden age of avant-garde music. At times, the album channels the ceremonial tones and hypnotic rhythms reminiscent of early 1970s krautrock, fusing these sounds with organic instrumentation like dulcimers, adding an earthy, drone-like ritual quality to the experimental electronic framework.
A new element in this release is the inclusion of spoken word by Ashley Christine Edwards, which lends the album a haunting, apocalyptic edge. Her contributions evoke a tone reminiscent of the 1970s avant-garde scene, recalling literary and conceptual artists like Ruth White. The spoken words create a sensory experience akin to ceremonial chants, adding to the atmospheric intensity of the album. These vocal elements tie into the overall theme of TimeFold, which continues Trees Speak’s exploration of futuristic technologies and the communication of nature, with the evocative concept of trees and plants acting as organic hard drives storing data and knowledge.
Drawing further influence from Italian and French horror cinema, Trees Speak explore cinematic tension throughout TimeFold, creating a layered listening experience. The record transports the listener from the haunting, desolate beauty of Southwestern desert vast landscapes to an auditory space that melds early electronic experimentation with the contemporary urgency of conceptual art.
Since their debut Ohms in 2020, Trees Speak’s prolific output on Soul Jazz Records has continually redefined genre boundaries. TimeFold solidifies their position as visionaries in experimental music, offering an album that is as much a meditation on future technologies as it is a tribute to the avant-garde traditions that have come before.
Following his collaborative work with Anyma, and appearances at Afterlife events worldwide, Cassian unveils his first full release on the label. ‘Dun Dun’ merges an uplifting melody with an undulating low end that pushes the track forward, supporting the “Dun Dun” vocal clip. ‘Memento’ is a bright, emotive composition with layered vocals producing a choir-esque effect and driving energy at its core.
Two And Half Records returns with the third Release!
We are thrilled to announce the release of our new V.A., Each artist brings their own unique style, resulting in six tracks that are distinctly different from each other.
French producer Akyki, opens the DANCE with a wicked funky beat and catchy sounds. His music is a real injection of good vibe.
Cene & Esqueena, this Italian duo continues to make us dance with energetic Synths, captured during a live jamming. Every note is a pure groove feeling.
The young french talent HRM concludes the DANCE side with edgy electro sounds and seductive vocals, perfect to spice up the dancefloor.
Alex Vincent, German producer opens the LISTEN side with a mix of gentle electro sounds and IDM influences, sweetened by warmly snuggly melodies. A deep journey of sound to be shared intensely.
Jonny3snareS live performer from the UK, invites us to “escape” into a parallel dimension with his magical music, Synths and Drums run hand in hand harmonizing perfectly.
Foreign Sequence, from France, concludes with an IDM track with full and powerful sounds enlivened by delicate acid melodies. It is the perfect ending that encapsulates all the emotions of this EP in one track.
Crackazat seamlessly blends contemporary electronica with dancefloor euphoria on his new record “In the sky”
Crackazat has had quite the run of amazing releases on Heist since his first outing back in 2021. Alfa, 2022 follow up Demucha and his mini album ‘Senses’ released last year have shown that Heist is the perfect label for him to show off his keyboard wizardry and broad musical influences. Whether he’s doing his ‘Monday Jams’ from his home for his dedicated Bandcamp followers, or he’s on the road to South Africa where he has a huge following, Crackazat always brings something special with his music. ‘In the sky’ hits you right in the feels and sees the talented musician navigate from synth-happy dancefloor cuts to electronic & jazzy deep house.
What might stand out most on his new record is how Crackazat feels totally at ease with all these different styles and how he blends his voice seamlessly in the tracks to add depth, meaning, and energy. This might be most apparent on the title track, which is built around a syncopated ‘Alfa-esque’ key loop (Crackazat fans will know what we’re talking about here). There’s gorgeous vocal chops and warm arpeggiated synths in the background that give the track lots of texture, while the percussion shuffles along in perfect swing with the song’s energy. Add some lovely strings, leads, and a moody breakdown, and you’ve got yourself a fine piece of dancefloor magic.
On “Burnin’”, Crackazat channels his inner raver with 90s inspired percussion, a honky
piano loop, and some very catchy & quirky vocal chops. He freely sprinkles claps and snares around like it’s Christmas and the big breakdown has the kind of madness-inducing energy that gets every clubber going!
EP closer ‘Dark’ is Crackazat in his most contemplative mode; a vibe he always loves to explore on his Heist outings. The bass is deep, the kick heavy, and the synth licks are mellow but powerful. His voice and effects give this track a beautiful extra dimension that would even make Fred Again jealous. The stripped-back percussion has clear influences from contemporary African dance music, which adds yet another layer to Crackazat’s broad sonic landscape. All in all, Dark is a track that makes you want to close your eyes and just sway into oblivion.
Crackazat once again manages to take us on a deep trip into his sonic world and showcases a level of craftsmanship that most of us can only dream of. ‘In the sky’ is a lovely end to our 2024 releases and we hope you enjoy the music.
As always, play it loud and dance, dance, dance!
Maarten & Lars
Matthew Dear's Black City Can't Be Found On Any Map. It's A Composite, An Imaginary Metropolis Peopled By Desperate Cases, Lovelorn Souls, And Amoral Motives. Like Most Literary Gothams, Black City Is A Place To Love And Hate, As Seedy As A Nightclub's Back Room And As Seductive As The Promise Of Power. Matthew Dear, The Musician, May Live In New York City, But The Matthew Dear Of Black City Inhabits A Sound-world Unlike Any Other: A Monument To The Shadowy Side Of Urban Life That Bumps And Creaks, Shudders And Wakes Up Screaming In The Middle Of The Night. Black City Is Matthew Dear's Third Album On Ghostly International, And It's His Darkest And Most Engrossing Work To Date.
From The rst Notes Of Album Opener "honey", It's Clear That The Love-obsessed Matthew Dear Of 2007's Asa Breed Has Given Way To A More Existentially Paranoid Entity, As Creeping Tempos Dominate, Cavernous Atmospherics Envelop The Listener, And Strange Distortions Crackle On The Horizon. In Black City, Nothing Is At It Seems: Leadoff Single "little People (black City)" Is A Nine-and-a-half Minute Disco odyssey, subverting its gleaming electronic lead with eerily giddy backing vocals and cryptic, ominous lyrics ("a frozen wasted heart / has died", "love me like a clown"); "You Put a Smell on Me" is a sordid sex romp set to hysterically chattering percussion and a serrated synth line that will set your teeth on edge; "More Surgery" at rst recalls the barely-there Krautrock of Harmonia in its burbling minimalism, until Dear's chanted chorus of "Alter genetics / to make my body glow / I need more surgery / there's so much more to know" sends the track hurtling into a dystopian future.
And yet, for all the foreboding moods on Black City, it's the album's sweeter moments that illustrate Matthew Dear's growing maturity as a songwriter. "Slowdance" is a futuristic lullaby in which Dear articulates a lover's helplessness ("I can't be the one to tell you everything's wrong") over breathy, Arthur Russell-esque cello swishes; the album-closing "Gem" is an achingly simple, reverb-drenched piano ballad that ends with a long, slow fade. Even in Matthew Dear's Black City, there is hope.
The ninth vinyl release on the Oslo based Det Gode Selskab label, and you guessed it…more classy, and vintage sounds with an innovative modern take. At the helm of the release is the dynamite German beatmaker Philipp Boss as he explores refined 80s-esque flavours, with retro drum patterns, positive energy synths and charming bass lines. This 12” sees DGS broaden their catalogue with another essential weapon for the artillery of the tastemakers.
Enigmatic producer bullet tooth makes Crosstown Rebels debut with ‘IF I CAN’T BE YOURS’. UKG meets melodic house on the four-track EP, featuring remixes from Enamour and SICARIA.
If you haven’t heard of bullet tooth yet, you soon will. Brimming with UKG, rave, and rap influences made deviously dark with heavy low-end basslines, this faceless newcomer’s captivating sound has seen him enjoy a meteoric rise since emerging on the scene in 2023. Graduating from Soundcloud bootlegs, the elusive artist made his Parklife debut this summer alongside rapper Capo Lee, with whom he produced ‘Keep It Rolling’. Featuring in sets for the likes of Sammy Virji, Main Phase, and Interplanetary Criminal, the aforementioned collab proved an instant hit, gracing BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra airwaves via Sarah Story, Jeremiah Asiamah, DJ Target and more. Add supporters such as Floating Points, Laurent Garnier and Bicep to the mix, and it’s easy to see why there’s so much hype and intrigue.
Concluding his summer with a bang, the UK artist joined Damian Lazarus for his Hï Ibiza residency alongside Black Coffee, and now the DJ/producer ventures into melodic landscapes via Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels with ‘IF I CAN’T BE YOURS’. The four-track EP also features additional remixes from LA-based talent Enamour and London’s hotly sought-after Moroccan dubstep favourite SICARIA. Leading with the powerful, ‘IF I CAN’T BE YOURS’, bullet tooth takes his sound to the club, featuring nostalgic 90s-esque vocals over dubby bass that lean towards the dancefloor. Second up is the uniquely melancholic-euphoric ‘YOU THINK YOU CAN FIX ME’, where UKG-style rhythms journey deep into melodic realms with purpose and precision. On the b-side, California’s Enamour reworks ‘IF I CAN’T BE YOURS’, directing his energy into a high-energy remix destined for festival grounds. To close out the EP, SICARIA leans into breakbeats with a climbing rendition of her own, infusing the track with lingering afro-leaning flavours.
If ever a producer could be hailed as the true heir to New York's storied house music throne, it's undoubtedly Mike Terra—and his new, seriously weighty Rhythm of Love EP on Nat Wendell's Depths imprint is a testament to that in strides.
The EP begins with the peak-time infectiousness of A1 "7th & C," setting the commanding tone for what's to come. The fittingly Big Apple-titled A2 "27th Street (Dub Mix)" follows, a rollicking shuffler whose fat kicks, stabbing synths, and snapping cymbals recall Johnick's steamier cuts. New York in the 90’s is indeed the frame of reference for this EP, and the B-side finds Terra doing what he does best: creating bumping, stomping, and uplifting must-have workouts for the floor. Whether you prefer the swarthy slapping, Todd Terry-esque groove of title track B1 "Rhythm of Love" or the conga-driven, deep-padded chunk of late-night house that is
B2 "City Got You Trippin'," a late-night jam crafted for those still standing, both tracks are bound to find their places in the record bags of DJs—and heads—worldwide.
Powerful duo Henri Bergmann and Wennink make their Crosstown Rebels debut with ‘Guardian Angel’. Stimming and Hardt Antoine take the single to darker territories on their remixes.
Magnetic husband-and-wife duo Henri Bergmann and Wennink blend Bergmann’s taste for melodic realms with Wennink’s etherealv vocals and experimental left-leaning sound. Focusing on supporting up-and-coming talent via her label Automatik, Bergmann has also recruited some of the most notable producers in melodic house and techno for remixes, including The Element, Hernan Cattaneo, and Betical, while the duo's compelling collaborative work has caught the attention of heavyweights like Afterlife - featuring on the label’s ‘Realm Of Consciousness Pt.VI’ VA. Now, following Bergmann’s recent Hï Ibiza appearance and ahead of forthcoming sets at the likes of Zamna Mexico City, KOKO and Amsterdam Dance Event, the London-based couple bring their talents to Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels with ‘Guardian Angel’. Set to captivate audiences, the enchanting vocal single lands this September with remixes from German house DJ/producer Stimming and fellow London-based eclectic talent Hardt Antoine.
Melancholic yet uplifting ‘Guardian Angel’ opens with richly textured choric percussion that rises to meet Wennink's angelic vocals to powerful emotive effect. Stimming’s remix enters second, reaching for intensity over a stripped-back rendition through the driving rhythm and ethereal SFX. Closing out the record, Hard Antoine's remix pulsates with darker basslines and sharper synths, leaning into the otherworldly and stretching the melody into satisfyingly strange sci-fi-esque planes.
- A1: All Rights Resevered
- A2: God Factory
- A3: Hawaii / Torso / 97 Cigarettes
- A4: Acid Fur
- A5: Dance
- A6: New York Is A Lonely Town
- A7: (This Track Doesn't Exist)
- B1: Much About Bones
- B2: Scat
- B3: Pander To The Natives
- B4: For Garry 5
- B5: The Monkey Is Safe
- B6: 1-2-3 A Baby Buggy
- C1: Walking Best Friend
- C2: Untitled 1
- C3: Untitled 2
- C4: Now This Is God's Son 1
- C5: Acid Fur (Demo)
- C6: Now This Is God's Son 2
- C7: Hello Donald, Merry Christmas
- C8: Pinstripe Bus
- D1: The Man Of My Dreams
Dark Entries picks up Severed Heads yet again for Ear Bitten, a double LP reissue of some of the band’s earliest material. As originary Aussie industrial legends - although founder Tom Ellard would balk at being branded as such - Severed Heads shaped the continental subcultural sound with their kitchen electronics, chaotic tape loops, and quietly infectious nursery-rhyme-esque melodies. In 1979 Ellard, Richard Fielding, and Andrew Wright abandoned the moniker Mr. and Mrs. No Smoking Sign and adopted the edgier name Severed Heads “to pretend to be an industrial band such as Surgical Penis Klinik & Throbbing Gristle.” Noise-rockers Rhythmx Chymx had placed an advertisement in a local shop looking for a band to share the costs of pressing an LP. The Heads set about recording a Dadaist racket on a pair of open reel dictaphones and a cassette deck using a TRS-80 computer, Kawai Synthesizer 100F and Korg Mini Pops drum machine. Ear Bitten was released in 1980; original copies now fetch obscene sums, in part due to most of Severed Heads’ copies perishing in a fire at Richard’s home. The band’s next endeavor was a cassette titled Side 2, a collection of free-form experiments fashioned as Ear Bitten’s second side. For this reissue, Dark Entries has collected both Ear Bitten and Side 2 on the first disc, presenting the album in its full form. Disc two includes the original first version of Ear Bitten, which was only unreleased because it was recorded in a format not suitable for pressing. The album comes in a gatefold sleeve designed by Eloise Leigh and includes photos, liner notes, and reproductions of the original Xerox inserts from the 1980 issue. Ear Bitten delivers 22 tracks of pain you can dance to!
Although all three tracks offer the listener valuable insight into the level of music production ingenuity that was going on in Japan at the time, it's "Electric City" that really stands out as an unmistakably unique dancefloor track, where the then teenage female vocalists from Shohjo-Tai are left out and a galloping 120BPM beat sets a blank canvas for a number of unexpected elements to present: completely unorthodox accents in a wide range of unidentifiable sounds, a very enthusiastic electric guitar solo, the Ennio Morricone-esque Spaghetti Western vocal moments, all of which get contrasted with a blissful chorus that reminds one that this is somehow still a collaboration with a Japanese female idol band from the 80s. A hard track to forget even in the less sober dancefloors, it is no surprise that it would be a fundamental secret weapon in the repertoire of diggers such as Dea Barandana. Can't go wrong, buy on sight. Remastered with new artwork.




















