On June 8, one of this year's most important alternative records is here - Ministry's "Dark Side of the Spoon". A record that is heavy, fat and mean - with a humerous touch. Just as God intended Ministry to be.
- It's almost like a "greatest hits" of Ministry, says Al Jourgensen.
The first single release showed up a while ago: the typical Ministry bulldozertrack "Bad Blood".
It's also included on "Matrix". This is a compilation with "music from and inspired by" the thriller "Matrix". Keanu Reeves plays the leading role and this is a film that wakes the old cliché "cyber" back to life. The tracklist includes lots of other famous artists like Marilyn Manson, Rammstein, Rage Against the Machine and The Prodigy.
Check out the new Spotlight department shortly, for a closer look at Ministry.

Birdie nam-nam

"Flamingos" is the name of a spectacular dance show, performed in several parks throughout Gothenburg, Sweden in May. What makes it spectacular is the fact that the two dancers, Mette Wiik and Bronja Novak is actually dancing in the park's ponds among flamingos and other birds. They call themselves Parkerad rörelse (Swedish for "parked movement").
The legendary electronic music duo Twice a Man has written the music. They have previously used Mette Wiik in their own shows.
The performance might show up at festivals or other events in the near future.
Twice a Man is currently working with music for a fashion show, which will take place in Stockholm later this summer. They were also planning to do one or a couple of live shows, but it is yet uncertain whether this will actually be realized or not.

Covenant's new album will be called "United States of Mind"

Covenant will be back with a new album later this year.

SubSpace Communications plan to release three albums after the summer. Covenant's "United States of Mind", Cat Rapes Dog's "People As Prey" and Statemachine's "Short & Explosive".

Another successful year for Germany's Wave Gotik Treffen

With 13 000 visitors and a massive line-up the annual Leipzig gothic, EBM and dark wave festival Wave Gotik Treffen was once again a success. Read Release Johan Astemark's brief report at On Stage.

Forbidden Colours - German eurosynthpop

The German, commercial electropop duo Forbidden Colours is back with the single "Adore" - a taste from the heavily delayed debut album "Deification", now scheduled for a summer release.
The new single contains two versions of the title song "Adore", a Project X remix of a song called "Game of Life" as well as a version of the two year old Forbidden Colours single "My Broken Heart". The record company claims this was a huge summer hit. But as far as we know, not in this timeline at least.

Samael's new album on its way

The release date for new album with the dark metal band Samael is July 26. Their record company Century Media will first deliver a single on June 21.

Eternity signs Elephant

The electro company Eternity Records has signed the Gothenburg band Elephant. Their debut single will be recorded during this summer for a September release.

The Tivoli Festival program is set

Welle Erdball recently impressed the Stockholm audience. In July, they will return to Sweden.

The last two names are booked to this year's Tivoli Festival in Helsingborg, Sweden: Welle Erdball and Children Within. They will perform alongside Robert Marlow, Covenant, Saft, Aaron Sutcliffe and Plastic Planet on one day, July 31.
Energy's planned Robert Marlow CD "The Peter Pan Effect" is delayed further. It's the first time Marlow appears on album and CD - this is an album that was supposed to be released back in the eighties, but it never came. Vince Clarke released four Marlow 12 inches on his own label Reset Records. On the Tivoli Festival, Marlow will play live for the first time in 15 years! The leading force behind this electro festival is Richard Johansson of Elegant Machinery.

Like a fist in the face

As aggressive as ever, England's electro metal terrorists Cubanate, is back after a break. A Wax Trax!/Unacceptable! promo arrived the other day with the new tracks "It", "9:59" and "Other Voices". A Front 242 mix was included as well.

Tiamat's new releases

The Swedish dark wave/metal band Tiamat, who have their largest audience in Germany, will release a new album called "Skeleton Skeletron" on August 23 (Century Media). A single will show up in the middle of the summer, on July 5.