Mikael Kahrle
Albums
Iamamiwhoami: “Blue”
The first video and song “Fountain” from “Blue” was released back in January 2014. I was hooked right away and then great new songs popped up one by one throughout the year.
Keluar: “Keluar”
Made a big impression on me with their cold and minimalistic, yet powerful tunes. The songs are often pushed to the edge which adds nerve and tension.
Röyksopp: “The Inevitable End”
One of the most talented electronic acts of their generation.
Wulfband: ”Wulfband”
A fun knock-out debut from the EBM scene’s most mysterious duo.
Rome: ”A Passage to Rhodesia”
Jerome Reuter’s tenth album in as many years. And quite a project this is.
Iris: ”Radiant”
I’ve not exactly been a fan of this soft but skilled US synthpop duo but the laidback and mature comeback album “Radiant” really grew on me.
Youth Code: “A Place to Stand”
Kick-ass industrial EP. The duo from LA that almost everyone, including tour mates Skinny Puppy and FLA, seem to love.
Thyx: ”Super Vision”
Talented Austrian Stefan Poiss continues to produce good electronic albums – now under the Thyx flag.
Laibach: ”Spectre”
Our favourite Slovenians bring many styles to the table this time.
Cryo: ”Retropia”
Too few bands work in this field of dark cybertech music these days. But even with more competition, Cryo would stand out, especially since they incorporate atmospherics.
Songs
Kite: “True Colours”
Truly great songwriting and nerve once again from Nicklas and Christian.
Susanne Sundfør: “Fade Away”
Another hit after the previous Röyksopp & Sundfør tracks “Ice Machine” and “Running to the Sea”. She’s always trying her best to make each and every song interesting and a bit weird.
Iamamiwhoami: “Fountain”
One of the songs and videos that I have played the most 2014.
Lamb: ”In Binary”
A crisp and magic piece, also the best one on their 2014 comeback album “Backspace Unwind”.
Wulfband: “3, 2, 1 Nein”
The cool album starter and you understand right away that this album will be a terrific EBM ride.
Röyksopp & Robyn: “Monument – The Inevitable End Version”
It feels good to be a Scandinavian these days when there’s such plethora of good artists within the alternative electronic music field.
Karin Park: “Look What You’ve Done”
More Scandinavian talent. An irresistible synthpop hit with weight and coolness.
Live artists
The Klinik
What was probably my last visit to a Klinik concert (after all, they have quit now) was also an enjoyable one with energy, good sound and a nice audience.
Legend
A short but impressive performance at Electronic Summer. Vocalist Krummi has tons of stage experience from his days with Icelandic altrock/hardcore darlings Minus.
Rotersand
One of many powerful gigs at the Amphi festival in July.
Newcomers
Wulfband
I have talked to 3 people (!) who have broken their glasses at Wulfband gigs. And we don’t even know who Wulfsband is. Makes other EBM bands look tired, boring and uninventive.
Cocksure
For many years, I was fed up with American industrial as there were an endless row of mediocre promo albums sent to Release. But Cocksure deliver a quality retro Wax Trax sound.
Silent Wave
Interesting Gothenburg indie/electro duo which might have a bright future.
Artists
Iamamiwhoami
A uniqe, brave artist that once again hypnotized us with audio-visual marvels.
Keluar
One of the most impressive new synth acts with a raw back to the basics sound.
Susanne Sundfør
It often gets interesting when a trained musician and vocalist with a different background enters the world of alternative synthpop.