News editor: Mikael Kahrle

More indie rock for Sadovaja

• Gothenburg duo Sadovaja's second album "White Depression" is now recorded and will be released this autumn. First, the single "The Only One" will show up on September 10, together with its video clip. Expect more rock and pop than on the trip hop-ish debut. /Mikael Kahrle

Girls under Glass covers Madonna

• German Girls under Glass are veterans in the darkwave and industrial genres. They are back with the MCD "Frozen" on Van Richter Records. Here, we find a cover of Madonna's "Frozen", a Bruno Kramm remix of the song "Wings", a dance track called "Grey in Grey" which is made in co-operation with Wolfsheim - and three other tracks. /Mikael Kahrle

Shock Therapy member face up to 20 years in prison

• The front man of American industrial rock band Shock Therapy, Itchy, is in jail. A lady, who is a friend of Itchy's, was beaten up by a Detroit drug dealer. Itchy burned down his house. The dealer didn't die from the fire, but instead from an overdose.
Itchy is serving a one to 20 year sentence and he can get out this November at the earliest. He has decided to stay away from music right now, because he doesn't want the lyrics to be just about hurt, pain, hate and similar subjects. In the meantime he draws pictures like the one above and dreams of a new album and tour whenever he gets out. /Thomas Trautwein, Mikael Kahrle

Moonspell to re-conquer the gothic metal throne?
• Moonspell are back to re-conquer the gothic metal throne. Will "Darkness and Hope" be the key to success? The album is going to be released on August 27 by Century Media. /Johan Astemark

Corgan goes solo
• Billy Corgan is currently preparing a solo album in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. /Mikael Kahrle

Synthpop unplugged?
• On August 16 labelmates De/Vision and Silke Bischoff will play an exclusive unplugged show at the yearly PopKomm expo in Cologne, Germany. /Mikael Kahrle

Wumpscut hunted by German media


• German industrial project Wumpscut has appeared a lot in German media lately, especially in magazines like Bild. Why?
A "satanic couple", Daniel and Manuela Ruda, executed a colleague and were institutionalised. The press loves to write about how they met at a cemetery and how they love the devil. They also report about their love for Wumpscut and especially the song "Bunkertor 7". Bild has printed a picture of Daniel Ruda, in a Hamlet-like pose with a skull, wearing a shirt from Wumpscut's label, Betonkopf Media. Ruhr Bild printed the complete song lyrics.
Wumpscut's Rudy R sees similarities between this case and the Littleton massacre, where bands like Marilyn Manson were blamed, more or less.
- I never gave the order to this, otherwise I would surely remember it... Manuela and Daniel Ruda became nuts without my influence, except from the "Bunkertor" lyrics.
Wumpscut has recorded a new song about this called "Ruda".
- I know about the controversy theme and I do not want to make profit out of it. "Ruda" is free to download, Rudy says.
This story is probably not over yet.
- As soon as I get their address I will ask them what the hell they want to express with the words "Kadaververwertungs-Anstalt Bunkertor 7" on their car and flatdoor, Rudy says.
The new Wumpscut single "Deliverance" is scheduled for early September. Four versions of the song builds up the track list. The album "Wreath of Barbes" will probably show up in October. The first copies will include a bonus remix of Kirlian Camera's "Eclipse". /Mikael Kahrle

DAF member founds "electro state"
• DAF's Gabi Delgado has constructed an "electro state" ("Elektrostaat"). Similarities can be found in Laibach's Neue Slowenische Kunst. People can become members and participate creatively at this site. Here, you will find sections like "Klang Ministereum" and "Staatsgalerie". The kick off party was held in Berlin on May 31, with 350 strictly limited tickets. /Jens Krause

Echo Image single with "Never Ending Story"

• Norwegian synthpoppers Echo Image will finally release the delayed "Skulk" single, originally intended for a May release. "Skulk" offers remixes from Sweep and Icon of Coil as well as Echo Image's take on "Never Ending Story" (Limahl). /Mikael Kahrle

Vomito Negro member shot in Antwerp

• Guy van Meighem of EBM veterans Vomito Negro was shot last Saturday in Antwerp, Belgium. He was hit in his right arm by a man in serious marriage trouble, who used his gun in frustration. Bad luck seems to follow the band; they were also involved in a nasty car crash a few years back.
Vomito Negro plan to release a comeback album shortly. /Mikael Kahrle

Simple Minds: "Neon Lights" in September
• Some readers might still be interested in Simple Minds and we can tell you, they plan the new album "Neon Lights" for September. Front man Jim Kerr is also working on a solo album. /Mikael Kahrle

Exclusive material from DAF.DOS, Camouflage and Psyche

• DAF.DOS, Camouflage, Nude, Robert Enforsen, Psyche and Page of Quire - they are all on the forthcoming "Electronic Spotlight" compilation, which will be put out by Calyx/NovaMedia on August 6. The CD offers 100% exclusive songs and remixes. /Jens Krause

Debut album from EBM trio Devil Machine
• The German band Devil Machine will shortly release their 15-track debut album called "Wheel of Time" (by their own). Some might have heard Devil Machine on various compilation CD:s and tapes. The strongest album songs are "Forbidden Love" and "Play Your Game". We are talking about EBM with both male and female vocals. /Jens Krause

Depeche Mode: opening acts and "Freelove" details

The legendary Fad Gadget is said to be supportive of Depeche Mode.
Photo by: Iris Luchner

• Depeche Mode's upcoming European "Exciter Tour" will be opened by Technique and Fad Gadget. Technique will be a special guest at the gigs in Hamburg and Leipzig, and Fad Gadget will open for the rest of the gigs in Europe. Back in 1980, Depeche Mode was the opening band for Fad Gadget. Poe opens in North America.
We also have news on the third single "Freelove" from "Exciter". It will be released on September 17 on two CD:s, one 12" and one DVD (Bong32). The video for "Freelove" was shot July 12 and 13 in New Orleans. It was directed by John Hillcoat, who also directed the "I Feel Loved" video.
A unique re-edit of Depeche Mode's "I Feel Loved" was aired on Saturday night's "Essential Mix" on BBC Radio 1. Paul Byrne at Junior Records informs us, it was an edit done by King Unique especially for the "Essential Mix". /Jesper Lakman (Uselink)

Second Decay back with new single

• "Kaltes weisses Licht" is the title of the brand new single from German retro pop act Second Decay. It was just released and is the first release since the "Hotels" album. The song was performed live at the Swedish Alternative Music Awards earlier this year. A new album will follow in late autumn. /Niklas Forsberg

New Tabloid demo with Cyndi Lauper cover
• Swedish synthpop band Tabloid has just released a new three track demo entitled "Starry Blue" with an additional cover of Cyndi Lauper's classic "Time after Time". The demo contains cleverly built electronic pop music. More info at their site. /Niklas Forsberg

Successful kick-off for Belgian electronic project

• Sylver is an dance synthpop duo from Belgium, that has attacked both the German dance charts DDC and various clubs around Europe with success. The track "Turn the Tide" and the debut album "Chances" are released by Byte Records. Previously, the project was known under the name Liquid feat Silvy. /Jens Krause

Former EBM act Morticians back in new shape
• Morticians is a Swedish band who started out quite some time ago playing EBM. Now they're back with a demo via mp3.com called "Private Void". The sound is significantly softer now, and the band calls their new compositions a cross between Ultravox and plain EBM. You be the judge. /Niklas Forsberg