News editors: Mikael Kahrle & Johan Carlsson

Banned KMFDM videos on new release

• The KMFDM DVD/VHS "Beat by Beat" is out now, packed with 180 minutes of material. We get live footage, bootleg videos, candid interview shots and of course all the video clips, including the un-aired "Megalomaniac". This is one of the three KMFDM clips that has been banned by TV stations. /Mikael Kahrle, Alex Veronac

Growing scene in the East
• There is a growing scene for our music in former East block countries like Russia, The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. This means new markets for artists and possibly longer touring, as Eastern cities are added to the European tours. It also means that these countries can prove to be a great base for new talents, perhaps with some fresh ideas. We have covered this rising scene in the past, and will continue to do so.
A Polish newcomer named Common Dream is said to be recording its debut album, scheduled for 2002. Prior to the album, the band will release a CD maxi with remixes by Distain!, Psyche, Obsc(y)re, Colony 5 and God's Bow. Those of you who can, might want to check them out live as they will perform in Rostock, Germany on Christmas Day together with Melotron, or the day after in Neubrandenburg. /Peter Takizawa, Mikael Kahrle

Ganymede follows up album
• Synthpop act Ganymede has followed up the album "Euromantique" with an EP called "Falling". This contains mixes of songs that can be found on the above mentioned album - and a cover of a Vangelis song. /Peter Takizawa

Limited edition album from Project-X

• Swedish EBM group Project-X will release a limited edition CD called "Closing Down the system", said to be limited to 1000 copies worldwide. The album's release date was December 10 and it should be available as you read this. It contains rare, unreleased and live tracks. To support this release, Project-X will play two or three live dates in Scandinavia in January 2002. /Peter Takizawa

New Canadian electronic music label
• Synapse Records is a new Toronto based record label that focuses on electronic music of all kinds, outside the mainstream. The label is currently looking for artists and invite all to send in their demos and other information. /Peter Takizawa

Sigue Sigue Sputnik pays tribute to The King

"History will prove us right", Sigue Sigue Sputnik claim at their web site.

• Revamping their musical career through fan based Internet support, futurelectroids Sigue Sigue Sputnik are back with a CD, a few brief tour dates and showcase festival gigs.
December 16 marked the release date of "new material" with eight cover versions of classic Elvis Presley tracks in "hardcore sputnik dubstyle" (!?) and a bonus 12" mix. The CD is called "Blak Elvis vs the Kings of Electronic Rock and Roll" and will be sold at the upcoming German and Swiss live dates and through their web site from January 1. Sigue Sigue Sputnik have been selling different objects at their website for two years now. "Pirate Space" was the name of the long waited first new studio LP that arrived in September 2000 (and through distribution in February 2001). The album was made from demos done eleven years earlier. /Alex Veronac

DVD with darkwavers Silke Bischoff
• German darkwavers Silke Bischoff have released a new CD and DVD called "Down in the Park". The CD is has the live unplugged concert at the PopKomm in August plus a computer file for PC and Mac. The DVD has a video of the same concert, exclusive video clips, interviews and a picture gallery. /Jens Krause

Zensor, another new band from Norway
• Norway is coming on strong these days, and here we have yet another new band from the land of the fjords. Zensor makes dark, hard industrial music, very much in the vein of Nine Inch Nails. Their EP "Bunker" is out now on Angel Productions. /Johan Carlsson