News editors: Mikael Kahrle & Johan Carlsson

Breaking news: Pacifist Moby attacked by men with mace
• After a gig in Boston this week, Moby was attacked in the street.
- All of a sudden I was attacked by (I believe) three men with mace. They punched me from behind and I really had no idea what was going on, he writes on his web site.
- I assumed that a bar fight had spilled out of the bar and that somehow I had gotten caught in the middle of it. But no. After being punched in the head from behind a few times, I turned around to see what was going on and one of them punched me in the face a couple of times and then they all ran away.
Moby was not seriously injured but has filed a police report, naturally. We are curious: why do someone want to coordinate an attack on the most peaceful man on earth? /Mikael Kahrle

Do you want to live like Vince Clarke?

• I know I do, and here is the possibility to do so. According to an article in the Sunday Times, Vince Clarke is selling his magnificent house in Surrey, England. The house is circular, as Vince claims he has an aversion to 90-degree angles. Well, it looks good too. The house - including studio - is now on the market for "just" £2,5 million, as Clarke moves abroad. /Johan Carlsson

Kraftwerk ex-member works with Mobile Homes singer's daughter
• Peaches is the name of a Swedish group consisting of Tåve Wanning, 10 years old, and Isabelle Erkendal, 13. They are very popular in Sweden and Norway with their album and the single ”Rosa Helikopter” (Pink Helicopter). Now, they want to release the single in Germany, and they get help from no other than Wolfgang Flur, ex-member Kraftwerk. He has helped them translate into German, and has also written a new song called ”Blue Sparks”. If everything turns out as expected, Wolfgang will then help make the entire album in German.
While this all might sound strange, it turns out that Isabelle's father and the band's manager is Hans Erkendal from synthband Mobile Homes. Hans was approached by Wolfgang who wanted him to sing on his solo album, and then Wolfgang heard Peaches and thought they were really good. Hans Erkendahl has previously worked with another retired Kraftwerker, Karl Bartos. /Johan Carlsson

Stereolab member dies in crash

Hansen on top.

• UK's Stereolab has lost guitarist and vocalist Mary Hansen. Hansen was struck by a car while on a bicycle in London on December 9.
She spent the last ten years in the band, starting with an EP in 1992. Stereolab's sound could be described as spacey dance beat jams mixed with melodic typical UK vocal/guitar treatments that meets psychedelic jazz. The group has recorded eight studio albums and the most recent of which was 2001's "Sound-Dust ". Stereolab has also remixed many artists including Shonen Knife, Boards of Canada, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) and Jazzanova. Mary was born in Maryborough, Brisbane, Australia, where her funeral will take place. /Alex Veronac

Massive Attack's 100th window
• According to a posting made by member Robert ”3D” Del Naja on the official Massive Attack forum, the title of the new Massive Attack album is ”100th Window”. It should be released on February 10, and features nine tracks, with guest vocals by Sinead O’Connor and Horace Andy. /Johan Carlsson

Ireland's Cranberries to lose singer
• After a recent the Cranberries gig, Dolores O'Riordan announced she would like to pursue a solo career. Now, her promotional obligations are complete for their hits compilation "Stars: The Best of the Cranberries 1992 - 2002" and touring. She intends on having a break from Ireland as well, looking to Turkey or Africa for a stint into World Music. Maybe a collaboration with Peter Murphy could be arranged... /Alex Veronac

Autechre's next album confirmed
• The Sheffield electronica duo Autechre will release their new album entitled "Draft 7.30" on April 7 via Warp Records. Track titles: "Xylin Room", "IV VV IV VV VIII", "6IE.CR", "Tapr", "Surripere", "Theme of Sudden Roundabout", "VL AL 5", "P.:NTIL", "V-PROC" and "Reniform Puls". /Peter Marks

New DAF site launched

DAF are happy to launch their new web site.

• The new DAF homepage www.daf.ag was launched today. The interested fan can find new photos, info, films and some sounds from the new album "15 neue DAF-Lieder" (February 24, Superstar Recordings/Universal). Some sections are not working yet, but hopefully they will soon. /Jens Krause

Dark Christmas in Spain
• On December 21, German pop magnates TOY will perform at the Dark Christmas festival at KGB in Barcelona. The band has also completed remixes for 18 Summers and De/Vision recently. Currently, there are no plans for the next "Trademark of Youth" album.
In related news, their previous incarnation Evil's Toy has released a best-of disc entitled "Evilution" which chronicles the band's entire career (1992-2001). /Peter Marks

East German band on Polish label

• We see more and more activity in ex-Soviet Europe and can't report about all that happens. However, the east German band Final Selection has signed with the Polish label Black Flames Records (with distribution via Strange Ways). The debut album "Anti Hero" mixes electronic and synthpop elements. It has been made in the band's own studio in Plauen during the last two years. /Jens Krause

Tyskarna från Lund album on its way

• The debut album of Swedish slightly crazy synth act Tyskarna från Lund is called "Metamorphobia" and is going to show up on January 24. The 16 track CD will include the two single tracks "Global Fussball OK" and "Achtung X-Mas" as well as their videos. /Mikael Kahrle

Hocico tour ends in injury
• Hocico ended their first US tour in support of Haujobb recently, with more than just bruises. In Montréal, front man Erk Aicrag hurt his arm during an enthusiastic leap but healed well. Close to the end of their tour at Slims in San Francisco, Erk had an incident with broken glass in his hand and plenty of blood (not fake). Soon after the gig, he was off to the hospital and is now recovering.
Hocico is working on a new remix for Apoptygma Berzerk to appear on their next single. The Mexicans met front man Stephan Groth this summer during their lengthy European tour.
See earlier Hocico news from Release here. /Alex Veronac

2002 Electrogarden Community Awards
• At Electrogarden, you can vote for best album, song, artist, remix, vocalist and web site (including Release) of the year. /Mikael Kahrle

Assemblage 23 tour details

Assemblage 23 live at Synthpop Goes the World fest 2002.
Photo by: Alex Veronac (Release)

• As reported earlier, Tom Shear's project Assemblage 23 will tour Europe soon and here are some more details. The tour will start after the completion of some US dates in support of the new CD "Defiance" (no 1 at DAC). A23 start in Rome on January 4 and continue on to Germany, Denmark and Sweden. It continues on for fans in Norway, Belgium, England, Spain, Greece and end up in Switzerland and Germany. Norwegians Icon of Coil are to be first support for the band on their tour.
Assemblage 23 recently completed a remix of "Break Away" for Seattle based electrosynth project Glis. /Alex Veronac

Bile and Nocturne US tour shortened

Nocturne.

• New York City based dark metal styled Bile has been touring the USA this fall with Nocturne as support. Bile was denied entry to Canada last week as their six live dates there were cancelled. They both continue on soon with more US tour dates. Bile leader Krztoff played with Pigface on their last tour.
Nocturne is a new signing to US label Underground Inc. owned by "played with almost everyone industrial" drummer Martin Atkins. The Dallas based band is supporting their edgy guitar laced release "Paradise Wasted." Nocturne recently drafted the talents of Sara Lee Lucas, former drummer of Marilyn Manson as a full time member. /Alex Veronac

Front 242's German live drummer release jazzy album

• Front 242 live drummer Tim Kroker from Berlin has his own musical project, Micatone. The debut album "Nine Songs" (via Groove Attack) includes nine jazzy big beat tracks with female vocals. Micatone with its four members is part of the Sonar Kollektiv, where also Kruder & Dorfmeister, Waldeck and Victor Davies can be found. /Jens Krause

ITN prepare a new album and re-release
• UK's In the Nursery are busily working on their new album which will see the light of day in spring 2003. A tour will also support the new release. The band are re-releasing their 1993 soundtrack entitled "An Ambush of Ghosts" which has been deleted. This version will contain a bonus track entitled "When I Write to You". /Peter Marks

Triple box with Depeche Mode
• Mute Records' partner in Poland release a three CD Depeche Mode box with the albums "Black Celebration", "Music for the Masses" and "Violator". /Jens Krause

Arcana rise again
• Cold Meat Industry mainstays Arcana are due to release their new album entitled "Inner Pale Sun" on January 6 of this coming year. Eight tracks are on this release one of which "We Rise Above" was released earlier on the limited "Body of Sin" single.
Arcana's alter egos Sophia and Victoria are both in hibernation for the time being. /Peter Marks

Mute Germany back Nitzer Ebb site
• Berlin based Mute Records supports the new German fan page for Nitzer Ebb. The site features discography, video clips, previously unreleased photos and live-material. /Jens Krause

Breaking news: New albums with Delerium, FLA, Conjure One and DJ Tiësto

Delerium. The real Bill Leeb?
Photo by: SPV

• As we have told you before, a new album with Delerium has been in the works for some time. According to Rhys Fulber, it is finished now, and is called "Chimera". The album features talent like Kristy Thirsk, Carmen Rizzo, DJ K-Rec and others and it will hopefully be out in March next year, followed by a tour.
Another exciting turn of events is that Rhys Fulber and Bill Leeb will start work on the "final Front Line Assembly album" in a couple of weeks. No more info about that yet.
Being the busybee he is, Rhys has started work on the next Conjure One album, and is also possibly working with Abandoned Pool singer and bass player Leah Randi on a new project. To finish it off, Rhys and DJ Tiësto are working on the next Tiësto album. /Johan Carlsson

Complete line-up for electriXmas
• We have all the live acts for the Swedish electriXmas event on December 21: And One, E-Craft, Tyskarna från Lund, Colony 5 and Morlocks. DJ:s will be Android and Slogun. There is no age limit and all guest will be given a 72 minute Christmas CD. /Mikael Kahrle

DAF to play exclusive concert in Cologne

Here is a brand new picture of the reunited DAF for you.

• DAF:s Robert Görl and Gabi Delgado will play an exclusive preview concert for the press and fans in Cologne, Germany on January 30. The new album "15 neue DAF-Lieder" will be out out the month after, on February 24 via Superstar/Universal. Loose plans for a full European tour is being made as we speak. /Jens Krause

Life is offensive and Pankow refuses to apologize
• The fellows responsible for giving us the 80:s greats "Happy As the Horse's Shite" and "Let Me Be Stalin" are at again with their new album entitled "Life Is Offensive and Refuses to Apologize". Of course, we are speaking of Pankow. The band, the legend, those guys whose album covers bordered on art and madness. Frontman Alex Spalck is purportedly doing vocals for the band once more even though he was reported dead in 1996. /Peter Marks

Breaking news: First Ministry live dates 2003

Photo by: Noise

• Soon after the release of "Animositisomina", Ministry is hitting the road in 2003. Larger club dates for a mini tour include Amsterdam at Paradiso on February 24 with later gigs in Oberhausen and Berlin, then Paris and finally London on March 2.
No word on any added dates for a suspected full 2003 tour or who will be joining the band to to fill the eight person contingent on stage yet. Their last time live was a 1999 US club tour.
Earlier Ministry "Animositisomina" news. /Alex Veronac

New band on new label
• Swedish EBM/riot electro act Severe Illusion have a signed a contract with PAF Records (a new label from Release's very own Johan Astemark). An album is due early next year and the band also has four tracks on a double CD compilation to be released by the German label Error 315 in the new year also. Tour dates thus far confirmed for Severe Illusion: Prague on January 22 and Budapest on January 24. More dates to be announced. /Peter Marks