KIRLIAN CAMERA SHADOW MISSION HELD V ALBUM OUT OF LINE RELEASE: JANUARY 23, 2009 REVIEW: MARCH 24, 2009

Italian Kirlian Camera have released a number of classic songs and most of their early outputs are highly sought after rarities. The 12" vinyls for "Communicate", "Blue Room", "Edges" and "Heldenplatz" go for insane amounts on Ebay every time, providing the band with a mysteriously magical facade. As the eighties went on, their music became increasingly introvert and dark, moving away from the experimental, Italo influenced electropop of their hey day.

"Shadow Mission HELD V" brings together re-workings of some classic hits with new material in the same vein. "Heldenplatz" kicks things off in a club shaped edition, while new track "Odyssey Europa" relies more on emotional moods and potent vocals by Elena Alice Fossi. Angelo Bergamini, Kirlian Camera mastermind, seems to have found his way back to the electronic pop roots, mixing straight forward pop with Italo disco and modern electropop. A new version of "Edges", for instance, shows powerful evolution, without losing the magic of the original.

Apparently, as the duo is in high demand, a comprehensive retrospective set is due out later in the year, compiling a band that seriously deserves a boost. Kirlian Camera are unique, cool and back with a vengeance!

NIKLAS FORSBERG