Van Richter Records / Members
Underwater Pilots
BandUnderwater Pilots are Manuel G. Richter and Gregoire Vanoli. They are a german band creating electronic pop music with subtile darkness, melodic hooklines and dancable beats. Mostly they work in the area of dark-electro and the future-pop-scene. In 2002 the guys met for the first time while working on a remix and noticed that they had a similar way of feeling music. But Manu and Greg also noticed their completely different ways of producing. While working together,they saw how they could complement each other and decided to start a project. Why they chose Underwater Pilots as the band name? Because Manu and Greg love spherical and liquid sounds, kind of an underwater feeling. And the guys both love to sit in their cockpits, pressing buttons and turning wheels.In summer 2002 they created a first demo. They worked on some older tracks from Manu, giving them a more modern touch. This was the beginning of Underwater Pilots. Manuel G. Richter: vocals, production Gregoire Vanoli: live-electronics, production Greg's history Born in april 1977. He grew up in Bblingen, Freiburg, Lrrach, Tunis and Hameln. Then he moved back to Freiburg, then Hameln again, and finally he lives in Hamburg. He began to learn the piano in Tunis, and years later he begon to teach himself guitar and bass in Hameln. During this time, he played in rock-, funk-, fusion- and Big- Bands. His interest in electronic music came up in '97, and soon after he got his first own computer. He then worked on many different projects, mostly unreleased until today. Today, he works as a supervisor in video - postpoduction and 3D animation, and supports many people in digital video productions. Manu's history Manuel was born in january 1974 in Mlheim/Ruhr (Germany) as the son of two musicians and grew up near the small town Hameln. At the age of ten he began to study the drumset for eight years. Later he started to explore electronic music. He played in different projects and bands from classical drum ensembles over pop to rock bands. In the early 90's he started to combine the drumming with electronic sounds and compositions. From 1990 to 1998 he recorded some tapes, a CD and played a lot of gigs with his band One Step Divine. At the same time he worked on some electronic projects between pop, electro-ebm and experimental. Since 1997 Manuel has been working on experimental composing and sound art, released some vinyl and CD albums on Hands and a lot of compilation tracks. He's played many live gigs in Germany and other european countries. Manuel works as an educator and freelance music therapist in Leipzig. Since summer '05 he's also been teaching sound synthesis at the sae-college.
Girls Under Glass
BandThe year is 1999 A.D. ... The electro-industrial three-piece Lineup... Zaphor (Volker Zacharias) - vocals and guitars, Axel Ermes - guitars and bass, Hauke Harms - Electronics (live crew Marcus Giltjes -drums, Mark Wheeler and Raj Sen Gupta guitars) ... more than a decades worth of work of the trio know as Girls Uunder Glass! The alternative scene has changed much over the past decade; more and more bands have proved that their idea of crossing and melting different elements in music - from Metal through Electro -Trance to Industrial can be successful. The Hamburg, Germany based Girls Under Glass are leading innovators of musical openness and known for their overlapping mixture of styles since G.U.G's founding in 1986. After twelve years and nine European releases (1988-1997) - Humus, Flowers, Positive, Live at Soundgarden, Darius, Christus, Down in the Park, Exitus, and Crystals and Stones - Girls Under Glass are still leading representatives of modern alternative music. This reputation has given G.U.G. members Zacharias and Ermes the chance to play an important role in the beginning of Cassandra Complex in 1990. 1997 brought the release of G.U.G.'s Firewalker in Europe which was considered by the media at the time as the toughest, most aggressive and uncompromising Girls Under Glass album to date, which continued to push the band far ahead of its peers in the Electro/Metal/Industrial and Wavescene with their unique multi influence and diverse style. Now comes the long awaited Girls Under Glass anthology Nightmares - spanning over a decade of work with rare, and unreleased material,cover versions, remixes, and brand new tracks including a dance floor cover version of the seminal John Carpenter title Halloween. The influence and importance of Germany's Girls Under Glass in the genre has garnered the attention of fellow countrymen and industrial giants KMFDM and Die Krupps both whom have remixed G.U.G. tracks that will be appearing on the first ever Girls Under Glass North American release on Van Richter Records. Now the year is 2001 and the second and most ever anticipated U.S. release of Girls Under Glass... (one of the most influential Gothic / Darkwave and Industrial bands on the underground scene for the past two decades). This new compact disc contains the seminal Madonna hit title track Frozen (Ray of Light) remade in the GUG signature image. Bruno Kramm of Das Ich offers up a brilliant mix of the song "Wings", and the number one synth pop band in Europe - Wolfsheim - contributes with their compelling vocals on the dance track "Grey in Grey". Rounding out this great Disc is the Firewalker angst single "The Bitter End" Even though this new release is a mere thirty minutes in length it has six hugely significant songs on it with contributions from the premiere Artists in the darkwave,gothic synth pop and industrial genres. Frozen is a record that can seriously be considered as a more accessible NIN Broken! Girls Under Glass goes back to its gothic and darkwave roots with their latest release entitled "Equilibrium". This album comes with the bonus Kraftwerk cover version "Radioaktivitat" by the GUG side project Trauma.
Death and Horror Inc
Band1987 Vicar (vocals, samples, guitars, synths) and Graf (samples, airwave appropriation) begin collaborating afterhours on improv soundscape compositions, in Toronto - DHI'S home town Vicar the duo partially names itself after a classic 70s BBC sound effects record 1988 Max joins the band on synths, samples and metals DHI's first demo cassette, Need And Ability, is distributed in Toronto, receiving positive college media attention the trio makes its live debut and quickly amasses a strong regional following 1989 Chemical Land Showdown, the band's second album-length demo, is released a handful of Toronto DJs successfully chance DHI's sound on the danceclub crowd the group is invited to support A Split Second, and a few weeks later,Front Line Assembly Nocturne 1990 Canadian indie label Fringe Product inks the band to a three year deal DHI meets producer/engineer Rob Sanzo (Dogpile-Kk/Electrip recording artists) and begins re-recording material for future releases an opening spot is secured for The Young Gods 1991 the limited edition Chemical Land CD EP, featuring two rare tracks, is released on Fringe Max departs Stateside and is replaced by Nocturne (samples, violins) the group is approached by director Steve Jones, resulting in DHI's first video outing (also for Chemical Land) Graf 1992 Machine Altar Transmission, the band's Canadian debut CD, hits the streets MuchMusic, and CityTV's internationally syndicated New Music program, both air features documenting DHI's original/unorthodox sampling techniques the band plays in support of Alien Sex Fiend another video, entitled New Vision, featuring metal artist Steve Richards' Insidious Devices (Lollapalooza) and ex-Archaos firebreather Mike Dent, is launched DHI embarks upon a lengthy series of writing and recording sessions at its Scriptorium studio, and later at Signal To Noise with Rob Sanzo Speed 1993 another limited edition ep, Bitter Alloys, is released Mike Speed Gibbs (Dogpile) joins the band, providing additional guitar and bass work CBC's Prime Time News captures DHI in performance for a special on "cyberpunk" author William Gibson 1994 the foursome continue an onslaught of Canadian gigs supporting Pressures Collide, DHI's second CD shooting for the Pain And Courage video (the CD's lead-off single) is conducted in a ghastly, long-abandoned brick factory 1995 Van Richter Records (California) and Kk records (belgium) both license the Pressures disc, resulting in DHI's debut release in the U.S. and Europe. The Van Richter disc includes the limited edition Bitter Alloys EP. these two versions of the disc boast fully redesigned sleeves - exclusively for each label's territory. DHI and Kk begin organizing the band's first European live dates - destined to be a success, as DHI has evolved into a thunderous, riveting animal! 1997 Presents the final chapter of DHI as Van Richter Records releases their swan song album Transmissions from the Chemical Land containing previously unreleased and out of print material, plus the hit single "Chemical Land". DHI now takes their place along side Skinny Puppy as one of the key innovators in the history of Industrial music!
Sielwolf
BandSIELWOLF is Europe's premiere METAL NOISE band discovered by the same talent agent as Einsturzende Neubauten. The band was formed in 1989 by Petra Tausendpfund and Peter Prochir in Frankfurt, Germany. Peter previously was a drummer in a wide range of punk bands and was a member of a free-jazz/ avant-garde formation. Currently Petra and Peter create samples/performance projects together. The current band line up is Petra Tausendpfund - Programming/ Samples, Peter Prochir - Vocals/Samples, J. Van Der Glaas - Drums, A. Kugel - Bass, Th. Low - Guitar. SIELWOLF are members of MACOS. SIELWOLF can best be described as loud, fast and hard, but not your stereotypical metal genre band. Under the surface a raw and kicking noise/industrial sound they mix up different musical styles, combining them with samples and cites of their manic and extensive video passion. The full length release Metastasen combines with the maxi single "Beweglich Animalisch" which contains three different underground hit versions of the title track, one based on Nirvana guitar feedbacks and a second version remixed byLassigue Bendthaus for the club profile. This thirteen track album which spans over seventy minutes in length is not only a great value, but will appeal to crossover metal/hard music fans. SIELWOLF brings out their new album Nachtstrom which follows on the success of the 1995 hit album Metastasen and 1997 mini album Magnum Force . The band's sound has been compared by the press to early Godflesh and Einsturzende Neubauten. Nachtstrom was produced by Yello's Carlos Pern . The first single from the record is the EBM track "Korrosion". SIELWOLF delivers a brutal blend of aggressive industrial noise with sequenced dance beats and dark haunting lyrics, combined with samples and cites of their manic and extensive video passion. These cult German Industrialists have been well received by the Metal, Industrial, Ambient and Noise underground. Nachtstrom can only build on the band's growing buzz with the media and hardcore fans of the genre.
Plastic Noise Experience
BandGermany's Plastic Noise Experience are Claus Kruse: Programming and Voice and SM Kalwa: Programming and Lyrics. The duo was formed in 1989 and thereafter released two albums on the Gothic Art label. In 1993 PNE signrd with KK RECORDS Belgium and released in Europe "String of Ice and "Visage de Plastique", both on compact disc. Their debut US release on VAN RICHTER RECORDS is a 14 track anthology of Plastic Noise Experience's best work to date. Featured tracks include "WHY", which is a caustic cover version of the song by BRONSKI BEAT. "DREAM DESTRUCTOR" was a featured track on the recently successful "ELECTRIP" Compilation of KK RECORDSartists licensed and distributed nationally in the US by RESTLESS RECORDS. Plastic Noise Experience launch their follow up US release called Neural Transmission" spanning the backcatalog of PNE's earlier works from the titles Transmission, Transmitted Memory and Small Town Boy. This hard Electro anthology covers twenty tracks approximately 75 minutes in length, with a brilliant version on BRONSKI BEAT's "Small Town Boy". Plastic Noise Experience can be best described as aggressive hardcore electronic industrial, with skull spliting beats and powerful rythms, also incorporating elements of Techno. PNE's minimalistic stripped down sound compares to that of FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY. Thus the end result achieved is pure dance floor destruction! Plastic Noise Experience is Electronic Body Music at it's best! "Noised" is the last ever Plastic Noise Experience record as a duo. SM Kalwa has left the band to pursue other interests. This swan song PNE album includes a completely reworked and remastered "Rauschen" record plus six new tracks including a great cover version of Motorhead's "Hellraiser". Experience this pioneer duo's last historic contribution to the genre.
The Fair Sex
BandTHE FAIR SEX is Myk Jung: Vocals, Rascal Nikov : Master Bass, Programming, Blonder : Guitar, Moses W. Guitar.The lineup has been consistent since the band formed a decade ago in Essen Germany, except for the tragic death of their drummer live on stage in 1988. He was never replaced, only by machines. TFS was one of the first bands ever to crossover electronics with guitars back in the mid 1980's. It amuses the band that the current electro industrial genre is stressing the use of mixing electronics and guitars as if a contradiction. As a pioneer of this trend TFS's past decade of work demonstrates how inspiring it has been to work on both sides of the spectrum. THE FAIR SEX has released three full length records on their first label Roof Music, thereafter signed to Rough Trade where they released five more titles. The band's first North American national release Machine Bites, was a classic anthology of their previous five titles. The single "Not Now, Not Here" was a smash club hit. Alternative Press called the record "a must". Touted as the kings of electro body music and successor to Skinny Puppy , their first U.S. release created a good underground fan base and impact with the media. Three years in the making Labyrinth is the first rock "cyberopera". This historic release comes with a seven page press kit to guide one through the cyberaction adventure. THE FAIR SEX show their greatest range yet incorporating various genres such as classical and opera. The sixteen song album defines the future of industrial music. Featured singles include "Cyberbite" and "You Know How", both European dance club hits. Their latest collection of unreleased live and studio material, Fine. We Are Alive, features the smash dance floor single "Outraged And Moved" and the SKINNY PUPPY (live version) of "The House Of Unkinds". TFS has topped the charts with their past releases Labyrinth and Machine Bites, now Fine. We Are Alive will take its place in Electro Industrial history. This album is a must for fans of the the past Skinny Puppy era. The Electro - Industrial changing of the guard is now in The Fair Sex hands. With the success of national club charted singles "Now Now. Not Here", "You Know How", Fine. We Are Alive promises to be a breakout for the band - now entering its next decade! THE FAIR SEX combines the best of hard electronic dance music with well placed guitar staccatos. Over the years TFS has drawn a strong following throughout Europe and are considered a predominate influence to the Electronic Body Music club scene. TESTIFY is the evil brother of THE FAIR SEX and has had great crossover success with the fans of the Metal - Industrial genre. The music video A.N.G.E.R. was featured on MTV! After a lengthy absence The Fair Sex return with their first ever double CD retrospective set entitled "The Dark Ages" which includes a best of compilation from the last chance years and two brand new unreleased tracks, "Children of the Revolution" (T Rex) and "Beautiful Nightmare: The Number One". TFS goes into the studio vault with "Drop Your Anxiety" and brings out new remixes from the past including songs reworked from "Bite Release Bite", "Spell of Joy" and "Labyrinth". These seminal club tracks are destined to be dance floor staples for years to come. Both new The Fair Sex releases take their place as timeless classic albums in the genre.
Testify
BandFormed in 1993 in Essen, Germany,TESTIFY stormed onto the american aggro-metal scene March 15,1994 with the critically acclaimed national release 01. The band has been dubbed the next Ministry by such prominent publications such as Alternative Press, RIP, B-Side, Industrial Nation, Seconds, Ink 19, CMJ, ARC, Pit, Gear and Mean Street. The current TESTIFY lineup includes Rascal Nikov, Myk Jung, Moses W., Eddie Logan, George Mckinley and Mathias Black. Rascal and Myk came to the group from the legendary renowned electrobody music band THE FAIR SEX whose CD Machine Bites was released nationally in the United States in 1994. The band has toured extensively with Die Krupps and Armageddon Dildos in support of their releases. The second release Ballroom Killer was mixed by famed Ministry crew Keith "Fluffy" Auerbach and Howie Beno. The third record Mmmyaoooo record was produced by Metal Blade artist Skrew and with it the status of being a sideproject was blown away. TESTIFY has developed into a real band thing - a unit of sincerity. While the debut was animated by a spirit of roughness and quick work, Mmmyaoooo is the product of one year's work.The result is a list of eleven tracks which are filled with power, speed, brutality, insane humor and... atmosphere. The fourth album Crack the Mind features mixes by Die Krupps, Die Warzau and Plastic Noise Experience. Crack the Mind incorporates five brand new titles and four remix war titles from Mmmyaoooo. TESTIFY continues to blow away its peers with razor sharp treated vocals, powerful lyrics, well placed samples and chunky guitars. Crack the Mind is a dark progression in the world of computerized industrial metal! "Triviality Beyond Acceptance" is the fifth release of Aggro Metalists TESTIFY . The band has proven itself time and again as the hardest and most creative guitar driven aggro industrial band since Ministry. Testify has garnered the praise and recognition they deserve with worldwide critical acclaim as well as notice by fellow peer bands who have contributed on their records including Ministry, Skrew, Die Krupps, Die Warzau, Plastic Noise Experience...and soon to be KMFDM. The band has toured with Die Krupps and Armageddon Dildos as well as received video airplay on MTV and regular radio and club play over the years. The story and buzz on TESTIFY continues to build after almost a decade of work. The self produced "Triviality Beyond Acceptance" will prove to be Testify's strongest and hardest hitting effort to date with eleven solid tracks highlighted by the seminal"Under the cold moon". Remixes to follow....stay tuned. "Aggro" the final installment of the Testify legacy. This sixth release is the best of Testify anthology. A seventeen song collection remastered plus a dynamic bonus remix of "The Seed of Wrath" by Industrial Legends Die Warzau. The companion music video for "The Seed of Wrath" - Die Warzau silence as a weapon mix was produced by Will Young. Testify 1993 - 2007 Mission Terminated "Be aware of the snarling voices.... they might catch your brain to control your next nightmare!!!"
