The Long Road To The Wrath Of Code

By Rick Shithouse

Dan Terminus' Wrath Of Code album has finally been released. After seemingly months of delays and even longer since I was honoured with a preview in 2014, the album is finally out and free to enrapture all into its own plane of existence. This being such a long awaited release has definitely paid off, however, as the quality of the experience has been worthy of getting the release 'right'.

When it comes to the unholy quantrinity of Slash Electro rockers there's the energetic tension of Perturbator, the uncaged creativity of Carpenter Brut, the aggressive onslaught of Gost and in Dan Terminus we're now given a new dimension to the extreme side of 80s inspired synth music. In The Wrath Of Code Terminus uses time and patience to build his stories. The epic soundtrack oriented concepts this record illustrates adds yet another dimension to the Slash Electro dynamic, one that lends much from more traditional synth soundtrack music and then counterbalancing the vast spaces with intense explosions of raw power.


The overall balance of the album is something I certainly wasn't expecting. Across the thirteen tracks there are four acts formed as chapters in the story. Individual tracks relate to others in the same chapters in a wonderfully engaging manner as sounds and passages reappear as characters throughout Th Wrath Of Code's story.  The boldest move, on Terminus' part, was to open proceedings with one of the most intense Slash Electro anthems in recent times, the highly regarded brutality known as 'Cherenkov Blue Overdriver'.

Opening the album with this piece is akin to having the most graphic and bloodiest murder of the slasher movie happening while the opening credits are still rolling. We're thrown in, head first, into the absolute chaos of Terminus in his most malicious form. Beyond the short introductory passage this track then obliterates all in its path. A procession of electric death that brings pure aural annihilation. This level of intensity is usually what is built to in many albums but by foregoing this tradition Terminus brazenly opens up and unloads his most high powered ammunition from the outset, which then leaves on wondering where the hell can you go next?

The following piece continues in the same vein under the monstrously appropriate title of 'Heavy Artillery' but it's at this point, amid the machine gun percussion and devastating basslines that Terminus begins his melodic adventure. The vintage soul is born anew in rousingly bright melodies which refuse to get caught in the cut and thrust of the Slash Electro mayhem. Things become even more involving as the pace is slowed down into into dirge and far more sensitive elements blink and sparkle amid the clouds of soot and blood. The layers of sound all remain intense but it is the beauty of the lead melody that takes this opening chapter into new lands.

This introductory suite of tracks is then joined by 'Avalanche' and subtly the synthscape begins to change. Tearing electronic yawns of synth chainsaws act like barking wolves, but underneath those sparkling details of 'Heavy Artillery' now gain more presence. They gain strength and power and begin to take the music in the direction they want. Away from from carnage and brutality; venturing to new horizons. Their voices become all powerful in the final stages before our next journey starts.

Pursuit begins with 'Death By Distortion' as machine beasts roll out in search of their prey, the harsh, raw edge is rusted and blunt but wielded with much force. The clouds rise across desert's horizon as unrelenting technology hunts with feverish ferocity but the light finds a way to hide, it takes a route deep and unknown. A path into 'The Chasm'.

In 'The Chasm' Terminus takes a much more laboured approach to the synthscape, using industrial tinged melodies to illuminate a dangerous passage. This track though is devoid of the previous chapters chaos and instead takes cues from more controlled atmospheres and soundtrack based arrangements. Allowing this listener this dark voyage into fear brings on a different brand of intensity. One that takes shape amid distant shadows. One that hides much more than allows you to see. One that is completely descriptive of the perilous adventure.

The time aspect is one of the real joys of this album as each track is generally around the four and half to six minute mark, meaning the ideas and details are fully explored before moving on. After 'The Chasm' the adventure continues into a tonal palette almost devoid of the previous chapters brutality. 'Eternal Annihilator' uses dark, swelling clouds of villainous synth in less chaotic ways. A measured approach is used instead, which is highly refreshing and distills melodic ideas into highly polished gems. The aspects of positivity and hope again rise and glow, as the clouds that once reached for the sky now yield.

Ironically on 'It's Too Bad She Won't Live' the lights begin shining even brighter with synths being the most brightly coloured on the album to this point. The raucous violence of the past seems like it happened eons ago. A new dawn is here, a world that shines rather than cowers and offers untold possibilities.  The midpoint change in this track is not to be underestimated. All of a sudden a sinister malevolence begins to override the atmosphere and the massive punch combination of percussion feels like voltage directly connected to your nervous system. The last piece brings in some kind of solace; but at what cost...

'Grim' starts down a path that becomes familiar, albeit now with steelier determination. Threatening to go ballistic in a vicious display of raw power 'Grim' keeps itself under control via some beautifully arranged melodic details that sooth the pumping viscera. This combination of ruthlessness and reflection is given even more weight from the previous tracks on the album. The music feels like it's crying out with dialogue and poetry, using the melodies as a vocalisation.

The force of power flows faster in 'Restless Destroyer' as those voices now scream for justice. Thudding percussion and explosive flourishes highlight the anthemic nature of the piece with quickening melodies alluding even more crazed recollections and hallucinations. From the mercilessly pounding rhythms rises that familiar, singular hope once again. A glimpse is all that can be afforded, however.

Returning the chants of battle and confrontation. 'Pegasus Pro Ultra Fusion' plays out like the Heaven version of the Hell that is 'Cherenkov Blue Overdriver'. The structures feel similar and play out in a familiar way, but this time the dominance of light over the darkness is realised. A gleam of silver and gold is woven in to the synth melodies as the black fragments of the past are swept aside. The once merciless pounding now feels triumphant and inspiring. Colours begin to fade back into the picture and for the first time, The Wrath Of Code moves from being a mechanised being into something much more organic.

The most adventurous side of Dan Terminus surfaces next in 'Tuned In To A Dead Channel'. The use of vocals in a very obtuse way adds a huge amount of presence and humanity to the atmosphere. Synths are sombre, but not without sparkling details and glowing resonance. The traditional song make up of verse/chorus and even a wonderfully executed solo make this an experience that adds a huge amount of possibilities to the Terminus palette and really shows an artistic side to the producer I hope he explores further.

A final piece of atmospheric annihilation arrives in the second last track 'Detonation' as the pace is slowed and the synths layer megatons of power through swirling radioactive clouds of desolation. The intensity is still there, but it comes with a cost and a sense of great loss permeates the scene. This then leads into the final track where Terminus teams up with Perturbator to switch every dial to levels beyond safety as sounds are sharpened and unleashed in barrages of blasting synth violence. But, once again, as a final reminder, the beauty of the melodic passages shine ever brighter against the holocaustal contrast presented. It's the perfect note to finish on, a highlight reel of The Wrath Of Code, condensed into four minutes and forty seconds of outright Slash Electro mayhem.

The magic in The Wrath Of Code is really in it's storytelling ability through each of the tracks. The acts of the narrative play out so thoughtfully and when explored in such an intensely forged sound it shows that Terminus knows exactly when to reign in the horses and when the whip the living shit out of them.  This is definitely the most accomplished  full length Slash Electro record I've heard thus far and it expands the concepts of the genre in some radical new ways whilst being able to keep the concept and theme genuinely captivating to the listener.

Blood Music presents Dan Terminus' The Wrath Of Code album on their Bandcamp page here at a name-your-price point in digital formats only at this stage (here's hoping to a physical release soon!). This is without a doubt a Synthetix Reference Experience and breathes new life and possibilities into the extreme side of synth music that while forged in Hell definitely gets a deliciously wicked coat of 80s synth gloss.

Synthetix Weekend Update

This will be the last Weekend Update for a couple of weeks as I'll be taking a little vacation over the Easter period and will be back and rockin April 29. There'll be one more review I'll cover this coming week before the break, however.

Another big week in the scene has elapsed and I've got a bunch of hot rockin tunes to share with you in this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. The first thing I definitely need to cover this week is the amazing anthology release compilation from Werkstatt Recordings released recently. The Werkstatt Chronicles is an incredible documentation of the history thus far of one of the scene's most prolific labels.

Spanning five years this compilation covers fifty six (yes, FIFTY SIX) tracks from a tonne of musical denominations but always with retro vibe. Lots of the scene's most loved and respected producers show up on this release, including the likes including Protector 101, Fantastisizer, Sam Haggblad and Gost along with a myriad of producer's Werkstatt has continuously promoted. This label is one of the central hubs of the 80s inspired synth scene and I'd like to take this moment to thank Kostas for all his work and determination in sharing so much wonderful music. Here's to the next five years, my good man.

You can pick up a copy of The Werkstatt Chronicles on Bandcamp here at a name-your-own-price point. Please support this release as this label is vastly important to the development of the scene.


Time to switch on your inflight entertainment console and blast off into the wide blue yonder with this week's AIRBORNE hits on Synthetix.FM!

Run Vaylor - Star Knight - Rockin a new six track EP straight out of France comes Run Vaylor with his Star Knight release. This producer's sounds combine great vintage progressions and melodies with a modern energy that makes them sound very club oriented. His work on this EP really hits some big high points with 'Saturn V' and 'Orbital Cocktail' really taking the Run Vaylor synthscapes into exciting new realms.



Dan Terminus - Rêverie - Resident synth antichrist Dan Terminus has eschewed his lusts for the aural violence he so wantonly creates and has instead gone for a much more positive aspect with his new diversion Rêverie. Distorted terrors are replaced with sweet, breezy melodies and are arranged with delightful care and nuance for the most part, but Terminus can't help himself and unleashes the beast in the final chapter, I guess he needed to add something darker to balance out the lovingly crafted synth serenade to Vincenzo Salvia which precedes it.


Spacious Sweep - Searing Chains - When it comes to Italo flavoured synth action there are few as prolific in the scene as Spacious Sweep/JEJE80 Home Production. This rocker has been one of my favourite creators of 80s synth that is written with a wonderfully fun aspect and oodles homage to the classic sounds. Searing Chains is a package of ten tracks from the last few months that really encapsulate the Spacious Sweep magic. Although the release is officially being hosted on DepostiFiles, please give him some love on his soundcloud page here and continue supporting his music.

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The first of a few new rockers for Synthetix.FM this week is Daniel Deluxe and his latest work 'The Getaway'. Maximum levels of intrigue and intensity in the opening stages lead to full throttle excitement as OutRun styles are taken on a collision course with Michael Cassette-esque elements. The experience is rockin from beginning to end and is currently available for FREE download via the player.




Having been on a bit of a break for the last couple of months Cougar Synth have triumphantly returned with a sublimely beautiful new slice of warmth Synth Romance titled 'Denying Everything'. The mood is fragile and intimates undertones of need and emotional sensitivities ensconced in the glowing haze of that Cougar Synth magic we love so much. Currently available for FREE download.




The scene continues to go all wonderfully topsy turvy this week as a new chapter has arrived in the Garth Knight story. He's taken a trip off the funky well lit streets we're accustomed to finding him in and is instead now exploring darker alleys of festering decay and untold horrors. 'Nightmare City' gives the Garth Knight synthscape the Giallo Disco treatment and it rocks harder than a melonfarmer. Available for purchase via the player.



Someone who we all can rely on to bring things back to normality is Who Ha. His new album project has begun with his homage to the shapeliest of derrieres in 'Cutiest Petutiest Gluteus'. The album is going to be an ongoing work with songs added to  the Bandcamp page for Pop Goes The Who Ha  as he  sees fit. Expect radness, badness and madness in equal portions as Who Ha rocks the 80s all around the world once again.




MegaDrive's brand of high energy synth necromancy has returned with a great new track called 'Slum Lord'. The music is dark and bubbling over with maleficence while melodic details sharpen their wits in electrifying passages from which there is no escape. Be sure to check out a marvellously entertaining interview with MegaDrive in the latest episode of Beyond Synth if you'd like to learn more about this totally kick arse producer.




To celebrate the beginning of Spring in the northern hemisphere Sferro has been very public spirited in offering a phenomenal new track called 'Let's Take The Top Down' for FREE download. This is one of those amazing pieces of music that hooks you deep within seconds and never lets go. I absolutely love this track, and I'm sure you will too. Thanks, Sferro rocker! Happy Spring to you too!




A brand new producer just beginning to rock the scene has opened his account with a hugely impressive track. Shock Street's 'Andromeda' is being groomed to have a vocal track at some stage but this instrumental version was something I just couldn't pass up on covering. The way this track has been constructed is wildly engrossing. Synths soar and passages become uplifting in their presence throughout the narrative. This is currently available for FREE download via the player too.




Must be something about Spring that brings a lot of producers back into the fray as Vestron Vulture has also released a new track for the first time in quite a while but my word; it was well worth the wait. 'Dethboy' from its name and art work would appear to be a work of dark synth brutality but is instead a very positively constructed journey that is held together by a synthually wondrous refrain. This is available for FREE download currently too.





We haven't visited with Right Knider for a while now but this situation is definitely remedied with his epic new jame 'Cosmonot'. The ambiance and spatial quality of this track a joy to behold as mind altering synths take you into the galaxies above upon wings of pure retro synth magic. The passages of this track are crafted with a keen appreciation of narrative based soundtrack synth and the perilous journey becomes one we simply must see through to the end.




Block 35 has been on my radar for a while now and his new track certainly made me sit up and take notice. 'Splashing Waves' is an entrancing blend of Italo sounds that are bright and sparkling in a most alluring way. Details are sharp and full of joie de vivre and are thoroughly energising in their overt display of glorious 80s love. You can pick up a copy of this rockin track at a name-your-own-price point via the link to Bandcamp in the player.




One of my all-time favourite collaborative teams in the work STARFORCE and Dynatron produce; whenever they get together magic surely follows and with their latest track 'Cyborg Cyclops' we get to experience that rockin magic once again. An ever so slightly 70s prog element is present in the lead melody which adds even more impetus to their retro synthscapes. Arranged and engineered for seriously rockin good times this killer track is available for FREE download via the player.




Another hot new rocker for this week's Weekend Update, this time FlashROM with his beautiful new track 'Forever'. This passionate composition is like supercharged Synth Romance as the layers of synths and guitars meet in an electric embrace. There's a whole lot to love about this superb track, I can't wait to experience more of the FlashROM experience!




Thundering out of the starting grid and hitting top speed in nanoseconds is the thrill ride known as Tokyo Rose with his powerhouse new track 'Zender Overdrive'. Thumping OutRun percussion and swerving synth melodies accelerate past the competition and disappear over the horizon in a dazzling display of refined engineering and pure adrenalin. Totally kick arse.




Continuing the OutRun flavour let's scorch the asphalt into dangerous oblivion with Will Burn's death defying frenzy 'Wrong Wayz'. Everything on this track is turned up into the red zone and one's pulse is sure to be sky rocketing into the stratosphere as each chapter pushes harder than the last. This incendiary tracer bullet of synth energies is available for FREE download via the player.




Miami Beach Force are back with a killer follow up to 'Robotic Assassin' called 'Neon Ninja'. The eastern flavours are marvellously well woven into this action soundtrack oriented piece. The chapters are assembled seamlessly with a magically potent refrain tying the tension together into a bundle set to break its restraints and exact revenge upon all and sundry.




The final track for this week's Weekend Update just snuck in before the cut off point and I'm very happy it did. New 80s Stallone music is always cause for much excitement and his new track 'Bollinger' is as smooth and refreshing as the drink itself. The 80s Stallone blend of quality 80s craftsmanship within modern arrangements is always a joy to experience and this is totally rockin all the right ways.



Not one but two videos are to be featured as the final part of this week's Weekend Update. First up is a beautifully pieced together video for AloneWolf's track 'The Way Of The Wolf' as made by the original composer. The editing is cut perfectly to the track and adds a complimentary visual component to this great track.


AloneWolf: The Way Of The Wolf [Music video] from AloneWolf on Vimeo.


The second video is a totally rockin new teaser for Perturbator's next release: Dangerous Days. Employing the talents of Mykola Dosenko we're presented with a cityscape in a 16bit heat haze, burgeoning in glorious parallax with a soundtrack filled with wanton desire and fiery emotions. This is just short clip, but my lord does it leave one champing at the bit for more.




That does us for an XXXL Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM, as I stated earlier I've still got one more review I'll be posting during the week before taking a week and a half off over the Easter period.

'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.

Synthetix Weekend Update

Welcome to another rockin Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. Firstly I'd like to apologise for the lack of updates during the week. I managed to develop an inner ear issue last week that made attentively listening to music incredibly frustrating to the point of distraction. It's nearly all cleared up now, thankfully, but for the last week I've had to rely on the Synthetix.FM Plug.DJ room to provide some background music to keep my sanity from disappearing entirely.

One other thing I'd like to get out in the open is that MPM/Multipac has officially disappeared again, possibly for good this time. The news of this started getting around in late January when his presence started disappearing from the internet. I normally wouldn't make a point of writing about this kind of thing on Synthetix.FM as I don't want to be one to start rumor mongering or sensationalising things but this is not the first time MPM has done this, but it might be the last. For many of us, MPM's music has been some of the most wondrous 80s homages ever made but he was always his own hardest critic and never seemed satisfied with anything he made.

Whatever the case, I wish MPM much happiness and fulfilment in his future endeavours, wherever and whatever they may be. The 80s inspired synth scene is richer and more beautiful thanks to his music and that legacy is something we can all respect. Keep on rockin, MPM.

Let's look to the skies now and get ready for take off with this week's AIRBORNE releases!


AIRBORNE This Week

Cluster Buster - They Call Her One Eye - Cluster Buster knows how to rock the 80s with a hard edge of pulsating synth energies and his latest record focuses that energy and refines the Cluster Buster experience even further. Using the classic exploitation flick as direct inspiration the synthscapes are drawn from a rockin videogame-esque palette that makes the action blazingly intense. I can help but think of numerous bullet hell shooters and high speed futuristic racing games when listening to this record, which is no bad thing at all!


Jupiter 8 - Vice Squad - Jupiter 8 has been on the Synthetix.FM radar for a month or so and he's been releasing a number of EP's that have caught my interest but with his new Vice Squad (and don't forget Vice Squad Part II) he's taken his sounds to another level. The arrangements are vibrant and full of 80s colours and his melodies have taken on a lustre of neon 80s wonder too. These two soundtrack oriented releases are right on point for a night time stake out in sultry midsummer Miami.


AloneWolf - The Way Of The Wolf - AloneWolf has returned to the scene with a new sound and a new five track EP to mark his territory. The pieces on this record have a much more introspective nature to them as atmospheric synthscapes illustrate contemplative ideas; with a tendency towards the vast unknowns. Definitely a new phase for the AloneWolf experience and one that is very worthy of your attention.



Babylon 86 - Only At Night  - That latest EP from Babylon 86 entitled Only At Night boasts five tracks of 80s themed retro sounds. Cut from a similar cloth to early Futurecop! sounds there is distinct modern aspect to the tone of many of the pieces that are then lit by glorious 80s aural neon. The stand out track for me is definitely 'Vision' with Josie Malone providing a superb vocal performance.

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No better place to start the Weekend Update than with rockin new track from Phaserland: 'Jack Burton's Way'. Big Trouble In Little China will always provide much inspiration for modern day producers and Phaserland has created a stellar homage to this classic exponent of 80s auteur cinema, complete with powerful piano passages and kick arse guitars rockin the scene in equal measure. This track is available on Phaserland's Bandcamp page here at a name-your-own-price point.




Waveshaper's new track is certainly knows how to build some serious intensity. 'Mission Failed' contain an ominous atmosphere that evolves into a fiery spectacular. The melodies are slow and elegant but are betrayed by the underlying panic just waiting to explode beneath the surface.




And speaking of synths on the verge of combustion we have a totally kick arse new high energy track from KFDDA up next. 'Chrome Beach' speeds along with a devil may care attitude that ignites in full OutRun glory. The lead melody is as catchy as it is streamlined for maximum performance.





What Compilerbau describes as an 'production test' I view as a work of wondrous beauty. With his new track 'Fabienne' we're treated to some exciting new sounds, particularly in the bass work that really ties the experience together  in a luxuriously 80s manner. Totally rockin and currently available for FREE download.




Street Justice is taking off to battle the robotic hordes with his latest piece 'Mechwarrior'. Synths sparkle and dazzle with melodies climbing and diving with fantastic dexterity and the percussion track provides   dangerous flurries of lead and lasers amidst the chaotic battlefield.




Robert Parker's synthscapes seem to have a refinement all their own as his melodic structures contain such delicate nuances while remaining so true to 80s emotions. In 'Jet Set' we take off to high adventure  in a spectacularly drawn out piece that is paced to perfection. Four minutes in heaven right here.





Taking the trip from heaven to hell is Dan Terminus's hot new slab of Slash Electro violence 'Restless Destroyer'. Intensifying melodies burn hot and without mercy while powerhouse percussion marches into oblivion. Dan Terminus keep just enough 80s moods in this piece to keep it from exploding entirely and there's even a decidedly 70s progressive influenced passage slotted in to add even more radness to the experience.




Mild Peril's rockin some fantastic inspirations on new three track EP 'Excalibur'. The space motif brings in cosmic synths of celestial powers that combine with  more earthly tones. The three tracks in the EP (available on Bandcamp here at a name-your-own-price point) are full of great ideas that travers vast amounts of time and space with 80s and 70s elements given extra dimensional powers from beings beyond our comprehension.




This week finds John Sparxx getting all romantic with his new glossy love theme aptly titled 'Love'. Slow and sensuous melodies intimate deep affection and rise and fall with deep breaths of passion. It's pure Synth Romance with a bright enthusiastic presence. You can pick up a copy of this track on John Sparxx Bandcamp page here at a name-your-own-price point.




Expanding even more on this theme is Timecop1983 with his beautiful new track 'Looking Back'. Swirling, passionate synths caress while the heart beat of the drums resonates deeply within. Timecop1983 really is one of the true artists in this genre of 80s inspired synth, he allows every nuance to be divulged and understood and makes music that is truly magical. This gorgeous track is available for FREE download currently too.




It's been said of late that vaporwave is dead, in a truly post-modernist manner some would say it died the day it had a name. All such theories aside, vaporwave continues to keep on rockin and has begun taking on new evolutionary forms. The new track from HOME- gives some vivid new colours to the vaporwave aesthetic which I find very engaging. If this kind of music piques your interest, perhaps a tranquility calibration is in order?




More stunning aural beauty from Manolis next up! For those out there wondering why Manolis hasn't been picked up by a label yet it's because he wants to remain independent and release his music for free for all to enjoy. This producer wins my hear for not only his incredibly moving music but also for his public spirited nature. 'Vintage Erotica' find Manolis moving into some salacious Synth Erotica zones and totally rockin it all the way. As with all Manolis's work, this available for FREE download.




Destroyah is channelling all manner of dark arts in his new track 'Dead Wrong'. A glacial juggernaut of melodies drifts into view amid some kick arse voice 'samples' of his own glorious creation. The soundtrack to the trailer to the movie of a nightmare yet to be experienced! You can pick this up for FREE download currently too.




A new one for Kille & Citizen next titled '((1985))'. The nostalgia is turned up to maximum in this track  which brings to mind many great experiences from the 2009/10 era of 80s inspired synth sounds. The modern elements are just rockin enough to keep the energy levels high but it's the dreamy 80s lead melodies that make all the magic happen.




The Pure Secks experience draws in many interesting and divergent themes (as it should!) and in Sins Of The Past we get to rock some of the most vital of these with much fervour and reward. Melodies pool and mix like colourful liquids and then charge up with incandescent glowing colours of both 80s and modern sounds. Beyond all definitions, this track just plain kick arse and is also available for FREE download currently.




Chrome Brulee's Kiss The Huss Volume 2 is almost upon us and they've released another amazing promo video to hype it up even further. Totally rockin to the max, these guys are the masters of making video teasers that hit all the right 80s notes. Head on over too chromebrulee.com and join the countdown to the launch of this most rad of releases.

That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM, I hope you've found some great new music to make your weekend rock that 80s love just a little bit more. I'll be back during the week with more exciting music from the 80s inspired synth scene, 'til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.

Synthetix Second Anniversary Weekend Update

The 3rd of February marks the second birthday for Synthetix.FM. Two years ago I started this venture and it pleases me greatly to witness such a marked growth in the scene I write about. Music, by it's nature, is evolutionary. New influences and inspirations shape the music and these new muses take things into new directions. When I began this journey the concept of Carpenter Brut/Perturbator/Gost's Slash Electro was unheard of. The amount of music coming out now with guitar and saxophone tracks figuring prominently were almost non-existant, in 2014 this no longer the case. Now vocals are finally becoming a staple to many 80s inspired genres as opposed to only being a novelty. And most importantly the numbers of fans and producers is growing every day.

So I'd like to thank every single fan and producer in the scene for making it what it is today. Synthetix.FM is merely a reflection of the people that make all the magic happen and to every producer and devotee of 80s inspired synth sounds I raise a glass and toast you all for making my favourite music into a sustainable movement, and here's to many more years of rockin the raddest tunes.

The third year ahead for Synthetix.FM is going to be an evolutionary one too, I hope, as the audience grows I hope to always remain relevant and in step with all the most rockin happenings in the scene. 

Just as bit of a plug before we get into this week's Weekend Update I was interviewed this past week on Atomic Leg Drop Zine. This was a lot of fun and goes through some of the history of Synthetix.FM and the scene in general. I hope it provides some insight, especially for those new the music. Many thanks to Salvador at Atomic Leg Drop for affording me this opportunity.

Time get down to the business end of things now with the three hundred and forty fourth post on Synthetix.FM; the second anniversary Weekend Update!

Where a better place to start a special Weekend Update than with a kick arse new tune from one of my favourite producers: LA Dreams. 'Ready To Rumble' is a high speed thrill ride into synthtastic excitement. Perfectly written and positively shining in LA Dreams gloss brilliance.




The UK's Arc Neon are back in action with a kick arse new track from their upcoming Technicolor Workout EP due out February 15th. 'The Heat Of The Night' features the vocals of Dana Jean Phoenix and some absolutely sleazed out guitars amid sensually caressing synths and a warm, basking afterglow of sultry sax. This is a very promising new synthscape for Arc Neon and I'm really looking forward to the full EP release later in the month. For now you can get your own copy of 'Heat Of The Night' for FREE via Arc Neon's Bandcamp page here.




I always find Cougar Synth's music deeply emotionally, beyond the chords and arrangements there is always an underlying affection that seems to power each of their musical love letters. 'A Somewhere Place' is classic Cougar Synth with vastly spatial synthscapes contrasted with intimate beauty. This is currently available for FREE download, but I don't see a Download button on the new Soundcloud player, so you may have to view the track on soundcloud to get the Download button rockin.




Obliterating the atmosphere in a nanosecond is the high voltage new track from Perturbator aptly titled 'She Moves Like A Knife'. If the high speed drum track wasn't enough to get your pulse racing the then stabbing synth melodies will be sure to open an artery. The Perturbator ferocity is rockin to the max throughout this piece, but the beauty of the melodies provide that glorious 80s homage. This track is currently available for FREE download.




A rockin new collaboration between Robert Parker and Waveshaper is up next. 'Modern Technology' is a smoothly constructed odyssey into synth dimensions of the raddest rockin. This track is available for purchase off Bandcamp here, and also check out the killer photo shoot done for this project by Joakim Reimer on Facebook here.




Python Blue keeps rockin all the right ways as his musical journeys into 80s pleasures continues. His latest piece entitled 'Clouds' takes this producer into the stratosphere with a lightness to the synthscape not usually present in his work. As always the narrative is beautifully constructed and explored, one of Python Blue's hallmarks of quality. You can pick up your own copy of 'Clouds' via the link in the player, which I highly encourage.


After a great teaser campaign through Facebook, Plaisance has just released his new two track EP and it delivers on every level. This time around Plaisance has added the vocal talents of Claudia Ortolani and Patrick 'Shio-Z' Rizzi to the mix and the two resulting songs are rockin the Italo Synth magic from beginning to end. This project, delightfully titled Elle & Lui, is all about the feminine and the masculine, working in a balance and partnership. The vocals of Claudia Ortolani channel a little bit of Stevie Nicks and a whole a tonne of 80s Italo in a wonderful performance. The music on 'Same Road, Different Ways' definitely shows Plaisance's song writing is evolving rather majestically.

This evolution continues into the second track 'The Three Elements'. Patrick Rizzi's deep and tortured vocals are spectacular while Plaisance's music takes on a more dramatic turn also. The marching drums and passionate melodies are arranged majestically and the chorus is an explosion of synthual desires. Both sides of Elle & Lui are rockin to the max and the EP is available at name-your-own-price point via the link in the player.



One producer who always has the magic touch for making melodies bounce and emotions climb skywards is Rain Sword and his latest track is another beautifully uplifting composition. 'Dance All Night' is rife with catchy hooks and buttery smooth 80s love. Solid gold from beginning to end. This is currently available for FREE download also.




Marshall Bravestar is a new producer on the scene who's direct inspiration is, unsurprisingly, the wondrous world of 80s saturday morning cartoons. The synthscape on 'Speed Of A Puma' certainly has a flair for the dramatic and each layer adds more presence and depth to the narrative. I think this producer is still finding his way but this track is definitely kicking much arse. You can pick up a copy of this piece on his Bandcamp page here at a name-your-own-price point.




Another producer new to Synthetix.FM is Mosaik. Hailing from Sweden and also heavily influenced by Sweden's own Mitch Murder; Mosaik is definitely rockin hard in his new track 'Sky Fighter'. The production is as slick an F-14A Tomcat and cuts through the air with equal grace and dexterity. Mosaik explores the narrative extremely well and keeps the excitement levels at fever pitch through out. Many thanks to Project Friday for enlightening me to the Mosaik magic.




A new piece of beautiful music next from RF Extreme with his new experience 'A Time To Remember'. This is yet another soulful piece of extraordinary Synth Romance from this talented producer. Melodies shine like diamonds and each passage intimates deeper and deeper emotional investment.




Replacing love with vengeance is 'Filthy Streets' the powerhouse new jam from Bixby Snyder. Building like a tsunami and crushing with devastating force each chapter of this Slash Electro diatribe is punctuated by some totally brutal percussion. The extreme swell of the music is likely to cause the bends for those uninitiated to such synthscapes but it's the beauty of the melodies that are intoxicatingly irresistible.




Alpha Boy's new album came out while Synthetix.FM was on holidays and due to time constraints I don't have the opportunity to review properly but as Alpha Boy recently shared the magnificent 'Electric Popping' off Laser Vision I thought it was a prime opportunity to give it some love. This Eletro Breakin gem is full of hot rockin action and befits Alpha Boys 'call and response' natured melodies perfectly. Be sure to check out the full album on Bandcamp here. It's yet another strong release from this scene legend and displays some very interesting new ideas for the composer particularly on the beautifully elegant 'Carnegie Hall' and 'Vision' tracks and the sumptuously sparse early 80s electro synth of 'Collision'.




Rockin the purest of Italo Disco Synth gold is Mario Moretti with his hot new rocker 'Spaziotempo'. Pitch perfect basslines and magical melodies are woven into radical dancefloor anthem. The layering is sublimely implemented as each new element melds likes coloured molten glass to the existing structures. You can purchase this track on the full release by Bordello A Parigi's site here.




Taking things back to the depths of the shadows is Flash Arnold with his brand new epic 'The Outbreak'. This is a pure Dark Synth adventure full twists and turns of terror. with fear and excitement going hand in hand. The production accentuates the passages exceedingly well and the story is explored to it's final gory end delightfully well. You can pick up a copy of this off Flash Arnold's Bandcamp here, at a name-your-own-price point.




Another producer who released a great record while Synthetix.FM was on holiday was Dan Terminus. His debut album,  The Darkest Benthic Division LP was released on Werkstatt Recording in numerous formats and is a totally kick arse experience in the darker arts of Soundtrack Synth. The entire album tells a riveting story and creates a vice like grip that is impossible to escape from. Be sure to pick up a copy here, if you can handle the intensity! For those of weaker constitutions perhaps only one track is all you can bear of Dan Terminus's catastrophic creations? 'Tokamak' is the new one from Dan Terminus and continues down the path of no return with sinister symphonies and morose movements guiding you into a living nightmare.




Our final piece on this anniversary Weekend Update is the brilliant new promo video for the new Nightcrawler album. Welcome To Metropolis: The Last City On Earth is a very impressive visual piece that sets my anticipation levels to fever pitch. Due out February 10, we don't have too long to wait!


Nightcrawler Metropolis (Official Trailer) from Nightcrawler on Vimeo.



That does us for the anniversary Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM, thanks for supporting Synthetix.FM over the last two years, let's make the next one even radder. I'll be back during the week with more action from the 80s inspired synth scene. 'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.