AIRBORNE

Screen Memories - Python Blue & Jupiter 8

By Kaleb KFDDA



In modern times, physical formats of various goods are a dying breed. Python Blue and Jupter-8's newest EP 'Screen Memories' is an ode to one of those favored formats, the VHS tape. In the true spirit of things, these two manage to intertwine their unique sounds in a not-so-common way.

The EP begins with Juptiter-8's 'Straight From the Screen', this song opens up like any summer action movie would begin, enticing you with progression that are full of drama and sustain. I can see credits rolling as vividly as I can hear the music that is straight out of 80s. Led with powerful but not speedy leads, this song is the perfect opening to a box office hit. Albeit not long, the song is a perfect taste of what comes next.

'Movies' is the second track, also composed by Jupiter-8 (did I mention this ep is split in half?) That's the unsual part, unlike most collaborative pieces, this EP is literally 2 entirely different interpretations of the same thing. Jupiter-8 captures a haunting sound in this one. This one is FULL of tension, a clifhanger of sorts, with some smooth jazzy elements thrown in, I believe this is the song that truly captures what Jupiter is all about.

I instantly applaud Python Blue's progression choices in 'Golden Tapes'. The song begins with angelic chord progressions that reminisce of your most fond material memories, bustering with that one-of-a-kind Python Blue sound.

'Behind a VCR' is definitely an emotional piece of work. It's moody, yet inviting. It's the kind of song you'd like to play when you're heartbroken, or mad as hell. Not often is an artist capable of making a song with such duality, and that's something Python does each and every time. The ending and end song 'Home Videos' I belive is some of Python's strongest work to date, ending this experience absolutely beautifully.

The atmosphere these two producers have managed to create throughout this EP is unmistakably gorgeous, unique, and balance each other quite perfectly; Jupter-8's agressive and dramatic tones combined with Python's passionate and artistically rendered progressions make this one of the most intriguing and amazing EPs thus far in 2015.

Very highly recommended from Synthetix.FM



TSTR - An Evening With The Devil

By Henry West


Not much is known about dark-synth author TSTR, other than his works started to come out steadily since January 2010 with the PAURA E.P., and gradually exposed a consistent number of nightmare-driven releases over the following years. The North Carolina native insists on a peculiar minimal approach to horror-themed soundscapes in An Evening With The Devil, his fifth official effort, which features six tracks that successfully render a vicious atmosphere of tension and distress around the listener.

The trip into demonic dominion starts out with a formal invitation to a place of fear and darkness 'Come Inside'. Harrowing basslines, incursions of high pitched bells, evil leads and relentless beats work together to paint an ominous picture with blood-stained intensity 'Behind Closed Doors' and industrial fervor 'In The Basement Ov The House Ov Satan'.

We are left to deal with a single elusive moment of hope 'A Way Out?' before it all ends in despair and tragedy 'You Will Never Leave This Place'.

This is a carefully executed piece of work that will resonate extremely well with fans of the SPLATTERHOUSE soundtracks by Eiko Kaneda, K. Tajima, Y. Kawamoto and Howard Drossin.



Sayak Striker - Never Surrender

By Sam Beck


I stepped out of the bar, three double whiskey and cokes coursing through my veins, soaking every cell in my body with Kentucky Bourbon. Taking a deep breath of the cold winter Nebraska night, I turned up the collar of my jacket, leaned into the lighter to set fire to yet another cancer stick and pressed play on my phone.

As I walked home, the dark streets of Lincoln, melted away, transforming into the harsh pedestrian pathways of a dystopian  megalopolis. With each step, each instance of my soiled Chuck Taylors' hitting cold, grey concrete, the barren city-scape exploded into the neon wash of a future, imagined in the past and yet to be realized in the present. Each cranked-to-the-max kick drum propelling me further into the night and my own fantasy world. Then a guitar burst out of the void, only acting to reinforce every Deckard inspired day dream I've ever had.

The new Sayak Striker EP, well really it's an album that is crafted as one whole with many parts, takes the listener on a journey in the way few releases do. There's no attempt to coax the listener into a pseudo and oft-regurgitated false memory of a time that has passed. The piece builds its own world, and asks the listener to enter, should they dare.

It is a world full of monoliths of consumerism, casting a bastardizing neon glow on fans of underground motorcycle races, crime and hedonism. Where a man can realize all of his fantasies at the low, low price of his soul.

80's inspired synthwave operates using the commodity of half-memories and nostalgia. Never Surrender builds a world that feels like a half-remembered fever dream. This is a landscape that Kavinsky hoped to map in tracks like Blizzard, but Sayak Striker has no interest in map making. He's the goddamn Google Street View of your dystopian day dreams.

Highly recommended. Why reinvent the wheel when you can put hundred spoke spinners on your whip?



Astral Stereo Project - Bastard Squad

By Rick Shithouse



Synthetix.FM has long be a fan of Neil Holdsworth's wonderful music created beneath the monicker of The Astral Stereo Project,  with much love given to the previous Anti Hero and Disco Death Sleaze releases over the years. Now the latest adventure from Holdsworth takes new inspirations and directions and creates a beautifully crafted homage to many classic; and not so classic 80s inspirations. The overriding thematic of these pieces being the soundtrack for 80s action video nasty that doesn't technically exist, yet can find trace elements of the original inspirations peppered throughout the tracks in loving recollections.

Something else this release is, which is an important factor I was only discussing yesterday with a fellow synthficionado, is that this has a genuine element of fun emblazoned throughout all the pieces. It might seem odd, but much of the real essence of vintage sounds is that fun nature to them. The 80s certainly never took itself seriously at the time yet much 80s inspired music loses that important feeling in favour of drama, tension or seriousness. There's nothing wrong with these feelings being driving forces, of course, but the stoic and melancholy need a bit of fun and frivolity too. I mean, it's not the grim and gritty 90s anymore... I hope.

Back to Bastard Squad though and it's plainly obvious throughout this record that Holdsworth isn't taking the subject matter too seriously and it is definitely of benefit to the rockin tunes. For those unaware, Bastard Squad was the name of a fictitious ultra-violent TV show referenced often in the classic 80s BBC series The Young Ones (must see viewing if you've not had the pleasure yet, or recently).

It's this spirit of the fun and the ridiculous that drives much of this EP's music. 'Intro/Blag' is an anthem of 80s action that hovers like Blue Thunder against moonlit cityscape. The overt double entendre of 'Hard Promises' belies all kinds of slowmotion lasciviousness,  probably while Blue Thunder in silent mode is peering through those open bedroom curtains. There's lots of great crossover sounds that bridge the 70s and 80s palettes too with 'Wheels Of Fire' cutting a swaggering disco groove over some wonderfully phrased lyrics and 'Maltese Hideaway' feeling like an extra track from Air's Virgin Suicides soundtrack; smooth, groovy and full of subtle nuance.

One of the real highlights is the monstrously infectious theme song for 'Supersnout' which is one hell of a funky adventure you'll wish had a TV series structured around it. The vocals make a full return in the smooth serenade of 'Nothing To Lose' as Holdsworth croons that 80s love with heavy doses of Nutrasweet providing that candy coloured layer of longing. 'Armed To The Teeth' takes the action back out into the VHS jungle as one lone survivor risks all for honour against whatever topical villain stereotype the shoestring budget can do semi-convincingly. The final act completing the Bastard Squad is the poignant 'Nothing But Death', which really captures that end of movie credit roll very nicely. A fitting finish to the experience, and it wasn't even interrupted by a siege or something.

I really do love what The Astral Stereo Project has done with this release, it's entertaining and eclectic and really retains a (sometimes devilish) grin from beginning to end. The 80s were all about fun, and that feeling is handed out overtly in Bastard Squad's rockin tracks. Definitely a worthy addition to any retro synth lover's collection and yet another kick arse release from The Astral Stereo Project.

Synthetix Sundays

Marko is finally back from his U.S. Synthwave road trip and rockin harder than ever with a massive return Synthetix Sundays right on time for your holiday season celebrations!

On this weeks show Marko climbs down the chimney and talks turkey with Hide & Sequence, Phantom Ride, OGRE and Phaserland! A veritable banquet of synth delicacies and rockin good cheer.

There are also the regular family favourite segments from the assorted holiday nut selections: Paul 'Dress2Kill' Daly and Rick 'Syntha Claus' Shithouse in Quality Time With Shithouse!!

Giving out the love and sharing that magical time of year there are also incredible exclusives to air from ToyoTomi, Phantom Ride, OGRE, Street Cleaner and Who Ha! Hear them first on Synthetix Sundays!

The presents don't stop there though as Marko digs deep into his sack full of love with download codes to give away for the following albums:

20SIX Hundred - The Next Level
OGRE - 195
Hide & Sequence - Resurrection
and I also have a Droid Sector Decay - Romance Breeds Jazz CD to give away for one lucky listener.

It's a gargantuan five and a half hour celebration of Marko's best rockin yet!
You really don't want to miss this; otherwise your holidays will be rubbish!

The rockin starts at 9am U.S EST, 1 hour earlier than usual for all of Synthetix Sundays' LIVE action on Radio Pure Gently. And you can catch up with us back here on Monday for a fully downloadable digital copy of the live show as well as the Quality Time With Shithouse free, purchasable and feature tracks to ensure the best of times are rockin with you all festive season long.





Quality Time With Shithouse Free, Purchasable and Feature tracks:

Scythe - A Clash of Steel and Circuits

by Jon of the Shred

 

Chapter I: Meganet

Camp Terror is a war-zone. Gunfire rings throughout the safe-zones streets and alleyways. The rebels gun down Paragon soldiers and scientists, the Paragon legions destroy the revolting Meganet cyborgs, and the cyborgs make waste of both their overlords and innocents alike. All hell has broken lose, explosions deafening the ears of citizens scrambling to find shelter, many perishing due to the shrapnel raining like raging hellfire from the sky. Blood stains the streets and sides of buildings – it is complete circuit board lunacy.

The fighting is heaviest in and around the Paragon Genetic Technology Corporation facilities. Meganet cyborgs are ripping themselves from their circuitry stations, grabbing nearby scientists and engineers by the throats, ending lives by the dozens. Lifeless corpses litter the labs and hallways. Decades of research and technology are destroyed in the wake of the great battle.

The most powerful of the Meganet Cyborgs are known as Elites. The number of Paragon soldiers and scientists these 12 machines have murdered in only their first 20 minutes of sentience numbers to nearly 100, collectively. They've got perfect aim and make quick work of their adversaries, fattened security guards who have grown complacent and bored in their day-to-day job of guarding the Paragon facilities. They stod no chance.

The Elites sprint towards the exit, a dozen strong. Paragon soldiers have mustered all remaining forces and set up an ambush point at the precise exit of the facility the Elite's are now headed for. As the Cyborgs round the corner, the Paragon soldiers open fire, a sea of bullets spilling sickly greenish blood from cybernetic limbs. An Elite is downed with a well placed head shot, an explosion of sparks and bloodshed marking it's demise. The other 11 Elite's open fire immediately, their laser infused arm canons leaving searing holes in the Paragon officials. In a matter of seconds the entire Paragon ambush team has been disposed of, now a pile of twitching and smoking corpses.

The 11 surviving Elite's continue their sprint, having never slowed down, now leaping over the fresh corpses and landing in a dimly lit parking lot. No more than 200 feet away, Paragon officials and their bodyguards are loading into their truck convoys, the majority of their chemical and biological weaponry stockpiles already loaded up. The Elite's open fire, downing a distinguished lab tech and one of Paragons top executives. The engines of the trucks rumble as the trucks peel out, driving straight through the fences surrounding the facility grounds. Impaled begin pouring in from all angles, having been pushing against the gates in the thousands for the duration of the fighting, distracted by the sounds of violence and scent of freshly spilled blood.

The Elites make quick work of the first wave of undead, nailing each with perfect head shots. The rest of the Meganet cyborgs filter out of the building, wiping out even more Impaled with well placed head shots. The Elite's quickly spot the Paragon freight train convoy, and start filtering into the train cars as hundreds of zombies continue to shamble onto the facility grounds. Only a few cyborgs have perished, overwhelmed by the Impaled swarming about them, the teeth of the undead ripping apart flesh and circuitry, rotting molars melting as the Impaled feast.

One of the Elite's has hacked into the trains computer system and fires up the engine. They head north, away from the battles raging in Camp Terror. As the train pulls off towards the hills, the Impaled become distracted by the downed corpses of Paragon officials and Scythian rebels alike, relishing in the easy meals.

Chapter  II: Frozen Soldiers

To the north lies the Ocean of Ice, a gigantic frozen tundra dotted by many mountains, most notable of which the Zakeenian Mountain Range. This domain is populated by the Frozen Soldiers, a gang of outlaws living outside of Scythian society, by choice of their own. Trade used to exist between the Frozen Soldiers Southernmost base, the Frozen Outpost, and Paragon officials, who together worked at the facility. The Frozen Soldiers were always skeptical of Paragon, simultaneously frustrated and frightened by the corporations seemingly infinite level of power and influence over the Scythian countryside, but they set aside these apprehensions in order to gain access to the corporate monoliths technologies – it was the only way they could survive on their own, after all.

Decades earlier, the Frozen Soldiers offered Paragon Icellian Crystals they harvested in the Zakeenian Mines. These crystals were used in the research and development of new medicines (and biological weaponry), and in turn Paragon traded useful technologies to the Frozen Soldiers that enabled them to live in the harsh conditions of the Ocean of Ice comfortably. Thermal heated body armor, power generators that ran entirely on snow, the means of food production and crops harvesting – the Frozen Soldiers owed a lot to Paragon, despite their skepticism of them.

Now the Frozen Outpost has been out of commission for over a decade. Only two Frozen Soldiers are stationed there to keep watch at this point, the train tracks having been long dormant...but still serviceable. When the Outpost was fully operational computers whirred and consoles hummed, several dozen Frozen Soldiers guarding the outpost and the Paragon representatives developing temperature-sensitive technologies within. Most of these technologies remained unfinished, covered in dust, the secrets and societal advancements they held never being revealed, only two lonely Frozen Soldiers guarding a dust covered, abandoned outpost...

 



Chapter III: Avenging Force

The train barrels along the tracks, legions of Meganet cyborgs standing perfectly still in the train cars. The train dips and ascends over hills, eventually going underground as it reaches the subway that lies beneath the Forest of the Impaled. As the train cars rattle along the tracks, tales of unspeakable horror and carnage occur just above in the Forest of the Impaled.

Deep within the train convoy, the 11 Elites have assembled and are standing together in a circle, mourning the loss of their 12^th member, already planning their next course of action. The loss of the 12^th Elite is deeply upsetting to the cyborgs – with each cyborg lost, the collective power and strength of the Meganet sentience diminishes slightly. With each Elite taken out, a great deal of power is lost, each Elite serving a particular tactical advantage. The decision to attack Paragon, the very creators of Meganet, generates unanimous approval among the Elites.

The convoy moves on, traveling deep under Specter City. Every so often an unlucky Impaled steps onto the tracks and explodes into an array of blood splatter and limbs, painting the sides of the subway tunnel like a twisted painting. The train is unrelenting in its momentum, it's passengers even more so unrelenting in their resolve. The Meganet's Avenging Force will exact it's merciless vengeance, and will uproot the very foundation of Paragon!

The convoy pops back above ground, the Zakeenian mountain peaks ominously dotting the skyline ahead...


 



Chapter IV: Everlasting Winter

For nearly a year now, a blizzard has been crippling the City of Ice, forcing the Frozen Soldiers to remain indoors. Very few brave the crippling cold and unrelenting winds, believing the Everlasting Winter is a curse. But every three days a new pair would journey to the Frozen Outpost to maintain eyes to the South. The two unlucky bastards guarding the outpost today were in for quite a shock.

The convoy pulls into the Frozen Outpost, screeching to a halt. The two Frozen Soldiers lazily lounging on abandoned consoles and generators hear the sound, springing to their feet and meeting outside immediately. Both guards shake their heads in disbelief at the site – the Paragon convoy is parked outside the station. They shake their heads in dumbfounded disbelief.

The Frozen Soldiers draw their pistols and take cover, never taking their eyes off the train sitting mysteriously at the Frozen Outpost. A door whirs open, and out step the 11 Elites, surveying the area cautiously. The Frozen Soldiers waste no time in hiding, instead immediately confronting this menacing presence standing a mere 100 feet in front of them.

“Stay right where you are! State the reason for your presence at the Frozen Outpost!”

The Elite do not respond. One tilts it's head sideways menacingly. Their infrared vision software pinpoints the thermal signatures of the two Frozen Soldiers, zooming in. Humans - in an agitated state no less. Were these allies or enemies of Paragon? The Meganet Elite decide it's best not to take chances, and begin to march forward. All humans will pay the price, not just Paragon. The Frozen Soldiers do not hesitate, immediately opening fire.

A laser round strikes one of the Elite's shoulders, and another round takes out a kneecap. The cyborgs appear undeterred by these wounds, marching forward, raising their arm cannons and raining laser powered bullets back at the guards. The metallic fixture the guards have taken residence behind begins to melt, pooling on the snowy ground at their feet.

“We gotta sound the siren and warn the City of Ice!” One of them yells. “Right, I'll cover you!” The guards opens fire in bursts, spraying gunfire across all 11 Elite's, distracting them just long enough to allow the other guard time to sprint back to the door, quickly opening it with his key card.

“Hurry, get in!”

From the inside of the Frozen Outpost the guard begins laying down supplemental bursts, taking full attention of the Elite's as they close in. The second guard makes a run for it, but doesn't run quite fast enough. A burst of rounds to his left leg sends him badly injured to the ground, barely making it into the facility as the doors whir closed behind him.

“C'mon, let's get the fuck outta here!”

The uninjured guard helps his partner hobble up the stairs to the second floor, the sounds of metallic clanging ringing through the abandoned outpost as the Elite's attempt to smash the door in. Just as they make it into the control center and close the emergency security doors behind them, they hear an explosion that sends the metal doors flying into the building. They've breached the Frozen Outpost...

All the train car doors whir open, dozens of foot soldiers pouring out of each, filing into the building, looking to exact revenge against the people of Scythe at large. Just as the Meganet Elite burst into the control room, the uninjured guard has sounded the alarm, before falling dead to the floor seconds later, the flesh surrounding the gaping hole in his forehead smoking.







Chapter V: Cybernetic Resistance

A shrill, invasive siren echos throughout the Ocean of Ice. The Frozen Soldiers immediately jump to their feet, alert and anxious. Those deafening siren hadn't been heard since the cataclysmic battle with the Scythian government nearly 50 years ago. Since then the community had lived in peace and solitude, only battling the elements, the frigid temperatures and harsh winter winds. But now something else was here and threatening their existence...

The Frozen Soldiers act quick, sprinting to the armory and gearing up for battle. Most of these soldiers are inexperienced in warfare, only having had wolves to utilize as practice. The toughest amongst them were able to down Wooly Mammoths with their plasma rifles, and had battled the 1,000 strong wolf pack a decade earlier. But even these feats were nothing close to ample preparation for the Cybernetic Resistance now bearing down on their doorstep.

Dozens of soldiers begin to line up along the walls of the City of Ice, carefully aiming their plasma rifles into the sea of snow, waiting for any signs of movement. Unsteady hands hold highly dangerous weapons. The minds of the Frozen Soldiers are already weary from the months of Everlasting Winter before them. What could be lurking beyond the city walls in the harsh snowfall?

First, they hear the foot steps, crunching in the snow. Then they hear the mechanical whirring of cybernetic limbs. The machines finally come into view, first just one, then another two, and finally dozens more, pouring out from every angle, completely surrounding the City of Ice. Before any chance of compromise or negotiation can be attempted, a nervous Frozen Soldier, still in their teenage years, slips and fires a plasma round directly into the skull of one of the cyborgs, killing it in a single shot. All hell yet again breaks loose...

Chapter VI: A Clash of Steel and Circuits

The battle escalates in intensity immediately. Laser rounds pour from both behind the wall and from outside it. Frozen Soldiers with charred holes topple over the sides of the walls. One unlucky Frozen Soldier takes a laser round directly in the gut, sending him crashing back into the City of Ice, his entrails getting snagged on the way down, causing him to hang by them several feet above the snowy ground. The citizens of the City of Ice, those that the Frozen Soldiers protect, immediately panic, running back into their homes and heeding the sirens at long last at the sound of gunfire and death.

The Elite's stand at the back of the army of cyborgs, sending tactical information to various units. One Elite sends the Aerial Unit to take down a guard tower. Three Frozen Soldier snipers have been taking out dozens of cyborgs with well placed head shots from this tower, spilling more green blood and white snow than anyone else. The Aerial cyborgs float around the tower, setting their arm cannons to their highest power levels. One of the snipers fires a quick round into a jet-pack. The jet-pack explodes, sending the cyborg careening into another, the two of them spiraling to the ground below in a hellish explosion. The snipers victory is cut short, however, when the tower begins to collapse. The other cyborgs of the Aerial Unit had caused irreparable structural damage to the tower. 

Back at the ground, several hundred feet from the crumbled tower, a number of cyborgs are working at the giant steel gates in an attempt to enter and ransack the city. Laser fire pours down at them from above, almost as frequent as the unrelenting snow. A cyborg takes a shot through it's right eye, slumping to the ground. Yet another cyborg is taken out with a perfectly aimed throat shot. The cybernetic creature clutches at the charred flesh and circuitry that used to be it's throat, falling to the ground amongst it's other downed comrades, suffering in it's dying moments.

But these counter measures are not enough to keep the Meganet Cybernetic Resistance from crashing through the gate. Citizens and infantry alike are torn down by the merciless cyborgs. The remaining survivors have fallen back into a group, a several dozen defenseless citizens hiding behind the remaining Frozen Soldiers. These soldiers were the most elite of the entire City of Ice, the most experienced in battle. A few had even fought through the Icellian Revolution. The group fall back towards the Zakeenian Mines, their last hopes of survival against this avenging force of sadistic cyborgs lying within. Another Elite perishes in a last burst of suppression fire, bullets riddling the cyborgs chest and face, green blood gushing out everywhere.

The Meganet collective sentience glitches out for just a second, giving the last survivors a chance to bolt into the Zakeenian mines. The survivors hope to reach one of several smaller communities that rest on several mountain peaks of the Zakeenian mountain range. As long as they can get their before the Meganet cyborgs discover them...

As the survivors scurry deep into the mines, they hear a deafening explosion behind them. Rocks and boulders now block the exit, the people trapped within, safe from the cyborgs but now stuck underground. The battle is lost and their society hangs by a thread, but at least they have survived, given an opportunity to exact their vengeance, to bring purpose to all those that died today.

Blood and corpses stain the Ocean of Ice, after decades of peace and self-sustainability. Paragon's technology has brought this carnage upon the City of Ice, ironically after having given the Frozen Soldiers the very technologies that enabled them to exist out of Scythian society in the first place. The battle is over, the charred remains of the city now serving as the base of operations for the Meganet operation. And just as the battle has stopped, the blizzard comes to a seemingly abrupt end, the Everlasting Winter extinguished by a clash of steel and circuits.

Tune in to Synthetix.FM in the coming weeks for more tales of the Scythe as Jon Of The Shred continues the adventure; accompanied by some of the brightest star in the 80s inspired synth universe.

Flashback Friday

Hands of Steel (1986)

Hey Synthetix fans, it's that time of the week again and I've got quite a gem lined up for you all.  Imagine a bad mash up of Terminator and Over The Top with a hint of Bladerunner and Rambo, backed by an intense synth score.  This weeks choice is just that with loads of exquisitely bad acting and laughable fight sequences, you definitely want to check this one out!

1986's Hands of Steel, directed by Sergio Martino stars Daniel Green as Paco Queruak, a cyborg created by evil industrialist Francis Turner to murder an ecologist responsible for an environmental activist movement.  When Paco attempts to murder the ecologist his human side shows empathy and he only wounds him.  Knowing Turner's men will be looking for him for not finishing the job, Paco flees to a small Arizona town where he meets a motel truckstop owner named Linda who offers him a room to stay in exchange for some labor.  During his stay he makes enemies with Raul Morales and a few local truck drivers who challenge him to arm wrestle and after defeating Raul, the truckers begin plotting ways to get rid of Paco.

With Turner's guys after him, along with the FBI for the shooting of the ecologist, and now the truckers breathing down his neck Paco must escape to Mexico but Linda convinces him to stay one more night.  A female cyborg is sent to dispose of Paco but he knocks her head off.  Turner's hitmen blow up the motel while Paco and Linda escape in his car only to be ran into by Raul in his semi.  Pinned against a rock, Paco gets out of the car and crushes Raul's head with his bare hands.  As Paco disposes of Turner's men, Turner realizes he must take out Paco himself.  When the two meet up Turner tries to kill Paco with what appears to be the biggest and funniest looking laser cannon in cinema history, Paco dodges it and eventually kills Turner by ripping his heart out.

The score to the film was composed by Claudio Simonetti and features fast paced synths and enjoyable saxophones.  A great accommodating synthwave album would be Python Blue's Cyborg, evoking an awesomely intense atmosphere to rival your experience of this film.  Certainly an album you'll want to check out.

So, if you're interested in a cheesy amalgamation of classic 80's action and sci-fi then look no further! Until next Friday my fellow Synthaholics, have fun and be safe!

Magnum Crockett

Synthetix Weekend Update

As I alluded to last week Synthetix.FM is going to celebrate International Boombox day this coming July (Sunday the 20th to be exact) with a special Synthetix.FM Mixtape. This will be an annual event to complement Valentine's Day's Synthual Rendezvous, Halloween's Rhythm Vivisection and the year end Synthstravaganza Mixtapes and being the inaugural  edition I want to make it extra hard rockin.

Much like the Halloween and Valentine's Mixtapes I'm now taking submissions from producers to go into this mixtape. The theme for International Boombox day is going to be hot Electro Funk styled synth music, with an energetic flavour that is rockin the classic breakdance anthems of old. If you're not sure what this means here's a few classic examples of modern day electro rockin' action.

If you're still unclear please have a browse through my Electro Funk Top 10's for 2012 and 2013 in the year end Synthstravaganza posts on Synthetix.FM here and here. Please submit and of your own tracks via the contact form on the left hand side of this page. The music doesn't have to be brand new or exclusive, but I will prioritise tracks that are. Submissions will be taken from now until the cut off date which will be the 16th of July. I'm really looking forward to this new mixtape being a regular feature of the special edition Synthetix.FM Mixtapes and I'll be marketing it actively via the boombox collecting fraternities I'm an active member of throughout the internet, so your music will be being spread to all new demographics and is hopefully an excellent opportunity to increase your music's audience. Please feel free to contact me via the contact box on this page if you require any further information.


Time to get the throttle rockin into the danger zone with this week's AIRBORNE feature releases!

MOXX - Starcross 2001  Future 80s Records' have a hot new release on their hands with the new MOXX EP titled Starcross 2001. This four track affair offers some hear pumping OutRun styles along with more atmospheric arrangements. MOXX's sounds develop with a priority given to melodic exploration, which is really personified in the wonderfully vast 'Starcross City Overture'. MOXX even experiments in some classic 80s indie electro pop sounds on 'Sleipnir' which is totally rockin. There are a lot of great signs on this EP that MOXX has the talent and understanding of 80s sounds to garner a big following in the 80s inspired synth scene and I, for one, am greatly looking forward to hearing more MOXX rockin in the future.

Stellar Dreams - The Crusader The musical journey thus far for Malaysian duo known as Stellar Dreams has been interesting to say the least. These rockers have been changing the genetic make up of their music in nearly every release with some of their styles moving well away from the 80s based sounds but their new EP feels like it's taken a new and exciting turn. The Crusader takes the Stellar Dreams 80s sounds and gives it a harder tensile edge without sacrificing their magical melodies. 'High End' and 'Mileage' were definitely my two favourite pieces on this EP, ironically for very different reasons, but both create magnificent amounts of atmosphere. To round out the EP there are also two remixes of the title track, one being a funkier take from Kid Flash and the other being a  totally rockin 'Midnight Version' which really gives The Crusader an exciting new aesthetic.

Spacious Sweep - Escape From Reality Jerome Spacious Sweep is one of the hardest working producers in the 80s inspired synth world. Every week he's releasing new gems of vintage sounds and now he's getting around to packaging them into EPs for better distribution. His Escape From Reality EP is a nine track cavalcade of 80s synth sounds the move from dramatic atmospheric synthscapes into Italo and most everything in between. I absolutely adore the vintage naivete of Spacious Sweeps sounds and to be able get these delightful pieces as a free download is something most rockin. Stand out tracks on Escape From Reality: 'Divine Power', 'Tragic Memory', 'Difficult Recovery' and the absolutely kick arse title track. 

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One of the things that I've always loved about Robots With Rayguns' sound is that it  still sounds as fresh and individual as it did when I first experienced it four plus years ago. RWR is set to release a hot new album, which will be his third, in the near future and to promote it and finance the release he's made a deluxe edition of RWR available for preorder with a whole bunch of hot extra tracks. Preorder your copy of the RWR Deluxe Edition here and stay tuned to Synthetix.FM for more rockin Robots With Rayguns action when the new album comes out, but for now grab a copy of his stellar new version of 'Fever '14' with your preorder.

Lots of atmospheric pieces surfaced this week and Pablo Johnson (or Joey Mercedes, depending what you read) released a really impressive piece of ambient space synth music with his 2001 homage 'Daisy'. The journey is deep and full of enlightening passages, beautifully constructed from beginning to conclusion.




'Fields Of Time' is the latest exposition from Python Blue and continues his expansion into purely 80s thematics from his past soundtrack oriented roots. This combination of his passion for 80s sounds and his understanding of more atmospheric synthual pleasures creates yet another hugely entertaining experience. 'Fields Of Time' rocks, and is currently available for FREE download via the player.




Dakarius is back with a hot new track full of tension and delightfully vivid orchestral stabs titled 'Techno Criminal'. The Dakarius sound always feels like it's been stripped directly from an 80s or early 90s cyberpunk thriller and this is no exception. The blend of vintage sounds is wholly convincing and rockin to the max.




Station A3 is pushing to the limit on his latest inspirational synth piece 'Stay Positive'. The vibes are motivating and full of enthusiasm. This kind of 80s synth music is some of my favourite and it's great to hear Station A3 rock it so hard. If you need inspiration this week, 'Stay Positive' and crank up the volume!




Creating a very dramatic and totally rad mix of ChipTune sounds in a very 80s aesthetic is Occams Laser with 'Power'. This feels like it should be in a soundtrack to a fast paced heroic action game ala Strider or Cyber Lip and it's ChipTune pallet gives just the right nostalgic flavour to the kick arse progressions. Currently available for FREE download.




KFDDA keeps on rockin hard and his latest track is certainly no exception. 'After School Special - Cassette Rip' is full of bright and breezy synth melodies that are full of 80s homage. The chapters of this piece kick much arse as it winds down midpoint before coming back with an uptempo reprise. Be sure to grab a copy of this while can as a FREE download.




The tone of Night Invader's new track 'Brutal Tyranny' is what drew me in originally and then the atmosphere it built upon refused to let me go. The dark powers at work in this track are undeniable and full of menace. The drums are really pumping some major force but the guitars and synths really combine into a huge powerhouse of malevolence. Grab a copy for FREE download while you can.




Daniel Deluxe is cranking some bad juju this week as well with his darkly atmospheric track 'Wasteland'. There's a vague hint of rockin disco vibes permeating from the shadowy surrounds that proves very enticing and is explored beautifully throughout the piece. You can rock this killer track for FREE download currently too.




Offering up some very well constructed 80s inspired synth pop is Street Cleaner featuring Seanario  with their track 'Gasoline'. Theres a great deal of vintage homage spread thickly throughout this song, although I found the more modern introductory passages putting things slightly off kilter. Balance is achieved not long in however and the remainder of the experience is totally kick arse. You can pick up a copy of this song on the Modesto Synth Society Comp: Four for FREE on Bandcamp here.




One of the most awesome pieces of soundtrack synth I've heard of late comes from Destoroyah and his piece 'Welcome To The Future'. The presence is undeniable and vast, with so many nods to classic soundtracks included while creating its own identity. It is a breathtaking piece of music in every respect.




Some rockin new talent up next with Neon Suspects and his two track self titled release. Two completely different aesthetics are explored and both are rockin to the max. 'Cyber Cruiser' gets a building OutRun experience full of action and drama while 'Lady At Night' is an absolutely stunning work of delicately sensual and sultry synth romance. You can pick up this great little EP via the link in the player on Bandcamp.




Synthetix.FM favourite Sebastian Gampl is back with another hot track that I simply can't resist covering this week. 'Doogie's Theme' is rockin to the max with stunning synth melodies and 80s charm that is completely contagious. This producer gets so much right with 80s inspired synth music that it's impossible to fault. Rock it.




17 Lion Tears, or Olivier PG has just unleashed some serious sax synth magic with his new track 'Shower Of Melodies' or possibly 'The Rain Of Your Love'. In all honesty I find it hard to keep track of this producer's title and track names but all that matters is this music is stunning. The emotional depth of this piece is really lovely with an intimate tone that is full of affection. The extended outro is completes the experience beautifully.





What's the definition of a winning combination? Lazerhawk and Neros77 is certainly a strong contender for it, that's for sure. It seems Lazerhawk's music always brings out the more creative side of Neros77's video creations and his latest work for 'Chaos' is certainly bringing new dimensions to Neros77's techniques. Using footage from the relatively obscure 80s fantasy epic The Devil's Sword allows for some very, very impressive blending of audio visual entertainment.



That does us for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. Kasia and myself will be back during the week with more rockin tunes from the 80s inspired synth scene.

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

Synthetix Weekend Update

I'm back with another big Weekend Update to make your 80s neon glow that little bit brighter.

The first order of business on the agenda is the fantastic new compilation release from Retro Promenade, AKA Who Ha and his marvellous new multimedia edition of Class Action Volume 2. This not only has a spectacular range of the scene's most rockin producers but also the second issue of the Retro Promenade magazine. The magazine itself is full of kick arse interviews and reviews as well as panel discussion on 'The State of Synthwave' in which I was lucky enough to partake in. This comes as a FREE .pdf when you pick up the compilation or can be purchased as a physical edition too.

Your entertainment value with this package (that also has the compilation available on cassette!) is astronomical, so get on it and rock it hard.  Many kudos to Mike Who Ha for making this project happen. You can pick up a copy of the compilation/magazine/artwork/cassette in all manner of combinations via Retro Promenade's Bandcamp page here.

Let's put our seats into the take off position, buckle the seat belts tight and prepare to hurtle into the wide blue yonder with this week's Airborne releases!

Kalax - Outlands - Kalax's second EP finds the producer expanding on the soundscape created in his first EP, Journey, and constructing a wonderfully involving conceptual soundtrack theme. Outlands is a cautionary tale set in a dark future consisting of fast action-oriented cuts and also mellower pieces that allow for Kalax's melody's to soar beautifully. The structures are built solidly and make for expansive synthscapes and deliver a cohesive narrative, complete with vocals on two of the tracks performed by Dana Jean Phoenix and electrifying duet with Blokkmonsta that transcends genres, languages and decades.


Waveshaper - Sounds That Kill - Another concept EP, this time from Waveshaper and his super rockin new creation Sounds That Kill. In all honesty, one of the lines from the EP's description sums this up perfectly: "This is a story of a man whose only weapons are his synthesizers and a woman who fights by his side". The tracks are all beautifully written and create massive amounts of atmosphere and even contains a superb collaborative piece with Robert Parker. Waveshaper just keeps on continuing to impress and this EP sure does exactly that.


LA Dreams - Light Speed  - LA Dreams keeps on rockin like the 80s synth juggernaut we know and love in his new album Light Speed. Easily one of his most accomplished records yet, there is a marked improvement in his arrangements and his breadth of instrumentations. Each track is absolutely glowing with pure 80s love and is a genuine delight to experience. This will be LA Dreams last album for a while as he stated he is spending some time working on collaborations in the near future. I'm hugely looking forward to what this will entail, and will be sure to share these works on Synthetix.FM when they happen.

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Phaserland's rockin some smoothly cool synth pop sounds with Nikki on his great new song 'Hot Stunner'. This is one of the great tracks on the new compilation from Wave Runner Records called Running All Night. This features a tonne of Synthetix.FM favourites and some rockin new pieces like this great track. You can pick up your copy of 'Hot Stunner' with a plethora of other synthwave gems on the Running All Night compilation available on Bandcamp here fore FREE.

A different kind of smooth next with the massively atmospheric soundtrack piece 'Border Control' by DATAstream. The depth of narrative in this track is absolutely immense and really creates a totally immersive synthscape. Many thanks to respected synthficionado Alexandre Lemoing for enlightening me to this producer.




Flash Arnold's riding atmospheric waves of soundtrack synth beauty too of late and with his hot new rocker 'Deserted Streets'. The build is huge and packed with excitement as synths from the bowels of the earth open up with caustic vigour and unquestionable power. This is currently available for FREE via the download button in the player.




An new EP is coming soon from Killstarr and 'Summer Drive' has been released as the promotional track for it. This sweetly orchestrated experience of soft pink Synth Romance is beautifully gentle with emotive progressions and sumptuous melodies. 'Summer Drive' is available for FREE download via the player too.




Short but sweet, any hot new track from Miami Nights 1984 is going to get your pulse racing and your appetite hungering for more. This snippet was shared recently and is rife with MN84 magic. I'm assuming I'm hoping 'Reflex Training' marks the start of a journey to a new album from this veteran of the scene.




Keeping things 'definitely Miami' is the hot new track from Miami Beach Force: 'Robotic Assassin'. The combination of rockin Italo vibe synth melodies and crushing guitar riffs makes for a very interesting combination of sounds that is rather captivating and almost hypnotic in its power.




Python Blue certainly knows how to rock with his new track 'Welcome To The Club'. Marching drums lead into rifftastic guitars and synths add the final layer of melodic brilliance. Though usually working on the more atmospheric side of soundtrack synth this track is full of raucous energy and beautiful 80s colours. Currently available for FREE download via the link in the player.




I simply can't stress enough how much I love guitars in 80s inspired synth music and with Sayak Striker's new track 'Hot Run' we get even more love for rockin guitars and synths duelling in a rhythmic ballet of high emotional excitement. Totally k-rad to the max.




One of the best names I've come across in the scene in recent times has to be Repomancer and his hot new soundtrack themed piece Midnight Special certainly makes you sit up and pay attention. The opening builds to an epic synth lead that is then taken in very cool new directions throughout the composition's chapters.




Riddlis shared two tracks over the last couple of weeks I really enjoyed but 'Clouds' is definitely something  special. The melodies in this remind me of classic early 80s synth experiences. The intentional distortion in the piece does take me, personally, out the experience a tad but the strength of the lead melody carries the magic on beautifully. You can also pick this up currently for FREE via the download button in the player. Also check out Riddlis' rockin 'Children' track which came out recently too here, and is also up for FREE download.




One of my favourite tracks of the last week is definitely Kid Quasar's 'Disco Radio Action'. The energy is absolutely kick arse and I love his modern take on the Electro Breakin' styles with  some very imaginative arrangements and superb sample work. Get on this ASAP as it's currently available for FREE download.




The new track from Batch Sound is another gem I just can't get enough of this week. 'The Cheesy Alternative' is another grand jam packed with hot synths and on point 80s percussive details. This is available as a single release on Bandcamp here with an edited version and also a piece they did for Beyond Synth. Totally rockin.




Dialling things back to a more contemplative ambience is the delightful new track from Pulse 80 entitled 'V I C E'. The atmosphere on this gets bigger and bigger as huge synth leads rise and fall with machine gun hip hop percussion igniting the combustible elements into a searing synth fireball. Currently available for FREE download also.




Trevor Something's moody and suave synth pop experiences keep evolving and achieving glorious new heights with each track. In 'SEGA Genesis' the airy synth melodies and haunting vocals are moulded into alluring new shapes and forms, using one of gaming's greatest consoles as the inspiration.




Pure Secks have been on my radar for a couple of months now and their odd mix of sounds and styles is something I've found very engaging. In 'Science Friction' the Pure Secks sound becomes are tad more crystallised as the sample laden synthscape gets tied together in a totally rockin piece of classic 80s eclecticism. Available currently for FREE download via the player also.




The final piece I'd like to share with you for this week's Weekend Update is something I found both totally rockin and very special. My love affair with Sternrekorder's wonderful music has been well documented on Synthetix.FM over the last couple of years but I have no real idea about him as a composer or producer outside of experiencing his music directly. Although I knew Sternrekorder has been a part of the scene since the early days in the late 2000's I had no idea how far back his music went. I've now found out a little bit more about his history courtesy a new track this week that is an unreleased track from 2002. This piece veritably comes alive with delightful 80s colours and it brings me much joy to discover Sternrekorder's definitely one of the modern synth artists that will be around for the duration.



That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back during the week with more hot rockin tunes from the 80s inspired synth scene. 'Til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.

An Alien World For Python Blue

The soundtrack oriented genres of 80s inspired synth music always seem to be the most engaging and rewarding I find. These soundtracks to visuals that only exist in our imaginations captivate me as a listener, they tell me stories, they detail scenes, they convey emotion and explore concepts that are often left undiscovered in other genres. The soundtrack synth denominations take me back to a time when listening to instrumental albums and staring at their descriptive artwork for hours on end was one of my favourite past times. Being able to be transported to another time and place through music alone is truly one of its most magical powers.

Python Blue is a devotee of these soundtrack oriented synthscapes and over the last year we've been taken to all new worlds courtesy of his synthphonic structures and epic creations. His sound personality lends its self to the dramatic and foreboding more often that not but all his pieces have a real grace about them that echoes through each passage and ties the experience together with a grand elegance. On his latest EP, Alien World, Python Blue takes things back to their essence and draws vivid visions with an uncluttered synthscape that extracts the magic from each and every note.



Within the opening echoes of 'Arrival' a vast, desolate landscape greets us. Barren plains of unearthly tones, coarse winds and inhospitable atmospheres. Building like a behemoth, the introductory passage thrives on it's subtleties. The restrained sounds and dirge like percussion allude to all manner of foreign concepts and force us to realise the gravitas of the situation; the alien structures rise from their hidden world beneath the surface, opening up yawning chasms, ready to swallow us whole into a new adventure.

'Saucers' takes over and gives impetus and vibrancy to the synthscape. Carefully layered structures describe new visions, upbeat drums beat with a proud urgency and melodies intimate finer details. The depth of narrative in Python Blue's music is really what sets it apart, the way each musical paragraph chronicles each event, exploring it's surrounds while keeping the heart of the piece pulsing and feeling 'whole'; that is the magic of great soundtrack oriented music.

As I mentioned previously the distillation of Python Blue's sounds into the base ingredients has allowed for a greater amount of importance to be given to each part. This becomes rather evident in the third track, 'Radars' with the floor falling away entirely and slow, rising melodies raising us up higher and higher. The percussion is always militaristic throughout this record, unforgiving in it's forthrightness and this allows for much of nuances of the melodies to work within and above these belligerent beats. The patterns of 'Radars' are sumptuous with emotional synths verging on becoming string sections inside of arrangements created with deeply engraved beautifications.

The story moves more startling territory in track four, 'Xenophobia'. The initial uncertainty and anxiety breaks into abject terror with the comfort of melody becoming a weapon used against us, until subtly humanistic melodies give the perceived alien threat a decidedly more familiar aura. This meeting of species explores differences and similarities with musical inquisitiveness and in the end creates a deep solemnity with a realisation of an undeniable link between our hugely different worlds.

Alien World finishes with on high point of some of the most elegantly conceived synthual delights you'll have the pleasure of experiencing in 'Departure'. Our new found knowledge and new found friends spark an internal enlightenment. A growing light from within which binds us to our new alien brethren. The delicately plucked melodies are utterly entrancing, spilling over with triumphant hope and warmth that defies the void of space, an essence that is shared across aeons and galaxies, an unbreakable link between all lifeforms.

Future 80s Records presents Python Blue's Alien World EP on their Bandcamp page here and is an eloquently crafted suite of beautiful soundtrack synth music. The five chapters are comprehensively engineered with a great deal of attention and care. Each nuance is felt, every beat is resonant and every passage is profound. The experience is massively rewarding and is very, very highly recommended by Synthetix.FM.

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.