Two years after the successful “Synthetic Soundscapes of Modern Urban Morality” compilation, Geheimnis Records is happy to announce its follow-up, by releasing “Synthetic Soundscapes of Modern Urban Morality / Chapter 2”. The spirit remains the same. New bands, artists, projects that are for the most part, in the early stages of their dreams. Some of them have already released their music on vinyl, but for the majority, this is their first time seeing their music imprinted on an official music format, such as a 12’’ vinyl LP. Since Geheimnis Records is based in Greece, 5 of the bands/artists come from this country, while 4 bands come from Europe. In particular:

“Misfortunes” come from Thessaloniki, Greece and is a one man-project. Ioakim Vasiliadis is the person behind the synths. He started back in 2014 and his affection for the 80’s analogue revival can be clearly heard through his compositions. This is his very first time on vinyl with two songs “Λέω Να Το Βάλω Κάτω” (“I wonder if I should give up”) and “In The Streets Of Our City”.

“Dislocation Genders” is a duo project which also comes from Thessaloniki, Greece. Nick K. Maldoror is familiar to analogue synth enthusiasts all over Europe, since he was the one half of the late great “Human Puppets”. He has been collaborating with George D. since 2012 and this is the first time a song of theirs is released to the public.

“Doric” of course is already familiar (Stathis Leontiadis – the other band member of “Human Puppets”) having already released the majority of his work on vinyl. The last couple of years he has had a closer collaboration with the fashion-designer-icon-singer Valisia Odell (Phoenix Catscratch, Strawberry Pills, Father Breath) who has given a more operatic and “cursed” aspect to his analogue-synth based music. The song included here, is very typical and reflects their good chemistry.

“Neon Lies” is the one-man project of Goran Lautar who hails from Zagreb, Croatia. He started his solo project in 2015 and released a tape-album in October 2016. Haunted, whining vocals blended with lo-fi minimal synth sounds. The 2 songs that are included in this compilation are his first releases on vinyl. “Whispering Sons” are from Brussels, Belgium and last year released one of the most promising albums of the post punk alternative genre, “Endless Party”. Their guitar-based music incorporates dark and atmospheric elements mixed with anguished and nervous vocals that give an exceptional tone of well-balanced post punk. The song included on this compilation, first appeared on their debut LP.

“Tisiphone” come from Lyon, France. The 3-member band is also a guitar-based act, dark and gloomy with a steady bass line, heavy rhythm section and a distinctive guitar. Last year they released their self-titled debut cd and their contribution here is from that album.

“Mitra Mitra” is the brain-child of Mahk Rumbae and Violet Candide. They are based in Vienna, Austria and have been together since 2014. Mahk is a member of the “Oppenheimer MKII” project and “Konstruktivists”, as well as the “Codex Empire” solo techno project.

“Violet Candide” originally hails from New Zealand. The version of their minimal/electro song “Opportunity” is available only on this compilation.

“RATS” is a duo project, from Thessaloniki, Greece. Elias Papadopoulos has been collaborating with Iro since 2015 and they are heavily influenced by witchhouse, dark wave and industrial sounds. Last year they released a cd-album which received many good reviews from various webzines and music portals.

Last but not least, “Paralogik” are the brain-child of Eugene B. (already familiar with his project included in our “No Radar” compilation, “Etherial Movement”) already conceived in 2014. With the help of Nick L. they have created a music hybrid, heavily influenced by dark-electro with more harsh and aggressive elements. Their work is released here for the first time.

LP / CD

Keeping our promise for fresh and active artists and projects, Geheimnis Records now brings you the second compilation of bands and artists who are taking their first musical steps and request our attention and appreciation. This time the material doesn’t only focus on Greek artists. 5 of them come from France, Germany and Austria. Some of them have already released their first album or cassette tape, while others share their music through Bandcamp, YouTube and Soundcloud and this compilation is their first official discography. Geheimnis Records would like to thank them all for offering their music. Those who did it for the first time, those who provided a special edition of their song and those with whom we have collaborated in the past and still entrust their material to Geheiminis Records.

“Hante.” is the solo project of Helene de Thoury, the one half of the French duet “Minuit Machine”. She released her debut single on December 2014, and is about to release her debut album in the Summer of 2015. “Kristal Ann” is the voice of the Greek duet “Paradox Obscur”. She also has her own project (under her name) and the song “Killing Jokes” is written especially for this compilation, while her other song “Ashes of Hope” comes from her debut cd-album. “Monowelt” come from Berlin, Germany. Marta Raya and Daria Leere started recording songs last year and have played together since 2012. They have entrusted their soon to be completed debut album to our label. “Koma Koma” come from Vienna, Austria. Genio Revox, Davyd Mitma and Wolfgang Gray play their impressive guitars and accompany them with dark-deep vocals. This is their first release on a musical format. “Paradox Obscur” come from Rhodes Island, Greece. Kriistal Ann sings and composes while her partner Toxic Razor plays, composes and experiments with many different styles and genres. “23rd Underpass” are the brain-child of Costas Andriopoulos who started the group back in 2008-2009. After some setbacks during those formative years, he found a steady vocalist and lyricist in the face of Nadia Vassilopoulou and released a full-album last year. “Aga Wilk” is a female solo project from Berlin, Germany. Disco-Experimental sounds with Techno elements. The version of her song can be found only on this compilation. She is expected to release her debut album in the Summer of 2015. “Minuit Machine” come from Paris, France. Last year Helene de Thoury and Amandine Stioui released a successful debut album. The song on this compilation is a special remix exclusive to this compilation. The person behind the project “Impersonate or Die” is an artist named Nick Stonem. He comes from Athens, Greece and his aggressive Synth-Punk songs find their way onto vinyl grooves for the first time. Last but not least, “Regressverbot” from Thessaloniki, Greece are already known from their participation in our previous “No Radar” compilation. A full-length album is on the cards and has been scheduled for release on Geheiminis Records later this year or early 2016.

The compilation will be out in July 16th, 2015, in 300 hand-numbered vinyl copies, half of them in black and half in transparent blue, including an insert with lyrics, photos and details.

Listen and order here.