Influences: SARIN

Severely underrated EBM duo hailing from Boston in the mid-80s. They only made two albums and a handful of singles but what they did put out was amazing and still very playable in a modern club context I think. This was one of the better driving tracks on the second album. That album saw their approach soften a little bit into a more synth pop direction. They also directed and made several superb music videos that are worth checking out (Armed Forces – for example).

Terror Against Terror was a one off Lustmord side-project (made in collaboration with Lagowski) and his only real foray into the world of ebm/techno. One of the darkest beat-driven electronic albums from that time period. Full of sharp and varied cinematic samples lifted from a large palette of known and obscure 80s films and television. The CD is aptly titled “Psychological Warfare Technologies”. Still blows my mind.

The only act of their kind I’m aware of that came out of Switzerland. This is a single from ’91 –a finely tuned floor killer with equal parts funk and aggression. Probably their most club friendly track but their prolific discography is definitely worth checking out.

B-side of the “Sound Mirror” single released around the same time as “Buried Dreams”, their most recognized masterpiece. Oozing with surreal sexual tension and lunging deep into the void. A gem of DVA’s output during their most iconic period.

A longer rework of the anthem off their seminal “Caustic Grip” album from 1990. Impossible not to include a track from F.L.A. who, along with Skinny Puppy, Numb and Digital Poodle, represent Canadian electronic and industrial prowess from the mid-80s to early 90s. Hard to choose just one track – their entire catalogue pre-1994 is still pretty influential to me.

A calming and meditative track that doesn’t really fit into the rest of the list really but an important project for me personally. From their “The Decriminalization of Country Music” album. :zoviet*france: is known for their extensive discography of beautiful and intricate takes on musique concrete.

Impossible not to include Skinny Puppy. The album this track is off of (Vivisect VI) is their most blistering, brutal and maybe most politically sharp work. They were never slackers in those areas anyways but this was their peak in some ways. The track I’ve chosen was a huge influence right down to the name of my own project when I began it. Still gives me chills… One of the bands that really makes me proud to be Canadian – as cheesy as that sounds!

Sozialistisches Patienten Kollektiv, but also known as Surgical Penis Klinik and System Planning Korp, among others. The project got some slack later on when a lot of the early members dropped out (including Lustmord) and their sound veered into a more accessible sound that I personally think has a lot of value. The track “Sheer Naked Aggression” is one example. Their early output included manifestos and early video art that complimented their punishing sound perfectly. This haunting example is from the 1982 album “Last Attempt At Paradise”.

Dada-Industrialists with heavy emphasis on sampling, metallic percussion and proto-techno compositions that would later move into proper techno and rave territory in the 90s with tracks like “Pure”. Their early klangy busted rhythms and collage-like sound art subsequently progressed towards a more streamlined and accessible sound. A great example of the industrial spirit morphing into and influencing techno.

From their 1994 album “Metastasen”. Eviscerating riffs coupled with high speed drum programming, intricate sampling and beastial vocals. Good for those days you want to go on a Tetsuo: Ironman like killing spree. Supposedly they were discovered by Einsteurzende Neubaten which makes total sense. The samples are lifted from “Cape Fear” which I recommend watching after listening to this album.