KRYSTAL SYSTEM doesn’t come back – they strike!

With “Da Punch”, Bonnie (vocals, guitars) and N°7 (vocals, synth, sampler, guitars) confirm the new line-up featuring φ (Phi) on bass. The French trio returns sharper and more dangerous than ever, delivering a full-force statement driven by urgency, instinct, and raw authenticity. This is not just an album – it’s impact. A collision of punk-electro-metal energy, fearless inventiveness, and a distinctly French touch that refuses compromise.

Carried by Bonnie’s voice – at once youthful, fierce, and emotionally exposed – every track hits with immediate intensity. She doesn’t just sing, she inhabits each moment, shifting from fragile tension to explosive outbursts, giving flesh and blood to words that cut deep. Around her, the band operates like a live wire: real instruments slicing through electronic pressure, guitars clashing with synth layers, rhythms bending and breaking through asymmetric structures that constantly destabilize the listener. This is not programmed safety – this is musicianship on the edge.

“Da Punch” thrives on contrast and movement. At times, guitars dictate the pulse with sharp, driving force; at others, immersive synth textures pull you into darker, elevated spaces before addictive melodies tighten their grip. Elsewhere, massive electronic sequences flirt with EBM and martial industrial, pushing the intensity even further, while subtle male/female vocal interplay amplifies the band’s inhabited, almost feverish identity. Switching effortlessly between French and English, KRYSTAL SYSTEM uses language as a weapon – every word aimed, every line hitting its target.

Somewhere between FRONT 242’s militant pulse, THE PRODIGY’s explosive crossover energy and the crushing guitar force of GOJIRA or yet LINKIN PARK, KRYSTAL SYSTEM forges a sound that is both confrontational and unmistakably their own.

Lyrically, the album stands as a series of confrontations with the present. The title track “Da Punch” lands like a brutal wake-up call, exposing a collapsing world we passively witness. “Iryna’s Song” delivers a devastating tribute to innocence destroyed by both violence and indifference, echoing far beyond the personal. “Someday” and “Soleil Noir” explore solitude as strength – a conscious, combative withdrawal from external noise – while “Nouvel Age” tears into the invisible force of social conditioning with striking clarity. “Neon Cage” channels discipline and self-construction through a modern, electrified vision of the warrior’s path, “A World That Is Yours” embraces absolute, uncompromising love, and “Wonder Who” dives into the unsettling mechanics of the unconscious, questioning who truly acts when we act.

Building on the explosive return initiated by the previous EP, “Da Punch” incorporates the already hard-hitting “Éclats Rouges” and the biting “Skippy Bop,” now fully embedded within a broader, more ambitious sonic and thematic landscape. And when KRYSTAL SYSTEM takes on FRONT 242’s classic “Headhunter”, they don’t pay tribute – they seize it, reshape it, and inject it with their own volatile DNA.

This is not a comeback. This is a transformation.

No rules. No filters. No retreat.

“Da Punch” hits where it hurts – and leaves a mark.

The post Krystal System – Da Punch CD appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Kristell looks back at the making of the record, the meaning we project onto art after loss, and the fragile line between preserving a legacy and allowing it to evolve. What emerges is not closure, but a refusal of silence. Kristell therefore confirmed all forthcoming LOVELORN DOLLS concerts with new line-up and decided to release this EP as a very limited edition (200 copies worldwide).  She also added as bonus the very emotional song she played at Bernard’s funeral together with close friends: “Dancing At Your Funeral (tribute)”, a sort of last goodbye featuring Kristell Lowagie, Eric Renwart, Benjamin Albertani, Laura Crowe, Marja Supponen, Nicolas Brynin, Valéry Granson.

Belgium’s female-fronted goth metal pop act LOVELORN DOLLS’s haunting “True Crimes” EP features  4 original tracks where unsolved murders and ghostly whispers are turned into music.

With their trademark “creepy cute” aesthetic – somewhere between Tim Burton’s eerie fairytales and darkwave’s sharpest edges – LOVELORN DOLLS weave chilling true crime stories into gothic anthems. “Dahlia Bleeds” revisits the infamous Black Dahlia, “Velvet Little Voice” ghostly embodies JonBenét Ramsey, “The Boy in the Box” mourns America’s forgotten child, while “Call Me Your Ghost” channels the Zodiac Killer’s menace. Each track transforms tragedy into melody, where truth and myth bleed into sound, like darkwave lullabies for the restless dead.

Musically, “True Crimes” is a perfect storm: explosive guitars, haunting synths, industrial undertones, and Kristell’s distinctive vocals, shifting from fragile innocence to raw power. The band’s DNA – gothic melancholy, cinematic atmosphere, and a sharp alternative edge – evokes echoes of THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE, LACUNA COIL, MARILYN MANSON, or THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, yet remains unmistakably their own.

This release also marked a new chapter for LOVELORN DOLLS, now joined by guitarist and sound engineer Eric Renwart, who brings both visceral energy on stage and refined depth to the band’s evolving sound.

The cover artwork captures the EP’s essence: a little goth girl standing before an investigation board, piecing together crimes too big for her hands. She embodies both innocence and obsession – the same duality the music conveys, drawing us into a world of unanswered questions and spectral voices.

With “True Crimes”, LOVELORN DOLLS invite us to listen, to shiver, and to remember: four ghosts, four confessions, one gothic EP… and now to also remember a brilliant artist gone far too soon. Rest in peace, Bernard. Your art remains, and so does the mark you left on all of us.

The post Lovelorn Dolls – True Crimes (bonus track) EPCD appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

This EP fearlessly dives into the complexities of connection and betrayal, offering an unfiltered critique of false friendships. Joining IMJUDAS in this introspective exploration are trusted collaborators, who elevate the EP with an array of electrifying remixes: PEOPLE THEATRE adds a nostalgic, dreamy electro-pop touch to “StJudas”, AIBOFORCEN transforms the title track with cinematic, vocoded future-pop flair, IMPLANT injects their signature industrial grit and chaotic cadence and OK LION! amplifies the electro-rock groove for an explosive finish.

With its evocative title “I Love You Go Away,” the EP serves as a defiant anthem against emotional exploitation and shallow relationships. “Away with the psychic vampires, away with the profiteers, away with those who don’t love you for who you truly are”, declares IMJUDAS.

As the solo project of Maxx Maryan (from Electro-Goth/Pop Metal duo HELALYN FLOWERS), IMJUDAS ventures deep into Dark Pop, Post-Punk, and Cold Wave territories. With echoes of THE SOFT MOON, FAITH & THE MUSE, GARY NUMAN, and DEPECHE MODE, this release solidifies IMJUDAS as a powerful voice in the darker realms of electronic music.

Prepare to embrace the contradictions – “I Love You Go Away” is out now!

“Go Away” – official lyric video

“I Love You” – static video

The post ImJudas – I Love You Go Away EP appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

• Noemi Aurora – Kintsugi (Sunburst Vinyl)
• The Ultimated Dreamers – Paradoxical (Transparent Violet Vinyl)
• The Names – Encore! (White Vinyl)

The post Spleen White Sunburst Vinyl Pack (Noemi Aurora, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Names) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

• Noemi Aurora – Kintsugi (Galaxy Red Vinyl)
• The Ultimated Dreamers – Paradoxical (Red Vinyl)
• The Names – Encore! (Red Vinyl)

The post Spleen Red Lipstick Vinyl Pack (Noemi Aurora, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Names) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Who better than the legendary Belgian post-punk and new wave pioneers THE NAMES to release a new album titled “Encore!”? This much-anticipated album stands as a testament to their unbreakable commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Since 1977, they’ve stayed true to their unique, eclectic style, captivating fans across the globe who continuously clamor for more.

Emerging from the iconic Factory Records alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have etched their place in music history. With a cult following and a sound that remains as invigorating as ever, “Encore!” continues their journey, offering a fresh milestone in their timeless discography.

Launched with the electrifying “Volume” EP and the bold “Far From the Factories” single, “Encore!” is a sonic tapestry where vintage echoes of the early ’80s meet explorations into futuristic soundscapes. Tracks like “Last Train From Nowhere,” “Touch Touch Touch,” and “Watching For The New World” carry the spirit of the 1980s, while “Sunny Side” and “Inadequacy” channel a nostalgic 1960s vibe. Unexpected gems like “Apophenia,” “Laudanum,” and “Swimming With Brian Jones” highlight their experimental side, while intimate tracks like “Mei Mei” and “A Walk With Miss J” bring moments of reflection. The title track “Encore!” feels like an anthem for the ages, echoing long after the last note.

This is no ordinary album – it’s a vibrant journey through decades of musical influences, weaving together post-punk melancholy, experimental avant-garde, and wistful pop. Atmospheric instrumentation, haunting vocals and striking guitars merge with dynamic synths to create an addictive carousel of sounds that keeps listeners spinning while deciphering hidden allusions in their characteristic convoluted lyrics.

Available in a limited-edition collector’s colored vinyl (150 each respectively in solid red or solid white!) and a stunning digipak CD edition with three exclusive bonus tracks, “Encore!” is a must-have for any fan of melancholic cold wave.

From Brussels, with love and electric fervor – THE NAMES are back.

The post The Names – Encore! (Colour Solid White) Vinyl appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Who better than the legendary Belgian post-punk and new wave pioneers THE NAMES to release a new album titled “Encore!”? This much-anticipated album stands as a testament to their unbreakable commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Since 1977, they’ve stayed true to their unique, eclectic style, captivating fans across the globe who continuously clamor for more.

Emerging from the iconic Factory Records alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have etched their place in music history. With a cult following and a sound that remains as invigorating as ever, “Encore!” continues their journey, offering a fresh milestone in their timeless discography.

Launched with the electrifying “Volume” EP and the bold “Far From the Factories” single, “Encore!” is a sonic tapestry where vintage echoes of the early ’80s meet explorations into futuristic soundscapes. Tracks like “Last Train From Nowhere,” “Touch Touch Touch,” and “Watching For The New World” carry the spirit of the 1980s, while “Sunny Side” and “Inadequacy” channel a nostalgic 1960s vibe. Unexpected gems like “Apophenia,” “Laudanum,” and “Swimming With Brian Jones” highlight their experimental side, while intimate tracks like “Mei Mei” and “A Walk With Miss J” bring moments of reflection. The title track “Encore!” feels like an anthem for the ages, echoing long after the last note.

This is no ordinary album – it’s a vibrant journey through decades of musical influences, weaving together post-punk melancholy, experimental avant-garde, and wistful pop. Atmospheric instrumentation, haunting vocals and striking guitars merge with dynamic synths to create an addictive carousel of sounds that keeps listeners spinning while deciphering hidden allusions in their characteristic convoluted lyrics.

Available in a limited-edition collector’s colored vinyl (150 each respectively in solid red or solid white!) and a stunning digipak CD edition with three exclusive bonus tracks, “Encore!” is a must-have for any fan of melancholic cold wave.

From Brussels, with love and electric fervor – THE NAMES are back.

The post The Names – Encore! (Colour Solid Red) Vinyl appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Who better than the legendary Belgian post-punk and new wave pioneers THE NAMES to release a new album titled “Encore!”? This much-anticipated album stands as a testament to their unbreakable commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Since 1977, they’ve stayed true to their unique, eclectic style, captivating fans across the globe who continuously clamor for more.

Emerging from the iconic Factory Records alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have etched their place in music history. With a cult following and a sound that remains as invigorating as ever, “Encore!” continues their journey, offering a fresh milestone in their timeless discography.

Launched with the electrifying “Volume” EP and the bold “Far From the Factories” single, “Encore!” is a sonic tapestry where vintage echoes of the early ’80s meet explorations into futuristic soundscapes. Tracks like “Last Train From Nowhere,” “Touch Touch Touch,” and “Watching For The New World” carry the spirit of the 1980s, while “Sunny Side” and “Inadequacy” channel a nostalgic 1960s vibe. Unexpected gems like “Apophenia,” “Laudanum,” and “Swimming With Brian Jones” highlight their experimental side, while intimate tracks like “Mei Mei” and “A Walk With Miss J” bring moments of reflection. The title track “Encore!” feels like an anthem for the ages, echoing long after the last note.

This is no ordinary album – it’s a vibrant journey through decades of musical influences, weaving together post-punk melancholy, experimental avant-garde, and wistful pop. Atmospheric instrumentation, haunting vocals and striking guitars merge with dynamic synths to create an addictive carousel of sounds that keeps listeners spinning while deciphering hidden allusions in their characteristic convoluted lyrics.

Available in a limited-edition collector’s colored vinyl (150 each respectively in solid red or solid white!) and a stunning digipak CD edition with three exclusive bonus tracks, “Encore!” is a must-have for any fan of melancholic cold wave.

From Brussels, with love and electric fervor – THE NAMES are back.

The post The Names – Encore! CD appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

With the brooding single “Digging” and the irresistible “Spiritchaser” paving the way, “Paradoxical Sleep” finds THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS at the peak of their artistry. It’s a perfect fusion of haunting introspection and pulsating dark pop, evoking the timeless moods of THE CURE, JOY DIVISION and THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS, alongside the energizing pulse of NEW ORDER, DEPECHE MODE or even TRISOMIE 21. This album presents a rich sonic palette made of subliminal melodies, captivating rhythms, and intense, thought-provoking lyrics that masterfully blend post-punk, new wave, and darkwave. Exploring themes of raw human emotions, surreal magic, and melancholic nostalgia, THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS bring a modern touch to classic post-punk tainted with cold wave and gothic influences.

Produced by Len Lemeire (known for his work with IMPLANT, 32CRASH, ANNE CLARK), “Paradoxical Sleep” features special guest vocals from Simona Ferrucci of WINTER SEVERITY INDEX on “Into the Fog” and June Dune of DEAD CRUSH on “The Knife.” And cherry on the cake, the addition of Sandrine’s cello on selected tracks deepens the album’s haunting, melodic atmosphere.

Available as a limited-edition colored vinyl (150 copies each in solid red or transparent violet) and as a sleek digipak CD edition with two exclusive bonus tracks, “Paradoxical Sleep” is a must-have collector’s item.

Let THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS lead you into the misty depths of the paradoxical labyrinth we call “life” – an essential sonic journey for all dark souls out there.

The post The Ultimate Dreamers – Paradoxical Sleep (Colour Transparent Violet) Vinyl appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

With the brooding single “Digging” and the irresistible “Spiritchaser” paving the way, “Paradoxical Sleep” finds THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS at the peak of their artistry. It’s a perfect fusion of haunting introspection and pulsating dark pop, evoking the timeless moods of THE CURE, JOY DIVISION and THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS, alongside the energizing pulse of NEW ORDER, DEPECHE MODE or even TRISOMIE 21. This album presents a rich sonic palette made of subliminal melodies, captivating rhythms, and intense, thought-provoking lyrics that masterfully blend post-punk, new wave, and darkwave. Exploring themes of raw human emotions, surreal magic, and melancholic nostalgia, THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS bring a modern touch to classic post-punk tainted with cold wave and gothic influences.

Produced by Len Lemeire (known for his work with IMPLANT, 32CRASH, ANNE CLARK), “Paradoxical Sleep” features special guest vocals from Simona Ferrucci of WINTER SEVERITY INDEX on “Into the Fog” and June Dune of DEAD CRUSH on “The Knife.” And cherry on the cake, the addition of Sandrine’s cello on selected tracks deepens the album’s haunting, melodic atmosphere.

Available as a limited-edition colored vinyl (150 copies each in solid red or transparent violet) and as a sleek digipak CD edition with two exclusive bonus tracks, “Paradoxical Sleep” is a must-have collector’s item.

Let THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS lead you into the misty depths of the paradoxical labyrinth we call “life” – an essential sonic journey for all dark souls out there.

The post The Ultimate Dreamers – Paradoxical Sleep (Colour Solid Red) Vinyl appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.