In 2016, Belgian electronic music pioneers FRONT 242 celebrate the band’s 35th anniversary year of existence. Besides some highly praised 242 collector items released over the last few months, we had also promised some more very special “anniversary” surprises… Well, here we are!

Before joining FRONT 242 in 1981 and devoting several decades to this band, Brussels-based artists Patrick Codenys and Jean-Luc De Meyer used to be working together as a duo since 1978 under the UNDERVIEWER moniker, using a bass, synthesizers, rhythm boxes and a tape recorder… 

Back then, although machines had their technical limitations and were imposing heavy constraints, the duo were definitely enjoying total freedom of tone and inspiration. From destructured experimental tracks to more melodic and structured songs, UNDERVIEWER always focused their creative approach on minimalistic arrangements way more influenced by German bands like LA DÜSSELDORF, DAF, etc. rather than by English groups. 

Dormant for over 30 years, UNDERVIEWER recently recovered a dozen of tracks from their early 4-track tape recordings or even recreated some of them by meticulously reusing the same vintage machines, only slightly adapting them where needed. These songs have now been gathered together to astonishingly form the debut album of a band that has been existing for over 38 years!

“Wonders & Monsters” brilliantly renders the force and the timeless and melodic duality of a music which fits everywhere and any time, and never had the pretention to belong to any form of avant-garde…14 songs hanging between fire and ice, carried by the distinctive and matchless voice of Jean-Luc De Meyer, and fuelled by Patrick Codenys’ sharp and modern production style. UNDERVIEWER’s songs have that particular poisonous charm and poppy catchiness that make them instantly addictive and accessible…

Download available via Bandcamp.

Tracklist

1. Was soll ich tun ? 
2. A minor detail 
3. Litany 
4. Nobody but you 
5. I am the rain
6. Trouble
7. Wonders & Monsters
8. What do you see ?
9. Gone
10. Atomic tears
11. Syncussion
12. I remember
13. A September Morning
14. These days

The post Underviewer – Wonders & Monsters CD (digipak) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Since the early 80’s, FRONT 242’s ever-growing fanbase has always proven to be the 5th member of the band. A unique communion between fan and artist that has grown and matured over the course of 3 decades. An interactive relationship that has displayed its intensity during every “tour de force” live performance where the energy of the audience seamlessly unites with the energy of the band, together creating an incredible experience. 

On December 6th 2008 Patrick Codenys, Daniel B., Jean-Luc De Meyer and Richard Jonkheere offered their very first live moments in the band’s history in Budapest, Hungary. Originally released on DVD, the material has now been remastered for your ultimate audio pleasure.

Originally released on DVD, the material has now been remastered for your ultimate audio pleasure and is available right here on Bandcamp.

The post Front 242 – Moments in Budapest (live) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

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ONLY 300 COPIES!

In 2016, Belgian electronic music pioneers FRONT 242 celebrate the band’s 35th anniversary year of existence. Besides some highly praised 242 collector items released over the last few months, we had also promised some more very special “anniversary” surprises… Well, here we are!

Before joining FRONT 242 in 1981 and devoting several decades to this band, Brussels-based artists Patrick Codenys and Jean-Luc De Meyer used to be working together as a duo since 1978 under the UNDERVIEWER moniker, using a bass, synthesizers, rhythm boxes and a tape recorder…

Back then, although machines had their technical limitations and were imposing heavy constraints, the duo were definitely enjoying total freedom of tone and inspiration. From destructured experimental tracks to more melodic and structured songs, UNDERVIEWER always focused their creative approach on minimalistic arrangements way more influenced by German bands like LA DÜSSELDORF, DAF, etc. rather than by English groups.

Dormant for over 30 years, UNDERVIEWER recently recovered a dozen of tracks from their early 4-track tape recordings or even recreated some of them by meticulously reusing the same vintage machines, only slightly adapting them where needed. These songs have now been gathered together to astonishingly form the debut album of a band that has been existing for over 38 years!

“Wonders & Monsters” brilliantly renders the force and the timeless and melodic duality of a music which fits everywhere and any time, and never had the pretention to belong to any form of avant-garde…14 songs hanging between fire and ice, carried by the distinctive and matchless voice of Jean-Luc De Meyer, and fuelled by Patrick Codenys’ sharp and modern production style. UNDERVIEWER’s songs have that particular poisonous charm and poppy catchiness that make them instantly addictive and accessible…

+ carton sleeve CD (with 4 bonus tracks – same as CD edition)

The post Underviewer – Wonders & Monsters LP (black +CD) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

In 2016, Belgian electronic music pioneers FRONT 242 celebrate the band’s 35th anniversary year of existence. Besides some highly praised 242 collector items released over the last few months, we had also promised some more very special “anniversary” surprises… Well, here we are!

Before joining FRONT 242 in 1981 and devoting several decades to this band, Brussels-based artists Patrick Codenys and Jean-Luc De Meyer used to be working together as a duo since 1978 under the UNDERVIEWER moniker, using a bass, synthesizers, rhythm boxes and a tape recorder…

Back then, although machines had their technical limitations and were imposing heavy constraints, the duo were definitely enjoying total freedom of tone and inspiration. From destructured experimental tracks to more melodic and structured songs, UNDERVIEWER always focused their creative approach on minimalistic arrangements way more influenced by German bands like LA DÜSSELDORF, DAF, etc. rather than by English groups.

Dormant for over 30 years, UNDERVIEWER recently recovered a dozen of tracks from their early 4-track tape recordings or even recreated some of them by meticulously reusing the same vintage machines, only slightly adapting them where needed. These songs have now been gathered together to astonishingly form the debut album of a band that has been existing for over 38 years!

“Wonders & Monsters” brilliantly renders the force and the timeless and melodic duality of a music which fits everywhere and any time, and never had the pretention to belong to any form of avant-garde…14 songs hanging between fire and ice, carried by the distinctive and matchless voice of Jean-Luc De Meyer, and fuelled by Patrick Codenys’ sharp and modern production style. UNDERVIEWER’s songs have that particular poisonous charm and poppy catchiness that make them instantly addictive and accessible…

Download available via Bandcamp.

Tracklist

1. Was soll ich tun ?
2. A minor detail
3. Litany
4. Nobody but you
5. I am the rain
6. Trouble
7. Wonders & Monsters
8. What do you see ?
9. Gone
10. Atomic tears
11. Syncussion
12. I remember
13. A September Morning
14. These days

The post Underviewer – Wonders & Monsters CD (ltd edition) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Dormant for over 30 years, UNDERVIEWER recently recovered tracks from their early 4-track tape recordings or even recreated some of them by meticulously reusing the same vintage machines, to prepare the release in December 2016 of their forthcoming full length album “Wonders & Monsters”.

Today we release “Nobody But You”, a 2-track single that will make you fall under the poisonous charm of UNDERVIEWER’s minimal electro pop-wave carried by the distinctive and matchless voice of Jean-Luc De Meyer and fuelled by Patrick Codenys’ sharp and modern production style.

The post Underviewer – Nobody But You (2-track single) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

For the occasion  “Pulse + Still & Raw” and “No Comment + Politics Of Pressure” will be re=released on vinyl and in a deluxe vinyl box edition, FRONT 242 also decided to re-release the rerecorded & remastered 2004 edition of their debut album “Geography” as a deluxe collector box edition. The vinyl-sized carton box features a military camouflage design with a spotted varnish printed FRONT 242 logo and a die-cut “2” across the upper cover (once assembled with the two other limited collector box sets released for the anniversary series, you get the “2-4-2” cut across the 3 box sets).

The “Geography” anniversary collector box is strictly limited to 1242 copies and includes the following items:

• 1 x FRONT 242 “Geography” LP (black 180 gr vinyl)
• 1 x FRONT 242 “Geography” CD carton sleeve (with 3 bonus tracks)
• 1 x FRONT 242 “Geography limited” LP (black 180 gr vinyl) – A collection of songs taken from the “Geography” sold-out limited 2CD box edition released by Alfa Matrix in 2004 including pre-FRONT 242 material under the PROTHESE and UNDERVIEWER monikers as well as special instrumental and aerial version of FRONT 242 early songs.
• 1 x FRONT 242 “take one / see the future” (crystal transparent  7″ vinyl) – an exclusive 7” single which could have been released back in the early days…!
• 1 x V/A – Sounds From The Matrix 08 (carton sleeve CD) – A bonus Alfa Matrix label compilation featuring 18 label mates of FRONT 242.
• 1 x “front by front” lanyard (printed white on black)
• 1 x « geography » laminated live pass
• 2 x “Geography” posters on art paper (315 mm x 220 mm)

Originally released in 1982, FRONT 242’s debut album “Geography” was already re-released later in 2004 by Alfa Matrix in a fully remastered and remixed version using modern technology while staying faithful to the spirit of the original versions and augmented with the bonus track “He runs too fast for us” which did not appear on the original LP back in the early eighties.

It is this uplifted version of the album which today gets released on vinyl format. A true “classic” record in electronic music history which became such an influential album on the development of industrial / EBM music throughout the 80’s and far beyond and which constitutes the layers on which FRONT 242 was constructed.

Tracklist :

FRONT 242 “Geography” LP (black 180 gr vinyl)

SIDE A

1. Operating Tracks
2. With Your Cries
3. Art And Strategy
4. Geography II
5. U-Men
6. Dialogues
7. He Runs Too Fast For Us

SIDE B

1. Least Inkling
2. GVDT
3. Geography I
4. Black White Blue
5. Kinetics
6. Kampfbereit

* A carton sleeve CD version of this album is also included in each Vinyl with 3 bonus tracks:

1. Ethics
2. Principles
3. Body To Body

FRONT 242 “Geography limited” LP (black 180 gr vinyl) 

SIDE A

1. PROTHESE : Couteaux
2. PROTHESE : Conditionnel Humain
3. PROTHESE : Chanson
4. UNDERVIEWER : Syncussion
5. UNDERVIEWER : Mood
6. UNDERVIEWER : Labo
7. UNDERVIEWER : Trouble

SIDE B

1. FRONT 242 : Body To Body « inst »
2. FRONT 242 : Principles « inst »
3. FRONT 242 : U-men « inst »
4. UNDERVIEWER: I Remember
5. FRONT 242 : Kampfbereit « inst »
6. FRONT 242 : In November
7. FRONT 242 : ControversyBetween « aerial »
8. FRONT 242 : Sample D « aerial»

FRONT 242 “take one / see the future”
(crystal transparent  7″ vinyl)

Side A

1. See The Future

Side B

1. Take One

V/A – Sounds From The Matrix 08
(carton sleeve CD compilation)

1. KOMOR KOMMANDO . das oontz
2. SHAUN F . drty fckn dsko (hard mix)
3. SEIZE . virtual love
4. PSY’AVIAH . sweet hard revenge
5. NEIKKA RPM . warped
6. DIFFUZION . one way
7. VIRGINS O.R PIGEONS . born in sin (DJ Psycon mix)
8. LEAETHER STRIP . aengelmaker (dagmar’s edit)
9. ACYLUM . crazy
10. MESMER’S EYES . judgement day
11. KRYSTAL SYSTEM . alakor
12. HELALYN FLOWERS . psychic vamp
13. UNTER NULL . your fall
14. DUNKELWERK . harkers verderben (shortcut)
15. SCHWARZBLUT . der abschied
16. KANT KINO . we are kant kino
17. IMPLANT . we are noise
18. ESSENCE OF MIND . watch out

The post Front 242 – Geography (Deluxe Anniversary Limited Box – 2xLP + 7inch + 2xCD) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.