Metroland – Forum CD

Metroland - Forum CD

Step into the captivating world of METROLAND as they unveil their latest sonic masterpiece, “Forum”. This Belgian electro-pop duo, comprising Passenger A and Passenger S, has seamlessly connected their acclaimed “0” album with the highly anticipated “Forum”, using the riveting EP “Industry” as a conceptual bridge.

In this sonic adventure, METROLAND invites you on a journey exploring the crossroads of innovation and nostalgia. “Industry” serves as a tantalizing glimpse into the duo’s conceptual boundaries, setting the stage for the grand narrative of “Forum”.

“Forum” originated from unfinished business in METROLAND’s electronic music brewery. Initially conceived as a possible final single for “0” in 2023, it evolved into a brand new concept and a complete album, playfully nodding to its predecessor. Inspired by the World Economic Forum in Davos, “Forum” delves into fresh sounds and experimental song structures. The album showcases METROLAND’s melodic side with tracks like “Happy nothing”, “The great reset” and “Infotainment,” while electro-infused pieces like “Activity as a timetrigger”, “Baukultur”, and “Quantum” continue the trajectory initiated by “Industry.”

A hymn to the industrial revolution of the 21st century, “Industry” presents versions 5.0 and 6.0 in the download, while the physical CD album seamlessly weaves all six industrial revolutions into an epic 10-minute experience (exclusive for the CD edition).

Immerse yourself in the vintage electronic prowess of METROLAND, and let the sonic odyssey of “Forum” unfold, revealing a world of musical possibilities, for another electrifying conceptual journey recommended to all fans of the Düsseldorf synth style…

  1. Cooperation in a fragmented world
  2. The great reset
  3. Activity as a timetrigger
  4. Happy nothing
  5. Baukultur (the davos declaration)
  6. Infotainment
  7. Quantum
  8. World economic forum
  9. Industry 1.0 *
  10. Industry 2.0 *
  11. Industry 3.0 *
  12. Industry 4.0 *
  13. Industry 5.0 *
  14. Industry 6.0 *

* exclusive tracks for the CD version – NOT available on digital platforms

Metroland – Industry EP

Metroland - Industry EP

METROLAND, the dynamic Belgian electro-pop duo, returns with a riveting EP, “Industry,” a tantalizing glimpse into their forthcoming conceptual album, “Forum,” slated for release later in 2024.

In this sonic adventure, Passenger A and Passenger S showcase their trademark analogue electronic prowess, seamlessly linking the acclaimed “0” album with the highly anticipated “Forum”. “Industry” serves as the bridge, pushing their conceptual boundaries even further.

Inspired by the Neue Deutsche Welle movement, METROLAND collaborates with Motor!k (Dirk Ivens side-project) and AK/DK to inject a fresh edge into their signature sound. The result is a captivating blend that pays homage to the past while propelling us into a future of sonic exploration.

Complementing the EP is a visually compelling video clip crafted by Passenger S. This dark-edged exploration of the fourth industrial revolution, adorned with vibrant and distorted colours, intricately weaves into the World Economic Forum’s discourse, offering a thought-provoking perspective.

As the opening track of the EP, “Industry 4.0” also played a pivotal role in its predecessor. Now, it unfolds the interface to “Forum,” inviting listeners to a continuing narrative that refuses to be confined by conventional storytelling.

A journey that invites you to explore the intersection of innovation and nostalgia, guided by the sonic visionaries, Passenger A and Passenger S. As we anticipate the release of ‘Forum,’ immerse yourself in this sonic odyssey and let the music unfold a world of possibilities.

Metroland – X CD

Metroland - X CD

Ever since 2012, when METROLAND was conceived and aimed to work as a concept targeting band, Passenger A and Passenger S paid tribute to the London Underground, the Bauhaus movement, the Thalys train, Klaus Schwab and the fourth industrial revolution.

They created remixes for inspirational artists like OMD, ERASURE, MARSHEAUX, shared stages with OMD, FRONT 242, ANNE CLARK (to name just a few) and organised a unique never-seen-before exposition, which was picked up by local newspapers, where they blended audio and visual stills…

A decade later METROLAND wanted to highlight their joyous underground journey.

Unwilling to take the easy way by simply compiling a ‘best of’ or re-releasing older albums, METROLAND wanted to emphasize this occasion with something original, unique and uncommon, by releasing a conceptual retrospective memorabilia entitled ‘X’, the Roman numeral representing 10.

METROLAND opted to span their oeuvre into a 75 minutes one-off, neatly consolidated into 5 mega mixes, each presenting one of their 5 studio albums.

X marks the milestone!

This unique anniversary carton sleeve CD release is exclusively available through METROLAND’s fanbase and the Alfa Matrix official web shop.

Metroland – 0 (solid blue vinyl) 2LP

Metroland - 0 (solid blue vinyl) 2LP

Mid 2022 Belgium’s cult duo METROLAND started their countdown with 2 different color 12inch vinyl versions of the critically acclaimed “4’, a 1st EP in a countdown (3, 2, 1…) series towards this new conceptual album, aptly called after the digit “0”. Since the new concept that METROLAND set out for is extremely global, the title “0” should not simply be pronounced as “zero”, but specifically in one of the thousands of languages on planet earth, depending on the readers’ own mother tongue!

With this new eclectic recording Passenger A and Passenger S are anticipating the future, bestowing this flawless soundtrack for their next concept ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution’, a term first coined by ‘Klaus Schwab’ on a World Economic Forum during mid last decade.

With well-fortified titles like “4ir Intelligence”, “Bitcoins And Blockchains” or “Machine 2 Machine” METROLAND clearly put focus on the artificial, yet scientific side of the concept, whereas “7 principles”, “Klaus Schwab” and “Davos” emphasize the worldly character of Schwab’s brainchild.

Never before did METROLAND go this profound with titles such as “Smart Factory”, “Big data”, “Mimo” and the former single “Modularity”. Never before did the METROLAND machinery interact with humans, objects and theories in such an intellect manner, continuously guiding the audience through their trademark analogue electronic landscape made of vintage synth bleeps, pulsing basslines, bashing beats and lush Düsseldorf sound style.

Even though both the vinyl version and CD album each hold 12 tracks in total, METROLAND made a deliberate distinction, subtle alternative artwork and a different track listing, showing persistently that METROLAND is not your average computer pop band.

Industry 4.0 is here and now, what will it mean to be human?

Side A

A1. Industrie 4.0 (5’26)
A2. Davos (6’07)
A3. Bigger Data (7’14)
A4. In/Out (2’47)**

Side B

B1. Machine 2 Machine (7’24)**
B2. 4ir Intelligence (6’33)
B3. The 2nd Machine Age (5’59)

Side C

C1. Modularity (7’15)**
C2. Smart factory (7’25)
C3. Mimo (6’15)**

Side D

D1. Klaus Schwab (5’18)
D2. 7 Principles (16’00)**

** exclusive song or version on the deluxe double-LP color vinyl edition

Metroland – 0 CD

METROLAND - 0 CD

Mid 2022 Belgium’s cult duo METROLAND started their countdown with 2 different color 12inch vinyl versions of the critically acclaimed “4’, a 1st EP in a countdown (3, 2, 1…) series towards this new conceptual album, aptly called after the digit “0”. Since the new concept that METROLAND set out for is extremely global, the title “0” should not simply be pronounced as “zero”, but specifically in one of the thousands of languages on planet earth, depending on the readers’ own mother tongue!

With this new eclectic recording Passenger A and Passenger S are anticipating the future, bestowing this flawless soundtrack for their next concept ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution’, a term first coined by ‘Klaus Schwab’ on a World Economic Forum during mid last decade.

With well-fortified titles like “4ir Intelligence”, “Bitcoins And Blockchains” or “Machine 2 Machine” METROLAND clearly put focus on the artificial, yet scientific side of the concept, whereas “7 principles”, “Klaus Schwab” and “Davos” emphasize the worldly character of Schwab’s brainchild.

Never before did METROLAND go this profound with titles such as “Smart Factory”, “Big data”, “Mimo” and the former single “Modularity”. Never before did the METROLAND machinery interact with humans, objects and theories in such an intellect manner, continuously guiding the audience through their trademark analogue electronic landscape made of vintage synth bleeps, pulsing basslines, bashing beats and lush Düsseldorf sound style.

Even though both the vinyl version and CD album each hold 12 tracks in total, METROLAND made a deliberate distinction, subtle alternative artwork and a different track listing, showing persistently that METROLAND is not your average computer pop band.

Industry 4.0 is here and now, what will it mean to be human?

Tracklist

  1. Industrie 4.0 (5’26)
  2. Davos (6’07)
  3. Bitcoins And Blockchains (4’31)*
  4. Big Data (4’29)*
  5. 4ir Intelligence (6’33)
  6. Out/In (1’55)*
  7. Machine 2 Machine (5’45)*
  8. Modularity (5’53)*
  9. Smart factory (7’25)
  10. Klaus Schwab (5’18)
  11. The 2nd Machine Age (5’59)
  12. 7 Principles (7’00)*

    * exclusive song or version on the digipak CD edition

Metroland – 1​.​1 EP

Metroland - 1​.​1 EP

METROLAND’s countdown towards their upcoming album, eagerly awaited by their fans for months reaches “0”! After both coloured 12inch vinyl versions of “4” came “3” (“Modularity”), and over “2” (“Davos”) they now continue the countdown with “1” holding the song entitled “4ir Intelligence”.

“4ir Intelligence” is their last single release and reveals what their concept of the new album “0” is all about, the new future era which came upon us only a few years ago. The idea to give this future era an appropriate soundtrack came after reading the fantastic book “the fourth industrial revolution” written by none less than Klaus Schwab, chairman of the World Economic Forum, held in ”Davos”.

“4ir Intelligence” is at the same time a reference to METROLANDs 80s pop past and it ejects into that futuristic fourth revolution. Winking to bands like OMD, YAZOO and BLANCMANGE when they magically produced the finest melodies and sequence layers, topped with the METROLAND vintage sound anno 2023, keeps placing these Belgian synth lovers in the heart of many fans of the Düsseldorf sound style.
Next to the title song, each METROLAND Passenger, from their own secluded habitat, reshaped “4ir Intelligence” into their very own personal view giving it wide and extra synthetic dimensions. Last but not least, METROLAND invited lifetime friend Franky Deblomme from CUBIC as external remixer unleashing his acidic Manchester sounds, all the way from Belgium, tweaking the atmosphere of the original version.

As always with METROLAND and their recurrent conceptual artistic approach, this EP comes out simultaneously in two different versions (“1.0” and “1.1”) each holding exclusive edits and remixes.

4, 3, 2, 1… Again, no reason to miss this link in the countdown chain, straight to the very end of “0”, straight into the future of the fourth industrial revolution.

Metroland – 1​.​0 EP

Metroland - 1​.​0 EP

METROLAND’s countdown towards their upcoming album, eagerly awaited by their fans for months reaches “0”! After both coloured 12inch vinyl versions of “4” came “3” (“Modularity”), and over “2” (“Davos”) they now continue the countdown with “1” holding the song entitled “4ir Intelligence”.

“4ir Intelligence” is their last single release and reveals what their concept of the new album “0” is all about, the new future era which came upon us only a few years ago. The idea to give this future era an appropriate soundtrack came after reading the fantastic book “the fourth industrial revolution” written by none less than Klaus Schwab, chairman of the World Economic Forum, held in ”Davos”.

“4ir Intelligence” is at the same time a reference to METROLANDs 80s pop past and it ejects into that futuristic fourth revolution. Winking to bands like OMD, YAZOO and BLANCMANGE when they magically produced the finest melodies and sequence layers, topped with the METROLAND vintage sound anno 2023, keeps placing these Belgian synth lovers in the heart of many fans of the Düsseldorf sound style.
Next to the title song, each METROLAND Passenger, from their own secluded habitat, reshaped “4ir Intelligence” into their very own personal view giving it wide and extra synthetic dimensions. Last but not least, METROLAND invited lifetime friend Franky Deblomme from CUBIC as external remixer unleashing his acidic Manchester sounds, all the way from Belgium, tweaking the atmosphere of the original version.

As always with METROLAND and their recurrent conceptual artistic approach, this EP comes out simultaneously in two different versions (“1.0” and “1.1”) each holding exclusive edits and remixes.

4, 3, 2, 1… Again, no reason to miss this link in the countdown chain, straight to the very end of “0”, straight into the future of the fourth industrial revolution.

Metroland – 2​.​1 EP

Metroland - 2​.​1 EP

METROLAND’s countdown across the recent releases towards their upcoming album “0”, eagerly awaited by their fans, is proceeding steadily. After both 12-inch vinyl versions of “4” came “3” (“Modularity”), and now we have reached “2”…

This 3rd release holds the single “Davos” where the genesis of the new album concept actually can be found; In fact, not from the Passengers themselves, but from someone closely related. The lyrical samples in the song will give a bit more insight on where this electronically induced road is heading for when they reach final destination: The new album “0”!

“Davos” reveals a more harsh sound side compared with many other tunes from the Belgian duo, bashing beats accompanied with a dry hitting bass, but as always spiced with the trademark METROLAND sequence layers and that unique touch of vintage synth music that keeps placing the Belgian duo in the heart of all fans of the Düsseldorf soundstyle.

Next to the title song, each METROLAND Passenger, from their own secluded habitat, reshaped “Davos” into their very own personal view giving it some extra synthetic dimensions. Last but not least, METROLAND invited the young Belgian LOXS as external remixer who took the track to ulterior levels and turned it into an epic dark techno anthem, rightly suiting the atmosphere of the original version. (Note that LOXS is nothing else but the dark electronic project of Passenger S’s eldest son!)

As always with METROLAND and their recurrent conceptual artistic approach, this EP comes out simultaneously in two different versions (“2.0” and “2.1”) holding each exclusive edits and remixes

4, 3, 2, 1… Again, no reason to miss this link in the countdown chain, straight to the very end which will reveal the concept of the album “0”.

Metroland – 2​.​0 EP

Metroland - 2​.​0 EP

METROLAND’s countdown across the recent releases towards their upcoming album “0”, eagerly awaited by their fans, is proceeding steadily. After both 12-inch vinyl versions of “4” came “3” (“Modularity”), and now we have reached “2”…

This 3rd release holds the single “Davos” where the genesis of the new album concept actually can be found; In fact, not from the Passengers themselves, but from someone closely related. The lyrical samples in the song will give a bit more insight on where this electronically induced road is heading for when they reach final destination: The new album “0”!

“Davos” reveals a more harsh sound side compared with many other tunes from the Belgian duo, bashing beats accompanied with a dry hitting bass, but as always spiced with the trademark METROLAND sequence layers and that unique touch of vintage synth music that keeps placing the Belgian duo in the heart of all fans of the Düsseldorf soundstyle.

Next to the title song, each METROLAND Passenger, from their own secluded habitat, reshaped “Davos” into their very own personal view giving it some extra synthetic dimensions. Last but not least, METROLAND invited the young Belgian LOXS as external remixer who took the track to ulterior levels and turned it into an epic dark techno anthem, rightly suiting the atmosphere of the original version. (Note that LOXS is nothing else but the dark electronic project of Passenger S’s eldest son!)

As always with METROLAND and their recurrent conceptual artistic approach, this EP comes out simultaneously in two different versions (“2.0” and “2.1”) holding each exclusive edits and remixes

4, 3, 2, 1… Again, no reason to miss this link in the countdown chain, straight to the very end which will reveal the concept of the album “0”.

Metroland – 3.1 EP

Metroland - 3.1 EP

Over more than a decade Belgian techno pop fame METROLAND has been touching many concepts during their musical ventures, going from an almost ordinary thing like commuting or a ride across Europe on the Thalys to art from Bauhaus or photography to very personal and sad events.

The theme that they started off with the previous EP (and limited vinyl!) “4” this year and which shall only be fully revealed little before the upcoming album is only to be touched lightly in this second single, called “3”. However, this time the veil is lifted a tad more than with its predecessor as the title track has an actual name: “Modularity”.

During the studio sessions for this album’s singles, Passenger A and Passenger S have each separately recreated each single into a vision of their own and edited it for each digital release. On top of that in the remix section we have for you a version by none other than ASPRA, also known as Sophia from MARSHEAUX, turning the song into a dreamy synthpop tune. And on the other hand we get the technological view of the song by Q’PNZ.

Two separate 4-track digital sets (“3.0” and “3.1”) are coming your way, holding each exclusive edits and remixes by your humble Passengers, ASTRA and Q’PNZ.

4, 3, 2, 1… Don’t miss this link of METROLAND’s ongoing countdown to the new theme.

The new tracks of course combine the typical METROLAND darker bass sounds with their trademark bleeps and analogue sequences. A guaranteed sonic delight for all lovers of vintage synth music, the Düsseldorf soundstyle and other “KRAFTWERK & co” artisans.