FRONT 242 - Two In One (Alfa Matrix)

In 2024, FRONT 242 is unleashing the re-release of some 5 timeless classics on classy crystal clear vinyl in their original vintage design artwork. It’s a true sensational pleasure for the ears rediscovering these great classic tunes on vinyl format, reminding us how these releases firmly placed the group as a major driving force of electronic music for the many years to follow.

Just like for the previous batch, the two last releases “Two In One” and “Geography” will be available in a combo 2-vinyl package offered with a second and different exclusive FRONT 242 tote bag limited to 500 units worldwide and strictly available through the official Alfa Matrix store and their official German e-shop www.deejaydead.de

Two In One” compiles FRONT 242’s two very first 2-track singles, originally released in 1981 and 1982. It also features founding members Dirk Bergen next to Daniel B. and which announced the band’s classic debut album “Geography”. Two classic singles in electronic music history which became such influential releases on the development of industrial / EBM music throughout the 80’s and far beyond and which constitute the layers on which FRONT 242 was constructed.

And like they enjoy shouting it out loud… “always ahead!”. Catch the men live during their final tour across the year 2024.

The limited bag will also include the 25^th edition of the “Sounds From The Matrix” CD compilation series

featuring some 19 Spleen+ & Alfa Matrix artists mixing hot tracks of the moment and offering some exclusive previews of new songs taken from forthcoming releases coming out later this year… Enjoy the amazing sonic diversity from the matrix and its Spleen+ cold wave post punk division.

01. THE BREATH OF LIFE . down we go

02. HANGING FREUD . falling tooth

03. PSY’AVIAH feat. SORROW STORIES . heaven is not enough

04. THE NAMES . apophenia

05. THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS . piano ghost (rough mix)

06. IMJUDAS . go away

07. LOVELORN DOLLS . a heart cries

08. FREAKANGEL . death bloom

09. THE TRUE UNION . blinded

10. NEIKKA RPM . sharp as lies

11. ACYLUM . oder tod

12. MISERIA ULTIMA . sworn to control

13. AVARICE IN AUDIO . faith

14. NOEMI AURORA . shining

15. ELEKTROSTAUB feat. Richard Bjørklund (SPEKTRALIZED). you are my angel (short edit)

16. ENTRZELLE . hero (matrix edit)

17. ELEKTROKLÄNGE . bordcomputer (radio edit)

18. 808 DOT POP . fm-am

19. METROLAND . cooperation in a fragmented world

Now time for the actual review (however, do you still need it?):

Principles has no lyrics and mixes EBM with a guitar. You can hear it was very experimental (if you imagine that this song was released more then 40 years ago! Ahead of time, indeed! Yet I prefer our man behind the microphone!

Body To Body without any vocals? Sounds strange, for sure since we all know the version with.

SIDE B

U-men stays a classic track with their groundbreaking EBM mark! Feel the music, feel the beats, feel the rhythm! Be ready to dance and let yourself go!

Ethics is a lesser know track (at least to me). I hear some vocals, the tempo is ok. I feel like this was a filler or at least a song that needed to grow a bit more before getting recorded. I also hear that The Neon Judgement might have been influenced by this song.

Well it’s nice to look back at these as I was way to young at that time (think 8 or 9) and I was more into David Bowie at that time. I think newer fans will adore this one whilst older fans will just buy it to add it to their rich collection! Enjoy and don’t forget to go to their last shows!