Powerful alternative rock with a generous helping of punk. Aggressive, emotional, uncompromising, but then again anthem-like, with a fine sense for melodies and catchy hooklines. Honest energetic rock instead of monotonous charts music.

SHEARER are a fresh breeze sweeping through the music business straight from Berlin, Germany.

But most of all SHEARER are authentic, rebellious and free! Free for everyone! They are a statement against the music industry’s conventions and shallowness: Independent Rock 2.0 instead of Digital Rights Management 2.0. They don’t deliver lawsuits free to the door but free music. SHEARER stand for everyone’s right to enjoy and particapte in music.

The reason behind this is obvious. SHEARER are into making music because they thoroughly enjoy music themselves. That doesn’t only reflect in how they deal with their fans – you can hear it, you can feel it. Where everyone is moaning and groaning – SHEARER are rocking. SHEARER are the the chili in the stale soup of everyday musical monotony. SHEARER are spicy and loud. SHEARER belong on this planet’s stages and into your speakers!

This is their latest creation: “Monument” from 06/25/2010 at afmusic / Danse Macabre.

Tracklisting:

1. Day’s End (02:49)
2. Monument (03:13)
3. Against My Nature (03:33)
4. Perfectly Legally (03:48)
5. What I Want Isn’t You (02:50)
6. Discord Disco (02:32)
7. Come On (04:11)
8. Synchronous Love (03:54)
9. Of My Own (01:33)
10. The Sun Always Warmed You (03:22)
11. Awkward Questions (03:19)
12. Pirate Anthem (03:44)
13. Shadow My Skin 2010 (02:40)

www.shearer.de | www.myspace.com/shearerkickassrock

Since his main band Emerald Park released their album “For Tomorrow” in February as free download, the Swede Daniel Jönsson follows up with his solo project and will release the album in fall as a free download under a Creative Commons license at afmusic and 23 Seconds as well.

In addition to the 10 songs there is a bonus track on the reissue – the single-B-Side “The Man In White”. The download is available from 10/05/2010 at http://danishdaycare.bandcamp.com/ an email address is provided, so the fan can choose between versions in MP3, FLAC, OGG, and iTunes-compatible AAC.

Tracklisting:
1. A Purpose To My Sins 04:53
2. Second Day In June 04:49
3. Doves 03:08
4. Never Change Never Fade 05:20
5. Red Dead Flowers 04:59
6. Boo 04:28
7. United Soil 04:43
8. She Said A Lot 04:59
9. Dead To Them 04:24
10. A Story Of Hurt 04:27
11. The Man in White 05:07

Download: http://danishdaycare.bandcamp.com/

Links: Danish Daycare | 23 Seconds Netlabel

‘Phantom’, the eagerly awaited second CD by (((S))), appears like a liberation of an entire scene that seems frozen in 30 years, spreading spasmodically attached depression and often enough, it just seems unauthentic.

Already alike with his debut album “Ghost” inspired the Dane (((S))) listeners and critics, and was knighted by MICK MERCER as “Album of the Year 2009 “. But instead of resting on its laurels, the man behind the project that is “ungoogleable” and thus escapes any grid, creates a second album, coming out on 16/04/2010 at afmusic / Danse Macabre.

“Phantom” delivers all of the debut’s high expactations, and doesn’t need to fear the competition of big names. This is Wavepop in its best form. (((S))) don’t deny their roots in Wave with their undulating bass, steady drums, shimmering guitars and elegiac synths.

But (((S))) are refreshingly relaxed, surprisingly easy, fascinating, danceable, and so reminiscent of releases round millenium by NEW ORDER or the winking late work by Adam Ant. The playful arrangements, the skilful knack for melodies and hooks, not least the whispering vocals … everything is nice and relaxed looseness stereotypes in combination with a healthy dose of musical irony, makes tapping the toes or just rock the lips to sing along many a time.

‘Phantom’ is a first-class Wave album, simultaneously pure pop and after all, it’s just fun.

Tracklisting:

1. A crying shame
2. Lonely is the lighthouse
3. Invisible man
4. We’re in the wind
5. Autumnhead
6. Walk
7. Addicted to my dreams
8. A handful of dust
9. Tired hangs the head
10. Hole in my heart

RD: 04/30/2010

You can download for free 2 songs from the album plus some remixes, that will not appear on the album, at http://fustydk.bandcamp.com/album/phantom-free-web-edition.

http://www.myspace.com/fustydk

Exactly 15 months after the first publication of their successful album “For Tomorrow” on Valentine’s Day there will be a re-release in the form of a ’2010 edition ‘. This free downloadable version of the album contains all the 12 songs and further more 2 new tracks: “Obscured by Lies,” which also was featured on the ‘afmusic #50 compilation and the previously unreleased song “Satellite” as bonustrack.

The download is available from 14.02.2010 on http://emeraldpark.bandcamp.com/ - an email address is provided, so the fan can choose between versions in MP3, FLAC, OGG, and iTunes-compatible AAC.

Tracklisting:

1. Intro 01:09
2. The Commonfield 05:01
3. Ume 03:57
4. A Higher Loss 04:41
5. Värnhem 03:57
6. Istanbul 04:30
7. At the Mall 02:50
8. Open 04:04
9. Pasadena 04:22
10. Lights of Sunday 04:44
11. Ambivalence 01:56
12. For Tomorrow 06:24
13. Obscured By Lies 04:12
14. Satellite 05:24

http://www.myspace.com/emeraldpark

More Downloads:

• http://www.af-music.de/releases/afm075-emerald-park-for-tomorrow-2010-edition/
• http://www.23seconds.org/042.htm
• http://emeraldpark.bandcamp.com/
• http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/61436

Another year draws to a close and the ubiquitous Christmas Terror is superimposed over the next few days, probably back everything we loved and important. At this point, however, you deserve our thanks for your great support for afmusic. Because of your help, we were able to set some accents in the often boring music business, and we are very proud of more than half a million downloads of the songs of our artists. And that’s why we have here in December – beside the new album “Mental Straitjacket” by Camp Z – more free downloads at afmusic.

MAV

MAV have just formed back in 2008, in the quiet Modena (Italy). They came together down on ads that have run in the local press. Quickly, their meetings became very productive and the boys began to cover some old eighties-songs. The aim was finding their own way, without forgetting the old days. The essence of it is a mixture of very dark Electrowave, a little bit of Futurepop, with a lot of 80′s-atmosphere that gets out of hand into Ambient and Gothic.

Their EP “Enter” was published in 2009 as a free download at Zorch Factory Records, and a short time later on CD at Danse Macabre. On the download single “Il Crepuscolo Della Coscienza” there is now also a B-side, a cover version of The Cure song “The Kiss”.

http://www.af-music.de/en/releases/afm066-mav-il-crepuscolo-della-coscienza-single/

REBENTISCH

Rebentisch want to give their fans a way to escape from the rampaging Christmas terror and offers some rare demo tapes and rehearsal recordings as a compilation for free download. Interesting are the differences to the recordings that made it officially on this year’s album “Herz zerrissen” or onto the EP by Der Zerfall.

http://www.af-music.de/en/releases/afm072-rebentisch-homerecording/

In November 2009 Sven Rebentisch also stood again in front of the camera. In collaboration with LEA LOUISE MARSHALL, which already did the current Rebentisch clip “Angst”, a new video for the song “Danach” from the current album “Herz zerrissen” will be recorded. This time contribute a variety of extras in the clip, that lends the necessary trash-flair which Sven would love to have for this one. So the fans may be very curious to see what the new year at REBENTISCHS’ home brings us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lryyrQIV6E

ON WAVE

It’s been a while since we published 2 EP’s of the russian indie band On Wave on afmusic. After “Vodka Bear Matreshka” in August last year and the follower “Special Thanks” in January 2009, it became a little quiet around Ilya Romanenkov, Misha Proskurin, Maksim Sushkov and their new drummer Marak Gvozdovsky. Though means quiet not sitting around idly and so there are now 15 new tracks, the full debut album “Ginger”. True to their motto ‘We are doing Indie. For You” as a free download. Purchase a version of the album will be available from mid-January in all major download stores and in the MP3 shop of afmusic too.

http://www.af-music.de/en/releases/afm074-on-wave-ginger/

THE FORCED OSCILLATIONS

Meanwhile, there are 3 releases of the band from Moscow on afmusic. Founded in 2005 as a duo the transformation of German New Wave and EBM-bands influenced songs towards bass-heavy and atmospheric post-punk took its place. Before there is new material of the band, we have “Garlics” promo compilation for you as a free-download. In addition to the 3 EP’s there are some more recent live recordings on it. Anyone who didn’t took notice of The Forced Oscillations until now can get a complete impression of the bands’ work and their experimentation on this way.

http://www.af-music.de/en/releases/afm073-the-forced-oscillations-garlics-compilation/

GODEX

Also Godex distribute gifts and offer immediate periodically downloads from their current album “Gates of the Universe”. It’ll begin with the song “Eagles”, followed shortly by „Dream with you“ right before the Christmas holidays start off. More info about this on the band’s website, on Facebook or Twitter.

http://godex-music.de/ | http://www.facebook.com/pages/Godex/159314506588 | http://twitter.com/godexmusic

Thanks for your support

Today the digital version of the Danish Daycare’s debut album “A Story of Hurt” appears. The CD version will follow on 23.10.2009 on Danse Macabre.

Between 2001-2005 Daniel played Keyboards for ‘Eyedrop’, a group originating from Malmo. In 2002 the first album “You And Me Vs. The Machine” was released and Eyedrop made themselves quite well known in southern Sweden. Unfortunately the band split up in 2005 and the members drifted apart. At that time Daniel already had some new ideas, taking place in a small recording studio in his apartment in Malmo. The solo project Danish Daycare was born.

Some 3-4 songs were recorded before Daniel joined yet another band from Malmo: Emerald Park – now as guitarist and keyboarder. Already during the work with Emerald Park, Daniel worked parallel on the record of his own songs, in all simplicity and by small means in his apartment studio, which now was named Danish Daycare Studio.

Danish Daycare produced more and more songs, eventually 10 tracks on the debut album were recorded and contracted to Smaragd Records. afmusic, already working with Emerald Park, started cooperating with Danish Daycare and on September 9, 2009, the first single “A Purpose To My Sins” was released (take a look here). The ten different songs on Danish Daycare’s “A Story Of Hurt” describe the inner feelings of a 34 year old Malmo citizen; love and betrayal, tenderness and pain, friendship and reflections upon life in general.

Amongst many others, influences from The Cure, New Order, Depeche Mode and Doves – which all played an important role in Daniels musical life time – can clearly be heard. In 2008 Emerald Park’s album “For Tomorrow” was released, but in 2009 Daniel put all his energy and soul to complete the Danish Daycare debut album.

All links and downloads can be found here »

Tracklisting:

1. A Purpose To My Sins
2. Second Day In June
3. Doves
4. Never Change Never Fade
5. Red Dead Flowers
6. Boo
7. United Soil
8. She Said A Lot
9. Dead To Them
10. A Story Of Hurt

http://www.af-music.de/en/releases/afm067-danish-daycare-a-story-of-hurt/

Interview with (((S))) for Dark Essence at 4ZzZfm (Brisbane, Australia)

Tracklist:
1. (((S))) – Ghost In The Show
2. (((S))) – Mesmerized
3. (((S))) – In The Shadow Of A Shadow

(((S))) is a mysterious one-man-project from Copenhagen. There are no pictures of either himself or his studio band. Their music nevertheless creates whole worlds. The sinister serenades of the debut “Ghost” switches on your head and set your imagination running wild with its gentle sounds and dreamy sad dancefloor fillers.

Set somewhere in the dynamic field between The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Cure and Tiamat the scandinavian singer’s songs touch and move you. “Mezmerized” and “Fall with me” are catchy wave-jewels, “Naked” and “Dying” full of dark atmoshere. The faboulous Beatles-Cover “Help” gives the impression the original was by Pink Floyd.

Floating above it all is the ghostly voice of (((S))), like Johan Edlund from a far and more “comfortably numb” then David Gilmour. Denmark’s new act will find a lot of friends in the scene. “Ghost” is the ideal soundtrack to an evening with wine and candlelight but also an earthquake on the dancefloor.

The album will be released on the 20th of April. You can also download an EP with five songs for free.

Tracklisting:

1. In the Shadow of a shadow
2. Mesmerized
3. Mamachild
4. Deathtrip
5. Naked
6. Fall with me
7. Hungover
8. Help
9. Who loves the lover?
10. When the well runs dry
11. Dying

THE SLIMP are one of these bands whose output is worth a best-of after a few years yet. Last year, the band from Cologne released the compilation “Recall 2003 – 2005″ to share a review on their own creations with their growing number of supporters.

In 2009, the THE SLIMP are looking into the future again – and the new record shows, that a look back can as well be a look ahead: “Wavelands” sends cosy shivers down your spine like we remember from our favourite bands of the eighties. But the dark-wave band from Cologne sounds a lot fresher than most of their genre-fellows, delivering an album that can easily be a match for the great names of the scene. The songs offer so many diverse structures that not only hardcore wave fans but all true lovers of good music might hunger for “Wavelands”. THE SLIMP go beyond striking bass-lines and the “clean Cure-strat”, presenting their most homogenous and mature album now.

Front-singer Elisa drives the eleven songs forward with her straight voice, moving lasciviously through the sensuous moments. Besides the good singing, the unique song-structures are an indulgence to the well-disposed listener.

After all, the band unwaveringly follows the track, that they started driving on with their debut “Masquerade” in 2004. But by now, the dark-wave field path of then has become a broad motorway with exits to indie (“Hypnosis”) and pop (“Love and Lie”). In between these alternative rides, THE SLIMP again and again invite their listeners to rest on one of the numerous beautifully situated lay-bys (“Wavelands”, “Island Fog”). This motorway really makes us curious to know its destination. For the moment, it’s a guarantee for a relaxed and yet exciting journey through modern wave-landscapes – with THE SLIMP always being some kilometres ahead of their competitors.

In its quiet moments, THE SLIMP’s new record is the comforting warm pullover that you wish for when the heating breaks down in winter. When it gets going, the record runs like a well-oiled machine. On “Wavelands”, all parts just work perfectly hand in hand.

Tracklist:

1. The Gate
2. Cold Cold Sun
3. Wavelands
4. Hypnosis
5. Island Fog
6. Lines
7. Love and Lie
8. Cold Clear Water
9. A Hundred Thousand Faces
10. Nightly Walk
11. Nightmare – Scream Edit

We re-released now the the netsingle “Days” by Curious, which was published in cooperation with Sonorium on 10/28/08, under a Creative Commons by-nc-sa license. Now therefore are both songs “Days” and “J.Mary” totally free of charge and legally downloadable worldwide in the net.

Tracklist:

1. Days (Single Version)
2. J.Mary

Download: http://www.af-music.de/releases/curious-days/

The single is licensed to the public under a Creative Commons by-nc-sa license.