Various Artists - Mythical Tapes Vol. 1

God damn! I love tapes! Especially ones with good music and a free download with the purchase. Its amazing how much untapped material is out there. It kind of makes me want to start a tape label. That must be the feeling of many aspiring talent scouts and future record executives as there are 100's of these tiny labels making an impact within the electronic underground.

Mythical Tapes is based in Helsinki, Finland. They focus on quality music from all parts of the world. We have seven songs that fall mostly into the minimal electro and EBM genres from more or less unknown artists with Zex Model being the only one I have heard prior to getting this.

Speaking of Russia's Zex Model. Mr. Von Aphid has been very busy with remixing as well as releasing his 'Mind Slaughter' 12" on Desire Records. Zex Model bleeds out some sinister sounds that splatter elements of Tackhead, Borghesia and Skinny Puppy. With "Motormouth (Live Bootleg Version)" you get a slow dark dirge of menacing noises and distant vocals. The ritualistic beats round out this nightmarish soundscape.

To Feed A Neon Forest introduces us to an extraordinary minimal electropop tune called "Glamorous Hands". The deep male voice channels a comforting feel to go along with a highly memorable chorus and pumping dancefloor rhythms. I sincerely hope there is more from this artist! They are definitely on to something here.

Konstantin E "Dangerous Life (Noisebunker Acid Version)" is a gripping synth-wave instrumental with swirling fuzzed out synths.

Lola Kumtus - "Everyone Must Be Like Me" is a pretty straight forward approach to minimal synth reminiscent of early Bakterielle Infektion and Fiction Technology. Check out their Soundcloud for another look into this promising act.

Top Jugend 90 courts us with their style of EBM beats that may have been conceived while listening to an early Front 242 album. There is a nice partnership of beats and some small Headroom-like vocal samples/parts. There is a Soundcloud site for the band with more nice tunes for your enjoyment.

Winged Pegasus - "Leviathan" is another instrumental. The music injects some elements of "Warm Leatherette" with atmospheric veins delivering a frigid dose of synthetic pleasure!

The final track is by Contra Gang. The opening may have you thinking about Darth Vader's entrance theme, but it quickly changes with a beast-like growl and enter the 80's synths and samples set to a modern EBM beat.

There is not much to go on with these artists. Zex Model is your best bet to get more. There is a 5 track digital release on Bandcamp and the forthcoming 12" on Desire Records that I mentioned above.

Cheers to Mythical Tapes for making a fine debut release. Nov 26 2013