Top five industrial bands to watch for in 2011

OK here is my list of exciting bands to watch out for this year... obviously this was a tough list to narrow down to 5.

5. Formalin
I received Formalin’s debut (and still only) release, an album called Bodyminding, as a review copy from Out Of Line recently. I’d never heard of this band and I must say was very impressed. It’s mean, growly, German EBM, heavily incorporating the spirit of some of the more minimal pioneers like Klinik and Dive, but without being too derivative. It’s full of tough attitude and tight beats and I like it! Looking forward to more from Formalin!

4. Tzolk’in
I’ve mentioned before how much I completely love Tribal Industrial, despite the fact that the number of bands in the world making it you can count on one hand. Well Tzolk’in is one of those very few, and they are completely fantastic. Both albums Tonatiuh and Haab rock my socks off with their grim but uplifting Mayan-inspired tribal beats (but if I had to pick one, Haab is slightly better). Note that there is currently no actual evidence that Tzolk'in are working on a new album, so this is largely wishful thinking... But have a listen to their amazing track Kumk'U in the meantime:


3. Hecq
After a couple of early underwhelming releases, Hecq suddenly started putting out some of the best IDM influenced industrial around, taking a couple of leaves out of Kattoo’s books but including a whole bunch of unique creativity. He put out a spurt of amazing releases from 2007 to 2009, but since then has fallen a bit quiet, only releasing a split 12inch with someone called Exillon (??). Hecq’s website simply says “Coming back soon!”. Not soon enough!

2. The Panic Lift
I recently described Panic Lift as one of the very few bands who can rescue aggrotech from the pit of mediocrity into which it is rapidly sliding. This thoroughly inspiring band has recently put a new track on their Myspace, and left some pretty clear indications in their blog of a forthcoming release. The big question is however, which label will pick them up? Tympanik Audio have largely filled the void left by Hive Records, but it remains to be seen if something like Panic Lift, with feet planted more in the “club” side of industrial than most Tympanik releases, can find a home there. If not, maybe the bigger labels like Out of Line can wake up and see how much talent this group has?

1. Totakeke
OK I’ll be straight up: Totakeke is the single most creative and brilliant artist producing electronic music in the world right now. I like this band more and more every day and all the albums I have of his are completely inspiring. To anyone who claims that industrial music is dead or boring, bash a Totakeke CD over their head until they shut it. So what if the band name sucks, the music is simply jawdropping in its intelligence, emotion and production. If you don't believe me, have a listen to Permanent Note:

And with three studio albums released in the last three years, the man is showing no signs of slowing down. Go Totakeke!