"La Muse Vénale" compilation (1985)

An outstanding coldwave compilation from Marseille side.
Released by Exil in 1985 as the cassette.
There's only one act, which may be called "famous" (Martin Dupont), others are almost unknown.
If you're looking for Closed Session material, look here (and be thankful to Capa Nostra).
About Formes Nouvelles: according to discogs.com, they released a CD. I'm still searching for this one.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
Chapitre I:
01) Prelude
02) Vision Baroque - Mugarax
03) Vision Baroque - Send No Flowers
04) Vision Baroque - Le Goût Du Sang / The New
05) Corps Diplomatique - Sin Of Flesh
06) Corps Diplomatique - Puzzle Sheeps
07) Corps Diplomatique - Les Métamorphoses
08) Local Passion - Le Faiseur De Songes
09) Local Passion - Le Bouclier D'Athena
10) Local Passion - Nouvelle Histoire
11) Without Sense - Schizophrenia
12) Without Sense - Black Magic

Chapitre II:
01) Seventeen Steps - Melancholy
02) Seventeen Steps - Here Is To Her Smile
03) Martin Dupont - He Calls The Sky Hector
04) Martin Dupont - Accident Of Stars
05) Martin Dupont - Top Of The Pyramid
06) Closed Session - What Have You Learnt
07) Closed Session - Proctis Day
08) Formes Nouvelles - Present And The Lost
09) Formes Nouvelles - The Sun, He, Never Lies
10) Formes Nouvelles - Greece On The Morning
11) Outro

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Zero Divide - Ciné Club (1984)

A fantastic coldwave act from Paris.
They released only this 7inch vinyl.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Ciné Club
02) Scénario

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Bunker Strasse - Bunker (1987)

BunkerStrasse's first official release.
Released by Hayoon Limit? label.
Thanks to Hochmah for providing this K7.
If you ask me for the best place to start listening to french coldwave, then I advise you this stuff.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) My Own Way
02) Le Retour Du Roi
03) Mirror
04) Tears (Live)
05) Souvenirs (Live)

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Clair Obscur - Demos (1990)

Another rare demo-cassette from one of my all-time favourite bands, Clair Obscur.
This could be an official version of album "Rock" in 1990.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) La Terre
02) L'Etude
03) Downtown Part 1
04) Downtown Part 2
05) We Went
06) La Bourse Ou La Vie
07) Multiple
08) Showtime/Saint Joseph
09) Venceremos

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Da - Dark Rooms (1981) + Charge - Luxury (1982)

Da were an almost unknown punk/new-wave band from Chicago rock scene. It reminds Siouxsie And The Banshees a little. And... I'm still looking for their next work "Time Will Be Kind".
Charge were from London. "Punk turns into goth" or something like that. Their only studio LP can be found here.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
Da - Dark Rooms 7" (1981)
01) Dark Rooms
02) White Castles

Charge - Luxury 7" (1982)
01) Luxury
02) Madman In The North

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Cherche-Lune - Dun Amrys (1994)

Nice ethereal/neoclassical stuff, similar to Collection d'Arnell~Andréa and Rise And Fall Of A Decade.
First I heard them on an outstanding "Sacrilège" compilation, released in 1991 by french label Prikosnovénie.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Wolfgang
02) Shili
03) Y S
04) Circe
05) Berceuse
06) Waerda
07) Dark Eyes
08) Lettre A...

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Fatidic Seconde - Métropolis 7" (1985)

Touching and catchy "cold pop". Highly recommended to eurodance-music fans.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Métropolis
02) Le Feu De Perles

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Bunker Strasse - Live In Ronchin 24.09.1989 ("Espoirs Ephémères" festival)

Today's post is this rare live tape by genious coldwave band from the north of France. Getting some titles from this K7 was VERY hard, but I thank Didier Vendevilie, a Bunker Strasse musician, which helped me to get some knowness. And, of course, thanks Alex Flaying for this material!
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Intro/Rêve De Pierre
02) Les Amants Maudits
03) Mirror
04) Les 25 Pièces Sont Vides
05) For I Can
06) Folie Démence
07) Suicide
08) Senso
09) Feast
10) Crime

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L'An III - Untitled (1987)

Another french coldwave miracle.
Very impressive and melodic songs, similar to Neutral Project.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Suicide
02) Euthanasie
03) Utopie
04) Mise Au Point
05) Accident Mortel
06) Isanera
07) Pas Comme Ca
08) Konzentration Läger
09) Berlin
10) Déferlements
11) Erster Tod, Zweites Leben
12) Enjoy
13) No Way
14) Interdictions

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Tuatha De Danann - Éclectique (1988)

Excellent coldwave act, known by these compilations.
Their music contains some elements of ritual industrial alongside with the romantic touching pop songs.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) La Danse Macabre
02) L'Horloge
03) Instrumental
04) La Colère
05) Classique
06) Changement
07) Instrumental
08) Éclectique
09) Mémoire Perdue
10) Instrumental
11) Numero Six
12) Confusion

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Sombre Septembre - Le Nez Rouge 7'' + Mélancolie (from "Esom Elion Esmaris") (1989)

Excellent music for walking alone amongst the autumn leaves!
Nostalgic and melancholic one...
P.S. I couldn't find a song "Passée La Nuit" to complete their discography.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Le Nez Rouge
02) Le Sommeil De Trop?
+ 03) Mélancolie (Esom Elion Esmaris VA - 1989)

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Clair Obscur - Smurf In The Gulag (1986)

Today's post is a 12-inch vinyl from Clair Obscur.
Probably, it was time of band's musical redirection from post-punk to industrial coldwave.
Enjoy!

01) Smurf In The Gulag
02) Le Cheminement Du Pelerin
03) La Ballade Des Gens Heureux

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The Bonaparte's - Shiny Battles (1985)

Another almost forgotten french post-punk/coldwave band.
They released only two LP's. I think this one's better than "Welcome To The Isle Of Dogs". By the way, Lol Tolhurst helped them to make their second album!
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) The Battle Of Iena
02) Waterloo's Front
03) Shiny Light
04) Women In Light
05) They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha! Ha!...

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Neutral Project - Comme Un Oiseau De Proie... (1989)

Well, after 20 days of absence, I'm coming back.
Today's post is a first release of Neutral Project.
IMHO, NP is the best Kristian Dernoncourt project I've ever heard.
My favourite song here is "J'Appelle...".
This stuff is very haunting and dramatic.
Enjoy!

01) Soleil De Nuit (2ème Eclipse)
02) J'Appelle...
03) A Vision In Your Eyes
04) Enigmatic Dream
05) La Mer Des Sarcasmes
06) Reviens!
07) Future
08) Nuit D'Automne
09) Révolte De L'Amour
10) Et Le Rêve Devint Légende

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"Extérieur Nuit" compilation (2000)

Today's post is this fantastic gothic-rock/coldwave compilation.
Includes the masterpiece works by Memoires D'automne, Neutral Project, Bunkerstrasse, Lucie Cries and others.
That's weird stuff... Released only as K7 by Apratima.
Enjoy!

01) Wallenberg - Memories Damage (or Sniffin' Glue)
02) Tales - Enough
03) Hide & Seek - Le Chercheur D'arbres
04) Ultimatome - El Hasima
05) Memoires D'automne - Dance Of The Nothing
06) Neutral Project - Shadows
07) Lucie Cries - Vers L'azur
08) Guardian Bird - Renaissance
09) Neutral Project - Prisoner
10) Memoires D'automne - Blurred Pictures
11) Curtain - The Empty Sky
12) Bunkerstrasse - Les 25 Pieces Sont Vides
13) Season Five - Passion
14) Neutral Project - Sous Le Soleil De Novembre
15) Wallenberg - The Silence Or The Death
16) Ultimatome - Anyone
17) Lucie Cries - Les Soleils Felons
18) Renaissance Noire - D'irlande + Les Nuits N'ont Pas D'ombres

Download part 1 (tracks 01-10)
Download part 2 (tracks 11-18)

L'Avis G821 - Die Kaisergruft K7 (1989)

Kristian Dernoncourt (Bunkerstrasse, Neutral Project, Renaissance Noire, No Tears) industrial/coldwave project.
Great atmospheric work.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Kalt
02) M.S.N.
03) Murs Murs
04) b tn' flai
05) What
06) Murmures
07) Die Kaisergruft (bonus reprise)

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Persona Non Grata - Our Shade Of Sin (1984)

Another amazing coldwave/post-punk band from Rouen.
They released this LP on legendary L'Invitation Au Suicide label.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) The Heirs part I
02) The Heirs part II
03) Brother
04) Sunk With A Sheen
05) The Clawing I
06) The Clawing II
07) lroquois Boys (and Bogey Girls)
08) Lacerados Hombres
09) End

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Runners From 1984 - S/T EP (1978)

Patrick Leagas and Richard Butler pre-DI6 project. I'd rather call this psycho-post-punk!
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Back Of Our Minds
02) For The Cause
03) Only A Human Being
04) Four Minute Warning

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Decades - Le Jour Se Lève (1992)

The band that became one of my favourite gothic rock acts after I heard "Esom Elion Esmaris" and "L'Appel De La Muse, Vol. 2" compilations. Touching romantic songs with a drift into the "dark-rock".
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
1) La Vie Devant Soi
2) Sauvagerie
3) Le Jour Se Lève
4) Printemps

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Octobre - Next Year In Asia (1982)

Great short-lived french new wave band.
Actually, this band is a project of Marquis De Sade & Marie Et Les Garçons members. 
They released two albums: Next Year In Asia'82 and Paolino Parc'83.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Metropolitan opera
02) Nastassja
03) Next year in asia
04) Acteurs
05) White days
06) Elegante solution

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1984 - Specjalny Rodzaj Kontrastu

That's my first post, dedicated to polish post-punk 80's movement. 1984 is a Cure-stylish band with some coldwave ("zimna fala") elements.
Specjalny Rodzaj Kontrastu LP is a compilation of 1986-87 studio & live recordings.
Enjoy!

01) Pierwszy śnieg
02) Wstajemy na raz, śpiewamy na dwa
03) Święto urodzaju
04) Ferma hodowlana
05) Zaśpiewaj wojowniku
06) Manitou
07) Zabiłem pająka
08) Pierwszy dzień zmartwychwstania
09) Ferma hodowlana
10) Sztuczne oddychanie
11) Radio Niebieskie Oczy Heleny
12) Wstajemy na raz, śpiewamy na dwa
13) Tu nie będzie rewolucji
14) Specjalny rodzaj kontrastu
15) Biała chorągiewka
16) Czas pokonanych
17) Pod szkłem
18) Pierwszy front
19) Niech płoną sny
20) Komisariat

Download part 1 (tracks 01-10)
Download part 2 (tracks 11-20)

Awesome coldwave posts!

First of all, I want to "promote" some great posts from Capa Nostra's blog (from the "Must have it" category):
1) Les Enfants De L'Ombre - La Haine Rode Et Nous Guette (1988)
2) Closed Session - Song For Sale (Tape) (1986)
3) Die Bunker - Dreams Are Not Free (1988)
4) DZ Lectric - Le Moine (1984)
5) Pro Memoria - Elegeia 12'' (1989)

Of course, there's not only coldwave acts. I've found some interesting releases by deathrock miracle Gargoyle Sox, very rare LP by german NDW/goth band Geisterfahrer and excellent album of polish new wave act Brygada Kryzys.

Next, take a trip down Curious Guy's blog:
1) DZ Lectric - Be Eclectic! (1987)
2) Ausweis - s/t MLP (1984)
3) Odessa - s/t 7" (1984)

Perfect Cranio's blog contains:
1) Der Bau Compilation (1986)
2) Vox Populi! LP's
3) Reseau d'Ombres works

At last, you MUST see Frankie Teardrop's blog. There you can find:
1) Guerre Froide - "Archives" and "Untitled" 12''
2) Taxi Girl - Cherchez le Garçon Mini (1980)
3) Résistance - 100 Lives (1989)
4) Babel 17 - Shades (1991)

Maeror Tri - Sensuum Mendacia (1991)

Excellent example of early MT "searchings".
This sixth MT cassette contains 1989-91 recordings.
According to booklet, this tape is dedicated to the senses!
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Antrum
02) Soma 2
03) Choir Of Transcendence
04) Mental Electricity
05) Aegritudo
06) Animorum Post Mortem Ab Aliis Ad Alios Transitio

Download

Gestalt - Le Sommeil Du Singe (1988)

Great coldwave project, which compiled accordion-cabaretish spirit of 1920's with cold batcave sound. Another masterpiece released by Autoprod in the end of the 80's.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Deuxieme Ombre
02) Mikrokosm
03) V.N.
04) Ditja Berlina
05) Novi Mundi
06) Mille Nuits
07) Le Sommeil du Singe

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And Also The Trees - The Millpond Years (1987)

One of the best albums of this unique english post-punk band.
An atmosphere is quite cold and "archaic".
Here's lyrics from my favourite AATT song called "Simple Tom And The Ghost of Jenny Bailey":

The day flees the town with a drunkards yell,,
Silence from the slaughterhouse
And the midnight bell
Shudders down Shambles alley
Slamming shutters-
And the market litter flies,
Newspaper acrobats, straw and rags
Whirl up to Tom's window...
And away.

Simple Tom looks out across the town,
'Come into my shipwreck room,'
Creaking beams and tilting shadows
And the tallow-sticks burn
High above athe cobble streets.
'Come into my shipwreck room
Jenny Bailey.'

We can see Tom's hand only,
Pulling horse-fair from the chair.
The candle splutters,
His pupil shrinks, his pupil grows.
'You are my ghost Jenny Bailey,
Come and dance with me
While the whole town sleeps.'

Simple Tom looks out across the town,
'Walk across the scaly roofs
Look into my open window,
Oh, my rooftop girl
Rats-tail hair and milky skin
Glinting in the weather-vanes...
Jenny Bailey.'

Tracklist:
01) The Suffering of The Stream
02) Simple Tom and The Ghost of Jenny Bailey
03) The House of The Heart
04) This Ship in Trouble
05) Count Jefferey
06) Shaletown
07) The Sandstone Man
08) From The Silver Frost
09) The Millpond Years
10) Needle Street
11) L'Unica Strada

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Die Atlantikschwimmer - S/T (1985)

Cool NDW band. They released only two albums (according to discogs.com).
This one is the second. No further info.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Komm Mit Mir (3:26)
02) Der Tunnel (4:52)
03) Film Mit Überlänge (4:39)
04) Lage Der Nation (2:33)
05) Sehnsucht (4:20)
06) Herbst (3:43)

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Death In June - Archive Material (198?)

The tracks 2-12 were released on "The Phoenix Has Risen".
Other tracks are from different performances and demos.
Released in 1987 (or 1988) by Sixth Comm...
I hope you like it!
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Speeches
02) We Drive East 1
03) We Drive East 2
04) Knives
05) Nation
06) In The Nightime 1
07) In The Nightime 2
08) Himmel Strasse
09) Nothing Changes
10) Intermission
11) Untitled
12) Nirvana
13) Untitled
14) Untitled
15) Born Again
16) The Torture Garden 1
17) The Torture Garden 2
18) Untitled
19) The Calling
20) Carousel
21) Doubt To Nothing

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"L'Appel De La Muse" compilation (1989)

Released by "Alea jacta est" label in 1989.
Here you can find the coldest opera by Excès Nocturne, the industrial-oriented track by Medikao and gothic post-punk masterpiece by Lucie Cries...
Probably, this 10-track compilation is the best place to start listening coldwave!
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) Lucie Cries "The Muse's Calling"
02) Clair Obscur "Froh"
03) L'an III "Les Enfants"
04) Medikao "Sex Gore"
05) Little Nemo "Alan's Waiting (2nd Version)"
06) Excès Nocturne "Dahlia Noir"
07) Tuatha De Danann "Anastoria"
08) Mary Goes Round "The Nightmare (1st Version)"
09) Message "The Grave"
10) Asylum Party "Dreaming"

Download

Brigade Internationale - Regard Extrême (1984)

Another brilliant french coldwave band, which released this only one album.
BI's music is a mix of classic synthetic coldwave sound with industrial or even post-industrial.
Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01) First Time
02) Arche Tenebre
03) In Obscurity
04) Normal Night
05) Regard Extreme
06) First Time
07) Remember Me
08) Le Desert
09) Alone
10) Normal Night
11) Dernier Eté

Download

Voyage De Noz - Opera (1990)

The group which was giving rise to "Rock Lyonnaise" genre.
Today's post is the first album of this incredible band.
The phantasmagorical emulsion of the theatrical moments makes this work the most unusual amongst others.
Enjoy this masterpiece!

Tracklist:
01) Je Suis Dieu
02) Que La Fete Commence!
03) Les Mains Sales
04) Encore l'Hiver
05) Sculpture Lente
06) Pierrot Le Fou
07) Aurelia
08) Chaque Nuit
09) Dernier Combat
10) Fleuve
11) Le Pont
12) Sunny
13) Le Jour Des Clowns
14) l'Etranger
15) Aurelia II
16) Les Chantiers De l'Aurore
17) La Fete s'Acheve

Download

Leitmotiv (french) - Discography

Nice coldwave band from Aubervilliers, France. Actually, they released 2 SP's and 1 maxi... Their music is quite occult and nostalgic.

1983 - Philosophy
01) Philosophy
02) Helle Stimme Ruhe

1984 - Morne Libido
01) In Camera
02) Morne Libido

1985 - Leitmotiv EP
01) Attendre encore
02) Harte Liebe
03) Sybil's Smile
04) Les Fausses Raisons

Download

Little Nemo - Froide (1986)

Today's post is the first Little Nemo K7 (which has never been officially released).
Actually, this is a soft model of "touching-pop".
The next release ("Past & Future") is darker a lot...
But I prefer "Froide" because of truly DIY style.

Tracklist:
01) Empty House
02) Les Jouets
03) Bed In Summer
04) Alice
05) September
06) Boring Parties
07) Les Vallées Du Songe

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Of A Mesh - Of A Mesh EP (1986) + Broken EP (1987)

Here's the last post with OAM links.
The first one (Of A Mesh EP) is more faster and has specific post-punk sound.
The second one (Broken EP) has a lot of psychedelic moments and slightly creepier than the early works.

Tracklist:

Of A Mesh EP
1) Burning Bride
2) Crazy House
3) Candy (Is an Axe Now?)

Broken EP
1) Guillotine
2) New Song
3) Damage
4) Life's Liquid

Download

Of A Mesh - Live at CBGB + "Thorns"

Unreleased perfomance at CBGB + a song from "Sorrority Sampler" compilation.

Tracklist:
1) Suspiria
2) Spinning World
3) Black Fly
4) Cut
--------
5) Thorns (VA - Sorrority Sampler)

Download

Of A Mesh - Demos 84 + Demos 85 (1985)

Genious NY deathrock band.
The band with a mystical, creepy and tribal sound.
There's a also an unusual (for deathrock bands) instrument, such as violin.

Tracklist:
1984
1) C.I.T.
2) In My Head
3) In A Room
4) Crazy House
5) Object d'Art
1985
6) Twist
7) C.I.T.

Download

Clair Obscur - Demos (1981)

The excellent example to compare early and late albums.
Especially, guitars strikingly differ.
Early songs were fulfilled with a "fresh youth" energy.
Hysterical, tragic and even apocalyptic demo.

Tracklist:

01) Hear My Voice
02) Nichevo
03) Bad Lover
04) Trust In You
05) Tristan Tzara
06) Holy Men
07) Souvenirs De La Foret
08) Sound Of The Toundra
09) Cudecos Plastified
10) Photo Romance

Download

Clair Obscur - In Out (1988)

This longplay wasn't so post-punky such as early works.
Created by the influence of classical music and old french cabaret,
"In Out" got a little other audience, but I still like this one.
I'm really charmed with these neoclassical romantic things.

Tracklist:

01) Defini
02) Blume
03) Artistic slaughter
04) Auld lang syne
05) The last encounter
06) Valse
07) Petite fable
08) Tzarin

Download

Réseau d'Ombres - Ireos (1984)

Live album by three genious guys from Laval, France...
Really cool!

Tracklist:
01) Natural Gesture
02) Mercenary
03) Just For Fun
04) Instant
05) Passé
06) Man Of Wood
07) The Abstract Call
08) Happy Song
09) Folie
10) The Meal
11) Over The Sea

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Ritual - Songs For A Dead King

I really like demo-tapes.This damp atmosphere, bad quality and there's nothing left in music. 
I think, the best (and, mostly classic) example is Ritual's "Songs For A Dead King".
Thanks to Curious Guy for posting two official releases.

Tracklist:
01) Structure Of My Madness
02) Human Sacrifice
03) Playtime
04) Manpower
05) Portrait
06) Cult
07) Brides
08) Closedown
09) Effigy
10) Waiting For The Man
11) End Product
12) Mind Disease
13) Assassin

Download

Hymn - Tired 12" (1984)

Another brilliant french band from the cold 80's...
Soft guitar, moody synths, sharp bass and, of course, primitive drum-machine and COLD voices.
The words aren't enough, you must hear these songs!

Tracklist:
01) Tired
02) Turning Away
03) The Night
04) Eight Years Old

Download

Pavillon 7B - S/T (1987)

One of my favourite french bands. A lot of synths and emotional (not heavenly) voices.

First I heard their song "Black Generation" (from an excellent compilation "Trensmission 81-89") and I was really charmed with their soundscapes later with an album "Overdose"...

Tracklist:
01) Black Generation
02) Wish
03) Sensation
04) The Sailor
05) Les Nouveaux Abris
06) Sphere
07) Love Loser
08) Somebody

Download