VA - Ombra Intl 016

Coldwave synth specialists out of Berlin, Ombra International, live up to their name by drawing upon a bevy of artists from Croatia, Italy, Australia and Germany in this latest release. With the sound of Madchester guitars creeping in behind an acid bassline and soft cell snares in Can Love Be Synth’s “Lemon Cake”, Riotvan debutant New Hook (Peter Hook / New Order anyone?) sees heavy piano chords and a classic disco back-beat meet with leather sex sleaze in “Sexergy”. Classy post punk subtleties and a thick layer of dark tropicana graces the likes of Time To Sleep’s “Serpentina” with the most overt EBM-techno banger on this release being GuMM’s “Struck”. And for that Hacienda closer that never was check out “No Destination, New Destination” by Amarcord. 24 Hour Party People.