UPDATE April 2010: Unfortunately, Metropolis Records content is currently unavailable on Spotify, due to their server switchover. Hopefully it’ll be back soon!
UPDATE 2 July 2010: Still no sign of these tracks and no word from Metropolis Records so I have to assume they pulled their content on purpose 
.
Today’s Spotify update included almost 2,000 tracks from Metropolis Records, the American label that specialises in electro-industrial, synthpop, futurepop, darkwave, and gothic. Some of my favourite bands are on this label (KMFDM, Front Line Assembly, Seabound) so I’m particularly pleased to see their expansion on Spotify to over 150 albums.
Many of the bands on Metropolis Records are signed to both European labels (such as Out of Line) while releasing albums in North America through Metropolis. Since Spotify has deals with both, we may end up seeing the same album from different labels: great news for completists who want that extra track only available on the US version!
I’m especially delighted to see KMFDM on Spotify. KMFDM have been releasing their special blend of electro-metal since 1984, and I’ve been of fan of them since around 1990. They mix synths with heavy-metal guitars like no other (well, until Rammstein came along and copied their sound) and have a fantastic sense of humour as well as the occasional political leaning. Their album covers are also always instantly recognizable, thanks to the artist Brute!
Here then are half-a-dozen choice albums from Metropolis Records now available on Spotify:
KMFDM -- Tohuvabohu
KMFDM’s 15th studio album is a blinder and is the perfect introduction to their sound. Tohuvabohu features a variety of styles (Dance, Metal, Industrial rock, Darkwave) sung in English, German, Latin, Hebrew, Lingala, Spanish… get down to their ultra-heavy beat!
Front Line Assembly -- Artificial Soldier
FLA, the Canadian electro-industrial band, were one of the first bands I got into after discovering Nitzer Ebb in the late 80s. Artificial Soldier is their most recent studio album and features the Leeb/Fulber/Peterson lineup.
Hanzel Und Gretyl -- Über Alles
Heavy industrial-rock a la Rammstein, this album is my favourite of theirs. Check out the tracks “Third Reich From The Sun” and “SS Deathstar Supergalactik”
Seabound -- Come Forward: Live in Berlin
German synth band Seabound have released some of the most atmospheric and deeply moving futurepop music I’ve ever heard. I’ve not seen them in concert yet, so this live album is the next best thing. It features my favourite track of theirs “Watching Over You”
Juno Reactor -- Labyrinth
A wildcard for Metropolis, Juno Reactor don’t really fit in with the rest of the roster as they’re more dance than industrial. Maybe you heard some of Juno Reactor’s music on the soundtrack to The Matrix: a couple of those tracks are featured here. I love the two “Conquistador” tracks (only slightly spoiled by Spotify’s lack of gapless playback) -- Dead Can Dance for the 21st century.
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I had a strong feeling this label would suit your taste.
KMFDM have always been one of my favourites, so really glad with this latest update….. the label im desperate to sign up is Planet Mu.
How did you guess joebuck?
Not too familiar with Planet Mu, Nyk although I do remember buying a few µ-Ziq albums years ago. Must revisit!