Spetsnaz

ebm

There are at least three artists with the name Spetsnaz: 1) Swedish electro-berzerkers Spetsnaz (russian acronym for Special Forces) were formed by Pontus Stålberg and Stefan Nilsson in Örebro, Sweden in the autumn of 2001. With the powerful vocals, frenetic pounding bass lines and relentless rhythmic assault, Spetsnaz have the aggression and the melody to be the missing link between the heavy scene and the pop scene. Being fans of the electro genre for many years, both Pontus and Stefan felt there was an emptiness in the EBM scene. All the classic bands were replaced by newcomers performing a more technofied style called futurepop, and this new-school didnt exactly excite the boys. Having performed, both together and separately, in different (more or less serious) projects like Octoberland, Lazer Stefanz, Volvo 242 and PAF, Pontus and Stefan decided to form Spetsnaz and give it 100% of their energy. Inspired by pioneering acts like DAF, Front 242, Die Krupps and Nitzer Ebb, the duo started to work in studio Downstairs and after a few months, the first four track demo was presented to Swedish labels and promoters. The duos first album Grand design - assisted by bass consultant Jouni Ollila (ex Pouppée Fabrikk) and mastered by Grammis winner Andreas Tilliander - was released by SubSpace Communications in April 2003, holding twelve tracks of nothing but fresh old-school EBM. The bands on-stage presence is as intense and energetic as the music with Pontus moving all over the...