One of Magic De Spell's distinctive features as a band, since their 1980's start, was the constant quest for musical transformation.
Soon after the release of their second LP "Kiss The Mirror" in 1984, the band turned into a trio (George Scarlatos, Elias Aslanoglou and Theodore Vlachakis). They rejected their unique post-punk/dark/new wave sound for the sake of a more synth-oriented one. In February 1985 they made their first live appearance with this line-up at "Kyttaro" club. Two female vocalists were added in the process (Johnnee and Bessie).
They moved on with their new project head on and although that transformation was something very natural from the band's perspective, their friends and fans viewed it with skepticism.
They requested from their label to cancel their contract and they signed with "Enigma Records" which released the album "Cpt Blind" in December 1985. 
Their efforts were focused not only in creating a minimalist electronic sound, but in presenting a range of interesting sound samples and mixes, even with the addition of physical instruments. Many of the final recordings were made with the helping hand of several fellow musicians. Furthermore, the contribution of their new label "Enigma Records" in the overall remarkable production can't be overlooked.
With this line up, they presented their new LP in Athens, Thessaloniki and many other cities, mainly in southern Greece.  They continued performing live, especially in Athens, while re-interpreting many of their older songs to match with their new musical style. In the late 80's (around 1988-89) all members embarked on individual projects (Alice In A Nightmare - Pedia Tou Iliou e.t.c.). The English speaking/lyrics version of Magic De Spell appeared live for one last time in 1991 during the promotion of the "Best Of" LP entitled "A Story - The Best And The Rest" which included many tracks from the "Cpt Blind" LP and actually marked the end of their New Wave/Post Punk era. 
Geheimnis Music Productions is pleased to announce the reissue of the album "Cpt Blind", in 250 hand-numbered copies, on transparent blue vinyl. The LP is a complete replica of the original one, including the printed inner sleeve with the lyrics and credits. Out in February 4th, 2022.

Magic De Spell - Hang On To My Love

The song was included the cassette tape titled "Viva Voce" that was self-released by Alive She Died in 300 copies, in 1985. 
In March 2017, Geheimnis Records released a limited hand-numbered vinyl edition that features all the songs of the "Viva Voce" tape, plus unreleased material of the band.

Viva Voce + Unreleased Tracks 1984 - 86

The First Night

Alive She Died - The First Night

The song was included in the cassette tape titled "Viva Voce" that was self-released by Alive She Died in 300 copies, in 1985. The music site “sputnikmusic.com” included it amongst the best covers ever made on a Joy Division song, awarding it with the seventh place. The fashion brand Gucci chose the song as the music theme for its “Cruise 2016” campaign.
The song (as well as all the songs featured on the "Viva Voce" tape, plus unreleased material of the band), was officially released in a limited hand-numbered vinyl edition by Geheimnis Records, in March 2017.

She's Lost Control

Alive She Died - She's Lost Control

The song was recorded on a 4-track tape recorder, between 1984-86. 
It is included in the limited hand-numbered vinyl edition released by Geheimnis Records in March 2017, which features all the songs of the "Viva Voce" tape, plus unreleased material of the band.

Lyrics:

Dark felt 
And wild black animals strike
Out of their cages
Searching for prey
Unsatisfied desires
All seem uncertain
As people get scared 
By the devils look
As people get scared 
By his look

Authority collapses 
Down on its knees
As black boots of leather
Make paths crouch
Today’s heroes, today’s heroes
Black tigers can’t be saved anymore

Dark Felt

Alive She Died - Dark Felt

From my debut album "HIDDEN EMOTIONS".
https://martaraya.bandcamp.com/album/hidden-emotions

Vicious Circle

Geheimnis Records/Music Productions was founded in August 2010. It's an indie record label, based in the centre of Athens, focusing on re-releases of lost and real hard to find sought-after records and cassettes. Focusing on the so-called Wave / Synth genre of the 80's and 90's, the purpose is to reveal obscure - and many times misunderstood - bands and artists to vinyl collectors and music enthusiasts, who are seeking into old record stores and the internet, just to find one piece at a time (and usually at a high cost...). Somehow, the label's name has to do with seeking lost treasures, therefore it's a secret (in English), a GEHEIMNIS (in German), μυστικό (in Greek), a secret (in French). The main difference is, that the purpose of the label is to expose this "secret" and not keep it for itself. And that's how the story begins !

In December 2011, almost one year after its first appearance, Geheimnis Records has officially entered the era of involving with new artists and releases of the contemporary synth / wave sound, linking the past with the future, the old with the new. And that's because rhythms and melodies didn't stop to be produced all these years, while talented artists are always an intriguing issue which keep our interest alive. So, the philosophy of the label, considering its involvement with new artists, has evolved in its deep meaning. The "secret" exists only in the very beginning. As long as the artist(s) - through our label - reveals his/her work, the "secret" is gone. Anything new has always a potion of secrecy and the label's initial purpose was, and still is, to find and uncover "secrets / geheimnisse".

Magic De Spell - Hang On To My Love

Geheimnis Music Productions

Related tracks