T.O.Y.
T.O.Y. at "Gothic meets Klassik" 2015
T.O.Y. at "Gothic meets Klassik" 2015
Background information
Also known asEvils Toy
OriginGermany
Genres
Years active1992–present
Labels
SpinoffsYavin 4
Members
  • Volker Lutz
  • Helge Wiegand
  • Marc A. Nathaniel
Past members
  • Thorsten Brenda
  • Cordula K.
  • Christian "Léo" Leonhardt
  • Markus Helmert
  • Oliver Taranczewski
Websitewww.toy-music.info

T.O.Y. (Trademark of Youth) is a German futurepop/synthpop band headed by Volker Lutz. The project originated as electro-industrial band Evils Toy until a change in membership and sound style precipitated the rebranding in the year 2000.

History

As Evils Toy

Evils Toy started out in 1992 as the project of Volker Lutz and Thorsten Brenda. Thorsten and Volker were introduced by a mutual friend who knew that each of the duo were heavily into industrial music and were already working on music of their own.[1] After completing several tracks together they sent a demo tape to several labels, including the German Hypnobeat label (a sub-label of Hyperium Records) who released their debut album Human Refuse at the end of 1993. Their second full-length release, Morbid Mind, was released a year later and was recorded at André Schmechta's T.G.I.F. Studios, known for recording works by André's project X-Marks the Pedwalk and many other well-known German EBM and industrial bands.[2] This studio collaboration with André also yielded an XMTP remix of "Dear God" that was included on the album and as a standalone CD maxi single.[3]

Their combination of distorted vocals and EBM rhythms with occasional touches of melody proved relatively successful, though their real breakthrough came in 1995 with their "Organics" single, which received significant airplay on both sides of the Atlantic. Organics, and the follow-on album XTC Implant, demonstrated a new sound for the band, integrating a high energy techno style into their typical dark electro that stood apart from their contemporaries at the time.[4] XTC Implant proved to have a lasting and influential effect on the EBM scene.[5][6]

The Illusion album, released in 1997, was the last album by this act that might accurately be defined as "industrial". Angels Only!, released the following year, moved away from distorted vocals and towards a more synthpop style. This was the first Evils Toy recording to feature Oliver Taranczewski, as well as the last recorded with Thorsten Brenda. For background vocals and live keyboards Volker brought in his long-time girlfriend Cordula K, who also appears in the videos for "Virtual State" and "Dream With Me".

The addition of Taranczewski to the band in 1997 brought with him lyrical inspiration from the stories of H. P. Lovecraft to infuse into the band's sci-fi ethic. Lyrics on several tracks on Angels Only! — "Back On Earth," "From Above Comes Sleep," and "Colours Out Of Space" — drew directly from Lovecraftian themes of the Great Old Ones, R'lyeh, and the text The Colour Out of Space respectively. Taranczewski continued to weave these themes into the remaining Evils Toy releases and into early T.O.Y. songs as well.[7]

The album Silvertears was released on E-Wave Records (with distribution through BMG) in 2000 and was the last release under the name Evils Toy. The project was known as "T.O.Y." thereafter.[8]

As T.O.Y.

In 2001 the band renamed then released their first album, Space Radio, through E-Wave/BMG. That year they toured with De/Vision for 28 dates across Europe.[9] Their second album under the new name, White Lights, continued the "softer" tone of the previous album.[10]

The band have produced many remixes for other bands like Apoptygma Berzerk, In Strict Confidence, De/Vision and !Bang Elektronika. Volker also used his SonicStage Recording Studios to record and produce works by bands such as And One, L'Âme Immortelle, and Funker Vogt.[11]

In 2004 Volker made a song for the German radio play The three investigators song contest. Also in 2004, the computer game company Konami used a song produced by T.O.Y. on the PS2 & Xbox release Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2. The track was a remix of the DDR and Beatmania IIDX song "I Feel..." by game music composer, Akira Yamaoka. Bands like Neuropa, Echo Image, Alien#Six13 and Midihead also contributed to the soundtrack.[12]

In 2005 Taranczewski released an album with Stephan Voigt of the band Plastic under the name Yavin 4, an album sounding more like the older Evils Toy releases mixed with modern dance and drum & bass elements. He also produced the Cruciform Injection album Aftermath that was released in 2006.

In May 2009 Taranczewski left the band for good. Volker said he would finish the album, entitled Pain is Love, on his own.[13] After Taranczewski's departure, Markus Helmert and Christian "Léo" Leonhardt joined Volker, playing keyboards and drums, respectively.

In September 2014, Helmert quit the band due to health reasons. About the same time, Taranczewski re-joined the band as a keyboardist, while Leonhardt was replaced by Marc A. Nathaniel on drums. The new lineup continued to work on finishing the long delayed album, Pain is Love, as well playing live gigs.[14][15]

In March 2017 Taranczewski again left the band for personal reasons. Helge Wiegand, a songwriter from Cologne and also keyboard player and vocalist of the band Diorama, joined the band in April 2017.[16] That Summer the album Pain is Love was finally released.[11][17] Later that year the band headlined the XV Synthetic Snow Festival in Moscow, Russia.[18]

In 2019, T.O.Y. released a two-track single, "Silent Soldiers", on the Swedish Progress Productions label.[19] Videos were filmed for the tracks by director Rytis Titas on location in Lithuania and were inspired by the aesthetics of the series Stranger Things.[9]

Members

  • Volker Lutz (vocals, arrangements, programming, producer).
  • Helge Wiegand (keyboards, vocals)
  • Marc A. Nathaniel (drums).

Previous members

  • Thorsten Brenda (keyboards).
  • Cordula K. (vocals, keyboards).
  • Christian "Léo" Leonhardt (drums).
  • Markus Helmert (keyboards).
  • Oliver Taranczewski (lyrics, keyboards)

Discography

As Evils Toy

Title Album details
Human Refuse
  • Released: 1993 (reissued 1995, 2001)
  • Label: Hypnobeat (reissued Metropolis, Sonicstage)
  • Formats: CD
Dear God (Remix)
  • Released: 1994
  • Label: Hypnobeat
  • Formats: CD Maxi
Morbid Mind
  • Released: 1994 (reissued 1996)
  • Label: Hypnobeat (reissued Metropolis)
  • Formats: CD
Organics
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Hypnobeat
  • Formats: CD Maxi
The Old Race
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Hypnobeat
  • Formats: CD Maxi, Ltd.
XTC Implant
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Hypnobeat, Metropolis
  • Formats: CD
Evils Toy Box
  • Released: 1997
  • Label: Hypnobeat
  • Formats: CD, Ltd. Edition Metal Box
Illusion
  • Released: 1997
  • Label: Metropolis, Eraser
  • Formats: CD
Angels Only!
  • Released: 1998
  • Label: Metropolis, Eraser
  • Formats: CD
Transparent Frequencies
  • Released: 1998
  • Label: Eraser
  • Formats: CD Maxi
Silvertears
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: E-Wave Records
  • Formats: CD
Virtual State
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: E-Wave Records
  • Formats: CD Maxi
Evilution: The Best of Evils Toy
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: Sonicstage
  • Formats: CD Enhanced

Compilation appearances (as Evils Toy)

YearCompilationLabelTrack
1994Body Rapture Vol. 3Zoth OmmogTrack #9 "Make Up"
1994We Came to Dance Vol. VSub TerraneanTrack #14 "Third World War"
1995Diva Performance 10th AnniversaryCinemanyxTrack #4 "Sacred (Diva Mix '95)"
1995HypnobeatsHypnobeatTrack #5 "Make Up"
1995Moonraker Vol. IISub TerraneanDisc #1, Track #14 "Make Up"
1995There Is No TimeRas Dva RecordsDisc #4, Track #13 "Dear God"
1995We Came to Dance – Indie Dancefloor Vol. VIISub TerraneanTrack #5 "Dear God"
1996Belle Epoque – Romantic Wave EpisodesSub TerraneanTrack #15 "Lonely"
1996Hypnobeats 2HypnobeatTrack #1 "Organics"
1996Sound-Line Vol. 4Side-LineTrack #5 "Home"
1996The Digital Space Between Vol. 3CleopatraTrack #11 "Dear God (X Marks the Pedwalk Remix)"
1996The Gothic Compilation Part 5Gothic Records (Germany)Track #5 "Home"
1997AlternativeNova TekkTrack #7 "Prevision"
1997German Mystic Sound Sampler Volume VIZilloTrack #10 "The Old Race"
1997Moonraker Vol. 3Sub TerraneanDisc #1, Track #4 "Dizzy Divination"
1997Virtual X-mas 97Energy RecordsTrack #5 "Virtual X-mas 97"
1997We Came to Dance – Indie Dancefloor Vol. 10Sub TerraneanDisc #2, Track #9 "Organics"
1998Best of Electronic MusicTCM Musikproduktionsgesellschaft mbHDisc #1, Track #11 "Transparent Frequencies"
1998Cyberl@bNuclear BlastDisc #2, Track #7 "Lucifer's Garden"
1998Deejay TribeCredoDisc #2, Track #11 "Transparent Frequencies"
1998Electrocity Level XAusfahrtTrack #8 "Lucifer's Garden"
1998Electropolis: Volume 1MetropolisTrack #12 "Organics (Slow Motion Mix)"
1998Hypnotic & HypersonicHyperium RecordsDisc #2, Track #3 "Organics (Remix)"
1998Innovation EinsCredo, Nova TekkTrack #6 "Motionless"
1998Moonraker Vol. IVSub TerraneanDisc #1, Track #2 "Co-Existence"
1998Sauna – Våren 1998Sauna MagazineTrack #2 "Motionless"
1998Sender Rio Presents Rock and WaveCredoDisc #1, Track #1 "Fallen Angel"
1998Stage 1SchwarzrockTrack #1 "Co-Existence"
1998We Came to Dance – Indie Dancefloor Vol. 11Sub TerraneanDisc #2, Track #4 "Lucifers Garden (Remix)"
1998We Came To Watch Part 1CredoVideo #5 "Co-Existence"
1999Body Rapture 7Zoth OmmogDisc #1, Track #3 "In Silence (Album Mix)"
1999Body Rapture 8Zoth OmmogDisc #1, Track #5 "Co-Existence"
1999Cover Classics Volume OneVISION RecordsTrack #9 "In The Army Now"
1999Deejay Tribe 2CredoDisc #1, Track #6 "Angels Only! – Beyond"
1999Electro Club Attack – Shot OneXXCDisc #1, Track #11 "Angles Only! > Beyond"
1999Electro Club Attack – Shot TwoXXC, Zoomshot Media EntertainmentDisc #2, Track #6 "Lucifer's Garden (Remix)"
1999Electro ManiaZoth OmmogTrack #5 "Mad Modern Dream"
1999Memobeat – An Electro Industrial CompilationMemento MateriaTrack #3 "Transparent Frequencies"
1999The Electronic Challenge Vol. 3COP InternationalTrack #6 "Transparent Frequencies (Klupp Miks)"
2000Gothic Compilation Part XIBetbeliever ReleasesTrack #5 "Rainbow vs. Stars"
2001Electro Club Attack – The Classix IXXCDisc #1, Track #3 "Make Up"
2003DJ Revelation 01 (Compiled By L'Âme Immortelle)AngelstarTrack #8 "Make Up"
2003Tonedeaf Records Presents: Vinyl Conflict No. 1ToneDeaf RecordsTrack #2 "Space Radio"
2005Synth & Wave EssentialsZYX MusicTrack #19 "Virtual State"

As T.O.Y.

Title Album details
Space Radio
  • Released: 2001 (reissued 2004)
  • Label: E-Wave Records, XIII BIS Records (reissued Art Music Group)
  • Formats: CD
Fairytale
White Lights
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: A Different Drum
  • Formats: CD
White Lights (Fan Edition)
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: E-Wave Records
  • Formats: 2xCD
Pain is Love
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: Nordhausen Schallplatten
  • Formats: CD / Vinyl / Download
The Darkness & The Light
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: Nordhausen Schallplatten
  • Formats: CD single / 12" / Download
Silent Soldiers
  • Released: 2019
  • Label: Progress Productions
  • Formats: CD single / Download

Compilation appearances (as T.O.Y)

YearCompilationLabelTrack
2001Club Bizarre 2AngelstarDisc #1, Track #8 "Welcome to Spaceradio"
2001Strange Love 5OrkusTrack #1 "Strange Modern Art"
2002Advanced ElectronicsSynthetic SymphonyDisc #1, Track #6 "Loner (Remix)"
2002Dark Decryption – The Electro Remix Selection Vol. 02XXCDisc #1, Track #14 "Dream With Me (Massiv in Mensch Remix)"
2002Synth & Wave EssentialsZYX MusicDisc #2, Track #4 "We Are Electric"
2002Zillo Dark Summer – Best of Goth Open Airs 2002ZilloDisc #1, Track #7 "Dream With Me (Fairlage Mix)"
2003Gothic Compilation Part XXBatbeliever ReleasesTrack #10, "Long Distance Ride"
2003Orkus Compilation VIIOrkusTrack #3 "Long Distance Ride"
2003Sonic Seducer Cold Hands Seduction Vol. 28Sonic SeducerTrack #1 "Long Distance Ride"
2003Stromschlag Volume 1Electro Shock RecordsTrack #7 "Dream With Me (Massiv In Mensch-Remix)"
2004Listen to the FutureA Different DrumTrack #2 "Color Matching"
2004Synthpop Club Anthems 3A Different DrumTrack #6 "Another Lovesong (Trance Mix By Massiv In Mensch)"
2004The Collector's Set of Dark ElectronicE-Wave RecordsDisc #3 Tracks #1-#14
2005Synth & Wave Essentials Vol. 2ZYX MusicDisc #1, Track #2 "Do Dreams Bleed (Memphis Mix)"
2006DDR Festival & Dance Dance Revolution Strike Original SoundtrackToshiba EMI LtdDisc #1, Track #42 "I Feel... (T.O.Y. Remix)"

References

  1. "Interview: Evils Toy". Culture Shock. Genocide Project (2): 28–29. Spring 1996. ISSN 1093-1651.
  2. Linder, Petra (1995). Weaver, Rodney (ed.). "Interview: Evils Toy". Infectious Substance. 1 (2): 28–33.
  3. Allen, Richard (Summer 1995). Valerio, Paul (ed.). "Evils Toy - Morbid Mind". Industrialnation. Iowa City, IA: Moon Mystique. 1 (11): 62. ISSN 1062-449X.
  4. "The Pitch: Evils Toy, "XTC Implant"". I Die You Die. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  5. Tabrit, Britta (27 August 2015). "Fredrik Croona: Ten albums that changed my life". Peek-a-boo Music Magazine. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  6. Tabrit, Britta (30 July 2015). "Cristian Soto Vanelli: Ten Albums That Changed My Life". Peek-a-boo Music Magazine. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  7. Hill, Gary (2006). The Strange Sound of Cthulhu: Music Inspired by the Writings of H. P. Lovecraft. Lulu Press. pp. 137–139. ISBN 184728776X. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  8. Darklight. "Album Review: White Lights". Wrapped In Wire. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  9. 1 2 Vorndran, Daniela (14 May 2019). "T.O.Y. - New song "Silent Soldiers/ Fragile" premiers on 31 May 2019, 18:00". Reflections of Darkness Magazine. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  10. Lindström, Patrik (1 January 2003). "Review: T.O.Y. – White Lights". Brutal Resonance. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  11. 1 2 Kira, June (6 October 2017). "CD Review: T.O.Y. - Pain is Love". Reflections of Darkness Music Magazine. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  12. "Dance Dance Revolution: Ultramix 2 Credits". Moby Games. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  13. Volker Lutz on Facebook
  14. Official T.O.Y. Facebook page update
  15. Wundersee, Fee; Lucas, Susann (15 October 2014). "Live Review: Darkflower Live Night VII - Leipzig 2014". Reflections of Darkness Music Magazine. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  16. Kratochwil, Karo (3 July 2018). "Interview: Helge Wiegand - June 2018". Reflections of Darkness Music Magazine. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  17. "T.O.Y. "Pain Is Love"". Sonic Seducer (in German). July 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  18. Kasha, Masha (14 December 2017). "XV Synthetic Snow Festival Moscow • Concert Review". Peek-a-boo Music Magazine. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  19. Van Isacker, Bernard (14 May 2019). "German synthpop act T.O.Y. returns with 2-track single 'Silent Soldiers'". Side-Line. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
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