SynthAttack: The Vanguard of Modern Synthwave

SynthAttack is an electronic music project from Berlin, Germany, that has become a defining force in the 21st-century synthwave and retro-electro scene. The artist's 2018 album 'Neon Dystopia' charted in the Top 20 of the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart, cementing a dedicated international fanbase for its cinematic sound.

Early career

Formed in 2012 by producer and multi-instrumentalist Markus Vogel, SynthAttack emerged from Berlin's fertile underground electronic landscape. Vogel, inspired by 1980s film scores and classic video game soundtracks, began crafting tracks in a home studio, self-releasing the debut EP 'Circuit Breaker' in 2014 on the now-defunct netlabel 'Retro Future Sounds'.

Breakthrough

The project's major breakthrough arrived in 2017 with the single 'Midnight Drive', which became a viral hit on YouTube via fan-made lyric and driving footage videos. This momentum led to the signing with the influential independent label FiXT Neon in early 2018 and the subsequent release of the acclaimed album 'Neon Dystopia'. The album's lead single, 'Akira', received widespread rotation on streaming platforms and specialty radio.

Key tracks

Midnight Drive — This 2017 single was the viral catalyst, defining the artist's signature blend of pulsating bass and nostalgic melody.

Akira — The lead single from 'Neon Dystopia' showcased a harder, more aggressive cyberpunk edge and became a live set staple.

Neon Dystopia — The album's title track is a sprawling, cinematic piece that perfectly encapsulates the project's thematic and sonic vision.

Echoes from 2087 — A later collaboration with singer Dana Jean Phoenix, this track demonstrated SynthAttack's evolution into more vocal-driven territory.

Following the success of 'Neon Dystopia', SynthAttack maintained a prolific output, releasing the EP 'Dark Matter' in 2020 and the full-length album 'Protocol' in 2022. Notable collaborations have included work with fellow producers Perturbator on the track 'Razor' and vocalist Scandroid for 'Neon Sunrise'. The artist's dynamic live performances have become a highlight at electronic and synthwave-focused festivals across Europe and North America.

Fans of the intense, narrative-driven synthwave of Perturbator will appreciate SynthAttack's similar command of dark, cinematic atmosphere. The melodic sensibilities and retro-futurism of The Midnight share common ground with SynthAttack's more reflective tracks. For the harder, rhythm-focused side of the genre, Carpenter Brut operates in a parallel sonic universe.

SynthAttack's music is a fixture on dedicated online radio streams and independent music radio stations that specialize in synthwave, retrowave, and modern electronic genres. Their tracks are frequently featured in curated playlists and specialty shows that explore the depths of instrumental and vocal-driven retro-futuristic music.

The driving anthems and atmospheric soundscapes of SynthAttack can be heard regularly on the synthwave and electronic stations featured here on onairium.com. Listeners can discover the evolving discography of this Berlin-based artist by tuning into the dedicated radio channels available on our platform.