One of the cornerstones of Belgian minimal wave and EBM, finally given the comprehensive vinyl treatment. Absolute Body Control was formed in 1980 by Dirk Ivens - a figure who would go on to become one of the most influential architects of European electronic body music through his subsequent work with The Klinik, Dive, and Sonar. But it all started here, in basements and small clubs across Belgium, with cheap synthesizers and an unwavering devotion to the cold, minimal pulse of Suicide and DAF.

This essential box set compiles all five cassette releases issued on Ivens' own Body Records between 1981 and 1989: Untitled (1981), Numbers (1982), Figures (1983), Live (1984), and Tracks (1989). Originally joined by Mark De Jonghe on synths and Veerle De Schepper on backing vocals, the project soon evolved into a partnership with Eric Van Wonterghem - the duo who would later form the nucleus of The Klinik and reshape the sound of industrial music in the process. The set also includes their sole 7" single Is There An Exit?, which became an underground hit upon its 1981 release and remains a touchstone of the minimal synth genre.

What strikes the listener decades later is how fully formed this music already was - skeletal drum machine patterns, icy synth sequences, and Ivens' detached vocals creating a template that countless acts would follow. The live recordings from Belgian venues like Djem, Lintfabriek, and Sfinks capture the raw energy of the early 80s underground, while compilation tracks scattered across obscure European releases round out the picture. 71 tracks in total, presented on five LPs plus bonus 7", limited to 500 numbered copies. A holy grail for devotees of cold wave, EBM, and the Belgian electronic underground.