It's the end of an era when three guys, enjoying electronic tunes like Nitzer Ebb, Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk went their own way after spending quite some time on the same schoolbenches. At a sudden moment they summoned again and at that point they didn't realise themselves they created the bases for this group. Sven Lauwers, being the only one busy with pure electronic music since 1986, bought himself a drummachine. Soon enough there was a follow up by the other members, Andy De Decker and Kurt Rotthier. At the end of 1992 they had some arrangements and ideas ready to be recorded. They recorded one of these tracks ('ashes and dust' it was actually the first track ever recorded, but this version is gone lost) on the day they would go to a party. At this "Black Celebration" they asked the DJ to play the demo-track and amongst tunes from DAF, Nitzer Ebb, Pouppee Fabrikk, the crowd seemed to enjoy this fresh Belgian product, without knowing who this band was.

Few months later when they borrowed a synthesizer from a fellow electro-friend they started recording their first demo. Einen Tanz Traumen, a compilation of aggressive and bashing EBM, following the Nitzer Ebb line was created. Belgium never had any hard and pure EBM like this. This made them decide to send this demo to several local music magazines to see the reactions. So they got in touch with Side-line music magazine, in those days already a rising magazine. Together with them, Ionic Vision would become bigger and more known year after year.

Their second assault on the electronic scene was the concept of a 12" tape, Total Madness. Not wanting to release normal full-length tapes they created single and maxi versions of the songs available on that tape. The first in a series of signs these Belgian EBM boys didn't want to act too common. Mass Madness, being a track inspired by the addiction of television, was the main track, but one of the most appreciated tracks (and some still dig this one as being their best ever) was Treblinka : a weird composition spreading the horror and doom of the Nazi cruelties over this musical masterpiece. Ionic Vision always refused to put this track on any other release or compilation, because some tongues claimed them to be nazi's (this song was played live, but only once and never again and still, a demo version made it onto a UK tape sampler).

Just like in real life, after a maxi as introduction, an album was an obligatory release and it was called : Der Totale Krieg (The total war). It was at this point that Ionic Vision gained interest from across the borders of Belgium. Some of these tapes were bought by fans in France, Spain and even the US and Japan. Ionic Vision made their first appearances on compilations, only on tapes to start with, but it placed them another step closer to recognition. The positive sales and reactions of Der Totale Krieg caused this tape to be out of print very soon. Being faithful to their eternal strive for releasing special material this tape was followed by the release of a limited edition version, containing new and exclusive remixes, accompanied with a booklet containing pictures and lyrics. Right after, Ionic Vision made their first steps on stage, playing in Leuven on "Night of the Noise", February 27th 1994. The start of an infamous live career!

Because of being a part of the Side-line clan it was no problem for them to get in touch and grow up with other bands such as Aiboforcen, Fuze Box Machine, Lescure 13 and Suicide Commando. They were all often mentioned in one breath and often seen together on festivals or playing live along with each other. Because of this friendship Ionic Vision and Lescure 13 decided to co-release a split tape. This release ensured that both bands could spread each other's tunes over their growing follow-up of fans. The concept was as follows: Ionic Vision and Lescure 13 would release a tape single (each called Prospects, with a transparent sleeve and limited up to 25 copies only), containing one song on each side, and shortly after that the tape album Split. Ionic Vision remixed both songs for the Lescure 13 tape and by doing so they made their move in remixing other bands. Ionic Vision did put a new song, called 'Ordinary', on the b-side of their Prospects tape, probably the most exclusive Ionic track. Split was the best selling tape so far, and the Ionic crew released this split-album accomplished with a special booklet showing an overview of their career with exclusive pictures.

And the "Vision" went on and on and on, the release of the self-made Dirty Video Show VHS was a big event for the fans and magazines at that time. Ionic Vision who were always (and will always be) busy giving every new release an aural and visual aspect finally gave their music an audio-visual form. What was initially meant to be a single-track video made for fun, ended up as a three-track video. A concept which was probably the most joyful period for the band. A remarkable event as well, because no other demo band ever tried something like this. A visual proof that Ionic Vision is more of a concept than it is a band. It's a way of thinking, a way of giving shape to feelings and thoughts, be it in a musical manner or others.

Ionic Vision pushed themselves more and more into other magazines and got airplay and interviews all across Europe. More and more concerts were given and the most remarkable was in De Wommel where they played with IC434 and Suicide Commando. A bashing evening where people were dancing on the tables to the tunes of their well-crafted EBM. And so the lads took a decision to release some of that live material. Violent Playground was born, containing a playground side (with studio tracks) and a violent side containing the live versions from the playground side. This was released on CD format in limited quantities; it would be the final release as a demo band. Not only did the boys release live material, they went on gig after gig proving their strong live reputation. And even today Ionic Vision keeps the label of a breath taking experience .You just cannot stand still when they release their hundreds of up tempo beats per minute, try it out if you dare!

Being asked to remix one of Aiboforcen's tracks (Aids on the album) led to a remix for Fuze Box Machine (Stress Out on the album) and a remix for Suicide Commando (remixes were done for the song Intercourse but were never released, they exist, though they are buried behind the vaults!) Ionic Vision's mixing/recording capacity was recognised and noticed by others. And so they were (with a helping hand from their safe haven Side-line represented in the form of an everlasting friend Séba Dolimont) closer to a record deal than ever before. In December 1995, all three members signed at Khazad-Dum. In late 1996 they released their first CD-maxi, the numbered limited edition Prophecy ION001 (by that time the Ionic Vision releases all carried a tag with the prefix ION and the number of the release). The main title, Ave Maria (a cynical approach on the institute called 'church'), made it onto several, underground dance floors, ("ave maria, the devil keeps you sane, ave maria how long will you maintain") spreading more Ionic tunes across the globe. Even DJ's in New York noticed this maxi and finally this band got it's recognition as hard hitting dance act, not only in their home country but everywhere people got ioni(c)sed.

Their second CD release showed the bands' real face. Their powerful Neo-body music (their self-invented term for the revival of the Electronic Body Music, and which has got nothing to do with that despicable nazi-tag they got since long) gained airplay and more compilation appearances. Like tradition wanted it, Ionic Vision always did their best to appear on samplers with highly exclusive tracks, and few samplers have really some collectible remixes and/or songs. Rage Against The Acoustic made it clear to the public that this band was not aiming at the commercial movement of that time, the cross-over. While loads of former EBM bands were drowned into that sea of sin and guitars, these three Belgian lads tried to keep their heads above the water. None of them gave in and didn't want to. They made music with their hearts and minds and expressed it throughout their pure synthetic equipment. For them EBM was and is the way to do it! Their rage against the acoustic was so big that nothing was able to break their spine. The spine of pure and force driving electronic music. Because of that their follow up of fans was growing.

By this time Ionic Vision was setting up their own recording area, called the Ionic Data Base. From here on they controlled all of their upcoming work. It's where they started working on a new maxi entitled Heresy (which was eventually meant to be a collaboration between Ionic Vision and the German duo of Der Prager Handgriff). Due to unfortunate misunderstandings this release was delayed and even deleted. But promotional reasons and label pressure made it clear something new had to be done. Therefore the best known Ionic Vision song The End was altered to a radio version (keeping the word "fuckers" out, BBC is severe on that you know ??) with the help of Fuze Box Machine and long life time (and beyond) friend Stephane Froidcoeur, who supplied additional vocals. Two new songs (which were meant for the next album) were taken to give this maxi more character. ION003 was released as a normal maxi and as limited edition (500 copies only) on which two exclusive remixes and two exclusive live tracks were available. This was probably their best production since ever, but meant a turning point.

"The End". It surely seemed so, because from that release on nothing besides a huge silence was heard from Ionic Vision. From 1997 until 1999, a mysterious haze seemed to keep the band away from nosy people. What happened and what is happening? No interviews were allowed, no compilation appearances, no live performances, no comment on questions, no fan mail was answered, Ionic silence! Some magazines wrote the band had split up, moved on to put their unstoppable energy in new projects ! Some of them were partially right but overlooked few important details here. During this "working behind closed doors" period, Ionic Vision remixed several projects like Bio-tek, Testube, Hexedene, Diverje,... Bands like Devotion (on their first demo a remix of Ionic vision can be found) and BuroPolitik, knocked on the front door of the Ionic Data Base asking if Ionic Vision is willing to help them record their first demo. All that made it look as if Ionic Vision didn't have much time left for themselves. There was indeed a band crisis, and several other projects in which some members were involved but all this stranded. Slowly all they had build up faded away. At a certain moment Ionic Vision decided to continue were they left of in 1997. At that time Kurt made it clear to quit Ionic Vision, pursuing his own obscure way.

During these two years of absence, besides remixing and producing, new sounds were created, new territories were exploited and new songs were created. Still remaining faithful to their old school of EBM, Ionic Vision has put some new elements in their music. A promo CD IONXLCD004 containing one track was recorded and soon after that another promo CD was released, Homo Sovieticus, which carried the catalognumber PION004. It captured some old tunes accompanied by a few new Visions. These two promo devices were preceding devices for a limited US only compilation called Homo Sovieticus, in co-operation with DSBP. This put these two body bashing Belgians back onto the track.

After their American-Soviet adventure, Ionic Vision started to work on new tracks which meant new art, new concept, new sounds... but it also brought Sven and Andy finally back together with Louis Zachert, who was the responsible sound technician on their first three releases. As the band states themselves : "A vision without Louis just ain't an Ionic Vision" !

And so they released a new full-CD, called MaschinenAngst (ION005). This remix album showed a collaboration between a massive amount of different artists which were not all EBM related. An interesting view on how Ionic Vision's music is rather versatile. But this 5th concept gave the two Belgian EBM lads the impression they were slightly losing grip on their music which in its original form is aggressive, pounding, straight forward in other words, EBM in all its essence.

And instead of finishing the songs Ionic Vision had made so far for a new album, they decided to drop all of them and make a fresh start. Their latest album NeuMaschinen (ION006) is set to be that new start, going back to their roots and not willing to make any compromises, because old school EBM is what they started out with and that's what they will die with. To celebrate their 10-year-anniversary, they made a special version of NeuMaschinen, holding exclusive tracks and remixes. Accordingly it was numbered XION006, where of course the X stands for the decade. But that didn't stop them at all.

NeuMaschinen most certainly proved that no-one else but Ionic Vision was one of the very few remaining bands keeping the true EBM alive. Hardly getting any respect for being at the front of the upcoming new boom of EBM bands, Ionic Vision made a weird decision and released an EP called "In Between (ION007)". Never tried before by the band they were remixed by Techno masters Terence Fixmer (today better known in the EBM scene for his work with Nitzer Ebb's douglas Mccarthy) and Thomas P Heckmann. A first ever 12" vinyl release for Ionic Vision was a fact, and it boosted them, not only out of the narrow EBM scene, but also straight into a more club-orientated direction, highlighting their versatile style of EBM. After this amazing follow-up by DJs, mags and clubs, the threesome worked hard to raise the respect, improving the standards they did set with their come-back.

End 2005 they released the praisen full-CD "Actual". Some critics did quote it as 'going back to the roots, hard-core', others quoted that this release pushed the standards for other bands like Spetsnaz and Proceed really high, maybe even too high. Some journalists claimed that the album reached the top of what is possible with this music, the perfect combination between the old roots with the modern technical possibilities of today. Ionic Vision would prove them wrong.

Strengthened again by previous positive comments, early 2008 Ionic Vision present a new set of releases. They start off with a remix-EP "Sweet Isolation (ion010)" where none less than German EBM band Orange Sector is featured on additional vocals and this band also present their first-ever remix. Secondly, Ionic Vision, co-operating with Things To Come Records (Oliver Chesler's label), have yet another 12" on vinyl to enhance their club potential. The remixes by David Carretta, Millimetric, The Horrorist and DJ Stamba will prove this over and over again. Remixed by a plethora of bands, Ionic Vision offers a set of some awesome packages with exclusive versions....

Little after this, they have lined up a new full-CD, called "Bitter Isolation". If "Actual" was to be the new standard, "Bitter Isolation" will surely send it sky high again.

Don't say we didn't warn you, because their eternal rage against the acoustic is not over yet!