Front 242, Azar Swan, Curse Mackey

Seminal Belgians, Front 242’s industrial Eighties electronica was itself a product of influences including Stockhausen, musique concrète, and Giorgio Moroder, among others. The five-member dark synth group is oft mentioned as a precursor to techno and in the same breath as Ministry and Nitzer Ebb. Fans include rising techno stars Volvox of NYC and Hamburg’s Helena Hauff. – Christina Garcia