Bands such as Depeche Mode, Front 242, Invisible Limits ... inspired the two founding members, which meant that the concerted effort soon bore first fruit. Within a few weeks the first songs were created, which were then sent to relevant record companies in form of a demo tape.
In January 1993 the band was signed by the Nuremberg Hypnobeat / Hyperium label as successors of Project Pitchfork, who had left the label at that time. However, it still took almost another year before the Debut-CD Human Refuse was actually released. The album came like a bomb and caused positive to enthusiastic reactions not only with the press but also with the listeners. The combination of driving rhythms and catchy tunes so typical for Evils Toy seemed to be exactly what everyone had been waiting for in vain for quite some time, and therefore it was not surprising that the band could register an increase in sales.
The band released their second album Morbid Mind in the December of 1994, which they presented live on a 12-city-tour of Germany in April 1995, which was very well-attended. “Morbid Mind” soon established itself in the alternative scene and was a must for every record collection. In the beginning of 1996 the single “Organics” was released, which climbed to number 12 in the German alternative charts, was voted single of the month by a well-known German magazine and developed into a hit in clubs world-wide. The American label partner (Metropolis Rec. / Philadelphia) demanded an exclusive remix of “Organics” to be able to promote the song via radio stations.. As a result of this Evils Toy entered all American college-radio charts and the sales numbers increased.
In the summer Volker Lutz produced the third album XTC Implant in the bands own recording studio “Evil Empire”. This album also entered the German alternative charts, placing itself between Fanta 4 and the Smashing Pumpkins. Pretty good, huh? The second successful 11-city-tour of Germany followed in April 1996 to present “XTC Implant” live. Due to lighting rented and programmed especially for the tour the concerts were not only an audio, but also a visual experience.
The band adopted this concept for all following live performances, so that the concerts received the subtitle “Visual Illusion” from the next tour onwards. Illusion was the key-word for the next longplay CD. The album Illusion clearly related the bands versatility. From soft soundtrack sound collages to the typical Evils Toy electric-thunderstorms, Illusion contains everything your heart desires and, like its predecessors, soon became a classic of the alternative genre. This album was of course also presented live on a distinct tour which took the band through 10 German cities, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium and to Sweden. As on the last tour, the specially rented lighting made each show an experience.
In the mean time Volker Lutz was composing the title music for a video series for the show-hypnotist Pharo, known for appearances on German shows such as Hans Meiser (RTL), Arabella (Pro 7), Bitte Lächeln (RTL2), Gottschalk (SAT.1). The duo became a trio in the summer of 1998. From now on, Oliver Taranczewski is to accompany Volker and Thorsten. Oliver, born in Darmstadt, had already written lyrics for Evils Toy before joining the band and now supports the band as keyboarder. “And One” (Virgin) released the song Silver Century, a song written exclusively for And One by Evils Toy, on their single Sitata Tirulala.
"Angel’s only!" is the best description for a change in trend in the Evils Toy camp. The fifth album Angels Only! shows a change of underground club hits to partly radio suitable commercial ballads, but even still Evils Toy stay true to their typical style. Melody is the key word that is the albums central thread. The album is presented live in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and the UK and successfully celebrated. Further concerts are confirmed for Spring 2000 in Mexico City, Rome and for Easter in London. Meanwhile Volker Lutz wrote a further song for the band “And One” in Autumn 1999. The song Don’t need the Drugs got released on the album “Virgin Superstar”.
Evils Toy have been in their own studio “Sonicstage” since November 1999 to produce their next album Silvertears. To ensure a professional production, the band will be working in the studios of the rockband “Franz K.”, which Evils Toy took over in January 1997 from the German Status Quo support band.
“Silvertears” is the consequent further development of “Angels Only!”. A mixture of pop, drum’n'bass and typical electro à la Evils Toy forms an energy and melancholy which could make you lose a silver tear or two. And if you can’t cry, you can at least dance – it liberates.
As of 2001 the band was renamed to T.O.Y. for further information look under that name.
The band have produced many remixes for other bands like Apoptygma Berzerk, In Strict Confidence, De/Vision and !Bang Elektronika. Volker has also undertaken many album productions in his SonicStage Recording Studios. He has worked with bands like And One, L'Âme Immortelle, Funker Vogt and Pulcher Femina.
In 2004 Volker made a song for the German radio play "The three investigators"-Song contest. Also in 2004, the computer game giant Konami used a special remix done by T.O.Y. on the new PS2 & Xbox release: "Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2". Bands like Neuropa, Echo Image, Alien#Six13 or Midihead have also contributed to the soundtrack.
In 2005 Oliver released an album under the name Yavin 4 in the US. An album sounding more like the older Evils Toy releases mixed with modern dance and drum & bass elements. Also he produced the Cruciform Injection album "Aftermath" that has been released in 2006
After weak split rumours concerning the future of T.O.Y. they are, in fact, working on new songs. All such songs are more or less raw demos, some with vocals, some without, but represent the kind of music fans expect to hear on the next T.O.Y. release.
In May 2009 Oliver left the band for good. Obviously there were different opinions concerning the direction of T.O.Y. and the new songs. Volker will finish the album which will be released in autumn 2009 on his own.
Illusion
Evil's Toy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
False beauty in my words and thoughts
Wonderless outraged
Look into my eyes
They will never be the same
Recognize my love fading away and away
Lost control
Outraged wonderless
Falling apart into a new dimension
Dark forced mystery
Your love and warmth leading to infinite obsession and lust
Illuminated illusion of non-fictional reality
Based upon love and understanding
Lost in violent silence everything seems to be clear
No illusions but memories
Our only paradiese
No one will ever expell us from here
I know where I belong to
It's you
Wake me up from disillusion
Take me to your dream
Frozen knowledge destiny
Future-coloured scene
In the song Illusion by Evil's Toy, the lyrics talk about violent visions that the singer experiences in their mind and soul, leading to false beauty in their thoughts and words. They are outraged and lack wonder, losing control and falling apart into a new dimension. The lyrics suggest a journey into a dark, forced mystery. The singer goes through an internal struggle as they recognize their love fading away and away, leading to a sense of loss and despair. The chorus of the song talks about the illusion of non-fictional reality, leading to infinite obsession and lust. The singer is lost in violent silence, and everything seems to be clear, leading to no illusions but memories, as their only paradise. The song ends on a note of hope, as the singer knows where they belong, and that is with their lover, in a future-colored scene.
The lyrics of Illusion have a complex meaning that suggests an internal battle for the singer. The sense of loss and despair is evident, as they experience violent visions, leading to false beauty and wonderless thoughts. While the chorus of the song has a brighter tone, the lyrics still suggest a sense of obsession and lust, leading to a sense of loss of control. The lyrics talk about the beauty of memories and paradise, highlighting the importance of finding meaning in life. The song showcases the importance of love and understanding and the role they play in the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Violent visions in my mind and in my soul
I am plagued by disturbing, aggressive thoughts and emotions
False beauty in my words and thoughts
I portray a deceptive image through my speech and ideas
Wonderless outraged
I am filled with a sense of helpless anger and disappointment
Look into my eyes
Pay attention to my true emotions
They will never be the same
You will see the pain and distress that I hide from the world
Recognize my love fading away and away
Notice how my affection is diminishing more and more
Lost control
I am unable to manage my feelings and behaviors
Outraged wonderless
I am furious and disillusioned
Wonderless
I am devoid of hope and excitement
Falling apart into a new dimension
I am collapsing into an unknown and distressing state
Dark forced mystery
A sinister and powerful enigma surrounds me
Your love and warmth leading to infinite obsession and lust
Your affection and kindness have driven me to an unquenchable crave and desire
Illuminated illusion of non-fictional reality
A convincing and dazzling but ultimately false view of the world
Based upon love and understanding
Founded on sincere affection and comprehension
Lost in violent silence everything seems to be clear
In a situation of oppressive quietness, my issues become apparent
No illusions but memories
I cannot see beyond my past recollections
Our only paradise
Our mutual haven of tranquility and love
No one will ever expell us from here
Nobody can separate us from this place of happiness
I know where I belong to
I am certain of my place and purpose
It's you
You are my source of completion and contentment
Wake me up from disillusion
Help me escape from my false beliefs and hopes
Take me to your dream
Bring me to your world of happiness and fulfillment
Frozen knowledge destiny
My future seems predetermined and unchangeable
Future-coloured scene
A promising and bright future lies ahead
Contributed by Leah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andersjansson6629
Yeah, I love this track🖤
@AxelBitz
When I was young (ha, I'm 39 now) all of this was called simply "Techno". When things started to get complicated (I don't know why) bands like Nitzer Ebb, KMFDM, Gravity Kills, Die Krupps, etc, were classified as Cyber-Punk. And then it all became a fucking mess: there's industrial (which very few people really know what it is), EBM, synthpop, futurepop, trance, goa, psycho, and many many more useless names. Good quality or bad quality, techno music is and will always be techno music.
@unit335
It depends on who you ask. TOY's own MySpace page claims that they are Electro/Industrial. However, you will also find some of their stuff categorized under Synthpop and Futurepop.
@unit335
That's right. Personally, I like the non-"T.O.Y." releases best (aka the old stuff)...but that's probably pretty obvious.
@Nerius1
I wish people could get the concept RIGHT for once! THIS IS EBM! Futurepop- industrial-syntpop is something else! Todays EBM have evolved and developed of course since the 80-90's Front 242, DAF and Nitzer ebb in this MODERN EBM with bands like Hocico, Psyclon Nine, Grendel, Amduscia, Alien Produkt, Solitary Experiments, and many more..
@RY30DM
I'm not hearing any EBM in this. It's more trance with harsh vocals than anything.
@Nerius1
Most EBM bands are german since its birth took place there along with DAF and Nitzer ebb and Front 242 (Only they are from Belgium) and these 80 band are the "oldschool" EBM.
@RY30DM
How do you explain Manufacture then from Boston?
@xtrackt
I remember hearing Evil's Toy described as "Dark Wave". So many different subgenres out there, its hard to even keep up. Sorta irrelevant really *shrugs*
@unit335
@kaemeleon In a nutshell, ebm is old-er school with emphasis on beat, synthpop and future pop are more melodic with future pop sort of being a blend of the other two. "Futurepop" was invented to describe the sound of VNV Nation and Apoptygma Berzerk.