There are five bands called Sonar: an ambiental psychedelic rock band from Hungary, a Belgian industrial act, a Swiss minimalist progressive rock act, an italian house/trance act and Polish indie pop act..

about the Belgian one: During the last ten years sonar has become one of the most well-known and appreciated rhythmic-industrial projects. Countless releases and high-energetic live performances assured their top position in this genre. For those unfamiliar, Sonar's sound can be described as synthesized outbursts, strategically placed samples and droning bass pulses, corseted in strict driving beats and minimalistic sequences. Presently the sonar line-up consists of dirk ivens (dive, the klinik,absolute body control) and Eric van Wonterghem (monolith, insekt,absolute body control).

discography (excerpt) 09.2k6:

alien overdrive. cd. ant-zen act196. 2006 bad man ep. cd-ep. faceless fac001. 2005 volt revisited. 2x12". hands productions b021. 2003 volt control. cd. daft records d1042cd. 2003 parallel friction. 7". klanggalerie gg42. 2001 remote assault. cd. daft records d1036cd. 2000 voodoo vision. 10". triton 31. 1999 cosmic rays. 12". hymen records ¥013. 1999 overdose simulation. cd. daft records d1029cd. 1998 connected. lp triton lp 12. 1998 on mission inside. 12". drag & drop industrial ddi3335. 1997 dislocated. 10". ant-zen act65. 1997 rotation. 7". divine comedy records dc001. 1996 sonar. cd / lp. daft records d1017cd / ant-zen act46. 1996

more info: www.dirkivens.com www.myspace.com/dirkivens

about the Hungarian one: The idea of the Sonar became reality in a short series of tentative rehearsals in 2004. The computer-based pulsing of electronic musical schemes had soon been fused with a live, electro-acoustic musical background. The band made its first record after the sixth month of its birth. This first record let the group start its way off in becoming a real stage performance. VJ Lab became their partner in forming the visual appearance of the gigs. Special effects got a significant role in shaping what now the Sonar is on stage. VJ Lab boosted the innovative electric sound of the Sonar with vibrating visual effects. The band recorded its first EP, Deltroid, in 2006. This material drew up the outlines of what the future Sonar had soon become. However, the first LP, released in 2008, fully capture the authentic sound and essence of the Sonar.

Discography: Sonar EP (2005) Deltroid EP (2006) Celluloid (2008) On Air (2012)

homepage: http://www.sonarmusic.hu/ listen: http://soundcloud.com/sonar-6/tracks side-projects of the members: http://soundcloud.com/snailtrip http://soundcloud.com/pigmentchemcal

About the Italian act The Italian Sonar is a house/trance act who have released two releases on the popular label UMM. Both releases were done in 1994.

Discography: State of Panic (1994) Mellow Monday (1994)

About the Polish act Polish Sonar is a young band from Warsaw consisting Łukasz Stachurko, Rafał Dudkiewicz, Artur Bogusławski and Lena Osińska. Electronic; beats, trip hop. http://www.uknowme-records.com/

SONAR RIO/Avant-Prog • Switzerland

Sonar biography Sonar is a progressive, post-minimal band from Switzerland. Their name stands for SONic ARchitecture, a name which alludes to their intention of creating polymetric and highly structured avant-rock. They are probably closest in aesthetic to Brandt Brauer Frick and Nik Bartsch Ronin due to their minimalist sound though they play with much more of a rock feel than either of those bands. You'll hear elements of King Crimson & Present. Their sound is uniquely recognizable due to the tuning of the guitars and the bass guitar to tritones (C / F# / C / F# / C / F#).They play highly repetitive layered polyrhythms that move in and out of synch through out the pieces. For such complex layering they play with a stripped down lack of technology with a straight forward 2 guitars, bass, and drums. This is a band to take you to a trance like state with the endless groove.

To date Sonar have released two studio albums, a live album and an EP, the most recent of which is on that bastion of experimental music Cuneiform Records

A Flaw Of Nature Skeleton Groove (EP) Live At Bazillus (Live) Static Motion

Sonar are:- Stephan Thelen: guitar Bernhard Wagner: guitar Christian Kuntner: bass guitar Manuel Pasquinelli: drums