HSS

Brave Mysteries Contest

2012-02-08T20:41:00.000-06:00

I've been sitting on this for a while; had a lot of stuff going on, and wanted to make sure I put the effort into it that it deserves. We at Hammer Smashed Sound have arranged another great contest, this time with our friends at the outstanding label Brave Mysteries. There is a great package up for grabs, including Burial Hex's Book of Delusions LP (sooooo good, so very, very good), and the four newest cassette releases that the label has put out: Celestial Joy, by Horrid Red (I won't even begin to tell you how amazing this album is, you'll have to see for yourself), the self titled Rose Croix cassette (defiantly original, beautiful, and dark martial industrial-ish), Sylvester Anfang II's Levend Op De Brandstapel & De Braderie CS, and the Wormsblood CS Black & White Art for Man & Beast (which I wrote about here). Nate has also decided to include a completely exclusive set of 3 Burial Hex patches made from the same hand-cut blocks used to print the prayer-flags that came with the die-hard edition of the Book of Delusions LP. You can see this great package below:

I want to make this one a little more challenging, so what I'm asking is that, instead of telling me this or than random thing, tell me (in the comments section of this post) in a sentence or two, tell me what darkness means to you. Take it in any direction that you want, but keep it brief, and try to take it at least a little seriously (because this is the internet, ya know - very serious business).

The contest will run from now until the evening of February 8th, at which time a winner will be chosen at random. If you leave an anonymous comment without including your name and contact info, your entry will not be counted and will not be entered.

So have at it. We will see you on the other side.

Locrian & Mamiffer, Bless Them That Curse You 2xLP

2012-01-26T21:46:00.000-06:00

One of the most eagerly anticipated albums of 2012 is nearly upon us, and for those of you who are indeed anxiously pacing the streets wondering when this album will drop... you are in for a treat.

It would be easy to say that if you're familiar with Seattle's ambient/experimental duo Mamiffer (Faith Coloccia and husband Aaron Turner of Isis, House of Low Culture, Jodis, and others) and our friends in Chicago's Locrian, then you will know what to expect. To say that would be easy, and extraordinarily lazy. One listen to this record reveals that this album is much more than the sum of its parts. While the sounds of the respective bands are in a sense "combined" for this album, titled Bless Them That Curse You, that is merely a superficial description, and tells nary a portion of the story.

Thinking about this conceptually before actually hearing it, one may even be tempted to say that these bands may not be suited to collaborate. Mamiffer's hypnotic and majestically beautiful creations, most of which are piano-based, indeed presents an interesting juxtaposition to the distorted, guitar-driven metallic drones that characterizes much of Locrian's work. But the fact is that these two bands have drawn each other into previously unexplored territory, and their work meshes better than anyone could have imagined.

There is a lot of tension on this album, and at the same time quite a bit of letting go. The first track, "In Fulminic Blaze" exemplifies this, as the bands create a wash of lush, textured ambiance, only to crash into a rhythmic and rather scathing, bombastic assault of the senses. The swirling layers of sound will grab you, envelope you, and finally accompany you on a journey through all that these bands have to offer: the serene, the horrific, the majestic and the caustic.

You'll also witness this in the vocal approaches. While vocals don't grace this album until the last track, they more than make up for their absence from the rest of the record. Faith Coloccia's wondrous, enchanting voice ushers us into a world that comes apart when Aaron Turner's growls break in. Coloccia's voice is as beautiful as ever, and Aaron Turner sounds better than he ever did with Isis (which is saying quite a lot). These disparate approaches to singing are the perfect compliments to what what would be an outrageous good song even if it were instrumental, the guitars churning, building, and finally carrying in the grandiose drums that allow the album to come to a close.

... an amazing journey it is.

As you can see in the three above pictures (which are being seen for the first time here), the packaging for this double-LP is also an ambitious and gorgeous undertaking. The deluxe fold-out cover for the vinyl was designed by Faith Coloccia herself, and provides a more-than-worthy container for the visionary sounds contained within the grooves. The double-LP, limited to 550 copies, with hand-stamped labels, is a co-release between Sige Records and Utech Records, with a release date of February 21st. Profound Lore will handle the CD release, while Sige and Locrian's Land of Decay will release the cassette version.

Keep your eyes open for preorders - you won't want to miss this.

Kolga CDr

2012-01-23T13:25:00.000-06:00

I'm happy to report that the Kolga demo is now available for purchase. I wish I had more time to write about it, but since I don't, I want you to at least know you can get it, along with a bunch of great Panopticon music and merch from Austin Lunn's new BigCartel page, here. Records, CD, shirts, hoodies - even a koozie (coming soon) to keep your brew cold.

The Kolga demo is great - it rips with a pretty raw sound, intensity, and energy, but still maintains a wonderful atmosphere throughout. Focused on nature, Paganism, and old history and lore. Kolga contains members of Panopticon, Seidr, and Giant Kind, so that may give you some idea what you will be hearing. Limited to 50, so act fast.

Order of the HNW/A View From Nihil

2012-01-21T20:56:00.000-06:00

I sometimes sit on things for while before I write about them; sometimes I am not afforded that luxury. That doesn't mean that it's necessarily better than things that I will wait to write about - it generally just means that I listened to it right away, for whatever reason, and it immediately filled some sort of need or craving. That is the case with a package I received today from... I'm not sure where. The first two things in the package were CDrs issued by a label called Order of the HNW. Both hit the spot instantly. The first is by Bachir Gemayel, and is titled HNWar. It is 20 minutes of harsh, undistorted noise, from Mack Chami, the fellow who also has also brought us great noise under the monikers Koufar and Insurgent, and who plays with Winters in Osaka and Disgust. All of his projects are excellent, but Bachir Gemayel is probably my favorite. This track was recorded in one take - no mastering, no editing, no distortion pedals. Brilliant stuff. (The newest Bachir Gemayel material is a 2xC12 issued on Fusty Cunt, titled Al-Noumour. You should also pick that up, along with everything else from the newest batch of FC tapes- all of them are great, especially the Hostage Pageant and Sirotek tapes.)

The second CDr, which looks that same as the pic you see above (seriously, I spent WAY too much time looking at both of the covers, trying to find where they differ, and it got me nothing but a headache) is from Die Reitenden Leichen, and is called Rauschen & Simulation. Also amazing. More HNW layered and juxtaposed with blistering feedback. Love it. You should too.

What I love about these two is that they're both packed in jewel cases, and the booklets, which are thick, are printed with text from the artist that puts the music into conceptual perspective. It's clear that both the artists and label take this stuff seriously, as they should. Simple yet totally effective. HNW is no joke, at least not in this case. They also come with Order of the HNW stickers. To put Order of the HNW in a little more perspective, their second, sold out release was from Vomir. Haven't heard it, but I will be looking for it for sure. Hate to pay Dsicogs/eBay prices for stuff, but sometimes it's totally worth it. I'm dying to see the packages of both of these first two Order of the HNW releases, and you can be sure I'll be jumping all over anything that they release in the future.

The third CD in this pack is in a simple cardboard sleeve with the letters AVFN printed on the front. AVFN is an acronym for A View From Nihil (link goes to the Bandcamp page, which you should definitely check out) and this CD, issued not by Order of the HNW, but by Void Seance, is called Primordial Sea. Really heavy and penetrating HNW. If you dig HNW, you'll dig this. Looks like AFVN's Triumph of the Broken Will was the first Order of the HNW release (can be downloaded for free on the Bandcamp linked to above). Thus the connection, and why I got these in the mail together.

If you recall, Void Seance released Nekrasov's In Solitude and Darkness, the Last Step is Made. Totally trustworthy, and this CD is no exception.

Trist/Lonesummer Split CD

2012-01-18T19:56:00.000-06:00

Finally, one of the albums I've really been looking forward to is out, and well worth the wait. I'll say that I've never been a big fan of Trist (this the Czech Trist, not the German Trist, of which I am a huge fan), so my anticipation for this was based solely on the fact that the Lonesummer tracks were being recorded in the studio for the first time. Drew's songs have always sounded great as home recordings, so I was a bit unsure of how they would translate in the studio. But they sound phenomenal - even better than I would have guessed. They come across sweetly and sorrowfully, and the rawness that has characterized Lonesummer since the beginning has not been lost simply by moving the recording process into a studio. The raw intensity of the tracks - most notably in Drew's vocals and Thom's drumming, which are both killer) is what carries this split. It also doesn't hurt that the tracks that were chosen for this are 5 of my favorite Lonesummer songs.

The lone Trist song (all 20+ minutes of it) opens the album, and to tell the truth, it's not bad. It's one of the few Trist songs that I really enjoy. It's nothing new, and it's fairly repetitive, but still quite enjoyable. Whether you like Trist or not, there's no denying that the guy has his heart in this 100%, and I give him nothing but respect for that.

This is a must-have. Get it now from Ars Magna.

M. Todd/L. Kerr - Beyond the Threshold

2012-01-17T21:37:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite truly underground labels, No Visible Scars, strikes again, this time with a short (35 minute) CDr of dark ambient and death industrial from M. Todd (Transcendent Device) and L. Kerr (Steel Hook Prostheses). Falling more toward the dark ambient end of the spectrum, these recordings reflect bleak feelings of hopelessness and will leave you feeling unfathomably lost. There's honestly not a whole lot of difference from one track to the next, in some or most cases, but that's part of the beauty of the album - it works mostly as an organic whole. The subtle variations communicate deeper details, so this album should be played when you can give it your full attention. Loud, and alone.

Available on a pro-pressed CDr or as a digital download, both of which can be obtained here.

Sutekh Hexen, Larvae Gatefold LP/CD

2012-01-16T21:47:00.001-06:00

The past year has been big for Sutekh Hexen. 2011 saw several releases, including the full-length Luciform, which turned out to be one of the major accomplishments of the year. Numerous lives dates on the West Coast solidified the band as a force to be reckoned with. Indeed, there is an increasing amount of talk about Sutekh Hexen in underground circles - on the internet and in real life. And while they are often spoken of in terms of black noise - an appropriate and fitting description - the forthcoming album Larvae, due out on February 21st on Handmade Birds, proves that there is more to the band than black noise would necessarily imply.

Black metal and noise are certainly major contributors to Sutekh Hexen's overall sound, and this album showcases marvelously those parts of the Sutekh Hexen dynamic. Scott Miller's vocals (with significant and awesome contributions from Dwid Hellion and Thomas Rodahl Dedekam) are intense, caustic, and guttural, aptly communicating the dreary, hellish, blakkened nature of this music. Noise-amped drones, heavily-distorted guitars, field recordings and junk-maneuvers lend a heaviness that previous Sutekh Hexen recordings have touched on, but never quite reached. They have raised the bar, no doubt.

But it's on the final track, "Let There Be Light," that the more subtle, textural nature of Sutekh Hexen summons forth the true dread of this recording. An acoustic guitar (via new member Lee Camfield) and whispered vocals float over a layer of hissing, muted noise, to lower us into the depths. But we are not allowed to rest - at least not for long. We hit bottom only to be ultimately raised up by the final five minutes of the track (and album), drenched in waves of distortion, feedback and crude sweat.

This is the sound of reconciliation and also the sound of violent transgressions. This is the sound of release.

This is the sound of never coming back.

I thought Sutekh Hexen had reached their peak with Luciform. I was quite wrong. Larvae is very real, in the Lacanian sense that this is a true event, and it remains to be seen just how much this band can accomplish.

The artwork was conceived, birthed and presented by Kevin Gan Yuen and Dwid Hellion, and houses this gentle chaotic massacre well. Preorders will be up in one week, and the album will be released on February 21st via Handmade Birds. Digipack CD and a special edition, colored gatefold vinyl (100 on clear with pink splatter, 200 on black).

3(4) New Strange Rules Tapes

2012-01-16T15:08:00.000-06:00

Always time to rejoice when Strange Rules releases new tapes, but especially so when one of them is a Cremation Lily tape. This new one is called infant. High-quality power electronics, limited to 50, and mastered by Kris Lapke (Alberich). Label's description: "infant missing in the crop, during the harvest moon a statue is erected in mourning. power electronics in memory. heavy, layered, pulsating." Don't miss out, Cremation Lily tapes, and really all Strange Rules tapes, always sell out.

The other two I have not heard, but given the Strange Rules record of putting out nothing but the absolute best, you're probably safe to take your chances if these genres interest you. This one is from Winter Resistance, and it is limited to only 35 copies. "in the grip of the british winter, strange rules administers a resistant dose of industrial electronics. analog synthesizers, drum machines, feedback + vocals distressed against the backdrop of a dense, shivering, white sheet."

And thirdly, a tape called Blooming Carcass, by an artist called False Moniker. "the anonymous natural order remains unbroken. caustic droned industrial noise from this european master of subtle, painstaking detail." Intriguing to say the least. Again, limited to only 35 copies.

There was a Natural Assembly tape of two new recordings up, but it sold out in just about no time flat - from Strange Rules and from the artist. A few copies should be available in time from Second Layer, Avant Records and Zeitgeists, but they won't last long, obviously.

To get the three tapes that remain, go here.

Velnias Kickstarter Campaign

2012-01-14T19:07:00.000-06:00

Doom heathens Velnias are working on the finishing touches of a new album, to be called RuneEater, and what can be seen in the preview video sounds great. The album was recorded by only analog means, and to finish up the process of having it mixed, mastered, pressed to (limited triple-gatefold) vinyl, cassette, and CD, Velnias and Pesanta Urfolk are asking for your help. They've started up a Kickstarter campaign in which you can contribute some of your hard earned dollars as a sort of preorder, since Pesanta will not be accepting preorders. I must say that I first balked at their goal of $13,000, but after reading what's to be presented, and what the expectations are for this project, I gave in and made a pledge myself. You can make your own decision, but if you're at all familiar with Velnias's atmospheric, folk-laden, and blackened approach to doom, and Pesanta Urfolk's dedication to ultra high-quality deluxe physical releases, you may be more inclined to contribute. The release will see the light of day whether the goal is met or not, but if they can reach that goal, it should be out by April. For more info (including that video), and to contribute, go here.

Regress Zine #2

2012-01-12T20:47:00.000-06:00

Just over a year ago, I wrote a short snippet on the first Regress Zine. Soon after writing it, I became immersed in it; I must have read it cover to cover about 25 times, and it still is a favorite when nothing else satisfies. One of the better zines I've come across in recent memory, the first issue featured Sexdrome, Horrid Cross, White Medal, Luciation, and others.

The second issue of Regress is now here, and it features bands/artists such as Vucub Cane, Nastran, One Tail One Head, Grave Miasma, Terrence Hannum (of Locrian), and Sutekh Hexen, among others. Another winner. The layout, the art, the paper... all perfect. Really an outstanding zine that gets nothing but respect and admiration from HSS. For more information, and to order, go here. Don't sleep on it; it's limited to 150 copies, and the first issue sold out. This one will too, so get to it.

If you're interested in picking this up and maybe something else on vinyl or cassette, like maybe that Black Cilice album A Corpse, A Temple, you can go to Analog Worship and get this too. Lots of great stuff in stock there.

...and I'd also like to mention that my review of Sutekh Hexen's forthcoming album on Handmade Birds is coming soon. Fucking incredible album.

New Vinyls from Parasitic Records

2012-01-10T21:22:00.000-06:00

Holy shit, major drop from Parasitic Records. All sorts of great stuff - some available now, some in a couple weeks. All of it is absolutely essential, and all of it is fucking awesome. (In case you don't know, Tim ONLY does awesome, so this is normal and expected). First, as you see above, is the classic funeral doom 4-way split Four Burials . Recently released by Flenser as a CD, Parasitic has pressed up a deluxe 2xLP version that is just insanely awesome. Remastered, of course, and pressed on 180 gram black vinyl, packed in a reverse-board gatefold jacket. Featuring long tracks from Orthodox, Mournful Congregation, Loss, and Otesanek. If just thinking about this doesn't arouse your inner doomed-one, I don't know what will. Also, you don't belong here, so move it along. This one is available right now.

Next up is Antediluvian's 3rd demo, Under Wing of Asael. Antediluvian is only one of the best black/death metal bands on the planet right now, and this is their best demo. Violent, destructive, and crushing, there's nothing about this that's not awesome. 180 gram black wax, with double-sided printed inner sleeve. This also is available right now. Not pictured but also available for immediate shipping is Weregoat's MLP Unholy Exaltation of Fullmoon Perversity. Violent, bestial blackened death metal from Portland. Must-own.

Diocletian needs no introduction. Their War of All Against All is an insanely good album - so heavy, so fierce, so fucking powerful - and it's now being pressed to wax. 180 gram wax, of course, packed in a full-color gatefold sleeve, with a double-sided insert and 21"x29" poster. Massive. Preorder now, should be ready in a couple weeks.

Last but not least, Australia's StarGazer released their album A Great Work of Ages in 2010 on CD, and now the double vinyl pressing is nearly here. Incomparable avant-garde death metal that's just overflowing with creativity and brutality. I love this album, and can't wait to have the vinyl in my hands. 180 gram vinyl, full-color gatefold sleeve, and an 11"x17" poster.

All this and more (much more) is available from the always-excellent Parasitic Records. NOW, chump.

The Best of 2011: Another Year-End List for You to Critique and Ridicule

2012-01-07T22:14:00.004-06:00

The death of 2011 has come and gone, so we at HSS (well, just me - this is my list and doesn't speak for anyone else here) have decided to clog up your browser with another year-end list of the best albums of 2011. It was a hell of year for music - so great that I spent way too much time trying to make this list as accurate as possible. Out of personal preference, I make just one list for my favorite albums, rather than one for each of the various genres I enjoy. I don't expect anyone to take it seriously, but since people, including myself, seem to enjoy reading these, here it is: The best of 2011.

#1. Giles Corey - Giles Corey (Enemies List Home Recordings)

There's no way around it, folks. This album floored me in a way that no other record in my lifetime has, and it continues to do so every time I hear it. It was highly anticipated, and every agonizing second spent waiting for it was justified when I finally heard it for the first time. When I first reviewed this, I said that it was perfect, and I stand by that. It is an absolutely perfect record in every way. The most genuine, intensely personal musical recording I've ever heard, it is not only the best album of 2011 -when all is said and done, it may be the greatest album ever.

#2. Falls of Rauros, The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood (Bindrune Recordings)

If there is one record that even comes close to matching the power of the Giles Corey album, it is this one. The passion, the sorrow, and the immediacy of the music on this album is virtually unrivaled. I've played both of these top two albums hundreds of times each, and neither of them have gotten old, boring, or repetitive. This record feels like home to me, and it has since I first heard it. Timeless and magical.

#3. Of The Wand and The Moon, The Lone Descent (Heiðrunar Myrkrunar)
An album that took me completely by surprise, somehow. It had been six years since Sonnenheim, so I couldn't be sure what to expect, but what was delivered was one of the most chilling and beautiful neofolk albums I've ever heard. As the title suggests, it sounds like loneliness - but not just anyone's loneliness. It sounds like your loneliness, as well as my loneliness. You'll have to listen to it to understand what I mean. Suffice to say, it's an intensely personal and introspective record.

#4. Prurient, Annihilationist (Hospital Productions)
I suppose Time's Arrow and Bermuda Drain were the "bigger" Prurient releases of 2011, since they both came out on Hydra Head, but this limited cassette that came out on Fernow's own Hospital Productions label made by far the biggest impression on me. Very, very, heavy, but not as caustic as some other work in Fernow's catalogue, the tension created on this album is quite real.

#5. Crooked Necks, Alright is Exactly What It Isn't (Handmade Birds)
There's really not much I can say about this album. This is why music exists, and this should be why we all listen to it. A highly emotional, indeed schizophrenic, recording that still manages to present itself as a unified whole. This will occupy a very special spot on my turntable for years to come.

#6. Syven, Aikaintaite (Vendlus)
Released just earlier this month, this is a breathtaking, magical and timeless recording that will only get better with time. One of the most stunning pieces of music you'll ever hear. Open your heart, let this in, and it will occupy a spot there for eternity.

#7. Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Marble Son (Fargo Records)
It baffles me, after reading so many year-end lists, that I didn't see this mentioned even once. I've concluded that people just didn't hear it, which is a sad piece of news in and of itself. Mrs. Sykes and her band have always occupied a special place in my ears and in my heart, and this album, which I admit I didn't even know had been released until it had been out for over a month, has been stunning me over and over again with every listen. Her voice is beautiful, her ability to write a great song is virtually unparalleled, and her band is simply awesome. Make sure you hear this record, it's seriously that good.

#8. Alda, : tahoma : (Eternal Warfare)
Another album that no one has mentioned, and I'm not sure if that makes me want to laugh, cry, or rage against everyone supposedly supporting the underground. How virtually no one could take notice of this album, which is a spellbinding mix of emotive black metal and gorgeous, sorrowful folk music, is beyond my understanding. If you want to hear brutal honesty, devastating sadness, and unbridled anger at man's destruction of Mother Earth, this album delivers. Brings me to tears every time I hear it.

#9. Subrosa, No Help For the Mighty Ones (Profound Lore)
This album has shown up on quite a few year-end lists, and with good reason. I've been hypnotized by this album since I first heard it. Stunningly heavy and arresting in its beauty. Was not much of a fan of their first record, but this one is as good as it gets.

#10. Anatomy of Habit, Anatomy of Habit (BloodLust)
While not that heavy in the obvious sense, once you get to know this album, it's as heavy as anything else you will have heard. Crushing, atmospheric, and delicately brutal in its use of space, Mark Solotroff and company really delivered a truly great album.

#11. Cremation Lily, Sexless Merit (Strange Rules)
Honestly, this could have been any of the tapes that Zen Zsigo (of Maths, Life in the Dark) put out on his Strange Rules label under the moniker Cremation Lily. Amazing power-electronics - the quality here is incomparable. Can't wait to hear more from this project.

#12. Ash Borer, Ash Borer LP (Psychic Violence [cs]/Pesanta [LP])
This, Ash Borer's first full-length album, confirmed what many of us had known after hearing the demos and tour recordings - that Ash Borer is simply one of the most exciting black metal bands to emerge from the underground in quite some time. Hopeless, bleak black metal that cannot be beat.

#13. Pyramids & Horseback, A Throne Without a King (Hydra Head)
An outstanding album from beginning to end, but it's worth its weight in gold simply for two songs on the 7" that accompanies the 12" (especially "Thee Cult of Henry Flynt" - woah...). The rest is more subtle - more ambient/noise influenced, but no less engaging, unpredictable, and enlivening.

#14. Panopticon, Social Disservices (Flenser)
Austin Lunn continues to shape the face of today's black metal by infusing his unique black metal sound with elements of crust and post-rock. This is the most brutal and perhaps the most intriguing Panopticon record yet, raging against a social welfare system that fails daily. Intensity is the key here.

#15. Locrian, The Clearing (Fan Death)
Locrian is one of those bands that somehow continues to improve. No matter how amazing each album is, they somehow manage to top themselves over and over again. I figured that The Crystal World was as high as they would get, but I was quite wrong.

#16. Various Artists, White Eye of Winter Watching (Hospital Productions)
The general rule of thumb is that compilations don't count for these lists, but that's a silly rule, especially for an album like this. Two cassettes and over three hours of exquisite material that covers a lot of what Hospital has been doing all these years. Industrial, power electronics, noise... all covered with (mostly) exclusive material from 52 different artists. Absolutely essential.

#17. Nyodene D, Every Knee Shall Bow (Assembly of Hatred)

The first time I played this CD, I knew this was the album that I had been waiting for this dude to make. Better than any of his previous efforts, this one really achieves that hauntingly violent death-industrial vibe.

#18. Mount Moriah, Mount Moriah (Holidays for Quince)
Quite possibly the most American record I've ever heard. So amazingly soulful, heartfelt and heart-breakingly gorgeous. Heather McEntire's voice will stop you in your tracks and possibly knock you dead. She could be screaming racial slurs and I think that voice would still bring me to the verge of tears. This is another album that I think a lot of people missed, but that's criminal. So good.

#19. Circle of Ouroborus, Eleven Fingers (Handmade Birds)
Total game-changer. This album transformed a lot about how I personally listen to music, especially how I approach listening to Circle of Ouroborus. Armon Keitaalla is also of note, because it's an incredibly awesome album, but it didn't necessarily change me the way this one did.

#20. Abuse Patterns, Reproducing the Pathology (Anabolic Dimensions)
Harsh power electronics that explores some very interesting and perhaps disturbing territory. I liked this a lot when I first heard it, but I can't seem to stop going back to it, and it has become one of my very favorite releases of the year. The whole package, which includes a screened envelope to hold the C30 and a small zine that explores the same topics the music does, is a winner. Not for the faint of heart or for the easily offended.

#21. Xenophobic Ejaculation, Vala (Filth and Violence)
If you can get past the hideous ideology represented here, this is an amazing piece of noise. 2 cassettes, nearly an hour and a half of one of the best pure noise releases of the year. Everything released by Pasi Markkula's Filth and Violence label is great, but this was the best thing I heard from it all year.

#22. Antediluvian, Through The Cervix Of Hawaah (Profound Lore)
Can't get enough of this. I've played this CD about a thousand times and it does not get old. These guys will be dominating for years. Fucking rules.

#23. Brighter Death Now, Very Little Fun (Cold Meat Industry/Tesco)
So much music on this 4xLP or 3xCD. All of it brilliant. And it's not even new music, all of it recorded between 1998 and 2005, and said to chronicle a slow, gradual breakdown of sorts. Death-industrial at its finest. Roger Karmanik still knows how to keep it fresh and real.

#24. Omit, Repose (Secret Quarters) and Loss, Despond (Profound Lore)
Perhaps the hardest part of compiling this list was trying to decide which of these albums I liked better. Both have been killing me repeatedly. I wanted to give the gothic doom of Repose the nod because it came out of nowhere, but the funeral dirges of Despond were even better than I had anticipated them being... in the end, it was just too hard, so they sit here tied. You can't lose with either one of them, as they both represent the ultimate musical embodiment of utter sorrow, despair and hopelessness. Kill yourself; there's no point to carrying on like this.

#25. Ordo Obsidium, Orbis Tertius (Eisenwald Tonschmiede)

It may have been 2010 when I first heard this record, but no matter; this is one of the finest, most memorable black metal albums to come out in 2011. Another one of those records that seriously deserved a lot more press than it got, and I sadly have not seen it on any year-end lists. But it seriously deserves to be on all of them, because it's that damn good.

Honorable Mention:

Mamiffer, Mare Decendrii (Conspiracy/Sige)

False, Untitled (Gilead Media)

Necros Christos, Doom of the Occult (The Ajna Offensive)

Amebix, Sonic Mass (self-released)

Airs, Gloomlights (Music Ruins Lives)

Lake of Blood, As Time and Tide Erodes Stone (Human Jigsaw)

Gnaw Their Tongues, Per Flagellum Sanguemque, Tenebras Veneramus (Crucial Blast)

Nekrasov, The Ever-Present (Crucial Blast)

Bizarre Uproar, Viha & Kiima (Freak Animal/Filth and Violence)

Asva, Presences of Absences (Important)

Sutekh Hexen, Luciform (Wands)

Njiqahdda, Disciples of Flame (Agni Yoga) (EEE Recordings)

Echtra, Paragate (Temple of Torturous)

Altar of Plagues, Mammal (Profound Lore/Candlelight)

Bosse-de-Nage, ii (Flenser)

Seidr, For Winter Fire (Flenser)

* * *

So there you have it. Do what you will with it. Goodbye 2011.

Burial Hex, In Psychic Defense LP

2012-01-07T10:19:00.001-06:00

Said to be the last Burial Hex album (though I have it on good authority that there is one remaining album to be released, early in 2012), In Psychic Defense is as good an album as Clay Ruby has made, even as good as Initiations. Creepy, cerebral, and overwhelmingly meditative, this is not meant to be background music; as is much of the music that we cover at HSS, this is meant to be experienced, perhaps in a darkened room, late at night. Or maybe you'd prefer to be outdoors, under some sort of trance, performing a seasonally-attuned ritual. Whatever the case, this album, which consists of one 20+ minute track, and offers a bit of everything that Burial Hex has been about for all these years.

The one-sided, hand silk-screened 12" vinyl is not to be missed, and since it is limited to 300 copies, you may want to be quick about getting one. In the US, it can be purchased from Experimedia, and in Europe, can be had direct from the label, Sound of Cobra.

A digital version can be downloaded for a small fee from Sound of Cobra's Bandcamp as well.

Prurient, Wrapped In The Flame Of Illusion, Masked In The Clay Of Behavior 2×7”

2012-01-06T11:20:00.002-06:00

New Prurient 2x7" coming very soon from Dais Records. The material was recorded just before last year's Bermuda Drain was recorded, and clearly represented a transitional phase for Dominick Fernow. If you're familiar with older Prurient work, as well as the "new" approach heard on Bermuda Drain and Time's Arrow, you'll understand quite well what I mean when you hear this. Fernow has referred to this as "ambient power electronics," and that seems to be an apt description.

The first track, "God Is Truth and Light Is His Shadow" is now playing on the otherwise worthless Pitchfork, which has referred to the cover art you see above as "ultra-grotesque." I actually laughed out loud.

The 2x7" is now available for preorder from Dais.

Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife

2012-01-04T00:46:00.000-06:00

I'm only one listen into Gamma Knife, the new record by Kayo Dot, and...wow. Anyone who thought Kayo Dot lost their way with less traditionally-"heavy" works like Blue Lambency Downward, Coyote, and Stained Glass should definitely check this record out, because it definitely contains some of the metal elements that fans of "metal Kayo Dot" have been craving for quite some time.

A combination of home recordings and live recordings from a concert in October 2011, Gamma Knife features Toby Driver on vocals, guitar, bass, and keys, Terran Olson and Dan Means on alto sax, Keith Abrams on drums, David Bodie on percussion, Mia Matsumiya on violin, audience direction from Tim Byrnes and Ron Varod, and lyrics by Jason Byron. The album was recorded by Toby Driver and Jeremiah Cymerman, and mixed and mastered by Randall Dunn.

Above is the placeholder art for the digital version. The real artwork will be revealed in a few months, when physical copies will be available. Our friends at Antithetic Records are releasing Gamma Knife on vinyl in May to coincide with Kayo Dot's full US tour. Expect to hear more from us about the vinyl release in April/May once we know more. In the meantime, support the band (who funded the entire recording with their own money) and download the record from their Bandcamp page for the totally affordable and reasonable price of $5.

Check out Gamma Knife below:

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Lycus and Lake of Blood LP Preorders

2011-12-31T09:20:00.000-06:00

Oh hot damn hell yes. One of the best doom demos I've ever heard is from the Bay Area's Lycus. Slow, heavy as hell, and absolutely crushing, the demo that was released digitally by the band earlier in 2011 has now been remastered (download for free here) for wax, glorious wax by Krallice's Colin Marston. 500 LPs, 100 of which are on green and black splatter vinyl (the rest on black vinyl), in reverse board jackets on heavy stock with new artwork by Bryan Proteau.

One of the finest black metal albums of the year is Lake of Blood's As Time and Tide Erodes Stone, originally released on CD by Human Jigsaw Records. Primitive yet atmospheric, and feral in its intensity, this record will swallow you up and spit you out. Also limited to 500, 100 of which are on white vinyl, the heavy stock jacket features new artwork by Vit's Nate Burns. Comes with a small poster, too.

Both of these are absolutely essential, and can be preordered for mid-late January shipment from Flenser Records.

Thantifaxath 12" EP

2011-12-31T08:49:00.000-06:00

One of the heaviest EPs of 2011 has now hit home and been pressed to wax. Thantifaxath's 2011 EP, which contains 4 songs that would almost fit on a 7", has been pressed on a one-sided 12" on 160 gram vinyl to preserve the sound quality. Originally released on a limited run of 250 cassettes by Dark Descent (which promptly sold out), this black metal band from Toronto is bound to see big things happen for them, especially if this EP is any indication of their future.

Get the 12" now, and pick up the excellent LP from fellow Canadians Ensorcelor as well, from Media Tree Recordings.

Aelter/Wolvserpent Downloads Now Available

2011-12-30T11:44:00.000-06:00

Blake and Brittany of Wolvserpent and Aelter have extended a lovely gesture to their fans, making free, high-quality mp3 downloads available for all Wolvserpent, Aelter, and Mezektet material to date, here.

You are, of course, encouraged to help support the band by purchasing records and merch from them, which you can do at that same site. Donations are also encouraged, if you value the music and the artists that have dedicated significant amounts of their time and energy to creating it.

So if you've already purchased the bands' materials, grab a band-endorsed download. If you haven't, take a listen, and then shoot them some money to show some respect.

Tycho Magnetic Anomalies Preorders, inc. Planning for Burial!

2011-12-28T12:33:00.000-06:00

We at HSS have been major fans of Planning for Burial since Leaving first started making its way around the internet a few years ago. Every release is a major event, so today I'm happy to announce that preorders for the Quietly cassette have gone live at Tycho Magnetic Anomalies. 3 tracks of gloom and doom, without the doom. Beautiful music, with a cover by Neils Geybels from Sequences. You can hear the tracks here if you're not convinced, but seriously, what convincing do you need? It's Planning For Burial, for goodness sake.

And to take things a bit further... TMA also has a HIGHLY LIMITED 3.5" floppy disc (yes, you read that right) featuring one Planning for Burial track, only available as a package with the Quietly CS, Wolf Fluorescence CS, and Remnants CS. The floppy is limited to 12, and only 8 are available to the public (1 of which was purchased by me, so HURRY if you want it).

Speaking of Wolf Fluorescence, this is the preorder for their coming cassette titled Bath House. I have not heard this one, but it promises "an ambient dream come to take you to the some of the more pleasant climes that TMA offers noise mongers everywhere." Limited to 50 hand-numbered copies. Available on it's own or in a package deal.

All of this brought to you and available from our friends at Tycho Magnetic Anomalies.

Vestiges Tour with Downfall of Gaia

2011-12-22T13:27:00.000-06:00

Vestiges are hitting the road again right after Christmas, this time with Germany's awesome Downfall of Gaia. Definitely a show you'll want to check out if they drop into your town.

12/27 Boston, MA at Wacky Kastle
12/28 Baltimore, MD at Sidebar
12/29 Washington, DC at Asefu's
12/30 Richmond, VA at Strange Matter
12/31 Rock Hill, SC at The Courtroom
01/01 Asheville, NC at The Get Down
01/02 Lafayette, LA at The Feed & Seed
01/03 Austin, TX at Scoot Inn
01/04 Dallas, TX at Queen City Hall
01/05 Nashville, TN at WTC Tower 2
01/06 Pittsburgh, PA at Kopec's
01/07 New Brunswick, NJ at House Show
01/08 Philadelphia, PA at M-Room

No days off, not even for travel from Asheville to LaFayette. These dudes mean business.

Gnaw Their Tongues - Per Flagellum Sanguemque, Tenebras Veneramus

2011-12-22T13:00:00.000-06:00

To be honest, I had gotten a little bored with Gnaw Their Tongues. 2009's All the Dread Magnificence of Perversity was the last GTT album that really struck me as something that presented Mories at the top of his game. Needless to say, then, I was not expecting a whole lot from this new album. And I'm pretty glad to be wrong.

This is a really great record that sees Gnaw Their Tongues return to top form - the best GTT material since 2007's An Epiphanic Vomiting of Blood, which is hailed by many as the best GTT album. Nothing has changed a whole lot - Mories is still doing what he has generally done very well, presenting dramatic, noisy metal of varying paces laced with heavy, distortion-laden electronics, symphonic elements, and dark, eerie samples. The production has gotten a bit cleaner, which might derail many projects like this one, but it works for these songs, as it allows all the different elements, which often barrage you all at once, to stand on their own while at the same time combining to make the listening experience all the more intense. So somehow, the cleaner production actually allows the album to be heavier and more filthy, but somehow more... grand, perhaps for lack of a better term.

Especially early on, the album feels like it could almost be the soundtrack to a demented film, as the songs (I'm talking specifically about tracks 1 and 2, "Hic Est Enim Calix Sanguinis Mei," and "Human Skin For The Messenger's Robe") don't feel particularly structured, and the keyboards provide an epic and dramatic atmosphere. This wouldn't be a horror-film soundtrack, though; it would have to be something more serious, more emotionally fulfilling than that. Perhaps this isn't even fitting for a film soundtrack... indeed, it's probably best suited for a journey through a victim's frail, damaged psyche. But by the end of the record, even though you're spent and exhausted, you'll feel vindicated, satisfied in the hope that the victim has achieved some sort of catharsis through your presence.

A terrific album from start to finish, and as I said, a triumphant return to form for Gnaw Their Tongues. You can buy a digital download or stream the album here, or buy the digipack CD along with a t-shirt, from Crucial Blast, here.

New Cassettes from Strange Rules

2011-12-22T10:32:00.000-06:00

Two new tapes from Zen Zsigo's Strange Rules label. Royal Tropical Institute's Relic is the one you see above. "archival club industrial. a dreary look at european minimalism. contains additional source material from Cremation Lily." If that's not a good enough reason to buy it, then consider that the first RTI cassette (also released by Strange Rules, and long sold-out) was excellent. Limited to 35.

The second is the debut offering from Curative Measures, and I'm jacked to hear this one. "first assault of crude power electronics + death industrial unit. zero rights, zero tolerance." Sold. This should be great. Limited to only 30 copies.

Neither of these is going to last very long, so you'd best act now if you want one or both of them. Get them from Strange Rules.

Circle of Ouroborus, Armon Keitaalla 2xLP

2011-12-22T10:17:00.000-06:00

I've not traditionally been a big fan of Finland's Circle of Ouroborus, but this year, things have changed. I missed out on the 3xCS box of this, which sold out in just a few hours, but thankfully, it's been pressed on wax for our consumption. The first ever double LP of Circle of Ouroborus material, it is a stunning album that is more metal-based than this year's Eleven Fingers (which I also loved). If the sales of the 3xCS are any indication, this probably won't last all that long. If you're in Europe, go to Kuunpalvelus, but in North America, go to Versets Noirs. Highly, highly recommended.

Wold, Freermasonry

2011-12-16T12:04:00.002-06:00

I suppose I should preface this by stating that I've never been a big fan of Wold. Their older material has always had some strange appeal, but not so much that I'd go back to it over and over again. I could pretty much listen to it once, enjoy it enough, and then move on.

I guarantee that will not be the case with their new offering, Freermasonry, out now on Profound Lore. I've already played it now nearly a dozen times, and there is some sort of strange thrill I get every time I play it. The name of the game with Wold has always been noise, and there is of course lots and lots of noise here. Dense layers of blanketed, often indistinguishable, ramshackle noise are ever-present. Sometimes it even threatens to cross into HNW territory... but not quite. The screamed vocals are generally pretty horrific. They even sound pretty damned spastic and infantile at times, but to me, that's the appeal. At other times, the vocals are buried in the mix and add an almost psychedelic element. There's no complaining about the results - the vocals are the perfect complement to the aural violence of the music and noise.

There are some weirder, more surreal moments to the record. The simple rhythms of "Dry Love" and "Free Eyes" give off an almost post-punk feeling, but the tracks doesn't feel out of place at all. "Dry Love" almost acts as a centerpiece - when it's 3+ minutes come to a close, it's back to the noise, as a short and somewhat restrained feedback-attack introduces "Working Tools for Praris", which is probably the albums best song. Here, the vocals step to the forefront a little more, as they are higher in the mix. In its quieter moments (referring to the song and the album as a whole), which are few and far between, there is a subdued, meditative, almost ambient quality that envelopes the listener, drawing you into another world - a chaotic, apocalyptic world where very little seems reasonable and good sense is apparently a thing of the past - but you feel at home anyway.

I think this is the record I've wanted Wold to make for a long time. The black metal part of Wold is seemingly gone, and I think that's what makes this album so gratifying. I love black metal, of course, but I've never fully appreciated Wold's take on it. This record, though - this I can appreciate, and expect to be doing so for quite some time. Honestly, one of my favorite records this year.

Available now on its own, or in a package with Stratification and Working Together For Our Privacy at Profound Lore.

Servile Sect, Realms of the Queen LP

2011-12-16T10:58:00.000-06:00

Servile Sect's outstanding 2010 album Realms of the Queen, originally issued on CD by Thurston Moore's Ecstatic Peace label, has now been pressed on wax. As we've told you before, Servile Sect make some of the most time-warping, mindbending music you're going to come across, giving forth layers of psychedelic drone experimentations. There's no good reason to not have this in your library - it will, of course, make your mind function just a little bit differently, especially if you have the right... herbal accompaniments. And to go with all that, it comes on clear vinyl with glow-in-the-dark splatter, limited to only 214 copies. The artwork, which I absolutely love, was done by HSS friend Kevin Gan Yuen of Viraloptic.

Get it now from King of the Monsters.

Bird From the Abyss, self-titled 2xCS

2011-12-14T11:11:00.000-06:00

One of the more original artists in the underground today, Finland's Bird From the Abyss, is back with a double cassette release that combines the three previously released (and out of print) EPs with a track created as an 'electronic synthesizer installation' (Electric Forest), and two previously unreleased tracks. This adds up to one C60 and one C40, and nearly 90 minutes of very odd music. Elements of folk, doom, drone, ambient and other genres are all part of the mix here, which, despite the varying influences, comes of as entirely organic and natural. From the label:

"There is a stench here so old that it rids the body

of any uncertainty. It is a comfortable rapture. The stench comes not from distant swamps, putrescent and green in their small wakes, or the mounds of bone matter and meat made dust underfoot. This waft of hidden and yet all-too demanding treasures lifts itself steadily from the bated, beating wings of the Bird, on its eternal voyage somewhere far past home.

"Utilising both analogue synthesis and a dynamic range of acoustic instrumentation, Bird From the Abyss' Matias Aaltonen crafts definitively archaic compositions and flawlessly timed improvisations steeped in universal mystery. The tectonic movements developing and unfolding from these unholy hymns mold and fold into one another, cutting clear marks across certain borders while blurring any known remnants of others."

Bird from the Abyss has always been HSS favorite, so we're very happy to see this double cassette, limited to only 125 copies, available now for purchase. The packaging has been done up very nicely:

♦ bloodred c60 + c40 tapes, handstamped + inked in black
♦ handcut, dyed + scored custom chipboard O-cards + insert
♦ handstamped red 8.5" by 8.5" insert with black lettering
♦ handnumbered & stamped in roman numerals
♦ screenprinted artwork by D.S. Ciarán

You can hear sample at the Bird Bandcamp, and can purchase the limited edition double cassette from He of the House.

Kevin Hufnagel - Transparencies

2011-12-14T09:17:00.000-06:00

Transparencies is the new solo record by guitarist Kevin Hufnagel of Dysrhythmia, Byla, Vaura, and the legendary Gorguts. The layers upon layers of acoustic and electric guitar textures on the album is more along the lines of his work with Byla than any of his other bands. Any fan of shoegaze or ambient guitar music is sure to love this.

The album artwork features photography by Kevin Hufnagel, and design by the inimitable Heung-Heung Chin.

Transparencies is limited to 300 copies. You can stream the entire album and purchase a copy for $10 at his Bandcamp page.

Playlist: Mark Solotroff

2011-12-14T08:34:00.003-06:00

Photo by Mariah Karson.

Mark Solotroff is solo noise musician and a member of BLOODYMINDED, The Fortieth Day, Anatomy of Habit, and many other projects. He has collaborated with the likes of Locrian and The Atlas Moth. He also runs BloodLust!, a Chicago-based record label specializing in power electronics, noise, and experimental electronic music. For more information, visit http://bloodlust.blogspot.com.

I think that the mid-November timing of the request to submit this playlist gave me license to make this all about my favorite and most-played recordings of 2011, so here we go, in my best attempt at alphabetical order:

Amebix “Sonic Mass”

My god, what a rebirth! As if their Chicago show in 2009 was not enough of an unexpected triumph, this album utterly blew my mind. Yes, being a big Killing Joke fan makes this even easier for me to love, but the epic and bombastic nature of this collection of songs probably puts it at the top of my 2011 list in more than just an alphabetical way. “Sonic Mass Part 2” totally destroys me.

A Storm Of Light “As The Valley of Death Becomes Us, Our Silver Memories Fade”

This band’s albums work for me on many levels, both as foreground and background music and as a potent live force. They simply fit my taste extremely well.

The Atlas Moth “An Ache For The Distance”

I do not really think that pride is an appealing attribute to announce in public, but it is inevitable in this case. Second only to the gratification that I continue to experience from the debut release by my band Anatomy of Habit, I am extremely proud to have been a small part of the new album by The Atlas Moth. This would already be one of my favorite records in ages, without my participation, without Andrew Ragin working so closely with AoH on our LP, and without just liking these guys as guys. I remember not being totally into them the very first time that I saw them. Something rubbed me the wrong way. But over a short time I changed my tune and I really started to get into the band. And then things took a cool, weird turn, and now I am proud to be a part of the same amazing Chicago scene as them.

Batillus “Furnace”

This album simply crushes. And it translates extremely well in a live setting. Essential 2011 listening.

Bee Mask/Envenomist (split) LP

A work of art. David Russell’s attention to detail as the curator of this release makes him an equal partner. The two artists are so well matched on this release. And then Daniel G. Baird’s artwork puts it over the top. A stunning release of dark electronics and minimalism.

Belong “Common Era” A contender for most-played… Ultra-romantic, dark music. A beautifully hazy, psychedelic, shoe-gaze-influenced soundtrack to hours spent in bed or on a couch.

Bloodiest “Descent”

Okay, more local scene pride here. I think these folks are kindred spirits to what my band Anatomy of Habit is all about. Bloodiest are such a live force to be reckoned with and their translation to the recorded format absolutely does them justice. Heavy. Dark. Epic. Monumental. And good, good people.

Dark Castle “Surrender To All Life Beyond Form”

Their new album upped the ante so much from their growing catalog. Doom meets sludge metal with guitars that suggest the best moments of Siouxsie And The Banshees, layered with analogue synth that takes this album to really otherworldly places. Stevie’s vocals are haunting, in the sense that I hear echoes of the ghost of Dawn Crosby from Fear Of God’s “Within the Veil” album, and to me that is like reaching the godhead, if such a thing exists.

Dead Times/TRTRKMMR (split) LP

Someone called this a game-changer. But I do not think that anyone involved with this LP is playing games. Rather, they are expanding the boundaries of heavy, dark music from directions not previously known to exist. Pitch black.

Envenomist “Bound Dominions”

If I do not get at least one new Envenomist album a year then I am not a happy or complete person. This year, I also got half an LP, a great cassette, and the opportunity to see Mr. Reed on stage twice, not to mention, having him perform twice as a part of BLOODYMINDED…and… he and I also got to collaborate together, live, with the mighty Plague Bringer. This was a good year!

Frank Alpine “Frank Alpine”

Caustic, yelping, dark and lecherous minimal synth from an emerging master.

The Horrors “Skying”

I still listen to their last album, “Primary Colours,” so often, and rare for me these days with musical inner dialogue, I was worried about how their new album would stack up. After about ten listens, I knew this was a major 2011 release for me. Halfway through the album, “Still Life” raises the romantic mood to a new level. This is all about whom you are with when you listen to it or when you see the band and so few bands provide me with that thrill anymore.

Iceage “New Brigade”

For a band so heavily written about and hyped-up during the first half of the year, you would have thought that these guys reinvented music, or punk, at least. What I thought they did was write and record one of the most urgent and compelling albums of the year. They did not “save” anything. They just caught a lot of people off-guard. And, thankfully, at least a bit of (their) blood was shed, the two consecutive (and very different) nights that I saw them in Chicago. I was pleased to share a stage with them at The Empty Bottle, too.

Indian “Guiltless” My last insert of Chicago pride. Scorched earth policy. Blistering. This album contains what is easily my ultimate downer anthem for 2011, the utterly nihilistic track, “Banality.” And for me, their live shows are really unparalleled.

Lifelover “Sjukdom” I like every album by this group. This new one is no exception. No surprise, really, how things turned out this year for them.

Martial Canterel “You Today”

It is as if Sean is honing the blade of a military bayonet to the point of being instantly deadly upon the slightest contact… Where am I going with this? Each new M.C. release attains a higher level of urgency and perfection. “You Today” is like being driven in a sleek European coupe at recklessly dangerous speeds on a snaking, narrow mountain road. And those of us in the Midwest had some very rare chances to see the master in action this year. Another privilege to share a stage with him…

Necro Deathmort “Music Of Bleak Origin” Should Massive Attack have been listening to nothing but dark doom metal when they recorded “Mezzanine,” it might have sounded like this. Great for late, late nights.

Peterlicker “Nicht”

Not much commentary here but I have listened to it a ton. For fans of early Swans, a more abstracted version of Godflesh, and those shamefully overlooked French sewer-dwellers, Slushy.

Seidr “For Winter Fire”

Another album that I listened to a lot but did not formulate many thoughts about. Dark and heavy, for sure.

Tindersticks “Claire Denis Film Scores 1996-2009”

I cannot imagine how many times I have played the disc with the score to “L’Intrus”…it is so, so fucking dark. This is an inspired collaboration that continues to deliver outstanding results.

Tombs “Path Of Totality”

Raw power. Brutality. Even more so live. And they are even really catchy, to boot.

True Widow “As High As The Highest Heavens And From The Center To The Circumference Of The Earth”

I feel like my metabolism changes when I listen to this album. It is a beautiful record and it is among my very top favorites of this year.

Yob “Atma”

This album really delivered for me, much more than their live date in Chicago did, for some reason. It is a pretty weird record and it begs for repeat listens.

Zond “Zond”

Technically this year’s release in the USA, I guess. More otherworldly post-shoegaze lo-fi cinematic ambiance. Pretty romantic stuff, too. Among my most played records all year long.

Also: It will not be out for a few months but I have been listening to the breathtaking forthcoming Vaura album, “Selenelion” quite a lot for the past two months, or so, and I just had the privilege of sharing the stage with them at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn. The release of the new HTRK “Work (Work, Work)” album did not exactly blow my mind, and I was disappointed that they only toured the coasts, but among my most listened to albums of the year were their earlier efforts, “Nostalgia” and “Marry Me Tonight,” both of which ooze with sex, late nights, and lascivious intentions. The Soft Moon put out a self-titled album late last year and I may have spun that this year more than just about anything. Seeing them live was a real treat, too. Shame on me for not rushing to the store the exact minute that their new EP, “Total Decay,” was released. And one other older release that got a lot of airplay was The Beatles-esque psychedelic “Innerspeaker” album from Tame Impala. Maybe because I listened to The Rolling Stones so fucking much this year, I needed this for a modicum of balance.

Rik Garrett - Earth Magic

2011-12-13T09:20:00.001-06:00

Remember the Kickstarter campaign we posted about back in July? Photographer Rik Garrett was successful in raising the funds for his solo exhibition, Earth Magic, which opens January 5th at the Resistance Gallery in London. To coincide with the exhibition, he has put together another limited edition handmade book.

The Earth Magic books will measure 5" x 6", and will be signed and numbered in an edition of 100. The title is foil-stamped on the heavy paper cover. The title page and borders on subsequent pages are offset printed in black and copper. Each book contains thirteen 3" x 4" tipped-in archival pigment prints, but the images and sequence in which they are placed will vary from book to book, as they will be chosen from a larger pool of images from the series. It has not yet been revealed how these books will be sealed.

There may be an extremely limited special collector's edition of the book made available in the future. This would be limited to three copies, and one artist proof. The archival pigment prints would be replaced by silver gelatin prints, and book's cover would be replaced by embossed leather.

Earth Magic is expected to be released on December 20th and will be $100. For those who purchase the book before the 20th, the price is $90. If you have purchased a Symbiosis book and/or contributed to his Kickstarter campaign, the pre-order price is reduced to $80. All prices include shipping for those in the continental United States, and international shipping is available for an additional $5. All pre-orders must be paid in full by December 19th.

Images and other information about the series and the book can be found at the Earth Magic page on Rik Garrett's website.

Rik Garrett on the Earth Magic book:

The books are roughly the same size as the way in which Malleus Maleficarum was published in the late 15th century. That book was basically a witch hunter's bible, printed in such a small size so that judges & etc. might discreetly reference it during trials. I think that my book is maybe more like a field guide to this race of Earth-bourne witches, a visual treatise inspired by the older texts on witchcraft but re-imagined without the need for witch-hunts. A race of women living off of the Earth, drawing their powers from nature. Unlike the motherly utopia of matriarchal societies usually portrayed in fiction, these women will not welcome you upon your arrival to their grove. In fact, you would probably be in trouble if they caught you stumbling upon their secret society.

Playlist: Andrew Scherer

2011-12-07T23:34:00.001-06:00

Andrew Joseph Scherer is one of the founding members of Velnias and in addition to his main group has worked / works with such artists as I Shalt Become, Locrian and Twilight Congregation. He also will be starting his own label, Inspired Hate sometime early next year, along with a few as of yet unnamed musical projects.

CURRENT AND ETERNAL MUSICAL OBSESSIONS :

Obsequiae "Suspended In The Brume of Eos"
Comus "First Utterance"
Potentiam "Orka I Myrki"
Dissection "Storm of the Light's Bane"
Ice Bound Majesty "How Can We Live In A Kingdom And Never See The Throne"
Bloodrain "Bloodrain III : Nomen Nostro Legio"
Old Wainds "Where The Snows Are Never Gone ..." / "Religion of Spiritual Violence"
Death "Leprosy"
The Loathsome Couple "The Loathsome Couple"
Ride For Revenge / Torturium
16 Horsepower "Low Estate"
Ascension "Consolamentum"
Judas Priest "Painkiller"
Goatmoon "Varjot"
Ennio Morricone "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly"
Sigrblot "Blodsband (Blood Religion Manifest.)"
Obscure Anachronism "Metanoia"
Moon of Delirium "Demo"
Rahu "Rahu"
Disillusion "Back to Times of Splendor"

Servile Sect and Cedars of Lebanon Cassettes from Land of Decay

2011-12-06T14:21:00.000-06:00

I don't have much time to post on these but I want people to know they're available because they could sell down pretty quickly. I know a bunch of people have been waiting for these for a while, and now, finally, both are available from Land of Decay.

First is a cassette of two demo tracks from droned-out psychedelic mindbenders Servile Sect, who we've featured before. Their album TRVTH came out on R. Loren's Handmade Birds label earlier this year, but the material on this tape goes back to 2005-2006, before their debut Stratospheric Passenger came out. Dark and eerie and not to be missed.

The second is a cassette from Cedars of Lebanon, which features members of Minsk and US Christmas. Don't now much else about the band, but what I've heard of the tape is really solid. What's interesting here is that this is "the first Land of Decay release that was recorded exclusively in the drainage tunnels and abandoned missile silos around Peoria, IL." Wow.

For more info, click over to the Land of Decay link above, and to buy them (along with Locrian's The Clearing LP, now finally available from LoD), go here.

Psychic Teens, TEEN

2011-12-05T21:58:00.000-06:00

This post-punk revival that's become all the rage these days has me quite torn. Some of it is so, so good. And some of it is so horribly, obviously bad that it makes me want to condemn the whole "movement" and never listen to anything labeled post-punk ever again.

Psychic Teens falls into the first group. I have been listening to this for over a month and I enjoy it a little more every time. It's not an easy record to pin down - generally a good sign. Post-punk is the first thing that comes to mind, and that's certainly accurate, but there's so much more to this. Honestly, I'm hearing 5 different decades of music here. The 80s, most obviously, but I can't help but hear the psychedelic bands of the 60s (like The Doors), some of the great rock and punk bands of the late 70s and 80s, some old-fashioned dark gothic beauty, throw in a sampling of the alt-rock movement of the 90s (Can I really hear Nirvana at times? Why yes, I think I can...), and even some shoegaze, drone, and metal at times. The album starts with some throbbing bass, which eventually gives way in the end to some heavy, blissed-out guitars that are almost reminiscent of Nadja. There's pretty much something here for everyone.

It's refreshing though, that Psychic Teens wear their influences on their sleeves, because by being honest about who they are, they come off as the genuine article. Despite the influences being so obvious, it doesn't sound derivative at all - it sounds fresh, if not unique. It won't be for everyone that frequents this site, but if you give it a chance, I think you may be surprised. You can stream or download the album on Bandcamp and/or order the LP here from Golden Voyage.

Syven, Aikaintaite

2011-12-03T21:27:00.001-06:00

We all listen to music for different reasons, but at the root of things, we presumably go back to the things we love the most over and over again because they stir something inside of us, be that something whimsical, something political, something sorrowful, even something dreadful.

And then there are the pieces of music that transcend the personal, the pieces where the music stands on its own, where it takes on its own life - where it stands beside us, or across from us - the point being that it is anywhere that is not inside of us, because it is just too large. There is too much meaning, to much profound wisdom contained therein for it to remain in our hearts. It is an entity entirely its own. It is not alien, but it is other.

Finland's Syven (whose song "How Fare the Gods?" you may remember from the stunning compilation Whom The Moon a Nightsong Sings) have created just such a piece of music. The music contained on their debut album Aikaintaite is bigger than the immensely talented duo of A.T. and A.K.S.; it's bigger than the instruments it's played on (including the native Finnish kantele); in some ways, it's bigger than music, bigger than art. It's bigger than any genre, obviously. We can call it folk, we can call it neofolk, or ambient, or whatever else we want, but in this music, genres break down. One listen to this album will show you that. It has elements of all these things, even a few hints of metal, but the tremendously atmospheric and evocative layering of synths over the kantele, the tribal percussion, the field recordings, and the varied vocals (from feral growls, whispered chants, and amazing low male choirs that at times approach the depth of Tibetan throat singing) makes no real suggestion of genre. It needs none, as it is its own.

The record is self-described as primordial and shamanistic, and these words are certainly appropriate.

There is breath within this music. There is life. It speaks to us, yes - but when it speaks from another side, it listens as well. It is open. It does not preach, it does not explain, but it communes with us, as we commune with it. It is... more than a gesture, more than a prayer - it's a beckoning to nature, a beckoning to the ancients to show us hope, to spark the light in all of us that keeps us alive in the harshest and most difficult of times.

Click over to Vendlus Records, where the album will soon be available, to hear samples.

Uzala - Uzala LP/CS

2011-12-03T21:18:00.001-06:00

Boise, Idaho's Uzala will be releasing their self-titled debut record soon. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Darcy Nutt, vocalist/guitarist Chad Remains, bassist Nick Phit (Graves at Sea/Atriarch), and drummer Stephen Gere (Gere recently left the band and has been replaced by Chuck Watkins), they make killer fuzzed-out doom-rock that fans of bands like Jex Thoth, Blood Ceremony, Witch Mountain, The Devil's Blood would almost certainly enjoy.

The album was recorded and produced by Blake Green of Wolvserpent and mastered by Andy Lippoldt of Persistence in Mourning. The album artwork was created by Darcy Nutt, who in addition to playing in Uzala, is also a world-renowned tattoo artist and owner of Chalice Tattoo. Design was handled by none other than Stephen O'Malley.

Uzala will be released on vinyl by At War With False Noise. It is being pressed in an edition of 333 copies on 180g vinyl, in heavy "tip-on" Stoughton sleeves with printed inners. Preorders are being taken now, and each preorder comes with a black patch with the Uzala sigil printed in silver. There will be a separate preorder option for that includes the album, the patch, and a black T-shirt with the album artwork printed in white.

The cassette version will be released by Witch Sermon. It will be limited to 111 copies, and the first 33 orders will include a black patch with the logo printed in white. The cassette version will include a bonus track, "Cataract," which was recorded during the same sessions. Contact Andy at Witch Sermon for availability.

Check out "The Reaping" below:

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Playlist: Josh Lay

2011-11-30T19:46:00.001-06:00

Josh Lay is a noise artist from Kentucky. He has a number of solo recordings that have been released by labels that include Urashima, Peasant Majik, Sentient Recognition Archive, Phage Tapes, and Small Doses. He has collaborated with the likes of Teeth Collection, PBK, Wyatt Howland, and Altar of Flies, and he is also a member of Swamp Horse. Together with Swamp Horse bandmate Morgan Rankin, he runs Husk Records. For more information, visit http://huskrecords.blogspot.com.

RECENT SPINS.....

-Dan Hall and James P. Keeler - Variations double cassette... I am beyond happy to have snagged one of these double cassette boxes from the masters of decayed depression/Noise bottom dwellers James and Dan, aka Wilt on the OR/CO label. ONLY 10 NUMBERED COPIES!.... These cassettes are a collection of their work from 2004-2010 using only acoustic guitar and magnetic tape. Really shows another side of Wilt, but stays in the same zone. Awesome.

-PBK - Fenton Road Beast cassette... I can't say enough about the always impressive, and evolving sound exploration of Phillip B. Klinger, or PBK. This guy has been destroying the norm and pushing genres into new and unsafe realms for about as long as I have been alive. This cassette is another document of his sound alchemy. Psyched out, grim, and awesome, all in one cassette from Banned Production.

-Regosphere - Gutter Swarm cassette... More awesome material from Andrew Q. I am never let down by this dude. As the face of Dumpsterscore Home Recordings, and Regosphere, he has a way of creating an atmosphere of loss and being dissolved slowly by acid. As of late, cooking up some really sexy movie soundtrack material as well. Comes in a nice bulky and beautiful vhs style case thanks to Phage Tapes.

-Clandestine Blaze - Falling Monuments cd/lp... So goooood. Finland does it again...one man Black Metal is THE only way, unless your band has something new to offer to the Black Metal genre, which you usually do not. The best BM is always some weirdo working out his/her demons in a bedroom. Safe to say, CB has evolved past the home recordings into being an a leader of the "shit of get off the pot" record your own BM scene along with fellow self recorded Finland BM like Satanic Warmaster, etc.

-Hookers - Halloween 7"... Hookers have been ripping it up for quite a few years here in my good ol' state of Kentucky. I picked up the Halloween 7" recorded in 1999, but it still creeps onto my record player, and slimes around... Side A is a killer rendition of the Misfits classic, side B a Hookers original called "Valhalla"... Trust me, you need this record in your life. Get the last copies when/if you can. Limited on red vinyl.

New PreOrders from Handmade Birds

2011-11-29T22:06:00.000-06:00

A plethora of exciting new preorders from the great Handmade Birds label, headlined by this album that you see above, which I think very few people know about. The band is Dreamless, a psychedelic metal band from Minneapolis, who also layer in elements of drone and noise to create a swirling, dizzying, heavily- textured guitar-driven assault on the senses. I hesitate to use the term 'shoegaze' because it's been so abused of late, but it certainly seems appropriate. The songs are punishing yet sorrowful, visceral yet beautiful, almost haunting, but strangely catchy. In any case, this album, All This Sorrow, All These Knives, will go down as a classic if people get their shit together. Really powerful music. Get a taste of it - go here to stream it, and you'll know fairly instantly that you must have this CD.

The two men that make up the literally amazing The Elemental Chrysalis - Chet Scott and James Woodhead - have each taken time to craft solo material for this split. The key word here, for both artists, is ritual, as the music of both men - Scott as Blood of the Black Owl, and Woodhead as At the Head of the Woods - is heavily steeped in ritual. These two men are long-time collaborators, so it's only natural for them to offer their solo material together. More info on this split CD is available here. Trust me, you won't want to miss this. Chet Scott is an amazing person, and one of the most visionary artists alive. Ditto on Mr. Woodhead. Both are amazing musicians as well, and will have new full-lengths of their respective projects coming soon.

Servile Sect's Trvth LP, also on Handmade Birds, was a great success. A stunning musical achievement, it also sold out rather quickly from the label. This cassette, titled Svrrender, is a companion piece to Trvth, and is already being heralded as their most exciting output yet. They've never once failed to impress, so this obviously gets a very high recommendation, even if I haven't heard it at all. (Hint: they also have a cassette of demos coming soon on Land of Decay.)

If you don't know who Demian Johnston is, I don't know how to help you. He's a very talented musician and artist, runs the Dead Accents label, writes the Dead Formats blog, and is basically just about everywhere, if you know where to look. Dude's got it going on. If you're not familiar with his various works, then you ought to be working to change that now, instead of reading this nonsense. (Did you read the Great Falls write-up from last week? Get that shit, it's awesome, and surprise! - it's a Demian Johnston project.). This cassette, If They Even Find Me, is limited to only 77, and won't last long at all. Honestly, I'm surprised that it's still available right now.

The guys from Servile Sect also have solo projects. Luke has Sadness Saturn, and Nate has Golden Raven. Don't know much about Golden Raven, but what I've heard of Sadness Saturn (that split CS with Utarm..., the She demo) is great. This promises to be a great split. And it's analog. Win-win.

Handmade Birds has these all up for preorder right now, and Sir Loren has done nothing but pour out great music since this label opened up shop. Get all of these if you have the $$$, but if you don't, be picky and choosey - some of these will be gone really quick, others will be gone later. But they will all eventually be gone. Get them now at the HB store.

Life in the Dark, Absolute Control

2011-11-29T12:35:00.000-06:00

It appears our friend Zen Zsigo is taking his ambient/drone project Life in the Dark in a new direction, towards cold industrial sounds. In his words, "unhappy, british industrial insomnia." I love the old LITD, but am very excited to hear this new tape, titled Absolute Control.

As noted by Zen on the email and website, "This release is a fundraiser for some new cassette duplication equipment for the label. This will mean much, much faster turnaround from now on and more releases from many different artists. If you have never ordered from Sunyata before but have enjoyed some of our releases then make this your first order and help us out! To loyal and regular customers, thank you very much for all support."

Very limited edition, so act fast if you want it. Do the right thing and support one of the most talented underground artists I know. Available now from Sunyata Recordings.

Antediluvian, Through The Cervix of Hawwah

2011-11-29T10:16:00.001-06:00

Everyone has been talking about Pitchfork's top metal albums of 2011 list; why it's good, why it sucks, blah blah blah. It does suck, of course; Pitchfork is a piece of shit and we all know it. When I first read that list, I thought it sucked for what it does include - records by Skeletonwitch and Machinehead, among other embarrassing piles of excrement - but after scanning it a bunch of times, I realize it also sucks for what it does not include - namely, Through the Cervix of Hawwah, the first full-length from Canada's Antediluvian.

To be fair, Through the Cervix of Hawwah does crack the "honorable mention" category of Pitchfork's list, but that's just not good enough. Seriously, they want to try to say that Skeletonwitch's record is better than this? Fuck off, and get a new set of ears, because you clearly can't hear.

After a number of raw demos, a split, and an EP, Antediluvian have put together an albeit short full-length album that ratchets up the hatred, animosity and disgust with a sinister, occult sensibility. The riffs are brilliant, with the deep, guttural vocals the perfect compliment. Perhaps most impressive here is the production, which could have really screwed up a great album. It does and should sound raw- but not as raw as something like Bone Awl, for example. At the same time, though, the production isn't too clean. These songs obviously shouldn't sound pretty and crisp, but they do sound fresh, if that makes any sense. And they do.

In short, it achieves everything that Leviathan's True Traitor, True Whore failed at. While that record has a few excellent moments, on the whole it sounds flat, forced, and overly premeditated; Through the Cervix of Hawwah, on the other hand, sounds exciting and timely. With this record, I know Antediluvian's hatred is being put to good use, while Leviathan's, though genuine, feels like it's serving no purpose except to make us all dumb. Perhaps I shouldn't compare, because there truly is no comparison; Through the Cervix of Hawwah succeeds in every place that True Traitor, True Whore fails.

In any case, you should decide for yourself, but I've got a hard thinking that anyone will find any degree of failure in Through the Cervix... Both that and the aforementioned Leviathan album can be had from Profound Lore.

Annie Feldmeier Adams with Steven Hess, Requiem DVD

2011-11-29T00:37:00.000-06:00

Having kids makes it easy to lose things. Namely your mind.

But they can also make sure you lose things you never knew you had. I apparently got a promo copy of this wondrous DVD in the mail sometimes over the last two months, I assume, and upon finding it hidden behind the couch to the delight of two grinning and giggling little girls, popped it in the DVD player and watched a pretty striking video.

I will tell you first of all that I watched this without having any information on it. I didn't read the cover sheet, choosing to just let the video take me where it would. I'm not quite sure where I ended up going, but luckily enough, I arrived back at my home, my mind for the most part still intact. It's an interesting way to approach this, and after reading a bit about it, I had to watch the video again. I'm glad I approached it this way; not only was it something to behold, to witness - I also learned something. A few things, actually. I love it when art teaches me something. It's becoming a prerequisite of sorts, for me to listen to something, in fact. If I can't learn something from it, why engage it at all?

So I will provide some info on this, straight from the Flingco Sound System website. But I'd encourage you to drop the $25 for this beautifully packaged DVD that's limited to only 25 - most of which are presumably already sold - and experience it much like I did. Learn, and then unlearn. In any case, here's the spoiler:

Requiem was a four-channel sound installation in the Fern Room of Chicago's Lincoln Park Conservatory. It was an installment in Experimental Sound Studio's Florasonic series from Sept. 2010 to Jan. 2011.

Annie Feldmeier Adams (The Black Box) and Steven Hess (Haptic, Locrian Pan American, On, Ural Umbo) created a Requiem for those who still lie buried below the conservatory and the park. Joseph Mills from Haptic and Brendan Burke from Interbellum aided in the recording of the 21:11 minute piece. Annie Feldmeier Adams (who has made videos for Interbellum, Pan American, Cristal and Locrian) created a video for the Requiem, with visual material sourced exclusively from the Fern Room.

FSS is releasing a specially packaged, limited edition DVD with that video. Each DVD comes in a cardboard "scatterbox" with a 5x7 inch lambda print. Only twenty five copies will be sold.

In 1865 Chicago's Lincoln Park was named in honor of the late president (slain April 14, 1865). At the time, the park included an active cemetery. To expand and beautify the setting, and to quell health concerns, the city began to remove the interned bodies. In 1871 the Great Chicago Fire burned cemetery burial records along with wood and stone grave markers, leaving an unknown number of bodies forgotten under the site.

Requiem memorializes those underneath the conservatory and the park. It is intended to echo traditional wording of an Anglican burial service: In the midst of life we are in death.

I'm left wondering what is found beneath my own home, and what other gems may be found in my home, hidden away by two mischievous little girls.

~

3 New Releases on Antithetic Records

2011-11-26T21:47:00.000-06:00

Three new releases from Antithetic Records, all of which come on CD- a first for Antithetic. The first is from France's Nooumena, an avant-garde prog rock band. I don't generally care for prog at all, but given that I enjoy the new Opeth album, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that this is pretty good. (Not that this really compares to Opeth, that's just not fair.) The weird time signatures and all that proggy stuff are all here in plenty, but it's generally got a pretty unique vibe to it. Maybe I just think it's unique because I don't make a habit of listening to prog... Anyway, this - their debut album - is worth the $9 it costs, so jump on board.

Next, the new record from South Africa's Wildernessking. Formerly existing under the moniker Heathens, they play black metal of an atmospheric variety, infused with some downright rock-n-roll moments. Perhaps it's me, but I hear more rock here than black metal. In any case, their songwriting is decent, and they're talented enough to probably make this a pretty good listen. Their logo was designed by the always gnarly Black Uroborus and the great artwork on this release is by the amazing Reuben Sawyer of Rainbath Visual. Worth the price of admission in itself.

Third, the newest release from the intriguing Book of Sand, titled The Face of the Waters. Of this batch of Antithetic releases, this is the one I'm most excited about, since I've been a fan of Book of Sand and his droney, experimental, almost muted style of black metal. He has always delivered the goods no matter what he's done, so I'm going to trust that this is awesome. You can listen to the unmastered version here, to get an idea of what the CD will consist of. Sounds great. I really love Book of Sand, and hope you do as well. This is available in an edition of only 100, and the artist is getting 25 of those for himself, so you may want to act fast on this one.

Antithetic is a great label, no doubt. Trustworthy to the extreme, so this is always a great label to give your hard-earned money to. Enjoy. Support Antithetic Records by buying these new albums here.

Venowl, Juldoriion and Untitled Cassettes

2011-11-26T14:22:00.000-06:00

Our friends in Venowl have two analog records to offer and to enslave you with. The first, Untitled, we reviewed back here, and it is now available to order through the Ivory Antler shoppe. It's limited, so don't waste your time. Get it now, you won't regret it. Dense, noisy, blackened filth of a very high caliber.

The second, Juldoriion, was originally released back in 2009 digitally, but now sees a higher form of evolution in the sacred analog format. Harsh, noise-infested doom, again of a very high caliber. This will soon be available in the Venowl Big Cartel, as will a number of other tasty things.

Sink your teeth into some digital Venowl tracks and albums via their Bandcamp page, but don't lose sight of the fact that only analog is real.

Playlist, Adam Bartlett

2011-11-25T10:54:00.001-06:00

Adam Bartlett is the founder, owner and operator of Gilead Media, the manager of Offbeat Press, and co-writer and co-director of the film Dead Weight. With Gilead Media, Adam has his hands in every aspect of a release - and not out of some maniacal ego-trip, but out of creativity and inspiration. Gilead has released some of the best records of the past few years, including albums from Thou, Krallice, Ash Borer, Fell Voices, False, Barghest, and others.

Gilead Media as recently run into some trouble, by no fault of Adam's. For details, read this, and to help out, go the Gilead Store and buy some records or merch. It's ALL great and the money helps Gilead put out more great records.

***

Algernon Cadwallader - Parrot Flies
This is a band I've loved for a few years now. If I did indie rock records I would've forced them to work with me on this. Off-key vocals singing, tons of guitar tapping, upbeat songs. Definitely not fall-time music, but great stuff.

Rush - A Farewell To Kings
It's hard for me to pick a favorite amongst the massive discography of RUSH, whom are easily my favorite band. A Farewell To Kings is one that I come back to constantly and love front to back, so it's probably a top contender.

Mastodon - Crack The Skye
I avoided listening to Mastodon once Blood Mountain came out. I wasn't super into that album and just gave up. Leviathan was such an epic album and I felt like Blood Mountain was such an enormous step in the wrong direction. Turns out I messed up, because Crack The Skye is one of the best records I've ever heard. I listened to this every morning at work, at least once, for two weeks straight when I finally got around to giving it a chance. What a beautiful, solid album. Even if my wife likes to mockingly sing along to make fun of some of the lyrics.

Krallice - Diotima
Gilead Media is a label that has grown right with Krallice, and that's something I'm very proud of. Diotima combines the best elements of the Dimensional Bleedthrough self-titled albums, creating one of the finest intense metal records in recent years. Ever since I first heard this I've been obsessed with listening to all three albums in a row, they mesh and flow so well together. It's like one huge conceptual journey.

The Dark Tower Audiobooks
Stephen King's long-running series changed my life and sparked my initial interest in literature. I listen through these audiobooks at least once a year. Since I began managing a screen-printing shop it has become much easier to blast through these. Anyone who hasn't at least read The Gunslinger is doing themselves a great disservice.

Young Widows - In and Out of Youth and Lightness
I heard this album was much more toned down than Old Wounds which bummed me out initially. I realized that this change in songwriting was actually a great thing after my friend Brian forced me to give a listen. This has become an album that will be high in the list of 2011's best records.

Ash Borer - Ash Borer
Probably going to be one of my top three for 2011, here. Intense and groundbreaking. I love everything these guys do and I'm happy to have worked on a project with them and Fell Voices. I can not wait to see where Ash Borer goes from here.

Ruin Lust - Demo CS
Michael of Fell Voices in a new band now that he is living in NY. Lo-fi death metal, haven't been able to take this out of the tape deck at work, unless it's to jam on Lycus.

Lycus - Demo CS
The only other tape I've had in heavy rotation lately. Sludging doom from the Oakland area. Flenser Records will be pressing a remastered version of this sold out CS on vinyl, I can't wait!

Loss - Despond
I heard a lot about this new album, but it took me a few months to check it out. I messed up, because this is one of the best doom records I've ever heard. Creates an incredible atmosphere, the songs mesh together amazingly, great production, and cool art. There is nothing I can find about this album that I don't like. The opening spoken word rules and the guest vocals from the guy in Pallbearer are even better. Incredible.

Absu - Abzu
Another band I sort of avoided listening to, but mostly because it was so terribly hyped up that it destroyed my interest. Over Halloween weekend I was at Reckless Records on Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago and found a copy there with a blurb written by a guy named Matt Jencik. It told the story of Absu's Proscriptor trying out for Slayer and being turned down because he was too into the occult. That description combined with comparisons to the more fantasy-ish aspects of Rush piqued my interested. So glad I gave it a chance. Actually picked this up alongside Absu, but this one grabbed my attention much more.

Neurosis - Through Silver In Blood
Nothing better to listen to this time of year. "Rehumanize" is the best noisy-interludey type thing I've ever heard, blows me away on every listen. I actually jammed this on headphones while walking home from work on Friday night in the dark during a cold rain. It was perfect, and I probably looked crazier than I normally do. I can't help but really get into this record every time I hear it. But specifically during this time of year in Wisconsin.

Sutekh Hexen 3x7"

2011-11-22T19:49:00.000-06:00

Hell yes. Remember those 3 original Sutekh Hexen demos - Alters, Constellation, and Ritualistic? Those three sacred tapes of filthy blakkened noise metal...? Well fuckers, now they can be had again - all three of them on lovely black 7" vinyls with a silk-screened cover with art by Si Clark. Limited to only 99 sets, these are sure to go very fast. The band is only getting a few and those will go at shows, so you're going to want to hustle over to Dead Section to order one of these now. Seriously - now.

Comity, The Journey is Over Now 2xLP

2011-11-22T13:40:00.000-06:00

French post-hardcore band Comity are back with a new 2xLP via Throatruiner Records. Blending hardcore intensity with a firm progressive base and metal roots, they bring the heavy, fast and furious. Nothing spectacular, but a good album to push you through a workout, if nothing else. You can stream or download the album for free here, or buy the double LP, which comes in a number of package options, here.

Great Falls, Untitled Demo

2011-11-21T21:13:00.000-06:00

This came out a few months back, but I'm hearing it for the first time right now. Blown away by the A Death Cinematic/Great Falls Split CD, I went diggin for more from Great Falls. It's a Demian Johnston project, so chances are it's gonna be good. Well, this is fucking great. Noisy, in-your-fucking-face, heavy as fuck, and ready to melt your fucking face. FUCK.

Yup, you definitely need to check this out. This is the first Great Falls recording with the band as a three piece featuring Johnston on guitar and vocals, Shane Mehling on bass, and Phil Petrocelli behind the drum kit. As I've mentioned before, I admit I've not been listening to much metal at all over the past month, focusing mainly on rediscovering my love for industrial, power-electronics, and noise, but this is a nice way to bridge that gap, and get me listening to more metal again.

Like I said, it's noisy as hell, drenched in feedback and heavy distortion, but the band never really loses control. They're on the verge of it numerous times, but they manage to reel their shit in every time. Johnston's vocal assault compliments the chunky yet flowing guitar and bass work, and gives the album that extra shred of harshness that you'd be left wanting if it wasn't there. He sounds like he really wants to tear your heart out. Who knows, maybe he does...

The rhythm section is the element that really keeps this held together. The plodding bass is excellent, and keeps this moving at the absolute perfect pace -never too slow, never too fast. Petrocelli's drums are pummelling and powerful - what more could you ask. Everything about this is so damn heavy, and I'm stoked to have heard it. Feeling really excited right now.

You should certainly add this to your collection. You can download it for free from the Great Falls Bandcamp page, or do the right thing and buy the CD from Dead Accents, along with a plethora of other amazing music.

Subrosa, No Help for the Mighty Ones 2xLP

2011-11-21T11:58:00.002-06:00

It's rare that our friends over at Profound Lore press an album on vinyl. And this just happens to be one of my favorite records from the past year, so god damn is this reason to celebrate. Subrosa's magnificent album No Help for the Mighty Ones has received a glorious deluxe vinyl treatment, and it is available now. Two heavy slabs of wax packed in a deluxe matte double-gatefold, with new art on the inside and an inset with lyrics. To make it even more lovely, it was pressed on black and clear vinyl (sold out quick). The clear edition is long gone, but Subrosa still has the black edition for sale here. You can also get the black edition from Profound Lore. Buy one from each!

Recent Releases on Hospital Productions

2011-11-19T19:45:00.000-06:00

Just want to write a few words about some recent releases on Dominick Fernow's Hospital Productions label to catch anyone up who may be out of the loop.

What I'm most excited about is what I just found in my mailbox yesterday: the long awaited compilation White Eye of Winter Watching. It was conceived during the blizzards of the winter of 2010 while Dom was laid up in bed with the flu. Listening to some old tape compilations and reading on 20th Century Russian history gave birth to the idea of constructing a double-cassette compilation of the various genres that Hospital has so righteously explored. The list of artists is immense, but the highlights include Genocide Organ, FFH, Controlled Bleeding, Contrepoison, Vatican Shadow, The Grey Wolves, Con-Dom, Lussuria... and on and on. To see the full tracklisting, check it out here. A limited special edition sold out quickly, but the standard double cassette edition is still available here. It's a bit pricey - $25 for two tapes, but well-worth every penny. Did you see the list of artists who have contributed? The limited edition was $100... and like I said, sold out real quick. This has been on sale for while, so I can't imagine many are left.

The latest CD releases from Hospital are also available if you scroll down the page linked above. CDs from Emil Beaulieau, Ahlzagailzehguh, and Viodre. If you're into noise, these should intrigue you. The Emil Beaulieau CD (Moonlight in Vermont) even prompted one of my coworkers (whose favorite band is Incubus, mind you) to ask me to burn him a copy of the disc for him. Emil Beaulieau has been at this for a long time, and this is seriously one of his best. This CD is a reissue of an album that was issued on CDr/LP back in 2005/2006. Nicely done. The Viodre disc (Interpol Alchemy) is subtle noise (I guess it depends on how you define subtle, when it comes to noise), but an amazing album nonetheless. Hospital hails it as one of the best noise albums of all-time. The Ahlzagailzehguh album (Memory and Hearing) is highly challenging, but the pay-off is immense. A collage of various kinds of noise, it takes a lot to sit through this just once (nearly an hour long). But with repeated listens, I really think you could come to love this as I have. At times subtle, and at times quite harsh, it will fuck with your head. My advice is to clear your head of any sort of expectations, and go into this with an entirely open mind. Great, great album if you can give it what it deserves. You can buy each of these CDs individually, or but all three at a significantly reduced rate. Buy all three, you won't regret it.

Hospital has also made a lot of their recent releases available digitally via Boomkat, iTunes, Amazon, and other sources. I'd highly recommend you check out the latest from Vatican Shadow. A lot of people really love the Washington Buries al-Qaeda Leader... releases, but for my money, Pakistan Military Academy is where it's at. All of them are great, but these two are seeing VS soar to new heights.

Enjoy.

Heinali and Matt Finney Cover Metallica and Lou Reed

2011-11-19T12:46:00.000-06:00

Our friends Heinali and Matt Finney have done an interesting thing, covering a track ("Junior Dad") from the god-awful collaboration between Lou Reed and Metallica. Funny - Lou Reed and Metallica were once upon a time musicians I respected. Metallica shot that a long time ago, but Lou Reed held on, until now. Yup, Lulu is that bad- bad enough to destroy everything great by the Velvet Underground, and bad enough to destroy the greatness of Magic & Loss. Lou Reed has apparently gone off the fucking deep end. And I dare to say he's not coming back.

In any case, Heniali and Matt Finney still have our respect, because this reinterpretation is pretty good. You can download it now, for free, from their Bandcamp page.

Two New Cassettes from irr. app. (ext.)

2011-11-19T10:54:00.000-06:00

Two brand-spanking new cassettes (and highly awaited ones, at that) from one of the most unique and original experimental musicians we know of, irr. app. (ext.), also known as Matthew Waldron. I apologize for the poor resolution of the pics, but they're the best I could find. The first new cassette is the one you see above, The 11-Year Backwards Sleepwalk. 7 contiguous tracks, constructed on a foundation of experiments with a virtual VCS3 sequencer. Woah. I haven't heard this yet, but it promises to be out there. Always cutting edge, always pushing the boundaries, always breaking ground. Professionally manufactured 40-minute cassette with J-card and a printed translucent red shell, limited to only 200 copies.

Described by the artist as a "loose reinterpretation of the classic Organum/Eddie Prévost collaboration ‘Crux/Flayed’ released in 1987." I admit being unfamiliar with the original, so I have no idea what to expect here. But if you're familiar with the artist, you can make some logical guesses as to what you might hear, in a general manner of speaking. Again, professionally made, with J-card and translucent shell (not red), limited to 200. 40 minutes.

Both of these tapes can be purchased here, along with a wide array of the artist's other work. Also, the link under the artist's name above will take you to his Bandcamp page, where you can stream and/or download some of his work as well.

Four Burials Split on FLENSER

2011-11-18T11:22:00.000-06:00

Now Flensing...

One of the heaviest, most soul-crushing sets of music ever has been repressed to CD, featuring new artwork by Chimere Noire. The formerly out-of-print Four Burials compilation, featuring one track each from Loss, Otesanek, Mournful Congregation, and Orthodox, will surely destroy your day, in the best way possible. If you don't have the original press, or even if you do, you'd be well advised to pick this up from Flenser Records. Starts shipping in the first week of December. After you listen , feel free to end your life. You're going to die anyway, right? Why postpone the inevitable?

If you choose to stay alive...

In other Flenser news, the Panopticon Social Disservices CDs and DLPs are shipping now, so if you ordered that, you'll be getting it soon. The Wreck and Reference Black Cassette LP has been delayed due to a poor first test press, but the second set of tests came back great and this should be complete and ready to ship very soon, probably around the same time as the Four Burials album.

Also... very exciting here... San Francisco's Lycus, who I've written about before, will be seeing their demo released on vinyl by Flenser Records in early 2012. One of the heaviest demos I've heard, it is extreme doom as its finest. Very much looking forward to that one... featuring artwork from Bryan Proteau.

And last but not least, Flenser will also be pressing Lake of Blood's latest album, Time and Tide Erodes Stone, on vinyl in the near future. Lake of Blood's finest work of blood-curdling, primal black metal. Awesome.

Bloody Panda, Summon: Invocation

2011-11-17T12:15:00.000-06:00

It's not often that metal bands offer remix albums. It's even less often that metal bands offer good remix albums. This is assuredly good, featuring remixes of songs from Bloody Panda's second full-length Summon by artists such as Jarboe, G. Stuart Dahlquist and Edgy 59 from Burning Witch, Mick Barr of Krallice, Toby Driver, Nadja, Portal, Jessika Kenney, Edward Ka-Spel and a host of others.

Here's the kicker: it's free. But only if you're a leech. We at HSS obviously encourage you to make a donation when you download the album. For details, and to donate and download, go here.

Playlist: Richard Vergez

2011-11-16T09:27:00.001-06:00

Richard Vergez is a visual artist, graphic designer, and non-musician responsible for his avant-garde sound work as Drowning the Virgin Silence. He is also a frequent collaborator with Hoor-paar-Kraat and has designed many of the sleeves for Goat Eater Arts. His other current musical project is Möthersky, which focuses on post-punk and krautrock. For more information, visit http://www.richardvergez.com.

2011 so far:

Sex Church - Growing Over (Load)

HTRK - Work (work, work) (Ghostly Intl.)

Deaf Center - Owl Splinters (Type)

Horrors - Skying (XL)

Roll the Dice - In Dust (Leaf)

Cayos - Shell Beach (Schematic)

Simon Scott - Bunny (Miasmah)

James Pants - s/t (Stones Throw)

Chrome Dick - Portal Between Heaven & Hell (Deserted Beach)

The Soft Moon - Total Decay EP (Captured Tracks)

Soft Metals - s/t (Captured Tracks)

Iceage - New Brigade (Dais)

David Lynch - Crazy Clown Time (Sunday Best)

Takeshi Terauchi - Nippon Guitars (Big Beat)

Slug Guts - Howlin' Gang (Sacred Bones)

Two New Cassettes from Sunyata Recordings

2011-11-14T18:15:00.000-06:00

Two new highly-limited cassettes are almost sold out, but still available from our good friend Zen's Sunyata Recordings. Artists under names you haven't heard, but Zen assures us that we know them "under different, influential aliases."

The first is a split cassette from LVDK and Disintegration. Described as "gloom, doom, lust + loss split release from familiar voices, this time obscured by a lo-fi mist of anonymity. Complete desolation." Can't really argue with that.

Second is the debut release from a new black metal outfit from the US. "Two sides of melodic, arresting black metal that straddles the middle-ground between tradition and progression." Artwork by Bryan Proteau, and mastered by Zen himself.

No, I don't no anything about who is in these bands, or what they sound like. But I've learned to trust Zen at his word.

Both of these cassettes are limited to 25 copies, and as I said earlier, are nearly sold out. If you want them, you best act now. I have a good feeling about this, so my copies are ordered... Get them here.

Terrence Hannum, The Unholy Bow

2011-11-12T11:45:00.001-06:00

HSS friend and Locrian member Terrence Hannum's last publication of 2011 is coming soon from 5nakefork Records, and as you can see below, it looks fantastic as usual.

Terrence's trademark style is on display, but the topic is different than in his previous publications, of course. Without giving too much away, I'll say that the title "Unholy Bow" is perfectly apropos. You can get a sneak peak by checking out the photos below, and can see the real deal soon from 5nakefork Records. It will also be available, presumably, from Terrence's own BigCartel.

4.25" × 6.88"
Perfect Bound Pocket Sized Book
White interior paper (60# weight), black and white interior ink, white exterior paper (100# weight), full-color exterior ink
50 pages

Enjoy.

Holographic Beast

2011-11-10T20:55:00.000-06:00

Once upon a time (now) there was a guy in Seattle named Jeff that made music (power electronics/noise) under the moniker of Holographic Beast. I happened to stumble across reviews of these two tapes (entitled Glass Tightrope and Perpetual Filth) on Demian Johnston's Dead Formats blog (which is excellent, and a constant source, for me, of what's good in this style of music) and was intrigued. The tapes were cheap, so I grabbed a copy of each. Very impressed by what I heard, and surprised that I hadn't heard of this before. This genre of music can become very repetitive and boring, especially for the uninitiated, but these two tapes are far from boring, and not at all repetitive. There's a good deal of variety from song to song, and even within the songs, to keep the listener's (yours, in this case) attention. At times very harsh, and at others... well, not so harsh, and you can almost be tricked into thinking the Beast has become soft. They're both great tapes, but if I had to choose one over the other, I would probably go with Perpetual Filth, just because there's a little more to offer in the manner of substance. That sounds like it takes something away from the other tape, but that's not the case; the pure audial attack of Glass Tightrope doesn't need a whole lot of substance to get it's point across. Get in the box and shut the fuck up.

Both the tapes comes with digital downloads, which is nice. Digital downloads are also available via the Holographic Beast Bandcamp page, but for this kind of noise, the analog format is always preferred. (In case you're a newcomer to HSS, analog is ALWAYS the preferred format.) You can order the tapes from the Bandcamp page or email Jeff here for more info.

Nuklearenpest Split Cassettes

2011-11-10T14:46:00.002-06:00

Two new split cassettes available now from New Jersey black metal band Nuklearenpest, who we first covered back here. Raw and harsh but atmospheric black metal, not for the faint of heart. The first, on the left, is a split with fell New Jersey BM band Mortum. The second, which is on the left, is a split with Wulfgravf (punk-influenced black metal from NJ) and Pennslyvania's Thestral. This is all great stuff, stuff you don't want to miss out on. All up and coming bands that should be making music to kill yourself to for years to come. They can be had from Fallen Empire, where you can get both on a package deal with a poster, or from Horizon Productions, where you can get other work from Mortum and Decaying Citadel.

This is true, this is underground. This is a call to support.

Ritual Necromancy, 'Oath of the Abyss' & THE CRYPT Preorders from Dark Descent

2011-11-10T11:33:00.001-06:00

Not much to say about the debut album from Portland's Ritual Necromancy. They know their craft, that's for sure, but we knew that upon hearing their demo. Punishing, scathing, destructive death metal is what they bring to the table, and I highly recommend that you let them bring it in your ears. I've been slowly rediscovering my love for death metal, and have been happy to have this. There's a lot of shit death metal out there, but this is not it. This is real, this is true. Shipping soon from the always-reliable Dark Descent Records.

You may also be pleased to hear the the newest pre-orders from The Crypt are available from Dark Descent as well - an Excruciate LP and a Purtenance 2xLP set. If you're familiar with The Crypt's vinyl reissues, you know these will be as fucking top-notch as it gets. You can, of course, order them from The Crypt, but when they sell out (and they will), you'll be able to get them from Dark Descent as well.

Neige et Noirceur and Forteresse bring new albums on Sepulchral Productions

2011-11-10T11:07:00.000-06:00

Two excellent new from Canada's Sepulchral Productions. First is the blistering and heavy new album of Quebecois pride from Forteresse. They've been exploring a more epic and atmospheric variety of black metal over their last few releases, and those have been great, but for this new album they've gone back to the roots of black metal, favoring a more straight-forward and aggressive approach. The songwriting, as always, is top-notch. These gentlemen know how to write hypnotic and memorable riffs, and they do it so well. While I was a big fan of their more atmospheric work, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite Forteresse works. The first 100 copies of this will be available with a great-looking long-sleeve, designed by Tony Roberts, to comprise the "die-hard" edition.

Second, the amazing new album from Neige et Noirceur. Like the Forteresse album, the music here is fast, heavy and aggressive, shying away from the more ambient directions that Neige et Noirceur have become know for, but I still have a hard time saying this isn't some of their best work. Still very dark, the feel here is eerie and sinister, and evocative of blackened winter nights. Even without the ambient textures, there is still a lot here that will please fans of Paysage d'Hiver, as their is a raw quality to the sound that is cold and true.

Both of these album are available for pre-order now from Sepulchral Productions.

Wormsblood, Black and White Art for Man & Beast

2011-11-10T10:35:00.000-06:00

A new Wormsblood cassette that you'll definitely want to pick up. Clay Ruby (of Burial Hex) has always been a tough artist to pin down, in fact refusing throughout his career to let any of his projects be identified with any genre in particular. Wormsblood is most often identified with metal, and for good reason - black and occasional moments of doom metal pervade the band's work, but this new cassette sees Ruby's band incorporating elements of drone, power electronics, and industrial and even neo-folk. It's all done very successfully; never feeling forced or overly complex, the music still has a very organic and ritualistic feel to it. It's very atmospheric, but the atmosphere is very dark - cold, chilling, and even horrific at times. That shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise, but the tension created by those frosty atmospheres is taken to a new level. This could even be off-putting to some, but my suspicion is that those who are familiar with Ruby's other works should be at home here.

A worthy investment, and one that you should be able to come back to repeatedly. This can be had now from Brave Mysteries for only $7.

HUGE No Visible Scars Update

2011-11-04T19:59:00.000-05:00

I always look forward to getting these tapes in the mail from No Visible Scars; truly underground shit that not many people have heard, and always high in quality. Hopefully, my posts of their new stuff can expose more people to this cassette label that always has great stuff to offer. These guys had fucking Blessed Offal before Hells Headbangers picked up them up. That should tell you something.

First, what you see above - the new cassette from Italy's Ur, titled Clandestine Meeting Park. Drone, industrial, and ambient come together to produce two bleak 15-minute sound collages. Astonishingly dark and ripe with decay, this is what you hear when you die. Amazing. 15 copies available on clear yellow chrome tapes, while the rest are on single sided black tapes. Get it while you can, they don't figure to last all that long.

Second, a split cassette from Reclusa and Degenerate Slug. Reclusa sounds fucking impossible- and I mean that in a good way. Doom influences the industrial/ambient noise mix here. Really excellent. And Degenerate Slug has a pretty obvious Dissecting Table influence, which is always a good thing. Another excellent cassette that you must have.

Last but by no means least is this fucking killer split LP from Mania and Custodian. This is one is being talked about a lot, and it should be. Four new tracks from each artist - loud, crushing, noisy and fucking vacant. Both of these artists have the spirit of old industrial noise coursing through them, and it's so fitting that they end up on a split together. This can be streamed here; you can also buy mp3's there. If you want the LP, go to the NVS BigCartel.

The two cassettes above can also be heard and purchased at the NVS Bandcamp. The cassettes come with digital downloads. Support!

A Death Cinematic / Great Falls Split CDr

2011-11-03T12:40:00.000-05:00

Another work of brilliant, sprawling improvised guitar drones from A Death Cinematic, paired with the aural destruction of Demian Johnston's Great Falls. Excellent work from both on this split CDr, limited to 127 copies, which has been in the works for quite some time. A tremendous difference exists in the artists' approaches to their sonic palates; this split is a testament to the power of juxtaposition.

The two ADC tracks can be streamed here, while the Great Falls track can be heard here.

This can be purchased from Simple Box Construction or Dead Accents. Act now.

Antithetic Records / Young and in the Way Contest Winner

2011-11-03T09:27:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Jeremy; he was chosen at random as the winner of the Antithetic Records / Young and in the Way contest. He wins a copy of the forthcoming YAITW album V. Eternal Depression, due out later this month form Antithetic Records. If you were counting on winning, and you didn't, you can still order the record from Antithetic, here.

Thanks to everyone for reading HSS and for participating!

Antithetic Records / Young and In the Way Contest

2011-11-02T21:19:00.000-05:00

To help promote the excellent forthcoming new album, titled V. Eternal Depression, from North Carolina's Young and In The Way, HSS is sponsoring this great contest from Antithetic Records, which will be releasing this album on high quality audiophile vinyl in late November.

The winner of the contest will receive a copy of the album, which, as I said above, is being pressed on 200 gram audiophile vinyl, and packed in a 350gsm board jacket embossed with a Young and in the Way logo on the front. The album will also include a two sided insert with additional art and lyrics, a black poly-lined inner sleeve, and a screen printed logo patch. Shawn only does the highest quality work with his vinyls, so expect excellence. The contest winner will also receive a test press of the album as well as a choice of two LPs from the short but impressive Antithetic back-catalogue.

To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this post telling us why you're excited for this record.

You'd better be excited for it - as if Young and In The Way weren't amazing already, they've really turned it on for this album. As the album title may tell you, they have taken their sound in a much darker and experimental direction. It is heavier and more extreme than what we've heard from them in the past, and to tell you the truth, it really doesn't sound like the same band. The energy and full-throttle intensity with characterizes the band's sound is of course still present, but there is an aura of unforgiving loneliness and melancholy on this album that brings this band into uncharted territory. The album should be featured in many end-of-year lists, if enough people hear it. Hopefully, this helps people hear it. It is a truly amazing piece of work that I stand behind 100%. The folks over at CVLT NATION are on board as well, because they are streaming the album in its entirety now. You are hereby encouraged to go there, listen to the album, and.pre-order the album from Antithetic, unless you're planning on winning this contest. But given the number of entries we typically get, you probably shouldn't count on that...

This contest will run from now until the evening of November 2nd, at which point a lone winner will be chosen at random.

As always, content will be added to the site between now and then, but this contest will remain at the top. Just scroll down to stay abreast of new content, or follow the HSS Facebook Page.

Thanks for reading, and best of luck to everyone.

Dead Reptile Shrine - The Sun of Circles and Wood

2011-11-01T08:41:00.000-05:00

The weird and mysterious Finnish black metal band Dead Reptile Shrine have a new record coming out soon. Following last year's split with Goatmoon, The Sun of Circles and Wood is the first full-length album from Dead Reptile Shrine since 2008's Burning Black Infinity.

In his playlist for HSS back in March, artist Denis Forkas Kostromitin (who has provided illustrations for this album, and some other Dead Reptile Shrine releases) described the album as "... simply overwhelming. A genre-defying pathway cleared between hidden traditions of the past and clairvoyance."

Weird Forest Records, whose catalogue of releases includes the lo-fi blackened folk interpretations of Dead Raven Choir, the stream-of-conscious raps of Lil B, as well as the sounds of numerous bands involved in noise and drone, are clearly not afraid of taking a risk with a band like Dead Reptile Shrine.

The Sun of Circles and Wood 2xLP is limited to 500 copies, mastered by Pete Swanson of Weird Forest labelmates Yellow Swans, and comes in a deluxe full-color gatefold with insert. Preorder now to get the album for the discounted price $20, or pay the regular price of $22 once the album is out. Pick it up and listen to some samples at Weird Forest's shop.

Brighter Death Now, Very Little Fun 4xLP

2011-10-29T20:14:00.002-05:00

It took a Facebook post from 20 Buck Spin to remind me how much I once, not too long ago, really enjoyed industrial (particularly death industrial) music. And Brighter Death Now has always been one of the cutting-edge leaders and innovators of the genre, incorporating dark ambient and power electronics sounds into the massive music of BDN. I know HSS doesn't cover much industrial music, but that could be changing real soon as I become immersed in these wonderful sounds yet again. It can't be all metal all the time.

In any case, this album is a monster. Roger Karmanik's latest album as Brighter Death Now, the first since 2008's masterpiece Necrose Evangelicum, is lengthy, taking up 3CDs or 4LPs, but every single second is brilliant, intense, and as dark as anything you'll hear on a metal album. From start to finish, all the bases are covered, as Karmanik seems to cover everything BDN has ever done in what could almost be a retrospective of his career. But as he's always does done, there's groundbreaking stuff going on as well. It may not always be so easy to pick out, as there is so much going on in any given Brighter Death Now track, but if you listen closely, you can hear the hints of innovation. Karmanik has been doing this for so long that even the new sounds reek of familiarity (I mean this in a positive way), but it's impossible to deny that he will never rest on his laurels, always opening up new paths and walking down different roads, even if they are subtly different.

I've never had an easy time writing about this type of music, so I'll stop rambling on, but you should know that this can be had as a 3xCD or 4xLP (can't guarantee the vinyl will be around too long, and it is of course the preferred format - the package in amazing) from Tesco USA.

Venowl, Untitled CS

2011-10-29T17:14:00.000-05:00

Blakkened noise/metal artist Venowl returns with a limited cassette on Ivory Antler Records that is sure to annoy the shit out of your parents. But it's true value lies much deeper than that.

More so than with any of their previous work, Venowl claims a righteous place in the pantheon of ultra-heavy, ultra-noisy underground metal bands. The metal-element of the noise collage that Venowl creates is on display here more than ever, on the opening track "I" presenting an almost Melvins-like doom sound laced with blood-curdling screams, dense, harsh drones, and layers of fine feedback. Chaos is the winner here, but the track still has a loosely-defined structure holding it together, thanks to some crushing, distorted bass and plodding drums.

The second track, "Retaliation" brings a black-metal edge to the noise, as it's faster and more chaotic than the opening track. The bass and drums are all over the place, but the track brings the listener into more experimental, avant-garde territory, as underneath the layers of filth, their resides an almost jazzy feeling that fits very well amongst the tumult. The indecipherable screams are still there, but they go a little lower this time, providing a tiny bit of variety to the vocals that otherwise might not matter at all.

Noise is the base for this release, so Venowl hasn't strayed too far from their chosen path, but there's enough structure here so that those who prefer some metal and punk with their noise have some more meat to sink their teeth into. It's still raw and and still primitive, though, so rest assured that you will be punished by the 21 minutes of music contained on this tape, for which the art was done by Reueben Sawyer Rainbath Visual. It is also doesn't hurt that this tape was mastered by Krallice's Colin Marston.

The tape is available for streaming right now on the Venowl Bandcamp page, and will soon be available to order from Ivory Antler Records. Do it.

William Fowler Collins - The Resurrections Unseen

2011-10-28T11:34:00.001-05:00

The Resurrections Unseen is the newest album from New Mexico musician William Fowler Collins. This is his second album for Type Records and second release this year, following Malpais, his collaborative recording with Gog on Utech Records.

From Boomkat's stellar product review:

The silhouetted, impressionistic black metal ambience of William Fowler Collins has cast a long shadow over all who've crossed his path. ... [Collins] still exists in a permanent nighttime state, as though the sun has completely abandoned the New Mexico desert and left him, and his music, to slowly decay in the darkness, suffering the attrition of sandstorms and the slow waste of vitamin C deficiency. This is tangibly experienced through titles like 'Embracing Our Own Annihilation' and 'The Light In The Barn' or 'Abattoir' but no more so than the music, a sound of micro entropic processes surveyed with a narrow-eyed panoramic gaze. But there's no theatrical drama to 'The Resurrections Unseen', rather this is a sound mutedly resigned to its fate, stoically watching white noise flesh and guitar textured fabric disintegrate with time, watching the dust accumulate at the stumps where heavy leather boots once stood. The amount of space and detached sense of control in this music is only comparable with the most skilled ambient manipulators - we're talking Deathprod, Thomas Köner, Lustmord, Kevin Drumm - and could well turn out to be a serious seasonal favourite round these parts. Highly recommended.

The Resurrections Unseen is limited to 500 copies, with initial copies being made available on blood red vinyl. The album is officially released on Halloween, but you can pick up now via Boomkat. Forced Exposure and other American distros should have copies on November 7.

Check out John Twells' video for "Abattoir" below:

Zeitgeists Publishing

2011-10-27T14:53:00.000-05:00

Something I've been meaning to post for a while, because our friends at Zeitgeists Publishing don't get enough attention for the tremendous job they do. Last we saw, they did that excellent Sutekh Hexen 3xCS, which sold out very quickly. For some more other-worldly sounds, you are urged to check out cassettes up for sale now from Natural Assembly, Ex-Luminaire, and Jet Fueled Horses. All killer. Check out the store here. Great new stuff coming soon as well, so keep your eyes peeled.

"Zeitgeist refers to the ethos of a select group of people, that express a particular world view which is prevalent at a particular period of socio-cultural progression."

Pyramids / Horseback LP + 7" Pre-Order

2011-10-27T12:20:00.000-05:00

Pre-Orders for this mammoth LP + 7" have finally gone up over at Hydra Head. Been waiting on this one for a while, and should all go according to plan, these should start shipping in about one month, toward the end of November. Very, very excited for this one, as two of the most prominent and innovative experimental musicians have collaborated to bring forth some amazing music. The 7" consists of a new track from each of these artists, on their own. The Pyramids track is called "Phaedra's Love," while the Horseback song is called "The Cult of Henry Flynt." The center of this musical experience, however, is the LP, which is one long (45 minute) collaborative track titled "A Throne Without a King," broken into 4 segments. Aaron Turner did some work on recording and mixing this, and the artwork, which you see above, is also his. Only fitting that it come out on his label, which always does a great job with their vinyl. CD and cassette versions will be coming as well, but the vinyl is what you want.

Hydra Head has also put up pre-orders for new titles from Old Man Gloom and the much-ballyhooed Black Face, and it's not too late to order the newest Prurient 12" as well. As always, lots of merch is available as well.

All of these can be preordered here.

News From Hells Headbangers/Hellcast Metal Podcast

2011-10-26T19:51:00.000-05:00

Two bits of news from the cult of Hells Headbangers, one of the absolute best metal labels/distros in the world. First, you should really make a habit of checking out their Hellcast Metal Podcast - it's one of the best and most entertaining ways to stay informed of what's going on in the metal underground. According to the Hellcast website, "Hellcast was created to be a means of interaction for the underground community by supplying information about bands, releases, concerts, etc happening worldwide." Definitely supplies the listener with all that stuff. Make time for it when a new one pops up, you'll never regret it. A new one comes about once every week, and will always be worth your time. Get more info and listen to the previous podcasts here. Also, you can stay abreast of new developments in the Hellcast by liking the Hellcast Facebook page.

Most importantly, though, I want you to know about this tape, which you can get now from Hells Headbangers, if you act fast. I can't imagine these will last long. This is the debut release from Void Meditation Cult, and it is a cassette called Sulfurous Prayers. I don't want to say too much about it, but I will say that you need to get this, and that I don't want to ever hear you fucking say I didn't warn you. The tape is only $5.55, so you've got no excuses. If you don't have the cash, steal it. It will be worth it, even if you get caught. Again, don't say I didn't warn you. This shit is a big fucking deal. Listen to a track and be transformed, then buy one here.

Actuary/Aderlating CS

2011-10-26T11:46:00.000-05:00

New C20 cassette of raw noisy filth from Actuary and Aderlating (a project of Mories from Gnaw Their Tongues, De Magia Veterum, etc..., in case you don't know). This is not a split cassette, but a collaborative effort, offering 4 songs on a 20-minute, pro-dubbed, blood-red cassette, in a full-color pro-printed sleeve featuring artwork by Mories.

For a taste of what's going on here, play a track here.

To order, go here, or if you're in the EU, contact Mories here.

Playlist: Andy Krupinski

2011-10-26T10:10:00.000-05:00

Andy Krupinski is one part of the band Crooked Necks, a band of which I know very little, except that they released their debut full-length, and one of 2011's finest albums, Alright is Exactly What It Isn't, on Handmade Birds (along with an LP of Joy Division covers called Something Must Break, also on Handmade Birds). Crooked Necks cannot be defined, in terms of genre, but it is enough to say that their music is heart-breakingly sincere, and to me at least, if you like music of any sort, especially that which is generally featured on HSS, you will like Crooked Necks. A friend commented to me a short while ago that "life gets just a little bit better when listening to Crooked Necks" and I can't agree with that enough (thanks Ian).

Thanks to R. Loren for getting this for us.

A Place to Bury Strangers "S/T"
"Don't Thnk Lover"
The sound and duality of A Place to Bury Strangers' self titled album,
with the loud noisy sections shoved right up against
post-punk/shoegaze parts was a definite influence.

Katatonia "This Punishment"
Album, Tonight's Decision
A long time favorite of mine. I always thought Katatonia, old and new
material, was great at expressing isolated, depressing music.

Fly Pan Am "Brulez Suivant, Suitvante!"
Album, N'Ecoutez Pas
Taking another approach to music, Fly Pan Am is always an influence for me.

Gregor Samsa "Ain Leuh"
Album, Rest
Another band thats great at creating an atmosphere. The entire album
has a very nice calm "hushed" quality to it.

HEALTH "Triceratops"
Album, S/T
HEALTH has to be one of my favorite bands, their approach to
everything has been spot on for me.

Byla "Closer to the Center"
Album, S/T
Not usually a fan of ambient music but the sound and textures on this
album is outstanding.

A Silver Mt. Zion "Sow Some Lonesome Corner So Many Flowers Bloom"
Album, This is our Punk Rock...
The vocal textures, lyrics and song structures of A Silver Mt. Zion
are excellent, especially on this album.

Mogwai "Acid Food"
Album, Mr. Beast
As much as I do enjoy Mogwai, I enjoy it a little more when they have vocals.

The Knife "The Captain"
Album, Silent Shout
The dark, weird, unsettling nature of The Knife has been very
appealing from the start.

Crispin Hellion Glover "These Boots are Made for Walking"
Album, THE BIG PROBLEM =/= the Solution. The Solution = LET IT BE.
The passion and dedication Crispin Glover brings to everything he does
is very inspiring.

Dolorvotre CD

2011-10-25T12:52:00.000-05:00

Awesome. This CD contains the same music that was on the Dolorvotre CS released By Crepusculo Negro last year. Psychedelic, swirling, hypnotic, drug-induced kvlt black metal of the absolute highest quality. One of the best releases from California's Black Twilight Circle, now available on CD from The Ajna Offensive. Comes in a jewel case, with 8-page booklet, and is limited to 300. Vinyl is coming before the end of 2011.

Lonesummer and Greys CDs From Music Ruins Lives

2011-10-25T12:21:00.001-05:00

Those motherfuckers at Music Ruins Lives are up to their old tricks again, with two new releases to inaugurate their Quick Fix Series. While not giving up anything in terms of quality, they're trying to keep production costs down, which means that these two new discs are not preorders - they'll be ready to ship within a couple of days. The first is There Are Few Tomorrows For Feeding Our Worries, the first full-length album from Philadelphia's Lonesummer. After a few superior demos and the split with Planning For Burial, it was time for a "properly" recorded album, and I understand this was recorded in an actual studio. Fuck kvlt points, it sounds amazing. More melodic, more of a post-rock influence, but it manages to retain that raw quality that has always made Lonesummer so damned good. Take a listen to it here, but don't be a cheap fuck - buy it here.

EDIT - The forthcoming split with Trist is studio-recorded, not this. Drew gets his kvlt points back AND it sounds awesome. Win-win.

Second is the first full-length album from Greys, who saw a cassette release on MRL last year. Spoken word vocals over beautifully soothing dronescapes. No excuse to not have this in your collection. Stream it (in part) here, and buy it here.

These are only $5 each, and if you bought the Airs Gloomlights 2xCD, send an email to MRL and they'll send you a discount code for free shipping on either or both of these.

Utech Records Halloween Sale

2011-10-25T12:12:00.001-05:00

Utech Records is holding a Halloween sale. 20% off of everything listed, with a minimum purchase of $10. The hilarious image below will take you to Sale page, with a list of items and information about ordering.

New Releases Coming from Peaceville... Highlighted by Darkthrone 2xLP

2011-10-24T19:33:00.001-05:00

There are a slew of great new vinyl releases coming from Peaceville, including Katatonia's For Funerals to Come, My Dying Bride's The Barghest O' Whitby, Aura Noir's Black Thrash Attack, Enslaved's classic Yggdrasill, and Carpathian Forest's Morbid Fascination of Death. But the highlight of the new releases has got to be the issue of Darkthrone's four cult demos on a vinyl collection called Sempiternal Past. The demos have been restored and remastered from the best tape sources available, and will surely sound fucking great. Issued as a double LP in a gatefold sleeve with band notes and rare photos. Absolutely not to be missed. Will be released on November 14th, but it is available for preorder now. Go to Peaceville and check out all the great shit coming soon.

Russian Circles, Empros LP, CD, and MP3

2011-10-24T19:03:00.000-05:00

We don't post a lot of "post-rock" here, because let's be honest, a lot of post-rock sucks. But there are some bands that transcend the genre they're placed in by fans, the media, and the like. Russian Circles has always been one of those bands, for me at least. They are like no other band playing this "type" of music. Unbelievably catchy hooks, a math-rock sensibility, and absolutely limitless energy combine to make Russian Circles a unique experience, both on record and at their live shows.

I've only seen them once, on a particularly shitty, stormy night a few years ago. After driving for hours, and finally arriving at the venue about an hour later than I had expected, I was prepared to be disappointed and in no mood for it. The second they hit the stage, though, everything changed. Even when a band sucks, they can make up for it by playing with heart and ferocity, but it's always nice when a band plays with that passion and is really tight. Russian Circles, that night, got everything right and there was no place in the world that I would rather have been.

Their tour with Deafheaven starts soon, and is definitely a tour you should plan to see if at all possible. They'll be touring in support of the their brand new full-length, entitled Empros, which is available now on CD, LP, and MP3. You can stream or download the album here, and then link to purchase it, along with a t-shirt or any of their other merch. Check out tour dates here, and make your plans accordingly.

maudlin of the Well Vinyl Box Set (4xLP + 7")

2011-10-21T20:17:00.000-05:00

I don't have a whole lot of time to spend on this but I want to be sure that people know about this... the vinyl box set that includes maudlin of the Well's albums Bath and Leaving Your Body Map is now up for preorder at Antithetic Records (for the US and Canada) and Blood Music (rest of the world). It is as deluxe as it could possibly be, so if you want this, you are urged to act fast, as these won't remain around forever. The details are as follows:

This has been a VERY long time coming, but this massive box set is becoming a reality.
-Strictly limited to 500 copies, 250 for US and Canada (Antithetic), 250 for the rest of the world (Blood Music). Once these are gone, they're gone forever!
-The box itself will have a huge motW silver foil stamped logo on the front, and fully black flood printed interior.
-The 12" vinyl is pressed on 200 gram and each disc will be a different color, corresponding to the interlude on that disc.
-The vinyl will be inserted into black poly-lined inner sleeves
-The 12" gatefolds are on upgraded heavy weight board. They are featuring the original high resolution artwork that was scanned by Dark Symphonies at 1,200 dpi when this set was first being produced. The images are completely crisp and beautiful at full vinyl size!
-The 7" records will be on heavy weight 70 gram (equivalent to a 180/200 gram 12").
-7" vinyl will be in 100% poly inner sleeves
-All audio is being remastered from the original source for vinyl by Mell Dettmer at the Sinister Kitchen. Mell remastered the first 3 Antithetic releases for vinyl, and has also worked with Earth, Trap Them, Sun O))), Altar of Plagues, and many others. This will no doubt be a jaw dropping audio experience.
-A digital download card will be included which will be for both full lengths as well as The Secret Song in mp3 format.
There will be some items that will be included ONLY FOR PREORDERS!! Those are as follows:
-motW logo printed guitar pick
-motW logo screen printed patch (roughly 4" x 7")
-11x17 poster featuring new artwork exclusively made for this release by Toby Driver, and also signed by Toby Driver
After preorders are fulfilled, the boxes will only contain the 4 LP's in 2 gatefold jackets and the 7", and one 11x17 poster (not signed).

Like I said... deluxe. Do it now or forever hold your peace.

Krallice, Diotima 2xLP Review

2011-10-19T21:30:00.000-05:00

I've been preaching the virtues of Krallice's live shows, to everyone who would listen, for a few years now; I will continue to do so, because they are, simply put, one of the best live bands you'll ever see. I've documented how I came to love them on these pages before, I think. I listened to the debut LP a couple times and was not interested, but then, after seeing them support Wolves in the Throne Room at Great Scott in Allston, MA a couple years back, I was hooked. I bought the self-titled debut double LP from the band that night, and have played it close to a hundred times since, if not more. The rest, as they say, is history. I've seen them 4 or 5 times since then, and have been floored every single time. The intensity that they play with is unrivaled. There's no great visual effects, no screen projections, no smoke machine, nothing fancy at all. But when they play, they own the fucking room. It's hard not to give them your absolute full attention.

The first two albums were absolutely monolithic; it's hard for me no to look at them as monumental achievements in the last 5 years of metal. The self-titled debut established them as a truly great force to be reckoned with, through their unparalleled musicianship and their ability to write songs that were at the same time punishing and catchy. Dimensional Bleedthrough took their trademark sound (sorry, Krallice is not derivative of anything, especially Weakling; in fact, there isn't a band I've heard that they sound like or that sounds like them) and pushed it further into the experimental realm. It wasn't as catchy as the first record, but it didn't need to be.

Their latest record, Diotima, propels Krallice to the very top of the game; I don't want to mince words here - Krallice is now one of the best bands on the fucking planet. I admit that this album didn't catch on with me right away. It's always been good, but something about it didn't hit me as hard as the first two albums until just recently. I don't know what it was, but I also don't care, because now I can't stop listening to it. We all know what masters of their instruments these guys are, but there's so much more to this band than their technical precision. There are plenty of artists who can play with a great degree of technicality, but what's so interesting about Krallice is that their songs never sound overly technical. The best way I can put it is to say that Krallice doesn't sound like men playing their instruments; Krallice sounds like men that are absolutely possessed by their instruments through these incredible waves of sound. There isn't a more dynamic sounding band that I can think of; these gentlemen know how to keep a song interesting by changing things up every so often; the songs never get overly repetitive or monotonous. And damnit, no matter how many times I listen to Diotima, I hear something new, and get taken on a wonderfully different journey every single time. Something that I didn't notice before now stands out and makes me shake my head, something that just makes this masterful collection of songs unbearably good.

And I dare someone to try and find some passage of metal that is more intense than the last minute and a half or so of "Telluric Rings." Overwhelming.

So yeah, I've been enjoying the CD... until now, because I just received the 2xLP in the mail today, and the vinyl pressing of this album has elevated this record even higher. It's almost sickening to hear this band on any other format; Krallice is a band whose music is all the more magical on wax, and especially Diotima. I've just concluded my first spin through the vinyl, and I'm nearly speechless. Everything sounds sooo much better, and it's clear that there is so much more I've yet to hear of this album. I'll be playing this one for a long time, discovering new pockets of gold every time.

If you're a fan of this band, you must go to Gilead Media and purchase the 2xLP. It comes on 2 slabs of 180 gram vinyl, and is packed in a heavy gatefold sleeve. The best part? It's no longer a pre-order - it's shipping now.

Playlist: Architeuthis Rex

2011-10-19T20:19:00.000-05:00

Photo by District Fuhi

Architeuthis Rex are Antonio Gallucci and Francesca Marongiu. Antonio is also known for the psych-guitar drone of throuRoof and the mutant percussive maximalism of White Dwarf Spiral. Francesca has her own project too, Crisne, an underwater dive in upgraded 70's synths atmospheres & vocal textures. Architeuthis Rex's upcoming album, Urania, is a sort of tribute to early sci-fi movies in an obscure and debunking way. Just like Dark As The Sea it will be licensed by Utech Records.

Albums (Antonio Gallucci):

Crash Worship - What So Ever Thy Hand Findeth, Do It With All Thine Might

(Alarma, 1989)

A Crash Worship gig in all it's magnificent glory. An experience that reminds the listeners of the day after a bad trip, with hallucinations accompanied by a dark soundtrack for a Bacchanalian orgy that occurs right after the High Priests chants and Satanic rituals have been performed. Huge inspiration...I can't stop listening to it, even after so many years!

Swans - Filth

(Neutral, 1983)

This is not an album, but a musical world. The perfect soundtrack for Judgment Day, where the only humans that survived are crying and screaming in pain and hunger. There is only sickness. This is a festering, decomposing body. This is Filth.

Yoga - Megafauna

(Holy Mountain, 2009)

I'm very fascinated by cryptozoology and all things unexplained. On the first Yoga album, the mysterious duo paints a portrait of this hidden world, submerged by black metal-style riffs, drone, mesmerism and repetitive noise patters. Pure trance music and magical evil.

NASA Voyager Recordings - Symphonies Of The Planets

(LaserLight Digital, 1992)

Sounds from the Outside. The five volumes are created from original Voyager recordings, using the instruments on the probes to translate vibrations coming from various sources, such as the planetary magnetosphere, radio waves bouncing off of the planets, and interplanetary magnetic fields.

Deuter- D

(Kuckuck, 1971)

Sounds from the Inside. Before Georg Deuter lost himself in New Age music, he left the world a great gift with his first two amazing albums, where there is a sort of pre-krautrock feeling made of ambient trips, percussion, and ethnic instruments.

Hawkwind - Space Ritual

(United Artist, 1973)

The greatest jam Gods of all time... Disorienting electronic drones and motorik drum patterns that open doors to all kinds of perceptions. Accompanied by repetitive fuzz guitar riffs, interstellar saxes and a trippy bass, this sounds like a sacred invocation to the music of the Spheres, with an always-open eye to the Unknown Galaxy.

Albums (Francesca Marongiu):

Head - Head

(Buddah, 1970)

Wrongfully unrecognized, this "synthy" game album brought 70's kraut excursions into the future sound of spaceships. Psychedelic in a Martian way.

Grumbling Fur - Furrier

(Aurora Borealis, 2011)

There's no more present music than this, a summary mammoth album which crosses the post hc-drone music references and boundaries, building its whole melodramatic architecture in a crooked-slow mantra way.

Piero Piccioni - La decima vittima OST

(1965/Right Tempo, 2003)

It's really hard to select one among the many marvellous Italian soundtracks of the 60's and 70's. I've chosen this album for its pure retro-futurist electricity. Its 50's echo in the skin of the 70's that makes me dream I'm dancing in the Colani kitchen I'll never eat in (shrugging/pining).

Weyes Blood - The Outside Room

(LP, Not Not Fun, 2011)

I definitely fell in love with Natalie's drowned organs and regal vocal layers. She's my small room Nico.

Coil - Musick to Play in the Dark, Volume 1

(Chalice, 1999)

The ambient synth era has gone dirty and wavy with Sleazy and John. Their most psychedelic work. Lunar & finely sick.

Popol Vuh - Nosferatu OST

(1979/SPV, 2004)

Elegant, evil, maybe the most evil album ever; it perfectly matches with one of the most intense and obscure among Herzog movies.

Nico - The Marble Index

(Elektra, 1969)

"A real woman playing the queen," as Richard Witts said, spiritual and stripped, in her more intimate and bare album. I've worn it.

Movies (A&F):

Aelita - Jacov Aleksandrovic Protazanov (1924)

Dune - David Lynch (1984)

Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women - Peter Bogdanovich (1968)

A Lizard in a Woman's Skin - Lucio Fulci (1971)

Shivers - David Cronenberg (1975)

Stalker - Andrej Tarkovskij (1979)

Fantastic Planet - René Laloux (1973)

Alice (Neko z Alenky) - Jan Svankmajer (1989)

Dead Man - Jim Jarmusch (1995)

Repulsion - Roman Polanski (1965)

Borgne, III LP

2011-10-19T13:51:00.000-05:00

Borgne's 2007 release III is now available as a very limited 12" LP, pressed on white vinyl in an edition of only 200 copies. High-quality ambient black metal, if you're not familiar with the Swiss band's work. Probably their best release, though that's arguable. In any case, you can pick it up now from Borgne or from Profane Wax.

Alaric LP

2011-10-19T10:50:00.000-05:00

Call it dark punk, call it post-punk, call it death rock - call it whatever you want, but no matter how you cut it, the self-titled LP from Oakland, California's Alaric is one of the year's stand-out releases. The LP embodies a dark, moody atmosphere that sounds fresh while remaining whole-heartedly nostalgic. It's not really metal, but it does have an irreverent metal spirit behind it - it is heavy, brooding and melancholy at times, and features some of the more memorable guitar licks heard in recent times.

Available on LP and CD, or digitally (you can also stream it for free), from 20 Buck Spin now.

Playlist, John Kerr

2011-10-15T19:34:00.000-05:00

John Kerr is the drummer from Vit, who may or may not have also had something to do with Aphrenous...

When he's not doing that (a.k.a. most of the time), he's an astrophysicist simultaneously studying and researching.

Panopticon- Social Disservices/Kentucky

Austin has been getting better and better with each new release, and with two albums this year, he has made his biggest jump in quality yet. I absolutely love every Panopticon record, but I'm having trouble picking which of these is the best. Social Disservices is a modern black metal classic. It's a culmination of everything interesting in today's black metal scene mixed with Austin's distinct style. Coupled with a legitimately depressing theme, SD is one of the more emotionally draining records in recent memory. Kentucky, at times, is the opposite. I had the biggest smile on my face within the first second I started spinning it. While I wouldn't say this is a HAPPY album, its honesty is downright charming. Despite overarching economic and political themes, Kentucky ultimately reminds me of sitting around a fire and contemplating your surroundings with a nice homebrew.

Heinali and Matt Finney - Ain't No Night

I've noticed an odd trend lately where quite a bit of the new music I listen to is made by friends, with both this record and the aforementioned Panopticon records being among my favorites of the year so far. I've gotten to know Matt through the wonders of the internet over the past few months, and I can already say that his personality, cynicism, and sense of humor are reflected wonderfully in his dramatic readings on Ain't No Night and every other H&MF release. The combination of Matt's Cobain-esque poetry and Heinali's dense walls of noise create a totally unique atmosphere, yet still akin to old favorites like The Angelic Process and Have a Nice Life. The addition of traditional blues elements on the title track would already make this one of the standout records of 2011, but strong song structures and a length that doesn't overstay its welcome solidify it in my top ten. Matt's "blowjob in the parking lot" line doesn't hurt either.

Yob - Atma

Yob is one of my favorite bands ever and are single-handedly responsible for getting me into playing doom music. While this record doesn't touch The Unreal Never Lived (according to me, the best doom album ever made), it brings a lot of new elements to the Yob table. Atma's raw production and punkish energy are a pretty radical departure from 2009's The Great Cessation, but Mike Scheidt didn't completely forget everything about that album. We're still treated to some truly odd rhythms (and not for the sake of it) and long drones of negative space, but the approach is totally different here. And as expected, Scott Kelly's vocal, lyrical, and percussive contributions are nothing less than stellar.

Comus - First Utterance

This record from a formerly obscure 70s prog folk group has remained in my album rotation since about 2005. If you haven't heard this yet and are a fan of totally weird vocals, freak out moments, morbid lyrics, and surprisingly beautiful acoustic passages, you can't go wrong with this. This band went basically unnoticed in their original run, but they've gotten a huge popularity surge as of late thanks to Mikael Akerfeldt's lyrical references on "My Arms, Your Hearse" and "The Baying of the Hounds", resulting in their reformation. Here's hoping they're able to recapture the evil on an upcoming EP.

The Austrasian Goat - Stains of Resignation

I actually just acquired this about a week ago, but it hasn't left my music player since. Julien Louvet describes the band as "funeral black metal" -- a term I honestly thought I made up -- and that describes the music quite well. There are definite elements of both funeral doom and black metal, but I wouldn't say the two styles are ever distinctly separated. Additionally, acoustic guitars and even clean vocals distinguish this record from its more monotonous contemporaries.

Arghoslent - Hornets of the Pogrom

I'll preface this by saying I'm the kind of person who can and will separate lyrical themes from music. So, racism aside, Arghoslent know how to play fucking riffs. One of my favorite examples of this on "Hornets..." is within the first song, "In Coffles They Were Lead". At around the 1:15 mark, you'll hear what is probably the catchiest riff in all of death metal. The first time I heard this I almost crashed my car it was so sweet.

Taake - Noregs Vaapen

Similarly to "Hornets of the Pogrom", there are simply good RIFFS on this record. While I've only heard it a few times since it was released this week, it's growing on me quickly. Noregs Vaapen has everything from Black 'n' Roll, Motley Crue style riffs to a black metal banjo, and nothing ever feels out of place or breaks the album's overall atmosphere. Get this if you like metal.

Arizmenda - Within the Vacuum of Infinity

I was late to the whole "Black Twilight Circle" bandwagon, but this stuff is undeniably good. It feels a little silly hearing a bunch of dudes from Southern California (fronted by a guy with the last name 'Ramírez') play music about winter and snow, but the music somehow feels genuine. Even more seemingly contradictory, Arizmenda pretty much relies on the mainstays of black metal's second wave, but there's definitely an original take in both instrumentation and production. While "Within the Vacuum..." is colder sounding than your average metal record, it sounds very warm for a black metal record. Maybe it's a regional thing.

Austaras- Under the Abysmal Light

My friends in Austaras play a kind of metal reminiscent of mid-late Enslaved, but they're by no means clones. Noteworthy ambient sections give these three tracks a special atmosphere that compliments the various influences they incorporate.

Nyodene D - Every Knee Shall Bow

I actually was just handed this about 40 minutes ago by Aaron. Vilk is one of my favorite noise artists out there because of his "structured" approach to the genre. I haven't even listened yet but I know this will keep me busy for awhile, as his compositions are always filled with layers to be discerned.

New Preorders from Handmade Birds

2011-10-14T21:47:00.000-05:00

One batch of preorders is delivered, so naturally, it's time for another batch of preorders to go up at Handmade Birds. The first you see above; it is the newest album of cacophonous ambiance from a project of Blake Green from Pussygutt/Wolvserpent. If you were lucky enough to grab a CDr of this from the band, you know wheat you're in for. Quite different from the previous two Aelter releases, this one will surely blow your mind. Meditative and trance-inducing, this LP should certainly put you in your place and give you something to think about. NOT background music. Music to immerse yourself in, to let yourself be swallowed up by. 180 gram vinyl with insert. This is a split release with Eternal Warfare, and is limited to only 300, so be sure to order this as soon as you can, because it will sell out, and probably very quickly.

Secondly, a release that I think a lot of us Menace Ruine fans have been patiently waiting for, as it is a project featuring Genevieve Beaulieu from MR, as well as experimental guru James Hamilton (Column, Nebris, Dystonia EK). Preterite is surely not to be missed. Genevieve's voice sends me to places that I cannot touch in any other state, so this will be in constant rotation once it arrives. Check their Facebook page for a preview track, and you'll know what you're getting into. Promises to be some of the most mind-blowing music that will be released this year, so it's no surprise that Sir Loren will be releasing it. A CD limited to 500 copies, in a mini-gatefold with a large fold-out insert. Seriously, don't miss this.

Last but by no means least, a very interesting and strange 12" from White Ring, featuring a Neil Young cover on the A-side ("Hey Hey, My My"), a track said to be their most popular recorded for the first time on the B-side ("Felt U"). and a cover featuring a photo of a shrine to Nirvana's Kurt Cobain created by Kendra Malia herself. Intriguing to say the very least. 180 gram vinyl, mastered at 45 RPM, and the second in Handmade Birds' White Label Series (Crooked Necks' Alright is Exactly What It Isn't, which hasn't left my turntable since arriving, and which will end up being one of the top albums of the year, was the first).

These all are available for preorder now at the Handmade Birds Store. I highly recommend that you indulge in all three of these if you have the means; this is a label that has done nothing but put out truly great and unique music, and these three will surely not disappoint.

Stoneborn IV: Altus

2011-10-14T00:39:00.009-05:00

Inhale- breathe in a full welcome of absolute darkness

a corroding emphases of nothing so complete

that it is the very obsidian blood of night.

Fall, endless, hopeless, sinking to despond

until there is no shard of bottom remaining,

only gasping holes of naught.

It is there you will find purchase; torn in two; splayed of being.

Trust in the buoyancy of the earth to pull you into chthonic arms.

Do Not Seek The Light.

-----------------------

Inhale- breathe in a full apotheosis of manifest light

a affirmation of form so complete

that it is the very ethereal blood of the sun.

Soar, endless, ceaseless, transcending to godhood

until there is no grasp of below remaining,

only encapsulating vastness of all.

Is there you will find purchase: all in nothing; solar of being.

Trust in the love of the earth to pull you in to chthonic arms.

Seek The Light.

Vestiges / Ghaust Split LP

2011-10-13T14:33:00.000-05:00

We were happy to cover the debut album from Vestiges, The Descent of Man, about a year ago, and we are happy to announce now that their second release is about ready to "drop." This time it is a split 12" with Indonesian band Ghaust. This is a vinyl-only release, and as you can tell from the image and caption above, it is limited to 500, with 100 on blue/white cloud colored vinyl and 400 on black vinyl. The Vestiges side of the LP features a remastered, vinyl-only version of the track "VI," which was previously only available as a download from a compilation. To celebrate the one year anniversary of the release of The Descent of Man, there is also a preorder up on the Vestiges website for a limited (to 100) 180-gram vinyl press of that album which also includes a zine covering the first year since the release of the album. Real nice collector's piece.

To order the album or for more info, and to download their releases (for free), go here.

Airs, Gloomlights 2xCD

2011-10-12T22:08:00.001-05:00

A band and label we have supported since the beginning. Airs have long been favorites of ours for their ability to write and play amazing music without the confines of genres or any shit like that. And Music Ruins Lives is one of the best new labels to pop up in recent memory, releasing one gem after another.

This promises to be no different. 2 CDs worth of new material from Airs... their first new material since the stunningly beautiful Rainclouds Over The Remains of Hope. It will soon be streaming from the MRL Bandcamp page, so you can give it a listen to be sure you're buying quality. Or you can take my word for it. Airs do no wrong, and neither does MRL (I promise - and I'm not even fucking any members of the band or label!). This is limited to 50, so you'd best hustle over to the MRL shop to preorder it now.

Heresiarch - Hammer of Intransigence

2011-10-12T15:04:00.000-05:00

As with just about everything Dark Descent Records puts out, this is bleak, crushing, and just plain deadly. A six-song (22 minutes) EP of apocalyptic blakkened death metal that will surely peel the skin from your face. If you heard and enjoyed Heresiarch's demo, Obsecrating the Global Holocaust, then you will surely enjoy this. This is what destruction and devastation is all about - the soundtrack to the apocalypse. The cover art gives a glimpse int to what's going on here - one of my favorite record covers in a good while. This is available for preorder now, and will ship at the beginning of November. Get it now from Dark Descent Records, along with some of the great shit in their distro - like some of the silver European copies of that Death Strike LP.

Playlist: Adrian Anioł

2011-10-12T07:21:00.001-05:00

Adrian Anioł is a Polish composer, producer and graphic designer. He has been involved in a number of projects including upcoming release of the Agressiva 69 album "Ummmet". He recently did a film score for "Arrhythmia" directed by James Hartley. His debut release "It All Falls Apart" (coda to "Arrhythmia" soundtrack) will be out on Utech Records November 11. Steven Hess contributed a remix to this new EP.

(today's playlist - mix of single tracks & full albums in no particular order):

climax golden twins. session 9 (milan records, 2001)
oikos. red forest* (utech records, 2011)
ben frost. theory of machines (bedroom community, 2006)
coil. at the heart of it all* (force & form, 1984)
deaf center. owl splinters (type, 2011)
fennesz/jeck/matthews. amoroso (touch, 2008)
sort sol. marble station* (4ad, 1981)
lento. then* (denovali records, 2011)
barn owl. infinite reach* (thrill jockey, 2011)
the cure. splintered in her head* (fiction records, 1981)
lustmord. black star* (plug records, 1996)
nine inch nails. ghosts I - IV (the null corporation, 2008)
rm74. incremental shift* (utech records, 2010)
pjusk. flyktig* (12k, 2008)
grails. bad bhang recipe* (important records, 2006)
this heat. makeshift swahili* (rough trade, 1981)
kreng. grimoire (miasmah, 2011)
leonardo rosado. sharp knives eyes* (subterminal.tumblr.com, 2011)
franck vigroux. jonoj* (d'autres cordes records, 2009)
kyle bobby dunn. canyon meadows* (desire path recordings, 2011)
rema rema. fond affections* (4ad, 1980)
demdike stare. regolith* (modern love, 2010)
talvihorros. alpha* (hibernate, 2011)
colin newman. alone* (beggars banquet, 1980)
the soft moon. phantoms* (captured tracks, 2010)
anduin. autumn looming* (smtg limited, 2009)
bastian wegner. face down* (sahko recordings, 2010)
david toop. black chamber* (sub rosa, 2009)
witxes. scrawls#01 (witxes.bandcamp.com, 2010)
this mortal coil. fyt* (4ad, 1984)
dale cooper quartet & the dictaphones. mon bibliotheque* (denovali records, 2006)
the cure. the figurehead* (fiction records, 1982)
aethenor. dream tassels* (vhf records, 2011)
ike yard. night after night* (les disques du crepuscule, 1981)
clint mansell. moon (black records, 2009)
ural umbo. vral vmbo (utech records, 2010)
nejmano. u | n* (few quiet people, 2011)
david lynch. the air is on fire (strange world records, 2007)
biosphere. forum* (biophon records, 2000)
ulver. island* (kscope/jester records, 2011)
whirling hall of knives. 2-bar heater and smoke (nute records, 2009)

*single tracks

Gravesideservice

2011-10-11T20:41:00.000-05:00

I've talked about Gravesideservice before, but thought you might care to know that a sample of the new album is up on YouTube now. It's no longer a secret that Scott Conner (Malefic) from Xasthur plays some bass on this record, and it sounds amazing. Gravesideservice is known for their distinctly guitar-less approach to black metal, but the new album Fog does in feature some really great guitar work, at least on the preview track "Zombie March."

Enjoy that track, it hopefully speaks volumes about the forthcoming album. High hopes.

For now, though, you can get by on their excellently sinister album Pope's Peers, which can be downloaded for a minimal fee from Bandcamp.

Playlist: Niels Geybels

2011-10-10T20:50:00.000-05:00

Niels Geybels is the mind behind the wonderfully outstanding drone/dark ambient project Sequences, as well as a visual artist and graphic designer. There are times when genius and brilliance is quite obvious from the get-go, and that is the case with Niels and his work; I say without prejudice that Sequences is without a doubt one of the most dreadfully beautiful things that humans have ever created.

Niels has also been a supporter of HSS for a long time, and it makes me very happy to finally bring you his playlist. Pay attention, please.

I'm currently working on a new Sequences full-length named "Beneath
the Earth". All these things have been influencing me as musician and
visual artist over the past months/years.

AUDIO

Vindensång - "Terminus: Rebirth in Eight Parts"
This might be my all-time favorite album. Eerie and beautiful.
Incredibly multi-layered, dense and filled with textures. Even after
numerous listens, I'm still discovering new things. This album has had
a huge impact on my life and has without doubt changed it.

Pyramids with Nadja - s/t
Each project where R. Loren has been involved in is simply fantastic.
Still, this album in particular has an atmosphere that leaves me
speechless.

Mamiffer - Mare Decendrii
I consider myself very lucky that I've seen them live just after this
album was released. Incredibly crafted songs with some of the most
beautiful piano compositions I've ever heard.

Sutekh Hexen - Alters
My favorite output by this Black metal/Noise duo (I haven't heard the
7"s yet). Perfected with the design & packaging by John
Jansen/Zeitsgeist Publishing.

Syndrome - Floating Veins
The solo project from Amenra's guitarist Mathieu V. I've been looking
forward to this release for a long time and it did fully live up to my
expectations. Ambient/Drone of the highest quality.

The Haxan Cloak - s/t
An amazing release from Aurora Borealis. This album demonstrates the
fact that "Ambient" can be crafted with a large range of instruments.

Kuxan Suum - Kinich Ahau
We all know that everything the Black Twilight Circle releases is of
utmost quality. Together with Arizmenda's first tape, Kuxan Suum is
one of my favorites.

Angelo Badalamenti - Twin Peaks OST
I think I will never grow tired these compositions. The atmosphere of
this recording can't be reproduced. Perfect for late-night listening.

Other albums I've been listening alot to lately are; "The Queen is
Dead" by The Smiths, "s/t" by Giles Corey, "Marrow of the Spirit" by
Agalloch, "Ravedeath, 1972" by Tim Hecker, "s/t" by Mount Moriah,
"Swans Are Dead" by Swans and "Frigid Stars" by Codeine.

VISUALS

John Jansen
The individual behind Zeitgeists publishing. He has crafted vinyl's,
tapes and zines amongst others with some of the most refreshing and
inspiring material, packaging and design. Minimalistic, but still
filled with details. Besides his visual work, his supportiveness and
our friendship has a big impact on my work.

Faith Coloccia
Besides her amazing musicianship she is also a very talented graphic
designer, visual artist and photographer. Truly beautiful and
inspiring.

Veleda Thorsson
Primarily known because of her involvement with Agalloch. She's able
to capture purity and emotion with her lens. Haunting landscapes, dark
woods, reflections in water and the ghosts of ancient buildings.

Stephen Kasner
Best known for his album artwork for numerous projects. He has a
stunning ability to capture abstract spiritual images. Dynamic and
enigmatic.

Richard Long
A contemporary environmental artist. Mostly conceptual and with a
great respect towards nature. What appeals to me is his minimalistic
approach and the use of natural materials in his work.

Anselm Kiefer
Probably one of my favorite contemporary artists. Wide landscapes,
wooden interiors and apocalyptic visions filled with (German) history,
spiritual concepts and symbols. His works are often done in large
scale and have quite a raw and terrestrial feel.

ATMOSPHERE

Broken branches / Old books / Urban decay / Moss / Coffee / Geometric
figures / Cassettes / Snow / Ink blotches / Black shapes / Xerox /
Voids / Ash and Charcoal / Rock formations / Mist / White noise

Universal Consciousness

2011-10-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

I wish this were a post dedicated to the the topic of the possibility of universal consciousness itself, but the topic here is pretty good as well. Universal Consciousness Records is a label to keep your eyes on, releasing cassettes and vinyls by underground artists such as the immortal Lord Time, which I happen to be a big fan of. The artist behind Lord Time is also known as Andorkappen, and can also be found in Harassor. In any case, this is all pretty bleak and grim shit, and needs the attention. The original package I received from Universal Consciousness was held up in the post office for months, collecting dust. Not sure if it's my local branch or whatever, but the USPS sucks a bag of dicks, in case you don't already know.

Harassor's full-length LP is out now, as are new cassettes from Lord Time and Mawdryn. All essential. Do yourself a favor and get them all here.

Panopticon, Social Disservices DLP and Wreck and Reference, Black Cassette LP

2011-10-07T20:52:00.002-05:00

Well, this amazing record that I reviewed back here is now available (to preorder) as a double LP from our friends over at Flenser Records. Available on clear and black vinyl, and as a CD as well. The DLP is limited to only 250 and will likely sell out, so you are advised to pick it up ASAP.

Also available for a preorder is this hugely creative work that was originally released as a cassette by the band, and then as a CD from Music Ruins Lives... an "electronic doom" album called Black Cassette by Wreck and Reference, now on LP. I don't really have a good way to describe the album but suffice it to say you'll enjoy it. It's a unique album, and a damn good one at that. If you need to hear it first, go to the link above and stream or download it. I think you'll like what you hear. Like I said, it's been called "electronic doom" but it also has a pretty sweet post-punk edge to it that makes it so unbelievable catchy and addicting. Available on white and black vinyl, for which it has been remastered. There's a t-shirt as well.

Also check the Flenser Store for some flashy Flenser t-shirts as well as some new distro titles by Wreck of the Hesperus and others.

NOW FLENSING.

Junius/Rosetta Split LP

2011-10-06T22:20:00.000-05:00

I had no idea this was getting pressed on wax, but I'm certainly glad to see that it is. It's a one-sided split LP from two great bands in Junius and Rosetta. The LP features a laser-etching on the b-side, and is available in a couple of different colors and/or package deals from The Mylene Sheath.

The new Junius album is coming out on Prosthetic, but The Mylene Sheath also have some 180 gram black copies of that for sale as well. Also, check out the new 2xLP from Beneath Oblivion, which sounds amazing.

Of course, if you're interested in the Junius/Rosetta split on CD, you can get that now from Translation Loss (which I assume will have copies of this vinyl for sale soon as well), along with the new album Cenotes from the always amazing Giant Squid.

Support!

A Death Cinematic, The New World CDr and Book

2011-10-06T21:01:00.000-05:00

A Death Cinematic is one of the artists that HSS has been very, very happy to support over the last few years. One of the more exploratory and creative artists doing ambient/drone/noise music today. The music never exists in a vacuum - there is always an accompanying concept and/or idea that supports the music and backs it up. On this new album, there is a book to back it up as well. It's a pretty lavish looking package, complete with wooden box, and the kicker is that it is, as always, all handmade.

There is also a trailer of a forthcoming video, made by the wonderful Frederick Lloyd, for the title track of this album, that you can watch now at Simple Box Construction, where you can and should also preorder this album.

Vit, The Dry Season

2011-10-05T22:19:00.001-05:00

Two new tracks from HSS favorites Vit. You can download these two songs for a minimal fee, or just stream them in anticipation of the forthcoming physical release later this year or early next year by our friends at Music Ruins Lives, which will include additional tracks. Upon first listen, "Sixteen Bodies in a Cornfield" sounds very heavy indeed, while "The Dry Season" has a more rock-ish sound. Both good tracks. Enjoy.

Playlist: Michael Page

2011-10-05T07:18:00.001-05:00

Michael Page is a visual and sound artist living on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After several years recording and touring in the power electronics/industrial/noise genre as Fire in the Head, Michael formed Sky Burial in 2006 as an outlet to explore the ambient side of industrial music, often citing esoteric, literary, occult and mythological subject matter as a muse. Much like the Tibetan ritual from which the project takes its name, Michael chose to work under the Sky Burial moniker as an act of freeing himself from artistic confines, providing an unfettered route for sonic expression and experimentation. Although initially inspired by early industrial music projects and electronic/ambient/kosmische acts of the 70's & 80's, the music of Sky Burial continues to evolve and blur genre boundaries. Michael has released 40 recordings in the past 7 years under various names and has collaborated on releases (both visually and sonically) with Mark Spybey (Download/Dead Voice on Air/Zoviet France), Nik Turner (Hawkwind), Nick Blinko (Rudimentary Peni), Gee Vaucher (Crass) & J. Randall (Agoraphobic Nosebleed). Sky Burial's newest release, Aegri Somnia, features sax from Nik Turner of Hawkwind and will be out on Utech Records November 11. The release was mastered by Justin Broadrick and features art from Thomas Hooper.

Recent Rotation:

Early 4AD recordings:

Dif Juz - Extractions

Rema Rema - Wheel In The Roses

Mass - Labour Of Love

Vice Versa - complete recordings (great early raw,minimal synthpop from a band that would eventually become ABC)

Þeyr - complete recordings (great 80's Icelandic post-punk)

T.A.G.C. - Digitaria

Sad Lovers & Giants - first two lps

Trisomie 21 - their 80's output

Tangerine Dream - Nebulous Dawn box (first 4 studio albums)

Men Without Hats - releases through '84

Giacinto Scelsi (various compostions)

Allan Pettersson - Symphonies 6 & 7

Play Dead - complete discography (sadly overlooked 80's "goth" band)

Nocturnal Emissions - Invocation Of The Beast Gods

Roky Erickson And The Aliens - the Evil One

Cevin Key - The Dragon Experience

Cindytalk- Camouflage Heart

ALWAYS in rotation:

The Damned

Hüsker Dü

Adam & The Ants

Soft Cell/Marc Almond

Hawkwind (first 5 lps & select mid/late releases)

SNFU

Fields Of The Nephilim

Reading:

China Miéville (various)

Neil Gaiman (various)

Jonathan Carroll (various)

Philip K. Dick - The Man In The High Castle