SPOTLIGHT 437

08/02/2014 18:04

Welcome to the new Spot Light! This week's edition features modern & drugged up space psychedelia, evil sludge, avant-garde German prog rock, loud rock'n'roll, '60s garage & exploito psych, trash classics, sunshine pop, '80s hardcore, Swedish D-beat/crust, N.W.O.B.H.M., black metal, Finnish reggae (it exists), exotica, songs about martians, synth/industrial and drone/dark ambient sounds. Looking to catch a live show? Check out which bands are on tour this spring!

PSYCHEDELIC/PROGRESSIVE

CULT OF DOM KELLER - THE SECOND BARDO (LP/CARDINAL FUZZ)

Since their inception in 2008, Cult Of Dom Keller have been redefining the 'psychedelic band' template with their uniquely modern interpretation of the psychedelic sound. Their self-titled debut album, released last year in the USA by Austin Psych Fest organisers The Reverberation Society and in Europe by Mannequin Records and Cardinal Fuzz. The LP sold out within a month on European soil and is a record that perfectly captures their sonic explorations but also highlights that at the core of all their audio manipulations is a band that solely never loses sight of writing great songs. 'The Second Bardo' is a 9-track bone-shaking journey through an alien soundscape of songs and soundtrack pieces. The album takes off from where the last one landed. 'The Second Bardo' is a journey of even more intensity and diversity. The vinyl will be presented in a reverse board sleeve with insert and pressed on oxblood/bottle green bi-colour swirl for maximum hallucinogenic effect!

Listen to 'The Second Bardo' HERE.

DEEP SPACE - THROUGH THE HAZE (LP/SULATRON)

Deep Space was created in the mystical wee hours of acid trips and seances within the desert lands of Austin TX. Deep Space stays true to their outer space psychedelic influences, conjuring up a mix of radioactive sounds, with influnces from England's Spacemen 3 to Austin's psychedelic rock pioneers, The 13th Floor Elevators. This sounds as dangerous as a supernova exploding in a black hole. Pressed on 180-grams white marbled vinyl. Limited to 500 copies!

Watch the official video for 'Evil Dreams' HERE.

DOPETHRONE - III (LP/TOTEM CAT)

Limited vinyl pressing of the third album by DOPETHRONE! For the uninitiated, Dopethrone play the classic kind of sludge, evil as Satan himself, dripping blood and black bile, while it claws at your flesh from within a cloud of weed smoke and burning homes. If anything 'III' hits harder than 'Dark Foil'. The riffs are monumental monsters of distortion and grime. It's like the buzz of a thousand hornets inside an empty skull.

Listen to 'III' HERE.

FRANKENSTEINS BALLET - FRANKENSTEINS BALLET (2LP) (LP/TOZTIZOK ZOUNDZ)

Frankensteins Ballet is a contemporary German avant garde prog rock band with Mik Quantius on vocals and Thomas Hopf on the drums. As well as a list of talented musicians all deeply rooted in the west German music scene playing with groups like Embryo and Jelly Planet and jamming alongside iconic musicians such as Damo Suzuki and Michael Karoli. Frankensteins Ballet takes the best parts of ethnic music, polka and experimental rock to create a unique world that kind of makes you want to get up and dance. Silkscreened artwork by Helena Sanders and Thale Roosien. Limited to 500 copies.

Listen to Frankensteins Ballet HERE

LANTERN - ROCK'N'ROLL RORSCHACH (UK/BLACK) (LP/CARDINAL FUZZ)

Risen in the form of neon fume from Philadelphia side-street sewer lids come LANTERN. Orbiting around the songwriter duo of Zachary Devereux Fairbrother and Emily Robb (with the auxiliary addition of Montreal-import Christian Simmons on skins, also of Sheer Agony), Lantern is what rock 'n' roll was - loud, oozy, inspiring, perspiring, pummeling directly forward yet cloaked in the arcane. Inspired by their idols: The Rolling Stones, Stooges, Bo Diddley, Cramps, MC5, Bowie, and all the originators of R&B and blues, Lantern are taking their own whack at the punching bag that is the great American folk tradition/condition/religion -- Rock 'N' Roll music. With the help of fellow Philly engineering magick-maker, Jeff Zeigler (Purling Hiss, Kurt Vile, Clockcleaner) behind the boards, the record marks a shift in sound from the blown-out hiss of lo-fidelity, four-track home recordings toward a more balanced and discernable breed of raw, unflinching power. Lantern's sound melts genres together, rockabullying weirdo blues into a frenzy of fuzzed-up soloing and glammed-down dance beats, ultimately resulting in a mound of grooves garnering moves from the '80s/'90s garage-rock rattles of Dead Moon, Gibson Bros, and Billy Childish to the '60s/'70s pre-punk lore of Hasil Adkins, Flaming Groovies, or even The Velvet Underground. Rorschach is a testament to the age-old odyssey of rock 'n' roll, searching for something "advanced" (dare we say "futuristic?") in paying homage to its primal whims and primitive-earth foundation. Limited-edition of 500 copies. Each comes with a bonus cd of the album + 4 extra tracks. Insert and sleeve printed reverse board.

Listen to 'Rock 'N' Roll Rorschach' HERE.

PLANTAINS/OS NOCTAMBULOS - SPLIT LP (LP/STOLEN BODY)

Stole Body Records is extremely excited to present you their new release of 2014. This time in the form of a split LP. Two bands, two countries, two colour vinyl. Half frosted and half blue. Limited edition of 250 copies. Plantains (who are now going by the name Heaters) hail from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The play a rambunctious garage psych somewhat reminiscent of Nights Beats and Shapes Have Fangs. The energy is undeniable and contagious. Reverb, echo and distorted vocals over a driving beat and a classic 60's garage guitar sound. You can hear surf influences come in and out of songs which adds a nice spice to an already super spicy meal. This is the band's first record release. They released 'Unio'n (demos) earlier in 2013 which is how Stolen Body fell in love with them. This album has some of those tracks re-recorded as well as some fresh tracks. Os Noctàmbulos hail from Paris, France. Their lead singer Nick Wheeldon is originally from England and moved out to Paris and started Os Noctàmbulos. Stolen Body caught their set at the Liverpool psych fest and immediately got in contact. From the outset you can hear a heavily surf orientated sound. This mixed in with a raw 60's garage feel, hints of country and tense on the edge vocals leaves you with something extremely original. The songs are catchy and Nick's voice balances on the edge of madness whilst the music flows behind casually. This is the band's first release and they have another planned for later in the year.

Listen to the split HERE.

BLUTHARSCH, DER -& THE INFINITE CHURCH OF THE LEADING HAND - TODAY I WANT TO CATCH CLOUDS (CD/WKN)

'Today I Want To Catch Clouds' collects songs and sounds they did over the last 5 years for various occasions. It contains remixes and collaborations but also some little kinky weirdnesses. Enjoy! Tracks: 01. Today I Want To Catch Clouds (Collaboration with White Hills) 02. Will You Come Now (Remix for Phallus Dei feat. John Walker) 03. Mountains Of Sorrow (Remix for Changes) 04. Kreuzung Drei (Remix for Reutoff) 05. The Condition Of Nothing (Remix for White Hills) 06. Birds Of Prey (Instrumental Version) 07. I Will Not Obey (Split 7" with Our Survival Depends On Us) 08. This Is The Word - Is It? (Kinky Version) 09. Join The Army! (Previously Unreleased Demo Track) 10. Is This What You Told Us...? (Collaboration With Skullflower)

Listen to 'Today I want to Catch Clouds' HERE.

PROJECTION COMPANY/STAFF CARPENBORG & THE ELECTRIC CORONA - GIVE ME SOME LOVIN'/FANTASTIC PARTY (CD/GEARFAB)

Wow!! Two more great US '60s exploito psych LP's on one disc, presented in a miniature LP-sleeve! The first title here is the Projection Company's great 1967 Custom release 'Gimme Some Lovin', featuring fuzzed out guitars and wild organs and scorching vocals. Alos present is Scott Carpenborg's classic 1971 free form 'Fantastic Party'. While you may expect cheesy orchestra music it's actually the rawest, dopest and wildest psychedelic groove one could imagine. Stomping breaks, haunting spooky organ sounds and wet swampy bass lines from the very beginning to the last groove, completed with some strange sci-fi sounds and stereo FX. The LSD was certainly flowing richly during these sessions! Tracks: THE PROJECTION COMPANY: 1. Gimme Some Lovin' 2. Boil The Kettle 3. What Else 4. Uh Uh Uh 5. I Can't Stand It Baby 6. Wild Times 7. Don't Think Twice 8. Kimea 9. Our Man Hendrix 10. Tune Out Of Place - STAFF CARPENBORG & THE ELECTRIC CORONA: 1. All Men Shall Be Brothers Of Ludwig 2. The Every Day's Way Down To The Suburbs 3. Lightning Fires, Burning Sorrows 4. Swing Low, If You Like To Do 5. Stainy Heavy Needles 6. P.A.R.T.Y. 7. Let The Thing Comin' Up 8. Shummy Poor Clessford Idea In Troody Taprest Noodles

Listen to 'Give me Some Lovin' HERE and to P.A.R.T.Y. HERE.

SALLOOM-SINCLAIR - SALLOOM-SINCLAIR (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

More heavy swirling organ and fuzz guitars on this psychedelic album by Roger Salloom and Robin Sinclair. Robin Sinclair's soul driven female voice is just excellent. This self titled album is their second and last album. First release on CD!

Listen to 'Exhaustion' HERE.

SALLOOM-SINCLAIR & THE MOTHER BEAR - SALLOOM-SINCLAIR & THE MOTHER BEAR (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

Presenting heavy swirling organ and fuzz guitars, this is a psychedelic album featuring Roger Salloom and Robin Sinclair. Robin Sinclair's soul driven female voice is just excellent. First release on CD!

GARAGE/BEAT/ROCK'N'ROLL/ROCKABILLY

VARIOUS - BEAT FROM BADSVILLE 3 (2X10") (10"/STAG-O-LEE)

Trash Classics From Lux & Ivys Vinyl Mountain Vol. 3. First time in Gatefoldsleeve! The people who inhabit the parallel universe that is Badsville are in many cases willfully obscure, running under pseudonyms, or just plain difficult to track down - proper no hit wonders. That said, some of Lux and Ivys favourites carved the very cornerstones of rock music. The inventor of shock rock, with stage props and wild screams, Screamin Jay Hawkins needs no introduction and Richard Berry wrote Louie Louie so, without whom, etc. However, the rest of our cast remains in the strange netherworld that combines tragedy and bad career decisions. The population of Badsville welcomes you aboard. Dave Henderson of Mojo-fame again selected 24 songs and gave each side a theme: Lifes A Scream / Crazy Guys, Food, Prison And A Guide To The Female Persuasion / Welcome To The Jungle / Wild And Wilder Boppin Girls. Tracklisting follows...

NORVINS - NO TYME FOR TEARS (LP/SOUNDFLAT)

The 2014 full-length from these much praised Parisian garage rockers is a diverse and utterly enjoyable affair. Included are fast and fuzzy songs, organ fuelled tunes, there's a bit of drama, quite some psych and we even get a folky composition. The tracklist features mostly originals, but there also are covers of The Huns and The Epic Five. Available on LP and CD!

Listen to 'No Tyme for Tears' HERE.

SHAKERS - A WHOLE LOTTA SHAKERS! (LP/SOUNDFLAT)

Not to be confused with the '60s band from Uruguay! This LP however does offer authentic sounding '60s inspired beat to twist and shout to! The experienced live-band plays music like the Liverpudlians already did in the early '60s, with twangy guitars, a dancin' rhtythm, a bit of moody blues and melodic harmonies, resulting in an album containing hits only! While THE SHAKERS' cover versions of classics like 'Soldier Of Love', 'Besame Mucho' or 'Love Potion #9' are of high quality and complemented with the band's own input, their original songs seem to stand out even more. Every single song is a hit, whether it is the dreamy beat-ballad 'For A Little While' or the catchy 'Draggin' Me Down' with its touch of danceable '60s pop. If you like bands like THE KAISERS or PETER BERRY & THE SHAKE SET, you will more than appreciate THE SHAKERS. 

SHINE BROTHERS - HELLO GRIEFBIRDS! (BLACK) (LP/CARDINAL FUZZ)

The Shine Brothers achieve an alchemic balance of slanted sunshine pop song structures with howling devilish rhythms, crowned by dirty, weaving vocal harmonies with tracks veering from Beatles like sunshine pop to frenzied fuzz induced E.P.I. freakouts. The Shine Brothers' ensemble includes NATE RYAN (ex-THE BLACK ANGELS), COLIN RYAN (ex-WOVEN BONES), OAKLEY MUNSON (ex-THE RONDELLES) and RYAN RAPSYS (ex-Too Many Bands To Name). This LP comes with a download code that also features three bonus tracks. Limited to 500 copies. 

Listen to 'Hello Griefbirds!' HERE.

VARIOUS - SIN CITY JUKEBOX, VOL. 2 (LP/SPOONFUL)

Limited edition! 18 tunes supplied by Herb H. Franklin, the owner of the Sin City bar in Biloxi, Mississippi which entertained it's customers with live music and a rockin' jukebox from early 1950 until the mid-60s. What set Mr. Franklin apart from other bar proprietors is that every 45 that ever graced the Sin City jukebox remained in Herb's possession. Whenever the jukebox operator came to bring in the new tunes, Herb gave him some small change to keep the replaced ones. As a result, 15 years of serious record collecting took place, without Herb even giving it a second thought. 

Listen to 'Wildcat Tamer' HERE.

HEAD, ROY - DISMAL PRISONER (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

Roy Head's fourth album 'Dismal Prisoner' has been demanded by many collectors around the world for years. One of the best efforts in his entire music career. First release on CD!

Listen to 'Getting Too Big for Your Britches' HERE.

JOHNSTON, RICHARD - FOOT HILL STOMP (CD/STAG-O-LEE)

Comes as 3-fold digifile. Richard Johnston comes from the hill country of Northern Mississippi and usually performs on Beale Street in Memphis as a one-man band. After the death of Junior Kimbrough Richard (a white guy!) filled the gap and continued to play Junior's Juke Joint on Saturdays with Junior's various sons and nephews (The Soul Blues Boys) providing the backing. This is a reissue of the ten year old debut, self-released at the time. It since has vanished and still kicks ass big time. Hypnotic, rowdy and rockin' Trance-Blues at it's best! Vintage Fat Possum sound! Featuring Jesse Mae Hemphill, Cedric Burnside and others.

Listen to 'Foot Hill Stomp' HERE.

VARIOUS - SIN CITY JUKEBOX, VOL. 10 (CD/SPOONFUL)

10th volume in the series. Again all 33 tracks (79:50 minutes) are taken from the vaults of Herb H. Franklin. Mr. Franklin was the owner of the Sin City bar in Biloxi, Mississippi which entertained it's customers with live music and a rockin' jukebox from early 1950 until the mid-60s. What set Mr. Franklin apart from other bar proprietors is that every 45 that ever graced the Sin City jukebox remained in Herb's possession. Whenever the jukebox operator came to bring in the new tunes, Herb gave him some small change to keep the replaced ones. As a result, 15 years of serious record collecting took place, without Herb even giving it a second thought.

COUNTRY/AMERICANA

STILLROCK - STILLROCK (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

A mellow country rock album featuring Don Preston. The music here slightly reminds of the early Byrds. The album was co-produced by the famous Don Nix and Donald Duck Dunn. This was their first and only release, dating from 1969. First ever release on CD!

PUNK/HARDCORE

BUCK BILOXI & THE FUCKS - BUCK BILOXI & THE FUCKS (LP/RED LOUNGE)

2035. The hippies finally managed to make machines that look like PUNK ROCKERS, act Like MC5ers but sound like RETRO NEO PSYCHEDELIC HIPPIE SHIT!!! They send em back to 2013 and they start taking over the vinyl world. Instead of resistance the kids jump on the bandwagon and the world is lost!!!!! No resistance? A small band of drunks thats would not even be able to make a psychedelic record if you payed 'em refuses to learn more then two chords. By sending former S.P.I.T.S. Agent Joe Pestilence from 2035 back to 1994 the resistance of the future is trying to save the past. Joe manages to knock up a Mrs Craig and Robert Watson Craig III is born. In 2013 they form one band to bind them all. "White Boy". Finding that name is already taken they form Buck Biloxi and the Fucks! Musically they destroy all shit records. lasersword like anthems like 'Shut The Hell Up', 'Shut The Fuck Up', 'The Walls Have Aids', 'I'm A Disaster', 'I'm A Genius' or 'Who Gives A fuck' get them a nomination for Nobel peace price! They are the James T. Kirks of stupid, they are the Rockwells of smart, they are the Mil Mascaras of fuckin' you UP!!!!

Watch the video for 'Shut the Hell Up' HERE.

DISORDER - THE SINGLES COLLECTION (LP/RADIATION)

Formed in Bristol in 1980, Disorder is one of the few "big" names of the UK's '80s HC scene still going strong today. Originally released in 1985 on the Disorder label, 'The Singles Collection' compiles their first and most angry recordings. It comprises three 7-inch EP's (the legendary 'Complete Disorder', 'Distortion To Deafness' and the 'Mental Disorder' EP), along with their 8-track 12-inch EP 'Perdition' - recordings which John Peel allegedly referred to as sounding like "shit" (possibly a compliment) - this LP of long out of print recordings would be a welcome addition to any punk collector's shelves. Another essential piece of the UK punk puzzle!

Listen to 'Distortion to Deafness' HERE.

METAL/STONER/HARDROCK

HOODED MENACE - LABYRINTH OF CARRION BREEZE (12"/DOOMENTIA)

DOOMENTIA and HOODED MENACE go back a long way. Ever since the label offered to re-release the band's sole demo 'The Eyeless Horde' as a classy 7-inch back in 2008, the two parties have worked together on split releases (with ANIMA MORTE, COFFINS, ASPHYX or HORSE LATITUDES) and deluxe vinyl reissues of their first two albums and there's plenty more to come! This early 2014 release features some of their heaviest work yet. 'Labyrinth Of Carrion Breeze' is the first title to feature the band's altered line-up, which now includes Teemu Hannonen who used to play with the band's leader Lasse Pyykko in the mighty PHLEGETHON, back in the early '90s. Whereas the epic 'Chasm Of The Wraith' is inspired by the classic 1970s horror movie 'Cry Of The Banshee' (starring Vincent Price) and features as a guest Pia from SERPENT OMEGA on backing vocals, 'The Creeping Flesh' is based on the equally stunning motion picture of the same title. Recorded in their hometown of Joensuu, Finland and mixed in Stockholm, this release comes with colourful yet disturbing artwork as the finishing touch. 

Watch the official promo video for 'Labyrinth of Carrion Breeze' HERE.

USURPRESS/ BENT SEA - SPLIT (10"/DOOMENTIA)

This release sees Swedish D-beat/crust masters USURPRESS exploring new and surprising territories. The over 7-minute 'A Tidal Wave Of Fire' is their first genuinely epic recording and all in all the music is heavier than ever and it really sounds unlike anything else they've done before. BENT SEA's contributions to this split are equally impressive. Their recordings presented here will take the listeners back to the glorious days of early EARACHE classics like TERRORIZER or EXTREME NOISE TERROR, yet with a modern edge. 

Listen to the split HERE.

DEEP MACHINE - RISE OF THE MACHINE (BLACK) (LP/HIGH ROLLER)

Edition on black vinyl (150 copies) with a lyric sheet and presented in a heavy cardboard cover. Deep Machine is probably the most mysterious of all New Wave Of British Heavy Metal bands. Back then, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the London-based outfit was heralded as some kind of N.W.O.B.H.M. all-star band. Almost like (Dennis Strattons) Lionheart a couple of years later. At the time, at least in the English capital, Deep Machine were almost as popular and as well-known as Samson, Angel Witch, Praying Mantis and early Iron Maiden (having played well over 150 gigs in their original incarnation). Numerous live tapes were circulating among fans, adding to their "mystique". There was only one tiny detail missing to complete the puzzle: They never signed a record deal. Whereas Samson, Angel Witch, Praying Mantis and above all Iron Maiden went on to endure more or less healthy recording careers, Deep Machine remained probably the "most prominent unsigned Metal band in the universe". Musicians such as Kevin Heybourne (Angel Witch) and John Wiggins (Tokyo Blade) went through the ranks of Deep Machine at one time or the other.

Listen to 'Rise of the Machine' HERE.

HEXIS - ABALAM (LP/MUSIC FEAR SATAN)

Landing by surprise from the cold and distant lands of Denmark, HEXIS deliver their first full-length record 'Abalam', following a handful of singles and splits. Directly inspired by the darkness of black metal and the brutality of punk/HC, these five Danish dudes offer us thirteen tunes under the signs of monolithism and dedication. The album title refers to the Prince of Hell and his female face, all the lyrics fit the demonic concept. The record is released on digipack CD (1.000 copies) and on vinyl (1.000 copies, 300 copies on clear with black streaks and 700 copies on black) co-released with HALO OF FLIES RECORDS (USA).

Listen to 'Abalam' HERE.

HOLOCAUST - (BLACK) LIVE (HOT CURRY & WINE) (+7 (LP/HIGH ROLLER)

HOLOCAUST Live! 'Hot Curry & Wine'. Edition of 150 LP's on black vinyl, with a gatefold cover and a bonus 7-inch in a separate picture sleeve. Holocaust were formed in Edinburgh in 1977 (initially toying with different names such as Buzzard, Apollo and Preying Mantis). John Mortimer (guitar), Gary Lettice (vocals), Ed Dudley (guitar), Robin Begg (bass) and Paul Collins (drums), the classic Holocaust line up, might not have become a New Wave Of British Heavy Metal household name like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard or Saxon but in musical terms they must rate as one of the Top 10 bands of the genre. After issuing three 7" singles and the highly regarded debut album The Nightcomers (all on Phoenix Records), Holocaust recorded a live album. Live (Hot Curry & Wine) was taped at Edinburgh's Niteclub in September 1981. However, by then Holocaust Mark I was already history (with main man John Mortimer splitting from the rest of the guys, who continued to release an album under the name of Hologram). Ironically, the live album went on to become Holocaust's best-selling record. The success of Live (Hot Curry & Wine) was at least partly due to Metallica covering "The Small Hours" on their legendary The 5.98 $ EP - Garage Days Re-Visited. Even today James Hetfield proudly wears a Holocaust patch on his denim vest. The vinyl re-issue of Live (Hot Curry & Wine) is limited to 500 copies and contains a four-track bonus single in separate picture sleeve (with "Lovin' Feelin' Danger", "No Nonsense", "Death or Glory" and "Forcedown Breakdown"). 

Listen to 'Smokin' Valves' HERE.

LURK - KALDERA (LP/DOOMENTIA)

The four Finnish individuals hidden behind that ugly and ferocious monster known as LURK don't like tags. Not only because it would raise the impression that they were actually looking at other bands for inspiration, but also because it would restrict them too much. Sure thing, the words 'dark' and 'fucking heavy' are the most common descriptions for their music, followed by 'doom', 'sludge', a.s.o.

Listen to 'Kaldera' HERE.

TRANCE - BREAK OUT (+7"/BLACK) (LP/HIGH ROLLER)

This fine LP (on black vinyl) from Trance comes with the bonus 7-inch single 'A Hard Way To Go', a poster, insert and a heavy cover. Limited to 150 copies. 

TRANCE - POWER INFUSION (BLACK) (LP/HIGH ROLLER)

Trance's 'Power Infusion', pressed on black vinyl, comes with a poster, insert and a heavy cardboard cover. Limited to 150 copies. 

BARBARIAN - FAITH EXTINGUISHER (CD/DOOMENTIA)

Their 2012 split with BUNKER 66 predicted a change in approach, a direction which they continue here. Nevertheless, the seven tracks on 'Faith Extinguisher' are still 666% pure BARBARIAN. This album is a sermon of allegiance to ALL things metal the '80s way. 

Listen to 'Faith Extinguisher' HERE.

ROCK/POP/WAVE

HENRY GIRLS - LOUDER THAN WORDS (CD/NORDIC NOTES)

The 2014 album by this Irish folk trio. This is a wonderful collection of songs and it even includes a Springsteen number, 'Reason To Believe' from 'Nebraska'. The Henry Girls are fast becoming one of the most talked about folk/roots acts to come out of the North West of Ireland in the last decade, and they are now also developing an international reputation performing overseas, including the US. They are renowned for their fine close harmonies and musical arrangements, and have been likened to many other harmonising siblings such as The McGarrigle Sisters, The Andrews Sisters and The Everly Brothers. 

PAUL, LOUIS - REFLECTIONS OF THE WAY IT REALLY IS (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

A multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Louis Paul released his only album in 1973. Even though the album didn't succeed commercially, it is a nice mixture of heavy rock, funk, country and there even is a soulful ballad. First release on CD!

Listen to 'Leave The Door Where You Found It' HERE.

VARIOUS - NORDIC NOTES, VOL. 2 (CD/NORDIC NOTES)

Second label sampler: 01. Elin Kaven - Ulda Nikta / Ulda Allures 02. Gudrid Hansdottir - Clothmother 03. Aino Venna - Waltz to Paris 04. Svavar Knutur - While the World Burns 05. Anna Maria - Neistaflug 06. Byrta - Tin Doyvandi Togn 07. Hi-Lo & in Between - Lost in Lies 08. Ochre Room - Garbage Trucks are on the Move 09. Ragga Grondal- People clap your hands 10. Arstidir - Ljod I sand 11. Var - Silence is Recovered 12. Gudrid Hansdottir - Tu Hevur Taer Dyrastu Perlur 13. Gudrun and Bartal - Bryr 14. Aino Venna - Radio Ma Cherie 15. Blagresi - Pensildraetir Blamans 16. Ragga Grondal - Astarod 17. Myrra Ros - Sail On.

VINTAGE BLUES/R&B

VARIOUS - BOOM-A-LAY (EXOTIC BLUES & RHYTHM, (10"/SPOONFUL)

Limited edition. 10" vinyl only.

REGGAE/DUB/SKA

KYMI - VIIDAKKO (12"/KYMIMUSIC)

Fine riddims, deep bass and a plethora of electric & acoustic instruments and effects capture the attention on the second album of the Finnish ambient dub duo KYMI. With its Finnish lyrics tapping psychic undercurrents, the four tracks have a distinctive but hard-to-define Far North sound that sets it clearly apart from mainstream reggae, despite the hard-hitting riddims that are craftily employed. A limited vinyl-only edition of 300 copies.

LOUNGE/EASY TUNE/LIBRARY

LEFT ARM OF BUDDHA - MONKEY'S AFFAIR EP (7"/STAG-O-LEE)

The Left Arm Of Buddha is an exotica project in the Martin Denny/Les Baxter-tradition. The live-playing big band (including dancers, back-drops etc.) features various members from the Moon Invaders/Caroloregians/Adolphe Sex-stable. Big fat cardboard picture cover. Tracks: Monkey's Affair, Arabian Calypso, Coco Serenace. 

Listen to 'Monkey's Affair' HERE.

INCR.STR. MUSIC/NOVELTY

VARIOUS - MUSIC FROM PLANET EARTH, VOL. 1 (10 (10"/STAG-O-LEE)

'Songs About Martians, Ray Guns, Flying Saucers & Other Space Junk Vol. 1'. Limited edition with free 24 x 24 cm screenprint of cover! First volume in a series of three! All of them will feature a screenprint! Highly collectable art by Marcel Bontempi - well know in those circles! 10" vinyl only! Whats that in the sky? Back in the late 1950s and into the early 60s everyone seemed to become obsessed with the possibility that science fiction might become science fact. Movie houses and drive-ins across America were fascinated by the idea of a Martian invasion, with a suitably theremin-powered eerie soundtrack, not to mention the prospect of the rise of unruly robots. So the story went in many of the alien invasion films, it was always going to be some remote back woods territory where the people from another planet would choose to land, so it was hardly surprising that aspiring musicians picked up on the phenomena while craning their necks upwards. But if those performers were looking to the skies for inspiration, legend has it that Sun Ra And His Arkestra were looking down on them from their own planet. Far fetched? I don't think so. 

EXPERIMENTAL/SOUND ART

ELODIE - TRACES EPHEMERES (LP/LA SCIE DORÉE)

An eclectic ensemble of 18 instrumental arrangements evoking an epic and existential soundtrack determined by the power of momentary destiny and reflective sentiment. Music played by Andrew Chalk and Timo van Luijk. Clarinet by Jean-Noël Rebilly. Piano and koto by Tom James Scott. Edition of 350 copies.

Listen to 'Contours du Vent' HERE.

LA POUPÉE VIVANTE - LA POUPÉE VIVANTE (LP/LA SCIE DORÉE)

Four mouvements of electro-acoustic and vocal poetry projecting luminous shadows of a decadent fin de siècle. Performed by Timo van Luijk, Frédérique Bruyas and Arlette Aubin. Edition of 300 copies with printed inner sleeve.

Listen to 'Aube' HERE.

SIEBEN - EACH DIVINE SPARK (BLACK) (LP/DARK VINYL)

Limited to 150 copies on black vinyl. "'Each Divine Spark' is the finest and most fully-realised Sieben album to date. Finding the balance between enigmatic menace and elegant beauty, its lines lock into the brain on first listen - as the looped layers of violin build to a heady and head-spinning orchestral brilliance. Restless, driving rhythms are channeled into performances of restrained intensity, helped by Matt Howden's most confident vocals yet, forward in the mix, close to the ear. Recorded near-live with perfect studio acoustics, the album creates a sound-maze and leads the listener to the centre. A statement of intent; a masterclass." ~Adrian Ainsworth - Dec. 2013. 

TURMAN, ROBERT - WAY DOWN (LP/BURKA FOR EVERY)

New pressing on the Spanish Burka For Everybody label. Originally released as a small run cassette in 1987, only to fall into tape label obscurity, ROBERT TURMAN's industrial genre-bending masterpiece album 'Way Down' finally has been excavated for a proper vinyl reissue after 23 years in the shadows. This album solidifies Turman as a cut above the rest with respect to his talent and his natural ear for experimental composition. Turman first came onto the industrial scene in the late '70s as the ominous "other half" of legendary noise outfit NON, alongside BOYD RICE, together releasing the now classic first NON single, 'Mode of Infection' b/w 'Knife Ladder' 7-inch in 1977. After parting ways, Turman went on an excursion of self-released cassettes to which he fused every possible influence at his disposal, culling together past habits of experimental know-how and going forward into uncharted terrain. This vinyl reissue of 'Way Down' serves as the blueprint of what Turman sought to render as a very accessible minimal synth/industrial album, yet keeping it just obtuse enough to make it one of the most brilliant and engaging albums to be ushered into the canon of '80s experimental culture.  

Listen to 'Mind the Gap' HERE.

INDUSTRIAL/DARK AMBIENT

THO-SO-AA - LPZG/BLGM LIVE (LP/TESCO)

A limited edition of 300 LP's by THO-SO-AA entitled 'LPGZ/BLGM', featuring two performances; one that took place in Leipzig and the other in Belgium. Stunning dark ambience! 

Watch the official teaser video for 'LPZG/BLGM' HERE.

Y - THE DANCE OF THE ILLUSION (LP/BURKA FOR EVERY)

"Ypsilon's four new tracks feature an even more polished out-of-this-world cold wave sound. A sound that veers towards minimal, post-punk structures, while retaining some of Suicide's urban angst. Longer songs, symmetric and expansive melodies coupled with a more refined result, production-wise. They still hold on to the same referents: Cabaret Voltaire, Snowy Red, Psychic Youth, the first Leather Nun, the Human League from the Fast Product releases, League of Nations, etc. However, 'Awake', 'Illusion', 'The End' and 'The Age Of Light' tinge those influences with Kepler's discourse devoured by the wolf god Fenrir in a Saturnalia festival." ~Elvis Von Doom. 

Listen to 'The Dance Of The Illusion' HERE.

DEADWOOD - SHEOLIC (CD/COLD SPRING)

The desolate new album from Sweden's Deadwood. Recorded 2009-2011, 'Sheolic' mixes dark ambient with black industrial and power electronics, making this the bleakest Deadwood album to date. Cold, distorted waves of nefarious electronics, putrescent vocals and dense, heavy rhythms take you to a new sub-level of despair that delivers on many plains of consciousness. Influenced by the downfall of mankind and the men and women that willingly embrace it; from religious cults to those who choose to act on their own. This is the final part of the Deadwood trilogy for Cold Spring - beginning with '8 19' in 2005, continuing with 'Ramblack' in 2008, and finishing with 'Sheolic' in 2014. Cover art by Laetitia Mantis.

Listen to 'Compound 4080' HERE.

MESEKTET - TOWARDS A BLEAK SUN (CD/COLD SPRING)

Ancient Egypt inspired, monolithic drone/dark ambient. Mesektet created rumbling earth drones that echo through caverns and temples. Vast swathes of ominous drones, primordial vibrations, and ceremonial ambience take you on an immersive journey to the Netherworld. The name Mesektet comes from one of the two boats which the Egyptian solar deity Ra travelled in: Mandjet was his morning boat, and Mesektet the evening boat. Ra used Mesektet as a boat to travel back to the Netherworld from a long day of shining. The deitys travels were an inspiration for the essence and rich sound of 'Towards A Bleak Sun'. Six lengthy tracks (46 minutes) composed as a soundtrack for the deep pyramids and long travels to the Netherworld.

Listen to 'Hollow Monoliths' HERE.

POST SCRIPTVM - BENOMMENHEIT (CD/TESCO)

Post Scriptvm is a New York-based Russian band that operates on the fringes of the original industrial, experimental, ambient and power electronics genres. The project's sound is repeatedly referenced as some of the darkest and most cinematic music in these fields. Their fifth full-length album is a heavy entanglement of morbid, rough-edged analogue industrial structures, warped samples, and eerie, hypnotizing ambient, submerged in otherworldly, mystical atmospheres. 

Watch the official trailer for 'Benommenheit' HERE.

THO-SO-AA - SLEEPING EXPLORER (2CD) (CD/TESCO)

This album contains 11 absorbing tracks and has a total playtime of 111 min. 'Sleeping Explorer' is your ultimate companion for your dark journey to self-awareness and builds with unique soundscapes a very special atmosphere. This atmosphere is going to be completely destroyed by powerful drones and terrifying baselines preparing you for exploring your darkest thoughts. Because there, and only there, you will find totally silence and this is the beginning of something new. Carousel Begins. Lutz Rach is well known in creating dark soundscapes since 1995. In 2007 THO-SO-AA began his powerful partnership with Tesco.

Watch the official trailer for 'Sleeping Explorer' HERE.

SHOWS

Vidunder (Crusher)

March 7 - Willemeen, Arnhem (NL)

March 8 - Elektra, Sliedrecht (NL)

March 9 - TBA, Helmond (NL)

Eläkeläiset (Nordic Notes)

April 8 - Patronaat, Haarlem (NL)

Roadburn Festival

April 10 - 13 - 013, Tilburg (NL): Sula Bassana (Sulatron), Papir & Electric Moon (Sulatron), Circle (Full Contact), Cult Of Dom Keller (Cardinal Fuzz)

Crabstock - Fruits de Mer Records' Festival of Psychedelia

April 26 - The Castle Cafe Cellar Bar, Cardigan (UK): SendelicaEarthling SocietyCrystal JacquelineJames McKeownJack Ellister

 

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