23 Apr 09
- Vinyl, CD
Bruce Lamont/Right-Eye Rita/Mark Solotroff CD $10(USA)/$12(Canada+Mexico)/$14(World)"This mini-album is the debut release by the trio of Bruce Lamont, Right-Eye Rita, and Mark Solotroff, and it consists of a single 19-minute live recording from September 14, 2008, from a performance at Chicago's AV-aerie. Taking full advantage of the cavernous music and art space, the trio unleashed -- for the first time in front of an audience -- their distinctive tri-vocal approach, utilizing both treated and pure voice. The combination of styles included Lamont's looped deep chants, Right-Eye Rita's spellbinding electrified wails, and Solotroff's feedback-laced drones. Bruce Lamont is best known for his band Yakuza, one of the metal world's truly avant-garde and forward-thinking groups. Lamont also performs solo and with a diverse selection of experimental and improvising musicians. Right-Eye Rita is a Chicago musician and artist who performs solo and with a variety of kindred spirits. The magazine STOPSMILING described her performances as being “like Lydia Lunch drenched in absinthe." Mark Solotroff is a Chicago musician and artist known for his bands BLOODYMINDED, The Fortieth Day, Intrinsic Action, etc. Solotroff has a particular obsession with high-pitched feedback, which he actually managed to temper a bit during the performance on this CD. This release is recommended for fans of experimental vocal work, true original industrial music, dark rituals, and artists such as Diamanda Galas, Abruptum, and the earliest moments of Current 93 and Coil. Professionally duplicated CD, single panel, double-sided insert; beautiful color artwork created by Right-Eye Rita; in jewel box with shrinkwrap; Released on April 18, 2009, for Record Store Day, to coincide with a live performance at the downtown Chicago Reckless Records store."
Twodeadsluts Onegoodfuck - 'Champagne and Biological Women' 7"
"Pressed in a numbered edition of 200 copies; Black vinyl; Silver labels with black text; Pro-printed, color, fold-over sleeves; 45 RPM; Initially another victim of the recent colored vinyl drought that cut short the private series, I am pleased to finally announce the new single from Twodeadsluts Onegoodfuck. Throughout the 2000s, this Boston band (Shane Broderick, Ted Sweeney, and Joshua Hydeman [now of Portland, OR]) has been evolving through the worlds of grindcore, violent power-electronics, and confrontational performance art. I was handed a copy of their "P.T. Barnum's Gallery Of Masturbatorial Disenchantment" CD at No Fun Fest, a few years ago, and after I listened to it, I pretty much knew that TDS OGF and BLOODYMINDED had an enigmatic connection that was worth pursuing, even if I was rather thrown off the scent by their particular brand of humor -- which prevails to this day, as evidenced by the cringeworthy title of the fourth track on this single. An October 2007 Chicago show totally sealed the deal for me. Not since Slogun had I witnessed such a believably violent outburst from a power-electronics group. And TDS OGF had the sound to back up their attitude. The tsunami that rushed out of the massive Suffering Bastard PA that night was every bit as potent as their stage presence. At that point, I knew that a BloodLust! release had to happen. Finally, In March 2008, BLOODYMINDED went to Boston to play the TDS OGF-curated Northeast Regional Noise and Power Electronics Festival (they do like their wordy titles, don't they?), and the necessary bonding was completed. Take that how you will. Band member Ted Sweeney created the two amazing collages that grace the front and back covers, and similar to their excellent 12-inch on Apop Records, this single was mastered by James Plotkin (of Khanate, Khylst, OLD, etc.) for maximum sonic potency. I had no doubt in my mind that they would deliver a concise and ferocious monster. Here it is..."
WEBSITE
permalink
22 Apr 09
- Vinyl, CD
AVARUS - 'IV' LP $20
"All-new exclusive Avarus! Fourth Secret Eye full-length and tenth release overall from this incredible Finnish band that pretty much defines modern psychedelic kraut improv. Primitive, primal and tribal, desolate and mournful, dreamy and pastoral, motorik and hypnotic. Buzzing, clattery, droning, stumbling Krautrock flecked with shimmering free-noise, avant ambience, delicate folk fuckery, and chaotic caveman psychedelic space rock. 160 gram virgin vinyl, pressed in Czech Republic, direct metal mastering, full-color labels and jackets, limited to 200 copies in the USA. Avarus IV starts where the Rasvaaja [Secret Eye AB-OC-35] LP ended. The IV, too, consists of Tomas Regan's careful high-quality recordings. On the IV Avarus makes and even longer dive in the warm and clear pond, into which the water is poured from both kraut and space rock, and from micro music and slapstick. The recording was made after the US tour, which guarantees the firm harmony satisfying the most demanding listeners. The delicate talent and the hilarious team spirit guarantee a recordful of heart-warming harmonies and surprising turns delighting an unprejudiced mind. The wondrous adult rock of Avarus is born from an uncompromising love for music. The finished recording deserved a fantastic cover, too. This in mind, the graphic visionaries Amanda Vähämäki and Pauliina Mäkelä spent their summer holidays swimming, drinking beer, and drawing their kaleidoscopic Davy Crockett epos inspired by music." 
KEMIALLISET YSTÄVÄT - 'Harmaa Laguuni' CD $12
"New KYY featuring performances from quite a few of our favorite Finnish noisemakers, including members of Avarus, Kiila and Es. Also - Tom + Christina of Charlambidies guest! All exclusive tracks, this was released for Kemialliset Ystävät's Summer 2008 USA tour. LIMITED tour-only release...and NOT available in stores! Sweet full-color psychofinnadelic images inside and out. "HARMAA LAGUUNI is psych free-folk composed inside an iron-lung OR scandinavian bare-bones communal folk enhanced with exoskeleton."
WEBSITE
21 Apr 09
- CDr
ARBOR89 KEITH FULLERTON WHITMAN - 'DREAM HOUSE VARIATIONS' C44+C40+C36+C32 $20"Keith Fullerton Whitman’s first release in over two years manifests itself in an inspired take on aural perception. “Dream House Variations” is a meditative experience, comprised of four cassettes intended for simultaneous listening. The variations themselves are reworkings of two endless loop cassettes through Doepfer Analog Modular Systems; KFW exacts his technical mastery through dense filtering, panning, and modulation of the source. The octophonic nature of the set creates an infinite amount of listening experiences, not only due to the syncing of the tapes, but also placement within a room and the equipment used for playback. The music becomes a part of the room much like the quadraphonic intentions outlined in Eno’s “Ambient” series. Each experience creates new instances of counterpoint, melding tonality, and individual senses of perception eliciting the source of the variation: mind or machine?" In an edition of 150 four tape sets in oversized vinyl cases with full color cardstock covers, silver cardstock inserts, and printed labels.
ARBOR92 BODY MORPH - 'NEGATIVE FACE' C30 $6
"Dan Dlugosielski (of Uneven Universe, Mossy Throats, etc) has kept his Body Morph project relatively wrapped up until recently with only a few limited releases on his own Excitebike as well as stellar appearances American Tapes and Gods of Tundra. Body Morph finds Dan at his simplest; a minimal take on strange-fidelity. Smooth saxophone waves wash over a dense bed of electronic warmth, mirroring the ambience of the ocean. Sonic contortions from a willing pallet; a fresh sense of control." In an edition of 100 tapes with textured cardstock covers and printed labels.
ARBOR108 RAGLANI - 'CLASSICALLY SPRAINED' C30 $6
"Joe Raglani has been creating music in St. Louis for years, with one of the keenest ears for space and form as well as a deep dedication to detail. His organic arrangements evoke the sort of feeling that any great work does, allowing a glimpse into the artist’s inspiration at the time of creation. “Classically Sprained” is no exception; worked and reworked from an innumerable amount of sources (modular synth, banjo, horn, voice, piano, and more), every placement is deliberate, nothing feels out of place or excessive. One of Raglani’s most uplifting releases to date; some songs exist on borderline pop territories, while still ripe with a modern take on a Berlin School sense of composition and Eluvium-esque emotive sensibilities. An ineffably great album; together with his recent Kranky record certifying a singular take on music-making; contemporary bedroom composition of the finest quality." In an edition of 150 tapes with full color cardstock covers and printed labels.
ARBOR117 EXERCISE - 'FIELD OF DREAMS' C30 $6
"Chicago duo Exercise, comprised of Brett Naucke (Faceworker/Catholic Tapes) and Mike Pollard (Treetops/Arbor) find themselves at their most focused yet. Dual analog synthesizers in perfect harmony evoke a filmic sense of stasis; light and airy textures existing with an acute sense of high-mid range concentration. Soft pleasure and light contemplation; recorded in the middle of Chicago winter where the grey skies are as bright and glaring as the sun on a clear day." In an edition of 100 tapes with full color cardstock covers and printed labels.
ARBOR118 TRAUMA - 'CALMING EFFECTS OF THE OCEAN VOL. 3' C30 $6
"The third chapter of Trauma’s six part series (other volumes on Fag Tapes, Excite Bike, Tapeworm Tapes, Holy Cheever Church, and American Tapes) finds the Detroit duo of percussionist Ben Hall and guitarist Chris Riggs adrift in texture. Neither’s role can be distinguished; a seriously strange and pure approach. Percussive guitar and melodic drums intertwine denying all points of departure. The piece constantly advances incessantly in a blur of energy; almost non-human: like a field recording of playerless instruments outside during a rainstorm." In an edition of 100 tapes with full color cardstock covers and printed labels.
WEBSITE
20 Apr 09
- Cassette, CDr
throuRoof — 'Throught the Book of Lambspring' 3"CDr (Stunned no. 32) $6
"From vial to vial pass the sonic fluids necessary to produce throuRoof’s second chapter here in his Sacred Art of Alchemy series, which began with 2008’s much-discussed ‘Emerald Tablet of Hermes’ on Housecraft, and is set to conclude in its third & final part later this year on Thors’ Rubber Hammer. Like an ancient alchemist, throuRoof’s Antonio Gallucci synthesizes mantric sound effects with metaphysical drones, marking combinations once thought impossible. As second parts go, ‘Throught the Book of Lambspring’ is where the action settles in enough for the series’ bigger themes to emerge. Mysterious consequences take hold with this brazen elixir-brewing; before one knows it, all is a stew of indiscernible tones, guitar plucks, and haunted hums. As the piece closes on high notes of a bloomed confusion, we’re left hanging but not dissatisfied – the storyteller having led us to a most strange crest of the narrative." Limited edition of 80 hand numbered & painted 3” cdrs in case w/ double-sided color insert card.Kabyzdoh Obtruhamchi — 'Estcho' 2xCDr (Stunned no. 33) $9
"When Kabyzdoh Obtruhamchi’s self-titled c50 debuted late last year (Stunned no. 18), it sent a jolt through those of us who might have been unaware Russia had such a tempest brewing in its belly. Like some hyper-elastic one man jam-band oblivious to anything but perpetual motion, his sound simply shredded. And now after mere months, Sergey Kozlov is back to kick our butts permanently into the future. The trouble is doubled and so are the discs on this one-two ‘K.O.’ punch. As this is some of the most untethered sound being spun on either of the globe’s hemispheres right now, it goes without saying that ‘Estcho’ is a soundtrack of the yet-to-be. Like dropping by the year 4000 when a race of tattooed cyborgs throb in dionysian telepathy under guitar-guided biochemical tent party beats. Raveup til’ sundown and back again. Who knows where this celebration/liberation will take us?" Hand numbered edition of 100 painted x2 cdr sets in oversized case w/ full color art."Sean McCann — 'Frame of Mind' C38 (Stunned no. 34) $7
"Sean McCann hardly needs introduction around here after having delivered his breathtaking album ‘Sway’ on Stunned in summer ‘08. One might initially assume ‘Frame of Mind’ to be a simple continuation of last year’s highwater mark. But mere seconds into this c38, we’re affirmed that these freshest of Sean’s crops are in the grip of a holy orbit unconcerned with what has come before. This is his transition from occupying a seat in the symphony to tapping the conductor’s wand at the podium. Opening night’s hush and poise is palpable as the framework’s magnitude is unfurled against a hazed rainbow canopy. Then, the presentation of some massive whirling chrysanthemum emitting gold-flecked clouds of brass vibrato, chamber orchestra drone, bowed strings, and vast fields of guitar & synth sun worship. Every time Sean dips his ladle into the pool of higher soundstates we pay attention. On ‘Frame of Mind’ he seems to have dropped in the deepest bucket he could find. Let’s drink up." Hand numbered edition of 120 pro-dubbed & imprinted c38 tapes in melon shells with double-sided color jcard.Nodolby C32 (Stunned no. 35) $7
"Nodolby is one of the few acts of recent times that can still give us a remarkable thrill, harkening back to days earlier in this decade when ‘noise’ meant the gloves coming off and all you could do was brace yourself for the impending shockwaves. Dokuro Records boss Mic Scariot has been refining his Nodolby circuits to the side of his long-running group Ent, and lately this solo show seems to be surging ahead with an unexpected bumper harvest of psychoactive sizzlers. The untitled c32 proudly presented here has been marinated in acid rain and tastes nasty when it wants to be. But at moments it pauses its wild sensory-max'd climbing entirely to siphon streams of irradiated drone glory into our midst. Of all Nodolby’s output we’ve heard, this cassette shows a particular devotion to the neon awe that accompanies a mind existing fully outside of time, surging where it wills at the speed of sound. A thrill indeed." Hand numbered edition of 100 pro-dubbed & imprinted c32 tapes in light blue shells w/ double-sided color jcard.M. Geddes Gengras — 'Smoke Blower' C44 (Stunned no. 36) $7
"SIDE A: The come-up. A flick too many of the bic lighter perhaps, and then it’s a red-eyed night prowling the east side of town in pursuit of a burrito and more ganja. Or maybe a ganja-burrito? Someone should invent that so we could eat it. Rounding the corner now and –oh crap– it’s the cops. Sirens, dogs barking, the choppers start following, dropped the burrito back there somewhere (yet to score any ganj…). And suddenly a snap-to after 22 minutes of this modular synth-sourced hallucination, and the realization that we’ve been listening to ‘Smoke Blower’ by M. Geddes Gengras. Yes, L.A.’s own Renaissance Man: part Antique Brothers guitar wiz, part Green Machines uberstudio founder, part drummer for the mighty Robedoor, etc. Ged’s rap sheet goes on and on. It’s starting to make sense now. Or is it? SIDE B: re-ignite. You thought shit was crazy back there? Goodness gracious, son. Until we’ve actually stood under a dozen hydrogen blimps erupting in unified concert, this is the closest document on our hands approaching such levels of up-your-guts bass frequency experience. Fried, fried, fried. A psychic plunge upward, only to watch as a scythe the size of Florida rakes down the redwood forests. Tree trunks and rattlesnake ribcages all eventually clipped and neatly bundled with patch cord, piled miles upon miles high... 'ew' & 'whew'." Hand numbered edition of 100 pro-dubbed & imprinted c44 tapes in clear shells with green foil liner w/ double-sided color jcard.WEBSITE
18 Apr 09
- Vinyl, Cassette
ANNI ROSSI & WHITMAN 10" (with MP3 download card) $11(USA)/$20(WORLD)
"This record is a collaboration between Anni Rossi and Whitman that was recorded back in 2004 in small rooms in both Riverside and Valencia, California on a cassette four-track and until now has only been released as a very limited cd-r. This is a collection of seven songs that were written together by both artists; both lyrically and musically. However, it may not be what you'd expect to come from these two artists, as this record stands on it's own and sounds very different from the previous work of either artist. The songs range anywhere from mellow ballads lead by guitar, viola and even piano, to upbeat chants driven by junkyard percussion. This is a limited pressing of 500 records, 350 of which are on black vinyl, and the 150 on burgundy vinyl. They come housed in white record sleeves with beautiful artwork by Kristina Collantes hand screened in burgundy ink."NICOLE KIDMAN S/T cassette $6(USA)/$8(WORLD)
"This cassette is probably one of the finest things we've released to date. Picture this, a young man standing behind his Casio keyboard, his face covered with an elephant mask constructed out of cardboard and duck tape. His hands are shaking as he starts to play a simply melody, you start to nod your head a little and then a beat drops accompanied by a shaky voice and you're whole body becomes covered in goose bumps. His songs are nostalgic, sad, and brutally straight from the heart. It’s like being 16 again and sitting in your room listening to cassettes after you got sent away from the dinner tape. The songs cover the age old topics of life, love, and depression in a way that hits incredibly close to home. This is a collection of 9 brilliantly constructed pop songs that will stay stuck in your head for days. Come on blue foil cassette packaged in a three color, neon fur, silkscreened cassette box and a full color insert."WEBSITE
17 Apr 09
- Vinyl
LUCKY DRAGONS - 'Vrais Noms/True names' 7"(+ free mp3s)
"9 tracks/silkscreened artwork on recycled paper"
HERE
17 Apr 09
- Vinyl, Cassette
TAIGA REMAINS/RV PAINTINGS split LP £12.5(UK)/£13(EU)/£14(World)"Two of America's finest drone acts come together for this split LP. Taiga Remains is Student of Decay's master mind Alex Cobb project, if you ain't picked up his new disc on Digitalis 'Wax Canopy' yet, go get it, it is one of the best drone releases I have heard in a long time! The 15 minute track on this is new split LP is entitled 'Mengku From Mengsa'. Opening with far off chimes upon chimes, this leads to pure bliss dream zones, rather than the more intense material on the aforementioned Wax Canopy. This is a fantastic piece of drone work, layered to create some beautiful zoning out in the mind. RV Paintings is the project of Brian Pyle of the almighty psychedelia legends Starving Weirdos, along with his brother Jon Pyle, and Spencer Doran, who also plays under the name of Cloaks. This is an amazing track, kinda darker and bleaker than the Weirdos vibe, with some totally awesome free percussion playing central to the piece, this is hard to top in the drone game. A totally solid slab of sound from both acts. Limited to 400 copies."
BONG/QUTTINIRPAAQ split LP £12.5(UK)/£13(EU)/£14(World)
"Bong are Newcastle's finest doom stoner band, as you'd expect you got distant vocals, totally wild psych guitar, heavy solid drums, but the thing with Bong that gives them a totally different vibe from all the weak band is they got a damn sitar in there, and it sounds so damn killer. On the flip we got a slice of Quttinirpaaq, we released a CDR by this dude last year to some damn good reviews, its hard to understand how so few people know this dude. It's basically the one man band of Texan Matt Turner who definitely doesn't bust out the Texas blues or country styles... this isn't no straight up doom though, opening with totally weirdo keys and feedback, with what sounds like some droning vocals and bizarre clicks, this is pretty out there. That is until three minutes in when Matt plugs in and then trashes a drum kit, whilst all this other crazy shit is going on. This is a fucking killer act, as far as I am concerned this is genius, not like any other drone doom vibes going on out there right now. Limited to 300 copies."
MECHANICAL CHILDREN - 'I Rise To Cover All' LP £12.5(UK)/£13(EU)/£14(World)
"Debut vinyl release from this new duo that makes up two thirds of Jazzfinger (Ben Jones and Sarah Sullivan). Based around the idea of used broken keyboards, Ben and Sarah make some totally fucked and pretty heavy noise jams, there's some searing moments in this beast, particularly across the two part 'Burning of the Light Fields' which spans all side A, and most of side B... the closer is 'Planatary Wasp', which pretty much would be what Jeff Goldblum would have sounded like if he'd turned into some kind of rancid badass wasp instead of that pussy fly! Turn it up and get ready for your neighbors to come knocking with an ASBO for ya. Limited to 300."
PEWTR - 'Whichever Was' cassette £5.75(UK)/£6.25(EU)/£6.75(World)
"Pretty psyched to be releasing this beauty from long time friend of mine Ron Schneiderman, I think Ron was the first person I ever bought stuff from for the Blackest Rainbow distro years back in Nottingham... Ron is the man behind Spirit of Orr, as well as being a member of Sunburned Hand of the Man... busy guy to say the least! Here you have some awesome solo outing of post Loren Connors / Sandy Bull styling, with a blend of pure outsider blues, americana and psychedelia. Limited to 100 copies."
SPOILS AND RELICS - 'Alabaster Silk' cassette £5.75(UK)/£6.25(EU)/£6.75(World)
"Spoils and Relics 'Alabastor Silk' is a threes up (Kieron Piercy, Gary Myles and Johnny Scarr [occasional Fossil member]) improvisation on found objects, tapes and electronics - recorded in in a red lit Leeds basement, and then pieced together in Mantile studio, Nottingham. This release focuses on a reinvention of found artifacts, applied as tools to further explorations of prehistoric futures present. Limited to 60 copies. 'Alabaster silt - The reinvention of found artifacts are pieced together to form tools which enable a dig to the earth's inner crust to further explorations into prehistoric future. below the cavernous murk dwell bubbling furuncle streams in which manged carniverous matter bathe. Above the swelling, many mechanical wings gather creaking as they swoop in on the feeding, picking off the sores and gliding into the fog leaving only lose screws behind.. evidence is gathered and filtered through the silt parts of the beak are recovered strange resin is collected from the wreckage..'"
GORMAN - 'The Railroad Earth' cassette £5.75(UK)/£6.25(EU)/£6.75(World)
"J-Bone of Cabin Floor Esoterica busts some serious stark and dark, slow moving drones, that gives the feeling that you're about to reach some kinda of joy, but the creeps just keep creeping in, and the lightness continues to move into darkness. Limited to 60."
ELECTRIC OMEN - 'Abandon All Hope' cassette £5.75(UK)/£6.25(EU)/£6.75(World)
"Electric Omen is possibly some of my favorite work of Sindre Bjerga, rumbling darkness, like an earthquake at night, this is unexpected and terrifying. Bleak black and white covers. Limited to 60."
WEBSITE
16 Apr 09
- Cassette
BT018 - Grasshopper - 'Kindertotenlieder' C22 $6
"Highlighting some of the more abrasive tones of the NYC trumpet duo, Kindertotenlieder acts as a conduit between earlier brass psychedelic zoners and their more recent live orchestral assaults. Super metal lettering by Cherlyn Russo. Printed on vellum. Ltd. 50" TRY
BT017 - Fluorescent Vibes - 'The Weight of the Clouds' C30 $6
"Materializing as naturally as condensation on the side of a glass, this Ridgewood trio (now duo) compromised of members of Arcanode and Miami Beach approach near-weightlessness with this aptly titled magnetic offering. Never has a title so much so represented the vision and execution of a tape more unequivocally. Artwork by Tiana Femano, Ashley Purciello, and Diana Hutyk from the book “weep music + tainted love”. Ltd. 60" TRY
BT016 - Fossils - 'Magnetic Minds' C30 (vol. 1) $6
"The highly speculated missing piece of the puzzle that alongside volumes 2 (Myiasis) and 3 (MJC) constitute an unfiltered trilogy of Payne and co. (here alongside Daniel Farr of The Living Stump) at their finest, laid direct to tape, during the dominant months of winter, as only Fossils can. Ltd. 40." TRY
BT015 - Pork Lion - 'Contact High' C26 $6
"A piece for 4 guitars, more reminiscent of a quartet of chainsaws cutting through the cement foundation of an abandoned factory with overtones floating down empty hallways and stagnant stairwells while the grinding of the remodeling below rumbles through the night. On the flip, another work for multiple guitars, the quartet seemingly hit a watermain, flooding the basement gradually, while both machinery and bodies float lifeless, suspended in the murky mixture as exposed electrical wires sputter out until consumed as well. Ltd. 24"
Recession special: All 4 new guys + random of my choice: $20ppd
WEBSITE
16 Apr 09
- Cassette
HR88 Super Minerals - 'The Gooh' C40 $6/$7/$8"Recorded at an altitude of infinity, these two west-coast giants have touched the dazzling pinnacle and continue to send back bombs of transformative ether for fertile minds. There's a perpetual unfolding motion with this project that sucked me in from the first time I'd heard 'The Thaw' (released twice now by NNF). Here, that dynamic is ever-more-refined and, again, totally magical. However if your eyes begin to foam violet, you may have had too much of the Gooh." edition of 100.
HR89 Hairmaiden of the Totem Robe - 'Breaking the Head' C38 + C62 $10/$11/$13
"100 minutes of it from Gainesville's own shadow-wrangler duo; some live, some not, forever-headed nowhere--ranging from a high-ph front-yard improvisation on 3rd Ave under rain for a variety of outspoken passersby in December 2007 to a July 4th sub-conscious crawl at the 612 to the final private outpouring epic at the LiteHouse in March 2009. Holographic camels walk on water into a cloud of mycelium hum, om, um etc..." edition of 40.
HR90 Isaac Willow - 'Sanctimonious Rhythm and Rouge' C30 $6/$7/$8
"A viola and its player are thrown into the trees when Horsehair goes to dust. Carl Frant breaks the reed with breath alone and spontaneously vanishes in a curious shadowy rift, Stan Lenthouse lends his woven sword and accidentally falls on it (red everywhere), and Malleable Leroy Jax is brooding still, bringing down the entire mountainside with some serious junk-pulse hyper-vibrational ferocity. In the end, everyone lies buried in splintered wood and shattered granite, smoldering at the feet of one Isaac Willow. Fusions of deities, come and gone, burn the day away, traversing earthly atmosphere in opacity; because friends that smoke together, stay together."
edition of 40.
WEBSITE
15 Apr 09
- Vinyl
Steve Gunn/Shawn McMillen - 'End of the City' LP (ABD001) $12 (free shipping + free Electric Annihilation Zine)
"This record showcases two very talented musicians in their prime. Steve's side clearly displays his guitar wizardry, while remaining honest and heartfelt. After several years with GHQ, Steve has sharpened his skills and it really shows. If you've had the pleasure of seeing him perform live, you know exactly what I mean. Shawn's recent collaborations with Warmer Milks seep through on his side of the album. Bleaker and darker than Steve's side, Shawn tells his tale through guitar, piano, synth and tape manipulation. It's completely engrossing. With it's many crooked bends and turns, it will lead you to a sort of discomforting fulfillment that gets more intense with each listen. Co-released with DNT and Abandon Ship" HERE15 Apr 09
- Vinyl, Cassette
DNT051 - Sean McCann - 'Phylum Sigh' cassette $6(US/Canada)/$12(International)"Time to dust off that bong you have stored on the top shelf for special times..or whatever. Here's the debut full-length cassette by Sean McCann from San Francisco-by-way-of-Goleta. Meticulously recorded through out 2008, this album was crafted to numb minds and spin souls through use of euphoric strings and bending keyboard plains. Sean's most focused work to date. Hands down his best release yet, and that's saying a lot! Edition of 150 pro-dubbed baby blue cassettes in a plastic case with full-color wrap-around artwork. Look for SM's first LP on DNT later this year."
DNT050 - "Psyched Punch" 2xC60 $8.5(US/Canada)/$14(World)
"Has it really been three years now? Are you suuuure? And this the fiftieth release? Since many people are late to the game, we're doing this right. The first three sides of this release collect bits and pieces of some long out of print DNT releases. Missed the first DNT release? Well now you can hear Robedoor, Forbici, and others. Fell asleep the week the Warmth/Yellow Swans 7" came out? No problem! Also included are Mudboy, Nomen Dubium, Acre, Dead/Bird, German, Jazzfinger and Quilts. The fourth side is new music by the likes of Blank Realm, Super Minerals, Plankton Wat and Birdcatcher. Hand-numbered edition of 100 with full-color artwork By Dewey Mahood. Pro-dubbed C60s with sparkly glitter art."DNT046 - Steve Gunn/Shawn Mcmillen - 'End of the City' split LP $12(US/Canada)
"This record showcases two very talented musicians in their prime. Steve's side clearly displays his guitar wizardry, while remaining honest and heartfelt. After several years with GHQ, Steve has sharpened his skills and it really shows. If you've had the pleasure of seeing him perform live, you know exactly what I mean. Shawn's recent collaborations with Warmer Milks seep through on his side of the album. Bleaker and darker than Steve's side, Shawn tells his tale through guitar, piano, synth and tape manipulation. It's completely engrossing. With it's many crooked bends and turns, it will lead you to a sort of discomforting fulfillment that gets more intense with each listen. Edition of 500 on black vinyl in a pro-printed jacket with full color artwork by Mary Kidd. Co-released with Abandon Ship & Abaddon."WEBSITE
14 Apr 09
- CD
K*CD004 ALAK - '"Clarinettis Qoonotations: Too Many Notes." fucking preternatural and the golden weave of g-nashing teeth' CD £7(worldwide)
"Clarinettis Qoonotations: Too Many Notes." fucking preternatural and the golden weave of g-nashing teeth, is the long awaited new full-length release from California-based musician Jocelyn Noir's ALAK (formerly Alas, alak, Alaska!). Noir's album is permeated by a strange Gothic air. A heavy, hanging dark smoke that twists and turns itself into animated baroque swirls, occasionally clearing to reveal a blindingly clear light. This is a special record. Available on limited edition Compact Disc, deluxe-packaged in a 7" sleeve with a foldout poster, reproduction etching & Tyvek CD envelope or as a name-your-price download. HEREK*CD002 Champagne Diamond/The Brilliant Light 2xCD £7(worldwide)
"Delicate and lovingly produced double CD album by Nina Canell & Robin Watkins under Champagne Diamond/The Brilliant Light. Bittersweet boy-girl vocals interweave with found sounds, minimal guitar lines and numerous bit of exotic instrumentation. The reverse of the release sports a list of soundmaking devices that reads like the components for some kind of incantory ritual; Marsona Sleep Machine, Chinese Hand Drum, BKC bicycle, water.... Well, the spell seems to have worked, leaving traces of strange magic all over this intimate and singular release. Available as a limited edition double Compact Disc set, deluxe-packaged in a 7" sleeve with a foldout poster & Tyvek CD envelopes. SAMPLEWEBSITE
14 Apr 09
- CDr
SAB013 ANAON - 'An harar hag ar stered' 3"CDr 5€limited to 87 (29x3) "Early recordings by Sorc’henn, Ronan Le Deroff and Pierre Durand. The ancestral trio tells and lives its country, Brittany. With myths and legends from the mists of time, Anaon pulls us to our celtic roots. The breton language (Brezhoneg) is among the most beautiful, but also among the most disturbing. Inflexible, pessimistic but fascinating. Recorded at Black Legions studio in age-old times by Wladd & Vorlock Drakkstein (Vlad Tepes)."
SAB014 HAIL - 'Crimson Madrigal' CDr 6€(domestic)/7€(international)
limited to 93. "Crimson Madrigal was recorded during the Marshal era of Hail, around the turn of the century. The membership included Set Sothis Nox Law (L’Acephale), Markus Wolff (Waldteufel) and Carl Annala (Blasphematherion) “We rehearsed underground in a hole foul with the smell of mold and death. This is where we shaped our anguish into song. Avast! I see a demon ship – the Crimson Madrigal is closing in our ranks! We were lost, adrift in the spiritual wasteland in-between Satanism (Christianity) and Paganism. Essentially we believed that we as artists stand above it all – especially that silly war in heaven conflict. The Hagalaz rune – HAIL – seemed to be the perfect symbol for our feelings towards most of humanity and reluctantly, it is destructive to nature as well. As artists we functioned as black shaman in our society. Our lighthouse was the black hole. And then we devolved…,” Carl Annala. 3 panels artwork , 16 pages booklet included. HERE
SAB015 ECHTRA - 'Burn it all away' CDr 6€(domestic)/7€(international)
first edition limited to 90. "Echtra's "Burn It All Away" is a meditative journey into a structureless world, using the foundational sonics of Black Metal to loosen the hold of civilized consciousness. Eschewing songwriting as entertainment in favor of a monochromatic, trance-inducing march, Echtra hand-drills a spark that will purify both the interior spirals and the chthonic paradisal fields. A friction fire of the Soul, "Burn It All Away" is an opportunity for the reclamation of Truth and a rekindling of the bright flame now dormant in the heart of the People, an invitation to lay waste to the landscapes of despair. Created at the onset of Echtra's life, in the year MMIII, utilized in ritual performance in the wilds of Cascadia that same year, then self-released in an edition of 76 in MMIV, now reborn by Faunasabbatha as dictated by the spirits and for the benefit of all beings. Features one half of FAUNA, the cult Oregon band, (reissued albums on Aurora Borealis)."
SAB016 POLDR - 'Roaming Daylight' 3”CDr 5€
limited to 50. "Cassettes, guitars, collages, found sounds by the French based-berlin artist Benjamin Laurent Aman, member of the Shitty Listener band (Jason Honea of the Child readers) and Crystal Plumage (with Sean F. Barrett) Two intense noise experiments. Drawing equally from a contemporary droned madness and a hypnotizing minimalism. A dense and harrowing musical experience." HERE
SAB017 HUNTING RITUALS - 'Hunting Rituals' CDr 6€(domestic)/7€(international)
limited to 65. "Horn, crap junk and electronics forming a maelstrom of broken bones and barbed wire. Wait until the creeping drone gets louder, to become increasingly distorted until swallowed up into the rising fires of the magical ritual." HERE
SAB018 SADASTOR - 'Herald of Confusion' CDr 6€(domestic)/7€(international)
coreleased with Tavarnkeben records – limited to 93. “Sadastor’s Herald of Confusion is a brilliant release and a radical departure from the Black Metal of its time. Heralding the birth of “Pagan Scarlet Metal”… a hallucinatory journey into blood, spirit, nature, the runes and the god Pan. Released March 1998 it also represents a staggering, landmark predecessor to many currents in today’s extreme metal. Absolutely essential for those who walk the path less traveled.” Set Sothis Nox Law (L’Acephale) the final track “Burned Village” is covered by L’Acephale on its forthcoming album released by Aurora Borealis. Oversized cover, lyrics included, new and exclusive arwork by Belathauzer ." HERE
WEBSITE
13 Apr 09
- CDr
Silas Ciaran - 'Happy Songs for Happy Children' (dosefortyfour) 3"CDr"this could be the strangest small doses release yet. silas ciarán, known for his recordings under the bicycle sighs moniker turns music on its head for this bizarre little connection of songs. One one hand, it actually does sound like children's music at times, but it heads down these strange, surreal paths that confound that leave an creepy aftertaste while simultaneously getting stuck in your head like infectious pop music. the fact that he can do all of this with five songs in twenty minutes blows my mind. edition of 71 copies with inserts." HERE
Koufar - 'Haiawan' (dosefiftyfour) CDr
"intense synth driven power electronics seething with hatred for the hezbollah and all they've done to lebanon. thirty minutes of raw, focused intensity. edition of 66 copies with the aural and visual propaganda sealed in an envelope." HEREScarcity of Moments - 'Lucid Dreaming' (dosefiftyfive) CDr
"excellent ambient work from this new (to me at least) duo. minimal, processed guitar and bass comprise the nearly hour-long disc of meditative soundscapes. edition of 72 copies packaged in three variations. (chosen at random when ordered)" HERE
13 Apr 09
- Cassette
Ajilvsga - 'Little Earth' C20 $8(US)/$9(INTL)Peyote Tapes 01. C20 Pro-dubbed and imprinted Chrome High Bias Type II Tapes "Brighter, shinier, more blissed out - more stars lighting the sky. Named for the toughest Indian encampment in the world. B-side is the A-side in reverse. Think of it as the Earth spinning backwards - because it is. Totally cryptic Pawnee star gazer art." Edition of 100.
Sorc’henn - 'NVIT RAVBE D’OREE' C30 $8(US)/$9(INTL)
Peyote Tapes 02. C30 Pro-dubbed and imprinted Cobalt High Bias 747 Tapes. "Haunted tones and demonic blackened thrash metal buzz. Masked Judas Apache passion play art." Edition of 100.
The North Sea - 'Peyote Forest' $8(US)/$9(INTL)
Peyote Tapes 03. C30 Pro-dubbed and imprinted Cobalt High Bias 747 Tapes. "Resonator, bass and drone vocal float from Brad Rose. Walking through an Indian graveyard at night. Floating in space Delaware grave marker art." Edition of 100.
WEBSITE
11 Apr 09
- CDr, Print
The Odomez Diary Book + CDr 11€(Europe)/13€(World)First book release from the label, and fourth entry in the Odomez Serie, The Odomez Diary gathers the graphics works of Aurélie Brouet and writings of Constantin Dubois about the former Kuhlmann factory in Odomez.n.o.t.#12 is a 60 pages book, with handmade sewn binding. Drawings are printed on a special thick paper, words on recycled paper. It comes with 40mn of field recordings from Odomez, on an included 5"CD-r. The covers have been buried for a week into earth dug out from the former Kuhlmann factory's soil." 30 copies, 60 pages book + CD-r. HERE
11 Apr 09
- CD
Christof Kurzmann/Burkhard Stangl - 'neuschnee' (ErstPop 002)"Burkhard Stangl and Christof Kurzmann began their duo 'schnee' in 1999, finally working together after many years of a non-collaborative friendship. Their first album, released in 2000, combined Stangl's acoustic guitar with Kurzmann's electronic sound manipulation. This was an unusual approach at the time, although it quickly became widely copied and very influential. Since the duo was so well-received, they continued their work, playing concerts throughout Europe, as well as tours in China and Japan. At the same time they began experimenting with another fairly unique approach within this area of music, incorporating song structures and pop vocals into their compositions. These efforts led to the recording of a second album, schneelive, an elongated and meticulously structured version of a Prince song, as performed in the AMPLIFY 2004: addition festival at Ausland in Berlin. While schneelive was a snapshot of their approach on a single night, neuschnee is more complex, recorded on three continents in five countries over four years. Kurzmann has been a prominent part of both the Vienna and the Berlin scenes over the past decade. As an organizer, he cofounded the phonoTAKTIK festival, helped begin the prominent Rhiz club in Vienna, and ran the prestigious Charhizma label. Since moving to Berlin in 2001, he has organized countless shows, including the Berlin half of AMPLIFY 2004: addition. Kurzmann has been an essential part of many Erstwhile-related live events, in Tokyo, Berlin and NYC, and was the first to work at Amann Studios for an Erstwhile release, beginning a crucial relationship for the label. neuschnee is his fifth release for Erstwhile, following a s o (with Ami Yoshida), The Magic ID-till my breath gives out, and the two previous schnee releases. Stangl explores the full range of the guitar, from quiet, melodic plucking to atonal walls of noisy drones. This range and adaptability allowed him to be extremely prolific from 1999-2004, in the collective projects Polwechsel, Efzeg, and SSSD, in duos and trio with Christof Kurzmann and Taku Sugimoto, as well as many others. neuschnee is also his fifth release for Erstwhile, following Wrapped Islands (with Polwechsel and Fennesz), eh (with dieb13), and the two previous schnee releases. Stangl also has a duo album with Kai Fagaschinski in the works for Erstwhile, scheduled for fall 2009 release. These two CDs mark his first new work in some years. The five tracks on neuschnee form an ambitious meta-song suite, with the various lyrics and musical styles combining to create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. The design is again from Berlin designer Marion Gerth, previously responsible for The Magic ID-till my breath gives out on ErstPop. The front cover juxtaposes a satellite picture of snow with the Mao Zedong poem 'Snow', which the musicians discovered in a book bought while on tour in Beijing." HERE
10 Apr 09
- CDr
Music for Dead Birds - 'And then it rained for seven days'"Rusted Rail is proud announce the release of “And then it rained for seven days”, an eight track mini-album by Music for Dead Birds. The west of Ireland duo initially envisioned themselves as a bedroom-recording project yet soon found their way onto a stage and made the acquaintance of Rusted Rail. “And then it rained for seven days” is harvested from an ever increasing sonic stockpile of song encompassing lo-fi bedroom folk, occasional folk-punk flourishes and tentatively upbeat acoustic songwriting. Recorded throughout 07/08 in various sheds, attics and bedrooms in Galway and Mayo, and featuring additional production by Loner Deluxe, their music ranges from intimate late night recordings to more strident and spooked songs emerging from mid-fidelity to display their rough hewn charms and ensure that the spirit of the early 90’s home-tapers is alive and well in the west of Ireland. This 3inch hand-stamped EP/mini-album is housed in a handmade sleeve. The first 50 copies come with an exclusive Music for Dead Birds pinback badge." HERE
9 Apr 09
- Vinyl
Prurient + Wilt - 'Blood of the Lamb' LP $25Front cover art printed in metallic silver ink on heavy white stock. Pressed in an ultra-limited, hand-numbered edition of 100 copies; black vinyl 33 RPM with stamped white labels; silkscreened metallic silver-on-white heavyweight 12" x 24" sleeves, printed inside and out, folded over solid white LP jackets; includes a numbered, silkscreened, folded 10" x 20" poster. "This is the long-planned full-length collaboration between Prurient and Wilt, and it follows their criminally short 2007 cassette, "Bottomfeeding Whore" (Turgid Animal). "Blood of the Lamb" represents a perfect blending of the two artists' musical styles, and it is an excellent follow-up to recent Prurient collaborations with Kevin Drumm ("All are Guests in the House of the Lord," 2007, Hospital Productions) and Sutcliffe Jugend ("End of Autumn," 2008, Troubleman Unlimited). This is pure darkness, pure fetish, pure filth..." HERE
9 Apr 09
- CD
LP025 - Gareth Hardwick - 'Aversions' CD £7"'Aversions' is the second full length album by Nottingham based drone musician Gareth Hardwick. The origins of the release occurred when a disastrous hard drive crash caused the loss of an entire album’s worth of new music. Disheartened with the thought of having to start afresh, an alternative form of evaluation was set in motion - a way of taking stock before moving on. For that reason, Hardwick handed over his back catalogue (containing material ranging from split vinyl releases and compilation appearances to limited run cdrs and tapes) to several artists considered close friends and colleagues for them to reinterpret, remix or supplement the original material however they wished. Although many remix projects often fall into the trap of inconsistency, each remix on 'Aversions' manages to perfectly encapsulate the individual approach and musical style of its artist, while also preserving the integrity of Hardwick's original material. The end result is a unique collaborative album, which manages to flourish from the adverse circumstances in which it was born." Cd packaged in a full colour folding card wallet featuring artwork by The Speeding Train. Ltd edition of 500 copies. HERE
8 Apr 09
- Cassette
RzDz 10 POLDR - 'DSM IV Geometry' C40"Slow motions, petrified loops, mirrors constructions, chess obsession and spatial tunes. New tape from Benjamin Laurent Aman (half of french/american Berlin based duo Crystal Plumage), artwork might talk by itself." Limited to 100 copies hand numbered, with printed collage on color paper. HERE
7 Apr 09
- CD
Ami Yoshida/Toshimaru Nakamura - 'Soba To Bara' (Erstwhile 056)"Free improvisation has rarely seen significant new movements as influential as the small group of Tokyo musicians once labeled as onkyo, who have now been a primary driving force in contemporary improvisation for a full decade. Over that decade, these musicians have been responsible for some of the strongest and most radical work on Erstwhile, and Soba To Bara sits firmly in that lineage. Ami Yoshida strives to create a pure sound, abstracting her voice until it becomes almost completely unrecognizable. She created her unique style with no conventional training, initially inspired by Meredith Monk. Cosmos (with Sachiko M) and Astro Twin (with Utah Kawasaki) are her two longest-running projects, and their split release won the 2003 Ars Electronica award. Outside of Japan, Yoshida is solely known for her vocal work, but within Japan, she is a highly regarded writer, poet and comic book critic, with one novel and countless magazine articles to her credit. This is her third release for Erstwhile, following Cosmos-Tears and a s o (with Christof Kurzmann). Toshimaru Nakamura is one of the most distinguished and original voices in the world of electroacoustic improvisation, with a vast body of work built up over the past decade. Since 1998, Nakamura has been exploring the possibilities of his no-input mixing board in contexts ranging from solo to collaborations with Keith Rowe, Sachiko M, Sean Meehan, Klaus Filip, Axel Drner and Annette Krebs. Nakamura was a prominent presence throughout the AMPLIFY 2002 box set, appearing on five of the seven CDs, and has previously released ten other projects on Erstwhile including Good Morning Good Night, ErstLive 005 and 4g-cloud, as well as 2008's well-received One Day, with the duo English. Currently in preparation is an ErstLive release of his duo with Keith Rowe at the AMPLIFY 2008: light festival in Tokyo, as well as an ErstSolo release. Despite knowing each other for over a decade, Yoshida and Nakamura had never performed as a duo when they were asked to make a CD and perform a set in the AMPLIFY 2008 festival. They discussed how best to approach this, and their idea was to record solo tracks separately, overdub them 'blindly' without hearing the other, and then spend time listening to the results before performing the concert. However, they were so satisfied with how powerful and seemingly synchronized the overlapped solos were that they decided that they wanted that to be the release. The traditional Japanese feel of the digipak was created by the very talented Tokyo designer Yasuo Totsuka, built around the kanji characters for 'Soba to Bara'. and the package also contains Japanese-only liner notes by Yoshida and Nakamura." HERE
7 Apr 09
- Vinyl, Cassette
Heat Wilson/Stonedwall Jackson - 'Shamrock' split C21 (FAX#014) $5(US)/$7(INTL)"The clown princes of cut-ups opposite two dudes screwed up on snacks, Brattleboro and Worcester collide and get their freakishly long limbs tangled into one another. Hand-stamped and numbered edition of 100 in recycled cases. Co-released with OSR Tapes."
SAM GAS CAN - 'Aswang' 7" EP (FAX #016) $5(US)/$7(INTL)
"Two songs about disembodied, Vietnamese monsters with a thirst for infants' blood. Black vinyl in an edition of 300 with artwork by Joshua Vrysen, co-released with OZONOKIDS and Feeding Tube Records."SAM GAS CAN - 'Tuxedo Road' C16 (FAX #020) $5(US)/$7(INTL)
"DJ Selector Faux-Pas makes another appearance to remix all things Sailor Moon. Warning: tropical goofballs are in da club. Ltd. edition of 50."
WEBSITE
6 Apr 09
- Cassette, CDr
PHR-59 REVERSE MOUTH - 'Brussels/Tienen' C20 5€(World)"2 live documents recorded to tape from the RM / Blastocyst tour in late 2007. Sweat, feedback, ripped chords + belgian waffle. Raw, just like those good times." Numbered edition of 50. Handmade labels, covers printed on metallic paper.
PHR-60 SLICING GRANDPA - 'Lauxapalooza' CDr 5€(World)
"Early as fuck live recoding from Seattle's most damaged punk squad plus special guests. Delirious drug-grunge, loaded ampism, noise jams without any pearl. Includes the hit-single "Dirty Baby" performed at its sickest."Edition of 80 copies, spray-painted discs housed in 2 different cover versions of recycled paper (brown and light grey - we choose for you!).
PHR-61 PANAGIOTIS SPOULOS - 'Crate Of Bogus Aurora' CDr 5€(World)
"The sound of the void in three songs. Lost recordings from the "Torpor" era clearing the way for the upcoming full-length release." Limited edition of 30 copies.
PHR-62 THE COUNTLET - 'Mesopotamia Blues From The Armless Men' CDr 5€(World)
"Debut offering from 2 nasty boys from Athens. Sounds a bit like a lost Siltbreeze album from the mid 90's. Wrecked amplified drums, trembled-to-moan guitar and effected vox create first-come-none-served songs - tribute to middle eastern thrills + heals. Sonic boom for the religious skull. More shit to follow." Laser print on color paper, stained discs + insert. Limited to 60.
WEBSITE
6 Apr 09
- Cassette
TRAVELS - 'DRIPPING DOWN THE WALLS' C20 $6
"travels is the collaborative efforts of andrew kirschner (relentless corpse) and mike haley (wether). two tracks, assembled through the mail, of gut deep, seeping black waste. dark claws grabbing a hold of your jaw and ripping slowly."
CRYSTAL PLUMAGE - 'SWIFT WRIST/BROKEN HACKSAW' C40 $6
"sprawling eurodrone from the crystal p. duo of benjamin laurent aman and sean fergus barrett. dudes lay down some nightmare thick leeches over the body and party like its 1799, getting all the witchcraft out of ya and sending it into the night. a werid mixture of bliss, misery, and satin oscillation from the sub-sub-basement."
D/A A/D + NODOLBY SPLIT C92 $6
"all aboard cruise on the alien ship for an hour and a half cosmo mind ride. d/a a/d handles the low-end, analog rumble take off while nodolby communicates back to the home planet, full fledged warble style. fly high, get probed, wake up in the woods."
WEBSITE
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