... -- "Hermit (Otshelnik)" -- 3 CD-R -- €10
2008 Valgriind, VG 16
The second work of conceptual project. Analogue Ambient / Noise and throat singing. Fundamental, almost 3-hour work with extensive graphical accompaniment, wrapped with bag's cloth. [label info]
Alondra Satori -- "Los Monstruos De Don Pedro" -- CD -- €9
Extraradio
[mp3]
B-Machina -- "Rotation Zwei" -- CD-R -- €7
2009 Valgriind, VG 23
New album of Austrian project. Professional polygraphy in CD-envelope. Synthesis of acoustic guitar sound and noise background. [label info]
Bass Communion -- "II/III" -- 2 CD -- €15
2008 Beta-lactam Ring Records, mt182, (ltd. 1200)
First edition of 1200 copies packaged in a full color Japanese style gatefold case. Starship trooper, go sailing on by...cuz Bass Communion will squelch you into a throbbing mass of well-armed gristle . “II” and “III” were conceived as separate and autonomous satellites of BC’s galactic empire, but rather reeking of Castor & Pollux, they have been umbilicalled together. “II’s” earliest days go back to the mid to late 90’s, from which it enjoyed a couple of releases through small labels. “II” steps through the door hissing with deep space halitosis. Quietly eclipsed by slow, subtly melodic breaths of solar wind, “II” finds its ellipses crossing long, glowering belts of ambience and majestic rings of thick, bass-heavy electro-pulses. Miniature terrestrials appear as stringed acoustics and other Earth-bound instrumentation peeks up through the crackling electronic mists. Hardly a truer music of the spheres, but then there is still the brother to contend with. “III” began its days at the same time as its kin, originally as leftover pieces, tv music, and failed experiments recorded between 1995-99 from the first 2 BC albums and then briefly released as a made-to-order CDR. “III’s” lustmord for global communication moans out in a series of lonely alien drones. As its orb’s orbitals draw circles near the light-hemorrhaged Cygnus X-1, devastating dub destruction launches this little craft well beyond the infinite, clothed in the flesh of gods. Don’t worry the good ship lands safely, but is, much like the listener, forever altered. [press-release]
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Bogdanov / Potsukailo / Stukalin -- "Slaughter in the Pigeon-Hole" -- CD-R -- €9
2009 self-released, (ltd. 69)
An archive recording from 1997, previously released as limited CDR editions by Black Dead Rabbit label twice - in 1998 and 1999. This is a collaboration between the group Reductio Ad Absurdum with yet unknown Igor Potsukailo (Bardoseneticcube). This compilation is a second part of the collaboration recordings of RAA and Igor made in spring 1997. All material was recorded during 3 or 4 noise sessions in two months. First part of this material was previously released as Genetic Load "Tollenkisten". These recordings were not included in "Tollenkisten" because of somewhat different sound concept which, compared to "Tollenkisten", is more primitive and rough. [from the publisher]
CAST -- "Are Teek L" -- CD -- €10
2005 Peace Technologies, PT 002, (ltd. 500)
Denis Kaznacheev was born in 1983 in Tashtagol, Siberia. He adore music from his early childhood. He began from hip-hop and came to electronic music. His concert program started with idm project CAST when he was 18. In 2003 Denis came to Moscow, where his first album released. [label info]
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Cidron, Juan Manuel -- "...De La Sombra Y De La Espuma..." -- CD -- €9
Del Siglo de Oro
[mp3]
Cidron, Juan Manuel -- "Yaset" -- CD -- €9
Extraradio
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Dasein -- "Vae Victis" -- CD-R -- €6
2009 Valgriind, VG 17, (ltd. 100)
Deep noise ambient, associated with history of world wars. Author's artworks are used in design. [label info]
Dub Constructor -- "Ulitka Zen" -- CD -- €7
2004 Lagunamuch Community, LMC100
The first release of Lagunamuch community was a collection of the best tracks of Dub Constructor. Roots dub, experimental electronic dub, ambient-dub - you find all major dub trends there. Ulitka Zen is an outstanding work of sound engineer and live-sessions master. Anyone who heard this release knows that the Babylon is going to fall. [label info]
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Duval, John -- "Hell's Canyon" -- CD -- €10
2003 Hypnos/Binary, hyby0306
Dweller At The Threshold -- "Ouroborus" -- CD -- €10
2001 Hypnos/Binary, HYBY0101
Ellis, Paul -- "Into The Liquid Unknown" -- CD -- €10
2001 Hypnos/Binary, HYBY0102
eM -- "All The Stars Burning Bright" -- CD -- €10
2001 The Foundry, FOU.13
F.M.S. 41 -- "... past ..." -- CD -- €6
2009 Valgriind, VG 19
Industrial war marches, joined past and future. One of the Ogneslav's projects (N. Novgorod, Russia). Flaming flood of all-destructional energy. Very original recording at nowaday's scene. [label info]
Flue -- "Beyond The Edge Of Nowhere" -- CD -- €10
2007 Diophantine Discs, n = 7, (ltd. 500)
"Beyond the Edge of Nowhere" is Flue's first full-length album, following the trio's debut 7" in 1999 on Obuh. This is a wonderfully atmospheric and experimental recording: the enchanting and mysterious sounds are created largely from guitars, bass, and synth, imparting an extremely unique feel to the work. It is certainly a very active work, with many diverse elements and threads fused and juxtaposed together (often simultaneously) into a cohesive whole, lasting for fifty minutes... Flue consists of three figures from the Bay Area experimental music scene: Mason Jones, Jason Stein, and Chris Miller. Mason is known through his solo work, the classic Trance project, and his Charnel Music label. He has also been a member of many groups, including SubArachnoid Space and Culper Ring. Jason has been a member of SubArachnoid Space and Tekachi, and Chris has also been a member of Tekachi. This album features guest contributions from Geoff Walker (Gravitar)... The CD comes packaged in an elegant blue paper wallet with silver printing. [press-release]
Fulton, Dave / Reaves, Giles -- "The Range" -- CD -- €10
2007 Hypnos/Binary, hyby0707
Gonzales, Martinez -- "Dakstins" -- CD -- €7
2008 Lagunamuch Community, LMC555
Martinez Gonzalez is a multi-instrumental prodigy from Riga, Latvia. Dakstins (roof tiles) is his first solo work. Before this release Gonzalez took part and experimental music and jazz projects. Dakstins consists of pearl playing the strings of a human heart. The music is the basis, the mosaic of pictures from your dreams and fantasies. [label info]
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Grassow, Mathias -- "In Search Of Sanity" -- CD -- €13
1993 NO-CD, CDNO 05
Hag-Hag-Hagal -- "s/t" -- CD -- €9
2008 Valgriind, VG 12
Experimental ambient from little known Russian project. Sometimes noisy, sometimes melodic, but in general sounding like a constant "conscious flow" without interference of rational thought, which resembles Bardoseneticcube. A very good sound quality & nice varied atmosphere. Digipak.
Havoc1986 -- "Anti-Life Wind / Lair Of Macabre" -- CD-R -- €7
2009 Valgriind, VG 24
The first Power Electronix release from Valgriind. 9-tracks storming pressure of discharged nihilism from perspective Kharkiv project. Pulse of the absolute technogenic hate under the dust of organic substance. Envelope from duralumin sheets, bounded with screw. [label info]
Hughes, Jonathan -- "Trillium" -- CD -- €10
2002 The Foundry, FOU.16
In A Nutshell -- "Ultraviolet Test" -- CD -- €7
2005 Lagunamuch Community, LMC400 / KillKenny Rec., kk-001
In a Nutshell plays a melodious post-punk turning to eccentric grunge or unobtrusive ambient. All the members of the band are from Russia. The music of In a Nutshell is full of reflection, slump and November rain. In spite of the sensibility and the co-ordination of the musical stuff they're always looking for new sound and technics. The music has become more rhythmic, but it's still romantic and delicate all the same. Probably in their work musicians affirm the famous Hamlets phrase "O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space". [label info]
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Job Karma -- "Tschernobyl" -- CD -- €11
2007 Ars Benevola Mater, ABM 35, (ltd. 1000)
'kirchenkampf' -- "Babel" -- 2 CD -- €15
2007 Diophantine Discs, n = 8,9, (ltd. 500)
"Babel" follows the recent and well-received albums "Island of the Dead" (on Cohort) and "Transmissions" (which we released last year). It is an extremely dynamic and dense work that could generally be classified as experimental dark ambient. The theme here is the Tower of Babel and each disc takes a somewhat different yet complimentary approach: the first ("Red Babylon") is generally a rather heavy and intense recording, while the second ("Citadel of the Nevermind") is more droney and dream-like. A profound and monumental journey lasting well over two hours... 'kirchenkampf', the project of John Gore (Cohort Records, The Oratory of Divine Love, >wirewall<), has been active since 1986. Since that time he has released numerous recordings on his own and other labels. Additionally, John has collaborated with a number of others, including Steve Hall (Yen Pox), C. Reider, and Brett Smith (Caul)... The CDs come packaged in a stunning printed gatefold sleeve. [press-release]
Lavelle, Brian -- "Fallen Are The Domes Of Green Amber" -- CD -- €10
2007 Diophantine Discs, n = 10, (ltd. 500)
With "Fallen are the Domes of Green Amber" Brian Lavelle continues in his more recent direction with experimental drone music, while also incorporating some of his earlier recordings into the pieces. At over 70 minutes, the album consists of two lengthy and picturesque tracks. Both are extremely focused, complex, and dynamic -- they evolve, gradually and intricately. Beautiful (yet also melancholy) and abstract, the two pieces are quite distinct from each other in their own respects, yet fit together to form a seamless and monumental overall work... Recording under various guises since 1990 (though generally under his own name), Brian Lavelle's work has covered a large cross-section of experimental music ranging from more noisy works in the past to his more ambient/drone material of recent years. He has released material on such labels as Audiofile, Bake, Afe, Microwave, and Freek. Additionally he has collaborated with artists such as Richard Youngs, Alistair Crosbie, and Emil Hagstrom. Brian also runs the Dust, Unsettled and Quinquaginta labels, and operated one of the earliest mp3-labels: techNoh... The CD comes in a beautiful green printed wallet. [press-release]
Lopez, Francisco -- "Azoic Zone" -- CD -- €11
1993/2003 Geometrik, GR-003
Maschinenzimmer 412 -- "Macht Durch Stimme" -- CD -- €10
1988/2008 Dark Vinyl, DV #40, (ltd. 400)
Repressing of the long time deleted CD. MASCHINENZIMMER 412 was founded in 1990 by KREMATOR and DRAKHON and can be descriped as the real leader of the true Swedish Black Industrial scene. Meanwhile well known thru their current releases under MZ412, the time is right to look back to their first release from 1990 "Macht Durch Stimme". Also if MACHT DURCH STIMME doesn`t exactly represent evil in the same way as the new MZ412 albums do, it`s is interesting to see where all started from. True swedish black industrial, dark doomy and challenging. [press-release]
Merzbow -- "Don't Steal My Goat" -- CD -- €10
2009 No Music Records, noise 015 / Olmolungring, OLR 01
The new album.
Mewark -- "Little One" -- CD -- €7
2006 Lagunamuch Community, LMC500
Alexander Petrunin aka Mewark works as a sound designer & jingle writer for MTV-Russia. Together with Lazyfish he released a split-album Lazyfish/Mewark. Little One is an album which shows Alexanders talents to combine live recorded instruments with the unnatural but interesting world of Reaktor sounds. The results range from sweet and melodic songs to deep and dark soundscapes. All 12 tracks on Mewark's amazing debut album tell individual chapters of one story. Its a fairy tale about the Little One and it's just 12 chapters long. They include the beginning and the end. [label info]
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Mollusk -- "Accretions" -- CD -- €10
2001 The Foundry, FOU.14
Moth Electret -- "Tocasen" -- CD -- €10
2009 Diophantine Discs, n = 19, (ltd. 500)
"Tocasen", Moth Electret's second record, is an engaging and intense hour-long work of experimental ambient music. Landscapes of mysterious worlds are forged from a variety of drones, processed sounds, and other recordings. Within these seven tracks the sounds pulse and flutter through a beautiful and complex metamorphosis. Stig Berg has been recording music since 2000 as R|A|A|N and as a member of Aesthetic Meat Front. His first Moth Electret release came out on Mystery Sea in 2007... Housed in a custom printed color wallet. [press-release]
MSBR -- "Destructive Locomotion. Dedicated To Chizuo Matsumoto" -- CD -- €11
1995 Pure, PURE 25, (ltd. 500)
Norma Reaktsii -- "Vril" -- CD-R -- €6
2008 Valgriind, VG 09
Analogue Ambient with Radio noise elements, recorded with the restored radio of 1937 release, with the Russian language lyrics and pure female voice. Sound manifestation of Eternal Ice and Hollow Earth theories. CD-box with radio details. [label info]
Norma Reaktsii / Ruuhi -- "New-born Snow / 0-1" -- 3"CD-R -- €6
2009 Valgriind, VG 25
Limited mini CD-R release. Tracks from the beginning of both formation's working. Deep meditative lo-fi radio-drone & middle-frequencies distortion. [label info]
The Oratory Of Divine Love -- "Meditatio" -- CD -- €10
2008 Diophantine Discs, n = 16, (ltd. 500)
One of the children of John Gore (aka 'kirchenkampf'), The Oratory Of Divine Love presents here their third CD: a fifty-plus minute track of ambient electronic drone that, with gradual progression, features melodies and voices filtering in and out throughout the sound. Though a generally contemplative recording, the piece is quite engaging and will elicit the attention of all who enjoy experimental and drone musics. Previous recordings under this name have been issued by EE Tapes and Waystyx... Housed in a custom printed color wallet. [press-release]
Orchid -- "Cold and Hunger" -- CD-R -- €6
2008 Valgriind, VG 15
Very emotional digital Pagan Ambient. A project of Nezhegol member. White DVD-box with cardboard insert. [label info]
Reyes, Jorge & Piet Jan Blauw -- "Pluma De Piedra" -- CD -- €12
2002 Geometrik, gr-2108
Santomieri, Dean -- "The Boy Beneath The Sea" -- CD -- €10
2001 The Foundry, FOU.12
Selffish -- "Blue Planet Chill" -- CD -- €7
2004 Peace Technologies, PT 001
Andrew Eigus was born in Riga in 1973. Selffish materialised in 2002. The name Selffish denotes a paradigm shift in Andrew's life. The music Selffish produced was slower and more refined than Eigus's earlier works. The major contribution to his production comes from the samples he obtains from field recordings across the baltic landscapes, laced with human voice, his playing the retro grand piano and other acoustic instruments, and of course from the people around him. [label info]
[mp3] [mp3]
The Soil Bleeds Black -- "Mirror of the Middle Ages" -- CD -- €10
2003 The Fossil Dungeon, FD 013
The sixth full length album from TSBB presents a combination of contemporary and traditional pieces representing the Middle Ages. Their most medieval work to-date. [label info]
Stokes, Saul -- "Fields" -- CD -- €11
2003 Hypnos/Binary, hyby0205
Stokes, Saul -- "Villa Galaxia" -- CD -- €11
2008 Hypnos/Binary, HYBY0808
Stormhat -- "Addicted To Disaster" -- CD -- €10
2008 Diophantine Discs, n = 15, (ltd. 500)
The work of Denmark's Stormhat melds a variety of elements of experimental music, from ambient/drone to field recordings and feedback. With his first pressed CD, Peter Bach Nicolaisen gives us a wonderful hour-long journey though field recordings, reverberating & scraped percussion, and drones. An excellent recording, sure to appeal to fans of all related genres, "Addicted to Diaster" provides a wonderful and engaging listen. Stormhat's work has previously been released on Cohort and A Beard Of Snails... Housed in a custom printed color wallet. [press-release]
Synthetic Block -- "Sonic Approach" -- CD -- €10
2003 Hypnos/Binary, hyby0204
Tchernoblyad -- "Love" -- CD -- €6
2009 Linija Shuma, Shum0008, (ltd. 454)
Genocide monotonous power electronics dedicated to the Un-life in it's various manifestations. Totalitarian noise terror. Lo-fi quality. Re-edition of CD-R and cassette releases.
Tchernoblyad -- "Love" -- CD -- €18
2009 Linija Shuma, Shum0008, (ltd. 10)
Genocide monotonous power electronics dedicated to the Un-life in it's various manifestations. Totalitarian noise terror. Lo-fi quality. Re-edition of CD-R and cassette releases. Special handmade edition wrapped in the pages of an old book.
Telepherique -- "Zivilisatose" -- CD -- €10
2009 Diophantine Discs, n = 14, (ltd. 500)
"Zivilisatose" represents the culmination of Telepherique's twenty-year career. Having explored all throughout the realms of industrial, ambient, rhythmic noise, and field recordings, Telepherique has created a distinct sound which manifests itself in new and unique ways on each release. With "Zivilisatose" we are mesmerized by flowing and mysterious ambience, and challenged by unusual rhythms and noises. This, a very personal CD to Telepherique, is also their final full-length recording... Since 1989 Telepherique (and its various side-projects) have released nearly one hundred releases, beginning with many cassettes on their own Drahtfunk-Products label. With subsequent releases on such labels as Ant-Zen, G.R.O.S.S., Noise Museum, SSSM, and Afe, their work received a wide exposure. In addition to solo recordings, they have released numerous collaborations and splits with artists such as Contagious Orgasm, MSBR, Ultra Milkmaids, Brume, Aube, M.B., De Fabriek, and Roger Rotor. "Zivilisatose" also features artwork by TJ Norris... Housed in a custom printed color wallet with 4-panel insert. [press-release]
Troum -- "Eald-Ge-Streon / Abhijna" -- 2 CD -- €18
2009 Beta-lactam Ring Records, mt181/183, (ltd. 500)
CD plus the bonus album "Abhijna" issued in an edition of 500 copies in a full color deluxe gatefold book bound cd case. Design, layout and artwork by Stephen O'Malley. Welcome to the Thunderdome. Troum’s bone-cracking reverberations respirate with such ferocity that all non-Troum molecules are blown away. Eald-Ge-Streon is a massive, rising beauty. It is a great becoming, and we are nothing but an ant in the afterbirth. Troum has set its controls beyond the heart of the Sunn. The pulsating inferno of these 7 drone concertos may require an insurance adjuster, but what a lovely way to burn. It is in your nature to do one thing correctly. Before Troum, you rightly tremble. But fear is not what you owe Troum. You owe Troum awe! [press-release]
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Watermann, John -- "Babel #1" -- CD -- €10
1993 Stille Andacht, STILLE 02, (ltd. 1000)
V/A -- "Echoes Of Polyhymnia - A Hypnos Compilation" -- CD -- €11
2008 Hypnos, hyp2855
Margaret Noble, Stellaria Fennica, Kristin Miltner, Clarissa Borba, Sara Ayers, Rose Bolton, Gydja, The Floating World, K. Cornelius, Lena Griffin.
V/A -- "The Other World" -- 2 CD -- €16
1998 Hypnos, hyp1804
Vidna Obmana, Ruben Garcia & A Produce, Thomas Ronkin, Saul Stokes, A Produce, Jeff Greinke, Ron Boots, M. Griffin, David Tollefson, Egghatcher, Larry Kucharz, Meg Bowles, Exit, Alpha Wave Movement, Robert Scott Thompson, Viridian Sun, Jeff Pearce, Katsuya Hironaka, Richard Bone.
V/A -- "Weightless, Effortless" -- CD -- €11
1999 Hypnos, hyp1912
Kevin Keller, James Johnson, Dean De Benedictis, Ma Ja Le, Rod Modell, Dave Fulton, Loren Nerell, Scott Fraser, Steve Roach.
Northam, Michael -- "Suhina" -- 10" -- €12
2009 Substantia Innominata, SUB-10, (ltd. 500)
Brilliant new recordings by the prolific cosmopolitan (currently residing in Berlin) MICHAEL NORTHAM. "Suhina" is a notion for the sound of the wind moving through the trees. Instead of doing field recordings of wind MICHAEL NORTHAM tried to capture this feeling & the essence of this process through instrumental recordings from Indonesian flute & keyboard. Nature phenomena seen as the true manifestation of the Unknown. Stunning full colour artwork by Indian artist ROHINI DEVASHER. White vinyl, edition of 500 copies, incl. inlay with text by M. NORTHAM. [press-release]
Voice Of Eye -- "Substantia Innominata" -- 10" -- €12
2009 Substantia Innominata, SUB-09, (ltd. 500)
This release marks the comeback of the legendary duo from New Mexico, USA, consisting of BONNIE McNAIRN and JIM WILSON! Over a decade ago (1992-1995) VOICE OF EYE released three albums with their unique style combining ethnic, ritualistic & folklore influences in an experimental and highly organic way to create a kind of "transcendental drone ambience", using only "real" instruments & self-built devices and an array of electronic effects. In November 1994 they released an EP entitled "Sprocket" on Drone Records (DR-09), which is still one of the absolute highlights in the Drone series... After this first phase of musical creation VOICE OF EYE focused on building an incredible "Earthship" house in the deserts of New Mexico. In 2007 they returned doing shows in the States, Germany, France & Italy and releasing two limited CDRs. This 10" has 3 tracks with NEW material (entitled "VIRYA", "DHYANA" and "PURUSA") inspired by the wisdom of Buddhist / Advaitic meditation & philosophy, where the contemplation within music & sounds appears as a tool to reach a higher consciousness & awareness of reality... This highly sublime & emotional "other-dimensional" ambience is based on lots of ethereal vocal material, flute-sounds and their typical self-built string-instruments, full of yearning and beauty - almost 39 minutes of material coming on clear vinyl with golden striae, with superb artwork by THOMAS DOHMEN... This is the celebration of the "Unknown", seen as a state of mind where the Ego dissolves into a timeless universal consciousness. [press-release]
You can download the full list of rare & used items here.
Adriva -- "Losung" -- CD-R -- €8
2007 Strely Peruna, SP017, (ltd. 100)
«Losung!» is a victoriously offensive shout of pagan barbarians directed to Roman garrisons. Obscure and heavy enveloping noise and rhythm of Death. For all lovers of dark ambient, death industrial and ritual. Special non-standard package, limited edition. 47 minutes. [press-release] Re-edition of the original CDR on Observatory Records with a bonus-track.
Anthesteria -- "Nebesnaya" -- CD -- €7
2006 Sirena Grand Record, SGR-001
The 2nd album of St. Petersburg-based project continues the line started 2 years ago with their debut album "Beyond Nimbostratus". The style of this album varies a lot from track to track, but in general it can be restricted with terms neoclassic/gothic/dark ambient, sometines traditional, sometimes experimental. One track features vocal of MRZ (Majdanek Waltz). "The second Anthesteria album tells a story of a journey, but it's not a journey about a ghost city as it was the case in the Beyond Nimbostratus debut album, the decadent but charming open-air museum called St.-Petersburg being the prototype of this ghost city. Now it's a journey about a fragile world of emotions and perceptions known to everyone, а sound realization of the author's diary. The winter city is preserved in the atmosphere itself, but just a scenery or background. Keeping the trend designated in their debut, Anthesteria added martial drums and recitative voice together with some ethnic elements in a number of compositions. Anthesteria keeps multiplying illusions which make up the charm and value of human's life." [label info] Edition for Russian market with all inscriptions in Russian and simplified jewel-case artwork.
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Arche -- "s/t" -- CD-R -- €8
2001 Nefryt, N 008, (ltd. 222)
The project musicians from Ucho & Solaris (Marek Rybicki & Rafal Detkos) with Piotr Piotrowski (philosopher, astrologer & singer). Space journey on two basses, electronics, tapes, objects & voice. Secret music, psychedelic atmosphere, between dream and reality. Special A5 cover. Limited & numbered edition of 222 copies. [press-release]
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Archon Satani -- "In Shelter" -- CD -- €10
1996/2005 Dark Vinyl, DVLR 6
As member of the Cold Meat Industry family, Archon Satani is a familiar name to those following dark electronics. Five dark ambient structured tracks, with sometimes bleak and evil monotonous sounds. If you are fascinated by ritual sacrifice, ethereal atmospheres and excursions through darker ambience, this trip should be yours. IN SHELTER works through the power of hypnotism and this release is very minimalistic in function. Re-pressing done in 2005. [label info]
Asianova -- "Magnamnemonicon" -- 10" -- €12
2006 Substantia Innominata, SUB-02, (ltd. 500)
ASIA NOVA is a project of Californian artist URE THRALL [ex VOICE OF EYE, etc.] and PAMELA PASSMORE with guest musicians Paul Valsecchi and Marlon Porter. "Magnamnemonicon" contains 6 parts of music spread on 2 sides, more than 30 minutes of material: The mind as an abyss of supressed memories. Voices & sounds arise from the own dark continent, materializing in strong emotions of loss & yearning for the un-reachable. The Unknown as an eerie entity in our selves? Artwork by Gregor Schultz. Red-white / pink marmorized vinyl in a first edition of 500 copies. [press-release]
Bone, Richard -- "The Spectral Ships" -- CD -- €11
1998 Hypnos, hyp1808
The music of this album is different from the style typical of Richard Bone, although it maintains the same spirit of sonic electronic exploration. As the title suggests, the music is mysterious. Using synthesizers to create an icy, ghostly world, Bone takes us to the immense quiet of wide, dark spaces. Listening to this album is travelling throughout musical tales whose soundscapes are set in remote oceanic regions of a supernatural charactor. These stories in a musical form are comparable to movie soundtracks, and stimulate the imagination of the listener to re-create the facts and scenaries that the music suggests. [E. Kogler, Amazing Sounds]
Cisfinitum -- "Devotio" -- 10" -- €12
2006 Substantia Innominata, SUB-04, (ltd. 500)
The fourth volume in our new series comes from one of the currently best projects of the russian experimental-atmospheric / drone / post-industrial-scene. Main force behind CISFINITUM we find Evgueny Voronovsky, an educated violinist from Moscow. CISFINITUM is a notion by russian poet & writer DANIIL CHARMS, meaning the „logic of the infinite non-existence“, that „something“ that is beyond all rational things. DEVOTIO uses monumental bell-sounds that build complex overlappings & hypnotic drone-waves in various layers, dissolving into pure vibrations. To us It sounds like a journey into the heart of the sacral, pointing at a sphere of transcendence where all questions end. Or begin again. Comes on white vinyl and with great artwork by Berlin-based artworker TILMANN BENNINGHAUS. [press-release]
Die Sonne Satans -- "Archive Compendium" -- CD -- €10
1995 Dark Vinyl, DV #29
Coldest, finest dark ambient; sometimes darkminded and frightening, then tribal-percussive, sometimes hypnotic, then again haunting with slight background - chorals. ARCHIVE COMPENDIUM can be seen as an retrospective album including partly deleted tape only tracks and previously unreleased pieces / versions from the earlier period. [label info]
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Greinke, Jeff -- "Lost Terrain" -- CD -- €11
1992/1999 Hypnos, hyp1916
Excellent move on the part of Hypnos to re-issue this jewel of atmospheric music. Lost Terrain is really the most accessible and accomplished album from Jeff Greinke's body of work. Very different from some of his more experimental adventures, Lost Terrain cultivates a melancholy reserve through delicate melodic structures, restrained decorative elements, even subtle ethnic influences. This "lost terrain" being reclaimed would seem to be the very terrain of being, of the profound search for one's self. A quest for identity which results in a music both introspective and transporting. [Via 2, Orleans, France]
Greinke, Jeff -- "Places of Motility" -- CD -- €11
1987/1998 Hypnos, hyp1809
Jeff Greinke is one of the masters of dark, hypnotic electronic minimalism. He has been performing in that style since the mid-'80s, long before it was fashionable. He recorded Places of Motility in 1986 and released it in 1987 on Dossier Records. Mike Griffin remastered it in 1999 and released it on the Hypnos Recordings label. Greinke added three tracks from 1988 for the reissue. This is a deep set full of experimental sounds and techniques. Greinke took some cues from the avant-garde recordings of Steve Reich, Pauline Oliveros, and Mother Mallard and added his own unique processing touches, wide-open atmospheres, and low drones. The resultant soundscape is dark and ominous. This CD is very similar to the minimalist works of Lustmord, Alio Die, Mathias Grassow, and Vidna Obmana. For all fans of dark minimalism, this is essential. Casual fans might find it interesting as well. [Jim Brenholts, All Music Guide]
Greinke, Jeff -- "Wide View" -- CD -- €11
2002 Hypnos, hyp2240
Jeff Greinke is regarded as one of the forefathers of the modern ambient/atmospheric genre. Classic Greinke releases such as Lost Terrain and In Another Place inhabit an original, evocative, sonic territory unique in ambient music - somewhere north of the fourth world. Now, with his newest CD Wide View, Greinke has taken his sound into an entirely new context. In doing so, he has created a unique album in a catalog of unique albums, as well as a sterling example of what ambient music can achieve. The first impression I had when listening to the CD was how composed it sounded when compared aside past ambient releases by. On the surface, the sound palette is somewhat traditional; with electronic strings and piano, all drenched in reverb. In fact, this release has a classic quality to it - the type of early ambient flavor we had come to expect from a Harold Budd or Brian Eno album during the seventies. This comparison is valid and appropriate. But make no mistake - this is not a rehash of triumphs from other artists' catalogs. Greinke takes the lead of past masters and imbues their spirit with a musicality all his own. A close listening to Wide View will reveal the signature sounds we expect from Greinke, all in an extremely subtle and restrained fashion. This is an album that will open to the listener gradually, with repeated playing. As with past Greinke works, Wide View inhabits a rain-soaked atmosphere; but it is also one of stunning cloud banks, with their silent movement across panoramic skies (as depicted in the cover art). The themes of light and shade are explored in an extremely personal way - always a quality of the best ambient/atmospheric music. These soundscapes reach the stratospheric heights, but are never too far away from earthly repose... [Brian Bieniowski]
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Griffin, M. -- "Sudden Dark" -- CD -- €10
1997 Hypnos, hyp1701
M. Griffin creates music of an "ambient minimalism" base. The ten tracks on his debut CD, Sudden Dark, are smooth and methodical, peeled off the insides of eyelids the moment sleep overtakes, precarious seconds before the onslaught of dreams. These are sonic observations recorded from a pier at the edge of the infinite ocean (be it sea or space), the electronic inflections emphasizing the hollow; occasional spoken passages add to the overall emptiness found here. "Displace" is a massive 19 minutes that soars and hovers, but never lands; "Gyre" is more energetic, infra-bass supplying a kinetic edge; "Immobile" swirls with life and yet embraces like a cocoon--impetus subsumed. M. Griffin takes us on an out-of-body ride via an inner mindscape bridge constructed to explore all of the depth and space at hand. Cosmic (...or not?). On Hypnos, a new label out of Portland off to a good start with this fascinating venture. [John C. Smith, Outburn Magazine]
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Heasley, Tom -- "Where the Earth Meets the Sky" -- CD -- €10
2001 Hypnos, hyp2135
When I started playing this CD I didn't look at the press release or the cover (like I always try to do, to keep an ahum open mind) I thought this was just another Hypnos release: deep washes of sound, digital processing of synths or maybe guitars, but I was very surprised to find out that this was all made with a tuba, throat singing, loops and OK the usual digital processing. The four lengthy pieces go by floating really well with lots of small harmonies popping up, playing their tune and then disappearing again. Very nice release. [Frans de Waard, Vital Weekly]
Hoedh -- "Universum" -- CD -- €10
2004 Dark Vinyl, DV #46
UNIVERSUM is the last studio-album and musical testament of T.H. Thiel (ORDO CATHARSIS TEMPLI), who died in April 2003, only few days after putting the final touches to this impressive album. Like only few ambient artists, HOEDH succeed to awake a feeling of longing and melancholy within every listener and at the same time HOEDH create a feeling of inner silence: a spiritual drowning into your soul. UNIVERSUM is released as official In Memoriam Album in collaboration with Ordo Catharsis Templi, who's founder T.H. Thiel was. [label info]
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Hoefler, Chad -- "Twilight in the Offing" -- CD -- €10
2004 Hypnos, hyp2246
Released on the Hypnos label - Twilight In The Offings consists of seven lengthy pieces all between five and ten minutes long. This is Chad's debut release and has been mastered by none other than Robert Rich. Track titles reflect the idea of inevitability with some beautifully poetic terms 'Crimson Lost', 'Enveloping Shadow', 'On The Eve Of Plum Frost'. This is an ambient album that can hold the attention - from the beautiful 'In A Marooned Moment' to the disquieting 'Enveloping Shadow' the considerable variety of sound from one track to the next pulls you along, caught one moment by a percussive line throbbing way below the surface, swept up the next by cinematic undulations or uneasy in the presence of looming apparitions. [Morpheus Music]
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Hum -- "The Spectral Ship" -- 10" -- €12
2008 Substantia Innominata, SUB-08, (ltd. 500)
Two great new pieces by this Russian artist from the Moscow-area, most sensible & emotional drone-ambience, a graceful dance of acoustic reflections & resonances. "Spectral Ship" and "Tidal Fire" appear like universal mantras, revealing the basic HUM of the universe. These works seem to represent perfectly the concept of the SUBSTANTIA-series: Sound that exists but which is not originating from the impact of two subjects in contact. Sound that is simply "there", with no beginning or ending. Edition of 500 copies on silver-coloured vinyl, with a full colour sleeve design by DANIEL CROKAERT / MYSTERY SEA. [press-release]
Lazyfish + Alexandroid -- "OS" -- CD -- €7
2005 Peace Technologies, PT 003
"Lazyfish presents his next multifarious great collaboration album OS this time with Alexandroid from Riga. The album contains 11 tracks on cd. Slow melodic tunes and dark heavy beats altogether. Lazyfish has already released an album Vortex in Russia, some deep-tech tunes on Trapez records, an interactive track on the Native Instruments compilation (WMF Records) and his above mentioned collaboration cd with Mewark. Andrew Antonets aka Alexandroid is from Riga. He released 3 albums with his production partner Alex Matrosov on russian electronic labels and album False Starts on Lo recordings, England. OS is the digital translation of experiences and emotions, a shadow of the past and a view into the future. Most of the tracks on OS are made by Alexandroid, four by Lazyfish. Lazyfish and Alexandroid present their rich collection of the (still) wide-range of purely digital-electronic music in many different styles and colours with fantastic additional vocals by Kristi Aivare, Alex Matrosov and Andrew Antonets himself." [press-release] Light airy electro-ambient with unobtrusive admixture of IDM. Sandy sound textures with rustling electronic sounds, fragments of female and less male vocals, deeply processed guitar and the whole mass of various micro-sounds and cracklings, psychedelic atmosphere. Re-edition of the album previously released on German label K2O.
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Light Collapse / Plazmat -- "Split" -- CD-R -- €6
2005 Sickcore, Sickcore 005, (ltd. 50)
Radionoise / harsh rhythm'n'noise with machine loops and industrialized sound. Russian projects from Sverdlovsk region and Krasnoyarsk. Great artwork from Sickcore.
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Maeror Tri -- "Hypnotikum I" -- LP -- €12
1998 Soleilmoon Recordings, SOLV 008, (ltd. 800)
1st part of the last ever studio-recordings of MT from 1996/1997! Smooth & harmonic repetitive recordings, based on loops that were used by Maeror Tri during their live-concerts in Torino, Cologne and Ghent 1996. Nice fullcolour cover designed by Mars Wellink (Vance Orchestra). [label info]
Maeror Tri -- "Language Of Flames And Sound" -- CD -- €13
1996/2008 Old Europa Cafe, OECD 008, (ltd. 544)
Finally we are going for the re-edition of this great Maeror Tri album! Power for the right side of the brain! Our world is dominated by the left brain hemisphere! M.T. is here supporting the theory that it is necessary to stimulate and challenge the right hemisphere in order to get back to an equal activity of the two brain sides... Best Shamanic Meditation music of the industrial era! Maybe the best and more intense Maeror Tri album! All material PRODUCED by MAEROR TRI [...] from 1992 to 1996. Comes packed in a special brain-shaped folder. [label info]
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Noise-Maker's Fifes -- "Zona Incerta" -- 10" -- €12
2006 Substantia Innominata, SUB-03, (ltd. 500)
NOISE-MAKER’S FIFES is an experimental performance group from Brussels who do impressive shows with many selfbuild instruments and surrealistic sound-theatre-choreographies. The first side on “Zona Incerta” is based on the choreography “Dyonisos’ Last Day” from 2003 and uses various live-material from this and other different performances. The second side is created from insects field recordings made in Kenya. ZONA INCERTA builds a very dimension of its own, totally hazy and foggy sounds ebb and flow in and out...water and metal-sounds are recognizable in the sound-field, high insect-frequencies intertwine with all kinds of strange noises and animal sounds... The Unknown is also the world of other creatures who perceive a totally different world. Listen with new ears, with different neurons. [press-release]
Numina -- "Eye of the Nautilus" -- CD -- €11
2005 Hypnos, hyp2548
One thing that becomes apparent listening to Numina's work is the craftsmanship is very high. For those that don't know his work it falls under the American ambient school, drones and floating textures with some rhythmic underpinning in places. Jesse Sola weaves his sounds with slow tonal shifting and that's one of my favorite aspects of his work is that unfolding quality which in the right hands is the musical equivalent of storytelling... Numina releases are very heavy on the synths. Jesse's work would appeal very well with those that prefer the synth as the main timbre... There's always a deeply Gothic quality to his work too... no fey crystal happiness here. The whole "Eye of the Nautilus" theme fits the sound perfectly as it spirals out of your speaker putting the whole room under a spell... A definite sonic psychedelic experience. [Paul Ellis]
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Numina -- "Shift to the Ghost" -- CD -- €11
2007 Hypnos, hyp2650
Numina's third album on Hypnos Recordings is "Shift to the Ghost," a long-form continuous piece, which is a format that is actually fairly new for Numina, despite his many prior recorded releases. The album does include indexed track points for convenience in navigating through the CD, and each song is distinctly different in feel, but the songs evolve seamlessly into one another. The continuous, long-form ambient format works very well here, never droning on too much or dwelling too long in a certain sonic space. Numina himself states that the album "is about the life and death of the physical self," hence the title. Whatever the concept, this album contains all the elements Numina fans enjoy, from deep and sombre ambient, to twinkling, swirling space music, constantly evolving. It's a long, fascinating visual journey, and it never grows tired. The latest work from ambient "rising star" Numina is possibly his best yet. [press-release]
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Oophoi -- "Athlit" -- CD -- €11
2001 Hypnos, hyp2236
US - debut of Italian drone-ambient artist Oophoi. He previously released some well-received works on the Amplexus label, both solo and with Tau Ceti (who also contributes here). Many Hypnos listeners have asked for more deep, slow-moving ambient drone material, and if that style is your cup of tea, you'll love this one. It's just short of 74 minutes, one massive continuous ambience (though with four "index" points so you can navigate the CD more easily). There's space music and then there's DEEP space music, and this one is deep, deep, deep. Put on the headphones and drift... [press-release]
Oophoi -- "Potala" -- 10" -- €12
2008 Substantia Innominata, SUB-07, (ltd. 500)
First ever vinyl by the Italian deep ambient master! Two long contemplative tracks into the center of holy places (may it be physically or mentally), opening endless spaces with low humming & reverberating meditation-drones! Edition of 500 copies pressed on luminous green vinyl, full-colour artwork by 1000SCHOEN aka ex-MAEROR TRI-member HELGE SIEHL. [press-release]
Pearce, Jeff -- "Bleed" -- CD -- €10
2002 Hypnos, hyp2241
Sublime. Jeff is one of my favorite composers at the moment. Instead of being an AMBIENT musician he's an ambient MUSICIAN. Jeff plays beautiful melancholy guitar treated with verb and delay with the utmost taste. Touchstones might be Satie, Tim Story, Patrick O'Hearn, but I wouldn't take those references too literally as Jeff has a touch of his own. There is a rare quality in a musician where on hearing their music you are effortlessly transported into a very deep place inside yourself which I believe can only happen when the composer is doing the same. There is a beautiful detached outer quality in the sustaining reverb, but his touch on the strings brings it inside so the music is simultaneously near and far away. Highly recommended. [Paul Ellis]
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Pearce, Jeff -- "The Light Beyond" -- CD -- €10
2001 Hypnos, hyp2132
Hypnos is pleased to announce the latest by Jeff Pearce, The Light Beyond. His followup to the beloved & highly-acclaimed 2000 album To the Shores of Heaven, The Light Beyond shares its predecessor's basis of smooth, guitar-based atmospheric clouds, both dark and light. But The Light Beyond explores more abstract, open-ended and free-form compositions, with one track almost forty-four minutes in duration, in the midst of three shorter pieces. [label info]
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Profane Grace -- "Cast in the Mold of the Ancient" -- CD -- €10
2003 Memento Mori, MORI 17
The American masters of horrific dark ambient are back from the graveyards with their 4th album. Haunting in eulogies of mourn, enshroud in cryptic gloom, a nebulous void of utter darkness, cold and grim... [label info]
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Rich, Robert -- "Somnium" -- DVD -- €23
2001 Hypnos, hyp2131
Somnium is a single continuous track, a 7-hour "sleep concert" recording in DVD format (playable on ordinary home DVD video players). "This is really a mesmerizing and intense work and although it starts out as a very recognisable Robert Rich work, it slowly shifts into a long part of minimal and dissonant drones which I really love, to end up in a sort of sublte brightness again. Very strong and soothing." [Vidna Obmana]
The Soil Bleeds Black -- "Alchemie" -- CD -- €10
1999/2006 The Fossil Dungeon, FD 027 / Twilight Records, TW 1.20
Long out-of-print, Twilight Records join forces to once again make available THE SOIL BLEEDS BLACK 's fourth album, "Alchemie," originally published by the (now defunct) UK distributor, World Serpent. This new edition features re-mastered and newly embellished versions of the original songs along with several bonus tracks. “Alchemie” is a conglomeration of songs based heavily upon the medieval occult science for which the album is named. The album also features other songs portraying Arthurian legend and the bravery of knights on the battlefield. The well-known Swedish ambient artist, ARCANA, make a very special guest appearance on the track, “Lapis Philosophorum.” This new edition comes presented in a fancy digipak! [label info]
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Sola Translatio -- "Mother Sunrise" -- CD -- €11
2001 Hypnos, hyp2130
Two of Italy's most respected artists in electronic sound, Alio Die (Stefano Musso) and Opium (Matteo Zini), have combined their abilities on the album MOTHER SUNRISE. The duo, working under the name Sola Translatio, uses a sonic vocabulary that seeks to reach the human in us by speaking to our memory. Each of the eight individual tracks incorporates familiar environmental sounds with beautiful and unique electronic textures to produce an album of introspective and sensual ambient music. Each piece slowly develops its sense of place and mood and gradually colonizes the mind with an aural landscape only as varied as the intellects and experiences used to interpert this music. [Chuck VanZyl, host of Star's End radio]
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Stokes, Saul -- "Outfolding" -- CD -- €11
2000 Hypnos, hyp2023
Saul Stokes is a very characteristic artist specialized in the electronic ambient/experimental music. In his recordings he tends to use primarily, as the basic sources of his sound, the modular analog synthesizers as well as other electronic instruments he himself builds, yet his music possesses a modern touch, fresh and daring indeed, masterfully managing the technology at his disposal. A supporter of live performances, his sound is challenging and dynamic. His music flows, evolving, never losing its intrinsic beauty, deep, hypnotic, with electronic undercurrents that lead to atmospheres full of a soft energy, at times with space or cosmic brushes, and always having in mind the exploration of new soundscapes with a creativity that can hardly be surpassed. [Andreu Montse, Amazing Sounds]
Stokes, Saul -- "Washed in Mercury" -- CD -- €11
1997 Hypnos, hyp1602
A very rhythmic and melodic album, full of dynamics and uplifting sounds, I was impressed with its original style, due to the fact that Saul Stokes is the creator of all his electronic instuments, and has obviously designed them to give way for his own unique touch. The lack of slow drifting ambience, everso present in all other Hypnos releases, therefore cannot be considered as a drawback, but should be viewed upon differently, in light of the specific Stokes auditory expression. [Vladimir Jovanovic, Inner Space Radio]
Stokes, Saul -- "Zo Pilots" -- CD -- €11
1998 Hypnos, hyp1807
Somehow I missed out on Stokes' debut CD and now I regret that. Building his own electronics and still being able to create a sonically fascinating world is something not many people can do. Yes, listeners... if the word 'world' comes around, it's ambient time again and I stated it before and here again: Hypnos are a strong label to release this music. Stokes is no different: a great talent of creating outerworld, outerlimit sounds that is dark. In comparision to the other recent Hypnos CD's, Stokes uses rhythms, not in a techno fashion, but much more in a machine like humming way. Spacey, yet down to earth. Highlights for me are the cosmic 'First Jump' and the laid back 'Fast Creatures.' But the other five are top too! [Frans de Waard, Vital Weekly]
Temnoyar -- "Nordscapes" -- CD -- €6
2009 Valgriind, VG 18
Majestic sounds from the North landscapes. 3 unreleased mini-albums, combined with general concept. Excellent graphic design supplements music. [label info]
Thompson, Robert Scott -- "At the Still Point of the Turning World" -- CD -- €10
2005 Hypnos, hyp2547
Robert Scott Thompson is one of the mainstays and legends of ambient music. He has created music in a variety of styles but his atmospheric ambient efforts are his best. At The Stillpoint of a Turning World is his first release on the Hypnos label... This is an awesome CD! While it might be Robert’s best music ever, it is certainly among his top five or six. It is also one of the top Hypnos releases ever. Robert combines organic textures and metallic timbres with gentle drones and deep atmospheres. There are just enough gray washes to keep the disc somber but not dark. It plays as a long-form soundscape with 12 movements. The gentle drones provide the continuity. There is a certain progression here as well. Robert has always been on the cutting edge and he combines spiritual approaches to his craft. That approach gives his compositions and this set special appeal. This is a great CD and a wonderful start to a new year of more great sounds! [Jim Brenholts]
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Tollefson, David -- "New Eyes on the Universe" -- CD -- €10
1998 Hypnos, hyp1805
Recorded in 1997, this CD features 61 minutes of treated guitars, processed with such extremism that their original nature is quite oblique. This ambient music takes a distinctly philosophical look at our physical continuum. The ambience here is a shade grittier, with a seething intensity that often supersedes the tranquillity... [Matt Howarth]
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Troum -- "AIWS" -- CD -- €12
2007 Transgredient Records, TR-05
AIWS is the first full-length cd release from Troum since 2003. It covers studio-recordings composed from 2002-2005. These musicians have compiled some of their most favorable pieces through the years to be placed on this release. Presenting nine analogue (4 & 8 track) recorded compositions that lead the listener through vast feelings of beautifully deep melancholic and hypnotic states of mind. Composed with guitar-drones and harmonic phrases that are processed in various ways creating an atmosphere of the sublime and emotional meditative states that transcend listener to immerse within themselves. Ingredients: Sufi-songs, old vinyl-crackles, acoustic & e-guitars, e-bow, e-bass, voice & whisperings, accordion & flute. Stunning photography & design work by Alan McClelland (Eye.lyft). One of the most emotional and profound Troum releases to date now available on Transgrediant Records. Dedicated to Eternity. [press release]
Troum -- "Ryna" -- CD -- €12
2006 Transgredient Records, TR-04
Re-release of Troum's long sold out first album from 1998 with new artwork by Tilmann Benninghaus. Digipack.
Troum -- "Symballein" -- CD -- €13
2007 SmallVoices, SVR 07024
A collection of rare & early tracks from 1997-1999 previously released on various compilations.
Troum -- "Symbiosis" -- 3"CD -- €8
2002 Transgredient Records, TR-02
Mini-album on which BarakaH and Glit(s)ch recorded their tracks separately. Guitar and balalaika tunes, layers and psychedelic harmonies.
Troum -- "Tjukurrpa (part one: the harmonies)" -- CD -- €12
Transgredient Records, TR-01a
First release on Troum's new label Transgredient Records and first part of the Tjukurrpa-trilogy, aiming to show the different sides of Troum's organic & archaic dreamscapes. This part 1 is dedicated to "harmonies", containing seven yearnful & atmospheric tracks made by guitar, bass, accordion, voices and effects. Listen to dreaming beauty...
Troum -- "Tjukurrpa (part two: drones)" -- CD -- €12
Transgredient Records, TR-01b
This part two is dedicated to "drones", presenting five highly atmospheric and droning tracks ranging from minimal to monumental sounds, from dark ambient to more ritualistic areas: these are drones to loose your rational mind in. The music on Tjukurrpa II is made by loops based on metal-sounds, percussion & other more obscure sources, as well as mouth-organ, choirs, guitars, and effects. [press release]
Troum -- "Tjukurrpa (part three: rhythms and pulsations)" -- CD -- €12
2003 Transgredient Records, TR-01c
Dronecore. This is the third part in Troum's Tjukurrpa-trilogy, following part 1 (harmonies) and part 2 (drones). This final part is dedicated to "rhythms" and "pulsations", with a focus on rhythmic, pounding, looping & repetitive elements and structures. With Tjukurrpa 3, Troum shows a not so well known side, using the trance-power of repetitive textures. In every of the seven extensive tracks (playtime 66+ min) rhythms in various moods build the basis: from smooth ambience-pulsations over ritualistic surroundings up to ecstatic pounding harshness, from underneath & soft pulsative patterns up to evolving harsh & overwhelming rhythmic loops. The music on Tjukurrpa 3 is made by raw & processed loops & handplayed percussion, along with electric guitar & bass, balalaika, mouth organ, male & female human voice, flute, and accordeon. No samplers, synths or computers used. [press-release]
Unit 21 -- "November" -- CD -- €7
2007 Peace Technologies, PT 006
Unit 21 is the project of Stanislav Vdovin. He started in 2003 with techno-house remixes and later released several non-dance solo albums on independent net labels. Autumn of 2005 marks the beginning of his concert activity. The first performances were played in Moscow, Izhevsk and Nizhnii Novgorod. In May 2006 Stanislav has added to his collection another mini-album "September-October", with 4 tracks, released on Thinner net label. November is the first solo work of Unit 21, released on a hard copy. This is an extension of "September-October", in a more winter and twilight version. This is the album about seclusion and remembrance. The nature of all tracks is thoughtful and contemplative. Noise of planes flying over the winter forest, trudging on the snow, rattling of trains passing stations, rustling of pages of the musicians' books. [press-release]
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Urauschwitz -- "Zirkuszerfall" -- CD -- €7
2008 self-released
The debut release of a new Russian exoteric project Urauschwitz, oriented towards the world around us. The world which is complicated, satiated with signs and littered by propaganda. And the author tries to overview this "Zirkuszerfall" ("circus of decay") without distortions through the distorting mirror, and this is done with a good portion of black humour. The manner of soundwork of Urauschwitz can be compared to German project Turbund Sturmwerk. The artwork of this release should be particularly mentioned: it's done in vein of industrial constructivism of the artist Alexander Lebedev-Frontov (although some parallels with Turbund Sturmwerk can be found here too), but with a bit of "contamination" of sunny Man-Engine by cabbalistic art. [from the publisher]
Valefor -- "Graves Of Andras" -- CD -- €10
2001 Memento Mori, MORI 13
Ritual dark / black ambient. The brand new 3rd album by VALEFOR (aka. Black Funeral, Darkness Enshroud). "The Graves of Andras" is based on four particular spirits/demons (Astaroth, Asmodeus, Andras, and Lilith) and the use of Sonic Black Magic. The three primary spirits are Goetic, and represent various parts of the subconscious. Astaroth and Asmodeus were invoked during the recording of this album int of initiation. The Musick is based upon the invocation of these forces and acts as a "Sigil of Sound" from which the listener may use the recording for the materialization of the spirits within the performance. Lilith is the balance point of the album because this Lunar Goddess symbolizes the night, sorcery, and the forces of Black Magic. Lilith translates as "screeching," and Goetia loosely translates as "howling" or "screeching" as well. This recording is intended as a gateway towards the Demonic Realms. [Red Stream description]
Vidna Obmana -- "The Contemporary Nocturne" -- CD -- €11
2000 Hypnos, hyp2027
Vidna's work has become more experimental lately, and thats certainly more evident since his recent numerous collaborations in 1999. One senses a multi-layered approach here: first, there are his trademark minimalist pieces with long sustained drones as the basis and now, melodic creations and improvisational elements of a more unusual nature (by his older standards) are starting to emerge as a presumable desire to explore new and unknown musical teritory. [Vladimir Jovanovic, Zagreb Croatia]
Vir Unis & Saul Stokes -- "Thermal Transfer" -- CD -- €11
2002 Hypnos / Binary, hyby0203
Bouncing along like slightly heated molecules, Thermal Transfer warms the air with vibrant layered blips, meandering synths, and delicate tinkerings. Released on the new Hypnos sub-label, Binary, the electronically hyperactive thermal Transfer from Chicago based Vir Unis and Berkeley based Saul Stokes sets the standards for a new era in relaxing uptempo electronic music. The nine tracks glide through minor transformations with a sweet and comforting mood throughout and an airiness to the beats and synths that cleverly disguises their speed. The energy of techno infused IDM transfers into atmospheric soundscapes, resulting in a meeting place between the two where both elements can simultaneously appreciated on equal footing. Subtlety is key in the sound of Thermal Transfer; however, there are plenty of different intriguing noises, reverberating light beats, swirling synths rhythms, high end squiggles, and glowing sound washes to keep interest peaked from the opening "Kinetic Center" to the closing "Blurring Maguro (Interstitial Remix)." The final equilibrium is a fascinating and inviting sound experience that will tickle your brain and won't tire your ears. [Outburn Magazine]
Viridian Sun -- "Perihelion" -- CD -- €11
1999 Hypnos, hyp1910
Sonic adventurers Viridian Sun follow up their daring, acclaimed debut, Solar Noise. Perihelion goes in a slightly new sonic direction, but retains the intuitive, improvisational approach. The focus remains on creating highly visual and evocative soundscapes, an ever-evolving construction of loops and drifting background textures, both hypnotic and beautiful. [label info]
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Vnuk, Paul Jr. -- "Silence Speaks in Shadow" -- CD -- €10
2001 Hypnos, hyp2134
Paul Vnuk Jr. is one half of Ma Ja Le. (His good friend and "brother," Chris Short, is the other half.) Vnuk has recorded some very cool vibes with Short. However, his best work -- by far -- is Silence Speaks in Shadow, a solo release. Vnuk recorded this over a one-year period in his studio in Cudahy, WI. Two thunderstorms, one year apart, provide the background ambience. Other environmental sounds enhance the listening experience as well. There are train tracks near Vnuk's studio. It is also near a major thoroughfare, as the sounds of emergency vehicle sirens and traffic in general would indicate. Vnuk's atmospheres are huge and expansive; they surround the natural sounds and carry the soundscape. This is deep stuff. It is hypnotic and psychoactive. Deep listening reveals all the nuances and subtleties of Vnuk's sound design. This is a disc to be experienced, and headphones, darkness, and incense enhance the journey. This disc is an instant classic, and will appeal to fans of James Johnson, Zero Ohms, Brannan Lane, and Jeff Greinke. It is essential music. [All Music Guide]
Vnuk, Paul Jr. & Oöphoi -- "Distance to Zero" -- CD -- €11
2006 Hypnos, hyp2649
Hypnos has been much quieter these past couple of years, but when they do release a CD the quality remains quite high. The signature minimal ambient sound of the label is evident on Distance to Zero. Low drones pulse in and out to begin. Some dissonant elements are laid over the top for an eerie effect. The way the music breathes slowly in and out reminds me of another Hypnos release, Tom Heasley’s Where the Earth Meets the Sky. Ambient in the truest sense, this music floats about restlessly, aimlessly, with no hint of rhythm or melody. Abstract sounds are used to their full potential in the subtlest of ways. The sounds become rough and gritty as it flows from the first to the second movement, which rings out with resonant metallic sounds, seeming to reverberate forever. The sounds become darker and more intense. As the disc makes its way from part two to part four (part three apparently didn’t make the cut), the long slow fade of one moves right into a deep bass tone. At normal volume it isn’t all that extraordinary, but I had turned it up to hear the subtleties in the quieter part, and found my stomach in my throat for just a moment there at the transition point. Easily the brightest of the three sections, gentle bells feature prominently here, along with those aforementioned low muffled booming sounds. It is not uncommon for minimal ambient works to include a long slow fade, and this one is exceptional in its patient denouement. Distance to Zero is first-rate adventurous ambience. [Phil Derby, Electroambientspace.com]
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