Caen -
Middlefield (Urashima): I only know
Ashworth's work as
Caen from the
Waiting Music tape on Joy De Vivre, so I'm no expert on his droney works. This seems very much up a similar alley though. Sunshine-flecked harmonies that definitely take you to a good place. I'm
very surprised this was released on a label that seems to specialize in classic industrial re-releases and HNW on vinyl (forever perplexed by this...). I hope this marks a new path for Urashima.
Hypnosis -
Moon of Death and Other Recent Works (Urashima): Another change of pace for the label too. Much like Johansson's recent offerings, although this isn't so much like
Vittra Sönder as it is like the collabs with
Frederikke Hoffmeier - minus the fairly mundane vocals. Heavy, dreary, dark atmosphere. This is a project alongside
Joachim Nordwall. I think these two titans work so well together. Excellent LP here!
Dead Congregation -
Promulgation of The Fall (Martyrdoom): If this isn't better than or equal to
Graves..., it's simply cos I haven't played it 600 times yet. But that day is already fast approaching.
Abigor -
Supreme And Immortal Is The Art Of The Devil (Avantegarde): The recent interview here (
secondheartmagazine.com/interviews/abigor) reminded me that I tucked this away shortly after I purchased it. Think I was in a more hi-fi mood at the time, but now I can appreciate these modern but raw recordings very much. My listening session started off with the
In Hate And Sin bonus disc though, which is such a killer demo. I'm very fond of Abigor's life in the present, so I always treasure those rare moments where their archaic origins work for me.
Rose Croix -
Rose Croix (Brave Mysteries/Ajna): Blatantly a
Kinit Her-related project, despite the avoidance of that info. I think it was described as "a more martial
Dead Can Dance", but in all truth this is just an incredible album of
The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath A Cloud worship. Not much else to relate. It kills and I have played this ceaselessly since the tape first came out. Always have it somewhere near the "listen to" pile.
Clew Of Theseus -
Live July 3, 2010 (Cathartic Process): One of the less thrilling drone works from
Brucato. Just too literal, predictable and non-emotional.
Clew Of Theseus/
Buckettovsissors -
Split (Cathartic Process): Getting closer to the excellence that is on
Rehearse The Right Life and especially
The Death Urge, but still a little uninteresting. Can't say I remember anything about
Buckettovsissors, so take that for what it's worth.
Clew Of Theseus -
Oran (Cathartic Process): Not sure if this was recorded before or after
Meridian, but if you're familiar with that album this is a similar mash-up, albeit at a slower pace.
Meridian was 7-12 minute pieces of shrill noise and oppressive drone. This is more like 25 minutes shrill, 25 minutes drone, repeat and 25 minutes shrill. A little more unforgiving if you're looking for a mood change, but much more enjoyable than the above two works. Anyone buy the book version and/or the edition with the 8" lathe? Curious to know if that's worth a future purchase.
