Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:15 am Post subject:
Electrocutioner wrote:
Check out Jonas Lindgren, he makes really cute electronic drone-pop songs.

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O_O I am astounded, or maybe just really tired, but these songs are incredible. I can’t believe I missed out on that. Haven’t been able to find many of the other artists mentionned here on Soulseek, though, such beautiful musica.

..but then, oh well..

If you have an hour or so to spare, you should really head over to Chronicles of Chaos and read one of the best articles on American Death Metal I’ve read in a long, long time. It is focusing on the brilliant Angelcorpse, but covers a whole lot more.

Last year Hwem released a mp3 EP with Martin Herterich, namely Recordings 070401-070521. As always I downloaded it with excitement but somehow forgot about it. I might have listened to it, but if I did it wasn’t done properly, giving it the time to sit down and listen without distractions, the way new music deserves.

Well, a few weeks ago, late one night I did, and I was in for a treat. Martin succeeds with something many contemporary musicians in “our field” fails to do, namely to create truly timeless, breathtaking music. While ever so soft and ethereal, every single note seems to demand my full attention, something I gladly lend it for the 25 minutes the EP lasts. So should you.

If you know me in person, or happen to keep track on my Flickr updates you probably know of my growing interest in a pleasant and calming hobby, namely pipe smoking. I haven’t mentioned it much here, because I doubt anyone is interested in reading my ramblings or look at pictures of my new purchases.

BUT, along comes the first International Pipe-Smoking Day, which purpose to some extent is to inform about as well as promote pipe smoking, something I am more than happy to do in these days of hysteric anti-smoking propaganda.

Anyway, make sure to add this iCal event to your calender so you don’t forget the date, and read more about the event here and here.

Wolves In The Throne Room - Two Hunters

Two Hunters was the big surprise of 2007. I never bothered to check out Wolves In The Throne Room’s previous album because of various reason. On a whim I gave this album a change though, and I’m glad I did. Wolves.. are picking up the torch In The Woods… dropped after their monumental debut album HEart of The Ages, and while not reaching those heights Two Hunters is still fabulous and probably my absolute favorite this year. Progressive without getting to technical and long, monotone tracks that doesn’t get boring. Now I just have to find the vinyl edition of this…

Deathspell Omega - Fas - Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum

I really couldn’t decide if this would make the list or not, since I can’t decide what to think of it. It is a bit too over the top for me, with strange breaks and guitar solos all over the place. Still, it is a very fine example of progressive and avant garde Black Metal that still manages to summon an orthodox, satanic atmosphere.. whatever that is.
What finally made me decide to include it is the perfect production and the vocals, which are almost perfect. The cover is quite awesome too. Still, overall not as good as their previous fullength I would say.

Klimek - Dedications

This is just more of the same in a way, but still very enjoyable. It’s been in the stack of CD’s I keep next to the stereo and never bother to put back in the shelves since I play them so often since we got it.

Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, Fall, Falling

I don’t know what to say what hasn’t already been said by myself as well as others. It’s a brilliant album.

Kroda - Fimbulvinter

Epic and folkish Black Metal in a style that I usually don’t like, but this is the exception I guess. It’s hard to pick a favorite track, they all stand out equally I think. They are, together with Drudkh and maybe Graveland the standout East European bands.

Peste Noire - Folkfuck Folie

Raw, French and fucked up Black Metal. Best cover of the year.

Shining - Halmstad

This one came as a shock. While I have enjoyed their previous album to some degree they never stood out somehow. This is a huge leap forward though, and one that takes them out of the Black Metal genre I would say. Hard to pinpoint them though, which I guess is what I find appealing. A depressive mix of traditional rock a’la Blue Oyster Cult and more traditional Metal with over the top, but great, vocals.

Forgotten Tomb - Negative Megalomania

If Shining takes depressive Black Metal in a rock/metal direction, I guess you could say that Forgotten Tomb goes grunge, because this reminds me more of Alice In Chains than Abyssic Hate. Still, this is very catchy and hard not to like.

Efterklang - Parades

One of the few more pop oriented albums I’ve enjoyed this year, if not the only one. A spectacular but natural progression from their previous work, and a very impressive album in every way. I got to see them in concert during their tour when they played here in Gothenburg and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended.

Mütiilation - Sorrow Galaxies

This is the only album I’ve bothered to check out since the comeback, but I think it is just as enjoyable as Vampires of Black Imperial Blood, though different. This is pretty straight forward in a way, but still there is something that keeps me listening to it again and again.

Chimera Synthesis bC16 is the first piece of hardware that has actually tempted me for real in quite some time. The combination for modularity and portability is simply awesome.

The bC16 miniature patch synthesizer packs a fully featured analog VCO, LFO, ADSR envelope generator, VCA, VCF, noise source & ring modulator all in a CD sized case CNC machined from 10mm high-grade acrylic plastic.

Sixteen color coded potentiometers control key functions, connections between synthesizer sections is done using thirty 2mm mini-banana sockets.

The whole concept sort of reminds me of Technosaurus line of portable synths and effects, of which I only owned a Microcon for a brief period of time before selling it again. I’m sure the bC16 would be more up my alley, and in combination with some other analog gear like the Moogerfoogers, this would be the perfect portable noise/drone kit.

Also, for those more “musically” oriented than myself, this might be interesting…

A low cost optical interface kit is due-out shortly (homage to the Thingamagoop) and the bC16 can be used with our *soon-to-be* released SM16 analog sequencer/MIDI-CV and the pH303 acid bass line synthesizer.

Hwem just released a new Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words MP3 EP, “Forgive/Forget/Regret (Variation on “She Was Smiling When She Said Goodbye”)“.

As usual when it comes to these offshoot releases DLSODW strays from the Drone Pop he has become known for lately, and takes a step back to his droney past. A step back is necessarily not something bad, and this release is the perfect example.

Mostly hyperminimalistic, bleak and cold, and while it does get a little more upbeat towards the end, even stepping into that Drone Pop territory, it’s the opening 10 or so minutes that defines this release for me. This is one of the better “minor” releases from Thomas in quite some time, and a essential download for fans of Nurse With Wound’s “Salt Marie Celeste”.

Anyway, I hope 2008 will be a great year, for me and for you.

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Update: I actually got everything working without a lot of hassle, so the blog is working properly and can go back to being neglected. All is well.

Viktor Sjöberg just released the first record on his “new label” Personal Work, Red, Red Wine by Tsukimono. It’s a box set including 3″ CD, postcard, essay, wine glass and bottle of red wine, but in all honesty it’s hard to describe so you better check it out for yourself.. but belive me, it’s the most impressive box since insert Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words-box of your choice.