AMBER ASYLUM - 'Bitter River' CD (Profound Lore Records)
Reflecting back towards the earlier era of the act in which mastermind Kris Force manifested, 'Bitter River' is an unearthing of the magic of such classic Amber Asylum observations as 'Natural Philosophy Of Love' and 'Songs Of Sex & Death', updating the immaculate vibe with Amber Asylum's current carnation. Now featuring co-writer Leila Abdul-Rauf (Saros), along with cello player Jackie Perez-Gratz (Giant Squid, Grayceon, Asunder), dominating low-end frequencies courtesy of bass player Eric Wood (Bastard Noise), flute player Sigrid Sheie (Hammers Of Misfortune), drummer Chiyo Nukaga (Graves At Sea, Noothgrush) and also featuring a guest narration by Jarboe (ex-Swans), it is through each member's respective lent talent that brings forth the illustrious presence emanating from 'Bitter River'. Digipak.
"Maleficia is the bay area duo of Andy Way (Orchest, French Radio, Carrion) and Ilysea Viles Sunderman, who crafted this desolate, post-industrial smear of voice, violin, and electronics for the always impressive isounderscore label. With the titles of the two side long pieces being "Making" and "Remaking," Maleficia offers a crucible of elemental sounds being obliterated into a charred dust and rebuilt into ashen constructions of misery and disgust... The industrialized loops that wraps around the voice and violin come across like a slow-motion Maurizio Bianchi on par with the downer records he did with Land Use or the grim power electronic phase in the early '80s. Certainly for fans of Amber Asylum, early Lustmord, and the dark ambient aspects of Broken Flag" (Aquarius). Ltd x 400 copies.
THE TRIPLE TREE - 'Ghosts' CD (Cold Spring CSR96CD)
The Triple Tree consists of Tony Wakeford (Sol Invictus) and Andrew King aided and abetted by M, Autumn Grieve, Kris Force (Amber Asylum), Guy Harries, Renee Rosen and John Murphy (Death In June, SPK, KnifeLadder) and is an homage to the supernatural fiction of M. R. James, the greatest ghost story writer in the English language, and the finest medievalist of his generation. Join Dr Wakeford and the Rev. King as they search for the Three Crowns, attempt to Cast the Runes, purchase The Mezzotint, follow Mr Abney�s remarkable enlightenment in Lost Hearts, and join Count Magnus on the Black Crusade! Winter evenings will never be the same again. Digipak with booklet.
VA - 'With Friends Like These...' 2 x CD (Tursa / Kaparte Promotions)
"With Friends Like These" is a double CD compilation by Tursa and Kaparte Productions who are jointly responsible for the successful "Ship Of Fools " club nights in central London. Oldies like Orchestra Noir, Sieben, Naevus, Tor Lundvall, Tony Wakeford, Andrew King and Arcana are joined by a roster of less gnarled artists from the UK, Europe and beyond. This is a compilation of artists not constrained by musical label or ghetto: Albireon, Alex Monk, Amber Asylum, Andrew King, Arcana, Art Immunda, Autumn Grieve, Brown Sierra, Christy & Emily, Cutty Sark, Eva Eden, Gargemella, Golgatha, Gregorio Bardini, Guy Harries, Heidika, Hekate, Hide & Seek, Hong Kong In The 60s, Human Greed, Man Eat Man Eat Man, Mercy Liao, Naevus, Orchestra Noir, Pilori, (r), Richard Moult, Rose Rovine E Amanti, Seventh Harmonic, Shining Vril, Sieben, Sonver, Susan Matthews, That Summer, The Hare & The Moon, Tony Wakeford, Tor Lundvall, Vega, Vultures and While Angels Watch.
