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.
Divided into chapters, but works best as one long song, 'II:Ruined' is a massive plunge through crawling and pounding vibes of distorted madness, bass-heavy frequencies, methodically played drums, and utterly painful virulent vocals, all filtered through pure unbridled atmosphere and ambience. A sonic scenario where every negative emotion conceived manifests into beyond epic proportions. Featuring guest appearances from Crippled Black Phoenix founder Justin Greaves (ex-Electric Wizard / Iron Monkey), and UK songstress Rose Kemp, 'II:Ruined' will appeal to those who worship at the altar of such bands like Khanate, Sunn O))) and Corrupted respectively. This North American edition comes in a gorgeously designed 8-panel digipak and contains an exclusive bonus track. Also, if you look very closely within the layout, you will find Morse Code which leads to exclusive audio online!
ATAVIST / NADJA - 'II:Points At Infinity' CD (Profound Lore Records)
Spanning two epic elongated tracks (around 22 minutes each), 'Points At Infinity' goes much further substance and depth wise than the first experimentation these two acts converged in. Taking this experiment between both acts to the next level, 'Points At Infinity' takes the doom / drone / ambient experiment into new territory as both acts continue to push new sonic ground. 'Points At Infinity' also marks the first Atavist recording featuring the new Atavist line-up which consists of new vocalist Matt Bartley and ex-Narcosis bass player Oliver Turner. Of course Nadja is and always will be Aidan Baker and Leah Buckareff. 6-panel digipak.
UK 11£
Europe 12£
World 13£
QUANTITY
DONIS - 'Kas Tave Saukia' CD (Dangus)
Donis' latest album explores Lithuanian historical war folklore, presenting ancient songs with impressive new musical creations. Bright and sad lyrical melodies are together with marching beats and militant spirit - monumental and stoic, subtle and truly profound. Donis' style is unique and beautiful with the composer's precise hand on every note, sound and harmony. "Kas tave šaukia..." (Who is calling you) was features violins, Baltic bagpipe, dulcimer, keyboards, various folk instruments, accordion, piano, wind bells. Classic, electric guitar improvisations and lute add a touch of the folk-pop genre. The album is dedicated to 600 years anniversary of the Great Žalgiris (Grunwald 1410) battle. Digipak.
The first Rock-A-Rolla of the '10s features Post No-Wave oddballs Liars. There's also interviews with Wicked King Wicker, Mike Watt (Minutemen, Porno For Pyros), Pyramids, Dethscalator, Motorpsycho, Sankt Otten, White Hills, The Tenebrous Liar, Dÿse and These Monsters. This month's Label Focus is on Profound Lore. Also included is the usual vast selection of news, music, DVD and live reviews from the avant-rock, metal, noise and experimental scenes. Highly recommended!
UK 5.00£
Europe 7.50£
World 10.00£
QUANTITY
SCOTT HULL - 'Requiem' CD (Relapse Records)
"Requiem", the first score from veteran sound-designer Scott Hull (Pig Destroyer, Agoraphobic Nosebleed), is a beautiful yet acutely sobering work of profound depth and reach. "Requiem" explores the pathos of death, the burden of guilt, and the weight of consequence in all their stages. Dark Ambient / Drone / Experimental music influenced by Morricone and Popol Vuh and films such as The Shining, Dead Man, Aguirre and more, "Requiem" further establishes Hull as a modern virtuoso. Hardback digisleeve.
UK 11£
Europe 12£
World 13£
QUANTITY
VISIONS - 'Summoning The Void' CD (Cyclic Law)
Visions is the Dark Ambient project of Frédéric Arbour (Cyclic Law boss). Following in the footsteps of "Lapse" (2005), "Summoning The Void" offers a deeper and more refined rendering of previously explored themes. This is unmistakably VISIONS, but a notch above in terms of spaciousness, musicality and profound spirituality. Passages that are more solemn and austere give way to ritualised motifs where voices from the void whisper words beyond words. Calm drifts bearing a more aerial and streamlined quality emerge, from which shards of light cut through the massive pitch-black backdrop where a bulging red sun awaits in the distance, endlessly and slowly consuming itself. Beyond that, nothingness. Void. A world and non-world of infinite proportions, a macrocosmic voyage through the hidden and intangible vastness of all... for we are stardust. Ltd x 1000 copies in an outsize embossed sleeve.
YOB - 'The Great Cessation' CD (Profound Lore Records)
The heaviest, darkest, most oppressive sounding and varied Yob album to date. With the behemoth-like monolithically paced traditional “cosmic” doom sounds that have helped define Yob’s sound over the years, Yob also incorporate new elements that give “The Great Cessation” a pummeling energetic vibe like no other Yob album, while at the same time delivering even more plunging abysmal dirge-like histrionics that go so far as to even render moments on “The Great Cessation” as blasphemous and evil. In true Yob tradition, the album ends with the 20-minute title track, which ends the album in that surging victorious moment; in the most epic of moments. A 2-LP edition was later issued on Southern Lord. Digipak.
