Crow (UK) - remastered albums

I'm probably going to make this my last post on here; I haven't posted in over 2 years, I just don't have the time or motivation to post regularly anymore. So I will leave this page with something very close to my heart.

Whitstable's Crow have been my favourite band since I first saw them at the tender impressionable age of 17 in 1993, and have inspired and informed pretty much everything I have done in the time since then, often to the point of blatant mimicry. Their music is a seamless blend of tribal space-rock with elements of raging punky thrash, executed with a dynamic that contrasts light and dark, heavy and mellow.

Their two albums have been constant mainstays of my listening throughout every twist and turn of the past 23 years, but it has always annoyed me that they were only ever released on cassette. As soon as I had the technology, I attempted to eradicate the tape noise, but with the usual limited results such endeavours produce. I always yearned to be able to hear the music freed from that eternal damning hiss.

So I recently took things into my own hands and tracked down the original DAT tapes of both albums. With the band's blessing I have lovingly remastered them and put them on BandCamp for download (all money goes to the band, not myself). There are plans for a limited run of physical CD copies, so keep an eye out for those.

Crow (UK) - "Medicine Wheel" (1992)

(remastered 2016)

1. Ayermandominar

2. Led Zep

3. Poppy Fields

4. Circles

5. E Mosh

6. NN1

7. Conditioning

Crow (UK) -- "The Tides of Apsaroke" (1993)

(remastered 2014)

1. Thunderbird

2. So Very Old

3. Mean Nothing, Say Nothing

4. Testosterone

5. What Do You Want?

6. Apsaroke

7. Sedation

8. No Reaction (Still)

9. Analyse, Synthesize

10. Trance

http://crowkent.bandcamp.com/

Fare thee well, friends.

Sex Act (UK) - Demo I: Confession

Reece Green. Again. The guy seems to produce quality projects like you and I produce stools. I've never even met the guy and I want to take him home and keep him chained naked in my cellar, creating edgy underground sonic art to fulfil my every perverse whim.

This latest offering from the man is Sex Act, a one-man lo-fi black metal-based project with post-punk influences. The music is raw and simple; primal and repetitive guitar riffs create a wash of distorted noise, so much so that I can't actually tell if there are any drums or not. The post-punk influence mainly manifests itself in the vocals, which sound like the tormented shade of Ian Curtis murmuring despondently through a distorted mic in the next room, whilst still hanging from the rope that killed him.

There are 6 untitled tracks here, five of which follow largely the above formula. The final track however diverts into slightly different territory; a sheet of squally feedback taking it into the realms of industrial noise, more akin to Reece's other outlets Other Life or Flesh Prison.

This, like Reece's other projects should be available soon on cassette via his Vanity Pill label, and is now available to download from:

http://sexact.bandcamp.com/

I'll see you all next week, by which time Reece should have seven new projects for me to review.

Ego Death (UK) - Decay EP

You know those times when you're wading uphill through a torrent of viscous neon tar that's oozing slowly downwards, with the hot sun scorching the skin off your back, and you reach the top and lie down for a rest beneath a gently oscillating fan?

And you know those other times when you're nailed to the underside of a high-speed train with your ear right next to the screeching wheels, and your flesh is being lacerated by the gravel and sleepers between the tracks as you hurtle through the Kent countryside?

Well, both of these everyday scenarios have been perfectly conjured in sonic form by Folkestone-based noise/power-electronics artist Ego Death (aka Alex Terry) on his recent "Decay" EP, and that's just the first two tracks. All four tracks are awash with a fat, squelchy, moist distortion that sounds like it could be severely damaging to your health.

Ego Death is another part of the small local scene I have recently become aware of, and Alex is co-founder of the new Vanity Pill Tapes label along with Reece Green from Flesh Prison/Other Life.
This EP will soon be released on cassette through Vanity Pill, but until then can be heard at:

https://soundcloud.com/prisonfag/sets/ego-death

Flesh Prison (UK) - "Heaven's Gate"

To my knowledge, Kent has never really had a cohesive Noise "scene" as such; a few scattered artists and collectives here and there; from the full-on noise wall of Slugbait to the more expansive experiments of Nancy's Place and Splintered, and my own flirtings with the genre as Balbulus and Lambda Sond. There may well have been others I wasn't aware of, huddled over their distortion pedals and laughing at my ignorance. 

Of late however, I have become aware of a small scene emerging in Folkestone, largely centred around the various projects of one young man, Reece Green, who apart from being vocalist for Black/PV oufit Sorg, records under the names Other Life and Flesh Prison. Other Life provides a gentler approach, with subtle lambent melodies lurking amidst the static, whilst Flesh Prison is devoid of these niceties, focussing instead on the harsher side of the genre. This is not however a constant full-frontal assault (such approaches tire me easily); there is a constant ebb and flow to the textures, minimal rhythmic loop textures lull the listener into a trance before building up to a pummelling cacophony. There is a tendency towards the lower end of the spectrum, distorted rumblings rather than high-end scree. There is also a raw spontaneity to the material that I find appealing, nothing here has been over-thought or perfected.

This release can be obtained as a "name your price" download from the BandCamp page, plus the SoundCloud page has more regular (if less organised) updates and new tracks.

For more information and updates, keep an eye on the Facebook page.


Note: In addition to these projects, Reece has recently started Vanity Pill, a small cassette label dedicated to UK noise and experimental projects.
https://www.facebook.com/vanitypilluk

Ranseur (USA) - Cracked Castle

A quick review: Ranseur give us clunky, awkward and simplistic Dungeon Synth with a prominent backing of white noise. I have a nagging suspicion this is the product of a joke aimed at those (like me) who enjoy lo-fi DS, but it greatly appeals to my perverse streak nevertheless; I have a strange love of clumsy "outsider" music (I am after all the world's biggest fan of Varghkoghargasmal).

Love the scribbled cover art too.

Ranseur - "Cracked Castle" (2013)

1. On Dangerous Paths

2. Alchemist's Riddle

3. Souls of the Dead

4. Corruption and Treachery

Download (name your price):

http://ranseur.bandcamp.com/album/cracked-castle

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ranseur/242288352533849

Other Life (UK) - Hate Alone Is Not Enough

Other Life is a new industrial/noise project formed by Reece Thomas Green, vocalist for Folkestone-based BM act Sorg (see previous post). For the time being this 4 track demo is available only as free download on the Soundcloud page, but there are plans for a CD/cassette release in the imminent future.

I'm not 100% certain of the exact order of the tracks; I'm assuming the oldest track comes first, with the newest track last; however I feel that the reverse would make a better running order. My favourite track here is "Blue Figures", which is constructed from a simple but evocative melody over a relatively subdued hum, that reminds me of early Magnétophone. "Hate Alone Is Not Enough" and "Aokigahara" are more standard noise fare, with sheets of distortion and feedback evoking classic Merzbow and Kent noise act Slugbait. "Empty Factories" is another more ambient affair, with a hypnotic 2-note distorted feedback figure repeating over and over before being swamped by the background scree.

Other Life - "Hate Alone Is Not Enough" (2013)

1. Blue Figures
2. Hate Alone is Not Enough
3. Aokigahara
4. Empty Factories
(uncertain track order)

Free download from:
https://soundcloud.com/other-life

Info and updates via the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/otherlyf

Sorg (UK) - Demo I

Haven't posted in a while. Like you care. To make up, here's something brand new and exclusive: Sorg are a new band from Folkestone, Kent, who have just released this first demo. It's nasty, raw, lo-fi Black Metal, drenched in feedback, and with the kind of production that sounds like it was recorded through a soiled mattress in the next house. Perfect.

The demo is comprised of just 3 short songs, with a total running time of less than 6 minutes. I've played it 4 times in succession so far, and I'm still not bored of it.

The BandCamp page has the dreaded "blackened hardcore" tag, which is something I usually can't stand, but these guys do it right in my opinion, with enough sombre droney BM atmosphere to keep me interested.

It'll be interesting to see what Sorg do next. Until then, get this demo for "pay what you want" at:
http://sorgkent.bandcamp.com

And keep an eye on developments at:
http://www.facebook.com/sorgkent


Sorg - "Demo I" (2013)

1. Excidium
2. Sorg
3. Vorovski Mir

MediaFire account suspended

Sorry folks, MediaFire have suspended my account, due to an incorrect copyright claim (HBO claiming that they own the copyright to Dr. Chair! Surely some mistake...). I hope to resolve it soon, if not, well, it's been fun...

Popetentacle (UK) -- Spirit of Yod

This is a short post, as there's really not much to say about Popetentacle. Minimalistic instrumental psych/drone from Belfast. Droning guitars. Hypnotic tribal drum rhythms. Occasionally they speed up. Occasionally they slow down. Occasionally they stop.

This is good shit.

Popetentacle -- "Spirit of Yod" (2012)

1. 1...
2. 2...
3. 3...

Get it for whatever price you choose at:

http://popetentacle.bandcamp.com/

Be generous, with a bit of money they could afford to buy another chord or two.

Loremaster (US) -- Temple Of The Oracle

Another offering from the realm of Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient; I'm a little obsessed with this area of music at the moment. Loremaster is an interesting little obscurity I discovered recently whilst trawling BandCamp for Dungeon Synth releases. I personally think it falls within the bounds of DS, however some of you may disagree.  It is certainly more relaxing and meditative than most DS, as well as less obviously "synthy".

Despite the Northern European theme of the cover illustration (a scene from the Bayeux Tapestry), the music it represents has (to me) more of a classical Mediterranean feel. The 3 lengthy tracks give me the feeling of slowly walking around an ancient deserted temple, maybe Greek or Egyptian; the dusty gloom is penetrated by faint beams of sunlight; the stale air holds an almost subliminal hint of exotic incense long faded. You are surrounded by soft tones and slow sensual melodies, the deep drone of low horns, softly plucked strings and sparse reverbating percussion. During the first 2 tracks, there is no oppressive threat, no ghostly eeriness, no triumphant warmongering; just a sense of great age and the lingering memory of forgotten rituals. The third track is somewhat more ominous in tone than the other two. Maybe your contemplative explorations have unwittingly roused the sleeping god to whom the temple is dedicated. Or maybe my imagination is getting the better of me...

In some ways this album reminds me of the Sarah Wexler tape I posted a few years back, it has the same dreamy meditative feel. It also has echoes of some of the more ambient moments of Trial Of The Bow (who I also posted some time ago).

For those among you who enjoy letting your mind wander down long-deserted corridors, Loremaster is much recommended.

Loremaster -- "Temple Of The Oracle" (2012)

1. Temple of the Oracle

2. Inquisitor

3. Sigil of the One God

Available to download at whatever price you choose, from:

http://loremaster.bandcamp.com

Erang

This project was brought to my attention via the superb Dungeon Synth blog. Erang creates wonderful nostalgic soundtracks of (mainly) synth-based music that evoke lost memories and forgotten places.

There are currently two albums available: a self-titled debut, and the recently-released "Tome II"; plus I am reliably informed that "Tome III" will be released before the end of the year. Both albums contain folk-tinged Dungeon Synth of the highest order, contrasting moments of stark sparseness reminiscient of Burzum's "Dauði Baldrs" album, with moments of fantastic grandeur a la early Mortiis. Here and there I also pick up fleeting echoes of artists like Isan and E*Vax; the fragile and nostalgic brand of abstract electronica that sprang up in the late 90s/early 00s in the wake of Boards of Canada and Autechre etc. This however, is only a passing similarity that is heavily outweighed by the more obvious Dungeon Synth qualities.

There is a certain "lo-fi" feeling that creeps through in places, more prominently on the 1st album; a woozy, slightly warped feel to the higher frequencies, as if the music had been recorded on an old analogue tape before being transferred to digital. I suspect (though I may be wrong), that this is a deliberate attempt to give the music a more aged quality. If so, it is certainly effective.

In a scene that is forever dominated by past masters like Mortiis, Erang is certainly among the handful of current leaders who are seeking to keep the Dungeon Synth genre alive and growing.

 

Erang -- "Erang" (2012)

Erang -- "Tome II" (2012)

Both albums can be downloaded for the meagre sum of $2 each (or more, if you choose), from:

http://erang.bandcamp.com

Ophir (USA)

I've been trawling the depths of BandCamp just lately, and there are some real gems to be found, such as this act that I discovered the other day: Ophir. At first I was intrigued, then I was hooked, as I delved into the challenging but rewarding music produced by this mysterious band. There are 3 releases here, all available to download at whatever price you wish (including free if you wish).

The music of Ophir could best be described as post-Black Metal ambience; long droning ritualistic dirges constructed with layers of guitar lines drenched in reverb and excessive distortion, sounding like cascades of golden poisonous honey burning into your ears...Whilst all of the tracks on offer here follow a general formula, once your mind locks into the artistic world they offer, variation and detail start to emerge from the apparent cacophony. Some the tracks are achingly beautiful, others chaotically dissonant. The 1st release "Nutmeg" is by far the most challenging, seeming more random and atonal than the others. The 2nd and 3rd releases, "Cebu" and "Spikenard" respectively, both offer relatively more "listenable" tracks, though still challenging to the casual listener.

I can find no further information about the band/project, but I will be keeping an eye out for future releases.

Ophir -- "Nutmeg" (2012)

1. Cassia

2. Nutmeg

Ophir -- "Cebu" (2012)

1. Cardamom

2. Cebu

Ophir -- "Spikenard" (2012)

1. Opal

2. Spikenard

All the above can be downloaded from Ophir's BandCamp page:

http://ophir666.bandcamp.com/

NÃ da (SWZ) -- "KomAmoK" EP

New Nàda! And it has evaded my radar for almost a year! Close followers of this blog will know that I have always held Swiss tribal industrialists Nàda in great esteem; their debut album "Celmètra" was one of my first posts, and their 2nd album "Ùr" has become one of my favourite albums ever. When I posted Remo Seeland's post-Nàda project Hollow Bone, I assumed Nàda had been laid to rest forever. However, they released this new 10" EP late last year, and it is available for free download from their SoundCloud page.

These 2 tracks are certainly very interesting; "KomA" is a fairly restrained sombre piece, featuring textural sounds with occasional bursts of power. "AmoK" is more immediate and primal, evoking tribal sludge kings Neurosis at their finest.

I have no idea if this is the final burst of life from Nàda, or if there is more to come... here's hoping.

Nàda "KomAmoK" EP (2011)

1. KomA
2. AmoK

free download from:
http://soundcloud.com/nada-is-dead/

Wedding (UK) -- Demo 2011

Wedding hail from Margate, Kent. I caught them last Friday at a gig in Ashford, and I was impressed enough to give them a bit of promotion here. A two-piece lineup up of bass/vocals and drums, they certainly made a formidable noise. Musically, I would probably file this under Post-Hardcore or Noisecore, but I'm sure there are myriads of new genre-tags that I'm not even aware of these days. The songs are short and to the point, mainly hovering around the minute mark (harking back to Grindcore ethics), consisting of distorted bass melodies backed by punchy and fluent drumming, all topped with strained hardcore vocals. The prominent bass does give it all a bit of a post-punk/rock/whatever feel, which I think is what caught my attention.

Wedding -- Demo 2011

01. No Intro
02. Smash Kings
03. Dogs
04. Christmas Party
05. David Watts
06. We're New and We'll See
07. Cool Town is Big Town
08. Pathetico Madrid
09. Air Conditioning
10. Istanbul
11. Wicked and Bad

Download it for free here:

http://wedding.bandcamp.com/

Mangled Dehumanization (UK)

Mangled Dehumanization was a recording project of Lee Barrett, founder of Candelight Records and ex-bassist for Extreme Noise Terror, To-Mera and Disgust. He recorded these two brief tracks of primitive and rudimentary Death Metal in 2002 using "a £10 mic, an old drum machine, and no clue of what I was doing" (his words!). This was never officially released, and only came to light recently when Lee was cleaning out his garage! I have ripped these tracks from Lee's YouTube videos; I have no idea whether the abrupt endings are intentional or not, but they add to the raw, primitive feel.

Mangled Dehumanization -- Demo

1. Ultra Nuclear Destruction
2. Orgy Of The Damned

Download

Lockjaw

A bit of a mystery post... I recorded this strange track off the John Peel show back in 2001, and an internet search reveals nothing more than what is detailed on this page which lists the playlist for that night (15th Feb 2001). It doesn't seem to be any of the Lockjaws listed on Discogs, or anywhere else. (UPDATE: it would actually appear to be Lockjaw (10) on Discogs, who have an earlier CD on the same label from 1998, from which John Peel also played a track.)

The track is broadly speaking experimental electronica, with loops and textures underlaying a found recording of a humourous anecdote spoken in very precise English tones. Whether or not this track is representative of the rest of the album is anyone's guess.

If anyone can shed any light on the band/artist or album, please get in touch.


Lockjaw -- "Arse of Biscuit"
from "Do You Believe In The Afterbirth" CD (Blip 080)

Download

Balbulus (UK) -- "Preview" demo 2006

Another personal post. Balbulus is the name of my own recording project/band since 2003. During 2004-2008 it went through a phase of being a live band, initially as an instrumental duo, then as a trio with Andy H from Nancy's Place on vocals. We began recording an album, but this was never finished. This 3-track taster demo was the only finished product in this lineup. I have a lot more solo instrumental demos that I may post at some point soon.

Info (Metal Archives)
Info (MySpace)

Musically, this is broadly Industrial Metal mixed with various influences from Alt-Rock and Prog/Space-Rock.

Balbulus -- "Preview" demo 2006

1. Nothing To See Here
2. Hi-on-Life
3. Pierrepoint

Download

Moondragon (UK) -- "Moondragon" tape 1990

A quick post this. Somebody sent me the link to this debut cassette from Cornwall's space/psych/punk crusties Moondragon, whose 2 later albums I have posted previously (click HERE to see them). This album has less of a punk element to it, the reggae influence standing out much more prominently.

Moondragon -- "Moondragon" cassette 1990

1. The Blue Boots Dub
2. The Bottle
3. The Market
4. The Memories
5. The Quest

Download

Elemental (UK) -- rehearsal demos

A bit of a personal post this; Elemental was my first proper band (not counting a couple of dodgy Grunge/Thrash covers bands that only gigged once each), based in Ashford, Kent between 1996 and 1998. We played heavy Psychedelic Rock, with smatterings of Metal, Punk and Ambient thrown into the mix. Our set mainly consisted of effects-laden guitar instrumentals based around half-formed structures, largely inspired by Ozric Tentacles and local band Crow. There were some good ideas and riffs in there, but our main problem was that I was trying a bit TOO hard to sound like Crow.

Elemental Myspace page

These rehearsal recordings vary in quality. The first 3 were released on a tape that we gave to a few friends, the rest remain largely unheard. "Overdose" even features a rare vocal performance from myself. You have been warned.

Also included are a couple of recent solo reworkings of other Elemental tunes; I have always intended to revisit the Elemental material with the intention of making it into what it SHOULD have sounded like...

The last track is a recording of a one-off rehearsal featuring 2 ex-Elemental members. Not bad for a track that was written and recorded in about 3 hours.

On the whole, these recordings will probably only be of interest to those of you who delight in obscure and badly-recorded underground music.

Elemental -- Rehearsal demos

Rehearsal demo 1996

1. Drift

2. Jamaican Rust

3. Pale Lounge Lizard

from Rehearsal demo 1997

4. Overdose

5. Positive/Negative

6. Drift v.2

Balbulus solo demos

7. Rust (Balbulus demo 2005?)

8. ...And The Stream Flows On... (taken from the Balbulus demo "Stormprayer" 2008)

JMBW

9. JMBW Rehearsal 1998/9?

Download

Brondniht (UK) -- "Caldast Ofet" EP

This is available on a couple of other blogs (from where I obtained it), and so goes against my general rule of exclusivity, but the obscurity and feeling of this little gem appeals to me greatly. Brondniht were a 3-piece Black/Doom band from London who released this EP before splitting up. I would have been very interested to hear more from them.

Info (Metal Archives)

Musically, the two tracks on this EP are built on sparse Doom-paced drums, with Blackened gargles of Anglo-Saxon poetry over guitarwork that reminds me of a slightly cruder version of Norwegian Doom-gods Funeral (circa "Tristesse"); long meandering guitar lines that twist around each other, at times jarring, at times harmonious, bringing to my mind images of a twisted knotwork of roots; paralleling perhaps the archetypical Anglo-Saxon artwork. Indeed, as a whole this release leaves me with the impression of an ancient carved monolith, left standing alone long after the creators have disappeared into the mists of obscurity.

Brondniht -- "Caldast Ofet" EP (2009)

1. Eardstapa
2. Deor

Download

Traditional Ukrainian bandura music

I've been interested in Ukrainian folk music and culture for some years now, inspired by the Black Metal bands Drudkh and Hate Forest, both of whom have used samples and references of their traditional culture in their music. Trawling the net, I tracked down a number of albums of Ukrainian folk music, among the best of which are two albums of bandura music by Taras Kompanichenko and the late Mykola Budnik. The music is incredibly evocative and atmospheric, the spindly sound of the bandura at times strangely akin to that of the African kora.

I have also collected from various compilations two songs (dumas) performed by another bandurist Igor Rachok, the first of which was used (without the brief spoken intro) by Drudkh as the outro to their 3rd album "The Swan Road". I would love to track down some more of Rachok's recordings, as I find the slightly more lo-fi quality adds whole realms of atmosphere to the music; I imagine him sat by a fire in some ancient rural wayside inn, spinning tales of long ago to sombre-looking old men.

For a detailed look at Ukrainian folk traditions (not just music, but dress, architecture, crafts etc.) have a trawl around this slightly cumbersome website: http://www.ukrfolk.com.ua/index_eng.html

which includes some informative essays on:

songs: http://www.ukrfolk.com.ua/epos/eng/1.html

instruments: http://www.ukrfolk.com.ua/epos/eng/2.html

prose narratives: http://www.ukrfolk.com.ua/epos/eng/3_1.html

plus another essay on kobza and lyre-playing tradition in the Polissya region:

http://storinka-m.kiev.ua/article.php?id=783

Right, on to the music...

Mykola Budnyk -- Heigh, on the Black Sea

01. About Mazepa and Paliy

02. About Marusya Bogusiavka

03. About Sava Chaly

04. About Suprun

05. About Khvedor Bezrodmy

06. The Falcon Fraternized

07. A Snowstorm

08. I Will Go Through the Meadow

09. There's No Truth in this World

10. About Oleksiy Popovych

Download

Taras Kompanichenko -- Kobza and Lyre-Playing Tradition

01. A Dance

02. About Bondarivna

03. Snowstorm

04. Hey on the Sea, on the Black Sea

05. The Lament of the Earth

06. The Captive Girl

07. To Christ on the Cross

08. Don't You Hoot, the Owl

09. Oleksiy - a Man of God (To Aleksiy)

10. The Samara Brothers

11. Saint George the Snake Fighter (To George)

download

Igor Rachok -- Dumas

1. About Extermination of Sich (aka "Song of Sich Destruction")
2. As Our Glorious Cossacks Were Advancing

download

Instinct (UK) -- Demos

INSTINCT is a one-man Black Metal project formed by Verst in 2005, based in Hertfordshire, England. The two full-length CDs (both titled "Instinct", though the first is also known as "Albion") can be found elsewhere, but these two demos that I feature here are less easy to come by. "Abandoned" features one long track of raw but well-executed Black Metal, whilst "The Cold Return" is a purely ambient demo. However, unlike most BM-related amateurish synth-noodlings, this is Dark Ambient done properly; sparse, brooding, and ominous, evoking bleak and desolate landscapes. Highly recommended.

Info (Metal Archives)

Instinct -- "Abandoned" 2009

1. Abandoned

Download

Instinct -- "The Cold Return" demo 2009

1. The Cold Return
2. White Majesty
3. Frozen Meads Escapism

Download

Flittering (Deu) -- "Gloom"

Flittering was an obscure ritualistic Dark Ambient project hailing from the Black Forest region of Germany, formed by a shadowy duo known only as the "Bereaved Brothers". They alledgedly released this back in 1993, though there has been a great deal of debate on the Metal Archives forum as to whether or not it is a recent hoax.

The very existence of the release was in doubt amongst the majority of people, until the tracks were posted on The Doom Joint blog recently, from a seemingly genuine source.

For the full story here's the original thread on Metal Archives:
http://www.metal-archives.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54419

And the follow-up thread:
http://www.metal-archives.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=83542

Having listened to the tracks, I am now fairly convinced that this is genuine, though there are still a couple of niggling doubts in my mind: the production is much clearer than would be expected from an underground release from 1993; plus there are certain stylistic motifs that would seem more in keeping with the zeitgeist of 2008.

Personally, I don't care if this is an elaborate hoax; the music is good (dark and unsettling ambience, with hints of Drone Doom and Depressive Black Metal), and the backstory interesting. That, my friends, is entertainment.

 

Flittering -- "Gloom" demo (1993)

 
1. Close
2. Close


Download

Ghoul (UK) -- demos

Ghoul was an ultra-obscure underground Black Metal band from Birmingham, UK, active from 2002-2007 until band-leader "Unknown Ghoul" was imprisoned for vandalism. Their sound was very lo-fi Depressive Black Metal, bordering on dark ambient/noise; I will draw vague comparisons to bands like Xasthur, Wold and Black Funeral, though I stopped following developments in this branch of Black Metal a few years ago.

These two demo CDs were released in ultra-limited quantities (the first in 66 copies, the second in only 13!), so these are pretty rare. There are apparently two more demos that I don't have. A post on their MySpace page indicated that all their material was going to be offered for free download, though it appears this never happened.

Both demos are included in the one RAR file. Lose yourself in some obscure stygian soundscapes...

Info (Metal Archives)

MySpace page

Ghoul -- "Subterranean Forgotten Caverns" CD 2004

1. Intro
2. Great Gate
3. Forging The Ritual Keys
4. The Crack'd Bell
5. Cruel Swords Of The Slayer
6. Regressive Transmigratory Lethe

Ghoul -- "The Heirophant Doctrine" CD 2007

1. The Hierophant Doctrine

Download

(both demos in one file)

Mind Octopus (UK) -- Demo 1993

Mind Octopus were a Psychedelic Rock band from Ashford, Kent, whose various lineups centered around guitarist Paul Herwin. Also in the band was sax-player Ben Surman, son of legendary Jazz musician John Surman. The band were very prominent in the local music scene during the early-mid 90s, and a great influence on myself (as well as becoming good friends of mine). I picked up this great demo for £1.50 the first time I saw them, an absolute bargain. The music varies across the 3 tracks, ranging from hazy stoner rock, through bright and summery funk, to epic and slow-burning progressive psychedelia. All top-notch stuff.

They later recorded an album ("Music From The Black Smoker") which was largely unreleased. I do have the tracks, but from various different sources, and hence it is a bit mismatched in sound quality. I may post this at a later date.

For now, grab this excellent demo.

Mind Octopus -- Demo 1993

1. Running To The Sun
2. Beach
3. 12 Weeks Gone

Download

This Machine (UK) -- "Serving Suggestion"

This Machine were a band based between Hastings in East Sussex and Folkestone in Kent, playing a chaotic brand of experimental jazz-based avant/noise rock. I would probably make references to King Crimson, Sonic Youth and Shellac amongst others, but I'm sure you people can find more fitting comparisons. Expect dense and angular instrumentation, abstract experimentation, all augmented with found sounds and tapes. Great stuff.

This is there first album, and was available for free download from their old website, but that appears to no longer be active. Included with the album are instructions of how to make your own CD cover from a sheet of A4 paper. Bonus!

This Machine -- "Serving Suggestion" CD (2007)

01. Supermarket Sweep
02. Air Miles
03. The Rack
04. PowUK07
05. The Trifle Tower
06. Istigkeit
07. Radio Solo
08. More Air Miles
09. Advert Humour
10. Thank You, But I Am No Longer A Citizen Of This Country
11. Abstract #2
12. Veau Façon Crocodile
13. The Valley Of The Shadow

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A Band Called Sun (UK) -- "Voodoo Rising"

Whitstable-based A Band Called Sun were originally just called Sun, but were forced to change their name for legal reasons (I believe Sun Records had something to do with it). I posted their demo a while back, so I thought I'd follow up with their debut CD album. The basic musical formula remains unchanged (a fusion of Reggae, Funk, Dub and Blues, with a turntablist augmenting the sound), but the addition of frontwoman Tracy Sullivan with her sassy soulful voice, has steered the sound into slightly more mainstream territory. Therein lies the problem for me; whilst this album is technically well-executed and well-produced, it lacks the underground feel that I crave. That being said, the standout track for me is "Nowhere Man", which begins as a solid Reggae song before exploding into a spacey Dub orgasm when guitarist Robin Harvey fires up his delay pedal.

A Band Called Sun -- "Voodoo Rising" CD (1998)

01. Voodoo1
02. Sight
03. Slipping & Sliding
04. Voodoo2
05. Living in a Dream
06. Nowhere Man
07. Jamming At Delta
08. SS Man
09. Voodoo3
10. I'm Sorry
11. Love Bites
12. February

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Note: tracks 1, 4 and 9 are confusingly unlisted on the inlay.

Nà da (Swz) -- "Ùr"

One of my first posts on this blog was Nàda's excellent first album "Celmètra". It was only when I contacted Remo Seeland about his post-Nàda project Hollow Bone that I became aware of this, their second and final album. Remo kindly sent me one of the last copies, and I now share it with you lovely people.

If there is one single band that Nàda can most easily be compared to, it has to be Swans; whilst "Celmètra" can be likened to Swans' early period ("Filth" to "Children of God"), then "Ùr" is comparable to their later work ("Children of God" to "The Great Annihilator"). The early primal raw power has been channelled into a more focussed hypnotic sound. Nàda's music is much more positive in feel than that of Swans, however.

Other suitable points of reference would be Neurosis, plus tribal post-punk acts like Killing Joke, The Banshees and Ausgang. Also prominent is an increased use of ethnic percussion and instrumentation, with mesmerising tribal polyrhythms that actually sound authentic.

This is a phenomenally good album, and I can't understand why it isn't better known.

 Nàda -- "Ùr" CD (1997)

01. Cenaz
02. Sun
03. Prophecy
04. Ichtyos
05. Sirène
06. Snakepit
07. Gaia
08. Apocalypse
09. Heyana
10. Tibet
11. Breath
12. Sunak


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For the sake of the search engines out there, here are the names without accents: Nada Ur Celmetra

Soma (UK) -- discography

I first heard of Soma during the early 90s in an interview with Whitstable band Crow, where they were mentioned as a band that had overplayed their support slot, forcing Crow to have their set cut short after only one song. After years of wondering about them, I accidentally stumbled upon some information on the band, and subsequently tracked down their material. As far as I can tell they were based in Sheerness, Kent.

Soma's music drifts from psychedelic space-rock in the vein of Hawkwind and Ozric Tentacles, to epic and haunting prog-rock in the classic British tradition (Yes, Genesis etc.). This latter aspect takes a more dominant role on the second album. However, they manage to avoid the trap of relying on difficult rhythms and odd time signatures; this all flows quite nicely. It is also very slick and well-produced, though some of the keyboard sounds haven't dated as well as the rest of the music. That minor quibble aside, this is great stuff. The original singer was replaced after the first album, and the replacement (Sean Filkins, later of Lorien and Big Big Train) has a much stronger voice, sounding very much like a rawer Jon Anderson.

Some band info

Soma -- "Epsilon" CD (1991)

01. Being - Ghandarva
02. My Skin (Turns The Colour Of Sand)
03. Prophecy - Inquisitor 4
04. The Conquest Of Albion
05. The Longbarrow
06. Twisting The Folds Of Time - Psionics N'om N'om N'om

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Soma -- "Warped EP" cassette (1992)

01. My Skin
02. Oceana
03. Dreamtime
04. Warped

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Soma -- "Dreamtime" CD (1992)

01. Listen
02. Losing It
03. Dreamtime
04. Suffocating
05. Illusion
06. Pulsar

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Note: The CDs are my own rip, the EP is a 128kps rip I found lurking on the net. If anyone has a better quality copy (or an original to sell), please get in touch.

Original Fling (UK) -- cassettes

Original Fling was a Folk Rock band that were hugely popular on the Kent pub circuit during the 90s, playing a mixture of original, traditional and cover material. There is a huge Pogues influence at work here, along with dashes of The Levellers and The Waterboys, all spiced with a liberal dash of anarchic humour. The band was centered around multi-instrumentalist frontman Kev Smith, and in later years he continued the band as a solo act entitled The Fling, until he sadly died at the end of last year.

Info

These cassettes are from the full lineup era of the band; I also own a couple of later CDs of the duo and solo incarnations, which I may post at a later date.

Original Fling -- "Drink Down" cassette (1992)

01. Buck Your Feet Up
02. Fool Like You
03. Jesse James
04. Oxley Bottom
05. Drink Down
06. Irish Rover
07. Sails In The Wind
08. The Clan
09. Greenland Whale Fisheries
10. Clan William Rd.
11. Chains
12. Hometown

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Original Fling -- "Captain Morris EP" cassette (1993)

01. Sails In The Wind
02. Medley
03. Captain Morris
04. Jesse James

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Original Fling -- "Put The Tea On" cassette (1996?)

01. The Devil Went Down To Dover
02. Put The Tea On
03. Hero
04. Dirty Old Town
05. Mary
06. Mutiny
07. January 8th
08. Fighting Creed
09. Jailerman
10. The Sleeper
11. Rakes Of Kildare

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I am missing a couple of earlier tapes called "Stomp It" and "The Huntsman EP". If anyone has these, please get in touch!