Don't want to whine about my inability to be consistent with writing. Just want to offer some good stuff that I discovered this year that totally deserves attention, in no particular order. It's been the worst year ever. Covid has hit the country where I live very hard (perhaps not as hard as the big European countries, but still too hard given the financial situation and the inexistence of the health system). We have decided to keep our small boy inside home as much as we can in order to protect him, but of course it is psychologically very difficult both for us and him, and I see no end in sight. The thing that is going to stay even when the pandemic dies down is the destruction of working class rights and the right to going on strike and demonstrating. The government has extreme fascist tendencies, clamping down on demonstrations and protests, and has ratified any thing that bosses and capitalists want in order to undermine our rights. Being a working class activist myself, participating in a trade union, I've tried very hard to defend my and my colleagues rights and I have been targeted by my employer, who has threatened not to renew my contract when it expires next June. I don't really hope that things will get better, they will probably get worse, but I still wish everyone safety and sanity. Fight fascism, fight capitalism.
PS: I work as a teacher at a private language school in the afternoon, and last week I was called to work at a state school too in the morning, so even less time...
Beherit - Bardo Exist - Download
It was Christmas 1999 when I spend part of my holiday pocket money on Beast of Beherit - The Complete Works, being entertained by the savagery of amateur blast-beats. In there, there were some really cool ambient tracks of the last Beherit albums before the reunion. This one came totally unexpectedly 11 years after the awesome Engram, and shows again a return to the ambient experiment of Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance. Here we have less spacey stuff and a darker approach that reminds me slightly of MZ412 and Deathprod, with a slight classical influence and lots of Star Wars-like atmospheres.
Apocryphos - Against Civilization - Download
Great melancholic dark ambient. Quite original, with the use of guitars, and non-derivative at all.
William Basinski - Lamentations - Download
While the sounds here are often enthralling and very submersive, it is slightly disappointing as he decided to release a "hit singles" album with small durations. Still it Basinski.
Troum - Vorbei Der Tod - Download
Heavy, but too uplifting for a Troum album. After a series of superb albums in recent years this was a slight let-down.
The Gagmen - The Gagmen - Download
I was slightly worried by Nate Young's recent "EBM" output fearing that Wolf Eyes are going electro, but this project with Dilloway, Andrew WK and Joachim Nordway puts everything in the correct Michigan horror perspective. Sparse, mind-frying, abandoned house surrounded by zombies in the countryside experimental magnificence.
Stephan Thelen - World Dialogue - Download
Excellent chopping and epic violin compositions performed by Kronos Quartet and Al Pari Quartet.
Blutwurst - Anabasi - Download
Superb minimal classical drone by an Italian collective with acoustic organs and pipe organ. One of the best discoveries of the year.
Dean Hurley - Concrete Feather - Download
Troubled and slimy, oozing synth explorations by the George Lynch collaborator and Twin Peaks contributor.
Dead Melodies & Zenjungle - Anthroposcene - Download
Perfect mix of dark ambient and jazz: imagine Bohren & Der Club of Gore recording for ECM!
Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger - Force Majeure - Download
Beautiful covid-isolation deep jazz on double bass and harp by these two great Harlem musicians.
Forest Mourning - Coven - Download
Awesome recent addition to the legendary Tyneside drone scene, Forest Mourning collaborates with Möbius and other musicians to create deep zoning natural drones.
Andrew Chalk Timo Van Luijk - Night of the Experimental Film IV - Download
Recorded for a film festival as a score to a Peter Hutton film documenting Icelandic landscapes. As this is a work by the two parts of Elodie, you know to expect dreamy liquid expeditions.
Alex Zhang Hungtai & Pavel Milyakov - STYX - Download
The more Alex Zhang Hungtai grows as a musician, the more I think he tries to match the soundtrack of Vangelis to Blade Runner, and that's a great thing.
Culver - The Razor And Deceit - Download
The coldest harshest drone you'll hear all year round by the Gateshead master.
Bart De Paepe - Melkader - Download
No psych-rock lysergic crawling here, but early electronics-like experiments.
Aaron Turner - Interminable Conniption - Download
Yes, it's really a 2019 release reissued by Sige Records in 2020, but since it's probably the best thing Aaron has released in recent years, and it's close to his glory House of Low Culture/Lotus Eaters days, it deserves a place here.
Acoxaca - In Abeyance the Devouring Flame - Download
Celestial drones on Other Forms Of Consecrated Life, a label that really deserves more attention (and must start releasing physical).
Anna Homler & Alessio Capovilla - Vasi Comunicanti - Download
Sensual ambient post-industrial with ritual undertones, think slightly SPK of Zamia Lehmanni era along with early Chris & Cosey but with a modern edge. Excellent phonetic language invocations.
Anthony Pasquarosa - John Moloney - Jon Collin - Live at Mystery Train - Download
Beautiful psych folk guitar/drums improvisations by the always great Jon Collin along with legendary drummer John Moloney (Boredoms, Vibracathedral Orchestra, Six Organs of Admittance, Thurston Moore) and Anthony Pasquarosa.
KTL - VII - Download
I think this is the best KTL (featuring Stephen O' Malley) album so far, especially the acoustic drones. "The Director" is one of the best tracks of last year, top-notch accordion-driven drone.
Lawrence English - Lassitude - Download
Modular drone but played on a pipe organ. How great is that?
Modelbau & MVK - The Hidden Accord - Download
Grey tunnel drones by the legendary Frans De Waard and co.
Stuart Chalmers - The Heart Of Contemplation - Download
Stuart Chalmers's "The Heart" releases are some of the most beautiful contemporary experimental stuff, focusing on manipulated ambient tape recordings of him playing swarmandal
The Necks & Underworld - Drift - Download
How does it feel to dance to The Necks. It sure is awesome, especially when coupled with some of the most emotional and zoning moments of their career.
Vox Clamantis, Jaan-Eik Tulve - Cyrillus Kreek - The Suspended Harp of Babel - Download
Vox Clamantis paying tribute to Estonian composer Cyrillus Kreek's religious hymns containing lots of
folk elements.
Mønic - Trawler Tapes Vol. 1 - Download
This is actually an IDM music project, but this is really deep and minimal ambient drone.
Sarah Davachi - Cantus, Descant - Download
Epic and dizzying pipe organ and mellotron compositions by one of the best composers right now.
Even more epic pipe organ and string drone.
(To be continued)
End of year boredom? The bright new dawn has only just begun (but it does end this time next week ... sorry for the spoiler).
ReplyDeleteMate, fuck the audience. You owe us nothing at all. When you have more time we will still be here.
And of course fuck fascism and all of their enablers and apologists.
You do owe them at the very least some semblance of civility and respect, you fucking cunt. Not everyone you hate is a fascist. I know, big shock! And feel free to lie to yourself, but Trump has never been a fascist. A dipshit, certainly, but sure as shit not a fascist
Deletehello troll ... everyone i hate are fascists ... get yourself a name you shithouse and the we can all have a debate. gotta warn you it might be based on facts ...
DeleteNo. I demand you debate me anonymous. I refuse to give you even a semblance of a name. You refuse to give even the most basic respect to other human beings, why the fuck should I extend that same respect to your ass? Frankly, I highly doubt any bullshit you spew is based in facts, seeing as how you state "everyone i hate are fascists" with a straight face, so it's no skin off of my bones if you don't, but if you really want to "debate" with me, you're doing it anonymously, you pretentious fucking asshole.
DeleteLook, I state it here on this blog that no racists are allowed, and you will have probably understood my political position. What you probably don't understand, as all fascists like your pathetic little being who have at most shouted at some Pakistani brother in the metro, is that people like me have actually - like in real life - have taken part in smashing fascist heads and fighting the police. So you can continue jacking off on the internet, while I fuck your kind in real life in the company of my comrades. I don't know about my dear badger stump but my hate is not simply ideological and verbal but I have been taking it to the physical level for 15 year now. Be sure that your next comment will be your last one. I don't have the tiniest of respect for "all human beings" and I will take my - big Shia Arab in origin but communist in ideology - censorship scissors and make those shitty words that give meaning to your worthless life disappear.
DeleteI'm not a fucking racist, you ignorant fuck. Harassment is not fucking okay, and you're basically admitting to criminal offenses. What part of that don't you delusional motherfuckers understand? I'm not a fascist, I'm not a fucking racist, you're just assuming based on the fact that I, like a REASONABLE FUCKING HUMAN BEING, disagree with your poisonous ideology and behaviour. You're a fucking cunt, and I'm not afraid to tell you this, unlike apparently everyone around you. You're "hate" is just that, hate. Just like the worst white supremacist out there, you viciously attack anyone that goes against your retarded, delusional and self-serving views. I hope you get shot by the police, you fucking hack.
DeleteAmazing list, thx!! Much here I'm not familiar with. Keep up the incredible blog, and best of luck in the new year!!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post..!
This is great! Thank you so much for introducing me to so much incredible music!
ReplyDeleteOh yes...!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Good luck
K
" Acoxaca - In Abeyance the Devouring Flame "
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know who made the album, who is it by name? I really need this information. Thank you so much.