Giulio Aldinucci - Disappearing In A Mirror

Fuuuuucccckkkk, this is an amazing album that I unfortunately didn't listen before the end of 2018, otherwise I might have said this was last year's best album. Italian sound artist Giulio Aldinucci has crafted an amazing world of heavy ambient soundscapes that combine the best of William Basinski's decaying loops and early Tim Hecker's (pre-Virgins) shattering tectonic ambient drones, albeit with a personal voice that creates superb climactic atmospheres (the unending choirs on "Jammed Symbols") and hypnotic subterranean rumbles ("Notturno Toscano"). Essential listening. 2018 LP on Karl Records.

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Mike Johnston | Mike Gilmore | Mike Khoury | Kirk Lucas ‎– The Hidden cdr

In contrast to the quartet's second release (here), here there's less emphasis on Asian music influences, and it sounds more like a straightforward avant-garde jazz album (if there's such a term), with strong chamber music leanings. Mike Khoury's violin has a dominating presence along with Mike Gilmore's vibraphone, and the mood shifts from playful improvisations to drone-like atmospheres enabled by Kirk Lucas's cello. 2007 cdr on Triple Bath.

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Mönster ‎– Arms cd

On their second lp Mönster eased up a little bit their more hardcore edges for a punkier and more rocking approach and a kind of lighter/less dirty production. If real DIY punk was played in big arenas, Mönster would have been headliners. 2006 cd on Sabotage.

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Mönster ‎– Death Before Disorder LP

 Mönster were a German-Canadian-Polish hardcore powerhouse with members of Highscore, Costa's Cake House, Insuiciety, The Black Hand and legendary Born Dead Icons. They played a raging mix of dbeat punk with Motorheadesque rock 'n' roll. After they released this lp I saw them live at a squat in my hometown and I even grabbed the mic to sing one verse from the anthemic "Failed." Guaranteed room destruction music. 2005 LP on Sabotage.

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Mönster / Chainbreaker split 7"

Two tracks of hymnal hardcore punk 'n' roll by Canadian-Polish-German conglomeration Mönster and two more tracks of filthy, screaming rock 'n' roll hardcore punk Germans Chainbreaker. The guy on the cover reminds of a little bit of Papa Smurf, doesn't he? 2006 7" on Vendetta Records.

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Maurizio Bianchi ‎– Colori cd

A significant release in MB's oeuvre in a twofold way; first, it was his return cd after his mid-80s retirement to devote himself to religion. Second, the music contained is in stark contrast with the abrasive industrial noise of his early period, and with his later ominous, dark industrial ambient drone that he still puts out today. This is soothing synthy ambient - with a very very slight new age feel (don't be put off by that, only a wee bit) - that could have been the soundtrack for some documentary on underwater life or the study of the human brain or whatever. There's an element of naivete with regard to the simplistic piano chords/melodies created by MB, but if you want something to accompany you in a non-troubling way while doing the housework, it's cool. 1998 cd on EEs't Records.

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Tremolo Ghosts - A Cardboard Sunset

Another very interesting release by Wormhole World, who have just released Xqui's Capitulate, is the upcoming cd by Tremolo Ghosts, the solo project of Owen Chambers, who participates in the Liquid Library label, presented in an earlier issue of TQ. The basis for the music here is acoustic folky stuff, with Owen's very characteristic high-pitched voice, which somehow reminds me of Yes's Jon Anderson in a higher and warmer tone. However, in comparison with earlier releases such as Gibraltar or Clutter Flies there's a more psych mood, more diverse instrumentation with electric guitars, reverbs, and improvised guitar snippets, and there's even a noise interlude. I get a very maritime feel here, and a melancholy air but filled with hope and conviction. Another great early 2019 release that's gonna keep me good company for the year. Go to the bandcamp, and pre-order it, it's worth the money.