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With bloated souls and skeletal bodies the three mad kings of the end times walk among us, with empty eyes and insatiable hunger. Innocence thieves, blood collectors, bastard children of archaic dynasties built upon the broken bones of the weak. Their consorts are the rotten and the dead, their champions soulless, empty vessels gasping for validation as they bathe in the nectar of inflicted pain. They lead us not into temptation, but into degradation and the all-consuming fire. Born in the heat and shadows of the Australian underground, in Brisbane in 2014, Graveir have carved out a stronghold for themselves in their homeland's black metal scene. Bleak, violent and uncompromising, their music possesses a powerful individuality that sees them following their own path, lone wolves in a world of people searching frantically for a voice to tell them how to think and what to believe. After their powerful 2016 debut, Iconostasis and its critically acclaimed successor, King Of The Silent World, hailed as 'captivatingly hypnotic' by Metal Bite, Graveir are poised to unleash their third set of black prophecies - The Festering Triad. The Festering Triad begins with the sinister 'Lords Of Misrule', rising from the silence with guitars like an insect swarm before a lugubrious, dolorous shift into life and movement. The song holds you on the edge of oblivion, a constant aura of threat radiating from its broken beauty. There's a powerful underlying melody too, but it's corrupted and riddled with disease. And while this unsettling and disorientating introduction to The Festering Triad is still crawling through your veins, 'A Futile Exhortation' bursts into flame - as implacable and unstoppable as the passage of time, formed from the seething darkness on the edge of chaos and touched by something ancient and primal. You are now in the heart of darkness, jagged riffs circling like atavistic, feral presences, hammering blast beats disrupting natural rhythms. Nothing is as it should be. Nothing stays within the expected boundaries. This is a malicious attack on the laws that govern reality. 'A Thief In The Heart Of Man' flies at you in a howl of rage and bloodlust; you can feel its desperate need to tear you apart and the inherent danger is exhilarating. Title track, 'The Festering Triad' arrives swathed in an aura of decaying majesty, a triumvirate of wickedness wreathed in flame, marching onwards, entwined in black briars of unease - on into twisted soundscapes of fear and dizzying anxiety, through boiling malignancy and relentless intensity to the finale of 'The Rite Of Degradation', where portentous grandeur and bestial hunger combine in bewildering, schizophrenic fury. This album is fuelled by a determination to leave you broken, beaten and humbled - and it succeeds, absolutely.

The Hillmen is a bluegrass super-group of including future Byrd Chris Hillman, country music legends Vern and Rex Gosdin, and banjoist Don Parmley. The Hillmen is the seminal bluegrass LP recorded by a super-group of players including mandolin prodigy (and future Byrd) Chris Hillman, country music legends Vern and Rex Gosdin, and banjoist Don Parmley. Recorded in 1963-'64, these recordings would not see official release until 1970 as an 11-track LP. The Hillmen displays their unique takes on Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Maybelle Carter, alongside several original songs by the Gosdin Brothers. The original 11-track album is now enhanced with 6 bonus tracks and will recreate the original artwork by Dean Torrance of Jan & Dean fame. Produced by Byrds manager Jim Dickson, all of the tracks were mixed from the original 3-track tapes in 1970 by engineer Dave Hassinger (Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, Jackson 5). This new expanded release is a must-have for fans of bluegrass music and is a true treasure of Americana. For fans of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Billy Strings, Nickel Creek and The Del McCoury Band Includes the original album artwork designed by Dean Torrance (of Jan & Dean fame) with album liner notes by Chris Hillman. Includes six bonus tracks not on the original 1970 LP Has not been available re-released on vinyl in many decades

Performing on the Baroque cello (outfitted with gut strings and without an endpin, making it so that the performer has to clutch the instrument between the legs), Yo-Yo Ma delivers the warm, listener-friendly classical music that he has become known for. Supported by conductor Ton Koopman's period Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ma presents a wholly unusual interpretation of some of Bach's better known Baroque works, as well as some lesser known pieces by Italian composer Luigi Boccherini.

The sound of the Baroque cello changes the mood of each familiar piece to something warmer and more intimate. The string composition has a less dry tone than the usual wound string, and the absence of the endpin means that there is no sound traveling through the floor, therefore all of the sound comes directly from the body of the instrument. Ma's skilled handling of the pieces evolve Simply Baroque beyond an interesting experiment and into a beautiful listening experience.

Simply Baroque is available as a limited edition of 500 copies on aquamarine vinyl and includes a 4-page booklet with liner notes.

The Dark is the second album by American heavy metal giants Metal Church and was released in 1986. Since their inception, Metal Church have released 13 albums so far and are still going strong.

The Dark is considered an essential album by thrash metal afficionados worldwide. It was dedicated to the late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, who sadly passed away nine days prior to release of The Dark.

The album itself talks of somber themes like assassination, death, and the struggles of life. It was produced by Mark Dodson, who is best known for producing albums by Anthrax and Suicidal Tendencies. it features fan favourites “Ton Of Bricks” and “Over My Dead Body”.

The Dark is available on black vinyl and includes an insert.

AMERICA!' wurde von Gabriel Roth live bei Penrose Recorders eingespielt und baut auf den klassischen Mambo-Klängen auf, für die die Band bekannt geworden ist – eine Mischung aus Latin Soul, Boogaloo und Salsa, wobei sie ihren kubanischen Wurzeln treu bleiben. Auf ihrem vierten Studioalbum präsentiert die Band eine All-Star-Besetzung neuer Sängerinnen, darunter Mariam Elhajli und Carolina Oliveros (von Combo Chimbita). Elhajli und Oliveros schöpfen beide aus der rohen Energie von Celia und La Lupe, richten den Blick jedoch auf etwas Intimeres: Themen wie Verlust, Umbrüche und die Last der Einwanderererfahrung.

Everything I Ever Saw finds THE MENZINGERS entering a new era in what"s already been a storied career. The Philadelphia punk legends" eighth album chronicles moments of significant change-the personal, the political, and the universal-while returning to the core creative principles that first put them on the map with listeners the world over. Twenty years in, the Menzingers have discovered that the wisdom gained with time"s passing is even stronger than the emotional armor they once wore in their youth, and Everything I Ever Saw captures the quartet embracing the here and now while strengthening the bonds that have held them together. THE MENZINGERS have always created as a four-headed unit, with all members (vocalist/ guitarist Greg Barnett, vocalist/guitarist Tom May, bassist Eric Keen, drummer Joe Godino) throwing in their respective talents as part of the craft-but for Everything I Ever Saw, the group worked in creative symbiosis more than ever before. "The way we made this record feels the most like how the band was in the very beginning: Me and Tom coming to the band with the most basic element of a song, and the four of us shaping that," Barnett says. Instrumental in building that excitement was locally centered and nationally renowned production legend Will Yip, who threw in with the Menzingers on 2017"s After the Party and their sonically expansive 2019 record Hello Exile. This time around, Yip once again became an unofficial Menzinger while the band crafted these 11 songs in their South Philly space. "Working with Will was like a homecoming," May beams while talking about Yip"s contributions. "We"ve grown up together over these years, and we"re still incredibly close friends. He"s the best at gassing you up and making sure everybody"s on the right page, but he"s also so good at pointing out stuff that might not fit the vision without being a fucking prick. He"s the hardest working person that we"ve come across in the music industry, and he"s incredibly inspiring."

Der Ursprung des Albums "Cellophane Memories" von Chrystabell und David Lynch geht auf eine Vision zurück, die David bei einem nächtlichen Spaziergang durch einen Wald mit hohen Bäumen hatte, über deren Wipfeln er ein helles Licht sah. Wie er sich erinnert, verwandelte sich das Licht in den Klang von Chrystabells Stimme und offenbarte ihm ein Geheimnis. Aus diesen geheimnisvollen Konvergenzen von Licht und Klang, Tag und Nacht, Sternenhimmel und schwarzem Wald hat sich die Zusammenarbeit von Chrystabell und David entwickelt. Für "Cellophane Memories" sind die beiden durch verschiedene Portale gereist. Passend dazu spielen viele der Songs in Märchenwäldern, auf Berggipfeln, in Schwimmlöchern, auf dämmrigen Autobahnen und in dunklen Schlafzimmern. Dies sind die Orte der Einsamkeit und der Romantik, die Art von erhabenen Landschaften, in denen Menschen oft allein auf der Suche nach einem verirrten Liebhaber unterwegs sind. Aber es sind auch gestaltlose Atmosphären_von Farben, Wetter und Atem: blauer und weißer Himmel, rote Rosen, sich verdunkelnde Gewitterwolken, wirbelnde Winde und Sommerdüfte, die den Reisenden schnell in die übernatürlichen Empfindungen anderer Welten eintauchen lassen. Die Zeit ist in den Liedern von Chrystabell und David Lynch ein wankelmütiges Geschöpf. Die Figuren sind kaum mehr als schräge Skizzen der alltäglichen Melodramen der Zeit: Menschen kommen und gehen als Fremde, Fremde stürzen in Verzweiflung und Liebe, Liebende trennen sich an der Kreuzung und finden im Traum wieder zusammen. In dieser Quantenmatinee des täglichen Lebens ist jede Figur sowohl Star als auch Statist im Hintergrund. Zeitliche Irrungen und Wirrungen tauchen immer wieder in Chrystabells Gesang auf, der in Harmonie-Schichten auftaucht, sich auflöst und zurückschleift. Überlagert werden sie von Davids und des verstorbenen Komponisten Angelo Badalamenti Orchester aus von Waldeinsamkeit inspirierten Streichern, eigenwilligen Gitarrenglissandi und Hallwolken, deren Melodien das Gefühl vermitteln, als würde die Zeit für einen ersten Kuss innehalten. Wie ein Großteil von Chrystabells und Davids früherer Arbeit führt uns "Cellophane Memories" zu einer zentralen Frage zurück: Was ist ein Mysterium? Leider bleibt das Rätsel ungelöst. Aber jedes Mysterium enthält Bruchstücke der oben beschriebenen Vorstellungen und Gefühle: das Weggehen und das Wiederkommen, die Landschaft, die Atmosphäre und der Atem, die auf den Kopf gestellten Mechanismen der Zeit, die Erinnerungen an das Vergangene, ein fernes Licht, das aus der Dunkelheit strahlt, Musik in der Stille, Liebe.

Auf ,Reflections Vol. 3: Water Poems" bringen Félicia Atkinson und Christina Vantzou ihre Freundschaft und ihre atmosphärische Kunstfertigkeit in einem feierlichen Fokus zusammen. Gesprochene Worte und orchestrale Fantasie fließen wie Nebenflüsse in einen einheitlichen Strom und ergeben eine Sammlung traumhafter Lieder und Klanglandschaften, die im Meer, im Himmel und in den Steinen verankert sind. Mit elektroakustischen Instrumenten, Gesang und Umgebungsgeräuschen lädt Water Poems die Zuhörer in einen unbewussten Raum ein, irgendwo zwischen alltäglicher Intimität und dem Geheimnis des Ozeans, aus dem alles Leben entsteht. Atkinson und Vantzou haben sich 2009 kennengelernt und seitdem immer mal wieder zusammengearbeitet, aber ein Konzert 2019 in der Philharmonie in Paris hat dieses Projekt richtig in Gang gebracht. Da beide jetzt an der Küste leben (Félicia am Ärmelkanal, Christina am Mittelmeer), wurde das Meer natürlich zu ihrer Muse. ,Das Meer wurde nicht als monolithische Postkarte betrachtet", erklärt Atkinson, ,sondern eher als eine Person an sich; eine Energie, ein Geheimnis, ein komplexer Charakter, dem wir als Menschen, die am Meer leben, jeden Tag begegnen." Im Dialog mit dem Land und der Küste nahmen ihre Sprache und ihre Klänge einen sakramentalen Charakter an. ,Ein feierliches Gefühl, ein Gefühl des Dienens, zieht sich tief durch dieses Album", bemerkt Vantzou, ,ich habe das schon einmal gespürt, aber hier, in der Zusammenarbeit mit Félicia, ist es stärker." Stimme, Atem und wässrige Texturen prägen den Ton des maritimen Mysteriums von Water Poems. Neu in Vantzous Praxis und seit langem ein prägendes Merkmal von Atkinsons Werk, gewinnen ihre gesprochenen Worte hier an relationaler Intimität, indem sie sich gegenseitig und die Uferpromenade ansprechen. Die Texte wurden über zwei Jahre hinweg gemeinsam zusammengestellt. Mit radikaler Unschuld lenken sie das Bewusstsein auf die verborgene Auftriebskraft und die unbewussten Strömungen, die durch das Leben fließen: ,Wie kann ein Boot schwimmen? Wie kann ein Flugzeug fliegen? Wie kann ein Körper schwimmen? Wie kann ein Mensch träumen?" Was mit nah aufgenommenen Stimmen und Feldaufnahmen begann, wurde um Synthesizer, Gongs und Metallophone, Klavier, Vibraphon, Rhodes, Gitarren und Mellotron erweitert. Das Gezeitenklavier des Eröffnungstracks ,Film Still / The Sea" zieht uns in die unbewussten Gewässer des Albums. Enthalten sind Feldaufnahmen, die Vantzou in Delphi in der Nähe des legendären Orakels von Pythia aufgenommen hat - ihr griechisches Erbe verleiht diesem Ort der Vorfahren eine zusätzliche Dimension. Dieser Track und ,Water Poems" als Ganzes sind Ausdruck unseres geologischen Erbes und rufen zum Schutz der Küsten und zu einer Vertiefung unserer Beziehung zu unseren Küsten auf. Ein Teil der Einnahmen aus dem Album geht an Arion, ein gemeinnütziges Naturschutzprogramm für das griechische Mittelmeer. Der langjährige Freund und Mitstreiter John Also Bennett hat bei ,Scorpio Purple Skies", dem kosmischen Finale des Albums, mit E-Gitarre, Lap-Steel-Gitarre und Gesang mitgewirkt. Diese üppige Instrumentierung passt super zu den Science-Fiction-Visionen und der feierlichen Atmosphäre des Albums. Water Poems wurde in The Old Carpet Factory, einem Herrenhaus aus dem 18. Jahrhundert auf der griechischen Insel Hydra, in der Villa Medici aus dem 16. Jahrhundert in Rom und in Les Dunes, Atkinsons Heimstudio in der Normandie, aufgenommen. Mehr als das historische Prestige dieser Orte war es die spürbare Geschichte ihrer Landschaft, die die Musik geprägt hat. Atkinson sagt, dass sie sich zu ,Orten mit seltsamer Anziehungskraft" hingezogen fühlten. In der Villa Medici ,haben Steine und Mineralien das gesprochene Wort beeinflusst", bemerkt sie. ,Wir beide legen Wert auf Gefühl, Atmosphäre und Klang", fügt Vantzou hinzu, ,was er hervorruft und was er bewirkt. In unserem Fall konzentrieren wir uns auf die grundlegenden Elemente: Wasser, Luft, Fels, Kosmos - allesamt lebenswichtig.» Von der Insel Kreta aus arbeitete Vantzou den finalen Mix fertig und tauschte dabei Dateien mit Atkinson aus. Immer noch mit der Küste verbunden, verlief der Mixing-Prozess geduldig und wurde von wichtigen Pausen geprägt. Water Poems spiegelt wider, was die Meeresbiologin Rachel Carson uns in Erinnerung ruft: ,Am Rande des Meeres zu stehen bedeutet, Wissen über Dinge zu haben, die so nahezu ewig sind, wie es das irdische Leben nur sein kann." Es zelebriert rituell dieses ozeanische Gefühl als wichtige Quelle der Gelassenheit und Intelligenz. In einer Welt, die von hitzigen Meinungen und ökologischer Vernachlässigung geprägt ist, lenkt Water Poems unsere Aufmerksamkeit auf ,die Quellen der Quellen". Damit schafft es Raum, um uns wieder mit unseren elementaren, animalischen Instinkten zu verbinden und uns auf tiefere Strömungen einzustimmen. Water Poems von Félicia Atkinson und Christina Vantzou ist der dritte Band von Reflections, einer Reihe zeitgenössischer Kollaborationen von RVNG Intl..

Als ihr mit Lorbeeren behängtes Debüt "Strange Cacti" in den Händen der Hörer landete, wurde schnell deutlich, über was für eine besondere Präsenz ANGEL OLSEN verfügt. Ihr Sound hatte etwas Frisches, eine warme und wunderschöne Spannweite und ein Können vermischt mit Charme, das fast nicht von dieser Welt war. ,Half Way Home" ist die Fortsetzung der Eleganz, über die ,Strange Cacti" verfügte; eine Sammlung neuer und alter Musik, poliert und ausgereift; Gedanken, die noch einmal durchdacht werden. Hier schwingt sich ein wunderschönes Mädchen mit einer wunderschönen Stimme auf die nächste Ebene, was sich ohne Zweifel auf verschiedene Roadtrips mit BONNIE ,PRINCE" BILLY und seiner Crew zurückführen lässt. Das Material von ANGEL OLSEN gehört nur ihr allein: ein roher, leuchtender Sound, der heute noch genauso besonders ist wie 2010. Es ist ein emotionaler Eintopf, angeführt von der robusten Stimme ANGELS, unverfroren und fesselnd, sich danach sehnend, gehört zu werden. Mit der Hilfe von Emmett Kelly (THE CAIRO GANG) ist ,Half Way Home" eine natürliche Weiterentwicklung, die den wunderbaren Sound einer Songwriterin mit einer raren Stimme in den Mittelpunkt stellt.

Everything I Ever Saw finds THE MENZINGERS entering a new era in what"s already been a storied career. The Philadelphia punk legends" eighth album chronicles moments of significant change-the personal, the political, and the universal-while returning to the core creative principles that first put them on the map with listeners the world over. Twenty years in, the Menzingers have discovered that the wisdom gained with time"s passing is even stronger than the emotional armor they once wore in their youth, and Everything I Ever Saw captures the quartet embracing the here and now while strengthening the bonds that have held them together. THE MENZINGERS have always created as a four-headed unit, with all members (vocalist/ guitarist Greg Barnett, vocalist/guitarist Tom May, bassist Eric Keen, drummer Joe Godino) throwing in their respective talents as part of the craft-but for Everything I Ever Saw, the group worked in creative symbiosis more than ever before. "The way we made this record feels the most like how the band was in the very beginning: Me and Tom coming to the band with the most basic element of a song, and the four of us shaping that," Barnett says. Instrumental in building that excitement was locally centered and nationally renowned production legend Will Yip, who threw in with the Menzingers on 2017"s After the Party and their sonically expansive 2019 record Hello Exile. This time around, Yip once again became an unofficial Menzinger while the band crafted these 11 songs in their South Philly space. "Working with Will was like a homecoming," May beams while talking about Yip"s contributions. "We"ve grown up together over these years, and we"re still incredibly close friends. He"s the best at gassing you up and making sure everybody"s on the right page, but he"s also so good at pointing out stuff that might not fit the vision without being a fucking prick. He"s the hardest working person that we"ve come across in the music industry, and he"s incredibly inspiring."

The name RUTHLESS in itself means “without mercy.” Since the early 1980’s, lead by vocalist Sammy DeJohn, the band has stayed true to its style of metal, from the classic first EP “Metal Without Mercy” (1984) and the debut cult album “Discipline Of Steel” (1986), to the later albums “They Rise” (2015)” and “Evil Within” (2019), they’ve never wavered on the power of bands like JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT and BLACK SABBATH, always staying true to their roots.

Their latest album “The Fallen” was released in January 2024 on their new label Fireflash Records (WOLF, HOLY MOSES a.o.), followed by a European tour as support act for their fellow believers JAG PANZER, cementing their reputation as a magnificent live band. Now, RUTHLESS are proud to announce the release of their next studio album “Curse Of The Beast”. The band has created an album full of power and passion, combined with the classic 80s metal sound, ready to become a future classic and a must-have for anyone who loves traditional heavy metal like METAL CHURCH, JUDAS PRIEST, EXCITER, and others. “Curse Of The Beast” was recorded along with producer Ron Sandoval (KERRY KING a.o.), who also did the final mix and mastering. The album will be released on July 17th, 2026. “We can't wait for you all to hear it. We have a couple of surprises on this one and it's going to destroy,” reveals vocalist Sammy. Immediately afterwards, the band will play selected shows in Europe, along with MINDWARS as well as THE TROOPS OF DOOM, including the legendary “Headbangers Open Air.”

For over a decade, fans around the world have screamed their lyrics back at AS IT IS across the UK, USA, Europe, Japan, and Australia. They’ve lit up festival stages and toured alongside scene legends like Neck Deep, Sum 41, Against The Current, Silverstein, Mayday Parade, Set It Off, and so many more - building a community that has only gotten louder, prouder, and more connected with time. Fans have seen AS IT IS honoured with multiple Rock Sound Magazine awards, including the 2025 Icon Award and 2019’s Power of Music Award, and celebrated on the covers of Rock Sound, Upset, Kerrang, and Alternative Press. Their voice has even echoed into The New York Times and GQ, where their honesty and emotional transparency helped shape a bigger conversation about what music can mean to people. With their self-titled fifth studio album at the forefront, AS IT IS aren’t just reflecting on their journey - they’re welcoming fans into a new chapter. One defined by growth, resilience, and the unbreakable connection between the band and the people who have stood with them every step of the way.

This quintessentially Australian rock band is one of the main highlights of Newcastle's music scene. It consists of singer Hugh Westcotta true ball of energy who leaps around the stage like a Peter Garrett on caffeineguitarist Jed Pratten, drummer Nick Worrad, and bassist James Pansini. Following in the footsteps of AC/DC and '70s Aussie punk, Where's Jimmy presents these two EPs combined on a single vinyl record. Written in Orange, New South Wales, back when we were all working our respective jobs in the construction industry. It pokes fun at life at work.Simple, blues-inspired themes, like working for the boss, being broke, or getting dumped by your girlfriend. Add a dash of punk and rock 'n' roll, and you get the EP "Paycheck Blues." EP "Staring at the Wall" - Where's Jimmy's second 5-track EP. The punk rock sound with bluesy undertones is more pronounced on these tracks. Pure, no-frills, high-octane noise that makes you want to get up and move.

"Impala", das sagenumwobene zweite, ursprünglich 1998 erschienene und längst vergriffene Songs:Ohia Album wird im August von Secret Canadian auf Vinyl neu aufgelegt. Diese Veröffentlichung enthält ein neu gemastertes Demo von "Tess", ursprünglich während der Aufnahmesessions für "Impala" aufgenommen. ,Lorain, Ohio; es ist ein schwieriger Ort zum Aufwachsen. Entweder man entkommt oder nicht. Angesichts der Industrie, die es dort gibt (oder gab) - das Stahlwerk, das Ford-Werk und die Werft - ist die Mischung der Menschen wie keine andere. Eines ist jedoch sicher, es ist eine Arbeiterstadt durch und durch. Was hat das mit einer neuen Veröffentlichung von Songs: Ohia zu tun? Nun, Jason - der Hauptverantwortliche für Songs, wuchs wie ich in diesem gottverlassenen Loch einer Stadt auf und so sehr man die Stadt auch verlassen kann, sie verlässt dich nie. "Impala" ist ein weiterer Beweis für das Songwriting-Talent von Jason Molina. Die hier enthaltenen Tracks bieten einen Einblick in die die Seele eines Mannes, der versucht die Dämonen des Lebens und des Verlusts auszutreiben. Das ist nichts, was man vortäuschen kann. Das kommt davon, wenn man mit dem Wissen aufwächst, dass die Fabriken, in denen deine Eltern gearbeitet haben, keine Option für dich sind und dass deine einzige wirkliche Option ist, zu versuchen, auszusteigen (leichter gesagt als getan). Die auf Jason und Geof Comings reduzierten Tracks auf "Impala" sind die spärlichsten und strukturiertesten Stücke, die die Band bisher veröffentlicht hat. Eine der ehrlichsten und stärksten Veröffentlichungen von Songs:Ohia.

Der Name Packaging mag eine zynische Einstellung zur Musikindustrie vermuten lassen, aber die Musik, die das Duo Daniel Lyon (Spirit Award) und Daniel ,Connor" Birch (Flaural) macht, ist alles andere als zynisch. Stattdessen ist es eine leidenschaftliche Verschmelzung von Elementen aus ihren ganz eigenen Stilen: krautrockige Rhythmen, psychedelische Klänge, elektronische Pracht und eingängige Melodien, gewürzt mit einer Prise spritziger Selbstwahrnehmung. Ihr Debütalbum, Packaging, ist eine Sammlung emotional berührender Songs über Entfremdung, Langeweile und rastlose Bewegung. Mit dabei sind mehrere musikalische Mitwirkende, darunter Luke Temple (Here We Go Magic), Ash Reiter (Sugar Candy Mountain), James Barone (Beach House) und Andy Rauworth (Gauntlet Hair). Das Album ist, genau wie eine echte Verpackung, ein haptisches Erlebnis. Vom herzklopfenden Rausch von ,Running Through the Airport" und ,In My Pocket" bis hin zur benommenen Melancholie von ,Didn't Wanna Stay" und dem leise erschütternden ,On Holiday" verbinden Lyon und Birch ihre Talente auf eine Weise, die sie gegenseitig zu neuen emotionalen Höhen treibt. Unheimlich für alle Beteiligten schien sich ein glücklicher Zufall über das Projekt zu legen: keine Herausforderungen, keine Probleme, nur unheimliche Zufälle und intuitives Schaffen.

Legendary hard-bop pianist and composer Horace Silver (1928 - 2014) was influenced by a wide range of musical styles, notably gospel, African, Latin, and Soul Jazz. He recorded primarily for Blue Note between 1952 and 1980, resulting in 25+ album releases. Presented here is Horace Silver's fourth LP Silver's Blue taped for the Epic label during two sessions in 1956, which followed three earlier sessions he had already recorded for Blue Note. The Epic session was to be the last LP he cut for the label, following which he returned to Blue Note where he remained until 1980 with the album 'Silver'n Strings Play the Music of Spheres'. The longevity of Silver's tenure with Blue Note was down to a deep friendship with the label's boss Alfred Lion, who allowed him greater input on aspects of album production than was usual at the time. Silver's Blue includes Blue Note stable mates Donald Byrd and Hank Mobley.

Does the complexity that defines us as individuals already have a sacred function, or do we need to connect the cells we are made of to something more? This is what the new and third album by Le Pietre dei Giganti titled Pastorale asks itself and the listener. Lorenzo Marsili (vocals, guitars), Francesco Utel (guitars, synths and samples, vocals, percussion), Niccolo Pizzamano (bass) and Francesco Nucci (drums, percussion) draw inspiration from the interaction between humans and nature, from the idea of the universe as a physical and chemical system. This inspiration melds perfectly with the cover artwork by Morgan Sorensen (See Machine), where the subject and space are represented according to a rational vision. The color red and the circle above it trigger an emotional response. Our brains follow the rules of the world around us, but culturally we associate this emotional reaction with a depth that goes beyond matter.

The perennial Broadway musical My Fair Lady was based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. This release presents the complete recording by the original Broadway cast, taped in 1956. The recording showcases Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in the lead roles - Harrison would also star in the 1964 film, in which Audrey Hepburn replaced Julie Andrews. This Original Cast Recording went on to become the bestselling album in the United States in 1957 where it spent 15 weeks in the Billboard chart.

2026 Repress

Recits Patriotiques captures FORTERESSE in their rawest form: a rehearsal recording, originally made in preparation for Messe des Morts

2026 Repress in Coloured Vinyl

Recits Patriotiques captures FORTERESSE in their rawest form: a rehearsal recording, originally made in preparation for Messe des Morts

Futurismo are thrilled to present Give Thanks, the long out of press 1984 hardcore classic by Articles Of Faith. Produced by Bob Mould, and newly remastered directly from the original tapes, this powerhouse of a record is now coming on both LP and CD after being unavailable for decades. Originally released in 1984, the debut LP Give Thanks by Chicago hardcore legends Articles Of Faith, is proof a hardcore record can be both political and poetic. Fuelled by rage, introspection and a musical progression that could be seen as a blueprint for what would later become known as post-hardcore, this album ticks every box you want from a record of the era: intense, emotive, scathing, unpredictable, all topped off by the masterful production of Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü/Sugar). Give Thanks is perhaps overlooked in many top ten’s of the genre, but leaving the bands debut LP off that list would be a mistake. A demonstration in raw emotion and political angst, Give Thanks harnesses a sound that could have only happened during the Reagan era. Hardcore was of course a musical explosion built upon aggression and discontent, yet Give Thanks forcefully fuses this concept of raw power with a multitude of musical influences at a time when some of their contemporaries perhaps seemed to tread water. Whilst the principles and sonics harnessed on AOF’s debut album may have had more in common with the sounds coming out of Washington D.C., this record has an authentic Chicago savvy running through it, effortlessly projecting a street level tone whilst simultaneously aiming to show the possibilities of what a hardcore record could be. In retrospect, AOF’s debut was a hardcore album ahead of it’s time, perhaps the reason it’s fervent themes and artistry still feel so fresh and relevant. Whether that’s due to Vic Bondi’s gravelly tones geared to critique the societal regime at play, or the considered guitar work aimed to both blast and texturize, or the intense drums rhythms inspired by jazz and dub, there is a depth to the final album that feels like a band testing their parameters, one listen to ‘Every Man For Himself’ and you know you are listening to something special. Familiarity and originality rarely crossover, but in this case they coexist to leave us with a forward thinking punk record that is more interested in shouting it’s emotions from the street, than it is screaming into a vacuum.

A true American hardcore record, and a must for fans of Minor Threat, Dead Kennedy’s, Bad Brains and Fugazi.

Gloss laminated digipak CD & Limited edition pink & white colour vinyl.

In 2016, with the blessing of David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti, Xiu Xiu released and toured the surprisingly successful album and concert, Plays the Music of Twin Peaks. Out of respect and deference to the beloved series, the band decided to put the concert to rest in 2018. After the recent and untimely passing of David Lynch, Xiu Xiu began to receive several high-profile requests to revive their interpretation of this iconic music. However, in wanting to always try to follow, honor, and continue to be inspired by the incredibly high bar of artistic challenge set by Lynch, Xiu Xiu is instead going deeper. Eraserhead Xiu Xiu is a new live concert with an accompanying film and full-length album that uses field recordings, concert-specific homemade instruments, organ, modular synths, vocals, flashlights, electrical interference, and elements of musique concrète to express the bizarre emotionality, conflicted sexuality, relentless darkness, and singularly unsettled moonscape of this most incredible of midnight masterpieces. The album itself is a masterpiece in sound collage and experimentation, with tracks like “Tetra” and “Sleep Synth” shifting from minimal auditory sensations to a clobbering, grotesque cacophony. The album’s closing track, “In Heaven,” is a beautiful rendition of Peter Ivers’ original composition, with Stewart’s delicate and soft vocals showcasing the elegance and wonder found in Lynch’s directorial debut, Eraserhead. Eraserhead’s original sound design and score by Alan Splet and Lynch guide Xiu Xiu’s expanded interpretation, reflecting their influence as fans and musicians. The original film gives birth to Xiu Xiu’s visual lens, through which audiences are baffled and pummeled by the band’s imaginary unused auxiliary footage.

Is it a short-term art installation, an exploded tribute to a cinematic triumph, an epitaph to an idol via an entirely new work? Yes. Is it intense, odd, curious, and shrouded in the gloomiest of nights? Of course. After all, it is Eraserhead.

Lockhart is a new melodic rock/AOR band from Canada, fusing synthesizer-fueled eighties arena rock with classic hard rock. The trio consists of Devon Kerr (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Jason Junop (bass) and Fabio Alessandrini (drums). Jason is best known for his work in Cauldron and Goat Horn. Devon’s main band is Axxion, and Fabio plays or has played in Bonfire, Enforcer, Annihilator, Hardline and many others. Lockhart issued their debut EP »No Chance« in 2022, followed by the single “City Pulse” in 2025. The band has signed with High Roller Records, and their first full-length album »City Pulse« is now ready to be unleashed to the public. It's hard to describe the specific sound of Lockhart in all its details but on »City Pulse« you will certainly hear a lot of Journey, Boston, Toto, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, and maybe even some Starcastle. “The influences are endless,” comments the vocalist, guitarist and keyboard player Devon Kerr, “and they go deep. I appreciate the comparisons. These bands are monumental. Lockhart has a sound of its own though. Bands that existed during the times you mentioned definitely provide influence! However, if you look past the surface (overdriven guitars and old synthesizers), you’ll hear influences from 50s doo wop, legends like Brian Wilson, and straight up choral music, too.” Compositions such as “The Dose That Made You Poison”, “Under Fire”, “Before The Fall’” or “Together As One” are very well constructed and flawlessly performed. “For me, songwriting is a deliberate process,” explains Kerr. “I set out a time and carve out the songs. Lyrics are written last. Once the song is ready, it undergoes hours of polishing to mold the perfect choir parts, guitar leads, and so on. Everything is very deliberate and carefully selected. Nothing was written by accident.” You can clearly hear that on »City Pulse«. With their melodic, at times even poppy approach Lockhart may stand out a bit on High Roller Records. Devon Kerr: “Our music has so many elements that traditional metal fans value, but with something very different, too. Something that might be new for some of the High Roller Records fanbase. I mean for those unsure, we’ve got Nick from Municipal Waste shredding guitar leads on ‘You Wouldn’t Know Love’, and Ian from Cauldron on ‘Can’t Shake It’ …”

American hard rock band Alcatrazz once featured legendary musicians like singer Graham Bonnet as well as guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. With their current line-up of guitarist Joe Stump, keyboard player Jimmy Waldo, bassist Gary Shea, drummer Mark Benquechea and new singer Giles Lavery, Alcatrazz re-recorded nine songs of their back catalogue. In addition to well-known numbers like “Hiroshima Mon Amour”, “Island In The Sun” and their biggest hit “God Blessed Video”, »Prior Convictions« also features two brand-new numbers, “Transylvanian Requiem” and “Stand And Wait Your Turn”. The release embodies how Alcatrazz sound today. Guitarist extraordinaire Joe Stump can barely hide his excitement: “Something old is something new and these new versions of some of the old Alcatrazz classics are killer and 100% metal.” “The new line-up is firing on all cylinders,” enthuses keyboardist Jimmy Waldo, while his colleague on bass, Gary Shea”, adds: “My prior convictions have always remained true, step up and rock hard. »Prior Convictions« continues the Alcatrazz saga with a 21st century twist of classic songs and new music.“ Although »Prior Convictions« is not a new studio album, it’s a clear sign that Alcatrazz are continuing the legacy, giving new fans the chance to get familiar with a whole bunch of bona fide hard rock classics from the eighties. Old fans, on the other hand, will quickly learn that the new line-up is every bit as potent as past incarnations of the band. »Prior Convictions« was originally issued exclusively on CD in 2025 via Brave Words Records. Thanks to High Roller Records, it’s now also out on high-quality vinyl.

After few years of collaboration, Stinging Ray and iRiE iTES Records, have joined forces to produce this brand new album entitled The Man From Beijing.

Comprising 16 tracks, this album showcases the amazing voice of this Reggae singer rising from the east. His music dives into a wide spectrum of themes, reflecting both personal depth and global realities-from faith and friendship to love, money, and an uncertain future. Through sharp, conscious lyricism, he sheds light on social inequalities and challenges the influence of the powerful, urging listeners to rise above limitations and stay true to their values.
The Man From Beijing is an album that will undoubtedly mark Stinging Ray's career, and will undoubtedly be one of his landmark albums. A must-have for all Reggae Roots fans!

CROWD welcomes Gina Demarchi with 'Other Side', a driving 4-track EP that adds a new voice to the label's growing roster. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Gina Demarchi has spent the last nine years refining her signature hypnotic blend of tribal-infused grooves, rolling percussion and emotionally charged energy, showcasing a sound rooted in 2000s techno and dubbed chords. As a resident at the event series Fungi and founder of her own label Seduction, she has built a strong reputation through performances all across South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and beyond. Opening track 'Never Enough' immediately sets the tone. Powered by a tom-driven bassline, huge open hats and uplifting chord melodies, it moves with a propulsive forward energy that plants the listener firmly on the dancefloor from the first bar. Next up on the A-side is 'I'm In Love', where endlessly echoing warm chords churn above a pulsing low end while marching claps and driving percussion lock the track into pure peak-time territory, serving as a reliable anchor for any uncompromising techno set. The title track 'Other Side' leans deeper and groovier, combining a gliding bassline with swinging chord stabs and crisp percussion that give full focus to the track's powerful low-end movement. Sitting somewhere between hypnotic and relentless, it is perhaps the clearest expression of what makes Gina Demarchi's sound so compelling. Closing cut 'Lonely' strips things back but lands with maximum impact: fast-paced chord repetitions, tight closed hats and sub-heavy drums generate a sense of momentum, creating a track that feels explosive and intense without relying on excessive speed. With 'Other Side', Gina Demarchi delivers a high-impact debut that reflects both the raw spirit of her unmistakable sound and the identity of the CROWD universe. The 11th release of the label is another statement from a label that has consistently refused to follow trends, instead carving out a singular identity rooted in raw energy. Join us for a high energy release party on July 5th 2026 al Le Sucre in Lyon!

Abou Naïm Records 001's coming straight from Ivry, in the suburbs of Paris. 4 dancefloor-oriented tracks with their own special vibe and a signature Hip-Hop interlude.

Cover is an original analog collage by the one and only Diane Aka Marabou. Thanks for the support and Long Live Naïm!

Life In Patterns welcomes Amsterdam-based live act and producer VNTM for his debut appearance on the label with “Ostbahn”, a five-track EP arriving on vinyl and digital formats on 24 July 2026. For VNTM, Ostbahn marks a departure from his usual creative process. While most of his productions are conceived and developed within the familiarity of his studio, every track on this release originated elsewhere — each one tied to a specific place, encounter, or moment beyond its walls. These external sparks became the foundation for a collection that feels both deeply personal and unmistakably geared towards the dance floor. Across the EP, VNTM explores the intersection of emotional depth and physical intensity. Dark, immersive pads and melancholic atmospheres are woven into powerful techno frameworks, driven by heavy low frequencies, tightly locked grooves, and a precise sense of movement. The result is a body of work that balances introspection with impact, equally suited to peak-time systems and solitary listening. Based in Amsterdam, VNTM has established himself as one of techno's most distinctive live performers, appearing at major festivals and clubs worldwide with a hardware-focused setup dedicated entirely to his own productions. His sound combines harmonic exploration and narrative-driven composition with distorted percussion, futuristic sound design, and a constant embrace of emerging synthesizer technologies. Beyond his performances, VNTM is the driving force behind the acclaimed Mindscape events at Amsterdam's Lofi, where he has hosted artists including Len Faki, Kangding Ray, Sterac, Âme, Recondite, Polygonia, Luigi Tozzi, Vril, and JakoJako. Recent highlights include his debut on the Awakenings Festival Mainstage, an all-night-long live set at Lofi Amsterdam, and a sold-out debut performance at Refuge in New York City. With “Ostbahn”, VNTM delivers a compelling first chapter on Life In Patterns — a release shaped by experiences beyond the studio, translated into hypnotic, emotionally charged techno built for deep immersion and maximum physicality.

The second Jai Alai album takes its name from a track on Winners (1979) by New York band Kleeer, who evolved from Pipeline via The Universal Robot Band before becoming a major force on the soul and boogie scene; their full-length “Open Your Mind” is simply sublime.

Two originally unreleased tracks will delight completists of Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick. Aretha co-produced “The Boy From Bombay” with Quincy Jones — perhaps a little too quirky at the time — while Warwick’s Ashford & Simpson-produced “Someone Else Gets The Price” has all the hallmarks of a missed hit.

Philadelphia’s Pieces Of A Dream, discovered by Grover Washington Jr., were fêted across Europe throughout the 80s. Their Elektra album Imagine This (1983) yielded the wonderfully moody “It’s Time For Love”. Further mining of the Elektra vaults yields a highly collectable Phat Phili Mix of Teddy’s “Believe In Love”, alongside a jewel from Leon Ware’s Rockin’ You Eternally (1981). I was lucky to know this genius, still underappreciated as a master of sensuous soul; “Got To Be Loved” ranks among his finest.

There’s not enough space here to fully cover Gerald Levert’s “What About Me”, but my liner notes to the Jai Alai release JAR14 “Top Of My Head” detail just how talented he was — and this is further proof.

The two least-known artists make a strong impression. Andy Bey’s “I Know This Love Can’t Be Wrong” recalls Jon Lucien at his best, while Phajja — a promising Warner Bros. signing in 1997 — disappeared after just two albums; their Cutfather & Joe production here is as polished as The Emotions.
By the time Etta James recorded “Evening Of Love”, she was four decades into her career, delivering this beautiful ballad with total assurance. Truly epic Southern soul.

Gilberto Gil - ”Louvação” (1967): Auf seinem Debütalbum stellt sich ”einer der brillantesten jungen Interpreten und Komponisten Brasiliens” (AllMusic) vor. Die energiegeladene Musik ist nicht nur von Bossa
und Samba, sondern auch von Baião, Karnevalsmärschen und Balladen aus den 1950er Jahren beeinflusst.
Limitierte Auflage in rotem Vinyl

Following his recent appearance on Blueprint, Mark Broom returns to the label with a unique project, revisiting the work of techno pioneer Regis. Entitled "Power Is Neutral", the release sees Broom rework a selection of seminal Regis recordings originally released on Downwards Records across the albums Gymnastics (1996), Delivered Into The Hands Of Indifference (1998) and Penetration (2001).

Known as one of the key architects of the Birmingham techno sound, Regis (Karl O'Connor) helped shape British techno through his work as co-founder of Downwards Records and a catalogue that continues to influence generations of artists.

For Mark Broom, few artists embody British rave culture quite like Regis. Drawing on source material that has long stood as a cornerstone of UK techno, Broom approaches these edits with both respect and imagination. As Regis puts it, "Mark Broom is like some modern day Bagpuss... he has fired up his techno mouseorgan and polished old relics to make them all shiny and new."

Power Is Neutral delivers six expertly crafted reinterpretations that bridge the raw energy of Regis' original works with Broom's unmistakable contemporary dancefloor sensibility, bringing these timeless tracks to a new generation of listeners.

Folk-Musik hat die schlechte Angewohnheit, als eine todernste Angelegenheit dargestellt zu werden. Sie ist etwas, zu dem man weint, sie ist übermäßig heilig, sie ist feierlich von Kritikern und Historikern betrachtet. Aber das Folk Bitch Trio, die ehemaligen Highschool-Freundinnen Heide Peverelle ("they/them"), Jeanie Pilkington ("she/her") und Gracie Sinclair ("she/her"), haben einen gemeinsamen Sinn für Humor , der tief in ihre Musik eingebettet ist und sie zum Leuchten bringt, sicher vor den selbsternsten Fallen des Genres. "Now Would Be A Good Time", ihr Debütalbum, erzählt lebendige, viszerale Geschichten und ist witzig und dunkel-ironisch in der Art von Schriftstellerinnen wie Mary Gaitskill oder Otessa Moshfegh. Ihre Musik klingt vertraut, aber die Songs sind modern, jugendlich, singen akut durch dissoziative Tagträume und ärgerliche Trennungen, sexuelle Fantasien und Medienüberflutung, über all die belanglosen Ressentiments und kleinen Demütigungen, die man als Anfang Zwanzigjährige in den 2020er Jahren erlebt. "Cathode Ray" beginnt mit Vorsicht, seine ersten Harmonien kommen in großen, schleifenden Seufzern an. Es ist verletzlich, aber auch ein wenig bedrohlich, mit , einem weit offenen Refrain und einem geräumigen, luftigen Beat, der alles verankert. "Moth Song", ein Song über unerwiderte Liebe und ,von so durchgedreht zu sein, dass man sich wie im Wahn fühlt und verrückte Dinge halluziniert", bildet das sparsame Herzstück des Albums, wobei Anita Clarks wogende Geigenstimme wie in einem Traum in den Fokus hinein- und wieder herausdriftet. Andere Songs sind nicht so schräg, sondern schildern brutal vertraute Momente am Ende von Beziehungen: Der spannungsgeladene, emotional flüchtige Torch-Song "The Actor" handelt laut Peverelle davon, "zur One-Woman-Show deines Partners zu gehen und dann Schluss zu machen". In "Hotel TV", einer hypnotischen, nächtlichen Träumerei, geht es darum, ,einen Sextraum über zu haben, während man neben seinem Partner sitzt, und der Partner ist ein Lügner", erklärt Pilkington. Die stärkste Verbindung zwischen dem Trio, abgesehen von der Freundschaft, ist Musik. "Wir haben alle darüber gesprochen, dass wir Musik liebten, als wir aufwuchsen, und dass wir wussten, dass Musik ein großer Teil unseres Lebens sein sollte", sagt Pilkington. Dieses Gefühl, dass Musik eine angeborene Berufung ist, im Gegensatz zu Hobby oder Torheit, war berechtigt: Das Folk Bitch Trio tourte bereits durch Australien, Europa und die USA und unterstützte dabei so unterschiedliche Bands wie King Gizzard, Alex G und Julia Jacklin. Sie sind bei Jagjaguwar unter Vertrag, einer Heimat für einzigartige Ikonen und Ikonoklasten (Bon Iver, Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, Unknown Mortal Orchestra und andere), und sie haben ihre ersten eingefleischten Fans mit schillernden Harmonien und bissiger Lyrik gefunden, die über Genreerwartungen und Publikumsgrenzen hinausgehen. Das sind die Herausforderungen: Es geht darum zu lernen, wie man ein Leben ohne Liebeskummer und Verlierer-Ex lebt, wann man im zeitgenössischen Nihilismus versinkt und wann man mit seinen Freunden lacht, und warum sich das Leben so flüchtig und unwirklich anfühlen kann. In diesem Sinne fühlt sich "Now Would Be A Good Time" wie ein Handbuch für das moderne Leben an: eine Botschaft dreier stolzer Folk Bitches, die gemeinsam Schönheit und Weisheit finden, wo sie können.

Finnish jazz producer Valtteri Laurell reworks some of J Dilla’s most iconic beats into adventurous big band versions. With drummer/producer Teddy Rok (Teppo Mäkynen of Five Corners Quintet, Stance Bros. etc.), flutist extraordinaire Elena Pinderhughes and Laurell’s own 17-piece Ricky-Tick Big Band, he creates a big band album that you never thought you would hear. Using the sparse and visionary beats of J Dilla as a starting point, Laurell has composed and arranged material on top of the original versions, performed by Ricky-Tick Big Band. ”My original idea was to write very abstract big band moments, that would be like samples Dilla might have used in his work. During the process though, on some of the tracks I started to feel more of a Bob James or Henry Mancini vibe in the arrangements, so the end result is a hybrid of those worlds. Naturally, the spirit of Gil Evans and the later work of Duke Ellington is also floating in the air”. To create a strong connection with the original material, Laurell asked Dilla-aficionado and drummer/producer Teppo ”Teddy Rok” Mäkynen to work with him on the rhythmic side of the pieces. Teddy Rok also mixed the album. As a special guest star, flutist Elena Pinderhughes is featured on Won’t Do and Rico Suave Bossa Nova. Ricky-Tick Big Band, which Laurell founded in 2010 is also well on display here, with rising baritone sax star Linda Fredriksson featured on Beej-n-Dem and trumpetist Jukka Eskola featured on Y’All Ain’t Ready.

Sam Shure debuts on Rekids with the ‘Belinda’ EP. The Berlin-based DJ and producer is joined by Deer Jade for one of its three tracks.

Berlin’s Sam Shure arrives on Rekids 3rd July 2026 with the ‘Belinda’ EP, a three-tracker including a collaboration with Swiss French DJ and producer and I AM YOU label boss Deer Jade. Since his debut release in 2016, Shure has been backed by a long list of supporters, including Pete Tong and Âme, racking up over 66 million streams via music on the likes of HABITAT and Cercle, as well as releasing Tomorrowland’s CORE label’s best-selling track.

Sam Shure’s ‘Belinda’ EP opens with the title track, where a robust, organic rhythm playfully underpins the fidgety, bit crushed sounds and stabs above, all while the titular vocal is evenly dotted throughout the arrangement. Shure then teams up with Innervisions, Diynamic and Kompakt artist Deer Jade for the aptly named ‘String Theory’, a strong and steady groove shot through with uplifting strings and synth work. Closing the offering, Sam Shure returns solo with ‘No Time To Play’, squelchy sequences winding through rich melodies that steadily build the pressure for a strobe-lit dancefloor adventure.

Having built a reputation through an impressive run of standout releases on labels such as Life and Death, United Identities, HOME//GRXWN. and Berg Audio, coupled with an ever-growing presence behind the scenes, Dutch DJ/producer M-HIGH arrives on Up The Stuss for his label debut with ‘What’s Going On’ - a four-track collection that shifts shape as it moves.

A friendship dating back years, with Chris having been a key early supporter of M-HIGH’s productions, regularly digging through fresh sketches and unreleased ideas while both artists carved their own individual paths, that connection now comes full circle here with a heavily anticipated first outing on the label that has long felt inevitable - it was simply a case of when.

Never holding still in one form for too long, he plays with tension and release across the individual tracks, balancing airy, vocal-led moments with weightier, more grounded rhythms, allowing each idea room to unfold without losing momentum. There’s a constant sense of motion that runs through the record from the first minute to the last, yet it’s an EP that showcases distinct sides to his growing sound across each production. Melodic passages drift in and out of focus, giving way to tougher, more angular sections before circling back again.

Subtle nods to classic house touches, from organs to retro-leaning motifs, are reframed through a more off-center lens and direction, while flashes of electro influence and low-slung grooves keep things unpredictable for the later hours. It’s a record that feels built for both peak dancefloor use and also the in-between moments, when the energy shifts, the room resets, and the direction isn’t quite locked yet.

Im Jahr 2002 veröffentlichten Reigning Sound "Time Bomb High School", ein brandheißes Rock-'n'-Roll-Album, das die Herzen und Ohren aller eroberte - von Little Steven Van Zandt bis hin zu Howlin' Pelle Almqvist von The Hives. Seit der Erstveröffentlichung ist "Time Bomb High School" auf Vinyl vergriffen und zum Heiligen Gral für Plattensammler geworden. Jetzt haben diese Sammler Grund zur Freude: "Time Bomb High School" kehrt auf Vinyl zurück, neu gemastert und mit einem neuen Cover von Greg Cartwright. Von The Guardian als "ein wahrhaft unanfechtbarer Rock'n'Roll-Soul-Klassiker" gepriesen, war "Time Bomb High School" der Durchbruch für das in Memphis ansässige Quartett aus Cartwright (Gesang, Gitarre), Jeremy Scott (Bass, Hintergrundgesang), Greg Roberson (Schlagzeug) und Alex Greene (Orgel, Gitarre, Hintergrundgesang). Die Songs - Cartwrights Eigenkompositionen und Coverversionen wie "Stormy Weather" und "I'd Much Rather Be With the Boys" - sind so lebendig wie eh und je, doch das Herzstück dieser Ausgabe von "Time Bomb High School" liegt in der Reihenfolge der Titel, die originalgetreu der Erstpressung von 2002 beibehalten wurde. Seite 1 bietet Midtempo-Balladen und Liebeslieder. Seite 2 besteht ausschließlich aus Rocknummern. Das Album beginnt mit vier der verletzlichsten Sehnsuchtslieder von Reigning Sound, bevor es in eine Interpretation von "I Don't Believe" der Lokalmatadoren aus Memphis, The Guilloteens, übergeht. Daraus entsteht ein fast völlig neues Album. Die Selbstsicherheit und Prahlerei der Band bleiben intakt, doch das Album wirkt ernsthafter und offenherziger, als hätten sie ihre Schutzmauer abgebaut, um den Hörer wirklich hereinzulassen seine Lobeshymnen fühlen sich an wie ein Zufluchtsort vor dem Sturm. Es gibt keine falsche Art, "Time Bomb High School" zu hören, aber dies ist seine endgültige Form: ein Klassiker, der bereit ist, wiederentdeckt zu werden, und für den Rock-Kanon genauso unverzichtbar ist, wie die verstaubten 45er-Platten, die Reigning Sound inspiriert haben.

Brannten Schnüre is an experimental dark folk group out of Würzburg, Germany. Christian Schoppik composed and played all the music, Katie Rich whispers, recites and sings. Together they make astoundingly beautiful folk with a rich instrumentation leaning towards the atonal spectrum. Instrumental wanderings stand alongside Nico-esque poetry tales. Christian plays the accordeon and in some songs guitar and flute. Inspired by hierophants like Nový Svet and David Jackman, solemn song fragments (a lot of old greek rembetiko-recordings) are modified and looped, with additional instruments and voices being integrated later on. Their music has been described as 'surreal folkcollage' and 'german hauntology'.

With the emergence of Schoppik's second project, a dada cabaret called Agnes Beil in 2010, Brannten Schnüre moved closer to the song structures of its frivolous sibling. The songs of Schoppik's latest creation Sommer im Pfirsichhain are further accompanied by a female singing voice, lending the pieces the voluptuous quality of a stickily tense midsummer. Sommer Im Pfirsichhain (Summer In The Peachgrove) is the second part of a quartet of releases. The first being Aprilnacht which got released on Sic Sic Tapes last year. Part three Geträumt hab' ich vom Martinszug and part four will follow later.

Reference points are bands like Winter Family and Twinsistermoon. Music etched on folkloric, ritual elements transferred into the 21th century. Also worth mentioning is the hand-drawn artwork which is made by artist Gwénola Carrère.

Originally released in 2008. Although this album invites aesthetic comparisons to works by the likes of Philip Jeck, William Basinski, and Janek Schaefer – draped as it is in an obfuscating, soupy crackle – there’s a very specific conceptual agenda at work here.

Part of the success of »Persistent Repetition of Phrases« comes from the attention it pays to the function of »the loop«, not only as a narrative ordering system in modern music, but as a means by which the brain itself recalls and interprets information; it’s as old as recorded sound itself, but in this context the repetition of small shards of auditory information becomes an elegy to fading memory and the worn-out synapses of old age. The track titles offer signposts through Kirby’s labyrinth of faulty remembrances, pointing their way towards the peculiarities dictating the manner by which the mind stores and attempts to recover information: »Lacunar Amnesia« references a condition that leaves a specific event absent from the sufferer’s memory, and Kirby’s music sounds suitably stuck on a prelude to something that never happens.

Bathed in gusts of crackle, the piece gets stuck on what might be a start of something, but we never get to hear what. Many of the pieces refer to different ways the memory might find itself caught in a holding pattern: »Von Restorff Effect«, »Rosy Retrospection«, and the title track itself are all suggestive of reliving a single event or point in time – here, both music and memory are united by the notion of »glitch«, whereby a fault or fissure causes the replaying of the same pocket of data over and over again, but what distinguishes Kirby from so many other musicians operating within the field of loops and broken recordings is the unnerving, ghostly sentimentality that courses through this process. »Long Term (remote)« is particularly explicit in its reaching back through the first half of the 20th century, exhuming snatches of music hall romance, now warped into a sinister new form by the erosions of time. It’s like watching John Carpenter’s »The Fog« only to find that instead of vengeful phantoms emerging from the mist, it’s The Glenn Miller Band. Which is infinitely more disturbing. More eerie still is the detachment from authorship endemic to this sound – at no point do you really sense the presence of a composer’s hand; this album just... is. A remarkable thing that only seems to have improved with age (which is either highly appropriate or highly inappropriate, I can’t quite decide which), »Persistent Repetition of Phrases« is an even better fit on vinyl, a medium which itself wears and fades just as the memory does.