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Eine neue Kraft erwacht. Sie dehnt die Grenzen des Bewusstseins aus. Sie verschlingt alles, was sich ihr in den Weg stellt. Sie läutet die "Reaperdawn" ein. IN APHELION könnte der ultimative Extrem-Metal-Adrenalinstoß sein. Es ist die euphorische Black-Metal-Idee des Gitarristen und Sängers Sebastian Ramstedt (bekannt als Gitarrist und Songschreiber von Necrophobic). Dunkler, seltsamer, epischer und progressiver als von den Bewunderern seiner Arbeit erwartet, ist dieses neue Ventil für dunklen, künstlerischen Ausdruck entstanden, der fest mit der Bösartigkeit des nordeuropäischen Black Metals verbunden ist, aber gleichzeitig eine tiefe Verbundenheit mit dem klassischen, traditionellen Heavy Metal und der schwarzen Magie der psychedelischen Wiederholung aufweist. Basierend auf einer Kernbesetzung, bestehend aus Ramstedt (Gitarre/Gesang), Schlagzeuger Marco Prij (auch Cryptosis), Rhythmusgitarrist Johan Bergebäck (Necrophobic) und Bassist Tobias Cristiansson (Necrophobic, ex-Grave...), haben IN APHELION den kompromisslosen DIY-Weg eingeschlagen, um ihren aktuellen Status als neue Century Media Band zu erreichen. Die Atmosphäre von "Reaperdawn" ist ein wirbelnder Strudel aus obsidianem Funkeln und schillerndem Ruß. IN APHELIONs meisterhafte Mischung aus obskurer Blasphemie und grandiosem Old-School-Gestöber hat eine neue Potenz-Ebene erreicht, da Songs wie der imposante Opener "The Fields In Nadir" und das hymnische "When All Stellar Light Is Lost" den Black-Metal-Ethos weiter unterwandern; mit übermenschlichen Blasts und schädelrasselnden Thrash-Passagen, die einige wahrhaft euphorische und inspirierende Wogen der melodischen Bosheit untermauern.

Black Truffle is thrilled to announce a reissue of Chico Mello and Helinho Brandão’s self-titled release from 1984, the first return to vinyl of this classic of Brazilian experimental music with its original cover art and complete track listing. An under-recognised figure whose work inhabits a singular terrain where radical new music techniques and music theatre meet musica popular brasileira, Mello has lived and worked in Berlin since the late 1980s. A student of Dieter Schnebel, Mello played in the 90s iteration of Arnold Dreyblatt’s Orchestra of Excited Strings alongside compatriot Silvia Ocougne, with whom he produced a radical and hilarious deconstruction of MPB classics on Musica Brasileira De(s)composta (an early and rather atypical release on Edition Wandelweiser).

On this release, his only recording predating his move to Europe, Mello works with the alto saxophonist Helinho Brandão, who appears to be otherwise unknown outside Brazil. The record’s six tracks range from solo saxophone improvisation to densely layered ensemble works bridging minimalism, acoustic sound art and a plaintive melodic sensibility that calls up Edu Lobo or Milton Nascimento. Beginning with a dramatic, dissonant wind and string surge from which emerge ominously pounding piano chords, opener ‘Água’ slowly builds in intensity, a halo of clustered vocal harmonies gradually closing in on Brandão’s squealing sax until the piece opens up to reveal a gorgeous passage of melodic singing. The piano accompaniment reduces to tolling bass notes as the voice begins a repeated incantation, suggesting a ritualistic atmosphere reminiscent of parts of Xenakis’ setting of Oresteia. Dissonant, sawing tremolos on the strings climb to a crescendo before disappearing into the sounds of water being poured and splashed into metal vessels, presented not as a field recording but as a percussive element performed by the ensemble. A child’s voice then appears, singing to piano accompaniment the same melody heard earlier in the piece. After a brief solo alto improvisation from Brandão, working with the guttural pops and fleeting melodic gestures of Braxton or Roscoe Mitchell, the remainder of the first side is dedicated to the leisurely unfolding of ‘Baiando’ over the course of twelve minutes. A trio for Brandão on soprano saxophone, Mello on a very period-appropriate phased nylon string guitar and Edu Dequech on bongos, the performance eases its way hypnotically through subtle variations on a set of rhythmic and melodic patterns, almost derailed at points by Brandão’s wild forays into extended technique but held together by Mello’s droning guitar notes.

The second side opens with another multi-part epic for a larger ensemble, ‘Matraca’, which makes use of strings, electric guitars and a wide range of South American percussion instruments. Rasping violin harmonics hover as drum hits, repeated guitar notes and triangle accompany a slowly descending bass glissando. A sudden change in direction introduces a thrumming, incessantly repeated bowed bass tone, beginning a series of episodes of minimalist phasing and pattern variation, the combinations of electric guitars and orchestral instruments giving the ensemble an ad hoc charm like the early Penguin Café Orchestra but with more percussive drive. Eventually the piece is overrun by a cacophony of the titular matracas (a kind of ratchet/cog rattle). Following a lyrical trio improvisation by Mello, Brandão and Gerson Kornin on bass, the final ‘Danca’ focuses entirely on Mello’s layered acoustic guitars and vocals, using this restricted palette to build up a haunting piece of almost orchestral density, reminiscent of the 70s work of Egberto Gismonti in how it thickens a folkish ambience with harmonic sophistication.

Arriving in a starkly beautiful gatefold sleeve and sounding better than ever in its new remaster, one might call the stunning music contained on Chico Mello/Helinho Brandão ahead of its time. But what (other than some of Mello’s own work) produced in the years since its initial release has really touched the organic fusion of minimalism, free improvisation, radical instrumental technique and popular song achieved here? Forty years after its first release, Chico Mello/Helinho Brandão remains music of the future.

First Aid Kit neu bei Sony Music: nach den beiden Independent-Alben "The Big Black & The Blue" (2010) und "The Lion's Roar" (2012, beide Wichita Recordings) veröffentlichen Klara (21) und Johanna Söderberg (23) mit "Stay Gold" ihr drittes Album nun bei Columbia Records. Die Söderberg-Schwestern stammen aus dem Stockholmer Vorort Enskede, wo sie 2007 damit begannen, eigene Songs zu schreiben. Bereits ein Jahr später nahm sie das The Knife-Label Rabid Records unter Vertrag, bei dem im selben Jahr die Debüt-EP "Drunken Trees" erschien. Der Re-Release der EP beim Indielabel Wichita Recordings 2009 enthielt zusätzlich eine Coverversion des Fleet Foxes-Stückes "Mountain Peasant Song", mit dem First Aid Kit 2008 bei YouTube für Furore gesorgt hatten.

Nachdem den beiden mit dem Debütalbum "The Big Black & The Blue" der Einzug in die Top 30 der schwedischen Charts gelungen war, schafften sie gleich mit dem zweiten Longplayer "The Lion's Roar" den internationalen Durchbruch.

Die erste Single aus "Stay Gold" (VÖ 6. Juni) heißt "My Silver Lining".

Miles Davis' 20-year association as an artist at impresario George Wein's renowned Newport Jazz Festival is a thriving tradition that is celebrated with the release of Miles Davis At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4.

The 8-LP box set, comprised of live performances by Miles' stellar band lineups in 1955, 1958, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, and 1975, in Newport, Rhode Island, New York City, Berlin, and Switzerland.

The 4th entry in the critically-acclaimed Miles Davis Bootleg Series, contains hours of previously unreleased material. From Miles' debut performance at NJF in 1955 (a hastily arranged jam session featuring Thelonious Monk and Gerry Mulligan, that immediately led to the trumpeter's Columbia signing), to his final public performance of the '70s in 1975, the box set traces the ascendance of Miles' music as the Jazz superstar he has become known to be.

The full-length concert performances alone of Miles' famed ""Kind Of Blue"" Sextet (with Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb), and second great quintet in '66 and '67 (with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams) represent templates that reverberate in jazz and popular music to this day.

Collaboration between Kilbey (The Church) and Kearns (Cactus World News), compiling before unfinished recordigs from late 1990s up to 2016. Initially issued as a 500 run CD available by mail order only in 2016, this is the very first time being released through global distribution, packaged in deluxe gatefold sleeve and containing two unreleased bonus tracks. Kilbey's The Church have returned to a high-profile status with both current albums 'The Hypnogogue' & "Ezra..." being critically acclaimed globally. The two new bonus songs are tracks 11 and 12, which were recorded in 2022. Kilbey and Kearns dive deep into atmospheric soundscapes and vocals and mysterious, yet revealing lyrics as Speed of the Stars. Easy Action will be issuing Steve Kilbey's solo and collaboration albums over the coming years.

Pressed on heavy-weight 3xLP 180g curaçao vinyl GIANTS is an ambitious video game concept album, meticulously crafted over six years by Tokyo-based record label Brave Wave Productions under the direction of Mohammed Taher. The colossal 98-minute album showcases the talents of legendary composers known for their iconic work on series like Mega Man, Ninja Gaiden, Panzer Dragoon, Sonic the Hedgehog, Final Fantasy, among others. The album is a rich tapestry of new, gameinspired compositions from these celebrated artists, paired with innovative remixes from their classic catalogue as reimagined by their contemporaries. A highlight of the album is its emphasis on collaboration, exemplified by original tracks like Ultramarine_the first collaborative effort from Mega Man 2's Takashi Tateishi with Mega Man 3's Harumi Fujita and Sonic Mania's Tee Lopes. Another standout track, Ronin, marks a historic reunion for the Ninja Gaiden composer trio_Keiji Yamagishi, Ryuichi Nitta, and Kaori Nakabai_collaborating for the first time since their work on the NES Ninja Gaiden titles. The collaborative spirit extends to the remixes as well, such as Final Fantasy series composer Yoshitaka Suzuki's cinematic reimagining of Mega Man 2's Wily Stage, featuring Bayonetta co-composer Takahiro Izutani on acoustic guitars and producing, as well as Celeste composer Lena Raine's tranquil rendition of Panzer Dragoon Saga's Art Thou the Holy One, crafted in harmony with original composer Saori Kobayashi. GIANTS transcends traditional boundaries, featuring a diverse array of genres and styles brought to life by over two dozen talented musicians, making it a celebratory anthology of game music's rich history and evolution, led by Brave Wave's in-house rock band Super Strikers and a legion of legendary game composers.

Dark Funeral feiern den 30. Jahrestag von roher Kraft und Dunkelheit mit einer überarbeiteten Wiederveröffentlichung ihres Debütalbums - eine exklusive Sammleredition für echte Black- und Extreme-Metal-Liebhaber! Mit neu aufgenommenen Versionen ihrer düsteren Hymnen! Produziert und gemischt von David Castillo in den Ghostward Studios (Dark Tranquillity, Opeth, Whitechapel etc.) und gemastert von Thomas "Plec" Johansson (Mayhem, Soilwork etc.). Hier findet Ihr seltenes Material aus den unheilvollen Anfängen der Band im Jahr 1994 - eine ultimative Neu-Interpretation und ein Muss für alle Jünger der Dunkelheit! Diese Edition wird als einzigartige und strikt limitierte, handnummerierte, transparent-blau/schwarz marmorierte LP erhältlich sein.

Für das vierte blutrünstige Album der Band und das erste für 20 Buck Spin, nachdem sie sich in den letzten Jahren im Death Metal-Underground immer mehr einen Namen gemacht haben, präsentiert Fulci "Duck Face Killings", eine Hommage an einen von Lucios abscheulichsten und meist geschmähten Filmen, "The New York Ripper".

Musikalisch entfesseln Fulci eine Flut von fesselnd grausamen Riffs, blutigem Gemetzel, mörderischen Schlägen, tiefen, gutturalen Gesangsmustern und unheimlichen Intros und Zwischenspielen. Das Songwriting der Band ist bewusst darauf fixiert, die brutalste und schärfste Musik zu kreieren, die möglich ist, um die extreme Grausamkeit des Films zu vermitteln, wobei man sich einen Soundtrack für den grausamsten und zynischsten Slasher-Film aller Zeiten vorstellt.

Was für den einen Müll ist, ist für den anderen ein Schatz, und so ist es auch bei einem so schäbigen und abscheulichen Film wie "The New York Ripper". In Duck Face Killings" leuchtet Fulcis brutale Darstellung der gewalttätigen Welt seines Mentors wie der Schimmer von Blut unter den Straßenlaternen von New York, schockierend und wild. Eine Hommage an den kontroversen Meister in all seiner dekadenten und degenerierten Pracht.

- Die mit Spannung erwartete 4. LP der italienischen Lucio Fulci-Fanatiker, basierend auf seinem Film 'The New York Ripper'.
- Cover-Artwork von Wes Benscoter (Autopsy, Sinister, Mortician, Broken Hope, Nile)
- Gastauftritte von Lord Goat von Non Phixion und Sherwood Webber von Skinless
- Komplette US Devastation in the Nation Tour im November / Dezember 2024 mit Morbid Angel, Suffocation, Mortiferum und mehr.

FFO: Cannibal Corpse (TOTM, The Bleeding), Dying Fetus, early Madball, Merauder, Mortician, Skinless, 100 Demons, Goblin, Giorgio Moroder, Devourment, Suffocation, Slayer, Crowbar, Bolt Thrower, Immolation, Non Phixion, Franco Micalizzi, Monstrosity

Für das vierte blutrünstige Album der Band und das erste für 20 Buck Spin, nachdem sie sich in den letzten Jahren im Death Metal-Underground immer mehr einen Namen gemacht haben, präsentiert Fulci "Duck Face Killings", eine Hommage an einen von Lucios abscheulichsten und meist geschmähten Filmen, "The New York Ripper".

Musikalisch entfesseln Fulci eine Flut von fesselnd grausamen Riffs, blutigem Gemetzel, mörderischen Schlägen, tiefen, gutturalen Gesangsmustern und unheimlichen Intros und Zwischenspielen. Das Songwriting der Band ist bewusst darauf fixiert, die brutalste und schärfste Musik zu kreieren, die möglich ist, um die extreme Grausamkeit des Films zu vermitteln, wobei man sich einen Soundtrack für den grausamsten und zynischsten Slasher-Film aller Zeiten vorstellt.

Was für den einen Müll ist, ist für den anderen ein Schatz, und so ist es auch bei einem so schäbigen und abscheulichen Film wie "The New York Ripper". In Duck Face Killings" leuchtet Fulcis brutale Darstellung der gewalttätigen Welt seines Mentors wie der Schimmer von Blut unter den Straßenlaternen von New York, schockierend und wild. Eine Hommage an den kontroversen Meister in all seiner dekadenten und degenerierten Pracht.

- Die mit Spannung erwartete 4. LP der italienischen Lucio Fulci-Fanatiker, basierend auf seinem Film 'The New York Ripper'.
- Cover-Artwork von Wes Benscoter (Autopsy, Sinister, Mortician, Broken Hope, Nile)
- Gastauftritte von Lord Goat von Non Phixion und Sherwood Webber von Skinless
- Komplette US Devastation in the Nation Tour im November / Dezember 2024 mit Morbid Angel, Suffocation, Mortiferum und mehr.

FFO: Cannibal Corpse (TOTM, The Bleeding), Dying Fetus, early Madball, Merauder, Mortician, Skinless, 100 Demons, Goblin, Giorgio Moroder, Devourment, Suffocation, Slayer, Crowbar, Bolt Thrower, Immolation, Non Phixion, Franco Micalizzi, Monstrosity

From listening to pirate radio recordings, putting on illegal parties and working for one of the UK’s original rave promoters, Greg Hepworth, aka Settle Down, has always had roots in the foundations of UK dance music.

Settle Down’s 30 year journey began when the sounds of Fantazia drifted into his childhood bedroom at the age of 10. After wearing out cassettes of pirate radio recordings and immersing himself in a growing culture, what followed was putting on illegal raves across the South Coast and packing tapes for Dreamscape, before crossing over to Creator and releasing for Metalheadz and Reinforced as 'Ulterior Motive' and reinventing himself as 'Settle Down'.

From fan to facilitator to maker. Voyage is a documentation of Settle Down's 30 year journey through UK breakbeat culture. Presented as a recording of a 90’s rave cassette mix, it chronicles the journey through house, breakbeat, hardcore and jungle and the influences that make up these genres, a love letter to the past and an ode to the vibe.

Voyage will be released on a limited edition mixtape cassette, 12” vinyl and digitally mixed and unmixed single tracks alongside some limited edition merchandise.

LP+7" (Clear Vinyl). When the Ramones lost it, the Zero Boys found it; Adding a slam brigade fist to the Blitzkrieg Beat. The Zero Boys managed to come with one of the best early 80's punk records, or one of the best records ever, period. From 1979 to 1983, the Indianapolis-based Zero Boys were the finest hardcore blitz in the Midwest if not all the lower 48 states. Compiled and released as a post-mortem following the band's breakup, History Of_ is the proof, if more was needed, that their take of American hardcore wasn't all white bread numbers. Yeah, they played shows with Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, Subhumans, and others but in Terry "Hollywood" Howe's guitar there was harmonious terror and unstoppable cadence. Terry's licks and chops _ a leap beyond two or three chord punk _ offered a zone and measured count for drummer Mark Cutsinger and bassist David "Tufty" Clough, a rhythm unit in par with the Minutemen if not The Meters, to run lines like quicksilver. Meanwhile, frontman, Paul "Z" Mahern provides a constant wash from beginning to end. Originally released in 1984 with a limited-edition reissue in 2009, this 40th anniversary edition includes the original LP of `History Of...' and a 7" featuring four live recordings never previously pressed to vinyl and recorded at iconic hardcore/punk venue Crazy Al's in 1980: "Livin' In The 80's", "Stick To Your Guns", "Commies", and "I'm Absent".

The 15th black label release on Limited White Label marks a
powerful union between Yerevan-based producer Scruscru
(Anton Bogomolov) and the mesmerizing vocalist Henna
Onna. Joined by the talents of Dwaal and Jehan, this
collaborative effort promises a genre-bending exploration
that seamlessly blends house, disco, jazz, and hip-hop
in§uences. Get ready to experience a harmonious collision of
styles, where each track offers a unique and captivating
soundscape.

Since surfacing into the Scandinavian synth-pop scene 16 years ago, Nicklas Stenemo and Christian Hutchinson Berg aka KITE have steadily grown from local icons to a global phenomenon, yet until now they've never released a full-length studio album. VII breaks the ice, collecting 14 of the duo's deepest and most dynamic anthems into a stormy saga of immersive, apocalyptic emotion. Sourced from a series of six 7-inch singles released over the past half-decade, the collection persuasively showcases KITE's distinctly cinematic strain of Swedish darkwave in all its glory and desolation. Stenemo and Berg had both logged time in other bands before joining forces in the mid-aughts, although their unique chemistry became apparent immediately. After forming in Malmö, Sweden, they soon relocated to Stockholm, further refining their fusion of brooding synths, booming rhythm, and vocal theatrics over a string of celebrated, numbered EPs (named I through VI). Despite their rising profile, KITE then and now have largely refrained from publicity, allowing their music to speak for itself - which it clearly has, as KITE's live performances have become the stuff of legend, prompting frequent festival invitations, international tours, and limited engagements on prestigious stages (recently at the Royal Swedish Opera, and Dalhalla, the former limestone quarry turned open air amphitheater, to name a few). VII offers a compendium of KITE's potent recent discography, including collaborations with Blanck Mass, Anna von Hausswolff, and Henric de la Cour. From yearning dystopian pop ("Hand Out The Drugs," "Bowie `95"), to widescreen existential balladry ("Tranas Stenslanda," "Glassy Eyes"), and sleek New Romantica ("Remember Me," "Teenage Bliss"), KITE's wavelength is one of soaring heights and abysmal depths, anguish and ecstasy, pouring one's burning, battered heart into the here and now. Their years of visceral commitment and artistic integrity have been hard fought and hard won; it bleeds between the words and melodies in one holy moment after another: "I switch my ways / To seize the day / To face my life / Not fade to gray."

Since surfacing into the Scandinavian synth-pop scene 16 years ago, Nicklas Stenemo and Christian Hutchinson Berg aka KITE have steadily grown from local icons to a global phenomenon, yet until now they've never released a full-length studio album. VII breaks the ice, collecting 14 of the duo's deepest and most dynamic anthems into a stormy saga of immersive, apocalyptic emotion. Sourced from a series of six 7-inch singles released over the past half-decade, the collection persuasively showcases KITE's distinctly cinematic strain of Swedish darkwave in all its glory and desolation. Stenemo and Berg had both logged time in other bands before joining forces in the mid-aughts, although their unique chemistry became apparent immediately. After forming in Malmö, Sweden, they soon relocated to Stockholm, further refining their fusion of brooding synths, booming rhythm, and vocal theatrics over a string of celebrated, numbered EPs (named I through VI). Despite their rising profile, KITE then and now have largely refrained from publicity, allowing their music to speak for itself - which it clearly has, as KITE's live performances have become the stuff of legend, prompting frequent festival invitations, international tours, and limited engagements on prestigious stages (recently at the Royal Swedish Opera, and Dalhalla, the former limestone quarry turned open air amphitheater, to name a few). VII offers a compendium of KITE's potent recent discography, including collaborations with Blanck Mass, Anna von Hausswolff, and Henric de la Cour. From yearning dystopian pop ("Hand Out The Drugs," "Bowie `95"), to widescreen existential balladry ("Tranas Stenslanda," "Glassy Eyes"), and sleek New Romantica ("Remember Me," "Teenage Bliss"), KITE's wavelength is one of soaring heights and abysmal depths, anguish and ecstasy, pouring one's burning, battered heart into the here and now. Their years of visceral commitment and artistic integrity have been hard fought and hard won; it bleeds between the words and melodies in one holy moment after another: "I switch my ways / To seize the day / To face my life / Not fade to gray."

Citrus Swirl Vinyl. honeybee table at the butterfly feast is the first album from the elusive Baltimore's band Teen Suicide in years. For over a decade, guitarist, vocalist and project runner Sam Ray has been sometimes quietly and sometimes very noisily setting standards in the indie scene by changing genres, live lineups and even band names, but the one constant has been an undeniable gift for songwriting. honeybee table sits at an interesting point in the teen suicide timeline, following years of relative quiet following the releases a whole fucking lifetime of this (2018) and fucking bliss (2019), both released under the short-lived alias American Pleasure Club. Lockdown times saw a viral moment for the song "haunt me (x3)", a cult-classic catalog track featured on the 2015 Run For Cover reissue of the band's two beloved EPs dc snuff film and waste yrself. Now the band returns with what could be their next classic record, 16 songs that oscillate between noisy garage-rock, intimate acoustic songs and even blistering powerviolence in the vein of 2016's ambitious double album it's the big joyous celebration, let's stir the honeypot. The album is as varied and captivating as the cover art of the record - a painting by Ray's mother - and is held together by his unique artistic vision, captured not only in the genius of his songwriting but the power of lyrics that turn his lived experience of the past few years into harrowing poetry.

Fera’s trajectory sticks out like a sore thumb, you need to invest time, carefully divided between body & mind, to truly take a deep dive into his audacious output. After the acclaimed ‘Stupidamutaforma’ and ‘Corpo Senza Carne’, Fera is back with ‘Psiche Liberata’, an oblique, imperfect and broken record, in other words, exactly the type of magical voyage you want to be on. The mind, finally liberated.

Fera is Andrea De Franco, electronic composer from Southern Italy now residing in Bologna, also known for his work as visual artist/designer and member of the Undicesimacasa collective. His musical cosmos is profound and imaginative, intergalactic atmospheres that condense fragmented IDM, scintillating textures, distorted synthscapes, crunchy technoid rhythms and swirling abstractions that weave gently, sometimes moody and stark, more often celestial and awe-inspiring.

Mixed in Berlin by Steve Scanu ‘Psiche Liberata’ encapsulates Fera’s dense and intricate thought process in contrast with his simple and direct approach to writing and recording that finds its more natural output in his rapturous live sets where a mono signal runs through a few analog pedals transforming instantly into menacing alien grooves and fluid ecstasis.

Like ‘Psiche Liberata’s artwork, hand-drawn by Fera, every detailed miniature leads to a single cell of sound, tracks collide against each other in a psychotic kaleidoscope where every safe space is confronted with subsequent noise, alterations or interruptions. The black terror of ‘Celestial Anacusma’ is followed by the space-jazz banquet of ‘Milk Tears In The Hug Chamber’ doped up cyber Sun Ra extravaganza featuring Laura Agnusdei and Luigi Monteanni (Artetetra) on saxophones and flutes; ‘Silenzio Solare’ sprinkles Mille Plateaux era minimalism all over hallucinations, while ‘Diluvia’ crosses industrial acid with perpetual motion; title track ‘Psiche Liberata’ murmurs mechanically, a downtempo drifter for the wide-eyed 7AM comedown: ‘Simulacrima’ melts Boards Of Canada’s mellow pastoralism with dystopian meta-level dreamland and ‘Riposa’ showcases an overwhelming melancholy executed with elegance in a slo-mo world where the ineffable transcends notions of ambient and becomes a warm embrace.

Created on a Monotribe, MS20 & Volca Sample/fm, ‘Psiche Liberata’s velvet heaviness was achieved by re-amping many of the instruments through a Leslie Rotary Speaker and a reel-to-reel Telefunken. Fera’s sonic tapestry is in constant flux, underlying themes of love longing and affection run through the record but in a turbulent, volcanic, unleashed fashion, almost on the brink of utter noise or complete silence, reminding us that this is an artist like no other amidst the ever changing electronic scene. These are transmissions from the gutter, where the inevitable meets the unattainable and collapses.

"Fera’s tarnished materials are destined for ruin; “Stupida,” full of longing and regret, sounds like an elegy for a fallen world." Pitchfork

"A cut of dark magic that fits like a glove to overcast days, wild winds and lashing rains. Insistent, the treacle-thick bassline oozes out, soaking the space between the melancholic synth lines." Inverted Audio

"The songs on Stupidamutaforma feel hypnotizing...it establishes De Franco as a composer who uses space and time to create a set of rich, immersive works." Bandcamp 'Album Of The Day'

One look at the axe-wielding marauder (drawn by famed heavy metal illustrator Edward Repka) on the front of this album and you know it’s not for the faint of heart. Canadian metal band 3 Inches of Blood’s musical attack (an appropriate term indeed) featured a unique, dual lead vocal line-up of Cam Pipes on “clean” vocals and Jamie Hooper on “screaming” vocals, with bludgeoning guitars (okay, axes) provided by Sunny Dhak and Bobby Froese (Dhak, Froese, and drummer Matt Wood left after this album to form Pride Tiger). Though this record came out in 2004 on the Roadrunner label, it wears its ‘80s metal allegiances on its sleeve, harkening back to the vein-popping intensity of vintage Judas Priest and Accept. Remastered on its 20th anniversary for an orange and black “ashen dawn” vinyl pressing, with a full-color inner sleeve sporting lyrics. Storm the castle!

How could Canadian heavy metal band 3 Inches of Blood dial up the intensity even more after their 2004 masterpiece Advance and Vanquish? Well, by bringing in Slipknot drummer Jordy Jordison to produce their next record, and adding a new instrumental line-up of former Allfather lead guitarist Justin Hagberg and former Walls of Jericho drummer Alexei Rodriguez to the band’s unique dual vocalist assault of Cam Pipes on “clean” vocals and Jamie Hooper on “scream” vocals. The result was 2007’s Fire Up the Blades, which, as Hooper put it, was “a faster, more intense version of us.” Which means that albums don’t get any faster and more intense than this one; that the epic lyrics are good enough to have been penned by George R.R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame is just a bonus. Speaking of bonus, for the vinyl debut of Fire Up the Blades (and after consulting the band) we’ve upped the stakes with a 2-LP release featuring an entire side of extra tracks that were released right around the time the album was, including their cover of the Lucifer’s Friend song “In the Time of Job When Mammon Was a Yippie.” All pressed in “Crimson Fire” vinyl housed inside a gatefold jacket with lyrics…limited to 1250 ferocious copies!

When we were offered the most welcome opportunity of choosing another “virgin” (as in never released on vinyl before) volume from the Dick’s Picks catalog, we did our Dead diligence, combing through the many chat rooms online to see which one the fans really wanted to see come out on LP. It will come as no surprise that opinions were varied and vehement…but a consensus emerged that Dick’s Picks Vol. 12—Providence Civic Center 6/26/74 & Boston Garden 6/28/74 was the one. Which is interesting, because that Pick is a little different, combining the second sets of two different nights instead of offering a single show. But it’s the exception that proves the rule—the playing is so extraordinary, and the repertoire so unusual, that one can understand why Dick Latvala played more curator than archivist here. Side A picks up the second set from Providence three songs in, featuring a short jam that leads into what many have labeled the most extraordinary live version of “China Cat Sunflower” ever recorded, complete with a sublime transition (“Mud Love Buddy Jam” a.k.a. “Mind Left Body Jam”) into “I Know You Rider.” The revelatory moments continue throughout the Providence set, highlighted by a dazzling, 15-minute “Spanish Jam.” But the second set of the Boston show—which appears here complete, after a superb encore performance of “Eyes of the World” from Providence—is the one that has passed into legend among Dead fans (a performance of Phil Lesh and Ned Lagin’s electronic music piece “Seastones” provides an appropriately adventurous interlude). The set boasts one of the most renowned live jams of the band’s career, a flawless, 14-minute “Weather Report Suite: Prelude/Pt. 1/Pt. 2-Let It Grow” leading into a 27-minute “Jam” that is simply one of the most far- ranging, telepathic improvisations ever played by, well, anybody. That this set also includes a separation of the “Sunshine Daydream” section from “Sugar Magnolia” for only the second time ever is just gravy. This is, of course, a “Wall of Sound” concert, so we’re working with something of a special audio source to begin with. So, we enlisted Jeffrey Norman to master the release for vinyl from the original tapes (pictured on the enclosed insert), and enlisted Clint Holley and Dave Polster over at Well Made Music to cut the lacquers. Gotta Groove Records, our manufacturer of choice, has pressed the 6 LPs on to 180-gram black vinyl housed inside a two-piece hardshell box, and we have a little stencil surprise for ya on Side L. Limited edition of 3000 hand- numbered copies!