Sokushinbutsu Project - Libera ens Domine

Been some time since the last time we reviewed the highly acclaimed esoteric unit known as Sokushinbutso Project. This album was released back in January 2025. Both on limited cassette and on CD-R via the Italian cult label Industrial Ölocaust Recordings. It´s called Libera nos Domine, which means Deliver Us, Lord. And that means, god gives us covenants that bind us humans to him/She/It... which in return gives us strength and help through god´s spirit. The artwork shows a heart that is connected to some sort of spine, and the heart is surrounded by knives and swords (not the spine). Maybe the spine is representing a blessing from god?... Maybe, who knows? I´ve received the cassette version, and the cassette is a lovely and shiny dark purple/red colour. The very informative cassette sleeve is made out of thick, textured paper. Beautiful cassette release! 

The concept of the album revolves around The Requiem (or Missa Pro Defunctis). A particular celebration to accompany the faithful into the afterlife. And then Sokushinbutso Projects creates an industrial-inspired soundscape around this. Which, in my book, sounds pretty interesting!  

The first track is called Ludex Est Venturus. The track is a cut-and-sound collage of various recordings of the same ancient Gregorian-sounding chant/requiem. The chanting is being kept in company with excellent throbbing noises and superb, surreal industrial sounds. Italian esoterica in sound, just the way I like it! Interesting howling voice in the end! 

The second track, Calamitatis Et Miseriæ, continues the ethereal chanting. Kind sounds like the same recording as found on Death In June´s Nade album?  Razor-sharp industrial drills get into the mix, with the sound of steel wool brushing the surface of a huge metal pipe. Kind of interesting combination, u get the feeling of heavenly chantings pulling you up to heaven... while the sound of industrial elements pulls you back to Earth. 

The third track is called In Lucem Sanctam. It starts pretty easily with some calming chants, and then the noises drill and chop like cold machinery. An additional instrumental bass plays a monotone, moody tune, further enhancing the dark atmosphere.

The fourth track, Descendam In Infernum,  is where it gets a bit darker... and warmer... hence the word Infernum. Heavenly glittering insectoid noise moves around like liquid metal, a ceremonial gong there, and some reversed chanting... eerie experience of something soothing and disturbing at the same time. Kind of thinking bout the Nocturnal Emissions Cathedral album here. 

The fifth track, Sacrificium Iustiæ. Soothing angelic voices start the track, with some cold synth sounds and layers of menacing dark-ambient moods in the background. A mess of electronic mayhem is entering a void, adding a touch of chaos and focused unpredictability. 

Libera ens Domine is a angelic journey into heaven, with the menacing influence of old-school atmospheric industrial aesthetics. Both pleasent and painfull, but that is how... it is to be a true believer...right?! Sokushinbutso Project is a crazy project with some really cool curious concepts, I really like that every release with them has a adventorous element to it... the project investigate diffrent ideas and themes etc. Gets me excited everytime I hear them. Another bullseye from this Italian act! 

Website (band):

https://cardinium.com/product/ior-tk-xxxvii/

     

PGR | I\U – Split CD

A limited 250-copy split has been released by a label called Mercium. Not much information to be found about the label; I have checked both Discogs and Bandcamp. Existed since 2019 and has had five releases so far, including four cassettes and this CD. A split between two acts, PGR is from Italy (Now based in Taiwan) and I\U from Copenhagen, Denmark. This is a live recording from 2022 from the live venue Mayhem (Also in Copenhagen). Both acts deliver 2 tracks each, about 50 minutes of recorded sound. 

The sound of a sandblaster, a dentist drill, high-pitched tones, and the feeling of getting buried in hot cement. Just the first two minutes of the first track called Inter Faeces Et Urinam Nascimur Pars Prima (We are born between feces and urine). Additional squelching noises and several underground explosions push the listener further into the harsh noise soubndscape. Stressed-out finger dexterity on the equipment can be felt through the exciting performance (I think). 

The second track, Inter Faeces et Urinam Nascimur Pars Secunda, turns toward more of an HNW sound (In the beginning) and slowly fades into erratic harsh noise. A constant searing hot sound like ice exploding on hot lava. A sharp needlepin scratches the surface while electrified cords hum endlessly into oblivion. 

The third track, Directum by I\U.  A flapping sound of wet-glitchy electronics with shrapnels from a high-pitched piece of machinery. Not as heavy as the former act, but relying more on psychedelic and spacey high frequencies. A lot more in the Japanoise sort of sound. The mood changes halfway through to a chopping sound of old aeroplane motors, with a nerve-wrecking tone pulling the listener through a lake filled with barbed wire. More spaced-out, erratic behavior of sound is being constantly delivered to the listener.

The fourth (and last) track is called Variabilis. The microscopic sound of hot metal being boiled and melted, with a mess of metallic sounds that fade in and out of focus. Kind of being in a fast-driving car on a rural road, it goes fast... and up and down while turning. Although this rusty car spits out bits of pieces while doing so. In the end, I think that the car ends up in some big metal-chewing machine, finally wrecking and melting it into tiny screws.

This live harsh-noise split offers a blend of traditional and non-traditional elements to the world of harsh noise. Both acts deliver something, which gives the listener the impression of seeing both sides of the same coin. Which is a good thing in my book. Let´s just be honest, the CD is a monster of a harsh noise release! I'm sure that the live event will be remembered. 

Bandcamp (label):

https://merciumrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/pgr-i-u

 

 Bocci - Lyke Wake - Oberto 

Cosmonauti

Released back in March, this album features three artists within the Italian experimental/industrial music scene. Christiano Bocci (whom we reviewed with the To The Moon And Back album, together with Noise Cluster), Lyke Wake (a Veteran of Italian industrial), and J.C. Oberto (whom we will meet again with another Lyke Wake album, which we will review later).

Concept of this album? Something with cosmonauts from the Soviet Republic up until 1991. Ever in doubt, u can read it more closely. This text is from the Bandcamp page, and there is much, much more to read, also on the inner sleeve: 

Specific aspects of this collaboration have been the aesthetic suggestion inspired by Soviet cosmonautics (up to 1991) and the historical impact it has had on the imagination of Western Europe, where we live and work. Therefore, we did not intend to make any reference or take a position regarding the dramatic current events or the developments of contemporary geopolitical dynamics. Sound and verbal experimentation as tools of existential expression. The discomfort of those who find themselves in a world that is not theirs, knowing that one's own does not exist.

The artwork for the album is a totally retro-sci-fi futuristic treat for the eyes! Thinking back to early sci-fi illustrations with a touch of the promise-of-a-brighter-future sort of propaganda. The sci-fi comics with Dan Dare pop up in my mind for a reason. The album contains 11 tracks, totaling approximately 65 minutes. 

Il Cielo Visto Da Quaggìu (The Sky Seen From Down Here) is the first track. The sound of feet in shoes walking, watery waves on a rocky and sandy beach, a dog barking somewhere, and... strange sounds unfolding. The kind of otherworldly sounds that u can hear in your mind... when u start looking up to see the stars on a cloudless night. Mysterious spoken words in Italian are added, a distant airplane, and a sound that sounds like some sort of alarm. Are we already entering space? Glitchy sound effects, a stretched violin string, ethereal radio-noise... this is just the first track, so much soundwise meat on this already! Later on, we get the esoteric psychedelic noise-synth that only Lyke Wake can do, which is something that sounds a bit like when you are tuning your low-fi radio in a different parallel universe. And those...beautiful synth-choirs of deep human voices. Think early Coil and early Berlin-School, excellent stuff! 

The second track, Carillon Sovietico Spaziale: Sputnik (Soviet Space Music Box: Sputnik. A chunky low-bit noise on one side of the stereo, and a cold, windy sound starts the track. The sound of something metallic, like a fan creating air in a ventilation system. An exquisite synth melody later on adds a beautiful adventurous touch to the track, in space, and looking back at Earth. 

The third track, Ero Solo un Cane (I Was Just A Dog). Could that be about the space-travelling dog Laika? I think so. Subdued psychedelic guitar-string work is added, beautifully done slow synth-melodies with a melancholic icy touch. Really like the voice of J.C. Oberto, don´t know what he is saying, but he does have an excellent and highly evocative voice! 

The fourth track, Carillon Sovietico Spaziale: Vostok. More of an experimental sound here than the Sputnik track. Glittering sparks of ethereal stars, strange and symphonic radio-noises with cosmic space dust just touching your spine. 

The fifth track, Motocross per Jurij Gagarin, is a subtle piece with an epic kind of element to it. Excellent moody guitar-work by C. Bocci here! Sometimes the guitarwork is reversed, and sometimes it isn't! Retro-wave VHS synth work wraps it all up quite nicely, fans of John Carpenter, anyone? 

We jump further into the album, and further, I mean, track number eight... called Passeggia Libero (Walk Free). Kind of Cosey/TG-sort of industrial guitar-bass sound starts the track with some highly distorted spoken word parts. All the former tracks have had a kind... spacy levitating feel to them, this one (in the beginning) seems more bound to the ground. This all stops when the spoken words part starts, and the background synth gently pushes the listener back into space. When the synth-melodies and the choirs enter, absolute clarity enters the mind of the listener, removing all the obstacles of noise and confusion. Perfectly balanced.

With the ninth track, L'Ultimo Volo (The Last Flight), we are almost entering a fantasy-like dimension where twisted creatures like Mortiis exist. Only this time, he is floating in a space suit, of course! Kind of dungeon-synth in space, but I don´t think that it was the intention. Later on, it gets a lot more abstract!

The last track, La Terra Vista da Quassù (The Earth Seen From Up Here). Heavenly, layered, and cathedral-like synthwork, blistering sound of icy winds, organ-drones, and otherworldly electronics end the album in a classy kind of way, without too much drama.  

The thing this album does. There is abstract stuff, and there is the clear synth stuff. The synth stuff is so good, mainly because it is strengthened by the abstract elements. The good stuff is good, mainly because it is being subdued by the abstract stuff. And vice versa, offcourse. Everything is perfectly balanced between order and chaos, and that is how things work in the great cosmic. Sometimes it can be understood, but... the great space surrounding our little plant is so big that it becomes... well, abstract? Too big for our human minds to fully understand, and yeah... we then get back to Lovecraft offcourse... again! Nevertheless! This album is AGAIN a bloody masterpiece, and I love it to bits! Smoke something, open up a good vine... whatever... everything about this album is so enjoyable!.

 

Bandcamp (band):

https://cristianobocci.bandcamp.com/album/cosmonauti

 

ΣΑΛΠΙΓΞ - ΛΙΘΩΔΙΑ

This is the first time we get to review something released on Black Death Industry. A label that has been around since 2014. Started as a net-label, but then in 2024, the label began to release limited physical CD releases. I received some to review, and the first one I will start with is the most mystical. 

Sálpinx – Lithodía, the band name Sálpinx is a trumpet-like instrument used by the ancient Greeks. I am not sure what Lithodía is, other than being an extraterrestrial race that looks like the stone-faces on the Eastern Island (Marvel Universe). The cover artwork clearly shows a kind of temple-like building inside the mouth of a cave. You also see on the front cover a drawn map of the interior of the temple. Turn the sleeve around, and you´ll see the temple more upfront. Open the booklet and show a collage picture of the various instruments being used in the creation of the album itself, and some various photos of the temple as well. The album has 3 tracks on it, 28 minutes in total.

The first track, Σπήλαιο Αμώμων (Ammon Cave), starts with a low-fi and fragile synth-drone combined with deep ceremonial primitive drums from deep within a temple. It all has that early kind of NON sound to it, with a touch of early Mouthhond and Archon Satani as well. Highly esoteric and archaic sound. A melancholic and meditative dungeon-synth melody helps the listener get back to ancient times, where rituals were as important as life itself. A rattling and rolling sound of a stone inside a metal cup, and the drums getting a bit more martial. Is that the sound of an ancient stone mill grinding? Lovely raw and dusty echoed sound to it, the recordings sound like a lost wax tape from some hidden basement of Aleister Crowley. 

The second track is called Νύχτα (Night). Continue where the former track ended, with a higher focus on a repetitive melody with that ancient grinding stone as well. There is a haunting synth melody in there, which sounds more like Pan playing on his flute in some caverns deep below. Like how the whole thing has been put together, there is a deep understanding of the mood and how the night (itself) affects our minds here...and the way we are thinking (when it is night). The night is mystical and opens up ways of deep thinking that the daytime rarely offers. 

The third and last track, Λιθωδία (Lithodia). The grinding stone continues, while (at this point) it becomes quite clear that we are dealing with real flute playing (not a synth). This ritualistic flute playing also teams up with a repetitive and hypnotic dungeon-synth´ish melody. The whole will work on the listener. The circular sound of stone on stone, the wind from a human throat blowing through a flute made out of bone, and that primitive synth doing its work... I feel like being hypnotized by Medusa here, almost a seductive sound.

I really have to remember to catch my breath here. This album is absolutely fantastic. Not in the over-the-top sort of matter, but more subtle, focused, and cool. The creator has conducted some kind of research to locate the desired sound for this release. Although it has an esoteric and escapistic feel to it, everything sounds incredibly natural and convincing. I could imagine that the artist behind this project lives and breathes for the history of ancient Greece, and that enthusiasm can be felt by a guy in a cellar in Denmark. Do yourself a favor and seek this release out! For only 4.50 euros, this physical thing can be yours. And it´s bloody marvelous!

Bandcamp (label):
https://blackdeathindustry.bandcamp.com/album/-

 Melek Tha - The Luciferian Manifest

We are in the year of 2025, and Melek Tha is still quite active... since 1996 if you must know. With over 80 releases so far (according to Discogs), Melek Tha has proven to be a relentless beast to deal with. Orchestral sacred industrial with a bombastic touch, often exploring themes with an occult nature. Lucifer gets the treat now, on one of the latest releases. It has been released on a Russian label called Black Mara, and also on the French label Abhorrent Creation Tapes. It´s a full-on double CD treat. Lots of satanic themes are spread onto 2 full-length compact discs. Much in the same way as the former Lovecraftian Melek Tha release called the Call Of Cthulhu (offcourse).  The great-looking artwork has been made by Mexican artist Nestor Alvados.  

We begin with the first disc, featuring the first track, titled "Ave Lucifer Rex Qliphoth." Chaunting male vocals, and another ritualistic voice speaking in Latin. Subtle angelic choirs, distant powerful martial drums, strings, trumpets... the lot. And on top of that cake, deeå Laibach ´ish spoken words. There is also a nice eerie female vocal in there, delivering an interesting touch to it. Kind of like a thing between the Omen and Polanski´s The Ninth Gate so far, with a touch of that classic In Slaughter Natives sound.

The next track, Militibus Ex Inferno, gets mixed into the first one. I kind of like that! The spoken Latin words continue, with a subtle rising tension in the music. A bit more eerie, challenging, and intense. Sounds like an offering that will end in the summoning of some demonic entity. Different movie themes will pop up in the listener's mind, offcourse. From Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Dagon, Legend, etc, etc. Good sound, and a convincing mood as well. 

The third track, The Luciferean Manifest, further evolves on the filmatic mood of occult/satanic-inspired movies. A recognizable kind of dread, also located in Arthur Machen´s The Great God Pan. Throbbing shamanic beats, ominous trumpets... the lot. In fact, there was so much meat on this bone that I had to listen to it... just one more time. Lots of depth to it! 

We jump straight into disc 2 with the first track, Voco Te Tex Lucifer. A large worshipping crowd has joined the assembly, while the ritual continues. Kind of sounds like a large crowd thumping on the ground while chanting, in a kind of aggressive manner. The atmosphere swirls to incredible heights in a huge underground cathedral. I'm also thinking about Gustav Holst´s planets here, really big sound. 

Track 3 Horum Malorum Multitudo... begins with some low piano work, mournful sacred choirs with some creepy-crawling and shimmering sound effects in the background. Not as thick on the mood as the former tracks I reviewed, but a lovely and subtle kind of darkness. Love the way all the recorded stuff has been mixed together, has a kind of Controlled Bleeding sound here. 

The Luciferean Manifest is one gigantic (and nearly endless) manifest of a smörgasbord/buffet. Offcourse (as a listener) we can get tired of the same satanic themes being churned through the same thick atmosphere... but! ... it has been made REALLY GOOD!. Surprises me how high the quality is, and it also surprises me how much this act has evolved sound-wise since their first album, Astram Argentinum from 1996! It´s an entire album that can be hard to chew through on one sitting, but every minute counts on this one. Well worth your time!

Bandcamp (label):

https://abhorrentcreationtapes.bandcamp.com/album/melek-tha-luciferian-manifesto

Bandcamp (band):

https://melek-tha.bandcamp.com/

      

  

 

 

 Heyvard - Dark Tales III

Heyvard has been active since 2021. Described on Discogs as a dark-ambient artist. Based in Hong Kong, China. I have been hearing several of the Heyvard releases from E.C.T. I would mostly describe them as harsh industrial drone with a focus on murky Eastern folk lore. The latest one is Dark Tales III. A short EP with two tracks, 20 minutes in total. 

The cover artwork/image is a detail of the wood block print "Ghosts, Devils and the King of Hell" created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi in 1850. Utagawa was one of the last artists who created Japanese Ukiyo-e artwork. Which, in general terms, is the art of wood printing. Below is the same picture in the original colours, quite nice, right?

The first track is called Wall of the Lost Souls. Which, for those who are curious about the title, it´s mostly discussed when it´s about the Aokigahara forest in Japan. Also known as the suicide forest near Mount Fuji. Lots of souls and spirits are believed to be trapped there. The track starts in a very murky way. Smouldering sound of earth moving... slowly. Hidden moans calling for some kind of release from their prison, and a deep tone in the background further enhances the experience. When I heard the track for the first time around, it really wasn´t that frightening. After doing a bit of research about the title of the track, it actually made total sense. And yeah, it became a lot more disturbing. 

The second track is simply called Hellscape. A sort of air ventilation system, and maybe it´s a contact mic on a huge steel bar getting hammered... and a distant rumbling of a distant earthquake? It has that kind of proto-apocalyptic and ritualistic feel to it, the scary calm before the storm. Elements of chaotic noise are added, giving the track an element of desperation. Does reminds me a bit of the early Genocide Organ, might be the combination of a ritualistic mood mixed up with a harsh industrial soundscape. Excellent moody sound of metal-junk being slammed together, nice touch! 

Dark Tales III is a nifty little paranormal folk-horror atmospheric thing, which in a few seconds will open up the world of Heyvard for the listeners. It´s a release that will intrigue and create a curiosity for more. I think it´s great, and it does its job very well! Very interesting to hear how folklore can influence the world of noise and ambient music. Highly Recommended. Do remember to check Heyvard´s Bandcamp site for more!     

Bandcamp (label):

https://heyvard.bandcamp.com/

Discogs (label):

https://www.discogs.com/release/32694033-Heyvard-Dark-Tales-III

 Kontakt Service - Our Hearts Are Like Open Graves...

As it is with Kalteldur, we are busy with reviews since reviewing albums is a dying breed... and that is just why we continue doing so. The latest with Swedish-bred power-electronics/noise act Kontakt Service was released last year on the Austrian label Steinklang Industries. Rumours have it that the album is a joint release between Ideal Father and Human Vault; further information about that is not written on the inner sleeve.

   

The limited 50-copy cassette comes as a shell-white pro-printed cassette, with 6 6-panel j-card (tons of awesome collage graphics!). 6 tracks, 36 minutes in total. 

The first track, The Night Should Cover All clearly shows where the sound of this album is heading. Analog perverted murkiness in some abandoned sewer, below the busy old and dirty town. Classic distorted vocals, monotonic death industrial. Interesting chopped-up sound effects and creepy flanged effects in there as well.

The second track, Higher Degree of Rupture. Not with the high-frequency sounds og the former track, but starts like a dark-ambient piece. True crime samples about nasty stuff, flanged vocals, and a churning, distorted bassline. I can also recognize the characteristic vocal sound by Human Vault here.   

The third track, Untitled 1. Raising the atmosphere where the roof is a bit higher. A slow kind of atmospheric noise track with a filmic soundscape attached to it. 

The fourth track, Copulate in Silence, follows the same noise/ambient pattern with some nasty lyrics about... u find out yourself.  

Jumping to the sixth and last track called Untitled 2. An interesting bass-heavy noise-ambient-based death-industrial soundscape. 

Latest Kontakt Service is an atmospheric, nasty bit of industrial noise. Kind of easy going ( in a way ) but also challenging with the themes chosen for the tracks. Have a feeling that the album is missing out on something. A thumping pulse of some sort to build up the mood of distorted vocal parts, or some synth-work, could also put a touch of color in the mix. I do like the high focus on the conceptual sound-aesthetic, and it´s easy to hear the output from both artists. The album also works as a good introduction to both Kontakt Service and Human Vault. Atmospheric morbid themes are nonetheless guaranteed for any death-industrial addict!

Bandcamp (label):

https://steinklangindustries.bandcamp.com/album/kontakt-service-our-hearts-are-like-open-graves-and-your-names-are-written-on-the-stones-2024

      

Daiben & Útero Bitch and Kadaver + Armenia - Psychopathia Sexualis 

Lots of acts on just one tape. We´re talking about a split between 2 acts doing a collaboration each. On the A-side, we have a Spanish harsh noise project called Daiben, which collaborates with another noise project called Utero Bitch. On the B-side, we have 2 known veteran acts, Kadaver and Armenia. Both sides offer 15 minutes of challenging brutalities, which gives us 30 minutes of torture! The cover artwork also (clearly) shows what is being expected!

The first track, called VHX, has a high-pitched tone and some screaming glass-shattering sounds... microphone and vocals maybe? There is also a constant drilling sound in there, a dentist drill again? Some hidden painful dialogues hide behind the torturous soundscape, probably from some exploitation flick from the 70s. The whole thing sounds like it has been recorded in some machine room of sorts; it has that kind of mood to it. It all ends like all dirty movie ends. 

The second track, Tits-off (ouch!), starts head-on with a thick bar of layered and flanged distortion. Flanged, cracked, or something being ripped apart, and something melts in a hot frying pan. At one time, I was quite sure that I was hearing a sample from the Jonestown recording. Although it´s quite harsh and brutal, it also has an eerie ambient quality to it.  

It delivers what it must deliver, and the expectation will not be disappointed. Nothing new under the sun here, "just" a guaranteed and concentrated dose of brutal mind-bending industrial-noise with perverted sexual undertones. 

Bandcamp (label):

https://marbrenegre.bandcamp.com/album/psychopathia-sexualis

  

     

 

 

Melómana Distorsión, Eye Floater 

& Hydra Cognitiva - Triunvirato Extendido

This time we will be travelling to the hot rainforests of Costa Rica. Three acts (Melómania Distorsión, Eye Floater, and Hydra Cognitiva) have joined forces to create a small EP/Mini-album called Triunvirato Extendido (Extended Triumvirate), and Triumvirate basically means (from Roman times) when three people are sharing power and working together towards a common goal. 

At this moment, it´s still a new release, so far you can locate and listen to it on Hydra Cognitiva´s Bandcamp site and various streaming platforms. It hasn´t been added to Discogs yet. And I can find any information regarding an official physical release. Although I have received a physical promo CD in a nice slipcase. 

The artwork shows a Christ-like figure on a cross, probably inside some ancient ruined church. The album contains 4 tracks, about 17 minutes in total.

The first track is called Herencia (Inheritance). The sound of a cold and hissing ghost-like vapor can be sensed and felt in a place where time... stands still. Later on, spiritually mourn-filled chantings and some distressed and stretched-out human voices in there. Nice opening of a track, cold ambient moods for a hot summer evening! 

The second track, Sueño (Dream), connects the former track with that icy ghostly voice/vapor-drone, almost kind of... when the wind is blowing through tubes made out of wood?. A hidden presence of paranormal activity in there, with some beautiful added echoed string work, giving the track a certain kind of ethereal and haunting element to it. Beautiful recorded sound of deep watery waves slashing on the shore, or is it inside a cathedral-like cave? 

The third track, Desde El Pozo (From The Well), stretches itself into... could be some live-recording session with real drums and string-work as well? The drums have been stretched to a degree that they sound like a doomy trip-hop rhythm. A layer of surreal sound-imagery fades in and out, and swirls around the listener like a dust devil... giving the sense of, well... losing your sense of direction. 

The fourth (and last track) is called Luz (Light). The sound of a bonfire, and those distant ethereal string work with some pitched angelic voices. Trippy rhythms ( with a bit of tempo ) are added. Interesting melancholic element here, you get the sense of hopelessness in a comforting way. 

Triunvirato Extendido is a worthy piece of melancholic moods, firmly established on only 17 minutes. When listening to it (at the beginning), my first thought was that... the sound sounded a bit too stretched. Be careful not to use it too much. But to my relief (and surprise), I was pleased with what I heard and i to do liked this EP. If it were a full-length album, then it would have been too hard to chew through. So yes, the release gets an approved sticker for me. Ethereal elements, ambient, mystical, melancholic stuff. Do check it out! 

Bandcamp (band):

https://hydracognitiva.bandcamp.com/album/triunvirato-extendido

 R_KKK - Saint Noizes

Radel Kopel, or simply R_KKK, is a Czech-based experimental noise artist who has been active as an artist and musician since the late 1980s. Starting in a heavy metal band called Krevel, and then moving on to doing free-impro grindcore-noise as Napalmed. And he has also worked as a solo artist. This album (which I received) was, to my knowledge, a new release by this artist. According to Discogs, this album was released back in 2021... problem is, according to Discogs (again)... ALL of his solo releases as R_KKK have ALL been released in 2021, so I don´t know. The CD booklet doesn´t contain much info either. Anyways, you can look it up on Bandcamp... but getting your hands on a physical copy can be a tricky thing. Back in 2021, it was only released as 15 copies! But offcourse, you can buy ALOT of his releases on Discogs, I'm no expert in harsh-noise as such... but I´m quite sure that Radel Kopel is an iconic figurehead in the world of harsh noise. Just check up on his Discogs profile, 300 albums, and having credits for 1410 releases! Anyways!

Saint Noizes is an album containing 6 tracks, about 60 minutes long. The cover artwork shows some kind of glitchy psychedelic computer graphics, and the back cover of the booklet shows his gear. So, let us strap on our crash-test helmets and dive into this! 

The first track is called Noiz For Girls. The sound of a distorted, smouldering, and glitchy digital earthquake cracks open a stomach-churning intro/beginning. Drilling sensations move from one speaker to the other, while everything melts into a digital cesspool. That´s just the first track! 

The second track Noiz For Boyz is not that different if you compare it to Noiz For Girls, move of a continuation of the same sound theme. Maybe a bit more chunky, with some added background sound to it?

The third track Noiz For Hmyz, warps and bubbles like a steam-hot piece of machinery, oil and lubricants squirt out of all the small openings. Some extra added psychedelic space here, and the track moves slower than the former two tracks. 

The fourth track Noizdra Z Pouzdra has a slight industrial feel to it. A nuclear meltdown? Could be. Feels like being buried in tons of falling bricks. Chopped-up laser sounds and surgical drills exploding into a vacuum sucking black hole. 

Saint Noizes is an album containing action-filled harsh noise from the start to the end. The mood is like a static wall, leaving the listener quite speechless. When you have reached halfway through, then you have (more or less) gotten used to the various sounds, and it gets a bit... tedious. Like when someone scratches you in the same place, or you are chewing on the same bubble gum. It succeeds 100% in delivering true action-filled harsh noise to the hardcore fans.

Bandcamp (label):

https://kanalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/r-kkk-saint-noizes

 

Ens Perfectissimum & VRNA - Necrognosis and Secret Rituals on the Edge of the Abyss

A new split is out, released on a label based in Mexico called Noctivagant. A label supporting and promoting various artists within the dark-ambient, ritual, and noise spectrum. A split between VRNA (which we have released earlier) and another act called Ens Perfectissimum (a side-project to another project called Occult Odyssey). A full-length one-hour album, where each project delivers 30 minutes. The CD comes in a thin wallet cardboard digipack, with some interesting artwork for the eyes. The artwork was created by Sang from Vhan Artworks, based in South Korea.

The concept of the album. Something about necro and something about gnosis, in other words... some kind of esoteric and ancient necromancy performed in a situation where it could be rather... rather dangerous. I like the way the cover artwork and the title go hand in hand. 

The first track is by Ens Imperfectissimum, and it´s called Ceremonies in the Cemetery under the Blood Moon. The sound of the wind through some kind of underground cave, and birds can be heard from some distant part of the cave. Eerie reversed sound effects, and the sound of someone painfully moaning in the distance. A shimmering synth is there, and some additional haunted-house and archaic chanting elements are added as well. A nice (and interesting) kind of surreal soundscape, earcandy for the imagination for sure. A bit in the same vein as Italian acts like Die Sonne Satans and Ain Soph.  

The second (and last) track by VRNA is called Incubazione Rituale al Cimitero delle Fontanelle (Ritual incubation at the Fontanelle Cemetery). Now that is quite interesting. I would recommend anyone who would listen to this track to do a Google search about this (kind of) cave-cemetery, and have a read about it. I'm providing a Wikipedia article (link below). Praying, whispering in the cavern below... voices of the spirit of the dead, or people praying for them. A voice from the other side answered the prayer, a stretched-out howl of despair entering the epic chamber of worship. The sound of a ritual gong and a beautiful sound-tapestry made out of Gregorian chants further enhances this experience. You really get to sink your teeth into the world of the dead, and how (and why) people take care of their skeletal remains, do remember to read the Wikipedia text while listening to the track!


A beautiful album, which has a certain kind of depth to it, which a themed concept album like this requires. The album artwork, the sound, the atmosphere... everything is closely chosen and highly focused to follow the common necro-themed thread. Hell, I might even take a trip to Naples and visit the cemetery myself! The album certainly gives me the motivation to do so. Highly recommended for fans of Italian ritual acts like Ain Soph and Die Sonne Satans! Excellent album!

Bandcamp (label):

https://noctivagantcollective.bandcamp.com/album/necrognosis-and-secret-rituals-on-the-edge-of-the-abyss

Bandcamp (band Ens Perfectissimum):

https://ensimperfectissimum.bandcamp.com/music

Bandcamp (band VRNA):

https://urna-rituals.bandcamp.com/

Wikipedia (Fontanelle Cemetery):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontanelle_cemetery