Interview With Silent Cabin

A cold minimalist winter-themed dungeon-synth/ambient act which comes from the very land which brought us the mummy-trolls, yup Finland. No, not anything being heavy-metal here! The act has been active since 2016 and has released 7 albums so far. I stumbled upon the creative mind of this project on the social media, and thought to myself ´I´m really curious about this mysterious act, I wanna interview this guy!´. Why for whatever reason? Because I simply think that Silent Cabin (seems) like an isolated/outsider-project in the realm of dungeon-synth, a very unique act with its own sound and signature. Which again takes you back to the mummy trolls, can you compare them with anything else??... No, you can´t! Same thing with Silent Cabin, the reason to question the guy behind the project and find out what makes this act so special.

How and why was Silent Cabin created in the first place?

In the spring of 2016, I started delving into various smaller genres, most importantly dungeon synth.

Inspired by classic DS projects such as Depressive Silence and Forgotten Pathways (and an important album for me, “Dream Castle” by Tanning Salon), I decided to start a DS project of my own.

Simply the want to do some kind of music to escape from the reality was inspiring. My first few recordings were pretty much just experimenting and learning how to work a DAW…

How is the interest in dungeon synth in the land of Finland? 

A few years back there wasn’t (for my knowledge at least) not many Finnish DS projects out there. Of course, such projects as Lunar Womb and some tapes from the 90s were known. I haven’t seen DS recognized in bigger music mags etc. here though.

Where do you get your visual ideas/themes from? Books, movies?

My favorite painter, Hugo Simberg and his symbolic paintings depicting death have always resonated with me greatly. I like to use the paintings of Finnish and Nordic artists because I can easily relate to the subjects and ideas depicting Finnish landscapes for example.

Does the music of Silence Cabin represent the landscape of Finland?

As mentioned above, yes. Every year at yule time I go visit my relatives and both the drive there and the area they dwell has always been inspirational.

Do you prefer creating your own physical releases yourself than being on a label?

I love doing my own tape releases, the DIY aspect of creating a release from scratch and being rewarded is great.

Only this year, the single contact so far wanting to release my music on a label was from Britt, who runs the So-Called Hell label. I am eternally thankful to him for wanting to work with me.

You have another project called Ridge Dweller, can you tell me about that and how it differs from Silent Cabin.

Ridge Dweller focuses more on a natural sound; a real keyboard and guitar. I started it last year and quickly released three demos of lo-fi DS with guitar blended in. The first full length will be out really soon, and I think it moves a bit more away from the DS territory and is more of an Avant-folk/drone oriented.

So, the project is of course far more away from the minimal, wintery DS sound of Silent Cabin.

Future for Silent Cabin, future releases in the making?

I’ve been planning a re-release of “Lonely Mountains”, and I can say it will be out this coming winter.

Other than that, this summer I started a small label called Lahja; the focus originally was for gathering my new releases under the same roof but has expanded to include a few other projects, not by me.

Bandcamp: (band)

https://silentcabin.bandcamp.com/


Facebook : (band)

https://www.facebook.com/silentcabin

Sudaria - Live at the Temple of Flesh

This is the second time we are gonna review a release from Sudaria, one of the prime examples of modern esoteric ritual music. This one came out on cassette via Spanish Marbre, and this time we are gonna experience a live treat from this cult act! Only 2 tracks which in total is over 50 minutes, of pure ceremoniously live-action!. 

The very first track mixes pure tantric sexual-energies with mind-bending intoxication on top of it, the track is simply called Tantric Intoxication. Very intimate recording, you basically hear everything which is going on. The humming automatic hypnotizing machine-drones, ritualistic bells, buttons being pushed, strange clicks, tribalistic drummings, esoteric and mysterious chantings... Incredible sounds bloody incredible! Fans of Hybryds, Zoviet France, early C93 and MZ412... take notice! It´s pretty dark (almost satanic cult-like) material here, but the delight of laying your ears to this is worth your time! Absolutely nothing wrong when you have a very good track which is almost 30 minutes long! I am in no doubt that whoever is behind this mysterious project, takes this very seriously and has a clear idea of where to take it as well. Pure ritual cleansing in sound! Kind of like... A ritualistic version of early power-electronics at the end of the track, interesting!

Next track called Self-induced Transfiguration. After going through tantric sex and toxic, you might wanna... transfigure yourself. After going through the first track, you (just might) wanne do that! Kind of starts where the brutal intensity ended with the first track, definitely sounding more... intoxicated!. Screaming ambient-noise, flesh scraping distortions, the razor-sharp intensity binds you to continue the listening. More of an atmospheric harsh-noise treat, then the former esoteric-ambient one. Kind of like those bags with nuts, all sweet and salty ;) ... A cool track, again a cool recording with a decent intimacy attached to it. Would love 2 have experienced this concert!.

Go out and buy the bloody cassette, this baby is a pure masterpiece. Limited to only 25 copies from Spanish Marbre Negre, go get it now!. Worth in (almost) anyone´s obscure tape collection.

Bandcamp (label):

https://marbrenegre.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-temple-of-flesh

Bandcamp (band):

https://sudaria.bandcamp.com/ 

 

    

        

Tryumf - Hymns of Power

Something from last summer, and something which mixes together ideas from the old world with the new world (kind of). Dungeon synth via retro-wave and soundtracks to old-school CRPGs. If you take a look at the catchy cover with its highly seductive colors, you will in an instant be transported back to a time when games for your computer came in HUGE cardboard boxes with a thick manual inside! I can still remember that very dad when we bought our Commodore64, I was (as an 8-year old kid) checking up on the cover-artwork for a C64 fantasy adventure game called Zork. The cover-artwork was incredible, then you would turn the box over only to discover that it was "only" a so-called text-adventure. The cover artwork for this release has that sort of 1985´ish-design, but the music inside sounds like something later. Yup, we´re in the time of the dear Amiga500!  A 4 track mini-album, a potent shot-glass of retro fantasy music from your old computer/Amiga500. 

The first track Anima Christi starts the album in a moody, ritualistic way. Howling winds, tiny drops of rain, ghost´ ish moaning synths, ceremonial bells and then, later on, comes the lovely melancholic folksy retro-synth with corny (but cool!) computer-game drums. The title track reveals it to be a Catholic prayer to Jesus of medieval origin, a very spiritual track indeed!. Second track Mt 28, 19 is about something from the bible (read below):

 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

A very Christian based mini-album sofar. And how true that became, after the death of Jesus-christ his religion moved from cult-based thing to a worldwide belief-system. Even the Vikings from Scandinavia thought, hell... that guy is worth believing in (kind of!). Nevertheless, churches were built everywhere etc. Again, a very retro, ceremoniously and sacrilegious piece. For some reason, it reminds me of Clannad´s soundtrack they did for the British tv-series Robyn of Sherwood (Cult and worth seeing!). Sounds very cool, I love the melody and the mood very much! 

Third track De Profundis is about a letter which our dear Oscar Wilde wrote during his imprisonment, reason? He was gay and lived an extravagant lifestyle. The name for the letter (which was published off course) was taken from Psalm 130. And the very first verse in Psalm 130 sounds like this:

Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.   

So the letter was a cry for mercy from one of our greatest writers. The track follows up on this, sounds like someone who has "accepted" their "sin" and sadly waited to be executed. Oscar Wilde wasn´t executed but received an injury during his imprisonment which then leads to his unfortunate death. A sad but beautiful track!.  

Last track Zeal´s Sacrifice. A chilling synth-wave ambient piece with a medieval church-like aesthetic. Cool way to end the album!

So there you go. Quite a unique thing having all of these retro old-school elements being mixed up into a completely new thing. Go and have a listen yourself, chill-out and get back in time.

Bandcamp (band):
https://tryumf.bandcamp.com/releases

    

Hasufel - Decrepit

While still being into the grasp of winter and post-Xmas moods, this one was released last February 2019. A project which has had (so far) several releases under its sleeve. Hailing from the city of angels, Los Angelas. Interesting project with an interesting old-school occult inspired industrial-ritual approach. Decrepit being one of the latest from this project, and there is still some few copies of the cassette let for sale as well (see Bandcamp link below!). 4 tracks, almost 20 minutes in total.

The first track (named after the title of the album) sets the occult meets the early industrial mood just right. We´re thinking about early recordings by John Zewizz´s side-projects (Cult of the Womb, Mahcanik, Hideous In Strength) and Current 93 in their early Aleister Crowley-inspired days. Menacing, cold and calculated industrial electronics and mesmerizing chantings... really nice!. Next track. Burn Away All Life continues with esoteric chantings and cold and primitive ambient electronics, with some cool sounding ritualistic drummings and timeless 80s horror movie-synth work. Very dark and "cold" but with a certain kind of .. warmth to it?. I like it because it sounds and feels very sincere and real!. 

Third track The Wretch In the Woods adds a fusion between Carpenter´ish retro-wave and industrial-ambiance (new genre here). It does have its resemblance to some of the atmospheric ritualistic pieces by the Klinik! Last track The Name of Blasphemy moves into Lovecraftian cosmic horror, something is showing its presence in the very air... it wants to get out and into our world for sure. Whatever you do, don´t do its bidding! Again with the industrial ritualistic settings with lovely retro-feeling synths on top. It´s actually very easy to get seduced by the sound of this project. 

You really have 2 be quick to get a physical copy of the cassette, because according to their Bandcamp-site they only have 2 left! Me? ... Well, I´m a fanboy now .. And I want 2 hear more, and so should you. Should appease any sick-boy who needs their occult-ritual fix once-in-a-while, this surely does it!

Bandcamp (band):

https://hasufel.bandcamp.com/

Varkâna - Ahrimanic Chambers

I have NEVER heard anything from Iran. Been listening to obscure music since... 1997 I think, but never anything from Iran. Incredible thing how a dungeon synth act would come from those parts, I don´t wanna point my finger at anyone BUT! I do think that (probably) there would be some people in Iran who would (maybe) be kind of upset with this kind of music? I don´t know, I have never been there. But then again, maybe Iran is not such a bad place after all. Nevertheless, the latest Varkâna actually prooves that point! 

The title for the album being Ahrimanic Chambers, so what does that mean?. What I can tell you is that it simply means evil mind, evil spirit and that the term hails from the ancient Iranian spiritual leader Zoroaster, who laid foundations of an esoteric religion known as Zoroastrianism. This mystical religion would influence anything from Islamism to esoteric thinkers like Rudolph Steiner and Alister Crowley´s Thelema. Ahrimanic Chambers simply means, being in the chamber of evil spirits... in other words, demons. Not very pleasant! The cover-artwork should clearly illustrate the unpleasantness in all its gloomy glory.

Varkâna makes dungeon synth with a folksy vibe, at times almost sounding like doomy instrumental-synth ambient with sad-core elements. It´s pretty good if you ask me! There are martial elements here as well which works up an apocalyptic mood. Esoteric neo-folk´ish mysticism shows itself through the albums ritualistic atmospheres. Most of it, it sounds like living in a society completely devout of human spirituality. Something has been lost and has been left (for forgotten) in that chamber of ahrimanic demons.

First track A Graveyard Under Snow sits the atmospheric mood right, and is a true evocative treat for any dungeon synth fan!. Ahrimanic Enlightenment, fucking good!. Love how the synth sounds like a heavy guitar string here, gives it a certain... John Carpenter horror vibe?.  The track Lugobrious Ruins is just heart-breaking!. The track simply called The Mist And Rapture sounds a-bit like Raison D´être in his great early days. Spirituality Deformed might just be the thing between ambient pop and dungeon synth, the first time I have heard this sort of fusion (and it is well made, believe me!). Night of the Hunter is just damn unique and good!.    

So yes! A great masterpiece from sand-filled Iran, sounding VERY esoteric in a European kind of way. Arabic influences would have been interesting... BUT... They/He have done a magnificent work 2 create an album, which u can enjoy from the very start and to the very end. I know that I have said it before, but this one requires a physical release damn you!.

Bandcamp (band):

https://varkana.bandcamp.com/album/ahrimanic-chambers

Facebook (band):

https://www.facebook.com/varkanadungeon/

 

Machina Coeli - Lure of the Forgotten Lake

The third release from an Italian dungeon-synth act (which started around 1997), and the first release from a new dungeon-synth label called Nigra Opera Productions (cassette being limited to 50 copies). This one was released on the 17th of June this year.

Machine Coeli means heaven machine, and heaven machine means...  I´m not sure. Something which makes the earth and the cosmos work? Maybe we are in some alchemist kind of lair, the experimental machine of an alchemist? Gnostic mystics was seeking esoteric secrets through science, in order to get closer to god. And the title for this cool release... Lure of the Forgotten Lake? Maybe we´re looking at water spirits, seducing good folk to their watery homes in order to drown them. According to the track titles, we are looking at a scenario in which (maybe) a water spirit has to be defeated in order to get gain access to the lost scrolls. The Bandcamp site holds more details about it, here it goes: 

"The howl was hooting, as the flowing river def the hunger of the forgotten lake. How could we lose the memory of the magical water mirror as we indulged ourselves in the senseless quest for pleasure and matter? It is now time to forge new shiny weapons and crush the devious reign of ignorance which bid the purest Knowledge with its malicious shadows. There's only one thing that can save us now: the ancient secret scrolls locked in the chest at the bottom of the lake..."

Kind of like Arthur searching for Excalibur sort of theme... But what about the music behind this story?!. Traditional high-quality dungeon-synth with a retro/vintage feel. Say early Mortiis, early Raison D´être, early Morthhond with a touch of Coil (or even Phallus Dei) at the end? I fxxxxx love it, the storytelling mood is there and the esoteric mysticism is just right. I also like this because it sounds... otherworldly?. But yes, it is a traditional dungeon synth release yes!... But! it goes just a little bit further than just being about the usual dungeons and dragons-theme. Although it is without lyrics, is still maintains that mystical esoteric feel which gives the release a personal and very unique touch. At around 05:30 (Lure of the Forgotten Lake) I was being rather amused, that the melody (and vibe) reminded me of New Order´s Blue Monday? I do not know if it was intentional, but if it is... Fucking awesome! Who can say no to Blue Monday as a dungeon synth piece?!. 

So my message would be to you all, go out and get it! You get your fix for something downbeat and traditional, and you get an interesting release with a unique occult/ritual mood attached to it. Do go around the Bandcamp-site and check up on the other two releases. Even Mortiis say thumps up to this!

Bandcamp (band):

https://machinacoeli.bandcamp.com/album/lure-of-the-forgotten-lake-2019

Bandcamp (label):

https://nigraopera.bandcamp.com/releases

Der Finger - Le Cinque Stagioni

Since 2012, Russian-bred Der Finger has been exploring the boundaries between avant-garde jazz and psychedelic improvisations. After their debut EP was released back in 2012, Le Cinque Stagioni is then their newestfull-length album (Released the 13th of January 2019 on Toten Schwan Records). Limited to 100 physical CD copies (Really cool digipack!) and being way over 70 minutes in total. Many more digital releases to be found on their Bandcamp site! 

I am not an expert in free jazz. I have tried several times to understand it's often challenging and expressive sound but as it is... I often end up wondering which ear I should use when hearing it, and I often sadly end up with no answer. It´s very expressive and abstract at the same time. It can be evocative exotic at times, and very hectic chaotic the next. Keeps me getting back to some of the nightmarish visions from Burrough´s ´Naked Lunch´, or even some of the paintings done by H.R Giger. Free jazz is not something u can hear every day, but something which u should try to put on with a free and open mind (And when you are in the mood for it). Der Finger merges ritualistic and evocative landscapes of sound with the nerve-breaking potions of free-jazz. 

A very urban-abstract and cosmic-horror experience, think John Coltrane reading Lovecraft while having Throbbing Gristle being in the background on some stereo! All of this has been squeezed onto this 5-track disc.

The quality of the recording is superb, not too polished and not too raw either... just a really perfect recording. Almost sounding like a really good live-recording (Excellent dynamics). We are talking about an album which can divide the sea! If you are not a fan of free-jazz, u might wanna give it a good listen before investing in it (Because of the saxophones being very upfront in the sound). Are in need of another manic fix of free-jazz (Like Painkiller/John Zorn) then u have to check this out! 

Bandcamp (label):

https://totenschwan.bandcamp.com/album/tsr-106-le-cinque-stagioni?fbclid=IwAR1hVnD7vr3xEkx7Eeh0fRR3kixNN82KVY9pG0mn4cvFRUF8Ld9sfPPVPEw

Facebook (band):

https://www.facebook.com/derfinger