Kalteldur top 10 of 2022

A strange year with its ups and downs. Corona has "turned" into a thing of the past, while a war was going on in Europe at the same time. Either Corona or the war had destroyed the motivation for being creative, lots of great releases needed to be reviewed (as you can guess). As you can see on the so-called top 10 list, then yes... it has been a year of noise rather than industrial or ambient. Re-issues and new releases of various kinds of noise music have been in high demand, and some of those releases need a review... which of course explains why Kalteldur still exists (course!). It has also been a year where a lot of friendly artists (and labels) have reached out to Kalteldur, and for that, I am incredibly thankful! Although the talk is that record reviews are a dying culture, the releases are still being made and the artists & labels still want reviews. Which of course must mean that the interest in obscure electronic music is still there... living and thriving! So let´s get on with it!

Number 10

Kadaver - Micro Death

Fantasy 1

Kadaver´s Micro Death was a relentless mix of abstract ambient noise with atmospheric and angelic harsh noise. Soo much expression in sound and soo little time! A very concentrated and compact mini-album, with a little world inside. If you slowed down this album, you could have it as a double-CD album! A great noise album to represent the year 2022!

Number 9

Black Leather Jesus - Anti

Ominous Recordings

I have said it before, and I will say it again... I LOVE re-issues of older cult releases. This time I had the pleasure of reviewing Anti by Black Leather Jesus. Proto HNW before Vomir or the Rita. I will quote my last words from my original review... since I nailed it!: 

"A strangely comforting beast of sheer brutality, perfect background noise for obsessive minds... and perfect textured sound recording for a decent power nap. Keep it simple, less is more and all that." 

Greatest re-issue of 2022, and one of the best HNW releases as well!

Number 8

Sagenheft - Hypnerotomachia

Moonlit Castle Records

A seducing medieval trip into the world of seducing nymphs and satyrs. Or just one of those lovely scenes from that classic Caligula flick! I would dare to say that we need more of this kind of dungeon synth in 2023! An incredible journey that any soundwise escapist would love! A classic dungeon-synth act seeking new ideas, while maintaining the old-school sound! Do seek it out!.

Number 7

Lesser Dog - Tavistock Anthropocene

 

Danvers State

Classic old-school (post) industrial is still alive and kicking. And Lesser Dog (who were by no means were a Lesser Dog) proved it all with this release! A brutal and nightmarish industrial-ambient album that would even satisfy the fans of power electronics. As mentioned in the original review, take early experimental Test Dept and then the harshness of the Grey Wolves! And yup, it is that good!

Number 6

Jugendwerkhof - Mernscharmierung

Marbre Negre

Actually, the second time around that Jugendwerkhof enters the top 10 of Kalteldur. I will say (and I will say it again!) Jugendwerkhof is one of the best harsh noise acts in Europe as we speak! And this release 100% proves that fact! Lot more sound to it than just harsh noise. Post-industrial scrapyard sounds with tons of apocalyptic noise on top of it. Fans of Mauthausen Orchestra and Incapacitants must check this act out!.

Number 5

Room of Wires - Fever Switch EP

Rednectic

Whoever said that 90s technoid-electronica was dead anyway?! Room of Wires proved w(with their futuristic high-tech EP) that mind-bending electronics were still a thing to look forward to... in the near future that is. This a lovely example of how a utopic cyberpunk-inspired sound aesthetic can thrive in a modern techno/electronica vibe. Do yourself a favor and check up on Room of Wires! 

Number 4

Samsuo - You Probably Think It´s The Ocean

Elm Records

Or you would just probably think it´s a bloody masterpiece instead. Samsuo´s release on Elm Records was a breath-taker for sure, not only did it deliver pure and beautiful ambient music but also elements of guitar-based sadcore... not that far away from 4AD in their late 80s period ( Red House Painters, Cocteau Twins ). After the album was done, I was 100% sure that it had entered the top 10 list... so here it is. Seek it out, you will not be disappointed! 

Number 3

Schloss Tegal Prezsents Kollektiv - Music From The Sanitorium

Tegal Records

This obscure compilation from the ancient past (made by the minds of Schloss Tegal) not only disturbed us deeply... but also gave us new ideas on how to evolve moody experimental music in the coming future. So what kind of weird experimental stuff did people record back in the cassette days of the 80s? This compilation gives you all the answers you need, and what a trip this is! Best various artists compilation I have heard in years, and what a lovely collection of obscure recordings that hides within... worth exploring!

Number 2

Third Organ - S/T

Abhorrent Creation Tapes

Never been a big fan of Japanoise, but when I heard this one with Third Organ... it completely changed my mind. Well... It´s noise alright BUT! being completely high-tech meets low-bit, imagine a thing between Autechre and Merzbow. Some kind of artificial intelligence is stuck inside an old Atari game, kind of gets me back to Robocop 2... where the mind of that criminal drug addict gets inside that killer robot! This release is a blast...ALL THE WAY!. When a bad trip turns into a good trip, an absolutely relentless release!   

Number 1

Don Mandarin - Pekin A Porm / Guided Meditation

Environmental Studies Bathtub Press Collaboration

One of the latest with Don Mandarin. A release that instantly took my mind away to other places. A release that can give the listener an instant touch of the soul behind the act. 100% excentric character/artist creating otherworldly experimental music, with so much much of his own soul trapped within! There are hints of exotic Asian-based world music (Martin Denny fans?), heavy post-punk-inspired dub, real field recordings, harsh noise-ambient, and the sort of back-to-basics feel from an old album by Throbbing Gristle. The album is the bloody works, and I am sure that anyone would approve. Even proud that I was given this opportunity to review this magnificent masterpiece! 

  

      

Vrna - La Vecchia Madre

Vrna has released a steady stream of releases since 2000 so this is not exactly a new act on the post-industrial/dark ambient scene. I remember the Lares album fondly but have not heard anything since then until this album landed in my lap. “La Vecchia Madre” is also not exactly a new release, but actually came out in 2018, making it 6 years old already. Befitting that a release entitled ”The Old Mother” should receive a review when it is itself a bit old, right? The packaging is simple but effective and the cover art has a nice tactile feeling to it. Some kind of surface treatment that makes it feel kind of rubbery to touch. The music itself is dark ambient with some percussive tribal industrial elements and some hand-played instruments in the mix such as flutes and, I think, guitar?

The album starts out in a very calm fashion with “Of Great Silence”, a 7 minutes long droning piece with some chants. The second track, “Ritual Of Self-Burial”, follows the same recipe but quickly evolves into more percussive and noisy territories. For me personally a step up from the first track, which was a little too static and “nice” for my taste. The third track, simply titled “Empty” follows suit and is equally calm and chaotic, balancing the two poles and ending with some almost new age-like sounds with some serene piano chords before descending right back into chaos. A strong central piece with a few elements that disturb the organic progression towards chaos, which is kind of a pity, I think, but which in turn creates a certain dynamism. 

The next track is my favorite on the album; a whirlwind of ritualistic ambient noise called “Cenere” (Ash) with howling distorted chants and drones drenched in reverb taking me straight into dusty catacombs and dark vaulted cellars. The next track called “Campi Di Polvere” (dust fields) is a calm affair that does not do much for me except for leading to the final track “La Vecchia Madre – Ritual of Awakening” which in turn goes full-on ritualistic tribal industrial with nice polyrhythms, chants, screams and growls (male and female) and a beat you can almost dance to. A strong way to finish the album.

Overall, despite a few critical points, I am quite pleased with this album. The sound is very good, sharp, and focused, and everything is nicely and neatly done. At the same time, it left me wanting a little more. Something that makes it stand out a bit. Much of the things I like about “La Vecchia Madre” have been heard before, and I could have done without the new-age parts that pop up in most tracks. Personally, I would have liked a stronger focus on the rhythmic and ritualistic parts. More chaos and darkness and less calm droning, flutes, pianos, and whatnot. I am, however, sure this will appeal to dark ambient fanatics who like Raison d’Etre, Sephiroth, and acts of that ilk, and deservedly so: if you like ritualistic dark ambient with noisy and percussive tribal industrial elements, this will certainly not disappoint.

Bandcamp (band):

https://urna-rituals.bandcamp.com/album/la-vecchia-madre-2

Official Site (label):

https://www.oldeuropacafe.com/

 Schloss Tegal - Neoterrik Research " The Unearthed History of Schloss Tegal "

I REALLY love it when these classic death-industrial/ambient acts decide to release some cool reissues in nifty-looking digipacks!. One of the latest ones is by Schloss Tegal, a compilation compiling various tracks from obscure various artists-compilation (1997-2022). Re-mastered by RL Schneider himself (Brainpilot behind the act). The cover artwork is just a thing of pure beauty. Sort of grey, black, and white grainy artwork showcasing various manipulated autopsy-themed photos. Actually, the compilation was first released back in 2004 on Cold Spring Records, but this time the cover artwork not only looks better but represents the music way better as well! A big shout to Alonso Urbanos for the excellent artwork! The whole thing contains 12 tracks, 55 minutes in total. 

The first track is called Bones of Tartarus. Tartarus (according to Greek Mythology) is quite a wicked location if you ask me, a place of torment and suffering for the wicked... and the titans as well. So yes, there should be ALOT of bones in Tartarus. A deep and drony ambient track for lovers of heavy electronics. Lots of cool layers going on, and quite an adventurous/escapist vibe/mood in there as well. All of these sinister sounds are mixed with a haunting and looped religious chanting. A very cool and hypnotic track to start the compilation!

The second track Please Eat Me, is another good example of why this act can be simply irresistible... exquisite even! Lots of cool claustrophobic subterranean sounds. Reminds me of the early Test Dept/Laibach in a way. Metallic beatings in some abandoned factory, someone digging through the earth with a shovel (I think!), disturbing manipulated human voices (or is it actually pigs?!) with some distorted pitched sounds on top of it. Fans of the soundtrack of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre would love this. 

The third track Last Glint pf Consciousness gets back to those classic death-industrial/ambient sounds of the labels Cold Meat industry/Slaughter Productions. Bone-crunching atmospheres are set in some morbid operation theater. Glimpses of paranormal touch/ideas spark the track even higher. Greatest track so far.

The fourth track Collapse of the Wave Function offers a psychedelic soundtrack journey into the afterlife. Grinding and metallic drones from the heaven above, with some warbling (and eerie) ambient electronics. Again, LOTS of interesting sound layers!

The fifth track Anti-Life Equation kinds of chills down the atmosphere, to a more "pleasant" mood. Icy and minimalistic death-ambient. Love the crunchy sounds in the background, low-fi when it works! Incredible mysterious track with a lot of depth to it (11 minutes and 48 seconds).

The sixth track is called Zero Situation has a lovely mechanized rhythm. Starts with two thumps and then it ends with a metallic crash, doesn't actually sound like much (in the written words), but on the album, it sounds that good. Any fans of Megaptera would approve. 

The seventh track Invitation to an Outrage (Reptilian Mind) offers echoed, layered, and looped samples/recordings. Not much drama going on here, but the track doesn´t need the bloody drama. A very cool and subtle track with a lot of darkness within. 

And that ends the review. There are 5 more tracks on the compilation album, but I think that the listener should just further explore the rest of the album! I love this compilation, it sets a certain and specific morbid mood for anyone who digs pure ritualistic death-industrial. It also adds some extra psychedelic and experimental elements to the style as well! Might just be one of the top death-industrial releases to end up under the Christmas tree this year!. 

Bandcamp (band+label):

https://schlosstegal.bandcamp.com/album/neoterrik-research-the-unearthed-history-of-schloss-tegal

              

 Fallen - Soft Skin, Eternal Verses

The second album I get to review (this year) with this nostalgic ambient-driven act from Italy. Soft Skin, Eternal Verses was performed and recorded back in 2016 and has now been released on cassette by Mahorka, a label based in Bulgaria. The cassette is sold out at Fallen´s official Bandcamp site, but it can still be purchased via Mahorka´s Bandcamp site! A limited 50 copies cassette with some really beautiful looking cover-artwork, would have loved it even more if the paper had some texture. 3 tracks on each side of the cassette, which is about 50+ minutes in total. 

The first Echoes And Sin starts with an electronic humming sound, a slightly harsh and icy-sounding drone churns in the background while a crystal-like synth-melody lies on top of it. Beautiful and futuristic dreamy synths are also added as well. And then the melody starts with a deep synth and s simple rhythm. Piano, guitars, and church organs are also present. Kind of reminds me of Runes Order (not just as dark) and another Swedish dark-wave/ambient band called This Empty Flow. Exquisite synth-based ambient with a nostalgic retro feel here and there, I also have a gut feeling that fans of dungeon synth should check this out!

The second track Eyes Like Windows has a more ceremonial feel to it. With melancholic and looped synth keys and some very cool and rhythmic sound effects, Coil pops up in my mind here. A driven melody from above enters the stratosphere, leaving you bloody breathless!. Another great track here people!

The third (and last track) on the A-side is called No Love Is Sorrow. Kind of a haunted house of a ruin sort of intro-theme here. Slightly pleasant and slightly disturbing/eerie. The track brightens up with some rhythmic bass lines and an echoed pencil hitting metal. Almost a neo-classical feel here, not that far away from In The Nursery. 

The fourth track Soft Skin, Eternal Verses has a kind of industrial touch in the beginning. Sounds like a blow torch with some creepy and skeletal sound effects. This gets replaced with a crystalized futuristic atmosphere with those cool church-organ synths and additional guitar work. Dramatic and intense structured ambient soundtrack material here, very well made!

The fifth track Shimmering is probably the most easy-listening-like track on the album. Maybe a bit too pleasant for my taste. A Bit too light and sensual if you compare this track with the former tracks. Light-weight ambient piano-pop/new-age music. Some experimental electronica moments save the track at the end though.  

The sixth (and last track) New Beginning, sounds like an intro and an outro at the same time. It also gives the listener a kind of feeling, that you are listening to something which you have heard before on the album. It does remind me of a track here, not sure which.

A good and pleasing ambient-pop album with an experimental touch here and there. I do miss a kind of progression in the sound though, at times it does feel not your not actually getting anywhere, and then again, there are some moments on the album proving that otherwise. More edge, and just a bit more darkness also? 

Bandcamp (label):

https://mahorka.bandcamp.com/

Bandcamp (band):

https://thechildofacreek.bandcamp.com/