Kalteldur top 10 of 2023
2023 was huge! Not only was there an abundance of releases but also an abundance of artists and well-established labels who reached out with stuff that needed to be reviewed. It was tough to boil it all down to 10 albums since there have been so many incredible releases in 2023. The Kalteldur office also (sadly) had a minor setback with the old computer that burned down, but luckily we could get back online to deliver the last reviews and of offcourse to deliver this best of 2023. So let us get down to business, and namedrop the coolest releases of 2023 (The was reviewed on Kalteldur!)
Number 10
Deprivation - Keep My Grave Open
New Approach Records
Deprivation - Keep My Grave Open was a lovely trip down memory lane, and what a great one that was. Think classic Italian death-industrial like Atrax Morgue and the U.S.A. power-electronics acts like Intrinsic Action... that kind of sound. Powerful and subtle with lots of edge and personality attached to it. An act which we all should keep a good look out for in the comin' future!
Number 9
Mai 12 & Dosis Letalis - Untergrundarbeiten
Grubenwehr Freiburg
HNW/ANW is still alive and kicking; the latest with these two acts proves it. Released on the avant-garde-driven label Grubenwehr Freiburg, this release made a stone-hard connection between atmospheric walls of noise and the idea of working hard in a coal mine. Incredible claustrophobic sound, yet strangely soothing! Pure moody noise for concentrated emotionalism!
Number 8
M. Bryo & D.M.T. - Things I Was Due To Forget
Nuit er Brouillard
And I thought that I had a complete collection of The Klinik / Absolute Body Controntrol etc. I didn´t! French label Nuit et Brouillard did a nice compilation of the stuff that Mark Burghgraeve did, he was one of the early figureheads in early Klinik! Minimal and clinical synth-pop with a touch of madness here and there! To make it short, absolutely essential album for any collector of early and obscure synth-pop.
Number 7
ZeroNull - Red Mars
Marbre Negre
Always dreamt of moving to Mars (for some insane reason). Being (almost) untouched by human hands, and being completely engulfed and controlled by the environment. Silent and mysterious, with maybe secrets hidden beneath. One will get that feeling when listening to ZeroNull´s Red Mars album. One of the best ambient albums of 2023! Compelling album concerning an incredibly big concept, Mars. This album should not be missed!
Number 6
K2 - Lost Land of Chipa
Abhorrent Creation Tapes
K2 - Lost Land Of Chiba (Abhorrent Creation Tapes, 2022)
For me, the highlight among the releases I reviewed in 2023 was K2s 2022 effort Lost Land Of Chiba on Abhorrent Creation Tapes. Here at the end of the year, I can conclude that Lost Land Of Chiba still delivers. As I stated back when I reviewed it, we are dealing with a well-crafted, mature, almost surgical piece of noise art, and I can add to that assessment that it keeps on giving regarding new sounds and details to be discovered. However, while the skill on display is sure to be lauded, it is the clinical and bleak atmosphere that is present throughout that gives Lost Land Of Chiba its special appeal.
Number 5
Blodskam - Staalbrunst
Death In Venice Productions
A journey through seductive sexual depravity, vintage death industrial/ambient, Swedish humor, Twin Peaks, and sticky pornographic magazines from the 70s! Staalbruns could be the only dose any sleazebag could need (daily). It´s a great album! Discovering the worlds between morbid noise-industrial and ritual-driven ambient music. Excellent alternative background soundtrack for any exploitation flick!
Number 4:
Madrelarva - Sol Interior
Marbre Negre
I really didn´t know what I should write... concerning this release. The Spanish label Marbre Negre has a funny tendency to surprise the listener. I don't know this act that well, but listening to this album gives the listener the feeling... that we might be talking about a so-called underrated act? It´s absolutely mind-boggling-brilliant! Technoid surrealist stuff with some automatic tribal elements as well. Fans of Deutsche Nepal, Coil... Take Notice!
Number 3
Asylum Symphonies - Mental Disturbances
E.C.T Recordings
There are 3 tracks on this album, and checking up on the notes inside the cover... we get the info-text saying ´Only Raw Hate.´ The stuff inside is raw, and it´s also VERY spacy and abstract I might as well say that the analog sound has a kind of...
Is there an auto sound to it? Early Cluster meets a noisy Tangerine Dream through Throbbing Gristle? Looks and sounds like power electronic, but it isn´t. Abstract analog ambient stuff with lots of disturbing space inside! A great work-out between Marbre Negre artists, released on the Greek E.C.T label!
Number 2:
Praying For Oblivion + Nerthus - A Desolate Place
E.C.T Recordings
Absolutely filled with ghosts of the past. A Desolate Place by Praying For Oblivion & Nerthus is a soul-changing journey through places of great industry, and now... just another desolate place. Listening to this album, makes me think of the emotions and memories which are left behind. Industry, wealth, factories, etc symbols of work and security for the future (and your family). And all of sudden, it's bloody gone! Whatever is left, can be heard on this one CD. I will recommend it this year, and I will also recommend it in 2024.
Number 1:
Minamata - Niigata
Zone De Confusion
It is without a doubt, the worst piece of artwork I have seen in a long time! I thought to myself, why don´t I give it a bloody chance? As we all say, we shouldn´t judge the book by just looking at it. And my oh my, I was in for a bloody surprise! Old stuff recorded back in 1985, is a conceptual idea based on a tragic environmental disaster. Old-school industrial meets the early ideas of power electronics, being re-issued on CD. In lots of ways, they are more brutal than the Grey Wolves and more even aggressive than Con-Dom. I am not sure, but this release gets pretty close to SPK's Leichenshrei album... for real! Don't mind the bollocks (artwork) mind the bloody recordings inside!
Happy New Year!
