Trepaneringsritualen - "Septentrional" (2010)

"Sose benrenki, sose bluotrenki, sose lidirenki: ben zi bena, bluot zi bluoda, lid zi geliden, sose gelimida sin."

 Septentrional

Three Legged Race - "Wrong Element" (2012)

A mere 20 minute release by Robert Beatty (Burning Star Core, Hair Police) that yields hours of danceable replayability, Wrong Element is stripped down, minimal techno that is as abstract and indefinite as it is psychedelic + pure.

Wrong Element

Vatnajökull - "Drifting Ice Station" (2008)

Static, formless... arctic field recordings slightly build and eventually meld into soundscapes as fragile as splintering ice. The end result: a frigid, fleeting atmosphere.

D R I F T I N G  I C E  S T A T I O N

Eleh - "Radiant Intervals" (2010)

  

E X P E R I E N C E   E L E H   E T E R N A L

Gramm - "Personal Rock" (2007)

Personal Rock

Pete Swanson - "Man With Potential" (2011)

Man With Potential was easily one of the most unique records to surface last year. Normally performing as the other half of the vibrant experimental/noise duo, Yellow Swans, we see Pete Swanson as a solo artist executing abstract minimal techno brilliantly. Odd, electronic sound-puzzles intertwined with looming drones and sporadic feedback, Swanson gracefully composes and arranges songs in a manner that shows balance and skill. Man With Potential teems with utterly fascinating textures fringed with colorful, brooding atmospheres that will definitely have a place in my rotation for many months to come.

Man With Potential

Vatican Shadow / Contrepoison - "The Serpent Carries Him Into Paradise" (2011)

Here's an excellent split between Dominick Fernow's (Prurient, Ash Pool) synth/industrial project, Vatican Shadow, and dark electro/synthpop artist, Contrepoison (Pierre-Marc Tremblay). The A side, "Unknown To The Peacock, The Serpent And Scorpion Conspire" is very minimally done; a haunting loop is utilized with lo-fi background synths & simplistic rhythms and soon crackles and fades into side B. "A Deserted Story Adam's Endless Fidelity To The Iblis" sees Contrepoison performing a very strong track. This catchy pop song evokes a dwelling sadness thanks to Tremblay's somber vocals and depressing sound. Noisy, simple and brief, The Serpent Carries Him Into Paradise is a worthwhile release for any fan of experimental or electronic music.

The Serpent Carries Him Into Paradise

Some Japanese Drone...

Nobuto Suda - "Modest Calm" (2011)

Nobuto Suda is a drone artist from Japan with a brilliant discography. Every song has a purpose, each swell thick with contemplation. Modest Calm is a phenomenal record.

Modest Calm

Miki Yui - "Silence Resounding" (2003)

Japanese minimal artist, Miki Yui's, Silence Resounding is an astounding release. Her musical base lies in electronic tones & field recordings making for an extremely therapeutic listen. Although any tendency toward melody is absent, Silence Resounding's ability to capture the complex, organic sounds of everyday life makes it a must-have for rainy spring days.

Silence Resounding

SOUNDS 4 WEIRDOS

Everyday Loneliness - "Appropriation" (2009)

Appropriation is an incredible release; soothing tape loops manipulated & mingling with subtle, low quality drones render this tape nearly nirvana. You will be somber after listening to this -- akin to Basinski's Disintegration Loops or Crown of Cerberus's Awakening, this is therapeutically meditative ambient bliss from Jon Borges (Black Air, Emaciator)... and that should tell you a lot.

Appropriation

Mirror To Mirror - "Rerest" (2009)


Mirror To Mirror is a pleasant ambient project from Alex Twomey (of the tiny Jugular Forest label). Rerest feels weightless in its ability to create vivid dream-like atmospheres with swells of subtle, memorable progressions -- all recorded in wonderful low realization.

Rerest

Failing Lights - "Black Swamps" (2007)


Failing Lights is the experimental/noise project of Mike Connelly from Wolf Eyes. There are plenty of harsh sounds and atypical textures on here that brush wonderfully right up against hissing and crackling sound loops. An eccentric release that will not be leaving my ears anytime soon; highly recommended.

Black Swamps

Pet Coffins - "Untitled" (2008)


Pet Coffins is a relatively unknown drone project that draws much comparison to the likes of Color Dream or Caen. It is very easy to get lost in this one -- too bad it isn't longer because I didn't want to be found.

Untitled

Impregnable - "Beauty Stone" (2006)


Impregnable is perhaps my favorite project from sound artist Jeff Witscher (also of Marble Sky, Secret Abuse, Rene Hell). Although Impregnable often sees Witscher producing clamorous, harsh records, Beauty Stone takes a look at his quieter, more focused side. A lovely piece of work.

Beauty Stone

Guam River - "The New Maps Of Hell" (2005)

Guam River's The New Maps Of Hell is not as intimidating of a listen as the title perhaps insinuates. Do not dismiss this though; from noise mastermind, John Olson, Hell hisses + groans and actually leaves the listener hanging in something more akin to a Purgatory for 15 minutes. Whether you are a fan of Olson's other material or weird music in general, do yourself the favor of listening to this.

The New Maps Of Hell