Mondblut – Angsterfülltes Morgen (1997)

Country: Germany

 

Tracklist

 1. Angsterfülltes Morgen 01:53
2. Desolation 05:10
3. Begräbnis Der Träume 04:31
4. Ein Ferner Gruß 03:34
5. Procession (Version) 04:38
6. Der Quell Des Lebens . Into Oblivion 09:39
7. Rapture 05:16
8. Under Her Stars (210) 02:51
9. Aus Dunklem Schlafe 02:43
10. Ressurection In Fire 09:43
11. Den Erloschenen 10:46

 

Debut studio album by the German project Mondblut (Kai Fritsche).
"Angsterfülltes Morgen" was released in 1997 through the prominent industrial/noise record label Ant-Zen.
The music was recorded between 1991 and 1996,

featuring a signature blend of modern classical, dark ambient, industrial, and electronic music.
It relies on poetic, mysterious, ritualistic atmospheres, subtle arrangements, and hazy, half-spoken vocals.
Following this release, Mondblut went through a long hiatus,
while Kai Fritsche focused into a side-project called Hadit (releasing the album "Arise" through Memento Mori in 2003)

before returning to release Mondblut's second (and last) full length album "Scorn", in late 2003.

 
Memory

Isao Tomita – Demon Pond (1979)

Composer: Isao Tomita

 

Tracklist

1. La Cathedrale Engloutie 06:39
2. Des Pas Sur La Neige 04:41
3. Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'un Faune 10:14
4. Claire De Lune 05:53
5. The Hut Of Baba Yaga 03:42
6. The Great Gate At Kiev 06:18
7. Promenade - The Old Castle 06:18
8. A Night On Bald Mountain 12:44

 

Demon Pond (Japanese: 夜叉ヶ池) is a 1979 Japanese romantic fantasy film directed by Masahiro Shinoda.

It is an adaptation of the 1913 play of the same name by Izumi Kyōka,

with an adapted screenplay written by Haruhiko Mimura and Tsutomu Tamura.
The film stars Tsutomu Yamazaki, Go Kato and Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando.
The story is set in Japan in the 1930s where a scholar visits a drought-stricken village

and finds his missing friend guarding a mystical mountain pond.

The friend must ring a sacred bell daily to prevent an imprisoned dragon god from unleashing an apocalyptic flood.
The film's score, composed by Isao Tomita, heavily utilizes Moog synthesizers, mixing classical and electronic music genres.

Scenes taking place on dry land are often accompanied by Tomita's arrangement of pieces by composer Claude Debussy,

whereas underwater scenes are scored by Tomita's arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition".
Isao Tomita (冨田 勲 22 April 1932 – 5 May 2016) was a Japanese composer regarded as one of the pioneers

of electronic and space music as well as one of the most famous producers of analog synthesizer arrangements.
In addition to creating note-by-note realizations, Tomita made extensive use of the sound-design capabilities

of his instrument, using synthesizers to create new sounds to accompany and enhance

his electronic realizations of acoustic instruments.
He also made effective use of analog music sequencers and the Mellotron, and featured futuristic science-fiction themes,

while laying the foundations for synth-pop music and trance-like rhythms.
Many of his albums are electronic versions and adaptations of familiar classical music pieces.
He received four Grammy nominations for his 1974 album based on music by Claude Debussy, "Snowflakes Are Dancing".

 
Memory

Indra Karmuka – Su'O / Rana (7'' EP 1996)

Country: Holland

 

Tracklist

 1. Su'O 06:32
2. Rana 07:18

 

"Su'O / Rana" was the first release by this trio from Amsterdam (Floris Sirag, Peter Veenstra, Raymond Dijkstra),

that deals with religious themes from the Indian mythology.
"Indra Karmuka" is a notion from the Sanskrit language spoken in India.
The two titles are pieces of flowing and transcendental droning music using bells, synths and strange minimal sources.
Released on Drone Records as a clear vinyl with a transparent cover artwork limited to 250 copies.

 
Memory

Professor Richmann – Succulent Blue Sway (Soundtrack) (1994)

 

Country: Australia

 

Tracklist

1. Fax 04:21
2. Arc 02:52
3. Spiral Path Of A Blindfolded Man 03:13
4. Ambient Fear 07:48
5. Salt 03:13
6. Dog Beneath The Skin 03:38
7. Eis 02:01
8. At The Emperor's Mercy 04:01
9. DNA Loop 04:52
10. Stroboscopic Photograph 05:23
11. Obsidious 07:11
12. Spiral Path #3 01:36
13. Virus 03:34
14. Pandæmonium 02:59

 

Shinjuku Thief leader Darrin Verhagen created this album in 1994

in between the release of the albums "Witch Hammer" and "Witch Hunter".

It was commissioned by the Vis a Vis company production as a soundtrack for a contemporary dance work

examining man's relationship with technology and was first performed in Canberra, Australia in October 1994.
Whilst its is still a lush evocative world, Verhagen's trademark moody landscapes are augmented here 

with ambient techno and minimal IDM grooves, creating a rich dynamic blend of drama and intrigue.
Released on his own label Dorobo.

 
Memory

Tlön Uqbar – La Bola Perdida (1999)

Country: France

 

Tracklist

 1. Yemishe 10:15
2. Succurath 10:53
3. Yaquaru 10:00
4. Elengassen 11:23
5. Mylodon 12:38

 

Tlön Uqbar was a collaboration project between Jérôme Mauduit (aka Désaccord Majeur)

and Éric Latteux (aka Internal Fusion).
Together in 1999 they released on Staalplaat label the album "La Bola Perdida",

that offered ominous ambient soundscapes mixed with hypnotic ethnic-sounding tribal rhythms.

 
Memory

Laurie Spiegel – Unseen Worlds (1991)

Country: United States

 

Tracklist

Thesis - Exploration And Intuition
Nine Improvisations Recorded, Edited And Elaborated As Digital Audio:
Three Sonic Spaces
1. I 01:36
2. II 03:22
3. III 05:53
4. Finding Voice 02:45
5. The Hollows 04:51
Two Archetypes
6. I Hall Of Mirrors 04:24
7. II Hurricane's Eye 03:35
8. Sound Zones 08:07
9. Riding The Storm 04:29
Antithesis - Reason And Preconception
Two Intellectual Interludes (Data And Process):
10. Strand Of Life ("Viroid") 01:21
11. From A Harmonic Algorithm 02:55
Synthesis - Imagination And Form
None Of The Above:
12. Passage 14:05

 

 Laurie Spiegel was born in Chicago (September 20, 1945) where in her teens she played guitar, banjo, mandolin

and through them cultivated a devout philosophy of amateur music making.
She became interested in electronics after using a tape-operated computer

at Purdue University as part of a high school class field trip.
At the age of 20, she taught herself Western music notation, after which she began writing her compositions.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in sociology from Shimer in 1967, she stayed in Oxford for an additional year,

commuting to London to study guitar, music theory and composition with John W. Duarte,

then baroque and renaissance lute at Julliard and composition with Jacob Druckman and Vincent Persichetti.
Best known for her use of algorithmic composition techniques,

Spiegel worked with Buchla and Electronic Music Laboratories synthesizers and digital systems 

including Bell Labs' GROOVE system (1973–1978), the Bell Labs Digital Synthesizer (1977),

the alphaSyntauri synthesizer system for the Apple II computer (1978–1981) and the McLeyvier (1981–1985).
In various pieces, Spiegel has used musical algorithms to simulate natural phenomena,

emulate tonal harmony rules of earlier musical eras and sonically represent large data sets.

In her piece "Viroid" she used the genetic code of a simple organism to determine the pitches produced by a synthesizer.

In her 1977 piece "Improvisation On A Concerto Generator", she used an algorithm

designed to replicate Bach's "chorale-style harmonic progressions".

Many of Spiegel's non-algorithmic compositions also use algorithm-like rules and she claimed

that defining these rules in computer code was simply a natural next step for her own musical self expression.
Spiegel's best known and most widely used software was Music Mouse (1986),

a self-described "intelligent instrument" for Macintosh, Amiga and Atari computers.

In addition to improvisations using this software, Spiegel composed several works using Music Mouse 

including "Cavis Muris" in 1986, "Three Sonic Spaces" in 1989 and "Sound Zones" in 1990.
In addition to computer software development, Spiegel supported herself by both teaching and by soundtrack compositions.
Her musical interpretation of Johannes Kepler's "Harmonices Mundi"

appeared on "Sounds Of Earth" section of the Voyager Golden Record

while her 1972 piece "Sediment" was included in the 2012 film "The Hunger Games".
She has also been inducted into the National Women's Hall Of Fame.

 
Memory

Sort Vokter – Folkloric Necro Metal (1996)

 

Country: Norway

 

Tracklist

 1. Kveldstimer 05:08
2. Langs Stier Uten Ende 02:19
3. Grålysning 04:04      
4. Fra Kilden Til Tjernet 03:43
5. Tårers Sang 01:59
6. Hatefulle Tanker Ut I Natten 03:24
7. Ni Gygrer / Nattjakt 02:46
8. Bak To Lysende Øyne 02:58
9. Sønn Av Skyggers Skygge 03:08
10. Fjellstev 08:04

Ildjarn project that featured a full line up and consisted of Ildjarn (Bass, Guitars, Vocals),

 Nidhogg (Vocals),  Heiinghund (Bass, Guitars) and Tvigygre (Bass, Guitars, Vocals).
Sort Vokter (Black Guardian in Norwegian) only released one album through Ildjarn's personal label  

Norse League Productions, had programmed drums and everyone involved played on different instruments on every track.
The lineup for the keyboard/ambient tracks is not credited.
"Folkloric Necro Metal" was distributed by Napalm Records and later by Transcendental Creations.

 
Memory

Girnų Giesmės – Aštuoni Nerimo Veidrodžiai (1997)

Country: Lithuania

 

Tracklist

1. Veidrodis I 14:42
2. Veidrodis II 06:00
3. Veidrodis III 03:38
4. Veidrodis IV 04:50
5. Veidrodis V 13:37
6. Veidrodis VI 05:25
7. Veidrodis VII 04:36
8. Veidrodis VIII. Žiemos Rūpesčiai (Mix) 06:24

 

Girnu Giesmes was born in 1996 by Laurynas Jukonis,

who had experimented with several underground bands in Vilnius before starting his own project.
Album "Kerai" (Spell), recorded the same year and issued by the label Dangus in cassette format.
In 1997 the cassette "Aštuoni Nerimo Veidrodžiai" (8 Mirrors Of Anxiety) was self-released

and was distributed only in a close circle of friends.
The next year the cassette "Juodi Vasaros Trimitai" (Black Trumpets Of Summer) was released, 

followed by the split release "Brėkšta" (Breaking Dawn) together with the band Šalikapalikau in 2000.
The first Girnu Giesmes work in CD format was published in 2001 under the title "S:S:S:S".
From 2003 to 2022 six more albums were recorded while the project also played live on several notable festivals.
"Aštuoni Nerimo Veidrodžiai" was re-released in CDr in 2001 under the title "8 Nerimo Veidrodžiai" with a different cover.

 
Memory

Thymikon – Nipsis (1996)

Country: United States

 

Tracklist

1. Nipsis 04:56
2. Remorse (The Watchers) 04:46
3. Without 613 04:10
4. Demise 05:04
5. Aeternus 04:18
6. Wi6th1ou3t 05:46
7. Shimshon 03:48
8. Demise 2 04:31
9. SOS #5 03:34
10. Night 03:46
11. Midnight Improvisation 03:28
12. Steel 03:43
13. The Mystic Mother (Bonus Track) 04:29

 

Beau Branson released his first and only album "Nipsis" as Thymikon, in late 1996.
Branson is a Professor of Philosophy at Brescia University in Kentucky,

specialized in Philosophical Theology, Metaphysics, and Ancient and Hellenistic Philosophy.
The album featured a blend of industrial/ambient, dark wave with electronica sounds

and was released by Logistikon Records (Edmond, OK).
Thymikon also had tracks released on various compilations on labels like Flaming Fish Music and Blacklight Records.
Branson's only subsequent recording as Thymikon was the song "The Mystic Mother",

that featured on the 1997 compilation "Awaiting The Dawn".

 
Memory

EnGrave – Polaris (1997)

Country: United States

 

Tracklist

1. Recoil 04:31
2. Into Your Iris (A Longing For Home) 03:30
3. Northeast (Loneliness) 06:56
4. Electron Plasma 04:55
5. Forged In Fire 05:32
6. Eiserner Vorhang 06:11
7. Lebensgefahr 03:17
8. Euro-Span 05:40
9. Soul Probe 05:52
10. Intercession 04:07

 

Solo project of Nathan Morris (also in Novä Sphere), co-founder of Velvet Empire label that operated from mid to late 90s.
Nathan spent most of his life in Cyprus, and in 1989 he moved to Germany before living in USA

where he began Velvet Empire and wrote in 1996 the first demo cassette of EnGrave entitled "Benediction".
His music is heavily influenced by Europe and his love for synthesized sounds.

"Polaris" is a collection of songs written between 1996-1997

(4 new ones, 2 taken from compilations and the 4 songs from the "Benediction" demo)

and capture the best of a hybrid mix between ambient and electro darkwave.
A second album was planed for release in the spring of 1999 but this never happened.

 
Memory

Alquimia – "Coatlicue" Goddess Of The Earth (1992)

 

Country: Mexico

 

Tracklist

Coatlicue Diosa De La Tierra:    
I. Coatepec (Hill Of Snakes) 02:38
II. Tlilán (The Temple Of Darkness) 01:48
III. Coatlicue (The Goddess Of The Earth) 03:11
IV. Festividades (Festivities) 02:56
V. Danza De Xilonem (Xilonem's Dance) 04:26
VI. La Dualidad De La Diosa (The Duality Of The Goddess) 03:10
VII. Procesión (Procession) 02:45
VIII. Ofrenda (Offertory) 03:49
IX. Sacrificio (Sacrifice) 05:53
10. Walkyrias 05:55
11. Alkaest 04:19
12. Avatar 04:08
13. Aura 03:34
14. Inquisición 03:28

 

 A project that started in the late 80s by Mexican female multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Margarita Saavedra.
Her work explore the experimental scene with risky blends of musical genres achieving a sonic amalgamation.
While her basic tracks feature vocals and piano, Alquima enhances her recordings with layers of looped vocals,

electronic processors, sound effects, samples, synthesizers, gongs and bells.

The result is a sound that combines the musical traditions of Latin America

with influences of avant-garde, classical and improvisational music.
Alquimia developed an early love of music and singing, partly from her mother, a classical opera singer.

She went on to study in France and Canada, before making her permanent home in England.

Although she has often been far from home, her interest in the ethnic musical styles of her home country

made her learn various pre-Columbian percussion instruments and flutes,

while her search for new sounds inspired her use of modern music technology.
Alquimia has recorded many albums, both as a solo artist and with writers and musicians such as Hans-Joachim Roedelius,

Rüdiger Gleisberg, Peter Mergener, Anton Zinkl, Mark Powell, Art Of Infinity, Carlos Robledo and others.

 
Memory

Michael Convertino – The Hidden - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1987)

Composer: Michael Convertino

 

Tracklist

1. Main Title 01:51
2. Political Rally 01:51
3. Back At Home 01:02
4. Transference 02:19
5. Miller In Apartment 01:55
6. Lloyd And The Little Girl 01:13
7. Lloyd Alone 01:14
8. Final Transference 03:16
9. The Dog 01:26
10. Rampage 07:33
11. Shoot-Out 05:57
12. Stripper 01:50
13. Road Block 01:55
14. Mannequin 05:01

 

"The Hidden" is a 1987 American sci fi-horror action film directed by Jack Sholder,

written by Jim Kouf (under the pseudonym Bob Hunt), and released by New Line Cinema.

It stars Kyle MacLachlan and Michael Nouri, along with Clu Gulager,

Chris Mulkey, Ed O'Ross, Clarence Felder, Claudia Christian and Larry Cedar.
Director Jack Sholder was drawn to the film because of the script.

Writer Jim Kouf had originally expressed interest in directing, but when the studios refused, he lost interest in the script. Sholder, who saw the potential to turn it into more than an action film,

did a rewrite to heighten the themes of what it means to be human.
The score was composed by American musician Michael Convertino (born 1952 in New York City) 

best known for his collaborations with director Randa Haines on films like "Children Of A Lesser God", "The Doctor",

"Wrestling Ernest Hemingway", and "Dance With Me", as well as "Bull Durham",

"Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead" and the Tim Allen comedies "The Santa Clause" and "Jungle 2 Jungle".

 
Memory

Gnome – Under The Black Moon (Demo 1996)

Country: Japan

Tracklist

1. La Forêt (I - II) 15:46
2. La Mer... 09:47
3. Oriental Flower (Bonus Track) 07:37

Japanese one-man Black Metal project from Osaka that was formed by Masanori "Wood" Haruta in 1995.
Gnome released two demos in mid 90s, the split "Story - Legendary Japanese Wolves" in 1999 with Nyarlathotep

 and the compilation "Silent Scream" in 2012.
The demo "Under The Black Moon" was originally released in 1996 and later in 1997 on the split with Hurusoma

 that was another Black Metal project of Masanori Haruta (along with the ambient project Human Soul).

The Memory link features as bonus the track "Oriental Flower"

that appeared on the compilation "In Search Of Weird Truth..." in 2000.

 
Memory

Agonije – Testament (1994)

Country: Italy

Tracklist

1. Testament 05:23
2. Adieu, Les Jours 04:33
3. Désir De L'Âme 03:33
4. Millenium 04:57
5. De Loin (Deuxième Movement) 04:05
6. À La Lune 02:32
7. Jeux De Massacre 06:10
8. La Fin 05:30
9. Testament II (The Prelude) 11:53

Agonije was another project by Italian artist Angel G. Villani (also in Black Raven).
The first work of Agonije was published in 1991 with the cassette "Orgasme Du Temp" on the Italian label Hax.
Later in 1992 some tracks from the cassette appeared on the Italian compilation "Tecnologie Del Movimento II".
"Testament" was released in 1994 on the Swiss label Allegoria 

and recorded at Acqualuce Studio and Radio Video Studio in Turin between 1993-94.

 
Memory

Pauline Oliveros – Accordion & Voice (1982)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. Horse Sings From Cloud 22:14
2. Rattlesnake Mountain 22:03

Pauline Oliveros (May 30, 1932 – November 24, 2016) was an American composer, accordionist

and a central figure in the development of post-war experimental and electronic music.
She was a founding member of the San Francisco Tape Music Center in the 1960s, and served as its director.

She taught music at Mills College, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD),

Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Oliveros authored books, formulated new music theories, and investigated new ways to focus attention on music

including her concepts of "deep listening" and "sonic awareness", drawing on metaphors from cybernetics.
"Accordion & Voice" was the first of her recordings as a soloist.

The tracks rather than initiating musical impulses of motion,

melody and harmony represent the subtlety of a tone taking space and time to develop.

The tones linger and resonate in the body, mind, instrument and performance space.

For my beloved father

 

Memory

Donis – Deinainá (1998)

Country: Lithuania

Tracklist

1. Deinainá 06:45
2. Šokis 02:12
3. Ateičiai 04:55
4. Ryto Rasa 04:18
5. Vai Kur Tu Buvai Bernyti Mano 02:52
6. Ir Atlėkė Juodas Varnas 10:05
7. Sodai, Sodai 04:02
8. Medžių Kalba 07:00

Donis is a Lithuanian ambient, folk and experimental music project

created by multi-instrumentalist Donatas Bielkauskas.

He was also a member of music projects such as d.n.s., Wejdas, Notanga, Ha Lela and Eirimė.

Most of Donis’ works combines old Baltic folklore with contemporary sound interpretations.

His extensive knowledge of instruments, rhythms and music styles allow him to create unique sound projects, 

including both electronic and pure ambient soundscapes,

in which ethnic motifs intertwine with industrial sound structures and sounds of nature.
His well known release "Bitė Lingo" that contains archaic Lithuanian war songs featured folk vocalist Rasa Serra.
The album "Švilpiai" presents ancient ocarina (švilpynė) music,

while the record "Sotvaras" was made together with members from the Lithuanian pagan/folk group Kūlgrinda.
Donis has also made the Greek mythology themed album "Alexandreia".

Memory

The Thieves Of Impressions – Trifolium: The Autumn Catharsis (7'' EP 1994)

 

Country: Germany

Tracklist

1. Changes 06:13
2. Leszerazz Galliard 05:42
3. Autumn 02:05

Short lived project formed in 1993 and led by author Aleš Pickar

 who together with Stefan Alt (aka Salt) were the two founders of the cult label Ant-Zen.
The band gathered many members among their releases featuring Aleš Pickar (keys, bass, drums, guitar, vocals, flute),

Erich Kogler (vocals, bass, piano), Katha (vocals), Peter Megele (guitar), Sirod Allabmort (vocals),

Uli Jenne (drums), Wolfgang Hierl (guitars, vocals, flute, keys) and Pia Horn (violin).
The Thieves Of Impressions later reshaped into the band Concrescence 

while Aleš Pickar, together with Brandon Gonsalves, was also involved with the ambient project Tidal Flow.

Memory

Nogbold's Palace – Dark Agony (1998)

Country: Germany

Tracklist

1. Enter The Palace 02:32
2. Sorrow 07:40
3. The End Of Life 08:43
4. Aufmarsch 01:05
5. Thou Art Lord 05:06
6. See Ravens Fly 08:09
7. Dark Agony 02:32

Obscure German hypnotic black/dark metal/ambient project created around 1998.
They self released their first album in 1998 on cassette format under the title "Dark Agony".
Later Irrlichter Records re-released the album on CD featuring bonus tracks from their second album.
In 2003 they published their second album entitled "Nogbold's Palace".
One of their members was also involved with the experimental black metal project Ardulph Ardebahr Wald.

Memory

Stillpoint – Maps Without Edges (1996)

Country: England

Tracklist

1. Blade Water Stone 09:13
2. Tract 18:03
3. Blade Water Stone 2 13:44
4. Prophecy Mesa 09:15
5. Blade Water Stone 3 06:13

Hallucinogenic collaboration project featuring Eddy Sayer (Lights In A Fat City),

Nick Parkin (Tuu, Red Shift, TouchSound) and Martin Franklin (Codetrippa, Tuu).
Stillpoint develops arcane themes of deeply ambient dense using ancient percussions,

electronics, gongs, bells and woodwinds.
Recorded live in an underground studio opposite the British Museum in London.

Memory

Maggi Payne – Crystal (1986)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. Ahh-Ahh (Ver 2.1) 09:10
2. Subterranean Network    11:24
3. Phase Transitions 10:32
4. White Night 10:04
5. Solar Wind 09:52
6. Scirocco 10:25
7. Crystal 09:57

Maggi Payne is an American composer, flutist video artist and co-director (since 1992) of the Center For Contemporary Music,

in Mills College, where she teaches recording engineering, composition, and electronic music.

She also freelances as a recording engineer and editor and a historical remastering engineer.
Her work involves electroacoustic, instrumental, and vocal works along with works involving visuals, 

including dancers outfitted with electroluminescent wire and videos using images ranging from nature to the abstract.
She has performed throughout the world, and her work has been published on various labels.
She received two Composer's Grants and an Interdisciplinary Arts Grant from the National Endowment For The Arts

and video grants from the Western States Regional Media Arts Fellowships Program and the Mellon Foundation.
Also four honorary mentions from Bourges, and one from Prix Ars Electronica,

and was an Artist In Residence at the Exploratorium in San Francisco and the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, CA.
She began recording professionally in 1968 in Chicago.
Her first electronic compositions were made using the Moog Synthesizer.
While at the University, Gordon Mumma showed her how to built her first ring modulator from one of his circuit designs.
There she also formed an improvisation group that was dedicated primarily to the exploration of timbre.

After composing electronically generated music for several years,

she turned to the acoustic world for an even richer, more constantly variable sound palette.
Sound sources were varied from tiny stepper motors, to signals traveling through space and faulty faucets.

Her process involved layering sounds, convolution, granular synthesis,

time stretching, digital signal processing, and extreme equalization.
"Crystal" was originally released in 1986 on vinyl by the Lovely Music label

and in 1991 was reissued on CD format featuring three bonus tracks.

Memory