T • A • G • C – Digitaria (1986)

Country: England

 

Tracklist

1. Blood Burns Into Water 03:03
2. Dog Star 04:23
3. Balag Anti 08:12
4. Chozzar Over Abyss 02:13
5. Pre-Eval 05:03
6. Ghost Cultures Under Collapse 06:59
7. Noosphere 08:12
8. Lux Nox 09:07
9. Tzaddi (1994 CD Bonus Track) 01:27
10. The Abominable Plateau Of Leng (1994 CD Bonus Track) 01:56
11. Sekhet (1994 CD Bonus Track) 04:59
12. ShgL 3.33 (1987 CD Bonus Track) 03:36
13. Sunset Eyes Thru Water (1987 CD Bonus Track) 05:39
14. Po-Ema (1987 CD Bonus Track) 02:41

 

 The Anti-Group Communications (or T.A.G.C.)  is an open-membership collaborative art and information project

formed in 1978 by Adi Newton and Steven James Turner of Clock DVA fame.

The T.A.G.C. acronym refers to the four different types of DNA Nucleotide: thymine, adenine, guanine, and cytosine.

The group's main objective was to combine interactive and mixed media art, installations,

and research on psycho acoustics and philosophical concepts to produce fascinating presentations.
The first non theoretical action devised by T.A.G.C. was the film "The Delivery", a 16mm triptych projection and soundtrack,

and the Anti theater performance "The Discussion" designed for five tape recorders and multi-video projection systems.

These two works were first presented at the "De Doelen" center in Rotterdam on Saturday, September 22nd, 1985.

"The Delivery" has been exhibited at the "2nd Atonal Festival" in "The Ballhaus Tiergarten" Berlin, Feb 18th 1985

where the soundtrack was recorded on a mobile 24 track system.

This document was released as "The Anti Group - The Delivery" on Atonal Records.
After these initial performances T.A.G.C. concentrated on audio development.

It was during this period 1985 to 1987 that the above recordings were realized

along with the highly acclaimed ambisonic album "Digitaria" which is a technological and ethnological work

based on the ideas of the Sabean cults of ancient Khem and the Dogon tribe of Mali.

Having worked through these areas, it became the next logical step to move into the application of Psychophysics 

developing the use of frequencies and Psychoacoustics with computer aided technology.

Performance of these ideas took place at the "3rd Atonal Festival" at "Alte TU-Mensa" Berlin on December 13th, 1986

and "SO 36" Berlin on Feb 14th 1987 and at the "Museum Of Contemporary Art" Prato, Italy on Sept 23rd 1988.
It was at this time also that T.A.G.C. displayed their first Meontological visual experiment "Burning Water".

The recordings utilized in these performances were released as part of a series of recordings

entitled Meontological Research Recordings 1 + 2.

T.A.G.C. performances were held at the Electro-Acoustic Music Academy Stockholm, August, 23rd 1990

and at the ARS Electronica symposium on Virtual Reality held in Linz, Austria on September 8th, 1990.

Meontological Research Recordings 3 + 4 followed where Recording 3 explores the central ideas 

expressed in the Coulier Noire and Recording 4 centers around the current research project

into the development of methods and techniques to aid expanded consciousness

in collaboration with R.E.S.T., SpaceTimeTanks and Relaxation Center Chicago, America.
All these psychoacoustic experiments and carefully constructed aural rituals are usually accompanied 

by lengthy liner notes, explaining the theoretical underpinnings of the recordings.
In this way, T.A.G.C. presents itself explicitly as acoustic research rather than music.

 Although the group disbanded in 1996, Newton continued the project with CD releases and live performances in 2009.
T.A.G.C. audio recordings are released on Newton's Anterior Research Recordings label.

 
Memory

Biota – Rackabones (2xLP 1985)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. Vagabones A 26:34

2. Vagabones B 26:12

3. Rackabones A 18:08

4. Rackabones B 17:57

American experimental music ensemble that created in 1979 in Fort Collins, Colorado

under the name Mnemonist Orchestra (shortened soon after to Mnemonists).
Biota founded by fellow scientists and community radio engineers Mark Derbyshire and William Sharp, 

the Mnemonists ensemble of artists, musicians, and college-town bohemians.
in 1984, the group split into two collaborative factions:

a visual-arts collective, which retained the name Mnemonists, and the musical group, Biota.
Biota adheres to an unpredictable method of organizing sounds that ideally invites listeners

to imbue proceedings with their own individualized interpretations and experiences

(much like interpreting a work of abstract visual art), thereby allowing for an element of "listener composition".

Such a concept is in keeping with notions of community collaboration

and song evolution inherent in many forms of traditional folk music.
Biota-Mnemonists has taken to the stage for live performance only twice,

in 1981, at the Colorado State University art school in Fort Collins, Colorado,

and in November 1990 at the then-annual New Music America festival, held that year in Montreal, Quebec.

 
Memory

Shub Niggurath – Les Morts Vont Vite (1986)

Country: France

Tracklist

1. Incipit Tragaedia 15:46
2. Cabine 67 05:56
3. Yog Sothoth 12:28
4. La Ballade De Lénore 08:58
5. Delear Prius 04:03
6. J'ai Vu Naguère En Peinture Les Harpies Ravissant Le Repas De Phynée 04:19

Shub Niggurath was a progressive rock/zeuhl band, formed in France in 1982 and consisted of Allan Ballaud (bass),

Franck Coulaud (percussion), Frank W. Fromy (guitar/percussion), Jean-Luc Hervé (harmonium/piano/organ),

Ann Stewart (vocals) and Véronique Verdier (trombone).
Their name was taken after one of the deities in Cthulhu Mythos created by the American horror writer H.P.Lovecraft.
The project was created after the bands Aspara and Gorgonus were merged together.

Ann Stewart and Franck W. Fromy from the former, Véronique Verdier, Jean-Luc Hervé and Allain Ballaud from the latter.
Drummers had to be changed often, due to the difficulty of certain compositions,

which were at times too free-form, or too strictly written at others.
Their debut album "Les Morts Vont Vite", that was released in 1986 on the Musea label,

received critical acclaim for its innovative avant-garde inclinations,

and major developments influenced by Magma's "Zeuhl" style.
Musea also reissued the album on CD in 1997, including two bonus tracks.
The debut sold well and later, one song appeared on the tribute compilation to Magma "Enneade".
After its release percussionist Franck Couland left, as did Franc Fromy.

Jean-Luc Herve, also being a guitarist, took Fromy's spot.

In the next years Shub Niggurath appeared on the compilations "Douze Pour Un Vol. 2" (1987) and "Dithrambe" (1988)

followed by a live tape with the new line up: Allan Ballaud (bass), Jean-Luc Herve (electric guitar),  

Veronuque Verdier (bass trombone/percussion), new singers Sylvette Claudet and Jean-Pierre Lourdeau,

and new drummer Michel Kervinio.
Prior to the release of their second studio album, "C'étaient De Très Grands Vents" in 1991, also on the Musea label,

Jean Pierre left the band to become a painter and a new percussionist, Edward Perraud, was added. 

Since then, the band has toured around Paris playing for small audiences.

In 1995 bassist Allan Ballaud passed away due to cancer an incident that put the band on a permanent hiatus.
In 2003 Musea issued their third album "Testament" which consists from archive material recorded in 1992-1994.
The label Soleil Zeuhl reissued on CD in 2009 their demo tape from 1982 entitled "Introduction" and on Vinyl in 2018.

 
Memory

Bohack – It Took Several Wives (1982)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. The Rock Of Joe The Dog Crowd Noticed 02:24
2. Slow Clock 02:24
3. A Waiter Dies A Large Family For A Tip Leaves 01:10
4. Shot Himself After Falling Three Days 01:19
5. Fat Jaw 01:31
6. If You Feel Frogie Jump 01:05
7. Jesus In Mono 02:51
8. Old Hog Pissing In Sepia 01:32
9. Jerky In Color 03:22
10. To Save A Safe Artist's Ass 02:15
11. Good Brown 03:21
12. It Took Several Wives 05:34
13. The Man With The Flower In His Mouth 02:38
14. They Came As One Person 00:43
15. The White Hand Burned While The Red Hand Held On 01:22
16. Potatoe Skin Hair 01:39
17. 50 Perfumes (Part 1) 03:53
18. 50 Perfumes (Part 2) 02:53

Vincent Gallo (born April 11, 1961) is an American actor, director, writer, producer, musician, and model.

He has won several accolades, including a Volpi Cup for Best Actor, and has been nominated for numerous more,

including the Palme d'Or, the Golden Lion, and the Bronze Horse.
Following a childhood working for the local mafia, Gallo started his professional career as a Formula II motorcycle racer.

In the early '70s he began playing electric bass and sang in garage bands,

during which time he developed an appreciation of both prog rock and proto-punk bands.
He participated in Buffalo-based bands like Blue Mood, a progressive rock cover band named Zephyr 

which did one performance at Lincoln Park Tonawanda New York in 1978,

The Good (with Bernie Kugel and Larry Galanowitz), The Detours, and the Plastics.
At the age of 16 Gallo relocated to New York City and in winter of 1979 he met Wayne Richard Clifford.

That same evening they rented a rehearsal space to improvise music together.
Wayne already a member of a industrial/noise group called Gray

asked Vincent to join the band that also featured renowned artist Jean Michel Basquiat.
Although they played regularly at such N.Y.C. hot spots as Max's Kansas City, CBGB's, Hurrahs, and the Mudd Club,

the group split up before any recordings could be made.
A short period afterwards Vincent Gallo and Wayne Richard Clifford along with Claudia Porcelli formed Bohack.
Immediately after forming Bohack the trio played one live improvised show.
After this single performance Bohack began recording

in Vincent Gallo's American Indian Studios in 1980 and continued to do so until the spring of 1981.
Gallo produced Bohack on a single track monophonic Ampex 350 recorder and a single RCA KU-3 microphone.
The album was mixed by Gallo on an ALTEC 250 SU mixer he also formed the label Family Friend Records to release it.
About 1000 copies were printed and the band sold 60 of them through Bleecker Bob's record store

and another 150 through a distributer while 500 were destroyed in a New York City fire.
In 1984 Gallo threw about 100 of them in a trash container and passed out the rest one night on St. Mark's Place, NYC.
When Bohack disbanded, Gallo turned his back on a musical career, and focused primarily on acting in movies,

landing steady work as either an actor, director, or composer.
As a filmmaker, he directed, wrote, and starred in three independent films:

"Buffalo '66" (1998), "The Brown Bunny" (2003), and "Promises Written In Water" (2010)

while also directed and starred in numerous short films and several music videos.
After including several of his own original compositions on 1998's "Buffalo '66" soundtrack,

Gallo decided to give a musical career another shot, forming the group Bunny with actor/musician Lukas Haas.

Despite a successful Japanese tour and a debut album completed for Sony

(with renowned Yes producer Eddie Offord overseeing the recording),

the group split up, resulting in the shelving of the debut's release.

After relocating to Los Angeles, Gallo began laying down solo demos at his home recording studio, 

which attracted the attention of Warp Records.
The early 21st century saw the release of such critically acclaimed solo Gallo full-lengths

as 2001's "When" and 2002's "Recordings Of Music For Film".
Gallo's films possess a cult following, especially in Japan and his work has proven largely polarizing among film critics,

but has been highly praised by many filmmakers and actors.

Memory

Cromagnon – Cromagnon (1969)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. Caledonia 04:21
2. Ritual Feast Of The Libido 03:26
3. Organic Sundown 07:10
4. Fantasy 07:19
5. Crow Of The Black Tree 09:40
6. Genitalia 02:46
7. Toth, Scribe I 10:38
8. First World Of Bronze 02:47

Cromagnon was an American experimental band that was active during the late 1960s.
Led by multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriters Austin Grasmere and Brian Elliot,
the band released their one and only self-titled album

(later reissued as "Cave Rock" and also as "Orgasm") in 1969 on the ESP-Disk record label.
Cromagnon is said to have foreshadowed the rise of noise rock, no wave and industrial rock genres

that came into existence in the following decades.
Their album combined psychedelia, folk rock and noise with primitive instrumentation (including sticks and stones).
It was recorded at A-1 Sound Studio in the Upper West Side of New York City in 1969.
Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" technique, of which producer Brian Elliot was a fan, heavily influenced the album's sound.
During recording, band members brought in random people from the street and asked them to contribute to the album.
The result was a non-linear journey through the subconscious,

weaving together bizarre instrumentation and meter with a psychotic blending of musical styles.
Bagpipes, pounding percussion, blood-curdling yelps, tribal chanting, laughing, and billowing subterranean rumblings

create the otherworldly soundscape of an album that was ridiculously ahead of its time.

Memory

Dying Ground – Dying Ground (1998)

Country: Japan / United States

Tracklist

1. The Cruel One 05:04
2. Descension Of Vapors 06:03
3. Kripa 02:57
4. Ascension Into The Heavens 06:28
5. I Am Fire 02:15
6. One Eyed Wolf 05:46
7. The Chosen One 12:53

Dying Ground was a jazz-rock/avantgarde/experimental trio, composed of Eyvind Kang, Kato Hideki and G. Calvin Weston.
The band released in 1998 their only self titled album "Dying Ground"

that was essentially a live recording setting at New York's Knitting Factory venue in 1996.
Eyvindur Y. Kang (born 23 June 1971 in Corvallis, Oregon, United States) is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. His primary instrument is viola, but has also performed on violin, tuba, keyboards and others.
In addition to his solo work, Kang has worked extensively with Bill Frisell, John Zorn

 while he has played viola and created string arrangements with different bands and artists like

Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs, Laurie Anderson, Blonde Redhead, Laura Veirs, The Stares, and many more.
Kato Hideki (born 1962 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese musician and composer.

He was a seminal member of the Tokyo Noise music scene of the late 80s and early 90s,

collaborating with Japanese musicians such as Otomo Yoshihide, Tatsuya Yoshida, Makigami Koichi, and Yamatsuka Eye.

He also led his own bands, Player Piano and Bass Army.

He was a member of the original Ground Zero with Otomo and Uemura Masahiro.

In 1992 Kato moved to New York City where he still resides.
Since relocating to New York, Kato has recorded and performed with John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Christian Marclay,

Eyvind Kang, G. Calvin Weston, Billy Martin (percussionist), Nicolas Collins, Zeena Parkins, Charlie Burnham,

Karen Mantler, John King, Michael Schumacher, Chris Cochrane, Brian Chase and many others.
His collaborations include Dying Ground, Billy Martin's Socket, Phase III, Italian DOC Remix,and the Crescent Moon Trio.

He also has an electronic duo with James Fei. In 1995 he formed Death Ambient with Ikue Mori and Fred Frith

 and released three albums on the Tzadik label, including "Drunken Forest," in 2007.
In 2004 he formed the trio Green Zone, with Otomo Yoshihide and Uemura Masahiro,

the lineup of the original Ground Zero, but this time with Kato as leader.
His latest project is a rock'n'roll band, Plastic Spoon.
G. Calvin Weston was born June 6, 1959 in Philadelphia, PA.

He lived in North Philadelphia where he saw musicians like Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five and James Brown.
Seeing his attention focused on the drums, his father bought him a small set.
In high school Calvin learned to read music and played second snare in the drum ensemble.

He co-founded the group Bad Influence which played in cabarets and clubs around Philadelphia.
At 17, Calvin joined Ornette Coleman's Prime Time band, with bass player Jamalaadean Tacuma,

his close friend from Philly, which toured extensively in North America and Europe.

After recording four albums with Prime Time, Calvin went on to play and record with guitarist James “Blood” Ulmer,

until he joined John Lurie's The Lounge Lizards in 1990.
During the late '90s Calvin recorded and toured with Billy Martin of Medeski Martin & Wood,

Tricky, Derek Baily, Mark Ribot, Jean-Paul Bourelly, Melvin Gibbs and James Carter.

He also played on several movie soundtracks including “Get Shorty”.
With Eyvind Kang and Kato Hideki he founded the trio Dying Grounds,

which also expanded into Socket with Shelley Hirsch and Billy Martin . The sextet Big Three followed in 2002.
He also has the group Free Form Funky Freqs with world guitarist, Vernon Reid and bass player, Jamalaadean Tacuma.

Memory

Lech Jankowski – Institute Benjamenta (1998)

Composer: Lech Jankowski

Tracklist

1. Canone Non Infinitone 05:26
2. A Very Old Mexican Dance 01:07
3. Finale 05:59
4. Con-Trapuncto 01:00
5. Lullaby/Waltz 09:25
6. Introdukja Liliowa 01:11
7. Mazurek 06:48
8. Kolysanka Wg. Erika S. 01:17
9. Marsz 02:48
10. Menuet I 03:01
11. Maly Cmentarz Harf 01:55
12. Waltz Z.K. Minor 03:06
13. Zym-Zym 02:42
14. Melodia Na Piec: (Part I,II,III) 03:20
15. Minuet With Hydrocephalus 01:01
16. Pavana Zza Parawana No. 5 01:16
17. (Repeat) Kolysanka Wg. Erika S. 01:17
18. Aria. Contrapuncto 02:14
19. Hymn. Coda. Choral 04:18
20. Melodia Na Piec: (Part III) 01:03

Lech Jankowski (born April 1, 1956 in Leszno ) is a Polish composer for theater and film music, painter and ethnologist.
His performances combine instruments and music theater as well as elements of visual art.
As a composer he has worked with various theater directors, mainly in Poland.
His paintings, which features elements of magical realism, have been presented in several exhibitions 

and are parts of private collections in Poland and abroad.
Jankowski has composed music for several short films by influential stop-motion animators Stephen and Timothy Quay,

aka the Brothers Quay, and also for their first live-action feature-length film

"Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life", released in 1996.
The film is based on the novel "Jakob Von Gunten" (1909), written by Swiss writer Robert Walser.
The plot follows Jakob (Mark Rylance), a young man who enters a training school for servants,

run by brother and sister Johannes (Gottfried John) and Lisa Benjamenta (Alice Krige).
Though the film follows the same basic structure as the novel, its plot is more limited.
The Quays have characterized the film as a parallel universe of the novel.
The film has been described as thematically similar to a fairy tale, a fantasy or a dream world

and has been compared to Eraserhead due to its unconventional narrative and black-and-white filming style.
Parallels have also been drawn between the film and Expressionist films of the 1920s.

Memory

Drawn – A New World? (1999)

Country: Norway

Tracklist

1. Rivawella Form 09:53
2. Yours And Mine 07:38   
3. So I Can't Dance, OK! 07:12   
4. Would Have Had 06:52
5. Marygold 08:07
6. A-Scape 08:53
7. Momento In Slomo 06:04
8. Improzigw 10:01

Drawn was formed around 1997 and consisted of Per K (Bass), Thomaz (Drums), Atle Dørum (Guitars, Vocals,)

and ex-In The Woods... member Christer-André Cederberg (Lead Vocals, Guitars).
The band self-released their promo/MCD "Drawn" in 1997 featuring four tracks and recorded at the Jailhouse Studio.
Their style was a blend of Psychedelic/Progressive/Metal with dark and eerie overtones.
After signing a deal with Prophecy Productions in 1998 their self-titled MCD was re-released under the title "Plan Be".
In 1999 their first, and last, full length album entitled "A New World?" was released in a digipak format.

Memory

Today Is The Day – In The Eyes Of God (1999)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. In The Eyes Of God 03:11
2. Going To Hell 07:09
3. Spotting A Unicorn 01:20
4. Possession 01:03
5. The Color Of Psychic Power 02:05
6. Mayari 03:22
7. Soldier Of Fortune 01:50
8. Bionic Cock 01:54
9. Argali 02:13
10. Afterlife 01:46
11. Himself 01:40
12. Daddy 01:13
13. Who Is The Black Angel? 01:27
14. Martial Law 02:32
15. False Reality 02:37
16. The Russian Child Porn Ballet 01:36
17. The Cold Harshness Of Being Wrong Throughout Your Entire Life 01:43
18. Honor 02:18
19. Worn Out 00:57
20. There Is No End 08:44

Today Is The Day is an American noise rock/experimental metal originally formed in Nashville, Tennessee.
The band's diverse sound combines influences from areas such as noise music,

avant-garde metal, grindcore, and alternative rock among other genres.

Most of the band's recordings make extensive use of dissonance and sampling,

as well as unusual production techniques and psychedelic overtones.

Lyrical themes include depression, warfare, violence, altered states of consciousness, and mental disorders.
Today Is The Day was founded by Steve Austin in the early 1990s

and reigns as one of the most unique and influential bands of the past two decades.

The band's violent and anthemic style, which blends metal, noise, psychedelia, and rock,

has won worldwide acclaim ever since the debut album.
Eleven studio albums have been released on such labels as Southern Lord, Amphetamine Reptile, Relapse

and their lineup has included such musicians as Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher, who would later go on to form Mastodon.
Today Is The Day has toured the world with Motorhead, Helmet, The Melvins, Morbid Angel, 

Converge, Napalm Death, Neurosis, Eyehategod, Unsane, and many more.
Steve Austin has also made a name as a producer, creating albums for Lamb Of God, Converge, and many other bands.

Memory

Univers Zero – Heresie (1979)

Country: Belgium

Tracklist

1. La Faulx 25:25
2. Jack The Ripper 13:30
3. Vous Le Saurez En Temps Voulu 13:02
4. Chaos Hermétique (Bonus Track Recorded In 1975) 11:52

Univers Zero are an instrumental progressive Belgian band formed in 1974 by drummer Daniel Denis.
The band is known for playing dark music heavily influenced by 20th-century chamber music.
In 1973, Claude Deron and Daniel Denis, both former members of the band Arkham, set up a new group, Necronomicon.
By that time, apart from Deron (trumpet) and Denis (drums), the group consisted of Roger Trigaux (guitar),  

Guy Segers (bass guitar), Patrick Hanappier (violin), John Van Rymenant (sax) and later on Vincent Motoulle (keyboards).
At the time, Guy Denis (percussion) took part in some shows and rehearsals 

and Jean-Luc Manderlier (keyboards) was present only during rehearsals.
Necronomicon was renamed to Univers Zero in 1974.
The band was part of a musical movement called Rock In Opposition (RIO) which strove to create dense challenging music, a direct contrast to the disco and punk music being produced in the late 1970s.
Obvious early influences were Bartók, Stravinsky and composers such as Albert Huybrechts, who was also Belgian.
Whereas their early albums were almost entirely acoustic, featuring oboes, spinets, harmoniums and Mellotrons, 

their 1980s albums tended to rely more on synthesizer and electric guitar, sounding much more electric.
In 1977, they released their first eponymous album "Univers Zéro", later remixed and renamed as "1313". 

The album shows a heavy rock and roll approach despite the fact that the instrumentation was largely acoustic.

This is mostly due to the use of drums and bass guitar.

Two years later the album "Heresie" proved to be even darker and more complex.

Subsequent albums lightened the sound only slightly but became ever more electric.
The group disbanded in 1987 but reformed in 1999.

In the interim, drummer Daniel Denis released two solo albums and joined Art Zoyd, a similar band from France.

Since 1999, Univers Zero released five studio albums.
In 2011, they joined forces with Belgian groups Present and Aranis 

to form a 17-member ensemble called Once Upon A Time In Belgium.

They premiered at the fourth edition of the Rock In Opposition festival held in Carmaux, France in September 2011,

where they performed "New York Transformations", a work composed by Kurt Budé.
Once Upon A Time In Belgium and Univers Zero appear in the documentary film

"Romantic Warriors II: A Progressive Music Saga About Rock In Opposition".

Memory

Samsas Traum ‎– Die Liebe Gottes: Eine Märchenhafte Black Metal Operette (1999)

Country: Germany

Tracklist

1. Elite - Vorspiel auf dem Theater 04:20
2. Der Prolog im Himmel - Widmung von mir höchstpersönlich an meine Zuhörer 02:23
3. Sterbende Liebe - Der Niedergang 05:09
4. Tragische Trauertränen - Der Kampf der Himmelswesen 03:59
5. Der Krieg im Himmel - Die Diktatoren der Revolution 01:42
6. Satanshimmel voller Geigen - Die Erscheinung des Luzifer 05:42
7. Flügel aus Wachs - Das Wesen des Erzengels 04:44
8. Der Einfall in den Himmel - Geisterstunde in Eden 04:01
9. Die Vernichtung des Gabriel - Triumph des Bösen? 04:06
10. Meine Augen sind die Sterne - Das Wesen des Lichtbringers 03:53
11. Aber die Liebe hört niemals auf - Der purpurnen Leidenschaft Spiel 04:23
12. Epilog auf Erden - Um meines Wandels Willen 13:40

Samsas Traum (Samsa's Dream) is a band from Germany fronted by Alexander Kaschte now based in Austria.
Their music consists of elements of Symphonic metal, Neue Deutsche Härte and Cantastoria.
The name is derived from the protagonist Gregor Samsa in Kafka's The Metamorphosis (1915).
Samsas Traum started in 1996 when Kaschte released his first solo tape.
Three years later the solo project became a group of three, and their official debut 
Die Liebe Gottes - Eine märchenhafte Black Metal Operette 
(The Love of God - A fairy tale-like black metal Operetta) divided the scene.
Some people said that Samsas Traum was the best newcomer of the year, other people rather started to hate them, 
at least also because of some provocative statements by Alexander Kaschte.
The follow-up appeared in 2000 with Oh Luna mein (O, Luna mine), a musically matured and varied album 
of more polished arrangements, balanced instrumentation and beautiful choir-parts. 
In this time Alexander went on to create his darker alter-ego Weena Morloch, which was more noise music based, 
and included samples from horror movies. Many more Samsas Traum albums have been released each year, 
with more Industrial/Classical/Gothic Metal arrangements.

Memory

Blood Axis ‎– The Gospel Of Inhumanity (1995)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. The Gospel Of Inhumanity 05:48
2. The Voyage (Canto I) 04:35
3. Eternal Soul 04:04
4. Between Birds Of Prey 08:16
5. Herr, Nun Laß In Frieden 05:02
6. Reign I Forever 06:16
7. Absinthe 07:07
8. Storm Of Steel 10:57

Blood Axis is an American Neofolk/Post-industrial band consisting of journalist and author Michael Moynihan, 
music producer Robert Ferbrache and musician and author Annabel Lee.
Moynihan formed Blood Axis in 1989 after touring Japan at the request of experimental music pioneer, Boyd Rice.
Moynihan had previously founded Coup de Grace, a multimedia project that produced live performances, 
cassettes and also released booklets of images and texts.
The first output from the new appellation were two songs, "Lord of Ages" and "Electricity".
In 1995, Moynihan released the first full length studio LP, The Gospel of Inhumanity with the help of Robert Ferbrache.
The album wedded the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Sergei Prokofiev with modern electronics.
Moynihan implemented a recording of Ezra Pound reading from his The Cantos.
He also included lyrics from Nietzsche and Longfellow as well as his own to the work.
The album begins with a sample from the decisive final sequence of the film The Wicker Man.
After the release of The Gospel of Inhumanity, Blood Axis acquired Moynihan's partner Annabel Lee, 
previously of Amber Asylum, as a permanent member contributing vocals, violin, accordion and various other instruments. This resulted in a considerably less electronic sound, a larger focus on Germanic polytheism and a more acoustic folk-based approach as well as covers of traditional recordings and continued use of historical European references.

Memory

Popol Vuh – Nosferatu Original Soundtrack (1992)

Composer: Popol Vuh

Tracklist

1. Brüder Des Schattens 05:41
2. Höre, Der Du Wagst 05:58
3. Das Schloss Des Irrtums 05:35
4. Die Umkehr 05:56
5. Mantra 1 06:13
6. Morning Sun 03:19
7. Venus Principle 04:39
8. Mantra 2 05:20
9. Die Nacht Der Himmel 05:01
10. Der Ruf Der Rohrflöte 03:37
11. To A Little Way 02:32
12. Through Pain To Heaven 03:45
13. On The Way 04:03
14. Zwiesprache Der Rohrflöte 03:22

Popol Vuh was a German electronic avant-garde band founded by pianist and keyboardist Florian Fricke in 1969 

together with Holger Trülzsch (percussion) and Frank Fiedler (recording engineer and technical assistance).
The band took its name from the Popol Vuh manuscript 

containing the mythology of the Post-Classic Quiché Maya people and translating as "The Book of the People".
The first album, Affenstunde, released in 1970, can be regarded as one of the earliest space music works, 

featuring the then new sounds of the Moog synthesizer together with ethnic percussion.
The group evolved to include all kinds of instruments: wind and strings, electric and acoustic alike, 

combined to convey a mystical aura that made their music spiritual and introspective.

They created dream-like soundscapes along with psychedelic walls of sound, 

and are regarded as precursors of contemporary world music, as well of new age music and ambient music.
The band contributed soundtracks to the films of Werner Herzog, including Aguirre: the Wrath of God, Nosferatu, Fitzcarraldo, Cobra Verde, Heart of Glass and The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, in which Fricke appeared.
Florian Fricke died in Munich on December 29, 2001, and the group disbanded.
Nosferatu is the eleventh album by Popol Vuh and was released as the original motion picture soundtrack 

of Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht by director Werner Herzog. It was originally released in 1978 on Egg.

Memory

Angizia ‎– Das Schachbrett Des Trommelbuben Zacharias (1999)

Country: Austria

Tracklist

1. Pique Dame Und Rachmaninov, 1904 06:59
2. Ich Bin Ein Bewohner Des S/W-Diagramms 05:47
3. Der Kinderzar 06:08
4. Schlittenfahrt Mit Einer Lodenpuppe 06:42
5. Ungeliebter Kammerfrieden 09:20
6. Der Essayist 04:12
7. 2 Millionen Rubel 07:27
8. Das Bauernendspiel 05:10

Angizia is an avantgarde group from Vienna, founded in 1994 by Michael Haas (also known as Engelke).

Their style can be defined as a mixture of 19th century operetta, classical music,

with a touch of gothic-theatrical dramatism and a bit of metal as well. All band members are highly skilled musicians, including Jochen Stock of Dornenreich, Christof Niederwieser of Korova and KorovaKill, 

and multi-band drummer Moritz Neuner.

"Das Schachbrett des Trommelbuben Zacharias" is the second part of the bands “Russian trilogy” with the other two consisting of the albums "Das Tagebuch der Hanna Anikin" and "39 Jahre für den Leierkastenmann".
Angizia developed itself into a kind of unconventional and crazy formation in a greedy musical underground

and gave the piano more special emphasis in the course of time of the band’s extravagant theatrical foreground.
Engelke started an intense cooperation with guitar player Emmerich Haimer to compose the music 

for “Das Schachbrett des Trommelbuben Zacharias” in spring 1998.
What came into being was a harmonious, melodious and extravagant medley consisting of dramatic elements

and unconventional-humorous rhythms.
Julian Schonberg acted as timeless pianist while Irene Denner gleamed with her charismatic female voice.
“Das Schachbrett des Trommelbuben Zacharias” developed itself to a kind of avantgardistic memorial of the Angizia-culture and once more demonstrated another musical modification, Engelke wished to reach with every new album.

Memory

Pan.Thy.Monium ‎– Khaooohs (1993)

Country: Sweden

Tracklist

1. I Månens Sken Dog En Skugga 01:50
2. Under Ytan 03:56
3. Jag & Vem 05:54
4. Lava 07:37
5. Lömska Försåt 06:55
6. I Vindens Våld 00:50
7. Klieveage 02:48
8. Ekkhoeece III 00:44
9. Khaoohs I 04:47
10. Utsikt 08:12
11. Khaoohs II 00:40

Pan.Thy.Monium was a Swedish progressive/avant-garde/death metal band created in 1990 
and led by Dan Swanö with several members from another project of his, Edge of Sanity. 

Swanö constructed as a concept of the albums the fight between the virtual god 

Raagoonshinnaah (god of darkness, rain and emptiness) and his opponent Amaraah (god of light).
The first demo …Dawn was never released to the public. There are only a few copies in the possession of Dan and friends. Dawn of Dreams was released 1992 and neither had any track titles nor a list of band members. 

At this time nobody knew who Pan.Thy.Monium was. The first trace to Dan Swanö was a greeting 
in the booklet of the album The Spectral Sorrows from Edge of Sanity from Benny to Pan.Thy.Monium. 

After that the identity of Pan.Thy.Monium was revealed. In 1993 Khaooohs was released.

 After its release the band fell silent. Khaooohs & Kon-Fus-Ion was recorded 1996 in which 

Amaraah wins over Raagoonshinnaah in a last fight. This marked the end of the band.
Pan.Thy.Monium never played live, even if there is a track on Khaooos which sounds like that. 

Also it is said that none of the songs has lyrics, and that the vocals were used mostly as an instrument. 

The band members were: Derelict (Robert Karlsson), Aag (Dag Swanö), Mourning (Robban Ivarsson), 

Day Disyraah (Dan Swanö) and Winter (Benny Larsson).

Memory

Fleurety ‎– Min Tid Skal Komme (1995)

Country: Norway

Tracklist

1. Fragmenter Av En Fortid 09:37
2. En Skikkelse I Horisonten 11:33
3. Hvileløs? 05:24
4. Englers Piler Har Ingen Brodd 12:33
5. Fragmenter Av En Fremtid 05:38

Popular music styles like "post-black metal" or "shoegaze-black metal" owes very much to mid 90's Norway's scene.
Back then there were terms like "avantgarde-black metal" or "progressive-black metal" 
for releases like Ulver's "Bergtatt", In The Woods "HEart Of The Ages", Ved Buens Ende "Written In Waters"
 and of course Fleurety's debut album "Min Tid Skal Komme".
The band was formed in 1991 by Svein Egil Hatlevik and Alexander Nordgaren 
and released their first demo Black Snow in 1993. After that came the 7" EP A Darker Shade of Evil in 1994. 
Both of these were in a fairly traditional Norwegian black metal style, with very high-pitched screaming vocals, 
giving the band a characteristic sound.
In 1995, the band released the album Min Tid Skal Komme, as a cooperation between Aesthetic Death Records 
and Misanthropy Records. This recording, that was ahead of its time on many levels, featured a rock/progressive/psychedelic/jazz black metal style with atonal harmonics, folk music elements and enchanting female vocals 
by Norwegian pop singer Marian Aas Hansen.
In 2000, Fleurety released the album Department of Apocalyptic Affairs. 
This album showed an even more eclectic musical style, spanning metal, progressive/jazz and electronica, 
and featured an array of guest musicians from the Norwegian avantgarde and black metal scene.

Memory

Solefald – Neonism (1999)

Country: Norway

Tracklist

1. Proprietors Of Red 06:34

2. Speed Increased To Scaffold 08:27

3. CK II Chanel N°6 03:32

4. Fluorescent (The Total Orchestra) 05:20

5. A Motion Picture 01:56

6. Omnipolis 05:36

7. Backpacka Baba 05:25

8. Third Person Plural 04:03

9. 04.34 PM 03:23

10. The New Timelessness 06:00

In 1999, Solefald released their second full-length, entitled Neonism which is incorporating 

black metal, pop, classical music, punk, and progressive metal.
Neonism also featuring more vocal techniques from each member.
Singing in English and French, Lazare brought back his clean vocals while Cornelius is still using his high pitched shrieks and his lower grunting, but also a style of spoken word singing.
The lyrics are unconventional for metal in general and black metal especially, 

dealing with socio-political issues and pop culture criticism in songs like "Backpacka Baba" and "CK II Chanel no. 6".
Recorded at the famed Sunlight Studios the band stated that they used this quality of sound because of the multi-layered song structures demanding a thinner sound to allow the many facets of the music to shine through. 

Another reasoning was that they wanted to achieve the "old school black metal" sound.
The band coined the term "Radical Designer Rock 'n' Roll", for this release.
A really "crazy" and "enjoyable" album in all terms.
The memory link is for the remastered-reissue and contains one bonus track (Cosmophony).

Memory

Άβατον – Eξ Aδοκήτω (1996)

Country: Greece

Tracklist

1. With a Few Celestial Words I Shall Begin 08:13
2. 02 I Do Not Wish I Were Wealthy 10:49
3. Melpeia 05:07
4. Aloessa 04:10
5. To My Hetaerae 07:18
6. For Those Who Lead A Happy Life 05:29
7. Hymenaon (Wedding Song) 07:52
8. Bacchus 08:22
9. Simoun 10:00
10. The Love For The Sun 06:08

Avaton formed in 1988 when Ιωάννης Παπαδάκης met Παναγιώτη Ξυδιά and they decided to join forces.
The band was discovered by Μάνος Χατζιδάκις, one of the most famous Greek musicians, 

who signed them and released their first self titled album through his label "Seirios" in 1991.
Two years later they recorded their second album "Ερως Αελίω",while in 1996 they released their
grand opus "Εξ Αδοκήτω" which made everybody talking about "The Greek Dead Can Dance".
Avaton was becoming on stage a 14 piece band trying to achieve an atmosphere of oriental mystery.
Having played live in many Greek festivals and other countries,

also writing musical scores for theatrical performances,
in 2001 they released their fourth album "Κόσμον", featuring Egyptian singer Natacha Atlas.
After "Κόσμον" they disbanded and in 2003 Ιωάννης Παπαδάκης 

released his personal album "Εξ-Άβατον",
while Παναγιώτης Ξυδιάς continues (as Pan. Kaperneka)

in bands Ghi & Thalassa(Earth & Sea) and Palyrria.
In "Εξ Αδοκήτω" (Unforeseen As It Was) you can hear musical influences from classical,

ancient Greek music,Armenian,Indian,middle east passages and jazz improvisations.
A mix of Byzantine music and traditional instruments with modern instrumentation.
The characteristic voice of Παναγιώτη Ξυδιά is floating over the compositions,

invoking the spirits of ancient times as he is capable of singing in Byzantine and Indian modes.
The lyrics are written in ancient Greek language and based on poems of the ancient Greek poet Σαπφώ.

Memory

Presumed Guilty (1998)

Label: Misanthropy Records

Tracklist

1. Dream Into Dust – Stormbringer 05:51

2. In The Woods... – Let There Be More Light 06:30

3. Solstice – The Sleeping Tyrant 06:11

4. Hagalaz' Runedance – The Oath He Swore One Winter's Day 03:45

5. Primordial – Journey's End 08:00

6. Burzum – Et Hvitt Lys Over Skogen 09:04

7. Amber Asylum – Dreams Of Thee 03:27

8. Babylon Whores – Somniferum 04:07

9. Madder Mortem – These Mortal Sins 05:05

10. Mayhem – Ancient Skin 04:57

11. Beyond Dawn – Need 05:17

12. Endura – Vestigial Horn 01:49

13. Aphrodisiac – Lux Et Tenebrae 04:09

14. Monumentum – The Colour Of Compassion 07:30

A great compilation of artists by the mighty British label Misanthropy Records, 

Elfenblut and Heroine sub-labels containing unreleased and album tracks.
Released in order to protest against censorship in music business. 

The booklet contains thoughts by each individual artist regarding censorship 

and an essay by Tiziana Stupia (owner of Misanthropy Records).

Many different styles of quality music here but of course the highlight of the compilation is the unreleased,

back then, Burzum track "Et Hvitt Lys Over Skogen" which travels you back to the early days of Black Metal.

One of the best Burzum tracks ever, recorded at Grieghallen in 1992.
Hear it and feel the chills running down your spine.

 Memory

Diamanda Galas – The Divine Punishment & Saint Of The Pit (1988)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. Deliver Me From Mine Enemies 19:17
   I. This Is The Law Of The Plague       
   II. Deliver Me From Mine Enemies       
   III. We Shall Not Accept Your Quarantine       
   IV. Deliver Me       
   V. Yiati O Ozoe       
   VI. Psalm 22       
2. Free Among The Dead 13:36
   I. Psalm 88       
   II. Lamentations       
   III. Sono L'Antichristo       
3. La Trezieme Revient (The Thirteenth Return) 05:03   
4. E Ξελου Με (Deliver Me) 07:19   
5. L'Heauton Timoroumenos (1857) (Self-Tormentor) 06:49   
6. Artemis (1854) 05:02   
7. Cris D'Aveugle (1873) (Blind Man's Cry) 12:16

A fiercely confrontational avant-garde performer noted for her wailing, four-octave vocal range.
This shattering vocal style, is inspired by the Schrei ("shriek") opera of German expressionism
(a form employing a system of four microphones and a series of echoes and delays).
This release contains the first 2 parts of a complex trilogy (third and final part is "You Must Be Certain Of The Devil").
The texts from the first part (The Divine Punishment) are taken from the Old Testament
mixed with Galas's own cryptic lyrics, except 2-III ("Sono L'Antichristo").
In the second part (Saint Of The Pit) Diamanda's emotionally draining voice speaks for those who, like Jesus Christ,
were crucified because of their beliefs.The artist gives her voice to those who are afflicted with this slow, agonizing death.
 "Correct playback possible at maximum volume only."

Memory