Kraken – Aquanaut (1999)

Country: Belgium

Tracklist

1. Liquid Enchantress / Lured Underneath 06:53
2. Demagogic Journey 08:21
3. Point Of Submersion / Maelstrom 07:36
4. Profound Aquatic Stasis 12:15
5. Descending Into The Abyss 09:00
6. Cerebral Core Of The Octopus / Hypnotic Preassure 02:58

Debut release for the project Kraken consisting of Ricardo Gomez and Joris Vermost.
The Belgian duo creates a perfect blend of lucid atmospheric ambient tunes with manipulated samples.
The result is a strange abyssal journey through the realm of neptunal underworlds.
Released on the Belgian Nautilus as a limited edition of 500 copies on heavy weight blue vinyl

of which 30 copies come in a large pizza-box that includes a t-shirt and postcards with seafood recipes.

Memory

Harry Bertoia – Unfolding (1993)

Country: Italy / United States

Tracklist

1. #1025 Unfolding 18:35
2. #1025 Sounds Beyond 15:02
3. #1032 Here And Now 21:04
4. #1032 Here And Now Part II 13:06

Arri Bertoia (March 10, 1915 – November 6, 1978) was an Italian-born American artist,

sound art sculptor, and modern furniture designer.
Bertoia was born in the small village of San Lorenzo, Friuli, Italy.
At age 15, given the opportunity to move to Detroit, and live with his older brother, Oreste.
Upon entering North America, his nickname of Arieto (little Arri) was altered to the Americanized Harry.
After learning English and the bus schedule, he enrolled in Cass Technical High School,

where he studied art and design and learned the skill of handmade jewelry making.
In 1936 he attended the Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, now known as the College for Creative Studies.
The following year in 1937 he received a scholarship to study at the Cranbrook Academy of Art 

where he encountered Walter Gropius, Edmund N. Bacon, Ray and Charles Eames, and Florence Knoll for the first time.
In 1939 after reopening the metal workshop, he began to focus his efforts on jewelry making,

even designing and creating wedding rings for Ray Eames and Edmund Bacon's wife Ruthtaught,

as the war effort made metal a rare and very expensive commodity.
When all the metal was taken up by war efforts, he became the graphics instructor.
Still at Cranbrook, in 1943 he married Brigitta Valentiner, and then moved to California

to work for Charles and Ray at the Molded Plywood Division of the Evans Product Company.
Bertoia also learned welding techniques at Santa Monica College and began experimenting with sound sculptures.
He worked there until 1946, then sold his jewelry and monotypes and worked with the Electronics Naval Lab in La Jolla.

In 1950, he was invited to move to Pennsylvania to work with Hans and Florence Knoll.

During this period he designed five wire pieces that became known as the Bertoia Collection for Knoll. 

Among these was the famous diamond chair, a fluid, sculptural form made from a welded lattice work of steel.
In his own words, "If you look at these chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture. Space passes right through them."
The commercial success enjoyed by Bertoia's diamond chair was immediate.

It was only in 2005 that his asymmetrical chaise longue was introduced at the Milan Furniture Fair and sold out immediately.
In the 1960s, he began experimenting with sounding sculptures of tall vertical rods on flat bases.

He renovated the old barn into an atypical concert hall and put in about 100 of his favorite "Sonambient" sculptures.
Their sizes vary from a few inches all the way up to twenty feet tall.

Many metals were used for the rods, the most common being beryllium copper

known for its wide range of color variations and rich tones.

Some rods are capped with cylinders or drops of metal, resembling cattails,

which, by their weight, accentuate the swaying of the tonal rods and creating deep resonant tones.
Bertoia often recorded his sound experiments using overhead microphones and a 1/4" tape recorder.
He played the pieces in a number of concerts and even produced a series of eleven albums, all entitled "Sonambient,"

of the music made by his art, manipulated by his hands along with the elements of nature.
In 2016, these "Sonambient" recordings were re-issued by Important Records 

as a box set with a booklet of the history and previously unseen photos.
Three major documentaries featuring the barn and other pieces were released about Bertoia.
Learning of the dismal diagnosis of cancer in 1976 caused Bertoia to work furiously on organizing his monotypes,

perfecting the tonal barn collection, and putting his life’s work in order.

He had produced probably tens of thousands of pieces of art during his short life.

His work had consumed most of his time, much of his passion, and ultimately all of his energy.

The toxic fumes such as from the beryllium copper he so loved contributed to the lung cancer.

Yet, his death was peaceful, he felt complete, and he accepted dying as simply one more transitional part of life.

Harry Bertoia died at age 63 on November 6th, 1978 in his home,

and was buried beneath a giant gong behind his Sonambient barn.
The compilation "Unfolding" features two of the eleven albums of the "Sonambient" series,

"Unfolding / Sounds Beyond" and "Here And Now / Unknown" that was originally released on vinyl in 1978.

Memory

Angrenost – Evil (MCD 1998)

Country: Portugal

Tracklist

1. Inside The Starlight Tunnel 01:10
2. Cosmic Journey At The Night Skies 06:12
3. Timeless 02:52
4. Twilight Portal 07:30
5. Eternal Silence 02:04

Angrenost was formed in 1995 when Pursan and Ainvar (Storm Legion, Sirius) joined forces.
In 1997 they recorded in one afternoon at Pinguim Studios the demo-EP "Evil",

that was released in 1998 as a MCD by the label Andromeda Creations.
After many issues the band split apart by the end of 1998,

just before recording their debut album, and stayed in a coma for almost twelve years.
In 2010 Pursan reactivated Angrenost without Ainvar but with two new members,

Erdsaf (Bass, Drum programming) and Enobólico (Guitars, Maldição, Murmúrio, Wavelength Satan).
After a deal established with the Italian label Code666 Records,

in 2013 Angrenost released their debut album "Planet Muscaria".

In "Planet Muscaria" their sound differentiated into a more cold industrial/ambient/black metal

and their lyrics explored the psychological depths of human psyche and the miserable side in the human existence.
In 2017 they released on Altare Productions the album "Nox Et Hiems" this time with W.uR (Israthoum, Monte Penumbra)

replacing Enobólico on guitars and their style changing again into a more traditional black metal sound 

with Pursan delivering an excellent performance on vocals similar to that of Aldrahn (Urarv) and Attila Csihar (Mayhem).
2022 saw the return of founder Ainvar (aka A.Ara) on guitars replacing W.uR 

and also the addition of Magnús Skúlason (Misþyrming, ex-Svartidauði) on drums.

Memory

Άρης Ρέτσος – Σοφοκλέους Αντιγόνη (1995)

Country: Greece

Tracklist

1. Σοφοκλέους Αντιγόνη 01:14:08

Aris Retsos was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1957 and studied acting at the Veakis School in Athens.
Between 1981 and 1986 he appeared in the films "Oi Apenanti" and "Mania" directed by Giorgos Panousopoulos,

"Bordelo" directed by Nikos Koundouros, "I Fotografia" directed by Nikos Papatakis,

a film considered to be inside the top ten of the Greek cinema,

and in the tv movie "Xoma Kai Nero" directed by Fotis Vianelis.

He became widely known to the public through the part of the consumptive young man Paspatis,

in the television series "Astrofeggia" (1981), based on a novel by I.M.Panagiotopoulos.
In 1986 though, the promising, upcoming young star Aris Retsos,

made a very unusual choice and decided to retire from the movie and theater business.

He became involved in deep and systematic research of the rules and techniques of acting in general, 

and with special emphasis given on the Ancient Greek Drama.

At that time, he also started his practice at the martial art of Tai chi.
In 1993, after seven years of retirement, he returns to the theater, with a solo performance entitled "Anoixti Dokimi".

There, in "EMPROS" theater in central Athens, having only one stringed musical instrument accompanying him,

he recites excerpts from the Greek tragedy "Ajax" by Sophocles in ancient Greek and in a way never heard before.
During that performance, it became vividly understood for the first time, that the musical measures, pace and rhythm, define completely not only the way of acting in the Ancient Greek Drama, but also the direction, the choreography etc.
This totally new proposal, after the initial surprise, was very well received by the audience.

The famous Greek composer Manos Xatzidakis, having watched the performance, immediately asked Aris Retsos 

to record "Ajax" and publicize it through the avant-garde record company "Seirios" that he managed those days.
In 1994, Aris Retsos chooses for his debut in theater direction

the highly praised contemporary Greek one act play "To Tavli" (The Backgammon) by Dimitris Kexaidis.
In 1995 he founds the theater company "Polionimo" (the one with the many names) and presents in "Sfendoni" theater 

the performance "Antigonis Xoros" (chorus of Antigone) based on "Antigone" by Sophocles

and exploring the central part of the "Chorus" in Ancient Greek Drama.

At the same period he released the CD "Σοφοκλέους Αντιγόνη" that features a live recording performance

at "Sfendoni" theater and comes inside a box with a cloth bound book of the performance text.
In 1996 he appears in the international poetry festival "Myrisai To Ariston" (Smell The Excellent), 

directed by Maya Liberopoulou, in Herodes Atticus Odeon, with a performance based on "Ajax" by Sophocles.

In 1998 he participates in the international theater festival "The Ancient Drama In The East"

organized by the European Cultural Center of Delphi, with the performance "Antigonis Xoros".
In 1998 he presents the performance "Strofes - Antistrofes" (Verses and Counter-verses) based also on plays by Sophocles.

During this performance, the musical orchestra "Nikos Skalkotas"

played music by Ianis Xenakis under the direction of Miltos Logiadis.
Between 1993 and 2001, Aris Retsos, appeared in many cultural events and festivals all around Greece 

and was invited by the German - Greek theater festival of Koln, where he presented the performance "Strofes - Antistrofes".
Since 2001, Aris Retsos has adopted a completely new approach concerning his research of the acting technique.

He has concentrated on the modern Greek language, and has been examining the possibility of transferring

the musical rhythm and measures from the ancient Greek language to the modern,

a transfer which is not academic and arbitrary, but organic and meaningful, and actually raises the quality

and gives answers to the questions of acting in the Ancient Greek Drama and in general.
Based on the knowledge accumulated by this longtime research,

in 2008, he directs and plays in the solo performance "Aima Kako" (Bad Blood),

based on the first chapter of the poem of Arthur Rimbaud "Season In Hell" in a modern Greek language translation.
On the July 5th 2011, invited by the Greek Festival he directs, the performance "Thronos Atreidon" 

(The Throne Of The Atreus Family) in Herodes Atticus Odeon, based on excerpts of Sophocles and Aeschylus

 relevant to the legend of the Atreus family, in the modern Greek language and with the cooperation of twenty actors.

He is also in charge of the music selection, the scenography, the costumes and the choreography.

In front of a large audience this time, the vast possibilities offered by the musical measures and rhythms 

of the plays for the upgrading and evolving of contemporary art, became crystal clear and understood.

In 2013, he directs and appears in the solo performance "Epea Pteroenta" (Words That Fly),

where he recites for the first time ever and in a completely new way, monologues from Aeschylus and Sophocles,

and not only parts of the Chorus as he used to do up to then.

Memory

The Wrathful And The Sullen – Sad And Grave (1993)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. The Wrathful And The Sullen 04:22
2. What Sacrifice Have I Failed To Make? 05:45
3. Conjuation Of The Fire God 04:55
4. Sad And Grave 11:05

Obscure dark ambient/ritual project formed in early 90s and featuring David Noir (aka Brian Artwick) 

and An Anonymous Florentine Suicide.
Three cassettes were released from 1992 to 1994 on Brian Artwick's personal labels

Chamber Noise Recordings and Ishnigarrab Recordings.
Brian Artwick is also known for his involvement in bands like Absu, Equimanthorn,

Furnace, Equitant, Akhkharu and Hexenhaus among others.
After a very long period of silence The Wrathful And The Sullen released in 2021 the collaboration album

"Crackle Of Enochian Aire" together with Apollon 23 as part of the Split Channel Releases by Advaita Audio label

that consist of two artists playing simultaneously, one in the left channel and another in the right channel.

Memory

Primigenium – Art Of War (1997)

Country: Spain

Tracklist

1. Ridden Into Battle - Prologue 04:42
2. Embrace Me Darkness 04:45
3. Black Sword Of Vengeance 05:34
4. Shall The Forest Open For Us 05:01
5. Anachronism 01:16
6. ...And Jesus Wept? 07:19
7. Pact Of Solitude 04:35
8. Enemy 04:40
9. Dragon's Tears - Epilogue 03:54

Primigenium was formed in autumn 1992 by Smaug and Alhaz.
After several rehearsals they entered the studio and recorded two songs

which were supposed to be released by Cacophonous Recs as a 7'' EP,

but due to some problems and misunderstandings the band decided to release the recording by themselves

as a demo under the title "As Eternal As The Night".

This demo tape was released in January 1994 and had a very good response within the black metal scene.
Later the demo tape was released on CD by Wild Rags Recs featuring an extra song for the edition.
In 1995 Primigenium signed with the Greek label Unisound Recs for the release of their debut full length album.

After the recording, which took place during December 1995,

some problems appeared between the label and the band so the deal was cancelled.

After receiving some offers from different labels, finally Full Moon Prods released the "Art Of War" album in 1997,

again with great reviews and reception worldwide.
In 1999 End All Life Prods offered the band the release of a limited 7'' vinyl,

so Smaug and Alhaz entered once more the recording studio.

The EP was released under the name of "All Your Tears Will Be Ours", and later re-released as a MCD by Full Moon Prods.
During some time, Smaug kept writing some songs and meeting Alhaz occasionally,

playing guitars and working on new songs together but without a proper direction,

as the future of Primigenium was uncertain.
In February 20001 they finally entered the Attack Studios for the recording of their second album entitled "Intolerance"

that was released in 2002 in CD and LP formats by Drakkar Prods.
After a long inactive period Smaug decided to return to action and during 2008 he started writing new songs.

Some of these were recorded at Moontower Studios in 2010 by Smaug alone, and later mastered at Necromorbus Studios. Primigenium third album "Faith Through Anguish" was released in 2011 by BlackSeed Productions.
During all these years, Primigenium remained as a studio band but at the beginning of 2012

Smaug contact former member Gorbag to play drums and some members from various bands from Madrid

to complete a line-up for live gigs.
During 2014-2015 five new songs were recorded at The Empty Hall Studios and released by BlackSeed Productions,

one of this songs as a Split 7'' EP with Aversio Humanitatis,

and the remaining four on MCD format entitled "For The Children Of This World".
The single "Svmmis Desiderantis Affectibvs" followed in 2019.

Memory

Dive – First Album (1990)

Country: Belgium

Tracklist

1. Infected 03:52
2. There's No Hope 02:53
3. Dead Or Alive 02:46

4. Right 03:38
5. So Hard 03:33
6. Attack 01:43
7. Turn Me On 02:00
8. Run 02:28
9. Ghostcity 05:09
10. 31 01:27
11. Menticide 08:07
12. Nightshift 03:23
13. Burning Skin 01:55
14. Eye Of The Past 02:25
15. Back To Back 03:33
16. Timezone 02:42
17. Shadows Of You 04:27
18. Sparks 05:28

Dive is a Belgian industrial/ebm music project

that was formed in 1990 by Dirk Ivens (Absolute Body Control, Motor!k, Sonar, S/HE).
Dive's sound is characterized by the minimal and experimental use

of rhythmic and distorted drum machines that overlain with Dirk's vocals.
Dirk Ivens started in 1978 as a singer and guitar player in the punk band Slaughterhouse 

but left the group after one year to form the new band The Few.

In 1980 he formed the electronic band Absolute Body Control,

influenced by Suicide, DAF, and British artists like Fad Gadget.

After going through various members, Absolute Body Control soon settled as a duo with Dirk and Eric Van Wonterghem.
In 1985, Absolute Body Control joined forces with Marc Verhaeghen's band The Klinik 

and Sandy Nys' The Maniacs to form the "supergroup" Absolute Controlled Clinical Maniacs.

The name was soon shortened to The Klinik.

Nys left in 1986 and Van Wonterghem in 1987 to work on their own bands,

while Dirk remained a member until 1991, when he left to concentrate on his solo project Dive.
With Dive, Dirk sought to have complete control over his creative process

as a change from his many previous years working with bands.
In 1996, Dirk started Sonar together with Patrick Stevens, who left in 1998

and was replaced by long-time collaborator (and brother-in-law) Eric Van Wonterghem.
In 2003-2005 Dirk rejoined Marc Verhaeghen in The Klinik for a few festival concerts, without releasing any new material.

"First Album" was originally released in 1990 on vinyl format under the title "Dive"

and later in 1992 was reissued on CD featuring seven bonus tracks.

Memory