[2009] The Low Frequency In Stereo - Futuro

Futuro is the noisiest, most daring effort of this norwegian band which has been likened to bands like Stereolab and Radiohead in the past (particularly the former), but in the reality is more than just that. Noisy riffs reminiscent of the no-wave era and heavy motorik drums akin to Neu! (along with the bold use of feedback) are the most obvious highlights here, but the combination of female and male vocals with a garage rock feel, and the campy, light sound of the trumpet (like in the song Solar System) makes this band really stand out as it deserves.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Rune Grammofon here.

[2009] Spunk - Kantarell

Latest Spunk album, is their most daring release so far, tuning down the vocal experimentation a notch and focusing on the brass instruments, straining the sounds at a vertiginous pace, and leaving a sense of tension through ever song. Sounds somewhat darker than their previous efforts, although the vocals retain a certain innocence that has become their own trademark sound.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Rune Grammofon here.

[2009] Æthenor - Faking Gold & Murder

Latest album of this supergroup formed by Stephen O'Malley (Sunn O))), Khanate), Daniel O'Sullivan (Guapo, Mothlite, Ulver), Krystoffer Rygg (Ulver) and Vincent De Roguin (Shora). Following the ideas already present in Betimes Black Cloudmasses, this time the drones and free jazz drumming are used as more of a background expressive element for David Tibet (Current 93), which joins the group for another session of his occult chants and poetry. Big favorite of 2009, this album shows a different side of the regular abstract music present in their previous releases.

Download it here: [320][V0]

Buy it directly from VHF Records here.

[2009] Korouva - Sleepwalker

Slow, emotional music, straight out of Miranda Lehman's sensual poetry. Music for the soul, with some hints of eroticism, this is perfect for peaceful evenings. I'm a big fan of her music, and as far as I'm aware there's a new album on the works, so check Sleepwalker out before the new one gets released. Highly recommended.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly, leave her a message on Myspace.

[2009] Woburn House - Monstrous Manoeuvres In The Mushroom Maze

One of the most under-appreciated bands that came out of the Zeitgeist Music collective, Woburn House delivers excellent metal music for those open minded enough to appreciate it. In this case, three members of the collective (Christian Kolf, Florian Toyka and Fabian Fabian) composed this excellent album with interesting spoken word interludes (in a political vein, similar to their first album) and atmospheric passages that contrast with much heavier sections, in which we can hear how technically skilled they actually are. I've listened to this album several times without getting tired of it, it has a very refreshing sound, similar to Slint in mood (even though it's unrelated to their genre), although in Woburn House, the vocals make it seem much more melancholic.
Big favorite, back in 2009.

Download it here: [320][V0]

Buy it directly from Zeitgeister Music here.

[2009] Fides Inversa - Hanc Aciem Sola Retundit Virtus (The Algolagnia Divine)

The italian black metal underground, often unappreciated, has some hidden gems left undiscovered for a long time, and this is the case with Fides Inversa. Firmly rooted in the somewhat recent Orthodox Black Metal scene, this band composed a fast, warlike interpretation of that vision, which shouldn't come as a surprise seeing as a lot of the bands within the scene have a predisposition to cherish and tribute their Roman heritage through music. Four long tracks, and a single message: subversion of the name of God through the enlightenment of the Word. For fans of Deathspell Omega and Watain.

Download it here: [V0]

Buy it directly from Osmose Productions here.

[2009] Nurse With Wound - The Surveillance Lounge

Almost 15 years after Homotopy to Marie, Nurse With Wound releases a very similar album, almost starting from scratch. This album features a lot of recognizable brass elements, along with some severely frightening segments that can be likened (or even surpassed) to Homotopy to Marie, making it too inaccessible for continuous listens. A true box of secrets, it's harsh, scary and layered, like few of the same vein. It's difficult to tell the motifs behind this album, specially if we take the cover into consideration. It sort of reminds me of Albert Camus... But maybe that's just me. One of my 2009 favorites, that's for sure.

Download it here: [V0: Part 01 Part 02]

[2009] Aluk Todolo - Finsternis

Formed by members of Diamatregon, Aluk Todolo is a strange beast. Mixing some of the occult, dark aesthetics of black metal with the krautrock present in Faust and This Heat to create a chaotic dense atmosphere  in which the only grounding element is the syncopated drumming and whirling feedback coming and going. Aside from that, it's hard to describe; this is one of these bands capable of creating a timeless sonic experience, making it easy to completely forget about how long (or short) it actually is. In some circles it's considered as "black metal" but in reality I see this more as an alternative for fans of bands like This Heat or Camberwell Now, constantly craving for similar sounding music, inspiring the best post-punk/krautrock ever created.
Play it loud!
Download it here: [V0] Updated!

Buy it directly from Utech Records here.