Premiere: T E M P O R A R Y – Selections From Dunedin’s Pop Underground

The mastodon release of a compilation overview of the evolution in the Dunedin underground, is courtesy of the fantastic New Zealand micro-label Fishrider Records – whom I’ve had featured both in interview and with bands from the roster – now with a newcomer called Ba Da Bing Records, for outreach of the compilation in North America. This compilation features a narrowly selected crowd of people which you’d know about if you had payed attention to New Zealand. There’s a town there, a town called Dunedin, where a lot of pop-artists and groups have emerged during the last few years. Specifically from 2011-2014. Mavis Gary, Death & The Maiden, The Prophet Hens, Males, Mr Biscuits, Opposite Sex, Strange Harvest, The Shifting Sands, Astro Children, Kane Strang, Scattered Brains of the Lovely Union and Trick Mammoth – are the selected few (many) from this underground current, standing strong with their oddities that are by now their trademark. The reason why you need to have your eyes peeled is just because their sound is different, their sound is as a whole unique for that particular city. Nowhere else can you find this unimaginable creative outlet which have rendered in a sound they can proudly call their own.

Not only does this release incorporate a nice and thick black vinyl, it also is the starting point of a zine called T E M P O R A R Y – yes, just like the release. Even though I feel like the name is ironic, because I feel like this will be a timeless release, even though I haven’t laid my ears to listen to everything on the release yet. The zine features an introductory into the bands, artists and groups that are featured on the release. Repartiseraren can give you an exclusive premiere of two new tracks which were put up by Fishrider Records, it’s “Flowers For The Blind” with Death & The Maiden and “Supermarket” – a long-awaited new track for me here, courtesy of Opposite Sex.

I must congratulate Ian Henderson for this seemingly masterful release, because it was something in dire need of documenting for the rest of the world. The slick design was created by Robbie Morton and the graphic layout by Angus McBryde. Mastered by Tex Houston and tracks selected by Ian Henderson – as it should be – because that man has more insight into this than anyone else. You can either order the vinyl with the zine, the zine and a CD, or the CD, vinyl and the zine. For those of you that live in Europe, you can order T E M P O R A R Y from Occultation Recordings, if you’re in America you can find it at Ba Da Bing Recordings and if you’re nearer Australia or New Zealand; you can get it from Fishrider Records. Stream four tracks from this compilation down below.

Exklusiv Premiär: Den Arkaiska Rösten – ◯

Ålderdomen slår tidigt för oss som inte velat uppleva den. Men det finns en utväg för alla oss som känner att tiden är kommen – låt rösten tala om för dig hur du ska göra härnäst. Från de mörka svenska skogarna hörs ett muller, ett muller som sliter upp rötterna ur marken och som kastar iväg dem åt vårt håll. Till sin hjälp har man ett omfång av olika genrer som man med svensk ingenjörskonst fulländar. Namnet på denna best från de mest avlägsna vildmarkerna låter inte talas till en, det viskas genom läten – och för andra obegripliga besvärjelser – till att komma närmre. När man väl är inom räckvidd så ingår man i deras seans. Det jag talar om är Den Arkaiska Rösten, en vilddjurets slitstarka käftar, trombonens ökande styrka – orkanens uppsvälldhet och makt, den som bryter av och slänger upp – en naturkraft utom din kontroll. Från dess märkliga uppenbarelse kommer det hemskaste, elakaste och mest förvridna du någonsin hört. Med en hypnotiserande ljudbild som långsamt tränger igenom din obrytbara mark, som med den mest envisaste av sinnen försöker att göra dig till deras. Denna duo, om man nu ens kan använda ett sådant ord, är Per Åhlund och Girilal Baars – kom ihåg deras namn.

Nu har de samlat ihop sig efter att ha varit en enhet sedan 2010, till att bli ett kompromisslöst anlete i en värld där man gör bäst i att uppleva snarare än att läsa. Jag måste erkänna att jag inte vet särskilt mycket om denna kraft, denna tvåmannaskap, mer än att de gärna håller sig till att uppträda på Fylkingen – en ideell förening med hembas i Stockholm – där många andra experimentella akter haft liveframträdanden. Men ni är givetvis inte där idag och kommer kanske aldrig att beträda deras mark. Därför så har de slutit upp med mörkrets samlingspunkt, eller ska vi säga det “ockulta” – vid namn Beläten – vars namn gjort sig känt på att ta dessa utsvävningar under sin vinge. De ska nämligen släppa en kassett vid namn “Cirkel/Triangel”, ett helt nytt släpp på C30-format på två sidor där de samlat material de spelat in under en liveseans på Fylkingen – den 30:e Maj 2012. Eftersom att jag vet att många har varit otåliga, så får ni möjlighet att förlyssna till “◯” exklusivt på Repartiseraren. Kassetten i sig släpps på Beläten nästa vecka, den 5:e September.

Watch: Roladex – Glass Statuette

Bright colors intertwined with VHS-quality and other psychedelic enjoyment. Together with the technology of yesteryear, Roladex have done good in their homage to where their influences come from. With their 80’s-infused synth-pop sound and their carefully executed visual FX create a hypnotic atmosphere which is almost exclusive to music-videos from that decade and before the 2000’s. You will find no polished turds á la big business labels and their PR-menagerie here. Not to mention their song “Glass Statuette” on their newly released split with ((PRESSURES)), which is saturated with the mesmerizing duo’s eloquent vocals whose delivery hypnotize you, as the spastic arpeggio rhythm continually rolls in the foreground – an aquatic melody seduces you. You can’t help but start humming the lyrics in a repetitive fashion. I also think the video captures a bizarre vein that Roladex don’t capture as well with their music, which seems to me when I listen to it to be in all seriousness, but the video itself adds that tongue-in-cheek vibe that music-videos used to give. Either because they were abhorrent in their silliness, or simply delivering a positive nerve in the musical delivery – which in Roladex’s case is true – as you also can’t help but smile.

It would’ve been great if this split-release could’ve featured a music-video by ((PRESSURES)), too. Because then it would’ve been more than two songs that you keep on the repeat. But with that said, I think the track “The Voices” complements “Glass Statuette” very well. I think ((PRESSURES)) are the ones whom deliver the futuristic touch to this release, as the B-Side coincides with Roladex’s passionate nostalgic reflections both in track and video. “The Voices” almost touch cold-wave territory, but instead of going into the coldness and reflections of that – there’s a clear disco-vibe to the whole she-bang. With vocals that soothe your soul, together with a steadfast drum-machine rhythm and cosmic synthesizers – I would say that the A-Side gives more hope for us in the future. Though a lot of melancholy can be heard in both tracks, the bleaker side is when Roladex comes on, but I’m not sure anymore after having seen their music-video. All of this might be my hypnotized me talking, but they’ve charmed me with their other side of the coin. Both tracks are complementary as I’ve said, but one wouldn’t stand with the other and they display different characteristics. I just wish they would’ve included the music-video with the release and also made a music-video for ((PRESSURES)) track. That way, their likeness and difference could’ve been visually represented as well as musically.

Since this is a joint release by Medical Records and Disko Obscura, you can either choose to order the limited edition 7¨ in thick transparent yellow, or transparent urochrome vinyl. It’s your choice whether you’d like to go with Medical Records or Disko Obscura, but they both have their unique take on it and if you’re a collector then you should go for them both. You can order the transparent yellow version here, and the transparent urochrome here. Stream both tracks digitally down below and watch the music-video above.

Exclusive Premiere: Zex Model – Rokk

Pink Sexdeath, Degenerate Slug, Demon City Reaper? Three names have one thing in common – they’re all names thought out – and executed in musical form, by a man living in Kaliningrad, Russia. Not only does he have all those alter-egos, but many more that I won’t list. He is or have been a part of two groups called Modern Howl and Ninika, each one different from the other, but also closely knitted together by darker genres. Even though he’s had a lot of projects going on at the same time, he’s dabbling with a special kind of project which he calls “Zex Model“. This musical project started out not too long ago and pushed him further into musical obscurity than what you’d think. Considering this, his project has risen in popularity since his first releases – and opening for Lust Of Youth in Russia. With his official debut-album “Mind Slaughter” having been released on desire records in 2013, and a self-released EP titled “First Mutation” – he solidified his presence further. Once a darling in the brooding underground, now a good rated artist fit for another level in the underground.

Simultaneously in another part of the world, a man by the name of Fade Kainer (Theologian, etc) self-releases his first album “Mask Visions Poison” under the name of Statiqbloom. This is in 2013. America have gained yet another notable industrial-act that strays away from the cliches, and embraces their own version of what inspired them in the first place. Meaning; they decide to twist the originals of the 1980’s and 1990’s by layering their own vision upon the ground which those men built upon. The building blocks are on a steady ground. The album itself sells out on cassette and remains on CD up until now. Two alternatives offered, one bought and sold. Even though both Zex Model and Statiqbloom are very much alike, the last-mentioned relies on heavy electro beats and a body rhythm, whilst Zex Model is utilizing the rough texture of industrial on experimental soil; to the maximum. Then we entered 2014 and brooding for Statiqbloom was yet another album which he gave the title “Black Mirrors“, released only on a limited edition cassette. This was to be a release before two kings met up and decided to build upon a platform settled by them both, and others. Diplomacy entered the game and here we are.

Fast-forward to later October, early November this year and you’re in for a treat. It was only a matter of time until desire brought these two new-comers closer together. In regards to their sound, it was a sound choice. Zex Model and Statiqbloom engage in a split-release that features eight tracks in total and four tracks by each artist. The apt design for this release is what Fade Kainer thought out and did. From the first four “Atropy Of Three“, “Contaminate“, “Slow Void” and “Behind Glass (Second Pane)” courtesy of Statiqbloom on side one. To side two featuring “Forbidden Alterations“, “Rokk“, “Teosophia” and “Tokyo Blitz” by Zex Model. I chose the second track “Rokk“, because of the atonal message that is what makes his project what it is in the first place. From his ode to Skinny Puppy and the likes, to his experimentalism that fiddles with a classic industrial atmosphere and makes the atonality spin the wheel – a confusing sound which at first obfuscates the rhythm – but later on is quite a trip into the originality of his project. A harsher version of Nexus Kenosis might actually find a way through your mind, intentionally or not. Stream the exclusive track “Rokk” down below and see to that you buy the vinyl from desire records when it comes out, if you like what you’re hearing.

Premiere: Machine-Age – Episode 2 – Zarkoff

This is the first international episode of Maskinåldern. For this episode it is called Machine-Age. Time for everyone who speaks English, to listen. Episode number two of this podcast-series contains a longer interview with the Croatian-born producer Saša Rajković – also known as Zarkoff. He’s been having a surge in the international scene with releases together with Popsimonova, but also under his own alter-ego. Besides that, he’s part of a group called Florence Foster Fanclub together with his friend Jasmin Yas – whose new endeavor just happens to be called Honored Matres – which Zarkoff had a split-release called “Pannonia Noir” with, released on Kraftjerkz Records just recently.

Whilst it stands clear that he’s got a lot of passion for music, he’s had a long road to even get there in the first place. Some things you may not know about him that you’ll get to know more about here. From having a working-class job to being a promoter, live-performer, studio engineer and basically an artist. One of his most alluring releases to date under his own moniker Zarkoff, have been the “Die Brücke” album that was released on J.A.M. Traxx not too long ago. An album that captures the historical significance of his collaborative effort together with Popsimonova, but also where he’s heading in the future.

The most significant thing he’s been imprinting with his vocals (and work) recently has been with the super-group Sumerian Fleet, together with Mr. Pauli and Alden Tyrell. This year they released the much acclaimed album “Just Pressure” on Dark Entries Records – a much revered San Fransisco label. Besides that, Zarkoff have mastered Legowelt’s latest “Crystal Cult 2080“, becoming more and more involved with the label Créme Organization, mastering and helping with different releases both for that label and the sub-label R-Zone. Now it’s time for him to tell his story and you get almost an hour long interview together with exclusive unreleased material, from demos to a session recorded with Sumerian Fleet in 2013.

Welcome to Episode number two.

Tracklist:

1. UZS – Izgled
2. Le Chocolat Noir – Pasto Nudo (Borgesia cover)
3. Kali Jugend – New Body Beat (Demo) (Unreleased)
4. Kali Jugend – Vapor (Demo) (Unreleased)
5. Synth Lab Recording 7 (Unreleased)
6. Dan White – S I Tape
7. Tony Blood – World Of Blood (Tony’s World Mix)
8. UZS – Emisije u zrak (demonstracija)
9. Hawaiian Surfer – Big Wednesday
10. Synth Lab Recording 4 (Unreleased)
11. Zarkoff – I should leave (Demo) (Unreleased)
12. Session 2013 – Den Haag – Sumerian Fleet (Unreleased)

Spotlight: Celldöd

Om du någonsin hört talas om pulsdisco, så har du förmodligen kommit rätt. Namnet klingar nog bekant för den som på något sätt intresserat sig av Celldöd. Anders Karlsson som annars fördriver sin tid med projektet Vargdöd, eller som en del av skivbolaget Complete Control Productions, är den som står bakom namnet Celldöd. Ett solo-projekt han driver, som sedan en tid tillbaka fått honom att i början av året släppa “Pulsdisco#1” – som är det första officiella släppet av låtar, på kassett – signerat hans alter-ego. På exakt samma datum, nämligen den 31:a January så kom det även ett nytt album med Severe Illusion – ett projekt som Anders Karlsson också är insyltad i. Så förutom de olika grupper han är med i annars så levererar hans soloprojekt guldklimpar ur den musikgruva som han utvinner mineraler från. Det är något med detta soloprojekt som får en att inse hur bra det är i jämförelse med allt annat som bara försvinner in i periferin. Allt från den acid-sturskna låten “Betong” – som verkligen gör skäl för sitt namn – till det råa musikartilleriet “Ingen Går Säker (Rå-Mix)“, så förstår man att det här projektet gömmer många överraskningar. Även om låtarna har mycket gemensamt så är det en hel del som skiljer dem åt, allt från hårdheten i de bultande trummorna, till den karga atmosfär som går från att vara en oljudsvägg till att bli ett mörklagt inferno.

När man talar om det gemensamma så är det förtjusningen inför en slags gammeldags acid-techno-influens som sliter hål i väggarna, men också den stadiga rytmen som bara har ett mål och det är att gå i takt. Det finns inget utrymme för avvikelser när det kommer till rytmen, men det går utmärkt att svänga med syra-melodierna och låtarnas atmosfär. Fast även om det finns restriktioner så kommer det låtar där allting ballar ut och den nya låten, förutom “Ingen Går Säker (Rå-Mix)“, är ett bra exempel på det. Den heter “Terrorbalans” och är tagen från ett kommande split-släpp med Vargs alter-ego Black Leather Harness vid namn “Krig“, som släpps på skivbolaget Brutal Disciplin inom en snar framtid. För den som vill bekanta sig med pulsdisco är det förmodligen ett släpp man bör hålla utkik på. För den som vill bekanta sig med Celldöd så duger det första släppet gott och väl tillsvidare, men det kommer att vara spännande att se vad som kommer ut ur denna allmänna hopplöshet. Man får väl hoppas på att det inte tar allt för lång tid innan man blir invaderad. Ni kan lyssna till låtarna “Betong“, “Pulsdisco 1.2 (Dirty House Mix)“, “Ingen Går Säker (Rå-Mix)” och “Vi Andas Syra” här nedanför. Musik-videon till “Terrorbalans” kan ni hitta ovanför. För den som är intresserad av att se och lyssna till Celldöd live så går Kalabalik på Tyrolen av stapeln den 22:a Augusti.

Det går nu även att förlyssna på utdrag från Celldöd-sidan av “Krig“-släppet. Gör det här nedanför.

Exclusive Premiere: Solitude FX – In This Night

Contemplative, minimalistic and raw in its purest form – transgressing between electro and synth-pop – are where their alias Solitairen Effekten, or Solitude FX as they’re also called, take you. Having put out their latest release on Enfant Terrible back in 2007; in the form of a self-titled mini-album. This duo is comprised of Marc Patrick Schaffer whose legacy stretches far and wide beyond just this duo, but he might mainly be known as the owner of Anna Logue Records. His partner in crime, Orpheo Weidelt has besides his involvement in Solitude FX, also participated for a track on a Sudeten Creche-release, but also written a song called “My Beloved” for Rossetti’s Compass – a solo-project by Mark Warner. So they have been entangled with synth-business since the beginning of this project and outside of it, too. With this forthcoming release they’re scheduled for having released on Enfant Terrible, titled “sfx LP“, things get just a tad bit more minimalistic – but adds to a primal rawness. From the speedy and energetic tracks to a contemplated look into melodies, everything is there to sway you into their sound and way of thought. Through lit passages of emotional fires, the wholeheartedness that Solitude FX display in this album is for everyone to hear. Beating yourselves on the chest boys, because the limelight is here for you.

I think I will be stealing a bit of that. No, I’m not that interested in doing that. For this round of Enfant Terrible and Gooiland Elektro-releases that are going to be put out in the end of August, I will show humility. Since this is the second and last release that I will be showcasing here on Repartiseraren, I thought it would be apt to pick the best track as usual. The track I feel is best. It is featured on the B-Side of this vinyl and is actually the closing track on this record. What’s special about it is that all the synthesizers in this track are as dark as they can be in this setting. Solitude FX turn it up a notch and fit melodies for a painstakingly abrasive venture into minimal electro, adhering to an underlying passion for everything electro. The track is called “In This Night” and is not as muffled as the other tracks on the record. It is an in-your-face kind of ordeal that you’ll have to endure when listening to it. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. Listen to it exclusively down below and don’t forget to order the vinyl if you like what you’re hearing. The vinyl was mastered by Ruud Lekx (Rude 66), artwork by Hans De Wolf and assembled by Frank (Trumpett).

Hjälp bolaget D-Takt & Råpunk!

På grund av en översvämning i lokalen som D-Takt & Råpunk använder för att lagra skivor, turneringsgåvor och sin privata skivsamling – så har det inneburit stora ekonomiska förluster. Detta är alltså en av de bästa skivbolagen när det kommer till underjordens krafter, närmre bestämt inom hardcore, punk, mangel, d-beat och alla undergenrer ni kan tänka er. Ett skivbolag som har funnits sedan 2006 och som har släppt åtskilliga klassiker, och när han inte har gjort det så har man bara släppt jävligt bra skivor. Detta var en av de första bolagen som jag kom i kontakt med i och med att jag började skriva för mitt eget blogg-zine. Jag har haft att göra med honom ett antal gånger både för några år sedan och i nutid. För någon som är hyfsat intresserad av subkulturen som omgärdar hardcore och punk, utan att ha någon större delaktighet i det hela så har kontakten alltid präglats av proffessionalism. Om man hade behövt någonting eller frågade om något så fick man svar på det. Men det är inte enbart på grund av detta som jag anser att man bör stödja honom i dessa svåra tider.

Jag tycker att man bör stödja honom om man någonsin haft med honom att göra. Vilket jag har. Så jag tänker göra på mitt sätt för att kunna få till någon form av stöd på något sätt. För de som läser detta så kommer det förmodligen att anordnas en stödspelning till syfte att skänka pengar till honom. Detta anordnas förmodligen av några inom hardcorekretsen, så ni får hålla era ögon öppna ni som går på sådana tillställningar. Oavsett om man kan skänka pengar eller inte så är det enligt Joakim själv nog att bara bry sig om det. Jag bryr mig om det och tycker att det är synd det som har hänt. Att bara se utan att kunna göra särskilt mycket när det man ansamlat över åren går upp i rök måste vara väldigt jobbigt. Ni kan läsa mer från D-Takt & Råpunk-bloggen om ni vill ha mer bakgrundsinformation. Stötta honom och se till att han tar sig igenom detta. Även om jag inte känner honom personligen så är det ändå något som har funnits där någonstans. Någon som fortfarande ger allt trots motgångar. Man kan donera pengar här om man vill stödja rent ekonomiskt.

Listen: SARIN – ROTTEN

Pseudo-fetishism, new beat, guerrilla warfare through electronic beats and an obsession about Mad Max, 80’s-90’s thrillers and action movies. Hear how the wastelands of degeneracy crumble into one act, Toronto is beyond rescue and I feel like Travis Bickle wishing for the rain to wash away all the filth. This is the first EP by SARIN, a shady act transgressing into “Rotten” – which basically sums everything up. With a heavy dosage of samples from everything you could think of, together with harsh electronica and whatever sub-genre most fitting for the song, synth-pop, electro and electronic body music is channeled within the landscape of sound that build it up from the ground. I’m not too amused about the connotations about drugs, filth and complete lunacy that it gives away. But threading in the middle-ground and almost entering industrial cannot be a bad thing. Especially not when the synthsizers stab and you find yourself enthralled by the rapidly changing sound. Taking in everything from the influences and throwing it out the door again. Not to mention the rhythm which stops and goes as it pleases, much like a puppeteer using his threads to make his subject (you) be in touch with what ever message SARIN needs to get through. A lot of the tracks on this release are hypnotizing, some are completely ridiculous but get back their steam when they change the direction they’re heading in. It’s all really confusing if you’re not into it from the start, or know anything about it to begin with. But fear not, just try to get into it in whichever way you see fit.

Deth Records seem to know what we’ve been missing out on from Toronto. With this new release, the third in a row from this label – they explore yet another dimension of what makes them great – which is the sheer originality their acts display. Even though one could say that they pick and choose of what they’d want to imitate, in the process of doing that they create something unique. There’s a certain kind of vibe to everything which comes out of this hellhole called Deth, but it’s a place you’d want to be. So I’ll keep a close eye on the different releases that will continue to flow through. If you haven’t already, you should also check out the other releases, like “Semblance” by Vierance, or the first compilation titled “DETH Vol. 1” which features everything from HUREN to SINS and beyond. It is a release to get started with. Now listen to “ROTTEN” down below and stream it however many times you wish. If you like what you’re hearing, consider buying the limited cassette before it is sold out.

Exclusive Premiere: Popsimonova – Amnesia

The queen will sort you all out for this coming release. From what I can hear it is EBM, electro and cold-wave that make Popsimonova who she is on this record. This multi-faceted lady have now gotten a place on the third Enfant Terrible compilation which is being released on the sub-label Gooiland Elektro. After having released her first EP on Enfant Terrible called “Untitled” in 2012, she’s been featured in numerous collaborations with Zarkoff – whose appearance often is as a producer, but also beatmaker. Having released her latest single and album-in-one on J.A.M. Traxx together with Zarkoff, called “Die Brücke“, and a digital release titled “Break And Enter“. Now she’s featured with a track for the forthcoming compilation “Freikörperkultur“, a third compilation coming out of the Enfant Terrible bastion. A vast compilation displaying the different talents housed under the name of Enfant, with others including – representing, as always – a wide-array of different electronic acts and styles. I think it marks for a harder sound which Popsimonova have taken upon herself. Harsher sounds for a harsher world, stuck in amnesia.

This specific track is a dungeon-friendly chanson which you’d probably find around Europe. It’s got a touch of that European kind of electronica that would make the Brits blush or surrender like the French. EBM blended into a harder form of electro which pinches your subliminal with its hard baseline. It’s something to bop your head to and a really danceable – but dark and melodic – piece of sound.  The vocals really make the landscape of sound even more intriguing and fits the whole setting perfectly. This track is featured as the last track on the B-Side of the vinyl, making it the B2-track. Since it is Friday and that means Freikörperkultur, you get to stream the exclusive track “Amnesia“, taken directly from the compilation. Find yourself in the neon light and that might make for a better life. If you like what you’re hearing, pre-order the vinyl from Gooiland Elektro.