SIGILLUM S/AIN SOPH (LP by Old Europa Cafe)
I reviewed this LP before – about a decade ago when it was released on
cassette by Cthulhu. I can’t remember what I wrote back then. Sigillum S is
definetly not one of my favourite bands – never was, never will be. Their 5
tracks consist of the slow, ritual drums, shouting vocals of ‘pain’,
‘sorrow’, or
whatever people call this.
Ain Soph also take the relligious chanting as their backbone. Either sung
in real time, or as loops – I can’t tell. This finds Ain Soph is their
earlier period – circa ‘Ars Regia’, and before their ‘Ain Soph’ (aka
babyface) CD (were they become more ‘poppy’…). Quite pathetic, Current 93
like, but much more ok then the Sigillum S side. Again this is also very
dated, styllistically, but it has it’s charm. And without any doubt, this
limited edition will finds it’s way to the collectors anyway. (FdW)
Address: <oec@iol.it>
AUBE – DEGLAZE (LP by Old Europe Cafe)
The ever profilic Aube cranks out an LP with four lenghty pieces, this time
reducing the sound source to glass – hence the transparant vinyl.
‘Segmental Touch’ is ambient in it’s Aube way… slowly building with
slight repeating patterns. ‘Keen To Penetrate’ has a harsher tone to it due
to the sound processing going on, sounds falling over eachother, more a
metallic sound then glass…
The b-side opens with ‘Silent Glustre’, another more ambient piece based on
sampling a few glass sounds in an ongoing mood. The title piece is then
again along the same lines as the second track on the first side. In all
this finds Aube in a territory where he is best: ambient industrial
soundscapes. Again not as brilliant as the much raved about ‘Metal de
Metal’, but defintely a fine album. (FdW)
Address: as above
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS – CHEMICAL PLAYSCHOOL 3 & 4 (2CD by World Serpent)
More archive fun for Legendary Pink Dots fans. I don’t know why, but when I
heard this I realized Chemical Playschool 3 and 4 didn’t stick to my mind
back then. This is not the Deja Ecoute experience I had with the other
recent CD issues. But nonetheless I am very happy to find all the LPD
treasures in here: weird synth pasages and sound collages to drop only a
psychedelic pop tune, that was the trademark of the LPD in those high light
days we only listened to cassettes. As mentioned on the cover, this is
certainly much more lo-fi then anythig by them in the last 6 or so years,
but that is the charming quality of the Dots. Many of the old days fans
will sorrow that the LPD are not like that anymore (and maybe I am one of
them, seeing myself humming along those old tunes – ‘surprise surprise’),
but their growth into their much more matured state is only natural. The
only psychedelic band to be followed! (FdW)
Address: <mailorder@worldserpent.demon.co.uk>
DECA – PHANTOM (CD by Old Europa Cafe)
Not a very pleasant release this one. Quite dark – cover and music wise. “A
very special thank to everyone supported me in my long spring of sorrow and
pain” is written on the cover – ouch, this is weltschmerz… Even though it
sounds all black to you and me, the music is quite alright. Highly
synthetic with lots of fancy digital synths and sequencers, but done with
much skill. Dark and moody for sure, with layers of synths washing over
each other, almost church organ like (as in the fourth part of
‘Extraterrestrial’), but also nice up tempo as in the second part of the
same track. Altogether pleasent in it’s unpleasentness. Let’s hope this
soul is not too tormented to do another one. (FdW)
Address: as above
OSSO EXOTICO – VI: CHURCH ORGAN WORKS (CD by Sonoris)
Sonoris is a brandnew french label which launces with three releases
(hopefully more on the other two soon) and this one with one of my personal
favourite bands. The three piece group from Portugal explore in ten tracks
the possibilities of the church organ. The members play in various
combinations on different organs. The outcome is very varied. The opening
piece is barely audible, but the second piece is a loud, repitive, all
register open one. Of course it’s hard to see this music without any
religious overtones, but Osso Exotico don’t give a clue in that direction:
all their pieces are untitled. Meditative pieces in most cases, but less
minimal then the known minimalist who grew up with playing organ. This is a
different approach then Charlemagne Palestine would do, but none the less
this is quite interesting. (FdW)
Address: fax: + 33 55648-5475