On HEADSPIN we offer heavy stoner and psych rock sounds by excellent contemporary artists.
SPOTLIGHT 352
01/06/2012 11:18
the Spot Light #352
d.d. Monday, June 4th, 2012
NEW RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
HANK HAINT - BLACKOUT (LP-CD/VOODOO RHYTHM) The debut album from a Leeds based 'one man band', that's got much more to offer than you might expect from a 'one man band'. His music is refreshingly simple, but with a lot of depth. Hank Haint is an outsider artist who perfectly fits in the filthy Voodoo Rhythm stable.
FUZZ MANTA - VORTEX MEMPLEX (CD/KOZMIK ARTIFACT) Now also on CD, the third album by the excellent female fronted bluesy hard-psych hippie-combo from Denmark.
DARXTAR - AGED TO PERFECTION (LP/TRANSUBSTANS) A limited edition vinyl issue of the seventh album from Darxtar, Sweden's highly regarded space rock unit.
BARRY ANDREWSIN DISKO - KUKA SIELLÄ? (LP/FONAL RECORDS) Barry Andrewsin Disko has got nothing to do with XTC's keyboard player or the Irish politician. No, Barry Andrewsin Disko is Jukka Herva from Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and the current home of Santa Claus. But Jukka currently lives in Turku. His music is a multilayered, wobbly, hissy, filtered take on pop. Jukka utilizes a variety of instruments, from '80s synths, to samplers, drum machines, drums, cassettes and guitars to name a few. In Finland he is often cited as being a cross between Risto and Paavoharju. He also shares similarities with the open-hearted pastoral psychedelia of Syd Barrett (or perhaps more specifically cult Finnish psych legend Pekka Streng) and Animal Collective in their most lo-fi form. See for yourself and check out his video at https://vimeo.com/43093194
THANOS ANESTOPOULOS - UNTIL THE END (LP-CD/INNER EAR) The first solo album by this interesting Greek artist.
CORTEZ - CORTEZ (2LP/BILOCATION) An amazing blend of '70s inspired heavy rock and doomy stoner sounds, with the emphasis on groovy riffs and bluesy vocals. Great stuff. This is a limited hand numbered edition double LP, pressed on 180 gram vinyl. Comes in a heavy gatefold sleeve.
MY WET CALVIN - HAPPENED BEFORE (5X7"-CD/INNER EAR) An unusual indie duo from Greece with their second album, available on CD and as a 5-singles set, pressed on different colours vinyl. You get ten slices of noisy pop, shoegaze and more. Guest appearances by Egg Hell and Stella Hronopoulou (Expert Medicine).
VOLUNTEERS PARK - TRAGIC POTE/JERUSALEM STONE (7"/DE STIJL) Volunteers Park features Aviram Cohen, formerly of Silk Flowers, Soiled Mattress, The Springs, and the Germs rip-off The Bad Form. This 7" release offers synths, drum machines and a serious '80s vibe.
EXPECTED RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
UFOMAMMUT - LUCIFER SONGS (LP/SUPERNATURALCAT) 'Lucifer Songs' is the latest new chapter in the sonic adventures of Ufomammut. It's a marvellous and lysergic trip that combines the violence of Neurosis with the psychedelia of the more visionary Pink Floyd. Another killer release from one of Italy's most impressive bands!
SIMON FINN - DISTANCE BETWEEN STONES (2CD+DVD/CAPTAIN TRIP) Simon Finn is a British acid folk musician, best known for his cult album 'Pass The Distance', originally released in 1970. This stunning 2CD/DVD box set (released in an edition of 500) offers live recordings and footage made in Japan, 2011. A must have for the fans.
WET HAIR - SPILL INTO ATMOSPHERE (LP/DE STIJL) Wet Hair is a duo-cum-trio that's been holding it down for years as a multi-stop repeat-shop-n-hop psych-pop pin-drop right there in the dead centre of everything and/or nothing, Iowa City. 'Spill Into Atmosphere', their second full length, gives you that special feeling which you had when you finally mastered the controls on your hovercraft!
PHILIPP MÜNCH - MONDO OBSCURA (CD/ANT-ZEN) On this, his second solo album, the exceptional artist that is Philipp Münch has assimilated musical influences spanning the last four decades, bringing a brilliant and contemporary release into being, just as he did on last year's 'Into The Absurd'.
ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO - FOUR (CD-MC/RAUBBAU) Originally released as a vinyl picture disc in 2007, 'Four' was the EP interlacing the last two albums which Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio put out on Cold Meat Industry. Now here's a fully remastered and largely expanded CD version of 'Four', including additional remixes that will leave the fans breathless. Also available as a box set and on cassette.
SONAR - CUT US UP (CD/ANT-ZEN) Six years after their latest album, the Belgian duo of Dirk Ivens and Eric van Wonterghem deliver a new full length. The classic propulsive beats are still the driving force on most tracks, while Sonar fill the space in and around the drum hits with scraping noise chords, disturbing sampled voices and throbbing sub-basses. Combative, violent bursts of industrial uproar and rhythmic scalpels, refined with intelligent sequencing, result in massive blocks of monolithic sound.
BLACK RAINBOWS - TWILIGHT IN THE DESERT (LP/HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS) Now at last available on vinyl, it's the 2007 debut album from Black Rainbows. An irresistible mixture of heavy '70s sounds (think Blue Cheer, MC5, Black Sabbath) and stoner in the vein of Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Nebula, QOTSA and Fu Manchu. Limited editions of black and coloured vinyl.
VIAJE A 800 - CONAC OXIGENADO (2LP-CD/ALONE) A great release from one of Spain's leading psychedelic rock bands. Available on CD and as a beautiful double vinyl set.
ADRIFT - BLACK HEART BLEEDS BLACK (2LP-CD/ALONE) The sophomore album (on CD and double LP) by a fine psychedelic/progressive heavy metal/sludge band from the Spanish underground. Suitable for fans of Mastodon, Cavity, etc.
BROKEN HOPE - BOWELS OF REPUGNANCE (LP/EMETIC) Limited to 500 copies on black vinyl, this is a reissue of the second album (1993) from this mid-paced style death metal band, featuring Joe Ptacek's low-pitched growling vocals.
BROKEN HOPE - SWAMPED IN GORE (LP/EMETIC) Their debut album from 1991, now for the first time ever on vinyl! Only 500 copies pressed.
GIN LADY - GIN LADY (LP/TRANSUBSTANS) Now also on vinyl, it's the s/t debut by this Swedish '70s inspired rock band, featuring ex-members of Black Bonzo. Presented in a gatefold sleeve.
ODYSSEY - ABYSMAL DESPAIR (LP/TRANSUBSTANS) Limited vinyl edition of the well received debut album from the Swedish heavy'n'harsh stoner rockers. Sounds like Electric Wizard meets Eyehategod meets Acrimony.
TONS - MUSINEE DOOM SESSION, VOL. 1 (LP/BLACK RAINBOWS) An Italian band with their killer debut. Fans of f.i. Electric Wizard, Ufomammut, Unsane and Church Of Misery will love this. Edition of 400 on 180 gram vinyl.
BAUDOUIN DE JAER - GAYAGEUM SANJO (CD/SUB ROSA)Baudouin de Jaer studied composition with Philippe Boesmans, Henri Pousseur, Frederic Rzewski and at McGill University (Montreal) with Bruce Mather. He makes compositions for Korean instruments s.a. daegeum, haegeum, gayageum and geomungo, and for orchestras using traditional Korean instruments. This CD will come as a revelation to many Western ears.
VARIOUS - VÄHÄN MULTA PÄÄLLE (LP/FONAL RECORDS) 'Vähän Multaa Päälle' (which translates to 'Put A Little Dirt On Top') is a vinyl compilation featuring exclusive tracks from bands that reside in Tampere, Finland. It was commissioned by the art exhibition Tampere 5th Triennal as a part of their exhibition catalogue. Fonal only has 250 copies for sale, so this title will definitely become a much sought after collectors item! The featured artists are Motelli Skronkle, Pekka Käppi, Ville Leinonen, Death Hawks and Tuusanuuskat.
HISATO HIGUCHI - EARLY WORKS (CD/PSF) A release of live recordings from the mid '90s, featuring electric guitars and vocals.
THOROFON - TARGETS (12"/ANT-ZEN) Thorofon follow up their 'Exkarnation' album with six shots of stimulating electronics on twelve inch vinyl format. This is a a diverse collection of minimal electro pop tunes, industrial power electronics and militant body beats. Includes an MP3-download-code.
BLACK RAINBOWS - BLACK RAINBOWS (7"/HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS) Two brand new songs by the Italian heavy psych/stoner power trio. 450 copies.
IRON HEARSE - LIVE AT DOOMSDAY IV (DVD/PSYCHEDOOMELIC) Limited edition DVD featuring UK's superb doom rock trio Iron Hearse. Classic doom metal with Sabbathian grooves and Lemmy-like vokills. This 10-song show was recorded with multiple cameras in Wakefield, UK, marking the 10th anniversary of the band. As additional footage fans receive the whole 'Doom Shall Rise IV' recording from 2006.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
SATOSHI SONODA - MIMI-NUKU (CD/PSF) A wonderful set of psychedelic and experimental sounds from Japanese artist Satoshu Sonoda, recorded in the period 1982-1988. Throughout this collection Sonoda is accompanied by a variety of instruments, ranging from guitars to recorder, ukulele to drums, harmonium to cello, synth to sax, and toy piano to turntables. A very special CD!
NEWS
German reissue label SHADOKS has announced a string of wonderful upcoming titles for the lovers of delightful '60s and '70s obscurities. Among these are the '68 album from Chile's BEAT 4 ('HABIA UNA VEZ' on vinyl - see artwork), and LP's from US early '70s prog/hard rockers MICAH and Zambia's CHRISSY ZEBBY TEMBO & NGOZI FAMILY. Also expected are CD releases of 'Eagle Death' by Spain's CEREBRUM and the s/t long player from US late '60s underground outfit SMACK.
SELECTED PRESS QUOTES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
VIBRAVOID - GRAVITY ZERO (CD-LP/SULATRON) reviewed by André de Waal for IO Pages (translated excerpt) ...well crafted psychedelic spacerock, preferably in long tracks...
STONE BREATH - THE NIGHT BIRDS PSALM (CD/HAND/EYE) reviewed by Marius Roeting for New Folk Sounds (translated excerpt) When it comes to minimalism Stone Breath are masters. Never an instrument or voice too many... The music is diverse, one moment straight ahead, then hypnotising, or rural...
ZONE SIX/VESPERO - THE SPLIT THING (LP-CD/TRANSUBSTANS) reviewed by André de Waal for IO Pages (translated excerpt) ...all things considered, this is an excellent split EP.
KARINA ESP - DETACHMENT (CD/MORC) reviewed by Vital Weekly (excerpt) Atmospheric music of the highest order. reviewed by Terrascope (excerpt) ...a very rewarding collection.
ANNELIES MONSERÉ - NEST (10"/MORC) reviewed by Terascope (excerpt) ...an artist of quality... Simply stunning and essential.
BRAT FARRAR - BRAT FARRAR (LP/P.TRASH-CD/OFF THE HIP) reviewed by Bart Breman for KindaMuzik (translated excerpt) ...a fine tribute to all the fun that simple rock has to offer.
DARXTAR - AGED TO PERFECTION (LP-CD/TRANSUBSTANS) reviewed by André de Waal for IO Pages (translated excerpt) ...one of the first spacerock bands that didn't just imitate Hawkwind, but added some of their own personality...
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
SKEPTICS - THE COMPLETE EARLY YEARS 1965-1969 (CD/GEARFAB) reviewed by Joost Jan Meertens for Planet Trash (translated excerpt) This was a rather versatile group. They mostly had a garage sound, but on their early singles they pretty much followed the British beat bands.
EVOL - EVOL (LP-CD/GEARFAB) reviewed by Marius Roeting for New Folk Sounds (translated excerpt) ...a bit of Buffalo Springfield, an electric take on the Mamas And Papas and, surprisingly, I also hear influences from the Merseybeat sounds of Liverpool.
HOMER - COMPLETE RECORDINGS (CD/GEARFAB) reviewed by Carry Munter for Carrysmusicmachine (translated excerpt) ...this is a CD to cherish.
VARIOUS - BAMBARA MYSTIC SOUL (CD-2LP/ANALOG AFRICA) reviewed by Zak Boerger for Ugly Things (excerpt) ...pretty great stuff!
VARIOUS - A BAG FULL OF FLAMES (LP/PSEUDONYM) reviewed by Doug Sheppard for Ugly Things (excerpt) It's a strong comp, and packaged beautifully...
LIVE
JESSIE EVANS (FANTOMETTE) June 9: Amsterdam, NL (Robodock Festival)
EXCITEMENTS (PENNIMAN) June 29: Brussels, B (Couleur Café) / July 21: Lichtenvoorde, NL (Zwarte Cross) / August 5: Venlo, NL (Parkfestival) / August 5: Roermond, NL (Solar Weekend)
OS HAXIXINS (GROOVIE) September/October t.b.a.
THREE SEASONS (HEADSPIN/TRANSUBSTANS) September t.b.a.
AUTUMN SHADE (STRANGE ATTRACTORS AUDIO HOUSE) September t.b.a.
DEAN ALLEN FOYD (CRUSHER) Autumn/winter t.b.a.
SIENA ROOT (HEAD SPIN, TRANSUBSTANS, a.o.) November 16: Helmond, NL (Lakei) / November 17: Leuven, B (Sojo)
Blog
Previous editions:
17/05/2013 11:28 SPOTLIGHT 401
10/05/2013 11:41 SPOTLIGHT 400
03/05/2013 11:24 SPOTLIGHT 399
29/04/2013 11:15 SPOTLIGHT 398
19/04/2013 11:25 SPOTLIGHT 397
12/04/2013 11:37 SPOTLIGHT 396
05/04/2013 11:19 SPOTLIGHT 395
29/03/2013 11:19 SPOTLIGHT 394
22/03/2013 11:34 SPOTLIGHT 393
15/03/2013 11:23 SPOTLIGHT 392
08/03/2013 11:34 SPOTLIGHT 391
01/03/2013 11:31 SPOTLIGHT 390
22/02/2013 11:12 SPOTLIGHT 389
15/02/2013 11:44 SPOTLIGHT 388
08/02/2013 12:05 SPOTLIGHT 387
01/02/2013 12:37 SPOTLIGHT 386
25/01/2013 11:16 SPOTLIGHT 385
18/01/2013 11:37 SPOTLIGHT 384
11/01/2013 11:25 SPOTLIGHT 383
04/01/2013 11:13 SPOTLIGHT 382
