Trapdoor Tapes - Winter Releases

It's quite fitting we end the year almost as we started it. Back in January we presented an exclusive mix by an underground Australian label called Trapdoor Tapes. At that time we were relatively unfamiliar with the imprint and the mix and accompanying cassette quickly became a treasured item. Since that time, acts like Military Position , Luke Holland and others have become some of our favorite artists today. We are now pleased to present four new Trapdoor releases for the Winter season and as expected, each brings a unique sound and presentation that does not disappoint.

Body Stress - Insect Politics

A fitting title for the release as it feels as if insects are crawling through your body. This is harsh noise and experimental electronics to a high degree. The screeching sounds of the decaying world will surely penetrate your soul. Limited edition cassette of 70 with a nice blue xerox card.

Hiroshi Hasegawa - Collapsed Amalgam

Brutal post-industrial noise. The corroding atmospheres of this release envelope you and crush your senses. A truly unique and cerebral auditory experience. Limited first edition of 70 copies Pro duplicated cassettes w/ black shells and double sided xerox sage card inlays.

Last Dominion Lost - Mort Aux Chiens

A live document recorded at the Epicurean Escapism Festival 2016. Mort Aux Chiens changes direction and offers an impressive industrial soundtrack filled with haunting vocals and mind-bending electronics. Artwork/design by Luke Holland. First edition pro duplicated cassette w/black shells and double sided xerox parchment card inlays.

Also available is the extremely limited Eraserhead - Blackhole Reversal, which offers Australian harsh noise filth the way it should. The second track is a remix by Luke Holland and the releases comes on recycled tapes with cream xerox cardstock inlay.

All in all, another impressive batch of tapes from one of the best labels operating in the genres of industrial, noise and power electronics. We love the presentation of the releases and the imprint's dedication to the sound. Do not miss these. For more, visit Trapdoor Tapes.

-JRS

Black Pond - Deepest Chasms

No matter what is going on in the world, Beta Evers is a constant. Her strict, frigid beats and soothing voice always make things better. Last year we discovered the German producer would be collaborating with another legend, Eleven Pond's Jeff Galea. The result is a project called Black Pond and it delivers infectious synth and electro-wave that strikes all the right chords.

Out now on Rotterdam's Electronic Emergencies, Deepest Chasms is a four track 12" which perfectly highlight the duo's strengths. "Mind Games (Faster Mix)" starts things off with spine tingling synths and Evers' calming vocals. "Shiver (Minimal Mix)", might be our favorite track on the release, with it's strict German rhythms and also finds Evers singing in her native tongue. "Touch (Instrumental)" is a stellar example of icy synths that transport us to a place of both pleasure and pain. Finally, "The Lake (Ritual Mix)" closes things out with lovely melodies that harken back to our favorite decade. To mark the release, Galea created a great promo video for "Mind Games (Faster Mix)" that you can watch here:

While we are on the subject, it is also worth noting that Beta Evers has also released her very first full length album called Delusion. The CD is out now on Dirk Iven's Daft Records and the vinyl is coming soon on Evers' own Body Volt. The album is filled with brand new minimal synth and dark experimental electronics that pretty much everyone can agree on.

To purchase Deepest Chasms visit Clone and for more information, go to Facebook and Soundcloud.

-JRS

New Releases from Instruments of Discipline

One of our favorite labels continues to be Berlin's Instruments of Discipline. Offering an excellent array of underground electronics, the releases range from the 80's revival of Dominatrix to Impulse Controls' earth shattering techno to Operant's new noise. Come now are two new releases from Bead and Erstwhile. These two tapes provide the perfect winter escape with mind bending analog techno and crushing ambient.

Corrode is the first label affiliated album from Australian artist, Bead. The most recent moniker of J.R. (Termfix), Bead crafts dark, analog techno with an insidious agenda. This album Above the drums, the vast majority of sounds are made from oiled up, lubed up, mic'ed up latex rubber sheet (there is a collection of 303 lines and voice samples). Over the course of 24 hours this was manipulated and recorded in an attempt to immortalize a simple object that has so many aspects. Scattered throughout are also a few recordings of machinery from his workshop. He has recently begun to take knife making seriously, so while making a few blades has recorded the output of the grinders and saws. It was another way of adding personality without using his body directly.

"Slip" opens things up with penetrating rhythms and acidic undertones. "Deconstructing" picks up the pace while infusing industrial saws and other metallic soundscapes over the subtle techno beat. "Slipping" is perhaps our favorite track with its infectious bass, punishing atmosphere and amazing vocal samples. This collection of songs also includes two remixes of "Vial" by System Body and Military Position. Each take the already great track in a new direction which includes System Body's otherworldly production and Military Position's brutal electronic mayhem. Bead has quickly become one of our favorite conceptual techno acts and Corrode is stellar album suitable for industrial fans and warehouse dwellers alike.

Erstwhile is one of the monikers under which Kevin Jansen (Svartvit, Clamor, Qualm, Ratteknaeghen) presents his auditory output. This time around the sounds are rooted in tradition, paying homage to the greats of the eighties through minimal power electronics dirges. Thematically the project deals with the fragility embedded in our everyday lives. On this first cassette Erstwhile tries to come to terms with all that is lost over time instead of dwelling in faux nostalgia of 'better' times.

"1990" kicks things off with grinding, post-industrial waste that is dripping with malaise. "Slow Death" continues the sensory onslaught with speaker splitting noise wall and brooding, distorted vocals. "Visionary" showcases the projects proclivity toward electronic destruction while the final track, "Of Love and Light", closes out the EP with a somber, yet crushing pain. Overall Forgotten Youth is a heavy EP which nicely updates the power electronics and post-industrial sound.

Both tapes are available to order now, shipping out on December 19th. For more, visit Facebook and Soundcloud. If in Australia, also be sure to catch Bead live on December 13th in Melbourne and January 2017 in Sydney.

-JRS

New Brvtalism No. 078

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix from Marc Ash. The Italian-born, Berlin-based artist is behind the emerging label, Blacksilk, as well as performing under the Plovdiv moniker for mutated techno sounds. We featured Plovdiv's stellar release, Golden, earlier this year and Blacksilk promises more standout material including a track featured here. Ash's multi-faceted and controversial relationship with old-school electro, industrial and techno have crafted his unique style, which sees a strong dark current running throughout. New Brvtalism 078 is a finely tuned work of these influences and more.

Golden is out now on Blacksilk and stay tuned for a forthcoming tape from Jose Macabra. For more information visit Facebook and Soundcloud.

-JRS

*cover photo: Kraftwerk Doll, by Ilse Ruppert Circus Krone, Munich, 1981

Track list:

Jose Macabra - London is Dead (upcoming tape BSLK002)
Prurient - I understand you
David Tudor - Pulsers
DsorDne - Chrono
Shoc Corridor - Artificial Horizon
Vainio Vaisanen Vega - Red Light Down
Ontal - Mehanizam
I-f - Envy
Dietrich Schoenemann - Fallen
Chris and Cosey (Fred Giannelli mix) - telepathic exotica
Absurd - Der Akt
Mika Vainio - Vastus
Lag - Nemir
Marc Ash - unreleased upcoming
Umwelt - l’emergence des dames
System 01 - the pleasure principle
Orphx - Undying
Cristian Vogel - Absolute
Legowelt - Are you really so deep
Marie Davidson - I dedicate My life
Spacemen 3 - Revolution

Cult Classic

After all these years there is something about the occult world of Manson-era California that just never quite loses its appeal. Especially when it's done so right, as is the case with the new book, Cult Classic. The first release on the newly launched Viscous Ltd., Cult Classic sees creative director Amy Hood's visions come to life. With stunning photographs from Madison Krieger and a host of striking models, the book harkens back to a time of lurid sex, shocking violence and intense devotion.

What could possess two young beauties to kidnap a Hollywood starlet and drag her bound and gagged into the California desert for ritual sex and human sacrifice? That’s among the questions driving the explosive debut book from VISCOUS Publications.

This enticing publication features such mesmerizing models as Bodhi Rose, Zanah Marie, Diandra Godiva and Ana Corbi, stars of “Cult of the Femme,” the photo story about the kidnapped actress that runs through the book. It’s a tale of wide-eyed girls doped by the lotus of charisma and compelled to capture our young blonde heroine to please their leader. These girls will torture and kill for their queen, oblivious to the outside world.

Available now for pre-order, ships second week of December, just in time for the Holidays! Limited First Edition of 250. 8.5 x 10 in | 56 pages | 100b Text | 4 Color Printing |Heidelberg Sheetfed Press.

If you're in New York, also be sure to catch Amy Hood's new exhibition of deco inspired prints at Okay Space in Brooklyn.

-JRS

VRV 007 - Raíz Remixes

For over a decade, Raíz has been one of the most important projects in West Coast techno. Spreading their unique sound throughout the world on labels like Historia y Violencia, Electric Deluxe, Construct Reform and more recently on their own imprint, VRV. Their Droid Behavior collective is responsible for some of the best events and has become renown for cultivating a stable of talent that has influenced dance music from L.A. to Amsterdam. For the seventh release on VRV, the duo enlisted some of the best local talent to leave their own impressions on Raíz material. The result is a warehouse crushing 12" that offers a vast array of underground sounds.

"Cored 3" finds us caught deep inside an industrial echo chamber with Silent Servant's unique take on EBM-infused techno and heart racing rhythms. Truncate and Drumcell's lauded Cell Injection project takes on "Cored 2" and the result is a futuristic take on pads and dark, dystopian soundscapes. Rounding out the release is Subversive's remix of "Cored 4" which finds rich, soothing melodies and metallic percussion which quickly infects your veins.

As always, all releases include artwork by Raiz / VRV family member and collage artist Vanessa Vargas who's visual interpretations capture the sentiments of the music chosen for this label. VRV continues to do an excellent job elevating the Los Angeles techno sound and we look forward to more releases from the label. If you're in the City of Angels this coming weekend, be sure to check out Raíz open for one of our favorite artists, Rrose at Blk Stk Srs on Saturday, December 10th. VRV 007 is available now on 12" and digital formats.

-JRS

Zosima - "Synchronicity" Video Premiere

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere the music video for "Synchronicity" by Spainish artist Zosima. Directed by the29nov Films, the track comes off the upcoming cassette release, The Brighter The Light, The Darker The Shadow, out on one our favorite labels, Noiztank. "Synchronicity" is grinding post-industrial electronics, fused with rhythmic noise and exotic percussions. The visual accompaniment captures the track's dystopian feel and menacing urban atmospheres.

The Brighter The Light, The Darker The Shadow is the eighth release in Noiztank's already impressive catalog. Following up some of 2016's best releases like Zanias' To the Core and Kareem and Huren's le 17 Janvier Los Angeles, USA, The Brighter The Light... focuses more on experimental electronics with six tracks of dark, crushing soundscapes and cerebral compositions which are both infectious and meditative. This is a recommended release for fans of industrial, noise and even experimental techno. For more information, visit Noiztank.

-JRS

Alvar - Guilt Kollektion

Swedish duo Alvar is comprised of married couple Jonas and Johanna making music inspired deserted places, forgotten houses and old legends from Öland. Their music is a clash between techno, old school Cold Meat Industry records and hard beating electronic body music. Previously known as Alvarets Fyra Ryttare, for the past year the renamed project has quietly released some stellar underground EPs including Resurrection of the Sinner and Gold Ritual II. We heard their tracks pop up on some of our favorite mixes this year including the amazing New Brvtalism No. 059 - Zanias, and it immediately caught our attention. Earlier this month, the duo released its first full length album, Guilt Kollektion, on Dirk Ivens' Daft Records.

"Nordsee" starts things off with a slow burning, tension building sound with ominous vocals that nicely sets the tone for the tracks to come. The Cold Meat inspiration burns brightly through "Walk Among Friends" and the blackened vocals with EBM rhythms on "Ascends the Feelings" immediately infected our speakers. "Diffuse Tomorrow" picks up with the pace with a dance floor ready track that incorporates more techno into the fold and "Gated" continues the pattern with industrial beats that you can't help but move to. One of our favorite tracks on the release is the anthemic, "If This is You," and that bleeds perfectly into the Klinik-inspired "Blodpumparmuskeln".

The tail end of the release features the aggressively charged, EBM smash, "Execute a Man" before winding back down to the dark ambient infused, CMI atmospheres of "Terminal 5" and "Sweden (Red Vote Version)". Overall, Guilt Kollektion is an incredibly impressive array of tracks that shatter genre constraints and take us on fascinating journey through dark electronics. Pick up the CD now via Sleepless Berlin.

-JRS

Alvar. Photo by photo by Katri Heinämäki

Guilt Kollektion tracklist:

1. Nordsee
2. Walk Among Friends
3. Ascends the Feelings
4. Knuckle Duster
5. Diffuse Tomorrow
6. Gated
7. If This is You
8. Blodpumparmuskeln
9. To Give in
10. Wunde
11. Execute a Man
12. Terminal 5
13. Sweden (Red Vote Version)

The Brvtalist Premieres: Alex Barnett - Lattitudes (ft. Haley Fohr)

The Brvtalist is proud to premiere a new track from Chicago-based artist Alex Barnett. With stellar releases on Jealous God (as Champagne Mirrors) and Blackest Ever Black (as Barnett & Coloccia), Barnett returns with a solo effort (with the vocal accompaniment from Haley Fohr) for the upcoming DKA Tape Programme.

Being released on December 15th, this is a huge compilation from one of the most important labels in the American underground. With contributions from Nick Klein (LIES Records), Rusell E.L. Butler (Opal Tapes/CGI), Prostitutes (Diagonal/CGI), Grey People (CGI), DKA's own TWINS, and many others from the Southeast/Northeast and Midwest, this tape is a tour de force through heavy industrial techno, warped wave, and unhinged experimentation. "Lattitudes" is a great lead track filled with frigid, minimal electronics and ominous atmospheres.

For fans of underground electronics, this compilation is not to be missed. For more information and purchasing, please visit DKA's Bandcamp page.

-JRS

Bouncy Castle

Between the holidays and the state of the world, it's pure madness right now. To help cope, The Brvtalist is proud to feature a new mix from Los Angeles-based artist Friend X. Bouncy Castle Mix is a rave approved selection of hardcore, gabber, trap and original edits for 30 minutes of pure bliss. The mix comes in support of the event of the same name, presented by Blk Rainbow and happening tomorrow, November 26th at The Lash.

This will be the first of a monthly event series aimed at capturing the nostalgia and purity of the old LA rave scene while updating it for the future. It will also be the first local party to feature virtual reality (by Jonathan Sims) as well as a photo booth and a whole host of great DJs. Get ready with the mix now:

For more information, visit the event page and we will see you at The Lash tomorrow.

-JRS