SPK had an incredible beginning as one of the brutal first wave of Industrial Music, then dissolved into a dance mess with a couple of utterly forgettable albums. Their swansong, however, is about as sublime as Dead Can Dance was at their best. Zamia Lehmanni: Songs of Byzantine Flowers would be a bridgeway for Graeme Revell to go into soundtrack music, which he is still doing to this day.
Gothic
[Video] Lead Into Gold – A Giant On Earth
Though Ministry was always seen, rightly or wrongly, as Al Jourgensen’s band, it’s not fair to say that he was the only talent in the group. Bassist Paul Barker used Lead Into Gold as a vehicle for his own creative output. It’s a shame he didn’t do more with it.
[Sample] Gaetir The Mountainkeeper – Rúnatal
Many thanks to Alexander Wolf, who posted this on one of the many fora I visit daily. Though I think calling this music ‘epic neo-folk doom’ is a bit banal under normal circumstances, it might actually work to describe this music rather well.
Gaetir The Mountainkeeper are going to be interesting to follow up on, though, at least according to Google, there’s no further information about the band.
[Video] Camerata Mediolanense – Il Lupo
I was first exposed to Camerata Mediolanense around 1995, thanks to a distribution company sending some promos from New York. This Italian band ended up becoming one of the leading lights of the Martial Industrial movement.
[Video] Current 93 – When The May Rain Comes
No May Day parade rubbish for me, thanks. Just a bit of apocalyptic folk to pass the beginning of the month.
It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been 30 years since I first heard Current 93. David Tibet’s voice still sounds as spry and mystical as ever.
Thanks to Thomas Bittner, who posted this in the Current 93 Fan Group over on Facebook.
[Article] The Video For “Love Will Tear Us Apart” Was Filmed 35 Years Ago Today
Has it really been that long? I’ll be turning 45 in a couple of months, and reading this story reminds me of how much time has zipped by. I still remember hearing this at around 13 years old, thanks to an uncle who was into New Wave music at the time. I was instantly mesmerized, as I was when I had first heard New Order a few months previous.
Thanks to Post-Punk.com for the trip down memory lane.
[Video] Karjalan Sissit – Kapitulieren? Nein!
Surrender? Never? Why would you if the ambient music you make is as brutal as that of Karjalan Sissit?!
[Video] Irfan – Otkrovenie
Dead Can Dance are responsible for a flowering of ethereal music. From labels like Projekt Records to incredible bands, like Irfan, who hail from Bulgaria, they’ve opened the doors to some truly beautiful music.
[Video] Joy Division – Colony ( Peel Session – 1979)
Joy Division always sounded amazing in the studio. During their sessions for John Peel, they were even more powerful, as the gloss of Martin Hannett was replaced by a raw, stripped-down version of a classic tune.
[Video] Roses Never Fade – Fade To Black
Focused, raw Apocalyptic Folk from Roses Never Fade, a band who carries the spirit of acts like American Neofolk legends such as Changes and good British psychedelic folk music like Comus.