New Music: Ortrotasce - S/T LP (2014)

Thanks to the generosity of one Mr. Joey Buttons, owner of the relatively new Disko Obscura label, I've been granted early access to the next record to join his line-up of analog synth diamonds -- and it's the bomb.

Ortrotasce is the project of Nic Hamersly who, if you follow contemporary minimal synth artists, you are likely to have heard of by now. After a slew of web releases, a few tapes, and a 7" on FlexiWave, the time has finally come for a full-blown LP. The album represents a collection of tracks that Nic recorded across the US from 2012-2013, now mastered by A.J. Tissian, who has done work for Martial Canterel, Xeno & Oaklander, and Automelodi, just to name a few.

As an avid follower of Ortrotasce's music, I was quite pleased with the selection of tracks for this LP. In my quite humble opinion, Nic is one of the most versatile artists in underground electronic music today. Whether it's minimal, electro, ebm, coldwave, synthpop, cosmic, or even the more post-punk gothic stylings of his other project, Warmline (briefly reviewed here) -- it seems he can do it all. Tip 'o the hat to Disko Obscura for managing to corral and showcase a wide array of stylings, without sacrificing the cohesive feel of an album.

This has easily ranked among my most eagerly awaited releases, and I'm sure many of you already agree. Below you will find 2 free downloads provided exclusively for Crispy Nuggets fans. They do have excellent taste, afterall. The LP should be sent out from the pressing plant to European distros on May 7th, and the remaining copies will ship to Joey out of San Francisco on May 12th, then out to customers on the 16th. Please contact Joey for details. He'll start taking US pre-orders on the 7th! Enjoy!

Track List:

A1. World Un Related (free download!)
A2. Diffuse
A3. New System
A4. Shatter
B1. The Body (free download!)
B2. Losing Mind (listen on Soundcloud)
B3. Expanding Room
B4. Passion
B5. Exit

Please like and support this artist and label:
Ortrotasce on Facebook

Disko Obscura on Facebook 

Bonus! Ortrotasce performing "World Un Related" live at my underground synth night here in Orlando (best viewed in 720p):

(direct YouTube link)

Deathly Quiet! - The Next Step (1987)

Leave it to The Land Down Under to deliver us this creepy-crawly darkwave record. Not much info to be found on this Aussie band, I'm afraid. The only other release I'm aware of came a decade later in 1996, a self-release CD featuring a collection of home recordings. You can hear a few of those over here on their Myspace page. Phew, Myspace! We're really digging way back, deep into the underground now! Enjoy.

Track List:

A - The Next Step
B - Armageddon-READY

Download

New Label: This Statement Records re-issues former Crispy Nuggets post with bonus tracks!

Extremely happy to announce a new release on a brand new label run by a very close friend in Greece called This Statement Records! He's been working his ass off to put together a re-issue of a former 7" posted on this blog, including 3 bonus tracks never heard before! The first release (of hopefully many to come) is for the brilliant UK band Distant Drums. Always been one of my favorite posts here and their brilliant 7" has been a must have for many collectors.

The artwork from the original release has been brilliantly transferred to 12" with some minor edits to include the new material. It really looks stunning, but the transparent blue vinyl is even more gorgeous (also available in standard black... but supplies limited for each!). I was thrilled with the sound of the record, the synths and vocals and bass all come through nice and clear, for every track. There is also an awesome insert on thick, sturdy paper with a great image of the band and bio on the back. Really impressed with every aspect of this release, I must say.

The 3 bonus songs are taken from the only known demo cassette in existence, so thankfully they are preserved in the grooves of vinyl and not lost forever! You can listen to those over on the label's website (links below). 

Facebook

Website

This record is limited to only 303 copies! I hope you like what you hear and support this brand new label. I know he can do great things if he gets off the ground. Thanks for reading, enjoy!

New Artist: Warmline

Haven't promo'd a new artist in a while, might do a few more of these. Odds are you've heard of Warmline if you follow modern acts via various YouTube channels, but I was really impressed with this release as a whole. Take "Revisiting My Dead Soul", for example. But really the entire thing... fantastic stuff. Check it out!

Stigma - Last Japan Dream (1981)

So it's been quite a long time since a new post has been made here, sorry about that! You know, the usual every day life excuses. In any case, here we have a really fun 7" flexi from Japan, featuring the track "Last Japan Dream", which you may be familiar with from a recently released compilation LP called "Various Distractions". I've been digging Japanese stuff more and more lately, and this record did not disappoint. Plenty of drum machine driven angst that should satisfy any lover of early post-punk / coldwave sound. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Last Japan Dream
A2 - Kinzoku Bat
B1 - Sodai Gomi

Download

2000 Plus - The Very First (1986)

 

Today we have an LP from Netherlands that has somehow managed to stay mostly under the radar, until now. A lone self-release by a band who coined their name after an old science fiction radio program. The entire record is clearly influenced by the sci-fi genre, as you'll notice right away from the sonic intro track, Lifebored. Don't let that description put you off, though -- these tracks have a wonderful dark quality to them as well; the sort of perfect dichotomy that I love the most. Don't miss this one, trust me. Enjoy!

Track List:

 A1 - Lifebored

 A2 - Hij Begon

 A3 - Europa

 A4 - Spaces In Time

 A5 - Event

 B1 - Coma

 B2 - The Very First

 B3 - Tension

 B4 - Homewards

Download

 

The 57th Parallel - Rising Sun (1981)

It's been a near synth overload on this blog for a while (if that's possible), so it's time for a post-punk diamond from the UK. Recorded in Cargo Studio and produced by Colin Richardson, each of which are sporting a more than impressive line up of bands under their belt. This 7" offers up 2 brilliant tracks that will fit right in line with your all-time post-punk favorites. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - In This Light
B - Psalm Fifty Seven

Download (re-uploaded with better sound, 8/21/2013)

Lister / Mørkelagt Bevegelse - En Side Hver (1984)

Ok so I've slept on posting this one for a long time now, but here it is (finally!). A split tape from Norway, featuring two artists previously posted on this blog that you can find here and here. The Lister side doesn't offer too much in the way of thrills, but I certainly enjoy Mørkelagt Bevegelse's contributions here. There aren't any other MB releases that I'm aware of, so.. enjoy!

P.S. I have a few great posts lined up, so stay tuned!

Track List:

A1 - Lister - Et Skritt Frem Og Ti Til Siden
A2 - Lister - Another Mt. Fuji
A3 - Lister - Eifantz
A4 - Lister - Paraplylandskap
B1 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - A Loss Of Memories
B2 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - In Need Of Answers
B3 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - They Don't Die, But Still...
B4 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - Compared To An Image

Download

The Valley Forge - Fit To Fall (1986)

The first of two 12" records released by this UK band. The 2nd record was posted by bX here, but since MegaUpload is now sleeping with the fishes, I've re-uploaded it for you here. Details on both records can be found in the reviews on their Discogs pages, presumably left by a former band member. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Fit To Fall (The Mix)
B1 - Escape
B2 - Hope

Download

Various - Incontinence (1984)

Easily one of the scarcest items to surface on this blog. This French cassette was limited to only 100 copies. Despite featuring the likes of well-known bands like Deux, this tape has gone mostly unnoticed. That should change quickly, as this one's rather impressive throughout. The best contributions are that of Collision Expérimentale and the Bauhaus-esque Avant Post, but every band here adds a little something... for everyone. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Dada Neuf - Au Pays Du Coup De Soleil

A2 - Dada Neuf - Tuillage Évolutif

A3 - Deux - Game And Performance

A4 - Deux - Felicita

A5 - Collision Expérimentale - Dans Laid Couloirs

A6 - Collision Expérimentale - Fidêle-Castrè

A7 - Avant Post - The Squealing-Call

A8 - Avant Post - Pongs And Death

B1 - Leda Atomica - No Woman's Land

B2 - Leda Atomica - Etude Du "Houlala"!!!

B3 - Leda Atomica - Jailhouse-Rock

B4 - The Grief - The Torment

B5 - The Grief - Dirty Dance

B6 - Vision Baroque - Leslie

B7 - Vision Baroque - The Death ***

B8 - A Joyce Concept - Voices And Crys ***

*** One mp3, as the tracks run together

Download

Yön - I Dream (1987)

Here we have a 7" that I consider to be one of the 'holy grails' of US minimal synth/wave. I know that term gets thrown around a lot, but this dark-tinged gem sure seems to qualify. It's extremely rare and I'm not sure too many people are aware of its existence yet. There's no cover sleeve version that I'm aware of, and the band members are listed as "Mr. M/Britain", which for me wasn't very telling. The record was released on Tekno-Wave Records in Texas, which has also been a dead end in my search for further info. I've been quite curious about this one so if anyone out there knows anything please speak up! I'll let the sound speak for itself here, instant winners on both sides. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - I Dream
B - Knowledge

Download

Leidenschaft - Leidenschaft (1986)

If I'm honest about it, this is perhaps one of my favorite discoveries to date. Every aspect of this obscure tape leaps out and tugs on each of my musical heartstrings. Leidenschaft were a short-lived but highly undervalued duo from France. I don't know very much about the members, other than their first names: Thierry and Denis. I'm completely unsure if either of them ever were involved in any other projects, but they certainly contributed 3 gems here. The best way I can describe this is if you took the best aspects of Xymox and Echo, then added a drop of French coldwave in the mix. That comparison is best noticed in "The Cities Of The Red Night", an immediately club-ready jam. It's tough, but the hit for me has to be "Who Cares?", which thankfully has a video to go along with it (see below). The last track settles down into a slower but quite beautiful ballad. You're going to love this one. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Who Cares?
A2 - The Cities Of The Red Night
B1 - A Long Way

Download

L'An III - Les Internés De La Raison (1990)

Ultra obscure self-released tape from France. Very dark and upbeat throughout, with a mix of male and female vocals (always a plus). This is the 2nd (and last?) release by the band, the first of which you can get over here. The discogs entry for this tape has an extra track (hand-written in on the image). Not sure if it was intended to be included, but my copy doesn't have it. Maybe someone can shed some light on the matter. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Les Vatours
A2 - No
A3 - Ciel Bleu
A4 - Grida
A5 - Raison
B1 - Mister G
B2 - Place Chinée
B3 - Pas De Ce Monde
B4 - Interdire
B5 - Artistes

Download

Mørkelagt Bevegelse - A View X Another Victim (1983)

An ultra obscure tape from Norway is what's on the menu for today. This dish is quite tasty on it's own, but has been known to have been served with a side of Lister. That meal may be coming out of the kitchen soon, so save room for more. I think you'll enjoy the flavor, which starts out subtly, but picks up rather nicely around bite 4 and never looks back. Don't try to swallow it all at once, give it time to digest properly. And remember, this is a dish best served cold. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Cheers From The Crowd
A2 - Under The 2nd Bridge
A3 - Til De Tvilende
A4 - Every 15 Seconds
A5 - Retrospective
A6 - The Stairs
A7 - Veins
B1 - Another Victim Pt. I
B2 - The Pray
B3 - The Chamber
B4 - The Survival
B5 - The Return
B6 - Four Walls, Too Many People
B7 - Another Victim Pt. II

Download

Fix & Fertig - Wie Der Lichte Tag (1984)

Really nice minimal weirdness from Deutschland. Both male and female vocals set against droning, pulsing minimal beats and clashing percussion. Plenty to enjoy about this peculiar obscurity. There's a band by the same name on Discogs, but nothing other than coincidence would lead me to believe they're related, as the style and sound surely aren't... I suppose it's possible they changed their sound from uber kalt awesomeness to corny garbage, though. Who knows? Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Cube Carrelage Blanc
A2 - We Shall Overcome
A3 - Les Gammas
B1 - Eingesperrt
B2 - Duck Duck

Download

Various Artists - VM Cinque (1986)

Here's a very nice collection of artists from Italy. A 2LP limited to 600 hand-numbered copies, which was included with VM fanzine "5". This will appeal to those who dig classic Italian cold, darkwave style. Suicide Dada is the standout for me by a slim margin, just see"Acque" for my explanation on that. What a track! Check it out and enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Destijl - Il Vaso Di Pandora
A2 - Destijl - La Sfinge
A3 - Destijl - Taiga
A4 - Destijl - Assab
B1 - Suicide Dada - Acque
B2 - Suicide Dada - Grida!
B3 - Suicide Dada - Echi
B4 - Suicide Dada - Porto Sepolto
B5 - Suicide Dada - Waiting For September
C1 - Intolerance - Drugs
C2 - Intolerance - Terminal State
C3 - Intolerance - 24
C4 - Intolerance - Wait And Kill
D1 - Regard - The Empty Day
D2 - Regard - Happy Lifes
D3 - Regard - We Are Here
D4 - Regard - J'aine Le Noir

Download

Horsemen - Mr. Sunrise (1987)

Here we have one of the few projects by the brilliant Norwegian artist, Tor Dybdahl. Also involved in one of my first posts, Clockwork Orange (as well as Downers and The French Connection). All of the aforementioned are featured on an absolutely brilliant LP called "The Temptation Tapes Vol. 1" on Hommage Records. Trust me it's totally worth buying, you can order it here. In any case, this is a true gem from my favorite Norwegian artist. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Mr. Sunrise
B - And I Wish...

Download

Íncubus - A White Lady (1985)

Super obscure minimal synth / coldwave 7" from Southern France. Dark melodic tunes with heavy synth and bass lines. Private pressing with cover art created by the band's guitarist, Guy Audouard. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - A White Lady
B - Tonight

Download

Tora Tora - Antinéa (1987)

This is an amazing 7" out of France that will grab you in the first few seconds. Really compelling, dark, and beautiful synths with female vocals. These are existing mp3s I've had sitting around, and the quality is good on the A-side (which is the better track) and decent on the B-side, but when I'm feeling a bit less lazy I'll re-post a better rip. For now this should do fine. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Antinéa
B - Bébés Athées

Download