The initial comparison would be to BURZUM due to the intense and dramatically screamed vocals, however here the similarity ends as the compositions themselves have a far more modern edge. The album itself combines two main contrasting themes; as you would expect there are elements of depression, negativity, loneliness, fear, sadness, alienation. However, there is also an underlying element of hope, personal strength, and confidence that counteracts these dark emotional subjects. Therefore, “Par un Sourire” isn’t one of those albums that will drain all colour and life from everything in the way that the most vehement of Suicidal Black Metal bands tend to; it has a multi-dimensional approach that inspires thought rather than just simply a sense of crushing emptiness. BONJOUR TRISTESSE has more in common with bands such as AUSTERE, ISOLATION, HYPOTHERMIA, WIGRID, AMESOEURS, ANWECH and LIFELOVER for example. There is of course a strong depressive theme present throughout the release, but it is approached from a different angle that relies more upon the re-telling of a story or the communication of ideas as opposed to overt shock tactics used to appeal to the basic human need for negation.

Considering that this is a CD-R demo release, it has a clear and professional sound throughout. The guitar arrangements are atmospheric, with a warm clean tone. The guitars are a similar tone to LIFELOVER or later SHINING whereby there is more focus on the actual songwriting as opposed to murky distortion, and this is no disadvantage as BONJOUR TRISTESSE are skilled at creating narrative through dark passages and melodies. There is also the inclusion of samples that adds to the overall effect of the release, featuring the voice of a depressed, distressed girl speaking in German. BONJOUR TRISTESSE also make good use of double bass drums, which are successful at adding character to the release and also a slightly upbeat, groovy quality that contrasts nicely to the suicidal passages to be heard throughout. “Par un Sourire” has a dualistic quality that holds the attention consistently and always offers interesting stylistic twists and carefully constructed cathartic atmospheres. BONJOUR TRISTESSE have obviously put a great deal of thought and skill into “Par un Sourire” and the rewards are most certainly reaped in this release; the term “relief through release” is an ideal description and well worth experiencing for yourself.

Entry open to anyone in the area, or able and willing to travel.
Simply send an email to ttr@todestrieb.co.uk with the following subject:
Free Ghast Ticket Draw
No purchase or registration necessary.

September 21, 2010
The Marquee
23 Cattle Market Street
Norwich
Doors: 7.30

GHAST
With support from:
Dead Existence
HellSteed
Thade
Organ Grinder

* The venue do not send out printed tickets. We will pay for your entry – your name will be on the admittance list.

Click here for more gigs

After more than a decade away from the scene, Goat has returned. Goat was the true mastermind behind the lyrical, musical, and visual content of the original Von. When Von was first active, Goat constructed the entire sonic and symbolic world that was Von. Now, Goat has summoned the same malefic energies that impelled him then for his new project called Von Goat. Though the realm that Von Goat explores differs from that of Von, there are elements that remain consistent. To be sure, Von Goat is a different band (different from both the “Satanic Blood” era Von, as well as the recent incarnation of the band). Von Goat represents years of anguish coalesced and focused into these new songs. The sound that Von Goat attains is specific to the acute focus on the decay and degeneration of the human mind. It is a sound that reflects a hallucinatory and narcotic sickness of the consciousness and spirit. As such, the songs Goat presents here fuse elements of Death and Black metal in a novel way. An anxious and nightmarish psychedelia permeates the tracks and takes the listener deeper into the dementia depicted in the songs. Although not as repetitious and trance-inducing as Von (or even Sixx), the riffs on this album tap into the same resevoir of darkness. Von Goat’s approach, however, is more active and chaotic. Interestingly, Goat’s time away from the underground metal scene contributes to the impact of the album. Unlike much of the music released recently, Von Goat is not derivative. There is no attempt made to ape either the classic sound of Von or any of the myriad trends running their course in the current scene. Finally, it bears repeating that Von Goat is not the same as the new Von. Von Goat is a project that has been in the works long before any resurrection of Von. It is instead a refraction of the baleful spectrum of sounds and ideas that emanate from the mind of its creator. Those expecting to hear a pointless regurgitation of old ideas will be disappointed. However, one must also recall that, during their brief existence, Von was overlooked because listeners failed to acknowledge the merit in the conceptual and aesthetic underpinnings of the band’s approach. Similarly, many who listen to Von Goat may naively dismiss it, but those that delve deeper into the hidden dimensions of Von Goat will find new manifestations of despair and darkness unlike any other.

ETERNAL POWER
BOMB THE REST
UNACCOUNTABLE RICHES
DID ME BEST

YOU FUCKNG DIED IN HIDING AT THE AGE 46!

H/A

ETERNAL WINTER
BODIES COLD
MIND SUFFERS
SKIN IS OLD

[ Calcutta's Bones from the forthcoming currently untitled album ]

21 September – The Marquee, Norwich
1 October – Gifford Arms, Wolverhampton

UK Mini-tour with: Skaldic Curse, Primitive Graven Image, Throes

8 October – The Unicorn, London – Doors: 8pm, FREE entry
9 October – The Asylum 2, Birmingham – Doors: 7.30pm, £5 entry + Towers of Flesh
10 October – The Croft (front room), Bristol – Doors: 6.30pm, £5 entry + Rosicrucian

15 October – Le Pub, Newport, Wales
24 October – Bannermans, Edinburgh, Scotland

These dates coincide with the release of Ghast’s new record – Terrible Cemetery – which should be ready and available during September. So you can order from us or from the band at the gig!

You can see footage from previous gigs in the Video section.

Related show

• Artist: Ghast
• Tour: October 2010 Mini-Tour
• Date: Friday, October 8th 2010
• Time: 8:00pm
• City: Ghast in London
• Venue: The Unicorn
• Address: 227 Camden Road, Camden, NW1 9AA
• Country: United Kingdom
• Admission: Free
• Notes: UK Mini-tour with: Skaldic Curse, Primitive Graven Image, Throes
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

• Artist: Ghast
• Tour: October 2010 Mini-Tour
• Date: Saturday, October 9th 2010
• Time: 7:30pm
• City: Ghast in Birmingham
• Venue: The Asylum 2
• Address: 41 Hampton Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B19 3LS
• Venue phone: 01212331109
• Country: United Kingdom
• Admission: £5
• Box office: 01212331109
• Buy tickets
• Notes: UK Mini-tour with: Skaldic Curse, Primitive Graven Image, Throes + Towers of Flesh
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

• Artist: Ghast
• Tour: October 2010 Mini-Tour
• Date: Sunday, October 10th 2010
• Time: 6:30pm
• City: Ghast in Bristol
• Venue: The Croft
• Address: 117-119 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RW
• Venue phone: 0117 987 4144
• Country: United Kingdom
• Admission: £5
• Buy tickets
• Notes: UK Mini-tour with: Skaldic Curse, Primitive Graven Image, Throes + Rosicrucian
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

CLOACA have an eclectic approach to Doom Metal, combining elements of Post-Rock, Post-Metal, chilling dark ambience and claustrophobic, monolithic, subtly industrialized soundscapes. As in the case of HATEFUL ABANDON; CLOACA are one of those bands that walk their own path & can’t just be shoved into a category along with everything else. Their experimental approach is genre-defying and should appeal to those who appreciate music which challenges boundaries without compromising on sound, technique or heaviness. CLOACA could be described as a combination of “Oceanic” era ISIS, “The Eye of Every Storm” era NEUROSIS, and GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR!, with the blackened edge of later DEATHSPELL OMEGA and ENSLAVED. The tracks on offer here gradually build and shift in intensity becoming heavier and ever more suffocating like all the best examples of Post-Rock / Post-Metal you will hear, however also reaching the dizzying heights of heaviness that rivals stalwarts of Doom such as ELECTRIC WIZARD at times. CLOACA also have the added individual touches of having cold, blackened screamed vocals, spoken samples, soaring ambience that chills and fires the imagination in equal measure plus an industrial precision that adds a bleak twist to the overall atmosphere. It’s also worth mentioning that the term “industrial” used here should not be taken too literally, it is more a reference to atmosphere than technique. For example; CLOACA features soundscape elements that have more in common with the unearthly ambient works of DARKSPACE and does not fit into the stereotypical mould of “Industrial”.

Fans of bands including NADJA, ASVA, WEAKLING, CULT OF LUNA, GOJIRA, VELVET CACOON, MOGWAI, MONO, CELESTIAL SEA, and the aforementioned bands should not hesitate to experience CLOACA. “Ghost Town” is an ideal choice for open-minded Metallers and also enthusiasts of unusual, sophisticated gloom.

These reissues include an enhanced booklet with new sleeve notes, and each has a second disc with rare demo material, peel session, b-sides. Some never released before on CD.

• BYE002CD DET SOM ENGANG VAR
• BYE003CD HVIS LYSET TAR OSS
• BYE004CD BURZUM / ASKE
• BYE005CD FILOSOFEM
• BYE006CD DAUDI BALDRS
• BYE007CD HLIDSKJALF

November 12, 2010
The Marquee
23 Cattle Market Street
Norwich (MAP)

Doors: 7.00 |

Headlining
Hateful Abandon

Support Bands
Cloaca
Life in the Dark
Sleeping Peonies
Maths

Related show

• Artist: Hateful Abandon
• Date: Friday, November 12th 2010
• Time: 7:00pm
• City: Hateful Abandon in Norwich
• Venue: The Marquee
• Address: 23 Cattle Market Street
• Venue phone: 07909228373
• Country: United Kingdom
• Admission: £5.50
• Age restrictions: Over 18
• Box office: 01603 508050
• Buy tickets
• Notes: Support Bands: Cloaca, Life in the Dark, Sleeping Peonies, Maths
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Life in this game, is a life with no place. The sin of a Bitch is a sin, and no grace.

[ Livin' on the Highway from Your Place or Mine; 2005 self-released ]

UPDATE: The album title has been confirmed: MONEY BASTARD SOUL

Originally released on CD by Todestrieb records in 2008. Flenser is very proud to release this monument to black doom.
The double vinyl release also contains the Ghast tracks off of the split with Helvette released on War Flagellation in 2007. The vinyl cut of these demo tracks sounds unbelievable and is the highlight of this release.

Related show

• Artist: Ghast
• Date: Tuesday, September 21st 2010
• Time: 7:30pm
• City: Ghast in Norwich
• Venue: The Marquee
• Address: 23 Cattle Market Street
• Venue phone: 07909228373
• Country: United Kingdom
• Admission: £6.50
• Age restrictions: Over 16
• Box office: 01603 508050
• Buy tickets
• Notes: Support Bands: Dead Existence, Hellsteed, Thade, Organ Grinder.
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Video from Hateful Abandon’s debut live performance is available here.

The overall style could be described as a combination of atmospheric ambient Black Metal, Shoegaze, Post-Rock and Dream-Pop. Bands such as ALCEST, BURZUM, early FORGOTTEN WOODS, JOYLESS, LYRINX, ISOLATION, AUSTERE, VELVET CACOON, NUIT NOIRE, WRATH OF THE WEAK, LONESUMMER, TARANTEL, EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, & AMESOEURS come to mind while listening. In light of this; supporters of the aforementioned bands would be well-advised to experience “Rose Curl, Sea Swirl” as they would surely enjoy the release greatly. However, SLEEPING PEONIES add other characteristics to this already highly effective art-form. For example; as in the case of NUIT NOIRE, the sound also has unusual punky characteristics especially when it comes to vocal delivery. The vocals may be described as being of the BURZUMic variety; emotionally screamed & reverberated, however, vocally SLEEPING PEONIES also bring to mind Screamo / D.I.Y. Punk bands such as MATHS (UK), ORCHID, & CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE. These sort of eccentric details add to the overall atmospheres present & also the ability of the release to transport the imagination to other realms. SLEEPING PEONIES has an adept skill at storytelling & translating memories through both music and lyrics & throughout the release the listener can explore an isolated, beautiful and dream-filled nautical world that VELVET CACOON themselves would be proud of.

This is outsider Black Metal at its best; a warm, bassy, blistering wall-of-sound, interlaced with raw, honest emotion, subtle ambience, atypical varied tempo drumming, epic soaring melodies, somber piano pieces, haunting female vocals and most of all a real sense of artistry, personality & imagination. “Rose Curl, Sea Swirl” consists of seven tracks that are guaranteed to take you on a subconscious journey. Amazing!

[ Memory of Main from "split w/ Nekromantheon" 7"; out May 18 on Duplicate ]

The album is interesting firstly in that it combines recognisable song structures that hark back to the earlier days of XASTHUR whilst also encompassing new ideas and techniques. For example; I am reminded of early albums such as “Nocturnal Poisoning” as “Portal of Sorrow” features similarly unsettling compositions that take those unexpected paths that makes XASTHUR such compelling and obsessive listening. This is where “All Reflections Drained” was not so successful as despite it being a well-composed and thoroughly listenable release, the sense of character was not so prominent. I remember reading an interview with Malefic years ago about the way in which he composes songs and (if my memory serves correctly); a sequence of notes will be arranged & then re-written or played differently so that they appear to sound “wrong”. I find this notion of songwriting fascinating because it defies convention whilst also challenging the traditional concepts of composing music. This twisting of the song-structures makes for an original sound and those notes that are adapted to sound “wrong” actually result in music that sounds everything but wrong as anyone who supports XASTHUR will know all too well. So, aside these lugubrious and broken melodies, there are also new features added to the XASTHUR formula. Firstly there is the addition of female vocals which add a great deal to the overall atmosphere and effectiveness of the release. Marissa Nadler provides an elegantly sung and ethereal vocal resulting in the album having a truly unearthly and hypnotic effect. Boston singer/song-writer Marissa Nadler has talent in her own right, producing a spine-tingling brand of acoustic Dark Folk for her solo releases; her vocalisations combined with the talents of Malefic therefore work amazingly well. Bands such as WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, UNHOLY, BLOODY PANDA, and ASVA have used beautifully sung female vocals in their music in a similarly convincing manner.

“Portal of Sorrow” is also a more organic and abstracted release. For example; throughout the album there is an almost Neo-Classical approach considering the use of occasional deep and velvety narrations, melancholic piano pieces, subtle experimentation with found sound sounds / sampling, cold ambience and soaring soundscapes in addition to the fuzzy and distorted guitars. At times the tempo of the music is also drastically slowed down and so the music is more depressive, funereal and grand than ever.

In short; Malefic concludes the chapter of XASTHUR with an outstanding album, combining cult signature style and brooding sense of underlying horror with bold new innovations. This release may not be for everyone but is most definitely one for cult followers!