mementomori

 "It’s impossible for me to faithfully reconstruct the setlist... but the performance flows beautifully, between the enchanting and the soporific."

 "Bravo Tony!, still touring the globe to play for the few fools who come to see you: as long as there are people who play with heart like you, music will have meaning!"

The 2007 Sol Invictus concert at Siddharta delivered a rewarding and emotionally charged live experience. Tony Wakeford’s solid and expressive vocals complemented a setlist mixing classic tracks with new folk-oriented material. Despite notable lineup absences, the performance was impeccable, producing intimate and epic atmospheres. The review also contrasts Sol Invictus with Current 93 and Death in June, highlighting the uniqueness of each act’s live presence. Overall, the concert reflects Wakeford's enduring artistry and heartfelt connection with his fans. Discover the haunting beauty of Sol Invictus live—listen to the concert and experience timeless apocalyptic folk.

 Paradoxically, what makes this album special is Balance’s vocal performance, imbued with an unprecedented intimacy and fragility, such that there is almost the impression that the artist is singing his own death.

 An album that, with all its flaws, perfectly ascends to the role of tribute to a crucial artist in the recent history of music.

The Ape Of Naples is a touching posthumous release from Coil that captures the intimate and melancholy final moments of John Balance's voice. Despite being a compilation of unfinished material, the album benefits from Peter Christopherson's careful production, delivering a cohesive and stylistically coherent work. Highlights include emotionally powerful tracks that merge dark wave, synth-pop, and experimental sounds. While some moments feel like filler, the album stands as a sincere and heartfelt farewell, rich in atmosphere and artistic depth. Listen to Coil's The Ape Of Naples to experience a deeply emotional and haunting farewell from a musical legend.

 The nightclub, a place of bewilderment and perdition, is the temple where Balance and Christopherson’s new sacrifice is consumed.

 What instills fear in Coil’s art is the clarity and rationality with which the craziest acts are carried out, just like a serial killer, with method and rigor.

Coil's 'Love's Secret Domain' marks a bold shift from their 1980s sound, embracing acid house and hallucinogenic techno influences. The album crafts a dark, drug-fueled nightclub atmosphere full of paranoia and excess. While not reaching the heights of 'Horse Rotorvator,' it remains a richly textured and hauntingly personal work. The diverse instrumentation and guest contributions enrich this avant-garde journey through chaos and desire. A must-listen for fans of experimental and industrial music. Dive into Coil's hallucinogenic soundscape—listen to 'Love's Secret Domain' and explore its dark, secret worlds.

 The album is produced by Jim Thirlwell, one of the greatest minds in industrial music ever.

 Coil’s music is no longer a mere metaphor for reality, but rather represents an escape from this reality.

Coil's debut full-length album 'Scatology' (1984) delves into dark, avant-garde industrial music infused with gothic and esoteric themes. The album's provocative cover art symbolizes free sexual expression, institutional rebellion, and artistic depth. Produced by Jim Thirlwell and influenced by early industrial pioneers, it combines unsettling atmospheres with psychoanalytic depth. Notable tracks showcase a mix of raw 1980s sounds, gothic textures, and haunting vocal performances, representing Coil’s unique post-industrial vision. Dive into Coil's 'Scatology' and explore a dark journey through avant-garde industrial and gothic soundscapes.

 The most paradoxical album of Death in June: musically the most harmless and lyrically most ruthless.

 Pearce is apocalyptic folk. And it cannot be otherwise, even if his music is no longer crossed by those existential lacerations of the past.

Rose Clouds Of Holocaust revisits the sound of its predecessor with less innovation but greater sincerity. It marks a phase of calm for Douglas P., whose music is now more minimal and contemplative. The album balances harsh lyrical themes with gentle melodies, showcasing Pearce’s unique artistic evolution. Tracks like the title song and Luther’s Army stand out as highlights. This album represents a refined, intellectual, and thoroughly apocalyptic folk statement. Listen to Rose Clouds Of Holocaust and experience the haunting minimalism and paradoxical beauty of Death In June’s iconic sound.

 "Take Care & Control sounds 100% like Death in June, carrying with it the visions, ghosts, and moods that have always characterized Death in June's music."

 "Douglas P.'s is a lesson in integrity, coherence, and strict rigor, and the notes of Death in June here express the necessity to pursue an ideal of purity, the strength to resist and not to yield."

‘Take Care & Control’ marks a pivotal shift for Death in June, moving towards a harsh martial industrial sound through collaboration with Albin Julius. Despite signs of creative fatigue from Douglas Pearce, the album stands out for its originality, profound themes of solitude, war, and existentialism, and a rare glimpse into the artist’s personal identity. The work balances haunting atmospheres with technical mastery, creating an enduring and complex piece within the band’s discography. Dive into Death in June’s boldest album and experience the raw fusion of martial industrial and haunting existential art.

 "The World That Summer manages to gain in conceptual coherence and atmosphere despite being less inspired than Nada!."

 "The peak of the work is undoubtedly the exhaustive quarter-hour of 'Death of a Man,' a masterfully directed chaos escalation tracing human futility."

The World That Summer (1986) marks a key stage in Death In June's journey into apocalyptic folk, with more focused and coherent themes than its predecessor Nada!. Featuring Douglas Pearce solo and contributions from David Tibet, the album blends dark, esoteric atmospheres with industrial and folk influences. Highlights include the epic 'Death of a Man,' an intense exploration of human futility. Though not flawless, it reveals Pearce's profound emotional and conceptual depth. Dive into The World That Summer to experience the dark evolution of Death In June’s apocalyptic folk sound.

 "Till the living Flesh is Burned... is destined to become an immortal classic of the band and already seems able to represent the artist’s poetics with its harrowing monotony and the use of esoteric symbolism."

 "The Guilty Have No Pride... offers successful solutions and notable points of interest, especially where distinctive features are already in embryonic stage that will make the Death in June music famous."

The review highlights Death In June's 1983 mini-album 'The Guilty Have No Pride' as a foundational release blending raw post-punk with emerging apocalyptic folk. It discusses the band's unusual use of warlike imagery as a provocative artistic choice and outlines the distinct contributions of the founding members. Tracks are analyzed to show the album’s mix of experimental noise, dark acoustics, and martial rhythms. Despite being an early work, the album hints at the band's future direction and lasting influence in underground music. Dive into the roots of apocalyptic folk—listen to The Guilty Have No Pride and discover Death In June’s dark and innovative early sound.

 "Inferno stands as the band’s unsurpassed masterpiece, marking their definitive embrace of the metallic universe."

 "The sound of the new Lacrimosa is... imposing and elegant like a Gothic cathedral, oppressive at times, but also majestic and full of evocative atmospheres."

Lacrimosa's album Inferno marks a pivotal moment, blending symphonic metal with dark, theatrical, and melancholic tones. The addition of Anne Nurmi enriches the band's sound, creating an elegant and majestic musical experience. Each track stands out as a masterpiece, showcasing sophisticated arrangements and emotional intensity. The album is praised as Lacrimosa's peak work, defining their artistic identity and setting high standards for their future releases. Explore Lacrimosa’s Inferno and immerse yourself in a symphonic metal journey like no other.

 The matchless guitar of Michael Cashmore returns, lavishing class and expertise abundantly, making us dream as always with its magical and crystalline arpeggios.

 Ian Read seems to improve with age, and this 'Birdking' is the clear example.

Birdking by Fire + Ice revisits the acoustic folk style with sophisticated arrangements and stellar contributions from prominent neo-folk artists. The album shines through Michael Cashmore's immaculate guitar work and improved production, though it offers few new ideas for longtime fans. Ian Read’s sincere and consistent artistry is evident throughout this well-crafted collection of songs, recommended especially for those seeking a deep, intimate listening experience. Listen to Birdking by Fire + Ice and immerse yourself in timeless neo-folk mastery today.