NORDVARGR “Resignation IV” CD / LP / DL (242nd Cycle)Nordvargr Announces the Release of Resignation 4, the Fourth Installment in the Resignation SeriesSwedish dark ambient and experimental artist Nordvargr (Henrik Nordvargr Björkk) is set to release the highly anticipated Resignation 4, continuing his sonic journey through rhythmic, atmospheric, and melancholic soundscapes. Building on the foundation laid by the Resignation trilogy, Resignation 4 expands the project’s signature blend of techno-inspired beats, dark ambient textures, and hypnotic soundscapes.A Continuation of Sonic ExplorationResignation 4 picks up where the acclaimed 2022 Resignation box set left off, offering a deeper dive into Nordvargr’s evolving sound. The album maintains one foot firmly in the techno scene, while also embracing moments of eerie calm and reflective melancholy. It is an album where rhythmic pulses and deep atmospherics converge, presenting a sound that is at once mesmerizing and abrasive, pushing the boundaries of electronic music.This latest chapter sees Nordvargr taking his unique grasp of genre fusion even further, blending ambient melancholia with hard-edged, rhythmic elements. Fans of both experimental electronics and the fringes of techno will find Resignation 4 to be a captivating continuation of his visionary work. Origins and Evolution of the Resignation SeriesThe Resignation project began in 2008 as an exploration of rhythmic, repetitive music paired with dark ambient soundscapes. It was born from a collaboration between Nordvargr and Nils Ekholm, merging techno-inspired beats with samples from old 78 RPM records. The first album in the series was described as “techno, if invented in the late 1800s,” drawing inspiration from the ill-fated 1897 North Pole expedition by S.A. Andrée.Over the years, the project has grown, with each album taking a distinct direction—ranging from dubby techno atmospheres to harsher, noisier electronic soundscapes—culminating in the haunting, cinematic experience that is Resignation 4. Along the way, the project has evolved from its early experimental roots into a genre-defying force, standing at the crossroads of ambient, techno, and industrial music.A Look Back at the TrilogyThe Resignation trilogy was re-released in 2022 as a deluxe box set, remastered with unique and exclusive material, including previously unheard demo recordings and bonus tracks. This set offered listeners a complete exploration of the project’s evolution, from the early rhythmic ambient experiments to the harder, more distorted sounds of later volumes. Note that the quickly sold out 3CD has now been repressed.Tracks like Totem Visitations, originally composed for a Polish film soundtrack, showcased Nordvargr’s ability to craft immersive sonic environments that complement the darker edges of film and narrative.Looking Forward: Resignation 4With Resignation 4, Nordvargr continues to refine his signature style, exploring new territories of sound and emotion. This album promises to be a highlight of his prolific career, offering a bold and dynamic listening experience for fans of experimental and rhythmic electronic music.Release Formats and ArtworkThe album will be available in multiple formats: •Vinyl: Edition of 300 copies. 100 Special Edition on Marbled Brown & Black vinyl and 200 copies on Black vinyl. Printed Innersleeve and matte lamination. 9 Tracks. Running Time 39:57 EAN: 3770033798171 •CD: Edition of 300 copies in 4 panel Digipak, matte lamination. 9 Tracks. Running Time 39:57 EAN: 770033798164The stunning album artwork and photography are created by Sandrine Pelletier, capturing the stark, otherworldly aesthetic of the Resignation series.Resignation 4 continues Nordvargr’s exploration of the balance between beauty and brutality, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a world where atmospheric depth meets rhythmic intensity. Release Date November 29 2024 EERIÆRMOR “s/t” CD / DL (263d Cycle)Eeriærmor (E:Æ:R) is the very personal and immersive new sound mapping motif of Kevin Gan Yuen (Sutekh Hexen, CTE, etc.). Conceptually E:Æ:R honors memory and the moment via granular synthesis sculpture, utilizing detailed dynamic frequency layering techniques.This stunning full-length debut offering is a powerful emotional imprint, guiding the listener from states of liminal ecstasis to expressing unification of beauty and brutality.EERIÆRMOR explores the space between memory and the present moment, sculpting sound with raw emotional energy and a meticulous attention to atmospheric detail. The album’s seven tracks create a deeply immersive experience, moving from states of liminal ecstasy to contemplative meditations on the mysteries of existence. Each track is a testament to Gan Yuen’s dedication to atmosphere and emotional intensity.The creation of EERIÆRMOR emerged from a period of deep contemplation and personal reassessment for Kevin Gan Yuen. After stepping away from music for sometime, Gan Yuen found himself re-engaging with unused musical equipment, experimenting with unfamiliar configurations, and channeling his emotional turmoil into sound. What began as a creative experiment evolved into a transformative musical process, helping Gan Yuen reconnect with his art and himself.“Through strict parameters and the conviction to ‘create something from nothing,’ music healed me once again,” Gan Yuen shares. EERIÆRMOR represents both a healing process and a new creative chapter for Gan Yuen, blending experimental electronic music with a newfound mastery of guitar techniques. CD Edition of 300 copies in 6 panel Digisleeve, matt lamination. 7 Tracks. Running Time 41:40 EAN: 3770033798188 Release Date October 31 2024 LEILA ABDUL-RAUF “Calls from a Seething Edge” CD / LP / DL (262nd Cycle)“Wartime never began… never did it end.”The world is on edge.Leila Abdul-Rauf, acclaimed for her evocative and boundary-pushing soundscapes, announces the release of her latest album, Calls from a Seething Edge. Since her previous release Phantasiai in 2021, Abdul-Rauf has navigated a world transformed by pandemic emergence, ongoing global conflicts, the resurgence of widespread fascism, and ecological destruction. This new album is a powerful reflection of these immense global and personal upheavals.Calls from a Seething Edge questions whether an alternative to our destructive ways of operating is possible on a mass level or if they are an inescapable part of the human condition. Moving away from the ambient dreamscapes of her previous works, this album embraces a more epic and rhythmic approach, introducing elements of folk and industrial music. Each note is intentional, articulate, and exposed, creating a sonic journey that is both vast and intimate.This ambitious project features contributions from several talented musicians:Gregory C. Hagan (ex-Common Eider, King Eider, ex-Thomas Carnacki) provides viola solos that backbone and bookend the album.Derrick Vella, guitarist from Tomb Mold and Dream Unending, adds his prowess on acoustic guitar.Sam Foster (ex-Saros, ex-Weakling) contributes hand percussion and additional drum sampling.Ryan Honaker (Ionophore, Betterthief) enriches the sound with violin.Vincent van Veen (Kali Ra) brings depth with electric cello and upright bass.Ed Lloyd Grey adds texture with acoustic upright bass.Sammy Fielding of Ancient Owl Audio masterfully mixed the album, ensuring each layer of synth, horn, drum, choir, and string quartet could be fully realized. The enigmatic photography gracing the album’s cover is by psychoanalyst, artist, and poet Terrance McLarnan. Mastering by frederic Arbour at Cyclic Law Mastering. Release DetailsCalls from a Seething Edge will be available in both CD and Vinyl formats via Cyclic Law (CD/LP) & Syrup Moose (CD/CS) CD Edition: Limited to 300 copies in a 6-panel digisleeve with matte lamination. EAN: 3770033798140 Vinyl Edition: Limited to 100 copies in marbled black and white, and 100 copies in black in gatefold LP sleeve. EAN: 3770033798157 Release Date: October 11 2024 |