| CAMILLA PISANI “Phant[as]” CD / DL (AES005) Italian Audio / Visual artist Camilla Pisani joins us with her new album Phant[as]. Imagined as a lucid nightmare, fuelled by her various inner struggles, it is a trip into the depths of imagination. The project is inspired by Phantasmagoria, a form of theatre that was most popular in Paris in the 18th century, in which images of skeletons, demons and ghosts were projected onto walls and/or sheets. During these performances, there was a rapid succession of lights, smoke, illusions, ghosts and spectres that deceived and amazed the audience.The album then revolves around the concept of “illusion” to be understood as a succession of images, sounds, colours, objects, actions that vividly affect the senses and imagination showing unreal and intangible figures, but still visible and paralysing, just like our fears are. In fact, each track deals with my different turmoils, negative thoughts that have conditioned the last few years of her life and describe uneasy conditions shared by most of her peers (toxic relationships; job insecurity and exploitation; immateriality of the future, translated into frustration, exhaustion/desperation, claustrophobia and a desire to escape; anguish, panic and a sense of powerlessness towards nature and disease).The project is presented as a cathartic experience in which she exorcises her mental ghosts and confronts challenges with the powerful and persuasive weapon that is sound, composed of obsessive rhythms and evanescent atmospheres. Finally, the reference to the Magic Lanterns is linked to her research in the field of audiovisuals, since they were the first performances in which an attempt was made, through the combination of motion graphics, light games and sound, to obtain greater sensorial and emotional involvement with the public. CD Edition of 300 copies in panels Digipak, matt lamination. 9 Tracks. Running Time 69:33 EAN: 0679628554198 Digital Available via Bandcamp |
| DARJA KAZIMIRA “Monochromia” CD / DL (188th Cycle) Remastered re-issue of her 2016 album of otherworldly funeral chants…in her own words she describes the inception of the album; “This album was a completely impulsive act, the realization of a regular artistic idea, which initially did not mean the final result. This idea was inspired by my great-grandfather, who devoted his whole life to serving the ceremony of “following the dead” (Νεκρώσιμος Ἀκολουθία) and classic examples of ancient Greek literature. But in the end, “Monochromia” became one of my first big works. Here, only the “dialogizing” musical-improvisational experiment and the very nature of the ancient Greek tragedy, which demonstrate the archaic principle of distribution and the interaction of ordinary and ritual violence in the system of relations between man and metaphysics, were of importance. And of course, a large space of the theme of death opens up here. In turn, it is the theme of “sacred violence”, funeral, burial, and initiating rites that is the ideological basis for me throughout my creative activity. Certainly, in this situation, the opportunity, with the help of other people, in a closed space, to recreate a mass state of comprehension of death, is very interesting. Indeed, for this it is necessary to violate, among other things, the bodily and mental boundaries of the participant in such an act, to create a precedent for trauma and deformation, transforming these actions into an audial pit. I just invited all of us, the participants, to cry and grieve together. Perhaps, if I had known in advance that this music would become an album, I would have brought this central state to its apogee and horror. But in the current situation, it turned out to be a very “humane” anthem of human death. Of course, this softness, which is not characteristic of my other works, the sound of “Monochromia” acquired in many respects thanks to a group of initiative people who wanted to take part in this, and I just acted here as a guide and a mirror. This is more a story about mourners at other people’s funerals. At that moment in my life, it was this wonderful tradition that seemed to me the most valuable experience.”CD Edition fo 300 copies in 4 panels Digisleeve, Mat lamination. 7 Tracks. Running Time 48:25 EAN: 0679628553962 Digital Available via Bandcamp |
| VORTEX “Häxan” LP + CD Set (209th Cycle) A hundred years of WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES: In 1922 Benjamin Christensen’s film HÄXAN was unleashed and left a significant mark in history of film to this day. This psychological portrayal of occultism and inquisition combined a critical perspective on religion and patriarchy with stunning visions of possession, sabbath rituals, torture, and demons.In celebration of this 100th anniversary, German ritual formation VORTEX has developed a brooding, percussive and complex musical work evoking hidden energies and abyssal spirituality. Having dealt with Vorticism (ROCKDRILL), ancient mythology (KALI YUGA, MOLOCH, AS GODS FALL) and solar rituals (HELIOZ) before, HÄXAN represents an epic new level for VORTEX’s energetic ritual sound, based on drones, gongs, throat singing, percussion, strings, guitars, horns, and processed field recordings. Both Vinyl and the accompanying CD included in this set contain completely different mixes of two main compositions: The vinyl mix is a dynamic, drone guitar driven post-industrial collage, while the CD reduces this approach to its dark ambient core. Both versions are apocalyptic soundtracks in their own right and are intended for rituals, meditation and a deep listening experience. For the recording of HÄXAN Vortex founder Marcus Stiglegger teamed up with Oliver Freund (of MARS and Vinur), who also supports the live rituals of the band. Live rituals dedicated to HÄXAN will start on Samhain 2022 (International Film Festival Braunschweig) and continue from there on. The CD contains one bonus track featuring the voice of Galla Borowski. Mastered by Frédéric Arbour at Cyclic Law. The hypnotic and surreal artwork concept of the album is completely based on chalk drawings by shamanic artist Nadine en Noir inspired by key moments of the film HÄXAN.Limited Edition Vinyl & CD set of 300 copies, in Gatefold Sleeve, matt lamination with attached CD in centerfold. Vinyl Running Time: 44:00, contains 2 tracks. CD running Time: 49:12, contains 3 tracks. EAN: 0679628554150 Digital Available Via Bandcamp |
| CYCLES II – Cyclic Law’s 20th Anniversary Label Sampler 2CD / DL (200th Cycle) In celebration of our 20th year as a label, we’ve gathered 22 artists on 20 tracks, all graciously presenting us exclusive and unreleased material. Featuring AJNA, ASCENDING DIVERS, ASHTORETH, BECKAHESTEN, CURSE ALL KINGS, DESIDERII MARGINIS, FUNERARY CALL, KAMMARHEIT, LEILA ABDUL-RAUF, NERATERRÆ & DØDSMASKIN, NEW RISEN THRONE & CORONA BARATHRI, NORDVARGR, ØJERUM, SHEDIR, SHRINE, SOPHIA, SUTEKH HEXEN, TAPHEPHOBIA, VISIONS and VORTEX. We’d like to dedicate this release to our worldwide supporters who’ve made this 20 year venture possible and to all artists involved throughout the years, whom with their unique approach to atmospheric music, have helped create the aural world that is Cyclic Law. Artwork imagery is by our close collaborator and friend Kristina Feldhammer. Double CD Edition of 500 copies in 6 panels Digisleeve with 180x120mm poster, matt lamination. 20 Tracks. Running Time; CD1 56:57, CD2 57:17 EAN: 0679628554204 Digital Available Via Bandcamp |