Ulver - "Wars Of The Roses" album

Few bands have evolved so drastically (or intelligently) as Norway's Ulver. Beginning life in 1993 as a fairly typical black metal act, Ulver have, in recent years, embraced electronic music, ambient, folk, post-rock, and film soundtrack work, all with equal respect and reverence. "Wars Of The Roses" is the band's 8th studio album, and the evolution is striking and effective.

The surprising and brilliant Krautrock/pop of "February MMX" opens, complete with melodic chorus and hooks. Definitely a long way from the band's roots, but quite good. The rest of the album is similarly textural and layered, yet not at all lightweight. Co-production and mixing by John Fryer (known for his work with the early 4AD Records label) surely contribute to the album's ethereal moodiness, but Ulver's visionary psychedelic soundscapes are deep and almost magical. Their heart is still blackened, but their process and tools are much more colorful and diverse.

Other standouts include "Providence", a gorgeous (but dark) piano-led piece featuring female vocals, and the epic "September IV". The closer, "Stone Angels", runs 15 minutes and is an ambient narrative featuring new member Daniel O'Sullivan reciting poetry alongside lovely meditational ambience and a powerful percussive finale. Fitting. An incredible album from an innovative and unique group. (Kscope Music)

Ulverspace (not official?)

Ulver's own label and official band site

Peter Christopherson of Coil & Throbbing Gristle, R.I.P.

Sorrows for the passing of a musical icon. Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson passed away peacefully on November 25, 2010. His musical art as part of Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, and Coil burned brightly as a permanent inspiration on my life and music. His work in Coil (with fellow multi-plane spirit Jhonn Balance) remains some of the most potent and magickal sounds I've had the good fortune to experience, before or since. For more information, visit:

Unkle Sleazy TV & condolences site

Official COIL site at brainwashed

Skullflower - "Strange Keys To Untune Gods' Firmament" 2xCD

Veteran UK noise act Skullflower are about as far from the mainstream as possible. Kudos to Neurot Recordings for bringing this savage yet mystical monolith of guitar-oriented noise to American ears (with no regard for commercial potential). Yes, this is truly a labor of love, though some listeners may be scarred by the end of this 2 hour mass of mostly formless and rhythm-free aural siege. Beginning with the fried feedback of "Shivering Aurora", the first disc moves abruptly into the drone/noise masterpiece "Starlit Mire", which refers to noted chaos magician and artist Austin Osman Spare, not Psychic TV, I'm sure. From there, it's back to the reckless "Enochian Tapestries" before the all-consuming invocation within "City Of Dis". "Basement Of An Impure Universe" is the sound of pain, pure and simple. Disc 2 is no less forgiving, opening with the grinding "Nibelungen" and continuing to the absolutely brutal catastrophe of "Blood Mirror Streams". While some bands coax different sounds out of their instruments, Skullflower strangle them, for lack of a better description. Theirs is the sound of all-consuming terror. Not for the faint-hearted, "Strange Keys.." is an overwhelming, overloaded, and ultimately purifying listening experience. (Neurot Recordings)

Skullflower site

Skullflower at Wordpress

Mark Nugent 1961-2009

The world lost a groundbreaking and inspiring filmmaker and visual artist the month. Mark Nugent, who was known for his short films that accompanied his friends in musical groups like Download, Dead Voices On Air, Coil, and Beehatch, as well as for his still images (some done in recent times in collaboration with our mutual friend Aaron Campbell), passed away unexpectedly this month. Here is a series of links to bring Mark's strange and often otherworldly visuals to you. Image facing: "Granular Rust", by Mark Nugent and Aaron Campbell, from their "Liquid Atmospheres" page (link below).

Mark Nugent tribute page (with many links to videos, music, etc.)

Liquid Atmospheres site (Nugent/Campbell collaborative images)

Mark Nugent's main site

Nugentspace

Marc Almond - "Live At The Lokerse Feesten 2000" DVD

Captured live in Belgium in a festival setting on his 'Open All Night' tour, the suave and flamboyant Almond here treats the audience to a fine cross section of his tunes, from some then-new ones all the way back to his Soft Cell days. And he was certainly in fine form that night - the theatrical and Latin-tinged 'Love To Die For' is stylish and dramatic. Almond's voice has never been sharper and well-honed, and his blend of red light district tragedy and tortured torch-diva fits in nicely next to his heartfelt sincerity and dark irony. From his pop-star days, he's morphed into a classy and debonair cabaret vocalist - but with a sinister bend. He's a logical heir to the throne held by Jacques Brel or Scott Walker, and this live DVD encompasses his entire career well. 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart' is epic, symphonic, and stirring, while Brel's Chanson 'Jacky' is bouncy and passionate. His hit 'Tears Run Rings' is here re-envisioned as a sweetly bitter dance cut, and 'Say Hello Wave Goodbye' as always been a gloriously moving song, and still is. Wow.
Marc Almond is an immensely talented and charismatic singer and enduring songwriter, and this 16-song concert is a must for fans. (Charly Films via MVD Visual)

Marc Almond site

And here's a clip of one of the more rocking cuts from this DVD, featuring guitars by Neal X (formerly of Sigue Sigue Sputnik).

Marc Almond - "Heart On Snow" CD

Poor Marc Almond. It seems he is forever known as an '80's pop star' due to his smash success with electro-pop sleaze merchants Soft Cell. But pity (more) the people who think he's irrelevant these days. Through the years, Almond has emerged a world-class singer and highly literate songwriter, painting sordid tales (ala one of his idols, Jacques Brel) in his highly stylized, theatrical voice over a variety of musical styles and genres, from clubby dance to baroque pop to cabaret. His collaborations with such notables as Jim Thirlwell (Foetus), Psychic TV, Nick Cave, Annie Anxiety Bandez, Coil, and even Current 93 prove that he's no 'has-been' by any means, nor has he been afraid to work alongside other strong and charismatic personalities.

This 2003 album is a selection of old-world Russian folk songs (and a few originals, done in a faux-Russian style), and features Almond in duet with various Soviet singers (none of which are recognizable to me). This is some classy, moody work, full of rich and resonant Eastern European vibes, and Almond's voice has never been so full and well-managed. Tracks like 'Just One Chance', with Luydmilla Zukena, wisely juxtapose the operatic vocals of Zukena with Almond's dramatic torch singing. 'Heart On Snow' may seem kitsch to some, but it serves well as a lovely travelogue, and a nice 'jumping off point' for those interested in classic Russian music. (Psychobaby)

Marc Almond's website