'kirchenkampf' - "Dark Planet" CD

This lovely and mysterious ambient CD is the ideal soundtrack to a Kubrick-esque space journey, and the intense visuals this one instills make it a must-hear for fans of dark and cinematic electronic music. Beginning with the suspended animation sleep of "In Transit" and "Homesick", the crew then awakens to some startling visions of distant worlds in transformation. Confusion arises with the chaotic "Dark Planet", which seems to cause some distress, as heart-rate increases and otherworldly sounds envelop the cabin. "Terrorform" and especially "Firemountain" are dark visions of what may be a distant world sustaining a violent disturbance. Could it be natural, or ??. Regardless, "Newmoonrise" sees a new beginning, as deep drones and reverberations bring a peaceful conclusion to the day's tumult. "Waiting For The Sun" brings an even more hopeful ending to this incredible sojourn. "Dark Planet" is a memorable and evocative collection of thematic instrumental pieces that sparkle with just the right balance of light and dark hues. Fully recommended. (Cohort Records)

sound samples courtesy of Cohort Records

Rock-Afire Explosion covers Arcade Fire!

Okay, so a lot of people may be too young to remember Showbiz Pizza, which was basically a precursor to kid-friendly party/pizza joint Chuck E. Cheese. These massive animatronic figures, known as the Rock-Afire Explosion, were programmed to play music in the restaurants. Well, it seems the characters have survived and there are die-hard fans who are keeping the band going, programming them with modern music! Check this amazingly well-done clip of Rock-Afire doing the Arcade Fire's chilling "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)". See what you think. There are plenty of other songs performed by this innovative robot-band, too.



And check out this amazing fan museum and archive site:
Showbiz Pizza

Inferno - "Black Devotion" CD

From the Czech Republic comes this veteran band of "intolerant antihuman" (their label) black metal marauders. "Black Devotion" begins with the dark ambient/symphonic "Prolog" before erupting into the ferocious tempos of "Superior Will". It's a tight and sturdy groove throughout the album, with machine-like drums, blizzard-gale guitars, and incomprehensible wails for vocals. Definitely strong work. "Holy Poison" is a blazing sonic attack, though it differs little from the previous tracks. The melody (all but submerged under the lightning blastbeats), as well as a rough-and-rowdy guitar solo mid-track, feels much like classic metal, but this one dives back into the black metal abyss pretty quickly. "Sign Of Hell" is another highlight, with some stunning technical and tempo changes that show the group's mastery of their material. Solid and potent black metal with nods to classic metal in spots, Inferno bring a storm of riffs, rhythms, and snaky vocals that certainly crush many of their peers. This is something to be proud of. (Agonia)

Infernospace

Zu - "The Way Of The Animal Powers" LP

After 10 years and a number of releases on genre-bending labels like Atavistic and Ipecac, this Rome-based quartet turn to Public Guilt for the James Plotkin-mastered vinyl version, and it's a wonderful blending of elements and out-there instrumental (and organic) textures. Zu are like the missing link between free jazz, Black Flag, and no-wave, if you can imagine that. Or maybe the mutant offspring of Tortoise and Mr. Bungle. Either way, it's great and imaginative music. The memorably-titled "Tom Araya Is Our Elvis" opens, and this sets the stage with a monolithic SWANS (pre-"Filth") groove that meets Greg Ginn somewhere in a New Orleans bar. Awesome and annihilating. "Things Fall Apart" is a bewildering avante-tribal-jazz-improv that sounds like Crash Worship jamming with Ornette Coleman. Very kuhl. "The Witch Herbalist Of The Remote Town" is an apt title, capturing a feral set of magical tones, scrapings, and rolling percussion. Jungle jazz, indeed! Zu's innovative and out-there music can safely be called experimental, but whereas most sounds classified as such can be overly conceptual and academic, this album is both evocative and engaging, from start to finish. Stupendous work, and something that should be mandatory listening for jazz, metal, or indie rock purists alike. (Public Guilt)

Zuspace site

"Rescue Dawn" (director: Werner Herzog)

Count on Herzog to take opening shots of an air-to-ground bombing and make it look like a beautifully choreographed ballet of sorts. And leave it to Herzog to capture the majestic and lush natural scenery of a war-torn country and make it look like a National Geographic paradise retreat. But this isn't necessarily a stereotypical Herzog film, though it does feature a solitary man whose spirit overcomes startling odds -- a seemingly recurring theme for the famed German director. Starring marquee Hollywood madman Christian Bale as Dieter Dengler, "Rescue Dawn" is a true story of an enthusiastic American pilot who is shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War, and becomes a prisoner of Laotian insurgents. During his incarceration, he encounters a group of fellow P.O.W.s, who he befriends and plans a grand escape from his slightly sadistic captors. Bale's leaden performance isn't particularly impressive, but his supporting cast (including "Lost" cast member Jeremy Davies as emaciated P.O.W. Gene) makes up for it well enough. Remarkable photography, some memorable characters on both sides, and a subtle score (mostly by Klaus Badelt). Overall? Not one of Herzog's finest triumphs, but a worthy view, nonetheless.

Werner Herzog's official site

Wax Trax! Records - Dannie Flesher R.I.P.

Wax Trax! Records co-founder Dannie Flesher passed away from complications from pneumonia this past week. He was 57.

Flesher, along with longtime partner Jim Nash (who passed away in 1995), founded Wax Trax! in the early 80's to release some of their favorite musics. Years later, this label experienced international success, and brought predominantly electronic and post-industrial acts like Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Thrill Kill Kult, Meat Beat Manifesto, Coil, Front Line Assembly, Psychic TV, KMFDM, Pig, Front 242, Chris Connelly, Controlled Bleeding, the Young Gods, Pankow, Laibach, Greater Than One, In The Nursery, Foetus, and countless others to the ears of listeners across the United States and beyond. Their influence has been heavy on such followers as Nine Inch Nails, who used the Wax Trax! sound and scene to springboard to major rock success.

Wax Trax! was the centerpiece of my teenage years, supplying the post-apocalyptic soundtrack to my angsty life, and it's something I'm proud of and will always appreciate. I spent a load of money ordering the latest Wax Trax! releases back in the pre-internet days, and I owe a large part of my musical education to Jim and Dannie's Wax Trax! legacy. May he (and Jim) rest in peace.

“Dannie was a good friend. He was a true visionary and he will be sorely missed by us and all the other artists whose lives he impacted.” -- Al Jourgensen

More info can be found here, with a more thorough eulogy by Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Tribune article

And a fairly complete and exhaustive discography of Wax Trax! can be found here:
Wax Trax! @ discogs.com

"The Cove" trailer (director: Louie Psihoyos)

It's not horror. Or is it? Kinda. Action? Not really. Real life? Definitely. Anyhow, this gutsy documentary looks to be a harrowing, interesting, and ultimately important document, and I have my friend Aaron to thank for passing on the link.
Check the trailer and sign the petition.