A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN - 'S/T'

Formats

• ERATP032LP - LP

  4050486049488

• ERATP032CD - CD

  4050486049471

Details

*REPRESSED ON VINYL*'A Winged Victory For The Sullen' is the first installment of the new collaboration between Stars Of The Lid member Adam Wiltzie and L.A. composer Dustin O'Halloran. The duo agreed to leave the comfort zone of their home studios and develop the recordings with the help of large acoustic spaces, hunting down a selection of 9ft grand pianos that had the ability to deliver extreme sonic low end. Other traditional instrumentation was used including string quartet, French horn, and bassoon, but always juxtaposed is the sound of drifting guitar washed melodies. The recordings began with one late night session in the famed Grunewald Church in Berlin on a 1950s imperial B?sendorfer piano and strings were added in the historic East Berlin DDR radio studios along the River Spree. One last session on a handmade Fazioli piano in a private studio on the Northern cusp of Italy, before the final mixes took place in a 17th century villa near Ferrara with the assistance of Francesco Donadello. All songs were then processed completely analogue straight to magnetic tape. Their secret to harvesting new melodic structures from the thin air of existence was for the duo to push themselves to dangerous territory, realising that clear thinking at the wrong moment could stifle the compositions. The final result is seven landscapes of harmonic ingemination. In 'Requiem For The Static King Part One' ? created in memory of the untimely passing of Mark Linkous ? they have taken the age-old idea of a string quartet and then shot it out of a cannon to reveal exquisite new levels of sonic bliss. Of the 13 minute track 'Symphony Path?tique', Wiltzie says 'after almost 20 years of struggling to create interesting ambient drone music, I feel like I have finally figured out what I am doing'. Notable guest musicians include Icelandic cellist Hildur Gudnadottir, as well as Erased Tapes label comrade Peter Broderick on violin. A Winged Victory For The Sullen is not a side project ? it is the future of the late night record you have always dreamed of. A Major release for Forte, Non exportable.

Tracks

01. We Played Some Open Chords And Rejoiced,
For The Earth Had Circled The Sun
Yet Another Year
02. Requiem For The Static King Part One
03. Requiem For The Static King Part Two
04. Minuet For A Cheap Piano Number Two
05. Steep Hills Of Vicodin Tears
06. A Symphony Pathetique
07. All Farewells Are Sudden

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Audio & Video

THE VEILS - '...AND OUT OF THE VOID CAME LOVE'

Formats

• BING186 - 2xLPs

  600197018613

• BING186CD - CD

  600197018620

• BING186W - 2xLP (COLOURED)

  600197018613

Details

**LTD WHITE VINYL AVAILABLE** It’s been seven strange years since The Veils’ last studio album Total Depravity, and Finn Andrews has a new double album to show for it. …And Out Of The Void Came Love is the result of this tumultuous period of injury, isolation and new life. Following the release of Total Depravity, Andrews released a solo album and began a worldwide tour. One night, while lashing out at a particularly intense moment on piano, he broke his wrist on stage. He played on and finished the rest of the tour, but it wasn’t until he got it examined much later that he realized what a bad move that was. The convalescence that followed meant a lengthy hiatus from touring, so he did what he does best and stayed at home and wrote songs. Just when his hand had healed sufficiently for him to play again, The Veils found themselves in need of a new record label, but Finn set about starting to make a new record regardless. Producer Tom Healy invited Finn to his small studio underneath the old Crystal Palace ballroom in Mount Eden, and they listened through the legions of songs he had amassed throughout the previous year. Following another two years of intermittent recording between lockdowns, Finn’s wife became pregnant, and yet more songs started coming. By the time the songs had been recorded, it was clear that arranging the album into two halves best suited such varied material—but the meaning of the songs as a whole still eluded Andrews. The result of all these years of questioning, confinement and precarious uncertainty is this magnificent new double album. It is an album intended to be listened to in two sittings with a short break in the middle. Composer Victoria Kelly’s soaring string arrangements play an integral role in bringing the songs to life, as do musicians Cass Basil (bass), Dan Raishbrook (lap steel, guitar), Liam Gerrard (piano), Joseph McCallum (drums), the NZTrio and special guests the Smoke Fairies on backing vocals. The Veils have toured consistently throughout their twenty year history and garnered a formidable reputation as one of the world’s greatest live bands. They have also been praised by film directors Paolo Sorrentino, Tim Burton and David Lynch who have all used their music on their soundtracks.

Tracks

1. Time
2. No Limit of Stars
3. Undertow
4. Bullfighter (Hand of God)
5. The World of Invisible Things
6. Epoch
7. Diamonds and Coal
8. Rings of Saturn
9. Made from Love with Far To Go
10. The Pearl (Part II)
11. Someday My Love Will Come
12. The Day I Meet My Murderer
13. Between the Ocean and the Storm
14. I've Been Waiting

Press

Produced by Tom Healy (Julia Jacklin, Marlon Williams, Tiny Ruins) with special guests the Smoke Fairies on backing vocals.

Audio & Video

DAVID CUNNINGHAM - 'GREY SCALE'

Formats

• SV175 - LP

  857661008759

• SV175CD - CD

  857661008940

Details

David Cunningham was born in Ireland in 1954. His work ranges from pop music to gallery installations including several collaborations with visual artists. His first significant commercial success came with The Flying Lizards' single "Money," an international hit in 1979. Originally released in 1976, Cunningham's first solo album Grey Scale has become a landmark statement of DIY minimalist composition – continuing in the vein of the wild explosion of arthouse experimentation from the early '70s. Cunningham, then a student at the Maidstone College of Art in Kent, drafted fellow student non-musicians and (using whatever instruments available) crafted an endlessly shifting sonic palette with an improvisor's keen sensitivity to space, texture and tone. As Cunningham states in the liner notes, his approach was to "pursue something (which may appear trivial or meaningless) so rigorously or relentlessly to the point that it reveals something new." Cunningham was influenced by live performances he was attending at the time by English composers Cornelius Cardew, Gavin Bryars and Michael Nyman as well as free improvisors Evan Parker, Derek Bailey, David Toop and Paul Burwell. The inaugural release on Cunningham's own Piano label, Grey Scale was indeed "something new" in 1976. The artist quickly integrated his experimental sensibilities to produce art-rock pioneers This Heat, whose debut appeared on Piano in 1979. His popular success performing as The Flying Lizards (with two electro-punk albums on Virgin during the New Wave era) was presaged by this seminal work of fascinating sound collage and tonal freedom. First-time reissue.

Tracks

A1. Error System (BAGFGAB)
A2. Error System (C Pulse Solo Recording)
A3. Error System (C Pulse Group Recording)
A4. Error System (E Based Group Recording)
A5. Error System (EFGA)
B1. Ecuador
B2. Water Systemised
B3. Venezuela 1
B4. Guitar Systemised
B5. Venezuela 2
B6. Bolivia

Press

First solo album by This Heat producer.
Originally released in 1976 on Piano
Recommended for fans of Dome, This Heat and Pascal Comelade

Audio & Video

SAN LORENZ - 'A DEATH AT SEA'

Formats

• NXN014LP - LP

  0615625727227

• NXN014CD - CD

  0615625727234

Details

Liverpool art-rockers San Lorenz release their highly anticipated debut album ‘A Death At Sea’ following the success of previous EP releases; ‘The House That Doubt Built’ and ‘No Brain, No Pain’. A sonic rollercoaster that explores themes of grief, hopelessness and separation from oneself, ‘A Death At Sea’ is certainly the band’s most ambitious offering to date. Within this body of work, the band proves the thing that has kept them moving for so long; the desire to push themselves and their songwriting to the highest reaches of what they can be. San Lorenz put their heart and soul into these 11 songs and their efforts should become more apparent on each subsequent listen. A true labour of love and a triumphant debut record that showcases the band’s deftness in crafting deep, multi-layered soundscapes beneath earnest and nuanced lyrics. Known for their explosive live performances and on their way to great things, the Covid pandemic dealt a catastrophic blow to the band’s momentum. But never ones to rest on their laurels, they began remote writing sessions and were eventually able to commence recording, albeit under less-than-ideal circumstances. Self-producing and working out of their own Yellowbird Studio, they enlisted the help of Grammy award winning producer Mark Rankin (QOTSA, Adele, Bloc Party) to mix the record. Throughout their career, the band have consistently demonstrated their ability to wilfully dismantle themselves in the pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved both sonically and emotionally with their music.

Tracks

Side One
(1) Intro (2) Tightrope (3) Accessory
(4) Adjust The Angle (5) Dijiste Adios (6) Where?s The Shock?
Side Two
(1) Wickerman (2) The Disappearing (3) (Don?t Be A) Martyr
(4) A Death At Sea (5) First To Know

Press

'This band are going to do great things.' Jon Higgs, Everything Everything
'One of the best new bands around.' Mark Rankin, Grammy award winning Producer
'Really love this from San Lorenz' Classic.? Jack Saunders, BBC Radio 1

Audio & Video

GEE TEE - 'GOODNIGHT NEANDERTHAL'

Formats

• 181GONE - LP

  795154136612

Details

Based in Sydney, Australia and lead by the iconic Kel Mason, this band of maniacal rock ’n’ roll miscreants has been blowing drooly-punk minds for the past few years with a rash of out-of-print records and ridiculous videos that have bounced around the proper channels of the internet underbelly. A white hot set on the web-only Gonerfest 17 was greeted with cheers of joy, and ultimately re-issued as a cassette and LP. They made it over in full three-dimensional form for a completely unhinged US tour in 2022 culminating in a headlining spot at Gonerfest 19. Now Goner is proud to unleash their new album —Goodnight Neanderthal—ten blasts of spazzy lo-fi attack, full of buzzy guitars, cheap synths and earworm hooks that demand to be sung in the shower. Or in the car. Or on a bike. Gee Tee rules. Get on board or get out of the way.

Tracks

1. Goodnight Neanderthal
2. (I Hate) Drivin In The City
3. Grease Rot Chemical
4. Bad Egg
5. Within The Walls
6. Heart-Throb
7. Stuck Down
8. Rock Phone
9. Cell Damage
10. 40K

Press

Renowned Aussie scuzz-punk band follow up blazing 2022 US tour with new album

Audio & Video

VARIOUS - 'SCRAP METAL VOL 2'

Formats

• EZRDR143 - LP

  603111755311

• EZRDR143B - LP (COLOURED)

  603111755311

• EZRDR143CD - CD

  603111755328

Details

*BLUE VINYL*If you were smart enough to get your grubby paws on the first Scrap Metal compilation, you probably have a pretty good idea of what you’re in for with our second installment. Featuring long-lost gems from ultra-rare 45s and private press singles—plus one previously unreleased banger—Scrap Metal 2 maintains a steady NWOBHM course. Packed with infectious outliers and supremely talented one-and-done metal warriors from the crucial British movement of the late ’70s and early ’80s (and some killer American obscurities inspired by them), this collection delivers all the fist-pumping, riff-mongering and flashy solos of heavy metal’s golden age. As always, every track has been officially licensed and every artist gets paid. As a late entry into the NWOBHM sweepstakes, JJ’s Powerhouse was formed in Merseyside, England, by guitarist Jon “J.J.” Cox with members of his previous band, Quad. Much like the opener to the original Scrap Metal comp, you can hear early Metallica coursing through this legendary ripper. Coincidentally, this ultra-rare 45 was released in ’83, the same year as Kill ’Em All. Taking their name from a 1978 sci-fi novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Welsh super troopers Storm Queen reveled in animal-print clothing and flying Vs. The Motörhead-meets-Priest anthem “Raising the Roof” is the flipside to their only single, which the band self-released in 1982. Led by guitarist Dave Morse, Storm Queen’s earliest lineup included bassist Bryn Merrick (RIP), who would go on to join The Damned. Roaring out of Birmingham, England, in 1975, Jameson Raid palled around with fellow Brummies Black Sabbath and named themselves after a failed 19th century attack that helped kick off South Africa’s Second Boer War. Their three-song 1979 debut featured the infectious “It’s a Crime,” which comes across like a deadly hard-glam version of Budgie. Still fronted by vocalist Terry Dark, they’re going strong as of 2022. A.R.C., a punky proto-metal group from the UK, released the boozy single “Home Made Wine” b/w “The Chase” in 1979 and—as far as we know—were never heard from again. They’re not to be confused with a gang of Tolkien enthusiasts also called A.R.C., who released two NWOBHM singles in the early ’80s and actually were heard from again. Nonetheless, the A.R.C. we have here was led by a thirsty lad named Klaus Brunnenkant, who liked to rock n’ roll all night and party every day. Both sides of Metropolis’ sole single bear the legend, “Unauthorized duplication shall result in getting your ass beat.” This San Jose metal squad released their only single in 1986 and dedicated it to Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, who had recently been killed in a bus accident. “The Raven” is the serpentine NWOBHM- and Edgar Allan Poe-influenced flipside to “Time Heals Everything,” and yeah, you can hear the guitars going out of tune on the solo, but that’s part of the charm. Of the two dozen or so metal bands that have called themselves Prowler over the years, we’re pretty sure this particular Prowler is the only one from San Diego. These dudes take a thrashier approach than most of the bands here on Scrap Metal 2: “Temporary Insanity” strikes a deft balance between early Anthrax and early Testament, with just enough hard rock swing to keep it from getting overly staccato. Self-released in ’86 as the band’s only single, the song is the flip to “I Love It.” Not much is known about Christian Steel beyond this: They put out their only single in 1983, which boasted “Need Your Love” as the flip to “I Don’t Want To.” The former, included here, sounds kinda like a dizzy, more metallic version of ’70s Jersey rockers Starz, who famously influenced the likes of Mötley Crüe, Poison and Twisted Sister. Ohio guitarist/vocalist Marty Soski’s career dates back to at least 1969 with the Inside Experience track “Be On My Way,” which we unearthed for our own Brown Acid: The Third Trip. This time, we’ve got a monster Soski cut that he recorded under the name Black Rose. Released in 1982, the absolutely smokin’ “Sidewinder” was the A-side on the band’s sole single. The main riff isn’t far off from Y&T’s major-label banger “Mean Streak,” which was released the following year. When Dark Age titled their 1987 album The Youngest Metal Band in the World, they weren’t even sort of kidding. Legend has it that “Star Trippin’,” which was released as a single a year earlier, was written by guitarist CJ Rininger when he was just 12 years old. His brother Dave, the vocalist, was two years younger. Old photos of the band—complete with pineapple haircuts—seem to bear this story out. Either way, the song is pure flash metal, conjuring Sunset Strip sleaze all the way from Ohio. By now, all you heads know Los Angeles magic men Sorcery from their storied appearance in—and soundtrack for—the death-defying Ozploitation flick Stunt Rock. What we have here in “Whales” is a previously unreleased track from the same 1978 recording sessions. It’s a little bit Zeppelin, a little bit prog, and a whole lotta thundering riffage. Why this languished in the vaults for so long is anyone’s guess. Better late than never!

Tracks

01. JJ's Powerhouse ? Running For The Line
02. Storm Queen ? Raising The Roof
03. Jameson Raid ? It?s A Crime
04. A.R.C. ? Homemade Wine
05. Metropolis ? The Raven
06. Prowler ? Temporary Insanity
07. Christian Steel ? Need Your Love
08. Black Rose ? Sidewinder
09. Dark Age ? Star Trippin?
10. Sorcery - Whales

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Audio & Video

NEEDLES & PLASTIC - 'FLYING NUN RECORDS 1981-1988'

Formats

• TMB004 - BOOK

  9781737382980

Details

"With his gratifying archive, Matt Goody details one of the most successful eras in the history of rock music – Flying Nun Records, formed in 1981 by Roger Shepherd in a Christchurch record shop. Shepherd and his brilliant cohorts served up the legendary output of not only kingpins like The Clean, The Chills and Tall Dwarfs, but also captured the best from favourites of mine like Able Tasmans, Bird Nest Roys, Look Blue Go Purple and The Verlaines. Goody provides the most comprehensive presentation yet of Flying Nun’s rise from Shepherd’s notepad to international underground rock sovereignty – and a vital part of one nation’s collective art history." — Bob Nastanovich, Pavement In this remarkable tale of creativity and chaos, do-it-yourself innovation and extraordinary attempts at world domination, Needles and Plastic tells the inside story of one of New Zealand – and the world’s – great independent music labels. Hundreds of full color & black and white photos illustrate the story! Founded in 1981 by Roger Shepherd in Christchurch, New Zealand, Flying Nun Records unleashed an extraordinary wave of music that had an impact around the world. Needles and Plastic is the first comprehensive history of the early years of the label and its bands covering the critical period from 1981–1988 when many of the most influential and critically acclaimed artists emerged on Flying Nun, bands like – from The Clean, The Chills, The Verlaines, Straitjacket Fits and Bailter Space. The influence of the obscure label became apparent in the 1990s, when big-time indie acts like Pavement, Cat Power or Yo La Tengo started covering Flying Nun bands. In entries on over 140 records from The Clean’s ‘Tally Ho!’ 7" in 1981 to The Verlaines Bird-Dog LP in 1988, Matthew Goody tells the story through the records themselves. His book draws on years of in-depth research to reveal the stories of the bands, the recordings, the songs, and the audience, with a host of significant characters contributing along the way – Shepherd, Chris Knox, Doug Hood, Hamish Kilgour and many more. In this remarkable tale of creativity and chaos, do-it-yourself innovation and extraordinary attempts at world domination, Needles and Plastic tells the inside story of one the world’s great independent music labels.

Tracks

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Audio & Video