Southern Lord
Releases
Street date: 2009-06-29
Street date: 2009-06-15
It is with immense reverence that Southern Lord Recordings presents the new vinyl EP, Ephemeral, from Chicago heavy-rock instrumental icons Pelican. Their genre-defying sound and eagerness to explore new musical directions made them an obvious choice to join the Southern Lord roster. They fit perfectly alongside like minded bands on the label like Earth, Boris and Sunn 0))). Ephemeral was recorded at Red Room studios in Seatlle, WA by Chris Common (These Arms Are Snakes drummer). This new material is much heavier, darker and very riff-oriented. Joining Pelican on the Earth cover "The Geometry of Murder" is none other than the man who wrote the songs himself: Dylan Carlson. This was a very special moment for the band as they have been heavily influenced by Earth throughout their career. These new songs are a very exciting sign of great things to come from Pelican with future releases on Southern Lord.
Street date: 2009-06-15
Thou are from Baton Rouge, LA. They emulate lava crawling down the mountainside; the impending weight of a crushingly distorted musical extremity. They definitely share some DNA with neighbouring NOLA sludge fathers Eyehategod but inject a mammoth amount of originality into the tried and true genre. Drawing on influences from the hardcore scene (Cursed, His Hero Is Gone, Converge) as well as from the doom scene (Burning Witch, Corrupted, Grief), this deluxe 180g black vinyl version of Tyrant is a much demanded reissue of the long out of print original which came out on One Eye Records in 2007.
Street date: 2009-05-18
SUNN O))) is proud to present their 7th studio album after 10 years of existence. Work that spanned a year and a half resulted in their most intense. mature work to date. Recorded at various points throughout 2007 & 2008 by Randall Dunn and Mell Dettmer, it features an array of other players including long-time collaborators Attila Csihar and Oren Ambarchi, and other luminaries such as Julian Priester (notable for work with Sun Ra and Herbie Hancock), and slow music God-father Dylan Carlson of Earth. In addition, arrangements were handled by noted composer Eyvind Kang who has worked with John Zorn, Bill Frisell and Mike Patton amongst others. Fleshing out the usual Sunn lineup is an upright bass trio, french & English horns, a harp and flute duo, piano, brass, reed & string ensembles. Despite this, this is not "SUNN with strings" or "metal meets orchestra" material, this is something altogether more exciting. Monoliths & Dimensions is practice in density, gravity & momentum. This description is only the tip of the iceburg.
Street date: 2009-04-20
Iceburn was a musical group formed in 1991 in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A, by guitarist/vocalist/composer Gentry Densley, the sole constant member through multiple personnel changes. They were known for their unique style that combined elements of jazz, metal, punk, and classical music. From 91-97 the band continually evolved and experimented with the limits of sound, releasing five full length albums and a split EP w/ Engine Kid (featuring Greg Anderson of Sunn 0))) and Ascend) for Revelation Records. The Power Of The Lion features The Iceburn Collective using two electric guitars, two stand-up basses and drums. The seven pieces that make up The Power Of The Lion were originally released on CD on Iceburns' own label in 1998. These seven pieces are intended not as finished goods but as components to be superimposed at will, according to a principle derived from quantum mechanics. The group experimented with the music as collage at their subsequent live dates. The Power Of The Lion is Iceburn at their most electrifying. They simultaneously fuse influences as diverse as Eric Dolphy, Drive Like Jehu, Ornette Coleman The Mahavishnu Orchestra. In recent days Densley's musical vision can be heard on the Southern Lord release by his project Ascend, with Southern Lord label-head Greg Anderson. Gentry also formed the power duo Eagle Twin, who will be releasing their debut album on Southern Lord in summer 2009.
Street date: 2009-03-23
Black Cascade is characterized by a heavy and powerful analogue sound and a deft touch with songwriting and arrangement. The crumbling roar of decidedly old-school tube amps unite with layers of mossy analogue synthesiser and cataclysmic percussion. Blazing and crystalline metal riffs slowly collapse and shift into ritualistic dirges that invoke endless rain falling upon the ancient cedars of the pacific northwest. It is as if the instruments are controlled by shadowy and elemental forces of nature rather than three forest-dwellers from Olympia,WA. Recorded onto two inch tape and mixed on a 1973 Neve console by producer Randall Dunn (SUNN O))), Earth, Grails ), Black Cascade captures the energy of a band who has said that they would prefer that the audience at their concerts would prostrate themselves on the floor and cry.
Street date: 2009-03-09
Orcustus is a black metal band formed in Bergen, Norway in early 2002 by vocalist and songwriter Taipan. Derived from Orcus, meaning Hades or Hell, the band name was taken from an early 1990's underground fanzine of the same name published by former Emperor drummer Bård Faust. Co- founding members of the band were Gorgoroth guitarists Tormentor and Infernus, and drummer Dirge Rep of Enslaved/Gehenna. In 2007/2008 Orcustus triumphed over many obstacles and psychological trauma to lay down the filth that is this.. their eponymous full-length debut album. Cloaked in black mystery and veiled in dark secrecy, the beast that is Orcustus has left a noxious rotting corpse for the rabid hordes of evil to devour.
Street date: 2009-02-23
Brand new vinyl only EP release from the grimm Cascadia black metal horde: Wolves In The Throne Room. 2 brand new songs (1 per side) that further solidify their death like grip on the jewel throne of American Black Metal. As with their mind blowing debut: Diadem of 12 Stars, Jamie Meyers (Hammers of Misfortune) lends her beautiful voice to the track on Side A "A Looming Resonance". The Malevolent Grain EP is the first to feature their new guitar player Will Lindsay (formerly of Middian ) who had been the band's touring bass player. The sound of this new recording blazes down similar paths as their past albums but seems to have even more depth and darkness than before. The three members of Wolves in the Throne Room have recently finished recording their 3rd studio album entitled Black Cascade which will be released by Southern Lord on 23rd March.
Street date: 2009-01-26
Finally, fans of underground cult guitar hero Scott "Wino" Weinrich can rejoice - Wino's first solo album is upon us! Over the last 25 years Wino has defined heavy music, starting with The Obsessed and Saint Vitus and continuing through mind-blowing power trios Spirit Caravan and The Hidden Hand, his six string virtuosity is matched perfectly with his soulful vocals and powerful lyrics. After the demise of The Hidden Hand, Wino decided to enlist the help of some friends to help realize his latest musical vision, players who would help realize his songs the way he wanted them. This more "Wino"-focused direction was fleshed out with the help of amazing musicians: Jean Paul Gaster (Clutch, The Bakerton Group) on drums and Jon Blank (Rezin) on bass. Punctuated Equilibrium was recorded by J. Robbins who has worked extensively with both The Hidden Hand and Clutch in the past.
Street date: 2008-11-17
An essential reissue of the first two albums from this seminal instrumental Dutch band who ruled in the 90s. With their use of repetitive heavy rolling rhythms and bombastic execution (sans vocals) Gore pioneered a new style of music for the time. Gore's sound is a monolithic one, uncompromising and seemingly singular in its vision. Although the music is exclusively instrumental the first two albums all contain lyric sheets - ostensibly meant to add a "horrorshow" element to the music and make it all the more ominous and hardcore. For the first time ever these recordings have been painstakingly remastered and are now available again to amaze, overwhelm and bewilder! Each disc of this double-cd set contains the remastered album in all its glory PLUS unreleased bonus material from the same era as the album. This 2xcd set contains 43 songs in total! In the tradition of quality Southern Lord packaging these albums are packaged with a 32 page booklet that contains several never before seen photos plus meticulous liner notes from bassist: Rob Frey.
Street date: 2008-11-03
Last year Sunn0))) was invited to perform at an ancient cathedral in Bergen. The performance was captured via 24 track mobile recording and the results pressed onto double 180g black vinyl. This record will only be available on vinyl. There will be no digital release (CD or downloads), pure analogue. Words from the festival curator, Nicholas Mollerhaug: "Our idea behind this concert was to commission a piece of music from Sunn0))) refering to the gothic gregorian hymns of the Late Middle Ages. Hymns that flourished in Bergen Catherdral in its earliest years: the age of the Great Famine and the Black Plague. The gregorian hymns of this time reflected the despair, the terrors and darkness of the world. Musically the hymns consisted of long slow lines of unison melodies. This unison, the dark mood and the slow melodic development are all elements that also can be traced back to 0))) musical universe. These parallels between 0))) and the medieval times gave birth to this commission - premiered at the grand finale of Borealis Festival 2007"
Street date: 2008-08-25
On Smile, Boris' brush paints deeply intense blistering psychedelia, mammoth hooks, innovative songwriting, and a reinvention of dark heaviness. It features collaborative guests: Stephen O' Malley (Sunn0))) , KTL ), and Michio Kurihara (Ghost , White Heaven , The Stars ). "......Upon reflection of the aftermath of releasing their most successful album to date, (Pink) Boris has found the desire to create sounds that are a wider extension of just music. They are searching for sounds that are also an extension of life and the many experiences they have had in the two years that have passed since the release of Pink. In their quest, Boris are drawing upon unconventional influences such as: obscure Hair Metal, Japanese cartoon songs and 80s Japanese pop singers to help shape the band's new directions. Boris are unafraid to embrace different sounds that may not necessarily be considered to be hip or cool within the context of accepted rock, noise or drone music. These bold moves are really nothing new from a band that changes with every release, each time making a conscious effort not to repeat what they have done in the past. Smile is a new sound which represents everything that is RIGHT NOW. Boris hope "this is going to be a new experience for everyone beyond 'music'".
Street date: 2008-08-25
Vinyl pressing. The music of The Wolves In The Throne Room is rooted in the traditions of Black Metal, but they subvert the common aesthetic and ideology in order to remain true to their own personal manifestations. "Our relationship with the natural world is a healing force in our lives. If you listen to Black Metal, but you don't know what phase the moon is in, or what wild flowers are blooming then you have failed. The music is about wild forests, unfettered rivers, nature: furious and vengeful." This "natural" aesthetic permeates the bands every expression, Lyrically, musically, and ideologically. "Black Metal is the cleansing fire that frees us from the bondage of rationality, science, morality, religion, leaving us free to choose our own path...The deep woe inside black metal is about fear that we can never return to the mythic, pastoral world that we crave on a deep subconscious level" Two Hunters was recorded on tape, at London Bridge and Aleph Studio by Randall Dunn (Earth, Sunn 0))) / Boris, Kinski) in the northwest of America. The process of the recording was very organic with very minimal use of any digital effects or manipulation. Jessica Kinney provides beautifully dark vocals on "Cleansing" and "I Will Lay Down My Bones Among The Rocks And Roots." The group's willingness to experiment with unconventional methods of recording and collaborate with avant-garde musicians sets them apart.
Street date: 2008-06-16
The music of Coffins is immediate. Infectious even. It's a blunt hammer to the head. Bludgeoning weaker mortals into submission. It is 2008 and Coffins are back with their third and most ridiculously heavy death doom masterpiece, Buried Death, released worldwide by 20 Buck Spin as part of a distribution deal with Southern Lord. Instantly memorable tracks like Under The Stench and Cadaver Blood devastate eardrums with skullcrushing production that suits the music's oppressive, bestial nature. Songwriting duties have become more of a band effort with bassist Koreeda contributing several songs. A perfect combination of their influences (Autopsy, Winter, Celtic Frost, Eyehategod) and their own harrowing sound. Additionally the band makes their US debut to support Buried Death with a week of dates with 20 Buck Spin label mates The Endless Blockade culminating with an appearance at the renowned Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore. 2008 is the year all true doom death maniacs plunge into the Coffin.
Street date: 2008-06-02
In May of 2007 thee mighty SUNN 0))) embarked on a Pacific Rim tour that included performances in Australia and Japan. The lineup for this tour included the core Sunn 0))) duo: Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley plus T.O.S. (Moog), Oren Ambarchi (analog effects and supplemental guitar) and vokillist Attila Csihar. Upon arrival in Sydney, Australia, Sunn 0))) invited one of their favorite black metal artists: Striborg over from Tasmania (!!!) to collaborate with them during their show. This blackened low-end psychedelic war is not for the faint of heart! This CD release is strictly limited to 3,000 machine numbered copies. It will NOT last long.
Street date: 2008-05-19
Ascend re-visits some of the tones, and moods of Anderson and Densley's past works as well as travelling into uncharted territory, all done with the utmost focus on heaviness and power. Of particular note is the vocal performance by Gentry Densley. His voice is deep and ominous, with a subtle Tom Waits influence within the growls and gruffness that is emoted. Anderson gushes enthusiastically: "We were extremely fortunate to have A LOT of help from our friends with this recording. Andy Patterson pounded the hell out of the drums, and Steve Moore (aka Stebmo, also in Earth and often Sunn0))) added some trombone ("Obelisk Of Kolob" and "Dark Matter"), organ ("Her Horse Is Thunder", "Dark Matter") and some amazing wurlitzer ("Amplifier Within", "Divine"). His playing brings a dark, sophisticated jazz atmosphere to the album. On the track "V O G" we were blessed to have Bubba Dupree (Void) AND none other than Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) put down some incredible lead work! The entire album was mixed by Randall Dunn (Earth, Sunn0))), Kinski,) and mastered by Mell Dettmer who is turning into the "house-mastering wizardress" for the Southern Lord label."
Street date: 2008-05-05
Oren Ambarchi’ continues his otherworldly investigations with In The Pendulum’s Embrace, a kind of dark twin to his landmark 2004 album Grapes From The Estate. Despite the use of glass harmonica, strings, bells, piano, percussion and guitars, it’s startling that the world created is still unmistakably his own, and that there is such a cohesion of vision throughout the albums’ three lengthy pieces.
Street date: 2008-04-21
On Smile, Boris' brush paints deeply intense blistering psychedelia, mammoth hooks, innovative songwriting, and a reinvention of dark heaviness. It features collaborative guests: Stephen O' Malley (Sunn0))) , KTL ), and Michio Kurihara (Ghost , White Heaven , The Stars ). "......Upon reflection of the aftermath of releasing their most successful album to date, (Pink) Boris has found the desire to create sounds that are a wider extension of just music. They are searching for sounds that are also an extension of life and the many experiences they have had in the two years that have passed since the release of Pink. In their quest, Boris are drawing upon unconventional influences such as: obscure Hair Metal, Japanese cartoon songs and 80s Japanese pop singers to help shape the band's new directions. Boris are unafraid to embrace different sounds that may not necessarily be considered to be hip or cool within the context of accepted rock, noise or drone music. These bold moves are really nothing new from a band that changes with every release, each time making a conscious effort not to repeat what they have done in the past. Smile is a new sound which represents everything that is RIGHT NOW. Boris hope "this is going to be a new experience for everyone beyond 'music'".
Street date: 2008-04-21
Jesse Sykes And The Sweet Hereafter's third full-length release is a musically deep piece of work, addressing themes of love, illusion, forgiveness, and the universality of the human experience. Jesse's band (along with guest appearances from Scandinavian cult songwriter Nicolai Dunger, jazz keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, and avant garde violinist/composer Eyvind Kang) explore new sounds with a confident ease, from the lilting first single "You Might Walk Away" to the waltzing sway of "Station Grey" to the hallucinatory psychedelia of "I Like The Sound"
Street date: 2008-04-07
The debut album from Lurker Of Chalice was originally released as a numbered, limited edition CD by Southern Lord. It immediately sold out and has now become a very sought after release within the underground black metal scene. This re-issue features new packaging (a digi-pac) and a bonus track that was previously only available on the limited vinyl version. Leviathan creator Wrest, steps above and below his usual recording evokation of Leviathan to unleash an entirely different incarnate: Lurker Of Chalice. With Leviathan: Wrest has poisoned the US Black Metal Underground with (3) now legendary works of pure black art. With Lurker Wrest takes a nearly gothic approach to some of his vokills. Incorporating melodies and harmonies that although just as bleak as previous works, create a unique grim atmosphere that explores the subtle dynamics of darkness unlike anything he has done in the past. The songs are all composed and solely performed by Wrest. Some of the songs are as reminiscent of Fields Of The Nephilim (Elizium era) and Bauhaus as they are of black metal artists like: Blut Aus Nord, Emperor, or Burzum. Indeed it still reeks of Black Metal, but this material drags you through new lows that are rarely reached by nowadays orthodox black metal acts.
Street date: 2008-03-24
War Metal Battle Master was recorded at Volume Studios in Chicago by Sanford Parker (Pelican, Unearthly Trance, Venomous Concept) and mastered by Scott Hull (Pig Destroyer member). The songs are a mix of the thrashing aggression & mega-riffage of the previous album: The Ultimate Destroyer and the unrelenting beatings & Sabbath chugs of Carnage, mixed with a new emotionless ferocity reserved for an executioner. Vocals are mercilessly hateful and compellingly ugly, bordering on the death roars of Obituary's John Tardy and the gluttoral rolls of Abbatt of Immortal... this surely is the sound of a very savage war. In standard Southern Lord fashion the packaging of this album is epic... featuring illustrations by Jeremy Mohlerand and layout by Seldon Hunt. The CD also contains a 20 page booklet with graphic illustrations for each song.
Street date: 2008-03-10
2 tracks. A taster of what's to come from Boris' forthcoming full-length Smile. This pressing is VERY limited to just 500
Street date: 2008-02-11
Where Hex reveled in dark satanic twang and austere American beauty, The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull finds Dylan Carlson and the band growing into a harder, more rock and American gospel oriented and improvisitory direction framed by a truly psychedelic production and blazing guitar sounds. Earth shows its affinity with a nod to the best elements of the more adventurous San Francisco bands of the late 60s and 70s, and the more spiritually aware and exciting forms of jazz-rock from the same era. This is no nostalgia trip but a thoroughly inspired and original metamorphosis. Earth is honoured to be joined on this record for three songs by legendary and virtuoso guitarist Bill Frisell (doing some of his most fuzzed out playing in years). Frisell adds a brilliant texture and counterpoint to the scintillating riffs of Dylan Carlson and the band. Adrienne Davies joins again on drums, lending a classic and steady feel to the proceedings. Steve Moore also returns, adding heavy Hammond organ and his intense jazz-inspired piano playing. Live bassist Don McGreevy also makes his full-length Earth debut on this record.
Street date: 2008-01-28
Burial Chamber Trio is a collaboration project between renowned Australian experimental guitarist: Oren Ambarchi, legendary Hungarian vocalist Attila Csihar (Mayhem) and Greg Anderson (Sunn 0))), Goatsnake, Southern Lord). Recorded live in Rotterdam/Holland during the groups European tour, January 2007. RELEASED ON VINY ONLY!! Heavy picture disc limited
Street date: 2007-11-19
What makes the Boris w/ Merzbow collaboration particularly interesting is that both Boris and Merzbow seem to leave behind the expected to fully embrace the unknown. The usually harsh, corrosive grate of Merzbow is not as apparent with Boris involved. Also the inspired charge of the Boris rock machine seems to reach new heights with Merzbow's intuitive textures added. This is however not entirely free-form. In fact the structure of this is what sets it apart from the majority of Merzbow related releases and collaborations. Boris passionately play their songs as they appear on the albums, but with Merzbow sharing the stage the result transcends the usual conventions of "rock-song" structure. In the end all musicians have created sounds and atmospheres that retains qualities of each group, yet taking the listener to a new plateau.
Street date: 2007-10-22
Scurshahor is an Australian entity, brethren in aesthetic to Sin-Nanna/Striborg. The actual identity of this project is a mystery. Striborg's tracks were composed and recorded exclusively for this session. Said to be inspired by the events that transpired between Sin-Nanna (Striborg) and Sunn 0))) during their collaborative performance together in Australia, May 2007.
Street date: 2007-10-22
The music of The Wolves In The Throne Room is rooted in the traditions of Black Metal, but they subvert the common aesthetic and ideology in order to remain true to their own personal manifestations. "Our relationship with the natural world is a healing force in our lives. If you listen to Black Metal, but you don't know what phase the moon is in, or what wild flowers are blooming then you have failed. The music is about wild forests, unfettered rivers, nature: furious and vengeful." This "natural" aesthetic permeates the bands every expression, Lyrically, musically, and ideologically. "Black Metal is the cleansing fire that frees us from the bondage of rationality, science, morality, religion, leaving us free to choose our own path...The deep woe inside black metal is about fear that we can never return to the mythic, pastoral world that we crave on a deep subconscious level" Two Hunters was recorded on tape, at London Bridge and Aleph Studio by Randall Dunn (Earth, Sunn 0))) / Boris, Kinski) in the northwest of America. The process of the recording was very organic with very minimal use of any digital effects or manipulation. Jessica Kinney provides beautifully dark vocals on "Cleansing" and "I Will Lay Down My Bones Among The Rocks And Roots." The group's willingness to experiment with unconventional methods of recording and collaborate with avant-garde musicians sets them apart.
Street date: 2007-09-24
After Tangorodrim's Unholy And Unlimited album, released on Southern Lord in 2005, this filthy horde hibernated and shape-shifted into a new more vicious beast. Recruiting ex-Rabies Caste (previous releases on Earache) drummer Terno Graderz, Tangorodrim have regressed into a more primitive animal for this their fourth studio album. Justus Ex Fide Vivit is raw alcohol-fuelled Black Metal colliding violently with disgusting Punk Rock.
Street date: 2007-08-13
Oracle is two brand new exclusive SUNN O))) tracks available officially on vinyl only! "Orakulum" was originally composed for a live performance collaboration with the New York sculptor Banks Violette at the Maureen Paley Gallery in London, June of 2006. Violette created sculptural representation of SUNN O)))'s entire backline in cast resin and salt, including amplifier stacks, instruments, effects & accompaniments. In addition, black lacquered stage platforms and sound panels were created as a basis for the groups actual backline setup, and a selection of drawings were presented within the context. The result of this performance and collaboration, which was conducted in a sealed gallery space, was intended to generate a feeling of absence, loss and a phantom of what once was.
Street date: 2007-08-13
Southern Lord are proud to release this vinyl issue of Genevieve, the reissue of Velvet Cacoon's first full-length. This double vinyl set, limited to a pressing of 1500 copies only, is packaged in an insanely beautiful VELVET JACKET with the Velvet Cacoon logo in black foil.
Street date: 2007-07-30
After two critically acclaimed full length releases under their belts recorded by Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Melvins, High On Fire, etc.) and released respectively on Berserker and Crucial Blast Records, the latest and highly anticipated album from Weedeater, entitled 'God Luck And Good Speed' is released in 2007 on Southern Lord Recordings. All but one of the songs on the album were recorded and produced by the legendary Steve Albini (Neurosis, High On Fire, Nirvana, etc.) at Electrical Audio studios in Chicago. The sound is gigantic, and both the production and recording skillfully capture the intense experience of a Weedeater show while achieving tones that will swallow you whole. The remaining track, "Alone", was recorded by Mike Dean (Corrosion Of Conformity) and simply consists of an acoustic bass track, a banjo track, and vocally some of Dixie's best somber and sub-baritone rasping. The mastering was executed by John Golden (Neurosis, Melvins, Pelican, etc.) and the finished product is nothing short of amazing.
Street date: 2007-07-30
Vinyl issue of this killer debut album from one of the most inventive and truly unique new Black Metal acts from the USA. Recently signed to Southern Lord. You will be hearing alot more from this promising group!
Street date: 2007-06-18
Hailing from France, Glorior Belli came out from the dark in 2002. The first demo Evil Archaic Order was released in midsummer 2004, followed by the first album O Lavdate Dominvs in May 2005. Despite their exquisitely filthy and brutal nature, their recordings emit a mesmerizing otherworldly resonance that cannot be denied. An ominous rumble and surge, always moving forward with various points of tension and terror! Glorior Bellis' whole aesthetic has a strangely melodic bent that helps it to stand out from other black metal records. Somehow they manage to write bestial art that is ultra-catchy while at the same time being suffocatingly black and grim. "Manifesting the Raging Beast" is their second full length album and a first for their new label-coven: Southern Lord. Glorior Belli hold their own against other classic black metal Southern Lord releases like: Craft, Leviathan, Deathspell Omega, and Funeral Mist, as well as creating their own unique sound.
Street date: 2007-06-18
After a long, exhaustive excavation of a historic sacrificial burial mound the corpses of three prime-evil caveman were unearthed. Upon their resurrection their identities were revealed as: Oren Ambarchi, Greg Anderson and Attila Csihar. Archaeologists have determined the creatures stalked the land before performing archaic rituals under the names of : Grave Temple Trio (Israel only) Sunn 0))), Mayhem, Tormentor, and possibly the Menstruation Sisters. This current evocation of this unholy alliance has been rumored to be: subsonic, destructive and may induce vomiting, narcolepsy or rigor mortis.
Street date: 2007-06-04
Spanish horde: Orthodox started in the winter of 2004/05 and the following April they recorded the two themes of Gran Poder, an amazing debut that is just the first stone of the sonic monolith the band are going to build, step by drone-heavy step. In this first recording, their musical influences (Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Melvins, Earth, Sleep among others) get mixed with their peculiar perception of south-Spanish religious folklore. The result is lethargic but with obsessive repetitions, minimalism, feedback, distortion and endless drones creating a primitive trance-inducing atmosphere. Gran Poder was originally released in Europe by the Spanish label Alone Records. This north American Southern Lord issue features two exclusive bonus tracks not available on the original issue - a cover of Venoms' classic “Genocide” and a cover of Sabbath's legendary “Black Sabbath”. This is only the beginning of the epic journey Orthodox has embarked on and already in the works is a collaboration with Julian Cope. They are now working on new songs with new instrumentation, including upright bass and piano, and are showing influences from John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Morricone, Ligeti and traditional religious music so they can express their spirituality in the heaviest way possible. Orthodox is a band you will be hearing allot more from via Southern Lord in the near future!
Street date: 2007-05-21
In the blistering hot summer of 2006, while war was raging all around them, Attila Csihar (Tormentor, Mayhem, and contributing vocalist of Sunn 0)))), Oren Ambarchi (contributing member of Sunn 0)))) and Stephen O'Malley (Khanate, KTL, Sunn 0)))) convened in Israel to perform shows as a trio under the moniker: GraveTemple. Despite pleas from friends and families, and an imminent war with numerous terrorist attacks around them, the trio plowed ahead to lay waste to the unsuspecting Israelites. This album: The Holy Down is a documentation of the absolute sheer force these three radicals threw down during these rare performances. An epic 60 minute journey, ritualistic, mesmerizing and completely raw. The CD comes packaged in a 5 inch mini-gatefold jacket along with a booklet that contains photos and liner notes (in English and Hebrew!) from rabid fans that attended the performances.
Street date: 2007-05-07
Hibernaculum is a very special LP release from avant-experimental drone innovators Earth Sleeve is printed on deluxe heavy-weight card featuring stunning artwork by acclaimed photographer/artist Seldon Hunt, and pressed on 180g black vinyl. The material consists of new recordings of three old Earth classics redone in a different, stark and clean tone, plus the track "A Plague of Angels" which was previously available on a rare tour-only split 12 inch with Sunn0))). The lineup assembled by Dylan Carlson for this album compliments the aesthetic and direction perfectly. Adrienne Davies who brought a patient, consistent and complimentary rhythm and percussion to the Hexalbum is again behind the drum kit. Don Mcgreevy and Jonas Haskins provide bass support. Steve Moore assists on keyboards and horns. Greg Anderson (Sunn 0)))/Thorr's Hammer/Goatsnake) adds subsonics via analogue synth on "Ouroboros is Broken" and "Coda Maestoso in F (Flat) Minor". As with Hex, Hibernaculum is focused and precise yet the heavy darkness remains unbroken.
Street date: 2007-04-09
Asbestosdeath was short-lived and only existed long enough to record four songs that were previously released on two separate 7 inches. One: 'Unclean' was self-released by the band, the other: 'Dejection' was released by Profane Existence. These recordings are long out of print, buried by time and dust. On the specific request of the band Southern Lord has been chosen to unearth these recordings and make them available once again! It is our honour to unveil this compact disc and 10 Inch properly documenting these sacred hymns. Be prepared for divine punishment.
Street date: 2007-03-26
The first collaboration between Southern Lord's two kingpins of avant- metal, "Altar" is surely the most eagerly-anticipated extreme music release for some time. The wedding of Sunn O)))'s brutal drone symphonies with Boris' kaleidoscopic noise results in a wholly unique album that alchemically merges familiar elements of each band's sound into a transfigured, mysterious whole; roaring drones rise and collapse beneath blasts of disorienting, warped horns, the end result a heaving, psychedelic mass that looks set to induct yet more devotees to the shadowy explorations of both acts. The album features various contributions from other artists, including Jess Sykes, who provides haunting, melodic vocals on "Sinking Belle" Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), who contributes some enthralling guitar work to the album closer; and Joe Preston (Earth, Thrones, Melvins, High On Fire) , whose psychedelic vocal style is present on "Akuma Kuma." The end result is a mind-blowing sludge of cathartic, blurred noise.
Street date: 2007-03-12
'Hibernaculum' is a very special CD and DVD package release from avant-experimental drone innovators Earth. The audio material consists of new recordings of three old Earth classics redone in a different, stark and clean tone, plus the track “A Plague of Angels” which was previously available on a rare tour-only split 12 inch with Sunn0))).
Street date: 2007-02-12
This is the third full-length album from Maryland's The Hidden Hand. After firmly establishing themselves with their two previous albums: Divine Propaganda (2003) and Mother, Teacher, Destroyer (released in 2004 on Exile On Mainstream), Hidden Hand unleash another epic masterpiece: The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote. Lyrically the band has evolved from their previous politically charged content also incorporating historical story based lyricism. Musically there is a subtle southern or classic rock vibe (ala killer slide playing from Wino and even some Harp by Michael Anthony Miller) that creeps into the foundation of their brand of dark, heavy, progressive rock. Only a line-up consisting of the capable "rock-veterans" that make up the Hidden Hand can properly pull off an album of this magnitude. Vocalist/songwriter Scott WINO Weinrich (whose rich history includes being a song-writer, vocalist and lead guitarist in: Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls and contributor to Dave Grohls' Probot album) is joined by the kick-ass rhythm section of bassist/vocalist Bruce Falkinburgh (who also recorded the album) and drummer Evan Tanner. The union of these three incredible musicians produces a unique sound force that is setting a precedence that most bands will find impossibly challenging to match.
Street date: 2007-02-12
Leviathan is the audial bastard spawn of the musician known as Wrest (also main-man behind Lurker Of Chalice and a member of Twilight). Cruel and boundless, these Leviathan tracks continue to push the band into the uncharted waters of punishing black metal art. Of particular note is the fact that these Leviathan tracks represent the first time ever that Wrest has played live/acoustic drums on a Leviathan album. Although each Leviathan album released is a credible, important achievement The Blind Wound material is outstandingly dark and impressive. There is a decidedly more "human" vibe here, but fear not its still grim and cold as ever. This material was initially available on a split CD with Sapthuran but now is available on its own on 180 gram virgin vinyl!
Street date: 2006-10-23
The first collaboration between Southern Lord's two kingpins of avant- metal, "Altar" is surely the most eagerly-anticipated extreme music release for some time. The wedding of Sunn O)))'s brutal drone symphonies with Boris' kaleidoscopic noise results in a wholly unique album that alchemically merges familiar elements of each band's sound into a transfigured, mysterious whole; roaring drones rise and collapse beneath blasts of disorienting, warped horns, the end result a heaving, psychedelic mass that looks set to induct yet more devotees to the shadowy explorations of both acts. The album features various contributions from other artists, including Jess Sykes, who provides haunting, melodic vocals on "Sinking Belle" Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), who contributes some enthralling guitar work to the album closer; and Joe Preston (Earth, Thrones, Melvins, High On Fire) , whose psychedelic vocal style is present on "Akuma Kuma." The end result is a mind-blowing sludge of cathartic, blurred noise.
Street date: 2006-06-12
Street date: 2006-05-15
Over the past couple years Japan's most powerful power trio Boris have gone from underground cult obscurity to a critically acclaimed and must hear band. Beginning in 2000 with Absolutego, then 2003's Amplifier Worship, and last year's Akuma No Uta, each album gets stronger and gathers a larger following then the one that proceeded it. Last year also saw Boris bring their incredible live show to us, playing select sold out dates across Europe. Continuing with their extremely prolific output, Southern Lord is proud to unleash the brand new studio album from Boris: PINK. Followers of the band already know that each release Boris will do something unexpected, entirely unique, and continually forging in a new direction. PINK is absolutely no exception! However, for possibly the first time these new recordings effectively combine all the strongest elements of what Boris is capable of into one solid, complete, concise album. The mega-drone of Amplifier Worship is apparent in songs like: 'Blackout', the balls-out punk rock is evident in 'Nothing Special' and 'Six, Three Times', extreme dark-psychedelia manifests itself in 'Afterburner' and (if that wasn't more than enough) the 70's fuzzed out acid rock is represented in foot stomping title track 'Pink'. The clincher on PINK and new element that is brought to the table is a infusion of ultra-catchy melodicism into their already heavy foundation. The album opener and closer as well as title track contain infectious vocal melodies that combined with intelligent song-writing create a solidified, undeniable union. As with all previous Boris releases on Southern Lord, the packaging is uniquely psychedelic with the utmost attention to detail created by Stephen O'Malley. PINK comes with a die-cut cover that when opened reveals 3 perforated acid-tab cards!
Street date: 2006-04-03
An epic and undeniable monolith hath been unleashed upon thee earth... Behold! The second album from Chicago’s warlords Lair of the Minotaur!! The Ulitmate Destroyer bulldozes down the same path as their critically acclaimed and now classic debut: Carnage. Blistering riffs, and skull-crushing rhythms played with an apocalyptic aesthetic and complimented perfectly with horrific lyrical vengeance. Ultimate Destroyer in whole is faster, yet slower and more vicious then anything the band has previously done. From the maniacal speed of: “Lord of Butchery” to the Death Metal obsessed groove of “Behead the Gorgon” to the mammoth doom of album closer: “The Hydra Coils Upon This Wicked Mountain” this album covers alot of purely METAL, hallowed ground. LOTM has honed their now trademark formula (Greek mythology + Heavy Metal - Trendy Bullshit = LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR) to a razor sharp blade and are ready to stab it into your jugular!
Street date: 2006-03-06
Street date: 2005-11-14
Earthride are a another incredible band from the Doom Capitol/ Maryland, the fertile breeding ground that has spawned: Hidden Hand, Pentagram, Internal Void, Wretched, Iron Man, Unorthodox, and Spirit Caravan. In fact, there's connections to some of these bands, drummer Eric Little was in Internal Void, and singer Dave Sherman was in Wretched and also played bass in Spirit Caravan (along with sharing vocal duties with Wino).
Street date: 2005-11-14
9 trks, 38 mins. Raw, filthy, sickening, French black metal, highly blasphemic interior death songs. Long may they burn in helll - arghrgrghg. You like Watain? You gonna love this!
Street date: 2005-10-31
The fifth official studio album from the legendary Seattle group: Earth. As it was in the beginning, Earth is still helmed by Dylan Carlson. Joining Earth as a permanent member is Adrienne Davies on drums / percussion. Dylan Carlson is regarded as an innovator within ambient, experimental, drone, doom circles. His compositions and playing can be credited with influencing diverse groups and musicians such as: Sunn O))), Boris, Jim O'Rourke, Mogwai, Justin Broaderick (Godflesh/Jesu) and even Kurt Cobain.
Street date: 2005-10-31
The debut album from Lurker Of Chalice was originally released as a numbered, limited edition CD by Southern Lord. It immediately sold out and has now become a very sought after release within the underground black metal scene. Leviathan creator Wrest, steps above and below his usual recording evokation of Leviathan to unleash an entirely different incarnate: Lurker Of Chalice. With Leviathan: Wrest has poisoned the US Black Metal Underground with (3) now legendary works of pure black art. With Lurker Wrest takes a nearly gothic approach to some of his vokills. Incorporating melodies and harmonies that although just as bleak as previous works, create a unique grim atmosphere that explores the subtle dynamics of darkness unlike anything he has done in the past. The songs are all composed and solely performed by Wrest. Some of the songs are as reminiscent of Fields Of The Nephilim (Elizium era) and Bauhaus as they are of black metal artists like: Blut Aus Nord, Emperor, or Burzum. Indeed it still reeks of Black Metal, but this material drags you through new lows that are rarely reached by nowadays orthodox black metal acts.
Street date: 2005-10-03
Black One raises total void into the stratosphere spilling its unlight forth in petrification. This is the sixth and darkest sunn0))) album featuring very special guests Oren Ambarchi, Wrest (Leviathan/Lurker of Chalice/ Twilight) Malefic (Xasthur, Twilight) and John Weise (Bastard Noise). A showing of progressive yet primitive pure subsonic power committed to tape. Tonal magma explosions created under the influence of utter blackest atmospheres, sunn0))) endlessly seeks to push boundaries and demolish pre-conceived ideas of their emminence.
Street date: 2005-09-19
2 trks + Mpeg, 13 mins. Limited edition 3" CD from Chicago nightmare LOTM(feat. members of Pelican and 7000 Dying Rats) -tantalising glimpse at what the new album offers. 7" avail.
Street date: 2005-08-22
8 trks, 73 mins. Album 14 from North America's Black Metal 1 man sensation.Xasthur will not quit until the END!!! Xasthur plays 100% terrifying misanthropic music. Nigh, I tell you!
Street date: 2005-08-22
11 trks, 67 mins. Re-packaged and re-issued live album from 1991. Several Vitus classics like Born Too Late&Dying Inside feature w/ all the raw energy you'd expect from the pioneers
Street date: 2005-06-13
19 trks, 70 mins. Collected for the first time Joe Preston's rare and unreleased solo material is the first Thrones album to drop in 5 years!100% beautiful, genre-skipping heaviness.
Street date: 2005-04-18
Southern Lords' favorite and most excellent Japanese power trio: BORIS are back with another offering from their eclectic catalog. Akuma No Uta is a 39 minute, six song album that offers up a variety of styles from past Boris albums, drawing from the heavier-than-thou rumble of Absolutego and Amplifier Worship (both previously released on Southern Lord), to the exquisite beauty of Flood, and the sheer jams-out-kickin' of Heavy Rocks.
Street date: 2004-09-20
Black/extreme metal project in the vein of Venom from Larry Herweg, the drummer in Chicago based instrumetal sludgers Pelican. Go fetch the hooded cloak of hessian
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2 song 7" preceeds the album release in February. Dave Grohl wrote songs for & with the rock singers that influenced him. Ltd to 6666 copies worldwide, this features Wino & Lemmy.
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Taking their name from an old KULT fanzine that Emperor drummer Bard Faust created, Orcustus is a primitive tribute to the dark past of black metal. Orcustus features some of the biggest names in the Norwegian black metal scene: Infernus (Gorgoroth) - bass Dirge Rep (ex-Gehenna, ex-Enslaved) - drums Tormentor (ex-Gorgoroth, Gaahlskagg) - guitars Bringing to mind early Darkthrone, Bathory and Venom, Orcustus is old school black metal: absolute chaos and violence at its best. This limited edition seven-inch contains songs from their demo. BUY AND DIE!!!
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12 tracks + bonus track, 53 mins. Nicest man in rock, Dave Grohl's all-star metal supergroup finally unveils a full length album. Feat. Lemmy,Max Cavalera, Wino,Cronos + more on vox
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With their fifth album - White2 - the celebrated SUNN 0))) partnership of guitarists Stephen O'Malley (Khanate) and Greg Anderson (Goatsnake) bears its blackest fruit yet: this is profound music for those beyond burnout, for those wishing to lick the void, for those who want to kill time dead or just step outside of it for a while. For the vinyl lovers out there, you're in for a treat. DECAY (THE SYMPTOMS OF KALI YUGA) is a vinyl only bonus track.
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7 trks, ? mins. Unswervingly misanthropic Black Metal played in the olde tradition of Bathory, Hellhammer + Venom. Limited to 666 copies, vinyl only, insane illness from Israel.
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? trks, ? mins. Finally this classic Wino-era Vitus release has been resurrected! Cd includes bonus material, the vinyl will be, as always, exceptionally limited.
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16. Tracks. Double reissue of two lost classics (+ 2 bonus tracks) from the Doom Rock vault, <1> and
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Very first "demo" recordings (recorded circa 1998) from sunn 0))). Featuring sunn 0))) founders: Stephen O' Malley (Khanate) and Greg Anderson (Goatsnake,) guest bass by : G. Stuart Dahlquist (ex- Burning Witch, ASVA)
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7 trks, 37 mins. Essential split LP release from two of the most important solitary,isolationist black metal acts in the scene. Suicidal sounds from America vs. Danish funeral doom.
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6 trk,68 min. A monolithic slab of downtuned, hypnotic drone remixes of the legendary Washington band Earth, including Sunn O))), Mogwai, Russel Haswell, Autechre + Jim O'Rourke
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4 trks, 17 mins. Pure, blasting, hellish, blasphemic, speed of light, violent, pounding metal from Birmingham, UK. Feat. members of Aborym, Anaal Nathrakh and Mistress. Ltd to 1000
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