mastroKristo is a band out of Greece whom I was able to glean little information about, but considering they are being released by Lost Tribe Sound, I expected this to be good. I was not disappointed at all. The acoustic guitar is achingly sparse, with a hint of neofolk without Continue Reading
Neofolk
Agnivolok + Necromishka – Animal God (Звериный бог)
Agnivolok and Necromishka are two Israeli neofolk bands who remind me not only of obvious modern bands like Death in June, but have a sound similar to the legendary American ur-neofolk band Changes. Stunning, mellow, folksy and dark.
Ambient Folklore – Bestiary
The Bulgarian band Ambient Folklore have a new album out, and it surpasses any neofolk/dark-folk album I’ve heard over the past two years. The sounds on this record are heavy and foreboding, made more so by very prominent hurdy-gurdy expertly played by Petar Delchev. It sounds as if mid-period Death Continue Reading
Romowe Rikoito – UKA
This is the latest from Prussian/Russian neofolk band Romowe Rikoito. The music is heavy, based on the neofolk paradigm, of course, but what sets this apart is the reconstructed Old Prussian lyrics, something the band is passionate about transmitting.
Ilian Ladov – За далёкие берега
Ilian Ladov is a musician from St. Petersburg, Russia, who works in the medium of neofolk. The work is all instrumental, and has a very relaxed vibe to it. It’s a bit melancholy in parts, but not dour or droll at all.
Āustras Laīwan – Ephemerality of April Dreams
Friends of the blog Āustras Laīwan have released one of the most sublimely engaging albums I have heard recently. The tone is melancholy throughout, almost achingly so. There are parts where one feels like they’re opening up a ballerina box in an old Russian film. In terms of sound, it’s Continue Reading
Sieben – Feel The Fever (Single)
Our dear friend, the Mighty Sieben himself, Matt Howden, is launching a series of 10 singles under the banner BRAND NEW DARK AGE. For those of you who were wise enough to support Matt’s Patreon, you will be receiving the first chance to hear these, and the tracks will be Continue Reading
The Phonometrician – Cóiste Bodhar
The Phonometrician is fellow Los Angeleno Carlos Morales, and he produces a music that sounds like a post-Industrial Coil supplemented by a very sparse acoustic guitar. It works quite well, and adds to the already immensely wonderful Lost Tribe Sound catalog.
Sieben – Ten Hymns for Modern Times
I had the pleasure of meeting Matt Howden, the mighty Sieben himself, while tour-managing for Sol Invictus in 2000. His violin playing added an otherworldly element to the music, and he was embarking on his solo career at that point. After scores of albums under Sieben and his own name, Continue Reading
Sunset Wings and Brodsky – Songs of Love, Madness and Sleep
From Kaliningrad, Russia (formerly my material ancestral Linn homeland of Koenigsberg, East Prussia) hail one of the most impressive psychedelic folk records I’ve heard in some time. From the cacophony of the violin starting the album, it morphs into a Beatlesque horn arrangement. Those few seconds set the tone for Continue Reading