Label Description: Primal Era Worship presents the debut album Last Outpost on Cryo Chamber.
Highly atmospheric cinematic dark ambient with tribal textures and reverberating soundscapes.
Author Archives: John Lithium
Derma – Gran Monoplano (Ant-Zen)
Label Description:
DERMA, a collaboration between riccardo bianchi and massimo magrini (also known as BAD SECTOR), embodies a sophisticated fusion of retro-futuristic electronica and poetic lyricism. originating in 1995 and revitalized in 2020, this project has become a distinctive voice in the italian synthwave scene.
their musical approach combines analog loops, diverse vocal inserts, and synthetic arrangements, blending ’70s and ’80s synth-electro aesthetics with modern production techniques. this unique amalgamation results in a raw yet refined auditory experience, where abrasive electronic textures intertwine with complex vocal arrangements.
DERMA’s lyrics, delivered in italian through singing and declamation, explore introspective decadence and everyday science fiction. drawing inspiration from krautrock, ebm, and cold wave, their music creates a nostalgic yet forward-thinking soundscape that appeals to both retro enthusiasts and contemporary audiences seeking a darker, more cerebral dance music experience.
their compositions serve as sonic time capsules, echoing the past while envisioning the future, with sharp, icy melodies set to danceable rhythms.
credits
released April 17, 2025
DERMA: riccardo bianchi (voice) & massimo magrini (music)
artwork by stefan alt
this is ant-zen act476
DERMA – gran monoplano [trailer]
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JQtzWU2fqQ
Anatoly Grinberg And Mark Spybey – Crop-Dusting (Ant-Zen)
Label Description: for this, their fourth release, the duo of ANATOLY GRINBERG and MARK SPYBEY continue to carefully straddle the blurred lines between electronic and acoustic music and on a more personal level, the difficulties imposed by the political landscape and climate that separates and divides nations and people. friends, united in a common language. to create art.
Cousin Silas & Eisenlager – Absentia (The Cousin Silas Emporium)
Label Description:
It was a few years back that myself and Eisenlager created our first collab album. We always promised ourselves we would do another one, hence the title of the last track from the original release: “Believe Me, More Is Coming.”. Sadly he passed away before we managed it, but he did send me several pieces to consider. I thought it was time to dust off those pieces, add my bits, and refit some of his solo tracks he sent for the various Emporium Projects.
I guess this resulting album is both a tribute to the man, and a promise upheld that indeed more did come.
For Nobby, a good friend, supporter and above all, the man behind one of the best compilation series, Midnight Radio. It was these that helped me gain a little self confidence back in the day. I miss the guy.
OvO – Split (Artoffact Records)
Label Description: OvO and Mai Mai Mai, two essential figures of the Italian experimental underground, join forces for an exceptional split album. These artists have continuously pushed the boundaries of musical genres, exploring extreme and uncharted sonic territories.
Formed in 2000, OvO is a noise rock duo consisting of Stefania Pedretti (guitar, vocals) and Bruno Dorella (drums). Their music—both tribal and apocalyptic—is a relentless sonic assault, an audacious fusion of noise rock, sludge metal, industrial rock, and avant-doom. Renowned for their intense live performances and strong DIY ethos, OvO remains a unique force in extreme music.
Mai Mai Mai is the project of Toni Cutrone, a Rome-based musician and sound explorer. Blending traditional Southern Italian folklore with industrial drone, proto-techno, and heavy sonic textures, Mai Mai Mai crafts immersive performances that transport audiences into a ritualistic exploration of ancestral sounds.
After making a strong impression at Roadburn Festival 2023, OvO and Mai Mai Mai now unite for a one-of-a-kind split vinyl, merging their singular sonic worlds. On Side A, OvO unleashes four new tracks, raw and abrasive, pushing the limits of their chaotic and untamed noise rock. On Side B, Mai Mai Mai delves into experimental and electroacoustic realms, weaving an immersive and dense atmosphere filled with ritualistic sounds and electronic manipulations.
The visual identity of the release is enhanced by a striking cover artwork by tattoo artist Arthur Tête de Mouton, perfectly complementing the explosive encounter between these two visionary forces.
{AN} EeL and Steven Leak – the wholly other (M I S T)
Label Description:
Introducing the collaboration between {AN} Eel and steven leak. Meditative and epic drones meet visceral, emotive vocals and an unusual combination of instruments in this beautiful musical work from the duo.
credits
released April 25, 2025
Track 1 “ Monday sky”
steven: soundscapes and treatments
neal: paino. vox
Track 2 “the magic mothswarm”
steven: soundscapes and treatments
neal: handclaps, vox, piano
Track 3 “rusted petal chains”
steven: soundscapes and treatments
neal: vox
Track 4 “the wholly other”
steven: soundscapes and treatments
neal: accordion, vox
Track 5 “dark-framed shimmering endpoint”
steven: soundscapes and treatments
neal: gamelan, guitar, vox
steven: I asked Neal if he’d be interested in sending me some music that I could deconstruct, reconstruct and treat as I saw fit. Neal is a truly generous spirit and so I received two packages of stems of music incorporating a variety of instruments as well as Neal’s voice.
The result is “the wholly other”.
I love this music.
I hope you do also.
Neal: This Music in particular resonates with the season for me – It is, the beautiful area we both live in Peterborough /Nogojiwanong ( Nogojiwanong = Translates as ” place at the foot of the rapids ” ) but it has been a particularly difficult winter – And also, we are in a particularly difficult time. However, I find great comfort in being able to come out of the depths of winter ( Literally, Figuratively, Whatever ) and make what at least counts as a gesture in the direction of hope, if not an actual healing balm. So enjoy these lovingingly crafted sounds, as we look forward to a warm future
Steven Leak made his part of this music with an Arturia Minifreak, Red Panda Tensor and Particle pedals, a TC Infinite pedal, cutlery, tuned wine glasses, a stainless steel water bottle, and a Zoom multiplex pedal.
Composed and produced in Peterborough, Ontario Canada by steven leak and Neal Retke
Mixed and Mastered in Denmark (with additional treatments) by Erik Emil Eskildsen
Caustic Wound – Grinding Mechanism Of Torment (Profound Lore Records)
Ivan Black – Concrete Island (Petroglyph Music)
Label Description:
“Concrete Island” is a novel by J.G. Ballard, first published in 1974. The story explores themes of isolation, survival, and the impact of urban environments on human psychology. It is often classified within the genre of speculative fiction, reflecting Ballard’s keen interest in the relationship between humanity and the modern world.
Main Themes
1. Isolation and Alienation: The setting of the concrete island serves as a metaphor for modern urban life, where people often feel disconnected despite being surrounded by others. Maitland’s isolation forces him to reflect on his life and the choices that led him to this predicament.
2. Survival and Adaptation: The novel delves into the human instinct for survival. Maitland’s journey showcases his physical and mental struggles, highlighting the lengths people will go to endure and adapt to extreme situations.
3. Urban Decay: Ballard’s depiction of the concrete island reflects a critique of modernity. The stark contrast between the vibrant city surrounding the island and the desolation within it underscores the neglect and decay present in urban settings.
4. Psychological Exploration: As Maitland grapples with his circumstances, the narrative explores his psyche. The isolation prompts a deep introspection, raising questions about identity, purpose, and the nature of reality.
Tech Level 2 – Indifferent. EP (Avalanche Recordings)
Label Description:
With Tech Level 2, Justin K Broadrick harks back to the days when drum and bass was ruff, rugged and raw, in the 90’s and very early 00’s.
And, for those who don’t know, Justin worked tirelessly in the drum and bass scene in the mid 90s to the early 00’s producing many records on revered UK drum and bass labels, both as Tech Level 2 and his pre Tech Level 2 project Youpho (which was a duo). More info can be found on the blurbs for the previous Tech Level 2 releases on Avalanche Recordings.
Drum and bass / Jungle, had a huge impact on Justin from its inception in the early 90’s, and he brought that influence into his Godflesh productions from the mid 90’s onwards. An influence that has been omnipresent ever since, in not only Godflesh, but across every project.
Now operating without engaging in any scenes or DJ culture, Tech level 2 still exists to continue flying the flag for the roots of pure, raw and minimal/maximal drum and bass.
credits
released March 14, 2025
Produced 2020 – 2024 by Justin K Broadrick /
AVALANCHE RECORDINGS /
AREC077 /
2025 /
Psychick Wound – Incurable (Body Musick)
Label Description: Second album by Filmmaker’s minimal synth side project Psychick Wound.
Music For The Rest Of Us 