Tag Archives: cyclic law

raison d’être – The Empty Hollow Unfolds (Cyclic Law)

Posted by John Lithium on

Label Description:

In a long-awaited unveiling, celebrating it’s 25th anniversary, raison d’être’s critically acclaimed dark ambient opus “The Empty Hollow Unfolds” will be available for the first time ever on vinyl, released as a deluxe Double LP edition on Marbled vinyl and standard Black. Originally issued in 2000 this reissue marks a significant milestone in the legacy of Swedish composer Peter Andersson, whose immersive soundscapes helped define an era of industrial ambient music.

“The Empty Hollow Unfolds” is not merely an album, it is a descent into the void. Widely hailed as one of the most haunting and emotionally resonant works in the dark ambient genre, it transforms isolation into an art form. Andersson constructs a sonic environment of desolate beauty, where metallic echoes, subterranean drones, and Gregorian-like chants collide in a ritual of decay and transcendence.

From the slow, meditative swell of “The Slow Ascent” to the sprawling, twenty-minute dirge “The Eternal Return and the Infinity Horizon”, this record remains a singular achievement, a sound world of spectral ruins and elegant desolation. This new Double LP edition has been remastered specifically for vinyl, restoring the album’s cavernous depth and atmospheric range in unprecedented detail and includes 3 bonus tracks not available on the original release.

Critics have long praised The Empty Hollow Unfolds as a milestone in the genre, once voted the greatest release in Cold Meat Industry’s storied history. Described as “elegantly crafted ruin” and “a travelogue from a land where the sun never rises,” the album continues to evoke awe and unease in equal measure. Its sound, monumental yet intimate, cold yet achingly human, remains as relevant and unsettling today as it was 25 years ago.

Limited Edition 2LP of 400 copies. 200 copies on Marbled vinyl and 200 on Black vinyl. Gatefold Sleeve, matte varnish and black paper inner sleeves. 8 Tracks. Running Time 73:13

Vestigal – Descending Vastness (Cyclic Law)

Posted by John Lithium on

Label Description:

Vestigial Returns from the Abyss with New Album “Descending Vastness”.

Italy’s Vestigial Breaks Years of Silence with a Hauntingly Cathartic Journey Into the Inner Void.

After years of dormancy, the enigmatic Italian project re-emerges with the long-awaited new album, a profound and immersive exploration of the human condition through sound. This album marks a visceral return to form, channeling the raw essence of inner torment and transcendence.

Though the project has remained largely silent, Vestigial has never truly ceased to exist. In moments when the spirit was haunted by helplessness, a spark of catharsis inevitably ignited. That spark has now coalesced into Descending Vastness—an atavistic, liberating chant echoing through the oppressive ruins of contemporary society. It is both a confrontation and a requiem, composed at the intersection of horror and serenity, destruction and renewal.

The album is a descent, a journey inward, into the deepest shadows of self and structure, where the grotesque and the sublime coexist. Yet within this vast inner descent lies a paradoxical glimpse of peace. That elusive serenity, always on the horizon, hints at an inevitable ascent: a transcendence beyond the constraints of human nature.

“Descending Vastness” is forged from fragments of time. Some tracks were written years ago; others have been reimagined, while many were reconstructed from remnants of vanished sessions. Despite, or because of, this fractured process, each composition stands as a vital part of the descent and a precursor to the ascent that follows.

Sonically, the album oscillates between moments of seraphic contemplation and devastating force. It is an immersive experience of contrasting extremes: ambient stillness disrupted by cataclysmic power, subtle textures giving way to monolithic intensity.

“Descending Vastness” is not merely an album, it is an invocation, a mirror, a ritual.

CD edition of 300 copies in 6 panel Digisleeve. 7 Tracks. Running Time 41:11

øjeRum – A Juxtaposition Of Distant Realities (Cyclic Law)

Posted by John Lithium on

Label Description: The Poetic Abyss of Collage and Vision

Paw Grabowski, known artistically as øjeRum, is a Danish visionary whose work exists in the evocative realms between memory, dreams, and the passage of time. Renowned for his intricate and meditative collages and musical output, øjeRum transforms fragments of vintage materials into timeless compositions that resonate with haunting beauty. His art invites viewers to engage with a dialogue of silence—one that whispers of loss, transformation, and the fragility of existence.

Following the success of Stigma, a powerful synthesis of visual and auditory art that melded øjeRum’s distinct collages with his ambient musical compositions, this second book from Cyclic Press continues to explore his deeply introspective practice. Each piece is a window into a world of layered emotions, where the ephemeral becomes eternal and where simplicity reveals profound complexity.

øjeRum’s approach to art is deeply intuitive, driven by a fascination with decay and renewal. His work often reflects a process of deconstruction and reconstruction, echoing the cycles of nature and life itself. Themes of detachment, transience, and emotional depth permeate his pieces, encouraging viewers to pause and contemplate their own experiences of time and space.

This new collection not only builds upon the foundations laid by Stigma but also ventures into uncharted territories of øjeRum’s creative vision. It is an exploration of the void and the plenitude within; an invitation to lose oneself in the layers of meaning and texture he meticulously crafts. Through these works, øjeRum continues his quest to illuminate the unseen and to honor the stillness at the heart of existence.

Let this book be your guide into the quiet, powerful world of øjeRum—a space where art transcends form and becomes a mirror to the soul.

Hardcover book, thread-sewn binding. 170mmm x 240mm. 104 pages. Matte laminate cover. Includes CD in paper sleeve. 2 Tracks. Running time 60:22min. Limited Edition of 300 copies. ISBN: 9782957938230

Nordvargr – Resignation IV (Cyclic Law)

Posted by John Lithium on

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Label Description: Nordvargr Announces the Release of Resignation 4, the Fourth Installment in the Resignation Series

Swedish dark ambient and experimental artist Nordvargr (Henrik Nordvargr Björkk) is set to release the highly anticipated Resignation 4, continuing his sonic journey through rhythmic, atmospheric, and melancholic soundscapes. Building on the foundation laid by the Resignation trilogy, Resignation 4 expands the project’s signature blend of techno-inspired beats, dark ambient textures, and hypnotic soundscapes.

A Continuation of Sonic Exploration

Resignation 4 picks up where the acclaimed 2022 Resignation box set left off, offering a deeper dive into Nordvargr’s evolving sound. The album maintains one foot firmly in the techno scene, while also embracing moments of eerie calm and reflective melancholy. It is an album where rhythmic pulses and deep atmospherics converge, presenting a sound that is at once mesmerizing and abrasive, pushing the boundaries of electronic music.

This latest chapter sees Nordvargr taking his unique grasp of genre fusion even further, blending ambient melancholia with hard-edged, rhythmic elements. Fans of both experimental electronics and the fringes of techno will find Resignation 4 to be a captivating continuation of his visionary work.

Origins and Evolution of the Resignation Series

The Resignation project began in 2008 as an exploration of rhythmic, repetitive music paired with dark ambient soundscapes. It was born from a collaboration between Nordvargr and Nils Ekholm, merging techno-inspired beats with samples from old 78 RPM records. The first album in the series was described as “techno, if invented in the late 1800s,” drawing inspiration from the ill-fated 1897 North Pole expedition by S.A. Andrée.

Over the years, the project has grown, with each album taking a distinct direction—ranging from dubby techno atmospheres to harsher, noisier electronic soundscapes—culminating in the haunting, cinematic experience that is Resignation 4. Along the way, the project has evolved from its early experimental roots into a genre-defying force, standing at the crossroads of ambient, techno, and industrial music.

A Look Back at the Trilogy

The Resignation trilogy was re-released in 2022 as a deluxe box set, remastered with unique and exclusive material, including previously unheard demo recordings and bonus tracks. This set offered listeners a complete exploration of the project’s evolution, from the early rhythmic ambient experiments to the harder, more distorted sounds of later volumes. Note that the quickly sold out 3CD has now been repressed.

Tracks like Totem Visitations, originally composed for a Polish film soundtrack, showcased Nordvargr’s ability to craft immersive sonic environments that complement the darker edges of film and narrative.

Looking Forward: Resignation 4

With Resignation 4, Nordvargr continues to refine his signature style, exploring new territories of sound and emotion. This album promises to be a highlight of his prolific career, offering a bold and dynamic listening experience for fans of experimental and rhythmic electronic music.

Release Formats and Artwork

The album will be available in multiple formats:

•Vinyl: Edition of 300 copies. 100 Special Edition on marbled brown & Black vinyl and 200 copies on black vinyl. Printed Innersleeve and matte lamination. 9 Tracks. Running Time 39:57 EAN: 3770033798171

•CD: Edition of 300 copies in 4 panel Digipak, matte lamination. 9 Tracks. Running Time 39:57 EAN: 770033798164

The stunning album artwork and photography are created by Sandrine Pelletier, capturing the stark, otherworldly aesthetic of the Resignation series.

Resignation 4 continues Nordvargr’s exploration of the balance between beauty and brutality, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a world where atmospheric depth meets rhythmic intensity.

Ulvtharm – 7 Uthras (Cyclic Law)

Posted by John Lithium on

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Label Description: Second opus from MZ 412 co-founder Jouni Ollila. Ulvtharm is painting his world as a sprawling, post-apocalyptic industrial wasteland, where humanity clings to survival in the shadows of monolithic factories and decaying cities. Skies choked with ash, and a sun that seldom breaks through the omnipresent smog. Within this landscape, the Seven Uthras exist not as beings of benevolence, but as ancient, god-like entities that emanate from the darkest depths of the earth, commanding forces beyond human comprehension. 7Uthras serves as a sonic gateway to otherworldly realms, offering a glimpse into the abyss that challenges and expands the listener’s perception of the known universe. Ulvtharm masterfully blends the essence of dark industrial soundscapes with layers of mystical ambiance, creating an immersive experience that is both deeply unsettling and profoundly enlightening. This new album is not just an exploration of sound but a journey into the soul of its creator, exploring the chaos and darkness within his imagination. Ulvtharm’s deeper vocal experimentations are weaving a narrative that is both personal and universal. The album’s blend of dark, martial, pulsating rhythms and ambient organic soundscapes invites us to confront the death and ruins of our world. As each track unfolds, we will be drawn deeper into a narrative of chaos and transformation, where the end of one world signifies the birth of another. 7UTHRAS is not just an album; it is a ritualistic journey that seeks to unlock the ancient doors of perception and embrace the darkness as a path to enlightenment. All hail the Serpents, all hail the Seven Uthras!