…Hagshadow’s Anti State Jugend…

ANTIchildLEAGUE – Holy Ghost CD Hagshadow 2016

Godlesstate ‎– Godlesstate CD Hagshadow ‎2016

Sutcliffe Jugend – Shame CD Hagshadow ‎2017

For this label showcase it is important to highlight that Hagshadow is run by Gaya Donadio: an Italian national, yet long term resident of London and a staple of its underground scene as a gig promoter via the Hinoeuma the Malediction banner.  Although Gaya’s role as a promoter may have reduced somewhat over the last decade (…when compared to the monthly shows in the early 2000’s), Hagshadow has been operating as a label since 2008 (…and mail-order prior to that).

Up first is ANTIchildLEAGUE, which is the solo project of Gaya herself, where ‘Holy Ghost’ appears to be the third in a trilogy of album’s starting with ‘The Father’ in 2008 and ‘The Son’ in 2014. However I am afraid to say that apart from hearing a few selected tracks from ANTIchildLEAGUE over the years, I have not heard these other trilogy releases, so cannot comment on how ‘Holy Ghost’ continues or differs from their sound. With that said, what ‘Holy Ghost’ brings is a sharp and clinically edged industrial album which bristles with fierce energy. With its 13 tracks spanning 47 minutes, the general impression is that of a collection of tracks, where differing sounds and moods are explored throughout.  With the opening title track being more of a introductory piece (i.e. solo female religious styled singing), ‘I Hate You’ follows and is a sharp and buzzing piece of looped power electronics (…think of the clinical and clean tone of Haus Arafna), with Gaya’s vocals being aggressively spat and slightly treated (…an excellent start).  As the album progresses from there, a pattern is then noted where some tracks are constructed around rhythmic programming and minimalist synth pads, while others following a stricter adherence to industrial and power electronics expression. With the vocals covering everything from spoken whispers to banshee like wails, these also mirror the moods of the tracks which themselves range from calm yet tensile, to those of controlled and/ or unhinged anger.  With some absolutely excellent tracks in among other generally solid offerings, it is perhaps an appropriate time to dig into ANTIchildLEAGUE’s back catalogue to check out what I have already missed.

Up next is the debut album from Godlessstate, but rather than being a young new project, it has significant pedigree in being helmed by Patrick Leagas. Noting this former Death In June member departed in 1987 and continued recording under the Sixth Comm banner, for whatever reason I have never properly investigated his releases over the years. Yet now some 30 years on from the creation of Sixth Comm comes Patrick’s new debut solo project under the Godlesstate moniker, and being: “a personal attempt to codify audibly the somewhat unfathomable ritual religious practices of our collective pre history..”.  What has been created is a rather imposing experimental tribal industrial album, based heavily around intense soundscapes and complex rhythms driven by martial drumming and hand percussion depending on the track.  The album’s rhythmic focus is further complimented by chimes, wailing horns, dulcimer, mouth harp, sub-orchestral synths, field recordings and varied vocals (i.e. whispers, chants etc. which function mostly as backing layers than providing central focus).  Selected tracks feel entirely organic in presentation, while others opt for elements of programmed electronic percussion to merge the archaic and modern (…although the consequential atmosphere is rooted in an 80’s post-industrial approach). Likewise while exploring different sounds and moods, the rhythmic approach is noted to range from Middle Eastern styled to more Euro-centric rooted sounds. With straight forward tribal industrial tracks and others of fully fledged ethno-ambient expression (…and which brings to mind a classic but short lived CMI project Memorandum), all in all this is a varied and interesting tribal industrial styled album.

Moving finally on to Sutcliffe Jugend, over the years the aura surrounding the project has been maintained by the sheer force of the extremity of their early power electronics approach, and in particular their highly coveted ‘We Spit on Their Graves’ 10xMC box-set from 1982.  Noting then then potentially difficulty in maintaining such levels of extremity, some 25 years later it was during the late 2000’s that the duo of Paul Taylor and Kevin Tomkins pulled back on the extremity to allow a greater degree of variety and experimentation to their sound. Furthermore the pair currently seem to be on a bit of creative streak as 6 albums have been issued since 2016 (…including this one). Although I have not necessarily kept up with all of the recent releases, ‘Shame’ is a considered and controlled album (…by Sutcliffe Jugend’s standards), and includes close to 50 minutes of material spanning 5 tracks. The title track opens the album, and with being based around a discernible guitar, the sound is one quite close to that of noise-rock (…sans drums) – or perhaps doom drone where the riffing has sped up to less catatonic pace. Although some nosier synth slashes are included, the guitar elements remain as the main focus throughout and the track definitely expresses a song format which extends to the vocals delivered in a half shouted/ half sung wail. Despite the musical focus of this track being far from what I initially was expecting –  it most certainly works as a listenable and engaging approach. The following track ‘Sledge’ is then more experimental with sparse atonal plucked notes and percussive sounds, leaving the vocals to issue a semi-aggressive rant.  This mood of restraint continues on ‘Hurt’ with its tensile and suspenseful tone, yet conversely the vocals are far more chaotic and unhinged in delivery and sonic treatment. Moving into the back third of the album, ‘Bait’ opts for a straight forward, mid paced pummeling riff, pounding rhythmic thuds and synth squall which are combined into a song style, which is reinforced by the ranted, half sung/ half screamed vocals. For the final of the 5 tracks, ‘Blood’ is an instrumental piece which bookends the album with a lengthy industrial soundscape of looped drones and cinematically tinged elements, which is calm yet tensile in equal measures (…and consequently and excellent track). Although I do not know how reflective this is of other recent albums and despite its quite significant deviation for my own (…perhaps ill informed) expectations, I have very much enjoyed this album.

Streicher – Global Gas Chamber / Totenrune – Bellum Internecinum

Streicher – Global Gas Chamber / Totenrune – Bellum Internecinum 10″ep Unrest Productions 2017

With the original edition of the tape being limited to a mere 100 copies (reviewed here), unsurprisingly it promptly sold out upon release. But given the quality of both project’s contributions and that it heralded the reactivation of the dormant Striecher, Unrest Productions quickly stepped up to ensure the tape did not languish in obscurity. For this new edition the vinyl has been pressed in a slightly less limited edition of 200 hand-numbered copies, and features elements of the original artwork but re-contextualised for the square format of the cover.

Sonically both tracks from Streicher and Totenrune sound fantastic on black wax, which it very much providing a suitable tonal depth and heavy analogue crunch.  There is also some small adjustments to the Streicher track, where a slightly different mix is featured and instead of an ending fade out, it abruptly cuts off with a heavy metallic thud (…like a monolithic iron door slamming shut).  The Streicher track is also an excellent example of how one’s own perception can colour the interpretation of presented material.  By way of example, when first listening to the cassette I took the pig squealing as a sample of a terrified animal being put to death, but rather amusingly I was later informed that it is actually a sample of pigs copulating! (…live and learn as they say).

There is not much more to say other than if the cassette passed you by, do not let the potential to pick up this new version slip through your grasp. Recommended.

Anemone Tube – In The Vortex Of Dionysian Reality

Anemone Tube – In The Vortex Of Dionysian Reality CD Blossoming Fern 2017

Noting that a 20 minute cassette EP was issued in 2015 under the same name, this is not a simple re-release on a new format, rather it represents the augmentation and expansion of that material into a 44 full length album (…through the inclusion of 4 new compositions and a reworked version of the opening track).

Within the review of the original tape (located here), some of the observations made included: “…it is a further display of Anemone Tube’s particular style of harmonic/ disharmonic infused dark ambient/ industrial music”; and that it was a: “…demonstration of Stefan Hanser’s ability to create deeply evocative soundscapes built around melodious elements, sculpted field recordings and squalling feedback”.  Those comments still stand here and equally can be applied to the new material which follows the same sonic template. The entire album has then been re-mastered by Hunter Barr (of Knifeladder, Black Light Ascension etc.), which has given it a notable different in sonic edge when compared to tracks features on the original tape (i.e. a tonally sharper yet more spacious mix).

Without going into a track by track breakdown, the material based around a blend of looped and processed field recordings and orchestral oriented synth pads which combine to creates an overall mood which is beautiful, tragic and forlorn in equal measures.  A dual nature to the sound is also displayed through the balancing of disparate elements, where compositions are underpinned harmonic synths, and then offset by washes of higher pitched disharmonic noise and tonal drones.  With the inclusion of 4 additional tracks, these fit seamlessly into the framework of the balance of the tracks, and never stand out of feel like awkward additions (…in fact I had to compare the run order of both the original tape and this CD to work out where the new compositions had been inserted).  As for the final album track ‘Like The Streaming Of A Giant River, Life Is Passing, Without Ever Turning Around’ this is contributed piece from the Ukranian project Monocube who have composed their track from field recordings made by Anemone Tube and slightly deviates in sound based on this external influence and input, given it is more geared towards a ritual and tribal infused drone type approach (…although the harmonic/ disharmonic elements retains a familiar edge).

Presentation wise, the 6 panel fold out sleeve is beautifully designed at the hands of Stefan Hanser (aka Anemone Tube), and includes quotes from Friedrich Nietzche and Friedrich Schlegel to further flesh out the conceptual framework of the release. Another excellent addition to Anemone Tube’s discography.

Note: An LP version is also available but features a different/ replacement second track.

The Vomit Arsonist – Meditations On Giving Up Completely

The Vomit Arsonist – Meditations On Giving Up Completely CD Malignant Records 2017

With a substantial discography extending close to 40 releases since 2004, ‘Meditations On Giving Up Completely’ is in fact only the 5^th full length album from Andy Grant’s solo project.  In then taking a quick looking at Andy’s creative arc over the last few albums, ‘Only Red’ from 2015 was notable in that it took the brooding death industrial sound of 2013’s ‘An Occasion For Death’, but opted to ramp it up with an aggressively rhythmic approach.  But rather than potentially continuing on that more direct path, ‘Meditations On Giving Up Completely’ shows clear sense of honing, refinement and restraint in order to create claustrophobic death industrial atmospheres (…to rival the best moments of early Brighter Death Now).

‘Meditations’ opens the album with a minimalist “yawning chasm” tone (…this metaphor is to be read as industrial hum, echo & rumble), and with its semi-buried dialogue sample it very much feels as an introductory piece to set the mood. The following piece ‘What’s Left’ then features as an excellent offering constructed around a slow pummeling death industrial ‘beat’, idling machines and general wasteland ambience, as Andy’s agonized and unintelligible distortion charred vocals articulate a mood of anguish and desperation. Thus from the template established by the first two pieces, the following tracks effectively play out as further variations on these established theme. However to talk of notable elements, the wailing siren sound on ‘It Never Ends’ is a standout when set against a monolithic and slow pounding beat, as is the morbidly cavernous depth and gradually rising dread of ‘On Living’. During the album’s last third, ‘There is Nothing Here’ features a pounding beat that despite pushing towards a mid-paced rhythm the overall mood remains of one of brooding restraint, and with this same tone seeping into the final track ‘Sick Over’ (..which itself bleeds out in shuddering convulsions over 10 minutes).

With each track spanning around 6 minutes or longer, each of the 7 tracks are effectively elongated death industrial meditations on nihilism, underpinned with an enveloping sense of brooding despair. Likewise given the album’s general minimalism and restraint in deliver, its layered sonic elements and sporadic vocals have been meticulously combined for substantive impact. Without seeking to significantly deviate from what has preceded it, ‘Meditations On Giving Up Completely’ features a clear sense of honed refinement, and in the process has issued an imposing death industrial statement.

Various Artists – Poison Vol.II

Various Artists – Poison Vol.II MC New Approach Records 2017

Over the years the post-industrial underground has clearly placed a high degree of importance on packaging and presentation, and in this context the special wooden box casing of this cassette compilation immediately caught my eye.  With it then being noted the tape features recognized artists of Kontinent and Wertham (…and the contributions of a further 4 artists), it represented a coveted item to track down.  Likewise with only 6 tracks featured it warrants a brief comment on each contribution:

• METEK open the set with their piece ‘Prey’ features suffocating tape hiss, slashes of radio static and choking bass riddled resonances, which teeter on an ‘industrial-noise’ edge between controlled and freeform (…and a solid intro piece as a result).
• Kontinent follow with a dose of their heavy electronics sound on ‘Hive Mind’, and is an excellent piece of droning synths, static shards, layered noise and treated dialogue samples to create a heavily paranoid vibe (…and is one of the best and immediately impacting tracks I have heard from this newish UK project).
• Wertham are up next and do what they do best on ‘Diagram For Delinquents’, which a bulldozing wall of muted ‘blown-out’ analog distortion which resembles hissing gas in loose looped form (…but perhaps the sound is also less immediate of can usually be expected from Wertham’s given the absence of Marco’s trademark and heavily accented vocal barrage).
• See Through Buildings opens side B with ‘Ototoxic Agents’, which is direct in its loose and chaotic noise approach (…being squalling and freeform in its distorted mid to higher pitch sonic attack, but perhaps the least to my liking given typical noise sits within my listening preferences).
• Deterge (…who I know by name only), feature their track ‘Hg(CH3)2’, being a minimalist and droning industrial track and gruffly yelled vocal which generates an excellently morbid atmosphere (…and another tape highlight).
• Instinct Primal then concludes the set with ‘Resonant Peak 2’, and sits towards an experimental dark ambient sound of expertly crafted proportions (…shifting droning layers mingle with micro-tonal elements to create a widescreen and barren landscape styled atmosphere as a calm conclusion to the tape).

Overall I would say this is a strong compilation, but all the same is perhaps not quite to the level of a mandatory one. But with that said the packaging absolutely targets the fetishistic aspects of the post-industrial underground and certainly makes for and adds to the overall experience of listening to the contributions on the cassette and one I am glad to have tracked down.