Rock & Indie 142 Items

Fabiano de Nascimento, a popular Brazilian guitarist in Japan, and Shin Sasakubo, a guitarist from Chichibu, Japan, who has been linked with South American music and other parts of the world, are releasing on LP a guitar duo recording that started when they performed together live in Japan. The three-day recording began four days after Fabiano do Nascimento and Shin Sasakubo's first concert together. Sharing the same space and time, the two guitarists, with their different styles and origins, explored sounds, let them resonate and repel, and engaged in a dialogue and exchange of ideas that shaped this music.

En Esch's corrosive new album decimates both standards and dance floors alike. Anyone familiar with industrial luminary En Esch and his essential work in groups like Kmfdm and PIG knows he is no stranger to political statements through his art. Now, on his first LP in eight years, Dance Hall Putsch, Esch decimates your standards and dance floors with vitriol. With carefully-sown and complimenting features from fellow Kmfdm alumnus Raymond Watts, Guenter Schulz and Mark Durante, plus Vas Kallas (Hanzel und Gretyl), Mea Fisher and Erica Dilanjian (Lords of Acid), Hope Nicholls (Pigface) and more, Dance Hall Putsch delivers everything an industrial fan could want. From opener "Get Lost," with its categorically punishing industrial-metal riffs to the slicing EBM electronics of "Yum Yum Beauty & The Nasty Thief," it's all here and in no less than four languages throughout. En Esch's signature rasp is often contrasted by the sparkling vocals of his female counterparts, and the album is lush with brutal honesty, humor, and even a bonus En Esch-lullaby. "I began work on Dance Hall Putsch in the early days of Covid-19. I was trying to create an upbeat, rather positive and very danceable album to leave the pandemic days behind us. Then it happened that a war began near where I live with tens of thousands of civilians killed and wounded so far. Everyone was caught by surprise and it influenced me, especially lyrically. "This current conflict is just 500 miles away from Berlin, and while that does not make it more horrific than other wars, it is very close to home. From living with this 'war next door,' the album turned out much more sinister than originally planned. It became a rather political album that reflects on the senselessness and nastiness of all the current wars around us. It's always the innocent and those who hold no power that suffer the most. Their fate isn't always death, but many times indescribable and long-term suffering. We must not forget them or turn a blind eye. "I’m very pleased that I had the opportunity to collaborate with different and interesting colleagues here. Thanx everybody for your interest in my musical works and for your love and support." -En Esch

" What Are You Going to Do with Your Life?' is the eighth studio album by British post-punk legends Echo & The Bunnymen, released on April 16, 1999. The album saw the band continue a trajectory set with 1997's 'Evergreen', embracing more introspective themes and melodic approach to its arrangements.

San Jose slowcore/space rock outfit Dusterreturns with surprise album "In Dreams,"continuing their of inclination of sonicallycapturing an open-ended question. Thesethirteen tracks hone in on their trademarkdark, droning guitar tones, dialed back percussion, and alluring hard-panned vocalswhile expanding and exploring synth-heavyand drum machine avenues.it's the fifth duster album, ok

Aqua Tofana Colourless Vinyl.San Jose slowcore/space rock outfit Dusterreturns with surprise album "In Dreams,"continuing their of inclination of sonicallycapturing an open-ended question. Thesethirteen tracks hone in on their trademarkdark, droning guitar tones, dialed back percussion, and alluring hard-panned vocalswhile expanding and exploring synth-heavyand drum machine avenues.it's the fifth duster album, ok.

San Jose slowcore/space rock outfit Dusterreturns with surprise album "In Dreams,"continuing their of inclination of sonicallycapturing an open-ended question. Thesethirteen tracks hone in on their trademarkdark, droning guitar tones, dialed back percussion, and alluring hard-panned vocalswhile expanding and exploring synth-heavyand drum machine avenues.it's the fifth duster album, ok

Limited Edition of 1,500 copies on Seaweed Green vinyl.David Gray is back doing what he does better than almost anyone,and fans of complex, serious, lyrical songcraft should rejoice. Dear Lifemay be the deepest, strangest,...

David Gray is back doing what he does better than almost anyone,and fans of complex, serious, lyrical songcraft should rejoice. Dear Lifemay be the deepest, strangest, loveliest album this pioneering Britishsinger-songwriter has ever delivered. Years in the making, it is analbu...

Cynic's vinyl reissues including bonus material to be released via Svart Records in February 2025

American progressive metal band Cynic's 2010 EP Re-Traced available on 12" vinyl for the first time ever, including a memorial tribute track to the late Sean Malone.

Cynic was formed in Miami, Florida by Paul Masvidal in 1987, incorporating elements of progressive rock, alternative, and metal. Their debut album Focus was released in 1993, after which they disbanded in 1994. The comeback in 2006 resulted in the sophomore album Traced in Air (2008), of which the four first songs on Re-Traced are re-interpretations of. Svart Records in co-operation with Cynic now proudly present Re-Traced reborn on a 12" vinyl, including three alternative versions of the songs and liner notes by Martin Popoff.

Paul Masvidal comments the reissue: “Seeing Re-Traced pressed on a legit 12” vinyl is an exciting first, especially with the inclusion of bonus tracks like Sean Malone’s beautiful, never-before-released bass rendition of Wheels Within Wheels and his magical performance on Integral, which I initially released digitally as a memorial tribute to him. The electronic renditions of Traced in Air tracks like Space, Evolutionary and King take the songs into entirely new realms. It’s also synchronistic that I’m now playing these songs in my solo acoustic ambient shows, finally bringing them into a live format. Altogether, it feels quite special to see these two records reborn.”

"Fans of Traced in Air and Cynic in general should buy this. It’s not even a question of whether or not this is worth your time and money. The sheer talent of this band turns me into a blithering fanboy and this EP just gets me excited for more new Cynic." -Angry Metal Guy, 2010

Cynic's vinyl reissues including bonus material to be released via Svart Records in February 2025

American progressive metal band Cynic's 2010 EP Re-Traced available on 12" vinyl for the first time ever, including a memorial tribute track to the late Sean Malone.

Cynic was formed in Miami, Florida by Paul Masvidal in 1987, incorporating elements of progressive rock, alternative, and metal. Their debut album Focus was released in 1993, after which they disbanded in 1994. The comeback in 2006 resulted in the sophomore album Traced in Air (2008), of which the four first songs on Re-Traced are re-interpretations of. Svart Records in co-operation with Cynic now proudly present Re-Traced reborn on a 12" vinyl, including three alternative versions of the songs and liner notes by Martin Popoff.

Paul Masvidal comments the reissue: “Seeing Re-Traced pressed on a legit 12” vinyl is an exciting first, especially with the inclusion of bonus tracks like Sean Malone’s beautiful, never-before-released bass rendition of Wheels Within Wheels and his magical performance on Integral, which I initially released digitally as a memorial tribute to him. The electronic renditions of Traced in Air tracks like Space, Evolutionary and King take the songs into entirely new realms. It’s also synchronistic that I’m now playing these songs in my solo acoustic ambient shows, finally bringing them into a live format. Altogether, it feels quite special to see these two records reborn.”

"Fans of Traced in Air and Cynic in general should buy this. It’s not even a question of whether or not this is worth your time and money. The sheer talent of this band turns me into a blithering fanboy and this EP just gets me excited for more new Cynic." -Angry Metal Guy, 2010

Cynic's vinyl reissues including bonus material to be released via Svart Records in February 2025

American progressive metal band Cynic's 2014 album Kindly Bent to Free Us 10 year anniversary edition out in February!

Cynic was formed in Miami, Florida by Paul Masvidal in 1987, incorporating elements of progressive rock, alternative, and metal. Their third full length offering Kindly Bent to Free Us is the final Cynic album to feature original drummer Sean Reinert and long time member Sean Malone on bass, who both passed away in 2020. Originally released on a 2LP version and mastered at 45rpm, Svart Records in co-operation with Cynic now proudly present the single LP edition of the album including a bonus track Earth Is My Witness for the first time on vinyl and a booklet with linter notes by Martin Popoff, lyrics, notation to the song Kindly Bent to Free Us, and more.

Paul Masvidal comments the reissue: “Kindly Bent to Free Us is reborn on vinyl for its 10th anniversary. This record holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. First, the songs and the journey they take, exploring inner realms as represented by the cover art. Then, there are the arrangements—raw and explosive—which R. Walt Vincent was so good at capturing the live energy we shared as a trio in the rehearsal room when these ideas were developed. There’s also something poignant about this being the last record the three of us would make together. It’s exciting to finally see The Earth is My Witness, which was previously only a bonus track on the box set, brought into this format for the first time.”

"If I'm giving anyone a heart-shaped box this year, that thing will have a copy of the freshly purchased Cynic album, Kindly Bent to Free Us in it. I personally feel like this is a much more grand gesture of love than any other." -Daniel Cordova, Metal Injection, 2014

Cynic's vinyl reissues including bonus material to be released via Svart Records in February 2025

American progressive metal band Cynic's 2014 album Kindly Bent to Free Us 10 year anniversary edition out in February!

Cynic was formed in Miami, Florida by Paul Masvidal in 1987, incorporating elements of progressive rock, alternative, and metal. Their third full length offering Kindly Bent to Free Us is the final Cynic album to feature original drummer Sean Reinert and long time member Sean Malone on bass, who both passed away in 2020. Originally released on a 2LP version and mastered at 45rpm, Svart Records in co-operation with Cynic now proudly present the single LP edition of the album including a bonus track Earth Is My Witness for the first time on vinyl and a booklet with linter notes by Martin Popoff, lyrics, notation to the song Kindly Bent to Free Us, and more.

Paul Masvidal comments the reissue: “Kindly Bent to Free Us is reborn on vinyl for its 10th anniversary. This record holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. First, the songs and the journey they take, exploring inner realms as represented by the cover art. Then, there are the arrangements—raw and explosive—which R. Walt Vincent was so good at capturing the live energy we shared as a trio in the rehearsal room when these ideas were developed. There’s also something poignant about this being the last record the three of us would make together. It’s exciting to finally see The Earth is My Witness, which was previously only a bonus track on the box set, brought into this format for the first time.”

"If I'm giving anyone a heart-shaped box this year, that thing will have a copy of the freshly purchased Cynic album, Kindly Bent to Free Us in it. I personally feel like this is a much more grand gesture of love than any other." -Daniel Cordova, Metal Injection, 2014

Random coloured re-vinyl. Limited to 300 copies.Everything was better in the old the days. Everything but CHRISTMAS, whom became more unstoppable from year to year. While other bands pop up and quickly burn again, CHRISTMAS have decided to simply survive all assholes.The band has not let up over the last 14 year with other 20 releases, 550 gigs across 18 countries and 21 worn-out former band members. The hardcore train rolls, armored with tons of bottle caps, powered by all-burning insane idealism (with emphasis on insane). Always demonically grinning in the face of the seemingly dead spirit of Rock-n-Roll, just on the abyss of post-punk history and CHRISTMAS looks still damn good!

1973 Meeting OF Santana AND John Mclaughlin Yields Spiritual Transcendence: Love Devotion Surrender IS Inspired BY John Coltrane AND A Quest FOR Enlightenment

Sourced from the Original Master Tapes: Tones, Textures, and Notes Float Amid a Large, Open Soundstage on Mobile Fidelity's Numbered-Edition 180g LP 1/4" / 15 IPS analogue master to DSD 64 to analogue console to lathe Two guitar giants. A band comprised of virtuosic instrumentalists. One shared goal. And one tremendous album. The only meeting of Santana and John McLaughlin on record, Love Devotion Surrender more than lives up to the promise offered by its principal creators. Based in divine faith, religious toleration, meditative intent, and the forward-thinking philosophy that music can take us closer to the truth, it is a spiritual journey. These enlightening concepts are reflected in the inspired playing of Santana and McLaughlin, who repeatedly hit a higher plane on this 1973 set.

Sourced from the original analogue master tapes and pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing in California, Mobile Fidelity’s numbered-edition 180g LP of Love Devotion Surrender benefits from the reissue label’s painstaking engineering efforts. The windows on the record’s give-and-take passages, sustained notes, and varied textures are thrown open with palpable transparency and detail. Laden with delicate acoustic touches and gentle piano touches, as well as powerful staccato bursts and fast-paced percussion, Love Devotion Surrender contains a dynamic mix of tempos, tones, and contrasts crucial to its optimal enjoyment. This collectible edition brings those aspects to the fore with extraordinary realism.

In addition, the pinpoint imaging — Santana primarily on the left, McLaughlin on the right — invites you to picture the musicians in the act. You’ll sense a newfound freedom and naturalism to the playback, as well as black backgrounds and an openness that allow the widespread array of textures, atmospherics, echoes, and neo-psychedelic shapes to float in the air. Call it jamming guided by a higher power or surreal art brought together by time, circumstance, and purpose; there really is no other album completely like it.

Having each become a follower of Indian guru Sri Chinmoy, who wrote the album’s extensive liner-note essay and is seen in several jacket photos, Santana and McLaughlin began playing together in 1972. Both legends found themselves in the midst of personal and creative transition. Santana was moving away from rock-based songs in favour of exploratory jazz-rock. A contemporary of Miles Davis, McLaughlin had already achieved fame with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, then on the brink of collapse due to internal disagreements.

On Love Devotion Surrender, the duo pools its interests in discovery and transcendence into gorgeous music steeped in improvisational lines, ecstatic chords, and sensitive organ accompaniment courtesy of the record’s best-kept secret, Larry Young. The former Blue Note recording artist had already connected with McLaughlin in the Tony Williams Lifeline, which began as a power trio and turned jazz on its head with its groundbreaking 1969 debut. Young’s ear for melody and fearless penchant for chasing down adventurous fusion leads — not to mention keeping pace with the headliners, no small feat — make him an ideal foil for the proto post-rock happening throughout.

Credited under his Muslim name, Khalid Yasin, Young isn’t the only standout. Several Santana contemporaries — bassist Doug Rauch, drummers Mike Shrieve and Billy Cobham, percussionists Mingo Lewis and Armando Peraza — play alongside Mahavishnu Orchestra member Jan Hammer and Tony Williams Lifeline drummer Don Alias, who already had credits on Davis’ seminal Bitches Brew and On the Corner. Complemented by Santana and McLaughlin, the ensemble sounds and feels unstoppable. In addition to the band’s search for sacred soulfulness, the common denominator throughout is John Coltrane, who engaged in similar pursuits during the 1960s. Two of the five compositions — “A Love Supreme,” “Naima” — are interpretations of Coltrane standards while the lynchpin, a nearly 16-minute investigation into the traditional “Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord,” integrates free-form structure, jazz phrasing, gospel mysticism, cross-cut dynamics, and tonal shaping into one of the most uplifting pieces of music you’ll ever hear. The same can be said for the entirety of Love Devotion Surrender. Bow down.

Horrible Occurrences is the title of the new Advance Base album,and there is truth in advertising. In these songs_all centeredaround a fictional town called Richmond and featuring an interlinkedcast of characters_you will hear stories of death and disappearance,climactic confrontations and unsolved mysteries. "Richmondis just this place where all the bad memories live," Owen Ashworthexplains, and nearly 30 years into his songwriting career, none ofhis records have packed quite the emotional intensity of this one.And yet something alchemical happens in the telling of these tales.Like a masterful short story collection, Horrible Occurrences isinspiring and alive, idiosyncratic and electric, pulling you closer witheach word.In the six years since his last full-length collection of originals,2018's Animal Companionship, Ashworth gathered ideas fromperforming live and traveling around the country, returning to citiesthat he once called home and revisiting old ghosts, memories,and fragments of unfinished ideas. Blending truth and fiction into adreamlike composite, the songs convey the winding path our memorytakes as the years go by, giving voice to a subconscious that isstill unpacking old memories for new wisdom.Drawing inspiration from the otherworldly loneliness depicted on'80s masterpieces like Arthur Russell's World of Echo and BruceSpringsteen's Nebraska, the music never crowds Ashworth's detailedstorytelling but it also never feels auxiliary. These are beautifulsongs, but they stick with you for their ability to strike dissonant,unforgettable emotional chords. It is this pervasive empathy inAshworth's songwriting_along with his writerly gift for clear settingsand complex characters_that has made him a guiding light for somany independent artists.The things that happen throughout Horrible Occurrences are whatwe tend to call "unspeakable"_events that draw gut-level responsesjust from acknowledging that they could happen. But part of thetriumph of t...