Yeah, this combination of artworks looks weird. And no, I'm not exactly looking for coherence when I'm putting together quadruple reviews like this. These are just four of the most recent digital additions to my collection.
SENYAWA - Samudera (2025)
The Indonesian Experimental duo has started a series of releases containing previously unreased tracks, And that's really all the information we get about this EP. No backround about when and where "Samudera 01" to "Samudera 04" were recorded, just the pure music.
And that music is a bit atypical, since the insane vocal shenanigans of Rully Shabara are absent for half of the tracks, where instead we get a chaotic backdrop of Ambient sounds and samples, above which the Industrial or soft acoustic instrumentation of Wukir Suryadi.
The third track however is a slow Drone which heavily relies on multiple layer of vocals, before we go back to a rhythmic sound collage closer to the beginning again.
Even for Senyawa's standards this EP feels very unconventional, more like a collection of aural sketches than actual songs, and at times surely closer to Suryadi's solo stuff than what we're used to from the band. This material frankly isn't as strong as their albums, but it certainly is interesting and expands the context of their creative work.
And that music is a bit atypical, since the insane vocal shenanigans of Rully Shabara are absent for half of the tracks, where instead we get a chaotic backdrop of Ambient sounds and samples, above which the Industrial or soft acoustic instrumentation of Wukir Suryadi.
The third track however is a slow Drone which heavily relies on multiple layer of vocals, before we go back to a rhythmic sound collage closer to the beginning again.
Even for Senyawa's standards this EP feels very unconventional, more like a collection of aural sketches than actual songs, and at times surely closer to Suryadi's solo stuff than what we're used to from the band. This material frankly isn't as strong as their albums, but it certainly is interesting and expands the context of their creative work.
THE LORD - (like) Christ Naked Ice (2025)
Inspired by French composer Olivier Maessiaen comes a new eleven-minute track by Sunn O)))) member Greg Anderson aka The Lord.
The rich Drone Metal tone of his crawling guitar is paired with a clerical atmosphere and... not really a really big melody, but a very pronounced sense of it. There is a curve, a build-up, as if the song was reaching for a mountain ridge it never quite reaches. A suspenseful piece of Drone goodness from one of the prime masters.
The rich Drone Metal tone of his crawling guitar is paired with a clerical atmosphere and... not really a really big melody, but a very pronounced sense of it. There is a curve, a build-up, as if the song was reaching for a mountain ridge it never quite reaches. A suspenseful piece of Drone goodness from one of the prime masters.
COLLIGNON - Bicicleta (2025)
Ok, I hear you! Let's get some happier, easier digestable stuff! Collignon from Portugal are a musically colourful, Progressive but very danceable Instrumental World Psych trio. Incorporating influences from all over the globe (Latin, Afro-Beat, Asian Disco) into their very percussive upbeat Rock they sound somehow like a halfway stop between Yīn Yīn and Mohama Saz with a strong focus on a wide array of keyboard sounds.
Written on tour "Bicicleta" exudes a lot of positive travelling vibes, making this a perfect summer party album. So maybe the release in February is a little early? Nah, I guess people have to be made addicted to this before the outdoor chillaxation season begins. This is just fun - and prove that party music definitely doesn't have to be stupid.
So far "Bicicleta" is the only release of this bunch, which is not exclusively digital, but also available on vinyl.
Written on tour "Bicicleta" exudes a lot of positive travelling vibes, making this a perfect summer party album. So maybe the release in February is a little early? Nah, I guess people have to be made addicted to this before the outdoor chillaxation season begins. This is just fun - and prove that party music definitely doesn't have to be stupid.
So far "Bicicleta" is the only release of this bunch, which is not exclusively digital, but also available on vinyl.
SUBSCUM - Massgrave Summit (2025)
The name of the band in connection with the cover artwork strongly suggests an inspiration by Napalm Death's classic "Scum" and that this is not for the (always right-wing) Keep-poltics-out-of-music! crowd.
And how could a Grindcore / Extreme Punk quartet from Kiew of all places possible not be political and vocal against the authoritarian powers which now seemingly want to divide Ukraine among themselves?
The language of Subscum's outcry is a pure heavily grooving and explosively blasting brutal Grind attack of five tracks in ten minutes with titles loke "Genosiege", "Radical Infantilism" or "Cognitive Massacre". So don't expect any reiventions of the wheel here; you'll get exactly what the cover promises, which is absolutely fine.
And since all proceeds are forwarded to victims of Putin's war, you're also supporting a good cause.
And how could a Grindcore / Extreme Punk quartet from Kiew of all places possible not be political and vocal against the authoritarian powers which now seemingly want to divide Ukraine among themselves?
The language of Subscum's outcry is a pure heavily grooving and explosively blasting brutal Grind attack of five tracks in ten minutes with titles loke "Genosiege", "Radical Infantilism" or "Cognitive Massacre". So don't expect any reiventions of the wheel here; you'll get exactly what the cover promises, which is absolutely fine.
And since all proceeds are forwarded to victims of Putin's war, you're also supporting a good cause.
