LP

Thrash metal. Czech Republic.

Kodama" the fifth album from Blackgaze pioneers, Alcest, marks the French duo's ferocious return to the stylistic maximalism of its early albums while continuing the band's relentless pursuit for new sounds and fresh ideas. "Kodama" is the Japanese word for 'tree spirit' and 'echo' and from the album's structure and dynamics to its cinematic sound, "Kodama" indeed 'echoes' Alcest's 2010 classic, "Écailles De Lune". But this is no simple back-to-the-roots album: the band has more punch, rhythm and organic feel than ever before. While clearly influenced by bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, Dinosaur Jr, Grimes and The Cure, "Kodama" ultimately reveals itself as Alcest's 'Japanese album', drawing substantial inspiration from Japanese art and culture. Originally triggered by Hayao Miyazaki's anime film "Princess Mononoke", "Kodama" picks up on the fate of its protagonist and, at its core, deals with the sensation of not belonging; of living in between worlds, be it city and...

"Shelter" is the fourth album by contemporary shoegazers Alcest, the destination of a long creative musical journey into vast new territories. More than ever the French outfit consisting of mastermind and multi-instrumentalist Neige and drummer Winterhalter embraces the dreamy guitar textures of shoegaze and blends it with the sweetness of british band Cocteau Twins - dream pop pioneers of the mid to late 80's era - epic, soundtrack-like melodies and progressive song structures. The album which features guest appearances from Slowdive's Neil Halstead (lead vocals on the song "Away"), Sweden's Promise And The Monster’s Billie Lindahl and Amiina's strings sections was recorded at Sundlaugin Studio, Iceland, with Sigur Rós producer Birgir Jón Birgisson who masterfully gave "Shelter" its light and ethereal sound. Conceptually, the title of the album "Shelter" says it all. The record is about the concept of shelter as a safe place that allows everybody to escape reality for an...

Including re-recorded version of the classic "Neubeginn" taken from DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT's first album as bonus track. First pressing 1000 copies worldwide. The musical puzzle that adds up to become DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT turns into something more complex – yet also clearer defined on the band's fourth studio album, 'Finisterre'. The original pieces are still in play: the aggressive German directness akin to ENDSTILLE and a penchant for brooding melancholy as embodied by IMPERIUM DEKADENZ. Spiralling psychedelic moments comparable to DEAFHEAVEN and WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM also find their place – as well as a knack for majestic melodies that shows parallels in Swedish black metal spearheaded by MARDUK and DARK FUNERAL. Yet while DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT are clearly progressing along the lines laid out by their previous acclaimed effort, 'Stellar', the band has found a way to make these pieces fit more seamlessly. 'Finisterre' flows together into a coherent picture that stresses...

Čtvrté album Empyrium z roku 2002 nyní vychází jako vinylová edice. Gatefold dvojLP na zlatém vinylu. The quintessence of nature mysticism 'Weiland' is Empyrium's fourth album and embodies the quintessence of this unique band. Still performed acoustically, it combines the atmospheric suspense of the first two albums (e.g., "Heimkehr", "Die Schwäne im Schilf") with the pensive still lives of "Where At Night ..." (e.g., 'Kein Hirtenfeuer glimmt mehr', 'Nebel'). The musical spectrum of the project is enriched through the re-integration of drums and the introduction of instruments such as viola, violin, bassoon, or Mellotron, so there is also a lot to discover for those who already know Empyrium. The album is entirely devoted to nature mysticism. In its three chapters - Marsh, Forest, and Water -, Empyrium portray their view of nature in romantic and legendary ways. Tracklist: Chapter 1: Heidestimmung 01. Kein Hirtenfeuer Glimmt Mehr 02. Heimwärts 03. Nebel 04. Fortgang 05....