Sacred Bones US レコード& CD

Review: RECOMMENDED
Originally founded in 1992, Boris have absolutely nothing to do with the mop-headed World King currently refusing to leave the No.10 party like that guy who nobody really knows at 7AM. Suffice to say, at some point soon we'll all have to pretend to go to bed and then reconvene in the back yard. The gate is always open.

Digressions aside, this particular Boris represents the vanguard of underground Japanese experimental rock. Tracks that can easily help you escape the reality of a world where even the leaders can't be bothered anymore. Staggeringly, W is the band's 27th studio album, and this doesn't include another 15 collaborative long forms, many with fellow Far East noise legend Merzbow. If that name means anything, but Boris doesn't, you should still kind of know what to expect here. Thick bands of guitar scuzz, subtly developing disharmonies, atmospheric drones, and discordant refrains.

Review: Essex based composer and music producer Robin Carolan is the man behind the acclaimed Tribute Angle label. He's worked with a fine array of artists including Bjork and Holy Other and now links with Seb Gainsborough who makes electronic and orchestral music as Vessel. This is the first time the pair have worked with director Robert Eggers on a score together and the results speak for themselves. It is harsh and uncomfortable with a dirty aesthetic that is designed to match the film, The Northman, and does so with great sympathy and respect to the authenticity of the Viking era period piece.

Review: Is John Carpenter the most formidable force in 20th Century US moviemaking? He must certainly be in the running. Say what you will about the genres he focuses on (horror, suspense, sci fi, slasher, those details aren't significant. Instead, what's important to remember is that for decades the director has dedicated his career to creating not just vivid on-screen worlds, but atmospheres and feelings. Taking ownership of his own scores is a big part of that, and in many ways Carpenter's tunes are as memorable as his plots. Here joined by son Cody, and Lost Themes I & II sparring partner Daniel Davies, many of the most iconic tones, keys, melodies, and hooks from more than 20 years of cinematic delights are presented as new - and we couldn't be happier.

Review: It's taken some time to get here, and wherever that is, you can bet everything in your bank account Follakzoid are not done yet. Originally hailing from Santiago, Chile, but now based in Mexico City, over the past 16 years output has gone through various mutations and stylistic developments, shapeshifting depending on where home was at that time and who was involved in the production and writing processes. Melding post punk, psychedelic rock, Krautrock and electronica, largely improvised sessions give birth to mutant tracks that live in the dark, strobe-hued corners of industrial rooms and subterranean dens. Following up the critically acclaimed I (released in 2019), V represents yet another evolution in sound, as elements of techno are brought to the fore, accentuating the dance floor potential of all they do.

Review: A new collection of tracks by 60s and 70s electronic music visionary Mort Garson, including his soundtrack for the CBS News live coverage of the moon landings and music from a National Geographic documentary on them in 1970, is being released to co-incide with Garson's 99th birthday. Expect a cavalcade of elegant Moog manoeuvres that will whisk you back in time rather than back to the future or into sapce, but treat you to some euphoric, uplifting and beautiful melodies along the way.

Review: Luis Vasquez is the artist behind The Soft Moon and on his latest album we find him in his most confessional and self-reflective mood to date. An array of his inner most feelings are laid bare here for all to wallow in on this cathartic and soothing fifth full-length album. It brings all new emotion to post-punk industrial with two standout collaborations with fish narc and Alli Logout of Special Interest adding further greatness to this instant classic. It is now 12 years since Luis debuted his first album, but this might be his best work yet.

Review: Louisiana based sludge-doom auteurs, Thou, made the most of the pandemic with their compilation of utterly crushing Nirvana covers, 'Blessings of the Highest Order.' Now, coinciding with the release of their covers EP, 'They Don't Love You Like I Love You', comes another scorching collection, further highlighting the band's diverse array of intrinsic influences as well as their penchant for reimagining sonics to fit their grooving bedlam. With renditions of tracks from the likes of Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Shellac, and, Minor Threat, 'A Primer Of Holy Worlds', looks to further the Thou canon by finally offering their legions of rabid fans a chance to fully encapsulate the discography with wax homes for their myriad of essential, visceral tributes.