Sey Hollo, Self-titled

Sweden, 2010.

Sey Hollo is the solo-project of Sebastian Larsson from Sweden and the debut album was released in the late summer of 2010. Sey Hollo plays instrumental post-rock based on rusty guitars and tramp organs. Friends of Sey Hollo describe it as "poor man's post-rock" with a heavy, yet beautiful, sound. Sey Hollo's music is inspired by everything from punk to post-rock to politics.

Playlist:

1. Dependistas
2. Eighty Five Percent
3. Thank You Very Much
4. The Sleepy Taxpayer
5. Neo-Future (Let Them Wait)
6. A Toxic Toast To Broken Promises
7. B My Friend 4 Ever

Link.

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Crippled Black Phoenix, I, Vigilante

England, 2010.

Where do I even begin to describe this? One would think that "The Resurrectionists" and "Night Raider" would be impossible to top, but CBP prove us wrong. "I, Vigilante" is nothing short of a masterpiece, and "Of A Lifetime" (which is a Journey cover, by the way) might just be my favourite song right now.

They don't tour much, but don't hesitate to see these guys live if you have the chance. Not only are they amazing musicians, they are also the coolest guys I've ever met.

Playlist:

1. Troublemaker
2. We Forgotten Who We Are
3. Fantastic Justice
4. Bastogne Blues
5. Of a Lifetime
6. Burning Bridges (Hidden Track)

Link.

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Amiina, Seoul

Iceland, 2006.

Amiina always have a way of blowing my mind.

Playlist:

1. Seoul
2. Ugla
3. Ammaelis

Link.

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Valgeir Sigurðsson, Ekvílibríum

Iceland, 2007.

Valgeir Sigurðsson is an Icelandic record producer, mixer, composer, engineer and musician. Ekvílibríum is his debut album released in 2007. Notable appearances on the album include Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Dawn McCarthy, who contribute vocals, along with Nico Muhly, who appears in half of the tracks playing different keyboard instruments. Drummer Samuli Kosminen from fellow Icelandic band múm also makes a guest appearance.

Playlist:

1. A Symetry
2. Evolution of Waters
3. Focal Point
4. Baby Architect
5. After Four
6. Winter Sleep
7. Equilibrium Is Restored
8. Before Nine
9. Kin
10. Lungs, for Merrilee

Link.

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Ólafur Arnalds, Dyad 1909

Iceland, 2009.

This is an OST of some kind, but I don't really know what. In any case, this is amazing - and Brotsjor is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.

Playlist:

1. …og lengra
2. 3326
3. Brotsjor
4. Fra upphafi
5. Lokaou augunum (Dyad 1909 version)
6. Til enda
7. Vio vorum sma… (Dyad 1909 version)


Link.

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The Mayan Factor, 44

US, 2005.

The Mayan Factor is a progressive rock group located at Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

The Mayan Factor have a very ethnic sound, using atmospheric percussion, mellow guitars, and various keyboard samples and tribal bass, reminiscent of Clann Zú at times. They are extremely melodic, with a very intense and heavy feel. They are somewhere in between progressive rock, folk, indie and alternative rock.

Terrible album cover, though.


Playlist:

1. To Kill a Priest
2. Terrorist
3. Propaganda
4. Hopi Elders
5. Ventrilaquist
6. Gosia
7. Yesterday's Son
8. Bondage
9. A Red Gone Blue
10. Jack Nicholson
11. Recon
12. Self Storage

Link.

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Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Rivers

Sweden, 2010

Rivers is the latest album by this overwhelming duo, which comprises their last 2 EPs, Retina & Iris. Language is leaving me.


Playlist:

1. Bleed Like There Was No Other Flood
2. Tiny Boles In This World
3. Under Land and Over Sea
4. Fight For Me
5. Peeling Off the Layers
6. The Wave
7. The Drop
8. The Course
9. The Lake
10. The Well

Link.

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Dog Fashion Disco, Adultery

US, 2006

This is to complete my previous post - to everyone who had never heard of Dog Fashion Disco. Shame on you. Their music is a fusion of metal, hardcore, jazz and lounge. This is a concept album, telling the story of a man who starts going insane after getting involved in a story of murder and rape.

Playlist:
1. The Uninvited Guest
2. The Sacrifice of Miss Rose Covington
3. Silent Film
4. Sweet Insanity
5. Desert Grave
6. Moonlight City Drive
7. Private Eye
8. The Darkest Days
9. Dead Virgins Don't Sing
10. The Hitchhiker
11. 100 Suicides
12. Adultery
13. Mature Audiences Only

Link.

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Polkadot Cadaver, Purgatory Dance Party

US, 2007

Polkadot Cadaver emerged from the ashes of Dog Fashion Disco. The amazing vocals provided by Todd Smith are reminiscent of Mike Patton's. Highly recommended for fans of Fantômas and more progressive-oriented stuff like 3 (also DFD, obviously). On a side note, gotta love the not-so-hidden message at the end of the album.

Playlist:
1. Haunted Holiday
2. A Wolf In Jesus Skin
3. Purgatory Dance Party
4. Deathwish
5. Phantom Limb
6. Long Strange Trip to Paradise
7. Bring Me the Head of Andy Warhol
8. Chloroform Girl
9. What's the Worst Thing That Could Happen?
10. Brainwash
11. Pure Bedlam for Halfbreeds
12. Sole Survivor

Link.

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Gae Bolg & The Church Of Fand, John Barleycorn Must Die

France, 2000

Amazing, amazing, amazing martial-folk/apocalyptic band created by Eric Roger of "Sol Invictus" fame. Extremely compelling, amazingly orchestrated and with beautiful melodies this is truly compelling stuff, even for the ones who aren´t very keen on this kind of music. Fans of Dead Can Dance, Of The Wand And The Moon will eat this up.


Playlist:

1. Montsegur
2. La Marche Des Morts
3. Procession Nocturne
4. Jean Grain D´orge Doit Mourir
5. Le Jeudi Saint
6. Bruniquel
7. Le Gibet
8. Larmes De Sang

Link.

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James Blackshaw, All Is Falling

UK, 2010

James Blackshaw is one of my favourite musicians of his generation. With just 29 years old, he´s already created some truly breathtaking albums, "The Cloud Of Unknowing" (2007) and "The Glass Bead Game" (2009). "All Is Falling" is his most recent work, continuing and expanding his work on the 12-string guitar (this is his first work using an electric guitar, 12-string of course) and also expanding his pallette regarding the use of a variety of classical instrumentation (violins, piano, horns, etc.) giving his work a more neo-classical feel than usual. Amazing stuff as always.


Playlist:

1. Part 1
2. Part 2
3. Part 3
4. Part 4
5. Part 5
6. Part 6
7. Part 7
8. Part 8

Link.

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The Tallest Man on Earth, The Wild Hunt

Sweden, 2010

The Tallest Man On Earth is the artistic moniker of Dalarna-native Kristian Mattson, a talented songwriter with a soulful yet edgy voice, tour companion of Bon Iver and such. And The Wild Hunt is soulful alike, filled with beauty and meaning.
Sing along, and you'll know for sure what I mean; it'll resound.


Playlist:

1. The Wild Hunt
2. Burden Of Tomorrow
3. Troubles Will Be Gone
4. You're Going Back
5. The Drying Of The Lawns
6. King Of Spain
7. Love Is All
8. Thousand Ways
9. A Lion's Heart
10. Kids On The Run

Link.

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