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Swarm
I have copies of the double-CD Swarm compilation from Cold Spring Records for sale. Features the Clear Stream Temple track Division (City of Mosques) as well as exclusive contributions from Zos Kia, Andrew Liles, Shinjuku Thief, John Watermann, Kreuzweg Ost, Merzbow Vs Nordvargr, Fredrik Klingwall, Bleiburg, Necropolis, Deadwood, Sistrenatus, Sleep Research Facility, Von Thronstahl, Goatvargr, Kriegsfall-U, Tenhornedbeast, A Challenge of Honour, Band of Pain, Werkraum, Schloss Tegal, H.E.R.R. Presented in a double gatefold pack with sumptuous artwork by O. Lomer. Available for $15US/$25NZ; Paypal details on request.

A review from Lunar Hypnosis:
I first stumbled upon Cold Spring Records when I was trying to find more music by the band Puissance. A search engine lead me to Cold Spring, and my eyes went wide. The Cold Spring catalog is a treasure trove. This label is a gift to anyone who loves bleak, ravishing music. The sampler begins with a track called "Ein Neuer Krieg" by Kreuzweg Ost. It's a dark, dynamic boom of militaria. The second track by the inimitable Andrew Liles is haunted, clanking; a real ghost ship of a song. Shinjuku Thief contribute "Sacred Fury (Live)" an exercise in demented war drums. Merzbow/Nordvargr's "Partikel MN2" is a pure grade of psychotic electronica.

Clear Stream Temple triumph with "Division (City Of Mosques)". Bryn Jones would be so proud. Fredrik Klingwall's "Come Inside" is a brief ethereal interlude, followed by Watermann's "Whispering Walls (Si_Comm Remix)"; a black, brooding slab of electro-industrial, reminiscent of the most experimental of the Nettwerk bands back in the day. The eighth track, "Herdfeuer (Reburned)" reminds me of bands such as Blutharsch and Scorpion Wind; simple, elegant, extremely powerful. Zos Kia's "10 Miles High (Alternative Mix)" follows. This song is as one would expect from Zos Kia. An electrical storm of the mind. Something to turn one's brain inside out. "Eudaimonia" by Necropolis is a thunderous gothic epic. A true beauty. The first disc ends furiously with Deadwood's "The Serpent Spiral". This is not so much a song as a study on psychosis. Think of MZ412 or Daniel Menche. There will be blood left in your headphones.

The second disc opens with "IV" from Sistrenatus; cold, apocalyptic, resounding. The next track, from the infamous "Sleep Research Facility" called "82ºS 45ºE", is a gorgeous song; definitely what we've come to expect from SRF. The absolute finest in ambient trajectories through endless space. Out of curiosity I pulled up a global map with latitude and longitude. I believe the specified location would be in Antarctica. The next song, "Adoration, To Europa" is by Von Thronstahl. If you've never heard them or heard of them but you like irreverently exotic Industrial music, do check them out. Maybe it could be argued that they're a high fashion version of Death In June. Redundant in a way, but nevertheless true! Always a good time, Von Thronstahl deliver this ode to Europa in a way that'd make both Ostara and Morrissey proud.

Goatvargr's "Lycanthropic" is an invigorating attack on the senses. Pleasantly unpleasant in every way. Very Whitehouse! Kriegsfall-U's "Crisis And Catharsis" is for me the high point of both discs. Profoundly unique in its ability to be both harmonic and atonal, the song raises both my consciousness and my blood pressure! Tenhornedbeast contribute a song called "Archangel" which is about as ominous as a song can get. Really, you can smell the sulpher on this one. This song is followed, ironically, by A Challenge of Honour's "At Dawn We Meet Our Maker", a serendipitous, shimmering melody which sounds like watching sunrise over water.

Band of Pain's "Swelled And Spent" is a strange, intoxicating collection of sounds. Part church organ, part field recordings of tribal ceremony, part whispers from Yog Sothoth. Track 7 is another gem from Werkraum; regal and proletariat as ever. Scloss Tegal's "Coital Affirmation (Artificial Coital Equipment Remix)" is sunless and surgical. Of course, humorously, my own inner voice echoes, "Ends with 'Is that all there is'?" H.E.R.R.'s "Stalingrad" is melancholy beautiful. The aching reality of annihilation and aftermath. A fitting, sombre end to a wholly enjoyable sampler of songs and sounds. Definitely a true representation of the class and quality that is Cold Spring Records. This disc may be purchased on its own (a double gatefold CD containing 22 exclusive tracks recorded specifically for this collection!) or, get Swarm free when you purchase 3 other titles from the Cold Spring label. An excellent deal, all the way 'round.

April 15, 2006
By Ginnie Moon
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