:retortae: is happy to present its second collaboration with our friends from outstanding Beläten family. After the instantly sold out 3LP epic release from Trepaneringsritualen, the mastermind behind Beläten, this time we offer the vinyl compilation of the best tracks from one of the most intriguing and unusual members of this Swedish label’s roster – Michael Idehall. Starting in 2011 with a collaboration tape with Thomas Martin Ekelund, he continued further with several obscure tape, online and vinyl releases preferring to stay a bit in the shadow. Nonetheless he got many devoted fans quite soon and in a short time the greater interest by the wider audience has been arised. Due to these demands Michael decided to go more into the light now and agreed to do bigger forms. Last year’s Ant-Zen CD reissue of two older tapes was first of them, the second one is now being presented and it is, so to say, “Greatest Hits” LP. The album includes the best and most attractive compositions from previous releases as well as two tracks not available on any physical matter before and one track which is totally new. In terms of sound the rhythmic elements are combined here with a very gloomy and sinister mood and that could remind us of some Galakthorroe heroes, but in terms of darkness Michael goes much further, it is closer in mind to his friend Trepaneringsritualen and sometimes goes as far as only great Coil have gone in their wildest dreams. So, we are proud to welcome all of our friends to this dark and dystopian world, sometimes brutal, occult and frightening, sometimes sensual, perversed and extatic, but always trance-inducing and dwelling.
The aptly-named Hauntings write songs that are sinister and moody—the seconds in a horror film right before the jump scare. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 3, 2023
In the music of Paul Jordan, digitally manipulated field recordings become striking electronic songs that feel eerie and surreal. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 7, 2020
Made over the course of four dark months, Reece Thomas’s new record features synth compositions that are both beautiful & unsettling. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 30, 2022
Hypnotic ambient and drone music crests in the second track, which clocks in at a whopping 46 minutes. Mesmerizing from start to finish. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 25, 2023