Top 10s for 2011: Thomas Ekelund (Soma Sema/Trepaneringsritualen)
A selection of records from 2011, in no particular order
Ke/hil - Hellstation LP
Technically this was released at the tail end of 2010, but I didn't get to hear it until this year. If this was a ordered list, this one would definitely be No. 1. It perfectly captures a sense of isolation and bleakness that cuts right into my heart.
Genocide Organ - Under-Kontrakt LP
I've never been a huge fan of G.O. but this album made me re-evaluate large parts of their back catalogue completely. I still say they are over-rated, but there are definite gems in the discography and this one is one of them.
Brighter Death Now - Very Little Fun 4LP
Over four slabs of vinyl there's bound to be subpar material, so I wouldn't consider this one an essential buy, but there is however plenty of really great material on there. The packaging could've been more elaborate though. It isn't really the box set it was claimed to be.
Current 93 - HoneySuckle Æons LP
Certainly not one of the greatest C93 albums, but it's a pleasant listen and the artwork is the best Tibet's done in a long while. No standout tracks, but I hold it in higher regard than last years "Baalstorm, Sing Omega".
Kinit Her - Gratitudes CD
This one is weird. I tried to include a track on a mix tape for a friend, but on their own none of the tracks were any good. Listening from start to finish though, it's a monumental album encompassing everything from early music via black metal to straight up neofolk. I am very much looking forward to the LP on .
Ectoplasm Girls - T X N LP
Seems like this has been in the works forever, and now it's finally out. They've gotten quite a bit of attention and it's all well deserved. Twisted, dark and ritual industrial music. They always make me think of the weirder Psychic TV material, though I am not sure it's really an apt description.
Maska Genetik - Strada LP
It would seem that Maska Genetik is a dead project (these songs were recorded between 2002 and 2005), which is a damned shame. Aside from Haus Arafna/November Növelet, Maska is my favorite band. Creeping, oozing analog angst pop at it's best.
Haus Arafna - New York Rhapsody LP
Last years You was a bit of a let down, and I wouldn't call "New York Rhapsody" a crowning achievement either. But I do in fact prefer this, mostly instrumental, album over the predecessor. If I understand it correctly it was a commissioned work for some fashion show and I can totally see some featureless skeleton walking down the run way to this.
Sutekh Hexen - Luciform LP
Sutekh Hexen blasted into the world from nowhere last year and they are yet to let me down. A full on relentless black metal/noise hybrid that is not to be missed!
The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath A Cloud
I was never a huge The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath A Cloud fan back in the day, I had one album and it had a handful of great songs on it, but suffered greatly by being something like 70 minutes long. Now, thanks to iTunes I can pick and choose and once you weed out the filler material they are a sensational band.
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Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words was finally put to rest on the 26th of February 2011 at a very emotional show at Fylkingen in Stockholm. Now all focus is on various collaborative efforts -- following up the debut Soma Sema 7" with an album, recording a mini LP with IRNI -- and Trepaneringsritualen (10" on , 7" on , tapes on , and + a reissue of the "Veil The World" tape and possibly a US tour in Fall 2012) and hopefully further opportunities to act as backing band for Deutsch Nepal across the world.
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http://www.soma-sema.se/
http://www.de-za-kh-a-da-sh-ba-a-ha-v.se/