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REAPING HORDEHow strange it is in the abstract and antiseptic world of hi-tech Internet publishing to receive for review a bundle of material overbrimming with a primitive organicism: heavy parchment-style art papers with an oily smell, dried leaves, a cloth bag sealed with wax and two fibrous wallets which look like they've been made from compressed straw soaked in congealed blood. This assault on the cellophane-wrapped antisepticism of modern life emanates from the Portuguese tape label, Reaping Horde, which is run by Johan Aernus of Wolfskin, who was previously associated with the similar approach of Bruno Nunes de Sousa's Forgotten Blood on which Wolfskin formerly appeared. Tapes have a warm sound but are inevitably of low-fi quality. I, therefore, still look forward to hearing something of CD-quality from this very interesting source. Rik - 26 April 2000 WOLFSKIN Campos De Matança Campos De Matança is Wolfskin's second tape and opens with industrial rumbling, ritual chanting and martial drumming. Whispered vocals and wavering noises convey a strange sense of proximity and distance. Is it a volcano about to explode or just the blood rushing in your ears? Microcosm or macrocosm, the pressure builds...The rest of the tape consists of long atmospheric soundscapes. The title means 'Fields of Slaughter' and is based on the concept of the land being fertilized by the blood and ashes of the fallen, and with the natural order requiring destruction as a necessary step to creation. KARNNOS A Burial In Flames Opening with cavernous rumblings, echoey gurglings and spoken word about claws being sharpened behind the shadows, this tape is the most varied and successfully manages to combine industrial-orchestral, ritual-industrial and apocalyptic folk styles. There is military drumming, spoken word and the sounds of battle that would warm the heart of Boyd Rice or Michael Moynihan, and there is a nice if short ritual bit with drums, flutes and bells. Karnnos is a collaboration between Johan and A Goerra, and is inspired by Celtic roots. Karnos is a Greek form of Cernunnos, the Celtic horned god of the woods. COMPILATION The Nemeth A pulsating ambient-industrial opening with portentous drumming is reinforced by a strident synth-orchestral refrain and human voice. This develops into a grave neoclassical orchestral piece with a martial flavour not unlike music used to accompany war documentaries. The remainder of the first side has some varied material including a dark orchestral piece, one with almost a hint of Current 93 and another which consists of an industrial rumble with howling wolves. The second side is more ambient-industrial and includes one very mellow piece. The Nemeth is dedicated to the sacred woods and features The Joy of Nature and Discipline, Oktober Black, Wolfskin, Ereshkigal, Once A Barge..., Nerthiagh and Karnnos. CONTACT
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