Passing Through A Dark Forest - A Soundweave Mix

Here is a belated Christmas gift. Maybe my best mix yet, although not my most listenable. This is a large mix of folk, acoustic and folk-rock songs. Most, if not all, feature acoustic guitar. Most have other instruments too, acoustic or electric. There is some truly amazing music here and I put a lot of effort into having it all flow together.
Enjoy

Obake - Obake

Rare Noise Records, 2011


Obake refers to a Japanese folklore term for a shape-shifting spirit or beast. This mind-bending debut album starts with crushing death-doom and proceeds to go on a twisted, atmospheric journey cloaked in Patton-esque weirdness. Dark, haunting and heavy.

"Obake have produced an album that resonates, a truly captivating and at times unsettling listen that if you permit you will lose yourself within; in simple terms it’s a doom metal album, but this is so much more ambitious and even experimental which is down to the abilities of the musicians involved – if you have ever listened to Earth, Sunn O))), Popul Vuh or Coil then Obake are worthy of your attention… Just don’t go on your own…" - Louder Than War

LIYL: Uffomammut, Disembowelment, Zu, Fantomas, The Melvins, Esoteric, Bill Laswell, Justin Broadrick, Bongripper

Website : Myspace : dl

Sigiriya - Return To Earth

The Church Within Records, 2011


"Beneath the soil of a Welsh valley a heavy metal life-force regains strength: rising from the ashes of stoner doom merchants Acrimony, Sigiriya is born. Eight years after the demise of Acrimony, guitarist Stu O’Hara, bassist Mead, drummer Darren Ivey and vocalist Dorian Walters have reconvened. Not wanting the limitations of reforming a project long dead to them, Sigiriya brings a fresh take on their trademark monolithic heavy groove. While Acrimony hailed from the temples of deepest space, Sigiriya come from the earthy depths, bringing hefty, tremor-inducing sonics that pay homage to the riff. Time served in the likes of Iron Monkey, Helvis, Dukes Of Nothing, Black Eye Riot, The Nine and Yeti have only added to their thick output, giving the foursome a more dynamic, meaner, leaner, earthier approach, which has developed an intense dirty sound with elements of boogie, classic rock and even crust. Taking their name from the mystic ‘throat of the lion’ rock in Sri Lanka, their rumble has been moving the Black Mountains of their homeland and will soon be moving the tectonic plates of the earth. To borrow a phrase from their former outfit: ‘Bong On, Live Long’" -myspace

Website : Myspace : dl

Acrimony - Tumuli Shroomaroom

Peaceville Records, 1997


With four out of five members getting back together as Sigiriya and releasing the excellent Return To Earth, this is a good time to post this classic album here. LIYL: Righteous stoner jams!

Website : Myspace : dl

Kronos Quartet, Kimmo Pohjonen & Samuli Kosminen - Uniko

Ondine, 2011


"Kimmo Pohjonen and sampling master Samuli Kosminen joined forces with Kronos Quartet on the project Uniko featuring music composed by the duo. Kosminen samples Pohjonen’s accordion and Kronos’ strings and reproduces them into the mix via his electronic drum pads and devices. The result is a unique sound never before accomplished."

"Uniko is many things. It is sprawling, cerebral, touching, unpredictable, and even intense at times. This is music that somehow corrals all the right adjectives yet conveniently avoids a genre label. Call it classical, call it World, call it crossover or whatever—it’s just plain great."

Website : Website : dl

Hammock - Asleep In The Downlights

Hammock Music, 2011


"Legends Steve Kilbey and timEbandit Powles of The Church collaborate with Ambient masters Hammock on ''No Agenda'' and ''Verse for Forgiveness''. The EP also features two new Hammock songs."

I don't care much about the first three tracks (they're ok), I just keep listening to the last track, "Parkers Chapel", over and over again. It is magnificent! One of the most beautiful songs of their career.

Website : Myspace : dl

Tycho - Dive

Ghostly International, 2011


This is a gorgeous and warm album that flows well and is perfect for relaxing. I don't post much electronic stuff on here but this is the kind I love. It is upbeat and synthy but somehow avoids being too cheesy. If you're like me and can't get into M83 because of the vocals and cheese this may be for you. Love the cover too.

LIYL: Boards of Canada, Burial, Bibio, M83, chill out music

Website : Myspace : dl

Woodsman - Mystic Places

Fire Talk, 2011


"Colorado’s Woodsman represent some of the strongest, most exciting modern psychedelic music this country has to offer. Over the course of some great vinyl, they’ve honed their sound perfectly, now entering a darker, grittier, kraut-ier zone on their newest EP, “Mystic Places”. If psychedelic music excites you at all, get on board, support this band, you won’t regret it."

Website : Myspace : dl

Holy Mount - We Fell from The Sky

demo, 2011


Good psych band from Toronto. Heavy, blown-out and fuzzy, this three-piece bring to mind many bands currently out there but they show potential to get even more "out there" in the future. The vocals could use more oomph and style as they make the stoned-off-your-ass slow and steady vibe of the music seem too lethargic and lazy. Worth checking out the free download on their bandcamp

LIYL: Quest For Fire, Bardo Pond, White Hills, Naam

Website : Myspace : dl