Report: Deus Ex Machina coming on Essentia Mundi

seetyca continues his dark musings on the new album Deus Ex Machina, out on Essentia Mundi next week.
Follow this link to find more information and ordering information.

Report: Seetyca releases new album Nemeton

Join seetyca in a deep dive into the mysteries of the Celts. New album Nemeton out this week on Winter-Light.

Plunging into the depths of October

We are in the middle of October, darkness is all around us and the rain and moisture is seldom far away. We huddle inside our homes and cottages, hiding from the elements underthick blankets and lulled into relief through deep and mellow music hinting to the other side. We present two of these albums to you today.

[gterma038] : Seetyca - Lieder Zum Summen (out now)

Songs for Humming is a very intimate affair, an album in strong symbiosis with the elements. Here are sixteen short songs, somewhat melancholic and almost bordering on the naive. You can feel the chill of the autumn air, smell the humid earth in your hand, taste the decay of fallen leaves. We are used to s. delivering massive dronewalls and deep, hypnotic soundscapes. Here he shows up his contemplative side, with music turning your eyes to drift into the deep blue sky. The album comes in a jewel case with 16-page booklet.

[gterma039] : Jason Sloan - Deluge (out now)

If we have any StillStream fanatics here chances are you might remember this performance, which originally streamed live on the Sadayatana show back in 2011. Although then presented without title, Jason intended for this piece to capture the aftermath of our world after having suffered through a grand deluge. gterma are very happy to bring back to life again this emotional recording. Jason has also kindly composed for us a brand new epilogue which now closes the album. Comes in jewel case with 16-page booklet.

The long summernights just got a bit darker...

We're halfway through summer here in the northern hemisphere, the city bathes in the golden colours of yet another tranquil evening. Yet somehow we all know the shift has taken place, the days are again doomed to grow shorter and shorter as we once again begin the slow rush toward the dark season. Illustrating this point finely are the brand new albums we have available tonight. Music on the edge between light and darkness, between fantasy and reality, between madness and sanity. The journey continues.

[gterma036] : Urenga - Mu (The Lost Continent) (out now)

The world's oceans still jealously guard their many secrets from the prying eyes of our fledgling 21st century civilization. Brave minds remain convinced that unseen lands dwell in the cold depths of the deep waters. A few claim to have visited these places in their dreams. We were amazed to discover a portion of a dusty traveller's journal, telling of one travellers tireless pursuit in heeding the ocean's calling. We invite you to follow in the wake of this dreamlike journey.

[gterma040] : V/A - Phra Rahu (out now)

A long time coming, we have worked zealously to present this offering to the dark entity known as Rahu. A vast demigod with a strong worldly influence, Rahu's might is perhaps best illustrated in his devouring of the sun, causing the Earth to sit in his dark shadow. We have assembled this dark mantra from material both new and old, creating a deep tribute featuring several of the profile artists of gterma. Massive double album in a jewel case with 16-page booklet.

[gterma041] : Gleisberg & Grassow - Ad Lucem (out now)

Veterans Rüdiger Gleisberg and Mathias Grassow, who have previously worked together in constellations such as KarmaCosmic and Nostalgia (together with Carsten Agthe), have come together again to create Ad Lucem, an album dedicated to the light and the hope for a better tomorrow. Six deep pieces carefully balancing on a slight penumbra between light and darkness. Comes in a jewel case with 16-page booklet.

Report: Sulphur part VIII released on Otium Netlabel

Appearing once more, now in its eight incarnation, is the latest effort in the long running "Sulphur" series from collaborators Etheocles Stevens and Seetyca. Sulphur part eight, subtitled Endless, follows the tradition of deep and dark soundworlds of a colossal and intense mangitude. gterma veterans who took a liking to the Seetyca album The Luminous Deep will find much illumination in this dark eigth episode. If you are not yet familiar with Sulphur I do recommend a visit to the Russian netlabel Otium where you can find the more recent episodes in this series.

gterma listeners can also look forward to a passage from Sulphur part IV on the up and coming Phra Rahu compilation.

Report: Seetyca releases new Sleep States album on Mbira

We've also just learnt that our darkscape friend Seetyca has released the fourth installment in his Sleep States series. The new album "Parasomnia" (Sleep States IV) is released on the artist's own label Mbira where you will also find the previous three parts. Longform seductive dark dronescapes are the name of the game here. Visit the artist's website and drop him an email if you are interested in acquiring these titles, as they can be hard to find through the usual outlets, hidden treasures at their finest.

parasomnia | sleep states IV (excerpt). by seetyca

Report: Sulphur Part 7 out on Otium Netlabel

Followers of Seetyca are hopefully aware of the long running collaborative project Sulphur done together with Etheocles Stevens. Today saw the release of the seventh part on the Russian netlabel Otium, were a couple of the previous parts can also be found. On the seventh installment the dark dronescapes meet more abrasive and stark noisy segments. As mentioned last time around, gterma strongly recommend you check out Part IV.

Report: "Suns" out now on Phonospheric

Well known collaborators Mystified and Seetyca have joined forces again and their most recent work "Suns" has just been released on the small British label Phonospheric. Vivid drone works perfect for late night listening. Copies appear to be low in number so don't snooze for too long if you are interested. Available on CDr via the label website. Mystified & Seetyca - Suns - Phase 1 by Phonospheric

When it rains it pours...

It seems the only holidaymakers who can claim to be really pleased with this year's summer are the snails. In a not exactly atypical fashion, most of the Scandinavian (and I'm sure elsewhere...) summer disappeared in a fuming, chilly cloud of moist. What better then, than to escape into the foglands with some deep mesmerizing soundscapes? We do have a few brand new suggestions for you, of course...

[gterma003] : Parsick & Reuter - Lament (out now)

Stephen Parsick and Markus Reuter have once again met up to brew their own kind of dronescapes. The path leads into sonic hinterlands where processed guitar fuses with experiments of a decidedly electronic nature. Complex structures are erected from out of a mysterious tonal language, and the journey meanders between cold and harrowing audioscapes into the blooming fields of the outer reaches of the psychosphere. Comes in a jewelcase with a 8-page booklet.

[gterma005] : V/A  - Gyalpo (out now)
 
Dedicated to the great protectors of our realm comes this tributary to the Four Heavenly Kings of Caturmaharajika. Four artists (A.P, Earth Vibration, Mathias Grassow and Indo) each provide an interpretation of one of the four guardian kings and their continuous efforts to ward off all evil that threatens our world. Expect longform ambient with a mysterious twist. The album comes in a jewelcase with a 16 page booklet.

[gterma017] : Seetyca - The Luminous Deep (out now)

When the final faint rays of light shine upon motionless limbs, colours begin to fade as the pelagic darkness bides a welcome with its cold and soft embrace. The descent continues, unevenly adrift on an unknown current. The boundaries of time and space no longer apply. Finally at rest on the distant seabed new life is destined to spring from this empty shell anew. Comes in a jewelcase with 16-page booklet.

Report: Parikrama back in the studio

We've received word that Parikrama have once again departed for the realm of the shrouded mountains of the mighty Himalayas, in search of hidden secrets. We wish the crew a fruitful expedition and a safe return. This is also the perfect opportunity to recommend newcomers to investigate their outstanding debut EP which appeared on netlabel DNA Productions a few years ago. Large and captivating drones from a freezing realm of the purest light.

Report: "Sulphur VI" out now on Otium netlabel

The very latest installment in the long running Sulphur series, a collaborative effort between Seetyca and Etheocles Stevens, has just been released on Russian netlabel Otium. Sulphur VI, like its predecessors, follows a dark and somewhat twisted path through ambient and experimental realms, creating haunting and majestic passages of gloom. Be sure to check out the previous releases also available on Otium, especially Sulphur IV which has been a longtime gterma favourite.

Released from the clutches of the ancient dragon...

Xin nian kuai le, the Chinese New Year celebrations are over and we are happy to report that the old creature has finally let go of his prize and decided to share his insights with us. And what better way to open up the Year of the Dragon? We have received several new items which are now available for order. We extend our gratitude for the artists who have gone to great lengths to decipher these hidden terma. Follow the links below for more information and samples.

[gterma004] : Solar Ocean - Enter Serenity

Adrift on an endless ocean, suspended into mellow water gently rocking you to sleep. Each wave carries you further from land and into a twilight existence, the sun warming your face and the water sending a million glittering reflections into your gaze. The result is a mini-album of serene ambient soundscapes with a harrowing undertone. Comes in a jewelcase with a 12-page booklet.

[gterma007] : Indo - Winter In Zangla

Indo returns with a harrowing and cold narrative of Hungarian explorer and Orientalist Csoma de Körös' long journey to Zanskar valley where he studied the mysteries of the Tibetan language and Buddhist wisdom in the 1820s. Journey with us through the narrow mountain passes into the secluded villages at the foot of the Himalayas under the watchful eye of King Virudhaka. Comes in a jewelcase with a 12-page booklet.

[gterma009] : Parikrama - The Silent Bōn

Long before Buddhism spread into the Himalayas the region was at the mercy of frightening spirits and powerful divinities.Seetyca and Artin Mucht join the bonpo shamans in search for traces of the old faith, now consumed by the benevolent teachings of Lord Buddha. These are stark aural landscapes with a mystic touch, yet clear as crystalline ice. Allow yourself to be lost in the world of Parikrama. The album comes in a jewelcase with a 12-page booklet.

[gterma010] : Mathias Grassow - Alchemystery

Freestyle recordings are the order of the day as Mathias treads an improvised path into the colourful and enigmatic realms of the ever present mystery that is music. Traditionalists and purists beware, these sound sculptings will challenge any drone-ambient prejudice. Double album comes in a jewelcase with a 16-page booklet. Read more about the Alchemy Sessions on the Path of the Shaman page.

The old gods are still around and doing well

Long before the rugged Himalayan region was conquered by the benevolence of Buddhism and the blessings of Lord Buddha and his many loyal guardians the lands were at the mercy of powerful deities and terrifying spirits. People's houses were converted to small fortresses to ward off evil creatures and the populations were at the mercy of divine madmen, possessed bonpo shamans. When the famous Guru Rinpoche was brought in from India by King Trisong Detsen the bonpos may finally and officially have converted, but their masters and deities persisted and the old guard never went away. Much as other local powerful beings or spirits, they remain in service of their people once more, though now under the watchful eye of Lord Buddha. And although there might now be gentle smiling monks performing the services instead of wild eyed bonpo shamans, the practice never really subsided, it just transformed and merged into a school of Buddhist discipline among karmapas and nyingmapas and so on.

Today some people living in this region realize the origins of their belief system and trace it back to the bön. Another pair of explorers recently reemerged from a journey into the distant corners of this wilderness. Small villages and dilapidated and crumbling dzongs were the starting points for excursions into the vastness of the old guard. Even in the shadow of Mount Kailash the presence of Buddha Tönpa Shenrab can be felt. Join Seetyca and Artin Mucht as they don their Parikrama moniker once more to open a treasure box of mysterious old gterma. As you gaze into this old world, remember to equip a spirit catcher and carry your phurba close to you at all times.

[gterma009] : Parikrama - Top of the Morning by the lost gterma