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A fantastic split between these two projects of occult Black Metal from the United States. Häxanu is one of the most recent projects of Alex Poole, who should need no introduction, being involved in many of the most notorious and groundbreaking acts in recent years, and counts already with two full-lengths under this moniker, which also involves L.C. of Lichmagick on vocals. Collier d'Ombre is a recent project born from the ashes of the Vrasubatlat circle, and spearhead by its mastermind, R., whose blasphemous contributions in the past 10 years could also not be overstated. Two different acts, but both perfectly balancing a sense of devotion and understanding of what Black Metal should be and stands for, deeply rooted in the 90s ways, Häxanu more into the Scandinavian traditions of Arckanum whereas CdO seems to be more inspired by the Hellenic strains of Black Metal. Both crafting a sound perfectly balancing melody and triumphalism with raw aggression and witching darkness, but with approaches that are absolutely unique and contemporary without being derivative.

Pagan / Viking metal berserkers COLD NORTHERN VENGEANCE create kaleidoscopic landscapes of majesty and melancholy, storm and shelter. The vision of chieftain Heathen, “Maelstrom” picks up where 2008's cult classic “Domination and Servitude” left off: rolling, churning layers of mystifying, hypnotizing tones, all harnessed in a revelatory and Odinistic manner. But here, CNV digs deeper into their pagan roots, plumbing the dark, alluring depths for a resonance rarely found in American metal.
 

This CD release compiled those three tapes "Come Here With Us..." 1990, "Domine a Morte...Libera Me" 1992, "Promo xxx '95" and 6 never before released songs from a 1991 rehearsal tape. CD featuring 12 pages booklet with rare photos and interview with founding members.

Tracks 1-4 taken from "Death to Christianity" demo released in 1986.
Tracks 5-10 taken from "Desire for Immortality" demo released in 1991.
Tracks 11-12 taken from "Gore (War of Blood" 7" released in 1992.
Tracks 13-14 taken from "Exorcisin' the Pain" 7" released in 1993.
Track 15 taken from "Screams from Italy" compilation released in 1994.
Tracks 16-18 are 2021 bonus tracks.

Three years after the release of their self titled debut album in 2011 and the relocation of the original Italian members to Sweden, Hands Of Orlac have finally returned with their second album entitled “Figli Del Crepuscolo”
 

marble/galaxy effect in grimace purple with pink

Anyone with the slightest interest in darkwave music and the goth counterculture is familiar with Lycia. Born in Tempe, AZ, in 1988 from the creative mind of Mike VanPortfleet, Lycia is as seminal and influential as a band can get. Devoted to cold, somber and synthetic sounds, these pioneers of the ethereal are responsible for some of the most acclaimed underground albums of the ‘90s. 

The current lineup of the band is John Fair, David Galas, Tara Vanflower and Mike VanPortfleet, who has been the only constant member since the band’s formation. Although only achieving minor cult success, the band is notable for being one of the groundbreaking groups in the darkwave and ethereal styles. Their 1995 album The Burning Circle And Then Dust "remains a high point of American dark rock" according to AllMusic, and 1996’s Cold has been cited as one of the genre’s best by Post-Punk.com and Alternative Press. Lycia's sound is characterized by rich soundscapes and layers of heavily effected guitars, dark atmospheric keyboards, heavy reverb drenched drum machines, VanPortfleet's somber raspy vocals and Vanflower's vivid melodic voice. 

Avantgarde Music had the pleasure to bring the 1991 debut full-length Ionia to a vinyl edition for the first time in early 2021, and this brought along the chance to cooperate on new music. This turned out to be a rich studio EP, Casa Luna. We reached out to Mike VanPortfleet, who describes Casa Luna as a followup to 2018’s In Flickers, with a more varied approach, stylistically and thematically. “In Flickers and Casa Luna are Lycia’s purest releases. Originally planned as a split 7” with the song “A Quiet Way to Go”, as more songs were written they evolved to an EP”.