John Carpenter & Alan Howarth Halloween III: Season of the Witch (Deluxe Reissue) Death Waltz Recording Company Released: 10.21.14 ( Adjusted: 11.12.14 ) *Kind of a bummer, but I'm still happy to have secured a copy of this one.  Figured it would sell out quickly. **Images pulled from the Death Waltz Recording Company website. CORRECTION: According to Death Waltz Recording Company, the album is out but the shipping dates were pushed off.  The album is available in stores. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

tētēma is a new project from Mike Patton and composer Anthony Pateras . Ipecac Recordings will be issuing the duo's new album, Geocidal , which will be out December 9th and a sample of what the album will offer has been revealed.  "Tenz" has the feel of ritualized dance and trance modes revealing shades of On The Corner era Miles Davis and even some rhythmic patterns that sound akin to Cibo Matto 's Viva! La Woman (I'm thinking of its opening track, "Apple").  Pushing the trance comparison a bit, the track also contains what could be considered "drop" sections, few second length pauses followed by heavy blankets of sound, not to mention Patton's heightened vocal.  Check out the track and read some info on Geocidal , all of which has been provided by Speakeasy PR. tētēma STREAM "TENZ" FROM DEBUT ALBUM, GEOCIDAL   NEW DUO FROM ANTHONY PATERAS AND MIKE PATTON San Francisco, Oct. 30, 2014 – tētēma, a new duo featuring Aus...

Scott Walker + Sunn O))) Soused 4AD Released: 10.21.14 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

The Pop Group We Are Time & Cabinet Of Curiosities Freaks R Us Released: 10.21.14 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Mid-summer, I listened to and posted the first single from Dope Body 's new album, Lifer , which was a muddy noise rocker called, " Hired Gun ."  Following the album's release this week, a new single and video for their track "Repo Man" surfaced and from sight to sound this band captures angst like I haven't heard it in years.  The rambunctious percussive storm of instrumentation that precedes its otherwise slow and sinister calm sets up its emotional presence rather perfectly, its payoff the excellent riff-driven descent into frustration which pulled me in and really didn't let go.  It's a strong single and the video, with its multiple depictions of good times, carelessness, sex and violence, all addressed through either the obscuring grain of VHS or super crisp narrative, suits the song well.  I may need to pick this one up.  Lifer is out now via Drag City. All info comes courtesy of Rarely Unable. DOPE BODY REVEAL VIDEO FOR "RE...

Godflesh A World Lit Only By Fire Avalanche Recordings Released: 10.6.14 Stereokiller review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Here are some online orders (and one concert purchase) to dissect.  Enjoy. Sunn O))) Online Store Sunn O))) Black One Southern Lord Recordings Reissued: 2013 I know I've probably talked this band to death this year (and I'm not finished yet... ahem, Soused ), but Sunn O))) 's 2005 LP, Black One , has been on my list for quite some time.  It was for me an elusive acquisition, copies selling out pretty quickly whenever a limited run would be produced and made available.  This time, however, I managed to grab a copy and it's a nice package: Textured cover art with beautifully printed silver dust jackets housing thick, grey vinyl.  I almost felt bad opening it, but it sounds great pushing through speakers.  It's just inimitable, reverberating bleakness.  Price was $35.  I will say, though, that I think I'm done with ordering vinyl from the Sunn O))) Online Store.  This is the second time I've received an order and the album has...

Hot Nerds : "The Brubeck Counting Institute" (via Us-Them Group/ Three.One.G. /Soundcloud) Le Butcherettes : "Demon Stuck In Your Eye" (via Rarely Unable/ Ipecac Recordings /YouTube) Giant Claw : "Dark Web 003" (via Julian T. Schoen/ NPR /YouTube) Katie Rush : "Dangerous Luv (feat. Samantha Urbani )" (via Dark Matter Media/ Gorilla Vs. Bear /Soundcloud) Oozing Wound : "Going Through the Motions Til I Die" (via Thrill Jockey Records/ Metal Hammer /YouTube) Annihilated : "Eradication Profits" (via Earsplit PR/ Metal Assault /Soundcloud) Ty Segall : "The Singer" (via Mutante/ The Guardian /YouTube) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

The Real American Cream.  A few weeks ago, I received an email from a rep at Old Blackberryway Records about this group and its debut double-LP, Nathan .  Inspired by an ever-changing line-up of musical participants, Nathan works in improvised bass-propped drones and tripped out Neu! 'ish repetition.  The group's lead member, Nate Nelson , (also of STNNNG ) apparently worked with a total of 24 musicians by the time recording was finished. Nice Wire homage. The only other musician I can think of that comes close to pursuing this level of collaboration would be Josh Homme , both Queens of the Stone Age and his past Desert Sessions output the result of revolving line-ups and the varied ideas such an environment can provide and inspire.  Here are three tracks for your enjoyment.  I'd recommend checking them out. You can purchase the album here . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Purling Hiss Weirdon Drag City Released: 9.23.14 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

So, if this year's two-hour tension riddled colossus To Be Kind wasn't enough, Swans are reissuing their 1983 debut release, Filth , on October 28th.  Apparently, this will be the first of many reissues the band will be tackling as they delve into their discography over the coming year.  Filth is available for pre-order per a link which, along with all of the information below, was provided by Howlin' Wuelf Media. Swans re-issue debut album FILTH , on vinyl w original cover art for the 1st time in 24 years Young God Records follows the release of this year's critically acclaimed 2 hour long Swans opus To Be Kind , with the vinyl re-release of their debut album Filth on October 28 on Young God in North America and Mute the preceding day in all other territories. Filth inaugurates an ambitious series of re-issues of Swans' distinguished back-catalogue over the coming year. This is the first authorized vinyl edition of the album in 24 years, and was re-mas...

Like many, I'd first heard of Sleaford Mods last year as the band's then-new release, Austerity Dogs , was gaining some momentum in the States.  With urgent sounds meeting jagged commentary, the UK duo is one of the more interesting outsider acts to garner attention, enough so that Ipecac Recordings is releasing Chubbed Up + , which is a singles collection.  "Jolly Fucker," one of the tracks featured on the compilation, demonstrates the group's subversive tone as well as their oddly composed backdrop. Chubbed Up + will be out on October 28th.  All info and links come courtesy of Speakeasy PR. SLEAFORD MODS RELEASE CHUBBED UP + VIA IPECAC RECORDINGS ON OCT. 28 SINGLES COLLECTION INCLUDES THREE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS NOV. 29 PERFORMANCE AT THE WICK IN BROOKLYN SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 30 – The UK’s Sleaford Mods join Ipecac Recordings’ roster with the Oct. 28 release of Chubbed Up + , a singles collection featuring three previously unreleased songs...