PODCAST: December 29th, 2011 "THE BEST OV 2011" Special Edition

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This week, I took a long look back at the year that was 2011, and -- as usual -- I couldn't pare it down to the length of a regular episode. Hence, what we have here is a 3.5 hour MEGA-SODE, celebrating the best in dark music over the past year, with entries from the fields of gothic rock, post-punk, deathrock, darkwave, ebm, industrial, neoclassical, dark metal, film scores, and yet uncharted areas of the bizarre realms of sonic art.

I should note that this show is done in an order that sounds good and flows well, rather than any sort of ranking, so think of this episode as a time capsule, rather than a countdown. I'm sure I've left something or somebody out, so don't hang the DJ. I did my best to highlight the most impressive albums, the catchiest singles, and the rest of the sounds that may remain tied to memories of this past year. And I hope you enjoy it.

I haven't made a formal short-list of my fvorite albums of 2011, but I will share that I was very impressed with the three new ROME albums, quite pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the new Nosferatu material, quite often found listening to Ulterior's infectious sound, proud to have watched Cryogen Second become the band that they are, very glad to see the (re)emergence of Brighter Fires as a creative force, and, of course, honored by all of the great feedback that the Loss album received this year. For the rest of the story, just take a listen...

Ready to hear the show? Here's the link to download it:

[DOWNLOAD this episode (128k mp3)]






 
PLAYLIST
Format: Band Name - Song Title [Album Title, Year]
(each band name is also a website link)



"Out ov the Coffin" w/ Ichabod

Show date: Thursday, December 29th, 2011

Opening Theme:
Elliot Goldenthal - Libera Me [from "Interview with the Vampire" (soundtrack), 1994]

Nosferatu - Silver  [Wonderland, 2011]
ROME - Sons of Aeeth/The Brute Engine  [Die Æsthetik Der Herrschaftsfreiheit - Band 2: Aufruhr, 2011]
Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows - Starlight Seen Through Veils of Tears  [Have You Seen This Ghost?, 2011]
This Way to the Egress - Chapel Hill  [This Delicious Cabaret, 2011]
Christine Plays Viola - Witch of Silence  [Innocent Awareness, 2011]
Entertainment - Distance  [SOMA: A Disaro Mixtape, 2011]
Lotus Feed - Drawn Too  [A Different Place, 2011]
Hyena Motorcade - Heartbreaks  [single, 2011]
Brendan Perry - Wintersun  [Ark, 2011]
Adoration - Sense  [single, 2011]
Christopher Drake - (untitled) ["Batman: Year One" (soundtrack) 2011]
Ulterior - Sex War Sex Cars Sex  [Wild In Wildlife, 2011]
Bella Morte - The Morning Sun  [Before the Flood, 2011]
Bloody Dead and Sexy - Liquid Grey [Liquid Grey, 2011]
The Exploding Boy - I Am Truth  [The Black Album, 2011]
Brighter Fires - From the Sky  [Brighter Fires, 2011]
Peter Murphy - I Spit Roses  [Ninth, 2011]
Principe Valiente - Night  [Principe Valiente, 2011]
IAMX - Music People  [Volatile Times, 2011]
Henry Jackman - Magneto/Frankenstein's Monster  ["X-Men: First Class" (soundtrack) 2011]
Diary of Dreams - Grey the Blue  [Ego:X, 2011]
System Syn - Confession  [All Seasons Pass, 2011]
Austra - Beat and the Pulse  [Feel It Break, 2011]
Haujobb - Dead Market  [New World March, 2011]
Gary Numan - The Fall  [Dead Son Rising, 2011]
Cryogen Second [N] - If I Had My Way  [Anthem for the Great Self Destruct, 2011]
Light Asylum - Dark Allies [In Tension EP, 2010]
Necro Facility - Ignite  [Wintermute, 2011]
Deied - A Shell Full of Scars  [Tales of Sodenliah, 2011]
The Crüxshadows - Valkyrie (Dreamside Mix) [Valkyrie, 2011]
Chris Bacon - Regret and Reconciliation ["Source Code" (soundtrack) 2011]
Sólstafir - Svartir Sandar  [Svartir Sandar, 2011]
Falkenbach - Time Between Dog and Wolf  [Tiurida, 2011]
Wolves in the Throne Room - Astral Blood  [Celestial Lineage, 2011]
40 Watt Sun - Carry Me Home  [The Inside Room, 2011]
Mournful Congregation - The Waterless Streams  [The Book of Kings, 2011]
Lycus - Among the Ruins  [demo 2011]
Bear McCreary - "The Walking Dead: Season 2" score medley [2011]
Loss [N] - Silent and Completely Overcome [-despond-, 2011]


KEY:
[N] = Nashville artist
(exc.) = excerpt
^RQ^ = requested

_____________ 

PODCAST: December 22nd, 2011 - The Xmas Bonus!

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Normally, there would not have been an episode this week, but as I recalled last year's "Out ov the Coffin 39 and 1/2 foot Xmas Special," and how much fun that was, it seemed a shame to let it fall into obscurity; however, I didn't want to upload a pure re-run. So, I took that show, chopped it up, kept the best parts, added some new ones, and reworked the whole thing as a new special for this year: "The Out ov the Coffin Xmas Bonus 2011!"

Now, for those that have never heard an "Out ov the Coffin" Xmas Special, I should warn you that this is not at all a typical episode. In fact, it's a complete oddball, framing the Christmas season in a mixture of holiday horror, warped nostalgia, and absolute silliness. It's still done from a goth perspective, of corpse, but this would be the episode in which my sense of humor does most of the driving, and the references become a bit... abstract. What can I say? Christmas is for children, so I'm going to act like one, haha. Having said that: You have been warned...

Featured on this bonus podcast, you will hear a brand new Christmas song from The Cruxshadows, who provide two of the only serious moments in the whole show. Their brand new, 2011 Christmas single, "Anmi's Christmas (Red, Green, Silver & Gold)," is available as a free, or pay-what-you-feel, download right here, along with last year's faithful version of "O Holy Night," both of which are featured on this episode.

And, appearing online just in the St. Nick of time to be included on this podcast, is the new Venture Bros. holiday single. This time, Doc and Jackson present us with their rendition of the classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside," filtered through the characters of The Mighty Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch. The result is called "Baby It's Cold In Here," and I think it's my favorite holiday song since 2008's "Wonderful Christmastime." The download is available right here. You can also grab the rest of their free Christmas singles (going all the way back to 2004) right here.

Also featured on this show: Loads of warped Christmas classics, from such disparate sources as Oscar the Grouch, King Diamond, Batman, Voltaire, The Grinch, The Ramones, The Cryptkeeper, Count von Count, and many, many more. It's a strange one, folks -- and unlike previous holiday specials, it's UNCENSORED, too! So, put a little something extra in your eggnog, and check out what SantaBod brought you this year...


Not into this episode's theme? No problem. STAY TUNED: The December 29th episode will feature "The Best ov 2011," a cross-section of songs from the best releases to have been featured on the show this year!


Ready to hear your Xmas Bonus? Here's the link to download it:

[DOWNLOAD this episode (128k mp3)]






 
PLAYLIST
Format: Band Name - Song Title [Album Title, Year]
(each band name is also a website link)



"Out ov the Coffin" w/ Ichabod

Show date: Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Henchman 21 & 24 Intro (exc. from "Wonderful Christmastime") [digital single, 2008]
CBS Special Intro sound FX
Elliot Goldenthal - Libera Me ["Interview with the Vampire" (soundtrack), 1994]
Alec Guinness (as Jacob Marley) - See the Phantoms ["Scrooge" (soundtrack, 1970)]
The Cryptkeeper (John Kassir) - Twas the Fright Before Christmas [Tales From the Crypt: Have Yourself A Scary Little Christmas, 1994]
Gordy Goodwin - We Wish You a Scary Christmas [The Haunted Mansion unofficial 34th Anniversary Collection, 2005]
David G. Ravenswood - Grim, Grinning Ghosts (Phantom Manor Christmas Mix) [The Haunted Mansion unofficial 34th Anniversary Collection, 2005]
Porn Orchard (as Tom Waits & Peter Murphy) - This Holiday Season (w/ Intro) [Son of the Flagpole Christmas Album, 1992]
Jerry Goldsmith - A Christmas Story ["Gremlins" (soundtrack), 1984]
Oscar T. Grouch - I Hate Christmas [A Sesame Street Christmas, 1975]
Thurl Ravenscroft - You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch ["How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (soundtrack)]
Count von Count - All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth [A Sesame Street Christmas, 1975]
Hellblinki - Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas ('Riverbottom Nightmare Band' exc.) [Xmas with Hellblinki, 2006]
Danny Elfman - Oogie Boogie's Song ["The Nightmare Before Christmas" (soundtrack), 1993]
Mark Hammil (as The Joker) - Jingle Bells ["Batman: The Animated Series" episode Christmas with the Joker, 1992]
She Wants Revenge - Kidnap the Sandy Claws ["The Nightmare Before Christmas" (deluxe soundtrack), 2006]
Shirley Walker, Lolita Ritmanis, Michael McCuistion - The Nutcracker Suite / Pie in Batman's Face / Dangling Hostages Saved/ Deck the Halls ["Batman: The Animated Series" episode Christmas with the Joker, 1992]
Venture Industries & Friends & Enemies - Venture Aid 2006/Feed the World (The Venture Bros.) [digital single, 2006]
The Monarch & Dr. Girlfriend - Little Drummer Boy (The Venture Bros.) [digital single, 2004]
Juan Schwartz & The South Park Christmas Choir - Dead, Dead, Dead [Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics, 1999]
Alien Sex Fiend - Stuff the Turkey [single, 1987]
Fear - Fuck Christmas [ single, 1982]
The Yobs - Come All Ye Faithful [XMas II, 1991]
Pansy Division - Homo Christmas [Fem In A Black Leather Jacket, 1992]
Voltaire - Comin' Out for Christmas (live) [Live!, 2006]
Bad News - Cashing In On Christmas [Bad News, 1987]
Danny Elfman - End Title ["The Nightmare Before Christmas" (soundtrack), 1993]
The Cruxshadows - Anmi's Christmas (Red, Green, Silver, & Gold) [digital single, 2011]
The Cruxshadows - O Holy Night  [digital single, 2010]
The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)  [Brain Drain, 1989]
Boris Karloff - "Every Who Down in Whoville..." (sample from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", 1966)
King Diamond - No Presents for Christmas  [single, 1985]
The Cool Ghoul (Dick Von Hoene) - The Bite Before Christmas [The Cool Ghoul's Phantasmagorical Funky Fonograf Record, 1971]
The Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch - Baby It's Cold In Here [digital single, 2011]
The Unquiet Void - Silent Night [Middle Pillar Presents: A Misfit Xmas, Volume One, 2001]
Batman & Friends & Enemies - Christmas Carol Caper [Exciting Christmas Stories, 1977]



KEY:
[N] = Nashville artist
(exc.) = excerpt
^RQ^ = requested

_____________ 

PODCAST: December 15th, 2011

[DOWNLOAD this episode (128k mp3)]

This episode starts with some newly released live music from my favorite band of all time, The Cure, who have just issued Bestival Live 2011, a 2CD collection of the band's set at September's Bestival Fest, featuring a great, career-spanning set-list. All proceeds from the sale of the album will go to benefit the Isle of Wight Youth Trust. Learn more about that here.

Speaking of live recordings of legendary bands, Dead Can Dance has made two separate collections of live recordings available for free to people who sign up for their mailing list. The collections are called Live Happenings, Parts I and II, and are designed to whet peoples' appetites for their forthcoming album. Get the downloads here.

On the last show, I threw the spotlight on ROME's new box set, Die Aesthetik der Herrschaftsfreiheit, by featuring tracks from the first two discs on that episode. This time, to round out the preview-effect, you'll hear a selection from Disc 3 of the set ("Aufgabe"). And if you're ready to order the whole thing after that, you can find the limited edition here, while they last. Otherwise, watch for the single-disc versions.

Also featured on this show: A re-issue of the British band Siiiii's collection of early '80s material, entitled Ancient; a deeper cut from the new System Syn album, All Seasons Pass; brand new "experimetal" from Iceland's Sólstafir, whose Svartir Sandar has appeared on many year-end charts already; more new music from Finland's Azaghal, from their forthcoming release, Nemesis; and a taste of Christopher Drake's score to the latest Batman animated film, "Batman: Year One," which is great, by the way.

This episode closes with two more new entries, the first from Norway's Ulver, who continue to explore the boundaries of various genres on The Wars of the Roses, and new music from a fresh Nashville post-rock/experimental act called Black Caverns.

Also on this episode: New music from Lycus, who recently released a limited edition of their demo on Nashville's own Graceless Recordings; More fresh sounds from Deied, Nosferatu,  and Gary Numan; plenty of great soundtrack music from the realms of dark sci-fi; some goth rock obscurities and current sounds you may have missed, and much, much more!

STAY TUNED for the "Out ov the Coffin: Xmas Bonus" landing on or near December 22nd, and don't miss the December 29th episode: "The Best ov 2011!" Coming soon...


Ready to hear the show? Here's the link to download it:

[DOWNLOAD this episode (128k mp3)]






 
PLAYLIST
Format: Band Name - Song Title [Album Title, Year]
(each band name is also a website link)



"Out ov the Coffin" w/ Ichabod

Show date: Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Opening Theme:
Elliot Goldenthal - Libera Me [from "Interview with the Vampire" (soundtrack), 1994]

The Cure - Plainsong (live) [Bestival Live 2011]  ^RQ^
Clint Mansell - Two Weeks and Counting/I'm Sam Bell ["Moon" (soundtrack, 2009)]
Dead Can Dance - Crescent (live) [Live Happenings - Part II, 2011]
Siiiii - Conception  [Ancient, 2006]
Current 93 - St. Peter's Keys All Bloody  [Dogs Blood Rising, 1984]
ROME - Automation  [Die Aesthetik der Herrschaftsfreiheit - Band 3: Aufgabe, 2011]
Wovenhand - Winter Shaker  [Mosaic, 2006]
Christopher Drake - (untitled) ["Batman: Year One" (soundtrack, 2011)]
Nosferatu - Bombers  [Wonderland, 2011]
The Mission UK - The Crystal Ocean (extended)  [The First Chapter, 1987]
Moon - Dave  [Andromeda - The Spectral Compilation, 1993]
Sad Lovers and Giants - Big Tracks Little Tracks  [Feeding the Flame, 1983]
Charles de Goal - Procession  [Restructuration, 2008]
Gary Numan - Into Battle  [Dead Son Rising, 2011]
Panzer AG - It Is All In Your Head  [This Is My Battlefield, 2004]
Cryogen Second [N] - Anthem for the Great Self Destruct  [Anthem for the Great Self Destruct, 2011]
System Syn - Funeral  [All Seasons Pass, 2011]
Deied - In the Transition  [Tales of Sodenliah, 2011]
Mark Korven - Wrong Door/The Rope  ["Cube" (soundtrack, 1997)]
Sólstafir - Sjúki Skugginn  [Svartir Sandar, 2011]
Evoken - Intro/In Solitary Ruin  [Antithesis of Light, 2005]
Christopher Young - 'Skin Her Alive' ["Hellbound: Hellraiser II" (soundtrack, 1989)]
Azaghal - Ex Nihilo  [Nemesis, 2012]
Lycus - Aghast  [Demo 2011]
Mark Isham - Expiation/Mist  ["The Mist" (soundtrack, 2007)]
Ulver - England  [The Wars of the Roses, 2011]
Black Caverns [N] - Prevail Beyond the Storm  [Black Caverns EP, 2011]


KEY:
[N] = Nashville artist
(exc.) = excerpt
^RQ^ = requested

_____________ 

PODCAST: December 1st, 2011

[DOWNLOAD this episode (128k mp3)]

In musical terms, the greatest thing to happen this week has certainly been the arrival of ROME's new box set, Die Aesthetik der Herrschaftsfreiheit. With 36 tracks, spread over 3 full length albums, it's a lot of greatness to absorb at once, but it maintains the quality standards set by all of Jerome Reuter's many previous releases. All of ROME's different faces are represented on the new collection, and a couple of new paths are explored as well. Not one, but two, of the new tracks are featured on this episode.

For the big fans: If you are looking to buy the new ROME box set, there is a very limited fan-edition, which comes with all 3 of the new albums, 3 hardbound books, and what I will say is their best t-shirt yet, along with a couple of other bonus pieces, that you might attempt to order right here, while they last.

Also new on this episode is music from Press Gang Metropol. If you've ever wondered what became of the legendary French goth-rock band, Corpus Delicti, then wonder no more. After their original drummer retired, they elected to go on in a somewhat different direction, under a new name.

As mentioned previously, I'm really looking forward to hearing a full-length release from California's Hyena Motorcade. As if to briefly sate that appetite, the band released a new single this week, adding to their repertoire of post-punk/art-rock, with an atmosphere reminiscent of bands like The Psychedelic Furs and legends like Bowie and The Doors. Check out their new song, "Heartbreaks," on this episode.

This episode also digs deeper into the latest releases from Skinny Puppy, Brighter Fires, and Nosferatu, while offering an advance look at an album that won't see release until early next year, from Finland's Azaghal. Their forthcoming release, Nemesis, gets the spotlight at the end of this show, in the dark metal portion.

Also featured this time: Post-punk obscurities from across the ages, some bizarre '70s neo-classical folk from France, a host of current & classic darkwave/post-punk/industrial, and a featured set of music highlighting a festival that seems to be utterly doomed, in every sense of the word: Next Weekend's Rites of Darkness III Festival* in San Antonio, Texas.

*At press time, it appears that the venue for ROD III has been shut down (temporarily?), on top of on-going financial issues that have resulted in the cancellation of more than a dozen of the featured bands (including our own Loss). Nevertheless, a group of bands that were slated to play remains the focus of the final set of this episode, because they're great bands anyway.

Note: I've updated the way I post my playlists (below). They now include the name of the album each song is from, as well as its release year.



Ready to hear the show? Here's the link to download it:

[DOWNLOAD this episode (128k mp3)]






 
PLAYLIST
Format: Band Name - Song Title [Album Title, Year]
(each band name is also a website link)



"Out ov the Coffin" w/ Ichabod

Show date: Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Opening Theme:
Elliot Goldenthal - Libera Me [from "Interview with the Vampire" (soundtrack), 1994]

ROME - Sons of Aeeth  [Die Aesthetik der Herrschaftsfreiheit - Band 2: Aufruhr, 2011]
Ainm - The Promise  [Zero Spring, 2011]
ROME - In Cruel Fire  [Die Aesthetik der Herrschaftsfreiheit - Band 1: Aufbruch, 2011]
Malicorne - Quand je Menai Mes Chevaux Boire  [Almanach, 1976]
The Cure - Three Imaginary Boys  [Three Imaginary Boys, 1979]
The Search - Mermaid  [Bloodbathe, 2005]
Press Gang Metropol - Answers (free online single, 2011)
Hyena Motorcade - Heartbreaks  (demo, 2011)
Backyard Ghost - Hauptwerk  [The Snowman, 2008]
Pretentious, Moi? - Faith and Reason Part Company  [Pretentious, Moi?, 2010]
Seraphim Shock - Shadow Realm  [Red Silk Vow, 1997]
Nosferatu - Silver  [Wonderland, 2011]
The Bolshoi - Giants  [Giants EP, 1985]
Blacklist - Still Changes  [Midnight of the Century, 2009]
Litfiba - Eroi Nel Vento  [Desaparecido, 1985]
Hopeful Machines - Bringmedownintotheoldcoldground  [I Am Still In This Forest, 2006]
Brighter Fires - Sever  [Brighter Fires, 2011]
Diary of Dreams - krank:HAFT  [Nigredo, 2004]
Velvet Acid Christ - Crushed  [Lust for Blood, 2006]
Front Line Assembly - Angriff (Mindless Faith Mix)  [Angriff (single), 2010]
Hocico - Drowning  [Memorias Atras, 2008]
Skinny Puppy - Vyrisus  [hanDover, 2011]
Chris Bacon - One Death is Enough [from "Source Code" (soundtrack),2011]
Mournful Congregation - A Slow March to the Burial  [The June Frost, 2009]
Anhedonist - Ouranophobia  [The Drear, 2010]
Nathan Barr - The Funeral  [from "True Blood: Season One" (score), 2009]
Pallbearer - The Legend  [demo, 2010]
Worship - The Altar and the Choir of the Moonkult  [Dooom, 2007]
Catherine Christer Hennix - The Electric Harpsichord (exc.)  [The Electric Harpsichord, 1976]
Azaghal - Vihasta ja Veritöistä  [Nemesis, 2012]


KEY:
[N] = Nashville artist
(exc.) = excerpt
^RQ^ = requested

_____________