Alfarmania / Ättestupa - Stenstans Fördärv / Mitt Blod, Min Kropp (2010)

Band: Alfarmania & Ättestupa
Album: Stenstans Fördärv (Alfarmania) & Mitt Blod, Min Kropp (Ättestupa)
Year: 2010
Country: Sweden
This is the spawn of the unholy union between two of Sweden's finest in minimalistic music. Together they have created a split consisting of seven songs that are darker than Dale Cooper likes his coffee and that pretty much sums it all up. Alfarmania gently kicks off the record with four murky songs of drone-like nihilism. Repetitive walls of sound mixed with vocals that could be samples from some newsreel from World War II as well. This side of the record is the most gloomy and is best experienced with the lights turned off, preferable lying in fetal position on your cold bathroom floor. The first thing that strikes me when I come to Ättestupa's side of the record is how well produced it sounds compared to their previous releases. But don't take that the wrong way, it is just as dark and harsh as before just executed with a bit more finesse. Another thing that comes to mind is that these songs are a bit more guitar-based than before and that some of the melodies has some black metal-touch to them. Especially in the first song Ett Stort Mörker Skall Komma (a great darkness shall come) where it almost sounds like black metal in slow motion. Overall i like the direction which Ättestupa has on these songs and I'm really exited to hear how the next release will sound like.

Song(s) you should listen to: I always root for listening to a record from start to finish, especially when it comes to music like this. I just think the whole experience enhances that way.

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Ättestupa - Att Korsa Den Flod Som Kommer Dränka Oss Alla (2009)

Band: Ättestupa

Album: Att Korsa Den Flod Som Kommer Dränka Oss Alla

Year: 2009

Country: Sweden

Yet another release from Swedish drone-heads Ättestupa. This came out in 2009 as a cassette on Abisko and is long out of print and quite hard to come across even in mp3-format. I came across this by accident and felt like I had to share it with you. If you have been paying attention and done your homework you know what to expect from this great band by now. I personally find this release a bit more harsh compared to the other releases, adding a more heavy and evil aura to the concoction.

Song(s) you should listen to: According to me, Åderlåtningen is the best track on this 3-piece album. It starts of with some great repetitive drumming and something that sounds like a growling monster approaching you slowly but steady. Ready to sink it's teeth in you.

HOMEPAGE/DOWNLOAD

Ättestupa - Untitled Lp (2008)

Band: Ättestupa

Album: Untitled Lp

Year: 2008

Country: Sweden

This is the debut album from Gothenburgs Ättestupa, two songs equals 38 minutes of minimalistic bliss. Listening to this makes me think of old Astrid Lindgren-movies, people hiding away in front of a fireplace in a small cabin by the woods, elders telling stories about ghosts, murderers, tragic deaths and other creepy stuff to the children, in the distance you can hear the faint sound of bells from a horse carriage plowing it's way through the thick snow. If you hav'nt been growing up in Sweden then I guess you have no idea what I'm talking about so after you've given this record a few spins you should download some Emil I Lönneberga (a popular film series based on the book by Astrid Lindgren). Then you will know exactly what I mean.

Song(s) you should listen to: The whole album, everyday, everytime, all the time. Over and over again.

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Ättestupa - Begraven Mot Norr (2010)

Band: Ättestupa

Album: Begraven Mot Norr

Year: 2010

Country: Sweden

In Sweden there is a myth of a place called "Ättestupa", a steep were people who had played out their role where thrown to their death. Whether this really has happened or not, Ättestupa from Gothenbourg sure knows how to make music that gives you that chilling feeling that you'll most definetly feel when standing on the edge looking down into the abyss.

Begraven Mot Norr is inspired by funeral traditions and death processions in ancient rural Sweden. This album is perfect to listen to whenever you feel gloomy or just want to calm down.

Song(s) you should listen to: The whole album really, but the first song "Den Sista Tiden" that starts of with the sound of a pouring river instantly sets the mood for the whole album. Melancholic yet sothing and beautiful.

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