Reaping Horde Compilation
The Nemeth
You
have never seen a label that pays so much attention to a record cover.
And if I talk of covers I should really say packaging. Striking! Every
Reaping Horde production is hand assembled with material relating to the
work in question. For this compilation, the record is buried in a hardback
leather sleeve, hand painted, closed by leather thongs and wrapped in real
oak leaves and pine needles. The details of the presented artists are in
filigree on transparent paper. This compilation regroups all the projects
on the label, each presenting two original tracks, and is for some their
first appearance on CD. This record is simply marvellous and enables one
to get an overall view of Reaping Horde, and it makes one realise all the
time lost by not having discovered these fantastic bands earlier. Apart
from Once A Barge who come from Germany, they all hail from Portugal. The
record begins with Oktober Black, who present two magnificent dark folk
instrumentals, heroic and proud, dark and warm. Then comes Wolfskin, with
a dark and menacing music, ultra dark ambient ritual, similar to certain
passages from Lustmord, intensely industrial. Then come Ereshkigal, with
a first track that reminds one of the darkest tones and atmospheres of
early Coil, very atmospheric, and a more ambient industrial second track.
Once A Barge offer a new wave nostalgia filled dark folk, enhanced by melancholy
ridden keyboards. Karnnos, in all modesty, demonstrate convincingly that
they have their place amongst the more beautiful and upright current dark
folk projects, a revelation! The Joy of Nature and Discipline play in the
same vein, as much martial as melodic. It ends with Nerthiagh, a superb
dark ambient industrial formation, dark and neurotic.
The
discovery of this label was a revelation to me. Apart from the main labels
that everyone knows, such as World Serpent, Eis & Licht, Tesco, there
are only a few small structures to offer an interesting catalogue, apart
from Italy with the marvels from Oktagön, Musica Maxima Magnetica,
Old Europa Café and many others, or France with La Cadera and Cauldron.
If Reaping Horde distinguishes itself by its originality, it is undoubtedly
due to a salutary and favourable remoteness, far from the significant and
inevitable influences to be found in Germany, England, Scandinavia or in
France. Portugal distinguishes itself here in good fashion, its gaze fixed
forward, towards other horizons, with a master hand.
Reaping
Horde is on the brink of becoming a big name of the neofolk industrial
movement, be it said.
Admirable,
strongly recommended!!!!!
Stéphane
Fivaz
November
2000
Translation
Ian C.
Contact, informations and orders :
Reaping Horde
Apartado 101
5401-909 Chaves
Portugal
e-mail : horde@portugalmail.com