Labels we love: Hosianna Mantra
We’re lucky to get to work with some of New York’s most interesting curators as we stock new records for the shop. One of them has been at the forefront of the Brooklyn music world for over a decade. Adam Abou-Heif is known throughout subcultural circles for his tireless efforts putting out new and reissued records across several different labels: Katorga Works, a punk and hardcore label; Bitter Lake Recordings, which specializes in Japanese reissues; and Hosianna Mantra, his most recent effort which focuses on “obscure, esoteric, and spiritual music.” (He’s also gracious enough to help us stock our shelves with killer used records — you’ll see when we open.)
Until recently, Hosianna Mantra kept quite busy reissuing albums by dungeon synth pioneer Jim Kirkwood in conjunction with Out of Season. As of today, though, the scope is expanding to include both local and international artists. Today we’re talking about the two most recent offerings from the label, along with our favorite Kirkwood album.
Octonomy - saturnalian rites
New York’s own Octonomy has been a force in the New York experimental world for many years now; you may have attended an Outer Sonics event around any given solstice. Her first release under this name back in 2019 was released by Chthonic Streams, a distorted synth-heavy blend of darkwave and industrial sounds. Saturnalian Rites is a different beast altogether, accented by more martial industrial elements mixed with truly gorgeous dark ambient. While the textures are rich and moody, it isn’t what one might call “oppressive.” It’s a true celebration of its pagan themes; a love of the night and the mystical forces that are beholden to it. One of our favorites of the year, and an essential turntable listen.
Tusen År Under Jord - Sorgsendömet Fobos
13 years after its initial release as a limited cassette, Tusen År Under Jord’s Sorgsendömet Fobos pairs exceptionally well with Saturnalian Rites; to this writer’s ears, they’re almost mirror images of each other. Sorgsendömet is drenched in tape saturation and crackle, but the warmth is deceptive; this is a much more foreboding, ominous record, the sonic equivalent of being delivered news of war. The medieval motifs dominate, of course, but there’s something timeless about these sounds. And, for all its bluster, it is still a beautiful and thoughtfully composed record, deeply indebted to both ancient and countercultural musical traditions.
kirkwood - master of dragons
You could easily argue that Jim Kirkwood “invented” dungeon synth. In a way, it might be true; his home-recorded fantasy-inspired compositions certainly influenced a generation of Shire-minded bedroom knob-twiddlers. I personally don’t think of his compositions as being in that arena, though. Kirkwood was very much indebted to the 1970s Berlin School of ambient music, downstream of groups like Ash Ra Tempel and Tangerine Dream. Thematically, rather than the stars, he set his eyes on some of fantasy’s greatest settings as the lynchpin of his musical storytelling. Master of Dragons is one of three albums set in the world of Michael Moorcock’s Melnibone, the home of the drug-addicted albino swordsman Elric. It has all the drama and pomp of those novels, and some of the best synth work you’re liable to find in any era.
