Where esoterica and human experience meet, Arktau Eos is present. Going further than symbol and speech, the mysterious Finnish trio of A.I.H., A.I.L., and recently entering Iwowi give us archaic sound and profound introversion. In releasing their newest CD-only record ‘Ioh-Maera’, Arktau Eos is also releasing a vinyl-only compilation ‘Unworeldes’; which is set for release through Svart Records on November 16th. Some may wonder why they chose to release ‘Unworeldes’ separately from ‘Ioh-Maera’ and as vinyl-only, but, upon first listen, it is fairly evident that the elemental transfigurations presented deserve the purest articulation that can, thus, only be expressed through much more raw, elemental means.
A great part of me feels as though the soundscape of ‘Unworeldes’ could very well exemplify the sounds created during an unfolding of the universe; as each atom and cell transform infinitely, as chaos becomes ordered, planets evolve, stars are born, infinitely imploding, soil arising and atmosphere expanding, intuition and symbol meticulously scattered, astral plane settling. Alternatively, and simultaneously, I feel that this album represents death just as much as it does birth; both on the same plane of existence. Perhaps in the form of an astral existence. While an unknown realm of life is explored, a realm of decay is also celebrated.
The High Priestess has done it again. Lavish leathers, authentic fur pelts, decadent silks, and warm wool cloaks that drape and adorn the body just as one can imagine darkness itself would. Staying true its name, Ovate‘s Fall/Winter 2012 collection ‘La Grande Noirceur‘ has gone above and beyond (or should I say deeper into the vast and enchanting depths) to manifest the captivating beauty of darkness.
Before the launch of this collection, I actually had an interesting dream where designer Audrey Cantwell herself took the form of a physical, dark, spiritual entity who went by the name Ovate. It was pretty epic, in all honesty, and looking at the new extended set of gowns, I could definitely say that this beautiful and mysterious entity is being manifested.
I’m also excited to say that with this new collection also comes new lamb-leather bags and a stunning jewelry collaboration with Joanna Szkiela, featuring woodsy silver rune rings and necklaces. Most of the new threads are currently up in the shop, but the jewelry collection won’t be added for another few weeks (so start saving!).
Labels The Anja Offensive (US) & Svart Records (EU)
How refreshing! It’s amazing to finally come across a group of musicians who so freely are able to express and conjoin esoteric ideas of occult philosophy, cosmological christ-hood, dichotomies of sin and sainthood, god and lucifer, light and dark; not enacting as enemies, but as parts of a whole that feed off of one another in order to fulfill unity.
Filled with processean liturgy and praise, Sabbath Assembly‘s Ye Are Gods stays true to 60′s-70′s psychedelic cult hymnals and takes you to a place of mysterious inner worship — this time in a very Crowley-esque manner. In contrast to ‘Restored to One’, ’Ye Are Gods’ evokes a much more authentic, yet more open and inner home for the idea of universality; of everything and nothing as holy, as sacred, as cosmological, and as pure. Musically, I am reminded a bit of Crowley’s “The Great Beast Speaks”, and I can’t help but see a few parallels with some selections from The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath A Cloud‘s A New Soldier Follows The Path of a New King, which subtly also explores sanctity and salvation in an esoteric manner.
The stars glisten and begin to fall in showers of crystalline light; chandeliers in the dining hall of mid-earth at midnight.
Ural Umbo is the answer to your mystical prayers. To me, U.U. invokes the essence of a goddess-like, earthen love-den, just after a mid-summer rainfall, where water lingers in the dense air, fireflies dancing their languid dances by candlelight; heat kissing the surface of one’s moist skin, dragonflies gently resting on dew-covered greenery. The sweet, mystical goddess nurtures and makes love to herself, giving fruit of golden nectar to those seeking her infinite wisdom. Nothing but wine, milk, and honey served only in silver. Her glistening skin feeding off of moonlight.
Throughout time, I’ve been increasingly fascinated with the mysticism and enchantment of the archetypal she-demon; the goddess who dwells deep in the forest and embodies all that must remain untouched; a powerful entity of the most beautiful and alluring yet most deadly. As a female, I have identified with this mysterious she who bathes in moonlight and mystery, who dances to the deep and hollow beating of her own sacred drum, whom cannot be conquered by mere mortal man; the connoisseur of her own craft, the mother of her own self.
Using his own form of earthly magic, Rik Garrett has beautifully brought to life this image of the mortal woman who seeks divinity in the dark realms of nature.
The Moon Sisters are more magical than ever. Since their CVLT Nation introduction just short of a year ago, these beautiful ladies have transformed Sisters of the Black Moon into a thriving culmination of mystical treasures. Not only does their vintage shop continue to fill with unbelievable threads, but with the revamp of their official website, they’ve also formed some amazing collaborations, allowing their brand to expand and take form tenfold. SOTBM are now proud connoisseurs of organic apothecary and sanctuary items, metal-wielded, crystallized jewels, and custom-made regalia; working with and selling exclusive designs from artists and designers such as Ovate, Onward Into The Future, Alchemy, Heyoka Leather, and Irinalaaja. Stunning editorials by family friend Alexandra Valenti, who’s been by their side since the very beginning, are also a staple to their realm of shadowy eccentricities. These women truly do seek to create a world for their work to live in. And man, do I want to live there, too. But what is most magical about SOTBM is that in creating this world, it has become a sanctuary for like-minded creators, artisans and connoisseurs of shadowy delight. It’s yet just another manifestation they embody, emphasizing the inter-connectivity of humankind.
Wet Earth | A CVLT Nation Mixtape curated by Amy Miller0
Posted In Avant Garde,Black Metal,Doom,Features,Mixtapes,Music,shoegaze
Bare flesh entrenched in the moist soil of hidden wood; thick, clouded air and a soft mist of sweet water. Bask in this naked moment; in the heat of passion with a lover on wet earth or the comforting complexities of solitary enchantment with all that surrounds. Kneeling in reverence and ecstasy; feminine divinity. Bow in worship of everything and nothing. Invoke sanctity, invoke divinity, invoke indulgence and ascension; give birth.
Over this past year, CVLT Nation has become a sanctuary for writers and artists alike whom are dwellers of the deep. We saddle up on our pale horses de Profundis and ascend. This mixtape is an ode to the mother of creative inspiration and manifestation; wet earthen woods.
Stream Wet Earth
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Photo courtesy of © Iris Szylack.
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The flesh is but a vessel; a vessel that transposes space and time when evoking other-worldly manifestations through art, ritual, and exaltation. In the pits of darkness, we soak up the energies entering and exiting our wounds. When the spirit overwhelms the vessel with mania and awe, when we have exacerbated all of our energy into merging the internal and external, we transcend. This is where Matthew Stone‘s body of work makes its presence known.
“Like a flame burning away the darkness, Life is flesh on bone convulsing above the ground.“
Children of Culture | Jack Of All Trades: Little Swastika0
Posted In Art,DIY,Mixed Media,Painting,Photography
- © Little Swastika
Cultivation of surrounding primitive cultures, evolution through self education, and complete spiritual ties to the flesh; these are all things that Marc Riedmann, better known as Little Swastika, manifests. He came into his own at a young age, and from starting out on a swiss army knife, I think it’s safe to say he’s certainly come a long way in his arts of the flesh and otherwise, as today he is viewed as a prodigy amongst the body-mod culture. While he has evolved into 21st century tattooing techniques, he still maintains a love for reverting to traditional means of tattooing. The DIY approach has really been all that he’s known, and the “‘build something new and then have a go at it’ approach is something,” he says, “I find deeply fascinating…” This do-it-yourself, street lifestyle he grew up knowing reflects in his work and seems to be responsible for his entire aesthetic; an aesthetic which comprises ornate and detailed imagery with raw, sketchy lines and technique.
Tattooing and body modification can be viewed as mere extensions upon the soul, and our means of merging the material with the spiritual. In some cultures, the swastika represents creation, which alone is the sole reason we are the beings we are. If we do not create, we cannot destroy, and if we cannot or will not destroy, we refuse to fully live.
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