POWER MONSTER "LOVE IS A LIE" CDr (AOW 177)

Super intense, crushing inferno of static/noise assaults from Power Monster.  "Love Is A Lie" is a fucking destroyer of an album, 28 minutes of incredibly severe electronic detritus and filth crafted into a monument of anger and violence, a torrential downpour of lurid and hateful sound that simply does not let up for even a moment.  No respite, no breathing room-just pure and unadulterated rage filtered through a wealth of disorienting and painful tonalities and textures.  True and utter brain obliteration.  Most HNW seems weak when laid next to this one-this is a project that wants pain and suffering visited upon listener without mercy.  I hope you can handle it, because this is the true fucking NOISE.
Packaged in a DVD case in a limited edition of 15 hand-numbered copies.  $10 ppd. in the United States, $23 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

LA GOCCIA D'ACQUA "DEATH IN SEANCE" CDr (AOW 176)

New project from the prolific Julien Skrobek, based on the third short film in Mario Bava's anthology piece Black Sabbath.  Julien runs the fine label Ink Runs Recordings (whose releases are absolutely gorgeous and well worth your time) as well as Bad Rip (who released my album "Because He Could") and is something of a kindred spirit in that a lot of his work is influenced by film; his work also seems to gravitate towards a "meditational/reflective" sort of state, in which the compositions work both in an exterior and interior sense for the listener.
La Goccia D'Acqua's "Death In Seance" certainly attains this transcendent level.  While this is indeed an HNW album, the two lengthy pieces here go well beyond the definitions of the genre and become something incredibly beautiful, two thick and massive hypnotic stretches of time manipulation that suggest an occult legacy and an ancient malevolence hidden between pockets of spacetime and dimensionality.  This is a recording to truly lose yourself in, a work whose power will manifest itself immediately and wash over you in totality.  I love this record, and am very pleased to release it through Altar Of Waste.
Packaged in a DVD case in a limited edition of 15 hand-numbered copies.  $10 ppd. in the United States, $23 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.sotrenvy.com 

NIGHTMARE CASTLE/FANTOME DE SANG "SPLIT" CDr (AOW 173)

A split between the recently resurrected Nightmare Castle and my own project Fantome De Sang, based on the idea of the Prometheus myth.  Each project contributes one massive track to the split, with Nightmare Castle's side being a deep and throbbing blast of bass-heavy HNW rumble and sturm that sits nicely alongside Fantome De Sang's relentless quasi-black metal assault.  Together the two tracks work in concert to provide an immolating and punishing illustration of the ultimate cost of progress.  A towering work of rejection and disgust whose only goal is total obliteration.
Packaged in a DVD case in a limited edition of 15 hand-numbered copies.  $10 ppd. in the United States, $23 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

CLINT COKER "FRAGMENTS" CDr (AOW 174)

A massive collection of material from Clint Coker's various noise guises, "Fragments" collects unreleased work from Nightmare Castle,  Dead Red Nudes, Miniature Tokyo, and the artist's eponymous project.  I'm very attracted to the idea of the "fractured" artist (of which i myself am one); in a genre in which many of us have multiple projects that sometimes seem difficult to discern from one another, sonically and aesthetically, it's interesting to have a release that showcases the myriad musical interests of its creator, interests that point toward a simultaneously unifying and divisive thematic intent. 
"Fragments," then, is an epic and deeply psychedelic work that touches on a wealth of genres but ultimately belongs to none.  Much of this material reminds me of Kevin Drumm's early work with prepared guitar and ancillary noises, an assault of unsettling tones and guitar destruction/deconstruction, and indeed, the guitar (or the rejection of the guitar) plays a prominent role in virtually all of the pieces collected here.  The eponymous material illustrates Coker's exploration of "traditional" forms, while the Dead Red Nudes and Miniature Tokyo selections explore more "outre" styles of expression that touch upon the aforementioned Drumm style as well as the epic feedback meltdowns of My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth.  The Nightmare Castle pieces are unlike any i've heard from the project thus far as well, and show a restless artist unwilling to succumb to repetitive convention.  All in all it's another beautiful and challenging release from Clint which will reward repeated and focused listening.
Packaged in a DVD case in a limited edition of 15 hand-numbered copies.  $10 ppd. in the United States, $23 rest of world.

ODER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

TWELVE SUICIDES: PHANTASM NOCTURNES (AOW 175A)

First entry in the "Twelve Suicides" series, in which 12 artists of my choosing explore their own ideas of suicide.  The first album comes from Phantasm Nocturnes, and it's fucking amazing.  Throughout 27 minutes Betty Koster weaves together a harrowing tapestry of HNW, ANW, ambient, death industrial and a wealth of audio samples to create a portrait of suicidal intention that will not leave you unaffected.  This is a seriously frightening and incredibly layered piece of music-Phantasm Nocturnes just keeps getting better and better with each release, and I am honored to be able to release this one.  It's beyond compare.
Packaged in the same manner as my "Into An Infinite Black" series, in a clear plastic bag, in a limited edition of 15 hand-numbered copies.  $7 ppd. in the United States, $20 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

CORY STRAND "INTO AN INFINITE BLACK, VOLUME ONE" CDr (AOW 178A)

Inaugural volume of a new series, revisiting and revising my love of early caustic black metal through severe and focused strains of unbridled HNW and noise.  "Into An Infinite Black, Vol. One" works off of live recordings of Mayhem, transforming the barely controlled chaos of their performances into scathing demonstrations of distortion detritus and electronic vomit.  While I have worked with Mayhem material in the past, this new series eschews my previous work with the band, which favored an intense minimalist approach, and instead moves towards a studied conflagration.  This piece moves and devours, like a tidal flow of pitch black lava intent on the elimination of all life in its path.  The remaining volumes will follow suit.  This is definitely some of my harsher material, but like all my work, there is detail that surfaces through close and dedicated listening.
Packaged slightly differently, in clear plastic bags, in a limited edition of 5 hand-numbered copies.  The price on this one is a little less than usual since the packaging is more economical.  $7 ppd. in the United States, $20 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

NEWS ITEMS: POTTER BOX SETS, TWELVE SUICIDES SERIES, UPCOMING RELEASES

I just wanted to give an update for those who have ordered the "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: A Reinterpretation" box sets, since it's gone beyond the 1-2 weeks processing time.  The boxes are totally done, i'm just waiting for the "Death Eater" decals which adorn the boxes themselves to arrive.  When i ordered them i didn't realize they were coming from Romania.  I'm hoping they show up any day, and when they do, i'll finish the boxes and get them all shipped out.  I apologize to those who are waiting-it was a small oversight on my part, and i appreciate the patience.
The "Twelve Suicides" series will see its first installment unleashed with the next bunch of releases (see below).  This was originally going to be another fancy box set, but i figured it would make things easier for both me and the label's supporters to do it a different way.  I'll release each volume as I receive them from the contributing artists (thus far I have four tracks, two of which are from my own projects); this will keep costs normal for everyone, and then people can pick and choose which volumes they'd like without having to spend shitloads of money.  I may end up doing the "Blue Velvet" box this way as well.  We'll see how this one goes.
The next batch of releases will also see unveiled the inaugural recording of a new series of my own, "Into An Infinite Black."  Both this series and the "Twelve Suicides" series have a slightly different look in terms of packaging.
On June 15th, my "proper" band, Dreamless, will be performing at the Hexagon Bar in Minneapolis, opening for Planning For Burial.  This will most likely be the last Dreamless live performance for some time, and we'll be playing some new stuff.  I'm prepping a couple new recordings to sell at the show, a single disc reissue of the "Melancholia: A Miscellany" set and a new set entitled "Melancholia, Vol. II: More Miscellanea."  The new set is mostly more covers recorded solo at home over the last several months, with a demo of another new song as well.  If there are any left after the show (which i'm sure there will be) i'll put them up in the store.
I'm currently working on the next batch of releases.  Things are progressing nicely and I hope to announce these releases in 1-2 weeks.  The next offerings shall be:

POWER MONSTER "Love Is A Lie" CDr
LA GOCCIA D'ACQUA "Death In Seance" CDr
CLINT COKER "Fragments" CDr
NIGHTMARE CASTLE/FANTOME DE SANG "Split" CDr
TWELVE SUICIDES, VOLUME ONE: Phantasm Nocturnes
CORY STRAND "Into An Infinite Black: Volume One" CDr

After that i'll be finishing up the Joseph Curwen box set.  That's all for now.

-Cory

NAR/CORY STRAND "SPLIT" 4CDr BOX SET (AOW 165)

Crushing split between myself and Nar dedicated to the brutal and uncompromising winters that plague our shared home state of Minnesota.  Hailing from the same geographic region infects our work with the same sense of claustrophobic desperation, the feeling of forced isolationism that accompanied the unrelenting cold and storms.  Seeing a world of nothing but white is akin to embracing nihilism; feeling the scathing knives in the wind as you step outside, just wanting a moment of escape.  This is our home.
Each of us has contributed two gargantuan albums to this split, nearly five hours of brutal, deep, dark HNW and noise vomit.  My two albums bend my love of black metal into an appropriation of thematics and aesthetics, being at once incredibly straightforward and nebulous.  The lines between my projects continue to blur and cross-pollinate, but this is easily one of the most punishing sets i've delivered in quite some time without sacrificing my penchant for experimentation.  Nar's compositions are equally hulking and annihilating, two albums of thick, scarring bass-heavy HNW that obliterates the consciousness in much the same fashion as the cruel bleakness of the ever-encroaching snows.  This was a major project for both Nar and myself, and we spent a lot of time back and forthing and conceptualizing.  I think the end result is something quite remarkable, a strange but appropriate pairing.  This set is an honor for me.
Packaged in a massive clamshell box, hand painted and stenciled, in a limited edition of 15 hand-numbered copies.  $65 ppd. in the United States, $78 rest of world (I apologize for the high price on this, but it is LARGE and i AM going to lose money shipping it overseas.  I have tried to set a price that will allow me to at least break even on the cost of manufacturing so as not to deprive my non-US friends and supporters of the label.)

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

CORY STRAND "T2: A REINTERPRETATION" CDr (OCCULT SUPREMACY PRODUCTIONS)

"Epic" is the only word i can use to appropriately describe my rework of Brad Feidel's amazing soundtrack to one of my very favorite films, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day."  Recorded during the same period as "Nightbreed: A Reinterpretation," "T2: A Reinterpretation" utilizes the same orchestrally bombastic style while retaining many of the OST's original elements (not my usual working method.)  The result is a breathtaking, violent, and deeply emotional tour through the shattered landscape of the film.  My memories of this film are very dear to me-when i was 12 my dad took my brother and I to see it in the theater-and i still love it to this day.  It just gets better with age.  I wanted this album to be fun, loud, intense, nostalghic, and, above all, fucking majestic.  I think i did it.  This is one of my very favorites amongst my work.
$8 ppd. in the United States, $21 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

CORY STRAND "THE MASTER" CDr (OCCULT SUPREMACY PRODUCTIONS)

My complicated rework of Jonny Greenwood's score for P.T. Anderson's equally complicated (and achingly beautiful) film "The Master," begun well over a year ago and only finished at the insistence of Dustin Alan Redington.  Finding the right approach to this one was agonizing; many attempts to work on the score were begun and aborted due to personal dissatisfaction with the results (for me, this album HAD to be able to stand against the film and reflect the inner fracturing of its characters.)  The resulting pieces turned out far better than I could have hoped, with each composition going through a wealth of changes in tone and texture throughout.  I would say the sounds here lean far more towards the power electronics end of the spectrum, with torrents of high pitched feedback and cascading waterfalls of sludge.  The packaging on this one came out gorgeous as well.  One of my favorite releases for OSP.
$8 ppd. in the United States, $21 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

CORY STRAND "HALLOWEEN III: A REINTERPRETATION" 2CDr (OCCULT SUPREMACY PRODUCTIONS)

Continuing my work with John Carpenter's scores for the "Halloween" films, this time focusing on the much-maligned third installment in the series, "Season of the Witch."  Regardless of your thoughts about the film itself, the OST stands as one of Carpenter's best, and in working with the material I've tried to capture both a sense of occultic dread and a ferocity of all-out caustic and bloody violence.  Disc One is entirely dark ambient, Disc Two is entirely HNW.
$12 ppd. in the United States, $25 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

CROWN OF BONE/CORY STRAND "NIGHTBREED" 2CDr (OCCULT SUPREMACY PRODUCTIONS)

Massive split between me and my ally Crown Of Bone, tackling the bombastic soundtrack to Clive Barker's cult classic "Nightbreed."  Dustin's disc is a scathing 30 minute piece in honor of the film, reminding me a bit of the hugely psychedelic approach he to took to "The Serpent and the Rainbow."  My disc is a rework of Danny Elfman's colorful score; unlike many of my OST reworks, here I have allowed Elfman's original compositions to coexist with my walls of noise.  The result is something pompous and orchestral, a bludgeoning assault of distortion, strings, and percussion that stands pretty far apart from my previous work. 
$12 ppd. in the United States, $25 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com

CORY STRAND "HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX: A REINTERPRETATION" 10CDr BOX SET (AOW 130)

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: A Reinterpretation" is my second exploration/evisceration of Nicholas Hooper's soundtrack work for the Harry Potter film series.  I wanted to work with Hooper's compositions again not only because his work is my favorite in the series, but also because I wanted to see if I could summon up distinctly different moods and atmospheres within these pieces than the ones I had crafted for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: A Reinterpretation."  I believe I have succeeded.
Whereas "The Half-Blood Prince" focused much more on the somber and elegiac, "Order of the Phoenix" seeks to highlight the growing anxiety that Harry and his comrades are feeling as they come to realize Voldemort's relentlessly growing influence and their own raging adolescences.  The mood here is lighter in a way but also more constricting; the ever-encroaching subconscious fear of an evil unchecked lurks beneath the nervously placid and glistening burbles of drone and evokes an unsettling sense of nausea, a feeling of unwellness that Harry, Hermione, and Ron cannot alleviate alongside the fogs of their own tidal emotions. 
The intensity and severity of what Harry will ultimately sacrifice becomes more evident here.  The death of Sirius Black at the hand of Bellatrix is perhaps one of the coldest moments in both the books and the films; in crafting this set I have considered the weight of Black's death and allowed it to dominate the back half of the record, giving the pieces over to an empty purgatorical greyness that spirals into the caustic anger of the final two discs, a full rework of the album entire as rendered in crushing caustic spurts of truncated HNW.
I am taking a goodly amount of care to craft something epic with the "Harry Potter" series of soundtrack reworks; i think this is a more than worthy successor to my original investigation.  Packaged again in a wooden box with metal clasps and adorned with the Death Eater tattoo, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: A Reinterpretation" includes the eight disc rework of the OST in drone/ambient mode, a two disc rework of the soundtrack in HNW mode, an original slow motion synthesizer piece, and two additional discs of manipulated elements of the film.  All in all, nearly 15 hours of music to carry you into the realms of the surreal fantastic.
Released in a limited edition of 5 hand-numbered copies.  $100 ppd. in the United States, $113 rest of world.

ORDER HERE: www.altarofwasterecords.storenvy.com