Here, we bring you a most unusual premiere from a most unusual new album, a multifaceted conceptual work of dark and ceremonial chamber music that intersects with certain aspects of black metal despite the use of acoustic instrumentation and the intimate and “conversational” nature of the chamber-music format.

The album is Canticles of the Holy Scythe by LÜÜP, which is the project of Greek composer and multi-instrumentalist Stelios Romaliadis. It will be released by I, Voidhanger Records on the 8th of December. It consists of six tracks that are described as “a concept about Death through occult philosophy; a journey of understanding and reconciliation with Death as a symbol of renewal through self awareness and enlightenment,” drawing upon folk traditions and superstitions as well as “the secrets of Alchemy and the Kabbalah, with Aleister Crowley’s magick and with ancient invocations of cosmic deities and astrological energies”.

And if that’s not enough to peak your interest, I’ll add these further descriptive words from I, Voidhanger’s introduction to the album: Continue reading »