June 6th, 2006... is when the first Silken Tofu release saw the light of day. 'Sleep Paralysis' by Chromascope was just a simple hand stamped 3" CDr packaged in a cute mini DVD-case, but it marked the start of an intense journey throughout the contemporary experimental underground.
Today, exactly 10 years later, Silken Tofu is proud to announce its 60th release. The 3rd and final part of the 'Epicurean Escapism' series is again a small masterpiece curated by our closest Berlin connection, The Epicurean.
Epicurean Escapism III Compilation CD + Dave Phillips “Proceed With Inquiry“ DVD + 24-page catalogue
A manifesto of escapist longing, of taking things to a more extreme level, a quest for a complex contextual message: The third and final edition of the Epicurean Escapism compilation series again unites music, film and visual arts contributed by the most interesting acts in the field of experimental industrial music; exploring the viewpoint of escapism, sharing the vision of uncompromising utopian transgression, diving into this subjective counter-world. Enjoy and endure!
The CD starts with British veteran providers of the extreme, SUTCLIFFE JÜGEND, who present a straight forward power noise track with a pulsating electronic hook. Swedish units ALFARMANIA and SKIN AREA dig deep into the depraved consciousness, each of them with of their unique version of morbid industrial resonating with decay, while BUDRUS seduce the listener with beautifully melancholic Lithuanian poetry; German act GERECHTIGKEITS LIGA clank and rattle with their brand of organic industrial. NIKOLAS SCHRECK, the prominent voice of Radio Werewolf appears as a vaudevillian, with a perverse neo-psychedelic composition conveying allusions to the deity Lord Sutekh, merging European neoclassical with ethnic Indian music and poetry with an unmistakable Radio Werewolf accent. A very special treat also comes from LAST DOMINION LOST – one of the last recordings of John Murphy on drums can be heard on their ritual piece “To The Master, A Long Goodnight” dedicated to the master himself.
The contained DVD comprises video works, live performances and collaborations by radical Swiss sound artist DAVE PHILLIPS, sonically active since 1987, part of the notorious SCHIMPFLUCH GRUPPE (with Rudolf Eb.er, Joke Lanz) since 1991, having left his signature in numerous bands, projects and collaborations.
DAVE PHILLIPS uses sound as a means to activate primordial emotions otherwise hidden underneath the debris of civilization. His concept is called “Humanimalism” accordingly, meaning a state of mind that overcomes religious, material und supremacist charges of evolution, acknowledges itself as part of a whole and has grown into an empathic, conscious and connected creature allowing emotion and instinct their equal part in decision-making.
This collection presents his multifaceted work in composition, performance, psycho-acoustics, sonic rituals, voice, video, field recordings, objects and electronics, etc. in a yet unknown complexity and coherence of motion pictures. His performance work is revealed in all its undiluted brutality, the urgency and topicality of his work and his message is clearly evident, captivating and intensely documented.
Along with DAVE PHILLIPS’ video works created between 2014 and 2016, the DVD is a document of unique solo live actions and the notorious Paris 1996 performance of SCHIMPFLUCH-GRUPPE, as well as recent collaborations with G.X. JUPITTER LARSEN, and video artists PAKISE AKIN, JAN VAN HASSELT and REMOTE-CONTROL RECTUM, who in turn created their visual interpretations of PHILLIPS' audio works. It all amounts to a mind-expanding experience, playing with altered perception and throwing back the viewer onto his own vision.
The compilation package is topped off with a 24-page catalogue with a text about the work of DAVE PHILLIPS, as well as a double page each with collages, pictures, drawings and lyrics representing the audio work of every artist featured on the CD.
Other Voices Records releases a brand new tape by Parade Ground.
Follow up to their critically acclaimed second album Rosary (released on 2nd July 2007), Sanctuary continues were Rosary stopped. On this release the duo pass from synth-pop tunes of the first releases to more dark and meditative structures. Swirling post-punk guitars, repetitive synthetic drums and dissonant indefinable noises. Jean-Marc's powerful voice sounds as it was recorded from a long distance and adds an almost choral quality to the music. Minimal hypnotic obsessive sounds both frightening and sacred. Like standing in a thick fog in front of the gates of eternity. And in this fog you can meet the ghosts of The Wire, Joy Division, Swans and Cindytalk among others or even hear the distant echo of the classic Cold Meat Industry releases.
Recorded at Light studio Brussels
Engineered and mixed by Parade Ground
Lyrics and vocal melodies by Jean-Marc Pauly
Music by Pierre Pauly
Produced by Parade Ground except 'Sanctuary' produced by Patrick Codenys and Daniel B (Front 242)
Art direction and design by Oleg Galay
LIMITED EDITION — 50 COPIES
Tracklisting:
A1. Table 04:12
A2. Power 04:16
A3. Terror 03:09
A4. It's Never There 02:38
A5. Sanctuary 02:42
A6. What's That Echo 04:11
A7. Red Way 03:04
B1. Europe Side Down 02:44
B2. Static Desire 03:52
B3. Held High 03:37
B4. Retain 03:01
B5. Marvels 04:10
B6. Cheap Talk 04:36
B7. Cry Christ 02:44
German heavy metal giants POWERWOLF and Dutch symphonic metal stars EPICA are teaming up for an European tour in early 2017. This impressive co-headline tour comes in support of the highly awaited new EPICA album HOLOGRAPHIC PRINCIPLE, which is scheduled for a September 30th 2016 release and POWERWOLFs spectacular DVD THE METAL MASS LIVE, which will be released July 29th 2016.
Comments Matthew Greywolf of POWERWOLF: „In early 2017 we will embark on a special tour, sharing stages throughout Europe with the amazing EPICA. Those shows will become POWERWOLFs biggest indoor metal masses to date. Be prepared for an amazing stage set and crazy nights full of metal madness!“
„Woohoow, this fall we're releasing our 7th studio album and the band has exciting times coming up! A new album means a new EPICA chapter and obviously a new world tour. Early 2017 we'll join forces with our German friends in POWERWOLF and together we'll storm stages allover Europe. If you want to hear our brand new songs come to live, if you want to see our brand new visuals and if you simply want to have a good time with us, we expect you on our biggest tour to date! I really can't wait to be back on the road again and to see the music, the energy and our lovely fans become one. Until then!" commented EPICA frontwoman Simone Simons.
POWERWOLF & EPICA
12.01.2017 DE - Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
13.01.2017 DE - Cologne, Palladium
14.01.2017 DE - Ludwigsburg, MHP Arena
16.01.2017 CH - Geneve, Salle des Fetes de Thonex
17.01.2017 CH - Zurich, Volkshaus
20.01.2017 DE - Munich, Tonhalle
21.01.2017 AT - Vienna, Gasometer
24.01.2017 PL - Warsaw, Progresja
25.01.2017 DE - Berlin, Huxleys
27.01.2017 DE - Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle
28.01.2017 CZ - Prague, Forum Karlin
03.02.2017 UK - London, Shepherds Bush Empire
04.02.2017 FR - Paris, Zenith
Further dates of this tour to be announced at a later date.
PHOTO EXHIBITION
Alex Vanhee
16 June 2016 – opening
[CHEZ PIAS] is proud to present a second photo exhibition, as a follow up to the acclaimed ‘One Minute After Project’ by Olivier Donnet. The exhibition offers a condensed overview of Alex Vanhee’s portrait work, containing among others pictures of Nick Cave, An Pierlé, dEUS, Arno, Editors, Kristin Hersh, Moby, Melanie De Biasio and Daan.
Alex Vanhee (1965) is the go to music photographer for national daily De Morgen, and freelances for a host of local and international publications. He has contributed to album artwork (Chris Whitley, Iggy Pop, Willem Vermandere, Bram Vermeulen, Laïs and Monza), and is the official photographer for classic ensemble Anima Eterna. Alex has shown his work at Bozar Brussels, FoMu Antwerp and various Belgian concert venues.
In the 2004 book ‘Heroes’ he combined portraits of artists with stories about their musical heroes and inspirations. For the 2010 follow up ‘Face 2 Face’ he collaborated with journalist Bart Steenhaut, his long-time partner in crime at De Morgen.
[CHEZ PIAS] is open weekdays (free entry 9:00 - 17:30) and also offers a well-stocked record shop, concert venue and the Humphrey restaurant.
The opening of Alex Vanhee’s photo exhibition will be on June 16th at 19:00.

David Bowie fans can be expected to hear unreleased music from the late rock star in "the next few years," according to Tony Visconti.
Speaking to the Evening Standard , the music producer revealed: “I think it’s logical that over the next few years, you’re going to hear a lot of stuff that you haven’t heard before."
He added: "I’m in talks with his management and his label — there’s going to be some great Bowie stuff coming out.”
David Bowie passed away on Sunday 10 January 2016, after losing his private battle with cancer.
Just two days before, the British icon released his Blackstar album on his 69th birthday, which Visconti described as a "parting gift to his fans".