On this day, 32 years ago, The Cure released their 8th studio album Disintegration (Fiction Records, 2 May 1989). The record marks a return to the introspective and gloomy style the band had established in the early 1980s. As he neared the age of 30, vocalist and guitarist Robert Smith had felt an increased pressure to follow up on the group's pop successes with a more enduring work. This, coupled with a distaste for the group's newfound popularity, caused Smith to lapse back into the use of hallucinogenic drugs, the effects of which had a strong influence on the production of the album. The Cure recorded Disintegration in Oxfordshire, with co-producer David M. Allen who was The Cure’s producer from late 1988 to early 1989. Following the completion of the mixing of the album, founding member Lol Tolhurst was fired from the band. Disintegration is characterized by a significant usage of synthesizers and keyboards, slow, "droning" guitar progressions and Smith's introspective vocals.

Disintegration became the band's first commercial peak, charting at number three in the United Kingdom and at number 12 in the United States, and producing several hit singles including "Lovesong", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains The Cure's highest selling record to date, with more than three million copies sold worldwide.

Disintegration - Tracklist

DISCOGS

This month, 43 years ago, Throbbing Gristle released their debut 7” single “United/Zyklon B Zombie" (May 1978) through the band's own label, Industrial Records. After approximately 20,000 sales, re-pressing was taken over by Rough Trade although be it with a different mix making Cosey Fanni Tutti's guitars sound louder in the centre section of "Zyklon B Zombie" as an improvement upon the original version.

A third pressing was in white vinyl (1,000 copies) and clear vinyl (1,000 copies) and features around two minutes of rain and train sounds at the end of side two.

"United" was featured on Throbbing Gristle's second studio album D.o.A: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle, be it in a sped-up version lasting only 16 seconds.

Both tracks were later released on the CD re-version of The Second Annual Report (1991) in their original versions.

The single reached 39th position in the UK Indie Chart

United (7")
1. United 4:03
2 Zyklon B Zombie

DISCOGS

Throbbing Gristlle:

Cosey Fanni Tutti
Chris Carter
Genesis P-Orridge († 14/03.2020)
Peter Christopherson († 24/11.2010)

US dark ambient act LONG THE NIGHT has released their new full-length album, Illusion.

Illusion is a sonic journey capturing the deep melancholy sound of things that are likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses. Consisting of massive drones, chants, and field recordings, Illusion paints the picture of darkness trying to find a light in one's consciousness. Illusion perfectly balances so that each new listen reassembles the dynamic equilibrium in new and exciting ways.

LONG THE NIGHT is the dark ambient side-project by multi-instrumentalist and composer Derrick Stembridge known for his longstanding DRIFTING IN SILENCE body of work.

Illusion is available NOW digitally via Bandcamp.

www.facebook.com/longthenight

Dark ambient act IN THE ABSENCE OF WORDS has announced the release of the first of two compilations, A Collection I.

A Collection I is a compilation of six long-form dark ambient works by IN THE ABSENCE OF WORDS, which have been carefully selected to complement each other and to create a single immersive listening experience. Each track was originally released individually on Bandcamp between 2017 and 2019 and each has been remastered and assembled specifically for this compilation.

A Collection I was released on April 23, 2021 on Spotify and Bandcamp. A Collection II will be released towards the end of 2021, comprising the more melodic, song-oriented works from the catalog.

"There are certain experiences, moments, and feelings which I cannot describe. Whether it's stark and dramatic landscapes, the serenity and solitude of the forest, connection with another human being, or the grief of losing one, sometimes it's hard to find the words to express the feeling."

“Inspiration always comes from a feeling or an emotion, which is then transmuted and expressed through music as a way to process and ultimately transcend it and gain a deeper knowledge of self. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the original 12 chapters, which were recorded over one year, represented an inner journey. The first chapter was recorded during the most challenging period of my life, while by the time I recorded the final chapter, I arrived at a place of peace and solitude. Though personal, the themes and their associated emotions are also universal.”

www.facebook.com/intheabsenceofwords

On this day, 39 years ago, the Virgin Prunes released the stand-alone single Pagan Lovesong. It was originally released as 7” and 12” only by Rough Trade Records on 30 April 1982. Although it was a relative succes, reaching the UK indie chart’s 13th position, the songs of this release were not included on their upcoming debut album If I Die, I Die (November 1982). It was not only until the re-release of that album on CD (1990) Pagan Lovesong was included on the album. For the 12” and almost 7 minutes lasting version of Pagan Lovesong, the so called ‘Vibeakimbo’ version, and b-side ‘Dave is Dead’, the fans had to wait until the single was re-released as an CD single by New Rose Records in 1993. Then again, this CD-single didn’t fear the original single version edit but instead a slightly longer ‘Tormentallama’ version, exclusive to this release until today.

Pagan Lovesong (Lyrics)

Heathen, a pagan
No sun shines for me
Savage but gentle
The animal within
And I see it now
And I see it now

I had a weird dream
Watch but don't touch
I had a weird dream
I'm taking it away

Put it in a bag, hide it in a tree
Put it in a bag, hide it in a tree
I want to steal your heart, your heart
With these eyes I cannot see
And this cold heart never bleeds, never, oh no, never
Sweet smell this poison, the colour you bring
Tongue swollen venom, to touchâ?¦to love

And I see it now
And I see, see it now
I had a weird dream
Watch but don't touch
I had a weird dream
I'm taking it away
Put it in a bag, hide it in a tree
Put it in a bag, hide it in a tree

I want to steal your heart
I want to eat, eat your heart

I reach for the sky but never, never can touch
It seems so easy, easy to me
Still I cannot, will not take this thing

Hearsay, this heresy
A victim to sin
Eternal the torment, the answer lies within

I had a weird dream watch but don't touch
I had a weird dream I'm taking it away

The love you give is the love, the love you get, you get

Songwriters: David Kelly / Trevor Rowen / Richard Evans / David Watson / Gavin Friday / Derek Rowen

Pagan Lovesong - 7" single (RT 106)

a. Pagan Lovesong – 3:28
b. Dave-Id Is Dead – 4:17

Pagan Lovesong - 12" single (12 RT 106)

A. Pagan Lovesong (Vibeakimbo) 6:49
B1.Pagan Lovesong 3:28
B2. Dave-Id Is Dead 4:17

Pagan Lovesong - CD single (New Rose Records - 1993)

1. Pagan Lovesong (Tormentallama) 4:51
2. I Like the Way You're Frightened 8:25
3. Pagan Lovesong (Vibeakimbo) 6:49
4. Dave-Id Is Dead 4:18

DISCOGS