Having spent the previous four years living in North Carolina, primary songwriter Jamie Stewart relocated to Los Angeles, moving blindly into a neighborhood whose notoriously dangerous reputation was unknown to him. A park divided among four gangs, a lake routinely dragged for bodies, a building wherein two infant skeletons were recently uncovered - the aura of his new home bleeds into every pore of the album, each lyric and note bearing traces of its essence: the terrible beauty, the despair, the violence, the humanity.

"I know to a degree I must have romanticized it," Stewart admits, "But when it's not safe to go out at night, what else can one do?" Romanticized is hardly the word anyone other than Stewart would use. Like its namesake, a Japanese erotic noir film, 'Angel Guts: Red Classroom' is not easy to digest.

The subject matter - racialized sex, double suicide, double penetration, criminality, fear of physical harm - is unsuitable for the faint of heart. In the wrong hands, such topics could be rendered as far-fetched fantasies. But Stewart's evocative vocals lend his provocative lyrics the balance they need, grounding them in a stark realism that forces us to acknowledge their existence, even confront them (as discomforting as that is).

Unsettling, too, is the music. Recorded at Nurse (Stewart’s home studio) and producer John Congleton’s Elmwood studio in Dallas, Texas, and working with only analog synths, drum set and 1970's analog drum machines, Xiu Xiu has never before sounded so focused, so captivating, so intent on delivering a kick to the throat. Take 'Stupid in the Dark' - its tone ominous and pulsing, its harmonies simple and direct, its grip unrelenting. Or 'Botanica de Los Angeles', a sparse yet anthemic merging of bruising drums and bone-rattling bass synths. Undeniably dark, yet incredibly illuminating. 

So the fearlessness continues. An album such as Angel Guts: Red Classroom demands an equal fearlessness from the listener; to surrender to this magnificent maelstrom. By facing the worst of mankind, at least we know we’re very much alive. 

Angel Guts: Red Classroom will be released 3rd February on Bella Union

 Have you seen the four Paranormal Activity films and are you looking for some answers? In Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones you’ll surely get some! In this frightful movie the main character finds out that he’s obsessed. All images are made with a handycam and it seems like this new chapter is once again a thrilling event to never forget. 

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones is running from1 januari on in the Belgian theatres, talking about a fresh start!

Desire celebrates its 100th release with Ike Yard's third remix EP from their classic eponymous debut album.

Track listingHalf a God
A1 –Powell remix
Cherish 8
A2 – The KVB remix

Cherish 8
B1 – Vessel remix
NCR
B2 – Bandshell remix

Ike Yard came into being as No Wave passed on, Industrial was in the air and 'proto techno' had yet to be coined. Propulsive, paranoid, aggressive electro minimalism, with as much attention paid to the mixing board and effects processors as to vocals, guitar and synth. At once starker and more fully-formed than virtually all other contemporaneous post-punk music. desire's 2012 edition represents the first ever vinyl reissue of this classic, prophetic album. 
 
The line-up for the third remix EP includes a great deal of diverse music. It starts with Powell (Diagonal Records) doing a great beat-driven rework of Half A God. It has been mastered by Matt Colton @ Alchemy Mastering. The A side is closing with The KVB doing a post-punk rendition of Cherish 8. Cherish 8 is also remixed on the B side by Vessel of Tri Angle/ Young Echo fame. The last remix (of NCR) is signed by UK enigmatic industrial/dubstep Bandshell.
 
Ike Yard was originally a quartet comprising Michael Diekmann, Stuart Argabright, Kenneth Compton and Fred Szymanski. The group are active again after a 28 year hiatus, sans Szymanski; their most recent album is 2011's Nord and they are currently working on a final album. 

Out soon:
Egyptology 'Remixes' 12"
Zex Model 'Mind Slaughter' LP
JBLA debut 12"

Peek-A-Boo received some sad news today. We'll let the band explain it themselves....

Hello everybody! 

There are sad news came in this time, unfortunately. Alexey Protasov (AMBASSADOR21, SUICIDE INSIDE) has been diagnosed with throat cancer. 

Since already more than one month we knew it, now we can tell about it to our friends and fans. 

We have a very big hope for the forthcoming operation (it scheduled for December 2nd in Warsaw), there is a big chance it could be helpful, because diagnosis was made on quite early phase. And we hope Alexey will be able to speak and sing soon. :) 

It's hard time, but we believe we have enough strength and luck to pass through it. This time we just want to tell you we need your help and support, it will be very appreciated. If you want to support us, you can buy any digital stuff or CDs, or t-shirts on our Bandcamp.

Here is also our PayPal: a21@ambassador21.com

We have enough energy and lust for life to fight it! Also the last, but not least - we are working on new AMBASSADOR21 album and we hope to be back on the road as soon as it could be possible. We DON'T cancel any confirmed dates, and for promoters - contact us if you want to organize our gigs. 

Thank you all for your support, help and friendship! See you soon! :)

FUCK ALL SYSTEMS! 

Peek-A-Boo gives all support to this band and especially to Alexey...we're sure you'll beat this!

Nine Inch Nails, the legendary band led by Trent Reznor, will be returning to Europe and the UK in May/June 2014, with support from Cold Cave. The date in Belgium will be 28 May and the venue: the Lotto Arena in Antwerp.

Visit http://tour.nin.com for full presale information, as well as general public on sale details, times and links.

Here are some of the other dates of the tour (close to Belgium):
15.05.2014 Berlin, Germany - Zitadelle
16.05.2014 Luxembourg - Rockhal
23.05.2014 London, UK - O2 Arena
27.05.2014 Amsterdam, Holland - Heineken Music Hall
28.05.2014 Antwerp, Belgium - Lotto Arena
29.05.2014 Paris, France - Le Zenith