Sunbath

Life of gold. We take for granted
Luxury for the chosen ones.
Thoughtless of others. We act for ourselves.
Sweep aside the burden of guilt.

Life of torment, unbeknown to the privileged ones.
Life in paradise. Yet we see through blurry eyes.

Scrape the ground for signs of life.
All is dead here. 
Why do we starve. Where is the balance
When greed is killing.

Life of torment, unbeknown to the privileged ones.
Life in paradise. Yet we see through blurry eyes.

Privileged Demo (lyrics in description)

Ghost In The Room demo

Dan Grainger - Drums/Percussion
Dean Lockhart - Guitars
Drew James Griffiths - Guitars/Bass/Vocals

Guitar solo by Daniel Wiggins
Mixed by Drew James Griffiths
Artwork by Jeff Christensen
'Ur Draugr' Glyph designed by Christophe Szpajdel

Ur Draugr, 2014

The Wretched Ascetic

Sorrow Is Sanity

AMORPHIS - Death Of A King
Taken form the Album "Under The Red Cloud".
Out: September 4th

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AMORPHIS - Death Of A King

An evil song of doom designed to be listened to when you are off your face! ;s;s;s;s;s;s;s;s;s;s;s;s

War (demo)

Kuolemanlaakso are back, unlike you’ve never heard them before! As the title aptly implies, “M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes” is the first solo album of Kuolemanlaakso mastermind Laakso. It showcases his songwriting catchier and more varied than ever.

“Kuolemanlaakso started out as my one-man solo project, which quickly escalated into a full-action monster with shows in the biggest clubs and metal festivals around Finland. As our singer Kotamäki will be occupied with Swallow the Sun’s touring duties for a long time, I finally had the opportunity to record an actual Kuolemanlaakso solo album”, Laakso rejoices.

Compared to the previous Kuolemanlaakso releases, a lot has changed and much has stayed the same. For starters, “M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes” is not a death doom album. While the trademark heaviness, gloominess and melancholy are still solidly present; the color palette is vastly wider. The album is a journey through a wide range of emotions steered by nyctophilia, love for the dark. Whereas “Uljas uusi maailma” (2012), Musta aurinko nousee (EP, 2013) and “Tulijoutsen” (2014) were compared to acts such as Celtic Frost, My Dying Bride and Ajattara, one might hear echoes of Sisters of Mercy, Tiamat, Paradise Lost and Amorphis on this release. What’s also different is the language, and using Laakso as the lead vocalist.

“I chose to do these songs in English as they demanded a more musical language than Finnish. However, Finnish will always remain the only official language of the non-solo Kuolemanlaakso albums,” Laakso promises.

The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Woodshed Studio, Germany, by V. Santura, with whom Kuolemanlaakso have worked with since the very beginning of their recording career. Santura also acts as a guitarist and backing vocalist of this special lineup, consisting of him, and Kuolemanlaakso members Laakso (vocals, guitar, keys), Tiera (drums) and Usva (bass). The album also features guest performances by Mikko Kotamäki (Kuolemanlaakso, Swallow the Sun), Helena Haaparanta (Crimfall, Valo) and Jaani Peuhu (Iconcrash).

Kuolemanlaakso’s latest album “Tulijoutsen” debuted at #10 on Finland’s Official Album Chart. It made notable appearances on the Album of the Year lists in Finland’s leading music publications, including Inferno, Soundi, Imperiumi.net and Kaaoszine.fi. UK’s Soundscape Magazine chose it as the Top #1 Album of 2014.

Svart Records will release “M. Laakso – Vol. 1: The Gothic Tapes” on red and black vinyl (limited to 200 and 300 pieces), digital download, mini-gatefold CD and limited edition art book CD (500 pieces) on August 26, 2016. The art book includes an exclusive bonus track and a 24-page booklet with handwritten lyrics, photographic art and exclusive liner notes for each song, all crafted by Laakso himself.

Lineup on this album:

Laakso ~ vocals, guitar, keys

Tiera ~ drums

Usva ~ bass

V. Santura ~ guitar, backing vocals

Kuolemanlaakso: Roll The Dice With The Devil

A different version of an old one. Not done any new stuff since this one pretty much. 

Words and music by Stephen Cranston and Scott Lord 2012
This recording performed by Stephen Canston 2012

Magic Brown (Smallbridge Mill Version)

Ildlaante

Dark music from Manchester, England. Mainly drawing influence from Melodic Death Metal and Death Doom, but I experiment with other genres too.

Privileged Demo (lyrics in description)

Gnome Eater