Order of Theta releases are available either directly through the label or selected distribution hubs (check Distributors section).
Dissemination now operates on a strict art-for-art policy.
TRADES ONLY.
Dissemination now operates on a strict art-for-art policy.
TRADES ONLY.
Oneirism - Conquering the Waves
THETA000 / PromoCDr
[no copies left]
Taking cues mainly from the prime names in the field (Cripple Black Phoenix, Russian Circles) , and despite the genre itself reaching saturation point, Oneirism somehow manage to weave a tapestry of sound which is distinctly their own. Compositions range from hypnotic soundscapes to exultant crescendos where abstract melancholy is set against the melodic textures of post-rock and the emotively charged aggression of sludge. This is a one-off promotional release from Theta extremely limited to a few copies.
Spectral Lore / Locust Leaves - Split
THETA001 / CD
[no copies left]
Clandestine and unassuming, Spectral Lore remains safely cloistered from the frustratingly blasé world of today's black metal. On this, his latest offering to date, Ayloss expands further on his experimentation with uplifting atmospherics and invites us to surrender our consciousness, if only for a while, to his musical netherworld. As epic as it is long, single song 'Kathikon' (i.e. 'duty' in Greek) both defies and re-defines the typical black metal blueprints introducing a post-rock-esque flair in its structure with a rich instrumentation. For most bands this would mean a rather embarrassing prolapse into aimless noodling but Ayloss' knack for warm, expansive guitar narratives à la Wolves in the Throne Room ensures that this makes for a very addictive listen indeed. For the second part obscure extreme metallers Locust Leaves come forth with 'Promise'. I'm sure you've never heard of them but what they lack in reputation they make up for in technical dexterity. Above everything is the song's fluidity and sheer artistic 'out-there-ness' which seamlessly flows from one thematic to the next. Far from easily digestible music, this song demands from the listener to pay full attention; in return 'Promise' offers a unique musical journey which becomes more rewarding with every listen.
Differing in style yet definitely on par in terms of pure quality both artists deliver a seminal showcase of what happens when artistic integrity, solid knowledge of the fundamentals and sheer élan come together to form a musical offering which is above and beyond the sum of its parts. The CD comes in a delectable Arigato Pak with a 4-panel fold-out booklet on 300 machine-numbered copies retaining the appealing minimalism of black&white.
MP3 samples:
Differing in style yet definitely on par in terms of pure quality both artists deliver a seminal showcase of what happens when artistic integrity, solid knowledge of the fundamentals and sheer élan come together to form a musical offering which is above and beyond the sum of its parts. The CD comes in a delectable Arigato Pak with a 4-panel fold-out booklet on 300 machine-numbered copies retaining the appealing minimalism of black&white.
MP3 samples:
theta001_spectral_lore_sample.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1026 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
theta001_locust_leaves_sample.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1155 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
Reviews:
Injekting Khaos - s/t
THETA002 / 12" LP
[no copies left]
Being the proud stylistic progeny of Antaeus and Arkhon Infaustus, Injekting Khaos put forth a fine display of maleficent and downright intimidating black metal. The Gallic virus is here presented mutated, metastasized, appropriately disease-ridden and painfully genuine. But that's not all, what mostly distinguishes this most compelling of decadent audial specimens to have reached our belabored ears in quite a while is its unwavering purposefulness: the creative minds behind this offering have a clear vision of the Filth within which they methodically and lucidly try to convey to the world-at-large. This is what explains the welcomed absence of pretentious pseudo-Satanist twattery and the unmistakable presence of a permeating almost suffocating aura of ritual and blasphemy. Black metal's ill-fated musical tribalisms (the tr00s, the kvlts, et-fucking-cetera) are to be eschewed most vigorously in this instance. Such tired descriptions would only detract from the very seriousness and authenticity of what this release is trying to accomplish. A musical monstrosity and a rare beast, this final swansong of Injekting Khaos stands steadfastly at the crossroads of uncompromising irreverence and aesthetic extremism - one is quite surprised that such species are still extant. Hell-worn, ash-covered and strictly limited to 350x12" with appropriately sacrilegious artwork. Proudly co-released with the fine folk at Temple of Flesh and Blastbeat Mailmurder Productions.
MP3 samples:
MP3 samples:
theta002_injekting_khaos_sample.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1093 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
Obsequies - Necro
THETA003 / Cassette
[no copies left]
The year is 2002. A solitary unit ensconced somewhere within the Eastern Mediterranean takes heed of the incipient, tenebrous aesthetic of the pure black metal sound and subdues it into a vehicle of oppresive claustrophobia and raging misanthropy. A pair of demo releases saw the light of day with an almost hushed clamor; circulated exclusively amongst a close-knit network of acquintances, only a handful of ears were tainted during the early years of the band. Obsequies adhered to a distinctly primitive compositional strategy which, in combination with an unaproachably hideous sound, resulted in a smothering vibe of black-hearted enmity destined to crush whatever positivity in the listener's predisposition. An almost perfect audial equivalent of Freud's todestrieb, one feels the cold and putrid atmosphere of the music like a corpse's embrace. Since then it has remained buried within the furthest corners of the underground, defiantly unfollowed whilst following none.
Until now, that is. Theta, along with our fellow acolytes at the Temple of Flesh, in a sheer act of unholy exhumation, traced the obscure origins of this foul fruit and brought it forth to the surface in all its feverish viscerality for your perverse delectation. To wit, a pro-printed cassette containing the complete unprocessed, unfiltered growls of the beast before it sinks back into the depths which spawned it. The cassette comes in a black cloth packaging printed in white ink with a black-on-black booklet stiched together with brown hemp string. Limited, as always, to 50 copies and handnumbered.
MP3 samples:
Until now, that is. Theta, along with our fellow acolytes at the Temple of Flesh, in a sheer act of unholy exhumation, traced the obscure origins of this foul fruit and brought it forth to the surface in all its feverish viscerality for your perverse delectation. To wit, a pro-printed cassette containing the complete unprocessed, unfiltered growls of the beast before it sinks back into the depths which spawned it. The cassette comes in a black cloth packaging printed in white ink with a black-on-black booklet stiched together with brown hemp string. Limited, as always, to 50 copies and handnumbered.
MP3 samples:
Batrakos - Degenerate Collection
THETA004 / CD
[no copies left]
Black metal has never been a stranger to themes such as cultural decay and decadence. In fact it is very much founded on the less attractive features of mankind. Batrakos, following on a lineage whose roots lay deeper than the superficial rock'n'roll approach, attempt a synthesis between the trangressive art of erstwhile movements found at the turn of the previous century and the minimalistic expressionism of lo-fi black metal. Through these skeletal and tattered shards of noise there is an unmistakable fervor which breaths both unashamed delight in the squalor and a heightened sense of moral disgust. The present release compiles all three demos of the band in one CD, packaged with an A5 silk-finish paper card. Limited to 100 copies and hand-numbered.
Tome of the Unreplenished - Cosmoprism: The Theurgy - Act I
THETA005 / 12" LP
[no copies left]
"The eternal silence of these infinite spaces fills me with dread." - Blaise Pascal
Man vs. cosmos, cosmos vs. man; as we explore the antipodes of the universe and its relation to the human condition, inevitably we shall stumble upon something greater than ourselves. Something which stands defiantly beyond language, beyond concepts, beyond the human. Desperately we try to fathom and describe but to no avail. Some call it God, others prefer silence. Tome of the Unreplenished, fully cognizant of this ancient struggle, abandon the fetters of musical convention and knowingly steer into terra incognita. The cosy familiarity of the casual fan is here defaced and denounced by the sheer power of sound. Gone is the uplifting transcendence of this work heretofore, now inverted into a vertiginous descent. In this deluge, sonic experience takes primacy over structure and rhythm, objective determinants of harmony and order give way to subjective sensations of Cosmic revelation. Make no mistake, the religious connotations are not unintentional: like any other audio-ritual of its ilk, “Cosmoprism: The Theurgy – Act I” acts as a conduit between ourselves, and that preternatural something alluded to earlier. What we get on our side as listeners is merely a hint, a suggestion of a truth both horrifying and yet liberating - all we can do is surrender. And though one might feel lost in the celestial vastness as he embarks on this journey, he may still gaze outwards in anticipation, knowing that the terror is but the first step towards divinity...
Released in conspiracy with Deathhammer Records on 250 x 12" vinyl.
Man vs. cosmos, cosmos vs. man; as we explore the antipodes of the universe and its relation to the human condition, inevitably we shall stumble upon something greater than ourselves. Something which stands defiantly beyond language, beyond concepts, beyond the human. Desperately we try to fathom and describe but to no avail. Some call it God, others prefer silence. Tome of the Unreplenished, fully cognizant of this ancient struggle, abandon the fetters of musical convention and knowingly steer into terra incognita. The cosy familiarity of the casual fan is here defaced and denounced by the sheer power of sound. Gone is the uplifting transcendence of this work heretofore, now inverted into a vertiginous descent. In this deluge, sonic experience takes primacy over structure and rhythm, objective determinants of harmony and order give way to subjective sensations of Cosmic revelation. Make no mistake, the religious connotations are not unintentional: like any other audio-ritual of its ilk, “Cosmoprism: The Theurgy – Act I” acts as a conduit between ourselves, and that preternatural something alluded to earlier. What we get on our side as listeners is merely a hint, a suggestion of a truth both horrifying and yet liberating - all we can do is surrender. And though one might feel lost in the celestial vastness as he embarks on this journey, he may still gaze outwards in anticipation, knowing that the terror is but the first step towards divinity...
Released in conspiracy with Deathhammer Records on 250 x 12" vinyl.