Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words
Seventeen dark electronic records connect industrial origins with the first Beläten releases, binding archaic synthesizers, ritual voices and insistent rhythms into a stark, emotionally charged sequence.
Listen to the mix
STM 023 is a forceful musical compilation which is assembled from the seventeen penetrating records released between 1981-2012 by the dark wave, industrial, experimental leaders like Haus Arafna, Deutsch Nepal, Klinik.
The author of the mix is Thomas Martin Ekelund (born 1977), Swedish alternative musician, visual artist and graphic designer who works and lives in Gothenburg. In the last decade Thomas has been releasing music mainly under the name of Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words, but since the projects ended in the late 2011, he focused on synth pop duo Soma Sema and ritual industrial solo project Trepaneringsritualen as well as a long line of collaborative projects (IRNI, Swollen SS, Ogham, King Of Kings). Thomas is carrying a considerable baggage of records (cassettes, vinyls, cdr’s) released on such respectful labels as iDEAL Recordings, Kning Disk, Mystery Sea, Fang Bomb amongst others, also noticeable series on his own imprint When Skies Are Grey. Since January, 2012 he also operates the label Beläten.
Records and connections
STM 023 is a shadowy selected powerful musical compilation that is built on intensive rhythmical background, melodic agony and esoteric vocals. One can even find four fresh tracks from Thomas’ record label Beläten, as well as his own creation “I Am Hermetic”. Such authenticity of Scandinavian dark electronic sound strengthens the selection and creates symbiosis between industrial origins and new music gems. The mixing is strict, but with the emotional and ideological exposure. It is a mixture of archaic synthesizers’ sounds, shamanistic lyrics and hypnotizing rhythm patterns which truly evoke anarchistic feelings.
STM 023 is like a metaphoric Chaim Soutine expressionistic painting “Dead Fowl” where density of cold but expressive colors and abstract intuitive shapes forms an obscure episode of disastrous life.
Sources and image credits
- Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words — archival colour photograph. Digitally restored.
- Original release artwork: Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words — Dreadcade.
- Original release artwork: Blitzkrieg Baby — Porcus Norvegicus.
- Original release artwork: Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words — Lost In Reflections.
- Original release artwork: Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words — Anomie.
