SMEGMASMOG - RAW POWER

RAW POWER, the brand-new release by SMEGMASMOG is now available on Bandcamp. 

We'll also be distributing SMEGMASMOG's back catalog soon, along with a few new releases that are currently in the works.

Sabixatzil - A Longing

 A Longing is a release by Sabixatzil, further exploring the (post) classical guitar sound.

Decades ago, it was our friend and colleague TFIM (The Famous Itai Matos) who supposedly invented the "broken" guitar style. Today, it's Sabixatzil that's perfecting it.

Moreover, for this release, it's merged with recording techniques, found sound elements, field recordings, and other layers that elevate this from being a merely solo guitar effort, into an experimental masterclass.

We're thrilled to have Sabixatzil in the studio again after a long hiatus. There are a few more of his releases we'll post about soon, and we're hopeful there will be even more coming our this year!

In Drone We Trust, by NishMa, Haggari Nakashe and gaop

 A while back we told you about an upcoming special release that wasn't only a collaboration between artists, but also a joint effort between RZRecords and Ranger Magazine.

Ranger Magazine was the first platform on which we released IN DRONE WE TRUST, the dreamy, spooky, wonderfully haunting album by NishMa, Haggari Nakashe, and gaop.

This release is interesting as it's almost a meditative trance of sorts, while also being heavy-hitting (bordering on doom metal aesthetics) at times, and ambient-like, droning, and experimental enough to contain elements of noise and free jazz.

We're now glad to announce that this album is available on all streaming platforms, and if not all then surely most of the big ones. 

Please, go on and enjoy this thing of beauty.

One last note: while this year our main focus is releasing and distributing digital albums, we are considering releasing this gem in physical format. This will mostly be up to our listeners, which is based on the play statistics.

Every now and then we toy around with the thought of doing new CDR releases, cassettes, and even vinyl, but as of now, there was no special demand that we noticed. If you feel strongly about owning 

our releases or merch, please let us know!!!

ohrr - Excerpt

Our good friend ohrr is back with a brand new single!

Ambient that turns into a groovy, guitar (and synth) led, electronica.

Good stuff!

You can hear it and his other tracks via ohrr's Spotify, or on this very embed:

There's another great release by ohrr we've yet to post about, but promise we will soon.

It's called "Put Your Hand in Mine and Call Me Missy", a superb collab album he released with gaop a couple of months ago.

Paxit - some good news and some not so good

So let's start with the good news: Paxit is now available on Bandcamp.

They've started adding some of their releases, and new materials will also be available soon.

This is in addition to Paxit's Spotify discography. 

And now for the bad news: some of the releases are still missing, so no full discography here.

For those not in the know, Paxit is a group that noise metal group, although for their first decade of existence, they had ten members for their live shows, some of them playing trumpet, saxophone, or just screaming into the void in costumes and makeup. They went from that to a doom, drone, sludge trio, and there have been numerous lineup changes, sound pivots, and so on.

The lineup changes didn't hurt their passion, and even though they had frequent style changes, the core remained raw and crazy.

This is what they looked and sounded like for a hot moment around 2007, which is around seventeen years ago:

While this is somewhat expected for such a chaotic group, it is not the best news.

As we posted on social in the past - we're still looking for whatever's left of their old physical releases, those CDRs, those ZIP files on thumb drives, etc.

There are also some legal issues with obtaining their debut album, so things being spotty is business as usual.

To conclude: Paxit's new music coming up - is good. Paxit music lost to time - bad.

If you have any of those releases, please use our contact form to tell us all about it!

Seriously, if you have anything that could help us preserve their past music, please let us know.

Sabixatzil - A.LL ALON.E

 

Sabixatzil’s A.LL ALON.E stands out from the rest of the artists' works with its unique focus on simpler guitar, much cleaner, less chaotic sounds over the regular noise and jazz. 

Despite this, it still manages to incorporate some of the more intense and chaotic elements present in Sabixatzil’s other releases and projects. The album's sound is both distinctive and straightforward in a very impressive manner, making it an enjoyable listening experience, still bordering on the experimental, with the recording techniques, tonality, and overall motif. 

If you’re a fan of neo-classical, Spanish-influenced, guitar noodling, look no further. There's a whole range of sounds of emotions for you, in this eight-track release.

Honey Hunting, by Les Carnages Possibles & NishMa

 

Honey Hunting, a collaboration between Les Carnages Possibles and NishMa is an 18-minute track that's going to blow you away.

Both Amsterdam-based artists bring their A-game and deliver this weird, haunting, extremely delicate, thoughtful release, unique in a way that seems not to be of this world and is definitely very hard to describe or pin down to a certain genre.

The vocals, the instrumentation, the way it generates tension and fear, it's really unique.

The fact that they chose us to release and distribute this gem is both exciting and humbling.

Introspection by Intro Vertic & gaop

 

Close your eyes and let your imagination take you on a journey to a magical place where the ethereal sounds of electronic ambient music blend seamlessly with the rich notes of a clarinet. This four-track EP is a delightful exploration of that space, taking you on an enchanting expedition that yields a plethora of wonderful results. Each track is a unique masterpiece, crafted with precision and care to showcase the beauty and harmony that can be achieved when two seemingly disparate genres of music come together. So sit back, relax, and let the music transport you to a world where anything is possible. 

In "Introspection", Intro Vertic and gaop have collaborated to create a wonderful EP that is a true representation of a unique blend of ambient, IDM, jazz, and an innovative approach to free music. The result is a captivating soundscape that takes the listener on a (too short of a) journey through a variety of emotions. It's an impressive work that showcases the skill and creativity of both artists in a way that is sure to delight fans of the genres, and I honestly wish there was more of it, much more.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits by NishMa, Haggari Nakashe & gaop

 

An hour-long sonic journey awaits you, featuring three distinct tracks, co-created by three talented artists.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the haunting sounds of drone, dark jazz, ambient, and doom music, all brought to life through a unique blend of woodwinds, drums, electric pianos, synths, bass, and even some bells.

Brace yourself for an otherworldly experience "like no other", brought to you by the collaborative efforts of NishMa, Haggari Nakashe, and gaop.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits is an interesting experience, and we're glad that RZRecords is part of it.

NishMa, Haggari Nakashe, and gaop have masterfully crafted a musical tapestry that slightly pushes boundaries and defies boring traditional genre constraints. The two longer tracks within this sonic journey (25 and 33 minutes long) unfold like a chapter in a mysterious narrative, drawing you in with hypnotic rhythms, evocative melodies, and subtle nuances. The third, much shorter track, serves as an intermission between these two mammoths.

As you delve deeper into the intricacies of this collaborative effort, you will find yourself completely enchanted by the seamless convergence of drone, doom's brooding intensity, jazz's soulful improvisation, and ambient music's ethereal atmospheres. The result is a rich tapestry of sound that transcends genres, offering a somewhat unique and immersive listening experience that might not be "unlike any other," as musical innovation is hard to do, but what it does is stand tall, on the shoulders of giants. The giants of jazz-doom.

Musical innovation is hard. Musical innovation involves pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and breaking new ground in the world of music. That's not an easy task. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks. It takes mastery, honed through a lifetime of practicing, experimenting, education, or just the rare gift of natural talent.

That said, experimenting with music is a delightful and refreshing endeavor that can bring joy and excitement to your life as an artist or even a listener. Whether you're trying out a new instrument, exploring different genres, or creating your own combo of genres and sounds, music is a therapeutic and invigorating experience. Not only does it stimulate your creativity and imagination, but it also has positive effects on your mental and emotional well-being (this is a plug for Haggari's upcoming album "Chamber").

So, what is an experimental collaborative album? Is it a cure for the masses? A way for friends to pass the time and have some fun? A bold way to go where others went before? All I'm saying is, doom-jazz is a genre that needs to be more popular, and this release is a good place to start.

NishMa: drums
Haggari Nakashe: tape loops, synths, bells
gaop: electric piano, bass, woodwind instruments

gaop - Heavenly Jazz Noise Father

We've been quite busy with releasing music, and that took a toll on posting about said music.

Be warned, there are going to be numerous posts about numerous releases.

You might even like some!

Heavenly Jazz Noise Father by gaop is a three track electro-acoustic-jazz-noise EP. Clocking in just under 20 minutes but delivering all of the goods.

Here's the blurb that was originally posted by gaop:

An exploration of the Jazz-Noise spectrums. Walking the sacred grounds between the two genres, with a heavy bag of influences.
The goal in mind for this EP was to somewhat fuse two genres, using their commonalities.
These tracks utilize the electronic, acoustic, instrumental, harsh, experimental, improvisational, intense, cerebral and carnal, to produce an interesting palette.

Earlier variations of the tracks in this EP appeared in compilations this year, but were revisited, re-edited, and partially re-recorded for the occasion.

And that's about it.

No further description required, really. Just take a listen.

I couldn't have worded it better myself. 

Adding a Bandcamp embed of the album below, so you can play it without bothering yourself with a search.

ohrr - ever rest

"ever rest" by ohrr is a three track EP, that blends post metal, with dark ambient and sound manipulation. It's doomy and gloomy in nature, and has a heavy feeling to it, even though it's minimalistic and partially acoustic.

We're humbled and delighted to have it on RZRecords. "ever rest" was not only highly anticipated, but is also a breath of fresh air.

This EP follows several singles ohrr released in 2023, but while those were more of a noisy ambient, IDM like takes on electronic music, this release channels artists such as Jodis, Sumac, Neurosis, Tribes of Neurot or at times even Tool, in composition and concept. 

The release is instrumental, 15.5 minutes in length and currently available on all streaming platforms.

ohrr - ever rest

[UPCOMING] In Drone We Trust - in collaboration with Ranger Magazine

We're very excited to share that the soon to be published issue #4 of the wonderful Ranger Magazine will include a premiere release of In Drone We Trust, the long awaited collaboration between NishMa, Haggari Nakashe & gaop.

This nine track album has been in the works for the entirety of 2023, with a few singles (with earlier versions of the tracks) appearing throughout the year on compilations.

The album is (obviously) drone heavy, incorporating elements of dark ambient, noise, experimental or avant-garde metal, and just a dash of woodwind instruments and world music motifs.

Ranger magazine is a web publication (with printed copies) dedicated to experimental art, poetry, music and film. We encourage you to explore past issues and stay tuned for issue #4.

In Drone We Trust, by NishMa, Haggari Nakashe & gaop

Bad Dreams - Haggari Nakashe & gaop

Bad Dreams - Haggari Nakashe & gaop is a four track EP, originally released in early 2007.

As a part of our attempt to map out the history of our releases, we're finally posting about it, something we unfortunately never did.

When it came out, it was uploaded to a handful of streaming channels existing at the time, but mostly sent out to people in a Zip file format and on personally burned CDs.

It wasn't one of the releases we did PR for, it was just sent out to friends, posted about on a few forums, later we uploaded it to YouTube. But that was all. 

No idea why, but then again, 2007 was a really busy year for us, and sometimes we just recorded stuff because it was just happening,  released it because it was there and we felt like we have to share whatever we were creating and move on to the next outburst. 

This was one of the earliest Haggari Nakashe & gaop collabs, a bunch of them were also released that very year, all of them quite different, most of them are still pretty good in retrospect. There were a few lost, so if you have files, CDRs or recollection of releases we fail to mention, please let us know!

This specific release was recorded in bits and pieces by emailing tracks and channels back and forth. It's mostly layered bass guitars, flutes and recorders, some FX, but that's it. For a period in our lives where noise was out major focus, it's pretty calm, even though it's dark and haunting.

It was quite interesting or even shocking for us that this release became so "popular" with time. At the moment it already received over 23K streams on Spotify alone, which is honestly amazing for such a niche EP that we never properly promoted, never physically released and never gave it the attention it deserved.

Today this release neatly fits in the catalog, right next to the other woodwind, electroacoustic, post free jazz releases; but back in the day we just did it cos if felt right, not knowing that we're going fall in love with obscure experimental jazz. It was just us trying new sounds, not really knowing why or how.

Let us know if you happen to have a copy of the release, in any format. Or if you recall something about it that we've missed. We really appreciate any input because so much is lost to time.
Also, as always, feel free to add to or edit our Discogs pages. 

RZRecords 6 WAY SPLIT, Volumes 3 & 4 - CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

IMPORTANT UPDATE: We're moving the deadline to December to give us some more time to prep and you some more times to finish your tracks!

Greetings fellow sound aficionados!

We are again inviting everyone to submit your materials for our 6 ways split series!

Hot on the heels of  RZRecords SIX WAY SPLIT, Vol.1 and  RZRecords 6 WAY SPLIT, Vol.2, we are now looking for submissions for the 3rd and 4th installments.

The theme we requested for the previous releases was "dark", and people submitted lots of stuff that just showed how conceptions change between people. We thought it was pretty awesome that the tracks we received were so different in style. 

This time around, think "dark" but there are literally no limitations when it comes to musical themes or genres. Send whatever seems right, or whatever you want to share with the world.

The rules are:

1. no samples - the releases going to be submitted to the majority of streaming platforms and having copyright issues can sabotage the entire project. Please own the rights to your materials. If you have questions - we're here for you.
   

2. 10 minutes per artist - up to 10min. it can be one track, can be 20 tracks half a minute each, it's up to you. If you feel that you're best represented by a 10 second beep - send it over, sounds interesting!

   • Special note regarding your 10 minutes: if you feel like submitting stuff that you might have released in the past - that's up to you. We accept remixes, remasters, or just older stuff that deserves exposure. It might be new to us and everyone else. As long as the tracks make sense together - it's in!
     

3. provide all the info - make sure to properly name your files, provide us with the order you desire if you want them in a certain way, artist name and special notes (caps, special characters, etc). If you have a special logo you use, let us know so we consider that when we work on the cover art. Last time we simply used one font for everyone which made things easier, but send us your stuff just in case.
   

4. no hate - hate speech will not be accepted. Also, please make sure to let us know if your content is explicit, some platforms need to tag it according to their rules.
   

5. limited to 6 participants - we only have room for a selected few per release, so please keep that in mind. if we get lots of submissions there's gonna be another volume coming soon! We usually arrange stuff concept wise, so if you're left out - doesn't mean we hate you, we might be saving your for a more relevant combination of tracks.
   

6. pro bono - while we will distribute the release for online streaming, please note that at the moment we're not planning on a physical release nor are there plans to sell it. participation is without pay, but feel free to contact us for the files if you wish to print your own copies to sell locally. If sometime down the line there's special interest or demand - we might release a physical copy and distribute those between the participants.
   

7. submission - send your FLAC files to contact.rzrecords[@]gmail.com and please try to limit the loudness to -6dB. We find it easiest to work with google drive folders with all of the materials in one place.
   

8.  deadline - We'd like to have all tracks by November 2023. If you feel like you need more time, send it anyways, we'll save it for the next release.We know some people take longer to submit cos they're working on brand new stuff.
   

We want to take a moment to express how genuinely thrilled we are to be building this community with all of you. The response to the first two volumes was beyond anything we had anticipated, not just in terms of the sheer variety of sounds and styles we received, but in the passion and thoughtfulness that came through in every submission.

This series was born out of a simple desire to connect artists and share music that might otherwise never find its way to new ears, and every volume reinforces why we started it in the first place. Whether you're a seasoned producer with years of releases under your belt or someone who's been quietly crafting sounds in your bedroom for the first time, we want to hear from you, this is a space where the only currency is creativity.

We genuinely believe that the magic of a split release lies in the unexpected contrasts and surprising connections between artists who might never have collaborated otherwise, and we are committed to curating each volume with that spirit in mind. So don't second-guess yourself, don't wait until it's "perfect", and don't assume your sound isn't what we're looking for, send it over and let us decide. The door is wide open.

We are also deeply grateful to everyone who has already been part of this journey, to those who submitted, to those who listened and spread the word, and to those who are only now hearing about it for the first time.

You are all part of what makes this worth doing. Let's keep making noise together, the weirder, the darker, the more unexpected, the better. We can't wait to hear what you've got.

gaop - Jar of Fears

We have wonderful news, there's a brand new release from gaop!
t's dark, it's jazzy, it's piano-lead dark ambient with sad undertones. A 47 minute long odyssey with a winter feel to it. 

Jar of Fears

The aforementioned piano is accompanied by metallic percussion, woodwind shrieks and a generally brooding atmosphere created by layered effects. The sound is one of minimalism, but not in an uneventful way.

The release is free to stream on most platforms, but also available for digital purchase on gaop's bandcamp.

This release is another one in gaop's experimental celebrations of post-jazz and post-classical sounds, via a mesmerizing dark ambient, a contrast to his harsh noise releases but not venturing far from "noise" in general, it might be more user friendly, but the color palette is the same. The feedback, the humming drones hiding in the background, those are dead giveaways.

The album is a hauntingly beautiful collection of sounds that delve into the depths of fear and anxiety. With tiny, broken down elements of jazz and modern classical music infused into the atmospheric soundscape, gaop creates a dark sonic journey that really captivates the listener from start to finish.

"Jar of Fears" is a must-listen for anyone who loves immersive and experimental music that takes you on a journey through your own emotions.

From a visual arts perspective, "Jar of Fears" is a fascinating study in how sonic textures can mimic artistic techniques. The album’s minimalistically layered production mirrors the process of glazing in oil painting, where thin, translucent layers are built up over time to create a final image of deceptive depth and richness. gaop applies this principle aurally; the "metallic percussion" acts as an initial sketch, the droning hums are the underpainting, and the shivering woodwinds are the final, delicate highlights applied to the canvas.
This approach transforms the album from a mere listening experience into a piece of sonic art that rewards deep attention.
It invites the audience to dissect its construction, to listen not just for melody, but for texture and negative space. 

In an era of instant gratification, "Jar of Fears" stands as a testament to the power of immersive atmospherics, proving that the most profound emotional landscapes are often painted in shades of shadow and silence. 

For curators and collectors of experimental music, and connoisseurs of post-classical minimalism, this release is not just a digital file; it is an album as art object, a 47-minute exhibition of mood and restraint that deserves a permanent place in the library of modern dark ambient composition.

Ecstatic Feedback - A Pukehammer Records Compilation

 There's a wonderful new compilation out on Pukehammer Records, and our beloved gaop is participating with When the Lights Explode.

But by all means, please listen to the entirety of the compilation as there was lots of effort put into gathering such a superb release, and it shows.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

RZRecords 6 WAY SPLIT, Vol.2

Hot on the heels of Vol.1 it's out extreme pleasure to present: RZRecords 6 WAY SPLIT, Vol.2 !!!

We were lucky enough to be presented with enough materials for two back to back releases. 
This made the process a bit longer because we had to find the right concept for the releases to work in a harmonious way, but this is far from a complaint, it was a pleasure to be trusted with the participants' art, and to come up with a result we are very proud of.

As always, our goal is to find interesting collaboration, to do our tiny part in the promotion of artists you might have not heard of, and in the process to discover new music that excites us.

This is yet again a purely online release, which is spread across several streaming platforms. 
Feel free to share it anywhere, and look for other instances it on other platforms that might pop up later.

The participants in Volume.1 are:

(in order of appearance)

• ohrr
• Intro Vertic
• DEEP DOWN
• NishMa
• xPhin
• Mierdia

Generically this is a very interesting release, so per our usual MO, there's a huge mash up of genres going on.

While as always, the color palette stays dark, this compilation travels between electronic subgenres such as techno, IDM and ambient, into a more nu-metal inspired side of electronics, followed by low end, dark ambient sound art, finishing with a string of highly creative and very interesting noise tracks.

We can only hope that you enjoy is as much as we did while compiling, and still having fun listening to it.

A huge thanks to participants, listeners, and all the RZRecords folks who worked on it and obviously their families for accepting the weirdos that we are, blasting noise in the middle of the night, running away to our computers to fix stuff, corresponding 24/7 on stuff that "normal" people don't care about.

RZRecords SIX WAY SPLIT, Vol.1

It brings us much joy to introduce the following release.

Rzrecords SIX WAY SPLIT, Vol.1 the first in the series of what hopefully will become many.
This is our way to bring artists together, spread the word, collaborate, and have fun.

This is a purely online release, successfully spread like a virus across several streaming platforms. 
A streaming format seemed right to us for the initial releases, with the thought of physical releases becoming a reality perhaps at a later point in time.

We've already started conceptualizing the next releases in the series, so feel free to send in your materials!

The participants in Volume.1 are:

(in order of appearance)

• MettaUniverse
• The Crimson Rod
• MEZZUU
• gaop
• Sabixatzil
• Torture Prophet
  

As always, we love to keep things interesting, so there's a mash-up of genres going on.

While the color palette stays dark, the compilation travels between the industrial side of metal, free noise rock, noisy dark ambient sound art, dark avant-garde jazz, guitar jazz that's cut up with field recordings, and straight-up HNW.

We really had tons of fun working on this one, be it listening to all the wonderful materials we were gifted by these great artists, of the fun of stitching it all up into a coherent form.

Thank you for participating, caring, listening, reading this post or any interaction you may have with RZRecords!