Various Artists - Someplace You Cannot See (2024)

This is a mix that I made when I was really, really going through it, probably in late April of last year. Unlike the last mix I posted, this one I really put some time into, piecing it all together into two suite-style, 46-minute sequences in Garageband over the course of a few days. It's pretty depressing, obviously, but I was in desperate need of an outlet, and it's definitely one of the best mixes I've ever made. There's a ton that I could write about why I chose each track on here, but y'all have already heard enough about my grief, so I'll just let you enjoy it however you like.

(To be clear: this is two 46-minute tracks.)

Safely floating away

My lantern dim

With a wick I didn't light

I never even asked for light

Includes songs from:

Michael Stearns - Floating Whispers (1987)

Andy Partridge & Harold Budd - Through the Hill (1994)

David Torn - What Means Solid, Traveller? (1996)

Lullaby for the Working Class - I Never Even Asked for Light (1997)

Songs of Green Pheasant - Songs of Green Pheasant (2005)

Growing - His Return (2005)

Asva - What You Don't Know Is Frontier (2007)

Snowman - Absence (2011)

Asva - What You Don't Know Is Frontier (2008)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Asva - Futurists Against the Ocean (2005)

Majestic, otherworldly drone-doom. Towering masses of organ, synth, and down-tuned guitars that belie a knack for memorable melodic themes. When the vocals finally hit in "A Game in Hell, Hard Work in Heaven", rivers flood, dams break, and hearts explode. Asva take a more subtle, slow-burning approach to the style than many of their peers -- like, say, Burning Witch, with whom they have a split -- so I guess it makes sense that they never quite became a household name in drone-doom circles, but... they're just so fucking good.

Track listing:
1. What You Don't Know Is Frontier
2. Christopher Columbus
3. A Game in Hell, Hard Work in Heaven
4. A Trap for Judges

Sweet dreams asshole

You would probably also like:

Bloody Panda -
Summon (2009)

Aelter -
Aelter II: Follow You Beloved (2011)

Asva - Futurists Against the Ocean (2005)

A killer debut from this singular drone-doom band, who I discovered years back via their split with Burning Witch. In addition to the expected mountain of amplifiers and sparse percussion, there's organ, piano, and thick, heavy cleans, creating a beautiful textural complexity to go along with the heaviness. "By the Well of Living and Seeing" belongs in the doom metal hall of fame.

Track listing:
1. Kill the Dog, Tie Them Up, and Then Take the Money
2. Zoum: Beyonsense
3. Fortune
4. By the Well of Living and Seeing

A game in hell, hard work in heaven

If you're into this, try:

Blood Fountains -
Floods (2009)

Nyogtha -
Origin of "I" (2011)