Roses Never Fade - Fade To Black

Dark neo-folk project featuring members from multiple countries, including Dwid Hellion (Integrity), Thorsten Wilhelm, Mathew Shack, Nick Fiction, Stephanie VH, and Adami. This is surprisingly great, sitting somewhere between Death in June, Agalloch and :Of the Wand and the Moon:.

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Preterite - Pillar of Winds (2011)

Preterite is a collaboration between Geneviève Beaulieu (Menace Ruine) and James Hamilton. Expect nothing like Menace Ruine however, as this project is a mix of folk and psychadelic drone with Geneviève's unique voice being the clear centrepiece. Released on Handmade Birds, which seems to be a great label that is putting out some quality releases at the moment.

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Hexvessel - Dawnbearer (2011)

Psychadelic folk featuring Mat “Kvohst” McNerney, vocalist for Dødheimsgard and Code. Another favourite album for the year. Check it out.

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Giles Corey - Giles Corey (2011)

Solo project of Dan Barrett from Have a Nice Life - raw, honest, deep and personal. Although it doesn't sound much like Have a Nice Life, parts here are somewhat reminiscent of it in its textures, layers and echoes. By far one of the best records I've heard this year, it is every bit as powerful and intense as Have a Nice Life's first album but in a different way. Buy it from the link below, which comes with a 150 page book written by Dan which deals with his struggles with suicide and depression (obviously closely related to the making of the album and its themes) and took almost 4 years to write. Incredible.

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TwinSisterMoon - When Stars Glide Through Solid

TwinSisterMoon is the solo work of Mehdi Ameziane, one half of French ambient/drone group Natural Snow Buildings.

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Pygmy Lush - Old Friends (2011)

New album from Pygmy Lush. A slight change in style again from Mount Hope, Old Friends is less melodic and more dreamy sounding but still delicate and heartbreakingly gorgeous. Another great release from this amazing band.

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Lovac - Apes of a Cold God

Lovac is a Swedish band playing industrial tinged neo-folk. That description probably doesn't do them justice though, as there are so many different sounds and influences going on to make it nice and interesting. Apes of a Cold God is Lovac's debut release, although they have released music under the Down in June label, where they played Death in June covers. Highly recommended!

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