Roadburn 2022: Official Artwork - Valreza Collective

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At Roadburn music and visual art is tightly bound together; visual accompaniment to sonic exploration provides a more immersive experience that we wholeheartedly embrace. In keeping with what has become a festival tradition, we’re thrilled to announce the visual artists leaving their mark on Roadburn 2022

The Finnish Valreza Collective is a new endeavour – created in summer 2020 – but featuring two artists who have extensive experience and unrestrained vision. Tekla Vály and Tereza Holubová are multidisciplinary creatives who utilise photography, sculpture, film, costume and performance to create eerie pieces that explore both darkness and light, horror and joy – and more specifically, they often navigate the places where those opposites intersect. 

Roadburn 2022 will be an edition like no other; created in an uncertain landscape for the live music industry but shaped with optimism. The visual representation of the festival’s approach required a creative mindset that could tap into the dichotomy of the current state of flux and design something that captures the passion, vulnerability, darkness, hope, joy, and sheer weight of human emotion that fuels Roadburn. Tekla and Tereza approached the task with enthusiasm and have produced a vivid piece of art. 

The full eight minute video can be watched here:

Teklas artistry may already be familiar to some Roadburners; she has created album artwork for Oranssi PazuzuMestarin Kynsi, Grave PleasuresMotherblood, HexvesselWhen We Are Death, and most recently for Warning’s Watching from a Distance Live at Roadburn album. Meanwhile, Tereza has exhibited her work in Japan, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Finland. 

“Working with Roadburn is a great opportunity for us as an artistic collective to gather more experience and work with a team of professionals in a different field. We are extremely excited, honoured and overall thankful to have this opportunity to represent Roadburn Festival visually.”

Apart from the full video above, a shorter teaser on our social channels comes with sonic accompaniment from Thomas and Milena of GOLD. The otherworldly psychedelia of the celebratory rituals captured on film are full of jubilation and steeped in euphoria. An uncanny undercurrent hints at an unspoken darkness and of supernatural influence.

We’re delighted to present the work of Valreza as part of Roadburn 2022; we wholeheartedly encourage you to immerse yourself in the full eight minute experience and embrace everything that Tekla and Tereza have offered up to us. 


Essential Sounds: 24.09.21

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Dive in to another week of incredible music and inspiring musicianship – the Roadburn Essential Sounds playlist is here!

If you want to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:

Fuming MouthThey Take What The Please (Nuclear Blast)

Full of HellEroding Shell (Relapse Records)

PapanguTerra Arrasada (Self-Release)

Succumb8 Triagrams (The Flenser)

LLNNImperial (Pelagic Records)

BlodetShe Remains (Church Road Records)

Chelsea WolfeWoodstock (Sargent House) (Header image)

The CushFly (Mad Bunny Records)

NothingLa La Means | Love You (Relapse Records)

KrausVNC (Terrible Records)

The Holy RoadAgainst / Social / Media (Outpost 13 Recordings)

MonoImperfect Things (Pelagic Records)

Shy, Low Umbra (Pelagic Records)

WarningFoot Prints (Live at Roadburn) (Cappio Records)


Essential Sounds: 17.09.21

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Enjoy this week’s lengthy playlist as times seem to be changing… and more and more seems possible.

If you want to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:

PlaceboBeautiful James (SO Recordings)

The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To DieQueen Sophie for President (Epitaph)

Lindy-Fay Hella, Dei FarneHildring (By Norse Music)

Marissa Nadler, Mary LattimoreIf I Could Breathe Underwater (Bella Union) (Header image)

TraitrsOh, Ballerina (Freakwave)

PlohoAughts (Artoffact Records)

Spiritczualic Enhancement CenterMy Silence Is Spanish (Kryptox)

Love-Songs, U.SchütteDumpfes, hämmerndes Dröhnen (Bureau B)

Alice HubbleGleichfalls (Happy Robot Records)

Golden Bug, Vega VogaTokoyo No Kuni (La Belle records)

Sababa 5Baksheesh (Baktov Records)

Axis: Sova(Don’t Wanna Have That) Dream (Drag City)

The Limiñanas, Laurent GarnierJuliette dans la caravane (Berreto Music)

Arushi JainMy People Have Deep Roots (Leaving Records)

Richard Dawson, CircleLily (Domino Recording)

GNODPink Champagne Blues (Rocket Recordings)

The Bug, Manga Saint HilareBang (Ninja Tune)

Noise UnitK7 (Artoffact Records)

Vile CreaturePaperdool (The Flenser)

BalmogSlander (War Anthem Records)

NornaThe Truther (Vinter Records)


Essential Sounds: 10.09.21

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This week’s playlist kicks off with the return of Emma Ruth Rundle – a new album is due from her before the end of the year, and we couldn’t be more thrilled here at Roadburn HQ. As such a bold and talented artist, it seemed fitting that her new single would commence this week’s crop of new music.

Emma Ruth RundleReturn (Sargent House)

The Body x Big ‡ BraveBlackest Crow (Thrill Jockey)

Greet DeathI Hate Everything (Deathwish Inc.)

Kayo DotGet Out of the Tower (Prophecy Productions)

LLNN x Cryptopsy x Matt McGachyDesecrator (Pelagic Records)

MehenetDona Sete (Gilead Media)

Der Weg einer FreiheitMorgen (Season of Mist)

Maggot HeartZero Hour Day (Rapid Eyee Records)

Cruel WondersMy Anguish (Self-Release)

Shy, LowThe Beacon (Pelagic Records)

Sugar HorsePhill Spector in Hell (Small Pond Records)

Jute GytePentalpha (Adam Kalmbach)


Essential Sounds: 03.09.21

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Today is a Bandcamp Friday, which means that more of the money you spend on music on the platform goes to into the pockets of the bands and labels that you love.

If you want to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:

ZetraPull Me Under (Children of the Vortex)

Perturbator x HealthExcess (Blood Music)

DeathsomniaVoid Oblivion (Isolation Rec.)

Zeal & ArdorBow (Redacted GmbH)

Full of HellReeking Tunnels (Relapse Records)

Portrayal of GuiltPossession (Run For Cover Records)

MØLSerf (Nuclear Blast)

FluisteraarsHet overvleugelen der meute (Eisenwald)

WormwitchCanadian Denim Mountain Attack (Prosthethic Records)

Green LungGraveyard Sun (Svart Records)

Spirit AdriftInvisible Enemey (Century Media)

Hour of 13Within the Pentagram (Self-Release)

Iron MaidenDeath Of The Celts (Parlophone)


EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: The Lovecraft Sextet: De Mysteriis [Musicorum]

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The Lovecraft Sextet marks the long-awaited return of all round multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer Jason Köhnen into the realms of Darkjazz. The forthcoming debut album, ‘In Memoriam’ (out on Denovali Records on September 24), sees Köhnen further explore his unbridled love for cinematic jazz-oriented compositions.

Inspired by death, release and rebirth, ‘In Memoriam’ also incorporates funereal aspects of classical, operatic and Gregorian music, adding tonal depth to his previous work with The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble and The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation.

Today, we’re thrilled to premiere “De Mysteriis [Musicorum], the second single of ‘In Memoriam’, which, like the whole record, also ties in with his first narrative short story that will be part of the album release.


Essential Sounds: 27.08.21

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We’re opening this week’s playlist with the Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” and Trouble’s “Pray For The Dead” in tribute to Charlie Watts and Eric Wagner, and all those who we have lost during these unprecedented times. Let’s stick together, as we all need something to hold onto.

If you want to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:

The Rolling StonesGimme Shelter (ABKCO Music)

TroublePray for the Dead (Hammerheart Records)

VoivodClouds In My House (Geffen Records)

NothingAmber Gambler (Relapse Records)

Platon KarataevPartért kiáltó (Self-Rlease)

The Holy RoadThe Minotuar (Outpost 13 Recordings)

A.A. WilliamsControl (Bella Union)

Marissa NadlerBessie Did You Make It (Bella Union)

LyssaBlood (Self-Release)

Lonnie GunnHammerhead (Fool Moon Party)

Body/Negative, Vinyl WilliamsSong To The Siren (Track Number Records)

Vanishing TwinPhase One Million (Fire Records)

UpupayãmaGreen Cabana (Alessio Ferrari)

LiilaAppa Wú Wéi (Not Not Fun)

Nero KaneAngelene’s Desert (Nasoni Records)

HorteKun joki haihtuu (Pelagic Records)

MonoInnocence (Pelagic Records)

DeafheavenMombasa (Sargent House)


Essential Sounds: 20.08.21

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Let this week’s playlist be the soundtrack to your weekend – whether you’re venturing out, or staying home. As ever we hope you find something new, or are able to reconnect with an old favourite. If you like what you hear, please hit that “heart” button on Spotify – we update the playlist every Friday with new tunes.

If you want to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:

DeafheavenShellstar (Sargent House)

Circuit des YeuxDogma (Matador Records)

Fly Pan AmParkour 2 (Constellation)

HoaxedCandle Master (Relapse Records)

Chat PileBrutal Truth (Self-Release)

Portrayal Of GuiltTouched by an Angel (Self-Release)

SuccumbAither (The Flenser)

Wolves In The Throne RoomThrough Enternal Fields (Century Media)

UlverBounty Hunter (House of Mythology)

Wreck and ReferenceChange (In The House of Flies) (The Flenser)

Alora CrucibleBottomless Madraguda (House of Mythology)

Massimo Pupillo, Gabriele Tinti, Márton CsókásThe Lyre of Blood Will Drive off All Evil (House of Mytholgy)

The Lovecraft SextetFunebre Macabre (Denovali Records)


Essential Sounds: 06.08.21

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This week’s playlist is jam-packed with Roadburn alumni, as well as some up-and-comers who have caught our ear lately. The second half of 2021 is shaping up to be flush with exciting albums exploring heaviness in such a diverse array of ways. Bring it on!

If you want to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:

Full of HellIndustrial Messiah Complex (Relapse Records)

EnslavedCaravans to the Outer Worlds (Nuclear Blast)

Wolves In The Throne RoomPrimal Chasm (Gift of Fire) (Century Media)

WormwitchHammer of the Underworld (Prosthetic Records)

King WomanCoil (Relapse Records)

MølPhotophobic (Nuclear Blast)

Kayo DotVoid in Virgo (Prophecy Productions)

SoenEMDR (Silver Lining Music)

Green LungReaper’s Scynthe (Svart Records)

Hail Spirit NoirThe Monsters (Agonia Records)

DeathsomniaAkinesia (Isolation Rec)

DeafheavenIn Blur (Sargent House)

Slow CrushHush (Church Road Records)

Michael Love Michael, Chelsea WolfeHave (MLM Loves You)

Lingua IgnotaMan Is Like A Spring Flower (Sargent House)


Essential Sounds: 30.07.21

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Opening this week’s playlist with ZZ Top’s classic anthem “Tush” is a fitting tribute to the late Dusty Hill, and also a nod to all of the great, new music that’s out there, too!

If you want to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:

ZZ TopTush (Warner Records)

Jerry CantrellAtone (Self-Release)

HealthylivingUntil (Self-Release)

King WomanCoil (Relapse Records)

ZetraCare (Children of the Vortex)

SculpturedDead Wall Reveries (The End Records)

These Hidden Hands, ZaniasShackles (Hidden Hundred)

Blak SaaganLa Firma del Legionairo Maple Death Records)

MightyhealthyPeppered Jab (Grimey Nobody Records)

Pleasure PlateauCortisol (Self-Release)

The Bug, FlowdanPressure (Ninja Tune)

Tropical Fuck StormNew Romeo Agent (Joyful Noise Recordings)

Angel OlsenSafety Dance (Somethingscosmic)

GrouperUnclean mind (Kranky)

Torment & GloryNo Big Crime (Sargent House)

UnderdarkQeres (Surviving Sounds)

SuccumbOkeanos (The Flenser)

UngravenOnwards She Rides to a Certain Death (Black Bow Records)

SlomaticsMonitors (Black Bow Records)

PapanguBacia das Almas (Self-Release)