Playlist by Antti Klemi
Here you have one view to the origins of CIRCLE OF OUROBORUS. It's impossible to say what the other half Rauta would say for himself, but I guess he would accept at least a few of these ten bands.
When people describe our music, usually they say it's a mix of black metal and "something else". Well, this playlist is also a mix of black metal and "something else", although the black metal side is already "something else" in my opinion: all these bands have their own vision and touch, and therefore the main thing isn't the genre but the originality and the pureness of their creations. This is a collection of the old ones, the new ones and something between, and this list can change from day to day - another allusion to the never-ending destruction and creation of ouroborus, eh?
Antti originally compiled this list for us in May 2009
Playlist
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A predictable start? Maybe, but it's impossible to hide this band's influence on us. We made a "She's Lost Control" cover for our Shores album, and we haven't regretted that decision a bit. The hollowness of this band is unique, and this song has also been nicely covered by NINE INCH NAILS.
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I have always had a soft spot in my heart for black metal bands with a different vocal approach, and ALCEST is one of those bands. This Le Secret track combines rawness and dreaminess perfectly.
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Another unique band what comes to vocals - and for about everything else also! The split album between URFAUST and CIRCLE OF OUROBORUS was a start of a strong friendship, and I'm always hypnotically amazed and impressed when this duo makes its magic - be it opinions, live rituals or the music itself.
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I don't care much of the actual band, but this song has drilled its way to my brain. Again very hollow and laconic atmosphere and the play between just few elements works very naturally and easily. Dangerous and depressed.
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There can't be a COO list without C93. David Tibet has charmed me with his apocalyptic neo-folk years before CIRCLE OF OUROBORUS, and it was interesting to see how step by step these acoustic elements took space in our music. All the Pretty Little Horses is maybe one of the albums in my personal top-5 with its diversity, and here you have one of those catchier and looser tracks from that album.
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I just listened to FRAIL's Brilliant Darkness demo tape and I'm more and more satisfied that there will be a split release with them. If CIRCLE OF OUROBORUS is described as "post-punk black metal", I can't wonder what FRAIL would be named! This band can create music that is raw and mellow same time.
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And then a black metal classic. I'm just sipping whiskey and listening to As the Wolves Gather and it all flows: the natural drums, these smooth riffs and melodies, the screams and growls. Another example how diverse and multileveled Norse black metal was even in the beginning of the 90ies.
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And then something different. I guess nobody knows this artist outside of Finland but now is your chance. Joose Keskitalo creates very harsh ballads, dirty blues and that famous "something else". Songs can be tender but they can tell stories about cannibalism same time like this song. A real lo-fi genius.
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If there's one single song which has influenced on the birth of CIRCLE OF OUROBORUS, it's this song. Although LIK's debut is already sterling steel material from the start to the end, this ghastly anthem against mankind really stands up from the other songs.
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And I end my journey to home. Vesa-Matti Loiri is a Finnish singer / actor who made four albums full of musical adaptions of Eino Leino's poems in the 80ies and these songs can be heard as proto neo-folk - or just songs of sorrow, yearning and regret. Like a Finnish state of mind.
