occult rock

occult rock
ALUK TODOLO is an instrumental power trio performing Occult Rock since 2004. Their music is a
methodical exploration of the powers of musical trance. Part occult black metal fiend and part snide kraut menace, the
band conjures rabid obsessive rhythms and abyssal disharmonic guitars, subliminal spiritualist vibrations and bizarre,
magick summonings. ALUK TODOLO reduces psychedelic improvisation to a bare, telluric instrumentation, in which
dry, spare percussion grievously mines the scrapes, shrieks and shimmer of mutated guitar and bass. The band’s sound
is monolithic and stabbing, hypnotic but unpredictable, minimalist yet teeming: a dangerous, noxious coil of all things
black.
The name ALUK TODOLO was brought back from a mountainous region of South Sulawesi in Indonesia, it’s an
ancient religion with animist beliefs meaning «the Way of the Ancestors».
The band toured in USA in 2009 and 2012, Southern Europe in May 2010 (France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal),
Northern Europe in April 2011 with MENACE RUINE (France, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark,
Sweden, Czech republik, Switzerland) and Eastern Europe in May 2013 with the one man band LUSSURIA from New
York (Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republik, Poland, Austria, Hungaria, Croatia, Solvenia, Italia, France)
ALUK TODOLO opened for FAUST (German krautrock pioneers) in New York in October 2009.
They have been invited by SUNN O))) to play the Roadburn Festival 2011 in the Tilburg - Netherlands and opened for
them in June 2012.
ALUK TODOLO released 3 full length albums, a 7»ep, a 10»ep, a live tape, a 4 way split LP, and a collaborative album
with der Blutharsch. Their latest double album «Occult Rock» has been released in september 2012 by the cult labels
The Ajna Offensive (US) and Noevdia (FR) ; this opus summarizes and transcends all preceding aspects of the band’s
discography and perfectly reveals the raging energy that leads them on stage. Shantidas Riedacker : Guitar
Shantidas Riedacker : Guitar
Antoine Hadjioannou : Drums
Antoine Hadjioannou : Drums
Matthieu Canaguier : Bass
Matthieu Canaguier : Bass
Contact : Aluk Todolo c/o Riedacker - 2 rue Botzaris - 75019 Paris - France
aluktodolo@amortout.com
amortout.com/aluktodolo
discography
occult rock
ordre
a collaboration
DCD - DLP 2012
The Ajna Offensive - USA
Norma Evangelium Diaboli - France
10ep vinyl 2011
The Ajna Offensive - USA
finsternis
live at the music hall of
williamsburg the first of
october mmix
on the powers of the sphinx
descension
aluk todolo
reedition CD - LP 2013
The Ajna Offensive - USA
Norma Evangelium Diaboli - France
finsternis
CD 2009 - LP 2010
CD on Utech records - USA
LP on Public Guilt - USA
with der blutharsch & the infinite
church of the leading hand
CD-LP 2011
WKN - Austria
Tape 2011
Amortout Productions - France
CD-LP 2007
CD on Public Guilt - USA
LP on Riot Season - UK
4 way split LP 2010 - CD 2013
with Nightbringer, Nihil Nocturne,
Saturnalia Temple
The Ajna Offensive - USA
7ep vinyl 2006
Implied Sound - USA
live shows
Eastern Europe tour with Lussuria - May 2013 - Swamp Booking :
2013-05-26 Geneve - Switzerland - Ecurie De L’ilot
2013-05-25 Grenoble - France - L’amperage - with St Barthelemy’s Temple, Satan & Blacklodge
2013-05-24 Vittorio Veneto - Italy - Bianconiglio
2013-05-23 Ljubjana - Slovenia - Gromka
2013-05-22 Zagreb - Croatia - Kset
2013-05-21 Budapest - Hungary - Trafik Klub - with Scivias
2013-05-20 Vienna - Austria - Arena
2013-05-19 Krakow - Poland - Kawiarnia Naukowa - with Entropia, Thaw & Outre
2013-05-18 Praha - Czech Republik - K4
2013-05-17 Utrecht - Netherlands - DB’s - with Nadja & Vampillia
2013-05-16 Kortrijk - Belgium - The Pit’s
2013-05-15 Bruxelles - Belgium - DNA
2013-05-14 Antwerpen - Belgium - Kavka - with Grown Below
2012-12-08 Paris - Saint Ouen - Mains d’Oeuvres - Festival Arrache-toi un oeil
2012-12-01 Rennes - France - Le Terminus - with Stephen O’ Malley
2012-11-30 Nantes - France - Le Lieu Unique - with Stephen O’ Malley
United States Of America shows - September 2012 - Wonder Booking :
2012-09-23 Tahoe National Forest, CA - USA - Stella Natura Festival - with Blood Axis, Sabbath Assembly...
2012-09-20 Chicago, IL - USA - Ultra Lounge - with Lord Mantis & Murmur
2012-09-19 Brooklyn, NY - USA - Saint Vitus bar - with Lussuria & Villains
2012-09-14 Colmar - France - Le Grillen - Colmar festival de Jazz Off - with Christian Vander ...
European Support for Sunn O))) - June 2012 - Odyssey Booking :
2012-06-16 Paris - France - La Gâité Lyrique - with SUNN O)))
2012-06-15 Hoboken - Belgium - Fort8 - with SUNN O)))
2012-06-14 Amsterdam - Netherlands - Milkweg - with SUNN O)))
2012-03-17 Utrecht - The Netherlands - DB’s - with Bunkur & Lebensessenz
2012-03-16 Ghent - Belgium - The Frontline - with Bunkur
2012-03-15 Brussels - Belgium - Magasin 4 - with Der Blutharsch, Deutsch Nepal & Bain Wolfkind
Northern Europe shows - October 2011 :
2011-10-30 Tallinn - Estonia - Von Krahl Bar with Edasi
2011-10-29 Helsinki - Finland - Korjaamo - Mega Therion Festival (headlining)
2011-10-28 Durbe - Latvia - Zemlika Festival (headlining)
2011-10-27 Brussels - Belgium - LR6 - with Aksu
2011-10-20 Paris - France - La Miroiterie with Huata & Monarch !
2011-10-11 Lyon - France - Le Buffet Froid with Stephen O’ Malley
2011-10-13 Martigny - Switzerland - Les Caves du Manoir with Stephen O’ Malley
2011-09-10 Speyer, Germany, Halle 101, The Sinister Howling Festival with Bethlehem (headlining)
Northern Europe tour with Menace Ruine - April 2011 - Conspiracy Booking :
2011-04-25 Lyon, France- Grrrnd Zero
2011-04-24 Bern, Switzerland - Rössli Dachstock with Herpes Ö Deluxe
2011-04-23 Praha, Czech Republic - K4
2011-04-22 Berlin, Germany, White Trash
2011-04-20 Malmo, Sweden, Singsang Studio
2011-04-18 Gothenburg, Sweden - Nefertiti with Sabbath Assembly & Earth
2011-04-17 Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen
2011-04-16 Leipzig, Germany - UT Connewitz
2011-04-15 Tilburg, The Netherlands - 013 venue, Roadburn Festival (Sunn O))) curated’s day)
2011-04-14 Brussels, Belgium - Magasin 4 with White Hills
2011-04-13 London, England - The Borderline with Year of No Light
2011-04-12 Paris, France - Le Point Ephémère with Year of No Light
2011-02-19 Paris, Bagnolet, France - Le Pixi with Lugubrum
Southern Europe tour - May 2010 - Gure Hitzak Booking :
2010-05-24 Le Mans, France - La Péniche Excelsior (Allonnes) with Saunterer, Vegemite & Carnalisme
2010-05-23 Bordeaux, France - Hold’em Saloon with Tormenta
2010-05-22 San Sebastian, Spain - Mogambo with Las Sfintters, Los Sfinters & Los Taikonauts
2010-05-21 Gijon, Spain - Savoy Club
2010-05-20 Braga, Portugal - Insólito with Altodêpega
2010-05-19 Porto, Portugal - Fábrica de Som with Eugène Robinson
2010-05-18 Madrid, Spain - La Boite Live with Scumearth vs Dorje & Under Vultures
2010-05-17 Alicante, Spain - Bar Coyote
2010-05-16 Sant Feliu de Codines, Spain - La Fonteta Civic Center with QA’A
2010-05-15 Marseille, France - L’embobineuse with Mein Sohn William & Kill The Thrill
2010-05-14 Lyon, France - Grand Guignol
2010-05-13 Grenoble, France - Le Champollion
2010-05-12 Genève, Switzerland - La Cave 12
2009-10-22 Paris, France – Point Ephémère with Lawrence Wasser & Sister Iodine
East Coast tour - Fall 2009 :
2009-10-04 Brooklyn, USA – Union Pool with Malkuth, Castevet & Woe
2009-10-03 New York, USA – Lit Lounge with The Psychic Paramount
2009-10-02 New York, USA – Fortune Cookie with Lussuria, Sentient & Radiation Blackbody
2009-10-01 Brooklyn, USA – Music Hall of Williamsburg (WFMU Festival) with Cold Cave & Faust
2009-09-30 Baltimore, USA – The Golden West Café with Lussuria & Darsombra
2009-09-29 Richmond, USA – God’s Haus with Lussuria & Cave Caverns
2009-09-28 Philadelphia, USA – Danger Danger Gallery with Lussuria & Bee Mask
2009-09-27 Brooklyn, USA – Secret Project Robot Basement with Baron von Wüste & White Hills
2009-09-20 Tilburg, The Netherlands – Little Devil - Incubate (zxzw) festival
2009-09-05 Nancy, France – Bar L’Alhambra with Givdøl & Habsyll
2009-09-04 Paris, Bagnolet, France – Le Pixi (Bagnolet) with Habsyll
2009-05-30 Rotterdam, The Netherlands – Worm with The Psychic Paramount
2009-05-23 Le Mans, France – Péniche Excelsior with Monno
2008-09-19 Bruxelles, Belgium – Le Bunker with Silvester Anfang
2008-05-17 Barreiro, Portugal – Out.Fest with David Maranha, Mike Flower, Chris Corsano...
2008-05-08 Utrecht, The Netherlands – Impakt festival with Alkerdeel & Magic Markers
2007-09-21 Paris, France – Point Ephémère Sessions Magnetiques with Träd Gräs Och Stenar, Psychic Ills
2007-08-03 Paris, France –La Miroiterie live collaboration with Andy Bolus (Evil Moisture)
2005-07-10 Grenoble, France – La Boum with Lucio Fulci films
2004-06-21 Grenoble, France – Rue des Clercs
2004-05-28 Grenoble, France – Le Crocoleus with Zool Arben & Moon Sheep
2004-05-05 Grenoble, France – Ecole d’architecture
2004-04-03 Grenoble, France – Le Crocoleus with Into The Yaya, Breaker of Civilisation & Michell Sardou
press reviews
aluk todolo : occult rock - 2012
“ Over the course of three albums and a few split releases, French instrumental avant rock trio Aluk Todolo (who take
their name from an Indonesian animist belief system translating as way of the ancestors) have carved out a unique space
for themselves. Their last release, 2009’s Finsternis, was a Faust­ian journey, the relentless, minimalist rhythm rocksteady through five tracks even as the guitar ventured into psychedeiia, Noise and Metal by turns. But Occult Rock is
their most expansive work to date, in every sense.
A double disc, as long as Finsternis and its predecessor Descension put together, Occult Rock is an eig ht-track suite that
combines all the elements featured on the other two records; but there has been technical improvement (they’re better
players) as well as some fairly radical evolution on the compositional front. It begins withjackhammer Black Metal,
but later tracks feature the repetitive drum patterns of Can, topped with screaming, stormcloud guitar worthy of Keiji
Haino. The group members seem to possess an almost intuitive interplay, speeding up and slowing down repeatedly
throughout the tracks (only one of which is less than ten minutes long) without ever losing each other or sounding
rehearsed. Their music, at least on this release, has the ritualistic power of prime mid-1990s Fushitsusha, with the infinitely patient, inexorable momentum of trance-oriented groups like SubArachnoid Space or Bardo Pond. At times, they
explore a more overtly Metallic type of heaviness. The final track is a nearly 12 minute Doom excursion somewhere
between Electric Wizard’s Dopethrone and Naked City’s monolithic Leng T’che. But each of Occult Rock’s eight movements is as rewarding individually as the album as a whole. This is one of the most impressive works of psychedelic
music anyone has made in years.” - The Wire
aluk todolo : ordre - 2011
“ Leave it to the always-swank Ajna Offensive to bring us just what the world needed right now -- namely, new occult
hypno-skronk from the mysterious and brilliant Aluk Todolo. In this case, though, «new» is not quite the correct term,
since this is actually a track recorded around the time of the material that appeared on their first full-length, DESCENSION, appearing here split into two parts to suit the vinyl format. It’s very much in the vein of that album’s sound, too;
plodding drums shuffle along in simple but cryptic rhythms as wooly bass oozes out of the speakers in near-ambient
fashion and the guitars make strange buzzing noises, only to coalesce in a marching black metal sound disfigured by
more sawblade buzzing and other strange bursts of sonic otherworldliness. Flip the disc over -- and this is high-quality
vinyl, by the way -- and the track just gets noisier and more psychotic, triangulating an unnerving signal between the
points of black metal, ritual occultism, and flat-out noise. Eventually the madness fades away into a disappearing tornado of howling guitar that turns into a buzzing drone over the simplest beat ever (and I mean that in a good way). The
band already has a sterling reputation for combining elements of black metal, ritual music, mutant prog rock, and noise
into something diabolically occult and beautifully sinister; this only adds to the legend. As with all their other releases,
the packaging matches the music by being simple yet striking, with a heavy occult vibe. You need this, and it’s almost
certainly limited to some absurdly small run, so you shouldn’t dally in acquiring it.” - The one true dead angel
aluk todolo + der blutharsch and the infinite church of the leading hand : a collaboration - 2011
“ Here we have a collaboration of two projects that in their own worlds, simply lead the pack. Putting them together
could either end in complete despair or triumphant brilliance. Well, lucky for me (and you) this pairing of occult mastery
has lead to something strange, unique and singularly outstanding. For those who do not know; Der Blutharsch have been
creating martial industrial/psych-rock explosions for the better half of fifteen years. Aluk Todolo is well-known for their
kraut rock inspired psychedelic blackened noise. Put them together and you have something not only good for meditation, but also a bad acid trip. Tribal drones, militaristic percussion, synapse melting noise, epic synth and psychedelic
freakouts are scattered throughout this record. One moment is calm and tranquil, while the next is scathing enough to
cause panic attacks. The occult ambiance of this record is incredibly profound, there is a dark cloud of DMT and the
Magic of Ma’at that follows each track, creating a truly suffocating aura. Needless to say, this album is outstanding. A
collaboration that works tenfold to create something unique, profound, calming and terrifying, all at the same time. If
you want something for late nights, bad dreams, occult rituals, meditative journeys or psychedelic excursions, you have
found your match. Let the Infinite Church of the Leading Hand bring you to the edge of sanity and back, unless you
choose to stay towards the edge...” - The Inarguable
aluk todolo : live at the music hall of williamsburg the first of october mmix - 2011
“ I’ve always heard these guys are better live, and even though I generally liked them to begin with, after hearing this
live recording I think I may see where they’re coming from. As far as I can tell, the first two tracks on here are new,
and a good bit more aggressive than most of their back catalog, the third track is Woodchurch from the Descension LP.
The first two tracks, Sheol and March, are wailing sonsabitches that employ everything you could love about this band
into a hypnotic whirlwind of driving, drugged-out, black psychedelia that will, no doubt, have you snatching up any
ticket you can find the minute you hear of their impending presence of your general location.” - The Celestial Manifest
aluk todolo : finsternis - 2009
“[...]considering they’re a three piece, a power trio, drums, guitar, bass. Nothing else, no synths, no strings, just the basic
rock band instruments. It’s testament to the power these three wield, that they can do so much with so little. Or more
accurately, so little with so little. As the music of Aluk Todolo, is disarmingly simple, subtle and minimal, but in its minimalism, lies its power. The power of rhythm, of texture, of mood, these five long pieces are so evocative, so expressive
and strangely emotional. Even at its most spare and skeletal, the sound is palpable, almost a physical presence, which is
surprising again considering just how stripped down Finsternis actually is. […] like Descension, Finsternis is an intense
and emotional journey through sound, a haunting and hard to describe exploration of rhythm, mood and texture, a slow
shifting otherworld defined by This Heat, Geronimo, Laddio Bolocko, Can, Faust, accessible only via the three shadowy
figures that make up Aluk Todolo, whose magic and mystery has been rendered in these glorious black rhythms. Housed
in a multi panel jacket with super striking original artwork by Stephen Kasner, on the always impressive Utech label.
[...]” - Aquarius Records (Record of the Week: June 5th, 2009)
Somehow managing to simultaneously cover krautrock, black metal, noise, and post-rock, this trio’s second full length
album is somewhat of a departure from the largely drone oriented URSK series on Utech, yet keeps enough of that
ethos and ambience to not seem out of place, but stands out as a more metallic shard amidst the warm murkiness. […]
While the black metal scene is thought of as being entrenched in its preference for flat percussion and simple musical
structures that always take a backseat to an illegible logo or incantations to various demons and deities, here the best
elements of it (dissonant, yet somewhat musical noise) are married to a sharp rhythm section that feels so much more
than just frustrated Norwegian teenagers with a four track. It’s a complex combination that can be studied as well as
headbanged to. ” - Brainwashed
aluk todolo : descension - 2007
“ Having Aluk Todolo’s Descension in your CD collection is like having to choose between the proverbial red pill and a load of
blue pills. Take the blue pill (or: any other CD) and you’re back in safe territory. But, let the damned curiosity prevail, go on, choose
the red one that’s been beckoning you and tickling your imagination — and face the consequences. You’ll need strong constitution
and considerable mental stability, but even then, who knows where or in what state you’ll end up. There’ll be some damage to your
system; but the stronger you are, the smaller the amount of it will be.” - Maelstrom
aluk todolo : first 7ep - 2006
“ Holy fuck, this record is amazing! Ominous krautrock rhythms over Einsterzende style industrial clatter, some lost seventies
psych rock holy grail channeled through modern post rock. Dreamy and dark and mesmerizing. Hypnotic guitar lines and simple
shuffling rhythms that build into clattery propulsive jams, all clanging angular riffs and dense tangled drumming. VERY This Heat
like, and reminiscent of the late great Laddio Bolocko. Some sort of dangerous and mysterious postrock / krautrock hybrid, lo-fi
but thick and dense and amazingly heavy.” - Aquarius Records