I'm installing Windows 8...

Despite having watched the video by Brian Boyko (below), and having read several negative reviews about the user-unfriendliness of Windows 8 Pro, I am currently installing it on my PC after the hard drive died on 21 December 2012. 

I'll let you know what I think about it once it's finished installing.

First single off Welcome Oblivion

How to Destroy Angels have released the video for the first single off their first full-length album, which is set for release on 5 March. The track is entitled How long? (the answer to which is 35 days), is one of the few How to Destroy Angels songs in which vocalist, Mariqueen Maandig-Reznor actually sings, instead of whispering breathlessly over her husband, Trent Reznor, and his long standing partner in crime, Atticus Ross', menacing and intricate soundscapes. 

This is a much welcomed relief, and as a result, How long? is my favourite 'non-instrumental' song by the group to date. Hopefully more of the as yet unheard tracks on Welcome Oblivion will be more like this, as opposed to sounding like the songs offered on An Omen EP. Several songs from the An Omen EP will also be featured on the full-length album.

Welcome Oblivion will be available for pre order from the middle of February in digital, CD, and vinyl formats.

Free download of Goldfish's new single

Cape Town duo, Goldfish have made their new single Take back tomorrow available for free download via their Facebook page until Friday 1 February. Goldfish is South Africa's the hottest music export in recent years, as they took the global club scene by storm with their infectious, jazz-inspired tunes.

Take back tomorrow is the first single off the group's fourth studio album, set for release later this year. There will be a world tour to coincide with the album release, for which details may be found here.

That Night in Williamsburg

Rob Sheridan (Nine Inch Nails, How to Destroy Angels) shared the following video by Supralude, entitled "One Night in Williamsburg" via Twitter. The video features a remix by Near Deaf Experience of Nine Inch Nails' 21 Ghosts III, off the instrumental/ experimental album Ghosts I-IV.

The short video features the two Brooklyn buildings lighting up like two enormous graphic equalisers to the beat of Near Deaf Experience's excellent remix. I'm to scratch around a bit on the internet to see if I can find a site to download the remix.

TNIW [That Night In Williamsburg] from Supralude on Vimeo.

Owl Vision remixes The XX's 'Reunion'

Swedish producer Johannes Arnesson, using the moniker Owl Vision, has released his remix of The XX's single, Reunion for free download. You can listen and download it below.

Xpogo - New York City

Amazed.

How to Destroy Angels close the loop

The latest video from How to Destroy Angels is for the track The loop closes of their An Omen EP. This is my favourite track from the EP. The video is really fitting too, featuring plenty of glitchy sequences of what I'm assuming are CRT monitors. 

According to HTDA's social media posts, their first full length LP, Welcome Oblivion is set for release on 5 March 2013. Hear's hoping it features a few more tracks in a similar style to that of The loop closes.

Here's a bonus remix of the Ice age by Deadmau5. Once again, I prefer the remix over the original track.

Two weeks till release of Wolf's Law

Link

Serving the Queen

Source: Buttersafe

More on bees here.

Kidofdoom awakens to release music for free

Kidofdoom is a local band, that has been largely off the radar for the last few years. They describe their music as 'deep space champion pop,' which pretty much sums up their sound. I last saw them perform in 2009 for the launch of their album 'My Faith in War' at a venue that has subsequently closed down.

I have fond memories of that night. I couldn't convince any of my friends to come with me. They were all put off by the fact that the band had 'doom,' and didn't think they would enjoy the music. After a little deliberation, I decided to go alone. I forget who the opening band was, or if there even was one. I was too busy indulging in double brandy and cokes. While standing on my own a fellow student approached me asking for 10c so that he could make up a Rand to put into the foosball table. I didn't have 10c, but I saw what he was up to and gave him R2 and said have a game on me. He said thanks, and then invited me to play as there were three of them, and if I joined we could have a game of doubles.

Several games later, and after a few more double brandies, Kidofdoom started to play. I moved closer to the stage and watched spell bound for the duration of their set. Kidofdoom tore through renditions of various tracks from both their albums. I was so engulfed in the music that I can't tell you how long they played for, but what I do remember is that the band was sweating from the excursion they had put into their performance. The effort was reciprocated by the crowd, as we were all drenched in sweat too.

Kidofdoom played their last song, put down their instruments, and to my disappointment went off stage. My disappointment was short lived however, as after a short interval the air was once again filled with music, this time by Haezer, who at the time was still a largely unknown act.

I remember jamming with my foosball colleagues for a bit, and then on my own. It was then that I was approached by Kidofdoom's drummer, who had smile on his face, and an outstretched arm. In his hand he had a copy of Kidofdoom's new album. He gave it to me. I was too taken aback, and or drunk, at the time to think of asking the band to sign the album. That's probably enough reminiscing for today.

What spurred on those fantastic memories was a post on Kidofdoom's Facebook page announcing that all of their music is available for free download. These will be limited to 100 downloads per track, so be quick. I'm really hoping that the recent increase of activity means that there are some future performances by the group on the cards, although a new track or two would be just as exciting.

Here's a neat remix of Kidofdoom's Gotham City by Haezer:

Futuristic South African beats, courtesy of Sibot

Local DJ and hip-hop genius, Sibot has kicked of the new year by releasing a 3-track EP of futuristic hip-hop beats. Magnet Jam can be downloaded here for free. As you can see from the thumbnail below, the EP cover depicts some nudity, so be cautious if you're downloading this on a work/ school computer or in a public place.

Mad Decent wrote the following about the release:

Africa is a hub for some of the most out there Hip-Hop and Sibot has been a huge staple in the scene. From doing projects with Ninja (Die Antwoord) to Spoek mathabo and others to winning the SA Battle Championships in 2002 he's done it all. Now see's his first jeffree with is a packed release with weird but catchy futuristic beats from the beathead genius. The title track "Magnet Jam" and "No Question" sound like Q-bert's "Wave Twisters" for a new generation, weird spacey reverse suction beats for droids and punk robots. The final track is like a lost tune from an unheard cantina band from Star Wars, its like future funk for midget aliens that dance on the bar tops for bit coins. This said Sibot has clearly lost his mind, these are sounds you've never heard before that make you dance in unthought of ways.

I'm really hoping to catch Sibot performing live at one of the local festivals this year.

1:72 Gripen C from Revell (New tool)

Model enthusiasts with an interest in South African (and Swedish, Czech, Hungarian and Thai) subjects are going to be spoilt for choice this year. In addition to the several future releases from Airfix, Revell have announced that they will be releasing a new-tool, 1:72 SAAB JAS 39 Gripen C in November.

To date all 1:72 Gripens available have been produced from the ageing Italeri moulds. While the details are not bad, the Italeri-based moulds are only suitable for recreating the earlier Gripen A variant. A recent reboxing of the single seater kit has simply been labelled as JAS 39 Gripen C, although all four decal options represent Gripen Cs.

I own one of the original Italeri Gripens, and I am looking forward to adding one of Revell's new offerings to my collection too. I'm hoping that the kit comes with a good selection of decal options, in particular options for a South African or Thai subject would be great.