Johannes Josef von Engelstadt
Great new compilation from Left/Folk and A Blaze Ansuz showcasing some fresh new talent on the Neofolk scene, with a message of liberation that shows that Neofolk music is not the exclusive province of any one ideology.
Favorite track: Palantir.
We meet again, somewhere between resignation and revolution, with aural gifts to pass the time. Today’s offering is a collection of songs that reflect on themes of justice and vengeance, their interwoven narratives, and the aftermath of retribution. We hope you enjoy. This compilation would not be possible without the efforts of many individuals across the planet, so we would like to give thanks.
First, we would like to thank A Blaze Ansuz for their efforts in curating this compilation, their persistent dedication to building a new musical path, and their endless support. We would like to thank the artists who contributed to this work, especially those who reached out to us of their own volition, who have taken the initiative to build and express their art and share it with this growing community. We would like to thank everyone who has donated to, purchased, and shared our material, allowing us to continue to merge creativity and service in this ongoing project to cultivate alternate cultural spaces in the present and future.
We would like to thank all political activists across occupied territories who are fighting for the dignity and sovereignty of their people, in opposition to colonial and imperialist forces who seek to blend us all into a capitalist hegemon by erasure of our indigenous cultures and histories. We thank everyone fighting against state repression, and everyone fighting to push against tyrants of all stripes.
As usual, we are living in tumultuous times, walking slowly towards inevitable ecological, social, and economic collapse. It is our imperative to forge bonds grounded in solidarity and cooperation amongst various communities across the planet. We must think locally as well, building community, preparing for the possibility/probability of very horrible things happening within our lifetime. Part of building communities is reconciling and healing the wounds of past atrocity by any means possible, which is why all donations from this compilation will be directed towards the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
The IRSSS is a provincial organization with a twenty-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors. Founded in 1994, they actively provide essential services to Residential School Survivors, their families, and those dealing with Intergenerational traumas.
It truly is up to us to defend, heal, and uplift one another. We cannot survive or evolve as a society, as a people, without cooperation and solidarity. LEFT/FOLK is here to help provide the soundtrack to this directive, music that is energetically and spiritually aligned to this desire for great liberation of all peoples.
We are all we have. Let us reap vengeance and justice together!
-L/F 161
credits
released March 4, 2022
HAUNTING GROUNDS: Songs of Justice and Vengeance is presented by A Blaze Ansuz in cooperation with The Left/Folk Collective
Text Preparation: L. Oak
Audio Preparation: Al D at Thee Be Colony
Visual Preparation: J. Nada & D. Wyrmr
Curation: A Blaze Ansuz & The Left/Folk Collective
supported by 16 fans who also own “Haunting Grounds”
What an absolutely beautiful album! This is what black metal really leads to; beautiful and powerful expressions of anger, mourning, and joy that lead to real change for those suffering! I can’t say enough good things about this album! The huge range of genres is incredible as well! deathmoth829
The Oakland singer's latest album imagines the power struggle between man and nature as a slow, steady tempest of dark folk. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 20, 2019
supported by 11 fans who also own “Haunting Grounds”
What an impressive piece of black metal. This one-man hurricane is pure art. Sgah‘gahsowáh creates an haunting atmosphere. He puts so much soul in his music. Sælzer Bub