New Dark Ages

The Sound - From The Lions Mouth [IF 03 USA 2012 24-Bit FLAC]

Originally released on Korova Records (KODE 5) in the United Kingdom in 1981.

I think that it remains a travesty that From The Lions Mouth remains unavailable. The original album was released on Korvova Records via WEA (Warners) in the UK back in 1981, never to be repressed except for a very limited run on US label 1972 Records - who ironically are distributed by Warners US division of Rhino Records. Hats off to 1972 Records and those responsible for mastering this very limited repress - these ten classic tracks have likely never sounded so damn good.

Adrian Borland never received the accolades he deserved for his songwriting ability, his lyrics were filled with anger, anxiety and pain, yet there was a beauty in them which the remaining members managed to wrap up in melancholic melodies. Silent Air is one of the best sad songs ever written, the powerful Winning is really a tale of desperation, suicidal thoughts and conquering depression. These issues are again echoed on a version of the single, Sense Of Purpose. It becomes clear to us all where Borland's mind was back in the early eighties. Next, the pounding Skeletons is followed by the synth washed Judgement, and the bunnymen'esque The Fire (who were also label mates). New Dark Age heralds a move from new wave to goth wave and closes out the proceedings.

A1 Winning
A2 Sense Of Purpose
A3 Contact The Fact
A4 Skeletons
A5 Judgement
B1 Fatal Flaw
B2 Possession
B3 The Fire
B4 Silent Air
B5 New Dark Age

Now a little technical stuff ...I didn't record this record at a higher volume than usual, the maximum levels remain around the -1.75db to -2.5db levels, however when you examine the RMS average power levels, these are in the -16.5db to -17.5db field which positions them about 2.0db louder than most other album rips. I prefer to balance the average RMS power per channel these days rather than normalisation. Perhaps there has been some extra mastering added into the process by the label, which when combined with an MC cartridge gives the music extra punch -  I'd love to compare this to an original Korova pressing, which I recall was on flimsy vinyl. This version is mastered onto a thick, clean vinyl platter, there is no mention of 180gm on the usual sources plus there is only a little vinyl noise (hardly noticeable unless you are using headphones). Here are some nice techey images for those who like to analyse such things.... 

...if you've got this far down the post, well done!