Kurgan Compass™

Weekly Roundup: Heldom, DROTT, HULKOFF, and more

September 26, 2021 — The last couple of weeks have barely seen any neofolk releases at all. This week, however, things seem to have kicked into gear again as the colder weather of the Northern hemisphere sinks its teeth into daily life. A blend of neofolk and wolf-like metal round out a busy seven days, providing listeners with stirring sounds of bygone eras.

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Video Games Weekly:
Demons, Disciples, High Seas

September 25, 2021 — We are approaching that time of year when it is all about the holidays — hence news trickles out at a slower pace than usual. Thankfully, developers are still serving up cooked gamer meat which this week has resulted in a trio of rather notable titles. As we aim for quality over quantity, only games fitting the Kurgan ethos have been included.

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Album Review:
Alien Weaponry — ‘Tangaroa’

September 21, 2021 — When Alien Weaponry emerged in 2018 they represented an immensely exciting new prospect in heavy metal. The band consists of singer and guitarist Lewis de Jong, drummer Henry de Jong, and bassist Tūranga-Morgan-Edmonds — their debut record Tū being a bold statement of personal and cultural identity centered around the trio’s heritage in New Zealand’s Māori culture.

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Video Games Weekly:
‘God of War’ Shown, Etc.

September 19, 2021 — As we near the year’s end and the warm airs of summer give way to chilled autumn breezes, video game developers are either prepping for their fourth-quarter releases or gearing up for a busy 2022. This installment of our weekly roundup showcases the most mystical and fantastical of what is currently being crafting behind closed doors. From glimpses at top AAA titles to indie launches, there is much to unravel.

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Alina Gingertail’s ‘King’s Bounty II’ Collaboration

September 18, 2021 — Following last month’s release of King’s Bounty II, Kurgan Compass™ wanted to highlight one of the game’s most outstanding features, namely its soundtrack. Specifically, the first piece of its musical encapsulation — ‘Greflet’s Song’. Before we jump into the melodies that join Kurgan’s quest to inform of the future of neofolk, let us head back in time — to the earliest days of King’s Bounty.

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Metallica Celebrates 30 Years of ‘The Black Album’

September 17, 2021 —  It is infrequent that you hear Weezer and Metallica in the same sentence. Maybe even less so that Miley Cyrus’ name gets thrown into the mix. Yet the September 10 release of Metallica’s The Metallica Blacklist brought together a collaboration of artists from all across the spectrum.

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Weekly Roundup:
Bjørnson/Selvik, SYR, Fenris

September 5, 2021 — For those in a dark and mysterious mood, perhaps longing for a little fantasy, this week’s roundup of neofolk releases delivers. It has not been a hefty week for Kurgan Compass’ roundup, but it does not have to be when the material released is the kind that latches on and stick.

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Video Games Weekly:
‘Song of Iron’ and More

September 4, 2021 — Though this week’s releases are a bit light as much bigger months loom ahead, there are still more than enough for game players and fans of murkier moods to celebrate. Let us dive right into September’s first edition of Video Games Weekly!

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ALBUM REVIEW:
OSI AND THE JUPITER — ‘STAVE‘

September 2, 2021 — Osi’s new album Stave aptly is not only inspired by the Appalachian mountains but also draws inspiration from “spell staves” — so-called “galdrastafir” in the Old Norse language, geometric sigils usually carved on wood for practicing “white hat” nature magic in medieval Iceland.

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Epic August:
Top Three Game Trailers

August 31, 2021 — What is the best part of a new video game reveal or new content? Well, that all depends on how good the accompanying trailer is. Typically cinematic and offering very little gameplay footage, these trailers are intended to fuel the hype train. FULL STORY »



Video Games Weekly:
Nine New Notables

August 29, 2021 — It is time for another week of dark and atmospheric games for players to enjoy, and there is plenty to choose from, no matter what platforms they prefer. Whereas one title invites players to explore Egyptian history, another blends the entertainment of gaming with a heavy metal experience rendered in gorgeous pixel style.

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Foresaga, Osi and the Jupiter, HULKOFF

August 28, 2021 — Kurgan Compass prides itself on revealing the newest, most exhilarating music discoveries rooted in ancient myth, dark mystery, and unknown history. This week, we touch upon the new album Stave by US neofolk masters Osi and the Jupiter, the ferocious latest record from Swedish Viking metallers Thyrfing, and more.

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Single Release:
HULKOFF — ‘To Valhalla’

August 27, 2021 — Swedish metal artist HULKOFF has debuted new single ‘To Valhalla’ — in two languages — ahead of the October release for his third LP, Ragnarök. As with his previous releases, tracks are released in Swedish and English respectively — with both iterations losing nothing in translation, as groove, rhyme, and power of intent remain strong.

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Album Review:
Fornsken — ‘Galder Jag Kväda Kan’

August 26, 2021 — Founded (and masterminded) by Swedish musician Andreas Axelsson (presumably no relation to the ex-Marduk and Edge of Sanity musician of the same name), his project’s latest album Galder Jag Kväda Kan represents the final part of a trilogy two years in the making, exploring Nordic culture and music.

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Weekly Roundup: Fornsken, Kati Rán, Anilah, and more

August 21, 2021 — Here at Kurgan Compass™ we endeavor to bring you the best of myth-driven and otherworldly music, be that neofolk, dark ambient, or folk metal. This week we turn our ears towards new tracks from Darkher, Anilah, Fornsken, Hindarfjäll, and a new undertaking for Dutch-Frisian neofolk solo artist Kati Rán. FULL STORY »


Livestream Look:
NYTT LAND — ‘RITUAL’

August 20, 2021 — While the wedge of isolation has long continued to separate artists and audiences, it is time once again to indulge in the ritual of live music; that innately tribal experience of connection through the power of sound between the skalds and the tribesmen. The hotly anticipated live show for ‘Ritual’ by Shamano-Norse folk outfit NYTT LAND delivers.

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Receive a weekly summary from Kurgan Compass every Saturday.




Receive a weekly summary from Kurgan Compass every Saturday.