Human Figures – Open Window LP [RWCLTR025]

That true beauty lies in the essentiality and meticulous combination of a few elements is sometimes not just a cliché. The delicate blend of Roland CR-78, acoustic guitar and dissonant organs that intertwine in ‘Open Windows’ is a vivid demonstration of this. It is these few elements, now distant and hinted at and now close and deafening, that paint the backdrop of melancholic nostalgia where laconic whispers move the listener within the paintings that bear the sonic signature of Human Figures, the project of Daniel Lewis known also as Daniel Holt. In the 8 canvases of Open Windows the folk tradition is repainted in a more contemporary guise: the sweet and sad litanies are alternated with fast and frenetic stornelli in which the combination of tradition and experimentation constitutes the stylistic signature. The open window through which the listener has the opportunity to look out in this album does not, however, give onto a natural external panorama. It projects into an inner world where introspection and silence are the only chance to grasp its sublime beauty.

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Human Figures – Open Window LP [RWCLTR025]

The Recluse – Decomposition – Fig. 22

Beyond the realm of music, a pivotal chapter has unfolded in The Recluse’s journey. Facing the necessity of surgery for an inguinal hernia, the artist, hailing from the demanding manual labor sector, anticipates a hiatus from work. Devoid of paid time off, sick leave, or health insurance, the artist humbly seeks support to ensure the continuity of essential expenses during this challenging period. Your assistance could make a significant impact. Extend your support through this critical phase by visiting: gofund.me/5bcf3198

The Recluse – Decomposition – Fig. 22

The Recluse – Meta Moto Podcast MMP114

Diving into the intricate realms of sound, The Recluse emerges as a pseudonym employed by the ingenious creator steering the helm of the post-punk/wave masterpiece, Human Figures. This multifaceted artist’s journey extends beyond, leaving an indelible mark through past musical endeavours as Daniel Holt and Death Posture.

Beyond the realm of music, a pivotal chapter has unfolded in The Recluse’s journey. Facing the necessity of surgery for an inguinal hernia, the artist, hailing from the demanding manual labor sector, anticipates a hiatus from work. Devoid of paid time off, sick leave, or health insurance, the artist humbly seeks support to ensure the continuity of essential expenses during this challenging period. Your assistance could make a significant impact. Extend your support through this critical phase by visiting: gofund.me/5bcf3198

The Recluse – Meta Moto Podcast MMP114

Human Figures – Tabula Rasa [DC012/FRV045]

In 2021 the album “Footsteps” introduced listeners to the individual style of Human Figures. Daniel Lewis aka Daniel Holt, The Recluse or Death Posture merged raw strings with primal percussion to forge a sound of his very own. He now returns to Frigio with “Tabula Rasa¨. Here we have instrumental machine freak outs and bitter dark-wave, guitar and bass riffs that try to sound more like they arise from listening to mystical 60’s eastern inspirations. Tabula Rasa is a deep and often wistful journey into the world of Daniel Holt’s project Human Figures. Transitive and ethereal, these eight tracks effortlessly fuse elements of cold wave, post-punk, and minimal electronics culminating in a pensive opus awash in faded dreams. Another classic from the visionary artist at his finest.

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Human Figures – Tabula Rasa [DC012/FRV045]

Human Figures – After An Ordeal [POP135]

Mini-album collecting early work by Tennessee’s Human Figures. “After An Ordeal” sees HF’s Daniel Holt moving forward by looking back. These are no mere embryonic demos, these are intricate and majestic anthems of defeat from Holt.

Human Figures – After An Ordeal [POP135]

VA – Dead Beats 1 [DDM07]

“Dead Beats 1” brings together new and returning artists to Death Decay Magic, featuring tracks by Daniel Holt, Happy707, Heidi Sabertooth, Hissarlik, Man 2.0, Stockholm Syndrome AU and label boss Black Light Smoke.

VA – Dead Beats 1 [DDM07]

VA – Frigio All Stars Vol. 4 [FRV037]

VARIOUS - Frigio All Stars Vol 4

Summer 2021 sees the fourth in the Frigio All Stars series hitting all respectable shelves. Jack Carel opens the 12” with the acid burning grunge of “Fuck This Shit” followed by Sons of Traders with the chugging 4/4 nastiness of “A for All.” A trippy, dark industrial streak runs in the snares and swagger of Rambal Cochet’s “Doomsday Scenario Interface” and in the powerful introspection of Daniel Holt’s “The Recluse.” Neud Photo arrives on Frigio with a menacing debut, “The Split” which pierces a haze of smoke in this late-night floor-filler. Honored Matres who appeared on the first volume of these series, returns with the blackest of the compilation. Machine gun percussion close the 12” with Chris Mitchell offering the chopped and gnawed “Alsina”.

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VA – Frigio All Stars Vol. 4 [FRV037]

Human Figures – Footsteps LP [BFE64]

HUMAN FIGURES - Footsteps

An album of intricate minimal wave/post punk from Daniel Holt’s new project Human Figures. Human Figures is a completely new and personal avenue of expression for Holt. “Footsteps” is liminal, lonely and misty with negative space between each instrument. Each note invokes a warm hypnagogic atmosphere, tinged with fluttering anxiety. Through these eight tracks, this multifaceted musician shows another side of his art with guitars, basslines and drum machines. The mournful “Lifted Burden”, with its cowbells and echoing vocals swaddled in warm strings, sets the tone. Haunting notes are supported by a staccato beat as Holt´s melancholic vocals sail in “40 Days” before the bare brilliance of “An Open Heart.” A spread of influences is drawn on for Human Figures: the post-punk rawness of “For My Angel”, the synth romance of “Footsteps” the cold reductions of “Passing Beyond Body.” Sombre, stirring and superb.
Footsteps” was release also on cassette last year on Popnihil.

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Human Figures – Footsteps LP [BFE64]

VA – Death Decay Magic Remixes Vol. 1 [DDM05]

Death Decay Magic Remixes Vol. 1 draws on the first three releases from the label: Black Light Smoke “Lines & Shadows”, Daniel Holt “Traveler”, and Man 2.0, Black Light Smoke “Holy Hammer”. With remixes from The Hacker, Cardopusher and others, DDM05 hits hard with EBM and electro vibes.

VA – Death Decay Magic Remixes Vol. 1 [DDM05]

VA – Modernation Vol​.​1 [IMxxx]

Italo Moderni brings Modernation Vol.1 it’s the first compilation on cassette and digital from 4. Another dimension of obscurities and eighties weird sounds, all focused on a new club era of madness and sad situations. Best moment to get some inspiration with the best wizards from our modern music life.

VA – Modernation Vol​.​1 [IMxxx]

VA – All Stars Vol.3 [FRV034]

HOLT, Daniel/GREY PEOPLE/SCANNOIR/NEGOCIUS MAN/SONS OF TRADERS - All Stars Vol 3

Frigio Allstars 3 comes from the murky underbelly of electronics, where the nights are long and the days are short. Ashen tones pricked with lighter shades, all smeared with attitude in this collection of underground tracks made for the underground. Daniel Holt dives deep into the darkness with the nine minute industrial throb of “Vaccuous Transient.” A stomping beat pierces sci-fi score synthlines in a track brimming with menace. Grey people debuts on Frigio with the grime smeared jack of “Bruxism.” The flip is all first timers to the Madrid label with Scannoir offering “De Panaesher.” Sitting somewhere between synth lament and uplifting wave, this track is a true modern classic from a member of the GOTT camp. Madrid’s very own Negocius Man follows with “101 Wars” a winding worming work of glazed electronics to kill any dance floor and the amazing finale, “The Smile Of The Body” coming care of Bari’s talent based in Berlin under the moniker of Sons Of Traders.

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VA – All Stars Vol.3 [FRV034]

VA – How Sick Do You Get When You Look At Yourself? [LIES159]

L.I.E.S. Records Various Artists compilation “How Sick Do You Get When You Look At Yourself?” with tracks from 51717, Bad News, Beau Wanzer, Chupacabras, Daniel Holt, December, Delroy Edwards, Entro Senestre, Innsyter, JT Whitfield, Krikor, S. English, Teste, TV.OUT and Willie Burns.

VA – How Sick Do You Get When You Look At Yourself? [LIES159]

Human Figures – Footsteps [POP127]

Popnihil returns with an album of intricate postpunk from Daniel Holt’s new project Human Figures. Besides running Ardetha Records, Holt has impressed with dungeon synth and ambient projects, his dark synth duo Vault, and a mind-melting techno 12″ for L.I.E.S. Records. But Human Figures is a completely new and personal avenue of expression. “Footsteps” features hymnal, meditative post-punk from musical polymath Daniel Holt.

Human Figures – Footsteps [POP127]

Daniel Holt – After The Deluge LP [BLF1C002]

Daniel Holt is one of the most prolific and talented producers out there right now, with a slew of releases on labels like Frigio, L.I.E.S., Mechatronica or Aperitif de la Mort. He also runs his own labels Atrophy Records and Ardetha Records out of his Tennessee homeland. The Black Lodge presents a full 10 track cassette album of all new and original material from Daniel that is suited for both deep listening and dancefloor mayhem. “After the Deluge” is an emotional. mythical, and spiritual journey into one of the many extradimensional portals of The Black Lodge and the deeper darker recesses of the mind – a journey of pitfalls, wonder, victories, ecstasy, losses, revelation, death, rebirth and release. Join us as we travels to parts unknown. The cassette includes full dj mix “Before the Deluge” on other side.

Daniel Holt – After The Deluge LP [BLF1C002]