Famyne "II: The Ground Below"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Progressive Doom/Stoner Metal
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD,digital,vinyl
Release date: May 13, 2022
Tracklist

1. Defeated (4:45) 

2. Solid Earth (5:22) 

3. Gone (5:40) 

4. A Submarine (7:27) 

5. Babylon (6:48) 

6. Once More (4:47) 

7. The Ai (4:04) 

8. For My Sins (4:59) 

Total Time 43:52

Credits
Tom Vane - lead vocals

Martin Emmons - guitars

Tom Ross - guitars

Chris Travers - bass 

Jake Cook - drums

Produced by Ian Sadler

Description/Reviews:

Drawing expansively not only from classic doom, but also prog rock and grunge among others, they have a brilliant sound that is incredibly hard to pigeonhole into a single subgenre. It’s made for some incredibly broad and eclectic records that have gained the band a sizeable following since the release of their debut self-titled EP in 2015. The band’s second album II: The Ground Below is not only a fine example of this in action for those unfamiliar with their music, but also sees their already expansive sound develop even further, making this their most ambitious work to date.

Read the full review by Danny Sanderson at distortedsoundmag.com

Media/Samples
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Malady "Ainavihantaa"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Retro Prog
Label: Svart Records 
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: December 10, 2021
Tracklist

1. Alava vaara (6:43) 

2. Vapaa ja autio (6:21) 

3. Sisävesien rannat (6:41) 

4. Dyadi (7:07) 

5. Haavan väri (3:43) 

6. Ainavihantaa (7:01) 

Total Time 37:36

Line-up

Taavi Heikkilä: alto & tenor saxophone, clarinet 

Babak Issabeigloo: guitar, vocals

Juuso Jylhälehto: drums, modular synthesizer

Ville Rohiola: Hammond, Mellotron, Wurlitzer, Minimoog, piano, vocals

Jonni Tanskanen: bass

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

Alava vaara

Dyadi

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La Morte Viene Dallo Spazio "Trivial Visions"

Country: Italy 
Genre(s): Space Rock
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: March 26, 2021
Tracklist

1. Lost Horizon (4:43) 

2. Trivial Visions (4:08) 

3. Cursed Invader (5:00) 

4. Oracolo Della Morte (6:00) 

5. Ashes (5:08) 

6. Spectrometer (3:42) 

7. Absolute Abyss (6:54) 

8. Altered States (4:35) 

Total Time 40:10

Line-up

Melissa Crema - theremin, organ, synthesizers, vocals and lyrics

Stefano ‘Bazu’ Basurto - guitars, sitar and vocals

Camilla Chessa - bass

Angelo Avogadri - flute and guitars

Federico Rivoli - drums

Description/Reviews:

Composed of an open gathering of players, the Italian quintet combines flavours of Middle Eastern scales, droning theremin and guitars. Their flute-player’s frantic, progressive and abstract elements tear open the cosmic gates like Jethro Tull in a Giallo nightmare.

‘Trivial Visions’, is  a wholly unique experience. An enthralling listen in a confluence of sound and ritual atmospheres that craft a both vibrant and hypnotic effect with nods to black metal and extreme ends of the sound spectrum. This vivid, dreamy and cosmic material will transfer the listener to vast sonic dimensions where one could easily lose the way back to reality. Is this Jazz, Stoner-Rock, Psych-Rock or Progressive Rock? This is La Morte Dallo Spazio and they’re in a universe of their own.

Media/Samples
Bandcamp

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Onségen Ensemble "Fear"

Kairon; IRSE! "Polysomn"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Psychedelic, Progressive Rock
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: September 11, 2020
Tracklist: 
1. Psionic Static (6:28)
2. Retrograde (5:42)
3. Welcome Blue Valkyrie (6:40)
4. An Bat None (6:04)
5. Mir Inoi (5:05)
6. Altaïr Descends (6:40)
7. Hypnogram (6:06)
8. White Flies (3:51)
9. Polysomn (2:25)

Total Time 49:01

Line-up: 
Dmitry Melet - Vocals, Bass, Guitar
Johannes Kohal - Drums
Lasse Luhta - Guitar, Bass
Niko Lehdontie - Guitar, Synth, Programming, Backing vocals

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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PH (Mr. Peter Hayden) "Osiris Hayden"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Krautrock, Psychedelic, Space Rock
Label: Svart Records ‎– SVART215
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: November 1, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. Three Of Wands (6:21)
2. Emergence (3:50)
3. Justified (5:23)
4. Uhrilahja (3:48)
5. Sun Set For One (4:05)
6. Origo (9:27)
7. Ad Coronam (6:57)
8. M47eria Prima (2:14)
9. Tachophonia (4:49)

Total Time 46:54

Line-up: 
Jussi-Pekka Koivisto - guitar, vocals
Lauri Kivelä - bass
Vesa Ajomo - synthesizer
Vesa Vatanen - vocals, guitar, effects

Description/Reviews: 

PH succeed once again in defying categorization into any conventional genre. More than ever, their sound has expanded into an unbounded creative space that drifts capriciously between styles without ever committing itself to one school of artistic thought. The records transitions from ominous yet stoic industrial rhythms to a more straightforwardly heavy space, but truly reaches unimaginable heights during its final one-two punch of “M47eria Prima” and “Tachophonia,” which would not sound out of place in a live performance by a more psychedelic, experimental electronic artist.

Read the full review by Thomas Hinds at invisibleoranges.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Kaleidobolt "Bitter"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Progressive Rock, Psychedelic
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: May 31, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. Another Toothpick   
2. Big Sky Land   
3. I Am The Seer
4. Deadpan Blues   
5. Interlude   
6. Coyote   
7. Hydra

Line-up: 
Sampo Kääriäinen: guitars, lead vocals, keyboards
Marco Menestrina: bass, vocals, keyboards, percussions
Valtteri Lindholm: drums, timpani
        With
Tenho Mattila: keyboards
Niko Lehdontie: sound manipulation

Description/Reviews: 

Bitter is a ride and a half, chock full of all the licks, riffs, screams, and grooves fans of progressive/psychedelic rock could ask for. It’s like the timelines split at some point and instead of sinking into jazz experimentation, pop-influenced revivals, breakups, or just plain obscurity, 70’s progressive rock bands got pissed instead and made it their goal to be as loud as possible. It goddamn rules.

Read the full review by Eden Kupermintz at heavyblogisheavy.com

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Superfjord "All Will Be Golden"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Psychedelic, Progressive Rock
Label: Svart Records  ‎– SVART168
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: September 21, 2018
Tracklist: 
1. Cut and Paste (8:35)
2. Master Architect (10:43)
3. Rainbow (5:03)
4. No Rest for the Wicked (7:48)
5. Parvati Valley (8:45)
6. Rainha da Floresta (7:56)
   A. Plantas Sagradas
   B. Catedral Verde
   C. Yemanjá

Total time: 48:50

Line-up: 
Jussi Ristikaarto: vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, Tibetan singing bowls, percussion
Mikko Kapanen: vocals, electric guitars
Ilari Kivelä: drums, percussion, synthesizers
Juho Ojala: vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jussi Peevo: percussion
Teemu Soininen: bass
  With:
Finn Andersson: vocals (6)
Tuomas Skopa: vocals (6)
Matti Olavi Töyli: tenor saxophone (1, 2, 4, 6), vocals (6)

Description/Reviews: 

...these guys blend Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, & Tangerine Dream styled space rock with earthy Scandinavian prog for an upbeat, groove laden, trippy listening experience. Plenty of synth driven blips, beeps, and chirps fluttering among these six lengthy tracks, zig zagging across the arrangement on the engaging near 11-minute "Master Architect", and adding a symphonic, at times New Wave-ish feel to the upbeat "No Rest for the Wicked", a song that also features some cool, jazzy sax that when mixed with the psych flavored vocals reminds of early '70s Hawkwind.

Read the full review by Pete Pardo at seaoftranquility.org

Also read the review by Paul Quinn at ghostcultmag.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Sammal "Suuliekki"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Retro Prog
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: March 9, 2018
Tracklist: 
1. Intro (1:17)
2. Suuliekki (4:56)
3. Lukitut Päivät, Kiitävät Yöt (5:57)
4. Ylistys Ja Kumarrus (3:24)
5. Pinnalle Kaltevalle (5:15)
6. Vitutuksen Valtameri (5:26)
7. Maailman Surullisin Suomalainen (7:29)
8. Herran Pelko (4:44)
9. Samettimetsä (5:26)

Total Time 43:54

Line-up: 
Jura Salmi - Guitar, keyboards

Janu Kiviniemi - Vocals

Juhani Laine - Keyboards, guitars

Lasse Ilano - Bass

Tuomas Karivaara - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp
Suuliekki

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Sammal "Suuliekki"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Retro Prog
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: March 9, 2018
Tracklist: 
1. Intro (1:17)
2. Suuliekki (4:56)
3. Lukitut Päivät, Kiitävät Yöt (5:57)
4. Ylistys Ja Kumarrus (3:24)
5. Pinnalle Kaltevalle (5:15)
6. Vitutuksen Valtameri (5:26)
7. Maailman Surullisin Suomalainen (7:29)
8. Herran Pelko (4:44)
9. Samettimetsä (5:26)

Total Time 43:54

Line-up: 
Jura Salmi - Guitar, keyboards

Janu Kiviniemi - Vocals

Juhani Laine - Keyboards, guitars

Lasse Ilano - Bass

Tuomas Karivaara - Drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp
Suuliekki

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Malady "Toinen Toista"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Retro Prog
Label: Svart Records (SVART145)
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: February 2, 2018
Tracklist: 

1. Toinen toista
2. Laulu sisaruksille
3. Tiedon kehtolaulu
4. Etsijän elinehto
5. Nurja puoli

Line-up: 
Tony Björkman - guitar
Babak Issabeigloo - guitar, vocals
Juuso Jylhänlehto - drums
Ville Rohiola - Hammond, keyboards
Jonni Tanskanen - bass guitar

Description/Reviews: 

Malady’s eponymous album was a deserved underground hit, a beautifully realised piece of original Finnish progressive rock which had its roots very strongly in the sound of the early 70s. The second album Toinen toista goes deeper.
Composed and arranged as a collaborative piece by the band, Toinen toista has enough detail to keep one captivated for repeated listens. The music is glazed with the kind of homegrown sweetness only vintage Scandinavian Prog Rock can offer but its insides are complex, with layer upon layer of things to discover.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Proggnosis

Malady "Toinen Toista"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Retro Prog
Label: Svart Records (SVART145)
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: February 2, 2018
Tracklist: 

1. Toinen toista
2. Laulu sisaruksille
3. Tiedon kehtolaulu
4. Etsijän elinehto
5. Nurja puoli

Line-up: 
Tony Björkman - guitar
Babak Issabeigloo - guitar, vocals
Juuso Jylhänlehto - drums
Ville Rohiola - Hammond, keyboards
Jonni Tanskanen - bass guitar

Description/Reviews: 

Malady’s eponymous album was a deserved underground hit, a beautifully realised piece of original Finnish progressive rock which had its roots very strongly in the sound of the early 70s. The second album Toinen toista goes deeper.
Composed and arranged as a collaborative piece by the band, Toinen toista has enough detail to keep one captivated for repeated listens. The music is glazed with the kind of homegrown sweetness only vintage Scandinavian Prog Rock can offer but its insides are complex, with layer upon layer of things to discover.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Ewigkeit "Cosmic Man"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Label: Svart Records (SVART087)
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: July 14, 2017
Tracklist: 
1. Quantum Eraser (1:58)
2. Cold Souls (7:00)
3. Death Is The Portal (8:10)
4. Neon Ghoul Ride (6:40)
5. Space Horse (7:05)
6. Running Away From The Circus (6:00)
7. Thief In The Sky (5:36)
8. Time Travelling Medicine Man (5:17)

Total Time 47:46

Line-up: 
James Fogarty ; vocals, guitars, keys, programming

Description/Reviews: 

Fogarty sings and plays all the instruments, and excels the most on his Hammond organ, which brings some 70s stylings to the record. Overall the feel of Cosmic Man is a mashup of 70s Deep Purple hard rock, 80s NWOBHM, and a lot of psychedelia. The combination is engaging, and despite the songs averaging over six minutes apiece, they’re well written such that we generally don’t want to skip ahead out of boredom. 

Read the full review by at angrymetalguy.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Tusmørke "Hinsides"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Retro Prog, Psychedelic, Prog Folk
Label: Svart Records (SVR089)
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: May 12, 2017
Tracklist: 
1. Hjemsøkte Hjem (5:20)
2. I Feel Like Midnight (I Dream I'm Awake) (5:15)
3. En Rykende Ruin (7:07)
4. Lysskydrøm (6:11)
5. Sankt Sebastians Alter (23:35)

Line-up: 
Benediktator - Rickenbacker 4001, vocals, Nightingale Bird Call, percussion, Glockenspiel
Marxo Solinas - keyboards, vocoder
Krizla - flute, vocals, percussion, electronics
HlewagastiR - drums, percussion
DreymimaðR - hurdy gurdy, Norvegian pixie flute, alto crumhorn, backing vocals, Latin Antiphonal and Norwegian folk singing (5)
    With
Ole Jørgen Benedictow - reads lyrics by Benediktator (5)
Morten Øby - congas (2)

Description/Reviews: 

There’s a little more colour and embellishments to their music this time round, making for a little more variation in the piece, and there’s a hypnotic beauty to it all. The combination of the haunting vocals with the psychedelic instrumentation – particularly the flute – is absolutely magical, to say the least.

Read the full review by Natalie Humphries at soundscapemagazine.com

Media/Samples 
Stream
I Feel Like Midnight

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Tusmørke "Hinsides"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Retro Prog, Psychedelic, Prog Folk
Label: Svart Records (SVR089)
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: May 12, 2017
Tracklist: 
1. Hjemsøkte Hjem (5:20)
2. I Feel Like Midnight (I Dream I'm Awake) (5:15)
3. En Rykende Ruin (7:07)
4. Lysskydrøm (6:11)
5. Sankt Sebastians Alter (23:35)

Line-up: 
Benediktator - Rickenbacker 4001, vocals, Nightingale Bird Call, percussion, Glockenspiel
Marxo Solinas - keyboards, vocoder
Krizla - flute, vocals, percussion, electronics
HlewagastiR - drums, percussion
DreymimaðR - hurdy gurdy, Norvegian pixie flute, alto crumhorn, backing vocals, Latin Antiphonal and Norwegian folk singing (5)
    With
Ole Jørgen Benedictow - reads lyrics by Benediktator (5)
Morten Øby - congas (2)

Description/Reviews: 

There’s a little more colour and embellishments to their music this time round, making for a little more variation in the piece, and there’s a hypnotic beauty to it all. The combination of the haunting vocals with the psychedelic instrumentation – particularly the flute – is absolutely magical, to say the least.

Read the full review by Natalie Humphries at soundscapemagazine.com

Media/Samples 
Stream
I Feel Like Midnight

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Kairon; IRSE! "Ruination"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Eclectic Progressive Rock
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: February 3, 2017
Tracklist: 
1. Sinister Waters I (12:19)
2. Sinister Waters II (13:08)
3. Llullaillaco (5:29)
4. Starik (7:28)
5. Porphyrogennetos (11:41)
6. Ruination (7:08)

Total time 57:13

Line-up: 
Johannes Kohal - drums
Lasse Luhta - guitar, bass, synthesiser
Dmitry Melet - bass, vocals
Niko Lehdontie - guitar
   With
Andreas Heino - saxophone, clarinet

Description/Reviews: 

To say that Ruination is an eclectic set of songs is an understatement, but then again, this is Svart Records we are talking about, and they never fail to surprise us with their roster diversity. Kairon: IRSE! can thunder along with the best of them, as they do frequently throughout the opening two part 25-minute "Sinister Waters", but it's the little folky bits, the pop vocals, and the intricate, Gentle Giant influenced prog passages that are woven in between the heavy guitar riffs that provide the spark and ingenuity of this band. Gentle Giant meets Dream Theater meets Hawkwind meets Pentangle? Probably not far from it actually. Booming bass riffs, jangly fuzz toned guitars, keyboards, and wispy vocals collide on "Llullaillaco", while the psychedelic, almost proto-metal riffs of "Starik" mix with screaming jazzy saxophone and plenty of '70s styled prog/space rock guitar & keyboards for a thrilling ride. The band totally makes an about face on the dreamy "Porphyrogennetos", as wonderful Chris Squire/Jon Camp/Michael Rutherford styled bass lines weave around lilting guitars and soothing keys, eventually giving way to a screaming wah-wah laced guitar solo courtesy of Niko Lehdontie. The closing title track shows their penchant for pop melodies and a love of psychedelia, with catchy lead vocals that float over effects laden lead guitar work and lush chords.
It's not hard to predict that Ruination might just be one of the more unique albums we'll hear in 2017, and in this day and age, 'unique' is definitely a good thing. Kairon: IRSE! are onto something, so make sure you don't miss this little gem so you can experience the cool & offbeat sounds they are creating. (Pete Pardo at seaoftranquility.org)

Also read the review at angrymetalguy.com

Media/Samples 
Sinister Waters II
Starik
Stream

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Virta "Hurmos"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Instrumental Post Rock, Jazz
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, vinyl
Release date: December 2, 2016
Tracklist: 
1. Aallot
2. About to Fly
3. Time Travel
4. Härmä
5. The Landing
6. Uni
7. On the Run​

Line-up: 
Antti Hevosmaa: trumpet, vocals, electronics
Heikki Selamo: guitar, vocals, electronics
Erik Fräki: drums, percussion, electronics

Description/Reviews: 

...an all-instrumental affair of seven electro-acoustic compositions ... merging the stark, melancholy nature of post-rock with the freewheeling experimentation of jazz. "About to Fly" kind of sums up this odd blending of styles perfectly... The arrangements aren't overly busy like typical jazz, but it's also not as bleak as you can usually expect from post-rock, but somewhere in between.

Read the full review by Pete Pardo at seaoftranquility.org

Media/Samples 
About to Fly
Time Travel
On the Run

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Tusmorke "Fort Bak Lyset"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Psychedelic, Prog Folk
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
Release date: March 18, 2016
Tracklist: 

1. Ekebergkongen (5:45) 

2. Et Djevelsk Mareritt (5:58) 

3. De Reiser Fra Oss (7:06) 

4. Fort Bak Lyset (4:35) 

5. Spurvehauken (4:58) 

6. Nordmarka (7:31) 

7. Vinterblot (8:20) 

Total Time 44:13

Line-up: 
Benediktator
Krizla
HlewagastiR
Marxo Solinas
DreymimaðR

Description/Reviews: 

With its flute-y opening ‘Et Djevelsk Mareritt’ sounds like a fairytale, whilst ‘De Reiser Fra Oss’ has got some super groove courtesy of vintage synths. And whilst I may not know what they say the lyrics combine with it to make something that at times sounds super 80s. In fact that flute keeps cropping up time and again to lead you away like the Pied Piper. ‘Spurvehauken’ could be off a stage play, and the somehow-catchy ‘Nordmarka’ makes feet tap and bodies sway, especially when the bass gets a-going. And there’s whistling.

Read the full review by Kirsty Birkett-Stubbs at theindependentvoice.org

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Malady "Malady"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Retro Prog
Label: Svart Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: November 13, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Kantaa Taakan Maa (8:41)
2. Loittoneva Varjoni (2:31)
3. Pieniin Saariin (7:56)
4. Unessakavelija (7:27)
5. Aarnivalkea (10:19)
6. Kakarlampi (2:31)

Total time 39:25

Line-up: 
Tony Björkman - guitar
Babak Issabeigloo - guitar, vocals
Juuso Jylhänlehto - drums
Ville Rohiola - Hammond, keyboards
Jonni Tanskanen - bass guitar

Description/Reviews: 

Malady plays 70’s style Finnish progressive rock. Their music is heavily influenced by Finnish bands such as Wigwam, Kalevala, Haikara and Nimbus to mention but a few. Even though the band are deeply into the retro aesthetic, and building the album with the right kind of sounds took plenty of effort, the music is not just about being vintage. The storytelling mood of the meandering songs is supported by an analog soundscape. Malady's music is, at the same time, subtle and substantial.

Also read the review by Emma Roebuck at progradar.org
 
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Kimmo Pohjonen "Sensitive Skin"

Country: Finland
Genre(s): Progressive Rock
Label: Octopus, Svart Records (vinyl)
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: September 25, 2015 (CD, Finland), October 9, 2015 (USA), October 30, 2015 (vinyl)
Tracklist: 
1. Cyclon (4:14)
2. Lamina (4:28)
3. Sulo (5:09)
4. Anemone (4:45)
5. Emissio (6:16)
6. Atomi (4:47)
7. Serenity (5:39)
8. Ramsoo (6:09)
9. Sensitive Skin (5:18)

Total time 46:45

Line-up: 
Kimmo Pohjonen – accordion, samples, vocals

   With
Sami Kuoppamäki – drums 
(1, 3, 6)
Timo Kämäräinen – guitar 
(1, 3, 6), savonbouzouki 
(1), vocals (6)
Tuomas Norvio – electronics (1-5, 7, 8)
Samuli Kosminen - 
electronics (1), drums (2, 4, 7), percussion (2, 4, 5, 7)
Arto Järvelä – nyckelharpa
  
(1, 3, 6)
Paul Malmström - modular synthesizer
 (1)
Inka and Saana Pohjonen – vocals (1, 2, 4-7)
Ismo Alanko - vocals, guitar (8)
Lauri Porra - bass (8)
Jukka Eskola – trumpet (2)
James Spectrum – 808 bass (2), tubular bells and aether modulator (3), knifonium (5), synthesizer (6)
Tomi Leppänen – drums (5)
Ville Riippa – percussions (6), synthesizer (8)
Ilpo Laspas – omniwerk (9)
Joona Ruusula – boy soprano/ Cantores Minores (9)
Kronos Quartet (4, 5, 7):
David Harrington – violin
John Sherba – violin
Hank Dutt – viola
Sunny Yang – cello

Media/Samples 
Cyclon

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