Strange Fortune New Music Release Updates

2:05pm: Strange Fortune Holiday Sale Final Week. $10. This is It.
Happy Holidays from Strange Fortune!!

A big thanks to all for the phenomenal response to our recent Sale promotion.

I thought you guys would like it, but I never expected one of our biggest sales volume weeks ever out of it, wow, that was amazing.


In fact Strange Fortune's "$11 Sale" has been going over so well, that we've decided to go crazy and take it a step further.

For the final week only of Strange Fortune's Holiday Sale, it's a 10 Dollar Sale.

If you move today, you can take all the Strange Fortune backcatalog you can get your hands on... for an unheard of _$10 each_ while supplies remain.

Neofolk, darkambient, imports, vinyl, almost everything. Ten dollars.


Everything is selling through fast, so the quicker you jump on this the better.

But after this week, if there's something you desire, your chances may be out of reach for good.

what does this mean? stay tuned...


==> www.strangefortune.com


Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
music of strange & exquisite beauty

2:15pm: Strange Fortune Opens Its Vaults for First Ever Sale
Happy Day After Thanksgiving '08 from Strange Fortune!

This year, as a special way of giving thanks to our loyal customers with such exquisite taste in strange music, we are pleased to open the doors to...


The First Ever Strange Fortune SALE


As you might know the Strange Fortune shelves are full of amazing backcatalog...

...some of which one can imagine you long had your eye on but have never picked up as of yet.

Well if that's the case, your chance may not be gone, it is here and now.

The sale is simple:

All Strange Fortune backcatalog is yours for the first time at an incredible $11 each.

That's right, all the backcatalog you can get your hands on, is yours now for $11 each while supplies remain.

($11 in honor of the 11th month)


This includes neofolk, ambient, power noise and whatever else you like. Imports on labels such as Cold Meat Industry, Ant-Zen, Hands Productions.

This includes vinyl items. yes indeed import vinyl for $11 ea.

The only items excluded are a few of our featured label rosters, that go for amazing prices anyway, and a few premium items here and there.


Some unheard of one-time only deals are to be found now, if you can move fast.

Forget the malls. Come join in on the 11 dollar sale going on now at Strange Fortune

...and enjoy a strange & exquisite holiday.


==> www.strangefortune.com


what can You find in the Strange Fortune vaults?


Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
music of strange & exquisite beauty

P.S. how do you like 7 inches?

7 inch vinyl is going for $7 during the sale.

1:23pm: Halloween Free Gift from Strange Fortune
Happy Halloween '08 from Strange Fortune!

Forgive us that we haven't been highly active with new releases this year. I know, I know.

But today, we have a gift for you.

To help set the mood for the spookiest day of the year, I asked our longtime favorite artist Tor Lundvall if he had something he'd like to share with us all.

Tor graciously turned over a track that has been gathering dust for ten years and is unheard in any form as of yet.

And trust me that this track fits the bill for Oct 31st.

In only two minutes, you'll be transported into a field at midnight someplace out in a lost part of the country. Waiting for the Great Pumpkin.


Presenting Tor Lundvall's "Cornfield" (full high quality mp3)

yours now for a short time, go straight to:

www.strangefortune.com


Warning: Play in a safe location before the sun goes down.


"Cornfield" comes from the unreleased Tor Lundvall album, TURNING.

part of the forthcoming release
THE SEASONS UNFOLD



(release date tba)

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
music of strange & exquisite beauty

4:41pm: Sol Invictus & Tursa Yule Offerings from Strange Fortune
A Happy Yule Season from Strange Fortune...


TURSA WINTER OFFERINGS



Are you a Sol Invictus fan?

Have you heard Into the Woods yet?

Strange Fortune is excited to offer the latest folk noir treasures from the Tursa label, for the first time to Strange Fortune customers at low US prices.

Strange Fortune's pick for one of the best neofolk albums of 2007 is Into the Woods by Tony Wakeford & friends, in stock now at Strange Fortune.

Into the Woods is a lush studio creation supported by a full cast of players including much of the Sol Invictus crew, lured out to more psychedelic territory than usual...

For Sol Invictus fans Into the Woods is the most essential release of the year, and it's yours for just $15 & shipping if you get in your order right here:

Tony Wakeford: Into the Woods




Also available are a few remaining copies of the 2007 limited edition CD entitled A Mythological Prospect of the Citie of Londinium, from Sol Invictus, Andrew King, and Rose Rovine E Amanti.

If you want one of the last copies of this sold out item for your collection you might want to get in your order quickly:

Sol Invictus: A Mythological Prospect of the Citie of Londinium


Further Tursa catalogue in stock at Strange Fortune:


Sol Invictus: Sol Veritas Lux


Sol Invictus: The Devil's Steed


Tony Wakeford & Andrew Liles/The Wardrobe: A Sandwich Short


Which Tursa albums are you missing?


TOR LUNDVALL YULE CARDS LAST CALL



Have you ordered your 2007 edition Yule Greeting Cards by Tor Lundvall yet?

If not then we recommend making your move today if you want to receive these in time for the season:

Tor Lundvall Yule Greeting Cards 2007

Otherwise instead of opening a box of exquisitely beautiful cards from Strange Fortune, we predict you'll be making a run out to the drug store this year (how classy...)


HOLIDAY ORDERING DATES

To help ensure you receive holiday orders in time, all Strange Fortune orders from now through Xmas receive expedited service in the USA at no additional charge.

To guarantee you can receive an order before Xmas, we recommend getting in your order request by Monday December 17th.

If you are overseas, you may still be able to receive an order before Xmas if you get it in quickly, although no guarantees as the official cutoff date has just passed by.


Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
music of strange & exquisite beauty

3:17pm: Yule Offerings from Strange Fortune
Happy Mid November from Strange Fortune...

TOR LUNDVALL FREE SAMPLER CD THANKS



A note of thanks to all for the huge response to Strange Fortune's free Tor Lundvall CD sampler offer.

As always it is inspring to see so much enthusiasm and love for the music.

We're still looking for reactions to this little release, if you haven't had a chance yet you can post your own right here:

Tor Lundvall's Seasons Unfold Sampler

If you haven't picked up your free sampler CD yet, copies remain but they are over half gone. Make sure you don't miss out on this exclusive item.

It's recommended to everybody who follows & enjoys the music at Strange Fortune.


TOR LUNDVALL YULE EP



You can stop asking & hoping... Strange Fortune is now offering the last copies of Tor Lundvall's YULE EP CD.

YULE was a special release of 333 hand numbered copies released at the end of '06, of snowy soundscapes and celebratory songs for the season.

Connexion Bizarre described it as, "sparkling gems for this dark and melancholic time of the year."

Hex Magazine said, "This is the December soundtrack for the sentimental urban Heathen."

Harvest Home said, "Each Yuletide will be enriched by this exquisite music, a greater gift in Midwinter I couldn't ask for."

We call it the best electronic music release for the Yule season since Mannheim Steamroller.

So make it a "ghost ambient" Yule this year and see if you can catch your own copy of Tor Lundvall's ultra limited edition YULE EP:

Tor Lundvall's Yule EP


TOR LUNDVALL YULE GREETING CARDS 2007



This holiday season, why not express your Yule greetings to your friends & family the right way.

Strange Fortune is happy to again offer holiday greeting cards from our favorite painter Tor Lundvall.

Tor Lundvall's Yule Greeting Cards 2007 is a boxed set of 15 high quality printed cards featuring magically enchanting winterscape paintings by Tor Lundvall.

This year there are three paintings featured, all different artwork than the 2005 & 2006 editions, and five cards of each are included in the box.

To make sure you receive your 2007 edition Yule cards in time for the holidays, you might want to stake your place in line today:

Tor Lundvall Yule Greeting Cards 2007

Available: Thanksgiving.

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
music of strange & exquisite beauty

3:48pm: Free New Tor Lundvall CD from Strange Fortune
Happy first week of Autumn 2007 from Strange Fortune!

You haven't heard from us in a while. Apologies about the time since last update.

After a prosperous '06, Strange Fortune happens to have been only minimally active for much of this year up until now.

This is about to change once again, and the relaunch begins rolling out this week.

We're kicking it off with a free CD offer just for you from our favorite & most popular artist.

We have all kind of further exciting plans the rest of the year so stay tuned.


TOR LUNDVALL FREE NEW SAMPLER CD



As a small gift to our loyal customers with such a taste for the most exquisite sounds, Strange Fortune and Tor Lundvall have decided to make available a special new sampler CD.

It's called Tor Lundvall's The Seasons Unfold Sampler, and it offers a taste of some of Tor's most delicious tracks from his early years.

The Seasons Unfold Sampler will take you on a journey through four seasons of deep and hazy, reverb-loaded "ghost ambient" sonics.

This exclusive sampler CD is yours free with any order at strangefortune.com, starting this week and lasting until supplies run out:

Tor Lundvall's The Seasons Unfold Sampler


Note, this is not a cheapo freebie item. This is a professionally printed & mastered CD in dazzling full color artwork designed by Tor.

All tracks appear in exclusive versions to this sampler. Even if you're already a Tor fan, you don't have these tracks yet. If you miss out now, you may be kicking yourself later.

The first 100 CD's to ship this week will additionally come signed by the artist.

Learn all about The Seasons Unfold Sampler & listen to one minute of the music right here:

Tor Lundvall's The Seasons Unfold Sampler


TOR LUNDVALL BOX SET

The next major release in the works for Tor is a deluxe box set to be entitled The Seasons Unfold (release date TBA). It will present his first four ambient solo albums together in one package for the first time.

For a early glimpse of what you might find on the Seasons box set, be sure to lay claim to your copy of the collectible sampler CD:

Tor Lundvall's The Seasons Unfold Sampler


Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
music of strange & exquisite beauty

4:29pm: November (And Also The Trees) & Yule...
A Strange Fortune Update December 1st 2006

NOVEMBER
(AND ALSO THE TREES / YOUNG GODS)



hands up... where are the And Also The Trees fans?

We know there are a few of you, as once upon a time Strange Fortune carried And Also The Trees, one of your proprietor's favorite bands.

We're excited to now offer the debut album of NOVEMBER, the new project of Simon Jones of And Also The Trees with Bernard Trontin of The Young Gods.

Talk about an intriguing collaboration. You can have a brief taste of the evocative, lyrical electronic music they've come up with here:

November at Strange Fortune

Preorder this album now: the first pressing is selling out fast – almost gone in its first week of release.

NOVEMBER is a Shayo release distributed in North America by Strange Fortune. Expected ship date in North America will be December 7th.


TOR LUNDVALL'S YULE EP



Currently shipping is TOR LUNDVALL'S Yule EP - all preorders will be yours to enjoy shortly.

TOR LUNDVALL'S Yule is a special recording of "snowy soundscapes and celebratory songs for the season," as a limited edition EP of 333 hand numbered copies.

TOR LUNDVALL explains Yule:

I always find that the time period following Thanksgiving through early January carries a unique and strange mood to it other than the obvious stress of Holiday madness. As a child, I remember those cold, dark evenings waiting for hours in my mother's car while she shopped for groceries or presents. I would hear the songs of the season echoing and drifting faintly through the parking lots of department stores and supermarkets. The blurred and distant sound was far more appealing to me than Christmas Carols being shouted at close range. There was a special melancholic beauty about these moments that has never left me.

With a handful of recordings, I have attempted to capture another side of the Holiday season. The settings range from slushy, illuminated train stations, to the lonely trees of January still entangled with blue lights long after the season has ended.

Tor Lundvall
November 11, 2006

You can have a free listen to one hypnotizing minute of TOR LUNDVALL'S Yule EP here:

Tor Lundvall's Yule EP


TOR LUNDVALL YULE GREETING CARDS



Also shipping now are TOR LUNDVALL'S Yule Greeting Cards 2006.

Yule Greeting Cards 2006 is a boxed set of 15 greeting cards featuring magically enchanting winterscape paintings by TOR LUNDVALL.

This season you have a choice: You can give your friends & loved ones tacky Xmas cards you picked up from the drug store. Or you can more fittingly & memorably express yourself with the strange & exquisite art of TOR LUNDVALL:

Tor Lundvall's Yule Greeting Cards 2006

To make sure you receive your cards with enough time to spare before Xmas, today would be a good time to get in your order.


YULETIME ORDERING

As always December is the busiest month at Strange Fortune. We'll be shipping out your orders fast as we can all the way up to the holiday. To make sure you can receive what you want in time we recommend getting in order requests by December 15th in the USA, or the 7th internationally.

If something in particular is an important gift, just let us know about it by email.

A Merry Yule from Strange Fortune,

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

1:05pm: Make it a Tor Lundvall Yule...
TOR LUNDVALL: YULE

Announcing the greatest electronic music release for the Yule season since Mannheim Steamroller.



Tor Lundvall's YULE EP.

Snowy soundscapes and celebratory songs for the season.

A special release of 333 hand numbered copies, & the first 100 ordered will come signed by the artist.

Make it a "ghost ambient" Yule this year and get in your preorder quickly for Tor Lundvall's Yule EP:

Preorder Tor Lundvall's Yule EP

This release will be available only via strangefortune.com

Release date: Thanksgiving 2006.


TOR LUNDVALL YULE GREETING CARDS 2006



Have your Xmas cards planned out yet this year?

Well how about this: Strange Fortune is once again offering holiday cards by our favorite artist Tor Lundvall.

Yule greeting cards 2006 is a boxed set of 15 greeting cards featuring magically enchanting winterscape paintings by Tor Lundvall.

Tor's visuals will be familiar to many of you from his distinctive album covers for his fine "ghost ambient" recordings as well as for Sol Invictus and others.

As usual there are three different paintings featured, five cards of each included. The 2006 edition features the paintings showcased on the _Yule_ EP: "Christmas Eve," "The Silent Field," and "Girl #3."

A small limited edition of only 100 sets, likely to sell out.

Claim your strange & exquisite Yule greeting cards today:

Preorder Tor Lundvall Yule Greeting Cards 2006

Release date: Thanksgiving 2006.

Thank you,

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

3:31pm: Tony Wakeford & Andrew Liles Preorder at Strange Fortune
A Strange Fortune Update End of October 2006

Happy Halloween from Strange Fortune! We offer just one bite of sinister music news of likely interest to you, dear connoisseur of strange & exquisite sounds...

TONY WAKEFORD & ANDREW LILES NEW ALBUM PREORDER



One of the surprise hits of last Winter was the Tony Wakeford (SOL INVICTUS) & Andrew Liles collaboration as The Wardrobe. Their first release was a brilliant fusion of experimental sonics and mystical acoustic beauty that sold out right away.

Open for preorder starting today is the next album of Tony Wakeford & Andrew Liles, which promises to be another essential experience for listeners of folk noir & surreal electronics alike.

This time around we're even treated to a new interpretation of the spooky track "Lucifer Before Sunrise" from the classic _Revenge of the Selfish Shellfish_ by Wakeford & Steven Stapleton (NURSE WITH WOUND)!

It's a limited edition album once again so reserve your copy today:

Preorder Tony Wakeford & Andrew Liles - A Sandwich Short

Wakeford & Liles _A Sandwich Short_ is a UK import for just $14 & shipping from Strange Fortune. This album is expected to ship your way starting next week.

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

4:11pm: Strange Fortune News: Edge of Spring & Top Ten of Summer 2006
A Strange Fortune Update October 2006

SALLY DOHERTY AVAILABLE NOW



Available at last is SALLY DOHERTY'S delayed _Edge of Spring: A Collection of Songs_.

_Edge of Spring_ is the best of SALLY DOHERTY & THE SUMACS. An essential collection of incomparably exquisite songs from the angelic voice of Sol Invictus, covers all albums and offers three new tracks to bring Springtime into your stereo year round.

If you've never heard the music of SALLY DOHERTY before, take a minute and listen to a short sample and discover for yourself what kind of a sweet experience you are missing:

Sally Doherty: Edge of Spring

SALLY DOHERTY'S _Edge of Spring_ is a Strange Fortune distribution title in stock now, yours for just $13 & shipping.


GEM OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER: COIL



Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month of September 2006 is COIL's _Black Antlers_.

A highly sought-after late period COIL release is issued in a deluxe 2xCD edition. Although it isn't quite a finished studio album the material here ranks right up with the best. It's the most essential gem amongst the latest COIL reissues.

Have a listen to _Black Antlers_ and hear for yourself at

Coil: Black Antlers

All the COIL releases keep selling out fast at Strange Fortune, catch them while you can.

COIL's _Black Antlers_ is available in stock right now for just $20 & shipping from Strange Fortune.


GEM OF THE MONTH OCTOBER: FIN DE SIECLE



Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month of October 2006 is _Patagonie_ by FIN DE SIECLE.

French duo FIN DE SIECLE paint a soft ambient soundtrack full of feelings of longing. Music that comes on like a light breeze yet is potent enough to stay with you.

Have a listen to _Patagonie_ and decide for yourself at

Fin de Siecle: Patagonie

FIN DE SIECLE's _Patagonie_ is in stock & yours for just $14 & shipping from Strange Fortune.


TOP TEN BEST SELLERS AT STRANGE FORTUNE SUMMER 2006

#10. Black Sun Productions: Operett Amorale

9. Harvest Rain: Night's Glow

8. In Gowan Ring: The Twin Trees

7. Coil: The Ape of Naples

6. Tor Lundvall: Last Light

5. Sol Invictus: Sol Veritas Lux

4. Current 93: Black Ships Ate the Sky

3. Coil: The Remote Viewer Deluxe

2. Coil: Black Antlers Deluxe

1. Tor Lundvall: Empty City

Which essential releases have you missed this year?

You can sample all the top ten best sellers here:

Top Ten at Strange Fortune

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

1:31pm: Tor Lundvall builds buzz with "ghost ambient" release


Electronic Music Artist Tor Lundvall Builds Critical Buzz with Latest Release

New England, September 2006 – Each year in the world of music there will arise new names out of somewhere hidden in the underground to a prominent place in the favorites lists of critics & fans.

One of 2006's best reviewed albums in the electronic music underground may be shaping out to be Tor Lundvall's _Empty City_.

Tor Lundvall is a New York-based artist who likes to call his flavor of electronic music "ghost ambient." The underlying melodic structure of the music means that _Empty City_ might rank as the most listenable "ambient" release you've ever heard, while it's all drenched in a moody, haunted atmosphere that is Tor's real trademark.

Following is some of the press reaction to Tor Lundvall's _Empty City_, 2006.

"Hauntingly beautiful"
– Terrascope

"A masterpiece of evocative, melancholy ambient." (5/5)
– Regen

"Probably the best ambient album in 2006 so far."
– Calmscape, May 2006

"Empty City is groundbreaking and breathtaking."
– Electroambient Space

"Haunting textures for urban dreamers and well recommended."
– Connexion Bizzare

"a must for lovers of dark atmospheres and still summer evenings."
– Heathen Harvest

"like a town glimpsed through a break in the mist.... Lundvall captures this rich tapestry of evocative ambience beautifully with Empty City."
– Igloo

"Lundvall's chosen theme is full of potential, and he delivers."
– Ambient Music Guide

"quite simply a must hear recording for any fan of dark melodic ambient music."
– Lunar Hypnosis

"some of the year's most well-crafted, addictively settling music."
– Chronicles of Chaos

"haunting yet warm and familiar"
– Star’s End

"Strange voices. Metallic echoes. Ghost melodies. Warm and very, very agreeable."
– Soleilnoir

"you'll hardly come across something similar and as convincing."
– Filth Forge

"Certainly one to watch in contemporary ambient music."
– Musique Machine

"Tor Lundvall is the real deal, licensed to chill"
– Mick Mercer

"Tor Lundvall digital=vamp to the brain universe that compressed the acidHUMANIX infectious disease of a chemical=anthropoid with the era respiration-byte."
– Kenji Siratori, author of Blood Electric

"I strongly recommend you pick this disc up."
– Royce Icon

"It's a great album to get lost in for awhile."
– Almostcool

Tor Lundvall's _Empty City_ is released in 2006 and is promoted & distributed by Strange Fortune.

Have a listen to a one minute sample of Tor Lundvall's _Empty City_ at

Tor Lundvall's Empty City at Strange Fortune

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

2:32pm: Strange Fortune News: War Office Propaganda, Sally Doherty, Coil
A Strange Fortune Update August 2006

WAR OFFICE PROPAGANDA AT STRANGE FORTUNE

By popular request Strange Fortune is now offering War Office Propaganda, an upcoming Polish label dedicated to neofolk & martial industrial. Now's your chance to snatch up these collectable imports at reasonable prices. In stock now at www.strangefortune.com:

Belborn & Rose Rovine E Amanti / Grain CD

Harvest Rain / Night's Glow CD

Lingua Fungi / Flowery Dreams CD

Mushroom's Patience & Out of Sight CD

Rukkanor / Deora CD

Stahlwerk IX/Cold Fusion/Rukkanor / Triumvire CD BOX SET

Gloria Victis Vae Victis CD BOX SET

All War Office Propaganda CD's will be just $13 & shipping at Strange Fortune, except _Triumvire_ and _Gloria Victis Vae Victis_, which are glorious wooden boxed items for $19. These wood boxes must be seen to be appeciated...


GEM OF THE MONTH: LINGUA FUNGI



Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month for August 2006 is _Flowery Dreams_ by LINGUA FUNGI.

Finnish multi-instrumentalist J. Padatsu records a richly varied album of real instruments and electronics arranged in a subdued way to a strange & lovely ambient effect. It's our favorite album of all the latest War Office Propaganda releases.

Have a listen to LINGUA FUNGI and decide for yourself at

Lingua Fungi / Flowery Dreams

_Flowery Dreams_ is in stock & available to ship your way right away for just $13 & shipping at www.strangefortune.com


SALLY DOHERTY PREORDER OFFER



Available for order starting today is SALLY DOHERTY'S _Edge of Spring: A Collection of Songs (1995-2005)_.

_Edge of Spring_ is a welcome best of release of SALLY DOHERTY & THE SUMACS. An essential collection of exquisitely original songs from the angelic voice of Sol Invictus, including new tracks.

Every fan of late period Sol Invictus at their sublime best simply must also discover this artist who is so talented in her own right, and no less than one of our very favorite artists we feature at Strange Fortune.

You can receive _Edge of Spring_ soon as it's released if you put in your request now at a preorder price of just $13 & shipping at

Sally Doherty / Edge of Spring

SALLY DOHERTY'S _Edge of Spring_ is promoted & distributed in North America by Strange Fortune. Expected ship date is early September.


COIL UPDATE



Big thanks for the response to Strange Fortune's COIL CD reissues offer. Most orders for _ANS_ and _Musick to Play in the Dark_ 1 & 2 have already shipped and should be yours any day. The rest of the reissues are due next, our current best estimate is end of August.

In case you haven't ordered already these are all going quick, _Musick to Play in the Dark_ is almost sold out until next restock, get in your COIL order request today at

Coil at Strange Fortune


NEW RELEASES IN STOCK AT STRANGE FORTUNE

Autunna et sa Rose / L'Art et la Mort / $13
Martyn Bates & Troum / To a Child Dancing in the Wind / $15
Beequeen / Der Holzweg 13th anniversary edition / $14
Belborn & Rose Rovine E Amanti / Grain / $13
Black Sun Productions / The Impossibility of Silence 2xCD / $25
Der Blutharsch / When Did Wonderland End? CD+DVD / $22
Der Blutharsch / Live at the Monastery / $16
Bocksholm / The Haunting Curse of Skogs-Sara / $14
Coil / Musick to Play in the Dark Vol 1 / $19
Coil / Musick to Play in the Dark Vol 2 / $19
Death in June / Burial / $16
Death in June / The Guilty Have No Pride CD+DVD / $22
Fin de Siecle / Patagonie / $14
Fire + Ice / Hollow Ways / $16
Letatlin / La Sepoltura Delle Farfalle / $13
Lingua Fungi / Flowery Dreams / $13
Little Annie / Songs from the Coal Mine Canary / $13
Maeror Tri / The Beauty of Sadness / $14
Mushroom's Patience & Out of Sight / Mushroom's Patience & Out of Sight / $13
The Reformed Faction of Zoviet France / Vota / $15
Rukkanor / Deora / $13
Stahlwerk IX/Cold Fusion/Rukkanor / Triumvire box set / $19
Verdandi / North Country / $16
various artists / Acqua Mossa 7" / $11
various artists / Gloria Victis Vae Victis box set / $19
various artists / Judas Kiss Presents Past, Present and Forever / $13

Have a listen to some of the strange & exquisite new music releases at

New Music Releases at Strange Fortune

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

4:22pm: Coil Preorder Offer at Strange Fortune
A Coil Preorder Offer July 2006

Strange Fortune is excited to have the go ahead from Threshold House to begin offering 6 new Coil reissues.

All of the following are open starting today for your preorders at Strange Fortune:


Coil / Musick to Play in the Dark Vol 1 CD


Coil / Musick to Play in the Dark Vol 2 CD


Coil / And the Ambulance Died in His Arms CD

Coil / The Remote Viewer Deluxe Edition 2xCD

Coil / Black Antlers Deluxe Edition 2xCD

Coil / ANS 3xCD+DVD Box Set

The first two titles are essential best selling albums that sold zillions of copies at Strange Fortune last time around. Any music fan who is missing _Musick to Play in the Dark_ is truly missing out.

The rest of these reissues are highly-sought after rarities that many of us haven't had a chance to get a hold of thus far. Now comes your chance with their first proper wide release.

_The Remote Viewer_ & _Black Antlers_ are especially exciting as these deluxe editions add newly recorded material.

All the new Coil reissues are $19 & shipping each (except the ANS box set which is $59 & shipping).

It's a little pricey but these are special items coming from Threshold House in Thailand, and as usual Strange Fortune is likely to be one of your best prices you'll find in North America.

Expected availability is around two weeks. The quicker you get in your preorder, the closer to the front of the line you are and the better chance you have of receiving yours quickly.

Which Coil releases are you missing?

Preorder New Coil Reissues at Strange Fortune

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

3:42pm: Strange Fortune News: Verdandi, Fire + Ice, Top 10 2006
A Strange Fortune Update July 2006

summer greetings from a 93 degree New England. Strange Fortune has some cool musical ideas to help get you through the scorching month of July.

GEM OF THE MONTH: VERDANDI



Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month for July 2006 is _North Country_ by Verdandi.

An American pagan neofolk duo is released on Fire + Ice's Fremdheit label. Verdandi is the talented vocals of Alice Karlsdottir accompanied by acoustic instrumentation by Paul Fredric, along with guest players such as Ian Read and Annabel Lee of Blood Axis.

Listen to a one minute sample of this gem & decide for yourself at

Verdandi / North Country

_North Country_ is an import in stock & available to order at a special price of just $15 & shipping at Strange Fortune.


CLASSIC OF THE MONTH: FIRE + ICE



Also available now is _Hollow Ways_ by Fire + Ice.

The second Fire + Ice album is a long unavailable neofolk treat featuring Current 93 members Joolie Woods & Michael Cashmore, and produced by Simon Norris of Death in June's _But What Ends When the Symbols Shatter_.

Listen to a one minute sample of this classic at

Fire + Ice / Hollow Ways

_Hollow Ways_ is a German import in stock & available to order now for just $16 & shipping at Strange Fortune.


TOP TEN 2006

Presenting Strange Fortune's top ten favorite albums of the first half of 2006.

miss any of these strange & exquisite delights? Why not take a free taste of them now...

10. Gruntsplatter / The Aberrant Laboratory
9. William Basinski / The Garden of Brokenness
8. Volcano the Bear / Classic Erasmus Fusion
7. Neither Neither World / Invisible Angel
6. Harvest Rain / Night's Glow
5. Procer Veneficus / Ghostvoices
4. Richard Moult / The Secret Joy
3. Coil / The Ape of Naples
2. Tor Lundvall / Empty City
1. Current 93 / Black Ships Ate the Sky

(top spot is a tie, but we can't keep making Tor #1 every time or you might not believe us!)

All the top ten are in stock now & ready to enrich your music collection and your life.

Collect em all at Top Ten at Strange Fortune


NEW RELEASES AT STRANGE FORTUNE

William Basinski / The Garden of Brokenness / $13
Der Blutharsch / When Did Wonderland End? CD+DVD / $22
Der Blutharsch / Live at the Monastery / $16
A Challenge of Honour / Seven Samurai / $14
Current 93 / Black Ships Ate the Sky / $15
Current 93 / Sleep Has His House / $13
Death in June / Burial / $16
Death in June / The Guilty Have No Pride CD+DVD / $22
Des Esseintes / Mondo Macabro / $12
Fire + Ice / Hollow Ways / $16
Gruntsplatter / The Aberrant Laboratory / $14
In Gowan Ring / The Twin Trees / $13
Kristoffer Nyströms Orkester (Megaptera) / Brakehead / $12
Legendary Pink Dots / A Dream Is a Dream Is a Dream DVD / $14
Little Annie / Songs from the Coal Mine Canary / $13
Melek-Tha / The Decimation World / $14
Nurse with Wound / Shipwreck Radio Volume Two / $22
Othila / Continents / $14
Reformed Faction of Zoviet France / Vota / $15
Verdandi / North Country / $15
Volcano the Bear / Classic Erasmus Fusion / $14
various artists / Judas Kiss Presents Past, Present and Forever / $13

Read about all the latest releases at New Music Releases at Strange Fortune

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

4:31pm: Strange Fortune News: Current 93 Black Ships Ate the Sky
A Strange Fortune Update End of May 2006

CLOSED 6/1 - 6/5

Strange Fortune will be closed for a few days this week, reopening on 666/sicksicksick. Accepting orders & email during this time but you won't receive response til afterward.


GEM OF THE MONTH: CURRENT 93



Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month for June 2006 is Current 93's _Black Ships Ate the Sky_.

Current 93's long awaited return to the world of apocalyptic folk is thee album of Summer '06!

David Tibet brings together an extra special musical family overflowing with the talents of Marc Almond, Antony Johnson, Baby Dee and so many others.

_Black Ships Ate the Sky_ comes as a boxed set including a substanial book of liner notes. It's in stock & available to order right away for just $15 & shipping. Listen to a one minute sample of this gem and read all about it at

Black Ships Ate the Sky at Strange Fortune


BLACK SHIPS ATE THE SKY: A STRANGE FORTUNE REVIEW (LONG)

David Tibet's Current 93 has followed such a fascinating evolution.

From the primitive droning of _Nature Unveiled_ (1983) to the apocalyptic-folk pioneering _Swastikas for Noddy_ (1987), to the enormous, epically orchestrated masterpiece _Thunder Perfect Mind_ (1992), it used to be the one thing you could expect from every new Current 93 release was it would be "bigger" than the last. Each album was more ambitious, more audacious, with more new ideas and more and better musicians than ever before.

Tibet & company were pursuing a "maximalist" path for the first era of their career ­ a little recklessly even ­ making for a very exciting first decade of Current 93. I still remember being astonished at the sheer size of the band lineup on releases such as _Thunder Perfect Mind_. How much bigger could they get, how much further could they go?

_Thunder Perfect Mind_ would prove to be a peak of sorts, as the following releases saw the band start to mellow out and strip away musical layers one by one. After a couple albums it was clear we were now following a "minimalist" path. Each new release was more stripped down than the last. Less variety, simpler instrumentation, fewer players.

Why turn around in this way? It's just my own observation & speculation but it seems clear that Tibet began to see the big dazzling musical accompaniment as a potential distraction to his art. Tibet has never claimed to be much of a "musician." He isn't necessarily out to make great music. He doesn't really sing or play any instruments. What he really has to offer is, words and ideas. Current 93's work was now getting closer to the center ­ David Tibet's words and ideas.

This minimalist direction would culminate in the release, _Soft Black Stars_ of 1998. By this point we are down to nothing but Tibet's spoken poetry and a gentle piano accompaniment. On the surface _Soft Black Stars_ is an absurdly simple album. On a musical level it is not particularly interesting at all.

The genius of _Soft Black Stars_ is the consideration that if this work stands as a success at all, then it has to be because of the core content ­ Tibet's words & ideas ­ because there is almost nothing else! He seems to be testing whether he can carry it on his own.

And in fact _Soft Black Stars_ holds up well. I won't claim I personally find it to be the most enjoyable Current 93 release, but it's a success of some level. Tibet has always maintained it is his favorite.

"armageddon music ­ eclipsed by words"

A major point established with _Soft Black Stars_, Tibet may have regained the confidence and willingness to start "building" again. Subsequent new recordings have been few and scattered but have shown Current 93 developing the sound of a full ensemble once again. The difference this time is the central vision radiates more effectively than ever ­ the minimalist exercise having strengthened Tibet's delivery (see the _Halo_ recording for striking demonstration of his new powers).

And now after four years of work, it's time at last for the next major studio album of Current 93.

_Black Ships Ate the Sky_ is no less than an epic masterpiece on the level of _Thunder Perfect Mind_. This album is enormous in every way. The band lineup is large and many-talented. There are two different lead guitarists, alongside cello, viola, harp, harmonium and electronics. There are vocals from eight star collaborators. It's 21 tracks, 75 minutes long.

Going by the liner notes it seems this album had something of a two phase development. It was begun four years ago with longtime guitarist Michael Cashmore as main collaborator, and finished later on with Ben Chasny of Six Organs of Admittance taking over his role.

Half the tracks of _Black Ships Ate the Sky_ have a "Cashmore" sound and half have a "Chasny" sound. Michael Cashmore has long ranked high among my personal favorite guitarists, with his refined classical style and a mesmerizing, chime-like quality. New-Wierd-American folk guitarist Ben Chasny offers a softer, more earthy style that sounds like it's coming from a cabin in the middle of the woods. It's impossible to decide which style I like better. Based on what I'm hearing here Chasny is likely to become another of my favorite players.

Another signficant musical contribution comes from cellist John Contreras. His presence is noticeable through most of the album, always adding a welcome, rich element to the tracks, and the extra level of depth you can get from a string player who knows what he's doing. Contreras is listed as one of the five core members alongside Cashmore & Chasny, Tibet & Stapleton.

Further musical elements adding to the mix range from piano by Antony, to viola by the talented William Breeze (of Coil & Psychic TV), to electronics by William Basinski, to the usual sonic manipulation of Stephen Stapleton.

Eight guest vocalists appear on this album, for the most part delivering interpretations on an old apocalyptic hymn called "Idumaea" by Charles Wesley. Each one of their parts serves as a valuable contribution to the whole, with the opening rendition by Marc Almond ranking as particularly memorable. Further performances come from Antony, Baby Dee, Cosey Fanni Tutti and other guests of similar caliber. The recurring lyrical theme holds the work together in a similar way as the repeated lullaby of _All the Pretty Little Horses_ ten years ago.

The title of _Black Ships Ate the Sky_ is certainly over-the-top. If anyone else were to come up with such a title we would assume they had been watching too many bad science fiction movies. When Tibet comes up with this title, we figure he has a profound vision to relate, and indeed the lyrics are stirring throughout, from the soft pastoral innocence of the initial tracks to the apocalyptic wailing of the later tracks. As always there are definite way-over-the-top moments, and you won't get through this album without laughing out loud at least once. This is part of Tibet's charm. (As a side note _Black Ships Ate the Sky_ imparts new humor into Thomas Dolby's _Aliens Ate My Buick!_)

_Black Ships Ate the Sky_ is the long awaited next epic Current 93 album that can stand next to _Thunder Perfect Mind_ in every way, by a band reinvigorated by being rebuilt from scratch in more potent form.

It's the kind of awe-inspiring listen that makes me remember why I got into music like this in the first place, and ended up collecting almost every album of Current 93 & related projects. It's skillfully played music directed by creative ideas ­ a fusion that's more potent than the music on its own or the ideas on their own.

While such a "big" album could seem daunting, this music is of such quality that you sink in easily from the first notes ­ Marc Almond makes sure of it ­ and the 75 minutes go by like 15. It's the kind of album you'll realize quickly is worth 100 times what you paid for it.

_Black Ships Ate the Sky_ comes as a substantial boxed set including a book of liner notes. "Booklet" doesn't quite apply, it's more of a book, a big fat book. It's the kind of package that reminds us the role of liner notes in the first place, including all the lyrics and photos of all the players and giving an intimate feeling for the album.

This Current 93 release comes at a time of renewed interest in creative folk-inspired music in the larger indie music scene. While this album will be a big success within the usual fanbase, it'll also be interesting to watch how it's received by those whose interest is captured for the first time.

It would seem the sky's the limit!


A BLACK SHIPS CHALLENGE

Strange Fortune defies any dark folk music fan to listen to one minute of _Black Ships_ and walk away without deciding to pick up this album. come on, we dare ya!

Listen to Black Ships Ate the Sky at Strange Fortune

By the way Strange Fortune is bringing this title to you for one of the best prices to be found - don't let it pass you by.

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

2:43pm: Strange Fortune News: Neither/Neither World, Tor Lundvall, Sol Invictus
A Strange Fortune Update May 2006

summer is a comin' in, arise arise!

GEM OF THE MONTH: NEITHER / NEITHER WORLD



Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month for May 2006 is _Invisible Angel_ by Neither / Neither World.

Neither / Neither World take a big step forward with their most fully produced, rock-band sounding album thus far. While the old stripped down acoustic sound is fading away, their music still enticingly blends innocence and a sinister spirit.

Neither / Neither World's _Invisible Angel_ is a Swiss import in stock & available to order right away for just $13 & shipping. Listen to a one minute sample of this gem at

Neither / Neither World's Invisible Angel


TOR LUNDVALL'S EMPTY CITY: A REVIEW



Strange Fortune is thrilled about the enthusiastic press coming in about Tor Lundvall's _Empty City_. It's looking likely this will turn out as his most celebrated release.

There's one writeup in particular we want to share, that Tor himself feels to be an outstanding interpretation of this album. By Mark Teppo for Igloo Magazine:

"There's a progression of events that lead to Tor Lundvall's Empty City. First, we build cities and railways and roads and factories; then, we vanish from them, disappearing into the night. Lundvall, riding the train through these empty landscapes, is struck by their ephemeral nature -- the way they are built and seemingly abandoned. He carries home these images and paints landscapes. These landscapes, rich with lambent skies and intense palettes of grey and charcoal, became the inspiration for the ghostly ambience of Empty City...."

Read the full article at

Igloo Magazine


SOL VERITAS LUX: A SOL INVICTUS EPIPHANY



Big thanks to all who have ordered Sol Invictus _Sol Veritas Lux_ deluxe reissue 2006 distributed by Strange Fortune.

This title is just a little delayed as we're making sure it comes out right - look for this newly polished classic jewel coming your way end of the month.

While you're waiting we have a little story of musical discovery to help get you excited about a new edition of one of the essential albums of neofolk.

I still remember the shock I felt the first time I heard the first chords of "Against the Modern World."

I found Sol Invictus around ten years ago. I had just begun exploring the fascinating world of "apocalyptic folk" and was devouring whatever I could get my hands on, which was mostly later releases of Current 93 & Death in June. I was enjoying the lush, richly produced songs of these groups but was also ready to get more adventurous.

Everyone had advised I would also be interested in Sol Invictus, so this was the natural next artist to check out. This stuff was not easy at all to come by at the time, and it happened that all my radio station had in its library was an old vinyl of "Against the Modern World."

I put the needle on the record and was blasted by one of the roughest, bleakest, most stripped down recordings I ever heard, fronted by a singer who had the thickest British accent I ever heard. I got through one song and had to put it away. I wasn't ready for this after all.

Yet it would seem my curiosity was piqued, as I soon found myself coming back for more, assimilating this peculiar little dark-folk record little by little.

Shortly afterward I stumbled on a CD of _Sol Veritas Lux_ for sale -- the only Sol Invictus available at the shop. It seemed that destiny wanted me to have this one so I went ahead and snatched it for myself without a second thought. Here I found the recording quality of "Against the Modern World" to be a little cleaner than the old record I had been playing. Just when I thought I was getting accustomed to it, the second half of the CD begins and takes the affair down two more notches in primitiveness.

_Sol Veritas Lux_ would vividly strike its chord for me some months later. It was the middle of winter and I was in the middle of nowhere, upstate New York, on a long road trip. I was trying to get someplace and I was late. Much to my despair one of the biggest snowstorms I ever encountered began coming down. The storm ended up stopping traffic completely, leaving me stopped in place for four hours. There was nothing to do but sit there, watch the snow and listen to some music.

I passed the hours on that trip with all kinds of music but what I remember the most is Sol Invictus _Sol Veritas Lux_. The primitive structure of this music, the stark feeling of the guitar chords and percussion, the mysterious atmosphere radiating from the keyboard lines, the severe lyrics on themes of nature and power, delivered about as coldly and mercilessly as nature herself. This music made the most perfect sense in an unforgettable way.

I went on to collect and enjoy all the Sol Invictus albums. While on the surface this first release hardly compares with such lush masterworks as _In the Rain_ or _Hill of Crosses_, _Sol Veritas Lux_ will forever glow with a certain raw creative energy you can't find in any of the others.

Alongside essential classic Wakeford songs such as "Angels Fall" and "Summer Ends," you get some real gems delivered by Ian Read (later of Fire + Ice) -- a very strange guy with some brilliant moments. Read is possibly the only vocalist who could equal Wakeford for odd distinctiveness.

The live "In the Jaws of the Serpent" portion of the program is rough going, fascinating listening that shows an early take on many great songs that would appear on later Sol albums. An interesting note is the beloved Rose McDowall lends a hand here... on drums of all things. "In the Jaws of the Serpent" is noticeably smoothed out on the new reissue of _Sol Veritas Lux_.

The instrumental industrial track "The Joy of the World" is included once again, as well as new bonus tracks of songs rerecorded from "Against the Modern World" that I have been enjoying quite a bit.

_Sol Veritas Lux_ is a release in a category of one. It's impossible to imagine Sol Invictus going back and making music like this again. It's hard to imagine anyone making another recording like this. All Sol Invictus fans need to hear this album.

It's quite an honor for Strange Fortune to be entrusted with overseeing a new edition of this strange & exquisite classic. If it does well enough _Sol Veritas Lux_ is to be just the first in a series of deluxe reissues, order your copy and help us make it happen!

_Sol Veritas Lux_ edition 2006 can be ordered at a domestic price of just $13 & shipping at

Sol Invictus Sol Veritas Lux


summer is a comin' in, arise arise!

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

1:50pm: Sol Invictus Sol Veritas Lux May 2006


Tursa USA
distributed by
Strange Fortune
"strange & exquisite sounds"
presents

Sol Invictus
Sol Veritas Lux
Deluxe Reissue Edition
May 2006

An All Time Neofolk Classic Returns at the Right Time

Even in this modern world, it seems every few years, some new resurgence of "folk music" rises out of nowhere and finds a welcoming following.

The latest wave commonly labeled as freak-, psych-, or wyrd-folk has given us such stars as Devendra Banhart, Akron/Family, and Six Organs of Admittance. From the English folk revival of the 60's, to this "New Weird America" movement now in full swing, the quality each of these moments has in common is looking respectfully to the past, while contributing a new twist appropriate to the times.

Just about two decades ago now, another curious folk music movement began to emerge. A strain of English "industrial" groups were looking for ways to impart new meaning into their bleak and frightening noise, and a new and highly creative, "post-industrial" folk music came to life, heavily charged with mystical and philosophical themes. "Neofolk" as it would come to be known is largely defined by early releases by Tony Wakeford's Sol Invictus, alongside fellow pioneer projects Current 93 and Death in June.

Spring 2006 now sees the reissue of one of the best and most important releases of neofolk, Sol Veritas Lux by Sol Invictus.

Sol Veritas Lux – which combines the debut "Against the Modern World" LP (1987) along with the live "In the Jaws of the Serpent" LP (1988) – is likely to rank as one of the most raw listening experiences you can ever find. Playing this album is like calling an arctic blast from Old Pagan Europe. It's cold and it's mean and it offers no apologies. Whatever you think, you are not ready to hear this album.

Over the following years Sol Invictus would smooth out the rough edges and produce many beautiful albums, but there are many who would argue Sol Veritas Lux shows Wakeford and company at their most potent and compelling. It has always stood as one of the best selling Sol Invictus releases.

The 2006 edition of Sol Veritas Lux celebrates nearly 20 years of Sol Invictus, presented in a luxurious package with new liner notes, and freshly remastered by Denis Blackham to bring out even more of its raw spirit. It offers three newly rerecorded bonus tracks showing a current interpretation on the same material.

The most remarkable achievement of Sol Invictus and the neofolk scene would have to be its enduring appeal. New releases and new concerts are received by a loyal cult following year after year. Watching the trends in the music world, it may even turn out the peak is yet to come for Tony Wakeford and friends.

Sol Veritas Lux is the first major Sol Invictus album to be released in an edition specially for North America. Sol Veritas Lux is promoted & distributed in North America by Strange Fortune. Release date in North America is May 16th.

Take a stand against the modern world and reserve your copy of an all time classic today at

Sol Veritas Lux at Strange Fortune

"Sol Invictus blow most over-hyped death folk/psych records out of the water."
–The Wire UK

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

12:25pm: Shayo in North America/Listen Now at Strange Fortune/Cynfeirdd Festival Paris
A Strange Fortune Update End of April 2006

SHAYO IN NORTH AMERICA

One of our favorite upcoming European mystical folk noir labels is Shayo of Switzerland, who in their first couple years have already signed artists such as Martyn Bates, Sally Doherty, In Gowan Ring, and Neither/Neither World (all ex-World Serpent).

Strange Fortune is happy to announce we're now making Shayo available to North America for low prices, as official promoter & distributor.

Check out the available Shayo catalogue - Swiss imports in stock right now and can be yours for a mere $13 & shipping each at




LISTEN NOW AT STRANGEFORTUNE.COM

By popular request the Strange Fortune catalogue is now being sonified for your listening enjoyment & enrichment.

So far you can take a free small taste of all the following:

all albums by Tor Lundvall
all albums by Sally Doherty
all Cynfeirdd releases
all Shayo releases
all the latest Gems of the Month
Sol Invictus Sol Veritas Lux Reissue Spring 2006 (oh my what is that track sampled, might it be a bonus track?)

The samples will be around one minute each, carefully excerpted to give you a good idea of what the release has to offer. The goal is to have the highest quality samples of this music you can find.

Go forth now and discover, just be warned that you may soon be angry with me, as you might find it's even easier to come up with a long list of albums you need to aquire...

www.strangefortune.com


CYNFEIRDD FESTIVAL

In case you're anywhere within travelling distance of Paris next week, be sure not to miss "The 1st Chantier Musical" festival sponsored by our friends at Cynfeirdd.

The four day festival takes place May 5-8 and from the looks of the plans, it's a folk-noir & neoclassical event of a lifetime. The incredible lineup includes:

Baby Dee
Clair Obscur with orchestra
Danielle Dax
Sally Doherty and the Sumacs
Maja Elliot
Simon Finn
Gae Bolg with orchestra
Hekate
Pilori
Richard Moult
& tons more

The 1st Chantier Musical

Your humble proprietor will spend that weekend lamenting the fact I'm not there. Kindly report back all about it.

or maybe I could try swimming across the ocean...

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

3:24pm: Strange Fortune News: Sol Veritas Lux
A Strange Fortune Update Good Friday 2006

SOL VERITAS LUX



Hail neofolk legions of America! Strange Fortune has a special announcement for you.

Strange Fortune is now accepting preorders for Sol Invictus _Sol Veritas Lux_, from Tursa USA distributed by Strange Fortune.

First released in 1990, _Sol Vertias Lux_ combines the first Sol Invictus LP "Against the Modern World" along with the live recording "In the Jaws of the Serpent" and additional bonus material.

_Sol Vertias Lux_ is considered by many not only the most defining Sol Invictus release, but also one of the key releases to have helped define the neofolk movement in music.

Out of print for a few years, _Sol Vertias Lux_ always stood as one of the best selling Sol Invictus albums. The new 2006 reissue celebrates nearly 20 years of Sol Invictus, and is freshly remastered by Denis Blackham. It is the first Sol Invictus album to be released at the same time in both North American & European editions.

_Sol Veritas Lux_ is promoted & distributed by Strange Fortune in North America, and in Europe by Dark Vinyl Germany. Release date in North America is late April/early May.

Take a stand against the modern world and reserve an all time classic now for just $13 & shipping at:

Sol Invictus / Sol Veritas Lux


TOR LUNDVALL EMPTY CITY



Big thanks to all for the enormous response to Tor Lundvall's _Empty City_. It seems many of you are enjoying this album as much as I am.

Most preorders in the US should be received by now. International orders might take another week. Once you have it please let us all know about your impressions by leaving a comment at:

Tor Lundvall / Empty City


GEM OF THE MONTH: PROCER VENEFICUS



Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month for April 2006 is _Ghostvoices_ by Procer Veneficus.

Procer Veneficus weaves a deeply evocative spell using only simple acoustic guitar, minor atmospheric treatments and whispered vocals. The gloomiest, foggiest recording you ever heard. "ghost ambient" from a new direction.

Procer Veneficus _Ghostvoices_ is in stock & available to order right away for just $11 & shipping at

Procer Veneficus / Ghostvoices


Lastly, apologies for any sluggish response to customer service the past couple weeks. The Strange Fortune offices were immobilized with some kind of bird flu. We're almost caught up now.
Thank you,

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

2:33pm: Strange Fortune News: Tor Lundvall Empty City Available Now
A Strange Fortune Update End Of March 2006

TOR LUNDVALL'S EMPTY CITY IS RELEASED



Now available is the first essential album of 2006, Tor Lundvall's EMPTY CITY. File under: ghost ambient!

Thanks to all who ordered already, the response is amazing - we're convinced this is going to be huge.

Tor is busy signing these right now, and then preorders begin shipping out, many of you will receive them next week. Be sure to let us know your reactions once you have it.

Tor Lundvall's EMPTY CITY can be yours for just $12 & shipping at

Tor Lundvall / Empty City


LAST CHANCE LAST LIGHT



Still available if you act fast are a few last first edition copies of Tor Lundvall's LAST LIGHT.

Music press reactions to LAST LIGHT, 2005:

"Tor's musical invocations are so authentic and effective it is mesmerizing."
-Heathen Harvest

"a haunted and unforgettable surreality."
-Auralpressure

"a haunting atmosphere bathed in a half-light pitched in the hinterland between sleepiness and wakefulness."
-Compulsion

"This record is beautiful. Very beautiful."
-Gothtronic

"Tor's ability to use chimes and bell-like sounds to create many different moods and settings here is near genius."
-Legends

"this is a beautifully realised album, unusual in that it's like a form of sleeping sickness... Things are happening all about, but you'd swear it wasn't moving at all."
-Mick Mercer

"I'm convinced that this man is exploring new fields, maybe this way creating new perspectives in ambient... This album is gorgeous!"
-Side-Line

"'Last Light' makes Goldfrapp, Scala and Portishead sound like ZZ Top."
-Terrorizer

"Get lost in it and forget yourself for a while. I did."
-Rosenoire

"I could sit on my bed all day with Last Light on repeat."
-Wetworks

The last numbered copies of Last Light are available to order for just $12 & shipping at

Tor Lundvall / Last Light


GEM OF THE MONTH: DUPARC (THE MYSTERY SCHOOL)



Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month for March 2006 is Duparc's TWILIGHT FELL FROM HIGH ABOVE.

A new project of Carlos Boll of the Mystery School lurks in familiar alleys of ghostly electronically-tinged folk noir, and adds the intriguing female voice of Isabella Piombo.

This Cynfeirdd label album was a 2005 release but only now properly distributed to North America. Strange Fortune is the official source for Cynfeirdd in North America.

Duparc's TWILIGHT FELL FROM HIGH ABOVE is a French import for just $13 & shipping, in stock & available to order right away at

Duparc / Twilight Fell from High Above


NEW RELEASES AT STRANGE FORTUNE

Ab Ovo / Empreintes / $14
Albireon / Il Volo Insonne / $13
Atomine Elektrine / Binomial Fusion / $16
Martyn Bates / Mystery Seas (reissue) / $13
Maurizio Bianchi / A MB Ienh Tale / $13
The Blizzard Sow / Baagou Music / $13
Coil / The Ape of Naples Second Edition / $22
Corde Oblique / Respiri / $13
Duparc / Twilight Fell from High Above / $13
Herr / The Winter of Constantinople Picture Disk LP / $17
In Gowan Ring / Hazel Steps Through a Weathered Home (reissue) / $13
Iszoloscope / The Audient Void / $14
Karnnos / Undercurrents and Lost Horizons / $13
Richard Moult / The Secret Joy / $13
Neither Neither World / Invisible Angel / $13
Nordvargr / Vitagen / $14
Nick Parkin / Refract / $12
Procer Veneficus / Ghostvoices / $11
Snog / Real Estate Man Plus / $14
Synapscape / Act! / $14
Wander / Wander / $13
Pearls Before Swine starring Boyd Rice DVD / $17

Read about all the new releases at Strange Fortune New Music Releases


And just around the corner...

(S)omething (V)ery (L)ovely...

Watch for the next announcement!

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

3:09pm: Announcing: Empty City by Tor Lundvall (ghost ambient)


Strange Fortune
"strange & exquisite sounds"
New England USA
presents

Tor Lundvall’s Empty City
March 2006

file under: ghost ambient

In 2005, New York based painter & musician Tor Lundvall (ex-World Serpent UK) unveiled Last Light, his latest album of curiously listenable, ghostly ambient music, and his first to feature proper “songs” with vocals. Last Light proved to be Tor’s best seller, and has accumulated critical praise from e/i to Gothic Beauty to Terrorizer.

This month, Strange Fortune opens the gates to what we believe to be the first essential release of 2006, Tor Lundvall’s Empty City.

Every Tor Lundvall release is distinct, and while Empty City may in some ways be considered a companion to Last Light, sharing its deep resonating sonic character, in other ways it’s an opposite release. Where Last Light was about looking inward, Empty City ventures out to a fantastic, frightening new world, a decayed urban setting much different than anything Tor ever explored in the past. Where Last Light was centered around words, on Empty City the music takes over once again. There are vocals but used exclusively in an instrumental manner, no lyrics needed this time.

While countless electronic music makers regularly deliver new recordings to fit in the ambient music category, with Tor Lundvall what you get is a new category to discover. The subtle underlying melodic structure of this music means it may be the most listenable “ambient” music you’ve ever heard, while it’s all drenched in a singularly moody, haunted atmosphere that is Tor’s real trademark. We believe what Tor is doing is the best and most exciting thing happening in the ambient electronic music world. File under: “ghost ambient."

For maximum listener enjoyment, the music of Tor Lundvall is best taken together with Tor’s phantasmagoric visuals (see the online gallery at torlundvall.com), for a total aesthetic experience so striking you’ll never forget it.

Hear a one minute preview of Tor Lundvall's Empty City at Strange Fortune

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

5:31pm: Strange Fortune News: Cynfeirdd, Ape of Naples, Empty City
A Strange Fortune Update Friday February 24th 2006


What's the most important dark folk music label currently active in France?

We would answer, Cynfeirdd.

Strange Fortune is happy to announce we're now making the Cynfeirdd label available to North America as official promoter & distributor.

The best & most prolific label working in the folk noir & related scene in that country, Cynfeirdd has released such artists as Herr, Gae Bolg, Othila, Richard Moult, and Tony Wakeford. Cynfeirdd's releases come as collectible limited editions in unique packaging.

The latest Cynfeirdd title is Richard Moult's _The Secret Joy_. Richard Moult is an English composer working from a romantic tradition, who is behind an upcoming orchestral version of Current 93's _Soft Black Stars_. _The Secret Joy_ is pure pastoral beauty performed exquisitely by piano and two female vocalists.

Alongside the label activities, Cynfeirdd publishes a magazine in English & French, that for ten years has stood as one of the more valuable print publications in the post-industrial music world.

All the latest Cynfeirdd releases are in stock & available to ship right away at an amazing import price of just $13 & shipping each:

Cynfeirdd at Strange Fortune


APE OF NAPLES

Important Breaking News! The Ape of Naples is on the loose once again!!

First spotted in London until disappearing briefly, the Ape of Naples has reemerged in Thailand in new mutated form, and is reported currently on the way to New England! He could be reaching our shores any day!!

We highly recommend citizens to be prepared and proceed now to the following web page for further instructions:

Ape of Naples preorder

We repeat that the Ape now on his way to America via Thailand is a new version of the Ape, slightly different in appearance than the Ape as seen in London.

Some reports from the street have it that the Ape's original captors in England deemed him too difficult to handle! Please exercise all possible precaution.

Do Not Turn Your Back On The Ape.


IMMINENT: TOR LUNDVALL EMPTY CITY

End of February sees the release of the first essential album of 2006. EMPTY CITY is the brand new release of Tor Lundvall. File under: ghost ambient!

EMPTY CITY's first edition is 955 numbered copies, and the first 100 ordered come personally signed by the artist.

As of today there are just a few remaining spots in the first 100. To be one of the first "ghost ambient" conneisseurs in the world to experience EMPTY CITY, now is the time to stake your place in line at:

Tor Lundvall Empty City preorder

Thanks to all who have ordered already, the response is overwhelming. Hold on just a little longer, it's coming...

"Tor's musical invocations are so authentic and effective it is mesmerizing."
­Heathen Harvest

"I'm convinced that this man is exploring new fields, maybe this way creating new perspectives in ambient."
­Side-Line

"makes Goldfrapp, Scala and Portishead sound like ZZ Top. Trip hop minus the hop."
­Terrorizer


CYNFEIRDD LABEL IN STOCK NOW AT STRANGE FORTUNE

Albireon / Il Volo Insonne / $13
The Blizzard Sow / Baagou Music / $13
Clair Obscur / In Out / $13
Clair Obscur / Play / $13
Duparc / Twilight Fell from High Above / $13
Herr / The Winter of Constantinople Picture Disk LP / $17
Karnnos / Undercurrents and Lost Horizons (NEW 2006) / $13
Karnnos / Dun Scaith / $13
Richard Moult / The Secret Joy (NEW 2006) / $13
The Mystery School / The Mystery School / $13
Omne Datum Optimum / Missa XXI / $13
Regard Extreme / Resurgence / $13
While Angels Watch / Dark Age / $13
Wolfsblood / Twilight of the World / $13
Cynfeirdd No. 19 Zine/CD / $12
Cynfeirdd No. 18 Zine/CD / $12
Cynfeirdd No. 17 Zine/CD / $12
Cynfeirdd No. 16 Zine/CD / $12
Sol Lucet Omnibus: A Tribute to Sol Invictus / $15

Check out all the available Cynfeirdd catalogue at:

Cynfeirdd at Strange Fortune


INVISIBLE LABEL IN STOCK NOW AT STRANGE FORTUNE

Strange Fortune is now offering the following Invisible label titles, at a new & better price than ever:

Attrition / Dante's Kitchen / $11
Attrition / Keepsakes and Reflections / $11
Attrition / The Hand That Feeds: The Remixes / $11
Attrition / Ephemera / $11
Attrition / The Hidden Agenda / $11
Caul / Muein / $11
Dead Voices on Air / Live / $11
Dead Voices on Air / Frankie Pett Presents... / $11
Dead Voices on Air / Piss Frond 2CD / $13
Dead Voices on Air / How Hollow Heart / $11
Dead Voices on Air / Shap / $11
Dead Voices on Air vs. Not Breathing / A Fire in the Bronx Zoo / $11
Not Breathing / Itchy Tingles / $11
Not Breathing / The Starry Wisdom 2CD / $11
Not Breathing / Sangre Azul / $11
Scorn / Anamnesis / $11
Scorn / Whine / $11
Scorn / Zander / $11

Essential albums available at last for a reasonable price at www.strangefortune.com


STRANGE FORTUNE AT MYSPACE

Our silly Myspace page can be found here:

Strange Fortune at Myspace

"Add" us - we'll be your friend back, promise!


This Strange Fortune New Music Release Updates newsletter is available both as a mailing list and as a subscribable blog at livejournal: strangefortune

To be added or removed from the mailing list, simply reply to service (at) strangefortune (dot) com with "remove" or something else that describes your wish.
Thank you,

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

12:49pm: Strange Fortune News: Tor Lundvall's Empty City & Richard Moult's Secret Joy
A Strange Fortune Update February 10th 2006

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER: EMPTY CITY

Strange Fortune today opens the gates of EMPTY CITY for preorders.

February sees the release of the first essential album of 2006. EMPTY CITY is the brand new release of Tor Lundvall. File under: ghost ambient!

EMPTY CITY's first edition is 955 numbered copies, and the first 100 ordered will come personally signed by the artist.

To catch a glimpse of EMPTY CITY and to be one of the first 100 in line, proceed now to:

Tor Lundvall / Empty City

"Tor's musical invocations are so authentic and effective it is mesmerizing."
­Heathen Harvest

"I'm convinced that this man is exploring new fields, maybe this way creating new perspectives in ambient."
Side-Line

"makes Goldfrapp, Scala and Portishead sound like ZZ Top. Trip hop minus the hop."
­Terrorizer


GEM OF THE MONTH: RICHARD MOULT

Strange Fortune's Gem of the Month for February 2006 is Richard Moult's THE SECRET JOY.

Richard Moult is an English composer working from a romantic tradition, who is behind an upcoming orchestral version of Current 93's Soft Black Stars. THE SECRET JOY is pure pastoral beauty performed exquisitely by piano and two female vocalists.

"Richard Moult is one of the most talented and interesting artists I have met, a creative polymath supreme whose work with Current 93 is very special indeed." –David Late Tibet

Strange Fortune is one of the first dealers to make this special release available in North America, and you won't find a better price anywhere.

Richard Moult's THE SECRET JOY is a French import for just $13 & shipping, in stock & available to order right away at

Richard Moult / The Secret Joy


STRANGE FORTUNE MYSPACE

Strange Fortune now has a page available on Myspace. For those of you who are Myspace addicts you may find it now at

Strange Fortune Myspace

More content of interest will be posted over time.

Please "Add" us - or whatever you do with this silly web site!

If you aren't already on it... you aren't missing all that much trust us!


NEW RELEASES AT STRANGE FORTUNE

Albireon / Il Volo Insonne / $13
Belborn / Perchta 7" / $13
Maurizio Bianchi / A MB Ienh Tale / $13
Column One / Dream Time / $15
Corde Oblique (Lupercalia/Argine/Gothica) / Respiri / $13
Deadwood / 819 / $14
Drazen (Black Sun) / Visions of Anarcadia / $15
Duparc (The Mystery School) / Twilight Fell from High Above / $13
Folkstorm / Folkmusik Special Edition 2CD / $19
Golgatha / Kydos / $15
The Hafler Trio / Only the Hand That Erases Can Write the True Thing 10" / $29
Herr / The Winter of Constantinople / $14
Kreuzweg Ost / Edelrost / $14
Kriegsfall-U / Kriegsfall-U / $14
Richard Moult / The Secret Joy / $13
Nurse with Wound / Salt Marie Celeste / $13
Predominance / Dark Stars Unfolding 2CD / $17
Ultra Milkmaids & Aidan Baker / At Home with... / $12
Wander / Wander / $13
Marc Wannabe / Things Don't Last Very Long / $13
Richard Wolstencroft / Pearls Before Swine DVD starring Boyd Rice & Douglas P. / $17
Z'ev / Rhythmajik / $13
A Tribute to Jhonn Balance & Coil: The Loneliest Link in a Very Strange Chain / $13

Read about all the latest releases at Strange Fortune New Music Releases

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA

12:00pm: Tor Lundvall Empty City February 2006
PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT: EMPTY CITY

February sees the release of the first essential album of 2006.

EMPTY CITY is the brand new release of Tor Lundvall. File under: ghost ambient!

To get you excited about what is to be a monumental release, we're making available a short sample of Tor Lundvall's EMPTY CITY along with some background info - find it now if you dare at:



Have a taste - as long as you think you can take a small dose of this and hold together enough willpower to wait for it all to be yours.


EMPTY CITY's first edition is 955 numbered copies, and the first 100 will come personally signed by the artist.

To be one of the first 100, you'll have to keep paying attention for the imminent Empty City preorder announcement from Strange Fortune...


"Tor's musical invocations are so authentic and effective it is mesmerizing."
–Heathen Harvest

"Tor's ability to use chimes and bell-like sounds to create many different moods and settings here is near genius."
–Legends

"I'm convinced that this man is exploring new fields, maybe this way creating new perspectives in ambient."
–Side-Line

"makes Goldfrapp, Scala and Portishead sound like ZZ Top. Trip hop minus the hop."
–Terrorizer

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
The source for strange & exquisite sounds

3:01pm: Strange Fortune News: Top Ten Albums of 2005
A Strange Fortune Update, End Of December 2005

2005 TOP TEN LISTS

A new year's just around the corner now... What better way to start your new year on the right note than with the best music of 2005?


Strange Fortune's Top Ten Favorite Albums of 2005

(Note: Our favorite album of the year, Last Light by Tor Lundvall, is disqualified for being a Strange Fortune label release.)

10 / All My Faith Lost / As You're Vanishing in Silence
9 / Squaremeter / The Frozen Spark
8 / Sol Invictus / The Devil's Steed
7 / Desiderii Marginis / That Which Is Tragic and Timeless
6 / Brighter Death Now / Kamikaze Kabaret
5 / William Basinski / Silent Night
4 / Harvest Rain / Night Chorus
3 / Ataraxia / Arcana Eco
2 / Tony Wakeford & Andrew Liles / Cups in Cupboard
1 / Nurse with Wound / Echo Poeme: Sequence No. 2


And the Top Sellers at Strange Fortune 2005

10 / Death in June & Boyd Rice / Alarm Agents
9 / Lustmord / Heresy
8 / Blood Axis & Les Joyaux de la Princesse / Absinthia Taetra
7 / Current 93 / How He Loved the Moon: Moonsongs for Jhonn Balance LP
6 / various artists / Flowers Made of Snow
5 / Ksiezyc / Ksiezyc
4 / Sol Invictus / The Devil's Steed
3 / Tony Wakeford & Andrew Liles / Cups in Cupboard
2 / Tor Lundvall / Holiday Greeting Cards 2005
1 / Tor Lundvall / Last Light


Miss any of these this year? Why not give em a try and put in an order now at

http://strangefortune.com/top-ten.php



TOR LUNDVALL HOLIDAY GREETING CARDS 2005

It may be too late to be cool and make use of them this year, but if you want to plan early for next year, there are a few last sets of Tor Lundvall Holiday Greeting Cards 2005 Edition, available at Strange Fortune until sold out.

Tor Lundvall Holiday Greeting Cards Edition 2005 is a boxed set of 15 greeting cards featuring magically enchanting winterscape paintings by Tor Lundvall.

Tor's visuals will be familiar to many of you from his distinctive album covers for his fine recordings as well as for SOL INVICTUS and others.

The 2005 edition is a small limited edition of just 100 boxes, featuring the Tor Lundvall paintings "Winter Sun," "Still," and "Outpost." Next year's edition will feature different paintings once again.

Tor Lundvall Holiday Greeting Cards Edition 2005 is available to order until they're gone forever, for just $19 & shipping at

http://strangefortune.com/cd.php?id=2665


New Releases at Strange Fortune

Column One / Dream Time / $15
Deadwood / 819 / $14
Drazen (Black Sun) / Visions of Anarcadia / $15
Folkstorm / Folkmusik Special Edition 2CD / $19
The Hafler Trio / Wolf Sheep Cabbage Episode 2 7" vinyl / $17
The Hafler Trio / Wolf Sheep Cabbage Episode 3 7" vinyl / $17
The Hafler Trio / Only the Hand That Erases Can Write the True Thing 10" vinyl / $29
Herr / The Winter of Constantinople / $14
Irr App (Ext) & Wyrm / Irr App (Ext)/Wyrm 7" vinyl / $9
Kreuzweg Ost / Edelrost / $14
Kriegsfall-U / Kriegsfall-U / $14
Andrew Liles / Mother Goose's Melody / $15
Andrew Liles / New York Doll / $15
The New Blockaders & Gosplan Trio / Sound Sketch for Raging Flames / $15
Boyd Rice Presents Little Fyodor / The Very Best of Little Fyodor's Greatest Hits! / $12
Ultra Milkmaids & Aidan Baker / At Home with... / $12
Tony Wakeford & Andrew Liles / Cups in Cupboard / $13
Marc Wannabe / Things Don't Last Very Long / $13
Z'ev / Rhythmajik / $13
Zoviet France / Music for a Spaghetti Western / $15
The Loneliest Link in a Very Strange Chain: A Tribute to Jhonn Balance and Coil / $13

Read about all the new releases at http://strangefortune.com/catalog.php


And just around the corner now...

Tor Lundvall / Empty City


Happy New Year from Strange Fortune!


This Strange Fortune new music release updates newsletter is available both as a mailing list and as a weblog at www.livejournal.com/users/strangefortune/

To be added or removed from the mailing list, simply reply to service (at) strangefortune (dot) com with "subscribe" or something else that describes your wish.
Thank you,

Michael J. Salo
www.strangefortune.com
strange & exquisite post-industrial sounds

Strange Fortune / PO Box 440383 / Somerville MA 02144 USA