Review: At the time of its release in 2020, Hidden... was Regis' first album release in nearly 20 years. That's not to suggest he hadn't been busy. In addition to his own Downwards label and releasing on Blackest Ever Black, he also established and ran the storied Sandwell District collective with Function and Silent Servant. Traces of all those diverse projects are audible on what was effectively his comeback solo album. It means that Hidden... features dense, lithe steppers like "Calling Down A Curse" and "I See Fire" sitting side by side with atmospheric drones like "Eros In Tangiers" and "Alone Of All Her Sex". And while the album is peppered with those distinctive styles, Regis
still leaves room for an element of surprise - most notably on the grayscale ambience of "Eros II" and "Everything is Ahead of Us", which breaks down with moody, neoclassical piano keys.
Review: Let The Night Return is a unique one-off performance by Karl 'Regis' O'Connor which took place at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Peloponnese, Greece. A remarkable UNESCO world heritage site devoted to Asclepius (Greek god of medicine), Regis took to the stage with pianist Ann Margaret Hogan, the soundscapes of Vasileios Trigkas and Justin K Broadrick on guitar for a special one-off performance, miced up and recorded for future prosperity. With the heavyset and poetical language of Regis' music still firmly intact, beat driven numbers come through "The Blind Departing" and "Calling Down A Curse" - which will appeal to fans of his Kalon project to tracks like "Blood Witness" - with O'Connor's all time post punk sound ringing true in "Clean Air". With shadowy, industrial murk and distorted edginess to be explored in "Epidaurus (live extract 1)" & Epidaurus (live extract 2)" - it's as if Regis went as far to channel Lou Reed in "Temporary Thing". Best thing since BMB Live In Tokyo.
Review: Regis aka Karl O'Connor revisits his releases on the now shuttered Blackest Ever Black label for this fine compilation. The rolling, insistent drums on "Blood Witness" from the 2011 In A Syrian Tongue EP still sound fresh, while the droning,'Blinding Horses' from the same release also features. Tongue Box also features a new take on this track, and the frosty sound scapes of the 'Stable Boy Mix' are nothing short of mesmerising. In contrast, O'Connor delivers a tighter, rhythm-heavy version of "Manbait" - the title track of his 2015 compilation on the label - as well as the robust "Masterside" stepper available in two dance floor-primed versions.
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