This month's essential reading : LUCIFER BOX and HARRY FLASHMAN

We love books almost as much as we love music here in the Paradigms coven and it was with perverse joy that earlier this year we were introduced to the three decadently witty and wickedly depraved Lucifer Box novels by one Mark Gatiss, who you are probably aware of as a member of The League Of Gentlemen and writer for Doctor Who.

The first book being "The Vesuvius Club", each tome charts the wanton career of said Lucifer Box Esq; portraitist, dandy, wit, rake and his majesty's most dashing secret agent. From the Imperial grandeur of Edwardian London to the underground vice dens of the Mediterranean, Box reduces and seduces his way across graveyards and opium establishments in search of answers to the deaths of leading scientific minds of the day. And all paths lead to the rather risqué "Vesuvius Club".

His legacy continues throughout two further novels, "The Devil In Amber" and "Black Butterfly"; "The Devil In Amber" being our favourite of the three, wherein Box graces the Art Deco sophistication of 1920's Manhattan, the bleak Norfolk coastal convent of St Bede and the snow-capped alpine mountains of Switzerland in pursuit of Olympus Mons, fascist leader of the brutish 'Amber Shirts', hellbent on world domination through occult powers, sacrifice of the illusive 'lamb' and ready to summon Satan himself to fulfill a devilish prophecy. Quite literally all boxes ticked then.

"Black Butterfly" concludes the series, as an elderly Lucifer is sent on his final mission. Now in the 1950's under the new reign of a young Queen Elizabeth II, Box's twilight adventure starts on the seedy streets of London's Soho unraveling the mystery of several suspicious deaths of leading pillars of the Establishment which takes him to the souks of Istanbul and the sun-soaked beaches of Jamaica to finally confront his heinous arch-enemy of yesteryear.

Gatiss' writing is fiendishly clever, inventive and macabre with a way with words that is quite simply unparalleled. Think Oscar Wilde, think Sherlock Holmes, Flashman and H.P. Lovecraft. Gentlemanly deviant reading.

Many reviews of these essential novels have drawn reference to the similarly fiendish Flashman books, so our curiosity got the better of us, and thank god it did. Written by George MacDonald Fraser in 1969, the first in the "Flashman Papers" series, simply entitled "Flashman", begins with the expulsion of Harry Flashman from Rugby School in the 1830's and his gravitation to service in the British army on the frontiers of the Empire. Based upon the caddish bully of 'Tom Brown's School Days', Flashman lies, cheats and romps his way through the boudoirs of Victorian Britain to the erotic frontiers of Afghanistan and India, with luck on his side and buxom ladies on his mind. Hero, coward and always the true nobleman with no honour, the first installment is un-put-down-able and we can't wait to plough into the further exploits of Master Flashman.

RUIN : live at Volksbühne Berlin.

And to complete a Friday evening of esoteric wonders, may we present a stunning live performance from Berlin ensemble, RUIN. We recently effervesced over their sublime "1/2 Skull" album right here on the Paradigms blog and their recent live evocations have proved equally spellbinding...

Gothic Post-Punk Electronica

One of the most stunning new finds / obsessions here at Paradigms HQ must be TROPIC OF CANCER, a shadowy duo of Camella Lobo and Juan Mendez from Los Angeles. The video to 'A Color' is featured below, taken from their third twelve inch single "The Sorrow Of Two Blooms", released on the London based Blackest Ever Black label; which has made quite a name for itself as it delves into the blackened electronic underground for bold, artistic works.

Here TROPIC OF CANCER are at their finest, fusing the haunting minimalism of Joy Division, the bleakness of 'Pornography'-era Cure whilst really refining the production into contemporary black art with nods to sonic adventurers Broadcast and the like. Darkness has never felt so beautiful or sounded so alluring...

This week's big crush ♥ I BREAK HORSES

The Paradigms bunker has been buzzing excitedly recently to the fuzzed out hazy bliss of Stockholm, Sweden based Maria Lindén, here going by the moniker of I BREAK HORSES. She recently signed to the Bella Union label and is about the release a debut 12" this month entitled 'Hearts'. The video of which is below.

It perfectly captures exactly where we're at right now, you know, the way that only music can sometimes. It also really brings it home to us that it's a very, very special time for new music at the moment. To make it even more special, our favourite graphic designer working in the industry, Vaughan Oliver and his v23 studio, created the visual concept for the upcoming record. Highly recommended and then some. Watch out for the debut album coming in August...

HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY - "Under God's Heaven" VIDEO

To accompany the recent Paradigms release of the rather spectacular "Conjoined" cd by HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY, here's the video for the track "Under God's Heaven". Written, produced and directed by Freddie Lloyd. Enjoy.

"Conjoined" is available now exclusively from the Paradigms online store here. Limited to 500 copies only, presented in two wrap-around sleeves of printed velum and black stock with Paradigms custom wallet.

KINDEST LINES - Destructive Paths To Live Happily

Paradigms HQ has been enraptured by the dark pop of New Orleans trio KINDEST LINES of late too. Very much looking forward to the debut album 'Covered In Dust' which is out next month. Scratchy post-punk, minimal synths and a fog of 'Disintegration' era Cure atmospherics perhaps with a distinct indie sensibility and ethereal vocals of Brittany Terry. Very cool, we like this...

RUIN + Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop "1/2 Skull"

So, it's been an age since we wrote on the blog, unfortunately life seems to get in the way sometimes -- busy times at Paradigms HQ too, what with the recent release of the colossal HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY "Conjoined" cd, which we'd encourage you all to check out as it is rather special. We've also just released a new label t-shirt design which is going by the name of 'Sonic Witchcraft', a fine addition to the wardrobe of all discerning aural occultists this season. Have a little look at this fine item of clothing at the Paradigms online store here.

We've also been spoilt for new music too, Paradigms and otherwise. The ever reliable Thrill Jockey label continue to amaze, most recently with the beautifully pastoral new album from Alexander Tucker. "Dorwytch" sees Alex expand on his folk themes into something more broad and well crafted. Highly recommended.

But the one piece of music that we've been losing ourselves in most deeply is "1/2 Skull" by Germany's RUIN.

RUIN + SOLISTENENSEMBLE KALEIDOSKOP "1/2 SKULL" CD

"1/2 Skull" is the latest work from Berlin performance artist Martin Eder and his shadowy collective of co-conspirators -- the soundtrack to an elaborate stage performance hosted in his home city on 14th April 2011. A harrowing score of haunted modern composition, haunted chamber music and deathly ambient atmospheres. Masterfully performed, this reminds us of the bleak vision behind Univers Zero's classic "Heresie" in part with a nod to some of John Zorn's chamber works, whilst ultimately ploughing it's own unique dark furrow. Intricately packaged in a heavyweight boxset with numerous insert cards printed from blood infused inks. From beginning to end the presentation is flawless, moving and rich.

Well worthy of your time. A introspective masterpiece ready for your investigation. Have a look at the stunning video trailer below. Enjoy.

RUIN WEBSITE : http://www.ruinofficial.com/