Magazine

A year and a month after our début in print media, the second issue of Black Ivory Tower is finally available for purchase.

Across its 60 pages, this issue explores folk music and its role in the modern age. In addition, neofolk, ambient and metal are also discussed.

The price for a copy is €10, with an additional €6 for shipping worldwide (€3 for the Netherlands). No special wholesale prices are available. Send an e-mail to blackivorytower@gmail.com to order.

Information and features

This edition, subtitled Time of heroes, has an improved design over last year’s issue. The resolution of the images is generally much higher, and the text has been spaced out better. In addition, a smaller font and a more efficient use of space allowed us to put almost 70% more content in this magazine, despite it having the same number of pages as the previous zine.

The magazine has been pro-printed in full colour on A4 format and features 3 pieces of full-page custom art. Every page has been meticulously designed to reflect and enhance the content of each article. We have also been provided with a considerable amount of custom photography by people involved with the magazine, making for a lay-out that is every bit as personal and unique as the writing.

Content

“This rain will never end” – A review of Yanka Dyagileva‘s album Styd i sram. Also contains a brief history of the Siberian punk scene that discusses its distinction from British/Western punk. (by Degtyarov)
“Taigafolk” – A slightly edited version of the review of the Russian folk split Spletenye that was featured on this website earlier. (by Degtyarov)
“The return to source” – A brief discussion of the Cascadian black metal scene and its peculiarities. (by MDL)
“Where myrtles bloom” – An article on Silva y Villalba, two folk musicians from Colombia. (by Antonio Espinosa)
“Road towards the light” – An interview with Russian folk band Lesnoy Tanets. (by Degtyarov)
“Blokken” – A discussion of Ferdinand Bordewijk’s dystopian/utopian novella Blokken from 1931, and the lessons we can derive from it regarding the flaws of contemporary identity politics. (by Degtyarov)
“Waldheimat” – An analysis of Sturmpercht‘s Geister im Waldgebirg album which explores its value as performative memory. (by MDL)
“A poet’s lyre” – A philosophy-oriented review of In Gowan Ring‘s Hazel steps through a weathered home. (by Dubhthach)
“Prayers in solitude” – An extensive feature on Isa‘s Otchod na zakate album, which contains a review, and interview with the band and some literary pretensions on our behalf. (by Degtyarov)
“The poetry of Apocalypse” – A feature on the poetry of Current 93 and its relation to Apocalypse of the self and the whole. (by Maximus)
“A reflection of the Universe” – An interview with Russian folk band Knyazhaya Pustyn. (by Degtyarov)

Plus:
~ Several smaller reviews of music, books and zines ~
~ Cover art + an illustration for “Prayers in solitude” by Maya K. (Blackdeath) ~
~ An illustration for “Where myrtles bloom” by Helena La Rota López (who also did the cover art for both Cóndor albums) ~

With contributions big and small by 12 people, Black Ivory Tower #2 is one of 2015’s must-haves for the true rag collector.

Pictures

ACHTUNG! Do not buy this zine if:

you only like zines with cut ‘n’ paste design and a horror/exploitation-themed lay-out. We don’t have it.
you are looking for an interview-oriented zine. Black Ivory Tower #2 includes 3 interviews (which is 3 more than last time), but they are a small part of the overall content.
you prefer big names over unknown bands. Unless you consider Knyazhaya Pustyn, Sturmpercht and In Gowan Ring big names, you won’t find any here.
you don’t like lengthy content. Most of the reviews and articles featured in this zine span across several pages and analyse the music from all kinds of perspectives. If you “just want to know what the music sounds like”, we can highly recommend other zines and YouTube.
you live in a country with a poor postal service. We will not be held accountible for lost shipments.
you think using words of three syllables or more turns you into Hunter Hunt Hendrix.
you are Hunter Hunt Hendrix.
you dislike folk music. It is a big part of this edition, even more so than metal.
you tried to screw someone involved with this magazine out of a writing gig and thought he wouldn’t find out about it, you sneaky cunt.
you don’t like bears. Bears are one of the pillars of the design this time around.
you don’t like birds, because the same applies.
you’ve only got one leg.