44 Leningrad - Zarapina (1995) [Germany]

I first heard this album in 1999. It took most of a day to download on a very slow rural dial-up connection. It was a random selection from an FTP and given it was the first album listed, I just went with it. I believe I referred to it as "Russian polka metal" the first time I heard it and had mixed feelings between intrigue and confusion. It grew on me after awhile and has become one of my favorite albums, helping me develop an appreciation for the much maligned accordion as a valid instrument.

YouTube / Internet Archive

Diamanda Galás - Broken Gargoyles (2022)

Released only two days ago, Diamanda Galás's Broken Gargoyles takes sounds seemingly most appropriate for an avant garde art installation, layers poetry written and recited by Georg Heym. The two poems ("Das Fieberspital" and "Die Damonen der Stadt") fit the ambient sounds, creating an experience in line with what one would expect at a meeting of broken gargoyles.

Not an easy listen, but offers quite a bit for those willing to keep an open mind to the experimental and avant garde fringe of music.

Bandcamp / Internet Archive

Karl Hector & the Malcouns - Non Ex Orbis

Karl Hector & the Malcouns return for a third album: Non Ex Orbis. Non Ex Orbis plays homage to German krautrock, utilizing a mixture of psych rock, prog rock, and jazz to create a sound similar to German band Embryo.

It's only $9.99 on Bandcamp. I'll post other sources in the near future.

Bandcamp / Internet Archive