silt of the sphynx's tor - self titled (3inch cd)

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I first encountered the shiftingsandscongregation label through an enthusiastic recommendation by friend Michael Jantz (Black Eagle Child, Avant Archive)... then just a few days later I received a new CD on Sean McCann's Rectial label by Troy Schafer (most highly recommended btw) and was immediately blown away. It wasnt long I connected the dots and realized shiftingsandscongregation was Troy's modest label focusing on super limited edition hand made releases... and knew I had to get my hands on some of these. Primarily 3inch CDs in a variety of unique packaging... little string cover book covers and most uniquely the Chagas and Schafer release which is a 3 inch mounted on big laminated 13inch x 10inch photo prints... each one a different. Every release on this label is highly recommended. - Jeremy Bible

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Ian Adcock
Javier Krassen
Recorded Live at the Bornless Sanctuary
Madison, Wisconsin
2011

'Strange goings on in the heartland, I tell you.

Taigheirm is the inaugural release from Troy Schafer's Shifting Sands Congregation label. If you folks remember my reviews of Kinit Her's last album or Troy's Anubis Come In tape, you may have some kind of idea what to expect. If you don't feel like reading those, what you can expect is some very highly experimental musical mysticism.

Taigheirm is actually a word, according to the web it means:

The Gaelic term Taigheirm means either an armoury, or the cry of a cat, depending on how the word is being pronounced. Both meanings are closely connected as the cries of tormented cats were also the weapons used to overwhelm the opposition that demons presented to human requests. But, the word is mostly given to an ancient magic rite in which cats were sacrificed. This mainly happened in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, although it is believed that the ceremony originated in more northerly climes, and was practised until about the end of the 18th Century.

Taigheirm the musical project isn't that extreme sounding. Rather it definitely falls within the general tones of the 'Mystic Wisconsin' sound. The album's single track has a very low-key level of ambient unease. Sounds that you might be able to recognize, but can't quite pinpoint as you try pervade the recording, but are coupled with bells and the sounds of the floor creaking and a few recognizable feline sounds. This actually is a live recording and very well sounds like an actual ritual, which it may be.

Super limited 50 unit CD-R release. Available on Brave Mysteries. Recommended.

*if I even have to say this, endorsement of this music does in no way endorse the ritual of Taigheirm.'

- Jayson of To Eleven