KXP + Ond Cirkel

K-X-P is Timo Kaukolampi – Electronics, Guitar & Vocals, Tomi Leppänen – Drums (From Circle, Pharaoh Overlord, Aavikko) Tatu Rönkkö -Second drums (From Liima, Efterklang)

K-X-P is known for their intense, repetitive live shows with primitive drums, screams and electronic pulses combined with intense visuals.

K-X-P “Hex Bag” Ransomnote: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres-exclusive-streams/premiere-k-x-p-hex-bag-edit/

“The silver metallic train sped through the night at warp speed, like a bullet being fired out of a revolver. It hardly made a sound as it hurtled through the air leaving a hazy smoke in its wake. Outside the window, cold grey landscapes whizzed past, and upon them new mirrored structures were being erected rapidly as though they had been ready assembled. Set against the blazing red sky, a brand new sky line was appearing before their eyes, hot on the heels of the path that their train was taking. Their destination was unknown, all they knew was that their jouney may never end. 

Electronic rock band K-X-P move into new territories for their next album, IV, on Svart Records. The Finish four-piece blend synths with techno and rock influences and the results are pretty cosmic. Our pick is Hex Bag Edit, but the whole release has a raw energy that comes through their approach to recording it, “no headphones, just loud monitors blasting the synths and beat boxes.”

Ond Cirkel

Ond Cirkel is equal parts disorientingly sombre as abrasively dreamlike in their own approach to post-punk. The quartet embraces driving and melodic basslines, reverb drenched guitar & pummeling drums. The intimate vocals sung in Swedish oscillate between animosity & melancholy while often also leaving the listener with a glimmer of reposal.

Since the band started in 2017, in Gothenburg, Sweden, Ond Cirkel have both gone lost and charted new paths on their musical map through darkness, sorrow and small sparks of hope. The inspiration comes from the punk and post-punk of the 80’s as well as shoegaze and Swedish pop. They have been described as “equally hypnotically pensive as frightfully anxious” and “introspective post-punk/indie with a dark intensity that hits you right in your heart.”