Last month was a pretty quiet one again for ODIR, owing largely due to the preparations for the DDC gig next month, but also thanks to some rather demanding texts. Especially the Ars Sonitus review (see below) took a lot of time and effort to write. At the same time, it was one of the most rewarding releases to analyze and comment upon, and truly forced me to do so much more than just describe the music and cast judgment on whether it’s good or bad. It truly forced me to apply what I wrote of in my earlier essay Metaphysics matter: music reviews should not be merely reactive, they should consider the metaphysics of music. As demanding as writing that text was, it’s definitely the direction I see ODIR should take in the future. The same goes for my commentary on Tapio Kotkavuori’s classic of Finnish left-hand path esotericism (again, see below).
Enjoy the summer insofar it is possible in the temperatures and weather conditions you live in.
J.
Highlights from ODIR
- In the wake of the brilliant biography Tapio Kotkavuoren elämä ja kuolema, I returned to Kotkavuori’s seminal Vasemman käden polku, which inspired me to write an essay on Kotkavuori’s views on magick, initiation and more: https://onlydeathisreal.rip/2026/06/11/xeper-reflections-on-tapio-kotkavuoris-left-hand-path/
- We posted our probably longest and most in-depth review yet, of Ars Sonitus’ Transfuturist Bruitism Manifesto: https://onlydeathisreal.rip/2026/07/02/ars-sonitus-transfuturist-bruitism-manifesto/
Reading suggestions
- For Finnish readers: Petri Räisänen’s and Ari Väntänen’s biography of notorious Finnish mystic, guru and teller of tall tales Ior Bock, Ior Bockin suuri saaga, is a highly recommended read. My review of it in Imperiumi in Finnish: https://impe.fi/otherreviews/1/631
From our friends
- Dieux Des Cimetières’ e.g., your’s truly’s fourth album was released on June 22nd by Misantropia Records. You can sample the album here: https://cimetieres.bandcamp.com/album/mercy-severity
- While you’re at it, read my explication of some of the themes and topics related to the album: https://onlydeathisreal.rip/2026/06/28/dieux-des-cimetieres-mercy-severity/
- Misantropia Records also released two albums by Finnish dungeon synth maestro Waeltaja on the 22nd. You can buy all three releases here: https://misantropiarecords.bigcartel.com/
- Also, don’t forget the Beherit + Rihmasto + Sum Of R + Dieux Des Cimetières concert on 1.8.2026 in Korjaamo, Helsinki. Buy your tickets here: https://www.lippu.fi/event/beherit-live-in-helsinki-2026-kulttuuritehdas-korjaamo-21717965/
Miscellania
- Salatieteiden Suomi – Esoteerinen ja Okkultti Turku, a book detailing the history of Finnish esotericism and occultism with a focus on the former capital of Turku, was recently released in a revised paperback edition (in Finnish only). Check out my review in Imperiumi: https://impe.fi/otherreviews/1/535
Sign up for the newsletter to get a monthly, curated list of stuff worth checking out directly to your inbox: https://onlydeathisreal.beehiiv.com/
Only Death Is Real 