Othon

The long-awaited first album from alternative music's enfant terrible is finally here. With vocal performances by Marc Almond, David Tibet, and Ernesto Tomasini, and works that defy any pre-existing musical genre, this atypical debut is the manifestation of Othon's challenging, bold, and sensitive artistic vision. The pieces are mainly, though not exclusively, for voice and piano, with the production cut to a minimum, giving the album an intimate, almost live quality. Othon's compositions--a blend of opera, punk, noise, and lyrical romanticism--are proof of a rich and distinctive musical language. The songs deal with desperate love, human bio-chipping, addiction to violence, and 2012; they form a soundtrack to either a passionate love story or a post-apocalyptic nightmare. 
 
Three tracks feature Almond on vocals, including a cover of Aleister Crowley's "The Tango Song" (the first time this song has ever been released); one track features Tibet on vocals, covering Coil's "The Dreamer Is Still Asleep"; and four tracks feature Tomasini on vocals. 
 
Othon's highly original compositions, intelligent songwriting, and virtuosic piano playing has enthused audiences and critics alike. With only a limited self-released CD EP in his back catalogue, he has toured several European cities and received regular airplay on European and American radio shows. His pieces have formed soundscapes for films by Bruce LaBruce and Derek Jarman and he has collaborated with musicians such as Peter Christopherson, The Elysian Quartet (who guest on the album), and Fabrizio Modonese Palumbo. Digital Angel's original artwork and photography is by Hector de Gregorio.