To mark the 20th ANNIVERSARY of the label this year, SISTER 9 are proud to present a special LTD Edition 4 CD Set, which tells the story of Rhys Bloodjoy’s first band — lo-fi/post-punk/scuzz-rock label-founders, DOLIUM. Now take a deep breath and settle down comfortably because this is a mammoth journey in time with a whopping seventy-plus tracks on offer.

In their early days, Dolium caused quite a buzz on the UK underground music scene; first in 1999/2000 with their sonic assault on the city of Sheffield – and then some years later, when their 2004 DIY debut single (and the label’s first ever release under the name of Parlour 9) quickly caught the attention of BBC radio legend, John Peel.

The rest, as they say, is history…

To be fair this is a pretty epic collection and the style and production varies throughout the mammoth seventy plus tracks. from singles and BBC Sessions to unreleased albums worth of material the journey and discover is fascinating and rewarding. To have the band’s entire discography (all newly remastered by Rhys Bloodjoy in the S9 Studio), plus many unheard recordings, including their long-lost, unreleased third album, Brother Transistor is a real winner.

The story is presented in a striking full colour booklet, featuring art and photography, as well as extensive sleeve notes by the band and their management, plus one or two surprises! This is a real labour of love and a massive pat on the back for whoever did this painstaking research – excellent job.

To say they are a well kept secret is something of an understatement so I urge you to not let this pass you by. Get involved and jump on board there is something in here for everyone as the band had their own style but also touched upon many others in the process. The gothic undertones of the unreleased album also comes wrapped in a big glossy sheen that could have cut through and the Joy Division with a smile comparisons chime through as well on tracks like ‘VD On The Radio’ more in the vocal than the music.

The ‘Future In Hands’ is like a goth dark ‘My Sherona’ and I’m scratching my head as to how I’d never heard of them. Maybe I should expect the punk police to give me the five o’clock knock and reprimand me for not having my ear to the ground wide enough. I’m making up time for that now officer.

The early demos show how a band grew and were raging with creativity whilst they found their feet and niche. ‘Anaesthetic To Numb The Pain’ is a great study point. Theres a real charm to the demos compared to the studio suss of the album material. The underground crass like crossover of ‘Tattooed on it’.

Seventy six songs is some product and playing catch up is a well of musical depths that I’m more than happy to drop my bucket in. Join me and discover Dolium its pretty bloody good.

INFO: CD1: “Kisses Fractures” (2005 Debut Album) + Bonus Tracks & “Teenagers EP” (2006) | CD2: “Hellhounds On The Prowl” (2008 Second Album) + Bonus Tracks & “El Vampiro Attack! EP” (2008) | CD3: “Brother Transistor” (Unreleased Third Album) + Bonus Tracks | CD4: “66.6 Miles And The F-Machine” (Early 4-Track Demos) + Rarities (1998-2003)

*** NOTE: A FREE SECRET BONUS ALBUM (20 TRACKS!) featuring a selection of demos, out-takes, rehearsal room recordings, live tracks and other rarities not included in the Box Set will also be accessible from within the sleeve notes of every CD purchase!

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