Shadow Dance by Nomad Tree

Stuart Chalmers is already a familiar name around here, having graced the very first release for the label back in 2016 as one half of Tlön, returning to contribute a remix for release no 5 for EP/64 and collaborating with Claus Poulsen on a full-length album for release no 14. However, this is the first time Stuart has put out a solo effort with Aphelion Editions and it’s a thrill to behold and well worth the wait!

Under the Nomad Tree guise, armed with extensive instrumentation, alongside a small number of likeminded collaborators (Lee Riley, Steckdose, Claus Poulsen), "Shadow Dance" casts its spell for a full 32 minutes, drawing you into its all-consuming, all-engrossing sound world full of wyrd folk mystery and heady psychodrama as if soundtracking a series of wild, ancient tales. Holds similar intrigue to works by the likes of Haxan Cloak or Demdike Stare, but ultimately it’s very much ploughing its own furrow, this one.

Well worth spending time with a decent pair of headphones on to let it all sink in fully, preferably in a darkened room to shut out unwanted distractions.

Tracklist

1.	Enter the dark of Caverns (with Lee Riley)	9:15

2.	Calling of Blood and Marrow (with Steckdose)	6:35

3.	Within the Mountain's Heart You Sing (with Claus Poulsen & Steckdose)	7:27

4.	Born of Stone and Fire (with Claus Poulsen)	8:38

Credits

released February 17, 2026

APHELION027

Stuart Chalmers: Frame/Bass Drums, Voice, Amplified Dulcimer, Swarmandal, FX, Gongs, Singing Bowls, Cymbals, Field Recordings & Percussion sourced from Found Animal/Natural Materials such as Birch Wood, Ash Woodblocks, Deer Bone & Stone.

Lee Riley: Guitars, FX.
Claus Poulsen: Zither, Hexaphone, FX.
Steckdose: Synths, Electronics.

Recorded at Safehouse Studios by Mike Bannard 2024/2025.
Recorded at Cathedral Cave in Cumbria & Luds Church & Rowter Rocks in Peak District, North Yorkshire 2024.

Artwork & Design by Liam McConaghy.

Thanks to Mike Bannard for Mixing & Mastering, Lewis, Claus & Lee for their contributions & Liam for his Artwork & Design.

Released by Aphelion Editions.

License