SKITLIV, the band formed and fronted by former MAYHEM vocalist Maniac, and featuring SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth on guitars, is releasing two special editions on the UK Label Cold Spring. The CD version, due out at the end of February, comprises two studio tracks; one a special mix of 'Slow Pain Coming' exclusive to Cold Spring, and the other, a version of “Amfetamin”, with guest vocals by current Mayhem and SUNN0))) front man Attila, and includes bonus tracks from the band’s recent live performance at the Camden Underworld, London. Following later will be a limited 12” etched edition.

The release illustrates the subtle shift away from the narrow confines of Black Metal that Maniac has taken recently, expanding into the realms of the Doom/Noise genre whilst still maintaining his original roots. His cooperation with Current 93’s David Tibet and Andrew Liles is also highlighted in the intro to the live performance that was recorded by the two musicians especially for Skitliv. The Tibet/Liles recording used for live performances differs from the version that they recorded as an intro for the Kristiansen and Kvarforth Swim In The Sea of Equilibrium While Waiting… MCD, that was recently released by the band for their European tour. A track from the MCD can be heard on the band’s MySpace page.

Maniac commented: “Justin of COLD SPRING has been a friend for a long time now, and we have always talked about doing a one-off project together, but you know how it goes, you tend to get side-tracked by other things, or the time is not right for one or the other. Then he came up with the idea of the etched vinyl that was something that really appealed to everyone involved. It also came at the right moment in terms of us all having a free window at the same time, so we were able to re-record and re-mix a couple of tracks especially for him, in between recording the MCD and preparing for the tour”.