Portugeuse festival Semibreve knocked our socks off in 2012 – and it’s back with a new instalment for 2013. 

Last year’s edition welcomed the likes of Ben Frost, Vladislav Delay, Jon Hopkins and Fennesz for a a selection of treats from the more cerebral end of the spectrum, and this year’s first wave of announcements see the organisers ploughing a similar furrow.

Bobby Krlic’s increasingly sought-after The Haxan Cloak project kicks off the bill. We’ve been following the cinematic sound designer for years, and 2013 saw him break through proper with the critically lauded Excavation LP – a sibylline blend of industrial, dark ambient and dub. Another musician exploring the dank and the dark is the remarkable Forest Swords. 2010’s Dagger Paths – officially our favourite album of that year – was a spartan synthesis of post-rock, RZA ambience and solos guitar work, and his new material has been highly promising. The other big name is man-of-many-faces Uwe Schmidt, aka AtomTM, last heard on Raster-Noton disc HD. Rafael Toral rounds out the bill.

More acts are, of course, yet to be announced. Semibreve will take place at Braga, Portugal from November 15-17. Head here for more information