Gates of Horn and Ivory by Nokuit - Tina Records [TINA002] FLAC download included with physical items

Pre-order products will be shipped to arrive as close as possible to the release date. All orders are dispatched in a single consignment so any other items in your cart will be held until all products are available. Please note that release dates for items on pre-order are subject to change.

Gates of Horn and Ivory

A 6 track electronic ep (25m 17s) — released November 7th 2025 on Tina Records

The ancient Greeks maintained that there are two types of dream: one through the Gates of Horn and the other through the Gates of Ivory. The Gates of Horn lead us to prophetic insight, whereas the Gates of Ivory take us to deception. One supposes this is a hint to discover such architecture during a lucid dream; if the dreamer can steer themselves through the right portal, they may enter a realm of prophecy.

We see similar imaginal hints elsewhere in dream encounters with ghosts. Following the Trojan War, Philostratus reported apparitions on the battlefields at night. "Night" here doubles for the dreaming or mind in a mediumistic state. The soldiers would offer spontaneous prophecies if closely observed; if their bodies were covered in dust, they would predict a coming drought; if they were sweating, they would augur rain; and if they were wearing bloodied armour, they would portend a plague.

It strikes me that the art of necromancy and conspiracy are dark bedfellows; the former speculates that the "night" of our present can augur the future, while the latter suggests that the consensus reality of the present conceals cyphers of an alternate history.

There is also a curious link between battleground necromancy and the ancient praxis of cursing. Imprecations written on tablets were often deposited in the graves of the violently diseased, believing the body would charge the curse with a deleterious power. At Amathous, such tablets were discovered among the remains of a mass crucifixion. The bodies of fallen gladiators and soldiers were similarly potent, but the most deleterious of all such cursing material were the corpses of children. Today, fathers offer up their children's charred bodies to an increasingly forensic camera. I think what new nightmares are these images cursing us with?

Linguists remind us of the etymological roots of the gates of horn and ivory. "Horn" derives from the Greek for "fulfil," and "ivory" from the word "to deceive." In that context, it asks us to decide which reality and moral path to take and demands that we observe what is happening closely. There is no wiser authority than to access our most judicious selves.

Andy Sharp, London, 2025

big fan!! proper 4th world bizniz folded into a industrial techno-slow sensibilty!!! beautiful stuff!! - Jaye Ward Netil Radio

This is wicked! Thanks - Sid Newman Bleep

spooky and stunning - Chalice Echobox Radio

Impressive, dark and urgent atmosphere - thank you! - Comfort Noise comfortnoise.com

Amazing soundscapes and very timely as well. Will def be playing this one. Great release. Really appreciate it. Will be playing on radio, GFR, KTQA 95.3, and on other mixes.. - Ib.IP globalfunkradio.com / ktqa.org

Deep ambient brilliance - Tariq Ziyad Life Support Machine

very special, intense, apocalyptical and beautiful - Coline Cornelis Refuge / Kiosk

Solid release. Pleasure to show my support! - Dubwise Freek FM

Doing a DJ gig where I score the film Mad God. Some of these tracks will be perfect - Recos Trent Radio / Otonabeats Radio

Suitably mental for these strange times - mark broadbent mark broadbent

  • Kudos happily ship all items worldwide.
  • Shipping costs and delivery times are available here.
  • UK items are sent tracked as standard at no extra cost.
  • We aim to dispatch orders placed before 2pm on the same day.
  • We are unable to ship orders on weekends or Bank Holidays.
  • If you purchase a pre-order item amongst an order of in-stock releases, we will typically hold your order until all items are in ready to send.
  • Although we use all reasonable means to ensure that your order is delivered within a specified time, we cannot accept any responsibility for late deliveries due to circumstances outside of our control. We will do our best to inform you of any unexpected delay.