On “As A Leaf Or A Stone” Mathieu Ruhlmann shows us how hard it is to put a label on art. The six tracks are a perfect example of sound art in its purest form.
Category: Reviews
tokee – Quintuplet
With “Quintuplet” tokee not only delivers five fresh tracks, but also a sizeable selection of top-notch remixes; a limited release that, thankfully, plays like a brand new full-length. From 4/4 thumpers splattered with breaks and glitch to coasting and fluid downtempo groovers, tokee’s flawless production and innate sense of tempo render “Quintuplet” a powerhouse of swirling layers and solid beats.
False Mirror – Derelict World
“Derelict World” is the newest album from dark ambient artist False Mirror, released via stalwart label Malignant. Firstly, I must ask your forgiveness for me for being a bit long winded here, but there is much to say about this release. The major thing I want to emphasize is that it is truly an album, a coherent and calculated whole.
The Rorschach Garden – 42 Times Around the Sun
Admitedly, retro-flavoured electro/synthpop may be an acquired taste but, even taking that into consideration, “42 Times Around the Sun” is a solid release worthy of discovering, which can even be quite fascinating given enough chance and approached with an open mind.
Flint Glass – Nyarlathotep + From Beyond EP
Like the new artwork, the music is multi-layered and complex. Skilfully woven layers of dark electronics and samples evoke a quiet, eerie atmosphere, haunted with menacing tension.
Mono-Amine – Do Not Bend
Mono-Amine’s latest offering, “Do Not Bend”, is an endless barrage of complex rhythms twisted madly by distortion and triggered with breakneck speeds. Overall, this album is incredible but not an everyday listen. Recommended for serious fans of distortion and all things fast and aggressive.
Kommando – Crimefactory
Kommando is the first project of Daniel Hofmann, a.k.a. Anton Knilpert/Dan Courtman, who has a hand in the work of virtually all the artists on the UMB label, Dogpop, Jägerblut, Kommando, The Musick Wreckers, Thorofon, UMB-Kollektif and more. The material gathered here is from 1993-98, and was ‘re-constructed’ (or re-animated?) in 2008.
Frl. Linientreu / Niveau Zero / Matta / Subheim / Architect (Andrew’s MF roundup)
Back from Maschinenfest 2010… Well done to all involved for an impressive debut in surely the best venue yet, and thanks particularly to Thomas and Tim for letting me switch [ … ]
Zeller – Turbulences
“Turbulences”, the latest from French industrial adept Zeller, could not be more aptly titled. The concise yet gut-shaking panorama of digital emissions and fractured beats found here challenges orientations in both genre and scale, seating Zeller firmly in the realm of seething, hard sci-fi soundtracks for the post-planetary age.
Aun – Black Pyramid
“Black Pyramid” is the latest release on dark ambient/drone label Cyclic Law. Typically, Cyclic Law releases are built from a standard mold: calm, droning, dark ambient. Aun is one of the few to break out of this pattern, if only somewhat.