deconstructing interference
Illustration by Emily McCafferty

Deconstructing Interference #10

This is Deconstructing Interference, the roundup, dealing with all the non-metal and experimental stuff that I find interesting. If you want to be considered for this column or have anything else to recommend, drop me an e-mail at [email protected]

stranger U

Strange U#LP4080

Hailing from the other side of nowhere, Strange U initiate a trippy journey through experimental, astral hip-hop. References are plenty and insane, using samples from ‘Dragonball’, ‘DC Comics’ villains, ‘Thundercats’, ‘Ghostbusters’, and whatever other pieces of nostalgia one can imagine. It is a hilarious journey, but that does not alter its high quality.

varg gore tex city

VargNordic Flora Pt.3: Gore-Tex City

Varg is an interesting persona, having roots in the black metal realm, but showcasing an aptitude for creating amazing techno. Gore-Tex City is the latest instalment to his Nordic Flora series, presented as an expansive work of chilled out electronic music. The record is multi-facade, moving from acidic techno beats firing on all possible directions, to trip-hop elements and ethereal moments of pure bliss.

pearl temptation through impatience

P.E.A.R.L.Temptation Through Impatience

Finding inspiration from the Ars Moriandi, a 15th century book on the art of “dying well”, Spanish producer P.E.A.R.L moves through aggressive territories with his newest record. Industrial beats and distorted concepts are presented through a kaleidoscopic techno vision, presenting an unstoppable rhythmic force through impressive sound design, drone-induced soundscapes and a disruptive methodology.

apokrifina realnost

Apokrifna RealnostNa Rekah Vavilonskih

Originally released in 1988, Na Rekah Vavilonskih travels further down the past, transferring its concepts back to medieval times, forging work that is strongly ritualistic and with a folk edge to it. The closest relative that I can think of to Apokrifna Realnost would be The Moon Layed Hidden Beneath A Cloud, precursor of what bands like Menace Ruine do today.

verge emblematic ruin

VergeEmblematic Ruin

It looks like I cannot stop talking about Avian releases recently, but the label has been putting out magnificent albums. The latest addition is Andre Gough’s project Verge coming with Emblematic Ruin. In this substantial experimental electronic work, Gough moves through noisy soundscapes and distorted pieces, but in doing so he finds a way of capturing their melancholy. The key here is how noise and distortion can produce a record, which is not so much volatile, as it is mournful and transcendental.

the necks unfold

The NecksUnfold

Leaders of experimental and abstract jazz, The Necks return with their first record for Stephen O’Malley of Sunn 0)))’s Ideologic Organ label. Even though Unfold presents four tracks instead of the usual longform style of The Necks, an adventurous mindset and exploratory scope are still radiant in the music. Moving from free jazz to psychedelic organ recitals, from tribal dreamscapes to post-rock structures, the band unleashes yet another great piece to be added to their extensive body of work.

1500strombolivolumeuno

StromboliVolume Uno

Volume Uno, Stromboli’s post-apocalyptic trip through ruins takes on the harsher implementations of industrial and noise. The cold industrial mode of repetition meets with the unpredictability of noise, and its wall of sound extension, while everything is taking place inside a dark ambient scenery. Navigating through this modes and binding them together is usually difficult, but Nino Pasquinis aptitude for destruction leads to a complete dystopian world.

linda gate den

Lina GateDen

In Lina Gate’s forty minute long exploration of sound and space, repetition is key. As the long drones begin to appear the atmosphere around you shifts, changing to fantastical imagery of ever-evolving colours and textures. It is a daunting listen, but it’s slow metamorphosis is nonetheless captivating.

sasha siem bird burning

Sasha SiemBird Burning

Sasha Siem is an impressive, rising force in the alternative scene. Classically trained, she exposes a wide range of influences in her latest record Bird Burning, calling on not only her classical background but also stylistic qualities from artists such as Björk. The record is a magnificent trip on its own right, but the inclusion of re-interpretations of her tracks by Rabit takes the whole experience to another level, causing different worlds to collide to surprising results.

monolog subheim

Monolog & SubheimConviction

Two very talented experimental music artists get together for the first time, and set off on a dark trip through various themes. Monolog, as is appropriate for a Drum n Bass expert, raises the foundation of the record, through explosive rhythmic patterns, while Subheim, as a genre-bending entity, supplies the earthy and ethereal elements that will lead you through. What is impressive here is that despite the short duration of the record, about 20 minutes, the two artists are exploring and conducting a wide array of themes.

dag rosenqvist

Dag Rosenqvist & Matthew CollingsHello Darkness

Hello Darkness is a record of contradictions, and that is not an easy thing to achieve. However, since this is not the first time that Rosenqvist and Collings meet to produce music, the familiarity between the two provides ground for further sonic tinkering. Abandoning the standard production process, the duo processes the sound in unorthodox manners, adding elements to the master track and editing straight on there. The result is a multi-flavored work with a tongue-in-cheek attitude.

hadals the dog

HadalsThe Dog

Hadals is an experimental, extreme music project, which is set on complete sonic devastation. A listen to their previous works, 180 Gram Runed Skull and Pure Jib Jab displays vividly their harsh noise approach, with a touch of drone, in Coffinsleaper. As if that was not aggressive enough, their newest album, The Dog, sees them incorporating elements of hardcore and sludge in the mix. Complete mayhem: Achieved.