talkin' about nu things

Blackest Ever Black - Reime + Regis
Modern Love - Andy Stott
Sandwell District - Yves De Mey
Deep Medi Musik - Old Apparatus
Ancient Methods

Silence does seldom harm
ロンドンにあるブラッケスト・エヴァー・ブラック・レーベルは初期キャバレー・ヴォルテールからスロッビン・グリッスルのポストパンクやゴシック・デジタル・ミニマリズム ( 恐怖のミニマリズム )を横断していて、80年代初期の、浮遊するサイケデリックな世界に誘惑する原始未来のドラム・プログラミングや、世界の深淵に突き落とされる不気味なベースラインが聴こえてくる。
RAIME - REGIS / IF ANYWHERE WAS HERE HE WOULD KNOW WHERE WE ARE * Second Edition ( BLACKE002S )
先端音楽は、30もの年月を経てもなお、風化し皺だらけになった、こんなにも病的なロック・ロマン主義に、なぜまた再び戻ろうとするのか。ベーシック・チャンネル→Ecospaceなどのミニマルダブ、→モノレイク ( Monolake ) やT++、シャクルトン ( Shackleton ) のテクノ・シャーマニッ
ク、→ アポカリプティックなミニマル・インダストリアルとでも形容したいサンドウェル・ディストリクト ( Sandwell District ) → ブラッケスト・エヴァー・ブラック、 → [Perc Trax] からアルバム『Wicker & Steel』をリリースしたPERC、→ モダンラヴのAndy Scott → Milesの流れは、2011年にテクノが流れ着いた自然な文脈なのだ。それどころか最新のテクノはすでにロックイディオムへ回帰しようとすらしている。先端音楽でのPost Apocalyptic Enittyの運動は、よりリアルな様相を呈してきているし、啓示がもたらす最後の審判 ( アポカリプス ) の未来 ( 時 ) を生きている。
3.11以後、脱原発とかなんとか、情緒溢れたエセ・ヒューマニズムに傾れ込むひとびとの、自分の家族だけ幸せならいいというような生活態度に触れるたびに、キミにかける言葉すらも見失ってしまう。それに未来に希望を抱けなくなった若者世代が景気低迷や債務危機、東日本大震災をきっかけにこの社会の構造的矛盾に気づき始めているし、世界は終末に加速度に動き始めている。さて最近のボクの心境といえば、「 物言えば唇寒し秋の風 」につきる。サックス奏者・矢野沙織が放射能を含んでいる可能性のある作物の一切を口にはしたくないと、福島産の放射能汚染された野菜を「百姓が可哀想だから作物を無理矢理食べ被爆しないといけないのか」という発言をしたことが、物議をかもしているが、他にも鉢呂経産相「 死の町 」発言のどこに謝罪しなければならない理由があるのだろうか。東京に住む賢明なひとならすでに西に移住しているご時世だというのに・・・。ただひとこと付け加えるなら、原発を黙認してきたボクらのような若くもない人間は汚染食品を口にする覚悟は決めることだ。ジタバタしてももうすでに手遅れなんだ。
イギリスの西部にあるウェストミッドランドの首都圏地区にあるサンドウェルは、サンドウェル・ヴァレーにあるサンドウェル小修道院に因んで名付けられたのだが、その近くのスワンプールという池では蓮の花が咲くという。蓮の花 ( 蓮華 )は、「女陰」の象徴でもあるが、泥から生え気高く咲く花、まっすぐに大きく広がり水をはじく凛とした葉の姿が、俗世の欲にまみれず清らかに生きることの象徴としてとらえられ、「蓮は泥より出でて泥に染まらず」という諺が中国にある。いまは、言わぬが花／言わぬは言うにまさる／沈黙は金。

**

BLACKEST EVER BLACK

RAIME - REGIS / IF ANYWHERE WAS HERE HE WOULD KNOW WHERE WE ARE * Second Edition ( BLACKE002S )
A1. If Anywhere Was Here He Would Know Where We Are
B1. This Foundry (Regis Version)
mastered by Matt Colton at Air, London
distributed by Veto music Wholesale
BLACKEST EVER BLACK

Raime - This Foundry (Regis Version)

Raime - If Anywhere Was Here He Would Know Where We Are

**visit
http://blackesteverblack.blogspot.com/
http://soundcloud.com/blackest-ever-black

*Raime / Regis - If Anywhere was here he would know where we are (Second Edition)
**The 2nd release on Black Ever Black now re-pressed - Paper sleeve only with a new printed insert** After their incredible dystopian debut crept out of a sewer somewhere, Raime drop the 2nd Blackest Ever Black release, backed with an exceptional Regis remix. 'If Anywhere Was Here He Would Know Where We Are' is another side of hugely evocative dread minimalism, all suggestive tones and ghoulish rhythms writhing somewhere between Dubstep and ritualistic industrial zones. If anything this track offers less melody and even fewer stylistic signposts, while equally creating a greater space for the arcane mind to inhabit. In a stroke of A&R genius, the label has also secured one of Regis' finest remixes of recent years o'er on the flip - and coming from some of his biggest fans, we don't say that lightly. Versioning 'This Foundry' from the 1st 12", Regis dowses for the darkest Techno substance, wading chest deep in dank, fetid and ethereal ambience while propelled by a current of subs-driven steppers techno drums more akin to Shackleton than anything you've heard from him before. Darkside b'stards, your time!

Raime - We Must Hunt Under The Wreckage of Many Systems

**Raime EP released by Blackest Ever Black includes the Original Mix of Retread, The Foundry, and We Must Hunt Under The Wreckage Of Many Systems by Raime.
BUY release on Beatport: https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/287342/Raime%20EP
Blackest Ever Black
http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=12774
Raime
"UK duo Raime utilize minimal electronica to startling effect in what feels like an exploration of the inner murmurings of the psyche. Emanating from a hollow, barren space, the main body of 'This Foundry' is lightly sketched out of sparse skeletal rhythm and snakelike percussion, threatening a dubby groove yet never quite acting on it. Gradually populated by desolate sonic footprints that seem to allude to the ghostly remnants of sound rather than its origins, it is calm and deeply meditative yet driven by an unmistakable undercurrent of menace and collapse..."

*

REGIS / IN A SYRIAN TONGUE ( BLACKEST 004 )
A. Regis – Blood Witness
B. M.J. Harris* / Karl O'Connor –Blood Witness (M.J. Harris / Karl O'Connor Live Version, 8.2.11)
B. Regis – Blinding Horses
written, produced by Karl O'Connor
mastered by Matt Colton
designed by Oliver Smith
made in Uk
BLACKEST EVER BLACK 2011

Regis - Blood Witness

*

TROPIC OF CANCER / THE SORROW OF TWO BLOOMS ( BLACKEST 003 )
A1. A Color
A2. Temporal Vessels
B1. Dive (Wheel Of The Law)
written, produced by Camella Lobo, Juan Mendez
mastered by Matt Colton
design by Oliver Smith
made in UK
BLACKEST EVER BLACK 2011

Tropic of Cancer - Temporal Vessels
http://youtu.be/aGlc_M2aIzI
**Album ~ The Sorrow Of Two Blooms 2011
For more Info ~
http://www.myspace.com/tropicofcancermusic

Tropic of Cancer - A Color
by Motion Sickness of Time Travel
5 months ago

Tropic of Cancer - A Color from Motion Sickness of Time Travel on Vimeo.

**Music by Tropic of Cancer (John Mendez + Camella Lobo).
myspace.com/​tropicofcancermusic
From their recent LP, "The Sorrow of Two Blooms", out now Blackest Ever Black.
blackesteverblack.com
boomkat.com/​vinyl/​403377-tropic-of-cancer-the-sorrow-of-two-blooms
Video by Rachel Evans.
http://www.discogs.com/label/Blackest+Ever+Black
http://twitter.com/#!/blackestever
http://soundcloud.com/blackest-ever-black

TROPIC OF CANCER / THE DULL AGE - VICTIMS ( DO 2 )
A. The Dull Age
AA. Victims
Camella Lobo - vocals, bass, electronics
Juan Mendez - vocals, electronic, percussion
recorded in The Northeast
Fall / Winter 2010
information - Downwardsyouth[ gmail.com
http://downwards.tumblr.com
http://wherenext.tumblr.com
made in UK
*Vinyl, 10", Limited Edition
DOWNWARDS 2009

http://www.myspace.com/tropicofcancermusic

***Blackest Ever Blackに関してはオンライン・エレクトロニックミュージック・マガジンresidentadvisor.netにRAのTodd L. Burnsの「Label of the month: Blackest Ever Black - 罪悪、嫉妬、報復 —— エレクトロニック・ミュージック界でも最もダークなレーベルの核心にあるものとは」と題され素晴らしいインタヴューが掲載されている。
「俺は常にクラブミュージックにおけるあらゆる変化に対し貪欲にフォローしようとしている。「進化」よりも「変化」という言葉を使ったほうがこの場合より正確だと思うね。でも、いろんなトレンドが花開いては衰退していったり利用されたりメジャーのシステムに組み込まれてつまらなくなっていくという繰り返しを見るにつけ、歳を重ねるごとにちょっとガッカリするところは否めないな。この平凡な時代に生きるなかで何かを感じたいと願うならば、結局は自分で探し求めるほかないのさ。 (Kiran Sande)」
http://jp.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1439

*********************************

MODERN LOVE

ANDY STOTT / WE STAY TOGETHER ( LOVE 072 )
1. Submission
2. Posers
3. Bad Wires
4. We Stay Together (Part One)
5. Cherry Eye
6. Cracked
made in UK
http://www.myspace.com/andystott_modernlove

Andy Stott - Posers

*

MILES / FACETS ( LOVE 068 )
A1. Flawed
A2. Lustre
B1. Primer
B2. On The Fly
mastered by Loop-O
photography by Jacob Gayer
mastered at Dubplates & Mastering (Berlin, Germany).
limited to 700 copies
made in UK
MODERN LOVE 2011

Miles - Lustre

*

ANDY STOTT / PASSED ME BY ( LOVE 069 )
A: 1. Signature
2. New Ground
B: 1. North To South
2. Intermittent
C: Dark Details
D: 1. Execution
2. Passed Me By
mastered by Loop-O
*Sides A, B, & C play at 45 RPM, side D plays at 33⅓ RPM.
'33⅓' on side B run out is crossed out.
made in UK
MODERN LOVE 2011

Andy Stott - Dark Details [Modern Love]

Andy Stott Live - Intermittent
http://youtu.be/huGJ67MRbOo
**Andy Stott Live at the Dalston Vortex, 12th Aug 2011. He smashed it!

*

DEEPCHORD presents ECHOSPACE / LIUMIN ( LOVE 064 )
1-1. In Echospace
1-2. Summer Haze
1-3. Sub-Marine
1-4. Burnt Sage
1-5. BCN Dub
1-6. Firefly
1-7. Maglev
1-8. Float
1-9. Warm
Liumin Reduced
2-1. Untitled 2-2. Untitled 2-3. Untitled
2-4. Untitled 2-5. Untitled 2-6. Untitled
2-7. Untitled 2-8. Untitled 2-9. Untitled
2-10. Untitled 2-11. Untitled 2-12. Untitled
written , performed by R.Modell, S. Hitchell
artwork by Radu Prepeleac
photography by R. Modell
recorded in echospace 2009/10
mastered by Lupo
mastered at Dubplates & Mastering
presenter - Deepchord
made in UK
MODERN LOVE 2010

DeepChord presents Echospace - In Echospace [H.D]

***********

SANDWELL DISTRICT

YVES DE MEY / COUNTING TRIGGERS ( SD2x1203 )
A1. Particle Match
A2. Sparkit
B. Past To A Halt
C. Whispering Strokes
D1. Ice Carrier
D2. Resonating Red
written, produced by Yves De Mey
mastered by Matt
artwork by Nathakie Kronal
pressed by MPO
lacquer cut at Air Mastering
made in UK
SANDWELL DISTRICT 2011

Sandwell District
Contact Info:
Distributed by Veto Music Wholesale (Worldwide) - Fax: +44 121 585 6437, sales@veto.co.uk
http://wherenext.tumblr.com/

VARIOUS / SANDWELL DISTRICT SAMPLER 4 ( SDSMP4 )
A. Silent Servant –Immolare (Version)
A2. Sandwell District –Grey Cut Out (Version)
B1. Sandwell District –Speed And Sound (Extended Z/Arts/Lab Version)
pressed by MPO
mastered at Air Studio London
mastered by Matt Colton
mastered at Air Mastering
made in UK
SANDWELL SISTRICT 2011

Sandwell District – Immolare Silent Servant Version
http://youtu.be/sBB4uRc3IFw

RROSE / PRIMARY EVIDENCE ( SD 16 )
A. Secretion
B. Bare Hand
mastered by Matt
mastered at Air Studios, London
made in Uk
SANDWELL DISTRICT 2011

RROSE VS BOB OSTERTAG / MOTORMPUTH VARIATIONS ( SD 2x 1202 RE )
A. Pointilism (Variation One)
B1. Wack (Variation One)
B2. Arms And Legs (Variation One)
C. Pointilism (Variation One)
D1. Shadow Pocket (Variation One)
D2. Arms And Legs (Variation One)
mastered at Air Mastering
mastered by Matt
remixed by Rrose ( tracks A-D2 )
made in Uk
SANDWELL DISRICT 2011

Rrose - Pointilism (Variation One)
http://youtu.be/r6_roxpaWOo

FUNCTION / FEED FORWARD VERSIONS ( SDSMP 3 )
A. Immolare (Osaka Version)
B. Falling The Same Way (Dommune Version)
mastered by MATT at Air London
made in Uk
SANDWELL DISTRICT 2011

VARIOUS / SANDWELL DISTRICT - Sampler Single Two ( SDSMP2 )
A. Silent Servant –Untitled
AA. Female –(Live Extract)
B. Silent Servant –Untitled
BB. Female –(Regis Edit )
mastered by Matt
all track production overseen – Mendez, O'Connor, Sutton
released as a stamped white label in a white inner sleeve with a black & white picture insert.
pressed at MPO (Averton, France)
made in UK
SANDWELL DISTRICT 2010

Female - Untitled [Regis Mix] [H.D]

**Female [AKA Peter Sutton] - "Untitled [Regis Mix]", taken from the 'Various -- Untitled 2' E.P, released on the Sandwell District label [SDLTD2]. June 2010.
Watch in H.D
Originally uploaded on You Tube on my previous channel on 28th June 2010.
Female:
Is Peter Sutton, techno label sumpremo and one half owner of Downwards Records label alongside co-founder Karl O'Connor...
Regis:
is one alias of Karl O'Connor, a Birmingham techno producer and founder of the Downwards imprint; other projects include Kalon, British Murder Boys alongside label-mate Anthony Child (Surgeon) and an involvement with the enigmatic Sandwell District imprint.
Sandwell District:
is one of the most consistently imaginitive worldwide [techno] labels. Small yet perfectly formed, it specialises in releasing quality sounds with uncompromising delivery. Dave and Karl continue to broaden the boundaries of diversity with each release, never failing to deliver the goods each and every time.
Related Links:
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Female
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Regis
http://www.discogs.com/label/Sandwell+District
http://wherenext.tumblr.com
Video composed by Frobbz.

Silent Servant - Untitled (Sandwell District Sampler Two) (A1)
http://youtu.be/5iaTAXZb8Cw

********

DEEP MEDI MUSIK

OLD APPARATUS / ZEBULON ( MEDi 049 )
A. Zebulon * vocals – Festival
B. Hammerhand *featuring rap – Mowgli
mastered by Jonz
*'Hammerhand' is a vocal version of the third track on the Old Apparatus EP (MEDi038)
Mastered at Loud Mastering
made in UK
DEEP MEDI MUSIK 2011

Old Apparatus - Zebulon [MEDi049]

OLD APPARATUS / PLD APPARATUS ( MEDi 038 )
A1. Untitled
A2. Untitled
B1. Untitled
B2. Untitled
mastered by Jonz
*limited edition release in screen-printed sleeve.
each side contains two tracks segued together.
mastered at Loud Mastering
made in UK
DEEP MEDI MUSIK 2011

Old Apparatus 14:00
http://youtu.be/DTYz8VgP_t4
**Filmed and produced by Old Apparatus Artists:
Gerbil Tea - www.gerbiltea.com
Adrian Nettleship - www.adriannettleship.com
Music written and produced by Old Apparatus
© Deep Medi Musik 2011
www.deepmedi.com
http://www.oldapparatus.org/

***********************************************************
??

**

ANCIENT METHODS / FIFTH METHOD ( AM 5 )
A. Untitled
B1. Untitled
2. Untitled
mastered by CGB
mastered at Dubplates & mastering, Berlin
*the locked runout contains a sample of Prince's 1999
made in Germany
ANCIENT METHODS 2010

Ancient Methods - Untitled A1 (Fifth Method)

**mickooyy
Ancient Methods - Fifth Method
http://www.discogs.com/Ancient-Methods-Fifth-Method/release/2479090
Label: Ancient Methods
Catalog#: AM-5
Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Grey Marbled
Country: Germany
Released: 02 October 2010
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno, Abstract, Industrial
All rights reserved for the producers of these tracks.All the tunes that I upload are for promotional use only.
Remember: If you like one of these tunes, support the producer and buy it! The purpose of this channel is to promote these producers, not to rip them off in any way.

VARIOUS / MU EP ( TEN 001EP )
A1. Ancient Methods –Confused Voltage
A2. Steven Porter –Deed
B1. Anne-James Chaton – Évenément27
B2. Sawlin – Painfull
concept and directed by Katsunori Sawa, Yuji Kondo
mastered by Naweed Ahmed
cover artwork - Syl Anasse
cover design - Area.Info
*limited edition with the artwork sleeves
mastered By Naweed Ahmed At Whitfield Mastering London.
Évenément27 by Anne-James Chaton taken from Évenément 09, ℗ + © 2011 Raster-Notion, R-N128
Made in 10
made in Japan
10 LABEL 2011

http://www.10-label.com/

Put a period time has come / Bring an end

去年の夏、ヴェルヴェルジンのニコやマナさんと知り合って、初めてnu thingsの空間で新しいことが展開できる可能性のようなものを感じ、渡仏した彼らへの思いを重ねてこの1年半、remodelレーベルの立ち上げなど色々試行錯誤してきたけれど、昨夜のPost-Apocalyptic Entity part VIが終わった後、無性に空虚感がこころを占領し、もうこれで終わったなと実感した。本質的にボクは海外の先端音楽にしか興味がなく、ニッポン人の作る音楽に感動することは少ない。というか、こうした海外での先駆的音楽に影響されたニッポンの
音楽の世界を取り巻く人間やミュージシャンは、趣味で音楽と関わっている人間ばかりといってもいいほどで、贔屓目に見てもそのイヴェントや音楽も素人趣味の域を抜けきれていないつまらないものばかりだ。それでもヴェルヴェルジンのニコのような鋭いプロ意識と感性を持った逸材と巡り会うと、このニッポンでも新しいものを生み出せる可能性もあるのではないかと思いnu things JAJOUKAというコミュニティの場を作ったのだが、だけど、状況は、音楽も人間も、すべてがもう手も付けられないほどの末期症状を呈し始めている 。「断捨離」とは"人生や日常生活に不要なモノを断つ、また捨てることで、モノへの執着から解放され、身軽で快適な人生を手に入れようという考え、単なる片づけとは一線を引く"という意味だが、不必要なレコードを全て売り払うことから始め、過去のボランティアのような音楽人生や、人間関係においてもこうした「断捨離」の考えを実践して生きて行くことに決めた。
人生のエピローグ ( 終章 ) へと続くひとつの大きなピリオドを打つ時がきたようだ。

昨夜は数人のミュージシャンとDJたち、nu thingsのブッキングで関わってくれているミュージシャンの外人友達やガールフレンド、懐かしいロックマガジン時代の知人の顔もみられ、平日の寒い中ありがとうございました。Andy StottからSuum Cuique ( Demdike Stare ) " Midden " →monolakeのダウンなシャーマニックグルーヴの流れと、Emptyset "Demiurge "からAlva Noto" Univrs "のハードグリッチの流れが、自分で回していても鳥肌立つほどに衝撃的だった。

**言葉足らずなので追記しておくが、ソーシャルネットワークやツイッターの時代。その匿名性や実体のなさをすべて否定しているわけではないが、音楽の世界などに関わる必要もないど素人の才能もない人間がサウンドクラウドやmyspaceなどで自分の作品を発表したり、イヴェントを催したり、5、6枚のCDRを作ったことでアーティストぶってることのバカバカしさを、強く感じている。他者との関わりもなしに、ミュージシャンとしてのアイデンティティを確保しようとする、なりすまし音楽の現実。このことにボクは最も失望してしまったのかも知れない。« Twitterやブログ世界では、個人と集団、実名と匿名、公式発言とパロディ、公式サイトとファンサイトなどが入り交じっている。ネットとは、中央が全体計画を行うような世界ではなく、より有機的でプリズム的なコミュニティであり、自分自身を常に進化させ形が変わり続ける世界なのだ ( クリストファー・プールmoot ）» こんな主張は、80年代のインディペンデントの思想ですでに頓挫したものだ。それにTwitterやネットの世界もすでに管理され情報操作の手が入っている。いまこそ過多の情報の海で、なにが必要で必要じゃないのか、どれが真実で真実じゃないのか、自分の感性と確かな目で見極める時だ。しかし時代はまたあの80年代の軽薄短小の時代に逆戻りしている。ニューウェイヴとビートのパロディ。アゲアゲの乱痴気騒ぎ、ダサい音楽の氾濫する時代がまたやってきたようだ。

2011 11- 4,5,6 (fri,sat,sun) 19:00-23:00 1000yen(no drink)
POST-APOCALYPTIC ENTITY PART VIl – Bring an end -
bricoleur:AGI Yuzuru ( 阿木 譲 )
4th: dub techno + minimal dub
5th: glitch + hard glitch + signwave
6th: industrial dub + slowmotion techno
at nu things JAJOUKA

2011年のドイツ、ヨーロッパ、イギリスでの音楽はひとことで言えばミニマルダブで始まり、インダストリアル・ダブで終わろうとしているように思える。ミニマルダブ、それらの根源は勿論93年のマウリツィオ・フォン・オズワルドのBasic Channelの薄暗いディープ・ミニマル・テクノの靄のようにフィルターがかかったダビー・ミニマル・サウンドに端を発し、そこからmonolake、shackleton、T++、scubaなどへと流れ、echocordレーベルでのvladislay delay、quantec、mike dehnerなど、デトロイトのDeephcord、echospace、cv313、アムステルダムのsomaレーベルでのdeepchord、イタリアのschermate、スペインのsemantica、イギリスのsandwell district、black ever black、modern loveレーベルでのdemdike stare、andy stott、miles、G.H.、へとながれ続け、先端でのsubtextの「enptyset」や、perc「wicker & stell」にみられるノイジーなインダストリアル/ミニマルダブへと現在も変容しながら進行形というのが大ざっぱな文脈だ。それにraster-noton系のalva noto、kangding ray、blixa bargeldなどのグリッチもハードグリッチともいうべき新種のダブへと変容しつつある。
このPOST-APOCALYPTIC ENTITY PART VIl – Bring an end -の3日間では、今年発売されたすべての素材をブリコラージュするのは、素材の多さに時間が足りなく不可能かも知れないが、できるだけ正確な文脈に添って展開したいと思っています。時間があればネオ・クラシシスム、ウィッチ系の音も付け加えるかも知れません。2011年がどんな時代であったのか、この３日間で総括しボク自身もDJイングしながら再確認しようと考えています。音楽におけるシンクロニシティー、そのことで浮かび上がって来る音楽の夢や空想に現れるある種の典型的なイメージ≒集合的無意識 ( 時代意識 )には、おそらく来年から再来年にかけての、我々の明日が預言されているのではないだろうか？
だとしても、「Master Therion（マスター・テリオン）《大いなる獣》」が徘徊するこのアポカリプティックな終末の暗い夜は決して明けることはない。

Suum Cuique / Midden ( YoungAm 002 )
A1. Lithic Reduction
A2. Red Binary
A3. Entropy
B1. Cyclic Redundancy
B2. Frontogenesis
B3. Even In Death
more info at; www.modern-love.co.uk/young americanmade in UK
limited to 400 copies
Suum Cuique Members: Miles Whittaker
YOUNG AMERICANS 2010

Suum Cuique-Lithic Reductio

Suum Cuique - Midden
http://soundcloud.com/modernlove/sets/suum-cuique-midden

Suum Cuique (pronouned Soom Kwi-Kwe, Latin for "To Each His Own") follows the remit of Young Americans to explore uncharted, experimental, and personal synthscapes, guided by the hand of intuition with an entirely analogue array of machines. There's a confidence and ability to these productions which elevates them above the masses of lo-fi synth meanderings currently murmuring in the underground, occupying the tantalising space between Eliane Radigue and James Ferraro, or Thomas Köner and Daphne Oram, creating a dialogue between their shared and opposing aesthetics to give an emotional response with deeply chilling and engrossing results. In 'Lithic Reduction' concrète textures grind like a millstone to release powdery clouds of analog dust, settling only to be dispersed by gusts of blackened distortion, whereas 'Red Binary' is distinctly electronic, revolving around muted radar bleeps like the resonance from SAW II soundtracking a speckly pill experience that's starting to go west. The album's centrepiece, the aptly titled 'Entropy' nods to the sublimely stoic work of Eleh, radiating microtonal bass shifts while a bitter northerly wind builds in intensity. Brilliantly out of place, 'Cyclic Redundancy' opens the flipside with a majestically submerged slab of completely obliterated and submerged 4/4, like an unholy collusion between Mika Vainio, Sandwell and Bernard Parmegiani soundtracking a trade union rave in the 1950's, before 'Even In Death...' conjures imagery of a eulogy given by a Mongolian throat singer with crows circling overhead. Strictly limited copies, catch it while you can.

**

Emptyset / Demiurge ( SUBCD 001 )
1. Departure
2. Void
3. Point
4. Periphery
5. Plane
6. Sphere
7. Tangent
8. Structure
9. Function
10. Monad
11. Return
all tracks w&p James Ginzburg & Paul Purgas
published by Multiverse Media Publishing
recorded at Multiverse Bristol UK
mastered by Kevin Grainger at Wired Masters, London
photo by Caroline Seymour
design by John Coulhart
made in UK
SUBTEXT 2011

Emptyset - Function

Emptyset - Sphere
http://youtu.be/6rP9fcbGEhg

Emptyset / Demiurge ( SUB003 )
1. Monad
Function
-1. Void
Tangent
all tracks w&p James Ginzburg & Paul Purgas
recorded at Multiverse Bristol UK
made in UK
SUBTEXT 2011

Emptyset - Return
http://youtu.be/Wi926hSzyqY

http://www.myspace.com/emptysetmusic
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Emptyset

Album Emptyset / Demiurge
Label / Subtext
Cat # / SUBCD001
Released / May 2011
Style / Techno, Noise, Experimental
Rating /
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Kuedo - Severant

How abstract can you make techno and still call it techno? How noisy can you get before it's all washed away in a torrent of fuzz? These are the kind of questions Bristol duo Emptyset pose with their second album, Demiurge, a pulsating storm of distorted frequencies that occasionally takes the shape of intelligible beats. Demiurge is a move, conscious or not, towards outright accessibility even though it mostly abandons their eponymous debut album's more distinctly beat-oriented structure.
The pre-album single "Altogether Lost," released on techno label CLR and represented here in instrumental form as "Point" is the best indication of Emptyset's new sound. "Altogether Lost" played backing track to a frantic sermon from Underground Resistance MC Cornelius Harris, but it remains electrifying on the album as "Point," becoming more fierce with every intensifying bar. Remixed by Chris Liebing and Ben Klock among others, the techno connection becomes more obvious. The momentum and energy that characterized "Altogether Lost" wasn't just a fluke, and it powers Demiurge from the inside, creating a surprisingly propulsive album in the process.
Techno isn't the only reference point. The low-end bombs in "Tangent" are redolent of Scorn and early dubstep, and the way each track methodically repeats in odd formations with unremitting focus owes something to dub music as well, territory both Emptyset members are no doubt well-versed in. The determined cycling of each "chord' progression numbs the pain of serrated frequencies. Even when the pain threshold is crossed—as on the harsh tunnelling of "Monad" or the white noise screams of "Plane"—the tracks simply burn themselves out.
For territory that would usually be so unapproachable, Demiurge seems designed for easy consumption: songs rarely breach four minutes and the album registers at a scant forty minutes. It's allows the duo to be as abrasive as they need to be without sacrificing an audience. It's simultaneously cohesive—keeping the same palette of sounds across the board—and refreshingly mutable for this kind of conceptual conceit, with more melody and variation than you might expect from your typical noise album. And while it's hard to pick out individual highlights, that's part of the album's unique success. Demiurge is a song-based album with no real songs. Those attracted to recent strains of techno aligned with early industrial—Perc Trax, CLR, Ancient Methods—will find as much to love in Demiurge as those more inclined to extreme sound design.