KAKERLAK – OBDORMITION

CD, https://dadadrumming.org/

Despite seeing this project passing my timeline and always wondering where his name came from, this is my first encounter with Nolan Throop / Kakerlak’s sound. Yes, sound, not music, as we are talking harsh noise here. It is definitely the kind of harshness that leaves some opening for interpretations and excitement (how the hell did he get this sounds, what the actual fuk is this guy doing, my gawd, this is loud, damn I want it louder). Having written those little remarks, I’m also struggling to write a review with actual content. But lemme try…

Nolan Throop is the guy behind Kakerlak. He is also active under a few other names and in a few groups. One of the musicians he works (ed) with is Sam McKinlay, a.k.a. The Rita, so you will have a little indication of where to look/listen for.

Four tracks with no titles and a total playing time of just under 45 minutes. Sometimes, metal noises with contacts. Sometimes, feedback noises from no-input mixing. Probably a fierce pedalboard with more than one distortion. Every now and then, looped sounds or backing tracks/tapes seep through the mix, giving an old droner like me a little bit of stability.

As for the name, Kakerlak resembles the Dutch word kakkerlak a lot (one ‘k’ difference), where ‘kakkerlak’ means cockroach. I wonder if Nolan has a Dutch or South African background. Does the word have another meaning somewhere? As for the title, “Obdormition” is a medical term for the numbness in a limb (‘my leg is sleeping’) and just that. Because for the brain, listening to this wakes you up. No. Sleep. Til cockroach!