A ‘Crash for four’ is a new series by the Aachener Benevolent Pain label. It is meant to become a series so collectors might be triggered to start at #1 directly. Because if this is the beginning … You’re in for a treat!
The CD opens with three tracks by Positive Adjustments, a.k.a. Krister Bergman. I had nothing of him in my collection, so this is a new name. If ‘Disgust’, ‘You Deserve’, and ‘Amusement’ define his style, it’s noise drones with a hint of power electronics—a beautifully created atmosphere with a recurrency in layers and for away vocals. “Amusement” is extra nice because of the feedback patterns that are a constant threat, but it’s never painful. It is like a dog that barks loudly but never bites. It shows the function and beauty of the dog, though.
The second batch of three tracks is for Persons Unknown. I reviewed him before in VW 1465, and he is Marcus, the label owner of Benevolent Pain. His main project was always Dazzling Malicious, but it seems Persons Unknown has more frequent output these days. I’ll ask him next time I see him what the status is. ‘The Individual Perishes In Consumption” is a symbiosis of noise, drone and power electronics here. In “District Control”, he’s not afraid to experiment with melody, noise and rhythm. Finally, in “Talking To Me”, there is a layer that might even make it suitable for a larger audience: A friendly Darkwave noise experiment.
But: No rest for the wicked. The soothing end of Persons Unknown is blasted away by the first of 4 tracks of Praying For Oblivion. Andrew-Jonathan Seal can probably be considered European by now, but his sound still resembles American harsh noise/power electronics. Relentless, loud and in your face, though there is one different track. “Valley of Grass” has a significant buildup of noises and almost dancing layers. Beautiful coherences and interlocking signals. Maybe a ‘fragile’ side of Andrew I hadn’t heard before, but I love it.
The last act, Necroviolence, presents three tracks—minimal harsh constructions with vocals. I don’t know how to label this. Necroviolence is Zach Wettstein or Zach Einsamertod, and he has a background in industrial, blackened power electronics, black metal and various noise styles. I think it’s only fair that I describe his tracks as a mixture of these styles. Here and there – only in comparison with the other tracks – his tracks lack a bit of the deep bass rumble the others use, but having said that, the styles are so mixed up that Necroviolence is the most dynamic of the four acts.
It’s a great start to a new series. The podcast includes two tracks, Positive Adjustments and that one personal favorite by Praying for Oblivion.
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