Published by Davide Pappalardo on August 3, 2018
Austrian techno/wave/industrial producer Rosa Nebel and Spanish sonic terrorist Assassani aka Victor Dvnkel join forces on the limited 5-track split cassette Doomed to Dispossession, published by Dvnkel’s own label Demonodrome. The first name is a Vienna artist experimenting in the fusion of industrial, techno and new wave since 2015 (for reference see his previous self-titled album for Catanarchy Records and Tarnen published for Whistling Cattle), while Assassani has been destroying European alternative dancefloors with his bombastic mix of hard techno, industrial and EBM with “black metal esthetics” expressed in works like Mesmerik Killer Beat Machine (Cønjuntø Vacíø, 2015), Daemonical Raw Tech Invocation (Fallow Field, 2016), OJOS QVE HAN VISTO EL VACÍO (Demonodrome, 2016), for three years.
The A side focuses on the artist hailing from Vienna. Am balkon starts with eerie lines and combative rhythms, then adding speedy snare-sounds and throbbing structures. Punishing mantras and caustic vocals complete the scene, building a captivating episode with evocative atmospheres and robust EBM synth-grooves. The last part of the track sees militant rhythmic patterns and doomy arpeggiators, a perfect ending underlined by pounding bass sounds. Hyperherrschaft follows suit with its hard drum machine and stomping bass, introducing a steel-like rhythm guiding the listener among frantic structures and looping effects. Grooving bass-lines and fierce snares give more meat to the bone of the exhilarating number, and steady techno motifs are not forgotten.
Theory of mind welcomes us with a droning line, before adding minimal electronics in a slow but growing crescendo which even meets tribal rhythms and stomping marches. The piece gains velocity without losing its crawling structure, and during the second half nice old-school synth-lines give us a dancefloor oriented development.
On the B side Assassani displays its raving sound dedicated to uncompromising techno-sabbath. A blaze in thee sovthern sky (clever name, isn’t it?) is a stomping tour de force employing sawing bass-lines and crushing synth-sounds, a hypnotizing techno affair with vandalizing snare-sounds and cutting harsh effects. The abrasive nature of the episode is totally embraced during its obsessive crescendo, and riffing motifs are the main ingredients in a savage joyride. Daedrik ironfist strikes hard with its stomping drum-kicks and inquisitive snare-sounds layered upon a throbbing bass-line. Once again sharp electronics and compulsive rhythms take control of the soundscape, but if you listen closely you can still hear eerie melodies. A sonic sculpture based on rhythm and fast grooves, the track is another statement to Assassani techno/EBM sound made to make the body move.
A great split presenting two fierce takes on techno-industrial music with their own identity despite the common elements. Whereas Rosa Nebel adapt techno structures to industrial soundscapes and EBM motifs with old-school vocals, sometime experimenting with slower and faster rhythms, Assassani is a sonic weapon with fast BPM and raw hard techno tracks in which industrial and EBM elements enforce the galvanizing experience. Together they works greatly, as much as they work on their own, offering mini-journeys in the musical worlds of the two producers. A top release in underground techno-industrial.
Label: Demonodrome
Rating: 8