Published by Davide Pappalardo on April 20, 2019
X-IMG is the music label and platform for a/v art started by Emad Dabiri aka SΛRIN in 2015. It has published SΛRIN’s own debut Psychic Stress, Templər‘s Human Hate EP, Unconscious & Hkkptr‘s debut Countermeasures, and a series of highly important compilations called Self-Aware. Highly important because it features some of the most interesting newcomers and veterans of the fusion of techno, EBM and electro-industrial. Names like Bakunin Commando, Nick Larkin, Kontravoid, Black Egg, Joel Eel, Crystal Geometry, t_error 404, Rhys Fulber, Blush Response, Rendered appear on the different episodes, showcasing a sound and aesthetic close to Dabiri’s love for pounding rhythms and dark electro-industrial atmospheres with dystopian and sci-fi qualities.
Now the series return with its fourth installment Self-Aware IV, delivering the usual techno/EBM sound of the highest caliber. This time we have 13 tracks from Survival Paradox, Persona Non Grata, Unconscious, Objectør, TEATRE, Primary, Machino, Notausgang, Galgenaugen, Regulaar, t_error 404, D. Blavatsky, KONKURS; different takes on the genre with their own identity and characteristics, but true to the aforementioned aesthetic which characterizes the label.
Survival Paradox start the compilation with Night and its shrilling sounds and dissonant effects, soon reached by militant snare drums. Old-school bass-lines dominate the development of the track, supported by robust beats and engaging rhythms with riffing qualities. Sudden industrial distortions give us a nervous atmosphere, while electronic sound picture a robotic mantra. Swedish producer Jon Eriksson aka Persona Non Grata presents his number Abschwung, employing grim lines and frantic arpeggiators with deep bass sounds. A strong dark techno vibe conquers our ears, and brooding soundscapes meet an obsessive percussion while corrosive snares show themselves. Moody melodies are welcomed in the crescendo, giving us another evocative episode with an addictive nature.
Unconscious (Italian artist Andrea Riberti) is featured with the track Decadence in your eyes, a techno/EBM ride with throbbing bass-lines and rhythmic obsession linked to well used vocal samples and speedy snare drums. A strong drum machine guides us among the dystopian soundscape, and mysterious effects evoke a subtle sense of danger hidden under the hypnotizing structure. Squeezing synths show themselves during the compulsive crescendo, as well as various kind of percussive elements. Objectør’s Aidzule plays with straight techno elements and 4/4 rhythms, reaching a dance-floor oriented sound. Groovy movements and lysergic atmospheres give us an acid number with industrial undertones and seductive vocal deliveries.
Surrender is the track from Lithuanian artist TEATRE, a rhythmic number with an obsessive percussion and enthralling loops, a deep night episode with controlled strictures and fast snare drums. The song is graced by old-school motifs recalling 90’s techno, offering a slightly different mood from the previous tracks. Primary is a German artist already featured on Infidel Bodies‘ compilation Infidel Selection Volume I, here delivering Scanner and its high-octane and synth-based techno sound with eerie atmospheres and deep bass rhythms. Robust kicks and hypnotizing vortexes complete this sci-fi mantra, characterized by a throbbing bass-line and aggressive snares ,
Machino’s Suspiro is a percussive electro number with a minimal and downtempo structure, a crawling affair with grim soundscapes and a slow crescendo. During its second half dissonant effects and electric distortions grow, underlined by ghostly melodies. Notausgang’s Kim future is a retro affair with early 80’s feels, recalling the experiments of names like TOMMI STUMPFF and the proto-EBM scene. Grinding synth sounds and marching rhythms give us a militant track based on few elements. During the last part, the episode grows in tension employing stronger rhythmic patterns, without any real explosion.
Galgenaugen offers with Freude und Sehnsucht 69 another minimal track abrasive distortions and noisy elements, this time recalling the harsher side of minimal wave and early Absolute Body Control‘s instrumentals. Lo-fi tones and engaging rhythms guide us among the sparse atmosphere and the obsessive nature of the episode. The final part sees some a ghostly melody supporting the other elements, as well as surprising acoustic guitar samples. Regulaar returns to straight techno/EBM territories with Seregin berets and its throbbing ride made of destructive drum machines and thundering bass-lines, reached by shouted vocals and militant percussions . The spirit of Nitzer Ebb possesses the track, while shrilling synths complete the scene – and the second half is characterized by even stronger beats and a climax full of aggressive tension. t_error 404’s Binaural space employs rhythmic and trance elements in a techno setting, A stomping drum follows noise effects and house-inspired rhythms full of reverb, while an almost acid atmosphere is developed.
D. Blavatsky’s Drink it down starts with a sampled dialogue full of effects, then an explosive bass sounds and electronic dissonances present a frantic club number with strong kick drums and motorbikes’ samples. An energetic and compulsive sound which conquers the listener, made for the dancefloor. Its obsessive groove knows no rest until the end of the track, a really pounding experience. Konkurs, SΛRIN and Blush Response’s collaboration, ends the compilation with Contact experience and its techno/EBM crescendo made of throbbing bass-lines, marching drums, hypnotizing rhythms, fast snare drums, and steel-like percussive sounds. The track grows stronger and stronger, reaching factory-like sections with an industrial undertone. The controlled chaos offers a steady movement which explodes during the second half, giving us a techno tornado with obsessive synth and obscure atmospheres .
Self-aware IV is more than a collection of tracks, is a picture of today’s techno/EBM panorama showcasing many promising new names and some established acts. The leading role of the label and his owner is secured not only by his music, but even his ability in finding interesting newcomers and giving them exposure thanks to this series of compilations. We have different takes, from pure techno/EBM to electro-themed moments, some acid interludes, minimal passages and techno experiments, but a grim undertone and strong industrial elements are a common theme. If you are like us a fan of the genre, you can’t miss it.
Label: X-IMG
Rating: 8