Published by Davide Pappalardo on August 11, 2018
SΛRIN is the techno/EBM project by Emad Dabiri, a Berlin based producer who is one half of Human Performance Lab with Matthew Cangiano, Konkurs with Joey Gonzalez aka Blush Response, Nostromo with Manos Simotas aka Unhuman, and the boss of underground label X-IMG. He made a name for himself thanks to dj sets all around Europe and many releases, mostly for aufnahme+wiedergabe, characterized by militant rhythms and droning sounds with sawing bass-lines and hard drum beats. As of now, he is one of the main characters in what we can call the underground techno industrial scene, presenting new names via his label’s compilations and collaborating with other important names in the scene.
It’s not a surprise that he has been chosen as the third name for the BITE series endorsed by Hayden Payne aka Phase Fatale and Florian Engerling, the two minds behind the BITE imprint, They already gave us the collaboration between Phase Fatale and Silent Servant Confess and the EP by Teste The Box Man, and now they present the new effort by the aforementioned Iranian born and Toronto native artist, called Kuleshov Effect (named after the phenomenon demonstrated by Soviet filmmaker Lev Kuleshov, by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation) and mastered by Alain Paul (one half of These Hidden Hands with Tommy Four Seven). Here you will find 4 techno/EBM cuts with the usual war themes and dystopian imagery, graced by a clear and stomping production and engaging rhythmic patterns.
World condition introduces us to the sonic mayhem of SΛRIN thanks to grim atmospheres soon reached by old-school bass-lines and explosive beats. A grooving pattern is here displayed, enriched by well placed vocal samples and enthralling rhythmic obsessions. A techno/EBM mantra is unfolded for our ears, while the craft of holding and releasing the sonic tension is used at great effect. Jigar follows lead with its industrial structure based on stomping drum machines and droning bass-lines. New beat elements enforce a dancefloor-oriented direction while holding all of the aspects dear to SΛRIN, conjuring a captivating club number recalling late 80’s sounds.
Advantage uses more techno-infused elements, employing pounding bass sounds and thrilling kick drums, but it does not forfeit the grim soundscapes of the artist. An acid and minimal structure guides us toward the second minute, during which throbbing synths underline the syncopated rhythms. Nuke me ends the EP returning to dense soundscapes made of robust sci-fi drum machines and groovy synth-lines, which deliver a captivating techno-industrial mantra with hard beats and looping snare drums. The usual vocal samples and gloomy ambiances enrich the sonic palette evoking 80’s action movies and militant rhythms.
The BITE series keeps going strong offering another fine example of the current techno-industrial sound heavily influenced by old-school EBM and new beat. Groovy bass-lines, strong rhythms and grim soundscapes are the main elements for a sound which menages to make the body move and the mind travel thanks to a specific imagery well evoked by the employed songwriting. SΛRIN’s sound keeps its usual lead, but a close listen reveals a subtle evolution with more varied rhythmic patterns and even more engaging solutions, and all in all more confidence in his skills. A welcome addition to the label’s outputs and to the world of industrial tinged techno-body music.
Label: BITE
Rating: 7,5