Published by Davide Pappalardo on July 10, 2018
Lux Rec is an independent record label based in Zurich, which focus Is on exploring the world of old-school electronic and dance music with, giving space to projects and names like techno acid producer Jared Wilson, house DJ Meschi, dark techno assemble Lunar Lodge, industrial outfit Πρόσωπο and many more. An open-minded view encompassing many different kind of takes on the genre, inspired by a modern approach searching for something at the same time linked to the roots of electronic music and firmly placed in the present. Now it presents the ambitious series called The Unsung and Defeated composed of three installments, the Veil of Light/Sleep Forever split Apnea/Deter, the Wavering Hands mini album Vulture, the S S S S 12” Systematic Suspense. They can be purchased separately or all together with a t-shirt, being part of a common project with a dark mood but displaying at the same time different sounds.
Vei of Light and Sleep Forever dwell in post-punk and darkwave territories, with a some techno and EBM elements. The first track Fact is an 80’s inspired pastiche with frantic synths and nice melodies, but at the same time it keeps the usual dark atmosphere associated with the Swiss project. Hard hitting drum sounds and lopped riffs complete the nostalgic soundscape, and the voice of the singer M, is more melody-driven and clearer than in the past, following the synth-pop/EBM path started with the last album Front Teeth. Same blood follows the same lead reminding us of early techno-pop tracks, an enthralling dance number with moody atmospheres and hypnotizing bass-lines. It chooses a crawling movement, opening itself up to some evocative pauses and refrains. Bodily integrity is a more beat-driven affair with a strong EBM feeling and Gothic key sounds. Another fine example of neo-old-school sounds fusing dark innuendos and synth-based melodies.
Sleep Forever is nothing more than another name used by M, coming with even more of a suave synth-pop edge. Basalt is a cinematic track starting with sharp noises and then developing captivating lines and almost funky grooves. The instrumental number focuses on rhythmic structures and orchestral elements, giving us a nice pastiche infused from nostalgia and hypnotizing beats. Rinse is a robotic episode with moving sing-along vocals and new wave soundscapes, reminding us of Alan Wilder-era Depeche Mode and of early 80’s techno-pop hits. A less dark and brighter sound is the main difference between the two projects, displaying the love of M for both of these facets of 80’s music. Triad uses retro synth-lines and steady drum machines, colliding into an instrumental piece full of synthetic rides recalling dance sounds, but with more of a militant structure thanks to mechanical rhythms and riffing loops.
S S S S is the Lucerne-based techno/industrial producer Samuel Savenberg, already known for experimental works like the dark techno cassette Administration Of Fear and faster and harder affairs like the 12” There Is No Us. Here he plays with many different elements, moving between eerie soundscapes, noisier moments, and pounding rides. The title track showcases dark ambient undertones and minimal rhythms with well-placed snares and hitting drum-sounds. Creepy atmospheres and cinematic structures are the main elements of this captivating number far from the simple club track. Industrial territories are reached during the second track, enriching the dystopian mood. Motion and meaning dwells in rhythmic noise with its distorted bass-lines and ghostly sounds, a crawling and punishing affair which surprises us with sudden spectral melodies changing its curse while never forfeiting the aforementioned crunching elements. A perfect example of modern electronic industrial music and “thinking man techno” aiming to the building of aural universes.
The weight starts with dark ambient mantras and horn sounds, conjuring a dreadful but captivating atmosphere soon reached by liquid atmospheres and riffing effects. It still keeps a minimal and slow structure, focusing on the interaction between the aforementioned sounds. Arson (burnt palms) is a static episode with sparse rhythms and grim lines, slowly becoming a dark sci-fi cinematic soundscape with factory-like qualities and evocative mantras. Minimal passages guides us toward the third minute, when the rhythmic structures take hold of the track with an obsessive march full of imposing traits. The last episode Disembodied is an ambient pastiche with electronic loops and slow heart-beats, a calm and oniric number underlined by submerged elements and a minimalistic sound-design.
Wavering Hands is a wave duo coming from Bern and Zurich, inspired by kraut rock and using real drums and guitars. A trap starts their work with post-punk down-tuned guitars and rhythmic effects, underlining a grim synth-sound. As usual for the genre the singer vocals are full of reverb, conjuring a gray soundscape built around few elements and a crawling movements. Wire comes in a “Synth Edit” version enriched by key melodies and melancholic lines. The suffering vocals add to the atmosphere, while the way the track is developed remind us of The Cure, especially during the frantic climaxes. Some heavily distorted guitars give us a noisy take which perfectly duels with the melodic frame of the track. Void is a dreamy affair with liquid electronics and suave guitar-sounds, and once again reverberated vocals and retro synth-lines dominate the song. A nice refrain guides us among the moving episode, and the perfect climax is given by ethereal synths full of evocative nostalgia.
Vulture returns to the familiar 80’s sounds with a pop sensibility expressed by slow movements and rhythms. The dramatic, almost theatrical, vocal delivery reaches great effects, presenting us a very different track with the singer at the center of the stage, fully supported by sudden arpeggios and sad lines. Signs uses an even more minimal structure, starting with an effective piano and guitar sound, then adding pounding slow beats and looping motifs. The soundscape is calm and collected, but full of an affirmative energy which develops hypnotizing melodic structures, while recurring shrilling effects remind us of the animals giving their name to the track. An evocative way to end the mini-album, showing a different face of the duo.
Three different works showcasing the state of the underground scene and the communion between EBM, experimental techno, dark ambient, post-punk music. Different takes on dark music in a series encompassing three Swiss projects offering great music with firm roots in the past and their heads in the present. As said, the three outputs can be listened separately without a problem, but the best way to experience them is trying to follow their flow one after the other, A great effort by both the artists and the label, showing a clear artistic vision and message we hope will be further expanded in the near future. Strongly recommended.
Label: Lux Rec
Rating: 9