Surviving in Europe

With world stability on the brink of collapse, these are without a doubt some of the most trying times in recent memory. Perhaps it is the perfect time for an infectious new compilation from Italy's She Lost Kontrol. The second release from this great new label, Surviving in Europe brings together some of the best artists currently operating in the genres of wave, industrial, techno and experimental electronics. With filthy new material from Scapra, Huren, Unhuman and more, this is a limited cassette that acts as the soundtrack to our life. We love Prg/m & Bop's acidic body track, "Brain Chemistry" and the absolutely massive "How The Heart Turns to Dust" by Mind&Flesh. "In my City" by Warner Karloff and the punishing death industrial of "Il Canto della Resistenza" by Devastator Execution are other favorites but none of the 14 tracks on the tape should be missed.

  
    <a href="http://shelostkontrolrecords.bandcamp.com/album/surviving-in-eu-rope">SURVIVING IN EU-ROPE by Huren, Unhuman, Matter, Celldod, Scarpa and more...</a>
  

From the label:

In a time of the new European nationalism, of razor-wire fences and renewed border Kontrols, mass immigration and homegrown terror, fear and insecurity,
the suppression of internal borders of the EU is recognition that all the citizens belong to the same space, that they share a common identity.
-NO BORDERS NO NATION NO FLAGS-

Limited to 80 copies, the black tapes look great as well. Get yours now at She Lost Kontrol.

-JRS

New Brvtalism No. 093 - December *Live at META (Marseille)

The Brvtalist is proud to present a special mix from French artist, December. Recorded live this past January at META (Marseille), this is an aggressive two hour odyssey through techno and all its forms. With releases on labels like Jealous God, Mannequin and others, Tomas More's project is one of the most unique and versatile voices in electronic music today. He's also created some of our favorite mixes and it's an honor to host this live set from the excellent event, META in beautiful Marseille, FR.

-JRS

Xultur - "Massgraver" Music Video Premiere

The Brvtalist is pleased to present the music video premiere of "Massgraver" by Xultur. Over the last couple of years, the Los Angeles-based duo has pulverized listeners into submission with their warped vision of hardcore, gabber, acid and more. The video for "Massgraver" is directed by Chad Fjerstad and features MJ Brotherton.

For more visit Facebook and Bandcamp.

-JRS

Alexey Volkov & Years of Denial

The Brvtalist is pleased to announce the new collaboration between Alexey Volkov and Years of Denial. With smash releases on labels like Jealous God and Planet Rouge, Volkov teams with Years of Denial (Death & Leisure) for a destructive new release that fuses elements from across the blackened sound spectrum. Expect wicked experimentation from two of our favorite projects today. More details coming soon.

The last year has been huge for both artists with Years of Denial's, Blood Debts, being released on Oliver Ho's Death and Leisure imprint (killer teaser below) and Volkov having released Cold Blood Genius on Linda Records as well as upcoming solo releases plus another huge collaboration with I Hate Models. Next up is the floor crushing I Had an Out of Body Experience EP out May 17th on Berlin's Escapism. Stay tuned for more updates.

-JRS

Katabatik Spring 2017

Since 2001, Oakland's Katabatik collective has explored cold, esoteric electronics like few others. Operating outside the traditional club paradigm, the label and event series hosts clandestine gatherings in urban spaces and the mountainous forests of California and Cascadia. 2017 looks to be a busy year for the label as they have six releases out this Spring with more planned for the summer. The Brvtalist now looks at the excellent Spring offerings, half of which are out now and the other half due on May 1st.

First up is Nommo Ogo's Unknown. A truly genre bending experience, the tracks were recorded in 2014, just after the group's co-headlining tour with black metal innovators Wolves in the Throne Room. The three tracks defy categorization and encapsulate the listener with cosmic electronic sounds and pulsating rhythmic hypnosis. We love the group's layered complexities and evil vocals. Unknown is a great way to introduce the label's co-founders and an enticing invitation to witness the group's now infamous outdoor performances. Out now.

Also available now are releases from Thee Source and Scarford. Beginning in 2011, Thee Source introduced their unique industrial tekno sound up and down Interstate-5. The duo's ceremonial noise and breakcore influence is evident in their productions and the self titled EP is a quiet, but venomous release from the Olympia duo. Rounding out the first three is Who Are You, by Bay Area underground legend Scarford. Active in the underground since 1995, Scarford is the most recent moniker of artist and producer Scott Arford. The seven track release is a warm embrace filled with soothing synths and rich waves of analog assaults.

  
    <a href="http://theesource.bandcamp.com/album/thee-source">Thee Source by Thee Source</a>
  

  
    <a href="http://scarford.bandcamp.com/album/who-are-you">Who Are You by Scarford</a>
  

Due out on May 1st, are releases from Brvtalist favorite Identity Theft, Dimentia and Atlea. Michael Buchanon's project, Identity Theft has captivated us for the last few years, with his unique blend of minimal electronics, techno and ambient productions. Pierrot is the latest offering which is spot on with its driving force of paranoia, dystopia and nostalgia. Another favorite to watch is northwest mainstay Dimentia. The forthcoming New Flesh is a electro-infused, alchemical masterwork which showcases the artist's breadth of expertise and dancefloor destruction. Rounding out the Spring batch is the experimental prowess Atlea. I blows through like an icy winter from the artist's home in Alaska. Active with Katabatik artists for over two decades Atlea fuses techno and west coast electro like few others and I gives us five new tracks of unparalleled electronics.

With more releases planned for this summer, Katabatik is a welcome sonic assault on the senses that push the boundaries of electronic experimentation and live performance. Be sure to keep an eye on this label and if you're in the Pacific Northwest, do your best to attend an event by this crew. For more visit Facebook and Soundcloud.

-JRS

The Brvtalist Premieres: Scarpa - "Sinai"

The Brvtalist is pleased to present a new track from Scarpa. "Sinai" comes off the forthcoming split EP of the same name with Damaskin, out on Greek label, Oddgovor. "Sinai" is a ritual hymn of grinding industrial and ceremonial percussion we immediately fell victim to.

The whole Sinai EP is an excellent mix of ritual inspired electronics that is hard to pinpoint but can appeal to lovers of multiple subgenres. Damaskin's hypnotic productions make for a stellar release on a label that is surely one to watch. This EP is the first of many to come by some of our favorite contemporary producers. For more information and to pick up the EP, visit: Beatbox.

-JRS

Max Tan F/W 2017-2018

Like a breath of fresh air, out comes the new collection from Max Tan to make us wish winter was here again. With Fall/Winter 2017-2018, the designer sweeps us to an icy place where architecture, fashion and art all collide. The latest campaign takes form and function to new heights all with a beautifully stark color palate.

From the designer:

Details are added to designs today more often than not to embellish surfaces, which draws attention away from form. Instead of stripping away unnecessary details found on garments, we ask, how these details can instead be turned into a necessity - utilizing them to change or break silhouettes?

Fall/Winter 2017-18 begins with the same approach to design used in every MAX.TAN collection - maximizing on minimalistic ideas and soft geometrical forms. This collection then embraces references from the simple movement of pressing and stacking of layers to form artful origami folds. A graphical palette of clinical white is contrasted with jet black and navy blues and is expressed in surprising cocoon shapes, signature handkerchief hems and asymmetrical hemlines.

Geometric pattern pieces are seamed to allow natural folding and falling of fabrics and are held together by self-tying ribbons. Flat handkerchief panels are then sandwiched between patch pockets and the bodice. Contrasted in a different colour blocks, this highlights the “unnecessary” detail but in itself it becomes necessary in creating a new silhouette.

Fluid fringe panels are stitched onto a masculine trench coat, introducing movement to the traditionally-stereotyped strict garment archetype. The combination of feminine and masculine is combined in this collection to create a masculine sensibility of understated glamour - fusing fragility with modernity.

Few designers can maximize minimalism as well as Max Tan and we've loved so much of what he's done over the last couple of years (see S/S 2016 on The Brvtalist). This collection hits so many of the right notes as the tones, details and mood are spot on.

Another great collection from Max Tan. As always, we look forward to more from the designer. Visit the designer's Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates.

-JRS

New Brvtalism No. 092 - Unhuman

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix from Unhuman. The Berlin-based project is behind some of our current favorite productions as well as the innovative live event and record label, Liber Null. For New Brvtalism No. 092, the artist takes us on an evil journey through pitch black waves.

Coming up, Unhuman will serve as resident at Constant Value (Seoul, Korea) as well as a vinyl release on Veleno Viola which includes a collaboration with Violet Poison titled Aktion Mutante. Unhuman will also release a tape on Liber Null and the collective has recently joined forces with Total Black on a new night called Filth, focused on noise and experimental. Thank you to Unhuman and we look forward to more.

-JRS

Sacramence - "D.S.T." Video Premiere

The Brvtalist is pleased to present the music video premiere of "D.S.T." by Sacramence. Off the forthcoming EP, Tantrum, this is the opening track of a 4 part industrial tour de force that also includes a remix by Benzene Sea. Created by MIR, the video reflects the compositions chilling, ceremonial atmosphere and warped sense of reality.

Tantrum will be out on pro dubbed limited cassette and digital April 23rd on Clan Destine Records. Pre Order available now. For more visit Soundcloud.

-JRS

SARRK - 0th

Emerging from the darkest corner, the new cassette release from Los Angeles-based producer SARRK. 0th is a demented trip through the Southern California night in search of a viscous slayer whose whereabouts are unknown. Taking cues from slasher films, synth, wave and even electro, 0th is a bloodcurdling good time.

Side I begins with "Power of Source", the perfect appetizer of a tension building atmosphere that sets the stage of what's to come. "The Scoundrel" and "Oth" pick up the RPMs with a heart throbbing race through the city streets. Perhaps our favorite track of the record is the seductively slow burning, "Ride The Knife". We were instantly pulled into the smooth delivery and icy feel. Closing out side I is the more aggressive, "Manhunt" that pulverizes the listener until the very end.

"Silence" is another fantastic down shift to start Side II and that leads into another anthemic piece with "In The Street". After the haunting, vocoder laced moods of "From Behind", the tape ends with the chilling "At Large", a stark reminder that he is still out there. 0th delivers on all fronts and the physical copies look great as well. Out April 21st on Young Cubs x Night Rambler Records.

-JRS