The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere "Obsolete Rhythm Technology" by E.L.I. Label In Disarray's sixth release is a mini-album "L/F/D/M VS E.L.I." . It's a trip through sinister sequences, lo-fi drum workouts and mutant acid from British producers L/F/D/M and E.L.I..
The release is out Dec 1st and it's available on limited-run tape cassette and digital via Bandcamp.
-Melanie Havens
The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new music video by Antoni Maiovvi. "Edge Of Knowle" comes off ITALO MODERNI's V.A "Modernation Vol.1", their first compilation on cassette and digital. Another dimension of obscurites and eighties weird sounds, all focused on a new club era of madness and sad situations. Best moment to get some inspiration with the best wizards from our modern music life.
The release is out digitally + cassette on November 27th on Bandcamp.
You can also listen on The Brvtalist SoundCloud.
-Melanie Havens
The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere “Spritzkrieg” by Soft Crash, the new music collaboration formed by Hayden Payne, aka Berghain resident Phase Fatale and Pablo Bozzi of Imperial Black Unit. Attempting to throw off the dark and authoritative stereotypes of the current music scene they helped foster, Payne and Bozzi look to their core influences of synthwave, disco, and early techno to carve a new path as italo body music pioneers.
The Spritzkrieg EP presents 3 tracks serving as just a bite of what will follow in their full length album for 2021. Each song serves as a view into the pool of subgeneres that they are exploring: from Frankfurt prototrance and techno to driving italo disco and new beat to drowned out electro on the verge of 90s Warp-alike ambient. Both trained musicians, Soft Crash brings melody back into the fold, creating intelligent, melancholic hooks combined with sensual, pulsating rhythm. It can convey the artists’ emotions in a picturesque way that just words themselves cannot. Music that would fit perfectly in the largest concrete techno halls as well as the sleaziest lab disco nights.
The release is out digitally + vinyl on BITE on November 27th. Pre-order now on Bandcamp!
-Melanie Havens
The Brvtalist: Spritzkrieg is your first release as Soft Crash. How did the collaboration begin?
Soft Crash: Our collaboration shortly began after Pablo’s first solo release on BITE. We thought to combine our mutual love for italo disco, synthpop, bleep and acid house, etc and see how far we can take it. Turns out when we entered the studio, we progressed quickly, churning out songs in more unexplored territory, making it contemporary with more pop elements.
TB: What’s the concept and theme behind the project?
SC: Beyond the musical themes, we are looking into the implications of technology becoming more of an extension of the human body and how that translates more into electronic music like this that’s also keeping a romantic, and partly nostalgic sensibility. A balancing act between longing for a better period back in time and the cold, hard metallic new world.
TB: Today we premiere the EP’s title track, Spritzkrieg. Tell us a bit about that track and its concept.
SC: After a night of too much Aperol Spritz, we had a dream (or a nightmare if you’d like to call it that) and out came this song.
TB: How is your production flow and do you each have a different approach to it? Were you working mostly together or remotely?
SC: We both already bring to the table sketches and ideas, whether it’s a melody, sequence, or just a certain temperament. Since we are both able to work incognito in a way, we can shed certain expectations listeners have and work more freely with our sound design, genre exploration, and harmonic content. The process is of course quicker when we are together but since Hayden is fucking off to Tbilisi till Berghain opens again, it’ll have to be remotely for now.
TB: You have created a unique sound denominated as “italo body music”. Talk a little about the creative process and evolution of your sound and who were your biggest influences.
SC: Even though the media would like to pigeonhole us as two dark boys making ebm/industrial since forever. We actually both grew up with a mutual love for synthwave, post-punk, and italo. That is our bedrock, and this felt like the right moment to finally expand on that when we have already explored the sounds of ebm enough that also has a quite limited sound palette and antiquated concept. Italo Body Music is not just limited to Italo of course but is open to combining many different aforementioned influences as well as more to be discovered. Already we are moving past just the 8th or 16th note drive of italo like Tobias Bernstrup or The Hacker, which we still love of course, and attempting to explore more UK machine funk rhythms from the likes of New Order or Network Records for example.
TB: When the world goes back to “normal”, do you plan to go on tours?
SC: Sure, why not.
TB: What’s coming up next for you?
SC: We are formulating and already laying down the foundation for our first full length album coming sometime next year. Also trying to work on our respective solo ventures at the same time.
The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new track from Verset Zero. “Crucifixio” comes off the artist’s new full length album, Kerygma, which represents over a year’s worth of work and what the artist calls his most personal productions to date. The album masterfully showcases Verset Zero’s unique, genre-shattering sound and definitely pushes his work in to the post-metal direction which scathing vocals and a heavy, punishing sound. Utilizing religious themes to create a haunting atmosphere, Kerygma will leave you blood-thirsty for more and requires repeat listens to fully engage with its layered, ever-evolving productions.
Out November 24th on vinyl, CD and digital on Instruments of Discipline. Get yours now on Bandcamp.
-JRS
The Brvtalist is proud to present a new track from Hybral. “Gegen Polizeigewalt” comes off the massive new v/a compilation from label, event series, community and all around Brvtalist favorite Gegen. Made up all all female (and beyond) artists, GEGENDIGITAL001 delivers some of the most exciting producers from across the techno spectrum including Esther Duijn, Monya, Lady Maru and our own madwoman. Today we are thrilled to present this high speed, electrifying track from Berlin-based, non-binary producer Hybral. They believe that techno is political and thus they always have a political approach, not only by the representation as a queer DJ and producer in the techno scene, but also in their track selection - Hybral tries to select and produce tracks that include political statements or theories. “Gegen Polizegewalt” is the perfect example as they use their crushing, industralized sound to apply pressure against police brutality of POC.
GEGENDIGITAL001 is out November 27th and you can pre-order yours on Bandcamp now.
-JRS
The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere "Siren_154" by FSS. The mysterious producer crafted a 10 track album with raw, distorted & dirty sounds that expresses his discontent and disillusionment about the world's actual scenario - a fucking shit show.
The release is out digitally + CD on Diffuse Reality Records. Pick it up at Bandcamp.
-Melanie Havens
The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix from Grace Dahl. Since the start of 2017, the artist has presented her thrilling sets at some of Europe’s best events and has released music on labels like Khazad, Courtoisy, Exhale and more. Her sound is ever evolving and she has put out some of our favorite tracks and sets as of late. New Brvtalism No. 256 is an amazing entry to our series and showcases Dahl’s exhilarating and dynamic energy.
-JRS
The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new track by Louisahhh. Unapologetic in her style and always authentic, Louisahhh invites a selection of artists and friends to remix tracks Chaos and A Hard No, the first work from her forthcoming debut album The Practice of Freedom set for release in 2021. The package features both the originals and powerful remixes from Imogen, Minimal Violence and fellow label affiliate Wax Wings, all of whom complement Louisahhh’s sound of dystopian electronics, where the worlds of techno and rock collide. We premiere today Minimal Violence's remix for "Chaos", a chaotic and unnerving energy remix, using trademark supercharged trance influenced synths and frenzied unconventional percussion.
Louisahhh - Chaos / A Hard No Remix Package is released 20th November on HE.SHE.THEY.
-Melanie Havens
Following up on his label debut Omen Rising, Sam KDC returns to HORO with A Mutiny in Monochrome, a devastating release of four techno subversions and genre shattering productions which have come to define the sound of the UK-born, Spain-based artist. For over a decade, KDC has been traversing the sound spectrum with crushing breakbeats, blackened atmospheres and floor destroying electronics. The tracks on Mutiny were recorded while confined to his remote studio during the pandemic and they are seething with bleak, malicious undertones which capture the moment perfectly.
To mark this excellent release, today we present a Q&A with the artist about the release, the pandemic and more, as well as a special edition mix which is a powerful accompaniment to that artist’s brvtal, layered sound. Enjoy the mix, read the interview and enjoy a full previous stream ahead of its release on November 27th. You can also Pre-Order the release now on Bandcamp.
The Brvtalist: The EP was created at your remote studio during the pandemic. Tell us about recording this release and a little bit more about the studio environment.
Sam KDC: It was originally material I was working on for a new live set. That didn't happen. Studio is a small black room in our house, located on the outskirts of a little mountain village in the south of Spain. There's a door from the studio onto the kitchen roof, which looks down some 40km through the mountain valleys to the sea. It's a sick spot for watching the sun rise / set and it's such a mad contrast from where / how I grew up. I never thought I would end up somewhere like here. Even if it all goes to shit tomorrow, it's been a blessing to have spent a chunk of life here.
TB: Talk also about any concepts or themes behind the music in “Mutiny in Monochrome”. The track titles also have a very ominous feel.
SKDC: This EP is the culmination of a theme that has been inherent throughout the majority of my work – the War In Heaven - which to me represents internal conflict. The conflict between compulsions, the inner angels & demons, chaos & order and the battles between courage & comfort, prudence & frivolity, intuition & intellect, of doing the right thing or taking the easy way out. This has been particularly poignant for me again this year. This week marks 10 months of sobriety, something I wasn't sure I would ever be able to say. In order to get to a place where I can live sober, I have had to a do a lot of peace making between angels and demons. It is, of course, an ongoing process. Musically, the drum and bass influence is more prominent again on this EP. The light/dark entanglement that the genre embodies is what initially attracted me to it.
I had been mulling over the title of the EP, the theme I had in mind was the War In Heaven, but I didn't wanna call it that as it's been done to death. I had been listening to The Birthday Party again a lot, so had the notion of Mutiny rattling around my mind too. I landed on the title 'A Mutiny In Monochrome' whilst I was looking through Gustave Doré's series of illustrations of Milton's Paradise Lost. I sent a few over to Ryan, the designer for Horo, and asked if he would be up for doing an interpretation of them for the cover art. I think he did an amazing job at catching the way the light pierces through the blackness and the chaos of war.
TB: You continue to explore and push the boundaries of your style which defies categorization. Pulling from many different genres, talk a little bit about the evolution of your sound to this point.
SKDC: I guess the sound has evolved, but it's still the same process as from the beginning. There's no real objective. It's still just my way of interpreting thoughts and working through the issues that life presents. It's just my way of trying to bring a little order to the chaos that ensues from inhabiting a human vessel.
Stylistically there's very little chance I would have ended up here without James ASC & Geoff Presha. The structural basis for the grey area sound was developed through what was almost like friendly competition, pushing each other to further pursue rhythmic abnormalities.
Also, more than anything, as unsophisticated as it might seem, it's still just about arranging sounds. Fucking about with machines and programs and doing it just to do it. Talking about themes and concepts it can be easy to forget that fundamentally all you're doing is arranging sounds. I still really enjoy just making noises and organizing them (however arbitrarily and with whatever meaning can or cannot be tacked on to it afterwards) just to be in that state of mind, that deep flow state where time melts and thoughts disappear. Life seems to go wrong when I stray too far from it. Every time I come back to it, shit starts to feel like it's where it's supposed to be again. I've lost count of how many times I've felt saved by it. Clichéd as that is.
Listening back now to the first record I released 10 years ago it still feels like part of the same story. Maybe now it's a more grown up and refined version. I hope so anyway, and not that it's just an old and boring version. There's a joke in there about grey hair somewhere. Grey Hairea? I'll get my coat.
TB: What was the last gig you played and what is something you miss about the live shows/parties?
SKDC: Last one was for Trauma in Madrid. It was the second time I had the pleasure of playing for them, those guys are awesome, proper family vibes. I've only played a handful of gigs here in Spain, but all of them have been special for that reason – a real sense of kinship and connection. I fucking love this country and this music for that. That is definitely something that I miss about gigs. That, and being smashed in the chest by kick drums and rattled by sub bass. I think I really took for granted the cleansing kind of reset effect that has. It's like a kind of anarchic sound healing. I'm really craving that at the moment.
TB: On the flip side, what is something you can appreciate about this pandemic period?
SKDC: It's been a good chance to practice certain principles. In Sterquiliniis Invenitur, et cetera.
TB: What are you working on now and what can we expect next?
SKDC: I'd love to end this with the trite and banal platitude that I am working on all kinds of awesome secret projects that are way too epic and exclusive to talk about, But I'm not. Not right now anyway :)
I have been doing mixing and mastering for a few friends and their labels though, which has slowly gained momentum through word of mouth over the last couple of years and has ended up becoming something I'm doing regularly now. This week, I've just started offering mixing and mastering services through Home of Sound - https://www.homeofsound.co.uk/p/sam-kdc-mixing-mastering
Other than that I am currently drowning in bureaucracy trying to sort residency here before Brexit. If anyone's got a link in the Spanish civil service that can get me hooked up, give us a shout!!
We are pleased to premiere the visual DJ set by the Italian EBM-wave artist Chris Shape. Decadence VR (the most important Italian fetish party for over 15 years) joined forces with Burning Man Project to create the online "Multiverse" event, an interactive 3D digital multiplayer world powered by holographic, augmented and virtual reality. Other great projects such as Ash Code, Blind Delon, Bestial Mouths, Pablo Bozzi, 89s† and many more performed at the event.
Chris Shape's new album "SHAPED TO DEFORM" on Unknown Pleasures Records: https://hivmusic1.bandcamp.com/album/chris-shape
-Melanie Havens
