Underground Wave Vol.3 sees angst riddled artists pouring their souls our through synthesizers. Abstract, and difficult to digest in parts; but another grey skied winner from Walhalla.
It’s that time again. It doesn’t come around very often, but when it does? Walhalla Records, of Antwerp, returns from the pressing plant with Underground Wave Vol.3.Vol 1 was an absolute masterpiece, sublime tracks dripping with emotion, angst and trauma. Vol 2 was somewhat eclipsed by his older brother, but was nevertheless a very accomplished compilation of synth wave. So what is the story with Vol. 3?
The first thing to hit the listener is the uber D.I.Y. sound of the LP. It really feels like these tracks were recorded on a borrowed tape cassette in an Uncle’s garage. Nostalgie Eternelle open with two pieces. The group have been releasing since the late 1980s and have stacked up a host of tape releases. 2012 sees them finally make it onto vinyl: for Walhalla and a full LP on Hafenschlamm Rekords. “Coup De Grace” is a terse piece of minimalism. Drum machine; synth; ghostly vocals. A terse and powerful track. S.M. Nurse are emblematic of art school collage electronics. Samples and thin vocals tangle amongst strings and noise. After a long period of hiatus Nine Circles are back releasing and performing. For Walhalla they offer up the abject minimalism of “Here Come I, Here Is Me.” Now, not to get pernickety but Vayne Kaye & Ignit’s “The Heat” has seen vinyl before. The track was released on the excellent Radionome compilation in ’82. But who’s getting fussy. “The Heat” is a pulsating post punk excursion. Experimental Incest are a late 80s industrial EBM outfit. Their sound is gritty, tortured and analogue. “Desire” is steeped in Neon Judgement anguish. The machines churn out a catchy loop as vocals turn guttural and tear. There’s a cold war theme running through pieces like the experimental “Vietnam” by The Maniacs or “Charming War” by O.B. Minimax. The Misz return, from past appearances, with the wonderfully bleak and comically titled “Spinach in Kiev”: a lament to nuclear proliferation on the surrounding flora. Unovidual close the album with the briefest track. Synth full and downtrodden, “Metal” ends the LP.
Volume 3 has dropped the Belgian tag, now simply titled Underground Wave Vol.3. Nevertheless, many of the artists are from the European heartland of industrial, EBM and minimal synth. The LP is the most experimental, most raw and most self-released of the three compilations. Underground Wave Vol.3 sees angst riddled artists pouring their souls our through synthesizers. Abstract, and difficult to digest in parts; but another grey skied winner from Walhalla.
Underground Wave Vol.3 is available on Walhalla.
