Underground Belgian Wave 2 moves from sublime synthsizer compositions to post punk angst, surreal new wave and proto synth pop. Walhalla have once again managed to tap into the wealth of obscure and stunning new wave, minimal synth and EBM from Belgium.
Undoubtedly one of the most groundbreaking releases of 2010 was Wahalla Records‘ Underground Belgian Wave Volume 1. It had pride of place in my top ten of 2010 anyway. The record received deserved praise from minimal synth enthusiasts, DJ’s and electronic nuts alike. The premise of Walhalla is achingly simple, to bring to vinyl Belgian wave music that was formerly only available on tape. The skill arrives with choosing what makes the grade. The first LP breathed life into dusty tape tracks by Asmodaeus, M. Bryo, Vita Noctis and many more. Now, Underground Belgian Wave Volume 2 has arrived.
So does the second installment hold a candle to its predecessor?
Up first is a group that many may actually be familiar with. Autumn are the quartet of Geert Coppens, Peter Bonne, Peter Koutstaal and Sol.Id. Some of the members were part of Linear Movement, others Twilight Ritual. Peter Bonne later went on to gain greater notoriety as part of A Split – Second; a group that pioneered new beat. Here Autumn serve up a tasty tape treat, “Synthsize.” Strings and synthlines come together to produce a wonderfully laconic and uplifting piece of synth wave. Vocals are employed, mirroring the classic angst of wave lyrics. The track transcends into Klaus Schulze style solo action midway through before coming full circle as a sharp 606 kicks and a reverberating synth with the vocals turning to German. “Synthesize” is really two tracks in one, but who’s complaining. Truly superb piece to start out the second installment. The compilation has a similar structure to its predecessor, some artists with two tracks and others with one. Tangible Joy are given space for two. First is the “Move” with its speedy tempo and downtrodden vocals throwing up comparisons of End of your Garden or some of the Norsk artists of Hommage Records. Following is the clinical melancholy of “Some Say I’m Drunk (But I’m Only In Love).” A steady beat drives the track as emotion is stripped from this vintage piece of new wave. Likewise, Dries Decocker and Jean-Pierre Van Den Broeke aka The Misz offer up a pair of tracks. “Tameless Horses” is a subdued piece of D.I.Y. electronics. Male and female vocals weave in this garage band synth arrangement. “Even Bad Times Are Good” follows with a serious nod to the post punk sound. Emotional Violence bring the A-side to a close with “Big Balloon” a work of synth experimentation and social isolation.
The flipside opens with Berntholer and “Toys.” The track is unapologetically playful with strings and catchy female vocals being at the centre. The tempo is lowered with the soulful voice of Elisa Waut and the dark “Summary Of All My Dreams.” Marcel Vanthilt injects a note of new beat with “Als Ik Gust De Coster Was.” The track has a bravado that the album hadn’t yet explored. Gutteral and looming bass are sliced by synths with Vanthilt’s earthy vocals creating a gripping balance. Secret Life steer head-on into the distortion pedal with “Witches” before Enzo Kreft turns the synthesizers back on for “Erotic Fantaseesz.” Enzo’s sound is somewhere alongside Transparent Illusion coupled with the surrealism of ADN’ Ckrystall. The LP is brought to a close by Kreft and “Beauty Queen.” The synth lines have something of a mellowed Experimental Products to them, but the vocals are straight dead pan with a decent twist of the unsettled. A perfect discordant piece to close on.
Underground Belgian Wave Volume 1 was adorned with the tapes of the Belgian Wave sound. Portion Control. Absolute Body Control. Neon Judgement. ‘Underground Belgian Wave Volume 2’ is painted in the machines that created the sound. The TB303. The TR808. The Yamaha DX7. Even a couple of guitars. It’s interesting how these were the machines that created house, techno, electro and Belgian wave, and fascinating how artists used them to such different effect. Underground Belgian Wave 2 moves from sublime synthsizer compositions to post punk angst, surreal new wave and proto synth pop. Walhalla have once again managed to tap into the wealth of obscure and stunning new wave, minimal synth and EBM from Belgium. The record is as much a lesson as it is an education. Tipped, one of the best compilations of the new year.
Underground Belgian Wave Volume 2 is out now on Walhalla.
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