Pater Noster has shied away from publicity, choosing instead to focus on cultivating a specific sound and style. Started in 2014 by Garret Littler and Samuel Cardenas, the imprint was born out of the pair’s growing interest “in the 1980s self-produced DIY cassette, music scenes in Germany and the Netherlands.” Set up when the pair were both living in London, the label bosses noticed there were “striking similarities” between these forgotten tapes, the culture that surrounded them and their “favorite parts of the modern underground electronic music scene.”
The darker echelons of techno are somewhat of a contradiction when it comes to their popularity. The musical malcontents who boil beats and contort chords either remain in the darkest corners of the internet or they actively seek out the limelight. Of course, some of this juxtaposition can be attributed to PR or just plain quality, but it is usually the more reclusive machinists who have something more unique to say.
Pater Noster has shied away from publicity, choosing instead to focus on cultivating a specific sound and style. Started in 2014 by Garret Littler and Samuel Cardenas, the imprint was born out of the pair’s growing interest “in the 1980s self-produced DIY cassette, music scenes in Germany and the Netherlands.” Set up when the pair were both living in London, the label bosses noticed there were “striking similarities” between these forgotten tapes, the culture that surrounded them and their “favorite parts of the modern underground electronic music scene.”
Four years back the Church doors were opened with a compilation, a compilation from five unknown entities who all seek salvation in the extremes. Mordd Imbet was uncovered on Soundcloud, a fertile patch for finding those willing to join the flock. This early signing dives straight into the red with the distortion-soaked croaking of “I Live In A Small Town (and I Always Will).” “Achy,” by GDL aka Littler, achieves a difficult feat, balancing harsh and raw noise with gentler soothing tones. Post punk patches are sampled and refeed into themselves to unsettling effect. Basslines jar and twist against entrancing samples for a strangely haunting work. Rough Grip, Cardenas, follow a similarly gravelly path. Hiss and static reverberate alongside whispering samples and keys while a steady rasping beat keeps time. Windom, another Soundcloud discovery who released a solo EP in 2016, and Almada sound like brothers in arms. Rusted notes are ground into kick drums and spent hi-hats as the flip takes on a distinctly more alt-dancefloor flavor.
This first 12” is a blueprint to the label, a caustic catechism to follow and adhere to. In fact, Christian iconography runs through the label, from “the name” which “alludes to our deep, orthodoxical love of music” says Cardenas. “We are quite influenced by religious music, but more importantly we are interested in the religious or spiritual effect that certain music can exude.” It’s an interesting take, especially considering some of the coarse sounds that this broad church is extoling.
Overloper is the latest convert to the Pater Noster faith, Overloper being better known as Dutch techno strangler Ekman. Here the Crème Organization and Shipwrec veteran offers up Aposynthesis, three original works of with a remix from INNSYTER. If you thought Ekman had repented and relinquished his electronic evils, think again. That wicked streak is plain to hear, immediately walloping the middle ear with the title track. “Aposynthesis (Need More Sisa)” has a full bodied ravy note to it. Brash and bruising, drum patterns are swaddled in black finery for an absolute red-eyed beast of a banger. The flip is occupied by “Carpe Noctem.” The Overloper version is a slow burning acid boiler. Sour notes are simmered into a thick and acrid syrup, one with some pretty unsteadying properties. Barbed beats are bolstered by thick kick drums as distortion embittered the entire affair. INNSYTER adopts those almost hypnotic chords of the original and adds some industrial strength hallucinogens to the original concoction. Nothing is stable in the shifting quicksand of a remix. Hold onto your headphones, or any available cable, is my advice.
From our conversations, it’s safe to say that Pater Noster is only starting to spread its serrated word. More is in the pipeline, or should that be organ pipe line, with 12”s from Michael Padgett and Mick Wills to be offered up to pressing plants soon. While you’re waiting on the latest lot of wax, here are two mixes to lead you further into the darkness of the Pater Noster catacombs.
First’s an obscure set reimagining the Black Lodge from Twin Peaks:
The other is a more modern mix of techno:
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