2view :: Cathode Ray Tube (Condition:Human)

Two more under the belt for the prolific Cathode Ray Tube (aka Chang Turhune)—The Island of Doubt and Colossus are available on his own Condition:Human digital imprint and what a wicked and unexpected storm they are.

A rugged and steep sonic pathway

Two more under the belt for the prolific Cathode Ray Tube (aka Chang Turhune)—The Island of Doubt, self described as “a journey through uncertain terrain,” is on point. Its rugged and steep sonic pathway showcases a myriad of sandblasted electronics and meandering ambience (“Cosa Rumori”) to harsh industrial techno slabs (“Training Wheels,” “Dumbstruc”) and also crosses over into lighter electrical collisions that could work as an EP midway through including “Refractionary,” “Inspirious,” “Aggronator,” and “Four or Five Lights (Tonight).” The title track is perhaps the most treacherous of all, with scorched drones and delaminated mechanical rhythms spanning just over seven minutes. What a wicked and unexpected storm.

Colossus, on the other hand, displays a much softer tone, if we can put it that way. Four tracks opening with a symphony of ambient techno swirls shifting trajectories along the way (“Delineation”) as “Training Wheels (Deluxe Mix)”—the original featured on The Island of Doubt as a skeletal stream of glitchy pulses—is an uplifted version of itself; coming across as an Orbital synth-laden soundtrack with drifting melodies and thudding beats. Avant-garde electronics glide across the spectrum on the rapid-fire drum patterns of “Skive,” to the downtempo, broken beat, and wandering illbient beauty of “Machicolocation,” closing on a high note. Colossus embarks on ethereal mayhem, its edges chiseled just enough, and overall, it’s much smoother (and complex) listening experience worth your time.

The Island of Doubt and Colossus are available on Condition:Human.