Collectio Vol. 6 is emblematic of this organization’s focus, quality electronic music that explores the floor as well as more cerebral frontiers.
Quality electronic music that explores the floor as well as more cerebral frontiers
X-Rust is one of the oldest electronic music collectives in Europe. Then why have I never heard of it? There’s good reason for this. The organization is run out of Finland, Turku to be exact, and operates at a truly underground level. Self-interest is not part of the equation, music is the aim. Events of likeminded DJ’s and musicians are held by the group and, now and again, records are released. The first X-Rust 12” appeared in 2004. Seventeen years later, number seven has just hit the shelves.
Clocking up a collection, or Collectio, every three years, the focus of these Finns has never been quantity; quality is what they pursue. If it is though-provoking electronics or gnarled techno you’re after, these guys have the goods.
Names have changed consistently across the various Collectio 12”s, with artists like Michael Diekmann, of Morphology, being some of the heavy hitters involved. This sixth installment is opened by Parikka and “Home Alone.” The track melts raw molten machine sounds with smooth house tones, piano keys floating over jagged percussion and meandering knob tweaks. The only X-Rust member to have their own solo release on the imprint, Vapor, follows with “Warhead.” Coming from an electro angle, the track is a detailed and full piece. Stern snares allow warbling keys to swim through colder machine currents with balance being found. Parikka returns on the flip with “Crysis at the Center Age.” This offering is very different to his first. Deep and soulful, the main style is one of absorbing and melodic house. Pads are rich and percussion understated as a twilight dreamscape is mapped. The finale is by a new member to the collective, Osmand with “Simffonia.” Taking cue from Parikka’s previous offering, this closer is a smooth and relaxed journey of sweetened notes and unassuming drum patterns.
In a time when the white noise of self-promotion drowns out all but the loudest, X-Rust is truly refreshing. For twenty-five years, this Northern European group has quietly dedicated time and sweat to honing its craft while bringing home-grown talent to light. Collectio Vol. 6 is emblematic of this organization’s focus, quality electronic music that explores the floor as well as more cerebral frontiers. With a quarter of a century’s experience, these guys are no new kids on the block; these guys know exactly what they are doing and can do it.
Collectio Vol. 6 is available on X-Rust. [Bandcamp]
