Amidst the northern winds and cutting hail of Zarathustra is an emotive warmth, a comforting core shielding the showers of modernity.
Federico Leocata makes his full vinyl appearance for Abstract Forms with Zarathustra. The Italian artist has been active for a number of years now, focusing on digital releases but clocking up 12”s for WeMe and Frustrated Funk. Leocata adds to his vinyl output with his Nietzsche referenced EP.
Ill-lit streets, wandering fog and a lone figure. Silhouettes and the threat of violence usher in the suspense laden “Untergang.” The Italian was supposedly discovered by Heinrich Mueller (aka Gerald Donald—Dopplereffekt, Der Zyklus.) It’s difficult to ascertain if this is true, but elements of the Drexciya veteran are definitely present. Clinical coldness descends as the listener is sunk into the sub-zero sounds of “Ephemere.” The choice of German track titles only accentuates the similarities between Leocata and Mueller. “Hinterwelter” is a heady space walk. The rhythmic sections are reduced to their essence as arching bands of bass and synth ascend. Amidst some of the stark columns, Leocata weaves some wonderfully lucid melodies. The title track is elevated into the sublime by dramatic analogue pillars constructed against a darkened metallic backdrop. The breathy and chilling “Vapore” leads into the finale, “Haufenschluss.” Terse and clipped, Leocata sculpts with ice; sharpening and filleting frozen phonics into abstract translucency.
Electro is a fickle business. I’ve listened to enough of it to know the fine line that marks out machine minimalism and the deeper moments suspended in reduction. Amidst the northern winds and cutting hail of Zarathustra is an emotive warmth, a comforting core shielding the showers of modernity.
Zarathustra is available on Abstract Forms.
