Tschernobyl serves as an immersive depiction of such a wasteland and as a medium to cement the band’s feelings regarding the catastrophe. Both the music and the various vocal samples scattered throughout feel incredibly apt for painting images in the listener’s head; a sense of melancholy is sometimes present, while at other times the tracks become rougher and much more industrially influenced.
The emptiness and gloom
If you had been waiting for almost twenty years for Tschernobyl to be available again in a physical format, well, you’re in luck. After almost two decades, this record sees the light of day once again; for those who were not familiar with it, like myself, it is instead an opportunity to get to know the music of this Polish group. The music on Tschernobyl teeters between ambient electronic music and electro-industrial styles, very much akin to a lot of electronica from the ’80s and early ’90s. Originally released in 2007, Tschernobyl is now seeing a vinyl re-release with Warsaw, Poland-based Rope Worm.
The most interesting aspect of this LP may actually be its concept, though: a record born from an interest in the Chernobyl disaster and even a visit to the site by the band itself. I would like to say that the music perfectly represents the emptiness and gloom of what Chernobyl looked like—and still looks like—after the incident, but I have never had the chance to experience that personally. This album thus serves as an immersive depiction of such a wasteland and as a medium to cement the band’s feelings regarding the catastrophe. Both the music and the various vocal samples scattered throughout feel incredibly apt for painting images in the listener’s head; a sense of melancholy is sometimes present, while at other times the tracks become rougher and much more industrially influenced.
The opening track, “Gamma Radiation,” sets the stage for the rest of the record, a piece that begins rather bombastically. Initially filled with noise and thundering percussion, the track then settles into a smooth synth-driven section. It’s almost like the start of the incident itself, overwhelming at first and then gradually fading into a less severe state. That happens in just a few minutes here, but it is, of course, still an ongoing process at the site.
Other pieces are far more somber, such as the following “Deadly Dust,” in which the atmosphere is greatly enhanced by a vocal sample, likely some kind of old radio announcement about the many deaths that occurred. The fantastic “Man in My Room” is even more melancholic and is easily my favorite track of the bunch. It is a wonderful ambient piece that greatly reminded me of Cabaret Voltaire‘s last record before their reunion, The Conversation, in which ambient and industrial music merge in wonderful fashion. “Man in My Room” does exactly that, perfectly finding that sweet balance while also being quite progressive—especially great is the arpeggiated synth that joins in during the second half.
“Hydroxizinum City” is another highlight, a great industrial track with a super catchy motif and highly satisfying percussion. “Talk With” is another favorite of mine, yet again a progressive track that seems to never stop growing; it’s a rather hopeful finale, with its grand chord progression, and sends the album off on a high note. None of these tracks are quite as effective on their own, though, because I very much believe the strength of this LP lies in how well it establishes its atmosphere, and every single one of its eight tracks is essential to that.
This is a really good record, a hidden gem, if you will. Occasions like this are not to be wasted, because it may well have remained a hidden gem, which would be a pity given how good the music is. Whether it’s this review, a news article, or even just promotion that led you to see its cover, I encourage you to look beyond that and give it a listen. There are likely not many records out there with a concept like this, and even fewer of them are presented in such an appropriate style.
Tschernobyl is available on Rope Worm. [Bandcamp]
