Industrialized wastelands, noisy rhythms and vocal treatments round off the edges of Mondo Obscura—one of those hard to define albums to say the least.
[Release page] Philipp Münch offers his second installment for the Ant-Zen imprint and this time around industrialized wastelands, noisy rhythms and vocal treatments round off the edges of Mondo Obscura—one of those hard to define albums to say the least. Definitely more beat-oriented than 2011’s Into The Absurd, Mondo Obscura begins with harsher elements and closes up with a more subdued soundscape. Guests veer into and out of the frequency range including Kyoung-hi Roho, Riotmiloo (Eva|3), Tim Kneip (Synapscape) and Dan Gotto (Babyland, Continues)—the contributors carve an abundant fluctuation of rhythm-centered chaos and calm throughout these obscured worlds. “Shifting People” marches its way into percussive mayhem as scorched sonic sheets make headway on “Way of Anger.” A mellower, almost dub-infused experimental bass pulse is emitted on “Espionage Version” and the Nitzer Ebb-influenced “Sub.Divider” breaks through early 90s industrial-goth with a 2012 spin—its post-punk attitude and melodic synth notes are quite nostalgic. “The Magma of War” expels chaotic noise drenching, turbulent bass and rhythmic patterns aplomb. And just as each piece delves into their own trajectory, in the end Mondo Obscura is a discernible—and often genre-bending—listening experience as it doesn’t adhere to any specific preconceived formula but instead flashes a dark light across the expansive spectrum of rugged sounds.
Mondo Obscura is available on Ant-Zen. [Release page]
