The hive of Kerkrach is a labyrinth of activity, catacombs of sublabels that divide into avenues of cold wave, synth-pop, analogue punk and beyond into a Korg kaleidoscope of sounds. For F.K.K. two new artists of superb talent have been unearthed.
Kernkrach is an incredibly productive label, 7”s multiplying like rabbits with LPs having a slowly gestation period. The German label’s F.K.K. Musik sublabel has mirrored the fertile nature of its parent.
Ståltråd is also known as Mattias Lindblom, one of the founders of the excellent Dödsdans Rekords from Sweden. “Utanförskap” enters, slow and moody, a dark eyed and discontent piece of brooding synth music. The vocals are distant and eclipsed, a rain sodden larynx pierced with sharp analogue chords. “Sliter” opens with a bouncier step, analogue chords tangling into an intoxicating menagerie of bass and Korg. The 7” has a particularly vintage feel to it with the production quality being truly excellent.
Another debutant is introduced by an imprint that celebrates newcomers. Sturmkapelle are a new synth wave outfit, opening their account with a heavy hitting 7”. “Ode An Den Sozialstaat” takes autocratic samples from the GDR and entwines them with synth and vocodors. The track is steady with an intensity of both sound and content. “Die Natur Kennt Keine Grenze” comes from the same powerful place, but is of a more uplifting nature. A rolling synthline drums across the track, samples punctuating alongside a clean snare to produce a heady and hypnotic piece of wave.
The hive of Kerkrach is a labyrinth of activity, catacombs of sublabels that divide into avenues of cold wave, synth-pop, analogue punk and beyond into a Korg kaleidoscope of sounds. For F.K.K. two new artists of superb talent have been unearthed. New Year’s Resolution: Keep an eye and ear on Kernkrach; satisfaction is guaranteed. Excellent work once again.
Both releases are available on F.K.K. – Musik.
