Black Spider Clan - Underworlds

Musical pairings can in some ways be approached similar to actor castings in feature films. On one hand, there is a common tendency to bring together distinctly different characters, each standing in contrast to each other, their discord providing the riffing points, as is done in the more common buddy cop flicks. But the matches found in classic films, tend to focus more on the compatibility of characters. The lines between each persona become blurry or melt together to create an almost symbiotic presentation. Along the way the participants are often not so direct when setting the mood, and put forth a more subtle and gradually building atmosphere through actions that are not in contrast to each other, but display a charismatic compatibility in their strengths.

Bear with me, all this 'noir' imagery has its purpose, because like the uniforms that classic film duo's don, this EP comes together as if it were a perfectly seamed and well-tailored suit. With a taught tie threaded through the collar of a high thread count shirt and n polished shoes with perfectly tied laces, and the faint smell of cigarette smoke and perfume. Such literary liberties could be construed as drivel, if it were not for the musical muscle here which so handsomely fills those suits out. In the end, a critical listen to this ep, might just make you see things my way, so slip on a pair of classic sunglasses, and take a walk down the streets of the underworld.

With a sustained and relentless bass line and the splash of a cymbal, the curtain draws back to reveal the Black Spider Clan’s appropriate introductory number. “Living in Twilight.” It is a very "live" sounding affair; with an unprocessed backbeat and tom tom drilling fills that pulse along under synths providing a true gritty classic wave sound. The casual and catchy punk lyrical refrains too suggest that this could perhaps become a classic.

In a moment the mood and pace changes. With a heavy industrial drumbeat and ominous descending pads, you stand and stare into the "Broken Mirror". Playtime is over; this is heady and heavy stuff, a borderline dark masterpiece, ominously powerful and engagingly energetic with sophisticated (symbolic interactionism to be precise) lyrics to match. "broken mirror - my 'I' behind a wall, broken mirror - my 'me' left off to shine".

Sociological study time is over and bsc takes the jackets off, and rolls up their sleeves for the deliberate activities in this minimal stalker with a caustic flair. Debiler Drang. A plodding backbeat approaches like heavy footsteps, acid drips incessant from an imaginary chemical IV, the minimal vocals here are deep breathing and hypnotic and with the plunge of the needle, pads rise up from behind the bassline and flush up your skin, darkness overcomes you to bear witness to the essence of electro noir.

Before you can gather your belongings, or even catch your breath, the merciless conclusion comes along to make a killer proclamation. Keiner Kommt Hier Lebend Raus. This musically updated and Italian translated version (Da Qui Non Esci Vivo") also seems to be a little more refined and bulked up, and thus more capable of kicking your proverbial ass to the curb. The Italian lyrics snap right into place, and perhaps even come across with a greater gangster sincerity then the original... surely the overall feel here is of some new found authority to say that in the end, from the underworld, no one gets out alive.

From collar to pant cuffs, Black Spider Clan delivers the goods with a rare vinyl 12" polished with patience, and capable of creating an atmosphere and evoking physical reactions from the listener. The ambitious idea of 'electro noir' is quite capable of causing a stir and it is known then, these underworld streets are owned by the Black Spider Clan.