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Black Spider Clan - Underworlds - 03-Mar-08 11:52 AM
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.

Dystronic - Rude Tunes - 03-Mar-08 07:35 AM
Following up a June delivery of one of the finest 12" of 2005 Beta Evers "Eruption", Kommando 6 returns a year later with a step back to fill the void of catalog number K6-19, bringing "Rude Tunes" by Dystronic. The release completes a three ep trilogy, which includs K6-5 "Rough Reality" and K6-13 "Raw Deal". Here it can be said that each has been done in the not so easily obtainable "own style", with a signature sound, authentic arrangements, and original themes. I suppose it is appropriate, that this latest third is for sure the strongest and I say too with certainty, one of the best 12" of 2006.

"Rude Tunes" fills the void, not merely plugging a missing K6 catalog number, but by developing further the terrain which the Kommando 6 milieu has staked out through the past 6 years, bringing deep and dark electronix with unmistakable confidence and pride. For the purpose of this review, I chose to liken the 4 song EP to the work of an accomplished architect. The electronic "drafts" here stand out from other less remarkable music, with true character, individualism, and a unique approach to bringing monumental sounds. The songs each display calculating engineering details and astute construction features and as such, very much like good architecture, delights to be noticed and deserves to be spoken about.

With this allusion firmly in mind, let's walk through the blueprints of Rude Tunes, not necessarily in the order that the songs appear, but rather in an arrangement of my own design.

Stepping into the hallway of Indifference. A rip-roaring tune with big tempo changing breakdowns and a high vaulted ceiling that allows the hot vocoded vox "indifference" to swirl around in swollen sonics and turbulent midranges. The live sounding drums rise and fall like footsteps up and down a doublewide staircase that spills into the center of the room.

With a crack of thunder you stride into the living room for Autumn in Aux. A breathy and warm midrange encourages you towards the fireplace mantle, where smoldering pads and low-end melodics capture your attention. The steady grooves are like a freshly stoked fire, the backbeat of flames lick their way up the charred brickwork. Kicks and cymbal splashes crackle in syncopation. A final sound of thunder and metallic percussion fades into the rain as you break your feet from the floor.

A few more steps along and you are in the study and greeted by Rude Tunes with its wall of fat midrange that imposes upon you like endless shelves stacked full off books. Sustained feedback drapes the windows black and industrial riffs rise from the floor like columns and radiating from the heat registers, pulses of bass. An unnervingly low voice shakes the floor from the basement. "Rude Tunes". Appropriately, this title track evolves through a detailed but straight electronic drum program, to a stripped down break, and back again with live trap sounds and cymbal splash adornments.

Our tour ends in the bedroom, where comes alive Oppressive Dreams. A haunting introduction and slow and low groove lead you tentatively into bellowing midrange melodics, electronic drum track tempo changes spiral in symmetry, the facade falls away as sirens wail, you are caught in the act with guns out of bullets, moments out of time. A soft stroke of textile brushes you back awake from your nocturnal activity and the EP ends.

A final word here, as it should be noted that, much like the review of an architects final work, the interpretation and appreciation of such is a very subjective experience. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the ear. Taking it in, you may find aspects that speak to your ideal of form and function, or you may choose to see it as just another use of bricks and mortar. But what stands regardless here is a distinct intent, to make something perhaps a little out of the ordinary, still comfortable and done with intent and deliberation, but with a well defined style and character, that is precisely what sets architects apart. Here on Rude Tunes, instead of drafting pencils and rulers, Dystronics tools are analogs and sequencers and effects.

Beta Evers - Eruption - 03-Mar-08 07:34 AM
With this the third EP from the primary mind behind the Kommando 6 label, Beta Evers mightily drives a stake in the ground to lay claim to the currently rocky terrain of electronic music. K6-XX is adorned by the image of Cleopatra, our first clue that this record would be more then just another top 12" of 2005, but a strikingly potent one, with four uniquely different and yet thematically similar musical reflections. And too, as the black and white photo of Claudette Colbert suggests, one which will surely stand the test of time, and garner accolades and playbacks from the more discriminating ears of home listeners and provide some of the more dramatic moments in the sets of the more risk taking DJ's. Here too it should also be noted, the "Bangdabox facilities" mastering work has proven to take great care in the mastering of the records exceptionally deep grooves.

Beta is building on the sounds and energy represented on her first K6 release "Passion" and her musical growth is evident too, from the heady musings of the Crème Eclipse "Confusion" EP. Now here the "Eruption" EP brings something new, the ear catching addition of more sung vocals, and well crafted, and meaningful lyrics.

Putting her best foot forward (in 10cm stiletto heeled shoe) is "Don't Be Afraid". An alluring song, but one which ultimately brings the listener some real suspense, as you become aware of the danger that fills the atmosphere, at the same time you are being lyrically enticed to let your guard down. "Don't be afraid, you're in my hands..." you hear as you're musically lured into the web of the spider woman, and before you know it, you’re wrapped up and set to be devoured. This is electronic music at its finest, capable of inspiring in the listener a tremble... and shortness of breath... and goose bumps.

After that quantum leap forward, we fall back in time to the similar pulsing waves that are present on K6-II. "Move In My Body Rhythm" finds Beta straddling a bit of a retro feeling groove, but with updated sounds and acidic effects and processed vocals to make it not sound stale. Here she takes a fearless look back over her shoulder, but keeping the progress going straight ahead. The track is more about energy here and the groove is hard to deny, the staggering pulses, and chanting vocals are a call to the dance floor.

Now comes the (almost) title track, 'Eruptive' and indeed to me, it plays out like a marquee track, or like the final theme song to bring the close of a movie, as in comes the gritty bass line intro, the credits roll. The vocals here lay on the down low, muddied up in darkness, hard in their terse verses and accompanied by the chanting... "Eruptive." Still what seems to have everyone talking about this track, are that up from the depths there are signs of new life in the lighter melodies which spring forth, contrasting the marching back beat and aggressive bass, and taking the track to a climax with even more shimmering melodic moments.

At the point which Eruptive ends, you think, what an EP... and yet wait.... this is a 4 tracker, so there's an encore, and that is Destination Lost, which some may argue is Beta Evers finest moment on vinyl. All at once she brings together her talents, leading with a positively slaying bass line, layering intricate and complex, yet approachable and engaging drum programming, and offering a true elegance of ethereal vocals, bringing such weighty lyrics of a loss and subsequent ambivalence. Here are the sounds of taking a tough situation in stride with an eye in the sky, and sounds in whisper, that in the end, everything is going to be all right. It is truly a sublime moment, an electro chanson it could be said, and such a poignant close to the most recent and fantastic addition to the Kommando 6 collection.

MANASYt & Beta Evers - Shibari - 12-Nov-07 02:21 PM
Unable to Resist - Shibari by MANASYt & Beta Evers
There are some things in life that humans are at times unable to resist, in the time it takes you to read that line, I'm certain a few of them have already come to mind. This review is just one of those times. I cannot present a review of the bodyvolt “teaser” release, Shibari, without resisting the urge to make direct ties (pardon the pun) to sex.

I suppose there's also no irony that it takes two here, to present this singular release. Electro masochist Manasyt takes the track making lead and Beta Evers offers her touch towards bringing a semblance of order in the chaos, grace and beauty in the hardness and tension. The elements in the case of Shibari, that makes for such an exciting excursion of pain and pleasure.

Nawatsuya comes to intro, like encroaching foreplay, a short soft setup for what is to follow… that is Play Bizzarre. Here in the thick of things the beats are rough and tight. A gritty growling midrange holds the line while closed high hats and syncopated snares punctuate the relentless rhythm. Beta’s breathy provocations are irresistibly sexy, offering a tantalizing juxtaposition of seductive softness to the tension in the music.

A crafty choice for the following track is Dependency. A freaky electric bassline splays out bathed in warm soapy pads and sprinkled with twinkling bits and sound bites. Here Beta takes a less spoken and more sung approach to delivering lyrics of loss, leaving, and doing it now, or never.

Kinbaku-bi leads with aggro synth stabs and a hypnotic kick drum, a combination sure to delight the advocates of electronic body music. No surprise that there’s not much vocal work in this one as I imagine there is no permission to talk and any communication going on here, is purely physical.

This leads us to Harder (live) with its intriguing introduction and esoteric off kilter and yet fully funked up rhythm track. Harder takes the union to what I thought would be the sweaty conclusion of Shibari, with Beta reprising her “Down Baby” era demands, but at last comes Devotion.

Devotion is perhaps the most surprising moment on Shibari, but one that serves as a reminder that such acts of seemingly violent passion are rooted in an ultimate trust that is required in relinquishing physical control to another. It is then a deep thoughtful closing expression with soft keys and even softer vocals. A true goose bumping musical moment that wafts up from the boudoir like puffs of smoke from a shared cigarette.

Taking the Shibari experience as a whole, this is truly an exemplary collaborative release. Not only is the music well conceived and executed, the CD is craftily packaged and presented. The delivery of such in a world where quantity driven single minded concepts are all too often given wham bam thank you ma'am treatment, this is reminder that quality comes with patience and tenacity… and a little bit of tension.