Inhaler - s/t
First review from noise/experimental-label Ominous Recordings (see the former interview), a self-titled cassette album called Inhaler. Inhaler has also released another obscure cassette called Gorefields, back in 2014 On Stängda Dörrar. And this new release by this act has (also) been recorded back in 2014, in the same studio called White Lodge. The question remains then, is this act still active... or?. We will see what the future brings. On with the review.
Any fan of classic/proto power-electronics will notice it, give a nod and smile. And yes, it does look like a nod to the old days of power electronics. Back in those days where no one were doing power electronics. I immediately thought back to Whitehouse´s groundbreaking masterpiece ´Dedicated To Peter Kurten´, Stapleton and Bennet´s ´150 Murderous Passions...´, or Sutcliffe Jugend´s ´Campaign´. And yes, the guy on the cover art wasn´t actually a nice guy. Practically being one of the most hated criminals in Russia. His name was Andrei Chikatilo, and he was a serial killer. He went by with names like Butcher of Rostov and Red Ripper. Committed sexual assault, murder, and mutilation of at least 52 children and women. Executed by gunshot in 1994. A lot of trial-drama (which I suggest for the curious) to read all about. Single-sided cassette, 4 tracks, 28 minutes of pure old-school power-electronics.
This is the kind of power-electronics that I like. It´s not harsh-noise chaotic and aggressive but maintains... a subtle, honest, minimalistic (and atmospheric) sound brutality (why all the drama?). In my world, power-electronics are good when you can actually sense the artist's intentions with it. There are brains and truthfully guts on this release, it actually makes you think (which I love). And I love the sound, sounds like you're in a tiny and gloomy cellar room listening to the band performing. A lot of sound variety too, guitar strings, rhythmic distorted stompings, screaming tones, reverbed cave-sounds, hidden demonic vocals. Really pleased with this cassette. Tired of wannabee power-electronics act? THEN GET THIS TAPE, it will not let you down. Fxxxxxx great!.
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