Damien De Coene & Julien Skrobek - Quarantaine
Been some time that I have heard something new from both of these guys, Damien De Coene and Julian Skrobek. If you don´t know them, then I can reveal to you they are one of the most interesting artists within the so-called harsh-noise-wall movement (and ambient noise wall). Instead of working with sheer heavy noise-brutality, they both work with subtle minimalism with a clear focus on sound-aesthetic instead. And this time, they have gotten together to create an album together called... Quarantaine offcourse! Out on pro-cdr in a slim DVD-box via Marbre Negre, with only 1 track almost 60 minutes in length.
Nope... Not a noise-wall screaming at you when u press the button! Sounds like something recording which... kept on recording without the presence of anyone being around. Subtle radio-clicks, the noise when the needle gently touches the vinyl, a single guitar string, microphone hiss, dusty and used cords giving away unnecessary feedback... It starts really quiet and gets a bit more.. restless and chaotic later on (but still maintaining the minimal aesthetic)
A human-ghost inside the machinery for sure! Or is it a simple and humane way of expressing Quarantine? To be closed inside your home... and getting bored, uninspired, lack of human-contact, etc... and that being your main ingredients the next day... and the next day... and the next day... When time stops, and you start taking notice of the very small things in your own home... which you usually don´t notice when you are busy with your normal human life. This album makes me think of what Mark Hollis from Talk Talk once said, that the greatest kind of music you can hear is actually... silence. Because silence isn´t really truly silent if you stop time and take notice of it. There is sound in the silence around you, and you might be surprised!
This lovely concept album gives you an idea about... silence and the sound that hides within it. I fxxxxx love it, not an everyday album for sure but it gives you a very unique and personal experience every time you hear it. And the compact disc format works for this album, since having it on vinyl or cassette you would be forced to get out of your state of mind to change to the bloody B-side... A CD... continues to the very end!. It´s a cult thing, and something new. Silent-noise-wall anyone (SNW). Do yourself a favor, are you in quarantine? and feeling bored etc... then you know what to do!.
Bandcamp (label):