Schloss Tegal - Neoterrik Research " The Unearthed History of Schloss Tegal "
I REALLY love it when these classic death-industrial/ambient acts decide to release some cool reissues in nifty-looking digipacks!. One of the latest ones is by Schloss Tegal, a compilation compiling various tracks from obscure various artists-compilation (1997-2022). Re-mastered by RL Schneider himself (Brainpilot behind the act). The cover artwork is just a thing of pure beauty. Sort of grey, black, and white grainy artwork showcasing various manipulated autopsy-themed photos. Actually, the compilation was first released back in 2004 on Cold Spring Records, but this time the cover artwork not only looks better but represents the music way better as well! A big shout to Alonso Urbanos for the excellent artwork! The whole thing contains 12 tracks, 55 minutes in total.
The first track is called Bones of Tartarus. Tartarus (according to Greek Mythology) is quite a wicked location if you ask me, a place of torment and suffering for the wicked... and the titans as well. So yes, there should be ALOT of bones in Tartarus. A deep and drony ambient track for lovers of heavy electronics. Lots of cool layers going on, and quite an adventurous/escapist vibe/mood in there as well. All of these sinister sounds are mixed with a haunting and looped religious chanting. A very cool and hypnotic track to start the compilation!
The second track Please Eat Me, is another good example of why this act can be simply irresistible... exquisite even! Lots of cool claustrophobic subterranean sounds. Reminds me of the early Test Dept/Laibach in a way. Metallic beatings in some abandoned factory, someone digging through the earth with a shovel (I think!), disturbing manipulated human voices (or is it actually pigs?!) with some distorted pitched sounds on top of it. Fans of the soundtrack of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre would love this.
The third track Last Glint pf Consciousness gets back to those classic death-industrial/ambient sounds of the labels Cold Meat industry/Slaughter Productions. Bone-crunching atmospheres are set in some morbid operation theater. Glimpses of paranormal touch/ideas spark the track even higher. Greatest track so far.
The fourth track Collapse of the Wave Function offers a psychedelic soundtrack journey into the afterlife. Grinding and metallic drones from the heaven above, with some warbling (and eerie) ambient electronics. Again, LOTS of interesting sound layers!
The fifth track Anti-Life Equation kinds of chills down the atmosphere, to a more "pleasant" mood. Icy and minimalistic death-ambient. Love the crunchy sounds in the background, low-fi when it works! Incredible mysterious track with a lot of depth to it (11 minutes and 48 seconds).
The sixth track is called Zero Situation has a lovely mechanized rhythm. Starts with two thumps and then it ends with a metallic crash, doesn't actually sound like much (in the written words), but on the album, it sounds that good. Any fans of Megaptera would approve.
The seventh track Invitation to an Outrage (Reptilian Mind) offers echoed, layered, and looped samples/recordings. Not much drama going on here, but the track doesn´t need the bloody drama. A very cool and subtle track with a lot of darkness within.
And that ends the review. There are 5 more tracks on the compilation album, but I think that the listener should just further explore the rest of the album! I love this compilation, it sets a certain and specific morbid mood for anyone who digs pure ritualistic death-industrial. It also adds some extra psychedelic and experimental elements to the style as well! Might just be one of the top death-industrial releases to end up under the Christmas tree this year!.
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