Edward Sol - Almost Sugar
This time we are not dealing with either a new artist or a new side-project! This time we are dealing with someone who has been active for over 10 years. On top of that, he is also one of the leading key figures in the experimental industrial scene of Ukraine. A highly productive fellow he is. This tape is one of the newest which has been released by a new label called Despot. Limited to 30 copies! 2 tracks being 15 minutes long.
The first track called Almost Sugar enters an almost clinical laboratory, the kind of place where modern alchemists work. The sound of hot bubbling liquid inside tubes, distorted synthy-drones, mechanical but organic sounds, and tiny metal balls rolling inside...something. As you can hear, a kind of track that not only opens your ears but your mind as well.
Later on (in the background), we also have some haunting psychedelic sound of human voices forming words...highly mutated being beyond recognition. Also being present at this time, the sound of insect wings and pleasant high-pitched tones will completely hypnotize you! A brilliant track offering a lot of styles in sound. It´s completely packed with different warped microscopic sounds (which you might subconsciously recognize!).
The second track called Superdry People actually sounds like... something that sucks you dry? Imagine being kidnapped by aliens and having over 100 tubes on your arms and legs, sucking away the very stuff which keeps your mind alive. The whole thing (in the beginning), sounds... well dry! With a very eerie kind of... the sound of suction. I guess this is how it sounds when Lovecraft´s Colour Out of Space sounds like when it sucks dry the farm of Ammi Pierce, creating that blasted heath. A very alien-sounding experimental track, the kind of stuff that sticks into your ears and mind. Again, lots of adventurous stuff happening in just 15 minutes! My favorite moment is when the distorted/warped sound of fireworks goes on... brilliant!
What can I say? A mind-blowing album! A soundscape that keeps the listener more... curious. The sort of soundscape you want to escape into and explore... like some hidden world hidden from sight. Edward Sol has managed to create an album that pushes the boundaries and at the same time has kept a brilliant focus on where he wanted this album/sound to go. Just like space-traveling, Almost Like Sugar is... Brilliant Like Sugar!.
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