sl_owtalk : berpecah
sl_owtalk
berpecah
Featuring experimental electronic producers Isyraf and mamat, drum and synth duo sl_owtalk’s have quietly broadcasted their brand of frenzied, noise filled compositions over Bandcamp, with a series of singles since the beginning of the year. But the music is far from quiet - rather, "Distort everything” is their motto, and on berpecah, the duo takes their slogan to destructive effect.
Meaning “Split up” in Malay – berpecah is very much in the mold of what its namesake suggests, an earth-shattering six minutes that propels forward with relentless, muscular energy. With Lightning Bolt-like ferocity, the drumming is the engine that drives berpecah’s visceral core. With the drums anchoring the track with insistent, tom-filled breaks, mamat works his oscillators and Korg Monologue console to conjure whirlwinds of sound that combine to form thunderous walls of fury. At times, they sound like metallic screeches, harshly glitching as they contort amidst sheer rhythmic force - at other times, they include hints at melodies but are mangled beyond tangibility. Eventually, fragments of treble waves disintegrate amidst organ-like pulses, and the drumming breaks free of its rhythmic grids. Breaking into new grooves, Isyraf follows the sonic violence again, unleashing harsh waves of dissonance and noise - before it all comes to a sudden halt.
Altogether, the duo's chaotic synergy create an intimidating, imposing sonic mass - and in a sense, berpecah embodies the spirit of its cover. Although they may be masked by digital obscura, the duo are ready to throw down, braced with its sonic kicks and punches. A powerful entry from one of the intriguingly loud voices emerging in the Singaporean avant-garde.
Also, read our review of Monger, single from Isyraf, one half of slowtalk as part of our weekly reviews.
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