Genre: Noise / Ambient / Experimental

01 Insects

20.sv is the brainchild of Osman Arabi, a.k.a. Xardas, a twenty four year old producer from Lebanon. Digging a little into his background as a producer it transpires that the Lebanese authorities are not happy with him. Apparently his music, specifically that of the 20.sv project is designed for the purpose of being used in satanic and irreligious practices. A previous 20.sv release, Acid Vomit.Human Genocide was seized and confiscated and Xardas remains under threat of immediate imprisonment if he upsets the system again.

So, what effect does this have on his output? None it would seem, which is fortunate for us.

A subtle, droning bass locks everything together into a semi coherent mass of crawling sonics.

Further into the track, at around the 20 minute mark a solid throb cuts into the mix adding a threatening, ominous air to proceedings as it rotates, distorts and loops back on itself. This and the initial insectoid sound start to gradually bleed together, remain distinct and individual, but also somehow combining to generate a new wall of texture for us to explore.

Eventually, as the track fades the layers of feedback and distortion are stripped away, thinning the overall soundscape down by degrees until, slowly but surely we fade out to silence.

Dark Ambient, experimental, industrial? More noisescape than soundscape, this is a fusion of styles, carefully blended to great effect. Polished and professionally executed.

How much of the sound and style of Insects has been influenced by the situation Xardas finds himself in we can only guess at, what we can do is be thankful, very thankful indeed that he still produces and releases music of this quality, and long may he continue to do so.

Essential.