Genre: Orchestral Ambient / Bombastic Noise
A niche of aural anonymity, Autarky is the adit of expression for one, or two, or possibly more members, of either sex, or perhaps none, who according to an interview, “Autarky is to the West what Laibach is to the East.” In itself, taken out of content, it might seem to reek of status and pride, yet it is more the message that they seek to emulate in their own fashion: targeting globalisation as a parallel to bacteria.
This is the first released album from Autarky deceptively named ‘II’, though this relates more to the disintegration of digital data from the first album... which from accounts was salvaged from tape masters and is to be released in due course.
Soft organ pads an introduction like some classical overture before blisters of filmy white noise layer the swelling orchestral synthesizers, initially suspended but not anxious, swelling a swelter of noise and melody. Looping invectives of noise stamp bombastic, glazing underlying melody in the rustle of electronic marches. The raucous and hoarse electronics do not outsoar the melodic samples and sequences leaving power electronics far below at times. Hermetic zones of thunderous cacophony nearly imperil the comingling of the orchestra, but Autarky’s curtaining in such tracks is balanced with reflective military symphony.
While there is little new sound-wise in Autarky’s debut, it is above par in composition though the production feels a little empty in the lower end, but the encrusted orchestra they emit is perfect counterpoint to the harsh glare of sputtering sound.
The packaging of this album is one that needs tentative description, for the package is handmade, but this could purely be a promo. Four sheets of high-gloss full colour ink-jet printed Epson photo-paper card with the included blank CDr. Track names, a small statement of political representation and diagrammatic pie chart from left to right (politically speaking). All cards are black with a grey stripe running through each... This is of course assuming that this is the ‘for sale’ product packaging.
