Genre: Glitch / IDM / Experimental / Ambient

Track Listing:

01 Black Tape
02 Lockswitch
03 Shadow Stain
04 Head Cage
05 Skinloop
06 Bloomchild
07 Transatlantic Headroom Tube
08 Dirtwalker
09 Sinkpool
10 Pretend Not To See
11 Cnyspher
12 Acalephs
13 Brain Capacity Overload
14 Much Like A Dream

The other day went to an art exposition, absolutely clueless on what I was going to see, just at the entrance there was the only reference to the content: “Fractal art” it reads. So I stepped in, half interested and other half completely sceptic. At first the geometrical models, the ultra complex and infinite polyhedron sequences seemed quite simple and uncannily hypnotizing, perhaps too abstract to approach after a succulent meal and most notable Chilean wine. Nevermind, everything looks better when you’re seated. There was a huge hologram of an artichoke in front of me as an evident example on natural fractal art and this caught my attention and fueled my motivation, so then, when in confrontation with something more solid and tangible, the details that composed the natural structure started to get some sense, the vertiginous chaotic sensation found during my first perception later got reduced to my surprise, now rediscovering the textures found in the holographic vision from a vegetal. A micro version of the universe and the natural ability to recreate the forms that modulate this apparent chaos.

There is an order within disorder, a paradox, an unexpected sequence that brings no certain finale. That is what fractals tell about and what literature tries to say with that poetry laced sentence “The world is a dream inside a dream”. I believe that an album like: “The institute of random events” is a perfect articulation of such digression. Could perfectly be the musical accompaniment for such interesting modern and scientific art reunion, more over could be even be considered fractal music in itself even if doesn’t contributes with the mathematical conditions of its practical elaboration, as it induces the same perspective and sensation while listening to it. This work needs the listeners awareness and dedication for its full enjoyment and understanding, just as in a fractal exposition, it needs time and patience, observation and distance and in the end results in a supremely interesting experience.

Highly intelligent music, solidified in mathematics and randomly abstract diversion the work pays multiple homage to diverse electronic genres and epochs. Electroacoustic elements are visible, especially in relation with the atmospheric background that surrounds each piece, these atmospheres also has this shoegazer dreamy sound that contrasts with the rapid succession of varied rhythmic forms, all those clicks, beats, bleeps and bits that travel endlessly around each piece. The work is charged with the alien logic for rhythm that would find its love niche in the 90’s with legends like Autechre , although I would say Tapage is a lot more varied and unpredictable, less robotic and more organic, surprising with each upcoming aural event. Aided in a type composition that could be called stochastic, the music may seem uncannily chaotic, but after a while one starts to understand the implications behind its complexity, the entertaining factor is high to say the least once you get the direction of the plot. The author utilize glitch–tech beats and bits amongst random tweaks and breaks an other sound distortions to conform a monumental array of textures and ultra complex structures. Cold and cerebral, but nevertheless utterly dynamic and entertaining, the work balances too well its experimental whereabouts and seduces the listener with its unpredictability which is in my opinion his ace and principal characteristic. Disjointed, chopped and cut rhythms in family with breakcore acts such like Somatic responses and Venetian snares gives to the work this distinctive dynamic aspect that maintains the morals and expectations high.

These huge varieties of rhythm forms usually contrast with a soup of highly melodic analgesic drones that continuously modulate different frequencies conforming different spaces and auras and ultimately bring the ultimate fractal trip during the session. Songs to highlight? there is some, as for example “Lockswitch” with its clever jazzy feeling via multi layer, the ethno charged sacral chant filled of rhythmic madness “Pretend not to be”, The robo-erotic “Shadow stain” with its lustful vocals and eerie horny moaning or “Dirtwalker” an intricate metallic sound short circuit rhythm frenzy with its beautiful music box like melody. It is rather interesting to question the origins of this act, ignited from the ashes of a hip-hop/metal band born in the Netherlands the author decided to experiment with the universe of possibilities that only digital technology could bring. Quite a shot huh? The guy discovered a multi dimensional universe of fractal-isms and other complicated geometrical figures thanks to this! Oh well, thanks to him for opening this portal to such deme-ntion!

I would say the work is a compensation between madness and beauty. Madness represented in the apparently chaotic undercurrent from the overloaded rhythmic section, although not linear stands as highly dynamic and interesting while the beautiful side should be the harmonious sense for melody in which these rhythmic elements float in endless progression. His ability to blend electronica with post rock sensibility is really outstanding, it is important also to congratulate its rhythmic creativity, always ready to surprise behind each corner, the method to arrange the filigree that conforms its sound structures is amazing also. The perfect balance between the Apollonian and Dionysian some would say... Interesting. Get it while it last as it is limited!