Opus at the End of Everything by The Flashbulb (2012)

Nerd alert.

Kind of Like: Cloudkicker, Library Tapes, Venetian Snares

Genres: Electronica, Experimental, Ambient, Breakcore, Jazz
Spotify: Yesh
Preview:


I featured Benn Jordan's last album under his alias, The Flashbulb back earlier last year.  That album, Love as a Cold, Dark Hallway, was heavily jazz influenced; more so than most of his other albums.  Most of his work still has a minimal jazz influence whether it be chords or what not, and this new album is no exception.  However, this album reminds me more of the ambiance of Cloudkicker's latest album, Let Yourself Be Huge.  There is very limited jazz and even very limited breakcore involved in this album which ends up being quite a deviation from what you usually hear from Benn Jordan.  That's probably the best part about this guy's music though is that he is always experimenting with himself and his equipment.

I actually found out this new album dropped last night, and it really helped me get through my studies.  It is simply massive as well.  He just came out with Love about a year ago, and then he drops this hour long 25 track album.  Granted, it isn't his most technical and impressive music I have heard, but I highly recommend all of Benn's work, he is a really great musician/composer.

Listen Here:

Streampad: The Flashbulb - It Never Ends

Cubist Reggae by Venetian Snares (2011)

Kind of Like: The Flashbulb, Aphex Twin

Genres: Breakcore, Electronica

Preview: Website

"On this EP Venetian Snares significantly breaks the mould with four tracks that he calls 'Cubist Reggae'. As a descriptor, it's apt, as these are basic loops and ideas taken from reggae but bent into strange angular sounds.

'Ever Apparent All Being Shoulder' cuts and chops an upbeat reggae rhythm into dramatic shapes, from which tentacled effects and melodies evolve, whilst all the time a sinister voice whispers dark intentions.


'Where You Stopped The Heaviest' brings downcast, shimmering orchestral chords over cavernous dub spaces, which are occasionally fractured with violent effects or sad melodies.


'The Identification Circles Levitate' starts by folding down a reggae melody into ever decreasing sharp shards, while a foggy melody builds over the top, the track then develops a burst of rave energy, before it closes down with the melody again.


'You Discovered The Secret And Juiced It For All It's Majesty' consumes the reggae and just leaves the cubes behind. Whats left of the loops are turned into rhythm, as drums are chopped up into neurotic dissonant patterns, dissolving into space before firing off at angles, as a seasick melody keeps the track centred."
-Planet Mu Records

Listen Here

3 Way Split by Sorry, Honey, You Are Fiasco!/Bears in Ushanka/The Penguin Collector (2011)

Kind of Like: Kidcrash, The Locust, Ed Gein, Genghis Tron
Genres: Post-hardcore, Mathcore, Grindcore, Chaotic Hardcore, Breakcore

This split is nuts.  You are fiasco remind me a little of Kidcrash/La Quiete, and are pretty good.  They throw in a little variation for the storm that this split is about to throw you into.  The two bands after them are hectic as hell.  Bears in Ushanka and The Penguin Collector are more like grindcore bands.  Bears in Ushanka remind me of Ed Gein, and are pretty violent and technically cool sounding.  Meanwhile, I was pleasantly surprised with the Penguin Collector because the vocalist reminds me of the Locust, but the cool thing about them is that they throw in Breakcore aspect to them, they sound like they throw in fruity loops electronics into the grindcore mix to put together a mix of electronica and grindcore.  I think some people are calling that cybergrind now?  Whatevers.  I wanna say these guys are from Russia because whenever I try to find stufff about them I keep seeing that weird language that looks like a bunch of pi symbols and variations of it.

Listen Here

Love As A Cold Dark Hallway by The Flashbulb (2011)

Kind of Like: Venetian Snares, Benn Jordan, Flexe
Genres: Experimental, Electronica, Breakcore

The Flashbulb is one of the many aliases for the talented idm artist, Benn Jordan.  Benn Jordan has a wide range of styles and it looks like this album is focusing on jazz influences.  It's always a pleasure hearing new stuff from this guy; he is a great guitarist and electronic musician.

Download Here