Abscheu – Pretense LP Unrest Productions 2017
Although knowing virtually nothing about this project (including even the country of origin), it is again a case of Unrest Productions showcasing young projects who are effectively the new guard of the post-industrial underground. Pretense is the second release from the group, following 2016’ Breviary Of Chaos tape, and while having missed out on the debut, this functions as my introduction to Abscheu and can be quickly heralded as a stellar release.
Although billed as power electronics, the sound of Pretense sits in the militant tinged and industrial infused end of the genre’s sonic spectrum. Six tracks feature on the LP, where the material is framed around a clean and defined mix of scrabbling and unsettled loops, sustained noise, heaving bass thumps and spoken, sonic treated vocal proclamations. Broadly the sound is stalking and controlled rather than pushing towards unbridled aggression, although the material does build up toward the final title track, which also includes some strong dialogue samples to flesh out the album’s concept *. Given its thematic focus and militant/ tactical sound, an oblique comparison could be made to Genocide Organ’s Under Kontrakt album, albeit here in a more streamlined and direct style. Either way this is a clear indication of the strength of Abscheu’s sound.
Visually speaking, the clean design of the cover illustrates cultural conflict and societal unrest from differing angles, but without lyrics of further detail being presented the listener must engage in detail with the release to better appreciate the themes on display. Without question this is another outstanding release from the Unrest Productions stables and again highlights the label as the current leading underground outlet for uncompromising and expertly executed material.
* – the promo blurb further expands on the concept: “From Europe to Middle East via Sub-Saharan Africa, Abscheu have been watching some of the most determined acts of violence. Studying how bloodthirsty groups wash their hands by adorning their motivation with divine command. Seeing zealots justify murderous wrath by invoking their favorite sacred book whenever necessary. A self-proclaimed court where justice is selectively rendered. A confusing purgatory where hatred is given a legitimacy. A sneaky trickery designed to mislead one’s enemies in the maze of one’s lies. «Pretense» is the exploration of that system from various perspectives. «Pretense» is an unquestionable judgment before men – definitely not before that thing they call god”.
noise receptor 