Serration – Deconfliction MC New Forces 2019
Serration – In The Shadow Of Tyranny MC Cloister Recordings 2019
Serration, a duo from the States, are an exponent of a modern, militant framed, heavy electronics sound. With their first release issued in 2017, already six releases have been issued, with these two cassettes being their latest items.
Like the earlier tape I have heard, Deconfliction bristles with controlled tension, where tensile loops, throbbing bass, and distortion/echo-treated vocals are the order of the day. The five tracks total around 20 minutes of material, meaning each is relatively short at around four minutes. Usually a pattern is established early on based around droning synth loops, augmented with additional layered sonic elements and completed with treated vocals (some of which are clearly manipulated media samples).
The mood and tone of In The Shadow Of Tyranny is quite similar to Deconfliction although it is slightly different in two key ways. In the first instance the four tracks are on the longer side at six to 12 minutes each, while in the second the tension on selected tracks has been elevated a couple of notches. A great example of this is Weakness In Remorse where the driven loops and urgency of the vocals provide an added edge. The title of the following track Into Annihilation provides a quick synopsis of the elevated tone of this track, where the explosive bass-driven synths and seething vocals drive the track forward.
Overall there is an overt mood of tension across both tapes, rather than actual sonic violence, and while relatively straightforward, the mood and atmosphere is strong and confident. Both tapes are short and sharp and of clear quality, reinforcing the impression that Serration are a project to keep a keen eye on.
noise receptor 