seven

aardwark is experimental band that explores music genre known as "noise". this is the release that cannot be classified as rhythm-and-noise or power electronics. most of the noise used on the album is unprocessed and presented "as is"; with white noise as the main part of the music. i was surprised to find out that this kind of music isn't that irritating and completely uninteresting for me. the band manages to create something that attracts attention. throughout the album i kept noticing the samples and noise patterns that could sound great together with some kind of rhythmic structure, but were drowned in static. a great number of drilling noises and high-pitched analog bleeps and squeaks were really unique and interesting, but this was more of the "hey, i could use that sample!" interest. surprisingly, the music is never hostile or too aggressive.

the album starts with "8-bit decadence" - a short light piece with white noise, abrupt clicks, bleeps and other unprocessed sounds; it has almost humorous feeling to it. "midsummer psychosis" - a slow song with funny samples and "low-end" videogame sounds on the foreground. "riot squad" - rather cold piece that starts out with the "breathing" machine on the background and builds up to rather structured track. it reminded me of some of chu ishikawa's work. "n.r.m.l." is notable for a wonderful abrupt drilling noise used to create some kind of rhythm. "war and requiem" - the best track on the album that comes really close to rhythm and noise with its interesting rhythmic growling, distorted collapsing synth-line on the background and quite catchy simple melody. "the incursion" - fast-paced track that comes close to rhythm and noise with a great variety of metallic beats, drilling noises, assaulting white noise that make it a good finishing track.

"for a sweeter sorrow" is still too experimental to appeal to wide range of public, but it is a great exploration of the world of pure noise and structures that can be created without significant sound processing. definitely not for the weak of heart.