Published by Davide Pappalardo on July 31, 2018
Mass-X-Odus could sound to many like a new name in the scene, but you should be not mistaken. We are talking about one of the many aliases used by Adam X aka Adam Mitchell, the key name in the field of techno-industrial and the boss of Sonic Groove. A tireless music machine, Adam keeps producing music mixing the core elements of techno, EBM, industrial, rhythmic noise and much more, guided by his deep knowledge of techno (being the brother of Frankie Bones and one of the original New York techno artist/dj pioneers himself), his all-encompassing vision about rhythms, songwriting, music and his strong working ethos.
In 2013 he published under this moniker the 12” Gang Wars / Redlining (Fondation Sonore) in which obsessive steady rhythms inspired by old-school industrial and rhythmic-noise, hard techno patterns and sinister atmospheres concurred to an unrestrained but rigorous sound defining the concept of techno-industrial in its very soul. Now he returns for aufnahme+wiedergabe with the 4-track vinyl Societal Decline, where he digs even deeper in the sonic ground offered by this combination. In lesser hands the result could be clumsy or self-indulging, focusing too much on an aspect at the expense of another; but we are talking about a veteran who has crossed music worlds and genres before it was cool and fashionable, going against the trends of that time, a meticulous and careful creator of soundscapes and rhythmic voyages with a clear vision and real skills.
Endless blight dominates the A side with its two versions: the Stray bullets mix is a pounding affair with droning drum sounds, sci-fi arpeggiators, vocal samples and cinematic atmospheres. Fast snares and robotic vocals complete the scene and hard beats guide us toward the serpentine loops built by the various elements here displayed. The Lawlessness mix focuses even more on the rhythm, taking more of a clue from rhythmic noise droning sounds, but adapting them to techno/EBM bass-lines and lysergic club atmospheres, A grooving crescendo enforces the track, giving us a perfect interpretation of techno both as research and body-music.
Skid row is a cybernetic mantra made of beats and distortions, punctuated by combative drum machine and electronics. A rhythmic-play is here at work, underlined by subtle sudden changes in which vocal samples and disquieting sounds are inserted. The industrial nature of the sound is perfectly integrated with electronic elements, giving us a coherent hybrid. Slumlord is a stomping number with militant rhythms and harsh atmospheres, a hypnotic ride which grows thanks to the progressive addition of sounds. Scratchy incursions and frantic soundscapes are herald to captivating bass-lines and rhythms which take control of the listener. We can find something in common with Ancient Methods‘ first works, especially if we think about the” hidden funk” of the track, but a personal touch is always at play.
If you want to listen to skilfully crafted techno-industrial with rhythmic noise elements and ingenious structures look no further. Adam Mitchell can change names and monikers at will, but he doesn’t change the quality of his output, be it straight techno or experimental takes in the world of possibilities offered by the communion of techno, industrial, ambient and more. If you are a lover of this sound, or simply a lover of great electronic music, do yourself a favor and listen to this fantastic release by a master not easily matched by his peers.
Label: aufnahme+wiedergabe
Rating: 8,5