Published by Davide Pappalardo on June 8, 2018
Phase Fatale and Silent Servant are well known names in the world of techno-industrial with post-punk and dark undertones. The first one is the project of American born musician Hayden Payne, already in coldwave/post-punk bands like Void Vision, Dream Affair, Anasazi, who has built a fan base very fast thanks to his fascinating take on techno music, characterized by EBM structures and dark atmospheres. The second one is former Sandwell District‘s key member Juan Mendez, a lover of post-punk and EBM music and one of the major names in the fusion between these genres and techno.
It’s not surprisingly that they now collaborate on a three track single for Payne’s label called BITE, a new platform promising techno akin to the aesthetic and musical vision of the young artist. The name of the work is Confession, a nice way to start things up and, at the same time, a proper manifesto for the kind of sound the label wants to showcase. Here the more techno-oriented approach of Mendez perfectly completes the sharp, gritty sound of Payne, developing a hybrid sound which, while being not something new for techno listeners, still keep our attention thanks to their skills and intuitions.
Plastic motion is the A side of the vinyl, an inspiring track with engaging basslines and grim, shrilling soundscapes, a fusion of dark elements and futuristic techno rhythmic crescendos. All the elements of proper techno music are there, be it hit-hats or snares, but there is something eerie and at the same time aggressive both sound and production-wise, recalling the militant style of old-school EBM. It’s not hard to envision a dark and foggy dancefloor while listening to the track, picturing a mysterious but fast-paced 80’s action movie with dark undertones. Brooding but enthralling, this is a perfect number both for the personal listening session, both for a night out.
The title track changes gears, starting with a distorted down-tuned post-punk sound, then adding almost tribal rhythms and pounding structures. The track grows into a punishing affair, a techno ride with distorted vocals and experimental undertones, but at the same time it keeps all the elements of a club track. Once again a perfect matching of underground vibes, old-school industrial/EBM elements and straight techno snares and beats: the two artists enforce and enrich their work thanks to their personal visions.
The last track Tausend heilige is maybe the more abrasive moment on the single. It showcases a minimal structure built upon a grinding bassline and obsessive sounds, choosing to focus on hard beats and cutting effects instead of uptempo rides. A once again distorted, creepy vocal style completes the song, while eerie soundscapes stay on the background. An evocative track which sounds as something from the second side of Phase Fatale’s last effort Redeemer, buth with even more urgency and hidden power.
With only three tracks this work shows why both of them are among the more renowned names in the world of techno-industrial. This peculiar genre has grown during the years, gaining recognition even from the traditional techno scene and splitting up in even more sub genres and interpretations. Phase Fatale and Silent Servant move between the lines, using proper EBM and industrial elements in a techno setting, achieving tracks which could be used in a techno set, as well as in a modern EBM night. The linkage between these worlds seem to be BITE’s interest, and we hope to see this line followed in the future.
Label: BITE
Rating: 8