Filling The Void - Dystronic "Rude Tunes"

Following up a June delivery of one of the finest 12" of 2005 Beta Evers "Eruption", Kommando 6 returns a year later with a step back to fill the void of catalog number K6-19, bringing "Rude Tunes" by Dystronic. The release completes a three ep trilogy, which includs K6-5 "Rough Reality" and K6-13 "Raw Deal". Here it can be said that each has been done in the not so easily obtainable "own style", with a signature sound, authentic arrangements, and original themes. I suppose it is appropriate, that this latest third is for sure the strongest and I say too with certainty, one of the best 12" of 2006.

"Rude Tunes" fills the void, not merely plugging a missing K6 catalog number, but by developing further the terrain which the Kommando 6 milieu has staked out through the past 6 years, bringing deep and dark electronix with unmistakable confidence and pride. For the purpose of this review, I chose to liken the 4 song EP to the work of an accomplished architect. The electronic "drafts" here stand out from other less remarkable music, with true character, individualism, and a unique approach to bringing monumental sounds. The songs each display calculating engineering details and astute construction features and as such, very much like good architecture, delights to be noticed and deserves to be spoken about.

With this allusion firmly in mind, let's walk through the blueprints of Rude Tunes, not necessarily in the order that the songs appear, but rather in an arrangement of my own design. Stepping into the hallway of Indifference. A rip-roaring tune with big tempo changing breakdowns and a high vaulted ceiling that allows the hot vocoded vox "indifference" to swirl around in swollen sonics and turbulent midranges. The live sounding drums rise and fall like footsteps up and down a doublewide staircase that spills into the center of the room.

With a crack of thunder you stride into the living room for Autumn in Aux. A breathy and warm midrange encourages you towards the fireplace mantle, where smoldering pads and low-end melodics capture your attention. The steady grooves are like a freshly stoked fire, the backbeat of flames lick their way up the charred brickwork. Kicks and cymbal splashes crackle in syncopation. A final sound of thunder and metallic percussion fades into the rain as you break your feet from the floor.

A few more steps along and you are in the study and greeted by Rude Tunes with its wall of fat midrange that imposes upon you like endless shelves stacked full off books. Sustained feedback drapes the windows black and industrial riffs rise from the floor like columns and radiating from the heat registers, pulses of bass. An unnervingly low voice shakes the floor from the basement. "Rude Tunes". Appropriately, this title track evolves through a detailed but straight electronic drum program, to a stripped down break, and back again with live trap sounds and cymbal splash adornments.

Our tour ends in the bedroom, where comes alive Oppressive Dreams. A haunting introduction and slow and low groove lead you tentatively into bellowing midrange melodics, electronic drum track tempo changes spiral in symmetry, the facade falls away as sirens wail, you are caught in the act with guns out of bullets, moments out of time. A soft stroke of textile brushes you back awake from your nocturnal activity and the EP ends.

A final word here, as it should be noted that, much like the review of an architects final work, the interpretation and appreciation of such is a very subjective experience. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the ear. Taking it in, you may find aspects that speak to your ideal of form and function, or you may choose to see it as just another use of bricks and mortar. But what stands regardless here is a distinct intent, to make something perhaps a little out of the ordinary, still comfortable and done with intent and deliberation, but with a well defined style and character, that is precisely what sets architects apart. Here on Rude Tunes, instead of drafting pencils and rulers, Dystronics tools are analogs and sequencers and effects.

All tracks composed, produced and recorded by Dystronic, 2004-2006. Mastering by Ra-X. Record is available through Simulacron Mailorder!