Title: Theia E.P.
Artists: Stormfied & Mitoma
Remix Artists: Anodyne, Somatic Responses, Ingen, Defunkt Dialekt
Label: Combat Recordings
CAT no: COMBAT042
Release date: 28 March 2022
Format: Digital Download + Custom USB card
Country: UK

London-based Combat Recordings boss Stormfield teams up with Scotland-based IDM wizard Mitoma to deliver Theia: 4 tracks of heavyweight, creaky machine-step that could sit comfortably in DJ sets of dancefloor electro, IDM or experienced as pure sound-design headphone introversion. It nods heavily at some of their strongest influences from Autechre, Gescom and Gridlock. Reinforcing the release are 5 sterling remixes of electro, techno acid, industrial breaks and leftfield madness from the respected producers Anodyne, Somatic Responses, Ingen, and Defunkt Dialekt.
Created over the long lockdown, the duo’s minds were cast toward the grand, cold majesty of outer space far beyond the walled confines of their bunkers. Taking data and imagery from the European Space Agency as their guides and inspiration, a sonic narrative was developed over 4 tracks, each evolving out of hardware jams on the Soma Laboratory Pulsar-23 drum machine, going through heavy processing and refinement.
“Theia” follows the duo's "Expanse EP" of 2019, continuing the explorative space theme. The EP’s namesake is an ancient planet in the early solar system that, according to certain hypotheses, gave rise to Earth and the moon. In current times, Theia also refers to nanosatellites in space systems engineering.
What we have are 4 tracks of bass-heavy, broken machine rhythms suspended in cold, majestic tones. The EP begins with epic, mournful strings, while rapidfire snares build up in pace. Contrast is a constant trait of their production, where grand, glacially paced strings resonate at odds with rapidfire glitches and metallic percussive details, especially on tracks like “Theia”. “Atlas” goes deeper into Gescom-like territory, confidently chugging with the solid thud of a hip-hop beat as skittering percussion work their way into the cracks between each huge kickdrum.”Kepler” goes along a more dubby route, with asymmetric percussive delays, while “Pulsar” features bleepy machine melodies like satellites chattering to each other in little voices.
 
The 4 originals come reinforced with 4 remixes (or 5 on the bandcamp version). Anodyne reworks the zero-gravity satellite dance of the original Pulsar into a fierce and fast-paced electro piece, tight snappy drums and bearing the characteristic stringwork that he is so well known for.

Ingen takes Pulsar into techno territory, beginning with cantering half-time drums before dropping into a solid, tribal-ish stampede pattern as various elements of FM synth and percussion weave their way in.

Veteran industrial electronic duo Somatic Responses turn in not one but two remixes (the second is available only via the CombatRecordings Bandcamp). Theia (SR breakage remix) takes no prisoners as Somatics let rip with brutal drum breaks fixing in the reds and sharp, cold Aphex-like shrapnel percussion
Atlas (SR acid remix) goes along the acid route, starting mellow and building up into a frenzied swarm of chunky 303 squelches.

Defunkt Dialekt turns in a unique rework of Kepler, with it’s drum arrangements played like a live drummer would, skittering and striking in loose, almost jazz-like style but keeping the heads-down direction
Thick sullen pads permeate the intricate beatwork.

Tracklist:

1. Theia
2. Atlas
3. Kepler
4. Pulsar
5. Pulsar (Anodyne remix)
6. Pulsar (ingen remix)
7. Kepler (Defunkt Dialekt remix)
8. Theia (Somatic Responses breakage remix)
9. Atlas (Somatic Responses acid remix)- bandcamp exclusive track *

COMBAT042: Stormfield + Mitoma: Theia EP

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