To Mirka 

Nuclear decay occurs when the nucleus of an atom is unstable and spontaneously emits energy in the form of radiation. The result is that the nucleus changes into the nucleus of one or more other elements. These daughter nuclei have a lower mass and are more stable (lower in energy) than the parent nucleus. 

“Ábris Gryllus is a cross-disciplinary media artist and musician based in Budapest. He is well-known for several projects, collaborations and performative works with choreographers, sculptors, dancers and other musicians. As a tireless artist always open to new possibilities, Gryllus has worked on dance pieces, educational workshops and installations; he is one-half of the beat-oriented group FOR., and not least of all, he produces immersive electronic music under his own name. His solo materials include the frantic vocal-based ‘Canon’ (The Death of Rave) and two releases on Farbwechsel (‘Post_’, ‘A.D.’) that feature a rather focused, slowly forming approach to composition. 

‘Nucleus of the Decay’ shares the fundamental, carefully sculpting method that is prominent on the aforementioned Farbwechsel releases. This two-track EP is a conceptual piece that reflects on life-changing events, biological or chemical processes and the overall bipolarity that is encoded into the course of a lifetime. Both pieces of the album embody the duality of a living, organic texture and its transience: at times, it can be graceful and splendid, at other times it can be distressing and overwhelming. 

‘Parent I (with Thea Soti)’ is a gradually building opening track, starting with only a handful of audio channels of scratches, hisses and a high-pitched tone. In a smooth and subtle manner, the vocals of Soti then fade into the dense fabric of sounds that unfold, engaging in a plethora of expressions, supported by a bass progression resembling a chorale-like structure. ‘Parent II’ is centered around an instrumental piece, a string-like leitmotif surrounded by whispers and echoes that are bright and piercing, as well as light and cumbersome at the same time. 

‘Nucleus of the Decay’ offers a sonic world that admits the struggle and joy of reflecting on one’s presence, and sees the captivating yet eerie nature of the inevitable future. Working with both purely synthesized sounds and real-life voices, Gryllus’ first solo EP at EXILES invites us to a place that is warm and harsh all at once, dragging us into a swirling torrent of ethereal whitewater.” 

—Nemerov 

“(...) Ábris Gryllus, known for his performative works with choreographers, sculptors, and dancers, creates music of decay and resignation. Nucleus of the Decay is shorter than its 2020 predecessor AD, but similar in structure, with microsounds appearing against a backdrop of hauntological passages. The album is reminiscent of the work of Philip Jeck or The Caretaker, where he builds an ambient, spatial story among noises and loops reminiscent of post-classical synth layers. It is melancholic, sad, and alluring but also lyrical and seductive.” 

—Jakub Knera (The Quietus)

music by Ábris Gryllus* @abrisgryllus
digital mastering by Roland Nagy
vinyl mastering by Stefan Betke (pole) 
artwork by Renáta Szabó

scapemastering.com 
www.instagram.com/rnszab

*featuring
Thea Soti – Vocals (Parent I)

Buy Digital / Vinyl

Ábris Gryllus – Parent I (with Thea Soti)

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