the only demo recovered from a second set of tapes.

The Darkwave Demo (that place over the moon aka skeletal structures) is an enigma. Originally believed to have been recovered from a cassette found in a mangled backpack in the Ukrainian woods near Chernobyl, all documented evidence of its true origin has subsequently been redacted into obscurity. The sounds contained within are certainly as cold and foreboding as a bleak eastern-bloc landscape, yet also contain moments of light and triumph, shrouded in a sensibility somehow slightly askew from normal western values. There is an 80's optimism here, but it's not the 80's of John Hughes and Miami Detectives. Instead, we are presented an alternate 80's where a chain-smoking Stassi asset slinks through foggy Berlin alleys to a rendezvous which may or may not end in bloodshed.

While the world may never know the truth behind the creation of these recordings, indeed even the true, original titles of the songs are a mystery, what is known is that these recordings survived and have steadfastly refused to fade into obscurity. The titles most in their most commonly accepted incarnation are what have been used here, although they surely bear little in common with the music they represent nor the creators’ intent, they have nevertheless become what the fans of this recording know and appreciate. One can only hope the person or persons responsible for this recording can both understand and appreciate the irony of the life these recordings have taken on, so far removed from their rightful world.

Music, in its’ purest form should ask more questions than it answers. To that extent, these recordings fulfill their responsibility admirably. We can wonder as to the fate of the artist behind these recordings – perhaps they succumbed to some terrible radiation induced sickness, it is even entirely possible the creator languishes in some forgotten gulag or perhaps was consumed by the mutated bears and wolves of the grim landscape rumored to be the source of these recordings, our truth is whatever we make of it, whatever we take from these sounds and meld into our own version of reality. It would be comforting to think that this was the intention all along, and that somewhere in our cold and lonely universe, whatever remains of the soul of this artist is satisfied and comforted in the knowledge that their voice has been heard.

the darkwave demo - umbilicus - demo instrumental

a master of transition in an attempt to be basic combines electronic redundancy with imagination and clever technique.

experiments in electronic redundancy, breaks, and audio sculpture recorded in various residences, venues and motel rooms with bare essentials, in strange situations, with strange company and an always altered consciousness.

no filter. simplicity rules. less is more.

the darkwave demo - umbilicus - demo instrumental

Polymorph